SFS Chapter 137 So handsome
Chapter 137 So handsome
Going to Solitude? That's where the Imperial Legion's headquarters are. Aren't we just walking into a trap?
"Mr. Lotte, you may not know yet..."
Sebastian interrupted me with a wave of his hand.
"I know. Lord Balgruuf formed some bullshit alliance to challenge General Tullius. You are an official, right? These three are your subordinates? You think you Nords are so cunning, why would you engage in politics?"
"But, sir, given the current situation, we really..."
"Come on, come on! Look how scared you are. Just follow me and don't talk nonsense. I am just going to Solitude to hire a carriage. Who am I? How can I act as sneaky as you?"
Looking at the old man's confident look, I couldn't tell whether he was just bragging or really confident. But since we were just going to hire a carriage, we didn't need to go into the city. Maybe this trip was not as dangerous as I thought. Moreover, Sebastian's legs were not convenient, so it was natural for him to find a way to walk.
Sebastian packed his belongings and set off with us. Helgi came forward to support him. The old man kept stealing glances at Barbas, but the dog just pretended not to know and led the way. The group had a clear destination, and Sebastian was very familiar with the mountain paths. Even though he was walking slowly with a cane, it was much smoother than our previous wanderings in the mountains. Four days later, we returned to the temple of Meridia and found the official road to Solitude.
The official road, which was not very wide to begin with, was now more than half buried by the rolling earth and rocks, and there were several large trees lying across the road. A team of civilians were cleaning up the mess under the command of two soldiers. One of the soldiers saw Sebastian and hurried forward to help him.
"Isn't this Lord Lot? Are you heading to Solitude? Who are these people?"
"These are my new disciples. I have some personal matters to attend to, so I'd like to take these two kids out for some training."
"Master has accepted a disciple. Congratulations. Ralph, take two people and clear this place out quickly. Don't delay Master Lotte's business."
Sebastian nodded and exchanged a few words. He didn't ask about the cause of the accident. He just waited for the man named Ralph to finish his job, and then asked us to continue on our way. This made me even more uneasy. The soldiers led by Hafingar actually called this old man "Sir". Judging from this posture, he must have a certain status in Solitude or the Imperial Legion. I just follow him like this, will he sell me out? The relationship between Lot and his daughter is not harmonious, otherwise Madeline would not have gone to the Companions to fight alone. But on second thought, the grief he showed in the Rime Rock Cave did not seem to be pretense. What's more, he mentioned that Scoyue had promised him that he would take good care of his daughter. The two seemed to be quite familiar with each other.
Who exactly is this Sebastian?
He is an insignificant minor character in the game, and there is only one task related to him, which is to find the Axe of Regret.
The old man saw my hesitation and snorted disdainfully.
"That stinky girl Madeline asked you to come see me, but she didn't tell you who I am?"
I nodded helplessly.
"She is very cautious. This is a long story. Let's talk about it slowly on the way after we hire a carriage. Relax. Since you are entrusted by Madeline, I can't do you any harm. Besides, isn't that gentleman here?"
Sebastian pouted at Babas slyly. That's right, Babas won't let Helgi suffer, so what should I be afraid of? Let's go!
Walking along the official road is naturally much faster. If it weren't for the old man's bad leg, we could reach the outskirts of Solitude in one day and one night. This city truly deserves the reputation of "the pearl in the crown of the sky". The towering walls stand on the top of the mountain, the solid watchtowers guard the city gates, and the Gothic spires pierce the sky like sharp blades. Compared with it, all other cities I have seen are eclipsed. Whiterun is decayed like an old man, Falkreath is immature like a yellow-mouthed child, and Morningstar... that pile of wooden houses is also worthy of being called a city?
This is the heart of the Imperial Legion, and the security measures are far more stringent than other territories. Although we were outside the city, we had already encountered several patrols. Some of them knew Sebastian, and they greeted us warmly and let us pass. Some who didn't know him carefully questioned him. The old man was also very cooperative, and took out something that seemed to be an identity certificate. Everyone who read the paper greeted him respectfully. Others were not troubled because of the old man's guarantee, which made me even more curious about his identity.
Sebastian took us straight to the stables outside the city, where all the horses confiscated by the lord were, and there were eight carriages parked.
"Searle, old man, I'm here to hire a carriage."
Saier was a sturdy middle-aged Nord man, with sparse hair on his head that formed a Morningstar Bay shape, making him look old. Hearing the greeting, he stroked his beard and came over with a smile.
"I was wondering why this voice sounded so familiar. It turned out to be Old Lotter. Why are you here instead of catching mice in the mountains?"
Sebastian raised his cane and pretended to hit him, but Sail quickly came up and supported him.
"Old Lot, it's not that I don't want to help. At the beginning of the month, General Tullius issued an order that people are now allowed to enter Solitude but not leave. If you want to rent a car, you must have a warrant from the general or Governor Rikke."
"How come I don't know about what happened at the beginning of the month?"
"Uh..." Saier hesitated for a moment, "Maybe the general thinks that with your legs and feet, you won't be able to walk to Dugu City... Ouch! Old man, you really fight!"
Sebastian put away his cane and turned to point at Hayo and Aigis.
"Please prepare a place for these two kittens and their dog to rest. I will go to the general to get the warrant."
"Okay! Let me warn you first, don't get your hopes up too much, this could be something serious."
Sayre lowered his voice and continued.
"Look at all my cars. None of them can get out. There are too many merchants locked up in the city. Last time I went to Winking Snow Mouse, I wanted to have something spicy, but guess what happened? Wow, there were several people lying in the hall."
Sebastian didn't comment, but just signaled with his eyes that Helgi and I should follow.
"Sir, are we really going to see General Tullius?"
"You're not deaf, didn't you hear what the bald guy said just now? I still say the same thing, you two just follow me obediently and don't talk nonsense. I'll take care of everything."
Sebastian ignored me who was worried. According to him, it was normal for a wizard to have two apprentices, but if he also had a dog, it would be very suspicious, so he decided to leave Barbas and Miko outside the city. But I felt uneasy without the magic dog. Tullius and I met in Helgen Town, but I was not sure if a man of his status would remember a small character like me. Fortunately, I have been running around these days and have no time to take care of my appearance. Now I have a scruffy beard and look very sloppy. Thinking of this, I tightened the hood on my head to cover the upper half of my face, hoping that this little bit of manly honor could help me get away with it.
Solitude has two gates, and the soldiers guarding them are very diligent. Although someone recognized Sebastian, they still checked our belongings as usual. Since we were playing the role of a wizard apprentice this time, Helgi and I did not carry a long sword or a bow. I did have a dagger stuck in my boot, but this kind of gadget has many uses and is a common tool for people walking outside, so it did not arouse the suspicion of the soldiers.
After entering the city, we walked along the solemn avenue. Helgi looked around and admired the bustling streets. I followed Sebastian closely, pretending to be a filial student supporting his teacher, but in fact I had made up my mind that if this old man dared to betray me, I would take him hostage. Even if I couldn't escape with my life, I would at least take him with me. The old man was calm and composed, walking at a leisurely pace. He even stopped several times in the middle to buy Helgi two new clothes and some small accessories.
Helgi and I were wearing the wizard robes that Madeline wore when she was young. This sister had a strong figure, and her clothes barely fit me, but when Helgi got into them, she looked like the legendary ghost with a sheet on her head, which was very funny. The little girl was ridiculed by the tiger brother and sister all the way, and she was already very angry. However, when she changed into a high-waisted aqua blue dress, I suddenly realized that this was no longer the little bean sprout I picked up in the dungeon.
Helgi is not tall, and now seems to be less than 1.5 meters tall, but she has a slender waist, long legs and short body, and she looks quite tall when standing alone. The high elves who sell clothes are thinking of hiring her as a model. The girl has a round face and a short chin. She has a standard baby face and looks childish. Under her long eyelashes, the shining light in her smart eyes adds to her charm of wisdom. Her small and upturned nose is like a beautiful note, playing a heart-warming melody.
"How is it, brother, does it look good?"
The little girl turned lightly, like a dancing blue butterfly.
"Very beautiful. I dare say that my sister Helgi is the most beautiful girl in all of Skyrim."
Helgi was stunned for a moment, then pushed me aside and supported Sebastian up a ramp. I recognized this place. The castle at the top of the ramp was General Tullius's residence, Dur Castle.
The guards at the castle gate were wearing standard armor of the Imperial Legion. After checking Sebastian's ID, they searched us again. This time, my dagger was confiscated. But overall, they did not offend us. A soldier led us to the reception room, left a message saying "wait a moment", and then left.
Sebastian sat leisurely in a chair, tapping the table with his fingers. Ten minutes later, the clanking sound of armor was heard, and a woman in military uniform entered the room. She was about fifty years old, not tall by Nord standards, but very strong, even strong and sturdy, with a determined look on her face that had been tempered by the years. The woman walked steadily to Sebastian, put her right hand on her chest, and saluted.
"Lord Lot, what do you want to see General Tullius for?"
"I'm here to ask the respected general to show mercy and grant me a warrant so that I can visit my foolish daughter."
"Madeleine? Your Excellency is not with her..."
The old man raised his eyebrows.
"Why? You don't want to see this old man and your daughter reconcile?"
"That's not what I meant. It's just that I heard that Madeline is now living in Whiterun. Your Excellency, you know that right now..."
Sebastian slammed the table, interrupting the woman.
"So you're not going to give me this warrant? Where's Tullius? Tell him to come out and see me!"
"Don't be angry, sir. Please sit down first..."
The old man slapped away the woman's hand that was trying to help him.
"I won't talk to you! Send Tullius over here!"
"General Tullius, he's not here."
"Not here? Where did he go? The Blue Palace? Or Dragon Bridge Town?"
The woman looked embarrassed.
"Sir, don't ask me. I can't tell you."
Sebastian stretched out his index finger and tapped the woman's nose. The old man was so angry that his hands were shaking.
"Okay! Okay! Okay! Ruiji, you've become too arrogant. I can't say anything to you anymore. Since the general is not here, please arrange two guest rooms for us. I'll wait for him here."
Rikki… Governor Rikki! This woman is General Tullius's deputy and the second-in-command of the Imperial Legion. But now she stood in front of Sebastian like a primary school student who didn't do her homework, and was scolded to death in front of two outsiders, me and Helgi.
Oh my God!
If Riki turns against me now, can I still keep my body intact?
However, Rikki did not lose her temper. She waited quietly for the old man to finish his temper before she spoke again.
"My lord, I can issue the warrant, but please promise me not to go to see Lord Balgruuf. Otherwise, I will not be able to explain to General Tullius."
"Why should I go see a lord when I'm going to see my own daughter? That silly girl finally came to her senses and started complaining about an old man like me, but you guys won't let me go anyway. Tell me, is this something a human should do?"
Rikki smiled awkwardly, coaxed the old man to sit down, and then left the room. After about three or five minutes, she came back and handed the document to Sebastian, and asked again: "Sir, where is the Rime Rock Cave?"
The old man snorted unhappily.
"I can't come back for a while, please find someone else."
Seeing that Sebastian didn't extend his hand, Helgi quickly stepped forward to take the document, and said crisply, "Thank you, sister."
My eyelids jumped. Governor Rikki also participated in the World War 30 years ago, so she must be at least 40 or 50 years old now? And if I remember correctly, Helgi just celebrated her 14th birthday more than a month ago. How dare you call me sister! Who knew that Rikki was not annoyed at all, but instead held Helgi's hand.
"My lord has been injured in the leg, so you must take good care of him on the way and don't just play by yourself. This is the warrant for leaving the country, keep it. The following is the letter of introduction signed by me. The road is not safe now, if you encounter difficulties, you can take this to the nearby garrison and ask them for help. After the war is over, you can come to Solitude City again, and your sister will treat you to a big meal."
Does this count as... accepting the title of "sister"?
Even when I took the reins from Searle and jumped into the carriage, I still felt like I was dreaming. Helgi helped Sebastian into the carriage and squeezed in with me on the driver's seat. The little girl pulled my sleeve with a smile.
"Brother, Mr. Lotter is in the castle, so handsome!"