I know most people think saadia is lying but i think kematu is the true lair, a really good one too. Kematu paralyzed saadia when he told you not to trust a pretty face, but for all we know, he could just be saying that to make you feel like you did the right thing. Saadia's last words before she got paralyzed was '' what have you done'', this doesn't sound like what a lair would say, and she can't even say anything to you when shes frozen on the floor. Below are some of the reasons why kematu is the professional lair.

1. Why does his servant in jail say im not gonna come out alive if i set foot in kematu's base
2. Why is he and his gang chilling with bandits
3. He was hoping you'll get killed but after seeing how strong you are when you killed all those bandits, he decides to make up something to try to get you on his side.

Kematu is not a very good lair. Not a lot of room to hide out in. I tried. I would not reccommend Kematu if you are looking for a lair, especially if you are trying to fit three or more people in there.

Saadia telling the truth 1. The first time the Alik'r came to Whiterun, one of them was thrown in jail. This immediately casts doubt on their lawfulness - but then, it could be a case of overzealous or corrupt guards (they certainly seem mean and lazy, judging by the jailer's fecklessness about letting the guy go when you pay his bail).
2. The Alik'r are sharing a cave with some bandits who are ostensibly getting paid to guard them. Does their choice of guards cast suspicion on their nature? Having said that, from dialogue between the bandits, it seems that they do not trust each other and keep separate anyway. It could just be that the bandits were cheap. Kematu telling the truth 1. The first time you talk to Saadia, she pulls a knife on you. While this may seem like an act of desperate defiance, it may hint at a violent and unpredictable personality.
2. Saadia seems hesitant to explain the full situation, while Kematu elaborates on it fully. Is Saadia's reticence due to her guilt?
3. The man you can free from jail seems strangely honourable, saying he has shamed his companions and wants to begin anew.
4. If Kematu really was an assassin, why paralyse her at the end of the quest - why not just stab her and be done with it? He also mentions justice, and taking her into custody, and implies that Saadia will face a trial back in Hammerfell rather than swift execution. All this points to him and his warriors being enforcers rather than assassins.
5. Kematu's opening line - "We can avoid any more bloodshed." And his closing lines which infer that Saadia is known for her manipulation of people.

Lol that kinda lair stuffing is illegal in some states

!! *giggle*

Hang on, I'm confused, do you mean 'liar'?

Kematu is telling the truth.

After Kematu paralyzes Saadia, if you kill Saadia, Kematu will say "All that work and you just kill her, you ruined everything"

If he was only an assasin then killing her would be no problem.

The whole thing didn't make much sense to me. She said she was forced into hiding after an attempt on her life for speaking out against the Aldmeri Dominion, but Hammerfell successfully held them off until they eventually withdrew their forces. Why would Reguard "mercenaries" from Hammerfell want to assassinate someone who spoke out against the force they've been fighting against for years? I doubt they would take the Thalmor as clients, so who would even hire them to begin with?

I decided that Saadia was not telling the truth the first time through the questline. Then I did some reading, which reinforced that belief. You can do the same sort of background checking-up on the wiki among other places.

These guys are everywhere too. I've seen them in Solitude and Windhelm. I doubt Hammerfell mercs would scour Skyrim for an innocent woman. Sure, one is in jail but a lot of guards in Skyrim are corrupt, Markarth being an example. Hell, even if you pay for the guys release, the guard doesn't release him and mocks him.

Admit it, you just want to bone her.

She's hesitant because people are looking for her and she can't be completely sure she can trust you. Kematu already knew that you knew what was going on.

That's because he's a Redguard. They have very strict honor.

The fact that one of them is imprisoned in an Imperial-friendly city lends credence to their honesty. Remember, Hammerfell is no longer part of the Empire and has held out against the Thalmor. It stands to reason that they wouldn't be permitted in Imperial-friendly cities for fear of Thalmor retribution. As for being unwelcome in Stormcloak-friendly cities (if such is even the case), I would imagine that has more to do with Stormcloak isolationism than fear of the Thalmor. I've played the quest every possible way aside from slaying Saadia when I first out her, and it seems to me that she's the Thalmor sympathizer, not Kematu

For someone who is on the lam, Saadia chose to hide in the wost possible location - an inn in a major trading city. She is very lucky that the guards had a strong disdain for noisy foreigners forcing them to stay outside and being dependent on the aid of a stranger to get their quarry, and that her pursuers were forced to accost every Redguard woman on the roads of the kingdom in the meantime.

As for the truthfulness, I side with Kematu. Kematu is a principled bounty hunter. He and his retinue are interested in capturing their prey, and have shown an acceptance, though reluctantly given, to observe the laws of the kingdom. I see their relationship with the bandits as professional - the Redguards pay the bandits for the use of their shelter. Sometimes, the agents of law have to bed with the agents of crime to get their quarry.

Also heard that if you side with Kematu, Thalmor agents are sent against you. Seems more and more that Saadia is our Thalmor supporter.

Nobody ever reads or quotes my replies...

I say they should publicly Hang her!

I read it and agreed with it. I didn't feel that it was necessary to quote it. Sorry if that upsets you.

I sided with Kematu. I really enjoyed this quest because you don't know what choice is right and who is telling the truth.

I agree.

Considering what I've heard from Kematu, the people will do that

I feel special.

There is no way to really know which of them is lying after playing doing the quest both ways. There are many factors that suggest each parties guilt or innocence in the matter.
Its really none of our business anyway, unless the character you play is a Redguard or something lol.

If you read "The Great War' you'll know that the Alik'r cannot be on the side of the Thalmor. Saadia is lying.

I can't believe two others aside from OP actually typed lair...