I followed Harrow into the next tunnel. Each one had a very strong lock on it. One guard, seeing I was new, smiled, stating "You come to us at a fatefull time! The Master has promised us that the Time of Prparation is almost over! The Time of Cleansing is almost here!"

He opened the door for both Harrow and myself, motioning us both in, adding "The Mater is preaching in the Shrine as we speak! Hurry, you should not miss the chance to hear the Master's words!"

The Master! That could only mean Mankar Camoran. and with him should be the Amulet of Kings!

We entered the next cavern, where I could hear a loud oratory in progress, with other cult members shouting something in response. Harrow seemed proud to point the way to me. "This way." he said, pointing to a set of stairs to my left.

We made our way in the dim lighting of the cavern. I noticed a slight stench. The place smelled of blood. I could almost make out what Mankar was shouting about. Another shout of joy from his followers came foth as we headed down the stairs.

There, right in front of me, was the source of all this pain and suffering that was being caused in the Empire: Mankar Camoran himself.

A few of the members stood aside to make room for me, patting me on the shoulder, grateful for my presence. Little did they know how much I wanted to slay each and every one of them right then and there. Still, I had to focus on my target - the Amulet of Kings. It was the only reason I was here.

As I took my place among the other members, I could finally make out what Mankar Camoran was saying.

"The Dragon Throne is empty," he shouted, "and we hold the Amulet of Kings! Praise be to your Brothers and Sisters! Great shall be their reward in Paradise!"

The followers all shouted back in a blissful joy that could only be described as madness.

Mankar continued, "Hear now the words of Lord Dagon. 'When I walk the earth again, the Faithful among you shall receive your reward: to be set above all other Mortals forever. As for the rest: the weak shall be winnowed; the timid shall be cast down; the mighty shall tremble at my feet and pray for pardon.'"

Again, his followers shouted praise to Dagon. I mouthed the words, but did not speak them. I did not want to blow my cover just yet. I had to find a way to get close enough to grab the Amulet from this demagogue.

At his every word, I wanteted to shout out about the evil he was promoting, but kept biting my tongue. Harrow kept staring at me, studying me. I didn't like it at all.

All the while, the cult members were shouting and cheering praise to Lord Dagon, my eyes were locked on my target. The Amulet of Kings.

I kept thinking to myself of how dare he wear such a thing.

So close, and yet, so far. Perhaps he would have me come up there to join in some type of initiation ceremony. That could be my chance. I kept telling myself to be patient. My time will come.

Suddenly, a change in plans!

"Your reward, Brothers and Sisters!" he suddenly shouted. "The time of Cleansing draws nigh. I go now to Paradise. I shall return with Lord Dagon at the coming of the Dawn!"

My heart sank. He is leaving? My chance was slipping away.

All I could do was stare at that Amulet, wondering if I should make some kind of move, shout that I wanted to be with him, use womanly charms on him, try to find some way to get close to the Amulet. I didn't even care if I managed to kill him or not. Just retrieving the Amulet of Kings would suffice.      

I amost shouting something, anything to make him turn, perhaps delay his departure, but just then, he raised his hand, casting a spell. Suddenly, a ball of light appeared a few feet away from him. A portal. A portal to Oblivion. I have summoned creatures from that plane, but never have I seen anyone open a portal for themselves like this.

The portal glowed brightly, and waiving a cheerful farwell to his followers, turned and stepped through the portal. I thought about running to it myself, but a second later it closed, taking with it my hopes of retrieving the Amulet of Kings.

Suddenly I remembered that I was in a room full of Mythic Dawn cult members. "Friends." shouted Harrow, "We have a new Sister who wishes to bind herself to the service of Lord Dagon."

Harrow looked at me with a serious stare. "Lord Dagon needs red-drink."

I gave him a blank stare. What?

Ruma Camoran approached me from the upper level of the shrine, shining on my with a soft, motherly smile. "You have come to dedicate yourself to Lord Dagon's Service." she said. "This pact must be sealed with red-drink, the blood of Lord Dagon's enemies."

She took me up to the upper level of the Shrine. Two altars were to be found there; one with a book and dagger, and another with an Argonian bound to it. She lead me to the first altar with the book and dagger on it. Pointing to the dagger, she said "Take up the dagger and offer Lord Dagon the sacrifical red-drink as pledge of your own life's blood, which shall be his in the end."

I looked at the altar. Along with the dagger was a book. It was the Mysterium Xarxes! Perhaps the knowedge contained within could help the Blades create their own portal into Oblivion and retrieve the Amulet of Kings.

There was still hope. All I had to do was grab the book and cast a recall spell and within a second I'd be back in Chorral.

Then I thought for a moment: The Argonian on the other altar. I couldn't just leave him here. I hated them for not even giving him a fighting chance to defend himself.

Again, a change of plans. In a deliberate move, I picked up the dagger. I still wasn't sure of what to do next. I was making this up on the fly, but I had to do something.