Lucien asked impatiently, "Did you find anything? Did the place seem well guarded?"
When the conversation turned to planning their assault, Lucien noted, "I was a few roads back and I saw a lot of kids. Maybe we should attack at night... I don't think it would be right to fight where the little ones might see. Also I think we should stick together, rather than trying anything too fancy, no telling what we're going to face in there."
"I saw nothing. No lookouts, no guards. Very arrogant. He's got one man with him. If the report about the children being out during the day is accurate, I think we need to attack before they get back and hope they are not inside to get in our way." Marcus says to those around (assuming Lucien, Kane, and the wizard.)
"Just hold the fort for a second" Nicolai says, eager to get a word in before everyone storms the fishery "I assume the children will come back here as night falls. If our goal is to avoid as much collateral damage and possible hostages might I suggest we attack during the day, when most of the "lambs" will be out on the streets."
Lucian frowned, "Do they sleep in there?! If so what you say makes sense. I was assuming they'd be sleeping wherever they could, likely all over the quarter..."
"I don't know what time they get back. We could rush in now as the sun sets or we could sit and watch through the night and strike when the children leave in the morning. If our quarry tries to leave in the night we close on him and end things there. I'm not particular to one option or the other. The old woman has taken up a position next to the fishery and I'm not sure how we would get word to her unless we were to use a lamb of our own to deliver a piece of bread with a message."
Lucien smiled "Oh I have an idea, how we can get word. We march down there, beckon her and smash the doors down. Or..." He looked around dubiously, clearly some of his companions had misspent youths, "... perhaps one of us can finesse the lock?"
"Done and done." Marcus replies. He wishes to be done with the business himself. With Lucien wanting to take the direct approach he is game. Turning he walks toward the building. With the others following closely, even if complaining, he approaches the door. "We're going in, quietly if possible." he says to Ematti and then begins to work at the lock.
"Glad to see that your concern for the children was short lived" Nicolai says half sarcastically to Lucien.
Ematti stood and took out her mace, then quietly shook her arms and limbs a little to limber up.
"What's the matter boyos? Never seen a beggar break some heads?" she asked in a surprisingly deep voice for the old woman.
"I haven't seen the Lamb's slipping back in yet, so I assume they are still out. If we plan to do this today, then now is the time."
"Marcus, there are bound to be a few traps when we go in, something nasty I bet, keep your peepers peeled please." she finished, then motioned towards the door, urging the others onward.
This may be it...I can end him before the sun sets! she thought eagerly, a steady drone of wasps singing in her ears.
The fishery's lock falls quickly to Marcus's picks, and the main door to the fishery opens onto a large room dominated by a massive wooden trough. The smell in this room is almost overpowering, a mixture of rotten fish and grime that assaults your noses almost immediately. The trough seems to drain into another room to the left, which a small door in the wall allows access to, and at the other end of the room from the main entrance stands another door. A battered desk and a cheap cabinet both stand to the right of the main entrance.
Marcus takes the old woman at her word and moves in looking closely at the ground before him, relying on the others to spot threats moving in on them.
+1vs traps
Ematti followed at the tail of the group, not seeing or hearing much of anything as her heart pounded in her chest from nervous excitement.
"Ugh..." the stench made Lucien's eyes warter.
He scanned the room, there were two doors, one to the left and one ahead. Hoping to get away from the smell, Lucian moved over to the door ahead and checked it, but didn't open it yet.
Marcus looks up from his study of the floor and notes the door where Lucien has gone. "Alright, I got a little tunnel vision for a moment there." he whispers and checks the door. Finding nothing on the door he listens for anyone on the far side and then opens the door if he hears nothing.
Nicolai cocks his head listening. "I think they've got a guard dog around here, somewhere." he points off to the left.
"If it starts barking, they'll know we're here. Any of you good with animals?" asked Lucien, "If not lets open this door that's straight ahead and come back for it later?"
"I bet the dog is only out at night...probably just sleeping now. If its just a dog in that room, then closing the door will keep it trapped. Could anyone hear if there was anyone in with the dog?" Ematti whispered, gesturing at the door where it was suggested the dog was.
"I hear someone on the other side of this door." Marcus whispers to the others. "Be ready. I will open it and we can take them by surprise or do you wish to deal with the dog first?"
Lucian nodded to Marcus, as he loosened his sword in it's scabbard, "I'm ready let's open it."
Marcus opens the door and rushes inside, daggers in hand, clearing the door for those behind him.
The room beyond is sparsely furnished, a single desk in the center of the floor serving as the primary piece of furniture in the room. On the east wall, opposite from your point of entry, is another doorway - two more doors stand side-by-side to the north, along with a large pair of double doors to the south - the other entrance to the ancient fishery.
A nasally voice calls out warily from behind the east door. "Giggles? Is that you?"
Marcus points to the east door and moves to the side of it waiting for the speaker to possibly open it.
"Yargin? Tha slat aige, bu chòir dhuinn a chuir air falbh gu sgiobalta!" Ematti whispered, her anger apparent in her voice as she pointed repeatedly at the east door with her mace.
She moved up next to Marcus for a moment and tapped his shoulder before retreating back behind Lucian.