Nesswen’s attempts at stemming the flow of blood, while well meaning, do not seem to be effective. She does manage to get some pressure on the wound, but it doesn’t seem to be helping much.
With all of the other targets either down or running, not to mention how pressed Yuki is, Zanian's next shot is an easy decision. A pull of the string, a sight down the shaft and... TWANG.
Unfortunetly the shot goes wide behind the Armiger, thudding into the wagon wheel.
Prevara dashes around the wagon towards Yuki, weapon at the ready. When in range she lashes out.
To Hit:
Damage:
Prevara runs around the corner, squeezing past Savidus and the body of the man he just felled, and swinging her chain around at the man still threatening Yuki. Not expecting the sudden attack from behind, the man is caught off guard as the chain slaps across his waist, throwing him to the ground and leaving a raged gash across his midsection.
Savidus continues his own charge around the carriage right behind the tiefling but upon seeing the man fall he runs instead to Yuki, his helm masking the look of compassion that comes to his face as he sees her open wound.
Reaching out his hand he silently calls out to Iomedea to help the woman. An unseen but palpably felt wave of energy washes over everyone near the carriage, knitting Yuki's wound as well as those of the fallen Armigers within sight of Savidus.
Calls for help are still coming from within the carriage and the other Armigers will soon make their way out of the caltrop field but they're moment speed will still be reduced.
Seeing Yuki's wound heal before his eyes gives Savidus a moment of pause. It isn't hard to realize he hadn't expected anything like that to happen. He recovers quickly though, his militaristic training kicking in. Hurrying to the door of the carriage he tries the door, which is of course locked.
"Prevara, see if that Hellknight had any keys on him," he calls out as he starts to see if he can force the door open any other way.
It's hard to get good leverage on it, however, and his efforts are rather futile.
Prevara makes a face as though touching the Hellknight was the worst thing to ever happen to her. "Are there any hidden places I should be looking for?" She asks of Savidus as her search continues, the occasional "clumsy" elbow hitting the Hellknight in the chin a couple times. "Do you think we should tie them up?"
"Hidden places?" Savidus' incredulous tone is obvious even through his helm. "Unless you really want to take all his armor and clothes off I really can't think of one," he answers before going back to trying to force open the door.
Was that a joke?
"I don't think most of these men are going anywhere any time soon. Besides, I'd like to be long gone before that would be necessary."
Nesswen tries again complaining aloud, "Damnit, why am I even doing this, I've trained to hide and kill. Not save a life!" Her hands busy at work trying to figure out a method to stem the bleeding.
"I could use some help over here!" Nesswen cries out as she struggles to keep the man alive.
"Okay.. just checking," Prevara says as she continues to look for the key.
"Get me out and I can save him!" the voice from inside the carraige calls out to Nesswen urgently.
It's right about that same time that Prevara finds a small ring of keys on the Hellknight's belt,
Standing up and grabbing at the clasp that holds her cloak fast to her body, Nesswen attempts to pick the lock. "We were told not to kill any of these guys. So I hope you can stop him from dieing."
Prevara grabs the keys and rushes to where Nesswen and Savidus stand. "Here.. I found them.." She thrusts the keys out.
When Nesswen starts trying to pick the lock, Savidus stands clear. He's well aware that at this point he would just be getting in the way. Instead, he goes to check on Yuki, making sure that she is ok.
Nesswen eventually takes the keys from Prevara, and takes only a moment to find the right key to open the door. Inside is a young half-elf man with his hands manicled behind his back. He looks a little the worse for wear, but he is concious and eagerly turns to make the lock holding his bods more accessable to the key wielding elf.
That lock delt with, the man, who can only be Arael, climbs quickly out of the wagon. It is obvious that his inguries are still severe, but the task before him is more important. Kneeling next to the man he looks him over quickly while pointing to the carraige with one hand. "My things are locked under the seat, can you get them for me? Quickly!"
Nesswen clambers inside the carriage and uses the keys to unlock the seat. Holding her breath as she opens it up she reaches in pulling out everything she can get her hands on, throwing the items out the door at the elf.
Arael grabs the holy symbol of Iomedae that Nesswen tosses to him and pauses over the man. With a few words of prayer the bleeding stops and the wounds close. He still looks pretty beat up, but no longer as though he could die any minute. "Are there any more?" he asks, looking up at Nesswen and Prevara. He's obviously in as much of a hurry to get away as all of you.
"I think that should be it," Prevara says. "Let us leave before more of them arrive."
"An excellent suggestion," Arael declares, gathering his things as quickly as he can and standing up. He wavers a bit, still obviously weakened from his ordeal, and reaches out a hand to the carriage to steady himself. "I assume you have horses?" he asks as he starts to stagger off back down the road.
"Yes, but there up the road a bit." Nesswen jumps down from the carriage. "I have a crazy idea. Lets take the carriage until we reach our horses. Oh wait... the caltrops... In any case lets hurry!"
Arael nods vigorously at that suggestion and hurries along to the horses. His weakened state not preventing him from realizing how dangerous everyone's position is right now.
"Do you mind my asking just why you all chose to take on a group of armed Hellknights?" he asks, with a dubious glance towards Savidus.
"It was the right thing to do," Prevara says as she follows along to the horses. "Although... if people had just done that from the beginning we would not be in this situation to begin with. But do not worry we are friends."
Zanian nods. "Not only that, but your associates spoke very highly of you as a leader. And what use is an organization without someone to organize it? And from what I saw, it was pretty disorganized without you..." Zanian extends a hand to shake Arael's. "I'm Zanian of Korvosa. I represent my grandfather's interests here in Westcrown that you may be sympathetic to. I would discuss it with you at a more appropriate time, that is if you don't mind?"
Arael looks about at everyone confused as he runs. "Janiven sent you?"
Hoping out of the carriage and catching up with the group Nesswen barely catches Janiven's name being mentioned. "Who else would send a bunch of half-crazed people out for you?"
Zanaian raises his hands in a placative manner. "No disrespect meant to Janiven. We're just kinda...ragtag. I still don't know everyone too well."
Arael chuckles and nods. "That does sound like Janiven. Still, she has always had a good eye for character."
Reaching the horses finally, he takes a moment to catch his breath before mounting up on one. "I suggest that we get back to the safe house as quickly as possible. I'm not too worried about the city guards stopping me as they won’t be looking, and I doubt the Hellknights will be overly eager to admit they couldn't transport a helpless prisoner... But I'd rather not give them a chance to prove me wrong. Come, any further questions can be answered when we get there."
Nesswen hops up onto her horse and pats the horse gently while waiting for the rest. Following everyone else once ready, back to the safe house.
Prevara climbs into the saddle of her horse and starts to look around nervously. She starts to fidget with her gear, making sure it is all adjusted properly before they head out.
It doesn't take long before everyone arrives back within the city. The horses are quickly hidden behind the old chapel and everyone rushes inside.
Once inside, Arael and his rescuers are greeted with a chorus of cheers. It seems every rebel in the place is eager to shake the hand or pat the back of the heroes responsible for returning their beloved leader to them.
Arael responds with soft words and firm hugs and handshakes but it is obvious that he needs some rest soon. Even so he takes the time to speak to everyone, offering words of encouragement and making sure each of them know that he is alright.
Nesswen thanks a few people for their kind words, but she seems to be backing up. Sliding closer to Arael she begins to push on his lower back and talking loudly at the crowd of people. "Ok, ok. Yes, yes he's back. But if you don't mind, he's had a long and troublesome day. Let's let him get some rest and in the morning he can properly address his personal thanks for your concern for him, then. Say 'Good-Night'!" As she addresses the crowd all the while still pushing him towards the back bedrooms.
Once there she slumps down onto the floor, letting out a long winded sigh of relief. "Gods, I hate crowds."
Savidus also helps to clear a path for the wounded man, his large arms gently pushing people away. Never mind that he is also injured, he's already pretty much forgotten about that. Arael eventually gets to a back room and takes a slow seat in a chair, looking up at his rescuers, and Janiven who came in behind, with a wide smile. "I hear that these are your own additions to our cause eh Janiven?"
She gives a short nod but the pride she feels for everyone is obvious. "They all want to see Westcrown changed."
"I see. Well I thank you all again for your rescue. Because of you I am not spending this night and every other in a Hellknight cell. I would like very much to get to know you further but I'm afraid that may need to wait. I think for the time being I could use a rest, and some prayer time."
"Of course, Arael," Janiven chimes in, moving to get the group's attention. "If you could return the horses to Gorvio's uncle, I'm sure he would appreciate it. After all, they were only on loan."
Nesswen stands up and opens the door for everyone. Once everyone else has walked out the door, she leaves.
"Damnit, I wanted to put him in bed." she mutters under her breath.
"Are you sure we cannot keep them for a little bit longer?" Prevara asks with a pout. She kicks the ground a little. Oh well. She heads toward the door, but turns to wave at Arael before leaving. "Goodnight." With that she heads over to the stables so she can return her horse.
It doesn't take long for the five of you to reach Jacovo's stables near the city gate, where you had borrowed the horses from earlier that day. When you arrive you find a handsome but arrogant looking man berating Jacovo for not having a certain kind of horse available.
The man is standing there imperiously yelling at the poor stableman about how these horses were necessary for a scene in a play he is performing and how the man is plotting with rival actors to ruin him and how he will not stand for it. While Jacovo tries helplessly to get a word in edgewise. When he spies you approaching, Jacovo is obviously relieved and motions for you to hurry forward.
Recognizing the man (I swear I rolled a 19 for a roll of 25), Zanian passes the reins of his horse to Savidus and jogs over to interrupt his berating. (Diplomacy roll of 21 total) "Oh my gods, Mister Ulvauno? I am a huge fan! I was hoping to see one of your masterpeices while I was in town; Oh please tell me you will be gracing this city with your magnificent voice!" Zanian clasps the man's hands like a crazed fanboy. "Oh! Could I have an autograph!?"
Ulvauno turns as Zanian calls out his name, and puffs up a bit at the recognition, an arrogant smile coming to his face. "You have better taste than I would have thought then. And here are the horses I was promised. I can't imagine why you would plot against me so, if you truly are such a fan."
"Sir, Horses like these require exercise, otherwise they would not keep their lean and muscular look. We did not plot against you, but merely keeping these animals in perfect condition for your performance. Has your show been delayed?" Nesswen moved forward with her horse handing the reins to the stable master.
Bluff
The man gives an exasperated sigh. "These horses are exausted. Even I can tell that. What did you do for excersise? Race them around the city? And yes, of course my show has been delayed. Why else would I be here waisting my time on someone like this!" He gestures to Jacovo who gives a long-suffering smile.
The actor smoothes out his fine coat and seems to make a great show of restraining himself.
Savidus says nothing, standing back behind everyone else and frowning intencely. He has no tolerance for people like this but he is wise enough to know that nothing will be gained at this point from him saying what he really wants to say. So he lets the more diplomatic members of his companions do their part.
With everything seemingly in hand, Prevara just pulls the hood of her cloak lower. No need to draw any unwanted attention just yet. For good measure she also ensures her goggles are in place.
"However... If you truly ARE fans... I suppose I could accept a properly contrite apology for your sabotage." The man looks at Zanian expectantly, awaiting some groveling.
Zanian bows his head in an apologetic fashion. (Bluff 25= 18 on dice + 7 modifier) "I am truly sorry, as are my companions. If I had known we were interrupting your great work, we would never had taken these horses. Truly your purposes were greater than ours, and I hope you can forgive us."
The man humphs slightly, seems to think for a minute then gives a small shrug. "You are forgiven." He turns to Jacovo, "Send the horses to the theatre and be quick about it." he demands with a huff, then turns and walks off.
As he disappears around the corner, Jacovo turns to Zanian with an exasperated sigh. "Thank you very much for your help. If you hadn't come back when you did... Well I don't know how much longer I could have been polite."
Zanian lets out a sigh that matches Jacovo's. "It was the least we could do for your assistance to us earlier. Thanks to your help we succeeded in our goal. If there is nothing else we can help you with, I need a bath. I can only flatter so much without feeling dirty..."
Jacovo nods and gathers the horses up. "I understand completely. I'll make sure the horses get to our 'friend's' performance."
"We should probably get back to our friends, if just to discover if there is anything else they need us to accomplish immediatly."
Prevara sighs, "Hopefully we can accomplish a meal before they have us do anything else." Her stomach is growling now and she digs a toe into the ground before heading in the direction of the old chapel.
"Agreed. A meal and a nice hot and steamy bath are required. Savy, coming? Or are you gonna stand there like a statue?" Nesswen smiles as she beckons to Savidus.
Zaninan looks at Savidus. "Say statue," he whispers. He chuckles to himself. "Sweet holy Callistra, I'm beat..."