Entry 7: Heartfire 1, 3E433

I am writing this entry by candlelight in the great hall of the fortress of the Blades. It is after 2:00 AM now and I am weary from the long day. Much has happened since I have last recorded my events in this journal. Pivotal events are now in motion and Tamriel’s hope is fading with each passing day. Let me explain:

Martin and I set out in our journey to return to Weynon Priory at first light. We traveled east along the Gold Road towards Skingrad. After stopping briefly in the city to sell off some more equipment, a strange Bosmer, a Wood Elf named Glathir approached me. Glathir asked me to meet him behind the chapel at midnight and I agreed, although I had no intention of meeting this disturbed elf.

After we departed from Skingrad, Martin and I decided that we would brave the perils of the wild, so we traveled north across the plains. Luckily, our travels were uneventful and we exited the wilderness near the Odiil farm along the Black Road.

Further up the road, Eroner, the shepard from the priory, came running towards us. Eroner quickly explained that Weynon Priory had fallen under attack. Martin and I ran forward, while Eroner kept running away. Up ahead, two assassins identical to those who killed Emperor Uriel Septim, attacked us. Drawing my sword, I called upon my inner adrenaline rush and quickly killed the red robed assassins.

Outside of the priory, Martin and I found both Brothers Piner and Maborel dead at the hands of the assassins. Fearing the worst, we entered the chapel hoping to find Jauffre alive. Inside, Jauffre was fending off two more assassins with a two-handed Akaviri Dai-Katana. The old man fought well, but I quickly engaged the assassins the even the odds. After the assassins lay dead, Jauffre explained that this attack was not aimed at killing Martin, but instead the attack served another purpose.

We quickly returned to the priory where we found that the Amulet of Kings had been stolen from a secret room in which Jauffre had hidden it. The implication of this was immediate. Without the Amulet of Kings, Martin, the last heir of Uriel Septim, could not be crowned Emperor. Fearing the assassins return to kill Martin, the three of us set out on horse back for the fortress of the Blades, Cloud Ruler Temple.

It would be a long arduous journey for Cloud Ruler Temple was north of distant Bruma. We continued north along the Orange Road, encountering imps and wolves along the way. As the sun was setting, we stopped at a Wayshrine just off of the road to drink from it. Rejuvenated from Akatoshs’ blessing, we continued east through the night, with nothing but our torches to light the way.

It wasn’t long before we were met with yet another challenge. Ahead of us, a red glow emanated in the night sky and as we came within sight of the source of this, my heart sank. Standing before us was an Oblivion gate. As the sky turned red and rumbled with thunder, I was now faced with a dilemma. Do I dare enter the gate and risk not only my life, but also the lives of the last Septim heir and the Grandmaster of the Blades? Or do I safely deliver Martin to the safety of the Blades’ fortress? Although I wanted nothing more than to kill more daedra, I decided that it would be wisest to get Martin as far away from this gate as possible.

After marking the location on my map, we continued north along the Silver Road towards Bruma. The further north we traveled, the red sky diminished and returned to normal. We continued through the night until at last we climbed the winding road that led to two great doors of Cloud Ruler Temple.

The double doors opened and a Blade escorted us inside. After we climbed a great flight of stone stairs, Jauffre introduced Martin to the Blades. The Blades in turn raised their swords in salute and hailed Martin Septim as their new Emperor. After a brief speech, Martin talked to me about the Oblivion gates that were now opening up.

For my services to the Empire, Jauffre bestowed upon me the honor of being knighted as a Blade. Having kneeled before him, I accepted this honor and all the duties that came along with it. As I rised, Jauffre presented me with an Akaviri Katana, the sword of the Blades. Inside the armory, I was issued a full heavy set of armor that the Blades wear while on duty.

As my first duty as a Blade, Jauffre commanded me to retrieve the Amulet of Kings. I knew that this would not be a small task, but I accepted the duty nonetheless. Jauffre recommended that I meet up with Baurus in the Imperial City as he continued his investigation of the assassins who were behind this plot.

So here I am now, my life intertwined with the perils now facing all of Tamriel. So, it would seem that my quest to find my vampiric sister would have to wait while I set out on my duties as a Blade in service to the Empire. Arkay willing, I would succeed. Thousands of lives depend upon it.