From what I heard from you earlier and the actions at the execution site, the Queen had her rushed through in order to find a scapegoat for the death of the king I believe? If her law is in doubt, we should appeal to those who can uphold it. Perhaps the Church of Abadar.
"Now wait just a minute! We are not, under any circumstances, going to those blood sucking, money grubbing Abadarians!" Travigan's face begins to flush as he bellows, and he spins on Crux next, "And you! I've not committed to one blessed thing here apart from askin tha wee lass there just what in the world she even expects! Pull those bandages from yer ears and stop stuffin words in my mouth!"
The blacksmith seems to find a rhythm then as he wags one meaty at finger at Marnos, "An stop arguin' wi' Crux!" before he swings his attention to Vencarlo, "An' who the bleedin' heck are you? That ye know Kroft is plain, but that's true for lots of folk in Korvosa!"
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Marnos calmly replies, "No, I would willingly defy the court, endangering myself, my family, and my friends for the sake of a woman that I don't know because it is the right thing to do. If you are afraid, just walk away, but don't try to hide behind a devotion to the Law. You are not stupid, Crux; don't act as a blind devotee of the Law. Even Abadar would find such behaviour reprehensible."
Orsini holds up his hand for silence. He stares daggers at the deformed wizard and speaks, his voice betryaing the barely controlled anger behind it.
"There is NO law in Korovsa. There is NO justice. I am the cities most staunch defender and I know better. You should know better too. The Abadarians won't help. The Sarenrites are too cowed by the Bankers. The wizards will not intervene. Only the people can make a difference but I am not asking you to overthrow the Crimson Throne. I am asking you to escort one innocent woman to safety before she is butchered as part of a ruse to cover up the murder of the king. It's not breaking the law, it is saving an innocent."
He blows out his breath in exasperation. "I am too well known, too outspoken, to escort Miss Sabor to Harse or I would just do it myself. I trusted that you would help the City and the People, and not the Throne. But if some of you are blinded by the ruse in Castle Korvosa, perhaps a few of you will aid this lovely lady in her time of need."
He turns to Travigan and address him much less intensely. "Sir, it is your simplicity that i a counting on. The Guard and the Sable Company watch all the city gates for the regicide. If you think they would not be prepared for an invisible escape, you are underestimating them. It would only take moments to have you all caught."
He shakes his head slowly. "No we need something more under the radar. With the disguise we have made, and the papers Miss Sabor now has, I think you are safest to walk out of the city gates in broad daylight, no magic, no illusions. Just good old subterfuge."
"I have taken the liberty of arranging a cart and some horses -- we may need one less at least," he says, nodding his head at Crux."And there are supplies enough for the trip, which takes about a day and half each way. What say you?"
Trinia smiles and nods along with Orsini's speech. "You would be helping me tremendously. Every day I sit here I am just waiting to be captured again. At least in Harse, there will be time to flee if the Guard or the Marines come for me. Will you please help me, please?"
Tina exhales, trying to let out the tension that has built up in her body.Yes, I will agree to help. She then looks at Crux. Please, this is the life of a young woman who was sentenced to death because it was convenient.
"You misunderstand me. I will help. I said in the beginning that Miss Sabor was innocent. I felt it important to make sure that we all understood that the consequences of aiding her could be fatal. No matter what you think of the law in Korvosa, she was found guilty of regicide and any who stand by her side will be found guilty by association.
I helped you once, Miss Sabor, remember? And I shall do so again."
Orsini smiles and shakes hands all around. "I knew I could count on you. Your gentle natures shine through even in these dark times."
"You'd best get started if you are to make it out. As I said, I know the Sable Marine is on guard against flying escape, and I have reason to believe they are able to detect invisible creatures as well. A simple, subtle egress should work best and draw the least attention. Mixing withe tradespeople who cross in and out of the city in the afternoon and then heading up Dwarfwalk Road to the Harse Road makes the most sense to me. I will leave the details to you."
"As for me, I have been an outspoken critic of the monarchy for too long, and suspicion is beginning to fall on me. I am afraid I might be arrested any day on trumped up charges. I will plan to attend to some private business and then slip into anonymity for some time. Please do not try to find me. I will call on you again should I have the need."
He shakes hands again with you all, and shows you to the stable where a group of ponies and a cart are arranged for travel.
Well, we should get changes of clothing so we are not as noticeable as well. I am no good at disguises but we can try to put something together.
"My condition might be of assistance here, Tina." Only Tina has seen Crux without his bandages. They don't hide disease but wounds. Cuts, bruises, and breaks that did not heal properly or, in a few cases, at all. All of them reminders of what happens when a child crossed Gaedran Lamm. "I could undue my wraps. Miss Sabor could function as my nurse or aide. The guards are more likely to scrutinize me rather than her, making her functionally invisible. She would still need to be done down to mask her natural glow, but I believe it will work."
That sounds interesting, although wouldn't they try to inquire why you are leaving the city instead of heading in towards healers?
"Bucket list. There are things I'd like to see before the end comes. You will be my entourage. A healer, an aid, and a couple of bodyguards."
That indeed sounds like a good plan.
"GENTLE?!" Travigan bristles at the perceived insult but otherwise lets it pass. As the others discuss the plan, the middle aged blacksmith rolls one shoulder sullenly and jerks his thumb toward Orsini as he mutters, "Who's he callin' 'gentle' anyway?"
Well we best get ready then. Tina will go examine the wagon and then adjust Crux's bandages so he looks more like someone who has been injured.
The group tries to create a makeshift cover story and disguise with Trinia donning the wide-brimmed riding hat and wig. They make a motley group, but after saying their good-byes to Orsini, they set out for the trek to North Bridge.
Passing the Grand Vault of Abadar, the group spies a squadron of Hellknights in the square, accosting passersby for their papers and inquiring about their business.
The well-armed and armored holy warriors seems to be more of a nuisance, spot-checking for those unfortunate enough to not have proper documents than anything else.
Travigan does his best to help with Trinia's disguise, calling on lessons he'd learned from his niece when she was younger and still wanting to be in costume all the time. "What are you doin' wi' that scarf? Are ye mad? It clashes wi' the shirt! Here, try this one instead."
As the group draws near to the check point, Travigan remains calm as he and the others approach. If the group is approached, Travigan nods in greeting, "'ello there! Fine work you lads're doin'. Tryin' ta root out tha' lass who slipped the axe the other day, I take it? Well if there's anything ol' Travigan 'ere can do, just let me know. I'm hopin' th' girl gets what's comin' to her afore too long."
"What are we doin'? Why, gettin' my niece here out o' the city. She's recently been saved from tha' filth Gaedren Lamm, but it's provin' hard fer the poor thing ta still be so near to where so much evil happened to her. Why, if that scum weren't already dead I'd kill 'im all over again fer what he'd done!" Travigan takes a moment to calm himself then adds, "Sorry. Anyway, gettin' her outta town and as she's taken to caring fer this one, he's agreed to the ride. Hopin' ta see some sights beyond the walls while he yet can, I take it. Careful though, he's contagious if ye have'na already been treated like we have."
Crux will also go with an Aid Another roll.
Tina pats the hand of Cruz while he moans and groans.
The commander of the Hellknights looks the motley group over, squinting at them in the sunlight. The command to offer papers dies on his lips as the idea of a pox-ridden cripple sinks in. He turns and looks at the others, then looks back to the group. "No place in Korvosa for the likes of you. Keep moving. Keep moving." He waves you through but takes a long look back as you pass...wondering.
The unofficial stop is just a precursor for the real thing. When you reach the bridge, you see a hippogriff mounted Sable Marine officer sitting, ready for action, and a small squadron of Korvosan Guard at the ready. A swarthy sergeant seems to be in charge, trying his best to keep the line moving as the town starts to empty for the evening.
As you get closer, you see it is none other than Grau Soldado commanding the troops on the bridge.
Tina arranges Crux so he is extra poxy.
"I am familiar with that sergeant." Crux informs the others. "During the riots we made his acquaintance. If he takes note of us, let me speak to him while the rest of you continue on."
"Aye, is'na that wee lass Brienne his niece or some such? If it, ah, comes up, Crux, can ye maybe mention I thought Tayce's cookin' was some o' the best I've had?" A flash of color then blooms in Travigan's cheeks as the others look at him with arched eyebrows. Stammering, the blacksmith retorts, "What? Why're you knuckleheads lookin' at me like tha'? It ain't like that. I- I'm jus' sayin' the food was good is all an' that's it!"
Soldado stops the group as they exit. "All must present papers of identificiation. None may pass without." He does all this without really looking at the group, instead his eyes focused down the long line of people he still has to work.
Papers?!
"Grau? Is that you? No one told us about papers?! Crux wheezes out in surprise. "Where can we get the papers, friend?"
Soldado sighs, still not looking, "By order of the Queen, everyone leaving Korvosa needs..." he stops when he looks up and sees his old friend Crux standing in front of him. "Oh, well. If you don't have papers, I am sure we can make it work. Where are you headed?"
He is already waving you through the last checkpoint. "Appreciate what you and your mates did for Tayce and her family. I couldn't have helped them the way you did. So, if you don't have the papers don't worry."
Travigan nods to Grau as the group moves through the checkpoint, the blacksmith obviously pleased with this turn of events. He gives Crux a congratulatory shove to one shoulder as they pass beyond the gate. "Well done, lad."
Tina sighs in reflief and nods to the guard and Cruz.Good to have friends.
A smile graces Crux's face, an uncommon occurrence. Not at seeing Grau or at the thought of helping Tayce's child, but because if it were left to him, the group would not have helped the child. The irony amused him. "I hope she is still doing well. Give them my best wishes when next you see them." Crux continues through the gate.
Once through the checkpoint, the heroes turn north and follow the dwarf road parallel to the Jeggare River, ending back near Trail's End (the home of the Soldado family) where they swing to the west for the long road to Harse.
The group encounters a few travelers on the road, mostly merchants with wagons laden with wares to sell in the city. A group of dwarven miners also passes by, speaking the guttural tones of that people, but not threatening the group in anyway.
Once, a squad of hippogriff riding Sable Marines soars over heading in the general direction of the Korvosan frontier at Harse, but the riders buzz past to fast they don't seem to see or notice the disguised regicide.
The day passes quickly, and as the sun starts to set in the west, a ramshackle inn comes into view alongside the road. This is Midway, the eponymous stopping point for travelers halfway between Harse and Korvosa.
Given that the Guard still has jurisdiction here, what do you wish to do next?
Best make sure there are no guards inside so we don't get caught. I could mosey on up and look.
"We should all go. They are probably looking for her to travel alone. As long as we do little to draw attention to ourselves, she should be just fine. We may also want to stay in our rooms for the night."
Okay, We'll get a private room for you as part of the story of your illness. Tina heads to the inn with the others.
Travigan follows along, but not without muttering, "Bah. I got a bad feelin' about this. I'd bet my beard this goes sideways, mark me words."
Tina casually drinks her Mutagen for Dex powa.
After gulping down her agility building mutagen, Tina casually enters the inn. Looking around she sees little out of the ordinary. The place is not fancy or fine, but it looks well-maintained and dry. A fire burns in the central hearth, a bar with a brass rail stands to the right, and an elderly man with one arm works behind it with alacrity, pouring and serving from large wooden casks or dark green bottles.
The crowd inside is sparse, but looks to be the usual sort. Local farmer or herdsmen and a traveler or two. A dark skinned stranger sits in the far corner and two Korvosan Guards, their tunics unbuttoned and clearly off duty, sit near the bar eating and quaffing ale.
"Aye, wee miss, can I help ye? Wanting some dinner, some grog, or a room eh?" the one-armed man says eyeing her carefully. "Road ain't safe for a young lady to be traveling alone, even with them fellas out patrolling more these days." he says, indicating the guardsmen.
'allo! I was wondering if you have a room or rooms available. I'm traveling with my frineds and we're looking to see if you have space here for about five.
"Aye miss, we have the rooms. Not a big crowd here as you can see. Five you say? That's quite a traveling party. I have the big suite, if it suits you? 3 gp per night for your group, but it includes meals."
Assuming you take the man up on the lodging, you find it is sparse, but comfortable and clean. The room itself has three sleeping rooms (with two beds each) off a sitting/dining room. Meals can be had here in teh room, or in the public area.
Shuttered windows look onto the outside, near the stables, but seeing in would be quite difficult. Once inside the room, Trinia removes her floppy hat and wig. "Whew, that is quite uncomfortable after this long on. Can we get some food and drink? Riding is hard work!"
Tina ponies up the money an retrives the others. I'll go get some. Tina orders some simple stew and bread for everyone and settles in. So...One we get everyone where they need to go, what do we do next?
Marnos doesn't notice anything suspicious about the suite as he tosses the place. Standing on guard at the shuttered windows, he sees the normal comings and going of an inn along the road. He sees the guardsmen that were dining in the common room eventually mount up and ride back towards Korvosa.
Tina secures dinner and water for the travelers, and the rooms seem comfortable enough.
"Can we go into the pub for a drink?" asks Trinia with a tone of mild boredom. "Just sitting here is boring."
I think it is best we stay, you are rather well nown for your 'crime.'
Tina plots to make a sleeping draught just in case.
"If you go out there you may just find the kind of excitement that we have twice now had to rescue you from. If that is your wish, then go. Only know that I, at least, will not be there to save you again."