Seeing Alathea swoon, Kodo steps forward to stand at her elbow in case she falls. Though she appears to recover as she looks at the items, he stays close, keeping a watch on her and an ear on the door.
Ryland moves into the room spining and turning to locate Fia, the Boarderlander looks the Aiel for wounds and grins. "They did not expect that, now let us be gone from here! That bared door will not hold them for long, grab something and flee!"
Fia grins back. No, they did not. You should have seen their faces when Rhoekk brought one down. White as a sheet!!
But we do need to go. They have called for reenforcements. Likely the guards on the wall are waiting for us now. As to these weapons, interesting as they may be, it would not be right to just take them when we do not know to whom they belong. At this, she looks at Matt, waiting to hear his response to Rhoekk's question.
Alathea blinks and shakes her head as she recovers from her trance-like state and removes her hand from the weapon. Looking sharply at Matrim, she says, "Yes, Matrim. Who do these things belong to? What is this place?"
Turning towards the rest of the group, she hesitates, then says, "These are...special, yes? But we have little time. These Children will be upon us again if we do not flee, yes?"
Mat scratches his head. This was an inn the last time i was here, and used this place, i swear. This was the common room...now, i do not know. But if i had to guess, this place is now a barracks for The Children, which is odd, because they have the barracks at the palace.
A thud sounds from the other side of the door. I care not if you take these items. Take them all for all I care, we are in the hornets nest now.
Walking over, he grabs one of those odd metal rods with the wooden case attached to it. this must be important He grabs a couple of the strange cases on the above shelf.
Turning, he grabs a hanging lantern off the wall and hurls it at the front door, causing it to shatter. Oil sprays out wide, and a moment later the flame from the wick catches and spreads, eagerly following the flammable liquid.
Thatll slow them down he says.
Rhoekk grabs the bow, the quiver of arrows, and the knife. He does not touch the swords.
"These things will be destroyed if we do not take them now. If they belong to the Children, then they are now spoils. Too bad that lance is so large..."
Rhoekk looks over the wall full of mysterious items. Any that appear to be weapons, but are not swords, will go into his bag. Anything small enough to fit in his bag afterwards follows. When he is done, and has what he can carry, he strings the bow and makes it ready for use, then follows Cauthon up the stairs.
Fia nods in agreement with Rhoekk. While he gathers the weapons, she moves to the shelves filled with "sundries" and begins carefully but quickly wrapping them with strips of cloth and throwing them in her pack.
Alathea turns back to the hawk-engraved sword and the bow and takes them from the rack. She pushes the sword into Kodokura's hands, then turns toward Fiallain. Seeing the other woman already busy packing up items of her own, she shrugs and awkwardly holds onto the bow. "These, especially, I do not think that these Children should obtain. But we must hurry, and we still must jump to the wall! Do not take so much that we cannot escape, yes?"
Kodokura takes the sword from Alathea, and as his hand wraps around the hilt his eyes widen. The blade instantly feels like an extension of his arm, the sensation reminding him of water - cool, calm, fluid, but swift and powerful when channeled. "Peace!" he murmurs. "This is a blade of the Power..." He snaps out of his reverie as Mat throws the flaming oil to the door, and reluctantly sheathes the blade for now. He stands ready to move, his face stony as he regards the burning portal.
When her packs are as full as they can be without slowing her down, Fia slings them over her shoulder and looks about for the stairs. She starts to head for the roof.
Ryland takes up the rear guard, letting the others move up the stairs then follows.
hawkwing sword
silver bow
quiver of arrows
1 dagger
12 rod things
30 small box containers
Going up the stairs, the fire beginning to spread along the wall, you get to the second landing. turning, you see matt sprinting as fast as he can down the hall before slidding to a stop at the end. Tearing at the tapestry on the wall, he rips it off its hangings, and hurls it to the side. Hidden behind the rug is an iron rung ladder.
Quickly! he motions.
the sound of thunder sounds from below, shaking the whole structure.
Turning, he scurries up the ladder, screaming HE is coming!
"I think we should move..."
Rhoekk works to shuffle everyone on, and get them up the ladder as quickly as possible.
Fia scampers up the ladder after Matt.
"He?" ...Al'Thor?
Alathea steadies herself against the shaking of the building and runs after Matrim. Grabbing hold of the rungs, she pulls herself up the ladder as quickly as she can. Whomever it is that Matrim is afraid of, she has no desire to meet.
Ryland waits until the others are up before scrambling after them. Burn me, I should have stayed in Fal Dara
Kodo scrambles up ahead of Ryland, his face taut, the animal survival instinct overriding the overwhelming apathy that has covered him like a blanket since his gentling.
When she reaches the top of the ladder, Fia steps to the side to give the others room and looks about for what might be the best avenue of retreat. "Who is coming? What is it we face now, Matrim?"
Matt's face pales at her question.
Amorial Suth, the Scourge of the Dragon. He is one of those Ogier Warriors, and he is one of the best. He wields Mollinj, also known as The hammer of the Creator. That Thundering noise is the telltale sign of that weapon. He can- and has done so- he can flatten a city wall with that weapon. Those who fight him do not stand a chance. We have to flee!
Turning, he sprints along the rafters to the opening in the roof, with everyone following him.
Not bothering to wait, he just screams Just keep running straight once you leave the roof. On your third step jump as hard because you will be at the ledge. Hope you make it!
With that he hurls open the door and disappears into the blinding daylight.
Used to the blinding brightness of the sun in the Threefold land, Rhoekk is able to blink away the tears and adjust his eyes in but a moment. He pauses atop the roof long enough to make sure everyone makes it.
"Go! I will cross last!" He fits an arrow to the string of the silver bow, ready to loose at anyone who might endanger his friends.
Fia nods at Rhoekk and gestures at the others. "Let us be quick about it. I will guard the wall until you all are clear" She turns and climbs out onto the roof after Matt.
The Aiel growls and blinks as the sudden sunlight wreaks havoc with her vision. She spots a greyish blur looming ahead... I sure hope that is the wall... and launches herself at it..
Fort:
Acrobatics:
Ryland shakes his head and curses under his breath as he exits the building. "Aiel. Always thinking the have to protect us wetlanders. Fly woman!"
The Boarderlander's gold eyes quickly adjusting to the harsh sunlight as he throws himself from the roof to the wall and turns, ready to grab anyone he can.
Fiallain lands atop the wall and recovers her balance after very nearly having sailed over after Matt. She spares a quick glance below, searching for their rescuer -then looks about for any enemies on the wall itself as Ryland joins her.
"That is because so many of you need looking after. Why even the Car'a'Carn would stumble over his own feet if we didn't look after him, and he was only raised by wetlanders!
She turns back towards the inn, ready to help Ryland catch anyone that might need aid. She winks and gives him one of her impish grins. "Though to be fair, a few of you seem better able to handle yourselves than most."
Alathea only half-listens to Matrim's explanation as she runs as fast as she can. Squinting against the light, she pounds towards the ledge, then jumps...
...and, despite the harsh sunlight, manages to clear the gap between the inn and the wall. Blinking against the light, she turns back to look for Kodokura and Rhoekk.
Kodokura dashes out into the light, squinting against the sudden brightness. Blinking away the glare, he charges to the edge, heaves himself off the roof towards the wall...
...and lands right on the edge. Arms waving wildly, it is only his forward momentum that keeps him from falling back into the gap between rooftop and city wall. He stumbles gracelessly, falling to his hands and knees heavily.
Seeing Kodokura windmilling his arms in an effort to keep his balance, Alathea rushes toward him. By the time she gets there, he's already fallen onto the wall, but she pulls him up and wraps her arms around him. After perhaps a moment longer than necessary, she lets him go, gives him a relieved smile, and watches for Rhoekk to jump.
The rest of his companions across safely, Rhoekk hops across the gap with a distracted, easy jump, as he watches for more threats. Once on the wall, he moves to the edge to see where Matrim Cauthon landed, and guide his allies to the best landing spot.
"There, aim for that spot and you will miss the obstacles. Bend your knees and roll when you land. I'll follow quickly."
Rhoekk then takes a defensive crouch, the bow still held ready. He scans the wall and the rooftops for threats.
Once Kokokura is across safely, if not gracefully, Fia turns and rushes to the other side of the wall. She peers again for Matt and then back as Rhoekk begins to jump. Knowing Rhoekk would have no trouble making such a short leap, she silently slips over the side of the wall.
For once Ryland does not sputter and turn red at the Aiel woman's comments, he just grins. "High praise from a wise woman."
The wolflord lumbers after Fia and drops from the wall like a sack of potatoes.
Acrobatics :
As you all land upon the wall, you hear Matt's scream as he over shoots the landing. A moment later there is a wet thud and the sound of boards breaking. Looking down over the other side, you see the top of a hut with a hole in it, 20 feet below you. About 10 feet away stands another structure, the roof the same height as the wall.
THERE THEY ARE! GET THEM! comes from your left. You look over and see 3 Children, standing 30 feet away, next to an enclosure upon the wall. 2 of them draw swords and rush at you, while another hangs back and raises his hands, a moment later a ball of water forms and he hurls it at all of you upon the wall. A moment later it explodes, striking your body, and getting in your face, causing you to lose your breath from the sudden explosion of water filling the area.
Reflex:
Kodo returns Alathea's swift embrace fiercely, and meets her eyes with an unreadable, piercing look as they separate as quickly as they came together. Moving to the edge of the wall, he peers over to where Mat has fallen. "Quick Alathea, you must..." His words are cut short as the Children appear, shouting.
Spluttering and choking from the explosion of liquid, the small man attempts to get between Alathea and the Children.
Rhoekk spots the incoming jet of water too late, and is forced to brace himself against it instead of dodge out of the way. As soon as it finishes, he drops to a knee, and sets the silver bow humming. He aims for their legs, hoping to distract, wound, and keep them from pursuing, but hopefully away from anything vital.
Alathea turns at the Children's cries, but is too slow to avoid the saidin-woven deluge of water. Picking herself up from the attack and coughing to clear her lungs, she grasps at Kodokura's sleeve and pulls gently as she stumbles towards the edge of the wall. Foolish man, trying to protect me from these Children! But as foolish as she thinks his actions, she can't help but feel grateful for his intent.
Seeing Kodokura prepare to spring into action, she pulls at his sleeve again. "First, let us get beyond the city! After we are out of the walls, we can fight back!"
Rhoekk steadies himself on the wall, draws an arrow using the new silver bow, and releases.
Just as he releases, he feels his hair stand on end, infact the feeling is so strong that his clothing and belt begin to rise, giving him the feeling as if he is being lifted.
Not giving it a second thought, Rhoekk quickly launches a second and third arrow at his enemies, not wanting to cause fatalities, but what happens next surprises even him.
3 bolts of lightning shoot from the sky, impacting the three men directly with their deadly blasts.
kodokura spins his blade in a wide blade form, its blade catching and reflecting the light at the Children, who pause while they climb back to their feet.
Corporal, should we... one of them asks
They are too powerful for us. Let's fall back the caster says, scooting back on his hands and knees away from the aggresive display of force.
landing at the bottom of the wall, you see a large pile of wood and timber, with an arm sticking out of it.
"Well done, Asha'man. Jump down, and I will follow.
Once Kodukura jumps down, and everyone else is down off the wall, Rhoekk will follow.
Fia runs to the rubble and, bending down, takes the wrist and checks for a pulse. "Ryland, help me dig him out." Hurriedly, she begins digging the man out from the rubble.
Ryland dives in, slinging wood with reckless abandon.
"Well done, Asha'man. Jump down, and I will follow.
Kodokura twitches involuntarily at the mention of his former, briefly-held title. As he moves to the edge of the wall he mutters, "Please, don't call me that. I'm not, not anymore." Face ashen, he drops from the edge to where Rhoekk pointed moments ago.
At the mention of Kodokura's title, Alathea places a hand on his shoulder and shakes her head. Remaining silent, she follows him to the edge and begins to lower herself down.
Ryland and Fia throw off ragged timber pieces from the buried body, hoping to save the man underneath. Moments later, they see his body, and stop momentarily. Sticking into his side is a length of metal, iron by the looks, with a small trickle of blood leaking out around the edges of the impact.
A moment later Kodokura, alathea, and Rhoekk land next to them, yet alathea seems to continue down to the ground, the impact jarring her body so bad that she is knocked unconscious.
Looking around at your surroundings, you see that you have fallen into a smelting room. Small piles of iron ore lay scattered about the room, along with other piles of various mineral deposits. Off to one side sits a small furnace, unlit, cold. At various parts of the room show layers of dust from non use.
Off to your left you see a door with a lock on this side.
Rhoekk kneels next to Alathea, checking her for brakes or head wounds. He will do what he can for her, making sure she is stable, and bringing her around if he is able.
Seeing the body of the man he asks, "Does he live?"
Kodo moves quickly to Alathea as well, doing what he can to assist her, his face tight.
"I don't know," Fia responds, pressing her fingers more firmly on the man's wrist and leaning down to listen and watch for his chest rising and falling. Doing so, she catches sight of Alathea laying in a heap and bites back an oath. "Does she? Am I needed to touch the source?" She shudders imperceptibly, remembering the wrongness - there was no other way to describe it - that she had felt the last time she had embraced the source in this world. Still, she knew that she would not hesitate to do so if it meant saving Alathea or the strange man who had for some inexplicable reason decided to risk life and limb to help them.
Ryland growls as he shakes his head and moves to the door throwing the lock and looking outside.
Rhoekk continues to look on at the injured man, trying to see through the blood if it is indeed their wayward guide.