"If you're trying to sneak up on me, you have some competition. These flying books can be maddeningly silent, when they want to be."
The flying books sneak up on you?"Sometimes in pairs. They slam shut on your ear tips, then flutter off. It seems half the library has tormented us since we tripped the wards. I've been trying to settle things down, but it's slow going without my assistants."
Where are your assistants?"Tedryni headed to explore the Flesh Gardens. Once the wards broke, I sent Behelir to fetch him. Neither returned. Mages Guild protocol says I should remain in place until aid arrives. I'm hoping that's you."
I'll find your assistants."Do be careful out there. These books are harmless enough, but they aren't the only things flitting about in the dark."
What do you mean?"Everything was quiet when we arrived, but bones and other refuse littered the halls. With the wards broken, it wouldn't surprise me if more than books are moving about."
Why did the Mages Guild come to the Reliquary of Stars?"The secrets in the Reliquary of Stars were long ago uncovered, save one. Incredible amounts of magicka coursed through its walls, even when the ruins remained dormant. Until recently, this was thought to be a peculiarity of its construction."
What changed?"It all goes back to Anumaril, one of the greatest Ayleid architects of the First Era. He built the great seal of Belarata and the Orrery at Elden Root. Then recently, we uncovered proof that he constructed the archives in the Reliquary of Stars."
What's so interesting about that?"Anumaril put his heart into his work—literally, if the stories have the right of it. It powered the Orrery at Elden Root until it was lost. That's the source of power here, you see? It's what we hope to recover. Think of the potential applications!"
I'm looking for the Heart of Anumaril."Are you, then? The Mages Guild petitioned the court of King Camoran Aeradan for months before we were allowed to excavate, and now you hope to waltz through and collect the Heart of Anumaril for yourself? Why would you possibly need it?"
Queen Ayrenn needs it for her ratification ceremony."Oh. I suppose that's a good enough reason. We've scoured the ruins from top to bottom and haven't seen so much as a glimmer. But if we do find it, the Mages Guild would be more than happy to aid Queen Ayrenn."
After rescuing her assistants:
"Ah, good! Everyone is back in one place. I was beginning to worry!"
I rescued your assistants."And not a moment too soon. I managed to subdue one of the tomes. It's proven most enlightening."
"The Reliquary of Stars was created to preserve knowledge. This we already knew. But the book speaks of a deeper level, closed off from the rest of the ruin. I suspected the Heart of Anumaril was hidden somewhere in the ruin, and now I know where."
Where is it?"If this description is accurate, the entrance lies somewhere in the Hall of Might. But there's something else. Would you come with me?"
All right.
After following her:
"When you went searching for my assistants, did you see anyone else? Anyone intelligent, I mean. Spectres don't count."
There was a Daedra named Ukaezai in the Flesh Gardens."Damn. That's what I was afraid of. The book mentions her specifically, some sort of "caretaker." Her specialty was … well, there's no easy way around it. She controlled the minds of others. It seems even the Ayleids feared her."
Do you think she's controlling your assistant?"Maybe. Teldryni hasn't been the same since he returned. He's normally so enthusiastic about his studies, but he's withdrawn into himself. It's downright unsettling, watching him suffer like this."
What do you want me to do about it?"I'd like to run some simple tests for signs of Daedric influence. While I do so, would you bring Behelir with you to search the Hall of Might? I suspect the Heart of Anumaril lays within its walls."
All right."Wonderful. If this tome is correct, there's a passageway hidden in the library. I'm sure you and Behelir will find it."
"What happened? Why did Behelir sound so strange?"
Ukaezai controls him. She has the Heart of Anumaril."Behelir suggested Tedryni was under her control. A ruse, and one I should have seen! But if Ukaezai has the Heart of Anumaril, she can use it to restore her spirit to her body. We have to get it back!"
Did you see where she went?"Through the door. We've never been able to open it, and I don't know where it leads. Quickly, after her! I'll attempt to restore the wards here, should you fail. We can't allow a Daedra to wreak havoc with the Heart of Anumaril!"
After slaying Ukaezai:
"You! I hadn't thought you'd make it out alive. Ukaezai must have been formidable alone … with the Heart of Anumaril in her hands, I can hardly imagine. You do have it, don't you?"
Yes, I have it right here."Wonderful. When all the flying books fell, I knew it had left the ruins. I'll return it to the Elden Root Mages Guild, per our agreement with the king. We won't need to worry about Daedra finding it there."
King Camoran Aeradan needs it brought directly to the Orrery."Very well. So they're really going through with it, are they? I'd pay my weight in gold to see the Orrery working. I'll personally ensure it reaches there without further trouble, don't you fear."
What will you do now?"After I return it to the Orrery? Perhaps I can research its properties once the ceremony is complete. If the queen allows, of course. I'm not one to stand in the way of royalty."
Conversations[]
Heart of the Matter
Behelir:"I heard my name. What do you need?"Laranalda:"Behelir, our friend needs your help in the Hall of Might."Behelir:"The Hall of Might! So you think we've found it? Exhilarating! Lead away, my friend!"
Quotes[]
"Thank you. Teldryni has behaved quite erratically since his return." – While following her
"This should be far enough." – After following her
"Behelir! What are you doing?" – While pursuing Ukaezai
