The following has been edited by misnomer but I am also looking for serisou critequing. This means telling me in a polite, friendly way how you think the story may be improved.

Since the story is being told by an outsider I want to keep it informal and not go into things that would be held close by the Grandmaster.

The Blades as told by Baroness Nakia

Prologue

The sun warms my aging bones, as I sit in the large garden just inside the Fortress walls. Next to me my dog, Koal, rests his head against my leg as if to assure me that he is there and ready to perform whatever help he can. In my lap lies Solia, my tiger cat, her fur soft and silky. The scent of the late spring flowers rise to caress my nose. I hear the cries of the young birds calling to their parents in anguished hunger. Servants have left platters of various delicacies to tempt my taste. A scribe sits nearby waiting to take down my words of wisdom. Rebecca is young but shows great talent and patience.

Blindness is difficult. One is dependent upon others for many things, yet it is not as hard as many believe. My other senses have grown and I find that I am often aware of things that others miss. Each person moves in a different manner. I was not born blind, but became so because of the hardships I underwent. Darken, the vampire Lord, has much for which to answer. I am one of the few survivors, and for that I am grateful.

I hear footsteps approaching. They are soft and many would miss them, but I know it is my nephew, Roland. He is a member of that well-known, yet secret group called The Blades. They learn early in their training how to move as silently as a cat. Since we no longer have an emperor of the Septim blood, I cannot but wonder what their fate will be.

Ah, the subject of The Blades might be a good one for me to have scribed for my private library. So much is said about them and so little is actually known. Yes, let me relate the facts so that they will not be lost to future generations.

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The Blades, fact and myth as related by Baroness Nakia to her scribe.

Because there is mention of an obscure Arena Team called The Blades, many people believe that The Blades were founded by Uriel Septim VII: this is myth and not true lore. The following is based on statements by Grandmaster Jauffre and other long time members of The Blades.

The Blades date back to the time of Reman Cyrodiil. Their fortress, Cloud Ruler Temple, was built by the Akaviri Dragonguard and has served The Blades since that time.

They are sworn to the service of Tiber Septim, or Talos, and serve the Septim Dragonborn, who are mortal representatives of the Divine Talos. Cloud Ruler Temple is where young Blades go for training. It is their headquarters, home and haven. It has never fallen to an enemy and The Blades will defend it until the last one is dead.

Many people think The Blades serve the Empire - again this is myth and not lore. The Blades are sworn to the service of Talos and to the Septim Emperors. They are the eyes and ears of the Emperor, his spies and, yes, his assassins. A few serve openly with the Imperial Guards, but most are unknown. They are trained to be rogue, thief, warrior, and even to some extent, mage. They have many talents, not the least of which is the ability to move as silently and quickly as a snake upon its prey. Beware that tattered beggar sitting in the corner, contentiously downing skooma. He may not be what he seems. We tend to take the lower classes for granted and do not even see them. The beggars are the lowest of the low: invisible, unless they are pestering us for hand-outs.

Few outsiders are privileged to visit Cloud Ruler Temple, but those who have are surprised and shocked by the harsh, stark conditions under which The Blades live. Monks live more luxuriously than do The Blades. All, including the Grandmaster, sleep on bedrolls. There is only one chamber with a bed, and that is reserved for the Emperor or his Heir. The fortress lies high in the Jerall Mountains above Bruma, and the climate is harsh.

Males and females of all races are represented in The Blades, and all are equal. The hierarchy is simple: a Grandmaster and a few Captains. Because a Blade must be independent and able to adapt to many different situations, they are taught to think for themselves, as well as to think as one when the situation requires it. The bond is close and they refer to each other as Brother or Sister.

The Blades served Tiber Septim in his mortal life, as they now serve the Divine Talos and his mortal representatives. They are linked to the Order of the Nine Divines and dedicated to Talos. When, through age or injury, they are no longer able to carry out the duties of The Blades, they frequently become members of this Order, and continue to serve Talos.

I am sure that there are many secrets known only to the Grandmaster and perhaps the Captains. The Blades guard their secrets as dearly as they guard their Temple. Now they stand at a crossroad. Talos is still their patron and he is watchful of the innocent and helpless. What fate does he have in store for The Blades?

Credits
Building for having the story told by the blind Baroness and spending time on xfire giving me the backgroond.
misnomer for editing the story.
the Dragon Captions team for support, and suggestions.

Nakia

I did really in enjoyed this story, it had me in the moment I started to read it, has for impovements, I think you have it covered, I liked your concept of deleivery, by a blind person, I can not wait for the next part and I hope there is more.

Portpower, I wish I could take credit for the concept of the blind narrator but that was Building's idea. I orginally intended to have the Grandmaster write the history of The Blades. Guess who Building based his character on?

As for the next part that is up to Building, what he wants or needs.

According to Oblivion Grandmaster should be one word not two. I'll correct.

i was only able to read the pro log.... im getting sick i think and woke up at 3:43 in the morning for my time... and ug.... so i got on and was reading... i like your intor... just a few issues with it...

fort cellious is.... completly underground... the "rock garden" is not wat u expect... i think i have a pic... somewere... let me go see if i can find it...

just might need to change a few description words hehe after i find the pic... or not i will read the rest of the story, and comment...

biulding

the is the only thing close to a picture of it i can find.... its the halway... (i DONT know why i took a pic of the hall, but NOT the rocks... but hey...)

biulding

Nakia

I like the story and the concept of the blind person is great and well done biulding. I am thinking of the blind moths but I could be wrong there, the keepers of knowledge.

Go to Bed, Boss. I think you were sleeping when you explained that rock garden bit to me on xfire. Oh, well, now how do I get smell into the story.The smell of the rocks? No plants? Glenvar Castle has an underground arboretum. No little birds crying for their dinner? Hmm...maybe she is sitting outside the fort. What is the landscape like above ground? Please don't tell me it is high in the mountains, covered with ice and snow or in the middle of a desert like unto the Sahara. I know it is in the ashlands of Morrowind. That wouldn't be too bad I could do something with that. But rocks? Just rocks.

Get well, Building.

Portpower, You have forgotten that I was away from Mechstorm for 3 months because of sudden, very sudden, eye problems that left me virtually blind. Building honored me by creating Baroness Nakia. There was a while there when we didn't know if I would be able to return. Otelino tried hard to make sure we had a Nakia-bad-eye-sight skin and he succeeded extremely well.

very good story nakia... dont see anything overly wrong lore wise... and only gramatical mistake i saw was me miss reading something hehe so nothing their

very good will talk to u... uh.. er... later today... about it...

biulding

wow i am lossing it... didnt notice u two (port and nakia) posted over again... hehe i am lossing it... anyway... yes nakia is right thats were the story came from... as for the nak charector, after the great battle of bloody keep (the battle replaid in wolfs gate, that the player is lead through time by a master port power, in) wherehe sees the destruction of the respawn clan, nakia is one of 4 ppl to live... but she was taken captive by darkan in the war...

meh

ima... go lay down i ugess

biulding

"Spoke" to Building on xfire and I think we solved our garden problem. Of course when Building actually wakes up he may find more problems. You modders complain but we story writers don't have it so easy either.