Lars rises and takes the package from Balthe. As he does, he stares at Gunla for a very long time, showing no change in demeanor, before finally saying quietly, The delivery is in order.
Just then, someone calls his name from down the hall.
Lars, package in hand, briskly walks off toward the voice, calling out On my way!
Turning quickly to Eli and Gunla.
Highby is off to see Cyne, he is the one that gave me that package. Herr Gunla, I request your assistance in investigating this situation. I also recognize that I do not have a clue how to go about it. Will you help and take the lead on this? A good man's livelihood and reputation is at stake.
"Uh, so they just made us go in a big circle?" Eli asks, a frown on his face. "Can I go now? No offense Balthe. I'm sure this is important to you."
No, Gunla swiftly replies. Her voice is hushed, almost a whisper.
Gunla's eyes narrow in thought.
Why would a man ask you to deliver a package if he planned to meet with the recipient at the time of its delivery. Can you hazard a guess, bard? Any guess? I'll aid you; but if you're holding anything back, have it out now. Right now.
I don't know, I truly know as much as you do now. I have a bad feeling I have just been set up though. That would put two of us in trouble. It makes me worry about Telwyn.
Do you have proof - even evidence - that you were bid by this... Cyne, to deliver this parcel? If this official denies asking you to deliver the item, could you refute him in a court of law? Do you have an order? Physical documentation? Anything?
If not, I fear that this set-up might have been for me as much as for you. I'd hoped that my escort was requested in order to keep you safe. I expected an ambush... just not this kind.
Gunla's sigh is almost a humanly vulnerable one. A small departure from her usual steel.
None. Vlachus can confirm it, but of course he is the one being blackmailed. But our status as "Heroes of the Realm" and his position as Captain of the Guard could sway a court. Of course he is being blackmailed so it would appear that both of us are perhaps in trouble.
How do you recomend we should proceed?
Before anyone can say any more, you hear a scream of fury from down the hall. After a few seconds of heavy footsteps, Vlachus runs into the lobby in full armor shouting RUN!
He runs toward the party and hurries them toward the door.
Yes sir!
Balthe books it after Vlachus, as he does he straps on his Buckler and gets his whip in his hand.
This is not good.
Eyes wide, Eli hesitates. His inquisitive nature makes him initially balk, looking back up the corridor, but when Balthe bolts out of the building, Eli gives in and follows the herd, clutching his cane.
Gunla's mind races. Her face is grim.
Capitan, she manages to acknowledge Vlachus as he rushes through.
Then, jaw set and expression grim, she allows the progression to pass, giving Eli a nod, as if to say "go"...
...and then plants herself firmly in the doorway, utters a prayer , and draws her katana.
To run would be incriminating, she thinks. Irori is with me...
Lars come barreling out from the hallway with fury all over his face. He throws something past Gunla and out the main door yelling You scum!
Seeing Gunla blocking the doorway, Lars yells to the guards outside Stop them!
Guardsman stand aside! This is not your concern, we have business with the Captain, it is urgent do not stand in our way!
Balthe speaks honestly and confidently.
Balthe does not stop moving. Unless the guard physically stops him, Balthe either moves through the space that he was standing or takes a quick step around him.
Eli downs the contens of the vial in his left hand and then looks to see how the guard responds to Balthe's order before trying to move past him.
The guard narrows his eyes, but steps aside to allow Balthe and Eli to pass.
Balthe's words proving persuasive, Eli runs down the stairs and around the corner towards the alley as instructed.
Balthe follows Vlachus as fast as he can until Vlachus stops. At which point he will observe his surroundings.
Where is Gunla? A note of panic in his voice.
She must have stayed to confront Lars. Vlachus we need her, she is the only one with the knowledge to dig us out of this mess. How do we get to her? Eli, I am sorry that you are now so deep into this mess. Ideas?
Gunla's Perception (to notice the object)
Gunla's Knowledge (local) (at the mention of the Mongers)
Quickly, Gunla counters Lars' order. She does not lower her weapon.
You'll do no such thing, gentlemen. I've committed no crime, and my authority is just as great as this man's. This is an inquisition matter; stand down. Draw a weapon and you'll face the High Inquisitor before morning.
Gunla's Intimidate check (to stay the guards)
Now calmly explain what's happened, Lars. Because from where I'm standing, you're looking a more criminal than anyone.
Balthe turns to Eli.
If you want to just run, I underdtand, and will never fault you. But I think you should be able to go back in and be of assistance. The guards will recognize Vlachus or myself. Please, see if you can get Gunla out. If we alter your hair perhaps no one will even realize you were there before.
Balthe double checks the alley.
Looking a little panicked, Eli gives Balthe a withering look. "What have you two got me into?" he demands in a hurried whisper.
"Disguise... Yeah... That I can do something about, but I'll need a minute." he mutters, moving deeper into the alley to get out of sight of the street.
Several of the guards immediately back down and look questioningly at Lars. Lars glances at a higher ranking soldier and nods upward. Immediately, four guards turn and cut the throats of four others, leaving nine guards plus Lars.
Lars looks up at you smugly, being nearly a foot shorter than you, and says, Hah! From where you're standing, you say? Well, from where I'm standing it looks like you're about to be killed for assaulting these four guards and trying to assassinate me. You never really had a chance.
Lars' cronies move in on you, and one guard steps into the doorway from outside, blocking your escape.
Vlachus. What is happening? Just us for a few minutes. We didn't do anything wrong out there.
Balthe strings his bow.
Gunla shouts. Balthe! Eli! To me!
Then, quietly.
You really want to do this, Lars? If I walk away from this, you're finished. Zeusemande isn't here, Highby. Think nine men is enough?
Intimidate:
Gunla's cry is lost in the distance between her and her friends.
With that he lunges forward at Gunla, whipping a brutal mace out and swinging it high. The other guards step inward to close the gaps between them. The guard behind Gunla braces his stance to block the door.
With that, Vlachus begins to run back to the base, drawing his sword as he goes.
Once more into the breach dear friend!
Balthe throws his bow over his shoulder and pulls back out his whip.
Eli if you want to back off, I will not hold it against you. But I hope that you are with me.
Balthe charges back in after Eli.
Eli hesitates. He looks at Balthe with a stricken look, a flash of guilt making his face red.
"So, if I walk away now, I may still be recognized and hunted down, but if I help you... what? There's a chance to clear my name?" he asks.
He looks at Vlachus and searches his face for any hint of deception.
He growls in frustration and retrieves a small blue glass vial from his belt pouch. It steams slightly as he opens it. With a swift gulp he swallows its contents and returns it to his pouch. The effects are visible as a shudder runs through him. His pupils dilate slightly and his face seems to grow more bony. He then pulls a hankerchief from his pocket, which he ties around his nose and mouth. He slouches as though resigned to an unpleasant fate and follows Balthe and Vlachus, slipping another glass vial from the bandolier across his chest, his cane still gripped in his right hand.
I will do everything in my power to clear your name. Balthe says to Eli as they tun.
...alright, Gunla mutters with a sigh.
One quick step backwards puts Gunla outside, and another swift movement slams the door shut on Lars .
Shouting through the door as she leans into it with all her might, Inquisitor Whelk's voice is confident... devoid of the alarm and the confusion that she feels.
One day we will come to blows, Highby! When that day comes, you'll thank me for having put it off for so long!
What now? Gunla thinks...
Balthe comes thundering down the hallway with Eli and Vlachus.
Gunla we have to move now
Balthe stops long enough to sing a single note, a low one that becomes increasingly sharp, which solidifies in the air and slams into the base of the door, like a wedge. Holding it shut.
Lets move! That wont hold long at all.
He takes off, following Vlachus again.
Eli, looking a little squirrely, with a hankerchief tied around his face, skids to a halt at the back of the group and then immediately turns around and runs back the way they came, heading once ahain for the alley.
As everyone runs down the stairs to the base, Lars' guards begin hammering away at the door.
One of the guards quickly bursts through the door, tumbling out onto the ground. Vlachus yells Come on! We have to go to- But he thinks better of yelling his plan out loud. He turns to the south and runs down the street, which is mostly empty this time of day.
As the party exits the relatively narrow stairs.
Balthe pulls up briefly to turn and sing another note. This one low, long and flat.
Move move!
He races to catch the others as they duck back into the alley.
Glowering down at the over-zealous guard, Gunla gradually raises her gaze to meet that of Lars' and his men.
Now it's three against nine, and I'm growing rather angry. Still like your chances, you worms?
Gunla unceremoniously rests a boot on the toppled guard's shoulder, and stares down the other men with a deadly serious expression.
Intimidate:
Gunla readies her katana.
Eli rolls his eyes and says to Balthe, "You know her better than I. Is there any chance she can be persuaded to not get herself killed, or worse, arrested?"
He slows, keeping Gunla in sight, but continues to head for the alley.
Gunla we have to go!
Might as well teach a brick to swim. Balthe says to Eli.
Whatever Lars is motivating the guards with is stronger than their fear of Gunla. More guards push out the door and begin to descend the stairs.
I guess you do, Gunla mutters to herself.
Glancing over at her charges - her assignment - Gunla breaks for the stairs.
Eli is still at the entrance to the alley, and gestures to the others to follow, making sure they see where they're to go before heading in himself.
The party takes off after Vlachus, bolting down the street to the south.
As you make your escape, you can see several guards tripping over Balthe's solid note and crashing down the steps.
Balthe follows Vlachus until the end, no questions.
Gunla follows Balthe, to be technical. But yes.