Roj stands, shrugging his shoulders helplessly and pacing back and forth. "I don't know. This isn't something I'm good at...
Trinia, I cannot believe that the queen would seek your death for no reason. I simply cannot. However, at the same time, you've seemed truly scared every time we've met you, and Eric is fond of you as well.
Vencarlo, I don't know that I like you. However, I also don't see what you could gain from this situation, unless you're taking advantage of Trinia's position somehow. So, here's what I think."
He stops, sitting back in his chair and glancing at Trinia before turning all his attention to Vencarlo. "If you want our help, I have terms. You will tell us where this ranch is so that if we come across true evidence she's guilty, we can collect her and bring her back. She will stay there until this blows over, and if she has to move or be moved, you will tell us where. And if we need your help later, you'll owe us."
"Are these terms accepted, by you, by her, and by my friends?"
Erik taps his chin. "Of course, the simplest explanation is that the queen doesn't want the king raised from the dead. You don't need to bring in bizarre and foul magics in that case. All you need is Illeona to simply want to be in power, really."
Basil shrugs.
"I don't think it is that simple... He was a king, after all... You would need to be *seen* to go through the motions. That said, from what I understand, there are a number of ways to ensure the deceased *stay* dead... and not all of them require magic..."
"Hmm," says Erik. "I have to say I still think this is a major step. If word ever gets back to the Marshall or the Queen that we helped Trin get away, we're officially done for and will be hunted down as traitors to the crown."
Erik pauses. "That said, I'm up for it! The queen and her rule have taken on a rather hysterical, violent nature, and her senseless persecution of the innocent is the final straw. I vote for seeing Trinia to safety, and we ride the currents where they take us from there."
Basil looks doubtful.
"Even in a time of chaos, this is technically treason, inviting the full force of a Queen and her servitors to come down upon us if we are discovered, something that is unlikely to be conducive to our long-term health and happiness. Is there at least some way to hide Trinia so she is not too obvious? ...and please don't say a hooded cloak; that is far too easy to see through; perhaps a Hat of Disguise...?"
Not a bad idea there Basil but I've a better. Lets dress her and make her up like a street walker. No one would look twice if she were accompanied by a couple of hard bitten types. If asked why she is leaving the city with us? We can say she's agreed to turn tricks for our mercenary group. Obviously we can't have Gwen and Roj around once we get to the gate. They can follow at a distance as a group of 'Adventurers'.
Gwem is unusually silent and keeps staring at Vencarlo, as if waiting for an answer that's yet to come.
Roj nods slowly. "We'll do it. Tell us what we need to know."
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Vencarlo breaths a sigh of relief "Good. You cannot know how much this means to both of us. I will leave the details to you. As you can see Trinia has arranged a form of disguise. We are helped by the fact that the queen used that dupe at the hanging. She looked a likeness for Trinia if you'd never seen her, but different enough that the real Trin shouldn't cause too much suspicion.
"You are heading to a farm a few miles away from the city. From there she will move a little further out until it is safe to return. Even I will not know where she actually is. The fewer people who do know, the better. I need you to get her to the farm."
"No, wait a minute. Before I agree to something that could very well be a trap, I still require an answer to my question."
Gwen looks at Vencarlo, straight in the eyes.
"What is your relationship with Sabina, the Queen's faithful bodyguard?"
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Vencarlo hangs his head. "Ahh, you don't realise how much pain there is in that question girl. Sabina Merrin was a star pupil of mine. She excelled in the arts of sward-craft, and is beautiful with it. Try as I might to ignore her, I fell for her. As did one of my other students, your friend Grau. It turns out that Sabrina was not interested in either of us in that way, indeed she favours other women's attention to that of men. I found out later that Grau engineered the dual that caused Sabrina to leave my Academy. Something for which I cannot forgive him. That duel resulted in the loss of two of my fingers, and the scar that mares Sabrina's face."
"I haven't seen Sabrina since, except at a distance at the side of the queen. Groau I expelled when I discovered what he had done. I was peraps more angry than I should have been with him, but I haven't seen him since either."
The harshness in Gwen's stare seems to melt at Vencarlo's words. She bows her head and, after a few moments, she simply shrugs.
"Ok. Let's do this."
Erik nods. "Very well. I don't require much space, and only a moderate amount of incredibly high quality food on which to survive."
What's the most "hustle and bustle" hour in Korvosa? Let's melt into the crowd if we can.
The Guard might be watching the house, so they might get suspicious if they see someone leaving the house that they didn't see come in.
A distraction might be useful.
A distraction? I think I can arrange that... Uncle Borden will set up a milk crate and tell a few juicy stories to the masses - should get every ones attention. I'll meet you down the road a spell then once you have passed.
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The morning after, Vencarlo appears, and listens to the arrangements. "Good, good. I hope you will have no trouble getting her out like that. It seems that I've been a little too vocal in my condemnation of the queen. My thoughts last night turned to repercussions. I am going to become much more quiet for a time. I have friends in Old Korvosa and can melt away I expect. Please don't try to find me though, you may attract the wrong type of attention. If I discover anything of import, I will find a way to let you know.
"Thank you once again for this. It is much appreciated.
With that, he kisses Trinia lightly on the forehead, and leaves out of the back of the building.
Bordan takes up a crate and begins to regale anyone and everyone who will listen as to tales concerning the founding of Korvosa and its famous rulers... being notably silent on its latest ruler.
He harranges, he heckles, he calls out to those who don't pause to hear his tales.
Edit: my bad, I forgot Basil.
Basil remains completely oblivious, and considers himself fortunate to have found the city gates.
Borden will join the others in a bout 4-5 mins. His diversion was just to enable the group to leave the house, once that mission is accomplished he'll try to catch up with the group.
After leaving the house, and once Erik's sure they've made a decent distance away, he gives Trinia his Cap so that she can shift unseen in some alley into the form of a gnome.
A few blocks from the Academy a group of guards pauses and looks at the group.
Gwen keeps her distance from Erik Roj and Trinia and keeps her eyes open to make sure nobody is following them, or even taking too much notice of their movements.
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The guards continue to glance for a moment, then get distracted by something else and move on.
The fraught walk through Korvosa continues, now in a couple of groups as Bordan joins Gwen. Eventually you meet a crossroads between two sub-districts of the city, there is a hellknight guard on the corner. Not unusual, in itself for Korvosa, as they form one of the three major armed forces of the city. They seem to be stopping people at random.
Erik tries to appear nonchalant. "Let's just brave it. With Trinia disguised, there's no reason for alarm."
Gwen whispers to Borden: "Be ready. If they are stopped, we can create a diversion and hopefully distract the guards". She looks him up and down. "If my memory serves me well, I still owe you a good slap!"
He rolls his eyes.
Now she remembers, he moans.
Just be careful if you are thinking that - the Hell Knights have no issues in putting people in prison for minor offences - I'd hold off on that in front of them.
"Hmmm. Then I'll restrain myself and just insult you... loudly!"
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The hellknights allow Erik's group right through, then stop a man with a basket of bread rolls. Insisting on checking through the whole basket for some form of contraband. It takes a few minutes, and eventually the man is let on his way.
As Gwen and Bordan approach, one of the hell knights removes his helmet and gives them a look of disdain. But they too are not stopped.