He turns to Nicolai and Kajetan "I don't suppose either of you have the strength left to cast a spell that will allow us to maintain communication?"
Nicholai smirks, looking a little more like his old self as he does so.
"I think I could manage that. I'll wait to cast it until we're almost there, or if it looks like we might get separated."
"And before we go, maybe more of you should search this place properly. My heart wasn't in it."
"The rest is good, Laithe," she agrees squeezing his shoulder.
"And before we go, maybe more of you should search this place properly. My heart wasn't in it."
"The rest is good, Laithe," she agrees squeezing his shoulder.
Laithe smiles warmly at Pharris, no longer uncomfortable around the warrior woman as he had been when they first met around a week ago. "Agreed, let's search the rest of the building. However, one of us should stand watch at the front door lest we've attracted the attention of any guards."
To Nicolai he replies. "Great, the spell will come in handy if we meet any trouble. As you say, we are not in the best shape, so it's flight, not fight, if we do bump into trouble tonight.
He turns to Nicolai and Kajetan "I don't suppose either of you have the strength left to cast a spell that will allow us to maintain communication?"
"Aye, I can as well," smiles Kajetan, his face full of boyish good nature.
Before heading out, the group gives the entire building a thorough search - to no avail. It appears that if there were any valuables to be had in the place, Muddletude absconded with them when he left.
The night air seems cool and refreshing after the chemical stench of the work-house. The group gets organised, ensuring that masks and cloaks are in place where required, then makes haste along the several blocks back to the Grumpy Hogfish, those who are not going all the way halting a few streets back, whilst the others warily approach the small square in front of the inn.
All is dark and quiet on approach, unusual given that all the inns in town seem to be doing a roaring trade on the nights of the festival. Two masked locals walk towards you, calling out something to you
Looking into the square from the shadows of the street, you can see that the inn appears to be closed, with not even any light showing from the upper floor windows. Two armed town guardsmen stand outside the shut front doors, talking quietly to each other.
“Aye’d go nae futha if’n twere aye,” comes a gruff voice from the shadows; the beggar, speaking in Stonty’s dulcet tones.
“Aye thoot ye mate coom beck,” he continues. “Ge’ yer friens n’ coom wi’ mae.”
"Will do, but here take a silver for your trouble." Pharris switches thougts in mid-stride and follows the beggar she has paid.
Beneath his Nicholai mask, Nicholai grins, and it can be heard in his voice.
"Stonty? What a fortuitous circumstance!" Nicholai whispers. He whispers through the message spell to the ones who stayed back a block with the Knockers to come ahead and meet them at the alley. He keeps a wary eye on the guards at the Hogfish's door, and makes a show of pulling out a flask and passing it around.
“Aye’d go nae futha if’n twere aye,” comes a gruff voice from the shadows; the beggar, speaking in Stonty’s dulcet tones.“Aye thoot ye mate coom beck,” he continues. “Ge’ yer friens n’ coom wi’ mae.”
"Stonty, what a relief... what news? What happened to Hawthorn and his inn?" Keildrithe cautiously follows the dwarf into the alley, keeping his devil mask on... and trying to determine whether Stonty sounds like his normal self...
Looking into the square from the shadows of the street, you can see that the inn appears to be closed, with not even any light showing from the upper floor windows. Two armed town guardsmen stand outside the shut front doors, talking quietly to each other.
“Aye’d go nae futha if’n twere aye,” comes a gruff voice from the shadows; the beggar, speaking in Stonty’s dulcet tones.
“Aye thoot ye mate coom beck,” he continues. “Ge’ yer friens n’ coom wi’ mae.”
Laithe's heart sinks as he sees the hotel dark and lightless on what should be a big night of trade for Hawthorn.
He is somewhat relieved to hear Stonty's voice from the shadows, eager to hear what had befallen poor Hawthorn. Always wary, he takes a look around to see if they are being watched before following the others into the shadows and awaiting Stonty's tale.
Keildrithe, it certainly sounds like Stonty. He sounds impatient and somewhat angry, but you don’t get the sense that the anger is directed at you, or that he is acting under coercion.
Laithe, the guards outside the inn don’t seem to be paying you particular attention, and you don’t spot anything else that triggers your danger sense. As well as sounding like Stonty, you are pretty sure that you recognize the dwarf under the disguise of the ragged beggar’s cloak.
Alerted by Nicolai’s message spell, the other hurry up and everyone follows the dwarf through a maze of dark and mainly deserted alley ways, until they reach a short, straight street lined on both sides with sturdy brick cottages.
Stonty looks about to make sure that no one is watching – it does not appear that anyone is, this street is quiet, with the nearest sounds of festival night revelry coming from several streets away – then leads you to one of the houses, produces a key and ushers you in, welcoming the tall folk (and Alton) warmly to his home whilst scowling darkly at the knockers before reluctantly inviting them in too.
He bids everyone sit at one of the low, hard seats around his table and offers a choice of warm beer or a bitter herbal drink that he calls taeg, before telling his tale.
He had gone to visit the Hogfish mid morning that day, only to find the place closed to customers and crawling with guardsmen and church soldiers. Several people were gathered about gossiping, and from them he heard that Hawthorn and several other employees and patrons had been taken up to Minster Hill by the Inquisition, against a tale of sunrise battles, monsters, magic and an avenging red haired swordswoman.
Quickly realizing that you were involved in the mornings event, and gathering that you had not been taken in, Stonty decided to wait, either to see if you would return (to warn you of events), or to see if Hawthorn would. He donned the beggar disguise to avoid unwanted attention from the guards. Throughout the day there has been no sign of Hawthorn, and he had been close to giving up and going home when you turned up.
“Din worra ov’ much aboot Hawthorn,” says Stonty. “He’s a toof ol’ coot, an’ ayem shu’ heel meek th’ see sune enoof tha’ he daena noo wher’ t’ fane ye. But what’l ye be aboot no? They’re shor’ lookin’ hard f’ ye.”
NIcholai sits and sips the herbal concoction appreciatively as Stonty tells his tale. He looks at the others, obviously not sure.
"We came back to see what, if anything, had befallen the innkeep, and if we could help. It sounds like our worst fears have come true and he's in trouble. But I can't think of any way to help him short of an all-out assault, or turning ourselves in. And even if we did, they probably wouldn't let him go anyway." Nicholai rubs his eyes wearily. "Some of the authorities aren't fanatics, and take their job seriously, but don't see devils in every corner." He glances at the Devil Box.
"We aren't that familiar with the authorities of this town, how badly might they actually treat him? Will they let him go? Or will they take his lack of knowledge as a sure sign of his guilt? He can't tell them where to find us, because WE didn't even know where we were going."
He ponders for a while as the discussion continues, obviously reluctant to leave with the innkeep imprisoned.
"We were thinking about how to leave without being noticed. We thought maybe a boat? Unless you have a better idea?"
Pharris murmurs to herself, "I cannot be taken in."
"But perhaps I should leave the town sooner rather than later. There can not be many that fit that description."
"Maybe someone can magic my hair a different colour? or I could disguise myself again."
She tugs out her greatsword and shakes her head. "I hope Stonty is right because it feels wrong to leave Hawthorn in harm's way when he only helped us."
Stonty is clearly worried about Hawthorn, but agrees that trying to bust him out will not likely end well for anyone, and he does not think that Hawthorn would want you to give yourselves up in exchange for him – assuming that would even work. He keeps saying (as if to convince himself of the fact) that the innkeeper will be able to talk his way out of trouble, and that the Church will have no real reason to hold on to him for very long.
As for getting out of town, he offers what help he can, but doesn’t know if trying to smuggle people out in his wagon will work well. The boat may work, he suggests, but you’d need to row past the watchtowers at the town wall, and would likely be noticed, if perhaps not actually stopped. Maybe the guards would be less likely to notice people quietly swimming or floating past in the dark river at night, amongst the refuse from the town …
Pharris murmurs to herself, "I cannot be taken in."
"But perhaps I should leave the town sooner rather than later. There can not be many that fit that description."
"Maybe someone can magic my hair a different colour? or I could disguise myself again."
She tugs out her greatsword and shakes her head. "I hope Stonty is right because it feels wrong to leave Hawthorn in harm's way when he only helped us."
Laithe too is clearly troubled about leaving Hawthorn in harm's way. After listening to the discussion and spending awhile in thought, he pipes up with a suggestion.
"You are correct Stonty; even assuming busting him out is possible, it will ultimately cause him more trouble by turning him into a fugitive. Perhaps the best thing we can do is to leave town, but not so secretly as initially planned."
He pauses, looking at each member of the room in turn. "If we can bust out of town and ensure that Vorn knows we've left, then ultimately he and his lackey's will follow us and theoretically they will have no further need for Hawthorn. If we sneak out and no one knows we've left, then they may continue to hold Hawthorn with the hope of luring us out. I know it leaves a bit to chance, but it might be our best bet in helping him?"
Turning to Pharris he continues "We would need to be as recognisable as possible; we want the guards to see your hair, and we want them to see myself changing into wolf form as we flee. Keildrithe, we want them to see you as a Karand and Alton, you as a halfling."
He pauses before continuing with the finer details of the plan. "Perhaps we can acquire some more of their horses and flee in an alternate direction to where we ultimately want to go. We can then ditch the horses and sneak off on foot, heading the way we want to go and buying us some time and distance between them."
He turns to Stonty. "We would like to repay Hawthorn and yourself for the trouble we've caused. In battling the devils we have acquired some of their treasure; I suspect some of it may have come from church anyway, so it would be fitting if Hawthorn use it to make ammends for the trouble they have caused him. We were wondering if you would be able to find a buyer for it and pass on some of the proceeds to Hawthorn to repay him, as well as keeping a commission for yourself?"
Stonty becomes quite animated at Laithe’s suggestion of deliberately leading the church to them.
“Tha’s th’ spiri’!” he exclaims. “Mebbe ye cou’ e’en se’ up an amboosh f’ th’ bestard followin’ ye!”
The dwarf is also happy to take the proceeds of you excursion against the devils, but suggests, if you are willing to stay in town and lie low for an extra half a day or so, he could perhaps use it to help you buy supplies or horses or such.
"I like this idea!"
Laithe gets a big hug for that one. "You are so right. And lets ambush this Vorn and his men just for good measure."
Pharris pulls at her hair, proud and clear eyed for the first time in ages. "I didn't want to damage my ends anyway."
Kajetan thinks for a moment, "They will expect us to head one direction and then double back to our real direction, why don't we instead head in the direction we wish to head and make it look like we are doubling back, a sort of double bluff?"
Nicholai has been thoughtful since his last statements. And seems dubious at first about Laithe's suggestion. But as the discussion continues he becomes more animated, finally ending with a grin as Pharris hugs Laithe.
"Well, I have a useful charm that can change your hair color if needed, and no split ends I promise!" He says as he solemnly lays a hand on his chest, but with a big grin. "But if we are going as ourselves, then we'll save that for later."
He turns to the usually silent mage with a look of mild surprise. "I like the way you think Kajetan! By all means lets Make your 'friend' work for his money! Any help you can give us will be most appreciated Stonty, and if there is anything left over, I would also like for you and the innkeep to have a share for all you both have done for us."
"Now, all we have left to figure out is how to let them see us leave, but after we have cleared the gates,..."
"I like this idea!"
Laithe gets a big hug for that one. "You are so right. And lets ambush this Vorn and his men just for good measure."
Pharris pulls at her hair, proud and clear eyed for the first time in ages. "I didn't want to damage my ends anyway."
Laithe (still somewhat awkwardly) returns Pharris' hug, his face taking on a slightly red hue. He is however happy to see the warrior woman apparently herself again.
After extracting himself from her embrace, he nods at her's and Stonty's suggestion. "An ambush might not be a bad idea. They have been dogging us for long enough, and we don't really want to bring any trouble to the monastry as we have brought here."
Kajetan thinks for a moment, "They will expect us to head one direction and then double back to our real direction, why don't we instead head in the direction we wish to head and make it look like we are doubling back, a sort of double bluff?"
"Not a bad thought Kajetan. Perhaps we try and leave by the West gates, then head North and East to the River. From there we can find a way across, so the knocker can make their way home, while we then double back again to head back to the West. We can make it look like we're trying to lose them, but in fact leave enough sign that they will be able to track us back west."
When the knockers hand over the map, Laithe lays it out on the table and looks it over it with interest. "Regardless of whether treasure lies there or not, it might not be a bad spot to lay in wait for any pursuit. And it seems to be on the way to the monastry, so we might as well check it out."
At Stonty's offer of supplies and the like, Laithe says "If you have a place we can lay low, I think we could use both the rest that would afford, and the offer of supplies." He throws a questioning look at the rest of the group. "I think we would be wise to try and buy or acquire some horses; pursuit is likely to be by horse, and we don't want them catching up too early. It will also mean that we can double with the knockers and they will be harder to track their path when we drop them off?"
When the knockers hand over the map, Laithe lays it out on the table and looks it over it with interest. "Regardless of whether treasure lies there or not, it might not be a bad spot to lay in wait for any pursuit. And it seems to be on the way to the monastry, so we might as well check it out."
At Stonty's offer of supplies and the like, Laithe says "If you have a place we can lay low, I think we could use both the rest that would afford, and the offer of supplies." He throws a questioning look at the rest of the group. "I think we would be wise to try and buy or acquire some horses; pursuit is likely to be by horse, and we don't want them catching up too early. It will also mean that we can double with the knockers and they will be harder to track their path when we drop them off?"
"I agree with all of your suggestions, brother--your counsel is wise," says Keildrithe in response to Laithe's proposals. "By the way, this is fine beer, master Stonty -- my thanks, and to your good health!" he says as he raises his glass in the dwarf's direction. "And to the eventual downfall of the Vorn, Atrek and the Artonites," he mutters as he brings the glass to his lips again.
;P
Nicholai listens intently to the others, looking for flaws in the plans, or at least trying to, as he ritually straightens his now soot and dust-covered Cravat and smooths his mussed hair.
"How about in the morning I ask Wij'kan to take a fly-over of the city, and see which gates on the side of the river we want to leave by are less-guarded. Or are at least so busy that they aren't taking much time per person? We can then exit the town by riding through that gate."
He strokes his chin as if smoothing a goatee. "Hm, perhaps then we can arrange for one of us to have an 'accident' and 'fall' from his horse, revealing ourselves for a moment?" He muses,...
You recall that two days ago the guards seemed to be stopping and questioning many people passing through the gates, particularly those who didn’t look like local Thuringians. There were also wanted posters up near the gates, with reasonable descriptions of Alton, Kajetan, Keildrithe and Laithe. The guards now presumably also have a description of Pharris. (Laithe and Keildrithe have changed outfits and groomed to appear a bit different to their descriptions, but are still clearly ethnic Karands rather than Thuringians.)
"How about in the morning I ask Wij'kan to take a fly-over of the city, and see which gates on the side of the river we want to leave by are less-guarded. Or are at least so busy that they aren't taking much time per person? We can then exit the town by riding through that gate."
He strokes his chin as if smoothing a goatee. "Hm, perhaps then we can arrange for one of us to have an 'accident' and 'fall' from his horse, revealing ourselves for a moment?" He muses,...
"I doubt if I could leave the town in broad daylight, unnoticed. The soldiers are on high alert, and there are 'wanted' posters all about town. Given that I don't speak a word of Thuringian, it would be easy for them to peg me, even if I were disguised. For that reason, it might be better if I at least try to float out of town with some driftwood on the river... The rest can do as they deem best for themselves... we can join up afterwards near the ruined tower... If it's agreeable to Stonty and doesn't cause too great a risk, we could also consider resting here for a night or two before attempting to leave..."
Nicholai nods wearily.
"I agree. The thought of a good night's sleep makes me,... happy." Nicholai smiles.
"But the LAST thing I want is to bring more trouble on those who would help us. So it's entirely up to Stonty. Are the gates locked at night? Or is there enough traffic to warrant trying after dark? I really wouldn't want to get separated if we can avoid it. If asked we can always try the 'He can't speak he's a mute' approach."
Nicholai gets a thoughtful expression as he gazes at the fire.
"Actually, our opportunity is upon us. If the celebration is ending, there will be droves of people leaving. We just have to make sure that we are among them. The guards cannot possibly check EVERYbody leaving. Nor will they so eager to check those who look like they are still suffering from last nights celebrating,..." He raises an eyebrow. "What do you all think of that?"
"Actually," Nicholai adds after a moment,...
"They are most likely looking for you all as a group, or at least traveling in small groups, BUT,...
What if we separated and individually attached ourselves to other groups of revelers as they leave the city? That way we can stay close enough to see each other, but it is unlikely that the guards will notice you, as they are likely looking for some combination of your descriptions!"
He grins like the canary that swallowed the cat.
"Actually," Nicholai adds after a moment,...
"They are most likely looking for you all as a group, or at least traveling in small groups, BUT,...
What if we separated and individually attached ourselves to other groups of revelers as they leave the city? That way we can stay close enough to see each other, but it is unlikely that the guards will notice you, as they are likely looking for some combination of your descriptions!"
He grins like the canary that swallowed the cat.
"My... friend," Keildrithe says hesitantly, "I believe you've found our best option. That plan just might work." He nods and returns Nicolai's sly grin. "Yes, Keildrithe, the mute, drunk, and if worse comes to worse, malodourous bard... who would have thought that it would come to this?"
"My... friend," Keildrithe says hesitantly, "I believe you've found our best option. That plan just might work." He nods and returns Nicolai's sly grin. "Yes, Keildrithe, the mute, drunk, and if worse comes to worse, malodourous bard... who would have thought that it would come to this?"
After listening to Nicolai's and Keildrithe's ideas, Laithe speaks up once more
"I was kind of imagining charging through the gates on horseback in the early morning. If we take the guards by surprise we can potentially make it through the gates before they can try and stop us. If we then ride hard we can put some fair distance between us and them before a pursuit is effectively mounted. That was they will know we have all left and hopefully takes the pressure off Hawthorn." He pauses and then adds wryly. "Of course, we are likely to have archers aiming at our backs as we ride away which is a flaw in the plan, but we may be able to alleviate that pressure with a few timely spells or attacks of our own."
"Slipping out one by one has its merits, but I fear if something goes awry we might be in a poor position to react. Should one of us be discovered, we will have some inside the gate, some outside the gate, and our mobility hampered by the crowds. If we take horses in this fashion, we also may attract attention to ourselves; but if we don't, we will be caught out on foot should pursuit be mounted. And the knockers and devil box may find it difficult to escape the scrutiny of the guards. Even if all goes well, we would have then slipped through the gates and the guards and inquisition will not know we have left the city, and they may continue to hold Hawthorn in the hope of drawing us out."
"Hmmm... our ordeal has wearied me and clouded my judgement... as has this fine beer. I cannot seem to make up my mind. I liked Nicolai's plan, but now find myself in agreement with Laithe... perhaps we should sleep on it, and come to a decision in the morning?" Keildrithe stretches out and yawns, eyes bleary. He starts to scan the room, looking for a comfortable spot in which to lay himself down.
Should one of us be discovered, we will have some inside the gate, some outside the gate, and our mobility hampered by the crowds.
"Yes get some rest. I shall attend to my weapons and keep a watch for a while. Nowhere is safe here."
Pharris sets up her gear by a window and watches the street while cleaning her armour, then finishing off her sword.
"Yes get some rest. I shall attend to my weapons and keep a watch for a while. Nowhere is safe here."
Pharris sets up her gear by a window and watches the street while cleaning her armour, then finishing off her sword.
Laithe nods in response to Keildrithe's and Pharris' suggestions of sleep, a yawn overcoming him as well. "We could definitely all use the sleep."
He finds a spot to settle down by a window, so he can at least catch a glimpse of the stars outside. He spends some time in communion with Ehlonna before settling down for some much needed rest.
"Your not the only one Keildrithe. I confess that I still think my plan has many advantages, but I also admit a fondness for the sound of my own voice! If we want to make a hasty and certainly noticed departure, then Laithe has the right idea."
"Sleep sounds good, thank you master Stonty,..."
Nicholai makes a bit of a fuss with settling in, out of habit more than anything it looks like. And his head barely touches his sleeping mat before he is out of it.
Stonty rouses any who sleep the night away some hours later. “’Tis a coople o’ hoors afore dawn,” he says. “Thoot ye mate lake t’ time t’ plan soom moor.”
Stonty rouses any who sleep the night away some hours later. “’Tis a coople o’ hoors afore dawn,” he says. “Thoot ye mate lake t’ time t’ plan soom moor.”
"Whaaaa?... already???... Wha... What do we need to plan for? Who's going to buy horses and gear? Were we not planning on spending the day here?" Keildrithe winces as he turns over, the wounds on his neck and back from the chain devil's animated hooks still quite painful.
Stonty rouses any who sleep the night away some hours later. “’Tis a coople o’ hoors afore dawn,” he says. “Thoot ye mate lake t’ time t’ plan soom moor.”
Laithe rouses at Stonty's call, groggy but feeling somewhat refreshed compared with the evening before.
"I guess it depends what we want to do, and whether or not Stonty can get some supplies before then?" he looks questioningly at the dwarf. "Are you likely to be able to acquire 5-6 riding horses for us at this early hour? As well as some food for the road?"
To the rest he says. "Ehlonna has blessed me with some magic which may help in an escape. I have the ability to warp the wood of a gate if we need to break through a locked gate, and I can create a cloud of fog to cover our escape, or drop over any archers who may seek to fire at us. For Hawthorn's sake, I'd say the sooner we can leave the better. But I do think horses and supplies are a must."
"If Stonty gets us six horses and supplies, isn't that putting him in harm's way when we flee through the gates on horseback. They can count. We should take them and flee all in one. Then no one has time to warn the gates either."
Pharris warms her feet at the early fire. Delicate toes twinkle and flick with each point. Eventually she curls them up under her body on the chair. A small piece of toast sits on one arm, Pharris rarely nibbles it.
"Also in our theft, everyone can make liberal use of names. That creates a nice trail away from Hawthorn."
Kajetan looks exhausted, having not slept well the night before, worry over the upcoming city exit keeping his mind active and actively scribbling in his note book haunched over a candle.
"I think I have an answer to our problem," he exclaims as the group wash and prepare in the morning, "I have been thinking of how those imps could disappear at will, and I think it is only a simple task for me to learn how to do the same for us," he looks up excitedly for encouragement, "I think I can do this, but it is draining, and only maybe 3 of us each day, and only for a few minutes at a time, but surely that is enough time to slip out of the gates and wait at a safe distance for us all to meet up?"
Again he looks around at the others and Stonty, "it would require us to impose on your hospitality for a few days, while I learn the arcane formula and then a while longer as our numbers reduce, but I am certain it could be done."
"Well, I wouldn't say i'm wellrested, but I certainly feel a lot better. Thank you MAster Stonty. I appreciate the danger you have taken upon yourself to help us."
He listens to Laithe's and Kajetan's explanations, and grins again.
"Excellent! Wonderful work! And it fits in nicely with something I dreamed up last night!" He says as he stretches to work out the kinks. Readjusting his ascot he turns to the group.
"I think that both of the plans have merit, and that we should use both of them! Let me explain,... "
"They have posted notices with reasonable descriptions of most of you. And they will be looking for you, we can count on that. SO, for those whose descriptions are known, we should stick to the basic 'Running out like screaming banshees' plan, guaranteed to bring your old friend running after us."
"But, they do not know about ALL of us. Those of us who are not currently being looked for should attempt to leave as quietly as possible. Kajetan, if you can figure out the mystic formula for causing people to vanish, then that would help us get the knockers out of town unnoticed. I should simply be able to walk through without any trouble. Once we are out, THEN the rest of you come charging out! While they are distracted by you, I can cast a fog to cover the gates, which should hamper their ability to stop you!"
"This way, they will not realize that you have been joined by others. And that will help us provide a rather nasty surprise for them when they 'catch' you."
"This way, they will not realize that you have been joined by others. And that will help us provide a rather nasty surprise for them when they 'catch' you."
Laithe listens to all the discussion and when Nicolai begins discussing a combination of the plans, he nods slowly, a grin gradually spreading across his face.
"I think you are right Nicolai; combining the options allows us to broadcast the fact that we have left, whilst also not revealing anyone of us not already known to Vorn and Atrek. It also offers us a handy advantage if anything goes wrong, and for when we lay an ambush."
"Who of us are not under scrutiny? Nicolai certainly, and Kajetan perhaps? It sounds as though Pharris has come to their attention due to her exploits at the Inn. Keildrithe, Alton and myself are all known to Vorn. So that probably means that 4 of us should ride out. Perhaps Nicolai can make his way out with some spare horses before hand and await for us on the other side. Kajetan, your invisibility spell would come in handy for getting the knockers out without being noticed."
"Perhaps dusk, just before the gates close, is the time to move. It will give us a chance to rest a little more during the day, as well as to collect supplies, acquire horses and ready any other preparations. It may also hamper pursuit, and give us a bit of a lead so we don't have them right on our heels. And it will allow the knockers to go their separate way without much chance of being spotted or followed. It may also give Stonty some time to find a buyer for the goods."
NIcholai cannot help himself. The tension of the last few days, the fight last night, he breaks out into relieved laughter. There is a slight tension to it. Not like it is forced, but needing to be released.
"MAster Stonty, you are indeed a worthy fellow, and it is an honor to have met you! I must confess that simple, if unorthodox, solution had not occurred to me! I presume that you might have an idea of a particular stable which might not be completely unhappy with such an unorthodox payment plan? Perhaps a one belonging to a friend, or a relative?" He asks the dwarf with a wink.
"As to the leaving, I agree Laithe. We should take advantage of the crowds leaving the celebration. I and the Knockers should go first. IF we get through without incident, you come charging. If it looks like there might be an issue at the gate, you come charging, and in the confusion we will continue through the gate unhindered. A fog spell to help hide you and confuse the guards as you leave, and we meet up down the road before they can mount a pursuit."
The dapper young man claps his hands together gleefully. He waggles his eyebrows. "This'll be fun! Just like my university days!" He declares.
“Aye, ay’ve goot woon in mind…”
Pharris is happy with the final plan and leaving some of the valuables. She toys with the jewellery for a while but shrugs it off quickly.
"Give it to Stonty and Hawthorn and the horse owners. The inn will come under fierce pressure after this."
She spends a while brushing her hair until it glows red.
"They will remember us leave."