DISCLAIMER: I do not own TES: OBLIVION or any characters from the elder scrolls lore.

Enjoy the story lovelies! :3

Chapter Ten: Freedom

I'm not sure how long I was in here, but judging from the fact my prison was getting brighter, it was safe to assume it was becoming dawn. I was bored out of my mind, and wanted someone to come in here and explain to me what in oblivion was gonna happen to me. I was lying on the bed that was in the room, and was playing with my mother's amulet of Mara. I still never really believed in worshiping the divines, but this was the only thing I had close to her.

I always heard stories from everyone about my mother and what kind of person she was and what she like. From what I could gather, she was actually a very clever and kind mage, but she was clearly a hopeless fool when it came to love. Very ironic considering she was not only was she a devout follower of Mara but also Dibella. I was told except for my blood red hair a emerald green eyes-clearly must be a trademark trait to inherit for the Hrive family since both my uncle and my biological father have blood red hair and from their portraits that were in the castle from when they were human they also had emerald green eyes-I was almost the spitting image of her.

There was a gentle knock on the door, pulling me from my thoughts, though I didn't bother looking since my captures were just gonna walk inside. As if on cue the door opened and I rolled my eyes, knowing I was right. Whomever it was may have been polite enough to knock gently, but they didn't care if I responded or not.

"You weren't lying about not being a cultist," Martin commented. I looked over at him surprised and sat up a bit. Did they seriously just let their emperor go in here with the supposed cultist by himself?! Damn, these guys are terrible at protecting the emperor!

I didn't reply as I stared at him, trying to figure out why he was in here. He walked over towards me and held his hand out. "May I see your amulet?" He asked. I looked at him then at the amulet, feeling uneasy about being separated from the amulet. "J-Just be careful with it, please. It was my mother's." I informed him softly as I handed it to him. He nodded as he gingerly took the amulet from me and studied it. "So why do you now believe I'm not a cultist?" I asked as I continued to eye him cautiously fiddling with the amulet.

"Our mutual friend told me that you looked like you had a vendetta with the cultists that were attacking the priory, and I highly doubt if you were with these cultists you would have acted like that." He pointed out as he handed me back my mother's amulet. I took it back and quickly fastened it back around my neck, as the uneasy feeling in my chest faded away. "So am I going to be released from my little prison cell?" I asked. He looked at me puzzled. "No one told you you were free to go?" He asked. "No, I've been in here trying to kill time as I wait for someone or Jauffre to come in here and interrogate me." I grumbled. "By the nine…you're free to go." He assured me as he got up and I followed suit, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. "I'll speak to Jauffre and ask why no one told you." He informed me. "Don't worry about it, tell me where the Hero of Kvatch is so I can get my pay and get off this damn mountain." I told him.

"You're going to leave?" He asked in shock. "I didn't exactly receive the most warmest welcome here, and I am getting sick and tired of sudden new information." I pointed out. "For that, you do have my deepest apologies," Jauffre called out from behind me. I yelped and spun around as I looked at the Grandmaster of the blades in shock. "Jauffre, you said someone was going to inform her she was free to leave the chambers since she was no longer under arrest, but when I came in there to check on her she apparently was surprised to find out she could leave the room." Martin informed the old Blade.

"I figured she was asleep at the time so I was about to send someone over." He explained. "Still doesn't change the fact I plan on leaving." I informed him. "My lady, please you must understand these are dark days, and the fact you didn't exactly help your case when asked about your knowledge, I just couldn't take a chance. You must understand, I beg you! We could really use someone with your knowledge here." He pleaded. I glanced over at Martin whom was also looking at me with a hopeful look, and sighed heavily.

By the divines what am I getting myself into?

"Very well, I'll stay." I told him. A wave of relief washed over his face as he sighed in relief. "Thank you." He sighed in relief. "Well since I'm staying, I'm gonna go grab something to eat and meet up with Espen-" "He left an hour ago to meet one of my blades in the Imperial City." Jauffre interrupted me. "He left his sellsword behind?" I asked in disbelief. "Strangely yes he did, but he did leave this note for you." He told me as he pulled out a piece of paper. "I hope he comes back alive, since he still hasn't paid me yet." I grumbled as I took the note from Jauffre.

Martin snickered at my comment and cleared his throat.