:AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Three Chapters all typed and ready to read. I was away from this fic for a while because I was writing a play for a workshop I was in but now that I'm back on as a regular I've really gotten back into this. So expect a lot of updates in a short span of time. SPOILER ALERT! The next chapter gets 'interesting'. Enjoy.
Chapter 9: Bookworms
Tar-Meena did not look happy as she trudged into the lobby. "What now? If it's more about Necromancers I'll-!" She stopped when she saw them, "A blade and a rat. Lovely."
"Cheerful as always." Baurus said with a smile.
"What you doing handing with common street crude?" She said with a glare. Tsamusa winced, "This one is nothing but trouble."
"She's a Blade now. You owe her a little more respect." Baurus set a glare of his own. This was getting scary. Tar-Meena matched it, huffing furiously.
"To me, she'll always be nothing but a common little thief."
"You can insult me all you like." Tsamusa said standing a little taller. Seeing as she was almost a foot shorter than the Argonian. "But we came to you for help."
Tar-Meena studied her cautiously, "You've grown a bit since our last meeting."
"Actually, it's quite more than a bit. I've found a greater cause than stealing the Arch Mage's staff."
"I can't believe I let you hit me with that lightening." She said her face twisting in disgust.
Baurus laughed, "That's why you're sore with her? A little shock?"
"It was quite a bit more than a 'little shock'. She could have killed me."
"But I didn't. And if I recall you were using a weapon laced with a lethal poison." It was Tar-Meena's turn to wince. She hadn't even gotten a hit on Tsamusa, "Can you tell us about the Mythic Dawn
For the first time the Argonian's face lost all distaste, and was replaced by surprise, "You know of them? One of the most secretive of all the daedric cults. Not much is known about them. They follow the teachings of Mankar Camoran, whom they call the Master. A shadowy figure in his own right." She looked at the pair with fresh eyes, intrigued. Typical mage. "Why do you ask?"
"We found one of their books." She handed it to her.
"Ah yes. 'Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes,'" You have a scholarly interest in daedric cults, then? Or..." She looked to Baurus, "Is it something a little more serious than that?"
Baurus grinned, "We just need to find them."
Tar-Meena raised a scaly brow, "Find them, eh? I won't poke my nose any further. Official business and all that. I'm used to working with the Blades, don't worry. Say no more. In any case, finding them won't be easy. I've studied Mankar Camoran's writings a bit myself, at least those that I could find. It is clear from the text that Mankar Camoran's "Commentaries" come in four volumes, but I've only ever seen the first two books. I believe that his writings contain hidden clues to the location of the Mythic Dawn's secret shrine to Mehrunes Dagon. Those who unlock this hidden path have proven themselves worthy to join the ranks of the Mythic Dawn cult. Finding the shrines is the first test. If you want to find them, you'll need all four volumes of the 'Commentaries.' Luckily, you're already on the right track with this one. The archives has a copy of volume two. So, once again, the stars are on your side. No one knows how widespread this cult is, or where their shrine to Mehrunes Dagon is located. They are quite the conundrum." She flipped through the book some more.
Tsamusa had a thought, "What can you tell us of this Mankar fellow?"
She didn't look up from the book, perusing the pages lazily, "There isn't much to say really. The supposed leader of the Mythic Dawn cult, wrote the infamous "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes." The "Commentaries" were contemporary with Tiber Septim, over 400 years ago. So he is unlikely to still be alive, although you never know." Mages never ruled out the improbable.
"If you like, I'll brush up on the material while you two go gallivanting off for the other volumes. If you'll excuse me. It was so nice chatting we you. Be sure to let me know how your hunt for the Mythic Dawn turns out." All that was said in an almost mockingly and rushed fashion. Tar-Meena finally looked up from the book to glare at Tsamusa, "I still don't trust you."
"That's quite alright. I was never one for books anyway." That was a lie. But what book could she possibly want from this place? Tar-Meena walked toward the door suddenly her mouth moved involuntarily, "Wait!"
Tar-Meena turned, "What now?"
The words came out without her brains consent. "Would you happen to have a registry of the Bretons who've joined the guild twenty-five years ago?" Tsamusa had a strange feeling that Akatosh had something to do with her asking. Tar-Meena raised an eyebrow. "Just some research, I've been doing."
"More like family history. What? A cousin owe you money?"
She glared, "Her name was Alcmene."
"Not a very common name for a Breton is it?" Baurus stood to the side watching curiously. His eyes not leaving Tsamusa. "I'm very familiar with that text. I'll grab it when you come calling upon me again." then she turned and left.
Baurus followed her out of the tower, "Research?" Tsamusa didn't say anything as she continued to go back into the city. Baurus frowned, "Where are you headed?"
"Home." She said, a little more scornfully then usual. "I need to relax. The way she talked to me... Looked at me... Ahhh!" She yelled, lightning flashing from hand to hand. "I want to zap her just one more time."
Baurus touched her shoulder lightly, "It's okay, Tsamusa. It's nothing to lose your cool over."
She sighed, "I need an Ale. Care to join me?" Baurus looked mighty surprised. Under his tan skin she could see a blush creeping up. "It's not all that late, a drink or two won't kill you." Baurus nodded, "Now, if you were a copy of 'Commentaries' where would you hide?" She asked.
"A bookstore."
"Yes, a special one though. One that deals with collectors." She stopped and clapped her hands together, causing Baurus to bump into her. "Phintias!"
"Who?"
Phintias, the proprietor at First Edition! He caters to special collectors all the time... Myself included." She added modestly.
"So you do like books." She sighed, and Baurus raised an eyebrow. "Where are we headed? The Boarding House?"
"Actually... I was thinking of heading to First Edition. Then the Boarding House. Business always before pleasure."
"Of course."
"It's not to late, Phintias would only just have closed. It's the best time to talk with him unobserved."
"You sound like an expert." The teasing in his voice was undeniable.
"Oh stop. I'm a client. I've needed a couple special books before."
"We were lucky to get a chosen with contacts."
They reached the bookstore, the worn sign swung in the light breeze. Tsamusa knocked, and heard a crash. Then there were footsteps. The lock clicked and an imperial man in his mid thirties. He blinked at her, "Tsamusa?"
"May we come in?"
"I'm closed-"
"It's urgent."
"Not guild business again! I told you I-"
"This is Blade business, sir." The man's eyes went wide when he saw Baurus. How offered his hand, "Baurus of the Blades. We need to talk to you in private."
"Come in! Come in. Always willing to serve the empire." He closed the door behind them and locked it, "Shall we get straight to the point or circle around with pleasantries?
"We need to get a hold of two books about the holy book of a Daedra cult that worships Dagon."
"You must be referring to Mankar Camoran's "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes," It comes in four volumes. The first two volumes are rare, but you may run across them from time to time. The third and fourth are impossible to find."
Tsamusa smirked, "But you can get them can't you?"
He laughed nervously, "Oh, I've never even SEEN the fourth one, but the third... There's a copy on the counter but I've already promised it to someone else, and my word is my bond." He then walked around the counter and started to stack a pile of books that he must have dropped when they knocked. They followed and Baurus leaned on the counter. "I'm sure you'll understand. He's coming all the way from Valenwood. I can't just turn him away... He's already paid in full."
Baurus nodded, "Of course." He glanced at Tsamusa when he realized what she was doing.
Phintias didn't see, "He arrives tomorrow at noon. If you'd like to ask him to help your scheme."
"Of course!" The Blade turned. "We'll be back at noon to speak with this... what's his name?"
"Gwinas."
Tsamusa smiled, "Good night, proprietor."
"Good night."
When the door shut behind them, Baurus burst out laughing, "You scamp! That was unfair."
She pulled "Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes," Volume Three out of her shirt, "Why thank you. Not the first book I've lifted from him. He'll only be a little mad."
"Well, we should still meet this Gwinas. He obviously has some knowledge of the cult if he wants this book."
"Well we've got 'til noon tomorrow." A brief silence fell between them. "You seemed eager at the idea of seeing my house... Would you like to go?"
His eyes went wide, "That's not how I meant-"
She giggled, "Lighten up. I'd love to show you my home."