You’re walking through the gates of Whiterun for the hundredth time. Maybe you just killed your first dragon at the Western Watchtower, or maybe you're just there to sell some iron daggers. Suddenly, two Alik'r warriors are up in your face, getting harassed by the local guards. They’re looking for a Redguard woman. This is the start of In My Time of Need Skyrim, a quest that has sparked more Reddit debates and lore theories than almost any other minor objective in the game.
It seems simple. Find the girl, turn her in, or help her escape. But once you actually talk to Saadia in the Bannered Mare, the story splits wide open. She’s terrified. She claims she’s a noble fleeing from the Thalmor. Then you meet Kematu, the leader of the Alik'r, and he tells a completely different story. He says she’s a traitor who sold out the city of Taneth to the Aldmeri Dominion.
Who do you believe? Bethesda doesn't give you a clear "Quest Completed: You Did the Right Thing" notification. That’s the brilliance of it. It’s a mess of "he-said, she-said" that reflects the actual political instability of Tamriel after the White-Gold Concordat.
The Case for Saadia: Victim of the Thalmor?
Saadia is working in the kitchen. She’s charming. When you approach her about the Alik'r, she pulls a dagger and leads you to a private room. Her story is visceral. She claims she spoke out against the Aldmeri Dominion in Hammerfell and that these warriors are assassins hired to bring her back for execution.
If you’ve played Skyrim for more than five minutes, you know the Thalmor are the worst. They’re the "Great Evil" of the Fourth Era. Naturally, your instinct is to protect anyone the Thalmor wants dead. Saadia plays on this. She looks desperate.
But there are holes. Big ones.
Why would the Thalmor hire Alik'r mercenaries? The Thalmor have the Justiciars. They have their own agents who move freely through Skyrim thanks to the treaty with the Empire. If they wanted a Redguard noble dead, they’d usually send a shadowy assassin or use official channels to demand her extradition. Using Alik'r warriors—who are currently at odds with the Dominion in Hammerfell—doesn't make much sense.
Yet, Saadia’s fear feels real. In the game's code and script, her distress isn't flagged as a "lie" in the way some other NPCs are handled. You’re left wondering if she’s just a woman who got caught in a political machine she couldn't control.
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Kematu’s Side of the Story: The Traitor of Taneth
Then there’s Kematu. You find him in Swindler’s Den, surrounded by his men. He doesn't attack you on sight if you play your cards right. He talks.
According to him, Saadia isn't a hero. She’s Shazzar, a noble who betrayed the city of Taneth during the Great War. This betrayal led to the city's fall. He claims they aren't here to kill her, but to bring her back to Hammerfell to face trial.
"Resistance is alive and well in Hammerfell," he tells you. This is a crucial lore point. Hammerfell actually fought the Thalmor to a standstill and successfully pushed them out, refusing to sign the White-Gold Concordat. This makes the Alik'r the "good guys" in the broader geopolitical sense.
If Kematu is telling the truth, Saadia is a war criminal.
One piece of evidence often cited by players is what happens if you turn her over. Kematu uses a Paralyze spell. He doesn't just butcher her in the middle of the Whiterun stables. He says she’ll be put on a ship.
Of course, if you kill Kematu and loot his body, you find a lot of gold. Does that mean he’s a bounty hunter or a patriot? In In My Time of Need Skyrim, the line is incredibly thin.
The Evidence Left in the Shadows
Let’s look at the environment. If you side with Saadia and kill Kematu, life goes on. She stays at the Bannered Mare forever. She never leaves. She never moves on to a "safe house."
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If you side with Kematu, she’s taken away. Later, you might find an urn in the Whiterun Hall of the Dead labeled "Saadia."
Does this mean Kematu lied and killed her? Not necessarily. The game engine often places an NPC’s remains in the local Hall of the Dead whenever they are "removed" from the game world to prevent save file bloat or to satisfy script requirements. However, from a role-playing perspective, seeing that urn is a gut-punch. It suggests that whatever "trial" she was headed for ended in her death anyway.
Breaking Down the Rewards
Sometimes, the choice isn't about morality. It's about the loot.
- Siding with Saadia: You kill Kematu and his warriors. You get to loot their Alik'r gear (which is unique and looks cool) and whatever gold they have on them. Saadia gives you a reward of 500 gold.
- Siding with Kematu: You lure Saadia to the stables. Kematu paralyzes her and gives you 500 gold.
It’s a wash financially. The real "value" is in the Scimitar swords you can pull off the Alik'r if you decide to go the violent route. In the early game, those swords are actually quite strong for a one-handed build.
The "True" Lore Perspective
Expert players often lean toward Kematu’s side for one specific reason: The Thalmor.
In the quest "Diplomatic Immunity," you can find dossiers in the Thalmor Embassy. These documents outline their interests and assets. There is no mention of Saadia. If she were truly a high-profile noble who defied the Dominion, you’d expect to see some paperwork on her, or at least some mention of the Alik'r being used as proxies. The absence of evidence isn't proof of innocence, but it definitely makes Saadia’s story look weaker.
Furthermore, Redguards hate the Thalmor. The idea that a group of Alik'r would be working for the Elves is almost unthinkable given the history of the Redguard resistance.
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How to Complete the Quest for Maximum Benefit
If you’re looking to squeeze every bit of content out of this, there is a "middle path" that many people miss.
You can actually tell Saadia you’ll help her, go to Swindler’s Den, talk to Kematu, and agree to his plan. Then, lead Saadia to the stables. Once Kematu appears and paralyzes her, he’ll give you the reward.
Immediately kill him.
The Paralyze spell wears off. Saadia wakes up. She’ll be angry and might even attack you, but if you're fast, you can calm her down or just leave. Usually, she runs back to Whiterun. You get the reward from Kematu, the loot from his body, and you technically "saved" her, even if she’s traumatized. It’s the peak mercenary way to handle the situation.
Making Your Decision
Ultimately, In My Time of Need Skyrim is a test of your character’s personality.
Is your Dragonborn a protector of the weak who doesn't trust the word of a group of armed men hiding in a cave? Or are they a pragmatic student of history who recognizes that Saadia’s story doesn't hold water against the backdrop of the Great War?
There is no "correct" answer. That’s why we’re still talking about it over a decade after the game released.
Actionable Insights for your Playthrough
- Check your level: Swindler’s Den can be surprisingly tough at very low levels because of the number of archers. Bring a follower or some crowd-control staves.
- Loot the Alik'r: If you kill the warriors in the cave, make sure to grab the Scimitars. They have a faster swing speed than many other one-handed weapons in their class.
- Talk to the prisoners: Before heading to the den, talking to the Alik'r prisoner in the Whiterun dungeon provides extra context and can help you skip certain steps if you have the gold to bail him out.
- Listen to the dialogue: Don't just skip through. The voice acting for Kematu is actually quite persuasive, and he offers details about Taneth that Saadia conveniently ignores.
Next time you see those two Redguards at the gate, don't just run past them. This quest is a masterclass in moral ambiguity that makes the world of Skyrim feel lived-in and complicated. Decide who you are before you draw your sword. Regardless of who you choose, the outcome will stay with you long after you’ve left Whiterun behind.