章節 16: Gaius Maro - Breaching Security
Security is Solitude has been tight ever since the Emperor's cousin died. Everyone says it feels like it happened last week but it's been a couple of months. The guards have started being more careful with who they let into the cities, something they should have been doing all along. There haven't been any new recruits since then and any area that someone could hide or attack from has been made off limits to the public.
A cold breeze runs through the air, attacking Gaius' legs as he presses forward to the gates of Windhelm. Two guards stand by the large doors before him, blocking his path.
"What's your business here?" the guard on the left speaks first.
"Official business, I'm checking security for the Emperor's visit to Tamriel."
"And how do we know you're telling the truth?" a gruff voice comes from the right of Gaius.
"Do you know many people that dress as an Oculatus Agent?"
The guards nod to each other and stand aside, allowing him to pass through the gates and into the City of Windhelm.
Drinking what's left in his waterskin, he heads to Candlehearth Hall.
"Welcome, take a seat and I'll be with you shortly." a woman's voice calls out. Walking over to the bar, he takes a seat. He takes in the warmth from the hearth behind him as he listens to the shuffling of feet above him. A tall blonde woman approaches him.
"What can I get for you?" her voice is sweet, not something he expected.
"I'm just here to get this refilled."
"Oh! Give me some time and I'll get right on that, sir." She takes hold of the waterskin and enters the back room.
A few minutes pass and he feels a light tap on his shoulder. Turning to face the one tapping he sees the barmaid again, holding an ale in her hands.
"The young lady in the corner asked me to give this to you." She motions towards the door where a woman stands in the corner hugging herself. A thick tunic drapes over her body with her long blonde hair tied up behind her head. Pointed ears protrude from the sides of her head, and the tone of her skin gives away that she's Bosmer. She breathes hot air into her hands and looks over at Gaius, making full eye contact before smiling and looking away.
Gaius pushes the drink away.
"While I appreciate the gesture, I cannot accept the drink. I'm on duty and have been instructed not to accept anything from anyone."
The barmaid nods her head and turns away, walking back to the woman. Gaius watches her smile turn sad before leaving the inn with the ale in her hands. He turns back towards the table to find his waterskin in front of him, fully filled and ready for use.
He stands and leaves the tavern through the door opposite from where he entered.
The Palace of Kings lies ahead of him, towering over the entirety of Windhelm. Guards patrol the courtyard while large fires line themselves down the center of it all. Walking through the doors he's greeted by the steward, Jorleif.
"Welcome, may I ask who you are and what your business here is?"
"Officer Maro, I'm here on security detail."
"We've been awaiting your arrival, do you need me to show you around?"
Gaius nods and follows Jorleif throughout the palace, checking every crevice he can. The Jarl's Quarters, the jail, the barracks. It's all clear. No one could hide there unless they were hiding in plain sight.
"Have there been any new recruits in the guards ranks? Any suspicious characters?"
"There haven't been any recruits for a while now and there aren't any reports of suspicious people here. I'd say you're the most unusual sight in the last month."
"I suppose that's true."
Jorleif turns towards the door leading back to the main hall and leaves while Gaius remains and stares at the floors. Not a single crack, no hatches. Nothing. All that's left is to eat, sleep and then head to the next city.
Leaving the room, he's greeted with an aroma wafting from the table in front of him. Venison as well as vegetable soup, baked potatoes and grilled leeks decorate platters that line the table. Bottles of wine line themselves along the center of the table while a few servants stand on the sidelines, ready and eager to replace any empty bottles. Soldiers file in through the doors and seat themselves at the table lining itself from one end of the hall to the other. Gaius sits in the only seat available, sitting in the middle of the bench and surrounded by Ulfric's finest.
Ale sits to the side of every person and as Gaius reaches for his, another hand snatches it before his eyes. He watches as the soldier next to him begins guzzling down the contents of the bottle. They make eye contact and the unknown soldier smiles at him.
"Sorry, I thought this one was mine." He sets the bottle down on the table in front of him and slides the other one towards Gaius. "No hard feelings?"
"Right..." Gaius looks at the bottle and takes it in his hand, opening it up and drinking its contents.
The group begins to feast as well as drink, bottles of wine are replaced many times, mostly for the man seated next to him who drinks like there's no tomorrow.
By the end of the night all of the soldiers are singing songs, their arms around each other as they sway back and forth. A lot of them stagger into the barracks while Gaius follows them in. Everyone passes out on whatever bed is available, leaving one in the corner for Gaius. He grabs the waterskin off of his belt and takes a swig to help with the morning hangover. The waterskin is hung on the side of the bed and Gaius falls into a slumber.
Morning light filters through frosted glass windows, causing slightly hungover soldiers to groan. Gaius sits up and drinks a little more water before standing. Snickers come from the center of the room from other soldiers. Looking over he sees the heavy drinker from last night still passed out in bed. They continue to laugh and snicker as they leave the barracks.
"He's in for one hell of an awakening."
"You'd think he'd learn by now."
"Somebody remind him to drink some water when he gets up today."
Gaius files out with the rest of the soldiers, leaving the sleeping one alone. He quickly passes through the main hall and out through the doors.
He walks through the Stone Quarter slower than he did when he arrived yesterday. The sun rises slowly above the walls of the city, pouring its light on the snow and making it glisten and sparkle. Pulling a page out of his satchel, he checks his schedule before heading to the next city. He passes Candlehearth Hall and a pressure begins to rise in his chest, almost unbearably so. He lifts his hand and clutches himself where it's most painful, staggering towards the gate. His schedule slips out of his grasp and as it flutters to the ground he watches as the words on it morph into something else. He falls to his knees, unable to suppress the pain in his chest and finally falls forward, the letter just out of reach.
Snow hugs the front of his armor, as well as his hands. Guards pass by but all they see is an Imperial Agent, someone that isn't worth their time. Citizens pass by him and go about their business. No one checks on him. They all just watch. As he struggles to breathe he continues to reach for the paper incriminating him, with it just out of reach. Unable to move himself towards it, he places his hand in the snow and continues trying to get the snow to move the letter toward him. Nothing works. His breathing is labored and he can only lay completely still as death takes him.
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