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"When the dragon dies, the Empire dies. Where is the lost dragon's blood, the Empire's sire? And from the womb of the void, who shall stem the blood tide?"
JAWS OF OBLIVION.
Miramir, Hero of Kvatch - Millie Brady.Martin Septim, the last Septim - Robert Aramayo.Kathani Sarethi, daughter of Nerevar-Born-Again - Anya Chalotra.Iver Wulfharth, the Hero's Protector - Alexander Dreymon.Urldmir Ulfrarnesen, the Reckless and Bold - Mark Rowley.Amiel Valodius, Stendarr's Favored - Arnas Fedaravičius.Kasin Morrnt, Warrior Monk - Ewan Mitchell.Diera Osferth, the Bastard's Lady Mother - Eliza Butterworth.Uriel Septim VII - Patrick Stewart.Jauffre - Robert Picardo.Mankar Camoran - Lee Pace.Mehrunes Dagon - Tony Todd (voice).Chancellor Ocato - David Tennant.Baurus - Chadwick Boseman.Lucien Lachance - Mads Mikkelsen.Vicente Valtieri - Julian Richings.The Gray Fox - Christopher Eccelston.Modryn Oreyn - John Boyega.Janus Hassildor - Alexander Siddig.Sheogorath - Mark Hamill.Haskill - Ian McDiarmid.Jyggalag - James Earl Jones (voice).
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[A/N: Miramir is a bosmer with average height, brown hair, green eyes. In this story imagine her looking similar to Aethelflaed from the Last Kingdom played by Millie Brady - her hair has braids on the side. She is skilled in archery, a short sword, and good at magic. She's not good at heavy weapons. More will be revealed about her later on in the story. This story is also connected to and a prequel to my Skyrim fanfic the Pale Dragon. Playlist. also regarding Martin's age, I'm going based off various reddit and tumblr posts i found and putting his age at 33 while my hero of kvatch is 18 lol, just a note.][Book One: The Oblivion.]
I was born 87 years ago. For 65 years I've ruled as Tamriel's Emperor. But for all these years, I've never been the ruler of my own dreams. I have seen the gates of Oblivion, beyond which no waking eye may see. Behold, in darkness, a doom sweeps the land. This is the 27th of Last Seed, the year of Akatosh, 433. These are the closing days of the Third Era, and the final hours of my life...
"When the dragon dies, the Empire dies." a voice whispered and echoed within the mindscape, mumblings and mutterings of a madman. A body tossed and turned unsure of what plagued her mind, yet something did. "Where is the lost dragon's blood, the Empire's sire? And from the womb of the void, who shall stem the blood tide?" minds run ragged with madness as this voice spoke to her, but who was she? She could only remember a name and perhaps an age. The guards had thrown her in here, healers checking in on her as she ran ragged with fever for many days. Unconscious that only mutterings left her lips and she was unaware of where she found herself until the fever broke. Healers gave her a potion to sleep but were content otherwise to keep her in this damp cold cell she had yet to see with her waking eyes."So long as the Blood of the Dragon Prince runs strong in her rulers, the glory of the Empire shall extend in unbroken years. His heart's blood bleeds in darkness." the whispering voice became louder in her mind, in the walls around her. The bosmer was a prisoner, a criminal of a crime she had no idea of what. What had she committed that was horrible? Only through dreams did she see light, but dreams or visions she did not quite understand. Voices whispered to her, voices she had no recognition of, who were they? "For once the portals are opened, who shall shut them upon the rising tide? For Lord Dagon forever reborn in blood and fire from the waters of Oblivion. Find him...and close shut the marble jaws of Oblivion." it became voices that shouted at her until she gasped awake with shock, her eyes darting around the room, where was she? She grimaced when she slowly sat up from where she lay, her feet touching the cold stone before her eyes found the cold metal gate. Prison. She didn't need memory to recognize she was in a prison."Well now, a pretty little Wood Elf." a slithery voice caught her attention from outside her cell and her head turned to the sound. She frowned, slowly standing up from her cot and walked over to the cell door. Her fingers grasped around the rods of the door before her gaze found a smirking and smug dark elf across from her. "You're a little far from the forest, huh? Looks like your days of woodland frolicking have come to a tragic end." He taunted her and she felt her face turn into an angry glare, to taunt her in such a way. She had no doubt he watched from his cell as she fought her fever. "To go from the gladed realm of Valenwood to a rat-infested hole like this...how very sad. Those walls must feel like they're closing in on you." the dark elf clicked his tongue in fake pity while she clenched her jaw in irritation. If she could get to him now she'd strangle him in her sleep. "Pretty soon you'll go mad, and the guards will cut your throat just to stop the ranting. That's right. You're going to die in here, wood elf! Die!" He grinned cheerily, with no rhyme nor reason in her opinion of why he felt this way. She swallowed hard and opened her mouth, prepared to snap back when the sound of the door shutting and voices stopped her. "Hey, you hear that? The guards are coming...for you!" the dark elf mocked her before laughing madly, the bosmer scowling at her prison neighbor angrily."Perhaps you are the one who has been maddened." She muttered to herself."Baurus! Lock that door behind us!" She heard a woman order from atop the steps, but she couldn't see anyone yet."My sons...they're dead, aren't they?" her eyes twitched at the sound of a soft yet elderly voice, one that felt oddly familiar to her somehow. However, the sounds of their footsteps after the locking of the door began to make her grow anxious."We don't know that, sire. The messenger only said they were attacked." the woman tried to reassure the older man, but that neither reassured nor made the older man change his mind."No, they're dead. I know it." his voice echoed with sadness, however, the bosmer found herself stepping back startled when one of the people stopped in front of her cell. He turned only to stop at the sight of her stunned, what was this bosmer doing here? He couldn't find the words to alert his superior of her presence and she had no idea what to say."My job right now is to get you to safety." the woman stated firmly, the bosmers eyes moving to the sight of the armored woman and the older white-haired man adorned in finery when they too halted in front of her cell. The woman shook her head flabbergasted and irritated at the sight of the bosmer. "What's this prisoner doing here? This cell is supposed to be off-limits." She snapped angrily, making the man in armor's gaze snap at her."Usual mixup with the Watch. I..." the man stuttered unsure of what happened and what to say. But the bosmer could see the woman sigh and pinch the bridge of her nose before shaking her head. She would have to let this pass."Never mind. Get that gate open." She ordered the man before her gaze sharply found the bosmer woman. "Stand back, prisoner. We don't hesitate to kill you if you get in our way." the woman glared fiercely at her. She had no choice but to comply, this was not worth dying for."You! Prisoner! Stand aside. Over by the window. Stay out of the way, and you won't get hurt." the man spoke up and ordered her. The bosmer exhaled before stepping back and away from the cell door near the window. She swallowed hard when the lock to the cell clicked open and the door swung ajar. The first guard was the first to enter and he stepped into the room, immediately moving over to her and keeping an eye on her."No sign of pursuit, sir." She heard a new voice report and she frown, how many of them were there?"Stay put, prisoner." the snap of the first guard's voice caught her attention."Good. Let's go. We're not out of this yet." the woman guard nodded contently but her voice held hurriedness. The bosmer said nothing as the rest of them stepped into the room, including the elderly man who wore a bright red and gold amulet on his chest. She felt a weird presence from it. The woman headed immediately to the wall to her right when the older man halted all of a sudden and faced her with wide eyes."You..." He breathed in shock, the bosmer turning to him confused. "I've seen you..." the older man took no time in stepping closer to her to observe her face. "Let me see your face..." She bit the inside of her cheek but allowed herself to move into the light so the man could see her face. "You are the one from my dreams...then the stars were right, and this is the day. God's give me strength." He uttered but she just finds herself growing even more confused than she was before."What's going on? I-I don't understand, what are you talking about?" the bosmer replied confused."Assassins attacked my sons, and I'm next." the man reveals to her and her eyes widened slightly in shock. His children...murdered? Despite her own predicament which confused her, she felt sympathy and sadness for the stranger. "My blades are leading me out of the city along a secret escape route. By chance, the entrance to that escape route leads through your cell." He explained and she let out a small breath before asking the man."Who are you?""I am your emperor, Uriel Septim. By the grace of the Gods, I serve Tamriel as her ruler." Uriel tells the young woman who listens quietly, but surprise ran through her. That's when it clicked for her, somehow hearing his name it clicked for her. Her name was Miramir, but that was all her mind allowed. "You are a citizen of Tamriel, and you, too, shall serve her in your own way." He says which makes her frown and he smiles sadly but softly. She looked young, very young, no older than eighteen years of age. She was young, in her youth like...someone else of his memory."Serve? But I can't serve her from a jail cell..." She breathed confused and Uriel placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Why am I in jail?" the bosmer couldn't help but ask."Perhaps the Gods have placed you here so that we may meet," Uriel tells her honestly for he was just as unsure as she was. "As for what you have done...it does not matter. That is not what you will be remembered for." He swears to her and she glanced down at the stone-cobbled floor in silence for a moment."What should I do?""You will find your own path." the man assures her gently before warningly saying to the young woman. "Take care...there will be blood and death before the end.""Please, sire, we must keep moving." the woman guard's voice grabbed Uriel and Miramir's attention. Though Miramir's eyes widened slightly and she was stunned when the wall to her right crackled from age and opened in front of her eyes. She was so focused on the emperor that she hadn't even noticed the woman open the passageway. "Better not close this one. There's no way to open it from the other side." She informed the others before stepping through the doorway first. Uriel offered Miramir one small nod before he followed the blade in front of him."Looks like this is your lucky day. Just stay out of our way." the first guard remarked before he and the last blade followed after Uriel and the woman, entering the passageway and leaving Miramir behind and alone. She glanced between her cell and the passage out of here, her eyes finding the cell entrance ahead of her where the dark elf who mocked her was housed across from her. Miramir said nothing but smiled before making her way into the passageway, following the sounds of the soft voices of the emperor and his men. Her footsteps barely made a noise as the wood elf walked after them, none of them aware of her presence, except for the weary and white-haired emperor. Miramir thought everything was okay and passed while she went after them until her eyes spotted a gated exit ahead and then suddenly one of the soldiers let out a shout of alarm."Protect the emperor!" the woman barked out an order, Miramir stumbled back in shock as they began fighting red and silver-clad armored men. She saw the redguard protecting Uriel while the others fought off the red and silver-clad men in the chaos, Miramir froze where she stood. She found herself unable to move or snap out of it until there was a loud piercing cry. Her eyes snapped over to the source of the sound where she found the female Breton Renault falls to the ground dead. And she did know what changed, what shifted to make her run over and lifted the captain's sword, but she did. She found herself picking up the sword without realizing her feet were moving. Miramir raised the sword with a loud shout and cut down the last enemy in their wake. The elf flinched when the blood splattered her face with heavy breaths leaving her mouth. She could not believe she had just done that."Are you all right, sire? We're clear, for now." the redguard she heard referred to as Baurus asked Uriel."Captain Renault?" Uriel nearly whispered, not bothering for now to answer the question of the man's concern."She's dead. Sorry, sire, but we have to keep moving." Baurus informs him with a small sigh of sadness in his voice. Uriel nodded with grief filling his eyes while Baurus' gaze found Miramir and then the sword in her hands. She just frowned before tossing it to the ground for Baurus to pick up, clearly, it meant a lot for them to collect their fallen weapons. Miramir was not unkind. There was a silver sword she could take off of one of the robed men's bodies."How could they be waiting for us here?" She heard the guard exclaim while Baurus retrieved the sword from where she tossed it before he followed the emperor and the other guard Glenroy."Don't know. But it's too late to go back now." Baurus replies, his voice very calm which Miramir quietly commended him for. He was keeping his nerves in a scary situation. A situation as far as she recalled she had no experience in. "Don't worry, sire, we will get you out of here." He assures the emperor gently while Miramir picked up the silver sword and quietly followed them to near the gated exit."They won't be the first to underestimate the Blades." Glenroy boasted and Miramir's brows raised at the announcement of faction loyalties, besides the emperor. "I'll take point. Let's move." He ordered firmly, not wanting to waste any more time. Miramir started to step forward when Baurus suddenly turned and stopped her in her tracks."You stay here, prisoner. Don't try to follow us." Baurus commanded her and the woman let out a puff of air in response."I wouldn't kill your emperor, he's been the only kind face since I've woken up and haven't remembered a thing." her strong valenwood accent surprised Baurus for a moment, but what took him back, even more, was her admittance to not remembering anything. He pitied her loss in that. However, he just cleared his throat and nodded before turning, going over Glenroy and the emperor through the open gate and door ahead. The man closed and locked the door behind him as Miramir sighed. "I supposed I'll have to find another way out." She uttered and as if her words spoke it into thin air, the wall to her right suddenly broke open with a pair of rats galloping through the hole. Miramir lets out a shock of disgust but shakily holds the sword up and kills both rats. It was clear a sword like this was not her strong suit, she needed something else. But the better news was the new way out she was presented with. "This will do." Miramir smiled to herself before walking forward and stepping through the new exit, now she needed to get out of there.-8-Finding her way out wasn't as hard as Miramir expected, she ran into mostly rats, goblins, and some undead. The latter two scaring the shit out of her. She had held onto the silver sword she'd gotten off the crazy people that attacked them, but she had managed to scavenge up a bow, which she seemed to be much better at, and leather armor. It came almost naturally to her and it was much better than swinging around that sword. The said wood elf, however, jumped back down into ruins familiar to her when she was still with the emperor and blade. And that was when she heard voices ahead, familiar ones. "We should find a defensible spot and protect the emperor until help arrives," Glenroy argued while Miramir made her way toward them and up a small set of stairs."Help? What makes you think help will get here before more of those bastards? We need to get the emperor out of here." Baurus scoffed at Glenroy's naiveness and Miramir found herself agreeing with the blade. His words held sense in the woman's mind. Miramir peaked over at the three walking towards a door over from the ledge she stood at when suddenly there were clanging footsteps and more of the robed bastards appeared."Here they come again!" Glenroy yelped."Shit!" Miramir cursed, the elf shot her bow and took down one of the three of them while the blades dealt with the others. She jumped from her ledge when suddenly another robed person appeared out of nowhere and knocked her down. Her bow clattered from the floor away from her grasp and the robed man attempted to stab her when she grabbed his arms, trying to hold him back. Miramir grimaced at the struggle and was gasping heavily when suddenly the man began screaming as the fire crept up his arms. He threw himself back away from her while blades (who had killed their robed bastards) and the emperor watched stunned. Magic, that was magic. Memory lost or not, Miramir knew that. The stupid idiot across from her cell rambled about magic. The wood elf scrambled to her feet and held up her hand, focusing as more fire consumed her hand and she looked at the screaming man before throwing the fire at him and killing him. Silence enveloped all of them until Miramir's gaze spotted her bow and she moved to grab it but Baurus stopped her in her path, the man swiftly placed his foot atop it and Glenroy gripped the hilt of his sword."Dammit, it's that prisoner again! Kill her, she might be working with the assassins." Glenroy cursed and ordered, Miramir shooting him a glare for his words."I am no assassin." Miramir rebutted, at least not yet she was no assassin of the dark brotherhood or whoever these crazies were. She'd heard about the dark brotherhood from her neighbor across from her."No. She is not one of them." Uriel cut in sternly, raising his hand to halt the man who moved towards her slightly. "She can help us. She must help us." He insists calmly, her eyes finding Baurus who was calm and saying nothing. He was clearly the more reasonable and more level-headed one of the two blades. Then...her eyes turned to the gentle and weary eyes of the emperor who stepped over to the young woman.Glenroy took a breath and looked reluctant until Baurus nudged him and shot his comrade a look, the man sighing and nodding, putting away his sword. "As you wish, sire." Glenroy conceded and turned away to step ahead, scout the door ahead of them. The emperor and wood elf's gaze followed him before Uriel turned back to her."They cannot understand why I trust you. They've not seen what I've seen." Uriel explains to her with a deep sigh, the older man rubbing his tired eyes. "How can I explain?" He asks her quietly and Miramir's face softens, the man clearly unsure and distressed that was until he shook his head lightly. He could not allow himself to waste time with her by dwelling on that. "Listen. You know the Nine? How they guide our fates with an invisible hand?" Miramir let out a breath and chuckled to herself, her lips forming into a sad smile and she admitted."I'm not on good terms with the Gods.""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 everyone a sign." Uriel explained calmly to the young woman who wore a small frown but listened to him. "I know these stars well, and I wonder...which sign marked your birth?" He hummed, eyeing the young woman closely but she just sighed and shrugged."I don't know.""The shadow, a shadow of protection, of faith, at one's side when needed the most." Uriel spoke and Miramir's brows raised with confusion yet surprised at his words. He knew more than she did about herself at this point. "The signs I read show the end of my path. My death, a necessary end, will come when it will come." He confessed with a sad sigh and her face morphed into a sad frown."What about me?" She couldn't help but ask."Your stars are not mine. Today the shadow shall hide you from destiny's cunning hounds." Uriel recited to her as if he read it from some book, but she knew he hadn't yet she was still confused slightly."Can you see my fate?" Miramir asked curiously, her eyes flickering to the two blades who were still checking around the room, keeping an eye out for anything else."My dreams grant me no opinions of success. Their compass ventures not beyond the doors of death." Uriel admits to the young woman, stepping forward and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. Miramir immediately took comfort from his touch, it had been some time since someone showed her kindness and warmth like this. "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 explained to Miramir who frowned, she didn't understand it all completely. "But...aren't you afraid to die? Death is scary, so many fear it and try to prolong it." the young woman comments and Uriel smiles softly at her words of wisdom, words she did not realize were wise."No trophies of my triumphs precede me. But I have lived well, and my ghost shall rest easy." Uriel assures her softly, not wanting the young woman to worry that he feared what was ahead, what was to happen to him. He accepted it, he accepted it was a fate for those of the mortal flesh. "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..." He takes a deep breath and Miramir listens, staring with a sad expression on her face. "...to face my apportioned fate, then fall.""I still don't understand though, what-where are we going? What is ahead for you? For me? For everyone here?" Miramir shoots out her questions, one after the other and Uriel was not annoyed by them. He could see in her eyes she'd lost much and she was quite sure who she was yet."I go to my grave. A tongue shriller than all the music calls me." Uriel vaguely recites and the elf's brows furrow with some confusion. "You shall follow me yet for a while, then we must part." He instructs her when the blades walk back over and await their emperor."I-I don't understand, not yet. There must be more." Miramir's voice is almost a whisper."Everything is not to be understood at once, sometimes there must be steps to take to piece the puzzle, my child." Uriel tells her calmly, a gentle hand on her cheek and Miramir lets out a sigh before nodding understandingly. "Sir..." Baurus's voice speaks up suddenly. "We should go. All four of us." He announces, Glenroy wearing a momentarily stunned expression at the fact the elven prisoner was accompanying them. However, a sharp look from Baurus shut him up immediately. He heard just enough of the conversation to let this pass and he trusted his emperor's judgment of this woman. "You may as well make yourself useful. Here, carry this torch and stick close." Baurus tells the woman, handing a torch over to her and she wanted to protest but...she decided against it and took the torch. "What's your name?" He asks before they get moving."Miramir." She answered and Baurus slowly nodded."Baurus." He replied, the young woman nodding back. Miramir took a deep breath before following after them and sticking behind the emperor. "Stick close and let us do our job. You'll be alright. We'll get out of here." Baurus states firmly and Miramir gives a curt nod that communicated she understood. Glenroy and Uriel began moving ahead while Baurus and Miramir made up the rear with the young bosmer lingering near the blade.-8-Eventually, after dealing with more of the assassins, and Miramir holding her own quite well which impressed Baurus, they reached another chamber of their escape route, but things weren't right. Miramir frowned the moment they entered the room and Glenroy stepped down the steps alone, the man glancing around with a frown when he scanned the area with his eyes. Something wasn't right, it was too quiet and undisturbed. "Hold up. I don't like this. Let me take a look." He ordered the others before walking ahead while they lingered back. Miramir frowned and glanced back at Baurus with worry."Something feels off." the young bosmer admitted and the young redguard nodded."I know, I feel it too.""Looks clear. Come on. We're almost through to the sewers." Glenroy's voice called back to the other, breaking through the silence that had erupted after Baurus spoke. Miramir swallowed hard and she and Baurus looked at each other before they moved forward with the silent emperor. However, when they reached their escape route Miramir's eyes widened at the sight of a barred exit. They knew they would come this way, it was a trap. "Dammit! The gate is barred from the other side. A trap!" He exclaimed with a curse, alarm in his voice while Miramir glanced around."There has to be another way out, this can't be the only one," Miramir spoke up anxiously and Glenroy would snap at the young woman if she had been a blade, but she wasn't. And he heard about her memory loss, so he wouldn't waste time with that."What about that side passage back there?" Baurus nodded to the doorway that Miramir spotted in the corner of her eyes when they all, except the emperor, brandished their weapons."Worth a try. Let's go!" Glenroy agreed hurriedly and the four began moving quickly towards the other passage. But much to Miramir's disappointment it was a dead end, there was no way out. They were stuck."Fuck...we're stuck." Miramir cursed under her breath from where she stood next to Baurus, the two sharing a look. This was not good, there was no other way besides going back with the gate being barred."It's a dead end. What's your call, sir?" Baurus calmly asked his superior."I don't know. I don't see any good options here." the man admitted, but Miramir's ear twitched suddenly and she frowned at a creaking noise in the distance."Wait...do you hear that?" Miramir suddenly asked the men who paused and went silent, trying to hear what the bosmer and her adaptive hearing had heard.That was when Glenroy's eyes widened and he looked at Baurus who wore the same expression, the bosmer was right. There was something and it was the assassins coming from behind. "They're behind us!" Glenroy exclaimed with alarm before turning to his emperor and telling him. "Wait here, sire." He instructed and turned, the man beginning to move out of the passage."Wait here with the emperor. Guard him with your life." Baurus took no time in ordering her and Miramir just nodded silently before the two men rushed out with a battle cry for their emperor. Miramir grimaced at the sound of fighting outside of the passage and stepped forward, her green eyes peering outside where she spotted the fight. She didn't like this, there were too many."I think I should help them, fight with-" Miramir rambled slightly when the emperor suddenly grabbed her arm. He forced the young woman to face him and shoved an object into her hands. The bosmer frowned before her eyes widened at the sight of the amulet Uriel wore in her hands. Why did he give her this? Why was it important? "Why are you-what are you doing?" She stumbled over her words slightly and Uriel shook his head calmly."I can go no further, Miramir." Uriel tells her breathlessly and Miramir shook her head confused. So much was going on, the young woman was lost and confused. "You alone must stand against the Prince of Destruction and his mortal servants. He must not have the Amulet of Kings!" He exclaimed urgently and her mouth dropped open in shock, but she nodded and shoved the amulet into the pocket of her scavenged leather armor."Uriel...what do I do? Where do I take this? I cannot just hold onto it, that's dangerous and...I don't remember or understand the world yet." Miramir desperately asks the older man who lets out a breath and places his hands calmly onto her shoulders, Miramir's back unknowingly to a wall with a secret passage."Take the amulet. Give it to Jauffre. He alone knows where to find my last son." the emperor explains to the bosmer who finds her mouth agape again. She thought by his words that all of his heirs were dead. "Find him, and close shut the jaws of Oblivion," Uriel orders her lowly, Miramir had no idea what to say. She was almost breathless...and that's when she saw Uriel's eyes widen. A noise of stone came from behind her and a telekinesis spell was shot at her. Miramir slammed hard into the wall when the assassin shot a stunning spell at her, she grimaced in pain when her eyes found Uriel who smiled peacefully and content before he was stabbed in the back."NO!" Miramir screamed in horror, hearing the shouts of Baurus who had witnessed the murder as he fought the assassins. The assassin turned his gaze to the stunned bosmer who was regaining her movement and walked over to her. "You fucker! I'll kill you!" She swore angrily, glaring at the assassin darkly. Her eyes found Uriel's body and she crawled over to him, the assassin watching with a smirk and dark chuckle."Stranger, you chose a bad day to take up with the cause of the Septims." the assassin tsked, pulling his weapon to prepare to kill her. Miramir's eyes found Uriel's silver dagger on his waist and pulled it before stabbing the assassin in the knee and twisting the dagger. There was a pop and the assassin screeched in pain, Miramir removed the dagger and stabbed him in the neck. The body falls to the ground dead. She drops the dagger and moves back to Uriel's side, turning his motionless and lifeless body to face her."No...no, no, no, no. Wake up. I still don't understand." Miramir whispered desperately while tears formed in her eyes, her focus so much on Uriel that she hadn't noticed Baurus walk into the room after killing the remaining assassins. "Uriel, wake up! I need help! Come back!" She shouted with a small sob, shaking his body harshly but with desperation."Miramir!" the sharpness of Baurus's voice made her stop, but he was sympathetic because he was hurt and heartbroken too. "...he's gone, there's no bringing him back." He said softly and there were tears in his own eyes, but they didn't fall like Miramir's. The woman wiped them away and rested her head on the dead emperor's shoulder."Fuck...why me?" Miramir uttered to herself before sniffling and taking a deep breath. Baurus stepped over and helped her stand up as she swallowed hard."Talos save us..." Baurus breathed while staring at the dead body of Uriel. He was dead, Baurus had failed to protect his emperor. "We've failed. I've failed..." He uttered in realization, Miramir turning her gaze to the grieving and shaken man. "The Blades are sworn to protect the emperor, and now he and all his heirs are dead." Baurus was shocked by what occurred, but more so disappointed in himself. But that was when it hit him, there was no sign of the amulet on his body. "Miramir...the amulet, where's the amulet of kings? It wasn't the on the emperor's body." He asked her quickly and Miramir bit the inside of her cheek before pulling the amulet from her pocket, much to Baurus's shock. "The emperor gave it to me, he said I needed to keep it safe," Miramir revealed, licking her lips nervously. Baurus frowned and stared at the amulet then the young bosmer, the emperor trusted her."Strange...he saw something in you. Trusted you." Baurus frowned and observed the wood elf who was silent but frowning slightly. A frown that so far seemed to be particularly common on her face. "They say it's the dragon blood, that flows through the veins of every Septim. They see more than lesser men. The amulet of kings is a sacred symbol of the empire. Most people think of the red dragon crown, but that's just jewelry. The amulet has power. Only a true heir of the blood can wear it, they say." He explained to her now with a frown of his own, he was trying to come to the conclusion of why the emperor had given the amulet to her, what was her task. "He must have given it to you for a reason. Did he say why?" Baurus asked her curiously and Miramir let out a puff of air."I must take it to Jauffre." "Jauffre? He said that? Why?" Baurus immediately demanded, Miramir's brows raising in confusion. She didn't even know who this Jauffre person was."Baurus...Uriel told me he had another son, there is another heir." Miramir said calmly and shock crossed over Baurus's face immediately before it was replaced with relief and confusion. It meant not all was lost, they were saved because of this strange bosmer girl."Nothing I ever heard about," Baurus confessed with a mutter but shook his head. He wouldn't know like Jauffre would. "But Jauffre would be the one to know. 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." He informs her, the man pulling out a map from his armor and opening it. Both having to ignore the empty feeling in their stomachs while standing next to Uriel's body. "How do I get there?" Miramir asks."First you need to get out of here. Through that door must be the entrance to the sewers, past the locked gate. That's where we were heading." Baurus instructed the woman while holding the map in his hands. Miramir frowned and found herself peering over at the map, she needed to visually see her path. "It's a secret way out of the Imperial City. Or it was supposed to be secret." He mumbled the last part to himself before pulling out a key and handing it to Miramir. "Here. You'll need this key for the last door into the sewers." "The sewers?" Miramir's brows raised."There are rats and goblins down there, but from what I've seen of you, I'm guessing you're an experienced agent or experienced enough to handle them. Am I right?" Baurus countered with a brow raise of his own and Miramir scoffed but nodded. She could do this, she had to. Miramir wasn't particularly fond of holding onto this powerful amulet on her person for too long, it was dangerous."Well...I'm quite handy with this bow and fire magic going up my arms...and daggers I guess." Miramir muttered the last part while glancing over at the dead assassins nearby."I wasn't far off. In any case, rats and goblins won't give you any trouble." Baurus assures her confidently."Okay...so I make my way through and get out out of the sewers...after the sewers, then what?" Miramir questioned the young blade, again, her memory still hadn't given enough or shown enough. She didn't know, she just didn't know everything outside of here."You must get the amulet to Jauffre. Take no chances, but proceed to Weynon Priory immediately. Got it?" Baurus stated firmly and Miramir nodded while the blade turned the map to her. "Here is where you will find yourself when you get out. Follow this road to Chorrol and Weynon Priory, by foot it'll take a day or so." He informed her and Miramir let out a deep breath, the man folding up the map and handing it to the bosmer who tucked it and the amulet away."Yes, I understand. I'll get out and get to Chorrol as fast as possible." Miramir swore with no hesitation, Baurus digging around in his pockets and holding out some gold for her."Good, but you'll need this for drink and food. I'm sure Jauffre will provide you with more. The emperor's trust was well-placed, Miramir." Baurus smiles gently at her when she takes the gold, the woman looking at him surprised but saying nothing yet."What about you? What will you do? Your order is still out there, so is the enemy...and everything." Miramir breathed, her mind already racing and overwhelmed with the ideas and thoughts of the outside of this sewer."I'll stay here to guard the emperor's body, and make sure no one follows you." Baurus promises and Miramir nods, feeling slightly better that he would have her back when she left and those assassins wouldn't come up behind her. "You'd better get moving. May Talos guide you." He calmly tells her and Miramir swallows hard before turning her gaze to the secret door."Thank you...and may Talos guide you as well." Miramir softly says to Baurus who replies with a small nod of his own. Her eyes flickered to her exit out of here before she looked down at the body of Uriel with a sad frown. Miramir didn't understand everything behind why Uriel knew her, chose her, and trusted her. She was an unknown in a dark damp cell of the Imperial City where she just got lucky. Miramir was a faceless woman, but Uriel Septim didn't see that and she knew that. She believed he saw someone willing to take the hard path, she wasn't completely sure, however, but there was more to his beliefs and she would never know. She took a deep breath and made her way towards the passageway, towards her exit, towards her freedom, and her destiny.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
[A/N: this fanfic is dedicated to Corvus, the awesome person who inspired me with their oblivion fanfic to write my own.]The sewers were tough to get out of, but the goblins and rats were not as bad as she thought they would be. It was more that the sewers pathway was confusing than anything else. However, eventually, Miramir reached that light at the end of the tunnel and found her way out. The woman pushed the gate open to the sewers and stepped out into the bright light. She shied away from the sun for a moment, her eyes and body adjusting before she glanced around. It was beautiful out here. Miramir took a breath and looked behind her, her eyes finding the tower in the Imperial City. But that...that wasn't her destination and that wasn't her goal. Miramir exhaled and pulled out the map Baurus had passed onto her, the bosmer's eyes following the path that Baurus had pointed out for her. Then the young woman made the trek to Chorrol and Weynon Priory. Miramir found herself in awe as she walked the path to Chorrol and Weynon Priory, since she didn't remember anything and just knew the dank and damp cell, all these colors were new. She didn't know there could be this much color. Chorrol was enormous, not as big as the Imperial City but it was big. The woman didn't waste time gawking at Chorrol for too long. She politely asked a guard to point her in the right direction of the Priory, to be safe, and then she made her way over. It was peaceful when she arrived monks were wandering about, going in and out of the two buildings or going over to what looked like a stable. That was when she spotted a dark elf man and opted to approach him instead and ask about Jauffre. "Hello? Um...I need some help." Miramir called out slowly, catching the attention of the dark elf who was sweeping the stable."Oh, yes, of course. I'm the shepherd here. Eronor's the name. And this is Weynon Priory, what help do you need?" the dark elf replied, resting the broom against the wall and brushing off his hands on his pants."I'm looking for Jauffre, I was told he lives here. Where is he?" She asked curiously and the man nodded, stepping up to her to give directions."Ah, Brother Jauffre, yes." Eronor hummed with a nod, Miramir looking over at him. "If he's not sleeping or eating, he'll be fussing with his books, I reckon, over at the Priory House." He gestured to the house where she had walked through the underpass next to it. "Just knock on the door, one of the brothers will answer and just tell them you're looking for Brother Jauffre. They'll point you to his study." Eronor explained and the wood elf nodded thankfully."Thank you. I'm new to these parts, so I'm finding my way around." Miramir admitted to the man, swallowing and hesitating for a moment before introducing herself. "I'm Miramir. It was nice to meet you, Eronor." She tells him and the man gives her a gentle nod and smile before she turns and walks away. The bosmer heads back through the underpass and to the front door of the Priory House and knocks on the door, where moments later it opens and she's greeted with the sight of one of the brothers."Yes, how may I help you?" the man asks her when peeks out the door."I'm here to speak with Brother Jauffre on urgent business. Is he in the Priory House?" Miramir says the brother who immediately nods and opens the door wider."Yes, come in." the man coaxed her inside and Miramir stepped into the Priory House. "Brother Jauffre is upstairs to the right in his study." He informed her, pointing upstairs and Miramir gives a thankful nod. She heads upstairs to Jauffre's open study where she finds the older white-haired balding man sitting at a desk and flipping through the pages of a book. "Excuse me? Are you Brother Jauffre?" Miramir called out, a few feet away from the desk to give herself some comfortable distance from the blade's leader. There was a silence as Jauffre's eyes raised from his book and settled on the bosmer woman in front of him. He tilted his head and observed her, she was dirty, a bit beaten up, and wearing worn leather armor that didn't fit exactly right."I'm Brother Jauffre." Jauffre spoke up and nodded. "What do you want?""The Emperor sent me to find you." Miramir blurted out, the woman thinking it was better to just say it than dance around it. Her words made Jauffre pause stunned and slowly place his book down on the desk."Emperor Uriel?" Jauffre breathed, rising from his desk and stepping around it. "Do you know something about his death, child?" He asked the young woman who fidgeted with her hands."He gave me the Amulet of Kings," Miramir confessed, reaching for her pack that rested across her shoulder while Jauffre openly scoffed and looked at her scornfully."You brought me the Amulet of Kings? This cannot be." Jauffre haughtily stated, pausing when he noticed her digging around her pack. "Let me see it." He demanded, walking over to the young woman just as she pulled the amulet from her pack and held it out in front of him. Jauffre stopped stunned, shock encasing his face and he slowly reached over, taking the amulet from Miramir. "By the Nine! This is the Amulet of Kings!" Jauffre exclaimed stunned, observing the amulet in his hands. "Who are you? How did you get this? What do you know of the Emperor's death?" He eyed her with a scrutinizing look, Miramir licking her lips anxiously. "My name is Miramir, the emperor and I met in the Imperial City prison cells. He helped me, he saw something in me." Miramir began to explain and Jauffre halted at the mention of the prison but when she said the emperor saw something in her and helped her, he could believe that. He'd seen the man behave in such a way before. Miramir told him everything that happened from the Mythic Dawn to Baurus and what Uriel said to her. "He told me...take the amulet. Give it to Jauffre. He alone knows where to find my last son. Find him, and close shut the jaws of Oblivion." She revealed to Jauffre who was stunned into silence as she recalled to him. "He was killed by a Mythic Dawn assassin." was the last thing she said and Jauffre slowly nodded, moving and sitting back down at his seat at his desk. Shockingly enough, he believed the young woman."As unlikely as your story sounds, I believe you." Jauffre exhaled with a small breath. "Only the strange destiny of Uriel Septim could have brought you to me carrying the Amulet of Kings." He told her and Miramir's lips twitched slightly in relief."Who is the Prince of Destruction? I don't recognize that title." Miramir asked curiously, stepping up to the desk and Jauffre nodded."The Prince of Destruction he referred to is none other than Mehrunes Dagon, one of the lords of the demonic world of Oblivion." Jauffre began to explain to the young woman and that name...that name Miramir did very much recognize. Despite her foggy memories and past, she remembered the gods and she remembered what they meant. "The Emperor's words, 'Close shut the jaws of Oblivion', certainly suggest that he perceived some threat from Oblivion." He hummed, rubbing his chin with some curiosity before placing down the amulet on the desk and clarifying to the bosmer. "But all the scholars agree that the mortal world is protected from the daedra of Oblivion by magical barriers.""But...I don't understand then, if we're protected by the barriers...how can Oblivion threaten us, then?" Miramir frowned while picking at her fingernail and Jauffre rested his elbows on his desk, lacing his fingers together in thought."I'm not sure. Only the Emperors truly understand the meaning behind the rituals of coronation." Jauffre was not hesitant to admit to her with a frown of his own. Her question held validity, she was right, how could oblivion threaten them with the barriers? "The Amulet of Kings is ancient. Saint Alessia herself received it from the gods. It is a holy relic of great power." He began to explain and Miramir raised a curious brow at his words."What do you mean by that?"Jauffre chuckled slightly at her confusion and curiosity, she told him when she was recounting her story that she had lost a lot of her memory. She was at no fault for asking this question. "When an Emperor is crowned, he uses the Amulet to light the Dragonfires at the Temple of the One in the Imperial City," Jauffre explained shortly before taking a breath and shaking his head. "With the Emperor dead and no new heir crowned, the Dragonfires in the Temple will be dark, for the first time in centuries." He solemnly spoke with a shake of his head but Miramir's brows furrowed. No, that wasn't right, Uriel had spoken of another son. "It may be that the Dragonfires protected us from a threat that only the Emperor was aware of." Jauffre theorized and to Miramir that sounded logical."The Emperor asked me to find his son, though. He said he had another son, a bastard son I presume." Miramir uttered, crossing her arms while Jauffre nodded to confirm her words. Yes, he knew who she was talking about, she didn't clearly know his name or where he was, but he knew where Martin was."I am one of the few who know of his existence. Many years ago, I served as captain of Uriel's bodyguards, the Blades." Jauffre began to tell the young woman the story, Miramir moving and sitting down in one of the chairs in front of the desk when Jauffre gestured to it. "One night Uriel called me into his private chambers. A baby boy lay sleeping in a basket. Uriel told me to deliver him somewhere safe. He never told me anything else about the baby and mentioned very little of the baby's Lady Mother Diera Osferth, but I knew it was his son. From time to time he would ask about the child's progress." He retold the story to Miramir who listened with another frown, the frown deepening at the mention of the boy's mother. "Now, it seems that this illegitimate son is the heir to the Septim Throne. If he yet lives.""What of his lady mother? Diera? How did you know it was her? And is she still alive?" Miramir couldn't help but ask concerned which made Jauffre smile softly."Diera Osferth is low ranking noble lady of Skyrim, her father was the Thane of Whiterun. I had met her, and seen her closeness with the Emperor." Jauffre calmly says while Miramir listens quietly to him. "They took to each other quickly, I could see that. She was a widow and she and the Emperor had much to talk about and love about each other. I found her after I had taken away her son. She still lives, in the secluded estate of her mother by a nunnery in the south near Skingrad. I told her of her son's progress as well, but she never reconnected with Uriel after his birth." He talked on and Miramir's expression morphed into a confused and taken aback one."Did Uriel make her give up her son?""No, she chose to...for his safety. It's dangerous being the child of an Emperor, even a bastard." Jauffre assured her with a shake of his head. "She loves her son, even though she has not seen him in years. She often thinks of him and writes to me." He concludes with a small bob of his head and Miramir takes in a breath of relief, she didn't know how she'd react if the boy had been taken from Lady Osferth without her choice in the matter. However, now that she found that cleared up for herself, she needed to find his son."Where can I find Uriel's son?" Miramir questioned now."His name is Martin. He serves Akatosh in the Chapel in the city of Kvatch, south of here." Jauffre started to answer her, his words now becoming quicker than before as he pulled out a map and pointed to it before handing the map over. "You must go to Kvatch and find him at once. If the enemy is aware of his existence, as seems likely, he is in terrible danger." He urgently told the young woman who nodded and took no time in standing from her chair, getting ready to leave. "And please, let me know if there's anything you need. My resources here are limited, but I will help in any way I can." Jauffre stopped her and Miramir paused for a moment in thought."Do you have any other clothing or weapons? Perhaps, food, water, and a horse?" Miramir took no time in asking and Jauffre stood up, stepping over to a chest and unlocking it with a key, opening it to show the armor and weapons within."There is a dress left by Lady Osferth in the one visit she made here, she left it. She wore it with this leather breastplate, gauntlets, and greaves. You may get changed in the spare room over there." Jauffre informed the young woman who picked up the dress and armor. "And much like you, she preferred the bow and shortsword, magic as well." He said knowingly and Miramir smiled at that slightly."She knew how to fight?" Miramir glanced at him with a curious smile and Jauffre chuckled."She was of a breton and an altmer blood. It's in her blood to fight." He simply stated and Miramir hummed. "I will gather food, coin, and water for you and have Eronor prepare my horse for you." Jauffre continued and Miramir nodded, heading for the spare room to get changed as quickly as possible. Miramir knew it was at the most take a couple of days to get to Kvatch based on the map that Jauffre had shown and given to her. She needed to get moving."Thank you, Jauffre." Miramir thanks him before she pauses for a moment. "I will get him back safe." She swore and Jauffre knew she meant it, the young woman had a look of honesty in her eyes for this. He believed she was fully capable of completing this task and getting Martin here safely."Good luck, Miramir."-8-Miramir had made quick work of getting what she needed and heading down the road to Kvatch. She was not wasting time in the slightest. If they knew about Martin, he was in immediate danger. She didn't know what they'd do to get to him and how far they'd go, but she didn't have time to stop and think about it. In fact, she didn't stop at all. Jauffre had told her it would be a three-day ride, she was going to make it less than that. She only made one stop to allow her horse rest, food, and drink, the bosmer taking in some food and drink herself. That's when she saw two men on the road stop and bring their horses to the creek. She was cautious. Miramir had not been out in this world enough since her time in the cells and her memory loss, she couldn't trust immediately. "We should make it to Kvatch by darkfall, Iver and Urldmir await us there. They and the guard of Kvatch may need our help if they are attacked by daedra." the younger one in armored robes spoke, Miramir's eyes slowly moved to observe the young man and that's when she recognized the armor, her eyes widening at the sight."What reason would they have to attack Kvatch, Kasin?" the other man with dark hair asked with a frown."I don't know, but help is needed there." the younger one Kasin shook his head."You're going to Kvatch?" Miramir couldn't help but blurt out and ask, the two men pausing and turning to face her. "Why? Is there danger?" She questioned and the two men exchanged a look before nodding."Yes, we've received word of daedra potentially being a danger to the city," Kasin informed her and her eyes went wide again, the woman clicking at her horse and turning to get ready to go. They had to be there for Martin. "Lass, are you alright?" He asked her concerned."I'm well, but I must get to Kvatch." was all Miramir said, jumping on her horses and galloping off as the two men cursed under her breath."She must have family there." Kasin hurried his horse, the other man doing the same as Kasin glanced at him. "Amiel, we can't let her go off alone like that to Kvatch. It's dangerous and did you see her? She's small, she looks like she hasn't eaten much." He pointed out to his companion who nodded and the two jumped on their horses."She's bosmer, they're resilient, I'm sure she can fight tooth and nail, but you're right. Come on." Amiel agreed, both clicking their tongues and rushing after Miramir who had rushed off herself. "Hey! Wait! Stop!" He shouted after Miramir when they began catching up with the young woman. Miramir glanced back with a stunned and startled expression at the sight of two men chasing after her on their horses."We're trying to help you!" Kasin yelled desperately, the man cursing to himself before sharing a look with Amiel who nodded. His own horse was in better condition compared to Miramir's, he pushed the horse on and found himself in front of Miramir, forcing her to pull her horse to a screeching stop while Kasin's hands snatched the reigns from her hands. "Just listen, we don't want to hurt you." He breathed, Miramir shooting him an angry glare."So that is why you chase me and take the reigns of my horse?" Miramir sneered, she hadn't lost her calm with really anyone since she escaped the prison. "It feels like you might want to take me, hurt me, and-" She began to hiss when Kasin cut her off with a stutter and wide eyes much to Amiel's amusement."Wha-No!""Listen, we are heading to Kvatch too," Amiel spoke up, raising his hands in surrender to calm things. "Danger is believed to be there, we just want to help. It won't be safe. We are going to help the people and some of our friends. We can help you too, you're going there for someone, we can tell." He explained to the woman who let out a puff of air, her horse jostling her slightly as he piaffed."I haven't had a very good past couple of days. I don't hold trust or kindness out on a platter to just anyone." Miramir swallowed hard as she spoke, Kasin letting go of her reigns when he and Amiel exchanged a concerned look. "I was sick, I found myself in a prison, I have no memory, I was mocked and neglected." She breathed and Kasin lets out a small sigh and Amiel presses his lips together in a thin line."I understand, I do, but we cannot in good conscience let you go to Kvatch like this." Kasin speaks up with a gentle tone, Miramir's eyes flickering to him. "Not alone with the daedra believed to be about. We are going on the same path..." He begins to say, but he realized he did not know her name or who she was."My name is Miramir." She replied and he shared a look with Amiel."I am Kasin Morrnt, I am monk and blade to the emperor...when he lived." Kasin took a breath at the mention of the emperor and Miramir's brows raised in interest at the mention of him being a blade and monk. Like Jauffre. "That is Amiel Valodius, a sellsword. We have two others who await us in Kvatch." He introduced Amiel to the young woman and Amiel gave her a short nod of greeting."Do you know Jauffre?" She couldn't help but ask which made Kasin pause and Amiel's eyes widened. He and the others had been with Kasin long enough to know that name."Grandmaster Jauffre of the Blades? You know him?" Amiel was the one to ask this time with curiosity."You must've met him outside of Chorrol, at the Priory, why?" Kasin questioned with a frown and Miramir bit her lip as her horse shifted anxiously."He's sent me to Kvatch, to retrieve someone," Miramir revealed to the two men whose eyes widened. "I...was with Baurus of the Blades when the emperor died, he gave me something...and told me to go to Jauffre." She admitted, it was known almost everywhere in Cyrodiil that Uriel was dead now. She'd come across a courier who'd given her paper about it."Then we must help you, my friends, Iver Wulfharth and Urldmir Ulfrarnesen, will help you. We all will in any way we can." Kasin takes no hesitation in offering his help to the bosmer whose expression morphed into a surprised one."He's right, we're going to help you. You'll need all the help you can if you are to complete this task for Jauffre." Amiel piped up and nodded in agreement."I've only just met you." Her brows furrowed at their lack of hesitation to offer their help to her."And you have the faith of Grandmaster Jauffre, that is enough for me to help you no matter what." Kasin stated firmly and Miramir slowly turned her gaze to Amiel who shrugged and smirked."We're heading that way anyway.""I...suppose...I could use the help." Miramir slowly stated with a small frown. "You may accompany me, but if you try anything I will burn you alive with a spell." She agreed but was not hesitant to throw her threat in with it much to their amusement."If I lie, my life is forfeit." Kasin nodded and Amiel looked at him."I'd just leave, not die." He added which made Kasin roll his eyes and Miramir glance at him with a weird expression on her face. "Moving on, I believe we should continue on her way with haste. We believe Kvatch is in danger." Amiel moved on a moment later, not dwelling on the conversation of Miramir ready to take their lives to keep herself safe."We'll make it to Kvatch by nightfall if we keep at a fast pace." Kasin informed them both and they nodded. "I suppose the gods put us on the path to find you for a reason." He told Miramir when he looked at her and Miramir shrugged and confessed."I wouldn't know, I'm not on good terms with them.""Well, he is, if you want a favor. I'm convinced he's Stendarr's favored." Kasin gestured to Amiel who rolled his eyes and Miramir smiled slightly, letting out a small laugh. That internally surprised her, she hadn't really smiled or laughed in quite some time."Let's go, we don't have much time." Miramir cleared her throat, getting back on track and the two men nodded. She clicked her tongue and nudged her horse when her heel. The three continued their haste to Kvatch, and despite everything, Miramir was not going to let her guard down with these two men. She wasn't naive and she wasn't going to let anything stop her from getting to Martin.-8-It was nightfall as Kasin predicted when they arrived at Kvatch and Miramir could immediately smell smoke in her the air and spot a fire in the distance. She climbed down from her horse and led him by his reigns towards a camp ahead on the hill leading to the city. "Something's not right, I smell smoke and see fire." the young woman breathed, Amiel and Kasin exchanging concerned looks. The bosmer's ears twitched and she focused, she could hear screams and cries and shouts, mainly of pain and fear from the camp ahead. The daedra must've been decimating the city."What have they done to cause such havoc?" Kasin frowned with worry."It has to be a portal to oblivion that has brought them here." Amiel comments and the other two glance at him but Kasin nods in agreement while Miramir frowns which they notice. "A portal of oblivion, to the realm of whoever commands these daedra." He explains to Miramir who nods, the explanation clicking in her head."It's Mehrunes Dagon's daedra then, a portal to his realm, that's who the emperor told me was seeking the destruction of Tamriel," Miramir replies coolly, Kasin and Amiel exchanging alarmed looks at the revelation. She had no problem telling them that, they'd figure it out sooner or later some other way anyway."He's trying to destroy the barriers between our worlds then." Kasin let out a puff of air in realization."Well...then we truly have to help you, I'm not having a daedric prince destroy this world, I actually quite like it." Amiel sniffed, adjusting the leather armor he wore. Kasin's brows simply raise and Miramir turned to face him to speak when a shouting voice interrupted anything she was about to say."Turn back! Leave! Run away!" an altmer screamed at them, running towards them and waving his arms in the air. "Come on! Run while there's still time!" He shouted desperately, the trio exchanged confused and taken aback looks. "The Guard still holds the road, but it's only a matter of time before they're overwhelmed!" the altmer warned them, coming to a screeching halt in front of the three of them."This can't be good," Amiel muttered."The daedra must've overtaken Kvatch, I...I didn't know it had progressed this far." Kasin breathed stunned, it was the only thing that made sense in his mind and Miramir and Amiel were thinking the same."Run? From what?" Miramir's brows furrowed in confusion."God's blood, you don't know, do you?" the altmer gasped in realization, his eyes going wide. "Daedra overran Kvatch last night! There were glowing portals outside the walls! Gates to Oblivion itself!" He rambled off explaining to them with gasps of fearful breath between each word. "There was a huge creature...something out of a nightmare...came right over the walls...blasting fire. They swarmed around it...killing..." the altmer whimpered and his words fell off, the man going silent while Miramir shook her head in refusal."The whole city can't be destroyed." She refused to believe, or accept it."Go and see for yourself! Kvatch is a smoking ruin!" the altmer cried in fear, the bosmer glancing back at the two men who were equally concerned. "We're all that's left, do you understand me? Everyone else is dead!" He yelped, waving his arms about in panic."How did you escape? Who helped you?" Miramir questioned the altmer."The guard must be nearly wiped out then if all there are civilians down here," Amiel murmured to Kasin who nodded in agreement, Miramir hearing both of them but keeping her focus on the altmer."It was Salvian Matius...some of the other guards...helped some of us escape...they cut their way out, right through the city gates." the altmer recounted to her what had happened. "Salvian says they can hold the road. No...no, I don't believe him. Nothing can stop them. If you'd seen it, you'd know..." He screamed, shaking in absolute fear and Miramir was startled by his scream for a moment before reaching forward to calm him, but he slapped away her hands violently which made Kasin and Amiel step forward in reaction."No, it's fine. He's just scared." Miramir whispered to them, noticing their reactions to the scared man. She knew they were just stepping in because they were loyal to Jauffre and the task she told them she had from him. "I'm getting out of here before it's too late! They'll be here any minute, I'm telling you. Run while you can!" the altmer wailed, waving his arms around again before bolting past them and fleeing further down the road. Miramir took a breath, stepped over to a nearby tree, and tied her horse to it."Tie your horses, we're helping the captain of the guard." Miramir ordered firmly, much to the surprise of the two men, but they weren't going to argue. "I can't do what I need to do and you can't help your friends without dealing with that gate somehow." She stated firmly, Kasin turning to her with a small frown and rubbing his chin after he tied up his horse."I think I know how you're supposed to take down an oblivion gate," Kasin announced which made the other two look at him."How?" Amiel was the one to ask."I believe I read in some old diaries, you have to make your way to the Sigil Keep, to the room known as the Sigillum Sanguis at the top." Kasin began to explain to his friend and the bosmer woman. "There you'll find a sigil stone, remove it from its pedestal, doing that will transport you back to the entrance of the gate you came through but in back in Tamriel." He finished explaining to the two of them and Miramir nodded."Then we find the captain and help break the siege by going through the portal," Miramir concluded, she'd ask the captain about Martin, and where he was. She frowns before pausing and looking between the two. "Where do you think you'll friends will be?" She questioned and Amiel exhaled."Helping those within the city, protecting them at the chapel," Amiel answered and Miramir gave a curt nod."Come, we must be quick." She stated, turning and making her way further up the road. Amiel and Kasin glanced at each other before nodding and following. Miramir seemed to be settling making plans and taking charge fast, good, Jauffre needed people able to do that to help. The trio left their horses tethered behind and made their way up the steep road, their weapons at the ready, Miramir with her bow, Amiel with his axes, and Kasin with his sword. It wasn't unnoticeable to Miramir, in fact, it wasn't unnoticeable to any of them, the redness beginning to interweave with the sky above them and the crackling of lightning and thunder. No doubt the effect of the oblivion gate. Miramir spotted three Kvatch guards ahead behind wooden barriers, quickly exchanging a look with Kasin and Amiel at the sounds of screeching growls which led to the three guards charging with shouts. Miramir let out a curse before she, Amiel, and Kasin rushed ahead with weapons in hand to aid the three men."It's stunted scamps from oblivion!" Kasin alerted the other two with a shout, preparing to charge and help the Kvatch guards. Miramir lingered back, however, with another Kvatch guard who held his own bow. Shockingly, but not so shockingly to Kasin, the six of them made quick work of the stunted scamps. He knew stunted scamps were weaker. Miramir exhaled and shared a look with the man next to her, the two giving each other nods before she put it back on her back. Kasin, Amiel, and the man she assumed was Matius, wiped the scamp blood from their hands and blades while she made her way over to the captain."Captain Matius!" Miramir called out lightly, her voice catching his attention as he turned to her roughly."Stand back, civilian!" Matius snapped, Miramir remaining unfazed while Amiel and Kasin exchanged looks at his tone. It was clear to the bosmer he was still rushed from the fight, worried, and anxious with everything going on. "This is no place for you. Get back to the encampment at once!" He ordered her but Miramir merely blinked unfazed at the order. That was not going to happen."I can't. I need to know what happened here?" Miramir refused immediately, shaking her head. Matius let out a breath, stabbing his sword into the dirt and running a hand down his face tiredly. The man took a moment as his two men kept an eye out for any more beast of oblivion that made come through."He looks...tired, exhausted, unwell almost." Amiel murmured to Kasin, though Miramir could pick up his words with her sharp hearing at the twitch of her ear."Captain, are you alright?" Kasin asked concerned, a frown on the young monk and blade's face."I am fine, just tired." was all Matius told Kasin, leaving it at that. "We lost the damned city, that's what happened!" He exclaimed with some anger, bringing his attention back to the bosmer woman who had spoken to him first. "It was too much, too fast. We were overwhelmed. Couldn't even get everyone out. There are still people trapped in there." Matius explained to her while he began pacing back and forth, Amiel and Kasin making their way over to Miramir's side."What about the people trapped in there?" Miramir inquired calmly, the woman taking no offense to Matius's harsh tone. "Some made it to the Chapel, but others were just run down in the streets." Matius's face fell while he spoke, Miramir saying nothing but she felt sympathy and Kasin and Amiel offered him sympathetic expressions. "The Count and his men are still holed up in the castle." He added and Amiel stepped forward slightly, Matius continuing his frustrated rant with a huff. "And now we can't even get back into the city to help them, with that damned Oblivion Gate blocking the way.""I am very sorry, Captain. I can't imagine." Amiel sympathetically said, but Matius merely nodded."Captain, do you know of two men, Iver Wulfharth and Urldmir Ulfrarnesen?" Kasin asked the man curiously, hoping he knew if they were alive or even where they were."Ha, those two brave bastards? The nord and the breton?" Matius let out a laugh, clearly remembering the two fighters, who in his opinion are why some of the people made it to the Chapel too. "Yes, they were still in the city, made it to the Chapel, I believe." He nodded and Amiel and Kasin shared relieved smiles and exhaled."Captain Matius...what will you do now?" Miramir spoke up lightly."The only thing we can do." Matius expression turned to a determined frown and Miramir raised a curious brow. "We'll try to hold our ground, that's what. If can't hold this barricade, those beasts could march right down and overrun the encampment. I have to try and protect the few civilians that are left. It's all I can do now." He informed her and Miramir frowned, that was all he could do, but she, Kasin, and Amiel had already discussed it down the road by the encampment. They could close the gate."What if we help? Myself and them, we can help you. We know how to." Miramir said firmly and Matius stared at her surprised."You want to help? You're kidding, right?" Matius scoffed in disbelief, staring at the young woman."Kasin knows how to close the gate," Miramir stated and Matius turned to Kasin stunned while Amiel smirked at the expression on Kasin's face at being put on the spot."I've...read things about the oblivion gates, there's a stone, in the siege tower. We take it, it closes the gate, and we're sent back." Kasin explains slowly, clearing his throat uncomfortable at the attention on him."He knows his magic and other worlds quite well, Captain Matius." Amiel backed up Kasin, slapping a firm hand on his back which made Kasin grunt at the impact."Hmm..." Matius hummed, looking between the three of them and seeing they were serious about this. "...if you're serious, maybe I can put you three to use. It'll likely mean your deaths, though. Are you sure?" He asked them seriously, he didn't want them to back out last minute, though he didn't believe they would."Aye, another day at work. Wouldn't be for me if it wasn't almost death-defying." Amiel grinned, Miramir glancing at him with a raised brow while Matius chuckled and Kasin sighed."By the gods." He uttered in response to Amiel's words before adding. "I am sure, Captain.""As am I, I'm looking for someone in there, Brother Martin, and they have friends they need to get to." Miramir nodded in agreement, ignoring Amiel's words while Matius nodded. "People need our help, we must do it." She breathed and Matius hummed with the bob of his head, yes...they wanted to do this and expected nothing in return."I don't know how to close this Gate, but you said you believe you do, so it must be possible. Because the enemy closed the ones they opened during the initial attack." Matius finally agreed, allowing the three to help and close the gate for all of their sakes. "You can see the marks on the ground where they were, with the Great Gate right in the middle." He gestured to some of the old burned marks from the now-closed gates of the initial attack. "I sent men into the Gate, to see if they could find a way to shut it. They haven't come back. If you can get in there, find out what happened to them. If they're alive, help them finish the job. If not, you have someone who knows what to do." Matius informed the young woman who nodded, but all three of them assumed the moment he mentioned he sent men in there...that they were all dead."We will try our best to find them." Miramir nodded, Matius giving her a thankful look."The best I can say is, good luck. If you make it back alive, we'll be waiting for you." Matius tells her, she just gives him yet another nod before turning and making her way towards the gate with Amiel and Kasin."His men are dead, all of them, the moment they stepped through. We know that." Amiel muttered lowly to his old companion and new one."Yes, I know, but we told him we'd try." Kasin replied quietly."Kasin is right, we are aware and we swore." was all Miramir stated when the voice of Matius suddenly stopped her when he called out to the bosmer."Wait, you said you were looking for Brother Martin?!"Miramir frowned and turned to face the man, but bobbed her head to confirm what he asked. "Yes, I am. I know nothing of if he is alive, but I am looking for him." She confirmed with the man, Amiel and Kasin knew she was working for Jauffre but wondered why he wanted the bosmer to look for this Brother Martin."He made it to the Chapel with the others and their friends, last I heard he was alive and in there," Matius revealed to the young woman who let out a breath of relief, she had heard no confirmation of his well-being until now. Miramir just knew Martin was here somewhere, of course, the Chapel was the logical assumption given his title of 'Brother'."Thank you, Captain Matius." Miramir thanked him."Of course, good luck..." Matius paused, now realizing something important, he had gotten none of their names, much less hers."Miramir." She answered him, his gaze flickering to Amiel and Kasin who each replied with their names."Amiel Valodius.""Kasin Morrnt."She said nothing else and turned back around again as Matius watched her walk forward with the two men following behind. Miramir stepped up to the gate and raised her hand, reaching forward and barely touching it. An electric and almost tickling feeling coursed through her at the touch. However, the young bosmer just took a deep breath of preparation before bravely stepping through the barrier and disappearing. Kasin and Amiel shared a look at the sight then nodded and took no time nor hesitation to follow her through the gate into oblivion.-8-After the three had entered the Oblivion gate and come out on the other side, they were greeted with red skys crackling with red lightning, lava lakes almost everywhere, and rock ground surrounding them. However, ahead laid the exact siege tower they were looking for. The three had also come across a man fighting some stunted scamps, a man wearing a Kvatch guard uniform. It was quick work with the four of them to take down the scamps and while Kasin and Amiel kept guard and kept an eye out for any more, Miramir walked over to the exhausted-looking man. "Thank the Nine! I never thought I'd see another friendly face..." the man breathed in relief at the sight of her and even the two other men nearby. "The others...taken...they were taken to the tower!" He exclaimed in fear and Miramir raised a hand to calm him."It's alright, we're here to help. I'm Miramir, that's Kasin and Amiel." the bosmer assured him, pointing to herself then gesturing to the two men nearby. "Who are you?" She asked him curiously."Ilend Vonius...my name is Ilend Vonius." Ilend replied with heavy breaths and Miramir nodded."What happened?""Captain Matius sent us in to try and close the gate. We were ambushed, trapped, and picked off." the man began to explain to the bosmer, resting upon his sword tiredly. "I managed to escape, but the others are strewn across that bridge. They took Menien off to the big tower. You've got to save him!" He shouted desperately, Miramir was not taken aback by his shout, he was tired and scared."You should leave, Matius will need you. We're here to take care of the gate." Kasin called out from where he stood and Illend swallowed hard but nodded in agreement."Yes, I'll leave, help the Captain.""Perhaps, see a healer as well, I can see some injuries and you're dealing with exhaustion," Miramir instructed the fearful man who let out a breath but bobbed his head. "Matius will need your help as Kasin said." She added and that's when Ilend processed their words, it went right past him that they mentioned the Captain was alive and fighting still."The Captain is still holding the barricade? I figured I was the last one left alive." Illend breathed stunned at the realization, Miramir's gaze flickering over to Amiel who frowned and Kasin who was sympathetic. This poor man."Yes, he's alive." Amiel piped up with a nod, much to Illend's relief. "He needs a good fighter such as yourself, near-death situations are nothing new to me." He told the man, clearly agreeing with Miramir and Kasin's insistence that the man returns back to Kvatch and help Matius and the remaining men if daedra comes through while they try to close the gate."Alright. I'll try to get out of here and let the Captain know what's going on." Illend agreed with the three of them, his eyes moving to the gate in the distance before looking at Miramir who nodded. "Good luck." He said and she said nothing as the man trudged his way towards the gate, leaving the three of them behind."The direct path to that tower is closed, we need another way." Amiel comments, crossing his arms with a frown."Kasin, in those books you've read, is there anything that could help get us to that tower?" Miramir inquired curiously, glancing over at the warrior monk who frowned as well before digging into the satchel around his shoulders and pulling out a small book."Some gates lead to areas in oblivion where there are tunnels, some do not. I don't know a direct path, I apologize." Kasin apologized to Miramir who just nodded and let out a puff of air."There's a way, we can find that Menien like Ilend asked and grab the siege stone," Amiel spoke up, holding his axes in his hands and Miramir glanced over at him."We're all in agreement to get moving. Come." She waved her hand and Kasin tucked his book away while Miramir got moving, leading the three of them ahead. She found herself flinching once or twice as they traversed the oblivion to the tower at the sounds of screams echoing and an eerie echo in the distance. This was so new to her, in fact, new to all of them. Kasin had only read about them, none of them had traversed to a daedric realm in the slightest. Eventually, however, they reached the large tower broached by two others that connected to it with bridges at the height of each one. They pushed the doors open and were greeted by the firey lava-like magic emitting from the center of the tower and pouring into the air. They were also met by stunted scamps again. They came across dremora and more stunted scamps while making their way up the siege tower to the stone at the top. However, when they reached a certain point, Miramir found herself unable to open the door. It was locked. "It's locked," Miramir announced, turning and facing the men as Amiel walked over from checking daedra bodies."Nothing on the bodies," Amiel informed her."There's a door to the left, I can only assume it's to one of the other towers or another way to the Sigillum Sanguis," Kasin told them with a small sigh and Miramir bit her lip for a moment."I'd bet my gold it was the former, no daedric lord would make their realm easy," Miramir replied, Amiel nodding and Kasin humming in agreement. She had a point there. Miramir said nothing else but took a breath and headed towards the door to the left, Amiel and Kasin followed a moment late and they stepped out onto the narrow bridge. "Quite narrow." She murmured to herself, heading forward first, then Kasin went, and Amiel made up the rear. She thought if she merely sneezed, she would topple over the edge and fall to her death. So, she would just take it slow. One by one they entered what Kasin had told them was called the Reapers Sprawl tower and that's when she heard a voice call out."Over here! Quickly!"Miramir looked up for a second to see a platform and cage above them when Kasin suddenly grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. "Miramir! Watch out!" He shouted in alert, both of them tumbling back with a yelp onto the ground and Amiel throwing himself against the wall when the sigil keeper swung his mace at them. Amiel pulled out his axes and twirled them in his hands, blocking a blow from the daedric mace of the dremora."Stay down, I've got this!" Amiel yelled to them, he kicked dremora back before rushing up the ramp that led up to where the man in the cage was. He was making sure the dremora was away from Kasin and Miramir. Kasin quickly scrambled to his feet and helped Miramir up as well while Amiel was fighting the dremora. The man ducked as the dremora swung and swung his own axe into the sigil keeper's leg. The dremora screeched in pain and clutched its leg, Amiel removed the axe and swung down on the hand that clasped the mace, slicing it off. The dremora attempted with its remaining hands, a punch that Amiel blocked before, using his axe to expertly dig into the flesh of the sigil keeper's neck and it gurgled blood as it screamed. Miramir and Kasin were silent from where they stood below, peering up through the grating of the platform. "It's dead, you can come up here." He alerted them and the two exhaled in relief, exchanging a look before climbing up the ramp where Amiel was pulling his axe from the dremora's neck. Nearby in the cage, though, the man trapped within let out a breath of relief while he clutched his wound-ridden body in utter pain. He had to be Menien, Ilend said he had been taken."Are you Menien?" Miramir immediately asked when she stepped over to the cage."Yes! I am!" Menien spoke with hurried wheezing, clearly rushing the three of them and his words. "Quickly, quickly! There's no time!" He told the bosmer urgently. "You must get to the top of the large tower. The Sigil Keep, they call it. That's what keeps the Oblivion Gate open!" Menien informed her, of course, unaware that Kasin had already told them about what they needed to do."Yes, we know what that is. We need to remove the sigil stone to close the gate." Kasin interrupted before the caged man could continue his fearful ramblings."The Keeper has the key, you must get the key!" Menien exclaimed, gesturing to the dead dremora that Amiel had killed. Kasin turned and walked over to the body of the sigil keeper and searched for the key."Your friend Illend wanted us to find you and get you out. He was worried about you." Miramir reveals this to Menien who exhales at that and smiles slightly before his smile falls. It was nice to hear that, but he knew he wasn't making it out of there."I can get the cage open..." Amiel utters, his eyes searching around the room before they stopped on a lever on the other side of the room. "I'm sure that lever over there opens it. Kasin said once we remove the stone, we all get transported back." He explained to the man before moving to make his way over to the lever, but Miramir stopped and she observed his eyes and they told her everything she needed to know. He wasn't leaving and he knew that, he was a lost cause."No!" Menien yelled, Amiel coming to a halt at the sound of his protest when Kasin stood up and went over to Miramir with the key in his hand."I've got it," Kasin said lowly, his eyes flickering to Menien before sighing. "He doesn't want to leave, does he?" He murmured to the woman who shook her head while Amiel faced Menien with a confused expression."No, I can tell he sees it as pointless. He's a dead man walking, look at those wounds." Miramir quietly speaks, nodding to the wounds and injuries littering Menien's body from the torture."Do not worry for me, I am a dead man. Just save Kvatch and her people, leave me. Please." Menien begged them in pain and Amiel looked to Kasin and Miramir for an answer. He was not a leader, but he was a good man who followed good people like Kasin or Iver...or Stendarr. Kasin just looked at his friend and shook his head, muttering a quiet 'no'."I'm sorry, Amiel, but we must respect his wishes and time is running short for the captain out there. We must hurry." Miramir apologetically told her new companion who sighed in disappointment."Allow me to give you a quick and clean death then." Amiel offered Menien who swallowed hard but wordlessly agreed with a nod. The man removed a dagger from his belt and stepped up to the cage, reaching through and placing the blade to Menien's neck. "May the Nine grant you passage." He softly said and Menien smiled prepared and thankful, Amiel slicing his neck in one swift cut. Miramir flinched and glanced away for a moment while Kasin muttered a quick prayer. Menien gurgled blood before collapsing to the ground dead, his body lay there bruised and beaten, abused, but his soul was now at peace."He did deserve better, I'm sure we all agree." Kasin uttered and they nodded."Yes, now, let's complete what he was sent to do." Miramir breathed, the three turning and quickly making their way back to the main sigil tower. Kasin used the key and got them through the door, all of them heading upwards once again towards the sigil stone. It took them a while but eventually, they made it to the Sigillum Sanguis where they encountered more dremora and scamps. While the boys used their swords and axes, Miramir grasped her shortsword and threw explosions of magic at the dremora churls. Amiel kicked one dremora down through the opening in the middle of the room as it fell to its death. Miramir electrocuted another with a shock spell and killed it before she rushed over to the ramp leading up to the sigil stone in the middle of the room above. "Miramir!" Kasin called after her, the woman blocking a blow from a dremora with her sword and grasping its wrist, emitting a frost spell. The dremora screeched while the ice climbed its hand and arm, allowing Miramir to pull back and swiftly remove its head with her sword. The bosmer was breathing heavily when Kasin and Amiel reached her and she faced the sigil stone that floated in the middle of the room upon a prong, magic blasting from it like an explosion. The stone was dark and reddish, but with Miramir's connection to magic, it felt very different to her. It felt...like there was a cold feeling coming from it, yet it felt balanced. Like it was not evil nor good and that what it was used for made the decision. She had no idea if Kasin or Amiel had a connection to magic and felt this. "All you have to do and step over and take it from its pedestal." the warrior monk reminded her and Miramir took a deep breath, walking over to the stone while the two men watched."Be careful, we don't know what they could've done," Amiel warned her, Kasin nodding in agreement with his logical warning. Miramir just licked her dry lips and reached forward, grasping the large circular stone with her two hands. She grunted when she began to pull it back with a slight struggle."It's dug in there somehow, but I can get it!" the bosmer grunted with a grimace, tugging until the stone finally came free from its prong. Suddenly magic was sucked into the middle where Miramir stood and a bright white and red light imploded, all of them were forced to shield their eyes as the fire and magic of the stone engulfed them. Miramir shut her eyes tightly and in a bright white light, they disappeared. Amiel was the first to be aware of his surroundings when they hit the ground, watching the explosion from the gate blast into the sky before it burnt out. Kasin shook his head and looked at Amiel before glancing over to Miramir who clutched a now-dead and much smaller version of the sigil stone in her hands."Miramir?" Kasin muttered, standing and going over to her side as Amiel followed and the two men helped the bosmer to her feet. "Are you alright?" He asked her concerned."That was...bizarre, let's hope if I have to do it again, it does not feel the same way." Miramir breathed, flinching when the large raindrop splashed her face. It was still dark but with the oblivion gate gone, rain began to pour from the heavens to immerse those on the ground and cool the fires and ground. "It'd be strange if you didn't say it was bizarre, Miramir." Amiel joked with a smirk which made Miramir smile and Kasin roll his eyes."I'm fine though, but we must speak with the captain." Miramir now assured Kasin who nodded, the trio took a moment to shake off the vibrating feeling of traveling back from oblivion before making their way over to where the captain and his guard awaited them."You closed the Gate?" Matius breathed with a laugh at the sight of the three, who were growing drenched with the rain droplets. "I knew you could do it! This is our chance to launch a counterattack!" He announced with a wide smile, Miramir glancing at the two men next to her. This was her chance to find Martin and them their friends who waited for them. "I need you three to come with us. You've got far more combat experience than these men. Are you able to join us now? I can wait, but not for long. We've got to move quickly before they have a chance to barricade the city gate." Matius inquired urgently, he did not want to start a counterattack when none of them were ready yet."He's right, if we wait too long we'll never get in and retake the city." Amiel was the first to speak, none of them needed to wait but he did want to voice his agreement with the captain."Don't worry, I'm sure Miramir understands that." Kasin tells him with a nod. Her eyes flickered from both men and back to the captain, Kasin was correct, of course, and so were Amiel and Matius. She may not be an expert but she knew what people did when they knew they were losing."I'm prepared, I'm ready, Captain. Let us fight." Miramir nodded determinedly. Matius grinned pleased before facing his remaining men and giving them the firm nod of confirmation that they awaited."For Kvatch!" Matius shouted at them and his men cheered. The group took no time in charging towards the gate and forcing their way inside where they were met with more daedra. The daedra were swiftly dispatched and the relieved and excited Matius approached her, informing her it was safe to go to the people in the chapel and help them evacuate before moving further. Once, they entered the dryness and warmth of the chapel, Matius went to talk to a woman in guard uniform while Miramir looked at her two companions."I must find Martin and I'm sure your friends await you." Miramir gently said, separating from the two men before they say anything. She didn't really feel like she had time for goodbyes, she needed to find Martin. The woman began making her way through the chapel, her eyes flickering around when suddenly she heard cheers."Iver! Urldmir!" Amiel exclaimed in glee, he and Kasin went over to two men who awaited them and they engulfed each other in relieved hugs. Miramir smiled to herself at the sight but said nothing. She was grateful for their help when she needed it the most. "You bastards, we're glad you're tough as nails to make it." He beamed happily to them."Well, it was a tough fight, but we got the people here." the taller of the two spoke and given the direction of Amiel's gaze when he spoke, that had to be this Iver."How'd you lot get through to here?" the other Urldmir asked them curiously, Miramir turning away to ask an older woman nearby about Martin and where he was."We managed to close the gate with some help, that bosmer over there. It was her." Kasin had no problem in admitting, gesturing to the distracted elf who was speaking with the woman. "Ah, then we'll have to thank her." Iver hummed with a smile."She's working with Grandmaster Jauffre," Kasin informed him with no hesitation, he and Iver were blades. Amiel and Urldmir were mercenaries, old friends, and godly men that traveled and helped them. "She's looking for a man named Martin, a Brother Martin." He told his old friend who nodded."Aye, Brother Martin survived. He's over there attending to some of the injured." Urldmir nodded to the man over by some injured, the group watching when the bosmer woman's eyes stopped right on Martin. Miramir took a deep breath and made her way over to the priest who kneeled down next to an ailing old man."Brother Martin?" Miramir called out and Martin immediately stopped at the sound of the sweet voice hitting his ears. He slowly stood up and turned to face the voice in confusion. His eyes went wide at the sight of the young bosmer woman standing in front of him with her lips pressed together in a thin line. He'd sworn...he'd seen her before, a flicker of her beautiful face, soft features matching the goddess Dibella's. Miramir found herself staring directly back at him, she could see hints of the Emperor within him, but...he must resemble his mother more than anything. An image of Akatosh and Mara in her mind.Martin cleared his throat anxiously, both of them hearing the heated discussion of distress between Matius and his fellow guard Tierra over by the doors. "Yes?" He asked and that's when he realized who she was, it took no time for the guards and people to whisper the moment she entered the chapel. The Captain had loudly declared while she was searching for him that she had closed the gate and held back the daedra. "What is it that you want?" Martin frowned, watching her calmly when the bosmer stepped forward and spoke lowly."The Emperor told me to find you."[A/N: as you can see Miramir is much more soft-spoken than Kassandra and less inclined to heinous murderous violence (for now). Obviously, this will all change given the outcome of the oblivion crisis. Miramir's journey is quite different from Kassandra's, like she could disappear if she so wished unlike the last dragonborn but we will see how her journey goes. Also, you can see that I've decided to give Miramir her own merry men so to speak lol (consisting of Kasin, Amiel, Iver, and Urldmir) and the character Kathani in the characters, she will be introduced soon. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the first two chapters. This fanfic along with pale dragon will see updates as I work on my star wars bad batch and clone wars fanfics, I will need a change of pace sometimes (don't wanna run myself ragged working strictly on one or two fanfics and risk burnout as an author/writer) and these fanfics will provide it. PLAYLIST.]