** spoiler omitted **
Andrea lets a little sigh of relief sound as they enter the city proper.Well, shall we head back to our new home? Or head back to our normal residances until later?
Shinon rides back to Westcrown, sitting on the back of Andrea's horse. He uncomfortably rests his hands around her waist, as she is holding the reins and he has to grip something. Shinon feels a bit odd about the whole thing. It's not his normal gripe, that someone is in his space and could potentially attack him. This time, Andrea is the one preoccupied, and Shinon is the one touching her. It still feels strange to him. Shinon has never been this close to another person, let alone multiple times in one day. Still, he hopes that she understands he means no offense by it and simply hangs on as appropriately as he can.
When they get back into the city, Shinon inhales the scent of the urban air. "Ah. It's good to be back," he comments. As Andrea inquires his plan, Shinon shrugs. "Either way is fine with me. Why don't you decide?"
** spoiler omitted **
Kenji, John and Duncan you can clearly observe the troops in a defensive positon well off the road. Out of your immediate range and far enough away to permit several rounds of ranged attacks to occur prior to reaching their position should you approach.. They are watching you but not taking any action towards you. It seems as if they are permitting you to pass before they move back up the road to the ambush site.
Keep ridin as normal. They be for us too much coincidence otherwise. Ya got a plan Areal? I'll defend ye wit me life but we need.t decide now if we're fightin or so's we can get some shots and spells in. If we're fightin, we take some cheap shots an make em chase us a bit. No sense fightin on thier prepared ground.
** spoiler omitted **
We should keep moving as if there is nothing wrong. Just be prepared to fight. Luckily Shinon is not with us so we don't have to worry about someone with a trigger finger."
Arael responds "We better make out ay back quick. They won't be bold enough for open combat and I doubt they actually want combat. Their goal is to get back to Citadel Rivad for the true Hellknights.' he slowly bobs his head "'Janiven is right, Westcrown authorities won't be too eager to help out. It is the Rack's problem not the local authorities besides many the nobility detest the Rack's ways."
The group is able to get to the east gate without any conflict.
So what? We ride past em. Bold as brass?
You were able to ride past the armingers that were in a defensive position. They did not want to resume a fight with you. It is a safe assumption that the next run in, they will have full Hellknights with them.
Shinon will take Larko and head back to the temple.
Sounds like a plan
Andrea eventually arrives at the safehouse and is about to rap on the door when she stops and turns to Rizzardo. You best knock first, since whoever is in there no doubt is more comfortable with you right now.
Duncan and Gorvio see another squad of Dottari at the gate as you are entering. There is horse there tied to post and few of the guards are surrounding that post. Gorvio cringes as he recognizes the horse that Shinon rode from the ambush site. There is no sign of Shinon but there are three Armingers speaking together nearby.
Andrea when you and Rizzardo arrive at your work, your employer asks a few quesitons about your unexplained absences. Your behavior has been very odd, you needing time off work. Is everything ok with you? Taking a moment to let the question sink in he continues, "I expect you back at work just after sunrise and putting in a solid day." His voice leaving no room to question.
Back in the temple Fiosa, the halfling, and Sclavo are debating the merits of various names for the group. I think, 'The Red Children," Sclavo mentions. "Its strong."
Fiosa shakes her head, "It's too bloody that sounds more like bandits. We are not bandits, we have a higher purpose. How about, The Protectors of the Night?" She poudly offers.
Shinon sits quietly in his seat at the table, not really listening as the rookies bicker about the name. He looks towards the ceiling, frowning to himself. "What's taking them so long? Maybe I should go to the East Gate myself and make sure they're alright. But I can't just leave these guys here..."
Shinon balls one hand into a fist under the table. It was a foolish idea to split up in the first place. Now he was stuck here babysitting when the rest of the group might need his help. And where the hell was Andrea?
Andrea when you and Rizzardo arrive at your work, your employer asks a few quesitons about your unexplained absences. Your behavior has been very odd, you needing time off work. Is everything ok with you? Taking a moment to let the question sink in he continues, "I expect you back at work just after sunrise and putting in a solid day." His voice leaving no room to question.
Andrea silently takes her adomishment. I have no good excuse for my absence but was delayed with aiding a friend with some deep personal problems. I will be certain to be here right when we open in the morning. Andrea is somewhat ashamed since her employer has been quite generous. After settling whatever needs to be done at work, she heads back to the temple with Rizzadro.
Shinon sits quietly in his seat at the table, not really listening as the rookies bicker about the name. He looks towards the ceiling, frowning to himself. "What's taking them so long? Maybe I should go to the East Gate myself and make sure they're alright. But I can't just leave these guys here..."
Shinon balls one hand into a fist under the table. It was a foolish idea to split up in the first place. Now he was stuck here babysitting when the rest of the group might need his help. And where the hell was Andrea?
When you and Larko arrive at the safehouse the conversation stops abruptly. Rising quickly, "Your back? How'd it go? Where're the others and 'rael?"
Duncan whispers, Keep yer nerve lad. They ain't nothin t'be scared of. Ride on.
He continues to ride past as though he didn't recognise the Armigers.
He silently prayed to Ragathiel, Turn thier gaze m'lord. They'd done no evil, jus doin thier job but if we're spotted I'll have to take thier lives to keep the Inheritors cleric free.
Gorvio clenches the reins tightly riding past the gate. Heading towards his uncle's stable. Where is Shinon? Captured? I need that horse back or my uncle is going to kill me. Worried expressions cross his face.
Shinon blinks as the rookies question him not a second after he enters the temple. "We were successful. Arael is in the care of John, Duncan and Kenji at the moment. However, we decided to split into two smaller groups, in order to enter the city while attracting less attention. I suspect Arael and the others will be along shortly. Until then, I'll be keeping watch over the temple, in case someone has tracked our movements."
I keep close to Arael as we move past also. "Best return to safehouse an regroup wit odders." I try and lead our group to the safehouse.
]"
The guards look at the trio as they ride through gate waving them by. Arael leans over to Kenji, "First, we return the horses to the stable and see they are taken care of. Then we cna make our back to the safehouse via the alleys.'
"It's been enough time for Duncan and the other, so yes let us make our way back."
I shutter "Horses? Why not just reabe dem. Dey good at taking care of seruves. Can't be trusted dose beasts." It is clear I am terrified of horses. :p
I shutter "Horses? Why not just reabe dem. Dey good at taking care of seruves. Can't be trusted dose beasts." It is clear I am terrified of horses. :p
I shutter "Horses? Why not just reabe dem. Dey good at taking care of seruves. Can't be trusted dose beasts." It is clear I am terrified of horses. :p
Andrea follows Rizzadro into the safehouse and waves to Shinon as she notices him being bombared by questions and suggestions for the groups new title. Sorry to keep you waiting Shinon, my employer was a little irked that I had left work and I had to take a tongue lashing.
Shinon shrugs. "Not at all. I've only just arrived myself. Still, it's a bit strange that we got here first. We were delayed by that armiger and we took the long way around. I hope that Arael and the others managed to slip past that blockade..."
Andrea flops at the table and sees if she can scrouge up some ale or anythign that can ease her nerves after all the excitment. I may very well have to limit any involement since my employer wants me to work during the day. Until I can learn some magic that allows me to run around all night, one will probably find me rather tired.
Shinon sits at the table across from Andrea and tries a smile. "Er, well, what kind of work do you do? I just realized, I don't really know that much about you. We have some time, so tell me about yourself."
John and Kenji leading Arael through the East Gate notice the dottari are changing shifts, so it seems a bit congested at the gate. There are three armigers stanidng next ot a single horse roughly 30 feet to the south of the gate.
Fiosa giggles at Andrea's comment about needing to limit her involvement because of work duties. Free at night though... her thoughts trail off. "Well we aren't fulltime crime fighters" commenting "most of us have daytime jobs, I work as a house servant. I try to help halfling slaves in other houses." Her small mouth form her words boldly.
Shinon raises an eyebrow, genuinely impressed by Fiosa's statement. "No kidding? That's really brave of you, Fiosa. Have you rescued anyone yet, or do you try and help them in other ways?"
Blushing now with the attention, Fiosa responds "I've helped one kin get out of Westcrown. He was treated harshly by House Rufano. But mostly, I help by gettin' 'em things and passin' messages." Crimson in color now.
Shinon's eyes widen in disbelief. "Wow, you really saved one of your own? That's amazing, Fiosa! I'm sure whereever he is now, he's thanking you for his freedom every minute. Man, you're a real hero." He gives her a real smile.
Perception:
John notices the three armingers surrounding Shinon's horse that he had ridden. Shinon is nowhere in sight and one of the armigers looks vaguely familar to you. Could have been one of the horsemen from the ambush.
Kenji perceives another terrible man-eating beast that is planning to charge him down in the middle of the street. Where are the blasted security and animal trainers to control such an outrageous creature. why are those men just chit chatting they sould subdue that creature - immediately. He clenches his fists tightly as his jaw locks, taking a defensive walking positon. His eyes never really leaving the shifty beast that at 30 feet is way closer than it needs to be. At any moment that monster could charge, better be ready for battle. Sweat on his flushed face. The walk all the way back from the ambush site did little to ease his suspicions.
Shinon sits at the table across from Andrea and tries a smile. "Er, well, what kind of work do you do? I just realized, I don't really know that much about you. We have some time, so tell me about yourself."
I work at the money changers. Right now I am an apprentice with working the books but it has potential to be more. Andrea shurgs a little. A good head for numbers can carry one far. How about you? Any means of support?
Fiosa giggles at Andrea's comment about needing to limit her involvement because of work duties. Free at night though... her thoughts trail off. "Well we aren't fulltime crime fighters" commenting "most of us have daytime jobs, I work as a house servant. I try to help halfling slaves in other houses." Her small mouth form her words boldly.
Andrea nods at the words of Fiosa and Shinon.[/b] I am rather concerned because the rescue will bring real Hellknight attention to us and also magical means as well from what I have heard about their ranks. Does anyone in the group have means to magically secure the building here? I have yet to reach that level of ability.[/b]
Shinon blinks and clears his throat. "Er, I grew up on the streets. It's actually pretty difficult to get a job, so I just kind of hunt for food on my own, and sometimes I come into money from some generous donors."
Shinon was actually quite ashamed that his money came primarily from looting the bodies of people he killed while he was "fighting justice". It kind of spoiled it for him, made it less heroic and more selfish, but the man had to eat after all.
Larko would respond to Andrea's quesiton about magical means of hiding the location, "Well Arael may have means but this is a temple and even though Asmodeus is openly prayed to within the city, an old law makes it illegal to desecrate or vandal a holy site. So, the lawful Hellknights don't snoop around these site because that would be crime. Sort of ironic isn't it? As far as others are concerned, as long as the nobles and the government don't have to pay for the upkeep they look the other way."
"If you noticed we keep the windows boarded up or covered with dark cloth and it looks rundown from the outside."