CHAPTER SEVEN
"Well if you ask me, that didn't go as bad as I thought it would. But then again that's probably only because he wasn't drunk just yet. I bet he's having a drink with his fool of a son right now," said Baurus.
"Either way we left as the victors, for once," Jauffre said, "but we still have business to take care of in Leyawiin. I assure you Lukas that this conflict isn't over just yet. We still have to deal with Alessia Caro."
"Wait Jauffre, isn't that Marius's wife? Shouldn't I be more worried about him?"
Baurus and Jauffre both took a moment to laugh for a few seconds. Apparently something I said was hilarious.
"One would think so Lukas, but Alessia Caro is pretty much the rule maker in Leyawiin, and that's actually a good thing." Baurus said with another chuckle. "She knows a lot about politics, and I know she will appeal to your cause. She is a smart woman indeed.
"She one of the "good-guys", let's just say that. Though I am not sure why she brought troops over the border mark. That seems remarkably odd coming from a bright woman such as herself," Jauffre replied while scratching his balding head.
"Perhaps Marius is finally calling the shots himself?" I offered.
"No, no, that can't be it. Something must've happened to set her off. I wouldn't be surprised if Regulus did something to upset her," Jauffre answered back.
It took not over an hour more until we made our final stop south. The city of Leyawiin was much easier on the eyes than its hostile neighbor to the north. Everything about the place was rather pretty, and one would think this would be a perfect place to live, but then you'd realize a majority of the population consisted of Argonians and Khajiits.
Not to sound racist or anything, but the beast races were always known for their thievery and dishonesty, except perhaps for the Orcs. The large presence of Argonians and Khajiits seemed to be the only reason Leyawiin was being held down as being known as a safe place to live.
"Why are all these Argonians and Khajiits here Jauffre? It wasn't even near this bad at the Imperial City, or even at Bravil."
"The province of Black Marsh is just to the right, across the border. That is the homeland of the Argonians, and many have migrated here for a safer home, not that I can blame them. And then, to the left just past The Lower Niben River, lies Elsweyr, home of the Khajiit, who migrated to Leyawiin for the same reason."
"But my mother used to tell me stories and some of those proposed that Khajiits and Argonians don't get along. Is that true? If so, how in the world can they stand living amongst one another?"
"Your mother is right Lukas; the two races despise each other, but believe me, they'd much rather have it this way than to live where they did once before. That's not to say there aren't any scuffles here and there, but for the most part Leyawiin is a peaceful city."
"And you have Alessia Caro to thank for that!" Baurus said loudly. "Marius Caro is an idiot. I have no clue how Alessia is attracted to him, but I guess it doesn't matter what I think," he said with a laugh.
"Is Marius really that dumb?" I asked.
"It's not that he's dumb in its literal sense, he just doesn't have the integrity of his wife. Don't get me wrong, she is very intelligent and knows a lot about pretty much everything, but her maiden name certainly helps her out as well," Baurus replied back.
As we walked amongst the lizards and cats I watched how they acted. Jauffre might have been right in suggesting that the two races got along, but they certainly didn't seem to like it. If you asked me, I'd say a full-scale war could erupt between the two any given day. But I guess the strong leadership here in the city has kept that from happening.
When we finally got to the castle a guard was standing on each side of the gate, both wielding tall silver spears. Unlike in Bravil, these soldiers actually looked trained and thankfully not one of them appeared to be tipsy.
"I'm sorry sir, but we can't let you through unless you are scheduled to meet with…wait….aren't Lukas Septim?" asked one of the guards.
"Yes, I am Lukas Septim, and it is very important that I speak with your rulers."
The guards immediately bowed down to me. "Yes sir, please step inside and speak with Caelia Draconis. She is the Captain of the Leyawiin Guard and she'll be able to help you my lord."
Inside there were several guards standing around two chairs, and those chairs happened to be the thrones of Marius and Alessia Caro, but it was only Alessia who was present, and she was talking to a woman that I took to be Caelia. Neither had seen us enter the castle, for there were many maids and butlers walking about, and the noise was rather loud.
As the three of us walked over to Caelia, she looked up saw me, seemingly knowing who I was. She then whispered something into Alessia's ear and suddenly the Countess and Count stood up from their thrones.
"Lukas Septim, welcome to my home!" She stepped down from her place and walked over to me to shake my hand. "I've been expecting such a visit from you my lord. I assumed that if you to be a great leader; you would personally meet with the other rulers of Cyrodiil. I am glad to see that I was right. Come, follow me to my chambers."
The four of us left Caelia and the others as we climbed a set of wooden stairs and entered a hallway with beautiful portraits displayed on the wall, most of them being Alessia and her husband.
That's when I realized Marius wasn't anywhere to be seen. "Excuse me Alessia, but where is Marius? I would like to talk to him as well."
A grave look came over her face and right then I knew something happened to Marius.
"I'm afraid my husband was killed yesterday, while hunting in the woods. My men said that they had lost track of him and when they finally caught up they found Marius lying on his stomach with an arrow sticking from back."
"I'm so sorry. Did you catch the culprit?"
"Yes, a black bow bandit was found wondering about and he is now residing in the town dungeon. He is scheduled for execution tomorrow at noon."
The strangest thing about all of this was that Alessia didn't seem too sad about her husband's death. I expected her to be more saddened by the tragedy, and Jauffre was thinking the same thing apparently.
"I'm sorry your highness, but we can wait to meet with you at a later time. I'm sure you wish to grieve alone right now. It's terrible what happened to your husband," Jauffre offered.
"No, that will not be needed. Marius would want me to continue on with what he left off. He would want me to stay strong and that is exactly what I'm going to do."
The tone of her voice had no sadness at all. It was just so weird. Down the hall we entered a door and we were then inside Alessia's chambers, which was just as beautiful as I had imagined it would be. Many portraits and plants were displayed throughout the room, and it really was a "lady-like" atmosphere.
"First off, Alessia, I would like you to pull your back your troops from Bravil territory. You and I both know Regulus isn't a very stable person, and sending your troops across the border doesn't help," I said sternly.
"I understand your fear of civil war Lukas, but what Regulus probably forgot to mention to you is that three of his agents were caught wondering through my dungeon area three months ago. What they were looking for I do not know, but I locked the men up and refused to release them. I sent my across the borders because I was given word that another one of his agents had set up camp just passed the border, and was planning to infiltrate my castle at night. I could not let that happen."
"Very well Alessia, but who gave you the information?"
"That I will not tell you my lord, for I simply cannot give away my sources. It is as simple as that. But you have my word that I will not send troops over the border again. I'll admit that I might have been a bit hasty in that decision of sending out my soldiers, but the fear of enemy spies got the best of me. I promise it will not happen again, for I am a woman of peace. I do not wish for war."
"Thank you Alessia, I wish for the same thing as you. We are one country; fighting each other is the last thing we need. Now, are there any specific problems your city has right now?"
"No, my husband and I have done an excellent job of keeping everyone in line, but at the same time we weren't brutes to the people. I plan to uphold that during my reign as Countess."
"That you have, and again, I am sorry to see your husband's passing. If there is anything you need, let me know."
"Thank you my lord. Before you leave I just want to say that I do believe in you, and other than Regulus, I think the others do as well. Also, it is getting late. Why don't you take my guest chambers and stay the night? I have rooms for your companions as well."
After talking with Jauffre and Baurus we decided staying the night was the safest and smartest option. So I was taken to my chambers and Jauffre and Baurus were taken to theirs. When we were all settled in Jauffre and Baurus came back to my room to discuss what happened today.
"You did a good in silencing the conflict between Leyawiin and Bravil, but I fear something more evil is happening," whispered Jauffre, just loud enough for Baurus and I to hear.
"What do you mean?" I said.
"Her husband's death just doesn't add up. I knew the man personally before he was named Count. He was absolutely horrible with a bow and blade, and would never find himself hunting of all things. He was a politician, not a killer. I assure you this story of him dying sounds very fishy to me."
"What are you saying Jauffre, that Alessia is hiding something from us?" asked Baurus.
"I don't know, but she's not telling the truth. I mean she wasn't even a bit distraught by her husband's death. Something isn't right here."
"Well there isn't really anything we can do Jauffre," I said.
"Ah, but there is Lukas. All bodies are put in a small room, beneath the castle, where they are sorted and then decorated for burial. The room is supposed to be a secret, but I found out about it years ago. The process of decoration takes about two days. The body of Marius, if he really is dead, will be down there, and we are going to find it."
"Are you serious? Sneak down to a place we are not even supposed to know about? This is crazy Jauffre! I can't believe your even thinking about doing that," I whispered a little too loud.
"Keep your voice down Lukas. Now listen, I know it sounds insane, but I've got a feeling. I can't explain it but I know I'm right."
"Alright, even if we were to go down to that room, what do we say when we're caught sneaking around?"
"We will not get caught Lukas, I assure you that. Actually, I think I should be the only one to go. Baurus doesn't even know where the room is, and I don't think we really need three people wandering around anyways."
"No Jauffre, I will go with you. But I too believe Baurus should stay. Two people is more than enough."
"So what, do I get shunned away from all the fun?" Asked Baurus, but with humor, not seriousness.
"I'm sorry Baurus, but it just wouldn't be safe for three of us."
"I know, I know, I'm just kidding with you. To tell you the truth, it would probably be best that someone stays, just incase something happens to you two."
"And what do you think is going to happen?" Jauffre asked.
"I don't know, I'm just saying."
So we decided that Baurus stay in my room while Jauffre and I sneak down to whatever room we were talking about. I still wasn't sure if what were doing made sense. I knew it wasn't right, but what if something really was happening? Then I suppose it was right…
"Shhh…do not talk Lukas, just follow me."
Jauffre and I were standing next to a couple of beer kegs down in the basement where all the alcohol and food was kept. We had to sneak past only two guards to get down here. I was so nervous, even more edgy than when I had given my "speech" at the Imperial City.
Then Jauffre tapped a small marked spot on the wall, and suddenly it separated. It wasn't too loud thankfully, meaning that the guards wouldn't hear us. I followed Jauffre as we stepped through the space and had to duck down as we crawled down the cold passage way, which was pitch dark, other than the torch Jauffre had found.
When we got to the other end there was a door that for some reason was unlocked. Carefully Jauffre opened it and peered inside, where a room was lit by many torches, but was empty of any bodies…living that is.
We stepped inside and sure enough, there were many bodies, just as Jauffre had said there would be. But the strangest thing was that they were all Argonians, Khajiits, and few Dunmer, except for one body, which was covered by a large white towel.
All of the bodies that could be seen were bloody and deformed, with different body parts missing and eye sockets bloodied. It was a terrible seen indeed, and I could no longer keep in my insides. I leaned over to the right and hurled more than I have ever done so in my life. The stench was horrible, nothing like I had ever experienced.
When I was finished Jauffre and I walked over to the covered body and lifted the sheet. Not surprisingly to Jauffre, the lifeless body of Marius Caro lay there, with his eyes still open. But something about them wasn't right, and Jauffre seemed to have the answer.
"He was poisoned. I can see it in his eyes."
Then he turned the shirtless body over and there were no marks suggesting that an arrow had penetrated his skin. It was true…Alessia really did lie to us.
"Are you certain he was poisoned Jauffre?"
"Yes, I'm positive. There are other things that suggest he was not killed by an arrow. Look at his skin. Its color is not normal. He was definitely poisoned. 'Why' I am not sure, but obviously Alessia has something to do with it. She might not have done it herself, but she definitely played a part in her husband's death."
Just as the two of us turned to leave the room a figure at the passageway's tunnel stood there, watching us. Then it walked out from the shadows and we were face to face the Captain of the Guard, Caelia Draconis. Baurus unsheathed his sword, ready for whatever happened next…