Was this what you intended, Father? Is he an obstacle you’ve placed in my path? Or is he an accident?
Likely the latter, Kellhus decided.
No, I am certainly not buying that.
I'm on the fence about if I believe Kellhus about being on a mission to kill Moe. Prima-facie, I don't believe it. Before meeting Cnaiür, he speaks only of meeting Moe, "dwelling in his father's house," not killing him. I believe he tells Cnaiür he wants to assassinate Moe because he knows this is what will motivate him to help him.
So, what did they really send out Kellhus for? And for that matter, why did they send Moe out, really?
Well, we have the "Who is the Manipulator" thread, and my belief that Seswatha is that Manipulator. That theory hinges on
a lot of "what if's", but let's talk about what we know.
1) When Kelhuss firsts leaves Ishual, all he ever says is that he is going to find his father in Shimeh. No inner dialogue about killing him.
2) he tells Leweth that he is going to his father in Shimeh, nothings has changed.
3) As you said, when he realizes Cnaüir wants to kill his father that is when we first hear that is Kelhuss's mission. Ain't buying it, all Dûnyain are lying liars who lie to meet their needs. Cnaüir knows this, but he wants this more than anything and is therefore tricked. Kelhuss even considers killing Cnaüir after the Steepe.
4)We hear the story of Moe being sent out to kill a band of Sranc and then being exiled because he's polluted.
Which I ain't buying. Remember when Kel first mmets the sranc? He has no idea what these creature are. He studies one before Mek shows up. He didn't know what the prints were when he showed them to Leweth. Leweth even remarked upon this, " You live in the North, and you dont know these?". This is all a story Kel uses to further his goal to Shimeh with Cnaüir. Really, anything we could come up with as to the true purpose of sending out Moe then Kelhuss by the Dûnyain, is pure speculation. But, its not the story Kelhuss gives us, that much I'm sure of.