Six guards stand outside at the western gate, this is quite a bit fewer than the normal dozen or so. Four more guards stand atop the walls, and there are almost certainly more guardsman inside the two story gatehouses.
From Sic's visit almost a week ago you recall two sets of stairs, one leading to a below ground cell where Maklo was being held, the other to the second story and access to the top of the wall.
Sunrods bolted to the eastern corner of each gatehouse provide plenty of light for the fountain courtyard.
Small homes and shops to the north and south of the gatehouses offer the option for a close approach through the shadows and darkness of night.
Scanning the area, Anthony gestured at the six guards. "What should we make of the relaxed guard numbers? Think they are somewhere nearby? Or maybe there are just fewer of them?"
Not waiting for an answer, he quickly added. "Also, how do we want to do this? Go in everyone invisible, handle it and get out? Or send in a few with the rest in support out here if things go sour?"
"I don't like the idea of splitting up with the Mages probably having everybody on high alert. Their "relaxed" guards may simply be a ploy to appear vulnerable. This isn't going to be as easy as they would let us believe."
Vaek pauses to scan the area.
"I would feel better if we got a feel for guard movements. While being invisible is great, who knows what kind of enchantments they have on inside the place that will make it null and voice. Maybe we can see if their are more guards that are trying to be hidden on purpose.
While group looks over the gatehouses trying to figure out what to do an arrow comes flying out of the darkness from the north to strike one of the guards by the southern building.
The man staggers backwards, but does not go down. Immediately there is a cry of alarm.
"What the..?" Anthony hissed, his surprise evident in his voice. His posture tensed up in to a crouched combat ready pose, his head turned this way and that, trying to locate the source of the arrow, but at the same time checking his surroundings with suspicion. "We should probably get out of here." He said, his voice agitated and filled with paranoia. "We might be able to use the distraction to get to Maklo, but I dont like the thought of acting on assistance coming from the unknown." He had already begun to slink backwards, slowly so as to hear any replies, but ready to bolt the second the others agreed.
"How the hell? Who knows were here?
Vaek quickly scanning the area, looking particularly at roof tops not only from the north, but all sides Perception
"Agreed, Maklo is too risky at the moment. Its curious that the arrow didn't come at us, perhaps, its a warning shot to to help us get out of here.
"I've got a gut feeling, which may be good or get us killed. Either way, it should be fun. Let's flee towards the norther."
Vaek begins walking briskly to the north ensuring that that his companions are with him.
Anthony hustled after Vaek, matching his stride as best as his leg would allow. "Care to elaborate? Id like to know what you intend before following you on a life or death endeavor." He said, sounding more than a little unnerved.
"Its simple really. Somebody wanted to attract the guards, and they chose not to make us the target. So that wouldn't be the Mages, perhaps its somebody who knows are plan and knows something isn't safe. Or perhaps, they want to cause a commotion causing us to flee so they can attack us while the guard is busy. Though that seems less likely. So i'm taking it as a good omen.
Moving to the edge of the courtyard two more arrows come flying from the darkness.
The first one finishes off the wounded guardsman, the second takes another guard as those remaining start moving in the direction of the attacker.
Four more guards come forth from the gate houses. Two of them by their attire are hire ranking, captains. One you recognize, a woman whom had been working with the merchants several days again when Vaek was taken.
"This is escalating." Anthony mumbled. "Maybe there IS a chance to be had here after all."
"We need to know who is attacking though, or best be on our way." He added.
The guard captain moves northward, casting a light spell as she goes, following the other guards into the darker streets and alleys. In a moment there is cursing and shouting and screams of pain.
Two guards from each of the gatehouses come outside, looking northward, but remain at their posts.
Despite the noise of the battle echoing across the courtyard, you pick up the faint sounds of what you believe to be spell casting to the east of your current location.
Anthonys head snapped east, a quick jerking motion that seemed somehow unnatural. "One senses magic, does the Master hear it?" Clenching his fists, Anthony motioned for the others to stop and listen. "Someone just cast a spell to the east." He started moving in a direction away from the fighting and the east. "I am done humoring our curiosity, we need to get out of here, now!"
Willing forth the suits power, he cast a spell, his limping movement accelerating and becoming more fluid.
How does he know a spell was cast?
Not bothering to ask questions, Vaek gives Anthony the lead and follows him.
Weaving south and west deeper into the narrow streets. A glance behind reveals a group of dancing lights flying into the sky where the battle is taking place, the guard signal requesting additional backup.
Doric takes to the skies, skimming over the tops of the buildings to look for a sewer entrance. He points to the southwest, close to a larger building, a shop of some kind. "This way."
The sound of running feet and clanging of armor from the west is the only warning you have when an other worldy looking, four armed creature appears next to Drovic, hovering in the air. One terrible claw grabs the half-orc, drawing blood, and pulling him into a grapple. In a booming voice he calls out, "Greetings from Lizbeth the Unmaker! Your dooms have been foretold. Surrender and you shall suffer little."
It takes only a moment to realize this is a summoner in an eidolon suit. Two familiar looking faces make their appearance in the eastern alleys. One, large in size, is having some difficulty maneuvering in the narrow streets. The other a woman from the previous afternoon. Servants of the tower.
All of the enemies movements are accelerated beyond that of mortals without the aid of magic.
Move to
[ooc] + Poison?[\ooc]
in Cyclopian "Should I bring some smoke over Drovic?
The eyes of Drovic's mask glow red as he attempts to hex his assailant with a slumber hex.
As Drovic attempts his slumber, there is a soft glow beneath the assailants shirt and the hex is dissipated.
Four arrows materialize one after another from the east, each striking Sic with deadly force. The attacker remains unseen.
Hearing the groan and heavy rattling thud of Sic hitting the cobblestone, Anthony cursed inwardly. "Time to get out of here!" Making a quick decision, he willed his armor to turn invisible, before moving to stand over Sics corpse "Run if you can, surrender otherwise, its every man for himself." He whispered in Cyclopian through the message spell.
The large multi-armed creature holding Drovic lays into him with clawed hands. The numerous well placed blows drop the half-orc into unconsciousness.
As that is happening the woman rushes forward in the narrow alley's, scanning both directions as she passes each street. As she reaches the street where Sic's body lies, and where Anthony is nearby she looks directly at Anthony (despite his invisibility) and back pedals several steps.
The woman, who continues backing away from Anthony is pointing right towards him and yelling, "Here, here. There is one right here."