Chapter Three
She could hear voices. Loud voices, like battle cries. Slowly she crept forwards to the ledge and peered down. The Emperor and his Blades were below, fighting for their lives against the red assassins again.
Her eyes widened as one of the Blades, the one name Baurus stabbed an assassin through the heart and turned to another, holding his sword up just in time to block a blow much the same she had earlier only with much more skill. The assassins were quickly dispensed and the Emperor leant against a pillar tiredly.
'It's all clear sire,' reported Baurus. 'Sire, we have to go now.'
The Emperor nodded, but didn't move. 'Not yet. Let me rest a moment longer.' The Blades obliged, although they looked at the recesses and ledges around them nervously.
She frowned. They were sitting ducks there, why were they pausing? Surely the Emperor's words weren't strong enough to overpower the Blades' instincts to get away from such a vulnerable spot? She inspected the Emperor, taking in his majestic robes and the large red jewel at his throat. He looked very old, so he must also be very wise and maybe the Blades held that over their own instincts.
He had said that she would be remembered for great things, and that he had seen her in his dreams. Why would the Emperor of a kingdom have dreams about her? She leant forward to peer closer at the Emperor, stepping on the very edge of the ledge she was on.
With a crack the ledge broke, sending her hurtling down to the men and onto the ground. They whipped around at the noise and the Blade called Baurus took his sword out.
'Dammit, it's that prisoner again! Kill her; she might be working with the assassins.' He ordered and Glenroy took his sword out, beginning to advance.
She scrambled up and started to back away, aware of how she must look now that she had picked up a few weapons. The prisoner held her hands up in defence as Baurus came closer and, just as she thought she was going to die here and there the Emperor lifted his hand.
'No.' he said. 'She is not one of them. She can help us. She must help us.' Baurus looked like he was struggling with himself for a moment before finally putting away his sword.
'As you wish sire.' Said Glenroy gruffly, also putting away his sword.
The Emperor looked at her and gestured for her to come closer. Keeping away from Baurus, who still looked like he was going to take his sword out again she walked over to the Emperor and he smiled at her tiredly.
'They cannot understand why I trust you.' He said wearily. 'They've not seen what I've seen. How can I explain?' He paused, collecting his thoughts. 'Listen. You know the Nine? How they guide our fates with an invisible hand?'
She frowned at him. The Nine? Who were they anyway? How was she supposed to know who the Nine were when she couldn't even remember her own name?
'I don't know,' she said quietly. 'Who are the Nine?'
The Emperor stared at her in shock for a moment and then relaxed. 'Of course - your amnesia,' He said. 'The Nine are our gods, who guide and protect us in our everyday lives. There were eight gods once, but then Tiber Septim joined their ranks and they became Nine.' His eyes seemed to grow distant, as if he was looking at something else. 'I've served the Nine all my days, and I chart my course by the cycles of the heavens. The skies are marked with numberless sparks, each a fire, and every one a sign.' He looked at her seriously. 'I know these stars well, and I wonder ... which sign marked your birth?'
She looked at him, perplexed. 'Signs?'
'Yes,' said the Emperor, smiling. 'There are signs in the heaven that are particularly prominent during certain times of year, and when you are born the sign that is the most prominent in the sky becomes your sign.' He faltered. 'But, of course you don't know when you were born, do you?' She shook her head. 'Then, let me choose for you.'
He held her hand solemnly. 'Today is the 27th of Last Seed, and as this is the first day that you can remember, we will take today as the day of your birth. And so I grant you the sign of The Lady.' She took her hand back slowly, feeling her heart thumping strangely in her chest. The Lady?
The Emperor sighed. 'The signs I read show the end of my path. My death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.'
The prisoner felt her heart speed up. His death? Did that mean he would leave her all alone in this place? So far, the only person she had met who seemed to make any sense was the Emperor. 'What about me?' she asked weakly.
The Emperor smiled reassuringly at her. 'Your stars are not mine. Today the Lady shall fortify you in your quest for glory.' He said.
'Can you see my fate?' she asked. 'How can I have a quest for glory when I don't even know my name?'
The Emperor didn't answer, contemplating her silently. 'I will give you a name,' he said finally.
She gaped at him and then watched him anxiously. He was going to give her a name, just like that? She felt slightly honoured that the Emperor was going to bestow a name on her but was it really that easy? The Emperor's eyes seemed to become unfocused, looking at something as if from a distance.
'Yes... your name shall be Aurora.' He said finally, his eyes coming back to rest on hers. 'The daughter of the dawn, Aurora shall be your name.' Aurora felt strange. She felt as if there was something warm trickling down her body, tingling and making her feel oddly surreal, but also more real. So her name was Aurora.
'My dreams grant me no opinions of success.' He warned her. '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 your aid, my heart must be satisfied.' He smiled at her paternally.
Aurora felt her heart wrench in sympathy for the Emperor. She could only remember a few hours of her life, but she knew that this wise old man would forever be with her.
'Aren't you afraid to die?' she said quietly.
'No trophies of my triumphs precede me.' He reasoned calmly. 'But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy. 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.'
Aurora felt a flash of anger at the assassins who were hunting the Emperor down. Why were they trying to kill this man who had only been kind and understanding to a prisoner like her? She felt a sudden determination to help this Emperor of a kingdom she couldn't remember escape the assassins and keep him safe.
Filled with this new determination to help, Aurora looked at the Emperor resolutely and he smiled at her as if she had proven something to him. 'Where are we going?' In the corner of her eye she could see the guard Baurus watch her curiously.
'I go to my grave. A tongue shriller than all the music calls me. You shall follow me yet for a while, then we must part.' Her heartstrings seemed to twinge again and her feelings must have shown because the Emperor put a heavy hand on her shoulder. 'It is alright, child.'
She smiled at him weakly, unable to speak and he turned away from her. Aurora took a deep breath, trying not to cry. She turned to see Baurus walking towards her and Aurora tensed but Baurus only held out a lit torch.
'You may as make yourself useful. Here, carry this.' He said gruffly, shoving the torch in her hand. Before she could speak a word to him he stormed past her, with Glenroy following and ignoring her completely.
Aurora scowled. Just because she was a prisoner didn't mean they could treat her as a slave. Holding the torch aloft she followed the men through the doorway, coming to a room that looked almost exactly like the last one.
It would be really easy to get lost in here, she thought, looking around at the alcoves hidden in shadow.
A sudden battle cry nearly made her drop the torch and she unsheathed her sword and spun around. An assassin was behind her, almost appearing out of nowhere and she brought her sword up just in time to defend herself.
More assassins appeared seemingly out of nowhere around them and the Blades and the Emperor drew their swords.
'Take them down!' shouted Glenroy.
Baurus quickly dealt with an assassin and turned to her. 'Prisoner! The Emperor needs help!' Aurora pushed away an assassin and knocked him on his head – she couldn't bring herself to kill him. Looking at Baurus she followed his desperate gaze and saw the Emperor cornered by three assassins, struggling to fight them off.
Anguish filled the young woman's newly awakened heart and she leapt forward with a yell, crashing the pommel of Captain Renault's sword against the temple of an assassin, knocking him out and kicking another shamelessly in the groin. The Emperor quickly dispatched the other assassin and smiled at her gratefully.
'Thank you Aurora,' he said, breathing heavily. She smiled at him and turned as Baurus walked over to her.
'You handled yourself pretty well back there,' he said.
She looked at him shrewdly. 'Thank you,' she replied. She took in his appearance. His armour looked heavy but he held it like a second skin. His helmet was large and imposing and the glare he sent at her promised hostility. 'Why are you here?' she asked him.
He scowled at her. 'I thought you would have figured that out by now,' he said shortly. 'We're getting the Emperor to safety after a threat on his life. It's part of our job as a Blade to protect the Emperor at all times.'
'What are the Blades?' Aurora asked. She had heard the name being mentioned enough times to be curious as to what they were.
'We're the Emperor's bodyguards. Our job is to get him out of situations like this.' He hesitated. 'Although I admit things are not going according to plan.'
She was surprised at the intensity of Baurus' voice and for the first time she saw past his bravado face and saw a compassion for the Emperor not unlike her own. 'What kind of Emperor is Uriel Septim?' She inquired quietly, so the Emperor couldn't hear her.
He looked at her strangely. 'You should know. He is a fair and just ruler, although I wouldn't blame you for not agreeing with that since you were in jail. But I'm not here to gossip. My job is to make sure the Emperor gets out of here alive, and I intend to do it.'
He stormed past her and Aurora scowled after him. He didn't have to be so rude to her. Glenroy was leaning against a wall as he bandaged his arm. Cautiously Aurora walked over to him. 'Can I help?' she asked.
He looked at her in surprise and seemed to not be able to reply for a moment before nodding curtly. 'Yea – here hold this.' She held his bandage in place on his arm while he finished it and he nodded to her thanks.
'Do you think we will get out of here?' she said suddenly.
He studied her carefully. 'I don't know what will happen to us, or to you. Maybe the Emperor is right about you. The best way you can help if to let us do our jobs and don't get in our way.'
He also walked past her, although without crashing into her and Aurora turned to watch the Emperor, who was just hauling himself off the wall. He nodded to his Blades and they began to continue onwards, ignoring Aurora and the Emperor even went through the archway without a second look at her.
Controlling her irritation Aurora followed, holding the torch in front of her. They walked along in single file for what seemed like ages, but which must have only been a few minutes, the only light coming from Aurora's and Baurus' torch that spilled all around them on the close walls and ceiling. Aurora was starting to feel trapped, like a rabbit in a burrow and again the same old question echoed around her head like her footsteps did along the corridor. Why couldn't she remember anything?
They halted suddenly and Aurora just managed to keep the torch away from the Emperor's robes as she nearly walked into him. Looking past the aged man she saw Glenroy holding his hand up. 'This looks suspicious.' He whispered. 'Let me take a look.' Aurora swallowed and Glenroy walked forwards, his sword out and ready. He continued to walk until he was out of range of the torch's light and Aurora had nearly convinced herself that he had been consumed by something deadly and completely silent when his voice rang across to them. 'It's clear.'
They followed. Each one of them was swivelling their heads around trying to see every corner, every nook. Aurora felt her neck tingle. Were they going to be ambushed again?
'We're almost through to the sewers.' Said Glenroy, walking towards a large iron gate Aurora could see glinting in the torchlight. Glenroy placed his hands onto the handles of the gate and pulled. Nothing happened. He tried again before spinning around and unsheathing his sword. 'Dammit!' he swore loudly. 'The gate is barred from the other side. A trap!'
Baurus jerked a thumb behind him. 'What about that side passage back there?'
Glenroy squinted at it in the torchlight, just barely being able to see where the walls lead away from them instead of straight across. 'Worth a try. Let's go!' They hastened to the passage. Aurora tried not to fall over in her sandals in her fear. This was getting worse and worse…
'It's a dead end. What's your call sir?' said Glenroy, turning to Baurus.
Baurus shrugged. 'I don't know. I don't see any good options here.' Aurora felt alarm flare across her body. These were supposed to be the Emperor's own personal bodyguards, so hearing them sound lost and uncertain was terrifying. They were doomed.
The noise of metal on metal echoed down to them and Baurus ad Glenroy spun around, facing the entrance to the passage. 'They're behind us!' shouted Baurus in alarm. 'Wait here sire.' He turned to Aurora. 'Wait here with the Emperor. Guard him with your life.' And with that – he was gone.
They both cried 'For the Emperor!' and disappeared back from where they came. Aurora wondered what was going on in there as the sounds of fighting sounded to them. Putting the torch down Aurora carefully unsheathed her sword and stood near the Emperor.
The Emperor looked wan; he didn't look like he would last it out of here even if he wasn't killed by assassins first. He was looking at her steadily but she tried to ignore it, keeping her gaze fixed on the entrance to the passageway. Baurus didn't like her, but he had trusted her with the Emperor's life and she was determined to do her duty.
Until she heard the Emperor sigh and she turned to see him wiping his brow with a cloth. He looked at her suddenly and Aurora was taken aback by the sadness in his eyes. 'I can do no further.' He said finally. Aurora stared. 'You alone must stand against the Prince of Destruction and his mortal servants. He must not have the Amulet of Kings!'
Aurora turned to face him. 'Why must I do this alone? Why me? What do I do?' He only shook his head.
'Take the Amulet to Jauffre. He alone knows where to find my last son.' Aurora stared. Son? 'Find him, and close shut the jaws of Oblivion.' He said. He reached behind his neck and fumbled for a moment, before lowering his arms and giving her the amulet. 'Here,' she took the Amulet, looking into its dark, red depths before stowing it in her pocket.
'I will do my best,' she said softly, that lump in her throat back again. He smiled at her in a way that made her think about what he had said about his ghost being content.
Before he could reply a wall behind him slid open and an assassin appeared. Aurora quickly held her sword straight and went to move in front of the Emperor but he pushed her aside.
The assassin jumped forward and, with a thrust stabbed the Emperor through the heart.
'No!' she shouted. The Emperor's mouth was open in a surprised 'O'. The Assassin wrenched his sword out and the Emperor fell to the floor. Aurora staggered back, trying to put some distance between herself and the assassin.
'Stranger, you chose a bad day to take up with the cause of the Septims.' Said the Assassin, coming towards her. Aurora's back met wall and she held her sword in front of her defensively. The image of the Emperor's kind face, calmly accepting his fate came to her and it kept her hand steady.
She faced the assassin squarely. 'You'll pay for what you've done,' The Assassin hesitated, surprised at the comeback. Suddenly he strode forwards, brandishing his sword and Aurora ducked just in time to avoid losing her head. Just as she was straightening back up the Assassin lurched forward and crashed into her purposely, knocking the sword out of her hand.
Aurora kicked out at the assassin, scared for her life but he had her trapped. She couldn't move and she was going to die.
All of a sudden the assassin cried out. Aurora stared as he stumbled, and then fell. Behind him Baurus came into view, his sword crimson with blood held out in front of him and his face ashen with sweat.
Without even glancing at her to see if she was alright Baurus hurried over to the Emperor's body, checking for signs of life. After a moment he stood, staggering back and staring at the Emperor's prone body helplessly.
'No… Talos save us… We've failed. I've failed…' Aurora walked over to him tentatively, not sure what to do. She was upset at the loss of the one person who had seemed to understand her a little, but Baurus had not only lost someone he respected, but also his Emperor and had failed in his duty. She stepped a little closer and Baurus looked at her in shock, as if he had forgotten she was there.
'The Blades are sworn to protect the Emperor, and now he and all his heirs are dead.' He said hoarsely. Aurora's heart hurt to hear his voice break as the situation hit him. She wanted to embrace him or touch him. Something. The expression on Baurus' face was laden with guilt and regret. Glenroy was nowhere to be seen.
He straightened all of a sudden and looked at her in alarm. 'The amulet, where's the Amulet of Kings? It wasn't on the Emperor's body.'
Taken aback by the urgency in his voice Aurora took out the amulet from her pocket, showing it to Baurus. He looked at in shock. 'The Emperor gave it to me.' She explained.
Baurus was lost for words. 'Strange,' he said. Aurora shrugged, thinking that calling the Emperor strange was a bit unreasonable. 'He saw something in you.' Aurora stiffened as she realised he was referring to her. She avoided his questioning eyes. 'He trusted you.' Insisted Baurus.
Aurora opened her mouth to reply but Baurus cut her off. 'They say it's the Dragon Blood that flows through the veins of every Septim. They see more than lesser men.' He said thoughtfully.
'And you think he saw something in me?' asked Aurora, curiously.
'Maybe – he did give you the amulet after all,' he looked at the Emperor's body sadly. 'The Amulet of Kings is a sacred symbol of the Empire. Most people think of the Red Dragon Crown, but that's just jewellery. The Amulet has power. Only a true heir of the Blood can wear it, they say. He must have given it to you for a reason. Did he say why?'
Aurora shrugged. 'He only said that I must take it to Jauffre.'
'Jauffre?' said Baurus, sounding surprised. 'He said that? Why?'
'There is another heir,' said Aurora.
Baurus seemed sceptical. 'Nothing I ever heard about. But Jauffre would be the one to know.' He shrugged. 'He's the Grandmaster of my Order, although you may not think so to meet him. He lives quietly as a monk at Weynon Priory, near the city of Chorrol.'
'Chorrol?' repeated Aurora. Her head was beginning to spin with all the tasks she was being given. 'How do I get there?'
'First you need to get out of here. Through that door must be the entrance to the sewers, past the locked gate.' Said Baurus, 'That's where we were heading. It's a secret way out of the Imperial City. Or it was supposed to be secret.' He took something out of his pocket. 'Here. You'll need this key for the last door into the sewers.'
Aurora's heart sped up. 'The sewers?' she said nervously.
Baurus seemed not to notice her sudden anxiety. ''There are rats and goblins down there...' Suddenly he noticed her uneasiness. Relax, from what I've seen of you, I'm guessing you are an experienced adventurer. Am I right?'
'I don't know,' said Aurora, looking down uneasily. 'I don't even know who I am and yet everyone is giving me these tasks.' Baurus studied her.
'You've handled the stress of battle like an adventurer, and you must have killed something on your way to getting back to us. You look like an adventurer to me.'
Aurora rotated the hilt of Captain Renault's sword in her hand so it caught the light coming in from a skylight above her. 'I suppose I am, then.'
Baurus smiled. 'I thought so. A few rats and goblins won't give you any trouble.'
Aurora still wasn't sure. The rats had already given her more than enough trouble. The Amulet glittered in the surreal light, reminding her of the Emperor's peaceful acceptance of his death and she took a deep breath, steeling herself. 'After the sewers, then what?'
'You must get the Amulet to Jauffre.' He said severely. 'Take no chances, but proceed to Weynon Priory immediately. Got it?'
'Yes, I understand.' She said.
'Good,' said Baurus, nodding as if a soldier had just replied back to him in an acceptable way. 'The Emperor's trust in you was well placed.'
Aurora looked at him and smiled shyly before frowning. 'What about you? What will you do?'
Baurus looked down at the Emperor's body. 'I'll stay here to guard the Emperor's body, and make sure no one follows you.' He said and took his sword out, ready. 'You'd better get moving. May Talos guide you.'
Aurora nodded, but faltered when it came to the secret passageway. She looked down at Captain Renault's magnificent sword. She didn't feel right using something that didn't belong to her. 'Here,' she said. Baurus looked at her confused for a moment before his eyes widened when he saw what she was holding. 'I took this from Captain Renault's body – I had to or I would have died. But she should have it with her body.'
Baurus sheathed his sword and took it, holding the sword in its sheath gently as if it was made of glass. 'She was an amazing captain,' he said gruffly. 'She would not have let the Emperor die.' Aurora's eyes softened. Baurus cleared his throat loudly and looked at her steadily. 'Thanks for recovering Captain Renault's sword. I'll see that it is given a place of honour in the halls of the Blades.'
Aurora nodded and took one of the assassin's swords instead. She didn't really want to use a sword that belonged to her enemies, but she had nothing else. And at least this way she didn't feel like she was stealing from someone who was only trying to protect the Emperor they loved. With one last look at Baurus, who had placed Captain Renault's sword next to the Emperor's body and unsheathed his sword again, she moved into the secret passageway and on to the sewers.
A/N: If you're reading this, thank you! That means you've now read my story despite it being pretty much a written version of the beginning of Oblivion which I'm sure we've all played a million times over starting a new game.
Don't worry – now that the preliminary bits are over it's time to have some real fun!