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Rose would never know how close she came to a dagger in her ribs, but Mysty restrained herself. And she was impressed. Rose was acting as if the light in her eyes was from the hole in the back of her head. She was acting more wanton than the best hooker Mysty knew off, and yet still managed to not only still look as an innocent girl, and managed to avoid all those hands.
Once upstairs and out off sight, Mysty says OK put me down now. She straightens her outfit, and then looks up at Rose. That was...a tour de force. If broken hearts could kill, you would have just disposed of half the garrison. Did you get what you wanted?
"Of course not." Rose said gently setting Mysty down. "I have extremely unrealistic expectations."
"But, I got what I needed. The Lord Below provides his favorites well. :)" she said with a smile. "Thanks for giving me an out."
"I need to practice." she said, bouncing on her toes excitedly. "Give me a minute, and then critique me. Be brutal. Anything that is even a little off, tell me."
She looked in the mirror, seemed to stretch, her back popping and the bones in her face rolling beneath her skin taking on new structure that was more lean and tall than her normal self. A glamour settled over her and she worked the magic like she was applying makeup. Her posture changed. Even her breathing and the cast of her eyes and her gestures as she finished applying her magical makeup became more prideful and aloof.
When she turned around, she bore an impressive resemblance to the Captain's wife.
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Mysty purses her lips. spin around she asks.
+2 to Roses disguise skill.
Well...on a dark night at a distance maybe. Try changing... Mysty goes on to give suggestions and advice on Rose's disguise efforts. After much effort, and many changes it seems to get close.
As long as you don't talk, and you stay at a distance, I think your chances are better. Remember, this is an illusion helping you. If someone touches, it can fail. You should work out a different form to escape in if needed. Something completely different. Like...a dwarf merchant out on a stroll. Duck round a corner, out of sight and shift. Pays to be careful.
"This isn't my first time." Rose said with a bit of edge to her voice, and a bit of innuendo.
And a quite party it was again! The soldiers already have heard about the beautiful women staying at the Lord’s, One while she was not so dashing as the others, they say, had ways to make you feel the best person in the world just by talking to you. The other, clearly a noble, was so beautiful and charming that you could forget your words just looking at her. But the last one, the last one they say. Beautiful and cold. Mysterious and deep. And as expected, she enjoyed her drink, and had an unnatural strength, breaking her weapon in a rage fit!
So, when Seren got into the party, a bit after it had already started, everyone was anticipating it. The ones that were not being misled by Nahia or Rose, could only dream about Seren mysteries.
She approached a red faced and tried looking Bellan and to her he said ”Ya’ll find then in that corner” he says pointing to the corner most far way the door ”and if you excute-me ma’am, I need to get then their drinks… Even if is to shut then up” she whisper this last part.
This night, for some, they would never the able to forget, the poor soldier that was just enjoying his birthday party would never be the same, after what she did to him.
A lot of questions she asked and a lot of things she discovered.
As she had already imagined, the soldiers were divided in four groups:
Halberd users, under the command of Franz Motts, Sword users under the command of Samual Barhold, bow specialist under the command of Eddarly. Each of then commanded thirty soldiers, and they were responsible for their training, that happened inside the watchtower.
Captain Barhold’s Men were condisered infantary while Captain Eddarly’s Men archers/siege engineers. Captain Mott’s Men are halberdiers.
Captain Ryan Varning had a different path. All his soldiers are handpicked and trained by him. And he command’s only ten of then. Being his primary duty to patrol the region, most of their training happens outside the fort. All of them are specialists in bow, sword and mounted combat. Of which four of them are in the party tonight.
It is not hard to find out that Varning and his patrol are out and about. It is common knowledge in Aldencross that Varning patrols the wilderness. Tracking him is slightly more difficult. Varning always varies his patrol’s route.
On top of the tower is where the madman Martin dwell. Aside from being old and smelling as bird poo, no one knows anything else about him, since he only leave the tower when absolutely necessary.
Girls are no allowed into Talirean military, at least not here in Andencross.
All the soldiers sleep inside the watchtower, including Father Donnagin, the Magister, the Lord Thomas and Samual Barhold. The others captains have houses in the city.
==//==
Then she scooped up Mysty and showed her the disguise.
You were right about one thing. She does look like Kaitlyn, you did not talked that much the woman to know exactly her voice and mannerism, but what you heard sounded too much like the actual Rose to be considered a good imitation.
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After much effort, mysty says I'm sorry Rose, but voice imitation is not your forte. But do you really need it. Wasn't your plan to simply be seen in a compromising situation in her form.
Mysty suddenly smiles. I have an idea. We don't need you to talk to anyone, just be seen with the dashing captain. What if some else was disguised as the captain at the same time. Then both could be seen, mission accomplished.
though I still think we just have to send a letter to captain mott. I saw him tonight. That's a man who has a dark side, and thinking his wife had betrayed him... He will react badly. Let us send the letter. If there is no response to it, then do the disguise plan. Layered attack...so to speak. Also if some pointed graffiti on the topic turned up around town...that could stir the pot
Seren smiles a wicked little smile at Bellan.
"I'll handle that for you." Seren commands, grabbing the tray of drinks from the exhausted barkeep as soon as he finished pouring them. "Bringing the alcohol should help the introduction."
"Oh but do start making the next round immediately. Plus a couple extra for good measure." Seren adds as she leaves.
A forced smile spreads across her face as the various soldiers gawk at her while she makes her way through the crowded Inn. She knew how much more adept Nahia was and Rose appeared to be in social settings. Drinks. Drinks will help this.
Fighting off various advances from soldiers; some with stern looks, some with vicious words, and one in particular with a well placed slap, Seren slowly makes her way across to the table full of dwarves. Seeing them in front of her, Seren clutches at the vial Nahia prepared for her and shoots the liquid in a quick motion, feeling the slippy, sticky syrup coat her throat.
Noticing an empty chair at the table Seren makes no motion for an introduction, instead sitting down, dropping the beer at the table.
"The next couple are on me if you grant me my wishes. I heard this was the place to be if someone was wishing to hold a little drinking competition. Supposedly some Barnabus Eisenbauch thinks he can out drink anyone?" Seren proclaims to all at the table with a laugh and smile, unsure of which dwarf is Barnabus.
Seren grabs one of the beer from the tray, and quickly lifts it to her lips, downing the mug of sweet ale in one fluid motion.
"Now, which of you isn't afraid to be out drank by this tiny little girl?" She asks, her smile changing to a smirk of challenge.
The Dwarfs look stunned for a moment, but then they all, except for one began to shout and hit the table, looking between you too.
” Почитай твоего бороду Варнавы! Показывает, что ты лучший!”
” Девушка по имени вы эльф, и обнажат парень!”
Honor thy beard Barnabus! Shows that you are the best!
The girl called you elf and naked face!
The older dwarf, with a lustrous and very well cared beard look at you and smile
”By me beard, don’t cry later!” picking up on mug and drinking it.
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Seren laughs aloud at his comment. I'll try. I take it you must be Barnabus then? I had heard about Dwarves and their beards but figured it was mostly rumors and half-truths. Kind of funny to find out it wasn't." Thank god for alchohol or this night would be far more painful then I'm sure it's going to be.
Seren picks up another of the mugs and raises it in wait for Barnabus to do the same. "Well then I guess a toast to a good drink and better competition!" She proclaims, tipping back the mug and once again downing the sweet ale.
Seren then looks around for a barmaid, waves her over, and smiles wickedly. "We are going to need Ale, and a lot of it. Keep Bringing it whenever you get a chance."
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"Well this is certainly an experience. Didn't think I would ever have the privilege of out-drinking a dwarf!" Seren challenges with a laugh. "I've seen you around town and was hoping I would get this chance."
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"hahaha! I'm thinking I should be able to keep this up all night. You are in serious trouble, oooh can't wait to see the look on your worker's faces when I win this." Seren chuckles to herself.
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"I am curious what exactly you guys doing here. Didn't think the church contracted out a lot of work." Seren asks quizzically.
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Okay. Starting to feel it now. "Wheee! I do like my Ale! Seriously if you want to give up at this point I am totally okay with that, I won't make fun of you too much for it." Seren mocks the dwarf, rubbing her stomach to try and quell some of the rumbling.
"Ummm, I really am intrigued with what you are up to with the watch tower. Is there anything else you can tell me?"
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Oh this is not good. I can't feel the syrup anymore.... "Thinking of quitting already Barnabus? I never thought you would take me up on my prior offer. Clearly dwarves can't drink as well as the rumours say." Seren laughs in jest.
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Seren's eye bulge slightly as she works on keeping the contents of her stomach within her stomach. "Oh gods, *hic*, but seriously how are you still drinking?" Seren accuses with an angry glare. "I know Dwarves are supposed to have steel stom*hic*ach's but this is getting a little suspicious...Might have to take care of you after this."
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Seren stares off into space, the world spinning around her. umm, ya, well, oh gods, I really hope Nahia is ready for this. mmmmm Kindness. Maybe I could just kill Barnabus.... I win if he's dead don't I?
"umm, well, well fought good sir." Seren comments moments before passing out at the table.
Seren Finally falls into a coma after 12 mugs of ale. How her little stomach handled that much alcohol is clearly a mystery of magic.
You began drinking and after some drinks you were the bar attraction.
Everyone wanted to see the beautiful girl that dared to challenge the dwarf.
”Ya’ill be crying in no time miss, no one outdrinks Barnabus Eisenbauch!” earning a cheering from dwarfs soldiers alike.
”All night ya say? Me be saying you’ll be passing out in no time Missy!”
”What we be doing? What dwarf’s do best! Work! And work with stone! Me and me crew are here to inspect the watchtower and to refurbish its aging gatehouse. But we need first to fix the great trebuchet at the keep roof. Don’ wanna any of those savages in the north having an easy time eh?”
”Ya me sure ya want to continue Missy? Me can continue this the entire night! And you look bad already!” but he continues ”’tis was me and me crew job Missy, but tell ya something.” he leans a bit closer ”none better than us dwarfs to operate all those siege engines ya know! Me is almost wanting an attack, me can show then!”
The entire place is now watching the drinking competition, the cheering is loud and welcoming, and even tho no one really believes that Seren will be able to beat the dwarf, they keep on cheering for her.
"y' riht y' 're, dwrf' 're 'orns on spone, stompe, stone..." he goes on completely drunk
"we 're jus' beg'ng, no re't fo' wicked."
Finally It was about to end, that it lasted this long was a miracle by itself, Seren had already passed out and all that was missing was Barnabus last mug.
But the dwarf too was unable to finish his mug, and passes out from drinking…
==/==
The place is a complete mess, everyone screaming and cheering that Seren was able to drink the dwarf into unconsciousness. The other dwarfs, laughing carries off Barnabus to his room, before getting back to continue drinking and enjoying the party.
After testing out her disguise, Rose wasn't quite ready to sleep, so she'd used the Circlet to disguise herself as a rather plain looking young girl and went back down to listen in on people's conversations and see if she could learn anything else.
The drinking contest was hilarious.
When it looked like Seren was about to pass out, Rose slipped back upstairs and told the others "Seren's going to need some help getting up the stairs. She just out drank a dwarf."
"Fousto, would you mind going and getting her? If she stays down there someone will decide to get handsy."
Seeing the opportunity with the party and all the drinking, you decide to explore the dwarf’s room.
It’ was easy to enter the place. On one bed, a drunken Barnabus is snoring loudly. It’s a big room, you see more 5 bed, and you reckon they must have rented other room as this one in the Inn.
With utmost care, you read near the dead-sleep dwarf and began searching his things.
You find several things. Some gold coins, some jewels, lots of tools of several types, but what really got you smiling was a map, it was made by hand, but it was very well made.
Balentyne Tower is the Map tittle.
The party is at an end. Father Donnagin had already headed back to the watchtower and with him the captains. A short time out, the soldiers began to leave too, and one hour before midnight, there were only a few ppl in the inn, and most where staying there.
Seren was brought to Nahia room, so she could be looked after during the night. Rose went to her room to plot and scheme. An affair needed to be exploited and that was her business.
Fausto was about to head back to his room, when Sourat intercepted him, and even under his disguise, Fausto was able to say that the man looked more sick than ever before.
”Let’s go to my room brother, there are things to talk and plan.”
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nahia quickly look at this. It's a engineers map of the tower. Get the other map a compare the details. I'll need to get this back to his room. Fast now. Tempus fugit. She explains her intentions to nahia (see below) if she has objections she will just return the map and jewels to the dwarves room.
After she compares the map, mysty waits for the inn to quieten to silence, then she slips downstairs and places it behind the bar, out of sight with the jewels, as if someone hastily hid it Then she goes back to bed.
That will stir up bad feelings amongst the locals
When it came to scheming, there was no time like the present.
Dressed in dark clothes and an old cloak, Rose slipped out into the streets among the drunkards staggering home. She looked like one of them. Just another soldier, out of uniform, off duty, going to the barracks to get some sleep.
She followed Captain and Missus Mott from quite a ways back.
Lady stayed in the place for some time but she saw nothing that could indicate the lovers would meet each other.
Nahia looks at you with a huge smile on her face ”That’s very good news!” she says beaming and then she go to her things and after some search, she provides you with a map and says ”Before coming here, we are able to get some information about the place, and a handmade map.” she moves to be at your side and open it and start comparing both ”Wow, the dwarf map is a really good one! And a very detailed one too. Timeon’s map has less information, but it has name to places.” she get and then get a sheet of paper ”Give me some minutes to make a copy before you return it…” and she began to work on her project.
When you tell her your plans, she listens and after some seconds thinking she says ”It’s to early for that. When things come crashing down, everything must fall at same time. Separated events give then chance to fix it, before we can use it to our cause. But it’s good to know there’s this avenue for us. You did really well Mysty!” Nahia Says.
Later on in the night, you each of you receive a visit. Fausto calling you all for an ‘urgent’ meeting.
You enter the room to find Sourat already waiting, and after a brief cough he starts ”I’ve been trying to get information about the patrol and I discovered something very interesting.” he looks at you with wicked eyes
”Captain Ryan route is almost impossible to predict, but he do have one predictable trait! His soldier’s say he like to ‘camp’ in a place called Free-man’s Rock. It has good ground, fine hunting and a great view of Lake Tarik. Three days after leaving, he reliably camps at Freeman’s Rock.” he began to cough incontrollable and after some minutes he wipe his eyes and continue.
”I was too able to discover one more thing. This patrol objective is a tricky one. They were off to hunt one follower of the Fallen One.” he stares hard at your face
”If we play it right, we can get rid of the patrol, while blaming this follower and getting him to help us! More than that, if word reaches out, they are bound to send more soldiers that way, and another captain. If we time things right, we can drain their resources while making it seems it’s an external threat.”
Seren tosses in Nahia's bed, dreaming of dying dwarves and burning towers. A content smile on her face as she enjoys this most lovely of dreams.
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An ambush. Mysty squirms a bit.
I have no problem with that, but we need a reason to be absent from town.
suddenly she smiles.
I have it. A picnic. Let us say that Lady Rose, her little cousin, her body guard and a couple of friends leaves town to picnic. Even a over night camp. Ah, the romance of the starlight night. she giggles.
Fausto nods, "Aye, a picnic or a day out in the country would do. We needn't be out for long if we catch them off their horses."
His mind continues scheming, "If we dispose of this patrol and then the tower sends out another one, that would be even better."
He breathes as he looks around, "But let's not kid ourselves, these are trained outdoorsmen we'll be dealing with."
Sourat nods to Mysty and says "The soldier to whom I talked, say he likes to camp at Freeman’s Rock in the third day. Always."
Nahia, while checking on Seren, says "And if it is too far for a simple picnic... well, it makes sense for me to be trapsing out in the woods anyway, me being an herbalist and all. And, even if she wouldn't be very helpful now, having my bodyguard around makes sense too. As would taking my business partners along."
Looking up from her ward, Nahia scans her companions and says "As far as spell support, I have some tricks, but I won't be able to do anything to help us hide ourselves. As I have pointed out to my previous compatriots, I've never really tried to not be noticed. Is there anything that any of you could do to help us get the jump on them? Though I wonder if maybe the best option might be to catch them after they have made camp and settled in for the night. At least then we wouldn't have to worry about horses, and they would probably be less armored as well."
Fausto tries to imagine the scenario, "As said, we want them on the ground, preferably with no armor so we should attack once they are camped. Now it won't be easy but perhaps our best chance is to unleash some sort of spell on the horses. That may start a sort of chaos to be used to our advantage."
The inquisitor seems ready to start this very minute, "We must get horses and find out where this place is. We then start out tomorrow and camp out in a place about an hour or two away and wait..."
"The Freeman Rock is easy to find, it's about one day worth of travel, if the soldier can be trusted." says sourat.
"They left yesterday, they'll camp tomorrow at the Freeman's Rock" Sourat add.
Each of you goes to your room to catch some hours of sleep before riding out into the picnic.
The sun rises in the morning and Seren wake as if her head was about to burst, on the bed besides her, Nahia is still asleep, just besides the bed, a little vial and a note: Nicely done! And drink it up!
You had already tasted this once, it’s one of the superb alchemy kindness that Nahia do, and considering the amount you drank yesterday, you’ll really need it. You get of the bed promising to yourself never to drink again, while preparing to go to your room, but that’s when Nahia stirs in the bed awakening.
==//==
You all wake up, and each of you, in your original disguise go down into the common room of the inn, as you appear, Sourat address you
”Ma’am” he says with a polite bow to Lady ”I’ve already prepared the transport for you, your sister and your new friend. Everything is ready for our departure.” then he looks at Nahia and continues ”This lady here, has approached me yesterday and asking if she could join us. It appears she wants to gather some herbs and as she said ‘she could use mine and Fausto’ protection, but alas, it’s not me she needs to ask, I’m only a bodyguard.”
Nahia, waking up from a sleep full of pleasant dreams, prepares for the day in comfort. After drawing a hot bath, she sits and relaxes.
Today is the when we start at the point of no return. Today we open the floodgates of blood that will wash over this land and its despicable church and its weak followers. Today we lay down the first sacrifice in our grand plan.
Examining the her neck in a nearby mirror, Nahia stares longingly at the quickly fading wound on her throat.
Asmodeus, I hope that things go well today. I pray for a good beginning and I hope you will be pleased with the result, that I am deserving of the faith you have placed in me.
Nahia is interrupted from her warming thoughts as Andros swims through the water and nuzzles at her face. Nahia smiles at the serpent and reaches a hand up to stroke his chin. "Today is a big day Andros. I'll be counting on you and your teachings to get me through it all. The upcoming days will require more skill and preparation than ever before." Nahia coos towards her scaly friend. "But I have faith, in you, in me, and in our Dark Prince."
- - - - -
Her bath complete, Nahia prepares a pallet for Andros and kneels before him. Her eyes closed, she mutters a few quick prayers before leaning forward and pressing her forehead to his muzzle. For nearly an hour they sit in silence, Nahia mentally rehearsing her invocations, using Andros' guidance to be sure they are correct. And when her preparations are complete, she dresses, dons her disguise, and heads down to join the others, a smile on her face, and a pleasant warmth in her soul.
Today is when it all begins. Today is the first step in the resurgence of our glory. Today is the first wind in the gale that will chill the souls of Talingard!
Fausto checks his saddlebags one last time making sure the tack is properly adjusted on the horse. Although he likes the idea of a carriage, he is too wary not to take advantage of the mobility a horse will offer. Besides, a bodyguard on a horse riding at the side of the carriage is common enough.
He pays the stable hand for his horse's keep and makes sure he understand the direction to Freeman's Rock. He addresses his companions in the carriage, "Let's get going. The idea is to camp at about an hour away from Freeman's Rock and sneak to them during the night. Are we set to start?"
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Mysty checks her gear before leaving her room. All set. Time to get to work. Redonning her disguise she walks downstairs. The working barmaid says, have a fun picnic deary. to which mysty replies thank you miss
Mysty pictured the barmaid's head impaled on a pike, and smiles. I hope too.
She heads out to the waiting carriage.
Seren holds her hands up against the glaring morning sun and stumbles slightly, a lingering side effect of last night's activities. The Alchemist's Kindness helped with the worst of the hangover, but I think I may still in fact be a little drunk...
Without talking to anyone Seren stumbles into the carriage, lays back in the cushioned seat, and wills the world to fade away beneath her.
Bloodshed. Bloodshed will make me feel better. Oh and maybe some necromancy...mmm nice little skeletons.
Seren falls back asleep, head resting against the side of the carriage and promptly starts dreaming about riding a skeletal horse over the bodies of drowning dwarves.
Rose didn't like mornings. This one was particularly awful. Terrible, hateful noises woke her. She threw her pillow across the room to slam it into the shuttered windows and briefly quiet the birds.
They think they're so sweet and pretty. Little f~+$ers. First thing I do when I rule this stupid place is put a bounty on everything that makes a sound before noon.
They started singing again and now she had no pillow to put over her head. She pounded the mattress a few times, got up and saw a demoness laughing at her in the mirror.
The demon's laughter made no sound, but Rose could practically hear the smoky voice in mind. The demon smiled and breathed on the mirror, fogging it from the other side. Then it carefully pulled a delicate clawed finger across the glass.
KNIVES WORK BETTER THAN PILLOWS
The demoness winked and faded like the mist on the mirror, revealing only Rose's own reflection again.
Rose sighed.
"Good morning to you too, Mother."
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Dressed to kill, Rose had made her way to the carriage a short while later with a skip in her stride. Behind her Sourat struggled to lug a large hope chest to the porter's stand at the back of the Carriage. "Be careful with that, its rather special to me." Why the young woman needed to carry that much stuff on a simple picnic was beyond just about everyone, but it was brushed off by observers as typical behavior of a high-maitinence rich girl.
Seren enter the carriage and is soon fast asleep, she is followed by little sister Mysty and big sister Rose that after entering, invite the Herb dealer to join then.
Sourat in driving the carriage, while Fausto is playing the bodyguard, using his own horse.
You leave the town going into the opposite direction you really need, after travelling about one hour, you change course and set a fast pace to Freeman’s Rock.
The journey takes the entire day, Sourat avoid passing into well know places and nothing interesting happens. It’s about one hour past sunset when Sourat declares you are about one hour from the camp. He then goes about relieving the horses and setting a ‘camp’ for you, while you plan and do whatever you’ve come here to do.
Nahia nods at the Mysty and says "Just be careful. Better to stay back than tip our hand."
Turning to everyone, Nahia says "And to talk general strategy, for the approach I can act as a center of communication for us using the spirits to carry our whispers between myself and all of you. In addition, if they are near enough to the cliffs, I can let make one of us levitate, which may allow us to sneak in from an unexpected direction."
- - - - -
As Mysty and Fausto leave, Nahia closes her eyes, bows her head, and begins to chant "Spirits of fortune gather your precious light, be my armor to protect me!" As she speaks her words a haze of blue light surrounds and coalesces upon her, concentrating as it draws nearer to her form, before disappearing suddenly with the faint tink of a glass bell.
Rose opened her trunk and removed the entire top section, which was full of clothes. The bottom level was closed and had a small keyhole in the center.
Her silver bracelet was covered in little bangles and charms. One of them was inserted into the keyhole. The lower lid lifted easily revealing an impressive armory.
"Hello, lovelies. I missed you."
With absolutely none of the modesty and innocence she normally displayed. She striped down to lacy underthings in a length of time so brief it would have impressed a career prostitute. The red and gold wing pattern on her back glittered like it was tattooed with ruby dust.
In place of her fine summery dress went a red quilted doublet and leggings that fit her like a glove. Then went a layer of supple, black brigandine-style leathers. Finally red lacquered plate mail strapped over the top. A black tabbard with the inverted pentacle of Asmodeus flanked by burning angelic wings accented the armor. The final peice of the transformation was the helm. It had a pair of small, dainty horns at the crown, and a horsehair topknot braided into a half-dozen finger thick red and black strands. The helm itself was sleek and red with a black faceplate that completely obscured who she was. Only small eyeslits broke the faceless metal mask. It was polished so finely that it became a black mirror, reflecting whatever stood before her.
Bringing up a shield with the same emblem as the tabbard and shouldering a wicked looking warhammer with a crescent axe as a second back-facing head, she turned to the others and cocked her hip.
"How do I look?"
Mysty looks towards the guard's camp trying to see their fire. Once she has located it, she turns to the others
fausto and I should go recon their camp. Once we have done that, we will return and we can make more specific plans. Make no light or fire. That sort of light can be seen some distance.
The inquisitor nods and implors his Father's blessing. He whispers, "O Father, grant your humble servant be light of step this night. Blood will be spilled on your honor."
Checking his armor for any jingles, he turns to the small rogue. "Ready. Remember no fire and no burning no one. Not yet."
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mysty looks back at fausto and says you know, I may look young, but this is not my first time. I was thinking of us taking about an hour on the approach, observe and then return. We stay in sight of each other. If spotted, we bolt, not fight. We should be back in no more than three hours, barring problems
You travel at a normal pace until you are about 10 minutes from the campsite, from that point, you start moving stealthy, and after some more minutes of walking in the dark, being led by Fauto, you get closer to a fire light, from there, you can see it appear to be a camp.
As a finishing touch, Rose used the Circlet to disguise herself as a Balentyne soldier, altering her armor and tabard until revealing herself would instill the most fear.
Seren stretches as she exits the carriage, the day of rest doing wonders to cure the effects of the prior nights activities.
She chuckles as Lady Rose turns around, proud of her battle attire. "I prefer this look. Finally we get to have some fun."
Quirking her neck from side to side, Seren works out the last of her kinks before reaching up and touching her circlet momentarily.
Do I go about with fear, or with some stealth. haha, guess Lady isn't really worried about hiding herself.
Taking a long breath in, Seren concentrates for a moment, letting the circlets magical disguise ebb from her body.
Where once a gorgeous girl stood, now stand Seren in all her decayed glory, rotting skin hanging lazily from bruised and desiccated muscle, bone visible from various places where muscle and skin had rotted to nothing.
She casually check the straps on her breastplate and shield, and grins wickedly, her teeth visible through a gaping hole in her cheek.
"Oo, I have waited far to long for this." Seren mentions, hoisting her ornate heavy mace onto her shoulder.
Though it was impossible to see her expression behind her faceplate, Rose was quite impressed with Seren's transformation. She nodded in approval.
The inquisitor nods at Mysty after circling the camp a couple of times from a safe distance. He whispers, "C'mon, time to get back."
Fausto gathers his companions around a dimmed light and explained to them the layout of the camp and guards. "So two guards, a couple of tents and seven horses. Not easy but much better odds if we catch them tonight and not while they're on patrol."
He looks at Mysty, "You will have a chance to start a fire tonight. My first choice would be to the horses so we sow chaos in the camp but maybe at one of the tents to catch them unaware. Anyone else can use spells at a distance or with wide range of effect?"
"I can sow some discord certaintly, and procure a reinforcement once just before battle begins." Seren replies to Fausto.
Nahia watches Rose's arming and transformation with thinly hidden awe.
Beautiful, manipulative, and a strong warrior... There's always someone better, isn't there Nahia... I'll just pray that we never come to blows... at least without me gathering friends first...
And as Seren drops her disguise and resumes her rotted effigy, Nahia smiles and says "Well then, if we're all going out of our way to strike terror, I might as well join in."
Nahia's form then begins to change. Her hair grows wilder, gaining volume and seeming to shift of its own accord. Her eyes darkened, her ears lengthened, her nails became even more like talons, and her skin paled a china white. Her clothes also shifted, keeping their finery and black and crimson colors, but frayed and tore at the edges. Her skirt split up each leg and the loose cloth moved and floated, as if undulating in water. And after two small horns grew from her forehead she parted her blood stained lips and her elongated tongue licked along the her lengthy canines. Her new form was sensual, yet feral.
Nahia then nods towards Fausto and says "I may be able to blind them temporarily, if they are grouped together."