"Next time, you will have more notice." Gallus explained with enough authority that it did not count as an apology. "This is instance cannot wait."

As for the suggestion given to him, Gallus glared at the guard for his insistence on staying in the way and responded slowly and carefully. "If that were necessary, I would have been the one to ask you," he said in a low, menacing tone.

With Hiritus beginning to sway in place, Gallus caught him by the shoulder to steady him and decided to move on. He placed a hand onto the guard's chest and began to push him out of the way. "Do not pester me further, soldier."

Once they passed the guards, Gallus walked a few paces, and then turned his upper body around to look to the guards again. He gave them a thumbs up and a wink behind Hiritus' back as he pushed forward. They had done a convincing enough job.

Now they would have to get through a number of other groups of guards and possibly some early morning risers if they were too curious. The guards would all get the same explanations and the others would just have to be brushed off. The sense of urgency in Gallus' footsteps increased as they got closer and closer to the tunnel, despite the fact that Hiritus could not walk any faster. After a while, Gallus considered carrying Hiritus or dragging him along the ground.