"Ze Emperor haz been attacked, he's wizh heez Medicus as we speak."
Hearing the shouting, Argos immediately casts Shield upon himself and draws his Falcata, stepping forward to stand between Kyra and the entrance to the room.
As the doors open though, he seems to relax his guard somewhat, though doesn't stow his weapon until Robert walks in and explains himself.
Redoubling his disguise as the doors burst open, Atticus Rook subtly shifts his weight into a Kirin stance... and relaxes as soon as he realizes who he's staring at.
"Our apologies, Inspector, but the Princess called us here—she wanted a place where she could not easily be spied upon. And this foreigner's villa may be the easiest-to-defend, least-infiltrated of any major house in this city right now, if what you say is true. But I defer to her judgment."
And Rook prepares to cast Peacebond against anyone who draws their weapon against either the Princess or the Inspector, though mentally chides himself for not giving the monkey an easier way to check them for disguises, as the familiar under his hat prepares to hit him with Displacement if necessary.
The inspector takes out a pair of spectacles and places them on his face.
After a few seconds he turns to Opilio, "close the door, Atticus is right. We stay here until things calm down."
The city Alarm bells start to Blair in the streets.
Val, hearing Lord Rook refer to the invader as Inspector slightly tones his edginess down, but he does reach behind him to wrap a hand around his staff against the wall behind him.
"What, exactly, happened? Is it just the Princess he wants, or is more medical attention needed? I am skilled in the arts of healing, perhaps I could help his Majesty?"
The Princess has a look of dread on her face, but remains speechless.
Kyra stands up and looks like she's contemplating casting a spell, personally considering an Invisibility sphere, when Opilio suddenly threw open the doors.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Kyra gasped, tensing as Robert walked in, and relaxing when he explained himself.
Oh my word, the Emperor has been attacked?...We didn't even have a chance to..." Looking towards the Empress, then back to Blackheart, and finally to Argos, she formulated a plan.
"Princess, Detective. If time is imperative, I believe we should go to the palace immediately. Sir Argos is a trained Battlemage capable of using Dimension Door to transport us. He can take you, the Princess, myself, and one other. I would suggest the Ambassador given he is a powerful cleric." Kyra explained quickly, setting a hand on her cousin's shoulder, to which he nodded.
"If this is where you want to remain, I will have Tiberion sweep outside, and then lock and bar the door."
He nods to Tiberion, and then turns back to the group.
"This is quite a secure location, as far as it goes. What, exactly, did you do about my doors outside, Inspector? Is the ward still functional? If you damaged it permanently, I do expect you to fix them, or pay for them."
His voice drops to a whisper.
"Samandreal, stay near me. I don't want anyone approaching me too fast. This situation is unsettling, and I'm not prepared for a fight today."
Hearing Kyra suggest he go, he chanegs his tune.
"Why, of course I will go, if the Inspector will have me along. I could ascertain what happened to the Emperor."
"My lord! Samandreal, I can not approach, listen to him."
If there's a bit of waiting, Rook will offer Magic Vestment/Greater Magic Weapon to anyone who could benefit from it (lasts 12 hours, gives +3 enhancement bonus to an armor/weapon/shield, only useful on things with a bonus lower than that of course)
Lounging in the carriage, picking under her lavishly painted nails with a dagger and her feet propped up against one window, Anka's eyebrows rise as armed men storm the door of the villa.
"Well. Constantine didn't make any mention of those sort of festivities today." Rising to her feet, she'll draw her pistol and rapier before kicking open the door to the carriage and stepping out. The three guards on top draw their spears and look to her.
"Captain, what do you want us to do?"
Waving them off, she stalks carefully toward the doors. "I better get paid if this turns bad."
The abrupt noise causes Constantine to bolt to his feet, spear in hand. His first reaction is to teleport outside to Anka and flee, but not with both the Princess and his father present. He moves before the Princess with his weapon drawn and casts Heroism on himself.
"Stay behind me Princess." When the detective enters, he's as on guard as the others, mouth set into a thin line.
"His Majesty has his own guards. I have no desire to leave while there is a threat to the royal personages. If you do choose to start transporting people, I can bring three as well, Kyra. My carriage awaits outside with additional armed guards."
The noble flashes a smile as Anka steps carefully into the villa with her pistol drawn and pointed. "There a problem we need to deal with then, yeah?"
A faint swooping noise can be heard by those with some better perception, and its source soon becomes evident as a loud thump issues from the courtyard. The clink of armor and a few shouts heralds the arrival of another individual, this one clad in his usual armor and a great sword hefted onto his back. Lexarius Rubicon walks into the room, his face grim.
"Princess!...Kyra..." He exclaims when he sees her and his sister are unhurt, his serious expression softening somewhat. "Good work Robert. I'll see the Princess from here. My lady, the threat may not be passed, you will be the next obvious target."
Sighing in relief to see someone she could count on, Kyra steps forward. "Brother. I was just suggesting that we have cousin Argos teleport the Princess and some trusted individuals back," She told him, to which he seemed to mull this information and look to Eutropia for a decision.
Still stunned by the sudden revelation that her father was grievously injured, the Princess nods in agreement.
Blackwell turns to Lex, "you pick who's coming with you, Opilio and myself have to help get the streets under control. Once word of this gets around, there is bound to be a riot or two that need putting down."
Opilio looks in the room before heading out with his uncle, "A Shame zhat ze Rooks weren't in ze palace, I hear your fazher is skilled at thwarting these events."
Nev chews on her bottom lip, mulling things over. My father could likely lend a great deal of support... He always said that he was not opposed to having a female heir. That is, after all, why he agreed to allow my training. However, the situation in Mendev still worries me greatly. If Taldor falls there will be no one to support the troops, but the Grand Prince's fate is an uncertainty. Mendev, however, is in need of support now. Perhaps I can stay to help Gabrielle for a time, sending whatever help that I may for the time being. However, if we cannot convince other noble houses to send support, I fear that they will need as many bodies as they can get...
As the bell chimes and the commotion begins, she jumps to her feet, grabbing Pattinella as she does so. She moves to stand directly behind the princess, watching the room for signs of anything out of place. As the guards burst in, she steps closer, her legs brushing the chair. She stands quietly, guarding the Princess's back. She lays a gentle hand on her shoulder at the news. Eutropia had given her an enormous hug with the news of Mendev, surely her hand would not be out of place.
At the suggestion of teleportation to the Palace, Nev speaks up. "Can we say for a certainty that the entire palace has been cleared? Certainly there are more guards there to protect the princess, but with more people I fear comes more risk. Unless every room has been searched, I believe that staying here is the safer option. We cannot know who has been involved, nor what might be hiding in the rafters of the palace." She says as she looks to Lord Rook. "If the thought of staying here is an uncomfortable one, I at least implore you to think of going somewhere else. If the princess is the next target, they will be searching for her in known places. If they managed to get to the Emperor, through his guards, then I see no reason why they have not infiltrated everywhere the princess frequents." Nev says, speaking firmly.
Rook has no issue with staying here, since it is a pretty defensible spot.
Glancing Atticus, Constantine shrugs. "My father rarely gets out anymore. We will gladly stay here to guard the Princess if she deems it wise. If she would rather rush to her father's aid..well, my spear will always protect to our Grand Prince and his family."
"I am not sure how many people actually know you're here, Your Majesty..." Val glares at the two intruders, who did know she was here.
"...but I assure, me and my company will defend you to the best of our ability."
"I believe, however, that several of us should transport over to the palace in order to sweep the place, hopefully finding those responsible, and check on the Emperor himself. I would suggest Sir Argos take himself, 'Atticus', me, Doctor Janus, and Kyra herself. Surely this gives us the best chance for detecting any intruders, and making sure the Grand Prince is alive and well."
"So, shall we go? Time is wasting; we may not have much."
"We'll need someone to let us in," Rook points out, looking at the Detective and his sidekick. "If someone associated with the palace guard is able to call us in as emergency aides, that would make such things easier."
Turning to Nev, he looks thoughtful and raises a hand to his chin. "The assassins at the palace have been dealt with, the immediate danger has likely passed, but it is possible that more might linger. That said, the Princess' location is already 'known' to be somewhere else not there nor here." Lex explained, having already taken care to make those arrangements to throw off anyone else so the Princess could meet the Ambassador. He turned to Valignatir next.
"Doctor Janus has already been called to the Emperor's bedside and is treating him as we speak. I of course need to accompany the Princess, and I shan't be letting her out of my guard. I am...unsure who this Atticus is, or what his skills are. Ambassador, if you think you can help, I would welcome you to come. Any others, please make your way to the Palace by carriage or whatever means suit you, I'll alert the guard to allow you in once you arrive."
"Well, that settles that. I did not know Janus was there already. Do we know who these assassins are?"
"Tiberion, call the carriage around to the front, and get my favorite driver. You know the one."
"Oh, Samandreal, you're coming with us. I do not intend to fall into some trap created by these assassins without being prepared."
"Might I escort all of you that are going out? The rest of you are welcome to stay, of course, and I will leave several guards behind to help guard you in your absence."
A decent Perception sees Val's eyes glide over to Tiberion, and the servant nods.
Nev grits her teeth, pausing a moment before she speaks. "Ser Rubicon, I still must highly advise against this action. Yes, the immediate danger is likely past. But if she is their next target, who is to say how long they have been hiding, and waiting? They got past all of his Grace's guards, it is likely that they have gotten past you. Of course they know that she is not in the palace, but they will expect her to return. They will watch any place she frequents, and they will wait for her. I know that it is your duty to protect Princess Eutropia, but I must tell you that I feel that this is the absolute worst way to deal with this. The palace is large, with too many people to count, and too many areas to keep track of. Again, I ask of you, if you are uncomfortable here, move the Princess, but not where they will expect her. I would offer my home, with near thirty pixies on guard I do not believe there are hidden assassins, though with her Majesty's recent show of preferential treatment towards me, they might target her there. Truly, I feel that this is the last place that they will look for her, they will not be already hidden here, and there are people here to protect her."
Kyra nodded her head a moment. "Brother...I think Dame Atropa is right in this case. Until the palace is secure, I think we should sequester the Princess. And...though I'm loathe to say it, the Ambassador's residence really is the best place at the moment. A lot of magical security has gone into it. But I think we can do one better." Kyra grinned rather predatory.
"Obviously, the plotters will expect the Princess to return to the Palace. If they attempt to take her life, it will be there. Coincidentally, we need to secure a lead to these plotters, therefor we should encourage them to send their minions to us. I propose to take the Princess' place and disguise myself as her. If the assassins truly are lurking in wait, we can catch them off guard."
Seeing the look on both Argos and Lexarius' faces, Kyra scrowled and cut them off. "And don't say what you're about to. I am a capable fighter and a master of mental magic...if we do this, we can draw out our enemy."
Frowning at his sister, Lex turned to Val. "We are unaware of the identity of the assassin unfortunately, when they were...slain, only the armor and red, black leathers remained, no body...All the Lions Blades in the palace were killed, along with many of the Ulfen Guard."
"Your plan may have merit sister, though I loathe it...if you are willing, I will allow it...But you'll probably need a few good fighters." Lex looks over to Constantine appraisingly.
"ALL the Lion Blades killed?" "Atticus" rook asks incredulously. "Is it safe now? My cousin-in-law, Doctor Janus, is likely headed there now, and I should warn him and my father if any present danger remains in the city."
"Only the ones within the castle. More have been summoned and are sweeping the grounds as we speak. Unfortunately the Ulfen Guard has been killed to a man, Kol Kodranson was slain in battle. What is most concerning is that magic has been nullified on the palace grounds and appears to not be functioning - many figures above my station are debating whether to move the Emperor so that healing magic may be applied."
"I have no fear of places lacking in magic if needed. I'd much rather stand by the Princess's side. His majesty is still fine then? It might be easier to guard the two royal personages together rather than separate."
The Princess manages to choke out a few sentence. "I need to know what's going on with my father, but I understand that I also need to be safe. Of they've removed... If they've removed the ulfen and lions, it's not safe in the palace."
Rook tips his hat up, and a tufted gray monkey runs out from under it, carrying a monkey-sized satchel of potions. "You should take Solomon with you; if something comes up, hand him a message scroll, tap him on the head three times, and he'll know to bring it back to the last place he saw me."
"All of the Lion Blades, killed? How many were there, exactly?"
A decent Sense Motive check reveals that Val's already low opinion of the "Taldan Special Forces" has dropped even lower.
"Whatever the case with this magic-defeating mystery, we need to get over there, if only to discern what has befallen His Majesty."
Val walks over to the wall behind his desk, and pulls a pure white staff, topped with an equally as white crystal.
"I will bring my staff, one that is full of healing spells, and see what I can do. Alas, I have spent most of my most powerful spells for today, but I can certainly attempt to discern what has happened to Stavian, and prepare for the future."
Letting out a small sigh, Constantine grabs a chair and moves it toward the door before flopping down into it, his spear across his knees. "I await here then with her highness. Val, permission to order around Tiberion while you are away if and only if something comes to threaten her and I deem it necessary?"
Glancing to his companion, still standing in the doorway and looking somewhat confused, Constantine taps the spear before making a decision. "Anka, if you can avoid being your usual self, and the dear ambassador cares not about one of your past lounging in his villa, you will stay here. Set Maurus, Cyrus and Donus to patrolling the outer grounds. They are not to engage anyone and are to simply retreat here and inform us if there are any issues."
"I think there might be a representative of the Royal Guard here, doing the commanding," Lord Rook chides Constantine.
Val, not focused on who exactly is staying, nods his head towards Constantine's cohort.
"Of course she can stay. As for Tiberion, he has his orders already. In fact, he has just...gotten help now."
He finished, as Tiberion walks into the room, notably without Samandreal.
Almost as if an afterthought, Val speaks again.
"Oh, Tiberion, make sure to tell her not to kill the three men patrolling outside. Anyone who attacks those men, however, is fair game."
Turning back to the group he collected.
"Shall we go then?"
Frowning at his "brother," Constantine rolls his eyes. "The day will come, Atticus, when my titles outstrip our elder brothers and father will favor me. The Royal Guard do not have half the fighting experience I have had on the frontiers or abroad. But, alas...it is as you say, although you sound dreadfully like Father, that the Guard has prerogative."
"No... but they have the law on their side, and that is still worth something in Taldor. But if they wish to keep their position and health in such a profession, they should have the wisdom to seek the advice and counsel of those who can offer it well."
And then, after a second, he adds, "But I trust the Princess—and everyone else here—has more reason to trust the allegiance of a sworn, lifelong guardsman than some mercenary captain whose history is full of unknowns. And you should not begrudge them that."
As if the words were something Constantine was edging towards, a broad grin splits his face and he bows to the other Rook. "A noble Knight who happens to be a mercenary captain of what once was, and will be again, one of the most feared companies in the Inner Sea, Brother!"
Tilting his head thoughtfully, Constantine strokes his goatee and lets out a small sigh. "Don't make me sound so...common."
"A knight of what, exactly? But once again, you've just made the point that you haven't sworn your life and career towards protecting the royal family above all else, like the Captain over there who'd probably wish we stop talking like this. Let's move on—I believe you had somewhere to be."
Crossing his arms and shrugging, Constantine looks around. "Do I? I had thought I would stay right here beside the Princess. They'll need someone who can fight without magic if the same trick gets pulled on the Devil-worshipers villa."
Kyra coughed. "Well...if you're quite finished?" Kyra asked the two of them, before spending a moment making some arcane gestures to her ring.
"My disguise spell will only last at the palace gates, hopefully whoever is watching will see me then. Once we're inside, the spell will fail, so Ambassador, I'll need to borrow a cloak to hide myself...one that's not red." Kyra said, before casting Disguise Self on herself and taking Eutropia's appearance. "If we were less short on time I could use a mundane disguise, but alas. Meanwhile, your majesty. I feel it would be best if you took my place." Kyra steps forward and casts Disguise Other, touching a hand to the Princess and giving her the appearance of Kyra Rubicon.
"If magic won't function within the palace, then I'll have no need to replenish my combat spells. I can return here and teleport a second group there as well if need be." Argos piped up after Kyra, before looking out to the city, then back to the group. "Whoever is going, speak up now, we're wasting too much time talking.
Val obviously hides a laugh before responding to Kyra's request.
"Of course. I don't know why anyone would not want to wear red, but that is no matter. I keep many different styles, for the many different visitors I host. I'll fetch you one now."
He leaves the room, and renters a few seconds later with a female-sized black cloak.
"Will this serve your purposes, Lady Kyra? Hopefully the disguise will work long enough for us to foil any would-be assassins."
Turning towards Sir Argos, Val answers his question.
"I am sure that I am going, and Tiberion will stay here, in order to help defend the princess. I feel I must notify those staying behind, he has used all resources available to him, including our iconic infernal allies. Do not worry, you are at no danger from them, as they cannot enter the powdered silver circle as long as it is unbroken, and its magic should remain potent at least until we return."
Rook watches Kyra at work. "That'll work for a few hours; if you're not back by then, we can try mundane disguises," he points out.
And, after a few seconds of thought, "Atticus Rook" coughs and, in an instant, becomes a perfect copy of the Princess. "This should help the gambit a bit more," he adds, taking off his hat, eyepatch, and coat, revealing the non-lead-lined clothing he wears underneath to have been replaced by a royal gown.
"What with you taking on a disguise, Kyra, do you think I should be worried about my appearance? I have prepared that same spell, should I need it."
Nev pauses. glancing at everyone gathered. "With the lack of functioning magic, perhaps someone with more martial experience should go. I would like to find out how the Emperor is doing, for the Princess. And with both Constantine and Ser Rubicon here to protect the Princess, I will go to the palace."
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Lady Gabrielle silently sighs to herself from behind the secret door. Will they ever leave? she wonders to herself.
-Posted with Wayfinder
"I would love to have you along, Nev!"
The genuine smile returns to light his face as he extends a hand out to her in order to start the preparation for the teleport over.