Chapter 11: Sewer Rats
The next morning Tsamusa entered the Market District alone. Baurus was still out cold, snoring like a bear under her wolf skin blanket. She'd changed quickly grabbing a deep lilac dress. It was simple but it flattered her figure. Gwinas was easy enough to spot. Valenwood mer tended to stick out. Especially when decked in a bright red robe. She strolled up to him calmly, "Hello, Gwinas is it?"
He stopped dead and looked her up and down, "Why yes, and who is it I may have the pleasure of addressing? A fellow Bosmer?"
"Half to be truthful. But I'm here to tell you that if you're headed to the First Edition you're wasting your time. The book was stolen last night."
Gwinas growled, "Damn, how did it leek out! I was so looking forward to-"
"You're interested in the Mythic Dawn."
"The Mythic Dawn? Are you…I mean, I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know anything about any cult." He looked very guilty.
"I never said anything about a cult."
"Oh, well yes... But still. I don't know anything." She glared and he sighed, "Very well. I can see you're familiar with Mankar Camoran's "Commentaries." I know that daedric cults are not quite the thing socially, but that's just foolish prejudice and superstition. For the adventurous, open-minded thinker, daedric worship holds many-"
"They MURDERED the Emperor."
Gwinas' eyes were wide as saucers, "What?! The Mythic Dawn were the ones…? You have to believe me! I truly had no idea. I mean, I knew they were a daedric cult. Mankar Camoran's views on Mehrunes Dagon are fascinating, revolutionary even…But to murder the Emperor…Mara preserve us!"
"That's what I thought you'd say." She said pulling out Volume 3.
"You stole it?"
"More or less."
"Good. I don't want anyone to think I had anything to do with their insane antics!"
She smiled sweetly, "Maybe you could help me then. I need book four, but where can I find one?"
Gwinas shook his head, "You can only get Volume 4 directly from a member of the Mythic Dawn. I had set up a meeting with the Sponsor, as he called himself. Here, take this note they gave me. It tells you where to go. I don't want anything else to do with the Mythic Dawn."
"You're a good fellow, Gwinas. Your name won't even pop up in the report I'm going to have to give. As far as I'm concerned... You knew nothing."
"Thank you for your kindness, my lady."
"Tsamusa. Remember that name." She winked and left the Wood Elf gaping after her. Time to head home and see if Sleeping Beauty was awake yet. She was just in sight of her house when she was grabbed by the arm, "Armand." She turned and sure enough it was him. "Would you please get a grip?"
"Who is he?"
"A Blade."
His eyes went wide, "One of the emperor's own?"
"Yes. I'm one too."
"When did that happen?"
"A few nights ago, now please! I have information I need to share with him." She yanked her arm away but Armand followed her.
"I don't want you seeing him. The whole Waterfront is talking. He didn't leave your house last night-"
"He passed out from to much Ale and was too heavy to carry."
Armand stopped dead, "Is that the truth?"
"Yes. Now go. As your leader I command you!" She never did that unless she meant business. The imperial backed off.
"I apologize, my lady." She knew she'd hurt his feelings but... There was no time to mend them now. She opened her house and slammed the door dramatically causing Baurus to bolt upright.
"For the Emperor!"
"Easy there." To late. He already held his head in pain, "You have the lowest alcohol tolerance I have ever seen.
"What time is it?" He asked, rubbing his temples.
"Half past noon."
"Damn, did we miss him."
"Nope. Look at this." She handed him the note and his eyes went wide. "I'm going to go meet with a Sponsor of the Mythic Dawn."
"This just might be the break we've been looking for! Good work. We need to get that fourth book, then. If Tar-Meena is right, we can use these books to locate the Mythic Dawn's hidden shrine."
"Need help with that head ache? I know a very simple but effective spell." he nodded and she put two fingers to his fore head, letting the magic flow. He let out a sigh as the pressure was released.
"You are amazing."
"You aren't so bad yourself." She went to the end of the bed and dug around in her drawer for her dagger, "Aren't a bad kisser either."
She could swear she HEARD the blush rise to his cheeks, "Tsamusa-"
She smiled and turned back to him, "Let me guess. You don't normally do that." He nodded, seemingly unable to speak, "Well neither do I. I guess that makes us even. We will talk about it later. Right now we have a date with the Mythic Dawn."
"I know that part of the sewers well."
She raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
His face was slowly returning to it's normal shade, "The Blades have occasion to use them in our undercover work, as well as a means to move around the city without attracting attention."
"Even the thieves don't go down there unless it's necessary."
"Well this is necessary."
The sewers were more disgusting than she remembered. What with giant rates and mold and disgusting looking water. Maybe it was because it was under a more densely populated area. Whatever the reason it smelled awful. They came upon a door and Baurus stopped outside it.
He whispered leaning in so she could hear, "Alright. The room with the table is just through this door. I always wondered who put it there. I happen to know that if you go up the stairs there, you can get a vantage point on the meeting room. I think I'd better be the one to handle the meeting. You'll be my backup."
"No, you'll be backup. They already know you're onto them. If they recognize you-!" He shooshed her and she lowered her voice, "If they recognize you your dead. On the spot."
He considered it then gave her a warm smile, "And it would jeopardize the mission, right."
She flushed scarlet, "Yes, that too."
He studied her for a long moment. His face fell back into the shadows so she couldn't read his expression, "Alright, I'll keep watch. But I won't like it."
She smirked, "A man who listens to reason. How rare." He chuckled, and leaned a little closer. Once again in the light, she saw the tenderness in his eyes... And a little anticipation.
"For luck." He then leaned in and kissed her sweetly. It only lasted a couple seconds but it still managed to send a chill down her spine. Pulling away, he gave her one last look over, "I guess we'll be discussing that later too."
"Yes. Definitely."
"Good. Remember, we must not leave here without the book. It's our best chance of finding the Amulet. That is our mission... We have to remain focused or we're dead."
"No worries." Her mind kept pushing her thoughts to later. When would they discuss it? When their crisis was over? She doubted it. Maybe after they figured out where the Mythic Dawn were hiding? Slowly she opened the door and heard Baurus climb the stairs. Trying to act confident she entered, moving over to the seat as instructed and sitting. She saw a flicker of movement above, then nothing and she smiled. A man in red robes entered. It was a High Elf, several inches taller than her. He was smiling, but there was something... Off about it. Like it was warped somehow. Like he was warped somehow.
"So. You want to become one of the Chosen of Mehrunes Dagon. The Path of Dawn is difficult. But the rewards are great. I have the book you seek. With it and the Master's three other books you will possess the key to enlightenment. But do you have the wit and strength to use the key that you have been given? If so, I will see you next at Dagon's Shrine. Yes, I think you may..." Then he grinned aand walked up to the table, leaning on it in what could be considered a 'seductive manner', "For a price I could give you a hint." He touched her shoulder, "A clue, perhaps?" A shudder of disgust ran through her.
Two more men walked through the archway, "Camoran!"
"What!?" He asked furiously. His face twisting in almost a snarl.
"There's someone else here!"
His grip on her shoulder tightened, "I told you to come alone. Kill them! I'll take care of her." He lifted her up by the shoulders and forced her onto the table, "Well, pretty wench? Spoil not, right?" Grabbing her dagger she stabbed him through the stomach. He let out a gasp. And coughed, blood trickled down his chin.
"You are a waste of flesh." She pushed him off of her, and ran up the stairs. "Baurus!" she yelled, her mind telling her he can take care of himself. Her heart was in a panic. She found two dead Mythic Dawn on the floor and one alive Baurus. He was leaning against the wall, holding his side. But otherwise, alive. She sighed in relief, "Let's get out of here."
"The book?"
She blinked, "We'll get it on the way out."
He bowed his head, "You forgot it."
"Sue me. I killed the guy, he's not going anywhere." Indeed, he was still on the floor when she helped Baurus stagger down the stairs, "See? It's fine." She searched him, finding the book and a full wallet. "Being a Mythic Dawn Sponsor seems to pay handsomely. Let's get out of here."