Dar'adhavi approached Tel Mithryn, tail twitching as she studied the giant mushrooms. The Stones were cleansed, except for the one in the center of Miraak's temple, and she just wanted to get this over with. She had tried to cleanse that one, but it had proven stronger than she thought. She hadn't tried to use all three words just yet, unsure of what would happen.
And now I get to talk to an elf in a giant mushroom. I really hate this island.
She walked past a pair of dunmer, one attempting to cast a spell, the other haranguing him, and headed up the ramp to the closest mushroom. The door was locked, and she considered picking it as she watched the pair below. Deciding to wait, for now, she retreated and climbed up the second ramp. There was a panel with glowing runes just inside the door. She blinked at them, yelping in surprise when they flared and she began floating upwards.
She was deposited on a small wooden platform, evidently in the cap of the mushroom. She looked around, trying to calm her racing heart.
"I don't believe you were invited here. Who- Oh, yes. The khajiit from Raven Rock. Why are you here?"
Dar'adhavi turned to face the speaker. "This one was told that the great wizard, Neloth, could help her learn to use the Black Books she found."
He stepped closer, studying her face. "Found and read, I see. Well, what are you looking for, exactly?"
"The enthrallment of Solstheim was done by Miraak. He is trying to rebuild his temple, and turn the Stones to shrines." She flicked an ear. "As far as this one can tell, he is bound to Apocrypha. This one needs to find him, or the Books he learned from."
"Hmm. Really. Why?"
Dar'adhavi shrugged. "This one is Dragonborn, like Miraak. This one must know what Miraak knows if this one hopes to stop him"
"Now that is a dangerous path indeed. Hermaeus Mora gives nothing away for free. You may end up like Miraak, of course. Two power-mad Dragonborn. It could be very interesting." He studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Well, luckily for us both, I know where to look. The Dwarven ruin of Nchardak has one of the Books tied to yours."
Dar'adhavi sighed. "And you can not reach it without this one's aid, yes? Very well. Lead on. This one cares not for the Books, this one simply needs a weapon."
Neloth floated down, calling up to her, "That is very short-sighted of you. But I won't turn down the help of a Dragonborn."
She gave the room one last once-over, then shrugged and floated down herself. Neloth was gone by the time she reached the bottom, and she sighed, tail twitching in annoyance.
You need him. You can't do this without aid. She grumbled at the thought, and entertained herself with thoughts of Shouting him off the ledge as she trotted to catch up.
"Why do you think this one is short-sighted?" she asked when she caught up.
"The Black Books provide knowledge. Dangerous knowledge, yes, but it is still useful. Usually turns out to be the most useful, in my experience. And you seem set on discarding that knowledge."
Dar'adhavi scoffed. "The danger is irrelevant. This one simply does not wish to deal with Hermora more than needed."
"That choice seems to have been taken from you." Neloth replied.
Dar'adhavi huffed, slowing as the ruins came into view. She drew her bow and hesitated.
"Do you have any here guarding this place? Or is it home to bandits?"
Neloth sighed. "Bandits. I sealed the door when I left after my last visit to keep out ignorant meddlers. Damned scavengers."
She nodded and picked off the nearest scout. "Well, they know we are here now. Shall we?"
Neloth shook his head as she slunk around a pillar, taking out the second watcher and clearing the main approach. She could hear him behind her, but she kept her attention on the ruins ahead. The tumbled down towers offered plenty of hiding places, and she wasn't looking forward to tangling with the bandits in hand-to-hand.
The decision to sneak up on the bandits was taken from her when Neloth charged a bandit she'd missed, shooting lightning bolts and insults at his would-be attacker. Dar'adhavi sighed, rubbing her temple. She could feel a headache coming, and just knew that it would only get worse before she got the book.
Taking up her bow, she took out a bandit that had tried to flank Neloth, moving around the rubble and fallen buildings to get a clear shot at a bandit in possession of a staff of firebolt. This would be so much simpler if I was alone, she grumbled as she trotted to catch up with the wizard.
Neloth was waiting impatiently by the main door, foot tapping, as she trotted up.
"Good. You're finally here. The dwemer of Nchardak appear to have been fond of these control pedestals. Luckily I found a cube to operate it inside on my last visit. Let me unlock the doors. The book is just inside."
He deposited a blue cube on the pedestal near the door while Dar'adhavi stood, tail twitching. The bars across the doors retracted and Neloth deposited the cube in his sack, shoving the doors open and walking into the main room.
Dar'adhavi took a deep breath. This one is already Yours, My Lord. There is no need to drive her further into Your care.
She flicked an ear, annoyed at the lack of response, and entered the ruin.
Neloth was circling a glass plate set into the floor, muttering to himself. He looked up when she entered, scowling.
"We'll have to do this the hard way. If we can restore the steam supply into this room, I'm certain I can open it. As you'll see, that's easier said than done. This way to the boilers."
He headed to an elevator on one side of the room, and she followed him, tail lashing as the thrumming from the book echoed in her bones. They rode down in silence. Once at the bottom of the shaft, she froze, drawing her bow. She peered around the corner, shooting the three spider atomatons ahead, then glanced back at Neloth.
"The way ahead is barred."
The wizard walked around her, sniffing disdainfully at the jets of flame barring the hallway. He reached past her, plucking a cube off a pedestal, and handed it to her. The moment the cube was removed, the flames stopped.
"Although I doubt the others will be found so easily." He handed her the second cube, as well. "Here. You might as well be useful."
He walked ahead, leaving her fuming in his wake. She drew an arrow, aiming at the center of his back. How badly do I need him, truly?
Then she sighed, sheathing the bow and her arrow. She collected the cubes and followed him deeper into the ruins. She curled her lip as the smell of damp began to fill the air.
She met Neloth in the great chamber, growling under her breath as she took in the sight of the drowned towers beyond. Neloth was bent over some display, studying it intently.
"As you can see, the boilers are down one level. With a single cube, we can access them, but we need four to turn them on. So five in total. According to this, there should be a cube through here."
Hours later, they returned to the boiler room. Dar'adhavi grumbled as she tried to brush the dank, oily water from her fur, quietly snarling vicious curses at the Dunmer. Neloth, robes just as pristine as they were when they entered, reached the platform with the boiler controls.
"That was easier than expected. I'm glad you were here to do all the hard work. Now, place the cubes to activate the boilers."
She rolled her eyes, but did so, flicking an ear behind her as she heard gears start to turn.
Lovely. Another centurion. I really hate the Dwemer.
As she placed the final cube, a walkway slammed down, revealing a massive centurion across the room. Dar'adhavi drew her bow and fired as she backed up the walkway. She swore as she heard the unmistakable sound of a pair of spheres coming up behind her.
She dropped into a crouch and Shouted fire, trying to buy herself some space. The closest sphere melted under the Shout, but the second raised its crossbow attachment. Dar'adhavi rolled to the side, Shouting again as she rose. The second sphere fell, and she turned to the centurion. She fired relentlessly as she caught her breath, then Shouted once more.
She swore under her breath as the centurion continued forward, apparently unharmed by the gout of flame.
Dar'adhavi reached for another arrow, and swore again when she felt only air. A bolt of lightning shot past her, and she jumped with a yelp. She felt her fur and whiskers curling as stray electricity singed her, but the bolt was aimed at the centurion.
It finally fell with a shudder, and she glared at Neloth.
"You looked like you were enjoying yourself. I'm going to head back upstairs and see if the reading room has steam. If so, it should be a simple matter to release the book."
So saying, he turned and headed back to the lift.
Dar'adhavi stood, stunned. Then she shook her head and gathered what arrows she could. I've gotten used to people being afraid of me. I think I might understand Miraak a bit more, now.
She finished collecting her arrows, and the small valuables she could find, and followed Neloth to the reading room. As she waited for the lift, she considered the revelation. It troubled her,
Neloth was standing by yet another small pillar, muttering to himself.
"Did it not work?" Dar'adhavi asked, approaching him.
He glared at her. "It worked. The steam is flowing." He transferred the glare to the glass covering the book. "It should be a simple matter to raise it now. Out of my way."
Dar'adhavi moved to one side, watching him work. She yawned, and caught sight of a small button. Idly, she pressed it, and feigned innocence when mechanisms growled to life. Neloth jumped back as the glass split down the center. The book rose, ponderously, and Dar'adhavi moved to stand by Neloth.
"At last," he breathed. He shot her a look and gave her a mocking bow. "Please, be my guest. You deserve the first look."
Dar'adhavi rolled her eyes at his tone, but approached the book.
"Besides, it could be very dangerous. These books are known to drive many people insane. What's the worst that could happen? Well, you could have your mind sucked dry by Hermaeus Mora, but that's supposed to be very rare."
"Very comforting," Dar'adhavi muttered, opening the book and bracing herself as tentacles emerged from the text.
"Oh good. Be sure to say hello to Hermaeus Mora for me, if you see him."
She turned to glare at him, but he was already gone. She was in Apocrypha once more.