Several Alik'r mercenaries approach the Dragonborn, explaining that they are searching for a Redguard woman living in Whiterun under a false name. The Dragonborn traces the woman to The Bannered Mare, where she goes by the name Saadia. She claims the Alik'r are assassins hired by the Aldmeri Dominion, who want her dead for her speaking out publicly against the Dominion. The Alik'r, however, claim Saadia fled Hammerfell after betraying her noble family, and the Redguard city of Taneth, to the Aldmeri Dominion. The mercenaries want to apprehend her and take her back to Hammerfell, where she will be tried for treason.
Siding with either Saadia or the Alik'r grants the Dragonborn 500 , but an additional 200 can be looted from Kematu's body if he is killed or pickpocketed.
Did you know some Alik'r warriors are looking for a Redguard woman?"Are you sure? Oh no! They've found me? I need your help! Please, come with me. I need to speak to you privately."
"Quickly, come with me."
After following Saadia:
"So, are you working with them? You think you can take me? You so much as touch me, and you're going to lose fingers. I mean it! I'll... I'll cut you in half!"
Tell me what's going on."So the Alik'r know where I am? What did they offer you? Gold? How many more of them are coming? Tell me!"
Relax, I'm not going to hurt you."Then I need your help and there isn't anyone I can trust here in the city."
They just asked me to find you."You can't tell them! Please, I need your help and there isn't anyone I can trust here in the city."
Put that down before you get hurt."I'm sorry, just... Just don't hurt me. I know you're not one of them, but you just can't help them. You can't let them know I'm here. Please, will you help me? There's no one here I can trust."
Perhaps. If there's money in it."There will be. Of that, you can be assured. I am not the person that the people of Whiterun think I am. My name is Iman. I am a noble of House Suda in Hammerfell. The men who are looking for me, the Alik'r, they are assassins in the employ of the Aldmeri Dominion. They wish to exchange my blood for gold. I need you to root them out and drive them away before they find me and drag me back to Hammerfell for an execution."
Maybe. What do you want?"I am not the person that the people of Whiterun think I am. My name is Iman. I am a noble of House Suda in Hammerfell. The men who are looking for me, the Alik'r, they are assassins in the employ of the Aldmeri Dominion. They wish to exchange my blood for gold. I need you to root them out and drive them away before they find me and drag me back to Hammerfell for an execution."
How am I supposed to get rid of them?"They're mercenaries, only in it for the money. They're led by a man named Kematu. Get rid of him, and the rest will scatter. I don't dare show my face, lest they recognise me, so you'll have to find out where they are."
Any suggestions as to how I find them?"I heard one of them was just arrested trying to sneak into the city. If he's locked up in the jail, perhaps you can get it out of him. Please, I know I'm asking you to do something difficult, maybe even dangerous. I just don't know who else I can trust."
Why haven't you gone to the guards for help?"You think I'd be in hiding if this was something I trusted town guards to handle? These men are ruthless. Cunning, deceitful... they'll pay off whoever they can. I can't trust anyone here in Whiterun. Guards and Jarls can be bought. And the Alik'r are close; I'm running out of time, so I'm choosing to trust you."
Why are the Alik'r after you?"I don't know for sure. I spoke out against the Aldmeri Dominion publicly; I suspect that's why these men were hired to hunt me down."
"Find me the moment the Alik'r are taken care of."
If Saadia is sided with:
"Any news of the Alik'r?"
The Alik'r won't trouble you anymore."At last. I can rest safely. You have done me a great service, warrior. I cannot thank you enough. Take this reward. I managed to sneak some of my wealth out of Hammerfell when I left. It's the least I can do. For now, I will maintain my ruse here. You are always welcome in the Bannered Mare."
There, now you're safe. (Only available if Kematu is betrayed at the Whiterun Stables)"You liar! How could you do that to me!"
Relax, Kematu's dead, and now you're safe."You could have warned me you were baiting me into a trap. But you're right. This should scatter the rest of them. I can go back to my life for now. You have my thanks."
I didn't want to risk you not coming."A risky game to play, friend. But now Kematu's gone, and the rest of his snakes should slither back to their desert. I can go back to my life fow now. And I have you to thank for it. I won't forget this."
If Kematu is sided with:
"Any news of the Alik'r?"
I was unable to defeat them all, and they're coming for you. (Lie)"What? How? I thought they weren't allowed within the city!"
They've found a way in. We need to get you out of here. (Lie)"But where will I go? I can't keep running forever!"
There's a horse waiting at the stables. I'll make sure you're safe. (Lie)"After all this, I have to pick up and leave again? If you really think this is the only way, I trust you. Let's not waste any time."
Conversations[]
Kematu[]
Kematu:"We meet at last, my dear lady."Saadia:"What is this? What have you (referring to the Dragonborn) done?"Kematu:"Oh, come now. You didn't really expect to manipulate people forever, did you? Your luck had to run out sometime."
Quotes[]
"If it's work you're looking for, Hulda's the one to talk to."
"If you need more food or drink, speak to Hulda."
"Mind your manners and pay your bills, and you'll always be welcome."
Trivia[]
Just like if Saadia is killed, if the Dragonborn sides with Kematu and the Alik'r during this quest, her burial urn will appear in Whiterun Catacombs through the iron door on the left. It will contain whatever items were on her person when she died. Taking them from the urn is considered theft. This appears to be scripted for whenever Saadia is removed from the game, regardless of the reasons for removal (e.g. death or turning her in for treason).
, but an additional 200