Author's Note: For those who remember how the story in the game went, this chapter will throw you for a loop. It's only confusing if you're expecting this story to completely correspond with the game's timeline.
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Chapter Eight: Spoiled Hope
Upon bursting free of the tunnel that lead out of the Imperial sewers, I was blinded by the brilliant sunlight that reflected off the lake that was set in front of us. I cheered into the air, my hands waving over my head as I ran towards the water. It was so liberating to let the cool water rush back and forth over my feet.
"You do realize that we're now under the orders of some royal order, right?" Bendu said, standing behind me. I looked over to him to answer, but didn't say anything. Never before had I gotten a good look at him. Little did I know, Bendu was a dark skinned Redguard. In the prison, everyone looked like a Redguard, because of the lack of light there. The only way to differentiate between races was with accents, or simply by having people telling you what they were themselves. But he didn't sound like a typical Redguard; more like a mix between a Nord and Breton.
After washing the blood of the many assassins we killed in the tunnels off of our skin and clothes, Bendu and I traveled back into the city to gather supplies. Bendu and I truly looked like two people who just escaped from jail, but no one took notice of us. The Emperor's sons had just been killed! Everyone was speculating Uriel's fate. Little did they know, it was too late for all of the royal family… All except for one, of course. I led Bendu to my little home, which was supposed to be taken care of by a friend, so we could gather clothing that didn't make us look like jailbirds, my money for traveling, and proper material to hold the amulet in. In order to get into the place we had to lock pick the door, which I had no experience in. Luckily, Bendu could unlock anything with any available material. Maybe that was why he was in jail in the first place.
Before we left, I wrote a note to the friend who was taking care of the place, explaining to her that my home hadn't been robbed. With luck, no one would take advantage of an unlocked home. Yet again, this was the posh Elven Gardens district, where safety is probably the number one reason for people to move there. "We should go." I told Bendu. "We'll buy you clothes, and we'll get a new weapon for me. Then we're out of this place."
The door was about to close behind me when another case of déjà-vu set in. Just like Martin, I was to leave this place with the likelihood of never returning. "Don't lose faith." I whispered into the home then finally shut the door behind me. It didn't ask why, go after me, or reach out in my direction in confusion. The question is, should I look back? Did Martin look back in regret?This wasn't the time to speculate emotions, I told myself.
We continued with our little chores before leaving the city, and proceeded to leave the city isle, across the bridge towards Chorrol. I recognized the little village at the end of the bridge. It had been so long since I had seen it, and so much had changed. The fences were falling apart under the weight of the vegetation that had grown over everything and the road was worn and littered with trash along the sides. But the place still looked inhabited despite its dire situation. The road was empty on the way to the priory. Bendu had told me that it was usually filled with travelers. We assumed that it was unusually quiet due to recent events. Even bandits were clear of the road that day. It was such bittersweet luck. Our only opposition on the road was the rain; a sign of the sky mourning Tamriel's loss. Bendu and I seldom spoke. I think we were still in shock of what just had happened. It was as if I was supposed to wake up in a cell after this dream. Although, this was far from a dream; more like a nightmare, and I was to take center stage in this catastrophe.
In the late afternoon we reached the humble priory. Sheep lay hidden from the rainfall in their little barn, looking out at the rain, a small chapel housed candles under the door's awning, and a large house sat in between the barn and chapel. Smoke was flying out of the chimney as tiny flames danced above their candlesticks that sat in the window sills. Humanly silhouettes flew across the windows, indicating our timely arrival. I walked up towards the steps, desperate to escape the mud that kept trapping my feet along the road. Standing on the stone steps that led up to the large home I grasped the door knocker and slammed it back onto the wood. We stood there for several impatient moments, arms folded in the chilly rain, only to be greeted by silence. I took my fist to the door, hoping that I'd catch someone's attention, for there were people in there after all. At long last, the large wooden door creaked open with a balding old man dressed in dark robes waiting on the other side.
"Yes?" He asked in a bored voice. "May I help you?"
"Jauffre. I need to see Jauffre." I said frantically, leaning against the doorframe, for I had no idea how tired I actually was until I stopped walking. The man raised an eyebrow at us, both weighed down by our weapons, backpacks, and sopping wet clothes.
"Yes, he's upstairs. But you really should dry…" The man started, but we rushed past him, darting up the stairs. My eyes scanned the landing to find another old man, dressed in ratty monk robes, leaning over a colossal book that lay in front of him on a desk. We walked over to his desk, our loud footsteps and heaving breathing didn't distract the man from his from his studies.
"Jauffre. We must speak." I panted.
Without even looking up from his book he began, "Yes. I'm Brother Jauffre. What is it, my lady?" My eyes latched onto the man as I could hear Bendu's large boots growing distant, leaving me to explain why the amulet of kings was in my possession and that Uriel had died right in front of my eyes.
"I have something for you, Jauffre. Something of great interest." He looked up at me with interest as I sat my backpack down, searching for the large ball of cloth that concealed the amulet. I sat the bundle down on the desk, after making a quick search for anyone with their eyes set on us. Lowering my voice I explained, "Emperor Uriel sent me here. He sent me here with this…" I pushed the concealed amulet towards him. Jauffre unwrapped the cloth with great caution. "I don't know what it does, or why it matters. But he made a strong point of not losing it."
"By the Nine!" He gasped. "He was right to make that point!" His hands trembled with the jewel clutched inside them. "Follow me. We'll discuss this elsewhere." I was led to a large bookshelf, with two large cupboard doors on the far end. The man's hands were quick to unlock them, swinging the doors open before he walked in. "Come in, quickly!" I peeked in through the doors to find a hidden room. It was dimly lit without any windows and was sparsely decorated. I shut the door behind me, and sat down by a round table, next to Jauffre.
He cleared his throat, gazing at the amulet. "How did you get this? You best explain yourself!" A spark of anger was about to ignite in his tone, so I spoke fast, stumbling over my words as I explained to him how the assassins followed us, nearly killing us all, leaving the Redguard as the only blade left in the group.
"Baurus. He must have taken the emperor's death the hardest. His entire life involves the Blades. I don't think he knows a life outside of such a world." I remained silent. "Your story is unlikely and circumstances are suspicious. But as far as I know, Baurus is still alive to confirm your story, and you willingly gave up the amulet. And for that you have my trust."
"What is this amulet for, exactly?"
"All I know is that the amulet is a holy relic of great power. St. Alessia received it from the gods themselves. When a new emperor is crowned, he uses the amulet to light the Dragonfires in the Imperial City. I haven't the slightest idea as to what it signifies. Only those to be crowned understand its significance. One thing is for sure, the fires are now dark for the first time in centuries." His words left me bewildered. All of this talk of ceremonies and ancient customs flew over my head. All I could gather was that no Dragonfires were a bad sign.
"He mentioned another heir."
"Yes. I am one of the few who know of his existence. Many years ago, when I was the captain of the emperor's bodyguards, the Blades, I was summoned to his chambers. In a basket a small child was fast asleep, bundled up in blankets." Uriel had a mistress? It was odd to imagine the man in such a dire situation like that, having to hide his son away from the public, his family, and his wife. "I was told to deliver him somewhere safe. I didn't find out anything else, not even about the fate of the mother."
"We must find him, Jauffre!" My hands landed on the table to accompany my panicked tone. "Where is he?"
"Travel to Kvatch. Find a young priest by the name of Brother Martin." Martin; such a coincidental name. "With the divine grace of the gods, you will find him. Bring him here with caution. I haven't a doubt in my mind that the assassins are looking for him, if they know of his existence." Perhaps I wouldn't get to see MY Martin once more, but this was a Martin, none the less.
"I'll leave at once." I left the hidden room, Jauffre in tow. Headed downstairs, I looked for Bendu. He was lazily snoring away on a cushioned chair next to the fireplace. I'm sure he didn't want to be in this situation just as much as myself. My heart felt heavy towards him in pity. Yes, he got out of prison, but now he has the unpleasant ultimatum of either helping me, or possibly letting the empire go to Hell.
"Wake up." I whispered into his ear. "We must leave." He let out an annoyed groan and turned his head away from me. After shaking his shoulder in an attempt to wake him up, Bendu wearily stood up.
"Where to?" He asked while rubbing his eyes.
"Kvatch. I'll explain the rest on the way there, but we must go now."
"I'm NOT going there on foot. No way by the Nine am I… Wait." He looked towards the old man in dark robes. "Maborel! You said something about a horse?"
"Yes." Maborel said with a sigh. "She's in the stables, go and take her with you. I never travel anymore." We dashed out of the house towards the stables. Marobel's horse was large compared to its companions in the stable, and was undeniably friendly towards us. Unfortunately, we had to get another horse in the fear or exhausting Marobel's horse. Once we bought another horse from Chorrol's city stables we were off into the wilderness towards Kvatch.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" I asked Bendu after we were about six hours into the trip.
"Why do you question me? Of course this is the right way!" He retorted. "Not even the Imperial part of you can hide the Dunmer part of you, can it?"
"What the hell do you mean?" I shot back.
"Have you any idea as to how skeptic and paranoid your people are?"
"They're not my people, mind you. I left Morrowind for a damn good reason." I didn't like being tied to a race that I despised.
"Whatever you say, Azadeh." Bendu smirked at my frustration with him. After we cleared the mountains that sheltered Chorrol we had to follow a steep trail downwards. The mud wasn't much help, forcing us to walk our horses down with care. I despised the slow progress; time was against us; holding an unknown result of our efforts in Kvatch. The unknown and uncertain weren't realms I liked to tread, this was no different.
We finally reached the base of the mountains, with County Kvatch stretched out before us, with the city perched on a large hill on our horizon. Adrenaline rushed through my body as I ushered my horse into a gallop, straight for Kvatch. "Come on, slow poke!" I shouted at Bendu. We raced across the short distance between us and Kvatch in joy of reaching our destination. Our horses maneuvered around the hill to reach the path that led up the hill and into the city.
"Leave the horses here." Bendu instructed as we reached the stables just outside the gates. Upon entering the city I couldn't help but think to myself, "Another city. Another load of trouble." Certainly, it wasn't as large as Cheydinhal or the Imperial City, but it was just as busy with bustling people filling the streets. "The chapel. Look! Follow the spire." He said, pointing to the chapel spire in the distance. We cut through streets and alleys through the city, using the spire as our north star to navigate.
I could hear the chapel's bell ring out, signaling the hour. My feet went into a trance, following the sound, taking me to the chapel as if they had traveled there a thousand times before. "Please be here, Martin." I whispered while walking up the chapel steps. "I won't lose faith."
We burst through the chapel doors, looking for a man who we would never be able to recognize. We only had the name "Brother Martin" to help us find the heir.
"Friends! May Akatosh bless you!" A man's voice cheered. I pivoted around to face the greeter. He was a tall Altmer dressed in felt clothes.
"Yes, you too," I mumbled. The last time I was in a chapel of the Nine, I was being dragged around by a mad woman, remember? So I naturally didn't know chapel etiquette. "I'm looking for someone."
"Ah! Well there are many someones to find here!" He giggled at me.
"His name is Martin. Brother Martin." I replied, not at all amused by his little jokes.
"Oooh. Okay. I know where you can find him!" He squealed in delight. I wonder if spending time in a chapel for an extended amount of time made people act overzealous in everything they do. "In the back gardens of the chapel! I think he's looking for herbs or something. Brother Martin isn't the type to have a green thumb, so I do not believe that he is planting anything." I thanked him and headed towards the back of the chapel where a door to the garden was left open. The humble little garden I stepped into was unlike the gardens in the Imperial City I had become accustomed to. Only a short fence separated this little haven from
A brunette man dressed in a tattered blue robe sat on the stone bench in the center of the garden, his back facing the chapel. "Stay here." I whispered to Bendu. He wasn't much for talking anyways, I learned after he ditched me in the Weynon house. I slowly proceeded towards him, walking around the bench to have him face me. It was now instinct to hide my ears under my hair before speaking to someone, so I let my dark hair cover my ears and light lavender face just before the man could get a good look at me.
"You need something?" He grumbled, not even looking up to face me.
"Brother Martin." My stoic voice rolled out his name. He let out a sigh, finally looking up to meet my eyes. "Yes. I need something. I need you."
"A lot of people need me. You're going to need to be more specific."
"If I told you, you'd think I'm crazy. Come with me and I can have someone explain this to you better than I can." He raised his eyebrow at me, already thinking I'm crazy.
"No, you can tell me now." I sighed. This was going to be worse than I thought. I sat down next to him on the bench.
"A matter of days ago, our emperor was slain." He nodded in response, intent on listening. "He died right in front of my eyes."
"What? How? Why where you…"
"Let me finish," I interrupted. "Before he died Uriel told me to find his final heir. Let's just say you're a key part in finding the final heir."
"I hold no knowledge to find such a man. You must have the wrong man!" Martin looked at me in disbelief.
"No. I don't. I was given specific instructions to find you, Martin. I'm not talking about what you know. I'm talking about what runs through your blood."
"What are you saying, woman?!" He shouted. "You're daft! What in Oblivion are you suggesting?"
"What I'm suggesting is that you are the heir!"
"You ARE daft!" Martin jumped up from his seat glaring down at me. I gazed into his eyes… His father's eyes. The brunette locks of hair that hung from his head were so familiar; his stance was strong and confident. It reminded me so much of… My Martin. He was my Martin! I was sure of it! "I don't know about you, but I don't like being annoyed by insane strangers, thank you very much." Martin continued.
"I'm no stranger!" I shouted. "Please, Martin. Let me explain!" I placed a hand on his arm as he was walking away. He patiently stopped to face me.
"Who are you?" His eyes locked to mine in fascination.
"Ten years ago you helped me escape from Morrowind. Ten years ago you watched as I ran around my little home, cleaning and decorating it until the early hours of morning." I smiled at recalling the memory. It was such happy day in my life until… "Ten years ago you left me in the Imperial City." Martin's mouth hung wide open in shock. Certainly, this was him. The man knew exactly what I was talking about.
"This cannot be…" His voice was in a shocked whisper, pondering our discovery.
"It is, Martin! Please, you must come with me." I begged him, clutching his arm even tighter.
"I'd love to believe you, Decie. But I am just a priest of Akatosh; far from a crown-wielding emperor." Martin explained. "I can't possibly be Uriel's son, nothing about me makes me worthy of such a title."
In desperation I pleaded, "Be unworthy as you want, but we still need your help!" At the very moment Martin opened his mouth to reply, a horrifying wail rang out. The sound of earth being ripped apart followed. We looked around frantically for the source of the sound. The screams of confused citizens could be heard as they ran for shelter from whatever terror had caused the noise.
"What on earth?" Martin asked himself, watching the people run in terror.
"RUN! RUN AND HIDE!" One of the frightened citizens screamed as he ran away from the chaos' epicenter. I feared that whatever was causing this was on its way for Martin.
"Get inside the chapel! Go! Go!" I instructed, pushing Martin towards the door with Bendu running in after him. A roaring thunder sounded off as I slammed the door behind us.
"What in the name of Talos was that?" Bendu said. His usual tone of courage was now one of fear. I shrugged my shoulders at him, wanting to know the same thing. My curiosity got the best of me when I walked over to the chapel entrance door to see what was happening; the sight to see was far from scenic.
A towering monstrosity sat in front of me, sitting atop the ruins of several homes blocks away from the chapel. It was a tall arch made of colossal black fangs, held up by black spikes with red at their tips. A wall of flames perched in the center of the sinister arch. It was almost like fiery stained glass that swirled around in its frame.
"What is it?" I asked. The chapel's occupants stood in front of the door in awe as the sky changed into a deep crimson.
"It can't be! This is impossible!" Martin shouted horror.
"What?" I shouted over the cries and violent hissing from the arch. I looked up at a wide-eyed Martin. He didn't hear me, it seemed. I tugged at his robe for attention. Even louder this time, I shouted again. "What… Is… It?"
"A gate!" He roared. "A gate into Oblivion itself!"