Chapter 18

Chapter 18:  Hlaalu Hortator

Day 263

I just had to get past Dren.  He was really my last obstacle in becoming Hortator.  I thought about contacting Julan, but no, what is done is done.  I would be seeing him soon enough.  I then thought about the retainers I had just hired—no, I had no time to know them.  Who’s to tell if they might be loyal to Dren or perhaps some other party that wishes to see my demise.  Time to call on my fall back.

“Anni!  I’m so glad you contacted me!”  Shani had nearly knocked over a bar stool at Varo Trade House when I approached her.  I was glad she was there and not at the Ahemmusa Camp.  I wasn’t ready to see Julan, though I knew that time was coming—but not yet.

            “Feel like seeing the world, Sha?”  I had come up with the idea back in Dagon Fel and now that I had set things to rights with Falura, I could finish my tasks with House Hlaalu.  

            “Yeah.  I just want to get away for a while.  Things are crazy back at the camp.” I turned suddenly, and Shani stopped.  “Julan’s ok Anni, it’s just a lot for him right now.  He’s leading the Ahemmusa…well, at least trying to.   Sinnammu hasn’t exactly made it easy for him.  She’s been running the show for so long.”

Table for two

            “Not willing to hand over the reigns yet, eh?”

            “You could say that.  Plus she has this crazy idea about moving the camp.”

            “Moving?”

            “Yeah, she wants to move the camp to this old Daedric shrine to the north.”

            “Oh brilliant! She and tribe can play with crazy cultists and Daedra. What in gods name has possessed her?”

            “Well, I know you’ve been gone for some time,” Shani said softly, “well…the ash storms are getting worse and the blight is rampant.  Our tribe lost two small children to it a couple of weeks ago.”

            “Shani, I’m so sorry.” I didn't know what to say.  My heart broke on a level I couldn't explain, it was more than mere pity.

            “We had to think of something.  The only thing that’s helped our tribe survive was the gold Julan got from adventuring with you.  Without that…I don’t know what would have happened.  It’s really bad, Anni. There’s no food.  All the beast are laden with blight.”

            I just shook my head like a fool.  I wasn’t sure what to say, though Shani made it easy for me by continuing to talk.  “It’s also become dangerous because of the Zainab.”

            “What!  What do you mean?”  I felt a sinking feeling immediately.

            “The whole slave girl thing,” she said pausing uncomfortably. “I mean thank gods Julan got your note before the gulahkhans arrived at the camp.”

            “What happened, Shani?”

          “Well this Ashibaal person came to our camp, he was with three other gulahkhans and they were angry as hell.”

            “About?”

            “The girl.  They said you and Julan tricked their Ashkhan into marrying a slave. I had intercepted the courier you sent just hours earlier.  Anyway, they demanded to speak to you and they also wanted revenge.”

            “What did Julan say?”

         “He told them that he had delivered the high born Telvanni girl to him as Kaushad had requested.  Ashibaal accused him of lying of course and kept demanding to see you.  Julan told him that you had parted company and that he had not seen you in some time,” she paused for a second after saying that, and then continued, “but that they should question their wise woman about the whole matter because Julan told Ashibaal that this Sonummu had recommended Falura to you.  He also told them he had only met her shortly before her arrival to the Zainab camp.  So whatever trickery was arranged had to between you and the wise woman.”

            “How did explain that….not knowing her before arriving to the Zainab?  Kaushad saw that Julan was with me—.”

            “Oh that, well, Julan said he left you to your own devices when you both arrived in Tel Arhun.  He countered that you must have visited the slave market while he was meeting a trader.”

            “You know, that’s actually the truth, Shani…Anyway, what came of it?”

            “Ashibaal demanded some kind of payment for Kaushad’s honor.”

            “Of course, he did.  A little gold heals all wounds.”

            “He also demanded one of our women for a slave bride.”

            “Gods!  What happened next?”

            “Well, nothing.  Julan paid the gold but said that none of the women were available and if they forced his hand there would be war.  He then asked them if a simple slave woman was worth that.”

            “Then?”

            “Nothing.  I mean they took the money and left.  Julan does not trust that they will let it go at that.  He’s afraid for the women.  I mean he wouldn’t let some of us go to Varo trade house unescorted.”

            “That was wise. Well, we’ll see what happens and I’ll deal with Kaushad later if needs be…In fact I would take great pleasure in doing so...”  

            We made our way to Sadrith Mora and the fast travel mage amidst small talk.  I told her a bit about the places we were going, well, actually I had just planned on taking her to Balmora and Vivec, maybe a stop in Pelagiad—time allowing.  I had let her know before starting out that Dren would be difficult, though exceedingly profitable.

            “Shani,” I said over dinner and brandy after reaching Balmora, “I tell you that this is going to be every bit as dangerous as our last encounter.  Are you sure you’re up for it?”

            “Anni, I’m just happy to get away from camp for awhile.  Like I said, it’s…well…it’s been pretty miserable in the last weeks,” Sha said looking down at food.  I had hoped that Julan would have been able to separate the personal from the needs of tribe and was disappointed that he couldn’t.

            “I’m sorry for that, Sha.”

            “It’s not your fault, or well, maybe it is…I don’t know, Julan hasn’t told me.  He’s been busy dealing with Sinnammu and food shortage and the Zainab.  It’s just been a bad few weeks.  It seemed Julan was happier when you were around.”

            “Funny, I thought it would be opposite,” I said softly.

            “What happened, Anni?  Please tell me.”

            “We fought stupidly and lost each other foolishly.”  What more could I say?

            “Uh, ok…that tells me nothing.”

          “It was over Falura.  He didn’t agree with what I was doing.  I…well…I became angry at him,” I said pausing.

            “And?”

            “And, in a jealous rage, I struck him and we called it quits shortly there after.  Does that answer your question, Shani?”

            “Wow.  You know he didn’t say anything.  He didn’t even tell me you had split.  He only said you would be gone for some time—he didn’t elaborate.”  She then put her drink down.  “I can’t believe you did that!”   

            “You mad?” I said sitting back, waiting for the show to start.  I was surprised by what she said next.

            “A little, but in truth Anni, he always had wondering eye.  I can’t hate you for it.  Right or wrong, I think I smacked him a few times as well.”

            “I’m sorry it happened—all of it..  For everyone’s sake.”

           "Me too.  He needs you, Anni.  For your advice and clear head.  I know he’s trying to do what’s right.  He just needs someone to bounce ideas off of.”

            “Well, what about you?”

            “I have no idea what to tell him.  I’d tell to Sinnammu forget the shrine and just be done with it.  Not really diplomatic, eh?”

            “Well, were arriving in Vivec tomorrow.  You learn about diplomacy soon enough.”

            “It’s not the same.”

            “I know,” I said and we left it at that.  I took her for a stroll along the Odai and we stopped at the Market Tavern to hear some music. Shani's eyes lit up when we entered the smoke filled room.  A woman was singing--though not the same one from the night Julan and I..."Bah!"
            "What, Anni?"
             "Nothing, Sha," I said walking towards the bar.  I had to forget him.  I ordered some Matze then decided after a few drinks we'd stop a the bathhouse.  It was a must.

            “This is amazing, Anni.  I’ve never been to a place like this.”

There are naked people in here

        “Well, I had planned to take you to the public baths if your interested.  Julan would never liked going—too modest.”

            “That’s an Ashlander trait, Anni.  To be honest…well…I’m not sure I’d want to either.”

            “You can use a suit for modesty’s sake.  I need a bath, and frankly so do you.”

              “That bad?”

            “Yep,” I said paying the tab.  Shani looked down at her drink in silence. I hated to be cruel, but I had to share a room with her tonight.  We didn’t stay long at the baths, though long enough to get clean.  I had to guide her around as she wouldn’t look ahead if someone was naked in her line of vision.  I wondered if Julan had felt the same way when I took him—I then wondered why I never bothered to ask him.

            “What are you thinking about, Anni?  You’ve gone all quiet.”

            “Of how inconsiderate I’ve been.”

            “I don’t know, I think you’ve been wonderful…but it’s not me we’re talking about, is it?”

            Shaking my head, I just whispered, “No.” I then smiled, and quickly wiped the tears forming in my eyes.  “Um, I think I’ll be calling it a night, love,” I said reaching the door to my apartment.

            “We can talk about it, Anni.”

            What’s there to say?  “No…but thank you for offering.  Thanks, Sha…”

            “Well, I’m going to the tavern next door.”

            “Don’t get in too much trouble.”

            “I’ll try not to,” she said smiling as we parted at the door.  I heard her come in late and then woke to her snore in the morning.  I was glad she got back in one piece.  I let her sleep in while I ran some errands—and tied up some loose ends.  I woke Shani mid-afternoon.  

             “Sha, its time to go to Vivec.”  

            “Huh?” She said sleepily.  “Oh.  Ok… Julan said to watch for that Crassius guy.  He said he was really sleazy.”

            I laughed at that; though Julan was right. “You know Shani, I’m surprised he let you go at all.”

            “What do you mean?  I make my own destiny.”

            “But he is your Ashkhan.”

            “Yeah, but…well, he doesn’t own me.  He doesn’t own any of us.  But why do you ask?”

            “Well I had thought that with all that was going on he’d want the tribesmen and women close by.  I didn’t think he could spare any extra hands.”

        “I think he was more worried I’d run off and some crazy Zainab would carry me off.  I also think…well, he probably wants news of you.  And the slave girl…”

            “Falura.”

            “Yes.  So what happened with her?”

            “I took her to Holamayan, got her healed and escorted her back to Mournhold—a rich woman.” I decided to leave out a majority of the details—like finding her maimed body amidst the rocks and debris. Besides, everyone likes a happy ending.

            “The mainland!” Shani exclaimed, “Oh I’ve never been!”

            “You will.  But first I think we’ll stop in Vivec.  I have a few items that might do you some good.  Hopefully, if there’s enough time and you’re up to it, we can transport to Mournhold and you can meet Falura.” We got off the silt strider and made the quick stroll to my home in Vivec.

            “You own this?  Anni this is mansion.”

           “No, it’s a small manor house.  There are much greater homes elsewhere.  You should see the manors under the Skar in Ald-ruhn.  They are palatial.  Some of the homes in Caldera are pretty grand as well.”

            “Who are those people,” she whispered as we went inside.

            “They are retainers.  Some are for defense.  Some are merchants.  As I get to know them I’ll make the determination of where they should be placed.”

            “Oh, Anni.  How could you ever go from all this….this opulence…to being an Ashkhan’s wife?”

            “Oh, I think I would have done anything to make him happy.”  Plus I had no intention of giving up my two modest homes.  They were well located and would have served us in the future.  “Look, we have to face a monster together so let’s try and stay cheerful.  I love him, but I can’t think of him now.”

            “Could you ever?” Shani shot back.  Oh, that made me mad.  She had no idea what I went through with him, what we went through together.

            “All I’ve done is think about him, Sha.” I said slowly.  “Perhaps you have forgot or spoke before you thought, I know that’s a habit of yours…”

            She stopped for a second. “I’m sorry, Anni.  I don’t know what I was thinking.”

            We walked for awhile in silence.  I decided I wasn’t going to punish her for defending Julan—she was only being a friend, after all. “So what do you think,” I asked after some time, “of the Ascadian Isles?”

            “They’re beautiful, Anni.  I mean everything you’ve shown me has been beautiful; from Balmora to the fields, just everything.  I never imagined anything like this.”

            “Well, I’m glad you’ve seen the beauty because now we’re about to get ugly.  These beautiful islands mask a terrible truth. Are you ready?”

            “I’m ready for anything.”

           “Just hang back and follow my lead.  And watch your back—cause if you don’t they’ll be a sword sticking out of it.”  

            She nodded, then looked up from the road. “We’re going in there?”  Shani stared at Dren’s plantation.  It was an abode befitting the brother of a Duke.  Fields and fields of salt-rice surrounded the plantation and high walls protected everything inside.  “Anni, this place is a fortress.”

Battle with Dren

             “Yes, and there’s a monster lurking inside.  And this monster happens to be the Duke’s brother; so Shani, I’m going take the cloak off—you keep yours on.  Again, I don’t want you identified.  If all goes wrong teleport back to the camp immediately—and tell Julan…”

            “What?”

        "Everything…and give him this—it was our telepathy ring—and an engagement ring of sorts.”

        “Ok, Annika…but nothing bad’s going to happen…I mean you have me.”  I just smiled and walked briskly  towards Dren’s manor.  His retainers were rude, of course, but that didn’t surprise me.  I was able to glean from them their master’s location and when I reached him, he stood and stared angrily at me as if I had disturbed him from his life’s work.

        “What do you want?”  Dren was a tall Dumner in Orcish armor; as the stuff was so heavy I can only assume he knew that I was coming—I can’t imagine one would wear that kind of armor on a daily basis.

          “I’m here for the Hortator, but I think you knew that.”

         “I have heard rumors.  Well, so you want to be the Hortator of House Hlaalu.  And you’ve come to me.  You show unusual wisdom for an Outlander, but tell me Annika Blue, what’s the title of Hortator worth to you?  Why do you want it so badly?” he asked, smirking.

            “To defeat Dagoth Ur and bring peace to Vvardenfell.”

          “So you want peace, eh?” he smile fading into something more menacing… “Like the peace of the grave we’ve had since the Tribunal betrayed us and signed the Armistice?  Sorry Annika, but Dagoth’s made me a better offer.  The Sixth House will rise again and crush the Empire and those smug hypocrites in the Tribunal!  But enough talk.  I know you as my enemy and you must die with the rest of the foreign devils!”

            “So be it.”  We fought viciously.  Shani was wise enough to hang back.  I would need her later.  As Dren’s bleeding body lay sprawled at the top of the stairs, I tossed his desk. I heard a slight gasp escape from Shani as she witnessed this.  I hadn’t thought her so squeamish—Julan never was.  I found the slave key, but nothing else.

            “So Annika, we’re done, right?  We can get out of here.”

           “Not even close,” I said rifling through the drawers. “I’m going to find some tangible dirt on Dren that I can present to his brother if he doesn’t play nicely with Julan over land issues.  We’re also going to free those slaves and kill anyone who tries to stop us.  Are you with me?”

            “Right behind you,” she gulped.  Gods don’t freeze on me now.

            “Hold tight, Shani.  I’ll be quick, I don’t want any of those retainers coming in on us.”

Picking the lock

            “I’m surprised they didn’t hear the whole thing.”  

            “Perhaps they did and think Dren and his friends took care of us.  Or are busy having their way… In any case, we don’t have much time.  Someone will be in here.” We went down stairs and three of Dren’s men tried to ambush us.  If only they had been as skilled as they were armed. The glass swords and Daedric armor would bring in a kings’s ransom.  I went into Dren’s private quarters and quickly tossed all of his drawers and broke his lock boxes.  I was not disappointed.  His room was laden with jewels, gold and skooma, but the real prize was on a piece of parchment. “Shani!  Come quick!” She ran down the stairs.  Excitedly I handed her the note.

            “Oh, Anni…I don’t read that well.  Here,” she said handing it back, “you read it.”

V—

You have served me well over the years.  My brother has been trying to stop our business.  We’ve lost over half of our shipments recently.  The Duke may be my brother, but if he keeps interfering I am afraid he must be killed.  I will be next in line and can consolidate my power before the Redorans even come up with a candidate.  I am telling you this so you know the risks you may be taking.  If you are unwilling, I will accept your word of honor not to speak of our business.  If you stay I will reward you greatly.   

D—

    “So he was going to kill his brother?”

          “To serve Dagoth.  Though sadly I think he was mistaken—about his brother, that is.  Duke Dren was not raiding his business—no, it was me—and Julan.”

          Sha sniffed.  “Wow.  I’ve never known anything that would prepare me for this…Annika.”

            “Yeah?  Which part, having people hate you for no apparent reason,” I asked laughing.

            “No, I’m an Ashlander, I guess I’m used to it.  Not that.”

           “Oh, was it killing?  I didn’t think you had a problem with that,” I said referring to her last assignment.  “Or was it taking the armor off the dead that got you?”

            “Stop it, Anni.,” she said turning her head. “Gods, lets just get this over with.”

Battle

            “Ok, Sha,” I spoke gently.  In truth, I think she was losing nerve.  This may be too much for her. The sun was going down, the gold light touched the fields and it would have been a beautiful sight, but the Khajiti and Argonian slaves were still working the fields, occasionally whipped into action by their overseers.  I thought it odd they were harvesting fields of salt-rice, when Dren’s plantation—and business was built on skooma and moon sugar.  It had to be a front, so what’s the purpose of beating people to death for a few lousy septims? I saw Sha gasp when a burly Nord hit a heavily pregnant Khajiti.  I looked over at her, “This is why we’re doing this.”
            Shani nodded.  “I never understood.”
            “Because you never knew.  Now you do.  This is what the Dumner are so keen to protect.  I want you to remember this—always.”  We crept slowly down the hill, I freed the pregnant one first as I saw she still on the ground and closest to us.  We were spotted immediately—good; best to flush them all out now.  The fight went well into the night. More than six retainers and overseers lost their lives.  We freed most of plantation’s slaves except for one who refused to go—his reason being he was too elderly to flee and too afraid.  I suppose one could get used to the whip and stick if that was all you’ve ever known….I told I’d come back and help him if I could.  I then looked for Shani.  Our work here was done.  Hearing sniffling I turned the corner of a slave shack and discovered Shani kneeling in the corner holding herself and quietly sobbing.  She was shaken up—badly.

            “Sha,” No response.  “Shani?”

            “Oh, yeah Anni…I’m sorry,” she said getting up and quickly wiping the tears away.

            “No, it’s just…well, are you ok?”

           “I don’t know.  I’ve never seen anything like this.  Those slaves…that man…all those dead people.  Annika…would you think it dishonorable if I asked to go back to the Ahemmusa?”

Shani disappears into the night

            “No, Sha.  You were fantastic today.  Please, take this,” I said handing her the jewels and septims we got off of Dren’s room.  "Also tell Julan what happened and give him the note—I’ve already copied the information in it—just make sure you don’t lose it as I want the Duke to see the hand writing should it come to that.”

            “Thank you, Anni…I’m going to go.”

            “Oh, Sha?”

            “Yeah?”

           “Seeing as I’m still alive, I’ll be needing that ring.”

          “Oh…right, Anni…Is there anything else you want me tell Julan?” she asked handing me the ring.

            “Nothing you can say, Shani, but here.” I walked over to her and gave her a hug and then took hand and kissed the inside of her wrist.  “Tell him that, Sha.” I said smiling as Shani mumbled an uncomfortable ‘ok.’  I saw her recall spell flash as I walked away into the night.

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With Dren out of the way getting  Nevena Ules and Velanda Ormani to name me Hortator was a cinch; truthfully I think they were more than a little afraid of the rumors that proceeded me and would have agreed to anything just to get me out of their homes—and sight.  Good.  I needed to get this done.  There were bigger fish to fry and I finally had a plan for the Ahemmusa.
            My first task was to find the Troll.  Easy enough.  I heard his bragging from outside the manor in the low rent district of St. Olms.  He stood before me, not an unattractive Nord, but certainly a stupid one, with just enough cunning to be dangerous.
            “What’s wrong, pilgrim?  Can’t find your way around the canton’s?
            “No, actually, Yngling, I was looking for you.”
            “Hmmm….And what’s a girl like you want with me?  Or,” he asked laughing, “how much do want?  Charge hourly?”
            “Ha, ha, ha….No.”  Maybe I should just run him through….No, no.  I would try to handle this civilly.  Plus, he had retainers, though no telling how loyal.  “Actually, Yngling, I was hoping to speak to you about Hlaalu Hortator.”
            “Hlaalu doesn’t have one.  Why do you care?”
            “Well…I’m asking to fill that role.”  I then told him my story and showed the proofs—like I had a dozen times before this particular poltroon. “So you see,” I said finishing, “I think you should name me Hortator.”
            “Well, that’s a very touching story.  And Curio has decided to defy Orvas Dren after you did a task for him, huh?  Hmmm…I didn’t think he had the courage.  All right, Breton.  Do a task for me too.  Then I’ll consider naming you Hortator.”
            “Fine.  Name it.”  I then saw him chest staring and smirking.  Best to clear this up right away.  “Not that, Half-Troll.  Figure something else out.”
            “Well, ok.  Have it your way.  Let’s see…I raise game rats here in the Manor’s basement for racing in the Arena—I train them myself,” he said with some pride. Gods he was proud of this?  “Anyway,” he continued, “one of my rivals snuck three blighted rats into my breeding pen.  Go down and kill the blighted rat, but spare my prized game rats.  The tame ones shouldn’t attack you…maybe; the blighted ones will.  You finish this and keep my rats alive, we’ll discuss the Hortator.  Now go,” he said handing me the key to his basement.  I steeled myself then walked down a flight of stairs to the basement, and sure enough a rat came charging at me—at my face.  Gah!  I killed it, though the others were more difficult—not for their size, but for the tame rat’s natural ability to get in the way.  I never thought I’d get done—and the task was just disgusting to boot.  I guess the Troll and his minions had been too afraid to go down there—the stench was incredible.  Bleeding slightly and stinking I made way back to Half-Troll, who was smirking.
            “So, the jobs done, eh?”
            “Yeah.  Name me Hortator.”  I had no time to waste on pleasantries.
            “You surprise me, Annika Blue.  To do something as demeaning as serving as my personal rat exterminator—I think you must believe in all this Hortator prophecy non-sense,” he said guffawing—like an ass.  “Well, you know what I believe in, sweetie?  Gold.  Give me 4000 septims and you’ll have my vote.”
          “Fuck you.  Why the hell didn't you just ask for the goddamned gold to begin with?"
          "I couldn't get anyone else to do it," he started gwaffing.  "And now you've really made my day.  I've never had an exterminator pay me before!"

Exterminator

Bero

           My eyes bore a hole in him. "It will never happen again, I promise you, sera," I paused for a second waiting for his laughter to die down.  "There are people dying all around and all you care about is your fucking gold.”  I picked up a bag of gold, I had brought anticipating this very moment—though sans the rats.  “So take it.” I said lobbing at his face.  The impact made an noise, and Half-Troll stepped back.
            “Don’t get huffy,” he said.  I turned slightly and saw his retainers gathering.  “You can leave now with your title, Annika—and your life.  Best take that offer.”  I turned and walked out and left the Troll to his rats.
            “Bastard.”  I said to myself walking quickly out of the manor.  I was glad Julan was not here to witness this.  Everything he said about Hlaalu was true.  I would have to bathe before finding Bero.  I had to wash the stench and sleaze off.  I also needed a drink.  I went back to my manor and spoke to my most recent hire.
            “So tell me, Huleeya.  Where’s Bero?” I know he knew this.  That’s probably why he was in Vivec to begin with, though I’m sure there was more than one person with an outstanding writ.  I had lucked into hiring Huleeya after the Morag Tong turned on him.  Apparently, no matter how good you were with a spell or dagger, the Tong did not want an Argonian amongst their ranks—their loss my gain.  After prying him from a…rather uncomfortable situation, I hired him on spot.  
            “Hmmph…What makes you think I would know that, sera?  If I knew where he was there would be no need to seek his approval.  You know what they say about dead men.  Besides, sera, you didn’t hire me for that.” Oh, but I did Huleeya—that and much, much more.
            “Sera, I hired you because of your reputation—and honor.”  I spoke honestly as there was no point in trying to charm him.  I stared at Huleeya directly and spoke, “And yes, I know there’s a writ against Bero, but I can’t move forward on this mission without his approval.  Huleeya, I have to help Julan.  I need you and I know you were on his trail.”
            “Well, before you hired me, I had heard rumors he was lurking in an abandoned manor in St. Olms.”
            “Bah!  I was just there.  Visiting Half-Troll.”
            “Pity you felt you needed his approval.”
            “Oh, if I had known then what I know now, well…I would have hired you earlier,” I laughed.  “Well, best get cleaned up.”
            “You won’t score a vote with that stench, sera.”
            “No.  No indeed.  He would be gone before I even approached him…The scent would tip him off.”  I lifted my glass to him before sinking in a hot, steamy bath.  Mephala, I really did stink.
            After cleaning up and burning my last outfit, I went in search of Dram Bero.  I found the “haunted manor”.  Not much to it really.  Just an abandoned home.  No ghost or skeletons running amok.  I guess people had tacked on the haunted part to make a worn down old manor seem a bit more romantic.  To me it was just dark place with a stale air.  I pushed past the cobwebs and underneath a heavy-framed bed I found a trap door that led into a corridor.  I hadn’t taken two steps down the hall when my arms were grabbed and I felt a knife against my throat. Five retainers drug me in front of a small framed Dunmer with a scowl.
            “So you meant to kill me, you little beast.  Well, we shall see who dies tonight!”
            “Wait!” I screeched.  “I am the Nerevarine.  Nerevar Reborn!”  I struggled violently.
            “Best lie to date, sera.  I don’t know if I should kill you for hunting me or for defiling that name!” He then spit in my face.
            “Please, sera, I must live.  By Azura’s grace please listen, or look at least look at my hand!”  His agents released my arm just enough for Bero to lift my hand and examine my finger.  Azura’s Moon-and-Star had saved me a time or two before…I only hoped it worked now. “Please!”
    He studied it carefully then scowled.  “How am I to know this is not a fake?”
           “Try it on for yourself, though sera if you do, the Morag won’t need that writ.” I felt the knife draw closer to my throat. Dram made a motion and his retainers released me, though had their swords drawn, one to my back.
            “How did you find me!”
              “Carefully.  I knew you didn’t want to be found, but I had to find you.  So I watched and waited…I looked in the only place in Vivec that I knew to be abandoned.  It was luck.”   I couldn’t very well tell him that his would be assassin led me directly to him... “Please, Dram, hear me out.”
            “I take precautions to ensure that I am not found easily.  I see I will have to take more.  What do you want?”
            I moved to wipe the spit from my face and glared him.  “I am no Morag Tong.  I have no writ to execute.  I simply wish for you to name me Hlaalu Hortator.”
            “Well, you have found me, and that means you are resourceful.  And Curio supports you, which means you are clever. But if I am to risk supporting you, I must know that you are strong as well as clever.  I will offer my support to you if you best my champion, Garding the Bold.  Are you willing?”
            I knew he was stalling for time.  I wanted some guarantee that I would be able to find him again.  “Yes, I am willing to battle him.”
            “If you best him,” he paused then added, “you will have my vote.  I will write it up for you—Curio knows my hand and it will have the Bero seal.  Don’t bother coming back here, for I will be gone.  But you have my word.  Meet Garding in the Arena—and don’t kill him.  I want him alive and in tact.”
            “You have my word, sera.”
            “As do you.  Goodbye, Outlander,” Bero said as he nodded.  I walked away toward the Arena.  Garding was already there.  He had to have marked the spot.  
            “So, are you ready?”
            “Ready your weapon, Garding.”
            He raised his fist, “These are my weapons, Outlander.”
            “As you like it,” I said plainly, “though I have no desire for a fist fight.”  I drew my sword.  I would have no black eye or bruised face to present to the Ahemmusa.  Garding saw I was serious and drew his war hammer.  He was quick, but had I been him, I would have chosen a less clumsy weapon. I was not Orc sized and moved too quickly for him.  After being slashed twice, Garding stopped.  
           “You bested me, though I think I would have had you if it had come to fists,” he said angrily.  I would let him have the moment.
            “I’m sure,” I acquiesced.
            “You fought well, anyway,” Garding said handing me the paper.  I broke the seal immediately.  I would not stand for any trickery.  The letter simply stated that Dram Bero named me Hortator—it had to say nothing else.
            “Tell your master I wish him well.”  Garding nodded and left quickly.  I did the same.  I headed to see Curio.  I had the last councilor in my pocket.  I planned on leaving for the Ahemmusa on the morrow.  I would tolerate no delay.
            Crassius was entertaining a large group of people when I arrived.  I gave him a quick nod and made my way to his quarters.  I did not have time to socialize.
            “Where’s the fire, Anni?” He asked quickly tripping down the stairs.
            “At the Ahemmusa Camp, Crassius.  I have to go immediately.  I did secure all the votes.”
            “Well, I’ve heard how you secured Dren’s.”
            “A vote’s a vote.  Actually, well…”
            “You didn’t get a protest.  I won’t quibble over this; after all it was me who told you to kill him.  So.  Here we are.”  He looked up at me sadly.  “I’m sorry you have to be running off so soon.  I had hoped you could stay.  There are people you should be meeting.”
            “There will be other times.”
            “Will there?”  He asked, eyes searching.
            “I hope so, Crassius.” I sincerely meant that.
            “Well, here’s a little treat for you.” He lifted a simple, yet exquisite golden belt from the drawer.  “That’s what I was looking for earlier.  Here,” he said handing it to me.  “Just snug it around that supple little waist of yours; it’s the belt of the Hlaalu Hortator.”
            “Thank you,” I said.
            “Go.  I know you have things to do, people to save and a devil to slay, but don’t be a stranger, Annika Blue.”
            “You’ll see me again, Crassius,” I said kissing him softly on the cheek.  I left Vivec for my manor.  I would have to prep the retainers and be ready to leave for Vos on the morrow.