'Commander!'

Commander Maro turned around, looking suspiciously at the soldier who had just rushed in. He was panting, covered in sweat and pale as if he had just seen a ghost. It didn't happen exactly every day that trained soldier sprinted that fast into the headquarter.

'Rest, soldier,' he said, smiling weakly. 'What is happening? Is something wrong?'

'Yes, it's about your son!'

'What? Has he encountered any resistance while visiting the cities?'

'No…'

'On the road?'

'No, but…'

'Did he ran into any obstacles?'

'I mean, no…'

'What is wrong, then?'

'He died, Commander. I think that counts as something wrong.'

It all had begun days before. That day in particular was a bright one. A strong wind had cleared the sky clear of all the clouds left during the night, and the daylight illumined the landscape. The sunshine made the waters of the waterfalls glitter and the cool wind shook the morning dew off the tress in a cascade of glimmering drops. It was a sight to behold.

The order had just come that someone needed to inspect all of the main cities of Skyrim to check if everything was ready and safe for the coming of the Emperor. Gaius Maro had offered for it, and it was high time he departed to begin the mission.

The father and the son said goodbye to each other. Had the known that was their last farewell… It would have been much different. But, like a lot of people before them and like countless after, they had no notion a particular and peculiarly skilled killer was on their tracks.

'Father, you worry too much. I'll be fine,' Gaius said.

'I know you will,' replied his father. 'But all the same, remember everything I said. Stay alert, and when you get to the cities, make your observations and move on.'

'I understand, but you're being paranoid. I'm inspecting security, not charging off into battle. There's not a lot that can go wrong.'

'Son, when the Emperor's safety is concerned, anything could go wrong. Off with you, now. And good travels.'

'Farewell, father. I'll return as soon as I'm able.'

The Commander looked as his child exchanged a few words with his betrothed. The last, as well.

'How in Oblivion did this happened?' screamed the man. 'No one outside from us was supposed to know his schedule, and the only blasted peace of paper detailing it is in our headquarter!'

'That's not true, Commander.'

'What?'

'We told you that the sheet had disappeared, remember? We thought it got lost, but now… Now I have much darker hypothesis.'

The Commander sighed heavily, burying his face in his hands.

'Where did he get killed?'

'Whiterun.'

It was a quiet Turdas.

'How much guards could you provide, in case of need?'

'Ten, maybe more. No more than fifteen though. The threat of a Dragon attacking is always present.'

Irileth got interrupted by a loud noise: the gates of Dragonsreach opening, suddenly, letting through a small ray of sunlight. Gaius Maro turned to the Dunmer, Irileth, with a severe gaze.

'No one is to be allowed here while I'm inspecting,' he reminded. 'What's the meaning of this?'

'He is the Thane,' said the Dark Elf, looking at the figure that was entering. 'He is a famous individual and one of the closest to the Jarl. He has the right to enter.'

'I hope he will not interrupt.'

'Not in any way. We will finish your checkup and then, if you want, I'll introduce you to him.'

'That won't be necessary. I'm inspecting security, not making alliances. Let us proceed.'

Gaius Maro casted one last glance at the Thane, looking at him sideways. He was sure he had already seen that man on the road. A sinister figure, wearing a black and red armor and hiding his face under the deep shadow of the hood and a heavy leather mask… Yes, he definitely had seen him already.

'Wait, housecarl,' the Imperial said. 'Is there anything particular I should know about this Thane?'

'No, aside from the obvious.'

'And what exactly is the obvious?'

'That he is a rather grim character.'

'How did my son die?'

'His neck was broken. We found no sign of fighting, if we don't count the smaller details. From our analysis it looks like he was grabbed from behind and tried to resist, but either gave up or got overpowered by his attacker in a really short amount of time.'

'Where was he found?'

'Lying a chair.'

'Any suspects?'

'Just one.'

Two, strong knocks at the door.

'Who is it?'

'Thane Azrael.'

'What do you want?'

'I was told a member of the Penitus Oculatus came to inspect the palace. It is my duty to aid anyone if the security of the city is at risk.'

Gaius Maro sat into the chair near the small table and sighed.

'Come in,' he said.

The door opened and the Thane of Whiterun walked in. He surprisingly had his face uncovered, and the Imperial was pretty shocked. He never suspected that tall individual to be and Elf, and a Dark Elf at that. The hair were black as coal, his eyes red like blood.

'Good evening,' greeted Gaius.

'Likewise, and… Welcome,' replied the Elf, closing the door behind him.

'I see the Jarl of this city apparently trusts high positions to Dunmer individuals.'

'Yes. And…?'

The glacial and apparently emotionless reply left the Imperial a bit confused and embarrassed. His mind's barrier trembled weakly, and his lips moved several times without producing any sound. Some words are able to pierce a heart much more effectively than any blade.

'If I may, what is your business in this city?' asked the Thane, changing the subject.

'I… I'm here inspecting security.'

'Would you mind telling me what this is all about? I've been busy of late, so I might have missed some information that could allow me to help you in return.'

'I will, but keep them secret. You occupy a high position, so you should know, but it's not for all to hear. Is that clear?'

'It is.'

'Well, you certainly know about the atrocious murder of Vittoria Vici, the Emperor's cousin. When news of that got to the Emperor, he decided to come to Skyrim to set things right himself. Now that his arrival is imminent, his security guard needs to make sure every city is safe. In a week I'll return to the headquarter and give the order, and only then will the Emperor's ship sail from Cyrodiil.'

'What do you know about Vittoria's murder?'

'Little, and what we know is not to be revealed.'

The Dunmer sighed deeply and scoffed, a smirk on his lips. 'Gaius Maro, son of the Commander of the Penitus Oculatus… Are you seriously thinking I am not to be trusted? Do you think I'll spread the information to the four winds? Those clues might be the key to understanding who is behind the assassination. If you truly have so little, you might as well…'

Gaius Maro whispered a curse and then raised his head. That Dunmer had been toying with him since he entered. Now he had done the impossible, and drove the soldier to extremes, making him lose his patience and with that all his beloved secrecy.

'We know the assassins very well. Never heard of something called "Dark Brotherhood"?'

The crimson eyes of the Dunmer flashed bright red for a moment. Ironically enough, that sudden blaze sent a cold chill down Gaius' spine, but he did not show it. All the same to Azrael, who had moved a little closer to the Imperial and looked at him in the eyes, a cool expression on his face.

'I see,' he whispered. 'You're afraid.'

'I'm not afraid, and you should be less insolent. The Dark Brotherhood is a minor complication, and the Penitus Oculatus are investigating on the matter. We will catch those murders sooner or later, and you should no meddle in our affairs, Thane. You are a citizen like any other, and you will behave like any other. We'll tend to the Brotherhood. We'll destroy it.'

Azrael bent his head and walked slowly behind Gaius, who did not raise and turned only slightly. He intended to show his superiority, show the Elf that he was the one deciding. Stupidity can cost you, but at times pride costs you even more.

'Maybe, just maybe…' said the Dunmer, his voice cold as ice, 'your father will destroy the Brotherhood. That is not out of the question unfortunately, although—'

Gaius had moved already at the "unfortunately", but it was too late anyway. He had had just the time to put his hands onto the armrests when the right arm of the Dunmer encircled his neck and closed on to his throat. That hold was unbreakable.

'Although,' repeated the Dark Elf, as if nothing had happened, 'you won't be there to see it.'

'What is this about?'

'Do you really want to know?'

'I do.'

'What? My son? A traitor? Don't make me laugh.'

'He had a letter in his pocket, very well hidden. It took a while to retrieve it.'

'What did it say?'

'I've read it so many times i my disbelief that I remember it exactly: "Vunwulf, I agree to your conditions. When the Emperor arrives, I will pass along his schedule, and arrange for all doors to be unlocked, and any posted security to be conveniently absent for a small period of time. Nothing will stand between your men and his eminence. He will die by Stormcloak hands, and neither my father nor your great leader Ulfric will even know anything is amiss until it is too late. Leave the first payment, in gold, at this dead drop. I look forward to continuing our relationship.'

'Is that it?'

'Not quite. It's signed. Signed "Gaius Maro".'

'After I snap your neck…' Azrael said, 'I will put a letter in your pocket. Hidden, so that they will have troubles finding it. It frames a certain Vunwulf on collaborating with you to assassinate the Emperor. So, the effect will be double: cracking the Commander's heart and faking the uncovering of a plot against the Emperor. Smart, don't you agree?'

'And this Vunwulf?'

'He will be alive and well. There is no proof.'

'And what of this Vunwulf?' yelled the Commander.

'We brought him here, Commander. We interrogated him.'

'And?'

'Nothing came of it. Gaius had already passed through Windhelm when he reached Whiterun, and Vunwulf lives near the first of the two so… It would have been strange if he didn't give him that scrap of paper the first time. Secondly, Vunwulf knows nothing about that, and he's likely telling the truth.'

'How did you capture him?'

'The Captain gathered five soldiers and broke in his hut, where we found him sitting on a chair, greasing his blade. Nothing strange in his house, and even less evidence.'

'And where is he?'

'Just outside the door.'

'Bring him in, then.'

'Is it clear now?' asked the Dunmer.

'Sadly, yes,' replied Gaius. 'I will die damaging my comrades… What a dog's death.'

'Well, you can consider yourself lucky. Not every man knows who killed him or to what end he was killed.'

'That's true. I sincerely hope you fail… Dark Brother.'

'Thank you kindly,' hissed the Elf.

The hushed crack of the neck bone breaking was the next sound that could be heard, followed by another, hushed whisper:

'Farewell.'

Vunwulf was a tall and vigorous man, blonde-haired, green-eyed, with strong jaws and a broad chin. He had a dark green war-paint that went from one temple to the other, circling his eyes.

'So, you're the man that was supposedly plotting with my son?'

'Aye, that I am. Last time though, he was not plotting anything, and neither was I.'

'Did you know each other?'

'No.'

'Did you even know he existed?'

'No.'

'Look me in the eyes.'

The green-eyed Nord fixed his gaze in the pupils of Commander Maro. There was absolutely no lie in his gaze. One good thing about "True Nords" is that they are not able to lie. Not having the courage of telling the truth equals to fear, and being afraid equals not being true Nords.

'Fine, I'll leave the matter to you, Quaestor,' said the Commander.

'Commander, one last thing… About the Emperor.'

'Tell him to come, but warn him it's not safe.'

'But… He'll be at risk.'

'Yes, and we're going to face the risks and keep our enemies away from him. Worry not, Quaestor. Our enemy is playing with us, but now it's our time.'