Okay so this is my first fanfic that I am sharing. I mostly just write for my own pleasure. This is unbetad and written on OpenOffice and even with spellcheck on it still seems to miss things so I would be grateful if anyone finds a mistake please message me.
I only own my Ocs and ideas. Nothing else. I will start this fic off at a rating of T to be safe however if by the end it rating is too low or high I may change it.
Reviews are love :)
The prison cell was damp and smelled heavily of mold. Amelia Traven sat in the corner closest to the window. She had been here for over a week now ignoring the Dunmer across the way from her. Her friend Giovanni Civello came to her three months ago needing a favor. He suspected that a few of his fellow guards were harming female prisoners and a few male as well. He asked Amelia to go under cover for him. So she let herself get caught pick-pocketing some random merchant in full view of a guard.
Amelia was only in contact once with her handler so far, but he managed to tell her that they never even put her on the books. So instead of the three nights a first time offender was supposed to receive she was probably in her for the long hall and very likely to be victimized. Now it was just a waiting game.
"Hey you hear that? The guards are coming...for you! He he he," cackled the mer across from her as Amelia picked off a few peaces of mold as she ate her bread.
"Baurus! Lock that door behind us!" Came a female voice that was somewhat muffled. Then came a voice that was so full of sorrow it left a lump in Amelia's throat, "My sons...they're dead, aren't they?"
The woman attempted to reassure the old man, "We don't know that, Sire. The messenger only said they were attacked." With a soft sigh and light sob the old man spoke "No, they're dead. I know it."
Amelia was pressed against the bars and now caught a glimpse of the woman as she changed subject "My job right now is to get you to safety."
The old man dressed in finery looked around"I know this place ... the prison?" The woman in armor nodded "Yes, your Majesty. Beneath the Legion Compound. We're headed for a secret passage known only to the Blades. No one can follow us through here."
The group that Amelia now saw numbered three was now in front of her cell. The woman, who Amelia can see is a Breton, looks startled to see her in the cell. "What's this prisoner doing here? This cell is supposed to be off-limits." "Usual mix up with the Watch, I ..." stutters a rather handsome Imperial. The Breton sighs in frustration, Never mind. Get that gate open. Stand back, prisoner. We won't hesitate to kill you if you get in our way." The Imperial full of bluster now as Amelia slowly moves back says,"You! Prisoner! Stand aside. Over by the window. Stay out of the way, and you won't get hurt."
As Amelia moves to the window a fourth voice joins the group "No sign of pursuit, sir."
The Breton sighs once more and states "Good. Let's go. We're not out of this yet."
As the Breton walks to the right wall the Imperial points to Amelia and says "Stay put, prisoner. This is official business. Do not interfere."
Suddenly the old man stops in front of Amelia and looks like he has seen a ghost."You ... I've seen you... Let me see your face..." He gently places his hand under Amelia's chin and with a smile so full of sorrow continues "You are the one from my dreams... Then the stars were right, and this is the day. Gods give me strength."
Amelia felt tears gather in her eyes and felt the need to hug this man but held herself back "Who are you? What's going on?"
"Assassins attacked my sons, and I'm next. My Blades are leading me out of the city along a secret escape route. By chance, the entrance to that escape route leads through your cell. I am your emperor, Uriel Septim. By the grace of the Gods, I serve Tamriel as her ruler. You are a citizen of Tamriel, and you, too, shall serve her in your own way." Now a smile graced his face as he looked into Amelia's bright blue eyes.
The Breton is impatient with worry when she speaks "Please, sire, we must keep moving."She then opens the secret passage and tells her fellow Blades,"Better not close this one. There's no way to open it from the other side."
Emperor Uriel nods and gently takes Amelia by her arm. "You will come with us. I am sorry but may I ask your name?"
"Amelia Traven, my lord" Amelia says as he leads her into the passage.
The group of now five made their way into the tunnels and were soon attacked by figures in red.
The Breton lay dead and Amelia turned to the young Redgaurd Blade. "What was her name? My father is a priest of Akatosh, but I know the last rights of Arkay."
"Captain Eloise Renault" He said as Amelia ripped off a portion of her own shirt to lay over the face of the captain in High Rock tradition
"As we commend your soul to Aetherius, blessings of the Nine Divines upon you, for you are the salt and earth of Nirn, our beloved Captain Eloise Renault. Be at peace now for you are a saint of the battle field. Crowned with honor and baptized in glory. Amen" Amelia said then rose the three men with her said so as well.
The Redgaurd sighed and looked to his emperor "I'm sorry, sire, but we have to keep moving."
The Imperial turned to Amelia" You stay here and do not try to follow."
Emperor Uriel frowned, "No Glenroy, she stays with us. Baurus you take point."
After walking in silence for a while in silence the emperor starts to speak in a hushed tone "I was born 87 years ago. For 65 years I've ruled as Tamriel's Emperor. But for all these years I have never been the ruler of my own dreams. I have seen the Gates of Oblivion, beyond which no waking eye may see. Behold, in Darkness a Doom sweeps the land. This is the 27th of Last Seed; the Year of Akatosh 433. These are the closing days of the 3rd Era, and the final hours of my life."
"How are you so sure that you will die today?" Amelia asked worry written clearly on her face.
A bitter smile graced his face "A tongue shriller than all the music calls me."
As they stopped to rest Baurus gave them confused but worried looks. While Glenroy shot venom at Amelia with his eyes as Baurus bound Glenroy's ribs.
"They cannot understand why I trust you. They've not seen what I've seen. How can I explain? Listen. You know the Nine? How They guide our fates with an invisible hand?" Emperor Uriel asks with a small smile.
"My father is a priest, but at times I find my faith shaken," Amelia said thinking back on the last talk she had with her father.
"I've served the Nine all my days, and I chart my course by the cycles of the heavens. The skies are marked with numberless sparks, each a fire, and every one a sign. I know these stars well, and I wonder... which sign marked your birth?"
"The Lady. I was born on the eighth of Hearthfire. Twenty three years ago"
This caused the emperor smile "Today the Lady shall fortify you in your quest for signs I read show the end of my path. My death, a necessary end, will come when it will come."
Amelia frowned looking down "Can you see my fate?"
"My dreams grant me no opinions of success. Their compass ventures not beyond the doors of death. But in your face, I behold the sun's companion. The dawn of Akatosh's bright glory may banish the coming darkness. With such hope, and with the promise of your aid, my heart must be satisfied." he patted her hand.
"Aren't you afraid to die?" she asked her hand lightly shaking.
"No trophies of my triumphs precede me. But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy. Men are but flesh and blood. They know their doom, but not the hour. In this I am blessed to see the hour of my death... To face my apportioned fate, then fall. Tell me of your life, your parents, any siblings?"
"My mother and two elder sisters are dead. Bandits attacked our home on the day I was born. My father had been an adventurer and was not home at the time. He arrived home to my sisters Cecilia and Morgan dead along with other members of our village near the well. My mother was barley alive and begged my father to save me. He...he had to cut me from her." Tears welled in her eyes.
Glenroy looked uneasy and finally spoke in a non-threatening manner to Amelia, "What village?"
Amelia looked at him wondering why he wanted to know, but answered him any way "Shardrock. Why?"
Glenroy looked down and would not meet her eye as she spoke "I was a patrol man back then. I...I came across the village not long after it was destroyed. I'm sorry."
Amelia could see that there was more that the man wished to say but guilt now made him near mute. She stood and walked over to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Its okay. There was nothing you could have done, but thank you for your kind words."
Glenroy looked up at the soft smile on her face and felt his heart speed up and his face flush before he looked back down. Baurus who had seen the smile as well just stared with wonder in his eyes. Both men had to admit that even though she was covered in grime and blood that she was a beauty. Her hair was a deep ebony that was held back in a loose matted braid. Her eyes a bright and shining blue like the sun on water. Her face was soft and lightly tanned. Her lips full and red.
Emperor Uriel smiled and motioned Amelia back to sit with him as his Blades blushed like green lads as they got back to their first-aid. "Tell me of your father."
"My father is a good man. To be honest he spoiled me growing up, even though we did not have much. He became a priest not long after my birth and we have lived ever since in Kvatch. He is also a mage and taught me the craft as well. Even though I am a woman full grown he makes me feel safe just by being near. I wish he where here now." Amelia said a soft smile on her face as the group stood.
Baurus was the next one to asks a question as they moved threw the miles of tunnel. "If you don't mind my asking...Why where you arrested?"
"I have a friend in the guard. He suspects that some guards are forcing themselves on prisoners, but he has no proof. He asked for my help and I made sure I got caught pick-pocketing someone. I fear he may be right."
"Why?" it was Glenroy who asked now.
"I was a first time offender and it was a minor crime. I should have been put on the first level and only been in for at most three days. I had been in there for just over a week and my handler went over the books but could find no mention of my alias's arrest. The few women we spoke to mentioned that when they where arrested. It was for minor things: littering, drunken behaviors, loitering, and other thing of the like. Things that had a One to three night max and they where not allowed to pay the fine even if they had the money. They where kept for weeks beyond what they should have been and very often raped. A few became with child and where later found dead in Lake Rumare. All of them had shackles or scaring from shackles on both wrist, ankles, and just above or below the knee."
Amelia sighed she knew now that she would not be able to help Giovanni and he would just have to build a case without her.
"Well what is your alias? I will give a full pardon..and order an official investigation" Emperor Uriel said smiling down on Amelia.
"Clair Devont, but like I said the name is not on the books. Thank you for the investigation though it will put a great many minds at ease."
"What do you plan on doing once you leave here?" Emperor Uriel asked seemingly calm and at ease despite the fact that assassins could be around any corner.
"I'll go back to Kvatch I guess. My father wants me to marry. Says he wants grandchildren to spoil," Amelia laughs at the thought of herself as a mom.
"Any young men in mind?" Emperor Uriel asks with a fond smile. A light blush and sweet smile grace Amelia's face, "One...he's a good man. A little clumsy at times, but sweet and Divines fearing. What's more my father adores him like a son already and has already given his blessing. We hope to marry on New Life Day this upcoming year."
Still smiling Uriel said, "Well then allow me go give both my blessings and congratulations for when you do marry. I hope this young man will realize what a gift the Nine have given him when you say your vows."
"Thank you, my lord."
All of a sudden Glenroy stopped "Hold up. I don't like this. Let me take a look." After getting closer and doing a quick sweep with his eyes he calls out "Looks clear. Come on. We're almost through to the sewers." The group makes their way to a gate which will not open.
"Dammit! The gate is barred from the other side. A trap!" Glenroy seethes.
"Any picks? I may be able to open it," Amelia says looking at the lock and then to the men. The three men shake their heads no before Baurus notices something "What about that side passage back there?"
" Worth a try lets go!" Glenroy says leading the others to the small room. Looking around the room Baurus says "It's a dead end. What's your call, sir?" Glenroy frowns "I don't know. I don't see any good options here."
Soon a noise froth the other room draws the groups attention "They're behind us! Wait here, sire." Baurus looks to Amelia as she steps in front of the emperor with the late captain's katana, "Miss Amelia stay here and protect the emperor.
Soon both Blades let out a battle cry and Uriel spun Amelia around thrusting something in her hand "My guards are strong and true, but even the might of the Blades cannot stand against the Power that rises to destroy us. The Prince of Destruction awakes, born anew in blood and fire. These cutthroats are but his mortal pawns.
Take my Amulet. Give it to Jauffre. I have a secret son, and Jauffre alone knows where to find him. Find the last of my blood, and close shut the marble jaws of Oblivion."
Tears ran down Amelia's face "Your Amulet? Then this is 'Goodbye'?"
Uriel placed one hand on her face "This is where my journey ends. For you though, the road is long and dangerous."
"With all my heart... farewell..." Amelia said in a whisper.
"Stand true, my dear. May your heart be your guide and the gods grant you strength. I know that your grandfather is very proud of you." With these final words Uriel kissed her forehead and pushed her away. A wall slid down behind him and he was struck down.
Amelia did not hear herself scream as she regained her footing and used the borrowed katana to run the assassin through. She collapsed beside the still warm body of Uriel and called upon her weak healing magic. Try as she might it just was not enough. She was shaking as the gentle hands of Baurus pulled her up. He held her as she cried. For here in this cold and abandoned tunnel just before midnight on the 27th of Last Seed; the Year of Akatosh 433... Emperor Uriel Septim VII died from an assassin's blade.
Okay so I am going to start with the next chapter soon. I hope to do weekly updates or every other week at the latest. A LOT of dialogue was cut and pasted, but I did change a few things here or there. This was mainly to show how Miss Traven started out. She is a good woman, who just wants to help and while she can defend herself and others in a fight she is also very soft-hearted. Ex: she is terrified of snakes but if she sees one hurt she will try to help it...that kinda person. May the Nine be with you and have a blessed Sundas.