The book was a curious one. At first look to the two Blades, its pages were filled with nothing but fanatical rambles about Mehrunes Dagon. Despite this they did their best to solve its mysteries. They settled down at a table in the Boarding House and together read the volume from start to finish, Baurus carefully inking down on some spare parchment any phrases that stood out or appeared more than once.
But in a book so cryptic and bizarre, it was difficult to tell what was a clue and what was meaningless. Soon they found themselves with more questions than they had to begin with and acknowledged they needed outside help.
On Baurus's suggestion they went to see a friend of his, a tall, deep-voiced Argonian woman who tended the Arcane University's library. Tar-Meena was her name and she had a reputation for unparalleled knowledge of the various Daedric cults that were scattered across Tamriel. And, according to the Redguard, she wouldn't ask Blades too many questions about their business.
Upon their arrival she showed them into a isolated study corner of the library proper and brought them the second volume of the Commentaries. A small booklet of her own notes in hand, she was ready to tell them everything she knew.
Carolara averted her eyes, finding it too difficult to not stare at the Argonian's row of pointed teeth as she spoke. "I don't have much, I'm afraid," the sorceress admitted with a sigh, taking a seat at their small table. "The Mythic Dawn is one of the most secretive of all the Daedric cults. They follow the teachings of the author of these Commentaries: Mankar Camoran, whom they called the Master. He put out these writings in Tiber Septim's day. Like most cults of this nature, it claims its central deity is the giver of true freedom or enlightenment. But no one knows where the Mythic Dawn are, or who's in charge now."
"There's a lot of references to a 'garden' or 'paradise', we think it's supposed to be what Dagon's followers are promised in death for a life in servitude. That, or it's talking very cryptically about their shrine. And I kept finding the same phrase in volume one: 'Come slow, and bring four keys.'" The Breton opened the second volume, tracing her fingers over one of the ornate letters that preceded every paragraph. "And the first volume says... 'here is the first key, glinting with the light of a new dawn'. So the Commentaries are the keys?"
Tar-Meena nodded at her. "Mankar Camoran's 'Commentaries' come in four volumes, but I've only ever seen the first two books. They're referred to as 'keys' for a reason. You two are probably on the right track to believe that his writings contain hidden clues to the location of the Mythic Dawn's secret shrine to Mehrunes Dagon. Allusions to this are everywhere in the volumes I've read."
Baurus flipped to one of the pages in the first volume and read it aloud. "'While you have the invitation, you have not the address.' So figuring out the hidden meaning is the first test to join the ranks of the cult. It does add up. What's this 'razor' it keeps mentioning though?" He picked up a page of his own notes. "'Razor-fed', 'based on the principles of His Razor', what's that mean?"
"Hmm." The Argonian rested her elbows on the table and leant her scaly chin on her hands, and they could hear her tail swishing along the floor. "There is an artifact, a dagger, known as Mehrunes' Razor; that's probably what it means. It's appeared a few times in history, always surrounded by death and betrayal. To this cult it is a holy relic nearly as important as the Mysterium Xarxes itself."
"So, we need to get the third and fourth volumes before we can track them down." The Redguard shut the book before him.
"Or better yet, the actual Mysterium Xarxes, and not just the books interpreting it." Carolara then raised a brow at the mage shaking her head quite ardently.
"No no," Tar-Meena objected. "The Mysterium Xarxes isn't just a book. It is not of this world, written by Mehrunes Dagon himself; such power could corrupt anyone who handled it. Erm..." she sheepishly took her tone down, suddenly realizing that she'd raised her voice in her excitement. "Of course, if it exists. We at the University haven't any proof."
Baurus shrugged and got himself to a stand, pushing his chair back into place. "Right, well. The Arcane University isn't the only place that keeps weird and hard-to-find books, we've got one other place to check before I'm out of ideas." A nod to the sorceress, and he lifted Volume Two into her view. "Mind if we borrow this, Tar-Meena?"
"Feel free. Just treat it gently, if you please!"
"This is all giving me kind of a headache." Carolara muttered as the pair crossed the bridge that spanned between the University and the grand walled circle of the Imperial City proper.
The Redguard slowed his pace a little bit, nodding. "I hear that. I was never one for riddles... and it feels like the enemy knows so much about us while we know next to nothing about them. We're supposed to the be the information-gatherers here." A dry chuckle. "Our new Emperor is probably unhappy it's taking us this long."
"He's not impatient like that," she said simply.
Baurus stopped a few steps short of the gateway back into the city and went over to the stone rail, idly looking over. "You know I meant to ask you but haven't gotten around to it... what is Uriel's last son like?"
Carolara joined him, taking in the view of the crystal-clear Lake Rumare, watching the boats that came upriver to trade at the Waterfront while she tried to find the words. "Martin, hm... I suppose he's... humble, caring, rather sharp but kind of quiet. The whole Emperor thing kind of overwhelms him, and he's been through a lot since the crisis started." She felt a tad uneasy, but couldn't place why, and did her best not to stammer. "I... really haven't known him all that long... but he's poised, kind and handsome, and I'm proud to be one of his Blades."
He just looked at her for a couple of silent moments, her eyes fixed on the boats, and then both tore away from the sight and resumed their walk. "Well I can't wait to meet him," he said. "The Septim line has produced many a great man."
"Where are we going now?" The Breton inquired when Baurus picked up the pace.
He answered with a confident smile. "First Edition, Market District. My buddy Phintias caters to special collectors; if he doesn't have our other two volumes, no one does."