Blosodriette turns visible and blinks uncertainly for a moment, followed by erupting with uncontrollable laughter. "Oh God, that is what I like about you all. I can never predict what you're about to do next. Okay, I can help you with this, but... since I'm the only one who can help you without having to spread tons of lies and extra work, you're gonna need to do something for me. Alright? Because I haven't been getting much love lately." .
"I can tell you exactly how to make this work, which does not include a sacrifice of 10 chickens... do you even know how worship works? But I want some more freedom, or at least security. Carrying that contract around leaves me vulnerable to the same thing that got me stuck in that safe house for God knows how many years. Anyway, can we make a deal?"
Blosodriette wiggles and raises her nose with pride and glee. "I want to get rid of that contract, but I know you do not want me to be uncontrolled. I know how to accomplish both. I can get rid of the contract and become bound to you, Mr. Thrune. If you can promise me that you will eliminate the contract in order for me to be bound to you specifically, I can promise to tell you and help you with the service so the church will not suspect anything. Remember, our words are binding."
Kethaera thought for a moment, then she smiled.
"That actually might work. Blossom is indeed an imp, so the priests won't think about questioning her. She's a devil anyhow!"
You can't expect it to be honest with you, Pylos? At the very least we'd need to find some means of binding it to make sure it's not trying to weasel into a means of possessing you to embarrass you with its horrible dance moves or something.
He'll probably only ponder the seriousness of that proposition if it's presented with a joke...
"It involves making a short, but sacred prayer to Asmodeus, and ripping my contract. What you do is you destroy my contract just before you enter the church, then I get teleported back to Hell. Then, during the service when appropriate, you ask Asmodeus to lend you his might. This is a big deal to the church, as most of the priests are too afraid to say those words. Because when someone asks Asmodeus for his might, he delivers. When you ask for his might, I will be brought back at your side. Do you know about familiars for wizards? It works just like that. "
"Well, think about it like this. The Dark Prince has control over everything belonging to him, including me. The very fact that he lets me help your rebellion is enough for me to know that I will be back at your side. Have a little faith, right?"
Again, I have to point out that we have no guarantee this thing is telling even the tiniest amount of truth here. Literally every word out of its mouth may be a lie. Let me see the contract again, Pylos.
"I could sign on it if you want." says Blosodriette
Laria steps forward. "We can figure it out later. Right now, we have prisoners in the Salt Works that could be extremely useful to our cause. Daylight is burning, so we should take care of it as soon as possible. If you'll have me, I want to see this done myself. This is a great starting opportunity to punish Barzillai directly."
Nodding, Kethaera says, "Laria has a point. We should go free those prisoners and figure this out later."
Tarnagius says nothing as he grabs his gear and heads for the door.
Nobody listens to me, same as always.
Phillip grabs his axe and heads out.
Nothing
The rebellion marches south to reach the Salt Gate. Though they have to pay the guards again, nothing sinister occurs during their trip. Laria burns with passion as she sets her sights upon old Kintargo. Perhaps now, she can make a difference.
Phillip catches up to Tarn amd mutters to him. I got your back if this goes south because of certain reasons.
"Maybe we could trick them and then we can jump them," Kethaera suggested.
|
Still a bit shaken about everything going on, Pylos followed along behind the others quietly. His mind kept going around in circles, trying to figure out the best way to do things. As they drew closer to the salt mines, though, he shook his head and got his game face on. "We need to get one of us on the inside," Pylos quietly said. "That way we can have someone keeping an eye on things. Jules, think you can get in without being seen?"
Tarnagius nods at Phil's aside, but keeps quiet.
Were there armed guards? Do we know if there's a sleeping quarters or somewhere else slaves would be staying where they weren't working?
I believe they have some. Hum,, didn't Kethaera pose as a buyer of salt? The rets of you could pose as hired help to load the salt.
Phillip recalls that the Salt Works are guarded by an Asmodean Dwarf, and three CCG. The Dwarf was heavily armed, but the CCG were pretty normal.
Kethaera tells the others what she remembered seeing of the general layout of the inside of the warehouse.
Let's go get them then.
Dwarf looks pretty well armed and he has three of those Citizen Groups goons with him. I believe we can take em.
"Still it might be best if we continue to be cautious just in case. In a fight things can go south in a heartbeat," Kethaera reminded Phillip.
"I doubt I'll have any trouble infiltrating the place. Just do not slap my head again."
Jules slipped ahead and into the shadows. He worked his way around the building again looking for exterior guards.
Probably a good idea to wait until we hear from Jules at any rate.
Fine, I'll wait.
Kethaera blushed as her face turned red with embarrassment.
"Well...lets just say that in show business there is always the risk of getting too much into one's role in order to make it believable."
While the rest wait and form a plan, Jules slips into the shadows to scout out the exterior. He finds two guards: One of them is standing lazily at the front door, while the other is sitting on the ground at the back door. The door itself is propped open, with wafts of hot air escaping outside. Jules also gets a look through the windows of the side building. Though all the windows are shut, locked, and blinded, Jules can make out the shape of beds, sheets, and clothing through the small cracks. Eventually, the expert scout arrives back at the group to tell what he saw.
Jules stepped back out of the shadows and walked up to the group. "Two Guards, lazy and bored looking. One at each door. Philip and I could likely disable the guard in the back before any alarms were raised. From there I have located the sleeping quarters and we could potentially get in without much trouble since a door is cracked open."
works for me.
Tarnagius rubs his beard in thought for a moment, his face scowled in concentration.
Less likely to look too closely tomorrow if we don't kill anyone. Ok, Pylos, Laria, you two stay out here and guide our new friends somewhere safe. Preferably to the Network and not the Nest. It's safer for all of us that way. Stay out of sight unless you two need to get involved in order to protect someone or to make contact with the slaves. Last thing we need is Pylos getting spotted. Jules, Phillip, you're going in to knock the guard toward the rear out, and lead the slaves outside. Diva, you and I are going to the front door to make a bit of noise so the guard at the front doesn't patrol back and see what the others are doing. Anyone have any other suggestions?
Shaking her head, the diva smiled at Tarnagius saying, "I like this plan. You have a talent for coming up with such excellent ideas and plans on the fly."
She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and said, "Let's do this."
She had already drawn her sword.
"Er. The network is the nest. There's no way I can get the prisoners up there without getting spotted." Laria says.
Phillip pulls out his handy cardboard box.
Unfortunately, the box is the bright yellow one.
Jules disappeared again.
Kethaera waited to see what Tarnagius did since she was paired with him.
Although Jules slips past without a trace, Phillip is less than lucky. As Phillip steps up, the guard sighs and catches Phillip in the corner of his eye. Standing up, the man yells out "Oi! What you doing round here?"
This where I can get some salt? Looken to buy.
Laria thinks for a moment. "Well... we don't have any safehouses. Hmm how about the livery? You remember, the place where the raven stash was? We'll have to duck around the shadier parts of town, but we'd escape the eyes of the Dottari."
"Front door, you lout." He replies
"You know Tarnagius, I was thinking, maybe we could ask these people to help us in being a part of the Silver Ravens," Kethaera whispered to the nobleman, "I'm sure they would like to repay Barzillai for his treatment of them."
Okie dokie.
Phillip heads back around the front Sigh. Dammit
As Phillip turns the corner, the guard at the front spots him. "Hey. What are ya skulkin around here for?"
Phillip just keeps walking