Chapter 14: House Hlaalu

Zayden's newfound indignation toward House Hlaalu stoked his emotional state through much of the remainder of the evening. Fueled by this new energy, Zayden was determined to get himself and his friends drunk. He first tried to ask the ordinators outside the room's door to allow him to quickly swoop down to the market and fetch a bottle of Sujamma, promising that he would give them a few extra coins for their trouble. The request was immediately shot down, the guard reiterating that the Hortator and company was to be strictly protected. Zayden then suggested sending one of the ordinators to the market instead. The guard told him to go back inside and shut up. Just as Zayden then began to devise an escape plan, Caius had to calm Zayden down and remind his fellow Imperial that he still had some flin in one of his water skins. He promised to share it if, by morning, he would calm down and rethink his crusade against House Hlaalu. Zayden agreed and, although slightly soured, the flin was potent enough to last the four into the night.

The company was awoken the next morning by the city ordinators bringing everyone breakfast. As Zayden was getting ready to set off in the early afternoon Jeed-Ei began to act worried. She talked to Hui and he explained to the others about a name she heard last night in the letter. "Dren." The family name of the Grandmaster, one shared with the plantation both she and Hui were held in. Jeed-Ei was too frightened to be near a man bearing the name of Dren and wanted Hui to stay with her. Explaining that the plantation was owned by the Grandmaster's brother and that Duke Vedam would not recognize either she or Hui made no difference. Hui was eventually forced to remain in the quarters with Jeed-Ei as Zayden and Caius went on their own.

The golden guards once more provided heavy escort and protection and it was not long before crowds of onlookers followed. The ordinators seemed even more stern and no nonsense than before, if it were possible. While understandable, given the very recent attack, it made Zayden feel even less an honored guest of the city and more a child being dragged by a leash.

Caius reasserted himself as Zayen's teacher, asking fistly if his temper from the previous night had vanished. Zayden laughed and stated that it had, though he wished his hangover went as well. Caius then asked what Zayden had planned, if he was both unable and unwilling to pay his tributes. His answer was to meet with one of the high council and make his case to go forward with a meeting anyway. He knew that one member, Crassius Curio, owned a manor in the Hlaalu Canton itself. That was where they were heading.

Caius's only recommendation on dealing with Crassius was oddly to "be yourself," explaining that Crassius was an eccentric and very openly amorous person who would most likely find Zayden attractive. Given his previous request for a "kiss on the cheek" Zayden did not find that surprising. Caius's final piece of advice was to try to appease the man as much as possible and "make him feel special."

The two men and escort crossed north into the Redoran Canton before heading west and into Hlaalu territory. There they ascended similar stairwells and walkways until they reached the canton plaza atop. Within the plaza the architecture was much more contemporary, free of the presence of the great mushroom growth of the previous canton. Signs and cloth banners marked various shops and the location of the very same Hlaalu bank Zeela helped heist months ago. Zayden and Caius quickly found what they were really looking for, it being one of the few unmarked doors of the plaza.

Zayden promptly knocked on the door of the manor only to receive no immediate answer. After a pair of minutes he knocked again and was met by a member of the manor's help, a Redguard man dressed like a noble who carried himself in a stiff, professional manner. He asked what the meaning of this early visit was and Zayden quickly introduced himself.

"I am Zayden, Blackcap of the Guild of Thieves, and newly named Telvanni Hortator."

"Ah yes, of course. A pleasure to meet you… And this one?" he then asked, pointing to the fully armored "Ashlander."

"He is my personal protection. He can be trusted. Is your master, Crassius Curio, currently within? I wish to speak with him."

"R-Right now? Well, the high council is not set to convene today, Hortator, sir."

"I know. Which is why I am here now. I had hoped to speak with your master about just that. Is he available now or not?"

"Well, perhaps not. He is in the middle of a bath, currently, and while my master would not mind the company, perhaps you two would not wish to see him in such a disrobed state?"

"O-Oh, I see. Well in that case-"

"We would love to see him currently," Caius interrupted, giving his friend a sharp jab in the side. "Isn't that right, Zayden?"

"... Yes, of course," Zayden groaned.

"Oh? Truly?" asked the Redguard. "In that case follow me. His chambers are below."

The interior of Crassius's manor matched his rumored eccentricity. All the furniture, while built and arranged logically, was painted and embellished in gaush fashion. Not a single article went undecorated, the walls of the main rooms adored with large and detailed murals of hedonistic parties and orgies. Apart from the Redguard, much of the manor's servants and help were exclusively female and Argonian, making Zayden glad he chose not to force Jeed-Ei along.

The Redguard led the two Imperials down to a lower level and to the large door of the master bedroom. He knocked thrice and spoke to the other side. "Master Crassius?" asked the Redguard. "You have a special visitor: the newly elected Telvanni Hortator. If this is a bad moment-"

"Send him in, dear!" a voice from the other side called back.

The Redguard opened the door and the two passed through into the opulent bedroom. Near its center was Crassius Curio himself, his back turned, and completely naked. He was a middle-aged Imperial with plump figure and dark brown hair. He stood in a metal tub of steaming hot water and was attended to by two female Argonians, each soaking a cloth and washing the man from head to toe.

Crassius peeked over his left shoulder at his new company and gave Zayden an appreciative grin. "They were not wrong. You are a cool drink to take in." He turned himself around and made no effort to shield his manhood from view. "Welcome to my abode, Hortator. You and your Ashlander." The two bowed and thanked Crassius. "I trust you are here to discuss payment? You can give me my payment right now, if you wish," he chuckled.

Zayden straightened his posture. "Yes, about the council tributes… I burned your letter after reading it."

"Oh?" voiced Crassius, raising a curious eyebrow. "Why do something silly like that, pumpkin?"

"I hoped to renegotiate the terms, either with you or the entire high council, if necessary."

Crassius signaled to the two Argonians and they began to dry him off. "That might be difficult to do, even from me, as cute as you are. What exactly do you object to?"

"T-The amount! Perhaps you have forgotten just how much eleven thousand gold is, your home as lavishly adorned as it is?" Caius stepped toward Zayden, a moment away from warning him not to insult Crassius. But the Hlaalu was quick to retort.

"I enjoy the pleasures and the finer things in life, yes. Especially when it comes to sex and love making. But I am no fool. The price we all gave was not done out of ignorance. Perhaps you, sugar, haven't heard of the heist on our bank vault not long ago?"

"No, I haven't," Zayden lied. "That sounds regrettable, but how does that concern me?"

"We have reason to believe that the operation was conducted by members of your guild, thief. Some of whom operated out of Balmora, our house's capital city." When speaking in strictly business terms, Crassius's tone switched from light and flirtatious to measured and formal. "We think it was someone you knew personally. A cutie in her own right. Tomboy of a Dark Elf… Ring any bells, honey?"

Zayden tensed but kept as straight a face as he could. "Do you have a single shred of evidence to support your claim?" he asked Crassius.

"No,but we don't need any. And the whole council suspects as I do. And suspects you are tangentially involved. But House Hlaalu are not fools and we are willing to overlook your connection and affiliation for a price. We lost a lot of money during that heist and it will take a long time to make back our losses. Unless, of course, you pay your tributes."

"So this is blackmail, then?" said Zayden. "Your house were fools enough to let themselves be robbed and now you want me to pay for your incompetence? No deal. I demand to speak with the council and make my case for Hlaalu Hortator."

By this time Crassius was completely dried and the Argonian maids began dressing the man in cobalt shirt and pants of fine silk. Once finished the two were dismissed and Crassius retreated to a liquor cabinet and began mixing up three small colorful drinks. "If you insist, pumpkin," Crassius sighed. "I think you're making a mistake, but I suppose I can't change your mind." He finished his drink making and brought one over to both Caius and Zayden. "I can call a meeting of the high council and have it assembled at around noon. But I'll still need something from you, sweetie."

"Huh? What do you-? Oh, yes, your tribute. 'A kiss on the cheek.'" Zayden drank his drink in a single gulp and found it strong but sickeningly sweet. "Very well, if it must be done…" Zayden leaned forward but was quickly stopped by Crassius placing an index finger upon his lips.

"Oh, no no no," Crassius playfully taunted. "After coming into my manor and interrupting my bath, a simple peck won't do it. I'll require a bit more than that now."

"What? But Crassius-"

"Please, call me 'Uncle Crassius.'"

"... Uncle Crassius… what do you want now?" Zayden asked, dreading the possible answer.

"Hmmm…" The Imperial pondered for a moment, taking a long sip of his own drink, before finally replying. "Your conduct thus far has disappointed me, pumpkin. Now I don't know what to make of you anymore. I want to see what you're made of, Zayden. I want… a peek."

"... A peek of what?"

"You. You and your Ashlander. Everything you got underneath all this scary armor and weapons. I want to see you two laid bare, just as the day you were born. If I like what I see I might change my position."

"Are you insane?! You want us to strip naked for you?!" Crassius grinned and took a step back, awaiting his request. "Well forget it! Coming here was a waste of time. Come on, Caius, we're-" Zayden turned to Caius to find that he had already taken off his helmet and was beginning to undo his scarf and the waist straps of his armor. "Caius, what in Oblivion are you doing!?"

"I already warned you about this," said Caius, giving Zayden a strongly irritated glance from the corner of his eye. "You refuse to pay the tribute and demand a meeting, and the only way to do this is to get on good terms with Uncle Crassius. Now do what the man says and strip before I break your nose!"

Crassius, while all this was going on, was chuckling away and enjoying the spectacle. "Oh-ho! So the Ashlander is no elf at all! And he wears the pants in this relationship. How entertaining! You had better do as your master tells you, Hortator. Ha-ha-ha!" Zayden, meanwhile, felt like killing everyone in the room. This somehow felt more humiliating than the punishment he received from Sugar-Lips. At least she never made him strip naked for South Wall's patrons.

Zayden gave an even louder groan before finally relenting. "Fine!" he said to Crassius. "But keep your hands- or any other part of your body- to yourself! Or it gets lopped off!"

Crassius giggled and sucked more of his sugar-water down. "Oh, what fire on your tongue! I love it! Please let your body be as hardened as your attitude. What a complete package it would make!"

Zayden groaned and moaned the entire way through but eventually he rendered himself fully undressed, Caius along with him. Once they both finished Crassius took a long time walking around the two, giving thoughtful "Hmm"s as he inspected their bodies. He found particular interest in Zayden's scar-filled back and how physically fit Caius was in spite of his age. It felt like an eternity before the man seemed to be finished looking.

"I take back what I said about you, sweetie," Crassius said to Zayden. "My disappointment in you has been forgiven. Both of your bodies have been well worth my time. You may dress." Zayden didn't need to be told twice. Once he and Caius were clad Crassius continued. "I will send correspondence to the other members of the high council for a meeting. We hold meetings here, in my manor, back on the floor you enter onto. This was meant to be a rest day for them, so they may not be too happy about being called back in for work."

"Let me deal with them," said Zayden. "But can I count on your vote, Cra- Uncle Crassius?"

"Certainly, honey-bun. Now, there will be at least a few more hours until the council is assembled. There is a guest room down the hall at your disposal with maids to fulfill your every desire. Stay as honored guests."

Zayden and Caius thanked Crassius for his hospitality and left the master bedroom. The same Redguard from before had remained outside the door the entire time and immediately showed the two guests the way to their temporary room. It was large and as eccentrically furnished as the rest of the manor, a tapestry depicting an orgy between orcs and Malacath draped across a long wall. There was a fully stocked dry bar to distract from the decorations, though Caius limited how much Zayden could drink before the council meeting. The promise of maids seemed to be a fib.

A few purposefully weak drinks, a cigar, and a final discussion of strategy passed the next few hours. Eventually the Redguard returned and escorted the two men back up a level of the manor and to a long room near the back. The room was arranged like a dining room with a long, sturdy table situated in its center. Knowing what Zayden knew of the high council members, the table was split between what could be called a "criminal line." On the table's left were members Zayden understood to skirt the law, they being Dunmer women; the young Nevena Ules and the old Velanda Omani. On the table's right were three men, two of them being the more "law abiding" of the sort, they being Crassius Curio himself and a male Dunmer named Dram Bero. Additionally a tall, muscular Nord named Yngling Half-Troll sat on the table's right, though his corrupt status was unknown to Zayden. All were dressed in fine silk clothing but the Nord, in addition to the silk, wore the pelt of an entire small bear draped over his shoulders like a cloak.

All these people were rank Councilman of House Hlaalu, and sitting at the opposite end of the table, dressed finest of all, was their Grandmaster Duke Vedam Dren, a fierce looking Dunmer man who eyed Zayden from across the room as he entered. All at once the high council of House Hlaalu rose to greet Zayden with a bow before the Grandmaster asked him and everyone to take their seat. When asked about the Ashlander Zayden explained that he was a type of advisor and asked that he be allowed to stay. The Grandmaster disagreed and Caius was ordered to leave the room.

"This meeting of the high council of House Hlaalu is called to order," Duke Vedam announced. Servants of Crassius entered the room and began serving drinks and fine finger foods to the table. All members of House Hlaalu stated themselves "present" before Vedam continued. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice, though I think we all understand this is mostly Crassius's doing."

"At the request of our honored guest," Crassius stipulated.

"Indeed. We share our table with honored guest Zayden, Hortator of House Telvanni and self-proclaimed Blackcap of the Thieves Guild. This meeting is called to discuss the electing of Zayden as Hortator of House Hlaalu. May Zayden repeat to the council what he divulged to Councilman Crassius prior to now?"

"Yes," said Zayden. "I had received the prior night your list of tribute requests. I found the collective amount beyond my capacity to pay and, furthermore, an insult. I reject the request and wish to renegotiate the terms."

"On what grounds do you deem this an 'insult?' And what do you hope to gain by this attempt at renegotiation?"

Now came Zayden's moment to make his case. The Imperial slowly rose from his seat and began. "Members of House Hlaalu, it is clear to me why you have decided to levy this extra-ordinarily high fee upon me. Your letter made it abundantly clear that it is for my current guild affiliation with the Thieves Guild. The heist upon your bank vault is not unknown to me, as is your suspicion that it was orchestrated by the Thieves Guild. I am not unsympathetic to your plight, but your suspicions thus far have been just that; suspicions. Thus far I have been presented no evidence from any of you that links my guild with this crime. If any wish to do so now, then speak."

Yngling Half-Troll spoke. "Who else but your band could organize to commit such a crime?" he suggested. "It is obvious they are involved!"

"Your conjecture is not evidence, and is useless to me. Does anyone else wish to add to this?" Zayden expected another to interject but to his surprise no one else spoke. "Nothing else…? Then your silence admits that you have nothing! Why then put the burden of filling your coffers upon me if for no other reason than you thought you could? And hold the title of Hortator over my head and think you could get away with it!?"

"It almost sounds as if you are accusing us of blackmail, Hortator," said Duke Vedam.

"That is exactly what I am accusing you of!" The councilman, save for Crassius, gave a collective balk. Vedam raised a hand and silenced the room.

"This is quite the accusation," said the Grandmaster. "We, of course, deny this. But you come with the wish to renegotiate the terms of your election to Hortator. Speak your arguments for the high council."

"Hlaalu High Council, I believe you all understand the ramifications of what I, as bearer of Moon-and-Star, have upon not only yourselves, not just Morrowind, but possibly all of Tamriel. The prophecy of Indoril Nerevar's reincarnation foretells a radical change upon Morrowind, one that may bring about the destruction of the Tribunal Temple and its ruling influence. What comes next is inevitable: increased influence of the Cyrodillic Empire within Morrowind. For the traditional and native Dunmer this will be a great loss. I am also not unsympathetic to this.

For House Hlaalu, however, this represents an opportunity you cannot pass up." It pained Zayden in the pit of his stomach to equate cultural destruction with financial gain. But he knew, to a room of bankers, whose primary interest was large scale trade, that this must be the angle to approach negotiations from. It was the language they understood. "House Hlaalu already has become the new great power with Vvardenfell because of Empire influence. If the Tribunal collapses, a great void will be created within society, one that House Hlaalu can easily fill. The current hit your coffers took, in the coming years, will seem a distant memory. Your house stands to gain so much more through the fulfilling of the Nerevarine Prophecy. But that prophecy can not be fulfilled if Moon-and-Star is never elected Hortator of all three Great Houses of Vvardenfell.

Your choice now, then, is quite simple: extort riches from me now and deny yourself the wealth of the future, or tighten your belts for the moment and grow beyond what you currently think possible."

The case seemed to resonate with the council, a look of approval shared amongst the councilmen. The Grandmaster, however, seemed less than sold. "Your argumentation is sound," said Duke Vedam, "but it hinges on an unknown factor: time. For how long must we 'tighten our belts?' What time will elapse until the Nerevarine Prophecy is fulfilled? Months? Years? A decade or more? What assurances can you give us now to our security?"

"Are you now asking the Thieves Guild how to run your banks, Grandmaster Duke?" said Zayden. The jest garnered laughing reaction from Half-Troll, Crassius, and Nevena, though the duke himself seemed less than pleased. Zayden took this as a good sign that he was beginning to win the room over. "House Hlaalu has grown to the heights it has in spite of the Temple and its influence. In its absence the possibilities are endless. I can not exact a timeline, as such things are riddled with unknowns. But I have confidence House Hlaalu wil find a way forward."

"And what if you fail?" The question came from the oldest, Velanda Omani, and brought the mirth of the room to a crashing halt. "I've listened to your word choice carefully, Imperial. They are themself careful. Conscious or not, you never claim to believe you are the Nerevarine, only the bearer of Moon-and-Star. You speak of the possibility of the Nerevarine Prophecy, not its inevitable completion. It makes me wonder if you even believe in the prophecy itself. Do you believe you are Indoril Incarnate? Do you believe you will fulfill the Nerevarine Prophecy? And if you do not, why should any of us put our trust in you?"

The question struck Zayden hard like a sharpened icicle through the chest. It made him rethink the past several weeks and reconsider everything. He had seen and experienced things he would have previously thought unbelievable, experienced through the eyes of another an entire lifetime. He bore a ring that kills all but the true incarnation of a great hero… But what if he failed? Could he fail? Prophecy can and has been interpreted incorrectly countless times throughout history. Was Zayden destined to be, like the ghosts in the Cavern of The Incarnate, another failure?

"Don't be so hard on the dumpling," said Crassius to Velanda. "He's doing his best to please all the houses, not just us."

"Put your favoritism aside, Crassius! My concerns are valid. Why should we put our faith in him if he doesn't believe in himself?"

"Because!" Zayden's voice shot from the end of the table, catching the attention of the whole room. "Because… I want to know if everything that has happened to me, and everything I have done to lead me to this moment, has been for something or for naught… I do not know if I am the Incarnate. The fact is that I can never be certain I am until it is done… But I must continue forward as if I am, for I will never forgive myself if I don't."

"And besides," Crassius cut in, "the man had made something else clear already. We can not depend on the prophecy for our future success. It must be in our hands as well, whether he succeeds or fails."

Velanda didn't like the answer she got but accepted it. The Grandmaster Duke cleared his throat loudly and brought the attention of the room back to the table's other head. "Unless anyone else wishes to voice any objections, I will make my final judgement on this meeting." Silence and slow shakes of the head came from the Councilmen and so Vedam Dren continued. "Very well… Blackcap Zayden of the Thieves Guild and Telvanni Hortator, has concluded his case and all secondary questions of the Councilmen have concluded. Based upon all, it is the opinion of myself, Duke Vedam Dren, Hlaalu Grandmaster, that the position of Zayden's election to Hlaalu Hortator, for the purpose of fulfilling the Nerevarine Prophecy, be changed. Zayden has given, in the Grandmaster's opinion, sufficient reason to believe that the successful long-term financial outcomes of the prophecy's fulfillment outweigh the initial monetary gain of collecting the Imperial's tributes. All those in agreement say "Aye."

"Aye," said Crassius Curio firstly. "He has met my standards and more than fulfilled my asked tribute earlier today." The eyes of the other Councilmen shifted between he and Zayden but none asked to explain further what he meant, much to Zayden's relief. Next came the Nord, who gave his "Aye." The two Dunmer women, followed by the Dunmer man, gave their approval. Finally came the vote of the Grandmaster himself, but when that moment came, he paused and held a very long silence, his face and eyes showing hesitation.

"Grandmaster?" asked Crassius.

"... I do have some final questions of my own, Zayden, before I make my decision," said Duke Dren. "Firstly, what do you know of my brother, Orvas Dren?"

"Orvas Dren?" Zayden repeated. "I know he owns a plantation in the Ascadian Isles but not much more than that." This was not true, as Zayden knew fully well that Orvas was head of the Camonna Tong, something Vedam Dren would know as well but would also never admit to.

"Indeed. Dren Plantation has had a long reputation of being a fine netch farm and fair middleman for slaves. People who buy his slaves know them to be of fine stock, and in the farm's long life, they've held a good reputation of never having a slave escape… Except for recently… Several months ago the farm had their first escape in over thirty years. A male Argonian, red skinned. He escaped toward Pelagiad and some of Orvas's men took pursuit. They never ended up finding the escapee, and what's even odder, is a tavern owner paid them that night for over twice the slave's value to drop the search right then and there. Seems rather odd that a stranger would do such a thing, would you agree?"

"I suppose," said Zayden, trying to sound both sympathetic and impartial to Vedam's story. Zayden already has a feeling where this conversation was heading and he didn't like it at all.

"Something else interesting happened to another of his stock, this happening just several days ago. Orvas had sold an Argonian female to a brothel in Suran. Suran is currently Redoran territory but it used to be Hlaalu and we still hold some of our investments in the town, the brothel being one of them. This female was stolen from the brothel, right from under the noses of the business's owner and another whore who was the last to see her. She was drugged and couldn't remember the faces of the patrons."

"That's terrible news," said Zayden, "but why mention this to me?"

"I understand your travelling party consists of yourself, the Ashlander, and two Argonians. And I've been reliably told they match the description of the very Argonians I've mentioned; one male with red scales, and the other- female- completely beige with green eyes. Seems like an interesting coincidence, would you agree?"

"Yes," said Zayden. "Very interesting. And very coincidental."

"I'm glad you agree! In fact, it is so much of a coincidence that I've been tempted to send a letter to my brother to see your Argonian companions with his own eyes." A chilled silence hung over the room, the eyes of the Councilmen shifting between Zayden and their Grandmaster. "... Of course, I've been known to get distracted easily, especially by money. If, for example, I was to come into the sudden possession of a new sum of… two thousand gold? I may spend a night counting it all and forget to send my brother the letter… Do we have an understanding, Hortator Zayden?"

"... A complete understanding," Zayden seethed through clenched teeth. Two thousand gold was all he and his party had and Zayden knew Divayth Fyr would not bail him out this time. The bastard had Zayden beat at his own racketeering game and he did it all whilst comfortably seated and without breaking a sweat. "In the stables outside Vivec," Zayden continued, "I have two guar. Tucked deep in each of the saddle bags are money pouches. Take it all. It will be enough."

"Excellent! I'll send a hireling to fetch it and bring it here. While we wait please, everyone, eat and drink some more! Let us celebrate, for in a short time we shall have a new Hortator!"

Crassius's maids returned to the room and refreshed everyone's drinks. A hireling arrived shortly after and, after receiving his orders from Duke Vedam, promptly set off to retrieve Zayden's money. After an awkward moment the high council got a few more drinks into their system and soon enough the mood of the room lightened and filled with idle chatter. To Zayden's credit he chatted and spoke with and amongst the Councilmen of the room and by outward appearance he seemed to lighten in spirits. But within he was seething with rage, a rage that only swelled whenever his eyes fell back upon the Dumner at the opposite end of the table.

At least twenty minutes passed before the hireling returned, four heavy sacks of coins in hand. He placed them on the table in front of the Grandmaster and he gave them a cursory look inside. Seemingly satisfied, he called the attention of the room back onto himself. "With tribute paid I, Grandmaster Vedam Dren, give my vote of 'Aye,' thus making the matter unanimous." The Grandmaster stood up from his chair, followed by the Councilmen, and lastly Zayden. The same hireling, without having being asked, left the room and returned a short time later with a sky blue belt of thick beautiful silk and a gold buckle polished to a mirror shine. He presented the item to Zayden before handing it back to the hireling who brought it to Zayden.

"May this article," Dren continued, "be proof that House Hlaalu has named you, Imperial Zayden, Hlaalu Hortator! We wish you luck and success in your future endeavors, and may our ventures be long and profitable as a result!"

The room raised their glasses in a toast. Zayden joined in and received the belt from the hireling. He spent thirty more minutes in the dining room before he thanked everyone in the room one final time and politely made his leave known. The room bid him additional farewells and Zayden finally exited. Caius stood in wait outside and, like it was after meeting with House Telvanni, found himself rushing to catch up with Zayden. "Why does it seem you're always in such a rush to leave these meetings?" Caius asked Zayden half-seriously. "So? What happened, then?" Zayden placed the belt into Caius's hands. "You were successful?"

"Yes. I have been named Hortator of House Hlaalu." Zayden said this with absolutely no hint of pride.

"Wha- This is great news! This leaves only one house left! What in Oblivion are you angry about?"

"The Grandmaster bested me in my own trade. He found out about Hui and Jeed-Ei through his brother. All the Councilmen agreed to rescind their tributes, but he blackmailed our last two thousand from us."

"So that hireling that passed earlier with the coin sacks was-"

"Our money, yes. The last of it!"

Zayden suddenly felt his shoulder grabbed and was spun around. Caius then clutched Zayden by the collar bone and squeezed painfully. "What did I tell you before about your stupid pride?" Caius grumbled. "One would think being in the Thieves Guild for so long would have instilled some humility. So you got fleeced. That sucks. But who cares!? You got what you came here for! This is a victory! I wonder, Zayden, what bankers did to you in your past life to make you despise them so much."

Zayden knew he was in the wrong and took a moment to breathe deep and calm his nerves. "I'm sorry," said Zayden at length. "I know I shouldn't be this angry. It's just… In the Thieves Guild, if you do what you're told and do everything right, people leave you alone. Either no one outside the guild knows who you are or they pretend that they don't. No one, not even the guard, holds anything against you.

But that Grandmaster had the upper hand from the very beginning. I'm not used to being on the defensive."

"That, unfortunately, is a part of life and, as time goes on, will become part of being the Nerevarine. You're a public figure now, whether you like it or not. Everything you've ever done can and will be used against you. But you're a good man, Zayden, and if you live with no regrets and remain true to yourself, you have nothing to fear."

"Perhaps you're right. But we're now completely broke, Caius."

"That's not the worst thing that could happen to us, Zayden. We are still within Vivec, under the protection of the ordinators for the time being. They feed us (albeit poorly) and we have only one Great House left to meet with. We'll be leaving Vivec and returning to Balmora soon enough. We can survive until then. So please, temper what fury and indignation you have until then."

"Yes, Sir," Zayden sighed. "It would have been nice, also, to celebrate this evening. But we drank the last of your flin last night and now we can not buy anymore."

"I think you can survive a sober evening as well."

"Although I might be able to drink for free at Gentleman Jim's speakeasy-" Zayden was promptly hit with a friendly punch to the shoulder. "Ok, ok, forget it. I suppose House Redoran is more important, and we knew since the beginning that they could pose the toughest house to convince. I should be preparing for tomorrow instead."

The two Imperials, Zayden taking back his new belt, walked under guard back to their residents in St. Delyn canton. Upon first coming back to the room both men quickly noticed that the table was cluttered with bottles and wrapped food items they did not have that morning. Hui lifted his nose from a book and greeted his friends as they entered, Jeed-Ei fast asleep next to him on the bed. "I have good news and bad," stated Zayden. "The good is that House Hlaalu now names me their hortator. But this comes with the bad news that it cost us all the remaining money we had… Although I see we have new items since this morning?"

Hui gave a satisfied, almost smug grin as Zayden and Caius walked over to the table and examined its contents. There were three bundles wrapped in brown paper. One was hackle-lo leaves, the other saltrice grains, and the last dried nix-hound jerky. The table's two clay jugs contained mazte. Zayden turned to Hui and asked if he was responsible for this. To his surprise Hui shook his head and pointed to Jeed-Ei.

"She got us all this?" asked Zayden. "How did she manage that?"

Hui got up from his bed, poured the returning Imperials some of the fresh mazte, and explained. The story was short but astounding. After Caius and Zayden left, Hui cracked open one of his spell books and delved into his studies. Jeed-Ei had previously read with Hui, if only to pass the time, but had slowly found herself more and more interested in these materials on magic. Today the book was marked on a section for illusion magic, specifically the spell for "calm."

This spell and the idea of influencing the mind of another person fascinated Jeed-Ei and she quickly wanted Hui to teach it to her. He tried to explain that calming beasts was an easier task than trying to calm humanoid life, but she wanted to start immediately on humanoids. Hui humored her and taught her through the basics of the calm spell. She seemed to catch onto the minutia quickly and very well. Once basics were explained Hui invited her to try the spell on himself, saying to command him to do something simple.

Jeed-Ei agreed and Hui awaited her results, not at all believing anything would result from her very first attempt. But to his surprise, in an instant, Hui found himself standing on the other side of the room not having remembered getting up and moving there. Hui looked back at Jeed-Ei and saw she was just as surprised as he. Hui told her to do it again and he suddenly found himself back on the bed. The two tested a few more times, each to success after success. Hui was astounded by this sudden revelation, both he and Jeed-Ei previously believing she had no natural skill in magic.

Jeed-Ei became enraptured by her new found ability and, high off her success, desperately wanted to test her magic even further. Around that moment her stomach began to growl, giving her an idea. Against Hui's warning Jeed-Ei approached the door of the room and knocked, calling the attention of the two ordinators standing watch outside it. One opened the door and quickly demanded what she wanted. She tried the spell on the ordinator, giving a gentle wave of her hand in front of the two's faces. She commanded them to fetch food and drink. For a moment the guards seemed barely affected and the spell ultimately failed. She had performed the spell in Jel and none of the two spoke the language and the meaning of her words were lost to them.

Jeed-Ei pushed through a second attempt, putting more energy into it. She luckily knew the words for "food" and "drink" in Cyrodillic and thought of them as she tried once more. This time it worked and one of the guards walked away from his post. The second guard closed the door just as Jeed-Ei then collapsed from exhaustion. The effort used in the spells quickly drained her of energy. Hui helped her to the bed and it was there she remained sleeping when the ordinator returned with the items and until Zayden and Caius returned.

The two Imperials were just as astounded at this new revelation as Hui, Caius half-joking that their money problem was solved. This prompted Hui to ask what Zayden meant which then prompted Zayden to further explain what had happened in his meeting with the Hlaalu high council. Instead of telling the whole truth Zayden told Hui that the Grandmaster was simply greedy and, contrary to his Councilmen, maintained a high tribute price. The fib seemed to work and Hui said a few unkind things about the house for Zayden's benefit.

Jeed-Ei awoke roughly an hour later and the company ate and drank together to celebrate both her and Zayden's accomplishments. With two house votes complete, the last and most difficult great house remained: House Redoran. Their connection to the Tribunal Temple was a strong one, they being a house that valued tradition. Zayden felt unsure how exactly to persuade the house, the ultimate conclusion to the Nerevarine Prophecy acting in direct opposition to everything House Redoran believed and supported. It took the collective minds of all four members of Zayden's party to devise a strategy as to what to say, and even as they finally retired to sleep that night the four still remained unsure as to its success. Only the gods knew what lay ahead.