Author's notes: Oblivion and all its characters, places, events, etcetera are property of Bethesda Softworks. Special thanks to my beta, Pheonicia, who cleans up my grammar errors and typos.
--A--
Chapter Twenty-Five
--A--
I did not like carrying Volume Three of the Commentaries around. It made me feel incredibly paranoid. I kept checking over my shoulder to make sure no one was following me – and apparently no one was. However, I couldn't quite shake the nasty suspicion of eyes boring into my back.
True to her word, all I had to do was show up, tell the battlemage on duty I was looking for Tar-Meena, and I was promptly escorted back to the little study, Tar-Meena herself arriving a few minutes later. The battlemage only escorted me when I confessed I wasn't sure how to find the place again, and the man displayed a sort of benign tolerance for my lack of path finding abilities.
Smirking at the researcher, I held up the book. "Look what I found!" I trilled pleasantly. I am so glad to be back here – it seems to me one would have to be pretty stupid to attack the Arcane University. If I were them, I'd wait for me to leave.
Of course, I if were them, I'd have ambushed me on the way to Cloud Ruler Temple, killed me, killed Martin, kill Jauffre, and then opened an Oblivion Gate right outside the Temple complex's main gate. Good thing I'm one of the good guys, huh?
The Argonian's expression widened into a look of profound shock. "That's…you really got…?"
"Absolutely, and when this is all over it's yours," I handed her the book. Goodness knows I don't want them in my library. "Now, I've got to find Baurus." If I don't update him at this point, I imagine he'll be a little annoyed with me – particularly as I'm preparing for a meeting with the bastards responsible for a lot of crap, not to mention every headache I've had this past month or so.
The bad hoodoo is about to get interrupted.
"I'll study these, see if I can turn anything up," Tar-Meena announced, with the air of volunteering for an arduous task. "No guarantees, you understand but…" she waved a clawed hand expressively.
Chuckling to myself – it's obvious she really wants a chance to look at Volume Three undisturbed and uninterrupted – I nodded, withdrawing, turning my feet back towards Luther Broad's Boarding House. There's no specific date or time in the note listed for me to go meet this Sponsor person. It's also getting late in the day. I wonder if Baurus is going to drag us to this meeting tonight. I'll bet he is – here I was hoping for dinner and some time to rest. It is too much to ask, really?
Well, the former I can get easily, I suppose, I'll just order before I start talking to Baurus. The latter…well, welcome to the Blades, right? No one ever said it would be easy.
--A--
"Back again – with that frogsticker of yours, I see," Luther Broad greeted me, looking surly, but not exactly angry. I suspect this is his way of telling people 'I'm not with the Blades, I just rent them rooms'. Smart move, I suppose. If I were the average citizen, I wouldn't want this kind of trouble breathing down my neck. However, as a Blade and a member of the Guild, I can't complain, even when the bad shit does start breathing down my neck. I'm hip-deep already, what's a little more?
"Yeah, me and my frogsticker," I nodded. "I need a meal and a room. Evening!" I waved cheerfully at Baurus, contriving to look mildly abashed, but pleased to see him. The show is, of course, for the benefit of anyone outside Baurus, Broad, and myself.
"Still with him, are you?" Luther grunted, shaking his head. "Third room on the left." He handed me a key. I highly suspect the third room on the left is usually reserved for Blades.
"Thanks, now about dinner…" ordering, I caught Baurus' eye then flicked mine towards the stairs.
Follow me.
Baurus actually wound up bringing supper upstairs for the both of us. I'd gotten whole mouthful before he asked, "Well?" impatiently, unable to wait any longer. I suppose it's stressful, sitting around while someone else does the legwork, then again, it was his idea.
"Well what?" I asked cheekily around a bite of bread and cheese.
Baurus scowled.
"I'm hungry – give me a minute," I took a swig of my ale – good stuff! – waiting until I'd taken the edge off my appetite before wiping my mouth and frowning at Baurus. "It's been a long day, and I didn't get lunch," I declared before cutting up my lamb. "Tar-Meena has the first three volumes of the Commentaries, that book we took off the dead guy." I narrated between bites. Thank goodness Baurus doesn't seem to expect perfect table manners. "She's looking over them now. I'm supposed to meet the Sponsor later to get the fourth volume. Supposedly all the clues we need to find the hidden shrine are in there."
"That's it?" Baurus looked both excited and a little disappointed.
"No." Fishing in my pocket, I pulled out Gwinas' note then handed it over. "Tar-Meena's given me temporary access to the Tower, so we can corroborate on this. Problem is, Frostreaver and I aren't exactly obscure faces," I cast the weapon, lying on the bed, a fond look. I'd so love to get a few hours of sleep before we do anything heroic, spy-like or dangerous. "And I'm not much for undercover work."
It's the red hair. Couple that with a big sword, and I'll be very surprised if half the Mythic Dawn isn't on the lookout for me. Hmm. Maybe Tar-Meena knows someone who knows someone who can…I don't know. Make me look different. I could go back to the axes, but looking at Frostreaver, I don't really want to.
"You'll learn – there's no time listed here, you know that, right?" Baurus announced, looking up, his eyebrows knitting together. I can see the cogs in his head turning – 'we can go now, if we hurry'.
I don't want to hurry! I'm still eating, and the food is good! "It had occurred to me." I answered dryly. Why do I get the feeling 'you'll learn' means 'sink or swim'? Some days I wonder if I joined the Blades or some kind of Fighters' Guild auxiliary.
"I know where this place is," Baurus announced after pondering the paper a little longer. "We always kind of wondered who used it – now we know. I can't believe they've been crawling around under our noses like this…" Baurus' expression darkened, the creases in his face becoming more apparent.
Under your feet, too, by the sounds of it, though I wisely didn't say this out loud, merely continued eating. Damn I'm hungry – too hungry to be cheeky. "I suppose suggesting we wait until tomorrow is going to earn me a look…yeah, that's the one. Good thing I didn't actually suggest it," I sighed as Baurus gave me the classic 'what sort of Blade are you?!' look.
Ignoring this, I sighed again, poking at my lamb. You know...it's not as good now as it was a moment ago.
"Well, recognizable or not, you're not going." Baurus announced simply.
My fork clanged against my plate as I slammed it down, my temper flaring unexpectedly as I looked up quickly to scowl reproachfully at Baurus. "Excuse me – this is my mission too!" I snapped, stung by the injustice of the whole 'stay behind' plan.
"I don't think so – there's no sense in both of us going. Stick with Tar-Meena and I'll bring the fourth volume to…" Baurus tried to logic with me, however I wasn't of a mood to listen to logic.
"Bullshit! I'm not going for that. Don't even try to tell me 'it'll be dangerous' or I'm going to knock out your teeth," I snarled, perfectly serious. "You think they won't recognize you, Mr. 'I've Got A Tail, Cover My Back For Me'?" Damn, that's a weak argument. Even I could come up with better.
It was Baurus' turn to glower. "I didn't say it was a great plan..."
"'Cause it's not!"I shook my head, poking my lamb with my fork, but not paying it much attention otherwise, too annoyed. I think what really bothers me is knowing this isn't really a dismissal of my abilities. He just doesn't want all his eggs in one basket. Well, sometimes you can't avoid it.
"It's a piss-poor plan and you know it!" I snapped. "Plus, if I'm not there, who's watching your back? You'll be dead before you can tell anyone what you find out – if you find out anything – and I'll still have to go do this! How's that for staying serious? We don't have the time to waste on a flubbed mission." I stated forcefully, pointing at him with my fork, as though I wished to impale him with it.
"Fine, if you're going to pitch a fit..." But he looked oddly…well, odd. Almost reassured I was protesting the 'logical choice' so hard. Why do I get the feeling he didn't really want to go down there by himself? Ugh – why can't people just dispatch the weird logic and just be smart?
"You're damn right I am!" Chomping on a piece of lamb I forced my temper to subside, wondering vaguely hwy it had flared up so quickly. I know I'm loud, but his is a little unusual. Oh well - not the first time it's happened, I'm sure. "I thought you people were about teamwork." I grunted.
"'You people'? Doesn't sound like a team mindset to me." Baurus announced dryly.
"Well, you do what you learn," I retorted. "And so far, I don't feel like a part of your team, Baurus." I looked up, mild sullen resentment coloring my features.
Baurus and I subsided into sour thought. I know why he's so wound up – this is a chance for him to hit back at the Mythic Dawn, and I don't blame him for wanting to take it. I blame him for letting his emotions override his ass, as Markos says.
Or maybe that's me. Yeah, that actually sounds like me right now – maybe I ought to cut Baurus some slack.
Ugh – he's a big boy for crying out loud.
In the guild we try not to let people with personal stakes in a mission go on said mission. In the guild, Baurus would not be here, and this whole macho 'it's my thing, let me handle it' attitude is why. It gets people killed – he should know that.
"So, when do you want to go?" Baurus asked quietly, once we both finished our meals, and were scowling at the table again.
"Might as well go now – I'm only going to get more tired. Been on my feet half the day, and on my ass the other half." I grunted. If you think pouring over fanatic writings is easy, I suggest you try it sometime. Try something for Sanguine or Sheogorath – they're both crazy, after a fashion. It really does make just as much sense upside down as right side up.
Getting to our feet, I gathered the dishes. "Get your stuff, I'll wait for you downstairs." I offered, taking the dishes and Frostreaver with me. Better watch my unprotected hide – I'm not exactly dressed for a big fight. However, I'm confident in my ability to avoid major damage.
I only hope I'm right.
--A--
The long walk to the sewers was virtually silent, punctuated when Baurus wanted to light a torch to keep ups from stumbling about in the dark. He eventually conceded my magelight – red – had a definite advantage over the torch.
Wading shin-deep in water, rats and mud crabs is rarely pleasant. This was no exception, though oddly appropriate, considering the type of scum we were trying to find. I mean, really – it's a little clichéd, secret cult meetings in the sewers of the Imperial City?
Oh, for all those people who think there are trolls in the sewers, think again. Goblins, sure – but not trolls. So says the eyewitness.
"So, we got a plan yet?" I asked uncomfortably as Baurus finally slowed down his pace, leading me to believe we were closing on our destination.
Baurus stopped. "We're almost there now – it's just in the room after that one," he pointed, his professional mentality back in place, meaning any argument we might have was still sitting at the table at Luther's place. "Listen, I might not come out off this alive..."
"Don't say that, you'll be fine. I've got your back, remember?" My attempt at a peace gesture. It's smart to prepare for the worst, but there's no need to agonize over it. It's a little late for that.
Baurus sighed, apparently deciding this was no time to correct the idealist. "Doesn't matter, so long as you get out of here alive, with the book. You've got to get the book, and find the Amulet of Kings."
I didn't argue. This isn't the time, or the place, truth be told, never mind that he's absolutely right. "All right, let's do this. As a team."
Baurus actually grinned wryly. "You sure you're not just faking the whole rookie thing?" he asked.
"It does seem to come and go, doesn't it? So, you want to tell me the plan now, or is it one of those 'take it as it comes' things? I should warn you – I hate those kinds of plans. They never work," I held up a finger. Truthfully, they never work when Brutus (the king of bad planning) suggests them – mostly the rest of us roll our eyes and come up with something better.
I miss the group dungeon-diving expeditions. "So…you want to meet the Sponsor?" I predicted.
"It should be me," Baurus nodded grimly, "I have a blood debt to repay these Mythic Dawn assassins. Besides, I've trained for this kind of thing my whole life."
"Gee, thanks." I answered flatly.
"Not saying that hunk of junk is just for show, of course." He added, seeing the look on my face, across between distaste and annoyance.
Yet, I grinned at the joke – we'll discuss my non-rookie-ness later. "You bet your ass."
Baurus chuckled. "Listen – there's a sort of catwalk up above the room where this meeting's supposed to take place…"
"I'll be up there. What if one of us gets cornered?" Practicality first.
Baurus actually grinned. "Then…I guess we'll just do things your way."
"My way? What, kick down the door then kick all asses?" I arched my eyebrows. I like that plan – let's run with it.
"Perfect, off you go." Baurus gave me a slap over the shoulder.
I returned the gesture and trotted forward, shoes squishing slightly, leaving faint footprints on the stone. Plunging myself into darkness, I release my magelight, surprised at how quickly my vision seemed to adjust to the near pitch-blackness. I didn't realize the dim lights down here had that much range.
Still, not one to dismiss a good thing out of hand, I opened the gate-like door and closed it, leaning back against it, Frostreaver held at an angle. In the darkness, someone down in the little room below would find it hard to see me, particularly since I just fit inside the doorframe.
Baurus walked into view, just past the stone catwalk, sitting down, apparently resisting the urge to look around for me. Butterflies started in my stomach. If something goes back, it's going to be a trick to get down to where Baurus is, without jumping. So guess what? I get to jump.
Still, if I run into trouble, this is the perfect place for it – narrow walk, me with my great big sword – it's good setup for a fight. I might actually have a decisive advantage – plus, if someone were to trip and fall, they might land wrong and put themselves out of my misery.
See? Positive thinking helps.
A few moments later footsteps entered the room below, Baurus' head turning to observe the newcomer, who remained out of my range of vision. "So. You want to become one of the Chosen of Mehrunes Dagon." He announced, sounding rather disapproving. "The Path of Dawn is difficult. But the rewards are great."
More footsteps. A thrill of horror ran through my stomach – through the passage facing me bobbed a red light, a mage's light…heading my way. My grip on Frostreaver tightened as I shifted my footing slightly. We're so caught. Good thing we planned for something like that.
"I have the book you seek. With it and the Master's three other books, you will possess the key to enlightenment…"
The gate opened, the two Mythic Dawn members in the corridor finally looked away from each other, stopping short as they realized I was here. "Raven!" One of them shouted.
I jumped forward before his voice died. With a grunt I drove Frostreaver into the first cultist, throwing him mercilessly over the edge of the catwalk. I heard him hit the table, shattering it to splinters, as his companion conjured up that funny-looking armor, as well as that formidable mace, swinging viciously at me.
I felt the impact up to my elbows as I caught the blow, shifting Frostreaver, trying to ruin the cultist's balance. Below the sounds of a fight exploded in the wake of the fallen cultist, shouts from most involved echoing, reverberating deafeningly on the walls.
I shouted, my opponent's mace skipping along one of Frostreaver's blades as I spun towards him, the other blade scoring the cultist's chest before I twirled, ever mindful of my footing. Frostreaver sliced into the breastplate again, and I backed around for another strike, which knocked the cultist from the narrow walkway.
Looking below Baurus was cornered. The drop was lower than I expected, but it won't be painless.
"Shit!" I yelped, throwing myself to the ground as a well-placed fireball scorched the air above, showering me in sparks and cinders, right where my head would have been if I hadn't dropped so quickly.
Draped across the catwalk, Frostreaver dangling from one hand, struggling, unable to get myself back up onto the catwalk, half-afraid to just drop into what might as well be a void of nothing. Craaap. Shifting I slipped, then let gravity do its work, landing in a heap, Frostreaver held out to one side. Before I could struggle to my feet red robes swept into view, a lightly shod foot stamping down on Frostreaver's blade.
Looking up, I grinned. You idiot…I twitched Frostreaver, the blade rocking so instead of standing safely on the flat, the cultist founds his foot sinking into the sharp metal, frost blossoming spectacularly. As he moved to get his foot off the blade, screaming in pain, I yanked on Frostreaver, which sliced through his foot until foot and blade parted company, my knuckled scraping the stone, protesting the discomfort it took to force the blade to move.
I was on my feet before the cultist could do more than glare malevolently at me. With a strong swing, his head and shoulders parted company, a sluggish gush of blood issuing from the frosted-over wounds.
"'Lirah!" Baurus shouted.
Throwing myself to the left, I hit the ground, rolling as best I could with Frostreaver still in my hand.
Baurus swung his katana at the mage, the same mage who nearly made a crispy critter out of me earlier – I recognize his magicka signature. It's moldy and musty – just all around nasty.
He pivoted, sending a fireball my way to keep me from coming up on his blindside.
Our best bet is to get him into a corner, try to take away his means of getting away…but how to tell Baurus, without telling this asshole too?
I dodged another fireball as the cultist laughed. "So – this is the 'hero' I've heard so..." he stopped midsentence.
While planning to taunt me, he turned his back on Baurus, who silently took advantage of the mer's distraction. I strode forward, gathering momentum, spinning Frostreaver.
"What's all this about…you collect heads or something?" Baurus asked, stopping the head's ungainly roll with his foot, as if it were a ball.
"I like to make sure shit doesn't get up after I've killed it," I panted. My vest and blouse both bore burn marks and little holes, evidence of the magical fire. I shudder to think what this stuff would have done to my skin…
"On the upside," I walked over to the ruined table, nudging a dead cultist off the wreckage with my foot, picking up the battered copy of Volume Four. "He who lives to walk way…"
"Lives to die another day," Baurus finished with a nervous chuckle, which I returned.
It's the strangest thing, but most people wind up with the nervous giggles, once they're out of a tight spot.
"Well…now what?" I asked, frowning at the book. It didn't tingle, or buzz malevolently. in fact, it's disappointingly mundane. I was expecting something a little more…evil. "You gonna quit treating me like a rookie?"
Baurus laughed. "Not likely – I'll quit calling you 'amateur' behind your back, though," he joked.
--A--