Disclaimer: Oblivion, the blood moon werewolves, and plot and characters belong to Bethesda studios
Nylia and other unrecognizable characters, and their personalities are my creation using the concept of course.
After a few seconds, the gates finally opened. To reveal, five blades dressed in their armor running towards us. While some had their eyes trained on me. Who looked to be ready order to defend themselves, and my companions. The leading Blade went up to Jauffre and Martin addressing Jauffre. "Grandmaster is this ...?" he started to ask speechlessly as he glanced at Martin. Jauffre smiled before answering his unfinished question.
"Yes, Cyrus. This is the Emperor's son, Martin Septim." He then turned toward Martin bowing slightly as did the other two. Martin looked self-conscious at the gesture
"My lord! Welcome to Cloud Ruler Temple! We have not had the honor of an Emperor's visit in many years!" he greeted Martin respectfully.
"Ah, well, thank you! The honor is mine." Martin said in return. Just
The leading Blade looked at me. "Sire, what Is this thing," he said defensively. I narrowed my eyes at that, growling a little
Martin Intervened "Nylia is a friend of mine, she was the one who helped free Kvatch and brung me back to Weynon Priory" after he said that we both slightly relaxed. But he seemed till suspicious
Then Jauffre spoke again this time addressing Martin. "Come. Your Blades are waiting to greet you." With that Cyrus and the two of the other Blades turned around heading back up the stairs, while the other two Blades took the reins of the horses. They were promptly followed by Jauffre and Martin and Bryan and me, as well as the Blades leading the horses inside the fortress. Inside the was two flights of stairs. As we climbed up one flight of the stairs, I could not help but wonder how we would be able to stop Dagon. Although I am more confident, since we got Martin safely to Cloud ruler temple we may have a chance after all. All we had to do is find where those people took Amulet of kings and take it back. Of course, that was easier said than done. For one we did not even have a clue of where they hid it.
Finally getting to the top of the second flight. I stood back on two legs, the blades that escorted us took their places in one of two rows that lined each side of the path. Behind the Blades on the right was a large square patch of grass. On the left was medium stone building with an opened doorway. From that doorway came two teenage boys, one Redguard and one Nord, who promptly took the reins of the horses (who moving nervously behind us) from the blades behind us (who took their places also) and took them into the stable. Martin followed Jauffre to some steps in front of the temple. As they got their Martin stood directly in the middle while Jauffre moved to the side. They faced the Blades before Jauffre spoke as we all watched.
"Blades! Dark times are upon us. The Emperor and his sons were slain on our watch. The Empire is in chaos." he paused letting it sink in before continuing "But there is yet hope. Here is Martin Septim, a true son of Uriel Septim!"
At the Blades simultaneously drew their swords and saluted and began to cry out happily. "Hail, Dragonborn! Hail, Martin Septim! Hail!" they chanted proudly. Even Bryan began chanting it while pulling out one of his own swords before falling silent so Jauffre could speak again. This time turning and speaking directly to Martin as the Blades and Bryan put their swords.
"You're Highness. The Blades are at your command. You will be safe here until you can take up your throne." Martin smiled a little hesitantly as he looked at Jauffre before turning and facing the Blades again.
"Jauffre. All of you. I know you all expect me to be Emperor. I'll do my best. But this is all new to me. I'm not used to giving speeches. But I wanted you to know that I appreciate your welcome here. I hope I prove myself worthy of your loyalty in the coming days." he finished adding "That's it. Thank you."
After he finished Jauffre then spoke unsure what to say "Well, then. Thank you, Martin." He then turned back to the Blades "We'd all best get back to our duties, eh, Captain?" At this point the Blades dispersed, returning to their duties and moving in different direction. Two blades moving past us and went down the steps.
I move forward towards Martin as Bryan followed me but went to talk to Jauffre who was walking away. Nearing Martin, I noticed the Bryan started heading toward Jauffre most likely to speak to him. Martin smiled at me a little, but it did not reach his eyes. I smiled back and gently wagged my tail reassuringly. He noticed it and spoke
"Not much of a speech, was it? Didn't seem to bother them, though." He glanced at the Blades that were idle keeping watch while speaking "The Blades saluting me and hailing me as Martin Septim... I don't mean to sound ungrateful. I know I would be dead by now if it weren't for you. Thank you. But everyone expects me to suddenly know what to do. How to behave. They want an Emperor to tell them what to do. And I haven't the faintest idea." he said somberly. I could tell he was feeling the weight of the world.
I glanced at Bryan and Jauffre conversing with each other. Discussing Bryans own efforts during this ordeal as before looking at Martin again. "I don't think that anyone would know what to do in your shoes. However, I believe that we should focus on finding the where the ones responsible took the Amulet of kings. Then we should be able to work towards what to do next."
He seemed to brighten up a little at what I said. "Of course. The Amulet of Kings. So, we… I... "He corrected himself "can take it to the Temple of the One and light the Dragonfires. And stop the Oblivion invasion."
"Which also mean you would be crowned the emperor" I reminded him
"The Emperor... that's an idea that will take some getting used to. In any case, we need the Amulet first. Maybe Jauffre will know where to start." He replied but I had a feeling that he would do fine. From how much I Knew him far, I could tell he was a determined person.
"I have confidence that you will get through this," I told him as I was heading toward Bryan and Jauffre. As I got there Bryan was finishing their conversation. Jauffre then turned towards me as Bryan smiled. Though I did not know why Jauffre then spoke.
"You have proven yourselves loyal servants of the Empire, as worthy as any of the Blades to stand by Martin's side during this crisis. As the Grandmaster of the Blades, I would be honored to accept you into our order." he finished then asked "Will you join us?
My eyes widened in shock. To say I was surprised would be quite an understatement. They were offering to accept me in the Blades, why? Though it felt nice to trusted enough to be invited to join. After a moment I spoke "Yes, I like to join the Blades and defend Martin.
Jauffre smiled then spoke again this time speaking to the both of us. "It is my honor to welcome you both into our ranks as". As he said this one blade came out the temple with two swords hand. Once he stopped in front of us he held out them as Jauffre spoke. "As a Brother Knight and a Sister of the Blades, you both receive an Akaviri katana" with that Bryan took his own and marveled at it. I however just stared at mine before speaking and looking back at Jauffre.
"Thank you for the katana but have no real use for a blade since I have my teeth and claws," I told him. But I was still grateful for the blade anyway
"That is no matter, your blade will be kept in the temple if you ever were to ever need It," he said as the Blade with my katana silently walked back into to the temple. Almost immediately Jauffre also followed him in. But before he did so, he turned back towards us one more time. "In the morning, I will have assignments for them both of you, so you two may need to get some rest," he said before going into the building.
Glancing around at the now near empty courtyard; save for a few blades patrol the area and looking out at the watchtower. Martin must have already gone into the temple while we were being accepted into the Blades by Jauffre. I could not blame him it seemed that this whole thing turned everybody's life on the heads.
As I looked around once more, the sun was finishing setting leaving the last rays of orange to disappear. In turn, leaving the partially cloudy night sky to revealing the brilliantly shining red Masser and the smaller bright white moon Secunda. Looking at them brought on an odd sensation that seemed almost like a call. It felt very so familiar and my mind was brought back to my cage, and the nights I would start trying to get out. The feeling that would prompt me to scratch up the place in the attempt to get out? Not wanting to dwell on it I headed to the left side of the fortress trying to ignore the feeling, as I looked over the mountain ranges. It was so peaceful out here and it seems so surreal like it was a dream. Like I would wake up and be back in that cell again.
Beside me, I heard a single pair footstep walk up and stop right next to me. Their breathing was steady and calm. Turning my head, I saw it was just Bryan, who stood by the edge like I was. However, he was no longer wearing helmet revealing his short brown hair, instead, it was tucked underneath one of his arms and the katana in the other hand. I turned my head back toward the forest, my eyes scanning the surrounding mountains for any threats natural or those assassins.
Tilting my head slightly I started sniffing the air. There was also nothing that smelled out of the ordinary either. Besides the normal scents of the area in addition to the icy bite of the snow, the sharp fresh scent of the pine trees, and the musky smell of the rodents that made their way on the mountain floor below. Other than that, and the sound of the remaining Blades footsteps, the crackle of the fire on the torches, and the heavy breath of the horses in the stable next to us. As my ears stood straight up and forward alert to pick up any out of place sounds.
"It is very beautiful out here" Bryan finally said breaking the relative silence.
" Yes, it is quite beautiful" I answered idly as I continued to scan the area below as I continued switching the subject. 'It seems that these past couple of days have been odd, though.
"I know what you mean. Only yesterday I was just a regular guard in the imperial city with my family, now I have been promoted to a Blade" he said. Life is odd something
"I know what you mean. Yesterday I was in a cell for the rest of my days. Now I am here also having been accepted into the Blades. Speaking of which did Jauffre ask you to join while I was speaking to Martin" I said. Genuinely curious about the conversation that occurred while I was speaking to Martin.
"Of course, While I did not do as much as you. He said my experience as a city guard helped proved that I would be good Blade" he answered as I turned to face him leveling my head again while he faced me back, relaxing my ears, but still was listening.
I chuckled mentally (both to myself and to him). " Hard to believe how things can change so much good or bad." He smirked a little. I could tell he agreed with me here.
"I know what you mean. Though I do miss my wife and kids. I suppose in the morning I will have to send a letter to them to tell them about my promotion." He said full on smiling. The way he spoke of them reminded me of my own family before I got separated from them.
"What about you? He asked suddenly "Do you have a family of your own? You said you were in prison, but you must have had pack somewhere." he said. I sighed. I really did not want to talk about them. Mostly because it still made me forlorn to think about them.
" I don't want to talk about it," I said to him as a sadly as I felt. I did not help with that calling feeling present. I continued to try to ignore it
"Oh, I see. I am Sorry " he muttered. His face showing a little empathy.
"It is something that I a bit touchy for me to talk about. I am sorry." explaining to him while focusing my attention back to the area why I was acting the way I was.
"It's fine" was all he said and for a few more minutes we just stood there in silence.
Finally feeling tired I yawned, my mouth opening wide as I made a low sound, and slightly curling my tongue back before closing my mouth again. Not ten second later I heard Bryan give a yawn also though his sounded more muffled.
"I guess I am going to go to bed now. Wake me up if anything happens" I said flexing my claws and stretched out, before moving away from the ledge moving towards the grassy area in front of the temple.
"Alright goodnight. I going to stay up another hour or so before I turn in too" he replied as I made my way to the steps. I then noticed that there were two other Blades out here patrolling
As I got there I laid down on my belly on the spot. Using my paws as a cushion tried to get comfortable. I could have gone inside with the rest of the Blades, but I preferred outside better. I enjoy the outdoors. Plus, if anything happened I could respond quicker. Before closing my eyes, I felt that familiar call but tried to ignore it once more as I fell asleep