Alathea draws deep upon saidar, perhaps a bit too eagerly, and prepares to put her words to action.
Fia is about to protest, but then says nothing as Alathea embraces the source. "Fine then. It will be faster. Let me take a quick look, then I will raise you.
You look through the open window, and see a large courtyard, enclosed by a solid wall that stands 10 feet tall, and 10 feet wide. A lone guardsman walks the parapet, looking both out and in. A large halberd leans upon his shoulder as he walks, and a steel helmet upon his brow.
looking down into the courtyard, you see a large oval ring, as if hundreds of pairs of feet have trodden this path into its shape. Looking for signs of cover, you see a lean too, where it looks like some work was being done to the palace wall. It looks like it hid the workers from the sun, and with the large stack of bricks, it could be a point to hide while waiting for the others to get out and down.
Fiallain turns to look down at her companions and whispers quickly. "It opens onto a courtyard surrounded by a high wall. There is a guard, but we should be able to evade his notice if we're careful. There is a shack or lean-to on our ['left'] where we can hide and wait for the others. Alathea, can you hold me up and lift Kodokura at the same time? THen I will lift you and then follow behind."
Alathea nods at Fiallain's suggestion, and leans against the wall after letting go of Kodokura. Drawing deeply upon saidar again, she wraps the man in flows of Air and lifts him gently to the window.
Watching the corridor and the doors below for signs of movement, slight signs of worry overlaying his now-usual air of resignation, Kodo drifts up towards Fia. When he reaches the window he reluctantly turns away, looking out over the battlements and courtyard, giving his attention to the task at hand.
When Fia gives the word, he scrambles up through window and straight towards the lean-to as stealthily as possible.
Without moving to leave the narrow hall Rhoekk will ask, "They would have been the last ones brought in. Are they in here?"
The sound of the door swinging open alerts you to the presence of another man stepping into the hall from behind. Devoid of armor, or weapon, yet holds a short wooden pole capped with a small iron ball, about 3 feet in length in his right hand.
What's going on here? He asks, his tone serious, yet inviting.
Fiallain can only wince as Kodokura makes his way over to the appointed hiding place. Is the man -trying- to step on every twig and bramble between?!?, she nearly wonders aloud. If we get out of this, I'm teaching all these wetlanders how to walk if it kills me! Her gaze returns to the lone spotted guardsman and she chews her lip dreading their discovery.
The guardsman, walking his patrol path, glances into the courtyard in a weary manner, thirst and hunger gnawing at his gut. At first, he wipes his hand across his brow, thinking that a dark smear just slid down the wall. Looking up again, he spots the dark smear, only now its a person, hustling of to his left towards a type of shanty where the workers are repairing the walls.
Thirst and hunger forgotten, the man reaches up to his shoulder and shouts
all hands, jail break! southern courtyard!
Fia swears.
Then she glances down briefly to Alathea. "We're spotted and this is about to get in
interesting. You might find a way to block that door in case they've heard that." She turns back to the guard, eyes narrowing as she begins to weave...
Turning back, Fia growls as she lifts Alathea up. I should have gone first and eliminated the guard myself. Foolish of me. She helps Alathea through, and then follows behind, looking and listening for approaching enemies as she does....and looking for an exit from the courtyard.
We need to shut him up before he brings the whole city on our heads. If I trap him in air, can you weave a ward against sound around him?
"We were inquiring about our friends. They were to be brought for the formality of testing. We have come to see them once this has been dispensed with. Do you know if they are held at this location, and if this nonsense has been completed?"
If you wish to see any prisoner, you have to go to the visitors area. There the prisoner will be brought to you. If you will follow me, i can show you the way. the LT says, turning and sweeping his arm in front of him, indicating the way out.
[/spoiler]
Damn! I wish someone would just answer. We need to know if they are even in there!
"As you say. Lead on."
As the man turns and begins to walk out, a voice seams to squawk from his shoulder, and the same voice is heard coming from the guards shoulder, more specifically the strange black rectangle upon his shoulder.
all hands, jail break! southern courtyard!
A gasp issues from the guards mouth. Sir?!
I heard. Maintain your position. You two gentlemen, please wait here, i have to go catch some dark friends.
Coming from the otherside of the wooden door that the soldier guards, a loud commotion is heard, along with a tray being dropped to the floor.
Seeing Alathea's weave take form, Fia sends one of her own hurtling towards the guard. The very air seems to coalesce around him, attempting to trap him within the ward against sound.
She then slips out of the window and lands on the balls of her feet, catlike. Hurrying after her companions, she catches up to Alathea and slips an arm under her shoulder, helping her along.
Ill be poating later this evening. I am travleing at this time
From your vantage point, the courtyard seems bare, devoid of large objects for a person to hide behind. Two large walls, parts of the palace you assume, dominate the western and southern directions. A low wall, about 15 feet tall, covers the north and east.
In the northwest, northeast, and southeast corners, a set of iron spiral stairs go from the courtyard floor to the top of the low walls.
On the southern and western walls are sets of double doors. The western doors are different, with large iron brackets mounted on them, and a wooden beam slid into the brackets, securing the door from the outside.
Fia glances at her companions as we make our way to the lone hiding spot. Thoughts? I could take a look from the wall. Maybe we can see which door to try...
Alathea shakes her head. "Why would these Children bar a door other than to keep those outside out? All the other ways are open to let those here in and out. Only that one--" she says, points to the western gate, "--is barred. I think we should go there, yes? And if we choose wrong, how is it worse than waiting here?"
Alathea looks down at herself, then sighs. Motioning to her blood-soaked dress, she asks, "Do either of you have clothes to spare, or a blanket? I cannot imagine that if we do get away that I should wear this, yes?"
"You may have my jacket if it's of any use to you, my lady," Kodo murmurs. "And I agree that the barred doors are likely to lead outside, but would they also be likely to be guarded?"
Kodokura looks towards the guard. "Would it be clever or foolish to strip the guard and take his uniform for myself..?" he muses. "It might aid our escape, but if the Whitecloaks all know each other fairly well, it could be a false move." He turns to the women with his eyes raised, waiting for their opinion.
Alathea appraises Kodokura's coat for just a moment before nodding. With no regard for modesty, she mutters her thanks and hurriedly strips off her ruined dress, then wraps herself in Kodokura's coat. Turning to Kodokura, she smiles. "Then we will have to be ready to fight our way out, yes?"
As Alathea strips down to her shift, Kodokura finds himself turning away after a moment, a faint blush colouring his cheeks. Why am I embarrassed? It's not like I haven't observed plenty of women in the Fal Dara baths, enjoyed it even... Maybe it's because she's a Southerner. Yes, that must be it...
When Alathea turns to speak to him, Kodokura raises his eyes once more, and, despite the trio's grim situation and the deathly emptiness in his soul since his severing, her words and optimism bring a genuine smile to his face. He nods to her, touching his forehead lightly. "Yes lady, we will be ready."
He turns to Fia, saying, "Lady Aiel, if you can remain unseen, getting bearings from the wall sounds like a good idea. I will bring the guard in here and tuck him away. Do you want me to...?" His frown returns to crease his forehead once more as he considers the dishonourable task of murdering the guard, yet he realises he would to help protect the lives of his new companions. It's been so long since I had any true friends. I hardly know these people, yet I feel like we have a bond already. Maybe I'm just desperate for any kind of warmth, from anybody. My asha'man training was not... kind. Even as he reflects on his possible motivations, he realises he doesn't care why he would do such things to help these women. It is enough to know that he would.
Kodo clears his throat, and continues. "Do you want me to... take care of him, Fia?" The reluctance in his voice is clear, but so is his conviction.
Fia glances from Kodokura and then up at the guard. She smiles wryly. No... We shouldn't give them reason to hate us, should we? No, knock him out and tie him up. We only need his silence. I will go and see what I shall see. Move quickly, we need to be gone before that guard returns with the water.
With that, she slinks up the stairs, moving as stealthily as she can in the open courtyard...
The LT walks you both down the hallway, through the door, and back out into the busy hall. Skirting the edge, you see some Children rushing about, securing the hall doors and exit points.
Dont worry about anything. As you may have heard, some prisoners are trying to escape. Fools, they just signed their death sentence, for a prisoner to attempt escape is punishable by death, executed on the spot. I pray that your friends are not that stupid, but prison makes people do strange things.
The guard struggles to move as the air solidifies around him.
Kodo drags the guard into the lean-to, dropping him out of sight. He shoots a glance in Alathea's direction, then sets to work on knocking out the guard, grimacing as he does so.
As Kodokura deals with the helpless guard, Fia swiftly makes her way to the Southeast stairway. Glancing briefly over the crenellation, she observes the grounds below, noting any people, nearby streets and buildings, and landmarks that they might use to navigate the unfamiliar city.
Knowing speed is of the essence, she swiftly makes a circuit of the lower wall in like manner, not spending long at any given spot, until she reaches the western gate. She listens and watches for any guards that mag be below...
Over his shoulder, the guard nods to Ryland. Thank you, but that wont be necessary
perception
As you glance about, your eyes fall upon the hunched form of a person sitting on the flat roof of the inn. He yawns and stretches, glances over in your direction, and gives a start. Leaping to his feet, he waves his hands at you energetically, attempting to get your attention.
As you stare at him, he reaches down, and produces a thick rope. Dropping the rope, he begins to pantomime some odd motions.
Knocking the guard out with a deft strike to the head, the guard ceases his struggles. Yet, on his shoulder, the rectangular black object begins to speak.
Charmem, report. How many? How many are there?
Unit 4, 8 and 9, report to the southern courtyard.
Unit 3 is at the doors already. Ready to breech
Hold unit 3. One could be a witch.
Witch confirmed. Death sentence ordered by al'Thor himself.
Unit 8 in position, ready to strike
Unit 9, in position. Death from above
Unit 4, in position in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...
Kodo stiffens in surprise at the black box's messages. Death from above... 4 units converging on us... His head snaps up. "We're about to be surrounded. We must get to Fia, and over the wall if we can. Now!" He springs into action, hustling Alathea out of the lean-to and after the Aielwoman.
Alathea gasps in shock at the talking black box's message, and limps as quickly as quickly as she can to keep up with Kodokura. They will not take us!"
Kodo makes sure Alathea precedes him, supporting her if she stumbles or slows as they ascend the stairs.
Kodo calls to her. "They're coming! Now!"
Charmem, report. How many? How many are there?
Unit 4, 8 and 9, report to the southern courtyard.
Unit 3 is at the doors already. Ready to breech
Hold unit 3. One could be a witch.
Witch confirmed. Death sentence ordered by al'Thor himself.
Unit 8 in position, ready to strike
Unit 9, in position. Death from above
Unit 4, in position in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6...