"It is the word of Mankar Cameron, and the word of Mehrunes Dagon!" Layala's eyes danced as she handed me the strange leather book.
"Isn't he…"
"A Daedric God? Why yes, he is the greatest of them all. But I and others in our group venerate all Daedric gods like Malacath." Layala turned around and looked longingly at the statue of the god.
I focused my attention on the strange looking book, and opened it. Oh, if I had only listened to that little voice inside that told me to run as far and as fast as my legs could carry me! But I could not bear the thought of being parted from Layala, and I felt at the time I should do what was needed to keep our relationship alive. What an unadulterated fool I was.
"Join us! Join us! You will find a new happiness! Read these commentaries and you will find new life." Layala returned to me and latched herself onto my arm. She looked up at me, her chestnut brown eyes meeting mine. I fell in love with her all over again, drunk in the passion of the moment.
"I love you but…I don't know…I've always been raised to worship the Nine…" Oh if only I had a spine back then…
"The Nine?" Layala's expression went from exuberant to disgusted, as if the very mention of the nine caused her to become infuriated. "The Nine are liars and thieves, every one of them. They have forsaken this world! I hate them, I HATE THEM!" Layala was so overcome with her own hatred and malice that she fell to the ground, quivering with emotion. I rushed to her side and held her, wanting to end her suffering.
"We won't talk of them ever again…"
She wept for what seemed to be eternity as I held her. I did not want to broach the subject again, but at the time I couldn't help but wonder what could have happened to her. I lifted her face and looked into her eyes. We sat there for a moment, speechless but communicating volumes to each other. We embraced for a moment, and Layala walked over to the other members of the order and bade me farewell.
"Read these commentaries and find new life"
As I think on it now, my dear reader, that is what I truly wanted. I wanted a new life, a new outlook, a new way of being. I thought I could find it in Layala, and I would do anything to make sure we stayed together. As I rode back to Anvil I was euphoric at the thought of being reborn. A second chance at last, to have life go my way for once! I wasted no time once I got home, and began to pour over the commentaries.
I don't think I have to tell you that while highly intelligent, Mankar Cameron is very insane. I remember trying to make sense of the text. The first chapters were almost complete and utter gibberish with references being made to fairy tales and then to philosophical debates of the Ayleids. I resolved myself, however, to read every word and try to find out what Layala saw in it. I thought, foolishly, that if I too could learn to love the Daedra and the teachings I would be with her forever.
It had been about a week and I made absolutely no headway into the text at all. It was the ramblings of a lunatic after all, so it really came to no surprise that it made no sense. I did notice, however, that the first letter of each paragraph seemed to spell out something. I wrote down the letters but the message didn't make much sense, after all I had was the first three volumes. I got exasperated and put the books down and tried to divert myself with tailoring. I had gotten very behind in my work and I was sure to have some belligerent customers in the morning if I didn't finish. I worked until late that evening, when Layala appeared in my window, grinning from ear to ear. I put down my needle and thread and rushed to her.
"I thought I'd find you hard at work. You never seem to rest." She nuzzled her nose up against mine and we kissed.
"Come inside."
"That's okay, I just came by to see if you found inspiration in his words."
I smiled very awkwardly and averted my eyes, a telltale sign I didn't want to get into any sort of conflict. Of course, Layala knew me like the back of her hand and felt a little hurt I hadn't taken to the texts with as much gusto as she had.
"If you don't like them…"
"No no, I didn't say that. It's just that I can't seem to appreciate them without the last volume. I think I found a sort of code."
"Really?" She immediately made her way inside and sat herself down at the table. I opened up the volumes and began to point out the significance of the first letters of each paragraph.
"Fascinating."
"Yes but I can't put the code together without the fourth volume."
"Well, that was the other thing I came to see you about. I'm going to be leaving for the Imperial city tomorrow to meet someone who can get me the fourth volume. Think of it, the rarest of all of Mankar Cameron's books and perhaps the most revelatory." I had never seen her eyes more alive than at that moment, and I couldn't hold back my emotions anymore. Our eyes met for what seemed like eternity and we embraced with an overwhelming intensity.
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Layala had brought two horses by my house in the morning and we got underway to the Imperial city. The roads of the land were very safe under the protection of the Emperor, and it was often said that you could carry a sack of gold from Leyawin to Cheydinhal without so much a fly bothering you. I always enjoyed long trips, especially across the West Weald. Whenever my father needed hard to find supplies he would take me with him to Skingrad. The rolling hills would explode with the vibrant colors of wild flowers during the spring time. I remember one trip where father and I woke up early to catch the sun rising up through the mountains. If you ever have the chance, my dear reader, take time out of your schedule to go to Skingrad and find a quiet spot in the castle overlooking the hills. There is nothing more breathtaking than to watch the fiery sun illuminate the Weald. Oh, I apologize for my ramblings but there is so much I want to record for you!
Anyways Layala wanted us to make haste but I felt that we should take a rest in Skingrad before we make the last leg of the trip towards the Imperial city. The city was quiet, a strange hush that couldn't be broken by anything. I saddled our horses and went with Layala to find the nearest inn to rest for the night. The townsfolk seemed somber and downcast, and I wondered what could have happened. We eventually came to the inn and Layala immediately went upstairs to rest.
"Your friend seems pretty tired," said Mog grah-Mogakh the orc innkeeper. She wiped off the counter as I sat down and she poured me a tall ale.
"Do you have any Surrilic brandy? I'm not a big fan of beer…"
"Really? Well, I guess I can see that. Here, it's on the house."
"Wow thanks."
"No problem. You seem like a nice person, there are so few in the world as it is you know."
"Well I don't know about all that."
I sipped the sweet brandy for a few moments and took in my surroundings. I usually wasn't a fan of bars or inns because of the raucous laughter and loud music, but today the energy seemed to be sucked out of the time. I hate to admit it but I felt it was a nice change of pace.
"So where are you headed?"
"Well we're headed to the Imperial city," I responded as I took a sip of brandy.
"Business or pleasure?" She smirked a tad bit sarcastically and I took the innuendo in stride.
"A little of both actually. I haven't been in years and Layala had some business in the city she needs to take care of."
"You know its very rare to see an Imperial and an Altmer together these days. Not that there's any bad blood, but don't Imperial families usually insist on marrying their own?"
"That is true but my parents," I almost choked on my brandy when I mentioned the word, it was too painful to even think about.
"Hmm, well as long as you're happy," she said, realizing she stepped on a nerve and quickly changed the subject. "Besides, someone's got to be happy around here, with the bad news and all."
"I was wondering what had happened. Everyone's acting like they're at a funeral."
"You haven't heard?" She looked at me as if I was some sort alien. "You must live in a cave."
"Something like that."
"Another heir to the throne has been killed. Yurus Septim is dead."
I felt as if someone had struck me across the head. The news of the death of the first son of Uriel Septim, Tyrantius, had reached me several weeks ago.
"Everyone thought that the first died in a hunting accident."
"Well that was what everyone thought at the time. But now that the second is dead I don't think anyone could call it simple coincidence."
"How did Yurus die?"
"Well the official statement is that he got caught in an undertow and drowned in the lake around the Imperial city but…"
"…everyone knows he is an excellent swimmer and would never go like that. I don't know what to think…" I never held much love for the emperor or the Imperial family, and only held at best a passing interest in them as far as gossip goes. However I felt like someone had broken the peace of the empire. Isn't it odd, my dear reader, that you never realize what you hold dear until it is snatched away from you in the night?
"If two are already dead then that means Emperor Septim's last son is next?" I didn't want to entertain the thought of the empire suffering through the death of all three of Emperor Septim's sons, but it was not unthinkable at this point.
"That's the next step, but I'd like to think that the Emperor and his body guards are going to do something about this. Whoever is doing this will slip up eventually I'm sure."
"I hope you are right. Thanks for the drink."
"No prob. You come talk to me any time. You'll always have my ear."
I walked upstairs and found Layala fast asleep. I got read for bed, but found that I couldn't relax myself. I sat by the window and looked at lantern lights across the city. I looked at the faces of each person walking down the street, and found the same uneasiness in their eyes. Troubled times were ahead, troubled times indeed.