Elder Scrolls Oblivion: The Tale of Vasilis Aquila, Part 2

Assassination!

BLACK HORSE COURIER SPECIAL EDITION!
EMPEROR AND HEIRS ASSASSINATED!

Elder Council Named as Regents!

Emperor Uriel Septim VII is dead, at the age of 87, having ruled Tamriel for 65 years. He was killed by assassins unknown. At the same time, in separate locations, the late emperor's three sons and heirs (Crown Prince Geldall, 56; Prince Enman, 55; Prince Ebel, 53] were slain by other assassins. An investigation into the identity and motives of the assassins is under way, but the Elder Council, Imperial Guard, and Blades Guard have forbidden the publication of reports and rumors concerning the event until further notice.

By ancient precedent, the Elder Council rules the empire until a new emperor is crowned. No direct heirs survive, and the council has proposed no list of candidates. Chancellor Ocato, Imperial Battlemage, speaking for the Elder Council, presented an appeal to the empire's citizens for calm, and asked that the people remember the Emperor, his sons, and the Elder Council in their prayers.

The Journal of Vasilis Aquila, 28 of Last Seed, 3E 433

Yesterday was probably the most extraordinary events in my life. I was awoken by the bastard in the cell opposite, banging on his cell door and shouting insults. However, I soon heard footsteps coming down the stairs, and voices. Four people came into view, three of them Blades, and with them the Emperor Uriel himself! As I stood in awe at what I saw, I was ordered away from the door. Of course I complied and rushed backwards. The Blades went to march straight through my cell but as the emperor walked past he looked at me, and stopped.

He told me that he had seen me in a dream, and unbelievably that I was destined to be a saviour of the Empire! However, there was little time for talk, and I was to follow the emperor and his guards. However, along the way we were attacked by mysterious, red cloaked assassins. The Captain Renault was killed by these. Unarmed, I retrieved her sword. I was here forced go my own route, and travelled through the caverns beneath the imperial city, being occasionally attacked by goblins, which were easily dispatched. I soon joined up again with the emperor, but it was not long before we were again ambushed. I was tasked with guarding the emperor while Baurus and his collegue attempted to kill the assassins. The emperor seemed aware of his impending doom, and charged with me the Amulet of Kings, and that I must "Stand against the Prince of Destruction and his Mortal Servants. Find Jauffre!" Seconds later an assassin appeared and with a swift stab struck the emperor through his heart, and he fell to the ground. In awe I could do little but block the assassins' attack on me before Baurus returned and slew him. Baurus then demanded the Emperors last words before he let me go with his blessing, and I escaped from the sewers out into the Imperial Isle.

Lost in what had just happened, I walked slowly to the top of the pathway that leads into the Market District. I wandered around the Imperial City for sometime, buying several books on the history of the Empire and of the Amulet of Kings in First Edition. I also looked around Palace area and the Temple, making a prayer to Akatosh.

Visiting the arena, I bet some of my few coins left on a match, although I won, I realised I had little cash. I went down into the bloodworks and joined up. The man, Owyn, did not seem to keen on me, but I proved him wrong by winning my first match. After a short rest I took part in my second match, winning by a hair, my shield spell winning me the match.

By now it was reasonably late, and I wandered into the Elven Gardens district and bought a bed at the King and Queen tavern. The bar was full of people talking about the emperors murder, but I simply sat in the corner with an ale reading about the Amulet of Kings. It seems I am sat now with an amulet containing blood of Akatosh himself in my pocket. I am awestruck and partially reluctant to give it up to a monk at Weynon Priory.

Waking this morning, I dressed myself and decided on a run to clear my thoughts. I ran from the King and Queen tavern, around the Palace several times while the sun rose, before running through the Talos Plaza. Here, as I ran I saw a man running towards me, dagger drawn. I stopped running and dodged his first attack by sidestepping. An Imperial Warder saw this and drew her bow, her first striking the mugger in the leg. I drew my own sword and parried the muggers next attack. I swiftly kicked him once in the stomach and he recoiled, and was struck in the back by a second arrow. Falling to his knees, I killed him with a strike through his chest. I thanked the guard, and dragged the body from beside the statue to behind some crates. I took his belongings and continued back to the King and Queen tavern, walking. I sit on my bed here now, ready for another day of adventure in the city.