After laying waste to the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary at Falkreath, Commander Maro returns to the East Empire Company Warehouse. Though he has protected his Emperor, avenged his son, and eradicated a danger to the Empire, a heavy feeling weighs down his heart. He tries to drown his sour mood in ale and whine.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees a dark figure riding towards the entrance to Solitude. The rider's huge black destrier comes to a stop beside Maro, casting a shadow over the evidence of his misery.
"Commander Maro," the rider murmurs with deep and husky voice. A Khajit.
"What do you want? Get away from here before I call the guards."
Maro hears the rider descend and circle around the counter. He tries to focus on the newcomer through clouded eyes, but the rider's dark mantle shrugs off his gaze.
"I'm here to warn you. The Emperor's life is in danger again."
"What are you talking about? Danger from what?"
The rider removes her cowl, revealing a dark feline face with ice blue eyes.
"Me."
For a moment, he recognizes her face, and the shock snaps him out of his stupor. He turns to run, but the alcohol glues his legs and the pier rushes up to meet him. He tries to crawl away, hazarding a glance back at the nightmarish figure, who is drawing her bow langorously.
He screams for help, but there is no sound coming out of his mouth. His eyes roll down and he can see the arrowhead extruding from where his throat would be, tripping with his blood, his life.
In his mind and in his heart, Maro begs. To Akatosh. To Stendarr. To Kynareth, Arkay, to all the divines. Even to Talos, damned Talos.
Let this be a nightmare. Let me wake from this torment.
The sound of metal piercing air, and then darkness.
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The ripples fade before the guard reaches the bar.
"Is everything alright? Where's the Commander?"
"Commander Maro is reporting back to the Emperor," said the assassin, mounting her black warhorse. The guard looks at the empty wine bottles, uncomprehending.
"Oh, all right then."
He wonder how the woman knows about Commander Maro, but one look at her cowled face and the gleaming red eyes of her horse and he realizes it is in his best interest not to ask.
"Stay safe, traveler."
"And you, good guardsman."