Nadine manages to win a smile from Irena as she compliments the severely traumatized girl.
The ogre isn't happy with being forved to leave the food to look at some human and loudly complains: "But Grumblejack hungry, can't eat wood, want real food." At first he seems to stay but Thomas' request makes the ogre follow him. Thomas quickly masters almost all of the locks. A single one makes some trouble but yields in the end. The results are somewhat mixed. Least satisfying are the penny dreadfuls, cheap booklets about chivalry and romance. More interesting is the map of Varyston, a nearby hamlet, with the Old Moor road also drawn. A small bottle refuse to reveal its content to Thomas.
The ancestor spirits seem somewhat annoyed and refuses to answers Vank inquiries.
With Grumblejack out of the room, Nadine turns back to Irena. "Now, at least the stench is a bit better." She smiles at the girl. "Good work, my dear. Tell me, do you serve the Warden food as well? Do you ever take his meals to him? We want to pay the old man a visit. Are there any locks or guards outside his tower?"
After procuring the contents of the other chests, Thomas returned to the kitchen, but recommended the Ogre stay out of sight. "There wasn't much, milady. However, I did find a map of a nearby hamlet and," the rogue set the bottle on the table in front of her, "this. I know not what it is."
Nadine looks at the map and smiles. "Excellent work, Thomas! This should help us once we get out of this dreadful place. A real bed would be wonderful to have again." She looks at the bottle and shrugs. "Taste it."
"If there's one thing I've learned, milady, it's never taste a liquid you're unsure about." Looking over at Irena, Thomas continues, "Perhaps your new handmaiden there knows what it is."
Irena stops working, she seems puzzled by Nadine's statement. "Rarely, he doesn't eat much during the night shift. I have only been in the tower a few times. There weren't any guards or locked doors at that time, but there are guards on the walls," she answers. Having stopped working Irena is most attentive to the conversation between Thomas and Nadine. She swallows hard as Thomas turns his attention to her. "No sir. I never know what the guards have," she stammers.
You have done well Irena. But now we must move on. Pack up what is ready. You can finish the pie while we go and talk to the warden
"Okay. Sounds like a plan to me."
"Well, I think the Commander's right. Grab the food, Irena, and just follow me. Stay back from the Ogre and you should be fine. If something happens, just back away quickly. I'll make sure you're ok. I promised, didn't I?" She nods at the girl and turns back to Stanislav.
"The Warden now or should we try to find those guards on the wall?"
"Given how easily we've dispatched the previous guards, I'd say Warden first."
Vank returns obviously swearing in goblin to catch the end of the conversation, "Thomas and I should go first and everyone else close behind. Lets go." He says walking out to the doors to the courtyard. When everyone follows he'll open the door quietly and peak out.
Thomas followed the Hobgoblin to the Courtyard.
Sword shethed and bow in hand Thomas stands ready to back up Vank and Thomas from the entryway of the building.
Sword sheathed and bow in hand Thomas stands ready to back up Vank and Thomas from the entryway of the building.
Nadine will follow Stanislav and take Irena with her.
As they head for the kitchen door and Vank and Thomas prepare themselves Irena looks somewhat confused and insecure. Finally gathering the courage she adresses Nadine and Stanislav: "I'm sorry Sir and Ma'am but the food isn't ready. If I go with you, you wont have anything to eat."
In the mean time Vank slowly opens the door. The old portal could use some oil on the hinges, but Thomas has mastered worse. The light from the kitchen pours out into the night and the two hurry out quickly closing the door behind them. The two stalkers presses themselves against the wall of the Great Hall listening for sounds of discovery - nothing. The sounds of the wind and the sea continues comely as if nothing had happened. a swinging light can be seen moving away from the Warden's tower moving counter-clockwise on the battlements. Many clouds cover the moon light this night and in the few rays that escaped the cover a kitchen garden can be seen in front of them. There are three towers leading to the battlements.
The fighter stands in the doorway watching the sly ones slink away. So far so good. If they make it to the tower can they get the door open?
Vank looks at thomas and puts his finger to his lips and holds the door shut and waits for the swinging light pass from view then he opens door for the others to sneak out.
Once at the Warden's Tower, Thomas put his ear to the door.
"Fine, Irena. Stay here and finish the meal. We will return shortly. Hopefully by then we can all leave this place."
Nadine stays with Stanislav as the group tries to make its way out to the courtyard.
"Besides the fact that the warden is a spellcaster of some sort, what else do we know about him?"
Not hearing anything, Thomas tries to pick the lock.
Irene nods, acknowledging Nadine's command and follows the whole party as Vank sneaks them out the door. The trip across the yard is tense, no sound is made as you cross the grass but the gravel path at the base of the warden's tower sound like an avalanche in the quite night time. Thomas hears nothing from the other side of the door. His job is much easier than he thought as he finds the door unlocked.
Wizard arrogance. Just because they can summon fire, doesn't mean they should leave their door unlocked. Thomas thought as he shook his head. Just be cautious, however, the Rogue looked for any sort of device that could alert the Warden.
Stanislav, watching and listening for trouble as best he can, prepares to move out.
Nadine huddles against the wall as Thomas checks the door. She begins humming as she looks out into the darkness, but stops realizing that it might give them away.
What little light the night grants Thomas reveals no contraptions. The octagonal tower is reluctant to reveal its secrets. A spiral staircase is located at the centre of the room and is the only clearly visible thing, the unilluminated walls are adorned with yet untold stories, that only proper light will reveal.
Nadine steps into the room and peers around. [b]"Limyè," she says, and four glowing spheres fade into being, hovering just above her head. The young woman stares at the walls.
Thomas steps into the tower, drawing his swords and positions himself in front of Nadine, listening carefully.
Vank has a quick look around then head for the stairs. He says quietly "Keep moving we want to have dealt with the warden before those guards get back here."
"Agreed, lets keep moving."
Robert gives the thumbs up after whispering to the team.
Nadine's magic illuminates the room in a ghostly hew, the small globes hover around her and moves with her as she examines the room. As suspected the room is circular with the spiral stairs in the centre. The walls are adorned with plaques in honour of the former Castle Branding, the castle that was here before it became a prison. A large tapestry depicts the founding of the prison and is beautifully made, while heavy and unhandy it might be worth something.
Nadine allows the globes to rise slowly, illuminating the stairs. "Shall we?"
She turns to the ogre. "Grumblejack, do you know the Warden? If you see him, smash him, ok?" She smiles sweetly.
Stanislav eyes the tapestry thoughtfully but moves past it. Sword and shield ready he begins to advance. Quiet people first still? he asks.
"That would be a idea." Thomas responded while taking the lead.
The big ogre shakes his head, "Grumblejack not sure," he answers.
Urged on by Stanislaw's suggestion Thomas makes his way up the spiralstaircase. Once he reach the second landing only a sliver of light illuminates the room from below. Bookcases are pressed up against the eight walls of the tower, besides these full bookcases the room is empty.
We can search the books later if we have the leaser to do so. Up we go.
Nadine pats the ogre on the arm. "It's ok, sweetie. I'll point to him and tell you. But until then, let's be quiet, ok? It'll be more fun if he doesn't know we're coming." She smiles enthusiastically at Grumblejack, and waits for Vank and Stanislav to climb the stairs before following them.
Robert grips his shield tightly, pressing closely behind Grumblejack as the party progresses.
"I am behind your mightiness, Ser Grumblejack" he says in Giant.
Vank nods in agreement and continues up.
The rest of the party follow Thomas up the stairs. The library is no sufficient illuminated to show a vast collection of books. Most of them are on the shelves, but a few is left on a little table, perhaps the warden was reading these? Grumblejack nods appreciatively at Nadine's promise.
A fortune in books... Stanislave notes quietly. They will be here as we are leaving. Let us quickly move through.
Nadine idly picks up one of the books to glance at it. She gently returns it and nods to Stanislav.
Vank nods and moves up the next set of stairs.
Keep going..
Robert whispers to the lead escapees.