The gate to the east unlocks. Following this path a narrow corridor that takes two turns to the right ends in a strange room. This seven-foot-high vault contains over three dozen human-shaped bundles of sailcloth, each wrapped tightly, sewn shut with heavy thread, and laid respectfully side by side on the cold stone floor. A shallow pool of water lies in the southeast corner, while in the northeast corner of the room someone has set up a camp.
As soon as he notices the intruders, the Hellknight tiredly makes his presence known with a gruff baritone comment: "These shrouded bodies
are those of drowned sailors with no living relations, given a place of honor down here by the grace of Saint Senex." He pauses a moment, then turns to face the group with open arms and says, "Those who seek Octavio Sabinus have found him. His safe capture, however, is no certain thing."
Zea nods with a smile. "And given our shared enemies, I hope your capture is never a certain thing. We are the Silver Ravens and we seek to aid you. Your cousin asked us to ensure you were well."
:"I am Ba, we come to seek your aid in unseating Thrune." Fhingle says
"Silver Ravens? That's what the silly costumes are for?" Octavio chuckles. "You are certainly hopeful idealists, but in my experience,
passionate revolutionaries lack discipline. Like my cousin, you have good hearts, but it takes more than heart to stand up for what’s right. If I’m to throw in with the Silver Ravens, I need two things. First, I need to know that my surviving armigers are safe. Second, I need to know that the Silver Ravens are more than thugs who seek to fight in the streets—I need to know you can exercise subtlety and work at least partially within the bounds of the law to solve problems when such an option exists. As it so happens, this is a perfect chance for you to accomplish both goals."
"If you manage to find out what happened to the Order of the Torrent armigers and rescuing them without causing more violence, I'll join the cause of the Silver Ravens."
"We don't seek fights in the street, we are to help free the people from the Thrune's and their corruption." Fhingle starts. " are there Armiger's of yours in the city? We can offer some save haven but it isn't to big and I don't want to have the proprietor become upset with me."
Zea nods. "Yes this sounds good. I, for one, am ill-suited for violence." A look of sadness and repulsion spreads across her face. "But sometimes it has been necessary." She refocuses on the task at hand and nods at Fhingle's question. "Do you have any more information as to how we can find and help them? Should we get them out of the city and bring them here?"
In the distance you hear the gate slam shut and lock again.
"Then it is decided. Return to me with proof of your success and our alliance is sealed." Octavio tells.
"The ones that are hiding in holes somewhere you don't need to care about. They can take care of themselves. But those that were captured by the minions of Thrune. If your rebellion is worth something you should know where he puts those he deems as enemies." Octavio gives back.
"The opening mechanism is behind a loose stone on the right, ten foot before the gate." Octavio tells.
Zea finds the stone and turns the mechanism to open the gate. She nods and salutes to Octavio. Once they are out of earshot, she whispers to the others "Where does Thrune keep his prisoners?"
Fhingle jumps a bit as the gate closes. "The jail that Solonias was in?" Fhingle looks at Saul
The two seers of Senex tell the group goodbye as they leave the shrine.
Fhingle puts on his rags and follows behind like a "good" slave
Fhingle takes the load, practically dragging it
Jarithe and his 'slave' get waved through. But Saul gets stopped by the dottari guarding the gate. "What's your business?"
"So what did you search out of town." the dottari inquire.
Fhingle doesn't stop knowing better than to draw attention to himself
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"A woman lost her husband out in the woods. I went to look for tracks and such at her insistence. No luck. I've been around a long time and let me tell you, nine times out of ten the man is shacking up with a floozy in Old Kintargo. And if you saw the wife you wouldn't blame him, Mac."
uh oh
"Saul, it's ok. You don't have to cover for me. I'm the one who hired him. I'd seen a girl from out in the country when she came here to sell whatever country people do. And ...well, I was interested. I hired him to find out about her."
Zea nods, agreeing with the other two and trying to pass herself off as some assistant of theirs.
The guard buys Saul's story hook, line and sinker, but as Cassius tells something different he becomes suspicious. "You three come with us for further questioning!" the dottari demands and lowers the halberd at Saul. The other one does the same to Cassius.
Zea sighs. "Yes sir. Of course sir." She looks to Saul and Cassius to take the lead.
Fhingle looks at Jarithe and motions for them to move out of sight.
"We could follow them and see where they go?" Fhingle whispers.
The dottari lead you inside the gate tower. There is only one other dottari who gets sent out instead to take over watch. They talk some and it becomes clear, that they want to interrogate you one by one and locking the rest away into a room that is used as a holding cell. Wooden bench, tiny window, wooden door.
"Take off any wepons." one demands.
Zea signs back to Saul as subtly as possible. The costumes will be the death of us. Jump them inside here where it's quiet? I have a trick that might buy us a second. Zea hands over her precious black Scimitar and any other weapons and stands holding up her empty hands. "We're no danger to fine citizens, officer. But we had to protect ourselves out there."
"You and you, in there!" one of them orders Zea and Cassius.
Fhingle follows Jarithe.
Jarithe and Fhingle turn around and check where their companions are. But they are nowhere to see.
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looking at the area and staying off the path to the side Jarithe looks at Fhingle and says we are going to have to create a diversion. I can launch some pyrotechnics into the area of the front gate and gate house which will make a terrible smoky mess and we can get out of here and hope our friends do the same
Zea, having given up her weapon, waits for the guard to look away from her. Then she casts a spell and disappears, hopefully creating an opening for Saul and Cassius.
Cassius Color Sprays the dottari!
One of the two dottari goes down, while the other wonders where Zea went.
"I can draw some attention and then you can do your thing?" Fhingle says moving towards the guard.
"umm... sir? My master wants to know where his friends went?" Fhingle sounds pathetic and meek
Zea snatches up her weapon and strikes at the Dottari with it from nowhere!
"What friends do you mean?" the guard barks at Fhingle.
Saul and Zea, both hit the dottari, but he simply fights back. No sign of fear or such.