Balam nods and quickly ties up Blackerly. "Killing the others would make our escape undetected for a while. But, taking Blackerly is foolish. He will, no doubt, slow us down, and, of course, resist us at every turn. I will obey the will of the group, of course."
Fingers slick with her own blood, Jezabel looks up, suddenly interested in the conversation. "Oooh! I want to cook him for diiiiinneeeeeer!"
As you discuss, what to do with Blackerly, you hear a voice from outside the gate house shout, "Oi, Sergeant Blackerly? Guards? It's Private Wilford! We've just had another prisoner delivered to us! The wagon got held up due to a broken axle, and they just dropped him off. We've branded him and made sure he knows how things go here. Anyone going to come open the gate so we can lock him up with the other filth?"
Tatienne pulls the longsword from Blackerly's body and looks it over, impressed with its workmanship, before shrugging. She could turn a simple sword into a powerful weapon with her mind - this one should go to the knight. Sheathing the sword, she tosses it to Balam and then pockets something potentially much more useful: Blackerly's keyring.
Next, the relic hunter pulls a chair back, its legs scraping across the stone floor. Putting her elbows on the table, she begins going over the plates, stuffing the remnants of the guards' meal into her mouth, all the while talking.
"Those uf you tha' aren't gonna eat tha' guards, I suggest you fill up. Who knows when tha' next time wull eat..."
She intends to skip the ale - it is likely swill - but then rethinks, and tips the remainder of one ownerless mug back, sighing contentedly as she wipes her mouth along the back of her hand.
It was swill, but damn if it didn't taste like freedom.
Taty's head snaps up, her body rigid as the voice calls up. Looking to the others, she pushes the chair back again, and grabs her shield and sword. "Let's go meet the new guy."
Jezabel claps her hands in excitement.
"Diddle diddle dum, dun, fun, fuh, frieeeeeends..." Jezabel sings quietly to herself before turning it into a non-sense little song.
Jezabel follows the others, sure to stay near the back in case Balam and Tatienne wanted to make use of their disguises.
"Perhaps another ruse is in order? Send out the ones who look like guards, while the others hide and take aim. Then, we free our friend and and slay the guards."
Geborah scrutinizes Blackerly. "Why not just devour his life, Wraith? He seems stronger than most of the guards we've met--take that strength, since you're probably running out of spells. We're not done fighting yet. Though I'd still like to ask him a few questions...such as, where is the armory, and the payroll."
"But of course we need to deal with our gentle callers first. Balam, call out that "Blackerly" is going to meet them at the gate. You and Grumble and Tati head to the gates and attack them head on. Skorn, Jez, Wraith and I will throw open the murder hole and catch them with missiles and spells from above. I imagine that will be surprise enough."
After checking Blackerly's rope bonds to make sure he can't slip free easily, Geborah climbs the ladder and peeks out the arrow slits, hoping to see who is in the approaching party and confirm that the courtyard is still clear. She is most curious to get a look at the new prisoner.
Jezabel sneaks a peek out the arrow slits.
"We shall see, and as a matter of fact I'm current out of usable spells. This ability would help my survivability, but we have guest to greet and I do have a magic missile spell that can be usable."
With that Wraith follows to the murder hole.
Geborah sees that the courtyard is still clear, and looking out front, she can see a single guardsman along with a manacled and shackled human man he seems to have dumped on the ground. The man looks freshly beaten, and you can see the runic "F" on his arm indicating he's been branded. The burn looks quite fresh.
Dante sits on his knees with his head hanging, fresh tears still dripping from the end of his chin. Tears both from the pain of the branding and from his utter, complete misery. His failure, his impending death, his family's disappointment, the loss of his job and the corruption of the free Bishop Francis all weigh heavily on his mind, and his shoulders and head slouch with the weight.
Even seen from afar, Dante's police uniform - a grey buttoned shirt with wide, golden buttons down the middle and grey slacks, paired with black boots - is visible, though it is torn and tattered. He has short brown hair kept in a military cut and a slender, fit body. One sleeve of the uniform has been completely torn off to reveal his shoulder and arm (both pale and toned) and to allow for the branding, as well. His face can't be seen from this distance, especially with his head hanging so low.
Jezabel nods at Geborah. "I've a spell that could be useful from here."
Tatienne jingles Blackerly's keys and heads towards the lone guard. "Grumblejack, stay close, but not in plain view. Balam and I will call you if needed."
The relic hunter raises an eyebrow as she sees the prisoner.
A constable? Greeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaattt.
Fumbling with the keys, Taty tries one after another until - hopefully - one does the trick.
"Sorry," she says, offering the guard an apologetic shrug. "I don't usually do this."
Tatienne jingles Blackerly's keys and heads towards the doors. "Grumblejack, stay close, but not in plain view. Balam and I will call you if needed."
Fumbling with the keys, Taty tries one after another until - hopefully - one does the trick.
"Sorry," she says, offering those on the other side of the doors an apologetic shrug. "I don't usually do this."
Geborah smirks at the other faces around the murder hole--Wraith, Jezabel, and Skorn.
"A chance to talk to the three of you alone. Splendid. I've a message for you that Balam and Tati don't need to hear."
"They're followers of Asmodeus, you see, devoted to his cause already. And I am a Priestess of Asmodeus, the Dark Prince...perhaps the last in all Talingarde. It is my duty to guide them, protect them, and strengthen their faith. And so I will."
"You three are godless, and that's fine. Our common hate for Mithras and his wretched lackeys is enough. Perhaps in time, when you see how Asmodeus rewards his followers, you'll reconsider. In the meantime, you will respect our faith. It is by Asmodeus's hand that you were set free tonight--show a little gratitude. Most importantly, do not ever try to undermine the faith of my charges. Don't ask them to question their loyalty to Asmodeus. Whoever plans a seed of doubt in their minds will be held accountable. Believe that, unbelievers, if nothing else."
Jezabel bursts out laughing.
And laughing...
And laughing...
Apparently Geborah's hilarious.
Geborah nods. "Then you understand me. Splendid. Now, let us see what amusement we can devise from the guard below," she whispers. She listens intently for the sound of the gate opening.
Balam waits for his role in the plan.
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"Yes Geborah, even the ghost of the dead understand that threat. Your faithful are fine, while I might tempt them with additional power I don't care for their faith. If you wish to worship Asmodeus, Mitra or even the Flying Spaghetti Monster I really don't care. My faith is in my own power or the power I can steal from the dead, but I have neither the patience or the faith in something to "convert" you. So get off my back... Wraith then turns back to the opening, keeping an eye on the situation.
I could kiss that girl Jeza for her laughter as it really helped to break up the seriousness of the situation. Wraith thinks as he glances in Jeza's direction.
Tatienne works to open the gate. As the guard grabs his prisoner off the ground and drags him in through the doorway, not caring whether he bumps off the door frame or not, he says, "Blackerly couldn't be bothered leaving the game? Usually he doesn't pull all the guys off the rooftop to play..." His voice trails off as he finally looks up and sees Tatienne and Balam's faces - and then sees Grumblejack. "What the -" he begins to exclaim.
Jezabel giggles as she casts a spell at the guard.
"Welcome to Branderscar," Geborah calls from the murder hole. "Time for your brand."
She glares at the guard through her archstar. Fire erupts from it, crackling towards his face.
Tatienne brings her sword down in a quick chop, but it rings off the guard's mail, twisting the relic hunter's wrist.
Dante's eyes quickly flit between the faces of the people attacking his guard, and the bolt of fire shooting its way at him. Time seems to slow for a moment as he thinks. What could they possibly do to him? Kill him twice? He makes a split-second decision, making a quick shuffle away from the guardsman. He spies something simple - a random stone scattered on the ground, and he focuses on it. It lifts into the air, and then hurtles with great speed at the guardsman's head!
Wraith holds, as to conserve his only combat capability at the moment.
Jezabel giggles as she casts a spell at the guard. His eyes become kind of glassy and he stares off into space a bit.
"Welcome to Branderscar," Geborah calls from the murder hole. "Time for your brand." She glares at the guard through her archstar. Fire erupts from it, crackling towards his face. The bolt of fire strikes the guard, burning him, although even his reactions seem out of it.
Tatienne brings her sword down in a quick chop, but it rings off the guard's mail, twisting the relic hunter's wrist.
Dante's eyes quickly flit between the faces of the people attacking his guard, and the bolt of fire shooting its way at him. Time seems to slow for a moment as he thinks. What could they possibly do to him? Kill him twice? He makes a split-second decision, making a quick shuffle away from the guardsman. He spies something simple - a random stone scattered on the ground, and he focuses on it. It lifts into the air, and then hurtles with great speed at the guardsman's head! The stone smacks him - not particularly hard, but with no issue.
Wraith holds, as to conserve his only combat capability at the moment.
Balam swings his sword at the guard.
His swing fails to pierce the guard's mail.
Grumblejack sends a meaty fist into the guard's stomach. Although the armor absorbs much of the blow, the force of Grumblejack's fist still seems to hurt him a bit.
Guard - 8/22
Geborah sees Dante's look of concentration and the stone that hurtles into the guard.
"There's a useful trick," she remarks. "Wonder who he killed with it?"
She spews more flame at the guard through the archstar from above, her lips twitching into a smile as he ignites.
"Don't kill him yet, he can tell us what's at the gatehouse waiting! Wraith tries to shout out, but assumes its too late.
Jezabel turns her gaze onto a different guard, focusing her magic upon his mind.
Balam presses the advantage.
Dante dances away from the guard, eyes searching frantically for anything small and pointed that he could fit into his manacles. "Um," he stammers out, "Who are you people?"
Jezabel watches and waits for another guard to come into view...
Snarling, Tatienne steps around the other side of the guard, opposite of Balam. Raising her sword again, the relic hunter pauses and looks at Dante before bringing it quickly down at the guard, shanking it once again off the man's armor.
"We're your calvary, dear. Well, if this damnable guard would just die that is!"
"We're your way to a new life, if you want one."
Snarling, Tatienne steps around the other side of the guard, opposite of Balam. Raising her sword again, the relic hunter pauses and looks at Dante before bringing it quickly down at the guard, shanking it once again off the man's armor.
Balam presses the advantage. Unfortunately, he also fails to penetrate the stupefied guard's armor.
Geborah sees Dante's look of concentration and the stone that hurtles into the guard.
"There's a useful trick," she remarks. "Wonder who he killed with it?" She spews more flame at the guard through the archstar from above, her lips twitching into a smile as he ignites. The bolt of fire again strikes the guard, further burning him, though he yet stands.
Dante dances away from the guard, eyes searching frantically for anything small and pointed that he could fit into his manacles. "Um," he stammers out, "Who are you people?" He doesn't find anything, the gate house being kept relatively clean - at least in the main entryway.
"We're your calvary, dear. Well, if this damnable guard would just die that is!" Tatienne answers Dante's questions.
"We're your way to a new life, if you want one." Geborah also responds to Dante from above.
The guard stands there, dazed, unknowing how fortunate he is not to be dead yet.
"Don't kill him yet, he can tell us what's at the gatehouse waiting!" Wraith tries to shout out, but assumes its too late.
Jezabel watches and waits for another guard to come into view...
Grumblejack, bloodlust overtaking him, doesn't hear Wraith's plea and swings another meaty fist at the guard.
The guard is promptly smashed in the face and falls to the ground, his eyes closed.
FireSkorn tumbles through the murder hole and scampers over to Dante, taking out the thieves' tools as he does so. The ratfolk quickly picks the locks on Dante's manacles and shackles. "Not not worry. We help you escape escape."
"Bring him on through, and to the poker room," says Geborah. "We'll show him what's left of Blackerly, and decide our next steps. You, there--take what you need of the guard's equipment, then kick him over the edge. We've no need of him." She turns to Wraith. "If our new friend doesn't know who we face at the gatehouse, Blackerly will. Let's go see if he's awake."
"Good enough." Wraith heads towards the poker room.
Dante rubs his wrists gratefully, somewhat devoid of belief that he would be rescued from his chains mere moments after being brought to the prison from which there was no escape. "What do you mean... A new life?" he asks, cautiously. "Are you... prisoners?"
While he converses with the strange group of people, he searches the immediate area for guard gear.
The guard that was escorting you has on him a chain shirt, longsword, heavy steel shield, longbow with 20 arrows, and a leather wrapped club. Everything except the arrows and the club is marked with the insignia of Talingarde. He also has a small key, of the sort that would go in a footlocker.
You remember when you were deposited on the floor of the guard post on the mainland there were two guards and a dog that growled at you. You also recall a portcullis being lowered to allow the wagon that was carrying you to enter and then turn around and leave. After that it's a bit of blur, since that's about the point your arm was branded and they began beating you.
Upon your return the lower floor of the guard house they were using to play cards, you find Blackerly still unconscious on the floor, tied up where you left him. You could wake him if you wanted.
"Prisoners? Once." Geborah shows Dante her brand, twin to his own. "Mitra's lickspittles say we are criminals. I say we are a spark. My name is Geborah."
The youthful priestess gestures Dante to a chair by the poker table, and claims one herself. She is a strange sight, a coltish girl in her early teens wrapped in a large burgandy robe, with a silver pentagram dangling from a cloth strip around her neck. Beneath the robe she wears a guard's ill-fitting chain shirt over a modest black velvet dress. She studies Dante openly, and drums long nails on the table as she considers him. With his experience as an investigator, Dante probably notices traces of blood on those nails, though he is perhaps distracted by her one red eye, half-hidden by her hair but still a glaring contrast to her other, black eye.
As someone connected to law enforcement and the courts, he may connect these details to descriptions of a noble child who lit a house fire that burned her entire family to death. He may remember stories of her much-discussed trial which cast her as "the Laughing Pyre," demented and evil, and may certainly conclude if she was sentenced to Brandenscar for the crime, the fire was no accident.
"We were chained up, awaiting our executions when a...sympathizer"--she shivers inwardly at the memory of a cold kiss--"smuggled us tools to break free. We've been systematically eliminating the threat of pursuit. The warden is dead at Tatienne's hand--you've met her at the gate. The soldier with her is Balam, and the Ogre, Grumblejack. This striking man is the sorcerer called Wraith; little FireSkorn unlocked your manacles. And the woman eyeing you hungrily is Jezabel."
"We intend to escape, of course. I know a way to the ones who helped us; they can get us to safety. Right now we should decide our next step. Do we double back to the prison and commandeer the armory and payroll? Do we take the time to slaughter the dogs in the armory to avoid being tracked? Or do we head at once to down the causeway to the gatehouse, our last obstacle to freedom? This bound fool is Sergeant Blackerly, leader of the guards. Whatever our plans, we must first deal with him. We could probably persuade him to answer questions about the layout of the prison and other matters. He seems to be a bully, which suggests a coward at heart."
"Wizard Geborah, wizard." Wraith nods at the new man, but is more interested in Blackerly.
"Grumblekack would you be kind enough to place Blackerly on the table." Once he's on the table, Wraith will use Dante's shackles to bind him to it. Taking a bloody stripe of cloth to gag the man before they attempt to wake him.
Jezabel does indeed smile hungrily at Dante. Leaning close over him she smiles playfully and whispers in his ear, "You look delicious."
As she moves back she smiles again, before beginning to hum something softly to herself.