Kvaasik - The Purring Liar

1 - The Rise of Thras
2 - The Cold Front
3 - Change in Wardrobe
4 - The Unsinkable City
5 - An Unlikely Patron
6 - The Purring Liar
7 - The Dismantling Dilemma

I had heard of the Khajiit from tales, but had never seen them in person; they are a form of Betmer, but shared more characteristics with cats than elves (although, his arrogant demeanor reminded me much of the Altmer). This Khajiit had a mane of black hair cascading down his neck, and wore simplistic clothes that would make him meld with a crowd as easily as rivers meld with oceans.
“You disguise yourself, and yet this one sees who you are. As trees are still wood even when fashioned into houses, you are a Sload, regardless of the pelt you wear.” How had this cat seen through my guise so easily? As if to answer, he spoke, “This one is Rajhin, the Purring Liar, the God of Seven Shadows. You have forgotten this one, as Rajhin is not one of the Daedra you revere, nor am I the Aedra you disfavor. Make no mistake; Rajhin has power beyond what you see. For some of your participation, he could share this power with you.”

I had vaguely heard of the God of Seven Shadows, yet I knew so little about him. I remembered he was powerful, but also frighteningly clever. “And in return?” I asked Rajhin. He answered quickly, as if he had anticipated my question, “All I wish is for your journey to continue. You see, being a disembodied spirit gets ever so lonely after a time. There are so few mortals that catch Rajhin’s eye, and yet you have. After all, a Sload in the skin of a human, plotting the domination of all Nirn, is something that does not happen every century. Your quest has been very amusing, and all Rajhin wishes for is more entertainment.”

Although I did not like the thought of being the plaything of a god, especially one who called himself ‘The Purring Liar’, if he would grant me an inkling of power that could benefit the Sload, a pact is worth making. Besides, in the stories I have heard about the God of Seven Shadows, he always honors the deals he makes. I replied, steadily, “Very well.” And, like that, Rajhin’s eyes lit up like Welkynd stones. “Splendid! There is a caravan just outside this city’s walls; they have brought a part of Rajhin’s power with them, though they think it a simple antique robe. Retrieve it, and this one will show you just how wrong they are.” With that, Rajhin disappeared into the air, as if he had never been there at all.

I had found the caravan on the outer side of Solitude’s main gate. A group of Khajiits, just like Rajhin, sat near three peaked, beige tents around a flickering fire. Two of the cats wore fine clothing, whereas the other wore steel armor. One of the merchants croaked at me: “A traveler like you must need wares, yes? Weapons, or armor, perhaps?”

I responded, thinking carefully, “Do you have any antique robes?” The Khajiit thought for a moment, ignoring the specificity of the request, then answered, “Why, yes. Only this.” He searched his tent, and pulled out ornate black robes, decorated with straps and choicely placed gems. “Hmm…let us say, one-hundred coins?” I, knowing that I barely had enough to pay for a bowl of disgusting chowder, let alone a divine artifact, looked for something else on my person to trade with the merchant. A thought struck me, and I pulled out the scroll bound for Legate Rikke. I gave it to the Khajiit to read, and his eyes widened. “This will do well. Here.” I took the robes, and Rajhin’s voice appeared in my head.

“Ahh…yes. This brings back memories. Find a secluded place, then Rajhin will share his power with you.” I obeyed Rajhin, hoping that this artifact was worth the scroll. A place hidden from sight was difficult to come by, but I eventually found a cranny behind the tavern. The place was dank and smelling of mold, which is maybe why it is ignored so often. Rajhin once again echoed through my mind, “Yes, now wear it. Only then will it show its true nature.” An odd request, but I followed his word. I set my Imperial uniform aloft against the brick walls, and slipped the leather garb over my body. Strangely, the material was slippery to the touch, and nearly vibrated with magical energy.
Suddenly, I felt something seize control of my body, like vines strangling my limbs. “Fool! This one is a trickster in death, as he was in life.” Rajhin was suffocating me from the inside out, making me cough up my own soul and leaving an empty vessel for himself. I tried to anchor myself to my body, but Rajhin was too strong. My corporeal form was wrestled from me, leaving me a sputter of ethereal energy staring at the Imperial who was, just moments before, my own body, now filled with Rajhin’s immortal spirit.

“Oh, this one really does like this body. So agile, so flexible. And if Imperial becomes a bore, Rajhin can simply choose a new one with this fancy trinket of yours!” Rajhin flexed his hands—my hands. It felt strange not having a body, like I had spent too much time in cold water and had gone entirely numb.

Rajhin looked at me, “Oh, do not beat yourself up over this. You will get used to being a ghost. After all, you have an eternity to do so. Most people underestimate the freedom one has without a body; Rajhin has possessed many bodies in his time, but I always did prefer a more permanent form, like the one you had given him.” Rajhin started to walk away, but I shouted at him (although it sounded more like distorted warbling), “How could I have my body back?”

He stopped and smirked back at my disembodied form. “Why would this one return such a generous gift? That hardly seems gracious. After all, you gave Rajhin this body of your own free will. It would be discourteous to refuse it.” The pleasure he felt for himself was so great that I could practically feel it from several feet away. “Until we meet again, friend!” Rajhin fled into the streets of Solitude sporting my body, his head undoubtedly filled with the ridiculous and frankly repulsive pranks and plots he had been planning for centuries.