The knockers whisper their goodbyes and thanks, then, once invisible, hurry away through the open gates, without anyone apparently noticing anything of their passing.
As dawn approaches, a few more people begin moving through the gates. The guards stop some people (seemingly at random) and talk to them for a few moments or study them carefully before allowing them through.
It looks about as busy as it’s likely to get anytime soon, it seems that the north gate is not the busiest one in town.
"Farewell, knockers," whispers Keildrithe, smiling as they vanish. "I learned much from you, and hope that your kin are as brave and honourable as you were." Looking to his companions, he then adds, "our time is nigh... everyone ready?"
Kajetan seems most pleased to receive acknowledgement from Nicoli, someone who seems to have everything, good lucks, charm and power, "Thank you, but, I could never wield the powers you do, to be fair, I normal feel like I am a liability to my companions, rather than an asset, so your praise is very welcome."
-
"So I will go first so I am closer to the guards when needed?" he asks. "Wish me luck, Assuming this is the plan he will lead his horse on foot through the crowd, his heart is racing and his hands shaking.
-
NIcholai accepts the young wizard's complement as his due with a nod. Though he does seem taken aback for a moment by Kajetan's simple forthrightness. He once again fiddles with his ascot, and when he is done he smiles at Kajetan.
"Thank you Kaj, but I think you underestimate yourself. And your abilities. Any fool of a caster can use fire or lightning to destroy. But it takes an intelligent and forceful personality to bend reality to your will. I'm just good at thinking on my feet."
He smirks and tucks a stray strand of hair back behind his ear. "Granted, I'm better at it than most. Sometimes I'm almost as good as I think I am! Are we ready? Oh! I almost forgot!" He takes out a skin from inside his jacket, uncorks it, and takes a large swig. He makes a face.
"Warm beer, yummy." He says in a monotone.
He insists that Kajetan takes one as well, then holds the skin, and deliberately squirts a bit onto the front of the young mage's clothes. Before Kajetan can protest, he turns the skin on himself and does the same. He gives a theatrical little sigh as he observes the front of his clothes.
"Ah well, they need to be cleaned desperately anyway." He sniffs disdainfully.
"Alright Kaj, your appearance is perfect, but you still don't sound like a local. So, you just sit in the saddle, sway a little bit,... not too much, and if we get stopped let me do the talking, alright?"
Nicholai look at the others.
"See you soon."
HE rides slowly towards the gate, seemingly in no hurry, careful to keep near to Kajetan's horse as if to keep leading it if it goes astray. As he nears the gate he sings a little ditty normally heard in the less reputable drinking establishments, not even pretending to be on key.
He insists that Kajetan takes one as well, then holds the skin, and deliberately squirts a bit onto the front of the young mage's clothes. Before Kajetan can protest, he turns the skin on himself and does the same. He gives a theatrical little sigh as he observes the front of his clothes.
A few moments after the knockers depart, Laithe relaxes a little, satisfied that at least the first part of their plan has gone smoothly. He looks back to the others to see Nicolai squirting Kajetan with liquid. At first he thinks to berate the man; now was not the time for fun and games! But upon smelling the beer he quickly realises the intent and smiles to himself at his own foolishness. It was a nice touch and would add credibility to their story when they passed the guards.
As the two make ready to leave, he throws them another re-assuring smile. "We will be watching closely and if anything goes wrong just ride hard; we will be there to cover your backs."
Noting Kajetan's effective transformation he adds "Little is likely to go wrong though, what with your disguise and Nicolai's cover story. We will follow once you are through and have had a minute to gain a little distance. Remember, make your way East to the meeting point. We will ride hard north and then circle around to meet you there. Good luck."
He settles in again to watch as the next phase of the plan begins to unfold...
Kajetan, detect magic does not reveal any of the items listed to be magical. You do notice a faint magical aura around the longtooth dagger that Alton bears but never uses…
The two guards on the left side of the twenty foot wide gate opening check in-coming traffic – mostly farmers with carts coming into town. The two guards on the right talk to folk leaving the town, a few of them drunks who obviously aren’t up to answering many questions. The sergeant has returned to the gate house, to be in out of the cold morning air. The archer still looks outwards, watching for threats approaching from without the walls, though how much he can see in the dark pre-dawn ambience is debateable.
Kajetan, your detect thought spell reveals that the guards are only half concentrating on their jobs. Mostly they are thinking about things such as whether they are going to be paid overtime, the girl they met at the festival two nights ago, their young baby son who is teething, the gambling debt they owe … they do have the fact that they need to stop and question people there, but most have simplified it down to “stop Karands” or “stop non-Thuringians”. One idly wishes that the exotic red-headed woman would try to get through the gates today…
Nicolai, your empathic link with Wijk’An suggests that there is no obvious danger visible outside the walls.
---
Kajetan leads his horse towards the gates, heart racing, trying to head towards the guard who is concentrating least on his job. The man looks up, peers closely at the wizard in the dim light … he sees a tall Thuringian man, wearing fairly nice (if somewhat stained and rumpled) clothing, leading a horse. Smells of wine.
Merchant, or gentleman farmer, thinks the guard. Had too much too drink last night. Not much point stopping him.
Kajetan is waved through.
Nicolai is not far behind, singing off-key in Thuringian, his Atuscan accent not obvious, but detectable.
“Hey you,” calls one of the guards in Thuringian. “What’s your name and your business at this early hour?”
Before he leaves, Kajetan reports what he has learnt from the use of detect thoughts, "the guards are going to stop Karands and non-Thuringians for questioning." he wishes them all good luck.
Kajetan is unable to believe his good fortune at getting through unscaved but then stops about 15 feet from the guards on the wilderness side of the gate when he hears one challenge Nicoli. Kajetan pretends he is trying to drunkenly mount his horse while he hovers near enough to hear the conversation and intercede if required. He is acutely aware of the nervous sweat trickling down his back.
Pharris' eyes narrow when Nicolai is stopped. She grips the reins tight and ready.
"He can talk his way out of this..he can."
NIcholai nods at Kajetan's words. And makes a brief gesture, pointing at himself, Kajetan, Laithe, and Pharris for a moment each.
"Good luck, indeed." He whispers, his words clearly visible in the ears of those he pointed a finger at. He smiles at the group, and sends a warmth of gratitude to Wij'kan through the link as he slowly begins following Kajetan towards the gate. He tries to remember the verses to the more risque songs he's heard as he idly wonders exactly what he's going to do if this doesn't work.
The dandy has a hard time keeping a grin from his face as the young Karand is waived through. He covers by singing just a little louder as he steps forward. The guard looks at him with narrowed eyes, and holds up his hand for Nicholai to stop.
“Hey you,” calls one of the guards in Thuringian. “What’s your name and your business at this early hour?”
",...I'd never done it on the floor! But that's alright he says, she was a wh,... Wha?!?,..." Nicholai stumbles to a stop both with his horse and his singing at the man's upheld hand. He blinks, slowly, and stares at the guard for a just a second.
"Nigel, Jesh,... Just going home sir." Nicholai answers carefully after slurring the first word. He stands tall, looking at the guard with his eyes wide open. His posture stiff with the certainty of a man who knows he's had too much to drink, but who also thinks that no one else can tell.
The guard studies you for a moment, looks about to say something, changes his mind, nods and waves you through the gates.
NIcholai starts to smile, blinks to make it appear that it is sinking into his drunken head that maybe he should be respectful, and nods in thanks to the guard instead. He then deliberately walks carefully onward with his horse. As he passes out of the gate he starts up another verse. A little softer than before. But not much.
"Oh! There was a man with a wooden leg, who went a courtin' one night,..." He croons, much to the dismay of his horse. Inwardly he is careful not to let his tension go just yet.
"That was close! Gotta remember, sometimes less is more!" He thinks to himself as he joins the apparently drunken Kajetan and climbs up onto his horse. He turns the horse in vaguely the right direction, and lets it meander forward. Careful not to move too fast. He throws a quick wink at Kajetan. His lips barely move as he whispers to Kajetan, Laithe and Pharris.
"We're through. 'Banshee,...'"
Pharris almost jerks on the reins.
"Imps and nets. Laithe? Keildrithe? Ready?"
The warrior woman takes a final scan of the area just to make sure this is not some elaborate trap.
You don't see a dozen guardsmen lurking in the shadows or anything like that ... things appear to be as they appear ...
Pharris almost jerks on the reins.
"Imps and nets. Laithe? Keildrithe? Ready?"
Laithe watches, relieved as Kajetan makes it through. His heart races for a moment as Nicolai is stopped. When finally he is issued through, Laithe lets out a breath of relief he hadn't realised he was holding.
Pharris' words spur him into action, the nervousness starting to return once more. He quickly strips out of his Thuringian clothes, vastly more comfortable in his normal garb underneath. He quickly stows the clothes and then hands his reigns to Keildrithe.
"Can you lead my horse? I intend to change into wolf form, and I don't think it would have quite the desired effect if I'm left trying to balance on the back of a galloping horse!"
To everyone he says "Our turn. Ride hard; your horses should clear the way, and I will follow in your wake. Don't tally to fight; these men have no quarrel with us, nor us with them. They are acting merely on orders."
With those words said, he steels himself for the charge at the gates.
Pharris kicks her heels into the flanks, and charges forwards, low over the neck of the horse.
"Clear the way, freedom from the Church Inquisition!" she shouts as she nears the gate.
their young baby son who is teething
Keildrithe takes a firm grasp of the reigns of Laithe's horse, then kicks his own mount into a gallop, following Pharris, who seems a little off-balance in her saddle. "Down with the Artonite tyrants! Die on your feet, or live on your knees, good people of Lichford! We shall return! FREEEEEEE-DOOOOOOM!!!" He spits on a guard as he attempts to storm through the gate...
Pharris and Keildrithe both give out yells and shouts and spur their horses into movement, charging through the open gates. Surprised pedestrians stand open mouthed, or run out of the way. One of the guards stands, starts to draw his sword, but is dragged out of the way by his companion as Pharris’ horse gears down on him. The others all leap out of the way.
The two heroes are through!
The sergeant runs out of the gatehouse, blowing his guard whistle furiously.
As the horses bear down on the surprised gate guards, NIcholai's eyes look up, to the top of the tower, and the archer in sight there.
'C'mon, turn around and see what the commotion is,...' Nicholai mutters, hoping against hope that this isn't the ONE guard in the entire town who takes his duty so seriously that he would never think of looking left if ordered to watch right,...
'C'mon, turn around and see what the commotion is,...' Nicholai mutters, hoping against hope that this isn't the ONE guard in the entire town who takes his duty so seriously that he would never think of looking left if ordered to watch right,...
Keildrithe takes a firm grasp of the reigns of Laithe's horse, then kicks his own mount into a gallop, following Pharris, who seems a little off-balance in her saddle. "Down with the Artonite tyrants! Die on your feet, or live on your knees, good people of Lichford! We shall return! FREEEEEEE-DOOOOOOM!!!" He spits on a guard as he attempts to storm through the gate...
Laithe slaps the rump of Alton's horse, sending him galloping after the wild charge of Pharris and Keildrithe. He breaks into a run after the diminutive swashbuckler, pushing hard to keep close to the horse. When he sees the sergeant exiting his command post, and making sure he is in full sight of the other guards, he wills the transformation into wolf form. One moment he is a wild looking Karand running at full tilt with spear and shield in hand, the next a large grey wolf, loping on the heels of the horses ahead.
Alton follows his companions charge through the gate, turning a little in his saddle to give the gaurds a mocking salute and a jaunty wave before spurring his mount onwards to keep up.
Keildrithe is elated that they seem to have made it through the gates, without casualties or even injuries. "Ride, my friends! Ride hard!!!" He takes a quick look over his shoulder, praying that archers will not soon loose their arrows upon the fugitives...
NIcholai cannot help a small grin from escaping as the archer on the tower turns at the commotion and nocks an arrow to his bow.
"Thenk Yew!" He mumbles, and surreptitiously casts a spell.
The dandy flicks his fingers as if brushing off his sleeve, and a cloud of fog thickens and engulfs the top of the tower as the first two riders make their escape.
"How uncouth!" He cries aloud as Pharris and Keildrithe pass the gatehouse, shouting their defiance.
"AH! A Worg! Flee for your life!" He shouts with a wink to Kajetan as Laithe exits after Alton in his own dramatic fashion. He spurs his horse away from the gate towards the east as the others charge away from the city to the north as planned.
Nicolai stealthily casts his spell as the two lead riders approach the gate. The archer in the tower yells in fear and confusion as his perch is engulfed in mist and fog.
There is fear and confusion down at the gate too, especially when Laithe changes into a fearsome grey wolf in mid-stride. People panic and run, a couple of the guards actually have the wit to draw weapons, but are too afraid (or cautious, or confused) to use them.
Laithe and Alton are through!
The guards yell, the sergeant blows his whistle, by-standers scream … but it looks as if it will be several minutes at the very best before anyone is in a state to mount any sort of determined pursuit.
Pharris waves goodbye to Lichford and blows the gate guards a kiss. She links up with Keildrithe and the others before heading away.
Pharris waves goodbye to Lichford and blows the gate guards a kiss. She links up with Keildrithe and the others before heading away.
On the heels of Alton's mount, Laithe-wolf feels a wave of elation as they path unscathed through the gates and out onto the road beyond. Seeing the fog cloud envelope the archer's station, he sends a silent thanks to Nicolai. To add to the man's ruse, he runs in that direction for a moment, as if planning to give chase to the two men, before stopping for a moment and letting out a long howl.
He then heads back North, running hard to catch up with Keildrithe, Pharris and Alton.
Laithe-wolf gradually makes his way to the front of the fleeing group. Once he deems they have put a little distance from the city and are out of sight of the gates, he slows to a walk and changes back into human form.
He breathes heavily from his run, but cannot help a smile from spreading across his face. Laughing, he says to Keildrithe "Ahh, it feels good to be back out in nature, does it not Brother?" He spends a moment letting the breeze flow over him, before mounting up on the spare horse led by Keildrithe.
"Now we must look to head East, leaving a trail that will be hard to follow, but not too hard. We want to gain some distance on any pursuit without actually losing them, if we are to follow through with an ambush. Keildrithe, keep an eye out for suitable paths to take us back towards our meeting point."
He breathes heavily from his run, but cannot help a smile from spreading across his face. Laughing, he says to Keildrithe "Ahh, it feels good to be back out in nature, does it not Brother?" He spends a moment letting the breeze flow over him, before mounting up on the spare horse led by Keildrithe.
"Now we must look to head East, leaving a trail that will be hard to follow, but not too hard. We want to gain some distance on any pursuit without actually losing them, if we are to follow through with an ambush. Keildrithe, keep an eye out for suitable paths to take us back towards our meeting point."
"Yes, my brother, I too feel the weight lift from my shoulders -- isn't it amazing how much easier one breathes when one no longer has to watch his back in a nest full of treacherous Artonites? We should also find it easier to see them coming now... if they come at all." Keildrithe helps Laithe identify a likely way to double back and meet the others...
Kajetan will let out a startled yell and mount his horse, hoping to high tail it out of here. As we have maps with pre agreed meeting points he will head in a different direction from the others.
The obvious escapees ride north, leaving the road after some distance to seek shelter within a small wood, away from the prying eyes of Lichford’s watchtowers. There they discuss laying their trail east, which Laithe and Keildrithe between them are able to do with ease.
The two mages meanwhile, wander for some distance as the dark pre-dawn sky lightens and the sun begins to peer above the eastern hills, before also turning east.
Unfortuantely, both groups soon hit a snag; a wide, deep, slow flowing river with no obvious crossings in sight (apart from the bridges back in town) flows roughly north, barring the way east.
Unfortuantely, both groups soon hit a snag; a wide, deep, slow flowing river with no obvious crossings in sight (apart from the bridges back in town) flows roughly north, barring the way east.
Coming to the river, Laithe winces at his lack of fore-thought when planning the escape. "Well, I guess we fjord it" he says to the others.
"I can great a fog cloud for some extra cover while we cross; that way we won't make it so obvious we have cut East. We don't want guards riding out of the East gate and cutting off the way before we even get there."
He whispers that same message to Nicolai, assuming the spell is still in range and duration.
Laithe sets about looking for a suitable crossing spot and before making their way from cover, he calls up a mist from the surface of the river, motioning with his hands as if pulling the mist together and placing it on the city side of where they plan to cross. Once done, he leads his horse into the water, gently goading it across.
Once across, Laithe will take some cover and look towards the city direction to make sure Nicolai and Kajetan make it across ok. Once everyone is safe on the East bank he will resume on the trail to the meeting spot.
"HMmmm. I knew there was something that we were missing,..." Nicholai says sagely as he and Kajetan look at the river before them.
He looks both ways, down and up the river, and shakes his head with a sigh. "Aw well. We wouldn't have wanted it to be TOO easy now, would we?" He asks Kajetan with a smirk and a wink.
He acknowledges Laithe's message, and searches for the shallowest place to cross nearby.
"I can whip up another fog cloud, but I think we should let any who can see them from the city towers think that the fog earlier was Laithe's. Seeing two fog clouds spring up suddenly, even on a morning like this, would pretty much be announcing ourselves. So, we cross, and then meet up with the others when there are no prying eyes about." He says, nodding his head towards the city walls.
Nicholai then divests himself of his ascot and his fine jacket, and stows them both in his saddlebag. He turns to Kajetan with a grin.
"Ready for a swim?" He asks with an evil grin. He then heads his horse into the stream, holding onto the reigns for all he is worth.
;P
Laithe’s spell shrouds the width of the river in mist and fog. The water is icy cold, but it looks set to be a sunny day … hopefully a brisk walk or ride in the sunlight will dry you and your horse out. It will likely take another two hours or so from the river crossing to circle widely around the town and reach the hidden campsite.
Laithe’s spell shrouds the width of the river in mist and fog. The water is icy cold, but it looks set to be a sunny day … hopefully a brisk walk or ride in the sunlight will dry you and your horse out. It will likely take another two hours or so from the river crossing to circle widely around the town and reach the hidden campsite.
Shivering as he emerges from the icy water, Laithe looks around and then lets out a curse. Turning back to those still crossing the river he notes "Atrek's pet bird is out and about, and no doubt marking our path. I had forgotten about it." He sighs "I guess it was too much to hope for a stealthy escape and a clean ambush down the road."
"Perhaps we should drop the pretence of stealth, rejoin with Nicolai and Kajetan and resort to speed?" he asks the group. "Unless any of you have a way of ridding us of the bird? I have some spells that could work, but I'd need it to get much closer than where it currently soars."
Pharris and her horse disagree about the best way to cross the river. It stops at the edge. She falls off into the river.
She gets up and starts to take off her armour. "This may take a little while but no peeking."
The chain shirt will take a minute or so to shrug off and lay across her saddle. "Can someone tell this horse I'm on it's side? You wouldn't think I come from the wilds, would you?" Her face matches the colour of her wet red hair.
"Ah, you do know I can't ride?" Kajetan asks, something which is more than obvious by the way he bounces around in the saddle, "I think this horse doesn't like me either."
Looking at the river, he thinks for a while, "Let us split up, I'll head up stream and look for a proper ford, I don't feel confident enough to cross the river and I can't swim either."
"I'll meet you and the others as soon as I can, actually it might not be too bad a thing anyhow to have lots of separate tracks."
He wishes Nicolai good luck, watches him cross the river and then racks his brain for a crossing point.
Kajetan, you don’t know the area that well, but you do know that the river flows north, into wild, untamed country, towards the distant North Sea. You are not likely to find many bridges in that direction, nor man-made dams or weirs. It’s likely to get deeper from here, so you are unlikely to find many natural fords.
If you go far enough, into the forested lands to the north, you are likely to find somewhere you can cross; a beaver dam, or a fallen log, or an area of rocky rapids or something … still, if you go that far, you are not likely to get back to the meeting spot by nightfall.
There are dozens of small villages and hamlets within several hour’s ride of Lichford. It makes sense that some of these would be along the river, and that they would need a means of crossing the river without heading back to Lichford and its bridges … perhaps a ferry service. You could ride in the hopes of finding such.
Or you could head south , pass the town and look for a ford or a ferry or a bridge in the more populated and civilized region south of town, where the river will be somewhat narrower.
Away from town or towards town, Kajetan sits on his saddle for a few moments as his companion makes his way across the water.
"Towards town at least I know there is a way across there," he muses out loud, "they will be looking for us to move away from town, not get closer," so with a grim mind set and a determined, all be it weak, jawline he heads back along the river seeking a crossing in a more sensible place. He keeps his hood up and rides casually.
NIcholai stops his horse, the water lapping at his boots, and looks back at Kajetan.
"I don't know,..." He says doubtfully. "I don't think that splitting up would be such a great idea. Anymore than we are already at least." He looks down the river as Kajetan explains that he would prefer to cross somewhere else, and the best places to look for assistance in crossing.
"Hmph. Well, I wouldn't want to delay any more than we have to, but going farther, and in the opposite direction, makes it less likely that we will be associated with the 'dangerous criminals' that just rode out of Lichford." He says with a grin.
"So, seeing as you are an inexperienced traveller, And you just had a terrible fright from a bunch of wanted criminals at the very gate of Lichford, As a gentleman it would be rude of me to turn down your request for assistance!" He says with a grin. He rides his horse back onto the shore.
"SO, south you think? Past the city and to a small village?" He stops smiling and looks upwards, shading his eyes with one hand.
"Hm,... DId any of the others mention that their 'friend' had a hunting bird? I seem to recall Wij spotting one shortly after we entered Lichford as well." He muses. "Well, let's presume for safety that it IS working for the one we need to surprise. Going in the opposite direction should convince them that we have nothing to do with the others. Come along, let's try to find some way to cross safely before dark then!" He cries as he pulls what seems to be a roll of cloth from his pack. He unrolls it and fluffs it out a bit, into a wide-brimmed hat of bright red cloth. With a grin he makes a grand 'after you' gesture to Kajetan.
Kajetan and Nicolai:
Kajetan and Nicolai turn their horses south, moving relatively slowly, both so as not to attract attention and to spare Kajetan from further ache from the saddle.
As well as the expected farmers and livestock and local peddlars and charcoal-burners, they pass several patrols of soldiers, both mounted and on foot, who appear to be searching the region around the town. Once the pair are stopped, but let to go on their way without incident when they clearly do not match the description of certain fleeing criminals …
After several hours they reach a small village by the river that offers a ferry service to cross to the east bank (or back). The cost is 5 copper pieces per person, a full silver for a horse.
Of course, it occurs to the two intelligent men that as they eventually want to head west, they’ll need to cross the river again at some point after they meet up with the others … and the area around town is quickly growing thick with hostile forces.
Pharris and her horse disagree about the best way to cross the river. It stops at the edge. She falls off into the river.
She gets up and starts to take off her armour. "This may take a little while but no peeking."
The chain shirt will take a minute or so to shrug off and lay across her saddle. "Can someone tell this horse I'm on it's side? You wouldn't think I come from the wilds, would you?" Her face matches the colour of her wet red hair.
Seeing the difficulty Pharris is having with the crossing, Laithe tethers his horse on the west bank and swims back across to aid her horse.
Arriving on the eastern bank, he asks Pharris "How are you at swimming? If you are confident you can make it across, leave your armour and possessions on the horse and I can ride it across. If you are not a strong swimmer, then mount up again and I will help you and the horse across."
He looks at the Keildrithe and Alton also "The offer goes for you both as well; I'm happy to help you or your horse across if needed."
"I can swim a little!" huffs Pharris. She pulls her wet underblouse down from where it has rucked up to show her navel. "I'll show you!"
The armour is packed away quickly then the girl tries to swim across.
Her thin arms flail away as Pharris tries to make progress, "I can't do it. The river's too strong or something."
Bedraggled and with her hair in a mess, Pharris lets Laithe take her across on the horse. "Thank you Laithe, what would I do without you?"
Then she looks back for signs of pursuit.
"Thank you, brother, I should be fine," says Keildrithe to Laithe, keen on not losing face before Pharris... and unable to resist stealing a long glance at the amazon as she emerges from the river in her wet, clinging clothes. "Ehlonna, now would be a good time to smile on this humble Karand," he mutters as he steers his horse into the river...