Sun's Height 12, 4E1
(Learns-fast): The Niben Valley
I snapped back to reality just in time to notice I'd almost walked into a moss-covered rock. The hunger was making me a bit spacey, and I knew an Inn was located not far from my position, so little else was on my mind. None the less, this was one of the more relaxing times over the last few days because I had something to focus on other than the nerve-wracking uncertainties of Lucien Lachance and Fights-up-close. The smell of the swamp was filling me with better memories, and the sun was pleasantly beating down on us.
Yet soon I saw two soldiers in Leyawiin Guard uniform, and clearly they saw me as well. One was a Cyrodillic man, the other was an Orcish woman. They were this far away from the town? It seemed we had only just entered the Leyawiin sector. Their presence here already made me a bit uneasy. I was wondering exactly what kind of disturbance might have happened in County Leyawiin to provoke such a rare response.
She put her hand in the air. "Hold it." She said, though her voice was neither loud nor abrupt. She began walking towards us, her metal helmet gleaming in the sun. "I'm going to have to ask what your business is traveling to Leyawiin before I can let you enter." What my business is? It sounded like visitors weren't being accepted.
My mind began to race. I came here to intercept Fights-up-close before or after she assassinates Caelia Draconis, but I know if I tip them off, she'll end up in their custody, not mine. I knew every second she observed my silence I was diminishing my chances of getting any further. She waited patiently as I helplessly fumbled around for some kind of excuse while she watched from her position of authority, safe and dominant. I could produce no satisfactory excuse.
"We're just visiting." I finally blurted out, though I felt so pathetic in their presence. Simply getting to Leyawiin had its complications when you weren't recognized as an authority figure. I couldn't help but feel a bit irritated about answering to anyone other than the Argonian Royal family.
She looked at her fellow guard. He shook his head, his expression neutral. I tried to sift through all that I'd seen for some kind of meaning, some kind of threat or opportunity it presented, but had no idea what that could have meant.
"We're going to have to make sure you check out at Castle Leyawiin first." She said. She was under orders. I could tell by her tone. But Castle Leyawiin? I knew what happened to Argonian prisoners there. I tried to conjure up some vague excuse or question that might get me out of this situation.
"Is there any other way to get to Leyawiin?" I asked, suddenly becoming extra conscious of how I sounded, trying to look at their faces for any indication of how they might answer, since it would mean a world of difference.
The Cyrodiil chimed in "I'm sorry, but now that you've announced your intention to visit the Leyawiin Sector, orders require us to take you to the castle."