Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Mashti Kaushibael

Mashti Kaushibael

Day 49

We had made the long trip from Ghostgate to Vos via the Mages Guild in Sadrith Mora.  Fast travel was never my style as it made me dizzy, but Julan didn’t seem to mind.  “You know its funny, Anni.  This island has ways to transport all its people from one place to another in an instant, yet my people go barefoot and without food.”

I nodded.  "Ironic—and sad.  Julan, I think one day you will do great things for your tribe—for all tribes.” Somehow I knew that was true and not just words spoken to comfort.

“You have great faith in fools, Anni,” he said softly.

“I’ve been told that before.  I like to call it confidence,”

“Whatever you call it, it’s good to hear.  I hope’s its true.” I smiled.

We stopped quickly by the Gateway Inn and spoke to Angaredhel, the Prefect of Hospitality in Sadrith Mora to get hospitality papers.  They were necessary in order to conduct business of any kind in Sadrith Mora and not be arrested.  I certainly wasn’t going back to jail over a silly piece of bureaucracy.  After getting the papers and three boat transfers later, with the stars out in full force, we landed in Vos, a small farming village in the Grazelands.  I decided we should stay at the Varo Tradehouse for the night as I was not familiar with the area; though Julan clearly was.

“Right. There’s a trader called Lleris Amyrn who normally hangs around here.  He buys and sells ingredients, potions and magical items and Mother does a lot of business through him.  He might have something she likes.  Oh…wait…there he is…Let’s go talk to him, shall we?” Julan bounded off towards his old aquaintance.  I noticed how much more at ease he was now, his nature open and warm.  I had never seen him before like this before.  Perhaps it was his proximity to home and family.  I hadn’t had either of those since I was little.  I was a child of the wind; going where ever fate blew me.  I had no family to speak of except those I had chosen to create—friends really, nothing else.  I think I was a bit envious.

“Why Julan, hello!”  Lleris said immediately.  Julan greated him with a warm embrace and smile. “I haven’t seen you in a long while!  How is your lovely mother?  And who is your new friend?  Can I get you something?”

“Hello Lleris. This is Annika.” I smiled, Julan continued, “It’s good to see you too. I’m just looking for something Mother might like.”

“Ah, a present for the esteemed Mashti, is it?  I just obtained a rather powerful item—a Twilightbalm amulet.  Might that suit the lady?  Only 1000, gold.” It was a beautiful amulet, and would serve her well in this part of the world.

“It’s perfect!  She’d love it…But..ah..I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Yes, Julan you do,” I knew that Julan by right should have at least half of what I had earned.  “You’ve hit the tombs and caverns as hard as I have and have earned at least that.  I could not have done my work without your help.  Take the money and get your mother that amulet. Make her happy.”  Julan smiled at this acknowledgement and took the money.

“Thank you, Annika Blue. Eh, I hope this helps get back on her good side,” Julan said, paying Lleris then putting the amulet in his pocket.  “And I think its time I told you the whole story about myself and my mission, if you still want to know.”

“I do, actually.  Let’s go to the bar and talk over some Mazte.”

We sat down and ordered our drinks, and Julan began to spill out his story, “Well, the first thing you should know is that Mashti is not actually my mother by birth.  No one has any idea who my real parents are.  Azura sent my mother a dream, in which she told her to follow a black Kagouti into the Grazelands," he stopped for a minute, "you've seen those, right?"
"Things with the large tusks and funny waddle?"
"Exactly.  Anyway, and when she did what Azura bid andfound me as a baby, in the shadow of some rocks.  Azura told her that it was her task to raise me to be a great warrior, and that I had an important destiny.”

“Wow.” I didn’t believe it but let him continue.  “Was she already an outcast at that this time?”

He nodded. “Yes, but it had only happened just before.  Azura told her that it was her fate to be an exile, in order that she be left alone to concentrate all her energies on my upbringing.”

            “She sacrificed much, but Julan, why was she exiled by the Ahemmusa?”  I was curious about this and wondered if it had anything to do with his birth.

He paused for a second, and I knew he wasn’t going to give me a straight answer.  “Oh, well it was all before I was born….Tribal politics, I guess.  She had upset some important people, though if you really want to know, you should ask her yourself, though she really doesn’t like to talk about it.”  

“I imagine not.”

He sighed, “She gets upset because of all the lies they tell about her at the Ahemmusa camp. There are some very vicious and untrue rumors.” Immediately, my heart went out to this woman.  She had endured much and raised as son that any mother would be proud—and yes, protective of.

“Ok, Julan.  Let’s get back to the part about you being Nerevar.”

“Ah. Yes—that. Look, you know who Indoril Nerevar was, don’t you?” My eyes stared blankly at him. “The great Dunmer war-chief from long ago, who united our people against the Nords and Dwemer?”

“Err…well….”

“Oh, Anni…It was in Sharn’s notes,” he said exasperated and shaking his head.  “Look, I guess it doesn’t matter whether you do or not.  Go and read a book, if you care.  What matters is that he was murdered by Tribunal of Vivec, Almalexia and Sotha Sil, the false gods that the great houses of Morrowind and Vvardenfell worship.” I nodded at least knowing that much. “Anyway, Azura foretold that Nerevar’s spirit would one day be reborn to avenge himself and set things to rights in Vvardenfell by destroying Dagoth Ur and whatever profane sorcery the Tribunal used to steal their false god-hood.  In the prophecies, this reincarnated Nerevar is known as the Nerevarine.”

“And you think this is you?” I asked.

“I know it sounds…well, unbelievable.  I find it hard to believe myself, sometimes.  But…it’s true.  Azura has revealed her will and explained what must be done.  I know I have a responsibility to fulfill and however impossible it might seem I have to try.  Who could oppose Azura?” he grinned. Gods he was charming—when he wanted to be.  “I trust her to know what my destiny hold, and what I am capable of.”

“So Azura speaks to you?” I asked incredulously, taking a gulp of Matze.

“Not personally, no.  She speaks to my mother through her dreams and visions.  That’s why I need to go home and consult her wisdom.  She’ll know what to do, because Azura will advise her.” He seemed confident in saying this—I was less so.  Hopefully he’d prove my inner skeptic wrong.

“We best go then,” I said looking at the small clock in a dusty corner of the bar.  “We’ll head out a first light.  Finish that Matze, and don’t ask for another. I’m not bringing you home to momma hung over,” I laughed.

“Anni?’ he gazed at me intently, taking my arm.  “Yes, look, I know I’ve been very secretive about all this but I do have good reasons.  If they knew about me, the Tribunal and their Temple followers would hunt me down and destroy me.  So would the Emperor, come to that, since the Nerevarine is also prophesized to free Vvardenfell from the foreign invaders.  So I must ask you to keep my secret.”

“Very well.  I won’t tell a soul—not even Ence,” I laughed. “And for what it’s worth Julan, I believe you.”  I believed in him, though not the story…not for a minute.

“Thank you, Anni.  But I’m not asking you to believe me,” he said surprisingly—and reasonably.  “I’m asking you to keep my secret, and maybe…um…,” he paused staring into his Matze.  “Well, it’s like this…You’ve been a good friend to me and I…I’m not accustomed to asking anyone for help.  It’s always been just me and my mother.  But if you...if you...”

“I want to help you in any way I can, Jules.  And I will.”

Julan stared at me for a long time after that, then smiled wickedly and said, “One of these days Annika Blue, I swear I’ll do something you can thank me for…”  His voice was like a hand between my legs.

Anni dreaming of Chorrol

Day 50

At dawn we headed out.  As we crossed the Grazelands plains and moved toward the coast, I found myself drifting off, remembering Chorrol.  The Grazelands were beautiful with fields of wicker wheat and soft rolling hills and a sky that stretched on forever.  I ran my hands over the fields of wheat and closed my eyes; for a second I was a child, back at the abbey playing in the surrounding fields.

“Anni, you look lost in though.”

“I was thinking of Chorrol,” I said before I could catch myself.

He stopped walking and motioned to an outcropping of rocks; we sat and rested. “What was it like?  You know I know nothing of your life, before…before prison.” Julan said hesitantly.

“It’s a sad story.  Are you sure you want to hear?” Please say no. Please say no.

“Yes.  I think its time.”

“Well, then….” I said softly and started my tale.  “In the winter of 407 a heavily pregnant woman stumbled on the grounds of an Abbey west of Chorrol.  She was terrified of something though she never said of what.  The servants, priestess and priest decided to nurse her back to health.  Within four days, Anais—that was the name she gave the servants—went into labor.  Early that forth morning she gave birth to a girl—me.   A week later she was gone.  She left without a trace….and left me behind.”

“Gods..Anni,” Jules said quietly.

“I was raised until I was ten by a Khajiti governess or servant..  I’m not sure which.  I called her Kat—everyone did.  Her name was Kat Azshle.  She was kindness incarnate and I loved her dearly.  I can attribute at least part of a happy childhood to her.”

“What did she look like--your mother, that is?”

“Kat always said that my mother ‘had eyes like the sea after a storm’.  She had long blond hair and a face much like mine, though Kat always said my features were sharper.”

“But did you ever find her or find out why she left?”

“No.  At sixteen I left in search of my mother—and a way out of the abbey.  I guess I was sick of leering priests and Kat had passed six years before.” I leaned against some rocks and took a deep breath.  “I hitched my wagon to a local farm boy and we headed to Anvil.” At this I saw Julan look away. “The farm boy was gone in three months and I was on my own.”

“You never saw him again?”

“I never cared to, either.  He left me, Julan. And gods, if you only knew what I had to do to survive—please don’t ask.”  My head instinctively jerked, as if wincing from the memory.

“I won’t.  You’re a hell of a thief and warrior.  Because of you I’ve gone further than I ever thought possible,” Julan said softly, placing his hand against my cheek…“I told you before I would not hold your past against you—and I meant it.  We will not discuss it further as I see those unshed tears in your eyes and it pains me too to think of what you had to do.  Whatever it was, sera, I promise you—it will never happen again.”

I turned my head letting his hand drop.  “Let’s get moving.” I wanted to stop remembering.  We walked in silence for awhile, moving close to to the shore.  I smelled the salty air in the calmly drifting winds.  Off in the distance I saw a tribal camp and a stunningly beautiful Dunmer female.  Instinct told me to “stop by for some supplies.”  I asked Julan if he wanted to go.  

“This is the Ahemmusa Tribe….Remember what I told you?”  he asked, looking bitterly in the direction of the encampment.   “In truth Anni, I’m not sure I’d be welcomed…But you go and get some food.  I’ll wait right here.”

“All right, Julan.  But know this—I won’t let anyone treat you like an outcast.  I don’t understand why you’ve been exiled too.  I thought it was between the tribe and your mother.”

“No.  I am her son, so the state of being an exile applies to me too.  But…I just…well…its painful and embarrassing.  They all call my mother a liar…and worse.”  He stopped and looked off in the distance.  I knew the conversation was over, “Oh,  Annika the Brave…go be brave and get us some food.  I’ll wait right here.”

“I will, but we think we should speak about this later.”  I headed straight toward the girl with long flowing red locks.  My instincts were correct, this was Shani. A woman knows.

Shani

“What do you want Outlander?” She was haughty—and very beautiful.  I had hoped otherwise.

“A trader, actually.  I’m with my friend Julan Kaushibael...”  Why did I say that?  Well, I was a woman…and they are thing fiercer than Daedra.  

“What?!?  Julan!  You should mind yourself—and keep better company!”  She stormed off before I could get information about a trader, though she looked back at me and then looked toward the hills.  She still loved him—and that knowledge cut me to the quick as my presence cut her.

“Are we ready?  Did you get some supplies?” He asked smiling as I came over the ridge.

“No.  The first person I met was Shani.  I told her who I was…and who I was with.”

“Oh, Anni…why?”  He was visibly angry.

“It was luck.” I didn’t mention the gut instinct.

“I’m sure she was none to pleased,” he scowled.

“No, she wasn’t.  I’m sorry Jules.  But when we get the chance, I think you need to talk to her.  I sensed hurt.”  I said this knowing full well that Shani would always be a shadow I would have to contend with if I didn’t nip it in the bud now.

“I’ll talk to her later,” Julan said, distracted.  “I see mother’s yurts from the distance…we should go.”  We walked the short distance to Mashti’s yurts.  I looked to Julan as he was about to enter. “Anni, let me do the talking.  You’ve already enraged one Dumner woman today…”  As we entered, I saw a slight, beautiful, not to mention visibly angry woman…I hadn’t even spoke…

“Who are you?!” She shouted at me.  “What are you doing here with my son!  I warn you, if you dare—.” I guess she wasn’t impressed with my new dress.

“Mother! Calm down and let me explain. Anni, would you mind leaving us alone for a minute.  Why don’t you go like the fire in the…um…the guest yurt and make yourself comfortable.  You’ll be sleeping their tonight.”

“As you wish.” I said and walked out.  After walking into the guest yurt, if you could call it that, I heard shouting.  She was furious, so was he.  I also knew at that moment that everything Julan had been fed by this woman was a lie.  The resemblance was clear—the coal black hair, sharp, defined cheek bones and those eyes—those magnificent eyes, like pools of fire.  I’ve heard tales of orphans who begin to look like their adoptive parents, but did I ever resemble Kat?  No.  This woman had lied.  To what end, the gods only know, but eventually I would find out.  

I stared at the fire for a few hours and finally there was no noise.  I went in to Mashti’s yurt and was greeted by a tense silence.  Julan spoke, “Ah, Anni, Mashti and I have talked everything over, and we’ve…agreed that Azura should be consulted about what I should do next.  While mother is not exactly happy about your involvement, she agrees that you may be able to help.  But we shall seek Azura’s guidance.”

“Ok.”  He didn’t give me up.  

“Mashti is going to conduct a ritual tonight to summon Azura in a dream.  She will make certain prayers and incantations and then she will receive a dream-vision from Azura.”

“How convenient,” I snarked.  Julan just went on.

“I should stay here and help her prepare, but you can do what ever you want.  You can sleep in the yurt—you should get some rest.  I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Fine.”  I glared at Mashti and she returned the stare. “I’ll see you on the morrow.” I then went in the “guest yurt” and took off the dress—no point in it getting ruined.  I laid down and stared at the fire and thought of what it must have been like to be raised by that woman.   I woke in the middle of the night to someone sitting down beside me.  “Julan?” I asked groggily.

“Um, Annika, are you awake?”

“Am now,” I smiled.  Boy was I glad I made that choice in underwear. “Did you want something?”

“Um..No,no…I just…,” He looked frightened.  This is not what I expected with Julan stealing into my yurt at this late hour.

“Are you alright…You look like hell.” It was the truth.

“I…no, I’m not. Not really.  I…I think I may be going mad.”

“Huh?” I sat up. “What do ya mean?”

“I had another dream.  It was…horrible.  Worse than any I’ve had before.  I wasn’t on the mountain this time. I was in a cavern.  And there were those Ash Priest things there watching me, standing all around me.  And they started whispering things…horrible things. And they spoke, my skin started rotting and my flesh was becoming monstrous.”

“Ugh.”

“It felt like they were trying to crawl into my head, and change who I am and everything I believe in…into something horrible and depraved.” He turned away.  I moved his face back until he was looking at me. “Annika, to eat away at my identity until I have nothing left; except what they want me to have….And then…even after I woke up I kept seeing them…just in flashes..out of the corner of my eyes…the Ash Priest things, and others…worse…but when I looked again…there was nothing….I thought I was losing it.” Julan grew quite for a moment. “I had to get out of there.  I had to see you.”

“What are you going to do?”

Julan looked toward the fire.  “I can’t talk to Mashti.  She has enough to worry about.  And maybe it’s nothing.  Although it didn’t feel like nothing. But…I ...I…just felt so alone, I suppose.  I had to talk to someone.  I hate to admit it, but I’m scared.  Because I don’t know how to fight it,” he stoked the dying coals of the fire, then turned towards me.  “How do you fight something like that?”

“I don’t know, Jules.  I honestly don’t.” I paused for a second, I had no idea hat he was going through and didn’t want to give him any canned encouragement.  “Look you’re strong and I have faith in your ability, and most times your sanity… though really it comes down to you.”

“I hope you’re right.  I…I don’t want to go mad.  And if Dagoth Ur wants me just to give up my mind to him….well, I won’t come quietly.  But what,” he paused looking down at his legs, “what if I’m not strong enough?”

I looked at him gently and brushed the hair out of his face.  “You will be Julan, and I’ll be there with you.”  Julan moved closer to me and I wrapped my arms around him, blankets falling around my waist.  Slowly, he began to relax in my arms.

“Feel better?” I smiled.

“Yes…,” he sighed deeply.  I then felt his lips on my neck.  I paused for a second, moving back slightly.

“Um…sorry, I got a little carried away there...” Julan said.

I turned slightly to him whispering in his ear.  “I didn’t say you should stop…” I felt his hot breath on my neck.  We then gazed at each other, for what felt like an eternity, both of us silently deciding how far to take it, as we both knew once we started there was no going back to trainer and protégé.  Suddenly, he grabbed my face kissed me intensely.  I felt shockwaves run through my body. I felt his hands move across the confining corset.  Arching my back, I moaned and pulled him on top of me.  Our bodies moved together in time; I felt his breaths quicken as his mouth moved across my breast.

Abruptly, he pulled back.  “I think we should stop,” his voice gravely.  “I should let you get back to sleep.”

“What?  You could sleep here, Julan.” Lust driven wench.

He leaned over and kissed me deeply.  “Annika, I’d love to.  Believe me.  In fact, that’s why I’m going to leave now, because if I carry on kissing you any longer, I won’t be able to resist.  But I really don’t want rush things with you, and spoil it—I have done so in the past.  So, goodnight Annika the Brave.  I’ll see you in morning.”

Impulsively, I took his hand and kissed the inside of his wrist.  “Good night.”

Good Choice in Underwear

Day 51.

I actually woke up happy, that is until I realized I would have to speak with Mashti.  Well, Annika the Brave, its time to meet with that marbigash—though I thought I might get Julan first. I’m not that brave.

I walked into his yurt.  It was a disaster—potions, books and cheap armor strewn everywhere…and I had no idea what that thing was in the corner…. “I was about to get you…Sorry about the mess,” he said, blushing. “I was beginning to think it would never be morning.  Come on, let’s go and find out the results of my mother’s visions.”

The sky was overcast.  I did not want to go in, but go in I must and did.  Mashti addressed me immediately. “Outlander, I have received Azura’s guidance, and I would speak with you now.”

“Speak.”

“I have spoken with the Daedra Prince who guides me in all things concerning my son.  She has informed me that you may be trusted, and that you may yet be important to the fulfillment of the prophecies.  My son has chosen to disclose the secrets of his mission to you.  As an Outlander, you cannot hope to truly know its importance to this land, but I hope you will try, for your own sake.  The gods deal harshly with those who would stand in the way of destiny.”

I stared coldly at her, “Continue.”

“I understand you have been training my son.  In faith, I myself can see improvements in his skills.  Perhaps you have truly been sent to aid him on this difficult journey.  If this is so then I give you a choice.  You can continue to support him as he carries out the work of his destiny, in which case you will be rewarded with all the gifts the gods can bestow…”

“Or?”

“Or betray him and I shall call down the curses of a thousand vengeful ancestors upon you and we shall hound you, waking and sleeping, to the end of you brief miserable life.”

“Hmmm. I see” I replied as tartly as I dared.  I did not like this woman, and I would be damned if I backed down to her.

“This is no joke!  I hope we understand each other, Annika Blue.  For the present, continue to train.  Show Julan the world, as he has no experience—I see by your look you can offer this.  I will contact you when the time is right.  Take this ring, I have given another to Julan.  I will allow him to communicate with you via spiritual link and travel to your location.  Now go.”

“We will talk again, Mashti.” I said and walked out of her yurt.  Julan was outside smoking a rolled up hack-lo leaf.  “Didn’t know you smoked.”

“Didn’t want you to.  It’s a terrible habit for a future savior,” he laughed.

“Does you mother know?”

“Are you kidding?  Gods, can you imagine?  I think she’s the one who drove me to it. I guess you disapprove too.”

“Yep, terrible…now give me a drag.” He smiled at that and we walked arm and arm sharing a smoke along the beach.

“So, this is great.  Azura thinks you’re ok, does she? And now we get to go adventuring together!  So, what should we do?  You must have something you should be doing now.”

“No.  Not really.”

“Nothing?”

“Well, as you know I’m working for Cosades.”

“Oh that, s’wit.” Those two would never be friends.

“Oh, he’s a bit eccentric.  Secretive, you know.  I’m collecting information for him, mostly.

“About?”

“Oh, all sorts of things.  Maybe he’s writing a book or something.  Like I said, eccentric.”

“I guess we could go see him, or find some Daedric sites—clearing out those around the camps are helpful to my people.”

“Also lucrative.  Jules we have to go to Vivec and then I’ll take you to see a special friend.”

“Really, wait…Well, whatever.  I’m just happy to have a little freedom for once!”

“I bet.  Let’s go help some Ashlanders.  I see that Daedric shrine from here.”

We hit the Daedric shrine of some demigod or another, and started back to Vos, though I had to rest as this particular shrine had been difficult.  I had been hit by Frost Ancronach; one of the monsters created by the cultists running around the place, and had been badly hurt.  Julan tended to my wounds.  I saw the Ahemmusa camp from the distance.  I knew we needed some fresh water.

“Julan.  You’re going into that camp.  We need water and I’m not going to have you skulking around.  There’s Shani.  Go make peace with her.”

“Anni.”

“Now Julan!”

“Fine. Oh Shenogorath, here she comes.”

“Julan,” Shani said, not unpleasantly, “They told me you had gone to the Red Mountain.  I see you’ve changed your mind—I’m so glad.”  Julan just glared at her.  “You have changed your mind, haven’t you?  Please tell me you’re not still a complete idiot?”

“Hello, Shani, pleasant as ever, I see.  And no, I haven’t changed my mind.  I’m just training some more first.  Oh, stop looking at me like that.”

Shani pounded her feet, like a spoiled child. “Look, I know you won’t listen to word I say, so just go away!”  She then turned to me.  “Can’t you make him listen, whoever you are?”

“You’re the one who doesn’t listen!” Julan raged.  You never did!”

I inserted myself into the conversations as we started gathering a crowd.   I figured I would break it up before they both started a full on riot.  “Annika Blue,” I said politely, “I don’t think we ever got to introductions the last time we met.”

“I’m sorry about that Outlander…I mean Annika,” Shani said considerably contrite.

“Well, we’re looking to speak to your trader,” I said directly.

Shani stared at me momentarily then spoke. “Her name is Lanabi.  She’s in the yurts by the Gulakans, but,” she said turning to Julan, “you knew that.”  

“Thank you, Shani.  It was a pleasure.”  Julan curtly nodded at her and spun off in the opposite direction.  After that mess, we went to the trader, got some potable water and made our way to Vos.

“Same old Shani,” Julan said as we walked away. “Why can’t she listen?  You listen, don’t you?  Sometimes I don’t know what I saw in her at all.”

“She’s lovely…and spirited.  I can see it.”

“Well, it’s done.  As if I needed reminded of that.”

“Let’s just get to Balmora.”

Kaushibael Compound