After getting all his gear packed, Axel kneels down to the kids. "We will lock all the doors behind us. Don't let anybody in. Just pretend you aren't here."
Axel spends the rest of the time closing and locking every possible entrance to the house.
The pair nod, looking as tough as possible.
Axel finds many of the windows already secured.
Sarlene gathers some dried meats and foodstuffs from the pantry and sets it out for the children. She pats each on the head before turning toward the door.
As she passes Axel, she addresses him in a low tone. Thank you. Stephen squawks from the bowels of the pantry, emerging a moment later with some salted fish in his beak to join Sarlene as she heads out the door of the house.
Rod doesn't return, instead he has followed Nadya and the guards to a tavern... The White Weasel. The place you had only just come from.
Sarlene calls from outside the house. Jezzera! Axel's fox prints won't last long if it snows! she casts a wary eye to the sky and waits nervously for the tracker to lead her.
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"It seems our friends did not venture far. The Fox's trail leads toward the tavern," Jezzera grunts. "I can only assume they will be in cahoots with its owner."
He turns grimly to the rest of the group and growls, "it is likely we will find them less than hospitable should we arrive at their doorstep. Perhaps there is a back door to be found?"
We could approach from both sides. A diversion at the front door? Sarlene's face is grim. For once, she seems focused and logical.
Axel nods "That's probably the best course of action. Kalhar, Daegan and Jezzera should go around front while you and I sneak around the back. We'll get Nadya out then join back up with the others." Axel's voice has a new firmness to it. There is a determination is his eyes that is unmistakable.
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"There is but one complication - the guards and barstaff have seen our faces and heard our voices, with one exception." He turns to Kalhar gravely. "Kalhar, you alone did not speak in the presence of the officers. They have seen, but not heard you." His eyes dart around the room, from chairs to closets. "Perhaps a disguise will prolong our ruse. The three of us can approach the front, Daegan and I hiding out of sight while Kalhar, his face hidden, speaks with them." He narrows his eyes as he growls - "Daegan, you and I will be at the ready, should they prove more observant than we assume."
"Holy s~%!, that's like... smart," Coyote gasps. "This is out of character for old growly."
"I got kind of confused," Dog sniffs, his head tilted thirty degrees. "Who's doing what again?"
"Axel, Sarlene, are you sufficiently confident in your ability to handle the unexpected once inside? Perhaps your small companions can be of service."
Sarlene looks down at Stephen, who looks back up at her. He shakes his head side-to-side. No f&@+ing way, lady.
Sarlene admonishes Stephen before giving her gear an unnecessary but settling shuffle - as if that adjustment were all she needed to be ready for battle. She looks back to Jezzera.
That bird is f!&~ing useless most of the time. Axel and I can handle this, eh?
I'll sneak my ass around back and see if there even is a f&$#ing back door, eh?
Staring across the town square, Sarlene uses the statue of the Cold Woman to block out the vantages of the tavern. After a quick survey, she sees a small footpath behind the village chapel. I'll have to make my way around the entire f+#%ing square then, eh? S!~*. No telling what's back there. A stiff breeze chills Sarlene and lifts her spirits. F&*+ it.
Alright, sirs. I'll move behind the little temple and those few buildings to our south. If I wiggle past that... She squints again to the south, barely able to discern what lays beyond the tavern and barn. I guess that's a f*$+ing cemetery. Gods. Sarlene shivers, though it seems more a case of the "willies" rather than an actual shiver.
She turns back to her companions. I'll see if there is an entryway in the rear, or this plan is s*#~ before it starts. I'll send Stephen back if something goes horribly f$$$ing wrong, eh? I'll see you gentlemen soon. She gives a quick curtsy as she turns to leave.
Sarlene pulls her cloak about her, and sets of for the rear of the chapel, careful to mask her face from the tavern across the square. Stephen flutters and begins a low orbit overhead.
"I'm coming with you. Nobody should move around alone."
Axel withdraws a scroll from his bag "just in case" then takes off after Sarlene.
Aye, sir.
Daegan stands a silent monolith, bow out and at the ready. He clings to the shadow of the Cold Lady, doing his best to remain hidden out of sight. He glances around furtively, checking that no one has spied him skulking among the falling snow.
Gods, you're standing in the middle of the town's square... We should have waited until we were out of the village, no need to bring these people further under the watchful eye of the White Witches... Too late now, best hope Axel and Sarlene know what they're doing, this could get messy...
Perception:
