Part I : Young and Faithful

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Chapter 4 : Contracts

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The city of Necrom was back in its usual peace now that the boats carrying the remains of numerous ancestors left for Vvardenfell two days ago. The white stone streets were clear mostly, except for some commoners working in a funeral service or a shrine, and the occasional priests of noble blood in their white and silver robes.

Esril was walking a bit behind the Ordinator, not used to the warrior pace. They were heading to the Fane District, hosting the Fane of the Ancestors, the biggest shrine of all Morrowind. Standing before that, like a white sentinel, the Temple High Administration building, their final destination. They were now crossing the white bridge linking the Fane District and the Charnelworks, the part of the city dedicated to the care of the deceased bodies, be it for cremation, embalming, or preparing them to become sacred undeads. In the middle of the bridge, the Ordinator, who had remained silent, stoped and started to speak to Esril :

'' In a few moment, you will meet Idras Berendus, Caretaker of the sacred Order of the Speakers of the Dead. Will also be present the priestess Nidrene Ulvir, Head of the Greater Undead Guardians Worshop, you know of her, she is the one that took on herself to make your abilities useful to the Temple.

You will be most grateful to her '' he said in an stern voice.

'' You will also meet Ralis Andolith, priestess in charge of the Charnelworks Mortuary.

You will listen attentivly to what they will all tell you, they will explain to you what will be expected of you. You will carry yourself as expected in presence of nobility, you will keep your eyes to the floor in humility and respect until one ask you a dirrect question, then you can look at them in the eyes, to show that you have nothing to hide and that you only speak in Truth.

Do you understand, Novice ?

Esril was taken aback, nobles had gathered for him, he touhght, to what end ? He was suddendly way more apprenhensive. His mind went far and back, not registering in his confusion that those people were gathered because he was showing potential. He was just set on anxiety to meddle with nobility.

Common people, even those in service oh the Temple, usualy tried to stay offsight of the nobles.

Medling with the Houses could very well end up bad for any commoner. At best they would be mostly disregarded as lowly servants. At worst, Esril knew one like him was often too close to ''gravely offend '' one petty noble.

With that in mind, he swallowed and answered to the waiting Ordinator in silver armor, looking at his feet at first, then looking him in the eyes, showing he knew and understood how to behave in front of his betters :

'' Clearly understood Serjo, I am most grateful that the Temple hierarchy use of their time for me, I'm underserving of such honour and will do my utmost best to not waste anyone effort.

'' Verry well, Novice, let's proceed, I will walk you to the High Offices doors, my dutties stop there. Then you will present yourself to the acolyte in charge of apponintments, who will introduce you to the right office.''

Crossing the bridge and going inside the Temple Pathway, connecting all the different offices and halls of the Temple Administration seemed never-ending to Esril and far too quick at the time. Funy how time can be twisted, he thought to himself. Too soon the Ordinator in Mourning let him at the doorstep of the High Offices, saluting Esril with a stern nod before turning heels and heading back to his duties. He had not even gave his name.

Taking a breath, Esril presented himseld at the entrance front desk of the High Offices halls.

The accolyte, a young dunmer about his own age, wearing the brown cotton robes of those in service, took his name and accompanied him to the right office.

With a quick glance, Esril took in the room. It was a spacious chamber, with warm spruce furniture with golden embelishment, clearly of noble standing, with a number of high quality books and parchements on beautifuly crafted bookshelves, with rich heavy rugs and tapestry on walls and floor. In the middle of the room, a heavy desk of the same gold inlaid spruce, with a curved and comfy spruce chair. High quality parchments, inkwell and quill were waiting to be used. He could also see a personnal triolyth shrine in the far corner, richly decorated with golden carving of the Three Living-Gods, with pricely offerings of food, gemstones and rare incenses.

It was clearly the office of a high ranking noble of the Temple. Esril was quite astonished with the overall wealth and oppulence of the all room, and a bit critical. He was not used to such display. His old monastery was most bare and stern, with minimal furnitures and decoration, ' a most blank canvas to paint a life of holyness and devotion, far from the temptations of the world ' would say his Elder.

Esril couldn't help himself but frown when he compared the two faces of the Temple, nobles and commoners were clearly not set the same. One of Lord Vivec Seven Graces came to his mind :

' I shall neither hoard nor steal nor encumber myself with profitless treasures, but shall share freely among house and hearth'. Esril glanced arround one more time and thought that the Grace of Generosity was not respected here, clearly some of the riches could be more useful to fund charities, shrines and the poor.

Another of the ' Seven Graces ' came to his mind, almost forcefully, covering the previous one : ' I shall never strut nor preen in vanity, but shall know and give thanks for my place in the world '.

In his quickness to judge, he forgot the Grace of Humility, he thought. Ashamed of being so quick to forgot that he owned his life to the genorisity of the Temple, he dismissed quickly any critics he had. The Temple was doing its best, they were all mere mortals after all, subjects to tempations but doing what they could to serve the Faith and the People, as best as one can. Opportunities never seen before for a orphan of the Monastery would be given to him, he needed to thrive to be better and contribute with his existence to the betterment of his people as a whole.

Keeping his mind the more calm he could, Esril smoothed the front of his novices robes and stepped more in the room were three dunmers waited for him, one man and tho women. One of the two female dunmer, he recognized. She was the old priestess that took interest in him and probably helped set the all appointment.

As usual she was dressed in the fine white robes and silver tunic of the noble priesthood. The other female was carrying the linen brown robe with night-sky blue tabard, indicating that she was a priestess of a minor noble house, of a lesser rank than the older female.

The male meanwhile, was dressed in a simple black cotton robe with a brown sash arround his neck.

He had practical responsabilities, but was a commoner, knew Esril just with a glance at his vestments, probably the Caretaker, he thought.

Bowing his head and upper boddy, Esril saluted those of higher rank and status :

'' Three Blessings to you Muthsera Ulvir, Muthera Andolith and Serjo Berendus, I am the Novice Esril Nammu, I come before you as you requested my presence in this sacred halls.''

The three older dunmers slightly bowed their chins, aknowledging the younger Temple fellow, with a small corner smile of approval. It seems the youth was not all lost, they thought, some of them were still respectful and humble. It was heartwarming in those troubled times.

The male dunmer then spoke, in name of the others :

'' Greetings Novice Esril, as you have been told, I am Idras Berendus, Caretaker of the Speakers of the Dead. You recognized here Sera Nirene Ulvir, Head of the Greater Undead Guardians Workshop, and you meet for the first time Sera Ralis Andolith, Head of the Charnelworks Morturary.''

Exchange of head bowing were again given before he continued :

'' You must wonder why you were called here today, and why by the three of us '', he said with a quick smile. He could verry well see the warryness of the young dunmer in front of him, not so hidden behind a mask of humility and calm. He was once young, and of the common people too, he knew how stressing could be the medling in the Temple and nobles affairs.

'' It has come to the attention of the High Offices, by the account of Sera Ulvir here with us, that you showed some promising abilities in dealing with the Spirit World and an angry Ancestor of the Indoril Great House. To stay true to her own words, that it would be ''a shame and a waste to not put it to good use''.

Let's notify you quickly that House Indoril is not particulary thrilled at the outcome, the binding of this particular Ancestor was important to them.

Sera Ulvir, took upon herself the responsabilities, she also explained in depth that the binding scroll she used is the most potent the Temple can provide. So if it failed, the only other option to prevent endangering anyone further would be to release the angered spirit.

Fortunately the body could be given back to the family. It is most good that you didn't have to destroy the undead physical form.You reacted quickly and the best you could. For that you have the gratitude of the Temple.

We would advise noneless, that your name and involvement remain unknown to the Indorils, they could become troublesome for you otherwise. ''

Esril grey skin paled a bit at those word, looking even more at the floor and bowing again he said :

'' My many thanks and gratitude to you Sera Ulvir for taking on your shoulder the weight of my actions. I wouldn't want you to face trouble for what I have done ''

The old wrinkely priestess smirked and answered with her raspy voice :

'' Have no worry young Novice, I am too useful to the Temple for the Indorils to make any problem for me, wich wouldn't have been the same for you, and as I said before, your abilities are too promising, to let it be wasted by a feather-ruffled noble, even an Indoril one. ''

The Caretaker then cleared his throat, taking back the focus to him :

'' Sera Ulvir's words are the perfect prelude to go right in the heart of the matter, meaning, why you are here today. I will go to the point as quickly as possible.

About your abilities first. You may have not heard of it before, but the Temple does. You have what we call the Sight. The abilities to see, ear or overall interact with the Spirit World and the Ancestors.

It's a rare gift, few possess it naturaly. Usualy it take decades of contemplation, meditation and service to the Temple and the Ancestors to achieve the right state of mind.

More often, someone who has climb the hierarchy of the Temple to at least the rank of Curate, someone who proved numerous times their Faith, can be offered a place in the Order I serve. The Speakers of the Dead. By a ritual known to them only, they bind one closer to the Spirit World and the Ancestors. They pledge to be the voice of the dead to the living, to help keep balance to the Spirit World, to hear the pleas of the Ancestors. Their are spiritual Wardens, that works mostly unkown by the people. The sacred vows they take open their inner eye and make them able to interact and be recognized by the Spirit World.

The Caretaker took a little pause, to see if he still had the attention of the young Novice, who had his widdened eyes unblinkingly stuck on the Caretaker, not missing a word he said. In all his seriousness, the Careatker still had the corner of his lips twitching, barely councealing a smile. Then he continued :

'' You see, what happened to you is really rare, having the Gift of Sight, so young and untrained.

Hopefuly you are under the Temple care, so you can be guided. Such gift without any control can verry well lead you to be influenced or tormented by unholy spirits. It can well result in folly or Soul Sickness. Your case is mostly unprecendented.

You are an orphan and a Novice, far from the accomplishement requested to rise to the higher rank of Curate. You have no sufficient training in martial arts or magic to become an Ordinator, wich could be with years of service an entry to the Speakers of the Dead Orders.

But your gift cannot remain untammed, it's too dangerous. So here are the two options we can come with :

If you agree, you will take the Vows of a Speaker of the Dead, it will help you to control your gift, make you known by the spirits as someone who carry the autority of the Temple to deal with them.

It will make you less vulnerable, and will help your Sight to be contained to the Temple service. However you have much to learn and will not be an active Speaker for at least a year, depending on your progress. If you follow this path, you will be verry buisy.

First you will be taken for a year in apprenticeship in the Mortuary with Sera Ralis Andolith, you will learn all of what is needed to take care of the bodies of the departed. You will work without a pay, but your needs will be all covered, meals, bed, clothes, expenses and furnitures you would need to learn and practice.

In the meantime every two weeks you will be taught by Sera Nirene Ulvir the delicate art of crafting the Temple Sacred Undead Guardians, you will work for her as she see fit. No pay here either, but all the daily expences will be covered, given you don't intend to take advantage of the Temple Generosity, or else all future opportunities in the Temple will be close to you, and you will have to repay threefold every excess you made.

It is known to us that that you are a skilled Enchanter and received basic training in Alchemy, wich will be realy helpful for both of your apprenticeship. You may be requested to perform enchanting duties outside of your apprenticeships. Know that you will be paid for it in fees if requested by the Temple, and in regular comission prices if asked by anyone else, what you do with this money is your buisiness only.

I strongly advice you to not forget the Temple Generosity and give to shrines and charities as often as you can. Someone in the Service of the Temple should know how to live with few.

Have you any question at this point, young one ? ''

Esril, albeit attentive, was deep in astonishment. It was a huge opportunity ! He never heard of anyone coming from the Monastery that had received similar offer. Apprenticeships of that sorts were often reserved for promising individuals coming from noble houses, or rich families. And now it was given to him, an orphan with no name. He frowned slightly before saying :

'' I cannot mesure the Temple Generosity, I hope I am worth what the Three put in my path. To take the best decision, for the Temple and for me, can you tell me what is the other option, Serjo Berendus ? ''

Nirene, the old priestess, aknowledged with approval that this young novice had his head well stuck on his shoulders, not quick-tempered, attentive and pondering what was best for him. He would be a worthy apprentice, she thought.

The Caretaker, once more, cleared his throat and continued :

'' Wise of you to consider all the options, even when presented first with the best one.

Would you not agree to those opportunities, your Sight would have to be sealed. It represent a danger if unbound and untrained, to you and to others arround you. We have no guarantee that you would be able to master it on your own, and we wish not to take any risk.

As you know the Sharmat is awake, and in Vvardenfell cases of nightmares, madness and Soul sickness are rising. We cannot risk that a mind so attuned to the Spirit World become tainted and corrupted by the Sharmat. The Three only know what a mind like yours could become if it became a tool to the Sharmat.

Even in this Holly City, you could be at the same time in danger and a danger to yourself and others.

If your gift is sealed you are not a potential threat anymore. But know that it it will likely affect your abilities at Enchanting, as your talent in this Art is most certainly linked to your Sight. ''

Esril gulped at those words. The idea of his own mind becoming a tool to Evil incarnate, the great Adversary of the Temple, was too much to bear. He would prefer being dead than become a unwilling tool against the Faith. Besides, Enchanting was the only things he was good at, now he just learned that he possessed naturally a rare gift, useful to the Temple. There was no way he would let that be sealed, and taken away from him.

Furrowing his brows, determination inscribed on his face, he looked the Caretaker in the eyes, before saying :

'' As I said before, the Temple Generosity knows no bound,. I would gladly repay it with my life, because it would be the only thing valuable enough that is mine to give for repaying such opportunities.

I will take the vows and the apprenticeships, and only hope I will be deserving of such honours. I will do my best to not disapoint. May the Three be asured of that.''

All parties in attendance, noded with content, this Novice was well raised in the Faith.

Caretaker Berendus spoke again, after unfolding two scrolls and puting in front of Esril :

'' Here is the Contract between the Temple representing you, the Mortuary and Sacred Workshop, it details what we just discussed. You will need to sign it. And here is the scroll stating that you are now raised up to one rank in the hierarchy, to the rank of Initiate, and that you will enter The Speakers of the Dead Order on a trial basis, under reserve of learning everything needed to be an active member.

It also stipulate that you will take the Rite of the Voice, wich is the sacred oath of the Speaker, and that you will be subject to an oath of silence and secrecy on all the matters concerning the Speakers of the Dead. Only the members above the rank of Curate will have the authority to question you on your Speaker duties, and even so, you should not speak of it to others than the concerned people.

If you agree to all this, you will sign the two parchments. We will request three drops of your blood mixed with the ink, to show that you are fully aware of the binding of this Contract.''

Esril noded and to show that his mind was already made up, he swiflty took the silver ritual knife on the desk, sliced his fingertip and let three drops of his blood in the inkwell.

Taking a slight pause to read the all parchment, he took a breath in and then signed it and it's copies, with iron determination. He knew his old life at the Monastery, as an unknown orphan novice, had just ended.

Following after him, the three other dunmers signed after him, each providing three drop of their own blood mixed in other inkpots, as the ritual asked.

As a closure of the moment, the Caretaker said :

'' I trust all is good, I will take you to the Speaker of the Dead Overseer Serjo Uvo Brin, to take your vows.

the High Intendant will retake his office and apply the official seal of the High Offices to the contract. The originals will be kept at the Sacred Archives in the Hall of Records, someone will come later to give you one of the copies you also signed, keep it safe as a reminder.

I almost forgot to add that you will be gifted a room in the Hall of Contemplation, where the Speakers of the Dead are hosted and meet when they are not in the field for duty.

Sera Ulvir, Sera Andolith you have the gratitude of the Temple for being making yourselves avaliable today and for helping dealing swiftly with this matter. I can set you free now and let you attend to the rest of your buisy day ''

With a bow the Caretaker and Esril gave their salutation to the two elder female dunmer.

Both of the women gave a polite nod before taking their leave.

'' Follow me, Acolyte Esril, there is no time to loose '' said the Caretaker, quickly leaving the office.

Esril nodded, and the Caretaker left the room, the young dunmer on his heels.

The next long minutes were spent by navigating the intricate maze of corridors that was the Temple Pathway. Doors leading to staircases, long white-stone corridors leading to an office, a shrine, meditating rooms, or a lecture halls. Esril would be lost for certain without his guide.

Finaly they'd arrive in the Hall of Contemplation, housing the Speakers of the Dead Order.

After passing by several ornate doors, all looking the same, Caretaker Berendus entered in one at the end of a corridor, without announcing himself.

The office was spare, a stark contrast to the one Esril had signed his contracts in. The same white sandstone as the rest of the building. Only one desk with two chairs and a small shelf fixed on the wall, holding few dusty books. It was also empty, no one seemed to occupy it for quite some times. Esril was left puzzled, he thought they were supposed to meet with the Order Overseer.

The Caretaker, ignoring Esril silent questionnement, went straight for the far wall they faced.

There was a tarnished golden plaque, with the famous triangular shape of the Tribunal symbol.

The older dunmer pushed it, as it was apparently a switch. A clic could be heard, and just up to the switch, a pannel indistinguishable from the wall lowered itself to let appear a small alcove.

Esril watched the Caretaker light up the candles and the incence inside, and then he could see a small shrine to the ancestors with a decorated skull at the center. It was carved with daedric runes all over and had a diamon in each eye socket.

Without any explanation the Caretaker put himslef in front an closed his eyes while bowing his head, and chanted :

'' I, Idras Berendus, Caretaker of the Speakers of the Dead ask for Overseer Uvo Brin to cross the Treshold,

by the Will of ALAMSIVI, as it is his duties in death to Protect and Advise the Speakers.

Come forth Overseer Uvo Brin as your duties to the Temple demands it ''

The flame of the candles turned blue for a few seconds and the temeprature in the room dropped significantly, so much than the two very living dunmers could see their breaths.

Then the diamond in the skull sockets began to shine and a thick white mist flew from all its orrifices and pooled on the floor. The eerie smoke gathered itself to create the shape of a body and quickly Esril could clearly see a face and a silhouette. The stern face of a dunmer with shaved head and neetly trimed goatee. The angular and sharp face of a warrior, to be sure.

Even if he was intangible and semi-transparent, Esril could clearly see that the ghost, because it could only be that, was clad in the same silver armor than the Mourning Ordinators, but it was put over black silk robes richly embroidered with silver threads. Esril would learn later that it was the traditionnal garnement of a decorated Speaker of the Dead.

After waiting for the ghost to fully manifest, the Caretaker turned his head to Esril and said :

'' Acolyte Esril Nammu, meet Overseer Uvo Brin, first Speaker of the Dead of the Temple. As you can see he is the Overseer even in death and is sometimes call upon for advice and ruling in important issues for the Speakers. He also oversee the introduction of new members in the Order, as he is the one who carries the ritual, and gives his blessing. ''

The Caretaker then bowed his head to the ghost and said :

'' Overseer Uvo Brin, with the agreement of the Temple, we present you today young Acolyte Esril Nammu, who has, as you know it, an exceptionnal natural Sight. For his protection and ours, the Temple agreed to make him take the Vows of a Speaker. Under the reserve of learning all he needs and with a final task at hand to confirm his new position. You can see on those parchements that all formalities have been completed ''

The Caretaker drew the mentioned parchements from his robes.

Instead of being read by Uvo Brin ghost, the roll of paper flew across the room form the Caretaker hands and landed on the wall shelf.

During all this the ghost penetrative gaze hadn't left Esril. Then a disembodied voice resonated in the room, without the ghost lips moving :

'' I don't need to read what my Eyes can clearly See.

The Young one as a strong Gift.

The strongest I have seen, in Life or Death.

I am bound to not say much

But let it be heard that it will be the Temple Doom

If it is not used under ALAMSIVI name.

He needs to take the Vow

Now ''

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