One Night with the Emperor

Chapter Ten – To Bruma

Slowly, I stirred to consciousness. For the first time that I could remember, I felt well rested. And really, really comfortable all sprawled out on my stomach.

Half under me and half next to me, Martin stirred. His breathing changed as he burrowed his face farther into my neck. It tickled. The arm he had wound under and around me tightened, pulling me a little bit closer to him. Then he stretched his other arm, under one of mine, into the air. I let my arm flop. It hit him in the face. He jumped. I giggled.

"Oh, quiet you." He murmured, pushing me away. I giggled again.

Martin changed his mind. He wrapped his arm back around me and pulled me to him. His lips found mine.

"Boy, that morning breath tastes wonderful." I commended when we pulled apart.

"Smells wonderful too. Remind me to never do that again." He said and kissed my forehead.

Somebody knocked on the door. "Martin, Abiyomi, time to rise. Jauffre wants to leave soon."

Martin and I sighed in unison.

Turns out Caroline also washed my favorite under armor outfit and stashed it under the bed with my sword and shield. Martin was surprised that the items were under there. When I told him about Caroline and the other Blades, he only shook his head and smiled.

It took us longer than it should have to get dressed. Which was mostly my fault. Turns out I have a really hard time keeping my hands off of Martin. That and he's just so much fun to harass.

Before Martin opened the door, he slid his hand into mine. My fingers automatically linked into his. He smiled at me and kissed the back of my hand. I smiled back and poked him in the side.

Martin opened the door. Baurus stood on the other side, hand raised as if he were about to knock. He lowered his hand. "Ah, here is the happy couple. Breakfast is waiting."

Good thing it's easier to be better behaved around people. Else breakfast would have taken longer than getting dressed did. And, of course, there's always Jauffre. About halfway through our meal, he joined us and debriefed us on the current situation in Bruma. That sobered Martin and I up rather quickly.

After we finished eating, I went down to the armory for my armor and Jauffre pulled Martin aside. Our blacksmith had my armor waiting for me. They were clean, repaired, and oiled to a shine. So shiny that I could probably blind a few daedra. Maybe I should use it as a tactical advantage.

The blacksmith – I wish I could remember his name – helped me into my armor and gave me a full inspection. He needed to make sure he repaired my armor so that it still fit properly. Not that it would bother me anyway. I would be too busy worrying about Martin.

Back in my armor and inspection passed. I headed upstairs. Now, where would Martin–

Whoa.

I stood in the doorway, looking down the great hall. Martin stood on the other end, near his tables, speaking to Jauffre. Somebody found and fitted Imperial Dragon armor to him. Even as he stood with his helmet under one arm, every inch of him screamed "Emperor!" But more than that, every inch of him screamed "Mine!"

Martin saw me and smiled. My heart exploded. I blinked, and found myself next to him. Startled, I looked around.

Martin watched me, amused. "What are you doing?"

"I have no idea how I got here. Last I knew I stood in the doorway."

"You walked. Jogged, actually."

"I don't believe you. I think you cast a magnetic spell and yanked me over here."

He smiled at me again. My heart exploded again.

"You see!" I told him. "That-! That… ah… apparently shuts my brain off."

Again, he smiled. A strangled noise escaped from the back of my throat. I slid my hand around the back of his head and pulled him to me. Our lips met. My heart went off like several explosion spells at once.

Jauffre cleared his throat. Martin and I jumped apart. Like two naughty schoolchildren.

"Emperor Heir Martin Septim and Abiyomi, Hero of Kvatch, are you two ready to depart?" He asked. Martin and I nodded. "Good. Your horses are ready. Oh, and remember, public behavior." Without waiting for our response, he turned and walked toward the main doors.

I leaned over to Martin. "What is this public behavior he speaks of?"

"I have no idea, but it doesn't sound very nice, does it?" He kissed my cheek, slid his hand into mine, and pulled me after Jauffre.

Our little procession made its way down to Bruma. Jauffre led the way, with Martin right behind him. Baurus and I flanked Martin on either side. The rest of the Blades followed behind us. We only left two to defend Cloud Ruler Temple. If we fail here, we'll all be dead. Or worse.

We endured the entire ride in somber silence. I wanted to reach out and put my hand on Martin's. Nothing more, just that. Reassurance for him and reassurance for me. But that didn't count as public behavior. Especially not now, in a setting of war.

We circled around Bruma to enter by the east gate. The choice served a few different purposes. First and foremost, it gave us all a chance to survey the surrounding land. We even had the privilege to watch an Oblivion gate close and another open as we circled. Secondly, the eastern gate is Bruma's largest. There would be bigger speculation for Martin's reveal as Tamriel's Emperor Heir. And third, there weren't any staircases to try and go down. Most staircases aren't bad, but the ones in Bruma are steep.

Jauffre sent his horse up ahead to the guards patrolling the walls above the gates as we approached. Shouts of "Open the gates for the Emperor!" and "Make way for Emperor Martin Septim!" floated back and down to us. The gates stood open and a crowd began to gather as we approached.

We entered the gates. Martin and I shared a glance. I broke apart from the procession, angling toward the castle. Jauffre took my place flanking Martin.

I didn't look back. Looking back showed weakness and I'm The Hero of Kvatch. The Hero of Kvatch doesn't have weaknesses. At least, that's what the people need to assume, for morale's sake.

"Who approaches the Countess?" The steward asked.

"The Hero of Kvatch." I replied, walking past him.

He skirted around me, running through the arch and into the throne room. I kept walking. It would give him time to warn her. I would rather not be shot down. Minor inconvenience.

The steward whispered into the Countess Narina Carvain's ear as I approached the bottom of the steps. All eyes fell on me. Drawing my katana, I pointed the tip up at the ceiling, my fist out straight in front of me. From that position, I fell to one knee, flipping my katana around in my grip so the point touched the ground.

"Rise, Hero of Kvatch." Countess Narina told me.

I stood, sheathing my katana.

"Speak."

"Thank you, your ladyship. I bring urgent news from Emperor Heir Martin Septim, lost son of Emperor Uriel Septim VII…"

"You are right, I do not like it. I have to risk my city, my people, so you can retrieve a Great Sigil Stone?" Countess Narina demanded.

"Yes," I replied, my tone even. "There is no other way, else Heir Martin would not have suggested it."

"I do not like it." She repeated. "But you are the only one to speak of victory, let alone an end to this crisis. While the rest of Tamriel huddles in their homes, waiting for an Emperor to tell them what to do and a Hero to save them, you went out, saved Uriel's lost son, closed Oblivion gates, taught guards to close gates all over Cyrodiil, sent allies to my door, and now you come to me speaking of possible victory. Tamriel has found her Emperor, has she found her Hero as well?"

I extended an arm toward the doors behind me. "Heir Martin awaits you in the Chapel for a council of war."

"I see you avoid my question. Very well. Humility is a good trait for a Hero. Escort me to our Emperor Heir."

Two guards held open the door of the chapel for us. Countess Narina swept inside, Captain Burd and I flanking her. The Blades lined the walls at equal intervals near the doors. Heir Martin, Jauffre, and Captain Steffan stood near the main altar, already hashing out plans. The two Bruma guards joined the Blades while Countess Narina, Captain Burd, and I joined the strategy table.

Not much strategy could be done. All the soldiers had to do was hold ground until I could get in and back out of the Great Gate. As soon as the Great gate fell, all three holding it up would fall. If I failed, Bruma would be destroyed. And I had to do it alone. No pressure.

Countess Narina straightened. "I find this as satisfactory as I can under the circumstances. What say you, Heir Martin?"

"Standing here and talking will not make this end any faster." Martin replied. "The sooner we let them open the gate, the sooner we can close it."

"As good of closing words as any. I leave my city in your capable hands. Should you have need of me, I will be leading the defense of Bruma from atop the walls." Countess Narina nodded to Heir Martin and swept from the chapel, her two guards flanking her.

Captain Burd bowed his head to Heir Martin. "I will go assemble your troops, my liege."

Heir Martin nodded to him and he followed the Countess out. Jauffre turned toward the Blades. Martin turned toward me.

Standing so nobody could see, he grabbed my hands. "Are you okay with this?"

"Honestly? No, I'm not okay with it. I would be very happy to never go in an Oblivion gate ever again, let alone a Great Gate. But I don't have a choice."

"Yes, you do. I can't make you do anything."

"You're right. You can't make me do anything. But you're not making me do this; I'm doing this for you. And if I don't, we all die anyway."

Martin smiled sadly. He sandwiched my hands between his. I wished that we weren't wearing gauntlets.

"Hero of Kvatch," he whispered. "I call on you for your swordsmanship mastery to save the world and all that."

"Don't forget Oblivion gate expertise. I might even become a master on that today." I sighed. "How long will I have until the siege engine emerges?"

He shook his head. "I don't know. But I do know that the entire siege engine has to be out for it to work."

"Unknown time limit, awesome."

Martin squeezed my hands between his. "I know this sounds cheesy, but don't feel like you're alone. Wherever you go, you carry my heart with you. So be careful."

I pulled one of my hands from his and pressed it to his cuirass, right above his heart. "If you die, I'll bring you back to life and kill you myself."

He smiled. "I love you too."

"Heir Martin?" Jauffre asked. Martin and I let our hands fall. At least he gave us a few moments. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Martin turned from me. He picked up his helmet and tucked it under one arm. "Let's go meet the enemy."