Adun follows the group to the temple of Shelyn, not particularly fussed about which deity provided the healing so long as no-one was going to get reported to the church of Asmodeus. "I'm happy to contribute what I can," he says. "I have a little coin saved."
Brianna spends the 75 gold from the sale on three scrolls, and uses one each on Conrad, Adun, and Darius. The remaining gold she gives to Darius, who appears to have a keener eye for coin.
Carl stands as Brianna reads the scroll and his wounds instantly close. "Many thanks, Ms. Reed! You are truly gifted. Why, I feel almost as good as new!"
Adun stands patiently as Brianna conjures the magic of the scroll, easing his pain and improving his gait. "Thanks Brianna, feeling much better."
Brianna politely thanks the priests of Songbird Hall, sincerely promising to repay their kindness. When everyone is finished in the temple, she convenes the group outside.
"Tomorrow at noon then? Everyone knows where to meet?" Brianna bids everyone farewell, and heads back to the War Cage.
Adun tests out his healed leg, happy with how little it hurts and how much more easily it moves, then follows Brianna. "So, what kind of mask were you thinking?"
Carl warmly shakes Brianna's hand with both of his, and waves to her and Adun as they leave. "Yes indeed, I shall see you then!"
When he sees Darius alone for a moment, Carl approaches and says quietly to him, "The bell tolls..." He says this expectantly, hopefully, like he is reciting a famous poem or something like that.
Reynard, not needing any wounds healed, will hang around with the others, then head home once they start drifting apart.
"We're not needed until night. It might be best to not loiter together in the city all afternoon. The dottari will definitely be out in force tomorrow."
Darius then added, "I'll be off as well. I trust Brianna will get Adun a suitable mask, but if anyone needs anything from me, let me know. Of course, I can also be found at the Motalis bookstore in the Redroof Market."
Carl shakes Reynard's hand as well. "I am glad to make your acquaintance again, good master Freeman. Lucky for all of us that you were there today."
"I doubt luck had anything to do with it, my friend. Something, or Someone, is watching out for us."
Agnes arranges an overnight stay in the temple, hoping the extra care will heal her wounds faster.
When Adun is about to leave, she shakes his hand gratefully. "Thanks for sticking with me Adun. If you hadn't taken that blow for me, it could have ended real bad. I'll see you again tomorrow. Please take care."
With her friend leaving, Agnes hangs around a bit awkwardly. She doesnt know the others. And she wasnt that much of a social butterfly to just start up a conversation about the weather (so to speak).
Adun feels slightly embarrassed by Agnes' emotional thanks as she shakes his hand. "It was nothing compared to the kindness you've shown me these last few days," he replies. "Look after yourself," he adds before squatting down next to Laika. "You look after her too," he says to the wolf.
Laika tilts his head for a moment before enthousiastically trying to lick Adun's face.
The overcast day draws on with rumors of the protest on most Kintargan's hushed lips. As it comes to a close and night falls on the city you all finish your preparations and approach the alley behind the Long Roads Coffeehouse.
Reynard walks past Long Roads coffeehouse, seeing nothing unusual. He looks around for the others.
Having made her home north of the Yolubilis River, The Blue Thorn appears just after curfew. She's been on patrol in The Villegre tonight, and apparently not alone. The Thorn approached the Long Roads Coffeehouse confidently, accompanied by another.
The Blue Thorn steps boldly out of a nearby alleyway in front of the coffeehouse. A tall elf in blues, greys and whites, a brown whip is wrapped across her torso and another green whip with a dagger hangs at her side. She carries a well-made wooden shield decorated with white rose.
Carl looks disappointed, and peers about to make sure no one can overhear him before explaining. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Motalis, but during the riot I saw you perform a magic spell very similar to one that I learned from my secret society. I may have mentioned before? The Shadow Parliament?" He pauses to give Darius another chance to reveal his secret allegiance (and of course Darius doesn't), and then he sighs. "I hoped that perhaps you were more of a stickler for the rules than I am, and were just being careful. But does this mean that you have mastered the arcane arts on your own, without a ceremonial ritual to empower you? I should like very much to hear more, good sir, and to shake your hand. Perhaps one day we could study each other's grimoires, compare our casting techniques and understanding of magical theory?"
Darius was quite confused by Carl's attempted implications. Whatever he was a part of definitely kept secrets well.
"Despite our different origins it does appear our magic is similar.
"I was trained in magic by the Victocora's tutors. However, I pursued broad studies and have proficiency in the martial arts as well. I'm curious to see how they will develop differently.
"We can certainly share any magic we come by. It will be a large help. For now, my book is quite limited."
With darkness setting in, Agnes prepares for the nights activities. She spikes Laika's fur with some grease mixed with charcoal so his coat looks completely different.
She dresses up in matching blacks and grays herself and puts on her wolf mask. She takes care to strap her lance to the side of the saddle.
Keeping to the back alleys, The Pack approaches the Long Roads coffeehouse.
Seeing the Blue Thorn out so bold, The Pack feels uncomfortable. It doesnt sit right, being out in the open like that. The Pack waves from an alley, trying to get the Blue Thorn's attention.
It's a long walk from Redroof to the coffeehouse, particularly taking a circuitous route to avoid being tailed and keeping to the shadows to avoid being seen. Not yet used to his featureless white mask or his long grey hooded cloak, Adun is reassured by the weight of the gauntlets on his hands.
He spots who he assumes to be Blue Thorn standing confidently in the street. Emboldened Adun steps out to meet her. "This isn't as uncomfortable as I feared," he says quietly, looking around for signs of the other members of their little group.
Darius prepared his disguise before heading out. He'd never worked North of the Yolubilis as the Fiend before.
He kept his cloak up and stuck to the dark alleys, relying on his darkvision to keep him away from human eyes.
When he gets to the alley, he sees a group congregating. While he does not recognize the group, he assumes these are his allies. In the interest of caution, he tries to stay back a little, perhaps overhear some conversation to verify.
Joined by The Pale Knight, and seeing The Pack is nearby, The Blue Thorn grouped the four of them up into an alley. It took all her willpower to not immidiately gush over her canine friend. Even as they hid, the rest of their group should be able to spot them grouped up.
"What do you think?" Blue Thorn whispered to Agnes, tugging on the cowl Adun was modeling for her. "I think he looks good in white."
Carl carefully makes his way to the coffeehouse. Fortunately, his allies have already seen his alternate identity, and he has seen enough of the others that he feels fairly confident he is in the right place. "Greetings again my friends," he says hesitantly with a slightly deeper voice from the shadowy depths of his cowl.
Agnes let Laika quickly lick the Rose's hand, before reigning him back in. They were here for serious buisness, and she needed the wolf focused.
"I'm happy to see you all, altough I am truthfully nervous about the whole affair. But you've done good work. He looks dashing."
Carl approaches Laika hesitantly, his gloved hand extended palm up so the wolf can recognize his scent from before. "Your animal friend is quite an exquisite specimen," he says admiringly. "Truly, everyone has such fine disguises, I am impressed. Why, one would hardly recognize us!"
"I'm still not sure about being disguised," Adun mutters apprehensively. "I feel like we're sticking out somewhat here."
The Fiend comes out from behind the alley debris he was hiding behind upon recognizing the Shadow and the halfling with a wolf.
"Under the cover of night, I doubt we'll draw too much attention, but other times, that's exactly what we want. Sticking out; giving the citizens a symbol is the way to raise their spirits for the rebellion we're trying to start."
A man in a dark hooded cloak appears in the alley and approaches you all. ”Everyone has made it. Good, I was afraid some would reconsider, thinking the risk too high.” The voice is unmistakably Rexus’, and after looking you all over he continues, ”We should go unseen if we stick to the alley’s and small streets. Follow me.”
The cloaked Rexus then slinks off into the night, wasting no time. Weaving through seldom used passages and darting across the larger thoroughfares. Only once does he stop and press himself against a wall, holding his hand up to signal back to you. Moments later three Dottari amble by, murmuring about the riot and bragging about the shots they got in on the protesters. Continuing on, you all make your way deep into the Redroof neighborhood near the river.
Rexus scurries up to a row of crates forty feet from an aged stable that leans slightly to one side, its roof precariously propped up by aged wooden walls. He stops here to catch his breath and waits for you. ”This is it, the Fair Fortune Livery.”
Blue Thorn takes careful note of Rexus' back-alley path from the Villagree to Red Roof, paying special attention to how he crosses the Youbilis without drawing the attention of the guards. Since almost all her new friends lived south of the river, The Thorn might be making use of these directions in the future. When they reach the Livery, The Blue Thorn takes the whip-dagger from her waist.
"Allright, I believe the Pale Knight is our best bet to lead a breach, along with The Pack," the Thorn whispers, jumping right into handing out orders. "Fiend, Nightmare Beast. You two are the most quiet, and I believe The Beast can see in the dark. Can you two circle the perimeter, and come back here? I'd prefer a door that doesn't face the street."
The Pack carefully follows along, making sure to stick to the shadows. She is impressed how a motley crew as their party manages to remain unseen.
"Woah woah slow down Blue Thorn, woudlnt it be best to check if there is an unseen way in first? Leading a breach, well, that may need to happen if it needs to happen. But I prefer a bit of subtlety first."
"Of course..did I say that backwards? We want to check the building first, before we go in."
The Fiend nods at Blue Thorn. "Certainly not a bad idea. I'll do a quick pass around the building and look for any other entrances."
Heading around the building, he searches for a suitable opening by which to enter the building more discreetly.
The Beast nods from the group's rear. "Can do." Then he circles the building, doing his best to stay quite. While h does, he looks for other doors.
Adun could see his family's business - what should have been his business - just a few doors further up the road. The name had already been stripped from the broad frontage, replaced by the unholy star of Asmodeus. They'll pay for what they did to me, he thinks, his hands tightening in his gauntlets.
He keeps watch while Beast and Fiend look for a way into the livery.
"I think you did Rose... But not to worry. I'm nervous too."
Agnes nudges Laika a bit forward so that the wolf can rub up to the Rose.
The Fiend and Nightmare Beast silently leave the group.
The two then return to the group.
The Fiend returns to report his findings.
"There are two possible methods of entry. There's an eroded wall in the alley on the right" he said gesturing to the right side of the building as the group faces it, "and another door, seemingly unimpeded in the back. I'd vote for the back path as it should have the least visibility from the street."
”Agreed.” the beast says, nodding.
"Good host, do you have any idea what we will find inside?" Carl asks Rexus quietly.
"Great work you two!" Blue Thorn is bossy, but not shy with praise.
"OK, let's pair up. Fiend and Nightmare Beast are the sneak team. For now, you're going in first. Pale Knight and I are muscle team, we'll come in behind you. Pack and Shadow are support team, you two will pull up the rear. If a fight breaks out, I will drop back next to the Silver Shadow while the Pack rides around."
"Sound good to everyone?" Blue Thorn may be pushy, but she is open to suggestions.
Rexus shrugs to the Silver Shadow, "Just the rumor of the Silver Raven hideout below. Blue Thorn, what team am I with? Or were you wanting me to keep watch out here?"
"You're the most important team...the lookout," Thorn is hesitant to bring the man along, but that doesn't mean he can't be helpful.
"If dotari come, or something worse, we need to know if our escape route is compromised. Let us make sure the floor is clear, and we'll signal you to join us. Do you have a way to signal us if you need to?"
"Dammit. I should have brought the wolf whistle. Great silent alarm."
"Let's get on with it then," Adun says, impatient to get off the street but glad that Blue Thorn has already come up with a plan.