Stanislav will use what keys they have found to try to unlock chests. If none of his keys work he will indicate that Thomas should open them. In this way they should be able open the remaining chests as rapidly as possible.
Nadine keeps hold of Irena's arm. She glances at Stanislav and Thomas opening the chests, but returns her attention to the girl. "That's a good girl. Now, let's discuss the gate. How do you and your friend pass through? Do they check you?"
Seeing Stanislav openning the other chests, Thomas moved over to the women. "Milady, what is our next move? I personally, would like to pay the Warden a.... 'visit'."
"A fair idea, Thomas. We have been guests of his hospitality, we do owe him for that. However, Mr. Blackerly has been our true attendant, so I think he should come first. Besides, I doubt there's any stopping Vank and Grumblejack from it anyways. And it would not do for Mr. Blackerly to interrupt our session with the Warden. Let's get these chests open and we can begin our house calls. If you would help the Commander, I'm sure it would go quickly." There's a disturbing casualness to Nadine's voice, as if she really expects these to be social calls.
"Yes, milady," the rogue responded. Turning back to the chests, Thomas located one that wasn't openned and attempted to unlock it.
"Uh....yes, Lady Nadine. Let us drop in and say hello to the good Sergeant. Perhaps we could discuss some business he left unsettled with our estates."
Robert seems nonchalant, but a closer listen hears deep sarcasm lacing his words.
While Thomas works his magic on yet another chest, Stanislav finds the keys they took from the dead guards and swiftly opens half the chest producing in short time a bottle of fine whisky, a bottle of rot gut and two master worked lutes. Thomas' magic still hasn't produced an open chest during Stanislav's pillage.
Irena loosens a little as the ogre moves away with Vank and stays gone. She doesn't answer immediately, a bit surprised she responds: "We just walk up to the gatehouse ma'am. They let us through. They know us. Then it is down the road and across the bridge and past the guard house."
Stanislav will at least exhaust his keys before moving on.
"Kurponar Nurgark Zh'urha." Thomas cursed in frustration.
The rogue tried again.
Nadine looks at the two lutes Stanislav pulls out of the chests. "Two?" She looks over to the bodies of the guards. "Who did we just kill, the prison band?" She rolls her eyes, but takes one of the lutes. She toys with it for a moment, but is able to actually play a nice tune.
"Thomas, if you can't get the others open, then let's join Vank. We can come back later. I have a feeling those two won't wait for long before starting some mischief. Besides, I'm sure it's just pipes and a horn in the rest."
"Yes, milady." he responded.
Upon entering the hallway, and seeing the Hobgoblin and Ogre, Thomas attempted to sneak to one side of the Sergeant's door.
Once there, he pointed to Vank, then the door, and then mimiced knocking on the door, then drew his daggers.
Thomas' second try is more fruitful and opening the chest, he finds a couple of bowstring a grind stone and some oil for sword maintenance along with a backpack.
Intesting my 'companions' value looting over getting the job done. I'll have to keep that in mind. Vank grins at Thomas and firstly tries the door to see if it is unlock. In the case that it is locked he will knock otherwise he'll enter quietly indicating for the Grumblejack to follow.
Nadine leads Irena into the doorway to the hall so she can watch the men do their work. "Stay with me, my dear. No need for you to be part of this ugliness. Just stay back and remember our arrangement."
With Thomas's ok, Stanislav wil take the backpack, as he is quite strong and the added weight will likely not slow him. We can load food and other items we need as a group in here. I do not mind carrying it. He seems intent on gathering the supplies the group will need to be successful in their escape.
Vank can almost feel Grumblejack's anticipation in the air as he grips the door handle. The door opens without any problem and they look into an office. There isn't much here besides a large desk and two doors, one on the right side wall and one on the opposite. No sergeant, but a lot of paperwork on the desk.
Searching the desk you find a map of the prison with guards indicated.
Irena does her best to stay as far away from The hobgoblin and the ogre as possible in the small hall, but makes not effort to run. "Yes ma'am," she whispers.
"Lara thrhazzhr." Thomas cursed, "We might as well take a look inside."
"This could come in handy." Thomas states, then shows Vank.
Vank nods to Thomas but moves past with hardly a look. He goes to the door opposite and after grinning to Grumblejack he tries the door carefully.
Still in the bunk room Stanislav adjusts the backpack after packing it with the things he has found he things will be useful to sell for quick coin, or to survive on the run. When this is done he laments the unopened chests but moves to find the others. Do they not know that without supply we might as well not even leave this prison?
After Vank opens the door and finds it empty, Nadine leads Irena into the room. As the men search the room and ready to open the second door, Nadine speaks idly to her. "My dear, you mentioned you cook meals for the guards. Do you have supplies enough to make some provisions for our journey?"
She turns to look her squarely in the eye. "And if I let you back to the kitchen alone, will you do the task and return here without alerting anyone? Remember, my protection only lasts as long as I am pleased with you."
"Are you sure that's wise, Lady Nadine? What's keeping her from running off and alerting the guardsmen?"
Robert stands with the rest of the group, ready to track down Blackerly and enact some revenge.
"A slow, horrifying death, possibly." Thomas responded coldly, even though he, himself, wouldn't do it. But the servant didn't know that.
Nadine shrugs. "She could. But if she is a member of my household, however briefly, then I'm obliged to trust her with certain tasks, otherwise what's the point? We need provisions and she knows the food stores here. Plus, I doubt she will enjoy our visit with Blackerly."
"Besides, I think Irena knows that if she betrays me, I will find her and punish her. Greatly." She looks at the girl sweetly.
"But I do have a woman's soft heart. Perhaps, I am hasty and you gentlemen know better. If you think she should stay with us, then she shall."
"Feh. If she comes, she's likely to die. If she flees, she is nearly certain to die, badly. If she prepares us trail rations and keeps quiet, she may even survive this night. Let her the chance to stay alive, at least."
Robert looks hard at the girl as he speaks, promising lethal retribution for betrayal.
"Now, I believe we had an appointment with the good sergeant?"
Irena looks between Nadine, Robert and Thomas as you discus the gruesome fate that shall befall her should she not choose to comply. It takes her a split second to reach her own conclusions and bows her head to Nadine "Of cause mistress. Do you have any preferences?" she asks in a humble voice. Trading one oppressing master for another.
The door opens effortlessly as Vank tries the nob and he stares at the sergeant who turns towards him, "Yes, what is it?" he asks very annoyed, then freezes as he sees the hobgoblin.
"Apples. But go now, Irena. Stay in the Kitchen until I return." She barely gives the girl a glance as she stares at Blackerly with a small smile.
"Surprise, Mr. Blackerly. My Robbie is a bit cross with you. Perhaps we can come to an agreement." She shrugs "Perhaps not." Her smiles turns vicious for the first time since leaving her cell.
initiative
"And now you burn, Blackerly. "
Initiative:
Stanislav 19
Robert 17
Nadine 16
Thomas 14
Vank 6
Grumblejack 6
The good Sergeant 4
The link to the map promised in an older post. You are now in room 15, the Sergeant is by the table closest to you. Remember each square is 10 feet.
Stanislav moves his full 30' to close with the sergeant while trying to move around to the north so others may also close with him. Brandishing both sword and shield he swipes at the man with the long sword.
Nadine blows the sergeant a kiss and says, "Ebete!"
Robert will delay for now, ready more to heal the combatants than attack Blackerly directly.
Vank grins showing lots of teeth as he closes "My tribe restored, but you can't give me that so I'll take what you can, your life."
Grumblejack lets out a growl as he crashes through the door on he way to Blackley. Looking down at Vank and Stanislav "Out of the way, this one is mine!"
Thomas moved in on the Sergeant, attempting to get to one side to allow someone else access.
The fat man might be surprised and somewhat at a disadvantage but Stanislav's attack still misses the man. Robert takes a step to the side allowing others to pass, the injustice will still be carried out. The sergeant shakes Nadine's magic, smiling: "Not to day darling." The smile turns to a laugh as Thomas also misses. He can't stop as Vank trips and to misses. Grumblejack squishes through the door. He quickly focuses and draws a longsword hanging by the chair. He lashes out at Stanislav but misses, thus ending his laughter.
Stepping around and into the flank, Stanislav, very business like and with conserved motion brings his weapon down and hard on the sergeant.
Save you laughter mate. You've not won yet.
Thomas grinned as Stanislav moved to flank the Sergeant. The Rogue took advantage and thrust both daggers.
Vank growls angrily in goblin as he swings again.
Grumblejack also moves up attack, provoking counter attack by the sargeant.
"Oh, today is most definitely the day, dah-ling. My Robbie needs a bit of flesh, and a fat pig like you will slice easily. Meet my butchers!" She gestures to the men and then cackles with glee. "Fòtin ban nou madichon!"
The sound the sergeant makes next has nothing to do with a laughter, he gurgles as Stanislav places his sword in the sergeant. Magic lashes out at the sergeant at Nadine's behest and this time it holds on. Two quick slashes from Thomas adds to the sergeant's discomfort and the second hit penetrates a kidney and some small bowl. The two non-human fare worse as both their attack misses. Somehow the damage makes the sergeant focus and this time his longsword strikes Stanislav in the shoulder.
Feeling the dagger strike true, Thomas couldn't help but grin as he stabbed once more.
Stanislav rolls with the blow as much as possible and curses under his breath. Maintaing the flank with Thomas he tries to finish the man. The pain from his wound causes his strike to be off its mark.
Robert, well aware of his limitations in physical combat and not really desiring to incinerate his newfound 'friends,' keeps out of the way and offers some moral support.
Vank seems to be getting more and more angry and continues to shout in goblin as he attacks.
Grumblejack attack "Out of the way Grumblejack can't get good hit with you all in the way." again provoking counter attack by the sargeant.
Nadine hisses at Blackerly. "Die, already, maggot! I will strip your flesh and use it to house my Robbie! He will consume your eyes and devour your tongue. And Asmodeus will hold your soul in his hands!"