Jihl of Hart Options

[King Coin]

I looked at the Dunmer in the cell opposite. He had a look of utter hatred spread across his face.

I loved that little line

She reminds me of another character here, full of vinegar and ... Ahem. Who is it that I'm thinking of now?

[Heather V]

Again thank you all so much for your responses to the last chapter! Each and every one is widely appreciated!

Now for this next chapter I've encorporated an element from another person's story. I've asked this person permission, and He's allowed me to use it. I see it as a tribute to him.

Fans of his story will recognise it immediatly

3. The Emporer and I

I jogged toward the emporer and the Blades, but being very aware of the fact that I should keep my distance once I reached them.

I followed them through what looked like some fort of ruin. Castle ruins? I wasn’t to sure; although the architecture heavily implied it.

I couldn’t help but stare in awe at my surroundings, old and beautiful. The walls were a pale grey, marble in texture.

The air was cold, though, but not only in temperature. It was obvious that something bad had happened here.

The presence of a mournful past lingered in the atmosphere.

It wasn’t long until we reached a large, empty room. The room had a gate at the very end of it. An easy exit? The Blades didn’t seem to think so.

“I don’t like this…” said the Redguard Blade. “It feels like a trap.”

“Don’t worry, Baurus,” said the female Blade. “It would be impossible for the assassins to know we were down here.” She gently smiled at him. “Besides, should there be an attack you, Glenroy and I shall be more than enough to protect the Emperor from harm.”

“Still, Renault, I think we should be cautious. I suggest we scout the area just in case.” Baurus insisted.

Renault let out a brief sigh of annoyance and then looked at me.

“You, keep an eye on the Emperor.” She ordered before she and the others walked around the large room.

Was it irresponsible of Renault to leave me in charge of the Emperor? Maybe. She was obviously so convinced that the place was safe that she felt certain the Emperor needed no heavy guard.

“I have something for you…” The emperor said to me.

I looked at him. ”You do, sire?”

He smiled, “this used to belong to my late wife. It was important to her,” He said, producing a necklace with a red stone from a small pocket in his robe. “It is important that you take it.” He insisted.

I tried to be humble and refuse it, “Oh no sire, I couldn’t possibly.” I followed with a joke, “Red doesn’t really go with my eyes.”

The Emperor laughed. “You young girls today! No, there is no negotiation. You must take it.”

I looked at him for a moment, his gentle smile convincing me to take it.

“Okay, sire.” I said, taking the necklace from his hand. I examined it. It was a thing of beauty. However, a question sprung to mind, “Why are you giving this to me, though? Surely you would want to keep such a treasured item?”

“I feel this necklace would be more useful to you than it could ever be to me.” He told me.

“Useful?” I asked curiously, suddenly very aware this wasn’t a normal necklace.

“Do you see the garnet imbedded within the pendant?” He asked. I nodded and he explained, “That is a guardian stone.”

“A… guardian stone?” I said, suddenly remembering a book I had once read. “Oh yeah, Guardian Stones grant the owner the ability to communicate with their Guardian Spirit through the medium of telepathy, right?”

The emperor nodded, “Impressive.”

I casually shrugged, “had a lot of time on my hands to do some reading, so…”

The emperor laughed again, and I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

I suddenly felt comfortable enough to ask a rather intrusive question, “are you escaping because your sons were murdered? I overheard the Blades mention it earlier…” although my question was personal, I asked it with the uttermost respect. I didn’t want to risk a beheading.

The emperor reminisced for a moment, then spoke, “Yes. My sons were murdered by assassins and I strongly believe I am next.”

“You do?” I asked, surprised. “But you’re Blades will protect you, surely?”

“I’ve seen things in my dreams that are without question prophetic. I only see things that will be and things that have been; never have I dreamed of anything that might be.”

My expression suddenly turned grim. It was heart-breaking to think that the Emperor was so certain of his death. “If you are sure your dreams will come true, why go through all this trouble trying to escape? Why not just let them come to you?”

The Emperor smiled a wickedly teasing smile, “Just because I am to die, doesn’t mean I won’t go out without a fight!”

I smiled and then laughed. The old man had balls, I was sure of that. He was cool; nothing like I had always silently feared.

“Won’t you try it on?” The emperor said, gesturing towards the necklace.

Sheepishly I did so, but I didn’t feel any different; apart from my neck feeling that little bit heavier. He could obviously tell that nothing was happening.

“Once the time is right,” he started, “your Guardian Spirit will come.”

We exchanged a meaningful smile.

It was odd. Not since Master Mason had I felt such fatherly comfort from a man. It was warm and gentle; and not at all creepy as I originally assumed.

“Aren’t you scared?” I asked the emperor. I was kind of scared for him. I think it was evident in my voice.

Before he could answer, though, we heard Renault shout from ahead of us.

“THE ASSASSIN’S HAVE BREACHED! PROTECT THE EMPORER!”

This post has been edited by Heather V: Sep 12 2012, 08:53 PM

[mALX]

*

“Don’t worry, Baurus,” said the female Blade. “It would be impossible for the assassins to know we were down here.” She gently smiled at him. “Besides, should there be an attack you, Glenroy and I shall be more than enough to protect the Emperor from harm.”

“Still, Renault, I think we should be cautious. I suggest we scout the area just in case.” Baurus insisted.

Renault let out a brief sigh of annoyance and then looked at me.

“You, keep an eye on the Emperor.” She ordered before she and the others walked around the large room.

Was it irresponsible of Renault to leave me in charge of the Emperor? Maybe. She was obviously so convinced that the place was safe that she felt certain the Emperor needed no heavy guard.

This I loved! You have Renault pegged completely here, Love it! I waited for the below, knew it was coming and loved it when it did:

Before he could answer, though, we heard Renault shout from ahead of us.

“THE ASSASSIN’S HAVE BREACHED! PROTECT THE EMPORER!”

I'm really enjoying this story! If your readership is slow, it may be because a lot of us (myself included) rarely get free time to scan the boards. The way to get your story in front of people is to read theirs. When free time is limited, most people will reciprocate support to their own readers first before branching out to the other stories.

Your version of Renault had me rolling, and I like the borrowed idea of the Guardian Stone! Great Write!

*

[Acadian]

I’m enjoying Jihl’s impressions of the Blades and Emperor. I like Baurus’ caution and wonder if it will help him survive? I look forward to meeting her Guardian! I wonder if the red color of the Guardian Stone was coincidentally close to that of the Amulet of Kings? Or perhaps it simply matches Jihl’s birth month. Or perhaps the color is just random.

[Grits]

Oh, a Guardian Stone! This promises some lively internal discussion.

I like Jihl’s irreverent thoughts tempered by respect for Uriel and the good sense not to risk beheading. She has a lot of spirit.

[Heather V]

mALX thank you for your advice. To be honest I have been reading stories but I haven't commented as I've been reading them from the beggining an didn't want to leave out of date comments, but I will certainly heed your words. And to all of you I'm so glad you are happy with the Guardian Stone. It was such an intreaguing idea I had to use it!

I'm now going to include 'Previously' segments before the chapters as I'm sure it will help refresh your memories

In chapter 3, Jihl was instructed to guard the Emperor whilst the Blades Renault, Baurus and Glenroy scouted the area. Jihl learns that the Emporer is to die, but not without a fight. He also gives her a guardian stone which grants her the ability to speak with her Guardian Spirit. The chapter ended with Assassin's attacking the scouted area.

4. Assassin's Breach

“Wait here sire,” I instructed as I headed to investigate Renault’s battle cry. The Emperor stopped me.

“You might be very valiant,” He said, “but this is not your fight.”

“Sire, what if this is the fight that kills you?” I asked him, worried yet adamant that I wouldn’t let him fight.

He smiled, “I’ve already explained to you, It is destined that I will die. If it is this fight, or the fight after, eventually my time will come.” He touched my shoulder, “The best we can do is fight.”

I looked into his wise eyes. He was certain that he would fight alongside his Blades. But why? I don’t know. His Blades would easily be able to take down a few assassins, surely.

Maybe, just maybe… he wanted to die. Despite what he’d said earlier maybe he did want to just get it over with. All he said was he didn’t want to go down without a fight; but that didn’t mean that he didn’t want to.

I risked a beheading and gently touched the Emperor’s hand that still rested on my shoulder. I smiled at the brave old man, “Let’s go get ‘em.”

The Emperor chuckled.

I remembered something, “WAIT! No. I’m unarmed.”

Without hesitation the Emperor handed me a dagger. I looked at it a moment, then took it. I examined it closely. The base was golden and shimmering with tiny jewels. In small writing I could see ‘Septim’ carved into the blade itself.

A royal dagger? A family heirloom? Or something the Emperor had carved himself? I didn’t know.

However, before I had time to ask the Emperor had exposed himself from our hiding place and joined the fight in the battleground.

I followed him. Within the battleground I could see the Blades, plus a few men dressed in what looked like Daedric armour, but slightly different.

I was sure I’d recognised it as summoned armour, but I wasn’t too sure.

I stood for a moment watching everybody in battle. There appeared to be no major struggle, but there were a lot of Assassins emerging.

Although the Blades could have dealt with the threat themselves, I decided to show my worth by joining the battle.

I charged into battle, running toward an Assassin that didn’t appear to be targeting any specific person. It seemed to just randomly hit and hope.

As I ran toward him, I thrusted my dagger at the Assassins abdomen; but to my non-surprise the dagger would not penetrate his armour.

The assassin looked at me, “You will regret the day you challenged me!” He cried, swinging his mace at me. I ducked and rolled to my right.

I got up and tried to swipe another attack at the assassin, but every blow ricochet off his armour. It was useless.

I decided the best option was to lead the Assassin to one of the Blades.

I put the dagger back in my pants and then ran away as fast as I could; which was all part of the plan of course. The closest Blade to me was Baurus, so I ran toward him. He was only fighting one Assassin, and had the bodies of about three around him; naturally he had no problem with these goons. The fact that all the bodies wore mages robes confirmed that the armour was indeed summoned.

“Sir, I need your help.” I said to him as I ran toward him.

“A little busy!” He replied, clanging blades with an Assassin. Luckily he managed to put off the Assassin he was fighting with his comment long enough for him to stab his sword through the assassins chest, killing him. “What?” He looked at me.

I continued to run to him and once I reached him I ducked. Baurus must have spotted the Assassin behind me instantly as without hesitation he raised his blade and sliced it through the Assassins head like it was better.

The Assassin crumbled to the floor, and I sighed a breath of relief. Surprisingly, Baurus offered me a hand. I smiled, then took it as he lifted me onto my feet.

“Are you okay?” He asked, to which I nodded. He sighed. “What do you think you’re doing involving yourself in this fight?”

I stared him down, “I couldn’t let the Emperor fight and not put myself up to try and protect him. He is a decent man.”

I couldn’t be sure, but I was certain I saw a small smile etch across Baurus’s lips. He then returned to his normal, arrogant and moody expression, “You fought unarmed?”

I shook my head and produced the dagger the Emperor gave me.

“The ceremonial dagger?” He cried, shocked for some reason. He looked at me. “I take it you’re not very handy with a blade?”

I shrugged, “the bows more my forte, but whatchagunnado.”

Baurus looked at me, then smiled. He took the bow and a quiver of arrows from his back and handed them to me.

“Here.” He said.

I was genuinely surprised. Why on Nirn was Baurus giving me a weapon? Surely he would not want to help me out? I was just a lowly prisoner.

I began to see something in Baurus I hadn’t seen before. He obviously has some kind of respect for me now that I’d fought for the Emperor’s life. Either that or he had a crush on me; and I gotta say, Baurus was kind of cute.

I accepted his bow and quiver and placing them on my back.

“Thank you,” I smiled.

Then the Emperor came around the corner. “Baurus, is everything okay?”

“Yes, sire.” Baurus nodded. “Glenroy?”

Glenroy popped around the corner at this point, “I am unharmed.” His face turned grim, “But Renault...”

Baurus walked over to Glenroy, who was looking at the crumpled corpse of the once loyal blade. Of all the Blades, Renault was the last I had expected to receive a killing blow. It was sad. She was such a strong fighter.

She may have not been the nicest woman in the world, but she was dedicated to her job and that garnered a lot of respect.

I looked at the Emperor, "Is the battle over?” I asked.

The Emperor looked solemn, gazing at the lost Renault. “No… I’m afraid it’s only just begun.”

“Come on, sire, we must keep moving. We are almost at the sewers.” Instructed Baurus.

Glenroy and the Emperor headed to a door at the end of the room. Baurus followed them as they all walked through the door

So that was it. I helped out and now I was to be left here alone, with no way out.

I wasn’t surprised; I was the least of their troubles now. The Assassins had made their way in, and who knows how many of them there were.

With that thought in my head I slowly started to explore the room, hoping to find some way out of the room. I started to examine the walls, hoping to find a secret switch like the one Renault had used earlier.

I placed my hands on the walls and slowly brushed across them in the vain hope that my theory would work.

However, I didn’t find a switch, but instead I saw a gap in one of the walls, and behind it seemed to be a cavern.

A way out? I hoped that was the case.

I took a step back to try and find something to break the wall, which did look rather brittle.

However the door the others left through suddenly opened again to reveal Baurus coming back into the room I was in. He looked confused; maybe annoyed.

“What are you doing?” He asked me, “Are you coming with us or not?”

This post has been edited by Heather V: Sep 16 2012, 05:29 PM

[mALX]

*

The giving of that dagger and description brought goosebumps - totally Awesome touch you added there!

“Sir, I need your help.” I said to him as I ran toward him.

“A little busy!” He replied, clanging blades with an Assassin. Luckily he managed to put off the Assassin he was fighting with his comment long enough for him to stab his sword through the assassins chest, killing him. “What?” He looked at me.

ROFL !!!! LOVED this bit of humor wedged into the tense scene!

LOVE what you've done with Baurus here, he is always one of my fave characters in game!

WOO HOO! Baurus returns for her! I love these little changes you've added to this opening sequence, they make the same scene everyone knows into a whole new story that perks us up to see what you will do next!

A few editing errors, but nothing that killed immersion - LOVED it !!! Awesome Write!

*

This post has been edited by mALX: Sep 15 2012, 06:21 PM

[Acadian]

Oh I really like that you have decided to include ‘Previously…’ bits before your new updates. It is indeed helpful!

I also join mALX in appreciating how you have captured Baurus as noble, skilled at his craft, likable and even flirt-worthy.

After the fight, I resigned myself that it looked like you had stuck to the game when the Emperor and company moved on, leaving the player to make it on their own (the purpose of the game’s tutorial of course) – and that would have been fine. I will admit to a big grin when Baurus came back to get Jihl though!

This is a very enjoyable story!


Nits:

Most of the time you correctly capitalized ‘Blades’, but a couple times you missed it:
‘He was certain that he would fight alongside his blades.’
‘Within the battleground I could see the blades,’

Here’s an formatting error. It jumps to a new paragraph in mid sentence:
‘I looked into his wise eyes. He was certain that he would fight alongside his blades. But why? I don’t know. His

Blades would easily be able to take down a few assassins, surely.’

This post has been edited by Acadian: Sep 16 2012, 12:24 AM

[Heather V]

Thank you so much guys for your responses! I'm glad you enjoyed the twist regarding baurus's return and thank you both for noticing my editing errors; hopefully I've done a bit better this time! haha.

For those of you who haven't seen, here is a TV screenshot of Jihl

In chapter 4, The emperor and Jihl assisted the Blades fight the assassins. The emperor gave Jihl his family dagger to fight with. Unfortunatly, Renault was lost in the battle and the others continued on without Jihl. At the end of the chapter, Baurus came back to retrieve Jihl so she could join them in their escape.

5. A Walk with Baurus

The Emperor, Baurus, Glenroy and I continued to traverse through the ruins. We hadn't run into any more assassins, but we all knew that wasn't necessarily a good thing. I knew that at the end of our current path there would be something waiting for us; something that would inevitably kill the Emperor.

It tied my stomach in knots thinking that the Emperor was destined to die before the day was out, and that there was nothing any of us could do to stop it. But would he die? Just because he was sure of his visions didn't mean we couldn't prevent them from happening?

It was impossible to predict what would become of the Emperor and all we could do was protect him with our lives.

I still wasn't sure as to why was so adamant to lay my life down for the Emperor. My heart wanted to say it was because he showed me the same respect my Master Mason showed me.

"You okay?" Baurus asked me, noticed a look of deep though upon my face.

I looked at him, smiled and then looked away, laughing with embarrassment, "Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry."

We continued to move. I could see from my peripheral vision that Baurus continued to look at me, but I pretended not to notice.

"You're nothing like any prisoner I've ever come into contact with." Baurus told me, somewhat amazed.

I looked at him, my eyebrow raised, "Huh?"

He laughed, "Sorry," He then smiled at me, "Just saying a thought out loud. Doesn't matter."

I couldn’t help but think that Baurus was a little bit sweet on me. I decided to look at him with my eyes wide and my lips slightly pursed in a flirtatious manner. Baurus was cute, and if he had a thing for me I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity.

"I'm curious now," I said with a grin. "Tell me what you meant."

We stared at each other a moment. I folded my arms and kept my eyebrow raised; a mischievous smile etched on my face.

"Fine!" Baurus laughed, giving in to my irresistible charm, "I just noticed you have morals. Good morals. You're nothing like a petty criminal."

"...Go on..." I smiled, enjoying the compliments.

"You laid down your life for the Emperor despite the fact that his protection is not your responsibility. You fought the Assassins practically unarmed." He continued, "That takes guts."

I smiled. His words warmed my heart, "Thanks," I said, blushing.

We continued to walk for a moment before Baurus broke the silence again.

"May I ask why you were in prison?" He asked. He then smiled mischievously, "I'm curious..."

"You may ask..." I said, the looked at him with a teasingly, "but that doesn't mean I'll tell you."

We shared a smile, but I could tell that I could trust Baurus with the information.

"You really want to know?" I asked.

He replied with a nod.

"...I used to be a member of the Hart Resistance." I started, "We were somewhat a rebel group; fighting against the corrupt 'powers that be'."

"'Powers that be'?" Baurus asked.

"People who misused any power they had for selfish purposes; like the Elder Council or the Count of a city, for example." I continued, for some reason I wasn't nervous about badmouthing the people I assumed Baurus worked for.

I looked at the Emperor for a moment. I started to feel bad that he'd been getting such a bad reputation within the Resistance due to the way his council had behaved. I knew now that it wasn't his fault; there was no way this sweet and gentle man was capable of the things the Council had done.

"Anyway, there was this one member of the resistance, Nerastarel, who we gave the nickname Nerry, who was a powerful Breton mage. Seriously, she was a master at everything magical. Nobody could touch her." I said, remembering the person I was speaking about. It brought a smile to my face for some reason, remembering who she used to be. "She was a good friend. She, myself, another Bosmer named Faendil and a Redguard named Faythe were tight. We were practically family."

Baurus looked captivated by my story. A look in his eyes suggested genuine interest.

I carried on speaking, "When our master, Mason Hart passed away he gave leadership duties to me in his will. Everyone was so happy for me; apart from Nerry. To cut a long story short she thought I was undeserving of the role of Master and vowed to destroy the Resistance because of it."

"By the nine!" Baurus said, "Then what happened?"

I was hesitant to continue at first, but I did anyway, "A few months later Nerry called me out to fight for leadership in the Heartlands, and I accepted. However, despite the fact I was supposed to go alone the entire Resistance decided to come with me. I thought it would be a bad idea for them to come with me as fifty-on-one wouldn't be fair. But Nerry herself brought a few of her necromancer friends to the fight. The battle was huge, and at the end of it only Nerry and I barely survived." I could feel a tear welling behind my eye, but I tried to ignore it so I could finish my story, “She ran away and I followed her to the Imperial City. A citizen died after getting in the middle of our fight and I got arrested for it."

"And Nerastarel?" Baurus asked. "What happened to her?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. She probably cast an invisibility spell and got away, knowing her." I then looked at Baurus, whose expression looked quite grim. I tried to lighten the mood, "And there's my story!" I said joyfully.

"It's a good thing we came along and got you outta prison then." Baurus smiled.

I smiled back, "Yeah..." I edged a bit closer to him, "My hero..." I said in a joke like manner. He seemed to like it.

"BAURUS!" Glenroy said from ahead of us.

Both Baurus and I shot him a look, seeing a few assassins pouring down from ledges in the walls and started to attack Glenroy and the Emperor. Baurus unsheathed his sword and charged for the assassins. I got into a suitable position and took aim with my bow, notching an arrow. Once I had my target I let go of the string, watching as the arrow shot ahead and pierced the skull of an assassin that attempted to approach the Emperor.

It didn't take long for us to overcome the assassins. Once they were all dead Baurus and Glenroy approached the Emperor.

"Are you okay Sire?" Baurus asked him.

The emperor nodded, "I am unharmed."

"Their numbers seem to be decreasing," Glenroy added, "I think this is a good sign-"

Suddenly I spotted one of the 'dead' assassins quickly get back onto its feet and prepare to attack the Blades.

Just as quickly, however, I took an arrow, notched it, fired and killed said assassin. Baurus spun, looked at the assassin then looked at me.

"You missed one," I smirked flirtatiously. Baurus smiled back, letting out a small chuckle.

This post has been edited by Heather V: Sep 18 2012, 01:09 PM

[Colonel Mustard]

Finally caught up, and so far I'm enjoying this quite a bit. We've got ourselves an interesting development with this Guardian Stone, and a nice twist on the main quest's opening with Jihl staying with the Emperor instead of going on the Imperial Champion's Grand Cave Adventure, and the flirting with Baurus was cute. No only that, but we got some of Jihl's backstory! Excellent stuff.

Did find this minor nit:

"My god," Baurus said, "Then what happened?"

Seeing as the TES-verse has a polytheistic religious system and an entire pantheon (where the gods will even come round to your house and smash your windows if you have the gall to be an atheist), surely it should be 'my gods'?

[mALX]

The flirting with Baurus was a lot of fun to read, plus we got some background information on the Hart resistance and Nerastarel. Loved Baurus's list of her good points he noticed - Baurus isn't slow at all, lol !! Also loved Jihl's screenshot - now we see where the temper comes in, red hair !! Awesome Write !!!

[Acadian]

Thanks for posting that screen of Jihl here. I know not everyone got to see how pretty she is over on the other forum!

This was wonderful how Jihl not only had a nice and flirty scene with Baurus, but managed to very naturally provide us some more details of her past. Well done!

Baurus is right: Jihl has some selfless courage to step in and risk her life for this newly-met Emperor.

I can see that our Bosmer is quite comfortable with a bow.


Nits –all tiny ones:
‘I still wasn't sure as to why was so adamant to lay my life down for the Emperor.’
I’m pretty sure you want the word ‘I’ between ‘why’ and ‘was’.

"You okay?" Baurus asked me, noticed a look of deep though upon my face.’
You misspelled ‘thought’.

"You may ask..." I said, the looked at him with a teasingly, "but that doesn't mean I'll tell you."
You mean ‘then’ instead of ‘the’ of course.

[Grits]

I like how you worked the details of Jihl’s background in with the flirting. You have given your own twist to this part of the game's story, which keeps it fresh.

I enjoyed this part because it was a fun read, but also for what it showed about Jihl’s character. Laying her life down for a cause is nothing new to her, but she also has a real enjoyment of living. I’m certainly rooting for her!

[Heather V]

I love that you all love Jihl's flirting with Baurus! And thank you all on your kind words regarding Jihl and her backround story! mALX the screenie is kinda misleading. Jihl actually had light brown hair, but the quality makes it look red and Colonel Mustard and Acadian thank you for the nits!

In chapter 5 Jihl explained to Baurus why She was sent to prison, and also gave him some brief information about the Hart Resistance; namely telling him about Nerastarel and her late friends Faendil and Faythe. The chapter ends with a minor attack from assassins that the group manage to defeat.

6. The Beggining of the end?

"NO! It's been locked!" Glenroy bellowed as we reached the gate we were supposed to use to escape the ruin.

"What does this mean?" I asked him.

"It means we're trapped!" Glenroy replied venomously, as if the question I asked was idiotic.

I noticed Baurus had a troubled expression on his face. "Is everything going to be okay?" I asked him.

"I don't know..." He replied, He glanced over his shoulder, scratching his head in ponder, "Okay, follow me."

Baurus started to walk toward an empty room that we all spotted whilst walking to the gate. Glenroy stayed to try and pry the gate open as the Emperor and I followed Baurus to the empty room. Once we were all inside, Baurus took a look around.

Once he was sure everything was safe he raised a request, "Jihl, could you wait here with the Emperor whilst Glenroy and I look for a way to open that gate?"

I nodded, "Okay..." I said weakly.

I knew deep down that we weren’t just trapped, but this whole set up was obviously a trap. The room with the gate was easily larger than the room Renault died in, and the fact that our only means of escape was impenetrable meant our odds for survival didn't look good; should there be an ambush.

I knew that the end of our journey in the ruins would be bad; but I still wasn't sure how bad it would be.

When Baurus headed back into the gate room I stopped him, "Baurus, wait." He turned to look at me. I took him to one side away from the emperor "I don't like this..."

"I don't either," Baurus said.

"What if I gets bad? What if this is the moment the assassins have been waiting for?" I added. "Those other attacks were bad, yeah, but they were minor. What if they were just wearing us out so the final attack would be an easy victory for them?"

Baurus sighed, "Then we will be ready for them.” He then placed his hand on my shoulder. “But you have to protect the emperor. He trusts you implicitly... and so do I."

I smiled gently and then put my hand on his; quickly removing it, though, once I realised what I was doing. Baurus began to walk away again, saying, "Don't let me down!" as he disappeared into the gate room.

I watched him closely as he walked away.

"He will be fine, Jihl." The Emperor assured me. "He is strong. He has the heart of a lion and the strength of a bull."

I smiled and turned to face him. "I know, but what if something happens? Will I be enough to protect you? I am nothing but a tiny woman."

The Emperor laughed, "You are more than a 'tiny woman' Jihl, you should not degrade your own self worth with such dribble." He smiled warmly, "You are Electra of the Hart Resistance. You alone have fought hundreds of men and lived to tell the tale. You are one of the strongest people on Nirn. Surely you should be aware of this?"

His words made me feel invincible. He had such confidence in me. Did I deserve the praise he had given me? I wasn't sure. Although I was curious about how he knew so many things about my past.

"Do not be afraid Jihl, as I am not." He said to me. Something in is eyes told me that he was certain of something. A knowing look that wouldn't share its secrets. But I knew.

"This is it, isn't it? This is when you die..." I said. I couldn't sugar coat it; I respected him to much for that.

The Emperor nodded. "I am certain, but I am also certain that my death is not the end; it is only the beginning."

"Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"I do not know-"

Just as he said this I heard battle cries from Baurus and Glenroy in the gate room. My bad feeling was right; a horde of assassins were attacking. The moment I noticed this I grabbed the emperor’s arm and took him to a dark corner in an attempt to hide. I peeked around the corner to see if any assassins were about to enter our room, but it seemed none had.

"Take this," The Emperor said, quickly removing the large, diamond shaped amulet from his neck and giving it to me. "Take this to Jauffre in Weynon Priory outside Chorrol. Tell him now is the time to get my other son."

"What?" I asked him, bedazzled by the clump of information the Emperor was giving me.

"Tell Jauffre the jaws of Oblivion are going to open-" The Emperor started, but before he could finish he crumpled to the ground. I looked to see a small dagger had been thrown into his head, blood oozing gently from the wound.

"SIRE!" I screamed, kneeling down to try and help him, but it was obvious it was too late.

I looked to my right to see an assassin appear from a secret door in the wall. I stood up and stared the assassin down. "You son of a mudcrab!" I said threateningly, gritting my teeth.

The assassin slowly started to come close to me. He wouldn’t say anything, and didn't even react when I took my bow and an arrow and aimed it at his head.

"The Emperor was a good man. An honest man." I prepared to fire, "You aren't going to live to regret this!"

As the assassin charged at me I released the arrow, hitting him right between the eyes. He fell to the floor, dead, his armour disappearing to reveal just another petty little man hiding behind summoned metal.

Baurus then entered the room and looked at me. He looked beaten and slightly bloody. I couldn't look him in the eye. I felt too ashamed.

"Jihl?" He said to me.

"I'm so sorry," I pathetically pleaded for forgiveness. "I couldn't protect him..."

Baurus then looked at the emperor and ran toward him, "NO! SIRE!"

I watched with tear filled eyes as Baurus futilely tried to shake life back into the Emperor. Baurus soon stood up.

"I think you need to go..." He said with an unfeeling tone.

"What?" I said, insulted, "That's it?"

"I failed. The Emperor’s dead. There's nothing more to do..." He said. He looked so sad. He felt like a failure; when in fact it should have been me feeling that way. "You need to get out of here, Jihl. It's too dangerous. I don't want any more needless deaths."

I completely ignored his order, "You didn't fail," I said, approaching him.

"Of course I failed," He replied angrily. "First Renault, then Glenroy… and now the Emperor." Baurus said. I was saddened that Glenroy had passed; the battle in the gate room must have been quite heavy.

I gazed into the brave Blade's eyes. They were full of sadness and despair. Everything this man had fought for was gone; and he blamed himself. I had to do something to give him some kind of purpose again and make him feel a bit better.

"Here," I said, producing the amulet the Emperor had just given me.

"What are you doing with that?" Baurus asked me with a slightly accusing tone.

"The Emperor gave it to me just before he died. He asked me to give it to Jauffre and to tell him to get the Emperor's 'other son'. Then something about the jaws to Oblivion opening." I pushed the amulet to Baurus."I think it's a good idea for you to fulfil the Emperor’s last wish."

"Other son? What do you mean?" Baurus asked me, confused.

I gently smiled, "These are all questions you should ask Jauffre. It's your responsibility now, noble Blade."

Baurus looked at me, then at the amulet. He took the amulet and looked at it for a moment. He then smiled at me. "Thank you."

I smiled back, then took a risk and hugged him and was glad when he hugged me back. His body may have been clad with armour; but it still felt warm. It felt safe.

I released my grip and took one last look at the emperor. I then slowly turned to leave; although I had no idea where I was to go.

"What are you going to do now?" Baurus asked me.

I looked at him with a look of determination, "I'm going to find Nerastarel and I'm going to kill her."

***

Before I left, Baurus told me to continue through the passage the assassin came through until I reached the sewers. Once in the sewers I was to continue until I reached a large gate which would lead outside. He told me to go into a chest by the gate left there for emergencies and take whatever I would need.

Once I found the chest I took a utility belt which had a coin purse, a sword holster, a pocket for lock picks and ten individual potion pockets. I also took a shoulder bag, a compass and a map; although it wasn't just any map, it was enchanted. A small red light on the map indicated where I was; which would me handy during my travels if I ever got lost.

Once I got everything ready I walked through the gate and continued until I was outside.

I was finally free. The sights of Cyrodiil laid bare before me. I was out of the sewer and ready to start my life anew. After I found Nerastarel.

"Where do you think she will be?" said an unseen voice.

I knew exactly who was speaking to me; it was my guardian spirit. I read that when a Guardian Spirit spoke to you it sounded like a person was speaking right into your ear, despite nobody actually being there.

"I don't know..." I replied, inviting her to tell me her name.

"Oh, sorry; my name's Heather." She replied.

[Colonel Mustard]

Hmm, would have thought a Daedric apocalypse would take higher priority than settling a personal grudge...

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out in regards to the wider plot of Oblivion. Part of me is now half expecting Jihl to deal with Nerastarel only to find herself neck-deep in daedra with the Emperor's ghost going; "Smooth, Jihl. Real smooth. Y'see, this is what happens when you don't listen to the dying words of someone with dragon blood."

Though I'll admit that the Emperor never really struck me as the sarcastic type.

[mALX]

Your depiction of the trap and death of Uriel was well done, and the way you captured the emotions of Jihl and Baurus over his death. Now we'll see what Jihl and Heather get into in hunting down and killing Nerastarel. I really like that you are breaking away from the Bethesda storyline and creating your own story that weaves through familiar names and places in Cyrodiil !! Awesome Write!

[Grits]

Baurus seems like a great choice for the Amulet delivery. Now Jihl and Heather can get down to the business of their own justice. I expect that Nerastarel will be surprised when she sees Jihl out of prison! I'm looking forward to their adventures together.

[Darkness Eternal]

I will definetly get into this story! I have yet to read the first chapter, but tonight I will give it all a read!

[Acadian]

"You son of a mudcrab!" I said threateningly, gritting my teeth.’
This was perfect!

I really like how Jihl gave the amulet to Baurus, assuming that the Emperor would have given it to him had he been there. It also makes perfect sense that she feels the Emperor’s last request is the responsibility of his Blades. Well done! That said, I do hope she runs into the brave Blade again in her travels. Those travels will no doubt be helped by her handy new enchanted map!

And Heather the guardian spirit introduces herself! Cyrodiil is a big and lonely place and it is wonderful for Jihl to have a constant companion to share it with and perhaps even seek counsel from.


Nit: "What if I gets bad?
I’m sure you want ‘it’ instead of ‘I’ here.

[TheBrume]

I'm liking this so far, you've given me a good chuckle a few times.
I think your unique take on the tutorial was excellent. Particularly this:

However the door the others left through suddenly opened again to reveal Baurus coming back into the room I was in. He looked confused; maybe annoyed.

"What are you doing?" He asked me, "Are you coming with us or not?"

It always befuddled me that I had to go through those caves, I like how you've avoided that.