Beta-Ed by KVeronicaP

...

Rialyn could only hope that this would not be a waste of their time.

However, he knew he wasn't exactly in a position to be angry about it after the forced detour at the Zainab camp. Perhaps this would provide some unexpected insight in a similar manner. Kor was a complete madman, corrupted by the plague and driven insane by the chaos around him. He was well beyond salvation. Rialyn was certain of that.

Even now, as the travelers walked the road towards this "Wiseman" Kor kept talking about, the ash ghoul would rush frantically from one cover to another, examining every large rock, every pile of ash in their way, sometimes even twice. It was a perplexing and downright pathetic sight. He was like an animal that had lost all dignity and had nothing but the simplest instinct to drive him. Still, Heleria seemed to pique interest. The librarian's eyes jumped around as she watched Kor's actions closely, sometimes ever scribbling some notes in her personal diary.

"And may I ask, how did you survive for so long?" - Heleria approached him carefully, but Kor just jumped up and peered at her. He remained static for a moment.

"A long time…There was in darkness, deep darkness…And the lord, oh the lord. The lord guided me out, gave a chance at salvation and holy rebirth!" - He raised his hands up, almost as if praying to the sky.

"Do you remember…You know, the eruption? A lot of magma, ash, fire, those kinds of things." - Heleria tried to describe it as simple for him as possible.

"Fire? Oh, yes, there is always fire…It burns, it rages, it stirs! The fire is beneath this land, it will be brought back and burn again, again again again!" - Kor laughed hysterically, exposing his gritted and dirty teeth. "But the day you speak of…The day, I can't remember, it eludes, like a little mouse I can't catch it, but it's so so clooose…! Why, why, why! I must remember, I must…"

Rialyn was prepared for another triage of insanity, but Kor stopped unexpectedly. He stood frozen for a few moments, but Heleria seemed to notice that he sniffed something. After this, Kor rushed to the nearby rock without explanation and encroached on it with both of his hands.

"Brother is that you…Another brother, can you hear his song?!" - He would look at the rock, scratching it almost as if expecting to react.

"That doesn't even seem like a head." - Rialyn sighed and noted.

"Give him a moment…" - Heleria mumbled, continuing to watch the ash ghoul. Eventually, he uncovered something mobile…A kwama maggot hiding underneath the rock.

"Ah, here you are, I knew there was a song here!" - Kor grabbed the creature in his hands, looking at it with insane focus. "Oh lord Dagoth, bless my foes for one more day so I can free you from your prison, glory be!" - He said before moving the kwama to his mouth. Rialyn resisted the urge to look away as the ash ghoul plunged his teeth into the kwama's flesh, enjoying its blood within, drinking as its some delicacy. The Dragonborn had his questions about how edible this creature was, but considering the two centuries that he survived, this was far from the first time.

"Are you sure there is a point to this?" - Rialyn asked once again as even Heleria was perplexed by Kor's animalistic actions.

"If we can communicate with him or at least the Wiseman, then yes." - She remained stalwart.

"And what will he tell us? How to find some more rocks?"

"He survived here for two hundred years and hasn't been stuck in one place, apparently. I wouldn't be surprised if he visited the sanctum over this time, or at least what remains of it. That's our best bet for now." - Heleria laid out her argument as Kor sprang up once again and continued to run across the ashen road.

"I hope we don't regret this." - Rialyn said quietly as he looked at Kor and rushed towards the nearby hill. It seemed they were close.

Soon Kor led Rialyn a Heleria to a secluded place. It seemed to be like the one where he stayed in times of particularly harmful storms.

The small plates on top of the hill immediately caught the Dragonborn's attention, as they seemed slightly more organized than the rest, and this intrigued him. A small cavern was located nearby; Rialyn approached it, trying to eye whatever was inside. There were supplies there…The Dragonborn could realize a number of dead kwamas.

"No, you don't go to my sanctuary!" - Kor shouted and jumped chaotically around Rialyn. As the Dragonborn stopped, the ashghoul calmed himself down. He rushed back to the plateau, where Heleria had already begun her exploration.

"Anything of note?" - Rialyn wondered with a slightly intrigued tone as he stood beside Heleria. The woman was already taken aback by this place.

At the center of it lay a ruined statue, or at least some parts of it. The remnants of a stone leg and something that resembled a cane remained closer towards the edge near the half-buried podium, all while the head lay before them. It was larger than any they had seen before. The features Rialyn discerned on them were strikingly familiar to one of the statues in the temple.

"Isn't that…Sheogorath?" - Heleria said with some doubt, but it quickly switched to certainty as she looked at the head. They came to the same conclusion. From what Rialyn knew, it was not uncommon to find a Daedric altar in the Wilderness of Vvardenfell. It seemed that even after the eruption, some of that remained. The Dragonborn smirked as he mentally compared the image of Sheogorath he met with the real statue. Why are mortals so keen to portray him with a beard when he had none?

"If so, I suppose it's not impossible that Sheogorath spoke through the statue…Although with this one, you never know." - Rialyn pointed to the ashghoul who kneeled before the podium's remnants.

"So Sheogorath is the Wiseman? Not someone I'd grace with that title, that's for sure." - Heleria shook her head. She looked over other items surrounding the statue. They looked like small idols and relics, antiquities covered in dust and dirt, which concealed their true shine. "If these are what I think, they come from the sixth house…At one point, they did. Must be ancient." - She smiled with impression, debating whether she should take one despite Kor's reaction.

"And you recognize them so easily?"

"When you travel all over Vvardenfell for knowledge, is it really surprising?"

"I suppose not…"

They were interrupted by chanting from Kor.

"Behold, oh glorious Wiseman! I brought you these fools so you could give them the same clarity you gave me…Tear their eyes out and fill their hearts with bugs! Crush their spirits and bring them happiness! Descend upon us and grace us with your wisdom, make them see, see, see!"

He screamed louder and more with each word, Kor kneeled and prayed, but there was nothing in response. The statue remained as it was, and it seemed that no voice graced him with its presence.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility that Sheogorath communicates through this statue…" - Heleria looked down in thought.

"Doesn't seem like anyone talked to this one."

"That's true, but he seems very certain."

"As certain as he seemed when saying these heads are his brothers."

"We'll see…"

Kor continued to kneel and pray, but there was no response.

"Why…I did all as you asked. Why are you NOT ANSWERING! Just a moment, a second, please! I need your aid, just one glance of my lord, I BEG OF YOUUU!" - This transformed into an agonizing and animalistic screech that did not resemble anything Rialyn had heard before. Two centuries of pain, suffering, and madness transcended and burst through his body. It was horrific. Rialyn tried to imagine Kor as he was before going insane, before becoming a ghoul. He could be a priest, a member of the great house, a father…Is he still seeing those flashes in his mind? Is the memory of what once was driving him insane?

Heleria decided to move forward, much to Rialyn's surprise. Would she still not give up on him? This was surprising, but Rialyn couldn't help but be mesmerized…He also took his mace out in case of hostilities broke out.

"Listen…I'm sorry." - Heleria said in a pained voice as if she herself had to apologize for something. Rialyn knew these people who cared too much about others' pain…And somehow, he always found himself near those people, drawn to them, even.

"You…You don't understand, don't understand!"

"These voices…I don't think they're real. I know they might seem like this to you, but this might be your mind playing tricks…" - She trod carefully.

"Never, never, NEVER!"

"But it doesn't mean that all is lost, your mind is still intact, you just…Lost control, it can happen to all of us." - As the woman approached, she gently touched the ghoul's hand, causing him to pacify himself and kneel once again. Kor breathed heavily, but Heleria's touch clearly calmed him down.

"You…So close…But why. Why do I feel it…" - Kor spoke cryptically, but he was surprisingly calm. He probably wasn't touched during all these years, not in the way Heleria did, anyway.

"We can help you." - She said with warmth and confidence.

"Help…Help…?"

"There is a city to the south. There are those who could help you, I know…I can try myself, but you need to abandon this place..." - Heleria whispered so he could feel at ease. "I know you care about your lord Dagoth, but he is gone, and there is nothing that can be done about him…But it's not yet the end for you."

"Dagoth, Dagoth, don't you dare to speak his name, not you!" - He pushed Heleria aside and rushed to the edge. Rialyn quickly stood in between them to prevent further escalation. "I know! I need more brothers to find, then he will speak, then he will open the gate!" - He hissed like a snake before running away. Kor disappeared behind rocks and ash; even Rialyn couldn't notice where he was gone. The Dragonborn turned around and helped Heleria get up.

"Remember what I told you about him?"

"It wasn't that bad…"

They were interrupted by a strong Daedric voice coming out from the statue, all too familiar yet still very sudden.

"Don't feel sad about old Kory. He'll return! Well, probably. He always does!" - Sheogorath's lighthearted tone rang in Rialyn's ears, but it was different from the times he talked to him in the temple. The Dragonborn did not realize the reasons for it straight away, but after Heleria's confusion quickly became wonder, he realized that his mind was not the only one hearing the prince of madness.

"Azura curse you, Sheogorath!" - Heleria exclaimed, gazing at the statue's head before her. "I almost believed that Kor invented the Wiseman himself!"

"You insult me; Kor might have added a few unnecessary flourishes as you, silly mortals are prone to do, but how could you ever deny the obvious?! Can't you just taste the crumbles of my wisdom in him? I think I've outdone myself here." - The Daedric prince said with pride to Heleria's annoyance. The woman looked at Rialyn with an irritated gaze, crossing her hands at Sheogorath's drivel.

"I liked my version of events better." - She said bitterly.

"First time?" - Rialyn threw a sarcastic smile at Heleria. Perhaps it would be easier to deal with this Daedric nuisance together.

"Well…"

"And you, oh how you've grown since we last met, Ronnie!" - Sheogorath exclaimed with pride. "Or have you? I might be seeing things. Wasn't that just a few weeks ago? Yes, I give you too much credit…Still as frail and puny as ever, but at least less confused!" - He seemed to enjoy this moment to an unhealthy degree…Then again, in his madness, Sheogorath found a way to enjoy absolutely everything. Perhaps there was even a lesson to learn here.

"Is there a purpose to your tirade?" - Rialyn scoffed.

"Well, that's a good question…How about congratulating you? You've got yourself a girl! And still, manage to go somewhere fun instead of getting confound to a few dull rooms in a hut, that's already twenty-or-so steps ahead of me!" - He joked, immediately garnering Heleria's attention. Rialyn could see the woman's anger.

"We are just traveling together for shared discovery, nothing more! Can't say I'm surprised by your dirty fantasies, but keep them to yourself." - She snapped fierily at the Daedric prince. Rialyn was impressed.

"Oh, that's what you mortals always say. Had I found you two in a tight embrace entangled in a passionate kiss or something else…You'd say the same thing." - Sheogorath noted calmly.

"Out of all the Daedra, you're the most…" - Heleria said with anger before stumbling at the last word.

"Humorous? Witty? Wise? Come on, don't keep me waiting!"

"You know, forget it, I'm not engaging." - Heleria shook her head to Sheogorath's disappointment. Rialyn decided to ask the important question.

"What about this Kor? Have you actually talked to him before, and how did he survive?"

"Well, of course, I talked to him. He might as well die from loneliness had I not swooped in with my presence; wouldn't that be utterly depressing?" - Sheogorath fired back. "No, no, I was keeping him company and slowly curing him of his sanity over these years…You see, Vvardenfell has been uncharted territory for me, and what better way to learn as much as possible than from this ghost of the past!" - His tone made it clear that he saw Kor as another pet project; more than anything, as any Daedric prince would…

"All the eons you toyed with this land, and only now you learn of Vvardenfell? How lazy have you been?" - Rialyn said with a mocking tone.

"Well, not quite eons."

"You know who Kor was, then?" - Heleria wondered.

"Isn't it obvious by that blob sticking out of his pretty face? A Sixth House priest who was lucky enough not only to outlive Dagoth Ur but the eruption by being in a very well-protected cavern…Fine, now that I think about it, those aren't fortunate. He was a broken, terrified ghoul who happened to find one of my destroyed statues among the Ashland…Since then, we have become a wonderful duo! One day even you two could reach some heights if you don't sink in the sheer pointlessness of your quests…"

"And what about his search? Did you tell him to look for those "brothers"?" - Heleria inquired.

"I am no stranger to putting thoughts in others' heads, but this was his own initiative which I simply approved…Truth be told, I am certain his own head is filled with voices. Hah, such a large company he gets to keep, even gets me jealous!"

"And you just watch him suffer and go mad, pursuing a pointless task for your own amusement?" - Heleria spoke slowly and with horror as she clenched her fist.

"What, did I say something wrong?"

"I shouldn't expect anything better from a Daedric Prince, just forgot about how cruel you can truly be…" - She did not sound surprised, simply disappointed to her core. Rialyn felt his heartache, too, even though he did not care about Kor. Falling into the same empathy trap yet again…It felt sweeter than Rialyn remembered.

"Is she the best you could find, Ronnie, seriously? Sooo dull…Although you aren't that far ahead of yourself, fine, I take my words back; you're perfect."

"I know you enjoy this…But how you say something useful or leave us alone for a change?" - Rialyn spoke angrily, not afraid of the mad god.

"You should understand me more than anyone! A new land, an isle full of petrified Ashlanders, self-cloning wizards, talking mudcrabs, and mysteries in general! Is that not a delight to finally be able to uncover all of these secrets for yourself? Looking through Kor's eyes showed me a lot of rubbish, but arguably something notable as well." - Sheogorath was engaged, almost preparing to recount his past interactions, but there was only one Rialyn cared for.

"Perhaps you two saw the shrine of Azura and the sanctum of Nerevarine? The one that is considered ruined by some…"

"Well, this might be your lucky day…A cave with a ruined shrine of Azura, yes, there is one I can recall! Kor never actually went there directly, and when I implored him to, he shivered and begged me for any other task rather than this tedious job. Ah, yes, the cave. It is connected to nearby ruins, which still maintain some order! Couldn't believe it if I had made it up. The Dwemer machines still roam that place as if someone cares, so it might as well be a funeral. Theirs, of course."

"And what about the direct entrance?" - Heleria asked.

"Oh, that one has been ruined worse than Pinnacle Rock after I invited Staada there!"

"Well, at least that's something…"

"Oh, I implore you to go there. Your misadventures are so much more hilarious than a crusty old ghoul looking for a family reunion. I might even offer you some help…Just a tiny bit so as to not ruin the show. Take one of those idols here, they weren't mine originally, but after fifty or so years of influence, my grip seems to have caught up."

"Won't Kor mind?" - Heleria asked before seeming to realize the foolishness of the inquiry. "Forget it…"

"Why do you care so much?" - Rialyn asked. "I understand Azura follows her legend, but what is it to you?"

"Suffice to say, you, Ronnie, remind me of myself in my youth! Oh, what a time that was…"

"Only someone as insane as you would see the similarities." - The Dragonborn scoffed at the suggestion.

"Oh, truly? How about…A young man is saved from certain death as a prisoner by fate, only to be set on a quest of tens of caverns cleared, hundreds of opponents slaughtered, two whole worlds of stupid mortals to save…"

"How does that even…What are you talking about?" - Rialyn felt shocked, much to Sheogorath's delight.

"Seeing the parallels? Well, looks like someone here is just as insane as me! See you soon, my mortal delights, and you better prove entertaining, or I'll pluck your eyes out and all else!"

"Wait, but that means you were mortal once? How the…"

Sheogorath did not respond. The prince retreated to his isles once again, not giving Rialyn and Heleria the replies they needed. Just like Azura, Sheogorath took pleasure in seeing them figure it out by themselves…Reminding once again that any mortal was a pawn in gods' game.

...

There were a few second doubts before Nerius could begin the operation, but only a few.

The argonian had to trust his gut feeling, and it's been telling him that something was evading the Imperial Legion's gaze, something that would prove crucial in the coming days. Perhaps he was thinking too much of himself in his pursuits and hopes of proving his worth. Perhaps he had found just the right lead. There was only one way to tell.

When Nerius secured the fortunate moment of solitude outside Vivec early in the morning, the argonian jumped into the water beneath. He did not have much on him, just some light robes and a belt with daggers, a bag of lockpicks, and three invisibility potions on it. Nerius hoped that those would be enough. Carrying any more would've made the belt too heavy.

The argonian enjoyed the sensation of being in chill waters again. He could feel his scales tingling. He took a moment to enjoy this…Freedom before promptly remembering why he came here in the first place.

When the argonian swam into the sewers, the feeling changed. The water around him transformed into dirty and repulsive instead of pure and fulfilling. He wondered whether it had anything to do with the change itself or just his perception now that the shadow covered him. This sewer was not the dirties he's seen. All the better, the scent won't give away his presence.

Nerius looked around and found a door that would lead up towards the canton, thankfully unguarded. He got out from the water and threaded carefully, expecting a guard behind it. The door was expectedly locked, but nothing Nerius could not handle after his training with Thieves Guild. The argonian took a lock pick out and put it to use. As he worked on the door, Nerius would already think about picking up locks in the main canton. He wouldn't have the luxury to stay in one place for long, but perhaps some keys could be stolen…

When the lock finally clicked, the rogue hesitated to open the door for the first few seconds. Nerius would be inside uncharted territory there, essentially breaking Vivec's law…Ironically not unlike the tasks in the guild. But he preferred to think that these were just methods for the greater good. Eventually, he braced himself and opened the door, entering the storage room beneath the main canton. There was a staircase in front of him, but Nerius did not hurry there as he heard two voices from above.

"What, you say our watch isn't over yet?" - One of the altmer guards asked in disappointment.

"I tried to talk to the commander, but he's adamant that we should stay here for at least another hour, sorry." - Another one answered.

"Don't apologize; I'd say we handle it as best as we can and then go for another round at that bar." - The first guard said confidently.

There were two guarding the entrance to the main canton body, and there should have been a way to pass near them…Nerius tiptoed towards the nearest shade and planned his next move. Perhaps the least he could do is split them up. Nerius scratched the wall with his dagger, emitting a clenching sound echoing through the room.

"Did you hear that too?"

"Yes…Stay here. I'll go and check."

As he expected. While one of the guards approached, Nerius drank his potion and became invisible. He could see a figure of a tall altmer man rising before him who looked suspiciously over the room. The argonian did not have much time; that potion he picked was one of the weaker ones. Nerius swiftly ascended through the staircase and got to the doors above. The second guard did not hear anything. He was busy watching his colleague from above.

"Have you found anything?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure there is something…These plague rats must have gotten, here again, Auri-el curse them!"

Nerius noticed that the doors leading to the main hall were not locked. This was a chance for him to quickly get in before they noticed. The sound of opening doors might garner their attention, however…Before opening them, Nerius wanted to pray, but he barely had any faith. The only idol he could think of now was the Nerevarine, good enough for now, especially considering that this could very well be a prayer to his friend…

As Nerius opened the door, he managed to do it so quietly that he did not get noticed. And when the argonian found himself amidst the twisted canton corridors with no guards too close, he sighed in relief. Well, whatever one might have thought of Nerevarine's current presence, he certainly seemed to bear some luck. The effects of the potion, however, were waning…It was time to move on and look for Celion's office.

Nerius would carefully navigate through the halls as he tried to make sense of this place. He wondered if Celion himself was even inside. If so, he would do good by avoiding the man. He would quickly recognize Nerius after their last meeting. So far, he occasionally saw guards patrolling the halls, but they were usually at their distance. Nerius would always quickly find a shade to hide in the shade until the better moment.

He was sure he did not spend long here. The argonian wanted to keep his invisibility potions for now, one might be useful when he finds the office, and another would help as he leaves the place. Soon Nerius heard two female voices in the adjacent corridor. The argonian hid behind the wall, making sure that no guards were nearby, and scrutinized the image before him carefully. Somehow, those voices were awfully familiar.

"I won't take long, don't worry." - One of the women said. "I wanted to clarify some things with Celion. Is he here?"

"He is busy and would not appreciate the interruption." - The stern voice replied, which Nerius identified to be Camina. He looked out slightly, hoping this would not get him noticed. What Nerius realized came as a major surprise. The woman talking to the Aldmeri warrior was none other than Merlyne Hlovulis.

"I have my own schedule, you know? And besides, it's important." - Merlyne would push her own agenda.

"You'll find him in his office in the right corridor if you really can't wait…But don't pretend I did not warn you."

"Oh, that won't be necessary." - Merlyne said before she and Camina parted ways. The dunmer priestess headed as directed to the office, and Nerius followed.

Before leaving his cover, the argonian drank another potion, the one that would make him invisible for a few minutes. He hoped that this would be enough. Following Merlyne, he could not stop theorizing about the reasons for her presence here. What would the priestess want? Why would she need support from someone who now actively works to undermine the legend she put so much effort into? Nerius had to know.

Finally, they reached a lone door in the stone walls. Merlyne knocked, expecting an answer. She did not have to wait long. The door was opened by Celion himself, who seemed slightly surprised to see her here.

"Hlovulis…" - The altmer mage said.

"Emissary, how fortunate it is to see you." - She got to the pleasantries.

"Spare me, Merlyne. When I said that we need to schedule a meeting, I did not mean you knocking right at my door." - Celion pointed out with some annoyance, which quickly switched to acceptance of his current situation. Things only got more interesting from here. These two were acquainted and, even more, shared some business together. "But…I suppose I could use a break if the stars align." - The elf continued with some negligence.

"I've been talking to people around the city. You can guess which subject. Some responses seem awfully similar…Along the lines of Nerevarine rejecting your proposal and showing little care for the people of Vivec…That's not what we agreed on." - She said. Nerius forgot about his potion or any worry about his invisibility effect; he just wanted to hear more of it. The whole conspiracy was emerging before his eyes.

"Yes, I did not expect that too, but now considering some of Rialyn's recent decisions, I believed the course needed to be changed. I admit I should've told you earlier, but that's the extent of it." - Celion said.

"And what then? Do we just turn on everything we've built over the last month? What's even the point?"

"Enough panic. Nothing is wasted. For now, we keep things balanced; I'd say you can continue the positive reinforcement of the "Nerevarine," and if he decides to see reason and finally return, we can hinge on that."

"And if not?"

"It's…All under control." - Celion ensured her. "Actually, why don't we discuss the strategy for the next few days over a cup of tea? My throat has grown rather sore."

Merlyne nodded, and immediately after that, Celion stepped forward, pushing the door aside.

This allowed Nerius a moment of decision. He could try to follow them and listen to what they had to say, but this would be foolish. The effect could stop any moment now and leave Nerius vulnerable. Besides, he has heard enough, and this might be his only opportunity to search the office. He slipped past the door before Celion closed it behind her and left off with Merlyne. Nerius has found himself inside a locked room, alone and with his invisibility wearing off. The argonian breathed in relief…Until Celion decides to return, he was safe here and could pick the lock to leave.

Celion and Merlyne working together…This made some sense, as much as Nerius did not want to admit it. Celion wanted to use the legend of Nerevarine for his own goals, and Merlyne was the one who spread it most actively. But what was her motive in all of this? If she was aligned with Thalmor from the start, how much of the prophecy and visions were fake manipulations? And if so, was Rialyn's journey…For nothing? No, there must have been other reasons. After all, the sword had burned, and Azura gave her guidance. It couldn't be a coincidence.

But Nerius had to focus on the present now. The office was a fairly normal room in perfect order. There was a desk near the opposite wall surrounded by drawers and a number of lockboxes, and a few spare robes were hanging by the walls. The only detail that seemed to be slightly mismatched with the rest was the quill on the table. It was soaked in ink and seemingly used for something just minutes prior, yet there was no paper…Or so it would seem. Nerius immediately began his search, looking for overdraws and lockboxes. He managed to pick most of them, yet not much was of use. Most of them contained documents and spare ink. What a tedious job this must have been…

Something caught Nerius's attention, however. In one of the lockboxes, he found an item that he could not describe in any way rather than a totem or an idol of some sort…A figurine with carvings upon its body, it portrayed a monstrous and devilish creature with horns and empty black eyes. Was that a daedra? Nerius found the creature awfully familiar. It reminded him of one of the statues in the temple. Yes, of course, that was Molag Bal, the prince of enslavement. A typical idol to be used by worshippers…Found in the draws of a Thalmor emissary. Could this get even more insane?

Nerius continued his search and soon finally found what he searched for. A piece of paper with words written in fresh ink over it. Nerius immediately took it out and placed it on the table. The argonian looked at it with interest, beginning to read what was on the letter.

"Dear Talon,

I am writing to let you know that I have received your latest inquiries about our progress, and rest assured, you have naught to worry for. As your warriors have likely told you, the raid on here has not been entirely successful, but I will not entirely agree. It has done its job in lowering morale among the citizens and plunged them into disarray. This will serve wondrously for your operation. To answer your question about the warriors - yes, these were the only ones we could"

The letter was interrupted here, probably by Merlyne's arrival, but it had already spoken volumes. Was this a response to the letter Nerius saw him receive? He had not the slightest idea who he was writing to, but there was only one recent raid to note…Suddenly the question of Merlyne's motives has been overshadowed by those of Celion. If he is writing to argonians, what game is he playing here? A scheme by the Dominion to weaken their opponents? If that was true, Rialyn was right about them.

Nerius knew that taking anything would be very risky, but this was evidence he simply could not ignore. What if the opportunity never arises again? The argonian grabbed this half-finished letter and the totem before rushing to the door. Luckily, he still had lockpicks and potions while Celion was nowhere to be seen or heard. He had to return to Nermero as quickly as possible and give him the findings. Sure, the legate might be angry at such risks at first…But it was necessary.