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Garyn met with a rather interesting reception from the garrison at Fort Buckmoth, having apparently arrived not five minutes after the news that he had caught corprus in an assault on the Sixth House base and assuredly been killed. It took some amount of explaining to sort out how and why the message was only half-true. A crowd had gathered as he told as much of the tale as he could - and his men seemed to regard him now like a ghost or a miracle worker.
But they'd be left to their second-in-command for the time being. Garyn had more important duties, along with the perfectly plausible cover story of an inspection of his new stronghold in Bal Isra. Which, as it happens, he would need to do anyway. The men saw him off, saluting as though he were the Emperor himself. He felt as though perhaps he should feel less at ease with such displays of praise and admiration. But he wasn't.
He made good time to Bal Isra, intending only to stay briefly. The Hetman had a few things he wanted to sort out, however. As he'd been told, House Redoran had already started work on the place before the death of Banden Indarys. It was handsome, if austere, on the crest of a ridge topped by a row of tall basaltic columns that formed the rear wall, with a shorter wall in the Dunmer style being constructed around it. They needed more clay to finish the unfilled portions of the wall, as well as the second crab husk for the smith and trader. They also needed to send for women to convince more workers to stay.
Fortunately, this didn't take any further trips on his part. In his dealings in Ald'ruhn and Ald Velothi, he happened to know where these things could be found. He told Hetman Guls where to send his men to get what was needed. From there, he was on his way to his true destination.
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There was a different look to the Urshilaku as he entered their camp again. He was known to them, a Clanfriend, so the usual ritual hostilities were dispensed with. He did make sure to show the obligatory courtesies before entering the Wise Woman's hut, of course.
Nibani Maesa sat down on the floor of the yurt, leaning forward and deep in thought as she took in all he told her about the Lost Prophecies. But she did not appear surprised. Her voice is deliberate, thoughtful but not lost in thought.
"So these are the Lost Prophecies, hmm? You will tell me these things, over and over, until I have them by heart. And then you will tell me what these priests say, what they see in these words. And then, you must leave me. Hunt. Sleep. Train. Feed. Learn the land. I must bring these things into me, and place them before my ancestors, and listen to them, and to the skies and stars of my dreams. And then, when the moons have come and gone, return, and I will give you my judgement.”
Garyn knew better than to question a wise woman. And even if he didn't, he could surely stand to wait a day among these people. And so he went, joining the day's kagouti hunt. A productive one it was - he had even earned himself a nod of acknowledgement for landing the killing blow on a bull.
At dawn he returned, and Nibani Maesa remained, seeming not to have even moved since Garyn left.
“The ancestors and stars have given me clear signs. The lost prophecies leave no doubt — the Incarnate shall be an outlander. You, blessed by Azura, must lift the seven curses of Dagoth Ur. Prophecy has shown the seven steps of the Nerevarine’s path, and I have been chosen as your guide for each step on that path. I will read the signs, and show you the way. It is time for you to walk the path of the Seven Visions, and pass the Seven Trials of the Seven Visions.
“You are born on a certain day to uncertain parents. So you have passed the first trial. My dreams show me that you also fulfill the second trial, that ‘neither blight nor age can harm him/The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies’. I have read the signs, but I cannot understand. Can you explain this to me?”
At this, Garyn told the whole story of how he had caught corprus disease in Ilunibi, and survived the wizard's cure that had killed all others who received it.
“That you have overcome the Curse-of-Flesh is strange enough, but that it should protect you from blight and age is past belief. Yet the signs of my dreams are clear. You have passed the second trial. But the third trial is unfulfilled. The mystery of the third trial is not my secret to share. Go to Sul-Matuul, the guardian of our cult, and he shall tell you of the third trial. When you have fulfilled the third trial, return to me for guidance on your next steps on the path of the Nerevarine.”
Garyn bowed his head. "I shall not fail to heed your wisdom, muthsera."
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At this point the whole camp was abuzz and murmuring. Every eye of the Urshilaku was on Garyn as he left the wise woman's yurt. The Ashkhan was standing in front of his yurt, waiting for him. Then he turned and slipped back inside, the invitation already clearly offered without words. Garyn followed.
Sul-Matuul's face was stern as always.
“You wish to know about the Third Trial, and I shall tell you.”
Garyn merely nodded.
“You have entered the path of the Nerevarine. This is a hard thing to believe. But Nibani Maesa has spoken to me at length of this, and I have had time to consider. Therefore I shall keep my own counsel, and set before you my own test. I do not dispute with the wise women, but their ways are not the ways of the warrior. Many before have tried the path of the Nerevarine, but all have failed the warrior’s test. All too many times, a hope has risen and died before it. I myself have seen this. You must have strength, courage, and cunning. These things I would test."
A younger Garyn - not even MUCH younger - would have been frustrated at these words. Now, however, his face showed only determination and confidence.
“Nearby lies Kogoruhn, the ancient halls of the forgotten house, House Dagoth. In recent time, creatures of the blight have come to dwell there. I myself went there, with some brave hunters, and came back again, but it was a bad place, and I am not ashamed to say I was afraid, for myself and my men. If you would have from me the secret of the Third Trial, the ‘caverns dark’ where Azura’s eye sees, you will first bring to me three tokens from dark Kogoruhn.
“The first token is corprus weepings from a corprus beast, to show that you are proof against the disease’s corruption. The second token is a cup with the mark of House Dagoth, for I have myself seen such cups there, and will know you have seen with your eyes what I have seen with mine. The third token is the Shadow Shield, which lies on the Tomb of Dagoth Morin, in the lava tunnels deep beneath ruined Kogoruhn. Bring these things to me, and then I will tell you the secret of the Third Test.”
Garyn stood with his hand by his scabbard. "You need but tell me the way."
But they'd be left to their second-in-command for the time being. Garyn had more important duties, along with the perfectly plausible cover story of an inspection of his new stronghold in Bal Isra. Which, as it happens, he would need to do anyway. The men saw him off, saluting as though he were the Emperor himself. He felt as though perhaps he should feel less at ease with such displays of praise and admiration. But he wasn't.
He made good time to Bal Isra, intending only to stay briefly. The Hetman had a few things he wanted to sort out, however. As he'd been told, House Redoran had already started work on the place before the death of Banden Indarys. It was handsome, if austere, on the crest of a ridge topped by a row of tall basaltic columns that formed the rear wall, with a shorter wall in the Dunmer style being constructed around it. They needed more clay to finish the unfilled portions of the wall, as well as the second crab husk for the smith and trader. They also needed to send for women to convince more workers to stay.
Fortunately, this didn't take any further trips on his part. In his dealings in Ald'ruhn and Ald Velothi, he happened to know where these things could be found. He told Hetman Guls where to send his men to get what was needed. From there, he was on his way to his true destination.
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There was a different look to the Urshilaku as he entered their camp again. He was known to them, a Clanfriend, so the usual ritual hostilities were dispensed with. He did make sure to show the obligatory courtesies before entering the Wise Woman's hut, of course.
Nibani Maesa sat down on the floor of the yurt, leaning forward and deep in thought as she took in all he told her about the Lost Prophecies. But she did not appear surprised. Her voice is deliberate, thoughtful but not lost in thought.
"So these are the Lost Prophecies, hmm? You will tell me these things, over and over, until I have them by heart. And then you will tell me what these priests say, what they see in these words. And then, you must leave me. Hunt. Sleep. Train. Feed. Learn the land. I must bring these things into me, and place them before my ancestors, and listen to them, and to the skies and stars of my dreams. And then, when the moons have come and gone, return, and I will give you my judgement.”
Garyn knew better than to question a wise woman. And even if he didn't, he could surely stand to wait a day among these people. And so he went, joining the day's kagouti hunt. A productive one it was - he had even earned himself a nod of acknowledgement for landing the killing blow on a bull.
At dawn he returned, and Nibani Maesa remained, seeming not to have even moved since Garyn left.
“The ancestors and stars have given me clear signs. The lost prophecies leave no doubt — the Incarnate shall be an outlander. You, blessed by Azura, must lift the seven curses of Dagoth Ur. Prophecy has shown the seven steps of the Nerevarine’s path, and I have been chosen as your guide for each step on that path. I will read the signs, and show you the way. It is time for you to walk the path of the Seven Visions, and pass the Seven Trials of the Seven Visions.
“You are born on a certain day to uncertain parents. So you have passed the first trial. My dreams show me that you also fulfill the second trial, that ‘neither blight nor age can harm him/The Curse-of-Flesh before him flies’. I have read the signs, but I cannot understand. Can you explain this to me?”
At this, Garyn told the whole story of how he had caught corprus disease in Ilunibi, and survived the wizard's cure that had killed all others who received it.
“That you have overcome the Curse-of-Flesh is strange enough, but that it should protect you from blight and age is past belief. Yet the signs of my dreams are clear. You have passed the second trial. But the third trial is unfulfilled. The mystery of the third trial is not my secret to share. Go to Sul-Matuul, the guardian of our cult, and he shall tell you of the third trial. When you have fulfilled the third trial, return to me for guidance on your next steps on the path of the Nerevarine.”
Garyn bowed his head. "I shall not fail to heed your wisdom, muthsera."
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At this point the whole camp was abuzz and murmuring. Every eye of the Urshilaku was on Garyn as he left the wise woman's yurt. The Ashkhan was standing in front of his yurt, waiting for him. Then he turned and slipped back inside, the invitation already clearly offered without words. Garyn followed.
Sul-Matuul's face was stern as always.
“You wish to know about the Third Trial, and I shall tell you.”
Garyn merely nodded.
“You have entered the path of the Nerevarine. This is a hard thing to believe. But Nibani Maesa has spoken to me at length of this, and I have had time to consider. Therefore I shall keep my own counsel, and set before you my own test. I do not dispute with the wise women, but their ways are not the ways of the warrior. Many before have tried the path of the Nerevarine, but all have failed the warrior’s test. All too many times, a hope has risen and died before it. I myself have seen this. You must have strength, courage, and cunning. These things I would test."
A younger Garyn - not even MUCH younger - would have been frustrated at these words. Now, however, his face showed only determination and confidence.
“Nearby lies Kogoruhn, the ancient halls of the forgotten house, House Dagoth. In recent time, creatures of the blight have come to dwell there. I myself went there, with some brave hunters, and came back again, but it was a bad place, and I am not ashamed to say I was afraid, for myself and my men. If you would have from me the secret of the Third Trial, the ‘caverns dark’ where Azura’s eye sees, you will first bring to me three tokens from dark Kogoruhn.
“The first token is corprus weepings from a corprus beast, to show that you are proof against the disease’s corruption. The second token is a cup with the mark of House Dagoth, for I have myself seen such cups there, and will know you have seen with your eyes what I have seen with mine. The third token is the Shadow Shield, which lies on the Tomb of Dagoth Morin, in the lava tunnels deep beneath ruined Kogoruhn. Bring these things to me, and then I will tell you the secret of the Third Test.”
Garyn stood with his hand by his scabbard. "You need but tell me the way."
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One shared moment of brightness in this awful place.
In the meantime, they can return to their usual trick of remaining cloaked. Another winding sewer passage like the one they had just swam away from stands before them. Yet at the end of this one, the wall has been smashed in and tunneled through, leading to a dark rock-hewn passage.
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"Well, at least we might not have to swim BACK out," she mutters. They certainly seem to have tunneled quite a ways down..."
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"Perhaps. I have a feeling we may not wish to see exactly WHERE the other entrance is."
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Easier to move them underground than overland.
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They continue to creep along it. The heat in the tunnel builds, as the glow of red candles is replaced by that of small pools of lava. Naturally, they will be steering well clear of those.
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Garyn is quite right about the tunnel being quite long.
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They round another bend in the passage before yet another straightaway. This is an arduous journey indeed.
But soon, Ibani will begin to sense a presence, getting closer - not just from their own advancement, but because it is coming toward them.
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He regards them with neither a smile nor a grimace. And then speaks:
"He said you would come to us. And he was right. Have you come to submit? Or come to die?"
Garyn holds his guard, not flinching in spite of the fear he feels in his heart. "You presume much, to think I would tell you why I've come."
The great Ash Vampire seems almost to shrug at his response. "Lord Dagoth says you will join us or die. I thought you might just leave us alone, and go about your own affairs. But Lord Dagoth says it is not your way, to leave a thing well enough alone. Perhaps. I cannot remember you at all. But I do my Lord's bidding. I have always done his bidding. So go to him and submit. The door to Red Mountain lies behind me. You will be given power and place. And, perhaps, peace and forgiveness. Do as you like."
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The Khyber sings defiance against the Darkness, violet plasma battling the red light that haunts this place.
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"She appreciates the courtesy of House Dagoth less than I do. And hates you in a way that I do not. I know your Lord's ways now. He would not refuse a challenge from Nerevar, nor any champion he would send at him. You would not dare refuse it yourself."
The Ash Vampire holds his clawed hands in front of him in a guarded stance.
"You speak truly, Lord Nerevar. Very well. Though I know not her name, I shall afford her an honorable death from the hands of Dagoth Uthol. As she is the challenger, I shall afford her the courtesy of the first blow."
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"A duel it is, then. And I shall take that first blow since you have been so kind to offer it," she drawls. She intends to KILL Dagoth Uthol with that first blow, if she can.
She moves, too hard and too fast for a human. She lets the Force guide her blows to where the creature is most vulnerable, to read where he will be and not where he is.
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But it is clear from the way that he growls and stumbles that this saber blow to the neck is more powerful than he had expected. The sinews that quickly form and reattach his head to his neck still leave a deep and visible seam. Ibani will be able to tell that he won't be able to keep this trick up forever if she strikes quickly and repeatedly enough.
In the meantime, Dagoth Uthol roars and fires plumes of pure red malice from his colossal hands. A normal human might see their stomach burst open if this spell were to connect.
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Her training on Korriban made a powerful weapon of her and her interest in SURVIVAL has lead her to hone those skills even further. Her passion burns true, hot as a star, feeding her more power.
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So that's exactly what his next burst of magick will target - the energy with which she strikes. A wave of bloody purple extends from his hands, trying to sap her speed and stamina.
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She Force Walks, steps between Life and Death, Light and Dark, balances on that razor edge to redirect the effects of that spell toward Dagoth Uthol! (It's not easy, but she barely notices the pain, the places that her skin tears beneath her armor.)
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One more solid blow should do it now.
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Her heart is pounding in her ears, but there is vicious satisfaction in the blow.
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That doesn't mean the monster didn't leave a mark, however. In an instant, he's at her side with a potent health potion.
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"Sturdy creature to regenerate like that from lightsaber blows, I'm not sure anything at home can do the same."
If there is, she's sure it will try to kill her at some point. Her life is like that.
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Garyn bends over to search the body, checking, perhaps in vain, for any clues for the location of the Shadow Shield.
"The Shield isn't far, I hope. In the meantime, there's this enchanted belt, I suppose."
It's a powerfully enchanted belt, at least.
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"I'm also hoping the Shield is close. That fight took more out of me than I anticipated." She snorts, bitter amusement in her tone. "They're rather like the Sith in some ways. We impose Rules upon Sith in the Empire to keep our power struggles from tearing everything to pieces."
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Garyn gestures toward the door to Red Mountain that Dagoth Uthol had been guarding.
"Perhaps down that other path, then. Stealthily, again."
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