One Night with the Emperor

Chapter Eight – Memory's End

I stopped in Bruma again, but not for long. Just long enough to get most of the zombie stench off of me and quick healing at the chapel. My armor took quite the beating and needed repair, but I didn't care. I could easily fix it at Cloud Ruler Temple. At the very least, it would give me an excuse to be in the same building as Martin for a few extra hours. He might even read down in the forge as I repaired.

It took me a little while to decide, but I did sneak a nap in at the Fighter's Guild. I wanted to be awake for as long as possible around Martin. Maybe, if we were lucky, the next item would require two full days of reading. I could handle that. How many more items do we need? I don't remember.

I slid off my horse right outside Cloud Ruler Temple. The Blades on guard greeted me as I approached. Still not being able to remember their names made me feel a little bit bad.

Surprisingly, Martin stood behind his table as I entered, speaking with Jauffre. I approached them quietly, so I didn't disturb them.

"Are you sure there is no other way?" Jauffre asked.

Martin shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"So be it. The Blades are at your disposal, as always." With that, Jauffre turned on his heel and left.

"What was that about?" I asked.

Martin whipped around at the sound of my voice. "Abiyomi! You've returned! You're alive! You look terrible."

I reached over my shoulder and into my pack. "Well, what do you expect?" I pulled the Great Welkynd Stone out. "I've defied death four times now."

He let out his breath in a stream, taking the Stone gently from me. "A Great Welkynd Stone. It's even more beautiful than I could ever imagine. Thank you. I'm glad you returned with it."

What is he up to? "Why wouldn't I? It's not like I have much of a choice."

Martin shook his head. "You do have a choice. I can't make you do anything."

"But if I didn't, all of Tamriel is doomed. Including me." I sighed. "Martin, what are you avoiding?"

He looked away, setting the stone on his table. "The fourth item. The last item."

"So you know what it is."

A sad smile pulled on his lips for a moment and he rested his fingers on my letters. "You're not going to like it. Jauffre didn't like it. The Countess of Bruma really isn't going to like it." He paused for a moment, studying the Stone. "It's similar to how the Daedric artifact and the blood of a god counter each other. We need the counterpart to a Great Welkynd Stone."

"Which is?"

"A Great Sigil Stone."

The room began to swim. I closed my eyes. My breath shortened.

"I'm so sorry Abiyomi. I hate this idea. Hate it so much. But the only way we can do this is to let the Mythic Dawn open a Great Gate outside of Bruma."

"And I have to go in and get it."

"Yes. I'm really sorry. Please believe me. I wish more than anything that there was another way." A tremor of emotion entered his voice. "I'm sending you to your death inside of hell itself."

I pressed a few fingers to my forehead. "At least you'll be safe here."

"That's another thing you're not going to like. If I'm to be the Emperor, it is time I started acting like one. I will lead the attack on the gates."

My dizziness evaporated. I opened my eyes. Met Martin's. His held somber seriousness. He wasn't kidding. And I couldn't protest. It hurt. So bad.

I looked away. Hugged myself. "As you wish, my Lord."

He put his hands on my shoulders and turned me to face him. "Don't you do that. I need you. I explain myself to you so you can understand me. And so you can explain to the Countess of Bruma. Tell her-"

I grabbed his arm with one hand. "Whoa, hold on. Right now?" He nodded. My mind swirled with panic. "M-my armor needs repair. I really need a bath. And-and I need some rest at least. And…"

I've already defied death four times. Last time was too close. I almost saw Death Himself. Would I survive this time? Would Martin survive?

Resolve settled into my heart. The panic stopped running rampant. I need to do this. I've put it off for too long.

"And can I please have tonight? There's something really important I've been putting off because of this crisis."

Martin's mouth pursed and he sighed. "One more night shouldn't hurt. But we have to leave right away in the morning. I need to tell Jauffre of the change in plans."

I pulled my helmet off. "You do that. I'm going to go take over the bathing chamber."

As I left the main hall, one of the two other female Blades posted here slid through the door after me. She sidled up to me as we walked down the hallway toward the bathing chambers. What was her name? Caroline? I couldn't remember.

"You're going to try for Martin tonight, aren't you?" She asked. "That's why you asked for tonight."

"Uhh," I said.

"We were wondering when you would try. Martin won't; he doesn't like holding his status as Heir over anybody's head, but especially not you. He may even resist when you try, just to make sure that his title has nothing to do with it."

"We?"

"Oh yes, all of the Blades know. You two are really cute together. Here, you get cleaned up. Leave the rest to us."

Caroline shoved me into a bathing chamber. She helped me out of my armor, promising that somebody would repair it for me so I didn't have to worry about it. As she did so, she talked. Talked about how she knew warriors hated to be too far from their weapons, just in case anything happened. So she also promised to stash my sword and shield under Martin's bed before he went in his room. She also promised to get me a nice outfit so all I had to worry about was getting clean.

As abruptly as she appeared, she left. Left me here in this stone basin, staring at myself in the mirror. Unsure if I made the right move or not. Crying out to Dibella for help.