Chapter 13: House Telvanni

A cold, foreboding air hung upon the Temple Plaza. The city ordinators, having drawn their weapons at Zayden moments ago, now began to treat him like an honored guest. The dead bodies were quickly taken away and one of the guards present elected himself commanding officer and asked the Nerevarine what he desired. Zayden wished to return to his room in the Foreign Quarter. The request was met and the ordinators on site gathered around Zayden to form a protective barrier of shield and metal armor. The same guard ordered Zayden to lead the way forward and he did, linking back up with Hui, Caius, and Jeed-Ei firstly.

None of Zayden and his company spoke anything as they made their return journey back across the length of Vivec. All the while the crowd in the plaza followed, a mixture of fascination, disbelief, and in some cases anger. None of the crowd truly lashed out but there was a feeling that it could happen soon. It was for that reason the ordinators hastened the group faster. The group arrived without incident and did not leave their room for the remainder of the day.

Ordinators posted themselves both outside the company's room and outside the inn itself, keeping strict watch and notice of all who entered the establishment. The company quickly found they had become prisoners of their own making, none of them allowed to leave for any reason. The inn's keeper protested this occupation of his business but the Vivec guard was total law within the city. The innkeeper relented just as quickly, knowing he could easily be jailed for obstruction.

With everyone stuck in their room until the guard deemed otherwise, Caius took this moment to give Zayden one last refresher of the Great Houses and its members. He was pleased to see Zayden had all but perfected his lessons. Hui once more returned to his books and magic studies and everyone had trouble sleeping that evening.

The next morning there came a harsh knock at the door. The city ordinators let themselves into the room and ordered everyone to get ready to leave. They explained that late the previous night, with all three of the Great Houses councils finally assembled, they all agreed to meet with the bearer of Moon-and-Star. Zayden would be escorted under guard thoughout his stay within the city and was presently asked which house he wished to see first. Zayden picked House Telvanni and after several minutes of preparation the company was ready and was escorted out of the inn.

Zayden asked the guard if the crowds from yesterday had dispersed. He received a scoff in reply and nothing else. A real answer would come moments later when the group stepped back outside into the company of even more guards. The crowd of citizenry seemed to have not gone away and in fact significantly grew. The air filled with voices when Zayden stepped into vision. The combined ordinators formed another perimeter around Zayden and company, the guard from earlier informing the rest they were to march toward the Telvanni Canton.

At threat of shield and spear the crowd parted to allow the guards and their escortees through. A tight perimeter was kept but people nevertheless attempted to push through if only to catch their own fleeting glimpse of Zayden. The guards headed south around the Foreign Quarter and across the bridge to the Redoran Canton before heading east. People on adjacent walkways and on the docks on the water below stopped to watch the procession pass by. People walking on the upper walkways and bridges witnessed from a bird's eye view.

From the Redoran Canton they crossed another bridge to the Arena Canton and began to circle around its perimeter to the other side. When the group turned another corner and the Telvanni canton finally came into view a flash of light burst in front of the group. Gasps and screams emanated from the crowd and all the ordinators quickly unsheathed their weapons. But just as quickly as the weapons came out they were sheathed when the guard realized what had happened.

"Master Aryon," greeted one of the guards. Zayden instantly recognized the name. He turned and met the gaze of Caius's helmet goggles and he nodded back. "A pleasure to be visited by you. But what brings you here? Should you not be in your house chambers?"

"I wish to speak with the Nerevarine now," a voice answered, "before he meets with the rest of the house. He is here, yes?"

The guard nodded and the perimeter parted in the front revealing the man behind the voice. It was a younger looking Dunmer man with an oddly cut head of black hair and a teal blue robe with many golden tassels. He stepped into the perimeter and approached Zayden directly. "Good morning, Nerevarine. 'Zayden,' yes?" Zayden nodded back. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am-"

"Master Aryon," Zayden interrupted, "Master rank of House Telvanni alongside Mistress Dratha, Master Neloth, and Mistress Therana, all serving under Archmagister Gothren."

Aryon grinned with amusement. "You come prepared with knowledge. This is commendable… I sensed your approach to our canton and hoped to have a word with you, and to give you warning…" Zayden tensed up but said nothing. "The Archmmagister and the other masters have already assembled in the tower in the plaza and await your arrival… Tell me, how prepared do you think you are, Nerevarine? How sure are you that you will receive the rest of the council's endorsement?"

Zayden gave Caius a second glance before answering. "If I may speak frankly," Zayden answered, "I am not entirely certain. I understand Mistress Dratha holds disdain toward men of all races, but Divayth Fyr reassured me previously that House Telvanni would uphold my request to be named Hortator with relative ease. He believed House Telvanni is largely unconcerned with the Nerevarine Prophecy and whether or not it be fulfilled. I have been banking on this position to make my case on."

Again Aryon nodded and grinned once again. "My former mentor is not wrong to think so. Mostly not wrong. That is why I am here… I've come to warn you that Archmagister Gothren will refuse your request."

"What? Why?"

"It is because you are an Imperial outlander. He will never accept a 'dog'- no offence- to represent House Telvanni. I've also come to warn you that the Archmagister will not directly refuse your request. He will delay his vote indefinitely and without unanimous consent from the council the vote will never be concluded. Even if the rest of the council agrees to your request, Gothren and Gothren alone will deny you the title of Telvanni Hortator."

"Then speaking to the council will be pointless?" Zayden asked. "Is this what you've come to warn me of?"

"So long as Gothren is a part of House Telvanni you will never be named Hortator. But I come with a solution to your problem." Master Aryon took another step forward and brought himself closer to Zayden. "If I may speak frankly, Nerevarine, I am somewhat of an outcast within my house. Many of my compatriots outside the council see the coming of the Nerevarine as the forbearer of the Empire's invasion of Morrowind. They are concerned about its influence to our way of life, but I see things differently. I see a future where House Telvanni and the Empire can coexist, and I believe the other Masters can be persuaded to see things my way. You will obviously have my vote… But not Gothren's… I therefore recommend he be killed."

"Killed?!" Zayden balked. "You want me to kill your Archmagister?!"

"It would be a perfectly legal act within our house. And with Gothren eliminated I would ascend to the rank of Archmagister and the council vote will become unanimous. You would be named Hortator!"

"Master Aryon, I do not think-"

"There is no other way, Nerevarine. If you wish to be named Hortator, Gothren must die. Do you accept my terms? If so, speak now, and tell me how it will be done. I will assist in any way I can."

Zayden's mind began to race with dread, believing his journey finished before it truly began. "If I accept what you say is true, and Gothren must die, you can not expect me to do it. I am no murdrer, and I can not believe I could best him in fighting, given his skill as a wizard… Wait… You spoke of Divayth Fyr as your mentor? Is it possible for you to contact him before my arrival? Do you think he…?"

"Perhaps," said Master Aryon slowly, understanding what Zayden was requesting. "It would be a simple matter of teleporting a letter to him. But you do really believe he would aid us in this? Fyr, for all his brilliance and might, never involves himself in house politics."

"Please, Master Aryon, try," Zayden pleaded. "It's just a feeling, but I think he would be willing to aid us. We have nothing to lose from trying."

"Very well, Nerevarine, I shall try. Take a few extra minutes to arrive in Telvanni Plaza and by then the message will be sent. Whether or not he responds will be left into the hands of fate. Farewell, and until we next meet, Nerevarine." Master Aryon took a pair of steps backwards and disappeared in another woosh of sparks.

The ordinators wordlessly reshaped their perimeter around Zayden and company and quickly resumed their march over the next bridge into the Telvanni Canton. At Zayden's request the ordinators went at a slightly slower clip, creating the time Master Aryon needed. They proceeded up the covered walkways leading up the side of the canton to the pyramid's flat top and entered. With the news of the Nerevarine's arrival the plaza was naturally more populated than it normally would have been. The plaza itself, domed underneath blue-green glass, held a few residential buildings for high officials, doorways to some house vaults, but was primarily dominated by the presence of a small tower made from familiar mushroom growth, one that twisted and rose through the ceiling and sunk its base and roots deep into the floor and levels alone.

The company was urged into the tower and the ordinators remained outside the door and stood watch. Stepping inside, the interior of the tower seemed larger than its outside would have suggested. They were met within by a hireling, a lowest ranking member of House Telvanni, and led the group down a winding walkway that spiraled downward to a different corridor that opened up into a wide round room with bumpy vaulted ceiling studded in similar large glowing violet crystals Zayden saw in Tel Fyr. They bathed the entire room in their light.

Around the room's perimeter was a half-ring table where the Telvanni council, consisting of its five most senior members, sat equally spaced. To Zayden's left were Masters Neloth and Aryon, the latter giving Zayden a subtle nod of his head, his eyes looking slightly worried. To the right were Mistresses Therana and Dratha, none of whom looked particularly pleased at Zayden`s presence. And in the table's center was House Telvanni's Archmagister, Gothren. All council members, save for Aryon who was youngest, were Dunmer and looked similar to Divayth Fyr in that all had aged faced but powerful, youthful eyes. The same four members wore robes of matching fashion seemingly crafted half of fine cloth and half from the same organic growth of the towers themselves.

"Step into the center of the room," Archmagister Gothren urged Zayden. Caius, Hui, and Jeed-Ei remained along the room's wall as the Imperial stepped into the center of the half-ring. Already he could feel the weight of powerful eyes baring down upon him, watching and judging him. Gothren resumed. "Please state your name and affiliations for the record."

"Zayden," he answered, "Blackcap of the Guild of Thieves."

"You come before us claiming to be 'Nerevarine,' incarnate of Hortator Indoril Nerevar?"

"Only the Ashlanders can truly declare me thus. I do not make their claim."

"Yet is it not true that yesterday, two city ordinators wore a ring you bore, a ring you claimed was the true 'One-Clan-Under-Moon-and-Star' and died as a result?"

"This is true," Zayden sighed.

"You come before us desiring to be named 'Hortator' by House Telvanni?" Zayden nodded. "To what end do you seek this titilage?"

"To fulfill the Nerevarine Prophecy, the defeat of Dagoth Ur, and to seek answers of the Tribunal and their crimes."

"Speak your case now, before the council."

Zayden paused and took one final deep breath before beginning. "Council of House Telvanni," he announced. "I have previously spent time amongst another of your order: Divayth Fyr. Though not of this council and divorced from much of house politics, his strength and belief in this house's ideals can not be denied." A subtle roll of the eyes came from both Mistresses but both of the Masters seemed to agree. "It was in our time together he was able to cure me of my contraction of Corprus and it was under his care and in his company I learned much of this house's importance. I must admit, of what I have learned, your ways are most alien. Your relentless study into the deeper mysteries of magic, coupled with your rejection of all hindering ethics and morality is frightening but all together admirable. It is for these reasons I wish, foremost, to make clear my neutral stance to your house."

The council exchanged brief, quizzical looks between its members before Master Neloth spoke up. "What is the purpose of this flattery, Imperial?" he shot across the room. "If you believe the title of Hortator can be bought with sweetened words alone-"

"My purpose is not to flatter," Zayden interrupted, "only to make clear to you, Master Neloth, and all others, that I wish to keep out of your affairs… It is a belief of House Telvanni and many others that the arrival of Indoril Incarnate, and by consequence the fall of the Tribunal Temple, will allow the Cyrodillic Empire to spread even further into Morrowind. As you all know they already plant their feet in Ebonheart, in forts scattered across Vvardenfell, and even with the creation of the Foreign Quarter in Vivec itself. One would be a fool not to believe that in the absence of the Temple their influence would not spread further. I have personally come to terms with this seeming inevitability in recent times myself. If the prophecy upon me holds true, I fear this future might be nigh."

Mistress Therana let her presence be known and slammed her hand once upon the table. "Now you come to us spreading doom!" she protested. "A doom your actions will create! Is this meant to persuade us to endorse you?!"

"I am here to make my promise to you and to House Telvanni and if these things occur that I, as Hortator of House Telvanni, will pledge to all of my ability my promise to advocate for House Telvanni and allow it to remain exactly as it has always been: free to do as they wish and free from outside influence."

Again the council members exchanged glances, this time of mild approval. All except from Gothren, as Aryon warned. Aryon as well gave a look of unease toward Zayden. Aryon straightened himself in his chair and spoke up. "Blackcap Zayden," he addressed. "If the coming of the Empire is indeed an inevitability, is it truly wise to resist them forever? I commend your desire to maintain our house's integrity, truly. But perhaps cooperation-"

Already a collective moan of disapproval sounded from both mistresses and Master Neloth. "Typical male," Mistress Dratha chided, "cowering in the face of opposition! Master Aryon can be safely ignored, Imperial. He would see our house lessened by Imperial dogs! At least you promise to keep our integrity, as little as your promise is worth… What trust can we put in your words, Imperial? How can we be sure you do not act in the Empire's interests?"

"I have no love for the Empire," Zayden confessed. "It was by their hand I was forced to this land and the role I now find myself in. I've seen their cruelty first-hand. They are no 'brothers' to me… But to answer your concerns, Master Aryon, I am not ignorant to this. Again, I will advocate for House Telvanni's independence, but I recognize some form of cooperation might be unavoidable. If any must be done, and so long as it benefits House Telvanni, I will do so."

Gothen, for the first time, interjected himself in the discussion. "You offer much that contradicts," he criticized. "You speak of both maintaining House Telvanni's independence and of the Empire's inevitable influence, only to then claim to see a happy medium between the two? I find this difficult to believe. If anything you seem to channel the delusions of Master Aryon. Why should we entertain these delusions any further by naming you Hortator?"

"... Archmagister, do you fear the Empire?"

Gothren snorted at the very question. "Only children fear dogs."

"Do you believe your order is strong enough to stave off their influence?"

"Of course. House Telvanni have withstood invasions and crises for eras. We have little to fear from this empire as it currently stands."

"Then you have nothing to lose in having me advocate for your house. Ignore me if you wish and defend your interests yourselves. Just name me Hortator."

Master Aryon, sensing a breakdown in the negotiations, raised a hand and stood up from his seat. "I think," he interjected, "the Imperial has made his point. If no one else wishes to ask anything further, I call for a vote." The other Masters nodded in agreement and Gothren, begrudgingly, agreed as well. "Very good. Mistress Therana, please begin." Aryon lowered back into his chair giving Zayden a glare out of the corner of his eye.

Therana, the oldest, most senile, and most powerful of the council- even surpassing in strength the Archmagister himself- considered her decision for a brief moment before replying. "His appointment would ultimately be inconsequential to me," she said. "I don't like his Empire doom, but what's said is said. For five hundred gold tribute he shall get my vote." Not precisely how Zayden imagined the response, but it was an endorsement nonetheless. Master Aryon then called on Mistress Dratha to cast her vote.

"One thousand gold tribute," she answered. "If he wants to be named Hortator so badly, he will have to sweat for it." As predicted, Dratha wore her disdain for men on her sleeve. Already the price for House Telvanni's support was growing high and Zayden began to fear how much higher it would reach. Master Aryon spoke next and gave his unconditional vote. Next came Master Neloth who, after a few grumbles demanded yet another five hundred for his vote.

Zayden looked back to his friends. Hui and Caius seemed to shift uneasily in their shoes. They too seemed perturbed at the rising cost, a sum that already none of the company put together could afford. Finally came the decision of the Archmagister, who wasted no time giving his response. "Your request is a difficult one to consider, Imperial, considering its contradictions in promises. I will require more time to think upon it. Perhaps once you return with the other member's tributes I will come to a decision more easily." Just as Aryon had warned; Gothren was stalling, and if what the Master said was true, his answer would never come. "With that, this vote remains inconclusive. I declare this meeting of the council adjourned. Please inform us, Zayden, when you have your payments ready. You are dismissed."

And that was that. All that effort for nothing. Zayden felt helpless but knew there was nothing more he could do this day. He gave the council a bow, thanked them for their time, and turned to leave the center of the room. But then, the moment he stepped out of the center of the half-ring table, a familiar flash of light filled the chamber. Zayden whipped back around and was met with a familiar sight.

"About time you moved!" said an irritated Divayth Fyr. "I was waiting forever! Couldn't use my recall spell until you moved out of the location of its mark. Trust me, I've seen people transport into each other and it is not a pleasant sight." The Telvanni wizard now occupied the center of the room, flanked on both sides by all four of his daughter-wives. He gave Zayden a quick grin and nod before turning his attention to the council. "Forgive my late arrival," he greeted to them casually. "Would have arrived before the proceedings but, you know, I got caught up in some work with Yagrum Bagarn. That Dwemer can really talk one's ear off. Truly starved for attention, that one. Makes sense, given his surroundings."

All five of the council members rose from their seats and all save for Aryon looked not at all pleased at Fyr's arrival. "And what compels you to grace us with your presence, Fyr?" asked Gothren. "This is a meeting of the high council, of which you are not a member! Why have you come?"

"I caught wind of the Nerevarine's arrival in Vivec, just like the rest of you. Wanted to pop in and see how things were going. I helped cure him of his Corprus, didn't you know? Second Trial fulfilled, thank-you-very-much!"

"We are aware, Fyr. What we are not aware of is why you inject yourself in matters that do not concern you."

"And why bring your concubine daughters, Fyr!?" Dratha added. "They have even less place here!"

"I'd much prefer you didn't refer to my daughters as whores, Dratha," Fyr chided. "Except for Beyte, the horny minx she is. But I brought them because I know you'd enjoy their company so much," Divayth taunted, making Dratha look ready to kill. "But this is all so very beside the point. So someone, tell me, has a decision already been made? Has the Imperial been named Hortator?" Fyr's question was met with silence. "No? Well what's the hold up!?"

"I have yet to make my decision," Archmagister Gothren stated. "All but Master Aryon offer their vote in exchange for gold tribute. So as it stands the vote is in limbo."

"So you're the hold-out, Archmagister? Master Aryon was correct in his letter, then."

The Archmagister's glaring eyes quickly fell upon Aryon. "Are you responsible Fyr's appearance, Master Aryon?" he asked him. "Explain yourself!"

Before Master Aryon could answer Divayth Fyr approached the Archmagister and stood before him across the table. "Never mind him, for a moment. I'm calling the shots right now… Be honest, Gothren, you're stalling. You have no real intention of naming this man Hortator, do you?" Gothren's silence was all the answer Fyr needed. "I urge you to reconsider."

"Why should I?" Gothren asked Fyr. "Because you have befriended this outlander?"

"Don't be a fool, Archmagister. This man bears 'One-Clan-Under-Moon-and-Star!' No 'incarnate' before has ever worn the ring and lived. What's more is what I sensed during his time in my tower. I felt… something. I sensed this man may see this prophecy to its end… This Imperial may still die. He may yet fall, yes, but what have you to lose by not granting him the title?"

Gothren slammed a fist upon the table in fury. "I will not take part in allowing a mongrel become the Nerevarine!" he declared.

"Ah-ha! And that's the real reason, isn't it? Also as Master Aryon warned me."

Again Gothren's anger flared. "My decision is final, Fyr! I will not name this dog Telvanni Hortator. You are in no position to change it!"

Fyr seemed eerily calm in the face of his opposition. "Is that so?" he replied. "Have you been Archmagister for so long that you have forgotten what House you lead? Rank, ultimately, means nothing in House Telvanni, and you are not the most powerful wizard in this room. I am in no position? No, Gothren, I think you are in no position to reject my will."

Slowly, Gothren straightened his posture. "Are you threatening me, Fyr?"

"I'm giving you one final choice for life. Name this man 'Hortator' or you forfeit it."

Archmagister Gothren, distracted by both Divayth Fyr and his own boiling rage, failed until that precise moment to realize that Master Aryon had positioned himself behind Gothren, his glowing, open palms aimed at his back. He slowly turned his head around to look Aryon in the eye over his shoulder. "I should have known you would do this, Master Aryon. Imperial boot-licker!" He turned back to face Divayth Fyr. "So, it's treason then?"

"No such thing exists within House Telvanni, fool. If you have forgotten this and you've rendered yourself so vulnerable to be overthrow, perhaps a change in leadership is required." The Archmagister's eyes grew wide and words failed to pass his lips. "Step down as Archmagister, Gothren, and we will make it painless."

"... Never," Gothren whispered. "Never! NEVER!"

Master Aryon threw his hands forward and blue bolts of lightning flowed from his fingertips into Gothern's back. The surge instantly seized his body and rendered all his muscles convulsing. The moment this occurred, upon witnessing this murder, a vision flashed in Zayden's mind, one similar in feeling to the one he received upon first putting on Moon-and-Star. He saw what looked like an ordinator being pierced and run through from behind by a spear. With the sight brought a similar pain through his own chest. But when Zayden focused on the ordinator's golden face he realized it was no mask but the elf's actual face. It was the face of Indoril. Zayden was witnessing his past self's murder.

Divayth Fyr reached out with a hand and placed it in the center of Gothren's chest, sending a second, more powerful spell through the Dunmer's heart. Gothren made no gasps or screams of pain as the lightning coursed through his body and killed him. When the spells lifted, his smoldering corpse fell forward and struck the table with a heavy thud.

Jeed-Ei gave a gasping cry before burying her face into Hui's chest, Hui enveloping his arms around her shoulders. Neither he nor Caius nor anyone else in the room spoke for a long moment. Zayden looked to the other council members and saw little in the way of regret or sympathy in their eyes. It truly was as Fyr said; in House Telvanni, might makes right. A waft of burning flesh reached Zayden's nose and instantly turned his stomach into knots. Terror quickly filled his veins and Zayden decided the sooner he could leave this place the better.

Master Aryon was the first to finally speak. "I call for a second vote, to name myself, Aryon, new Archmagister of House Telvanni." The vote, Zayden knew, was unnecessary, as the promotion would now be automatic upon Gothren's death. Nevertheless the remaining council members gave their "Ayes" and elected Aryon as Archmagister.

"Very well. Thank you," said the new Archmagister. "Now, as my first act as Archmagister, I call to resume the vote to name Blackcap Zayden 'Hortator' of House Telvanni for the task of fulfilling the Nerevarine prophecy. I reiterate that I give my unconditional vote. Do any wish to amend their previous votes?" All remaining three shook their heads.

"Then I declare the vote unanimous. Blackcap Zayden, upon your payment of tribute, this body shall name you Hortator of our house."

Zayden was still feeling sick but still managed to force himself to bow. "Thank you for this honor," said Zayden. "H-However, I fear I do not have the two thousand to give at this time. Some can be paid now but-"

"Two thousand?" Divayth Fyr echoed. "If that is all that was asked, I will cover the amount in full. On one condition, Hortator. You owe me an artifact for my collection. And it had better be a worthy one."

Zayden now found his head beginning to spin. This man, Divayth Fyr, had just murdered in cold blood his superior and now spoke to Zayden and others like nothing had happened. The image of the friendly, eccentric wizard was gone, replaced with something much more terrifying. Zayden then remembered he was in a room with four equally remorseless creatures. The vision of Gothren's murder flashed in his eyes once more. "... Deal," Zayden finally managed to croak. Indeed, the quicker he could leave the better.

Archmagister Aryon motioned to the hireling and called him over. He whispered a command to him and he rushed off, returning a pair of minutes later with a large roll of black cloth. The roll was placed on the table and unfurled revealing an exquisite gold and copper robe inside, its threads subtly shimmering with magic.

"Step forward, Hortator Zayden," Aryon announced. Divayth Fyr and his daughters parted and allowed the Imperial to step forward back into the center of the room. "This robe shall be the gift of our house onto you. May it be a symbol of your appointment as Telvanni Hortator. House Telvanni wishes you success in your quest."

Aryon rolled the cloth back up and placed it in Zayden's awaiting arms. Again Zayden bowed and thanked the council before turning and heading back toward the entrance they had come from. By that time Jeed-Ei had managed to unbury her head and she, Caius, and Hui gave Zayden a reassuring smile. But Zayden, his face frozen, walked right past all of them and began heading back up the winding stairwell, leaving the others to catch up. They called Zayden's name, asking him to stop, but the Imperial did not.

It was not until halfway up the stairwell that someone managed to catch up with Zayden. The Imperial felt a hand upon his shoulder and, fueled on instinct, he dropped his roll of cloth, reached for his dagger-club and spun around to swing it. His arm was caught effortlessly by Divayth Fyr, who casually took the weapon from Zayden's hand and examined its deceptively simple design. "Careful who you start swinging this thing at," Fyr joked. "That might have hurt me."

Zayden snatched the weapon back and stumbled backwards, his eyes still wide with fright and shifting rapidly. Hui, Jeed-Ei, and Caius finally caught up with Zayden and were surprised to find Fyr ahead of them, then questioned why Zayden looked so frightened. Hui managed to get Zayden back on his feet and, after taking a minute to breathe, Zayden explained his vision.

"As Gothren was being murdered…" Zayden's eyes shifted back to Divayth Fyr and back off him. "I saw another vision. A memory of Indoril! I saw his murder, pierced through the back by a spear!"

"The spear of Vivec," Fyr explained. "'Muatra.' Be calm, Hortator. It was only a vision, one of a past life. No one here is going to harm you."

Zayden nodded and took another moment to steady himself. He hefted his cloth roll back up and breathed deep. "Yes, of course… Fyr, is killing common within the Telvanni ranks? I ran after witnessing you and Aryon kill Gothren so mercilessly."

"You needn't worry about Gothren," said Fyr. "He was a fool. Everyone on the council wanted him dead secretly, not just Aryon. Don't mourn him."

"Answer my question, Fyr. Is murder amongst the Telvanni common?"

"... Common enough," Fyr answered. "More common among the lower ranks: Heirlings, Retainers, Oathman. Much less common amongst the upper ranks. In fact, I can't remember the last time an Archmagister was killed. Most are not dumb enough to let themselves get knocked off. Again, don't mourn Gothren. If he let himself get killed he no longer deserved the position."

"I-I'm not judging you and your house. I understand you have your ways, extreme as they are. Even if I wanted to speak against them, it would not be my place to do so, even as Hortator."

"Indeed. But let's get off that for a moment, Hortator. I was hoping to conduct a follow-up on my Corprus cure. Anything to report?"

"Well… None I can think of. I don't think I've noticed anything different about me since leaving Tel Fyr."

"What about your strength and stamina? Your results were 'Type 4,' meaning the negative effects of the disease were reversed and its positive effects- namely an increase in strength and endurance- are maintained. Have you noticed any changes in those regards?"

"I've had little physical exertion since leaving. I haven't noticed a change."

"And concerning your she-elf. Have you two exchanged fluids yet? Anything to report there?"

Caius raised an eyebrow and gave Zayden an amused look, waiting to hear an answer. "W-We have," Zayden groaned with discomfort, "and there is also nothing to report. She didn't contract the disease."

"Splendid! That should please Yagrum to hear, at least. Get back to me on those other aspects when you have a chance to test them out. Maybe start a bar fight or beat up some homeless people. See how long you last. Well, farewell for now, Hortator. Good luck with the remaining houses." Fyr then turned and descended back down the stairwell leaving Zayden now feeling more perplexed than uneasy.

"Yes… Good to see you too, Fyr," Zayden whispered to himself. "... I don't think I'll ever fully understand the Telvanni or Fyr," Zayden concluded.

"Perhaps it's for the best you don't," Hui added. "Fyr is a brilliant man, none can argue this. But not even I, once his student, consider him a role model."

"One moment he treats me as a friend, the next a test subject. It is truly for the best that I keep out of Telvanni affairs, if only for my personal safety."

The company nodded and grinned, amused. After another moment to allow Zayden to catch his breath everyone resumed their travel upwards back into the Telvanni Plaza. The ordinators had barely moved an inch from their spots and the crowd of onlookers had grown even larger. When Zayden emerged from behind the tower door the plaza filled with voices and the guard captain turned to greet the man and asked how the meeting fared. Zayden unfolded his bolt of cloth and revealed the Hortator Robe within it. Satisfied, he turned back to the crowd and announced that the Telvanni Hortator had been named.

The reaction from the crowd was mixed. While a few gave obvious cheers, most sounded with a sense of disbelief and awe, and even more with displeasure. This rejection Zayden had somewhat expected. He was, after all, within a city filled mostly with devotees of the Tribunal Temple. The presence of the Nerevarine, the sower of their religion's destruction, would naturally never be fully accepted.

The captain then asked Zayden to which house he wished to see next. Zayden chose House Hlaalu, but decided he would see their high council tomorrow, wanting presently to return to his room in the Foreign Quarter for the remainder of the day. The ordinators complied and the company was escorted back across the city. Once back within the safety of the room Caius once more conferred with Zayden their plan of action for garnering the merchant house's favor. Caius seemed unconcerned with Zayden's prospects. The Nerevarine Prophecy, as the two previously discussed, would invite the Empire and its influences to fill the vacuum of the Tribunal's loss. So long as Zayden advocated in Hlaalu's financial benefit, Caius argued, being named Hortator by the house would prove unchallenging. Zayden voiced no doubts and by that same day's evening he felt confident for the next morning.

Sleep came to Zayden easily that night. But before the next day came a bump in the night ripped Zayden from his slumber. Above his bed stood three figures. A single, small candle burned in the opposite side of the room and did nothing to illuminate the strangers' features. The figure in the center slowly raised its right hand, a jagged dagger clutched within its fingers. Zayden had barely enough time to reach out and knock the weapon away and voice a yelp before the other two grabbed him by the shoulders and pinned him back down on the bed. The first regained the grip of his weapon and raised it once more to strike.

The room suddenly filled with blue-white light. A stream of lightning magic shot across the room and struck the middle figure before arcing into the others. The attackers shook and convulsed in a way that was hauntingly similar to how Gothren was killed. Within a second the three collapsed to the ground. Hui rushed over to ask if Zayden was ok but the Imperial did not answer. His eyes were wide and locked onto the three dead attackers. Caius sprung from his bed and let a few more candles, the new light revealed their true identities of the attackers. All were strange, altered abominations. All three below their necks were male and Dunmer in appearance, dressed in regular clothing. It was the center of their faces where they were most drastically different. Two of them appeared to have their entire upper face scooped out creating a cauterized hole large enough to put one's hand into. The one that stood in the center that held the knife had protruding from his face hole a fleshy, foot long proboscis like that of a mammoth.

"What in Oblivion are these men?" Zayden exclaimed. "What happened to them?"

Caius walked over and knelt down to examine the bodies closer. "These are servants of Dagoth Ur," he explained. "These mer are unlike victims of Ur's corprus disease, who are mere mindless victims. These are members of Sixth House and carry out Ur's will. Their deformities are a mark of their devotion, with greater severity meaning higher status. I have seen only once Ur's faceless servants, but only ever heard of this." He pointed to the mer with the proboscis. "And I've heard rumor of things even worse…"

Zayden finally worked up the nerve to stand up from his bed and head toward the door. He slammed his fist thrice but received no response from the other side. He called out to the ordinators but again heard back nothing. When he finally opened the door he found the two guards slain and lying in small pools of their own blood. Zayden yelled down the hallway and two more ordinators arrived immediately, they just as shocked to see the dead guards as well.

Zayden, Hui, and Caius explained to the Ordinators everything that had just happened and the guards were at a loss for explanation. They had been posted at the inn's front entrance all last night and knew everyone and anything that could have entered the inn. How these three had entered under their noses was a mystery.

More ordinators were called in and all five of the bodies were taken away, stating that an investigation of the attackers would begin immediately. Zayden and company found sleep impossible for the remainder of the night and by morning, at Hui's suggestion, they left the inn for another place to take up residence within Vivec City. The city ordinators agreed and by that afternoon new living quarters were procured in the St. Delyn Canton. Security for the Nerevarine was doubled and access to the residential area was intensely regulated. Nevertheless the news of the attack quickly spread through Vivec and by evening a messenger from House Hlaalu, under heavy guard and observation, was escorted to the Telvanni Hortator's new quarters. The messenger passed onto Zayden a single letter and was promptly led away.

Zayden opened the letter and read its contents at first in silence, a growing look of confusion upon his face as the text reached its end. Caius and Hui demanded to know what the letter said so Zayden read the letter aloud.

"To Zayden, newly elected Hortator of House Telvanni," Zayden recited. "The news of your attack has reached myself and the high council of House Hlaalu. We wish to extend to you and your party our deepest sympathies at this disturbing turn of events and our greatest relief to hear of your safety and well being thereafter. We wish you continued safety in the days ahead and await your arrival in our council chambers to discuss the next step in your journey in fulfilling the Nerevarine prophecy. However, given this unexpected turn of events, we of the Hlaalu high council, rather than force you to put yourself into further danger, graciously offer you an alternative to secure our endorsement as Hlaalu Hortator.

Stated below are the demands of our Great House's highest ranking members. Upon payment of all listed tributes, House Hlaalu will immediately elect you our Hortator. It is the opinion of myself and the high council that this option be taken in lue of a face-to-face meeting, for sake of your safety as well as given your history and current guild affiliations. We hope to receive your reply soon and wish you well in your journey.

Signed, Duke Vedam Dren, Grandmaster of House Hlaalu."

Zayden lowered the letter to see the reactions of the others. Hui seemed slightly confused by the message while Caius grinned in amusement as if he expected this to happen. "This sounds rather odd," Hui commented. "It seems as if they don't care about you at all. And what was that remark about? 'Current guild affiliations.' Why bring that up at all?"

"Isn't is obvious?" Zayden answered. "The vaults of House Hlaalu were robbed by the Thieves Guild not many weeks ago, and I have made it no secret I am a member of that guild."

"But has House Hlaalu confirmed that it was the Thieves Guild that did it? Have they had any proof? And how can they put the blame on you? You had no involvement."

"It doesn't matter to them if they have proof. Only the Thieves Guild could have accomplished such a heist and they know it. They know me as a member and if I go before them they will hold me responsible, evidence and proof be damned. This letter is basically extortion to get my money so they can give their endorsement and brush me aside."

"Sounds right up your alley of work," Hui half-joked.

"Hmm. Yes, to be fair, it is, and I won't condemn them for the act. But not even the Thieves Guild would extort for such ridiculous amounts! Here, listen to these demands." Zayden read off the council members and each of their requested tributes. "Yngling Half-Troll, two thousand gold. Dram Bero, two thousand gold. Nevena Ules, two thousand gold. Velanda Omani, two thousand gold! Crassius Curio- actually, most bizarrely, he only asks, and I quote, for 'a kiss on the cheek.' That's it, nothing else."

Hui grew even more baffled by the moment. Caius, meanwhile, broke out into a moment of laughter. "I warned you of Crassius and his eccentricities," Caius chuckled.

"Yes, I remember," Zayden groaned, "but this all pales to the Grandmaster himself. He alone asks for three thousand! Damn these bankers! Eleven thousand all together! That would bleed the Balmora bureau dry in an instant! What do they expect of me!?"

"They're hoping you take the path of least resistance, for the both of you. And I think we should take it."

"Caius? What are you saying? You know we don't have this kind of money!"

"I hadn't expected this… I always assumed Hlaalu would not care about you being a thief. But now it seems they're willing to use it against you. I fear they have the upper hand in this fight. It might be best to give them what they want. It may take some time-"

"Oblivion to 'time!'" Zayden interrupted. "Oblivion to their money! They just made this personal. I spent the last years of my life breaking myself to rise within the Thieves Guild. I will not have money-loving bankers hold that against me! I will not let myself be racketeered by bankers! That's my job!" Zayden walked over to the nearest candle in the room and set the letter aflame. "House Hlaalu will deal with me tomorrow and they will name me Hortator without receiving a single damn coin!"