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5pm, Last Seed 16 
Rear Entrance, Evermore Castle
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It was an hour before main reception of the banquet opened. Beyond the busy final preparations were two wood carts strolling through the rear entrance. Two wooden crates rested on each cart, all painted with the East Empire Company logo on the side. Two people pushed them towards the rear entrance of Evermore Castle; Cilo and Saddi. 

The crates clinked each time the carts hit a bump, which caused their contents and occupants to collide sharply into each other (and illiciting muffled curses). The average adult person had to be contorted in highly uncomfortable positions inside, and once the lids were sealed, breathing became somewhat difficult.  

However, all Cilo and Saddi could see was a narrow secluded path from the back of the castle. The ground was roughly paved with cobblestones, the sides were tall castle walls and few of the lush vegetation that dotted the garden grew back here. This was the place for goods to be shipped, out from to the public eye and devoid of any decorations. They had already cleared the gatehouse at the outer wall, all that stood before the Khajiit and Imperial was the guarded entrance to the castle cellar.

"Halt!" One of two guards there stopped the mercenaries. "No more deliveries until the banquet ends."

The guard wore heavy metal plates of the Evermore Royal Guard, and his face indistinguishable under his fully covered helmet. He didn't sound happy to be here in the slightest, shooing away packages instead of watching the festivities (and maybe even sneak in some snacks).

"This is the EEC's gift to the duchess." Cilo said.

"That already came in yesterday." The second guard grunted. As she said so, a second pair of guards emerged from the cellar. 

"Took you two long enough." The first guard shook his head. "We're just about to show these lost EEC folks the way out."