37: Among the Zainab

The Zainab were no more welcoming than they were the last time I was here, but this time I could not just move on to the next Ashlander tribe. The Zainab are the ones who have been raiding around Vos, so the Zainab are the required target of my 'trade mission'. I was met at the edge of their encampment by a proud Zainab who never did bother to introduce himself.

"What do you want Outlander?" he demanded.

I bit my tongue and tried a civil approach. "The question isn't what I want as much as it is what you want. The local House Dunmer would like to trade with your people."

"We need nothing from the soft ones from the houses. Their big buildings, their fancy clothes; these things mean nothing to us. So crawl back to your masters outlander, we have no need of you here."

So much for the civil approach. "Watch your words. I am a clanfriend of the Urshilaku. You can say what you like about the house Dunmer, but have a care when you speak to me of 'masters'."

"The Urshilaku call you clanfriend? No surprise, I suppose. That Cult of the Nerevarine that leads them has made them all collectively crazy. They have even called an outlander Nerevarine, if you can imagine!"

"Too far."

"Too far, what?"

"That was too far. I am clanfriend to the Urshilaku, accepted by the Ashkahn and the ancestors of the Ashkahn." I snapped my bow free and raised it high. "This is the Bone-biter, bow of Sul-Senipul, delivered to me by his ghost deep in the burial caverns. You Zainab are a proud and respected people, as are the Urshilaku. You will show respect for my clan as I show respect for yours, or we shall duel, and you shall die having dishonored yourself with your poor hospitality." Bone-biter glowed an angry red in my hand, and there was a chortling sound of disturbed ancestors echoing hollowly in the air.

My adversary slipped slowly from anger to sullen resignation. "My pardon, clanfriend and honored guest if my words gave offense." He slinked away.

A nearby woman who had watched the exchange offered a tentative smile. "Our men are proud warriors clanfriend of the Urshilaku. They are good men, but not...graceful. He meant no harm."

"I know. No harm done. I know it is strange having a clanfriend arrive representing the house Dunmer."

"The soft ones," she said with a laugh. "I heard. Our men would never admit any need that the Telvanni could fill. They would rather drag themselves back to the wise woman every time they are sick, but the bottled magics of the Telvanni would be very useful to us clanfriend, and our women would gladly trade for them. Once they are in our hands the men will be happy to have them."

I had the information I needed and considered a hasty retreat, but it was too late. "Now you are a clanfriend?" roared a voice that I recognized as the Ashkhan, Kaushad.

"Yes, I am, a clanfriend of the Urshilaku" I said, showing sufficient deference to his rank but pointing out that it was not his place to pass judgment on the actions of another tribe's Ashkahn.

"Sul-Matuul does strange things, but he is wise, and that is the Bone-biter. Sul-Matuul sent you to be judged by his ancestors, and you passed, I assume."

"I did," I said simply.

"I would have you as friend to our clan then outlander, if you pass my test as well."

Kaushad proposed a more pragmatic challenge, or perhaps he assumes that all the ancestors will see things the same way so there would be no point in sending me to his. In any event it falls to me to contend with a vampire that has taken over a nearby tomb. If I succeed he will give his permission for the women to trade with Aryon.

I was concerned that the crew would be getting restless. Although I expected to be using Grytewake as a command center I did not expect to spend another night tied to the docks of Vos. They have done well with the trading though, and in my absence Turedus Talanian made a substantial purchase of ebony. They will be able to resist the song of the sea for another night at least.