TESIV:Oblivion Fanfiction
Originals and now Defunct version of Shaefinna's tales.
- Death of an Emperor - this post contains it.
A Free Mage - Second Post below.
Start of An Adventure - Third Post below
Destiny's Prologue
Death of an Emperor.
Spoiler:
The cell stank and provided little light for it’s Altmeri inhabitant. Saefinna was her name and her crime was assault. The Imperials loved to invite people to their most prized city, which was named the Imperial city. Saefinna always thought it was a lazy name for it and often joked about Alinor being renamed to Altmeri City if she was in charge. But what most imperials failed to mention in their books was that it had a bit of a criminal presence and Altmeri young women were a target out of the belief they were easy pickings. Most of the time that turned out to be a mistake on account of all Altmer being gifted with magic and was akin to swatting away a bothersome fly. She had been tasting a bottle of wine when trouble started to brew in the inn. She couldn’t recall the name of the inn but she did come across a drunken mage that insulted her. “Here to steal my magic are you?” “You think you’re soooo good because you’re an elf.” These were the kindest and it wouldn’t have mattered apart from the first punch. Saefinna had reacted to the mage’s attempted assault with a blast of magic. It did not harm him but the poor table that they landed on was killed by his large posture.
She was blamed for starting a fight an hour later and taken to prison for being dangerous. Her crime was assault officially but it was mostly to avoid a magical duel. The Nine knew it was bad enough when that happened at the Arcane University! In the streets of the Imperial City would be a nightmare!
She had stayed at the rear of the cell and spent her time recounting the last book she read. It was on the Life of Uriel Septim VII and had lazily summoned a skeleton over and over again to past the time. She wasn’t too fussed about her stay as she knew it wouldn’t matter in the long run. She was rather cocky and laid back as a person. To her, she was better then everyone else. To everyone else, she was another High Elf.
On the 7th day, she decided to break from her routine of staring at the ceiling for hours on end, practising magic, perfecting the art of lollygagging and got off the rags that made up her bed. It was kind to call it a bed and was uncomfortable but far better then being at sea.
“Well, what do we have here?” A dunmer leaned against the bars of his cell. “look at the elegant Altmer maiden. Where's your dignity now, huh? Where's that famous High Elf poise and bearing? You know, my time's almost up. Pretty soon I'll be free, and you'll still be stuck in this rat hole, waiting for your execution. That's right. I heard some of the guards talking. You're going to die in here, "High" Elf! You hear me? You're going to die in here!” He laughed. “Oh look, an ass. The Imperials think of everything. Tell me, do you do other things then speak rubbish? Do they give you extra treats for insulting others? It must be terrible drool guarding the likes of you. I mean, you’ve been in here for a lot longer and not once, you have tried to escape. Where as, I could make these bars disappear if I cared to.” Fortunately, the Dunmer was spared the speech that Saefinna was about to go on about how she was superior to the gutter trash that resided opposite her when the sound of voices came through the air.
"My sons...they're dead, aren't they?"
"We don't know that, Sire. The messenger only said they were attacked."
"No, they're dead. I know it"
"My job right now is to get you to safety."
"I know this place ... the prison?"
"Yes, your Majesty. Beneath the Legion Compound. We're headed for a secret passage known only to the Blades. No one can follow us through here."
They approached the cell of Saefinna and it was quite the shock. Uriel Septim VII, Emperor of Tamriel was standing in front of her very cell with his blades. “Why is this prisoner in here? This cell was meant to be free all the time!” A blade inquired. “Usual mix up with the watch.” Another retorted. “You, prisoner, move away and you won’t be harmed.” The captain or the woman Saefinna assumed was the captain based on the tone she used. She complied and moved over to the window. “You? I’ve seen you in my dreams. Let me take a closer look.” Uriel addressed the Altmeri prisoner. “Your majesty, that is quite disturbing and complimentary.” She commented as she went to bow before him. “There is no need for formalities but you are the one from my dreams. Then the Stars were right, this is the day.” His voice was filled with weariness and acceptance. “Your majesty, what is going on?” Saefinna inquired. “Assassin’s killed my sons and I am next. By chance, the entrance to that escape route runs through your cell. Whatever it is you have done, that is not what you will be remembered for but today is where you start your path and mine ends.” He told her. “We best get moving,sire. Don’t close this as we don’t know if it can be opened from the other side.” The lead Blade told the others and the Emperor. “Looks like this is your lucky day, prisoner.” The Redguard Blade told Saefinna. “Nah, I’m just blessed by the Nine.” She remarked. She walked up to the bars as the others began to make their way into the escape route. “Hey Dunmer, guess what? I’m free and guess what, you’re stuck in there. Oh, that’s right, you’ll die in there.” She told the Dunmer. It made no sense but it felt good.
She followed the blades and the emperor. “Who goes there?” The female blade asked. “The dawn takes all.” A voice responded. 10 men in black and red armour appeared out of nowhere. “PROTECT THE EMPEROR!” The captain yelled out. “Protect yourself.” Uriel advised Saefinna as the attackers charged at them. The female blade impaled one with her blade before duck to sink it into the thigh of another one. The owner yelled out in pain before being killed. The Redguard deflected blow after blow after blow with his shield and responded with simple yet effective thrusts. The Imperial was using aggressive strikes and his speed exceeded the attackers. His blade penetrated their armour and separated their heads. Their armour was weak or seemed to be as he move through them, one at a time. But before the last one was killed, the Captain was taken from Mundus. The man thrusted a dagger into her throat and her lifeforce was spilled onto the ground.
“Sir, we should move on.” The redguard told the Emperor. “Captain Renault?” He inquired though he knew the truth. “I’m sorry, sire. She’s dead. We have to keep moving.” Uriel walked down the dark corridor and towards the door. “You, prisoner, stay behind and we won’t kill you.” The imperial told her. Uriel glanced at her and in his heart, he knew she would save his Empire. It was fate that would drive her to reunite with him before the end of the path. His blades would not and could not understand it but the prisoner was vital.
“Well, [&@%!].” Saefinna uttered as she watched her only escape option walk away and the door was locked behind them. “Escape, I said. It’ll be easy and I can get back to getting better at the blade and art of magic, I said.” She uttered as she walked around the battlefield in the small room. The assassins were all over the place. They were no match for the Blades but their numbers were their strength.
She whistled and was very impressed. 10 against 3 in any situation was unfavourable yet the blades dealt with them without too much trouble apart from the dead captain. “Sorry, Renault. You’ve served your emperor well but I’m going to need your blade. Nothing personal, just unarmed and this isn’t a good place for magic. Rather not set fire to the place. But don’t fear, I’m apparently the one from his dreams.” She commented as she slowly prised the katana from the blade’s dead hands. “Nice blade.” She uttered just as something smashed in the far corner. “Oh for the love of Julianos!” She expected to be overwhelmed by more assassins and she would have died without taking any down. She knew that in her heart. Sure, she had a bit of experience with a blade but never really fought in actual combat before.
To her surprise and relief, it was a rat. A few seconds later, it was a roasted rat. She walked over to the hole where a wall had been previously and looked into it. “Thanks, Rat.” She cautiously entered it and illuminated the area with a simple illusion spell. She spotted a skeleton with leather armour on leaning against the wall and opposite a bucket. She walked over to it when she heard the squeaking of a rat and spun around just to see half a rat landing next to her foot. “That was odd.” She remarked in surprise at her kill. “As for you, sorry but I need this more then you do. Man, I never thought I’ll be wearing this.” She uttered as she slowly removed the rough leather armour from it’s deceased armour. The bones were quite brittle and a few snapped easily. “Doesn’t stink.” She commented and was relieved. After putting it over her cloth shirt, she removed the leather boots. Both were badly beaten up and in rough condition. They barely looked like they were useful but it was better then nothing. “Right, Saef, find the emperor, fulfil my destiny, yadadada, get rich. Should be simple.” She told herself as she walked towards the door. She saw a dead creature holding a crude weapon. It was made out of wood and had small spikes on it. “Is that a goblin?” She inquired. She recalled a picture she saw in a book a few years back when she was studying some bestiary and it looked just like the specimen in front of her. “Explains why this is in bad shape.”
She unlocked the door using the iron key she liberated from the goblin and made her way through the corridor. Rats fell to her blade as she made her way through the abandoned remains of what was surely part of the prison. She even killed a zombie with a simple flare spell. Today was proving to be quite an adventure for her. She travelled through it dealing with whatever pests she came across until she entered a cave. She took cover behind a pile of logs when the sound of arrows flew in her direction and pushed them down a hill. “Ok, was expecting them to move.” She remarked as she got up and resumed her travel.
She entered the central area of the cave or she assumed it was at least and came across three goblins. The first fell to a touch spell called Shocking Touch. The Second was lit ablaze and ended up becoming fuel for the brazier it was tending to. The Shaman was the real challenge for her and they engaged in a minor magical duel. She came out on top when her sparks sent it crashing through a small fence. She claimed it’s crude staff as her own. It used the head of a goblin and the skeletal hand as the main shaft. How it worked, she did not know but it would be useful to have.
She ended up catching the blades and Uriel Septim VII. He asked her what her birth sign was and learnt that she was born under the Lady. Saefinna was shocked to hear that this was the day he would die and he was content to die.
So, they made their way towards the exit and would have escaped if the gate hadn’t been locked. It was a trap. Saefinna was charged with guarding the emperor just seconds before the assassin’s attacked.
"I can go no further. You alone must stand against the Prince of Destruction and his mortal servants. He must not have the Amulet of Kings!
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."
The Amulet of Kings was thrusted into her hands and Uriel gave her no chance to object to it. “Sire, I’m just a prisoner. Ex-Prisoner, I suppose but if you think the Nine have used me in their plan, I wildo my best.” She told the Emperor. “Goodbye, my friend.” He turned to face the wall and faced down his killer. The assassin’s blade sank into his torso. “You’ve chosen the wrong side.” He told her and charged at her. She tried to strike at him but her blow was deflected. He thrusted at her and she barely managed to jump out of the way. She shocked him with a spell and tried to finish him but he blocked it and drove her back until the redguard embedded his sword into the assassin’s stomach. “Dawn will rule…….Supr...” He fell to the floor and Saefinna saw the full extent of the assault. There were 20 dead bodies littered around the place and the Imperial’s was surrounded 15 of them. She retrieved his sword and handed both Katanas over after speaking to the redguard. He revealed his name to be Baurus and trusted the Emperor’s last act. Saefinna of Alinor, Summerset Isles was entrusted to bring the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre. This was merely the start of a long path for her.
She was blamed for starting a fight an hour later and taken to prison for being dangerous. Her crime was assault officially but it was mostly to avoid a magical duel. The Nine knew it was bad enough when that happened at the Arcane University! In the streets of the Imperial City would be a nightmare!
She had stayed at the rear of the cell and spent her time recounting the last book she read. It was on the Life of Uriel Septim VII and had lazily summoned a skeleton over and over again to past the time. She wasn’t too fussed about her stay as she knew it wouldn’t matter in the long run. She was rather cocky and laid back as a person. To her, she was better then everyone else. To everyone else, she was another High Elf.
On the 7th day, she decided to break from her routine of staring at the ceiling for hours on end, practising magic, perfecting the art of lollygagging and got off the rags that made up her bed. It was kind to call it a bed and was uncomfortable but far better then being at sea.
“Well, what do we have here?” A dunmer leaned against the bars of his cell. “look at the elegant Altmer maiden. Where's your dignity now, huh? Where's that famous High Elf poise and bearing? You know, my time's almost up. Pretty soon I'll be free, and you'll still be stuck in this rat hole, waiting for your execution. That's right. I heard some of the guards talking. You're going to die in here, "High" Elf! You hear me? You're going to die in here!” He laughed. “Oh look, an ass. The Imperials think of everything. Tell me, do you do other things then speak rubbish? Do they give you extra treats for insulting others? It must be terrible drool guarding the likes of you. I mean, you’ve been in here for a lot longer and not once, you have tried to escape. Where as, I could make these bars disappear if I cared to.” Fortunately, the Dunmer was spared the speech that Saefinna was about to go on about how she was superior to the gutter trash that resided opposite her when the sound of voices came through the air.
"My sons...they're dead, aren't they?"
"We don't know that, Sire. The messenger only said they were attacked."
"No, they're dead. I know it"
"My job right now is to get you to safety."
"I know this place ... the prison?"
"Yes, your Majesty. Beneath the Legion Compound. We're headed for a secret passage known only to the Blades. No one can follow us through here."
They approached the cell of Saefinna and it was quite the shock. Uriel Septim VII, Emperor of Tamriel was standing in front of her very cell with his blades. “Why is this prisoner in here? This cell was meant to be free all the time!” A blade inquired. “Usual mix up with the watch.” Another retorted. “You, prisoner, move away and you won’t be harmed.” The captain or the woman Saefinna assumed was the captain based on the tone she used. She complied and moved over to the window. “You? I’ve seen you in my dreams. Let me take a closer look.” Uriel addressed the Altmeri prisoner. “Your majesty, that is quite disturbing and complimentary.” She commented as she went to bow before him. “There is no need for formalities but you are the one from my dreams. Then the Stars were right, this is the day.” His voice was filled with weariness and acceptance. “Your majesty, what is going on?” Saefinna inquired. “Assassin’s killed my sons and I am next. By chance, the entrance to that escape route runs through your cell. Whatever it is you have done, that is not what you will be remembered for but today is where you start your path and mine ends.” He told her. “We best get moving,sire. Don’t close this as we don’t know if it can be opened from the other side.” The lead Blade told the others and the Emperor. “Looks like this is your lucky day, prisoner.” The Redguard Blade told Saefinna. “Nah, I’m just blessed by the Nine.” She remarked. She walked up to the bars as the others began to make their way into the escape route. “Hey Dunmer, guess what? I’m free and guess what, you’re stuck in there. Oh, that’s right, you’ll die in there.” She told the Dunmer. It made no sense but it felt good.
She followed the blades and the emperor. “Who goes there?” The female blade asked. “The dawn takes all.” A voice responded. 10 men in black and red armour appeared out of nowhere. “PROTECT THE EMPEROR!” The captain yelled out. “Protect yourself.” Uriel advised Saefinna as the attackers charged at them. The female blade impaled one with her blade before duck to sink it into the thigh of another one. The owner yelled out in pain before being killed. The Redguard deflected blow after blow after blow with his shield and responded with simple yet effective thrusts. The Imperial was using aggressive strikes and his speed exceeded the attackers. His blade penetrated their armour and separated their heads. Their armour was weak or seemed to be as he move through them, one at a time. But before the last one was killed, the Captain was taken from Mundus. The man thrusted a dagger into her throat and her lifeforce was spilled onto the ground.
“Sir, we should move on.” The redguard told the Emperor. “Captain Renault?” He inquired though he knew the truth. “I’m sorry, sire. She’s dead. We have to keep moving.” Uriel walked down the dark corridor and towards the door. “You, prisoner, stay behind and we won’t kill you.” The imperial told her. Uriel glanced at her and in his heart, he knew she would save his Empire. It was fate that would drive her to reunite with him before the end of the path. His blades would not and could not understand it but the prisoner was vital.
“Well, [&@%!].” Saefinna uttered as she watched her only escape option walk away and the door was locked behind them. “Escape, I said. It’ll be easy and I can get back to getting better at the blade and art of magic, I said.” She uttered as she walked around the battlefield in the small room. The assassins were all over the place. They were no match for the Blades but their numbers were their strength.
She whistled and was very impressed. 10 against 3 in any situation was unfavourable yet the blades dealt with them without too much trouble apart from the dead captain. “Sorry, Renault. You’ve served your emperor well but I’m going to need your blade. Nothing personal, just unarmed and this isn’t a good place for magic. Rather not set fire to the place. But don’t fear, I’m apparently the one from his dreams.” She commented as she slowly prised the katana from the blade’s dead hands. “Nice blade.” She uttered just as something smashed in the far corner. “Oh for the love of Julianos!” She expected to be overwhelmed by more assassins and she would have died without taking any down. She knew that in her heart. Sure, she had a bit of experience with a blade but never really fought in actual combat before.
To her surprise and relief, it was a rat. A few seconds later, it was a roasted rat. She walked over to the hole where a wall had been previously and looked into it. “Thanks, Rat.” She cautiously entered it and illuminated the area with a simple illusion spell. She spotted a skeleton with leather armour on leaning against the wall and opposite a bucket. She walked over to it when she heard the squeaking of a rat and spun around just to see half a rat landing next to her foot. “That was odd.” She remarked in surprise at her kill. “As for you, sorry but I need this more then you do. Man, I never thought I’ll be wearing this.” She uttered as she slowly removed the rough leather armour from it’s deceased armour. The bones were quite brittle and a few snapped easily. “Doesn’t stink.” She commented and was relieved. After putting it over her cloth shirt, she removed the leather boots. Both were badly beaten up and in rough condition. They barely looked like they were useful but it was better then nothing. “Right, Saef, find the emperor, fulfil my destiny, yadadada, get rich. Should be simple.” She told herself as she walked towards the door. She saw a dead creature holding a crude weapon. It was made out of wood and had small spikes on it. “Is that a goblin?” She inquired. She recalled a picture she saw in a book a few years back when she was studying some bestiary and it looked just like the specimen in front of her. “Explains why this is in bad shape.”
She unlocked the door using the iron key she liberated from the goblin and made her way through the corridor. Rats fell to her blade as she made her way through the abandoned remains of what was surely part of the prison. She even killed a zombie with a simple flare spell. Today was proving to be quite an adventure for her. She travelled through it dealing with whatever pests she came across until she entered a cave. She took cover behind a pile of logs when the sound of arrows flew in her direction and pushed them down a hill. “Ok, was expecting them to move.” She remarked as she got up and resumed her travel.
She entered the central area of the cave or she assumed it was at least and came across three goblins. The first fell to a touch spell called Shocking Touch. The Second was lit ablaze and ended up becoming fuel for the brazier it was tending to. The Shaman was the real challenge for her and they engaged in a minor magical duel. She came out on top when her sparks sent it crashing through a small fence. She claimed it’s crude staff as her own. It used the head of a goblin and the skeletal hand as the main shaft. How it worked, she did not know but it would be useful to have.
She ended up catching the blades and Uriel Septim VII. He asked her what her birth sign was and learnt that she was born under the Lady. Saefinna was shocked to hear that this was the day he would die and he was content to die.
So, they made their way towards the exit and would have escaped if the gate hadn’t been locked. It was a trap. Saefinna was charged with guarding the emperor just seconds before the assassin’s attacked.
"I can go no further. You alone must stand against the Prince of Destruction and his mortal servants. He must not have the Amulet of Kings!
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."
The Amulet of Kings was thrusted into her hands and Uriel gave her no chance to object to it. “Sire, I’m just a prisoner. Ex-Prisoner, I suppose but if you think the Nine have used me in their plan, I wildo my best.” She told the Emperor. “Goodbye, my friend.” He turned to face the wall and faced down his killer. The assassin’s blade sank into his torso. “You’ve chosen the wrong side.” He told her and charged at her. She tried to strike at him but her blow was deflected. He thrusted at her and she barely managed to jump out of the way. She shocked him with a spell and tried to finish him but he blocked it and drove her back until the redguard embedded his sword into the assassin’s stomach. “Dawn will rule…….Supr...” He fell to the floor and Saefinna saw the full extent of the assault. There were 20 dead bodies littered around the place and the Imperial’s was surrounded 15 of them. She retrieved his sword and handed both Katanas over after speaking to the redguard. He revealed his name to be Baurus and trusted the Emperor’s last act. Saefinna of Alinor, Summerset Isles was entrusted to bring the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre. This was merely the start of a long path for her.
I feel my stuff from years ago was much better then what i've done so far thus I can get back to it, improve and try to make Shaefinna believable as a character)
