Even the weather seems to singing Mitra’s praise as your entourage reaches Branderscar. The rolling cage you’re held in and the armed escort makes their way across the bridge and up the rock to the majestic gates of Branderscar.
As your carriage comes to a stop in the courtyard the first thing you see is the white marble fountain crowned with a knight at the centre. On it’s basin is inscribed the ominous “Thus is justice done.”
Besides it stands your welcoming committee; an elderly white haired man with an eye patch, a heavyset dark haired man smiling maliciously at you and 5 other guards. ”Welcome to Branderscar,” the old man says, ”I am Warden Richter. If you behave yourself, your last days here will be as peaceful as they can.”
He turns to one of the guardsmen reaching for a scroll, the guardsman drops it. With a few gestures and a mumble the scroll suddenly levitates to his hand. He opens it and studies it for a little while and hands it to the man besides him. ”Sgt. Blackerly take care of it.” The sgt. studies the scroll shortly before he turns his attention towards you as the warden walks away.
His gaze focuses on Randu, quickly he closes the distance to the prisoner standing uncomfortable close. ”So boys this is Randu, a common murder that even his father disowned. No last name murder? No? That’s right your father took it away. With a wave of his hand he gestures for two other guards to bring the red hot coals and the branding iron to him from the gatehouse. ”We’re generous folk here at Branderscar, so welcome to our family. Hold him boys. “ Sgt. Blackerly brands you with great pleasure. As you’re let go you see the runic F on your left forearm marking you as forsaken.
”Now who is next? “ he says with great glee. After consulting his list he steps up to pale Orodreth. ”So my good man Orodreth Míriel, I do believe you get a little lost some times, not knowing when to stand your post. We’ll help you with that.” he says with fake friendliness before eagerly reaching for the branding iron. ”This should remind you not to run” he laughs pointing at your new brand.
”I could get use to this,” he chuckles as he searches the list for his next victim. ”Oh not even saving the best until last” he almost moans as he lays eyes on Lyrysa and continues: ”Come here sweetie. Do you trade favours as you traded slaves Lyrysa? “ He lifts her head and looks straight into the deep pools of purple. ”It would almost be a shame to scar such beautiful skin. Almost,” he says as the white-hot iron connects with a sizzling sound.
”Now, now we can’t forget the rest of you.” he says and once again looks at his scroll. He looks up, smiles and taunts: ”Don’t worry boys it’s not the fallen one himself – only a cheap look-a-like.” He mockingly bows as he grabs the rod. ”More fire for your lordship perhaps?” he asks before branding you.
Letting the branding iron regain heat sgt. Blackerly glances at the scroll before gripping Tykk’s arm jerking him towards the coals. ”So Tykk Raleon. Consorting with servants of the enemy are we? Spreading his filthy lies. You’ll burn for this. Let me give you a sample of what’s to come. “ he grins.
After this almost ritualistic branding sgt. Blackerly leads you and the guards into the great hall, to the second level where the prisoners are kept. Once in your cell your manacles are exchanged for iron cuffs tethered by one long chain. You are left in this windowless stone bunker, solid bars and almost antique doors keep you in your cell and separate you from the rest of the guests of Branderscar.
The only positive thing you can say about the guards working at Branderscar is they do not discriminate, everyone, noble or commoner, male or female, all are manhandled and mistreated.
Enjoy your stay for the next three days…
St Dothan the Just is the Mitran pantheon’s saint patron saint of law and order
The warden casts mage hand.
He grits his teeth, muscles contracting as the brand left it's mark. This was the end for him. No chance to redeem himself with that mark even if he could escape which was nigh impossible. He hated the man who took such joy in this torture. The mark left a spot in his mind he could not ignore, the pain unable to be banished completely so soon. Focusing on other things he rubbed his neck again and felt the marks there, unable to remember how that had happened. He was pushed forward to follow Blackerly.
He slumped in his chains. Too tired to bother standing any longer. Perhaps he could die in his sleep...
His gaze focuses on Randu, quickly he closes the distance to the prisoner standing uncomfortable close. ”So boys this is Randu, a common murder that even his father disowned. No last name murder? No? That’s right your father took it away. With a wave of his hand he gestures for two other guards to bring the red hot coals and the branding iron to him from the gatehouse. ”We’re generous folk here at Branderscar, so welcome to our family. Hold him boys. “ Sgt. Blackerly brands you with great pleasure. As you’re let go you see the runic F on your left forearm marking you as forsaken.
Randu's face was caught in a sneer of disdain for the warden's bluster,"There is nothing COMMON about me, peasant. You'll learn that soon as I get out of here!" Alas for him, Randu's own boast is ended as he is branded painfully. He grits his teeth and bears it with dark pride.
After this almost ritualistic branding sgt. Blackerly leads you and the guards into the great hall, to the second level where the prisoners are kept. Once in your cell your manacles are exchanged for iron cuffs tethered by one long chain. You are left in this windowless stone bunker, solid bars and almost antique doors keep you in your cell and separate you from the rest of the guests of Branderscar.
The only positive thing you can say about the guards working at Branderscar is they do not discriminate, everyone, noble or commoner, male or female, all are manhandled and mistreated.
As he is dragged, and then cuffed, Randu glares hate at his captors the entire way. You will pay for this, father. As will this weakling kingdom.
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The smell of his own flesh searing fills Tykk's nostrils. He stares blankly at Blackerly through long dark hair partially obscuring his stark blue eyes.
"Tell me Sgt., do you think your Mitra will save you from me when this is all over?"
A grim smile shines from beneath his sweat soaked beard.
"You will beg my forgiveness in the end."
Drogan doesn't fight or resist he simply smiles at the Sgt. and his words. When branded he moans and moves as a sense of ecstasy washes over him.
You may have marked my flesh this day, but for this I will taste of yours in the end. Make peace with your god, Asmodeous does not feel you are much longer for this world.
As Drogan is pushed into line with the others.
Tykk, was it? You showed spirit and fight. I am Drogan. We should talk.
”I could get use to this,” he chuckles as he searches the list for his next victim. ”Oh not even saving the best until last” he almost moans as he lays eyes on Lyrysa and continues: ”Come here sweetie. Do you trade favours as you traded slaves Lyrysa? “ He lifts her head and looks straight into the deep pools of purple. ”It would almost be a shame to scar such beautiful skin. Almost,” he says as the white-hot iron connects with a sizzling sound.
As the sergeant comes up, Lyrysa stares back at him with angry eyes. It's what's expected of her. She is one of the monsters the mother's of Talingarde tell their children to fear at night. She refuses to meet his taunt, and when the brand comes for her she only needs to fake a portion of the fear she displays as it sears the mark into her. But display fear she does. Better to have the guards wary of the others, leaving less eyes on her. Though she can't help but mutter to herself when the guards are out of sight, "Whatever harm you may suffer, it won't be enough."
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Tykk eyes the infernally tainted form of Drogan with approval.
"Yes, Tykk is my name blessed one. I see the gifts of my dread master upon your body, and hear you speak his name. I too serve the Dark Prince. It is his word that I was spreading to the masses when my former master was slain and I taken by inquisitors. We should indeed talk."
The others sounded like those he used to hunt and then pretend to be. Hell. He practically was one except for never actually believing it. Why did they seem so defiant. Did they believe so much that it gave them strength? Orodreth didn't know what he believed in any more. Too many months of hiding and pretending... He had even fooled himself that what he was doing was the right thing.
Sleep was a hard thing to aquire. The burn kept distracting his mind and forcing him to focus on something other than it. He looked around the room to see what his final home looked like.
"I don't suppose this 'dark prince' of yours has a spare cell key?" Randu asks overhearing. He knows little of this 'Asmodeus' they speak of, but it's something to talk about while he plots.
The heavy oaken door slamed as the guards left your floor. They chained you to each other and now you're stuck in the same cell , sitting in the same old hay, leaning against the same cold stone wall, taking in the stench of Branderscar. Looking out between the bars of your new home, the first thing that strikes you is you are not alone. In the heavy fortified cell to your right a pair of brown eyes stares back at you, it's an ogre.
Drogan looks around the room, before meeting eyes with the ogre. He smiles at the comment from Randu
It would appear a key of some sort may have been provide. I know not the rest of your fates, these dogs think to put me to death come 3 days from now. I have been fated for much more. This is but another trial along the way. Asmodeous always provides for those loyal enough and willing to pay the debt.
Drogan will look to the Ogre,
Tell me, do you understand me?
On the ogre
Orodreth half-opened his eyes. Did he just say asmodeus would save him? Shaking his head he closed his eyes again and leant back against the wall. It was nice and cool and offset the burn somewhat, enough to be comfortable. He chuckled at this, he had gotten used to a lot of harsher things recently. "You're precious asmodeus let you get caught and you think he will get you out? the gods do not see all as you might think, he reasoned, "asmodeus probly does not even know you exist or care." He neither looks at the horned monster or seem to remember his appearance from the ride here.
Ah so young and crast, Asmodeous didn't let me get caught. I failed myself and got caught. Your knowledge on religion and the gods is quite amusing. No Orodreth it will not be Asmodeous that comes and saves me. It will be I along with you and the others, or are you to accept your fate and wait here and die. As I said this is a test before all of us. Maybe I was caught and brought here to meet you. Maybe not, but don't mock what you don't believe. Belief can be one of the strongest things us mortals possess. As I believe we will be getting out of here.
Drogan looks back to the Ogre hoping for some sort of response.
"I believe we'll get out of here too, though I don't know much about any god but Mitra, and I've no respect for that simpering church that the kingdom goes on about. Molly coddling the sheep as they bleat about blindly. There's no true strength in any of that. Still, ..." He lowers his voice, looking at the way out as if he doesn't trust how much sound it muffles, "One thing I do know, sometimes one hunts alone, sometimes a pack is needed. If we want to get out of here, we'll have to work together to do so. This I know. I just wish I had a damn idea on HOW to do it."
"It was sarcasm...of course you got yourself caught, as I did," and he tries to defend being called 'young', "I have hunted you asmodeans for years. Hahahah, and was infiltrating your secret 'cult groups' undetected for a whole year, I brought down over a hundred of you... Realising they could possibly kill him right now if they wanted to he goes quiet, but with another smirk decides to give them the whole story, "Then I deserted. Yep. To infiltrate another group. But I messed up somehow... and was forced to run. He contemplates for a few more moments before finishing with, "Asmodeus. Mitra. I don't really give a damn anymore, I thought I followed Mitra once...
Drogan smiles at the hesitation in Orodreth's speech
Infiltrated us, hunted us you say. Maybe you know more than I believed. A deserter to their cause and too Mitra though, seems there is hope for you.
Drogan scans around trying to weigh out his plans and resources.
So until the Ogre lets us know if he can understand us or not, any of you have any ideas or skills that mey help in this sitution. I fear brute force may be one of our only choices but that does not seem to have a hight probability of succuess.
Randu chuckles, keeping his voice low "I too, am a hunter. Indeed, what they called murder I called a hunt. I know the ways of woods and wilds, and yes... I am strong. Probably not as strong as the ogre, of course. I also had the various blazons of several noble families drilled into my head as a child, though I doubt that last will do us any good here."
I have many skills...
"How far do you think you'd get if you managed to break your chains there? The hallway before they cut you down perhaps."
Infiltrate and stay hidden is what I'm good at... If only... no they have an answer for thar as well
"Even if you are a wizard you're clearly not deemed a threat to be thrown in here like a common man. Besides, it looked like the warden has a few powers of his own. Levitatin that scroll like it was nothing." Orodreth seemed determined to give up any sort of hope, nevertheless he tinkers with the shackles that hold him for a minute or so.
"If we can just get out of here period, I could hunt and provide enough for us to eat well while we thought of where to go to next."
"Magic doesn't make you invincible. It's merely another tool to be used, the same as any other. Otherwise I would not be here with you. It's the one behind the tools that matters. There are other tools at our disposal, I'm certain if we stay wary we can take advantage of them."
Lyrysa watches as Orodreth manipulates the shackles, then turns to watch the door.
Very skilled and usefull I see.
Drogan looks to Orodreth
You should probably slide those back on until we formulate some sort of plan, wouldn't want the guards to catch us early. Wonder if we are to sit an rot here for three days.
He then looks to Tykk
Your zeal is well placed, but we do have a little time. Lets not be too hasty. A plan is needed. Though it would be nice to be free of this wretched clanging. Orodreth if you would be so kind to free us all as we discuss.
Drogan looks around to see if there are any others in the prison besides the Ogre. If so then this will be directed at one of the, if not then at the Ogre.
Do they feed you, do they come and check in do they have any type of routine?
The ogre smiles at Drogan's question and slowly answers in a deep monotone voice: "I do little 'un."
As Orodreth tinkers with his cuffs while you speak he comes remarkably close but the last pin resists his attempts with nail and straw.
Your continued conversation is interrupted as sgt. Blackerly followed by 6 armed guards walks into the floor. After your cell door is unlocked and they have entered he points to Orodreth and says: “You there! That’s the scum! Get ‘em unshackled. If any of you makes trouble, they’ll earn a thrashing! Today’s your lucky day, scum. You’ve got a visitor. How you ever warranted such a fine lady is beyond me. Seems she wants to say good-bye. Now step lively. We wouldn’t want to keep her waiting.”
The good sergeant is under some sort of enchantment effect.
As Orodreth is taken away, your once again left alone, this time to the deep rumble of the ogre's laughter: "A visitor, not see that before."
You are escorted by the 7 men to another room just outside the cell area. They drag you through the door and shove you into one of the four chair placed around the wooden table. To you right sits a hauntingly beautiful woman, dressed in an elegant black dress and a soft silken veil, almost as if she is heading to a funeral. Her hair is so platinum as to almost be white and her eyes are a vibrant almost unearthly green. She clearly has been weeping.
“Oh, dearest,” proclaims the unfamiliar woman. “I’m so relieved you’re alive!” She quickly turns to Tomas. “Could we please have a moment alone, good sir? For pity’s sake?”
Sgt. Blackerly goes blank for a bit and then quickly agrees. “Of course, my lady. For you,’ tis no problem.”
As soon as the guards leave, Tiadora’s demeanor immediately changes. She drops all pretense of grief or concern. She is immediately all business. “Have you forgotten me, dearest?” the unexpected visitor says with a smirk, dropping her pretense of grief. “Call me Tiadora. We possess a mutual friend who would like to meet you and your fellow cell-mates. Unfortunately, our friend is unwilling to visit you in your present rather shabby accommodations so it seems you must escape. Don’t be so dour. Just because it’s never been done before is no reason you can’t be the first.
“If you manage that, cross the moors on the outskirts of town. On the old Moor Road you’ll see a manor house with a single lantern burning
in the second story. There our mutual friend waits. That is all I know. He did want me to give you this.” She takes off her silken veil and wipes away a few fake tears with it. “Something to remember me by, dearest.”
Looking around you see the brown stains of dried blood on the stones and the air carries just a whiff of burned flesh. A torture chamber.
Sgt. Blackerly is somehow under Tiadora's control, you might already know this.
"They not come same time every day, but food every day." The ogre responds. "No rutine."
Randu raises a brow at 'fine lady', wondering for a moment if it isn't one of his cousins come to speak on his behalf, but then they point to Orodeth and haul HIM off, and that ends that theory right quick.
"The hell?" He mutters in surprise. Clearly the deserter had more than talents, he knew someone, or someone knew him.
Still baffled as to how that was so, he asks, "Anyone else have any idea what's going on with this 'visitor'?
He's not blind or deaf to the ogre either. "And what are you in for?"
"Worked the local highways on the moor." the ogre responds with a shrug.
"Think you'd be strong enough to break one of our chains if we could free you to do it?" He asks
Orodreth perks up when the guards enter and is surprised/wary when they point at him. He stands up and walks out without looking back. If someone is here to see him he has no idea who would. He has no more friends.
He is shoved into the chair and takes a look around the room before looking at the woman. are they going to torture me for fun? Something isn't right.
He does his best to hide surprise at Blakerly's treatment of her and tries to play along. Thinking this might be his lucky day he talks once blackerly leaves "Yes I seem to have forgotten you, care to refresh my memory? "
Escape she said, more friends. He never felt so special... Looks like he would have to work with the other miscreants in his cell after all. Taking the veil, he asks several more questions, "What help is this? Who are you really?"
Well that is curious. He watches Orodreth depart before turning back to the ogre.
my dear friend no rutine you say. Hmm. So they locked you up in here for making an honest living just trying to feed yourself and have somthing to call your own, did they? As Tykk asked do you have any desire to get out and fend for yourself once again. We could use your help I'm sure.
Grinning at Randu's question the ogre replies: "No can do, already tried little 'un. Looking first at Tykk and then at Drogan then smiles in an evil grin: "You get Grumblejack out of cell, Grumblejack lend you a hand."
In an obvious sarcastic voice she replies: "Tiadora, don't you remember me dearest?" As you question her further she just smile coldly and answers: "The less you know the better." And with that message she decides that she is done. Gone is the calculating woman and back is the grieving relative. "No, I can't bear to leave you!" she cries and kisses you on the cheek. It is like nothing you have ever felt before, cold like midwinter somehow alien.
Sgt. Blackerly wakes of his trance: I'm sorry miss but you have to leave now." Tiadora looks directy into his eyes: "Thank you sgt. I really needed to say a final goodbye. There's no need to search my dearest, my friend. You're such a good friend." "Good friend," Blackerly replies trancelike. A split second later Blackerly is his usual cheery self. He bows and says: "A pleasure, madam. As she is escorted out Tiadora discretely catches your attention and smiles wickedly. Three days. Don't dissapoint me, echoes in your mind. You're escorted back to your cell, the veil tucked safely away.
Once Orodreth is safely returned to your cell the guards shackles him again and makes sure that the rest of you are still safely secured. As an extra precaution they shackle your hands above your head. The light once again dimes and the last thing you notice before the door is closed is that two guards are stationed outside the door
This appears to be a fine silk veil of gossamer cloth. Only as it is held and closely inspected can you see small cloth patches of various shapes. One patch can be detached each round as a move action. Detaching a patch causes it to become an actual item. This veil contains:
• 2 daggers
• Bullseye lantern (full, lit and shuttered)
• Hempen rope (50-foot coil)
• Sack full of needed spell components (worth less than a 1 gp)
and common clothes in the PCs sizes
• Thieves Tools, Masterwork
• Window (2 ft. by 4 ft., up to 2 ft. deep)
• Potion of cure light wounds
• 100 gold pieces
• Unholy Symbol of Asmodeus (silver)
Note that the window patch will create a window (and therefore a hole) in a nearby wall. If there are no nearby walls, it simply turns into a common wooden window frame. It cannot be placed on a living creature however. Once removed, a patch cannot be replaced.
One well-planned escape has a better chance of succeeding than several poorly planned.
Thank you Grumblejack. So Orodreth, visitors already. You must have some that still care about you. We were discussing how we may get out of here. He struggles with the manacles above his head. This has added a little more dificulty to it though. Have you any ideas? What did you see as they took you away? Are there more than the two guards outside the door?
He looks to Orodreth with anticipation.
As she avoids his questions Orodreth wonders why she could not be more helpful. But he is given no further chance to talk as Blackerly returns and she says her feigned final goodbye's. She was at least a powerful woman to charm Blackerly so effectively, even pleasing to look at, but then she is gone and words sounding like her go through his mind. The veil seems important, especially since she told them not to search him.
He doesn't get a chance to look at it closer before being led back and chained again. He avoids the others eyes, looking down until the guards leave. "Well, I'm not sure if someone cares about us. But someone wants to see us, he whispers without thinking, as if the walls have ears, he smiles slightly before he says "whatever you thought, I haven't a clue who the woman was. Charmed her way through the sarge without a sweat like some powerful sorcerer or enchantress. He unclenches his fist, holding a corner of the veil between two fingers and looking at it closely. "She seemed to infer that this would help us but I am not sure how." He looks at Drogan for the first time. Hideous. "Any ideas?" he says to everyone.
Lyrysa turns to look at what Orodreth holds, then utters a minor incantation. As the weaves of magic appear to her, Lyrysa relates what she can see. "Interesting. The patches upon it can be pulled off to become useful items. Including a set of lockpicking tools. I don't enjoy trusting a mysterious benefactor, particularly one who can enspell people with such skill, but if the other choice is beheading...." Lyrysa lets the last hang.
Usefull items and somone wanting to meet... Asmodeous does provide. Orodreth do you think you can pull the tools off as Mrs. Lyrysa suggested. I would be interested for her to look upon this veil and see what other tools we may have to work with. I say whatever our plan we go at night. So we have a few hours to scheme if we want to make our break this evening.
At the 'Little One' comment, Randu chuckles a bit, "Among my own kind, I'm considered quite strapping, but what's a little familiarity if it means we work as a pack to get out of here."
Then Orodreth returns and he listens to all that is said intently. Much of what is said, particularly by Lyrsa, is beyond his ken, but when he asks more about the items, he grasps the basics. Drogan is right, these items could be very useful indeed.
"Some sort of conjuration? Summoning?" he asks Lyrysa. Very useful indeed. He would certainly be in their strange helper's debt if they made it out alive. If. One thing at a time.
"The tools should make it easier to get free of these." Eh ponders for a moment. The ogre beast might help them if they set it free. "How do we take care of the guards there?" He motions to the door.
Killing to run again Orodreth?
What else should I do, die?
.....
Orodreth ponders the path he is on and faced with. Certain death down one way, or a mysterious woman (along with being a wanted man again) down the other. He had lost all hope before, giving up and accepting death. But now? Hope springs, he didn't really want to die. He had done whatever he needed to do to stay alive before his capture. He knew that he would do again. However long, life was decidedly better than death.
Randu nods, "Let us keep our voices low for now... I am impatient, but aye, this place will not be my gravesite either. Tonight then... but only two daggers among us means a great disadvantage against armed guards. Even our natural superiority will be hard pressed to even those odds. Still, our benefactor must have thought every item of use, or it would not be there, aye? Perhaps we should think on that and it will help our minds shape a plan."
"Perhaps we should wait till the guards next shift. It could be hours away though," he surmises, "More time to plan and the most time to get out of this cell undisturbed." Orodreth keeps looking at the guard door wondering if this would all go wrong and they would be discovered before they had a chance.
Tykk looks down at the rags he wears.
"The sooner the better, to be honest. I've not been allowed to bathe in days, and I feel filthy...I wonder if the warden has his own bath house."
Randu looks at his own filthy rags and nods, "That would certainly be enough reason to kill him if we didn't already have enough already."
"Perhaps we should wait till the guards next shift. It could be hours away though," he surmises, "More time to plan and the most time to get out of this cell undisturbed." Orodreth keeps looking at the guard door wondering if this would all go wrong and they would be discovered before they had a chance.
"I am impatient, but I'll wait if I have to. Still, darkness covers much and I fight better in it than many."
Drogan leans in and speaks in his infernal tounge
We could use the window. I believe we are only on the second floor.
As Drogan speaks and realizes all understand but Randu, he pauses just a moment in the above and looks to the man
In CommonDon't worry, you are included in the escape just follow suit and keep close, the plan will reveal itself.
Infernal We could create a hole, release our ogre friend as a distraction, if he last long enough it could provide us with enough time to escape. It could be risky though. If he falls too soon they will surly come check and be onto us. We may just need to use the window and leave the beast to rot. Though if we go brute force, we can take care of the two guards outside and start releasing all the prisoners. Surly there are other cells and buildings. The more we release the more we blend and the better our odds of escape. I'm on board with either option, Stealth or Blunt Force, unless any have another option or tweak to talk about. I would much like one of those holy symbols though.
Randu does look a bit irritated at the use of the strange tongue he cannot speak, but nods at Drogan's explanation. "Very well"
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Whispering to Drogan:
Infernal:"Are you sure that the wall behind us will lead to the outside?"
I know little of the layout of this place...I must be cautious if I'm to escape.
"I'll take one of those daggers. When we run into trouble, I will butcher guards in close until I can get a hold of a proper weapon."
InfernalI am not, it is a risk. I feel we may not have enough information for the sneaky plan, but maybe if we mix both. We would need to take out the two guards fast to not alert the rest of the place. Just not sure how at the moment
"What if we use a window to get through that wall there into the meeting room beyond. If the guards are stationed at the door we will cut them. One of you and the ogre can rush them from behind while the rest charge from the other room. That should have them surprised enough to not get a chance to alert more guards." Orodreth looks at the ogre's door. There was one other ogre he had seen killed once. The thing took 20 soldiers with it. He hoped this one was as fierce. "Maybe if you stay with the Ogre and call the guards. That's the signal for us to all rush them, he says to Lyrysa.
While the others talk, Randu does what he can and listens for sounds around the door indicating the guards might be eavesdropping.