(Thank you Inferno232 for being the first to review this story, andfor the good advice.)

Chapter 3: Escape

As Solethio entered the cold dark entrance, he made sure to keep his distance from the emperor and his guardsmen. But regardless on how far he stood back, he could overhear what one guard in particular was saying.

"We're not out of this yet, just stay close together and keep your eyes open."

Just as the man spoke, forms appeared out of thin air, dawning red robes and brandishing weapons that were meant to silence, or kill. Shocked by their sudden appearance, Solethio managed to slip on an unstable piece of the stairway, causing him to create a decent sound by hitting the floor. The sound alone had caused the guard that was covering the rear to pivot around, catching sight of the escaping Imperial.

"You! What are you doing here!" he yelled, only to be sidetracked by his partner

"Now's not the time for that, they're here!" said the female bladeguard, as she unsheated her sword. "Flank them on the left or right!"

Still on the ground, Solethio had taken a few minutes before he noticed the outstretched hand that was in front of him. Looking up, he saw that it belonged to the emperor, who's face showed determination.

"Here, today is not your end." he stated, grabbing Solethio's hand and helping him up

The sounds of battle had ended, but not without a casulty. The female, Captain Renault had been killed, as a deep gash was apparent on her left side.

"I'm sorry sir, but Renault was killed..." said one of the guardsmen

His face turned to sadness by the news. "She had a strong will, but an even stronger heart. May she be blessed by the Gods."

"I'll take head point while you take the rear. Let's go!" The guards quickly moved with the emperor in tow, locking the door behind Solethio to deny him access.

"Hey! Open the door!" he continued to pound the door, until his eyes caught another entrance on the eastern wall. It seemed as if a couple bricks were missing from the concrete surface, allowing it to be a doorway of sort. Upon entering, he noticed that a decent sized rat had watched him for quite sometime, and it was only until Solethio made a run back to the other side, that the rat gave pursuit.

Remembering about the now dead Captain, Solethio ran to her corspe and 'borrowed' the sheild and sword, turning just in time to see the rat lunging at his face. With a quick, but fierce slash, the rat was no more as the crimson liquid ran along the tile cracks. Inspecting the sword, he realised that it was indeed in good condition, the green and gold hilt consisted of an intricate pattern, that swirled all the way up to the golden guard. The silver blade was glimmering in the faint light, and was easily recognizable that it would be frequently polished. The sheild on the other hand, seemed to be used yet still durable as the endless scratches upon the surface had smuged the elegance of what was the corresponding green and gold pattern. Feeling more self confident by his sudden achievement, he continued onward as he re-entered the hole on the eastern wall.

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What seemed to be hours, had actually been minutes as Solethio had dealt with goblins, rats, and even zombies, as he ran from door to door. Upon entering the next one, Solethio found it to lead back into the area with numerous stairs and platforms, with the emperor and guards just ahead of him. Sighing in relief, he quickly caught back up with them, trying his best to keep his presence unknown. However, that seemed to be impossible as another ambush by the assassins had occured, causing Solethio to keep himself from hiding by saving the emperor from a mighty blow to the head. Once the killers were dispatched of, the guard angrily turned to the blond Imperial, sword in hand.

"It's him again! Kill him! He may be working with them!" he growled, making his way towards Solethio

"What! If you didn't notice, I just saved your emperor! Even when you guys locked me out back there! I think thank you's are in order here." he shot back, unsheathing his own sword

"No..he is not one of them. He can help us, he must help us.." remarked the emperor, holding his hand up to hold off any unnecessary violence. Sighing in defeat, the guardsman sheathed his sword and walked ahead, mumbling things along the lines of 'the prisoner would be nothing but trouble.'

"They cannot understand why I trust you." Uriel continued. "They've not seen what i've seen."

"What have you seen, exactly?" asked the blond Imperial, somewhat concerned for what lies ahead of him in the future

"Listen. You know the Nine. How They guide our fates with an invisible hand?"

Sighing, Solethio responded with an honest answer. "The Nine guide and protect us, but i'm not sure if they're too keen on me."

"The Nine do not play favorites within our world Solethios, I've served the Nine all my days, adn I chart my course by the cycles of the heavens." he said sternly. "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 Atronach, in truth, i'm half Imperial, and half Breton."

"I see, my sign tells me that the days of living for me will come to an end, I accept this fate willingly, as all things shall come to place."

"What about me?"

"Your stars are not with mine. Today the Atronach shall aid you with your appointed burden."

"Can you tell of my future?"

"My dreams grants no signs 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 you aid my heart must be satisfied."

Concerned with the man's sudden calmness, Solethio asked him about his own well being. "Aren't you afraid to die, what if the people need you?"

"No trophies of my triumphs precede me. But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy. When I do leave this world, the people shall remain strong, as a hero among us will rise to bring peace within these city walls. 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."

"But one shouldn't live the remaining hours of their life, waiting for their appointed death to occur, you must strive on, you must fight to live! You've earned that right!" Solethios argued

"My fate cannot be change, as yours cannot as well." Uriel stated bluntly. "Don't mistake my words for being bitter, as I am truly honored to meet the man that shall change the tide of Oblivion."

"...Where are we going then...If fates do not change, i'll at least give it my best to protect you."

"I see... we shall go to my grave, as I'm sure my time is only minutes away. You shall follow me yet for a while, the sadly.. we must part."

"Are you sure there's not any other way.."

"I am. The only thing I regret is that we had to meet within a prison, you seem to hold an air of honesty and good will. You would make a fine asset within the Blades." the emperor replied with a smile, then entered the next room

Before he could follow, he was halted by a Redguard, who seemed to have a look of indifference on his face.

"You may as well make yourself useful. Carry that torch and stick close."

Nodding his head in acknoledgement, Solethios stayed close to the party, keeping his eyes open to his surroundings with torch in hand. While entering the next room, the tension within air became thick, and it was at this time that Solethios knew that the emperor was truly walking to his death.

"Not much farther.." the emperor stated, going into a light jog

It was only seconds later that battlecries emerged, as metal against metal clashed against one another. Solethios quickly searched for Uriel, making his own duty to protect him at all costs. After the assassins were eliminated, the party entered the sactum part of the passageway. Surveying the new area, the leader of the party ordered everyone to stand back, as he would investigate ahead for any traps. After minutes of inspecting corners and walls, he waved his hand to signal for safe travel.

After noticing that the hallway on the right was barred on the otherside, they group realized that they had fallen into a trap. With only one other way to make progress, they decided to entered the hallway on the right. Once they entered, mobs of assassins had entered from way they had come from. The two guardsman quickly left, but no before they spoke to Solethios.

"Stay here and protect the emperor, guard him with your life!"

Nodding his head, Solethios quickly unsheathed his sword, prepared for battle. But a hand clutched his shoulder, and faced him, revealing the face of the emperor.

"I can go no further. You alone must stand against the foes of the Mythic Dawn and the ungodly creatures that align themselves with them. Around my neck is a powerful artifact called the Amulet of Kings, this is what the assassins are looking for. Take the Amulet, give it to Jauffre. He alone knows where to find my last son. Find him and close shut the jaws of Oblivion. You have my thanks Solethios, farewell, and may we meet again someday in the distant future." his smile was genuine as he placed the amulet within Solethios hand. The raw power that eminated from it had stunned him, as he quickly pocketed it to grab his sword. But it was too late, a cult member had hid behind one of the secret walls, and in one quick blow, silenced the emperor of Cyrodiil.

The sight before him lit the anger within aflame. "You bastard!" He unsheathed his sword, and with a powerful battlecry, striked the killer in one swift blow. The Redguard was quickly running back to the scene when he saw the emperor's motionless body.

"We've failed.. I've failed..The Blades are sworn to protect the Emperor, and now he and all his heirs are dead." He searched his body for the powerful artifact, but found nothing. "The Amulet, where's the Amulet of Kings? It wasn't on the Emperor's body."

"The Emperor gave it to me, he wanted me to see Jauffre. But I don't know why I among all people were appointed to such a task." Solethios muttered, his hand clenched into a fist.

"Strange.. He saw something in you. Trusted you. They say its the Dragon Blood, that flows through the veins of every Septim. They see more than lesser men. The Amulet of Kings is a sacred symbol of the Empire. Most people think of the Red Dragon Crown, but that's just jewerly."

"I don't know if it's because of the Dragon Blood itself, but it felt like the emperor saw through my very soul.."

"He does that to every person he believes has a good heart. But the Amulet alone has power. Only a true heir of the Blood can wear it, they say. As you noted before, you said something about Jauffre right? He lives over at Weynon Priory, but why give it to him?"

"Because the Emperor told me that there's another heir."

His face held a certain surprise to it as he spoke. "I haven't heard anything about it, but if someone was supposed to know, it would be Jauffre. He's the Grandmaster of my Order. Weynon is close to the city of Chorrol."

"Any specific directions?"

"First of all, you need to get out of here. It seems as if you can handle yourself as you made it passed the other passageway. Through the nearby door is the entrance to the sewers, that's where we were heading. Take this key, you'll use it on the last door in the sewers. From what i'm guessing, you're a Pilgrim right?"

Solethios laughed at the guess, as it was way off. "No.. actually i'm a Nightblade, but instead of being interested in restoration i'm more of a conjurer."

"You're kidding.."

"...No.."

"Well, head off to the sewers, and from there you should know your way." Without anything left to say, he left from the opposite direction.

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(2 hours later)

With minor cuts and bruises, Solethios had managed to escape the sewer without being killed. But now drained of stamina and fatigue, he slowly collapsed against the nearby bolder to rest for a bit. While feeling the cool sensation against his wrists, he realised he still had on the iron shackles. With a couple strikes against the rock, the shackles were off, leaving his wrist and mind to enjoy the overwhelming feeling of freedom, just in time for him to enjoy the morning sunrise.