Morgan didn't have time to process what they'd said to her before the room was bathed in light, coming from the door behind her. She already knew what would greet her eyes even before she turned around to see the source. A soldier stood in the doorway, torch and weapon both in hand. It seems they hadn't snuck past the checkpoint nearly as successfully as they'd hoped. The man threatened them, apparently intending to burn the building down with them inside.
She took a few steps back, away from the intruder. He seemed to be alone, but it was almost certain more guards would be on the scene in a moment's notice... and with her weapon bundled away in her pack, she wasn't exactly going to be of much use in a fight with them. She was mentally steeling herself for the ensuing brawl when Paige spoke up. To Morgan's surprise, the woman quickly surrendered to the guard, even citing Lycian law to convince the man to acquiesce.
The idea of surrendering unnerved Morgan greatly, given what she'd seen tonight. And yet... she admittedly couldn't think of a better way to at least temporarily avoid death at their hands. If the three of them fought like they were now, they would almost assuredly lose.
As her companions dropped their weapons, Morgan slipped the pack from her shoulder and let it hit the floor. She was glad she hadn't been fool enough to bring some of her family's discarded spell tomes with her, like she'd thought to do when she first prepared to leave Aquleia. She unfastened the quiver from her hip and placed it down beside her pack. Like Shad, she put her hands up and moved back towards Paige. Speaking too low to be heard by anyone but herself, she whispered "I certainly hope you know what you're doing".
----------------------------
The guards dumped all three of them into a cell together, along with a robed figure sitting on the bed within. Morgan immediately slumped against the wall opposite the bed, sighing heavily. This had basically gone exactly how she'd feared it would when she first decided to head for Santaruz. She hoped her companions had some plan for getting out of here that they hadn't deigned to reveal to her. The idea of actually going on trial at the mercy of these people... well, the thought wasn't a pleasant one.
Paige quietly questioned their cellmate, who was apparently the man they'd come for. He remained completely silent. Whether it was lack of desire to speak or lack of ability to, she couldn't say. Her attention drifted away from them pair and resulted in her staring inattentively through the cell's bars. She hoped she didn't look half as tense- afraid, even- as she felt.
The cool air kept Ellie on her toes; as she approached the lights in the distance she noticed groups of soldiers making the rounds. They looked to be Keepers - she knew what that meant. She shuffled into a nearby alley and pulled her cloak from her shoulders, rolling it neatly and tucking it away on her waistband. Treading lightly, she drew her bow from her shoulder and knocked an arrow as she approached the next corner.
Peering slyly around the corner into the looming darkness, she spotted two Keepers preparing to enter a nearby home; she steadied herself and watched as they burst through the door and disappeared into the darkness. Nothing to be done there... move, girl! Don't hesitate! She darted across the street and moved towards the next corner and ducked low - there was another duo heading towards a door left ajar; she took her chance.
Turning fast and drawing back her bow, she loosed an arrow just past the shoulder of one of the Keepers. She took off down the street, ducked right and circled back towards the cracked door; the spatter of boots on the wet ground could be heard as the men gave chase down the street. Ellie paused a moment while she slipped her bow back over her shoulder and drew a dagger, readying to enter the door. As she entered in the next breath, she was welcomed by a dimming flame immediately across from her. She left the door slightly ajar once more and headed up the stairs - there she found a frail old woman, scrambling to hide most of her belongings.
The woman began to panic, but Ellie shushed her before she could shout.
"I'm here to help, ma'am. Hide quickly!"
-------------------------
Ellie buried her head in her arms as she wiped the blood from her lip. She heard footsteps approaching, followed by a nearby cell door opening briefly; she heard people entering as the door closed, along with stifled chuckles.
“Now don’t be talking to that monk there, heh heh heh,”
Ellie lifted her head a tad, squinting to see through the swelling in her left eye. She spotted a small group that had joined the lone monk in the cell beside her and listened intently. A young woman spoke, and no one replied. She spoke again with mention of a vow of silence, and again there was no response.
Ellie sighed lightly, but a face caught her eye before she tucked her head into her arms again; another young woman with short marine hair, staring blankly through the bars of the cell, directly in Ellie's direction. She did a double take, and found that the group looked like they didn't belong around here - how did they find themselves in such a precarious situation? Maybe she had just found herself some allies. She said nothing, but watched the prisoners carefully.
((Sorry, kinda impatient here. Just getting a small post in.))
Alice chuckled slightly at that comment, assuming it to be joke. "It was more of a tertiary obj-"She tried to reply before the captain cut her off. She wasn't too pleased with that. Besides, she would have better things to do if they didn't just arrest her primary objective. She just looked at him for a moment, trying to come up with reasons she could take him out that wouldn't blow her cover to Shad. Since one failed to materialize, she'll just ask Cass to ensure it. As much as this is a benefit to both sides, Cass could have just easily infiltrated the area herself. She owes her the captains death, at the least. "Very well, Captain. I shouldn't be long."
She returned her papers to a satchel, one obscuring her daggers. Part of her wanted to tell the captain she killed one of his men. But now wasn't a good time to be 'out' as anti church. She looked around for Yuri and sure enough, he looked just like she remembered. "Yuri...Lumenic, am I correct? Alice Richter. My mother used to work alongside yours during some of the Elimine Church events back in Ostia. It was mostly volunteer work and she used to bring me with her for them. She even came out of retirement to work as an escort for missionaries," she kept saying watching their surroundings for people listening in. When she was sure it was clear, she continued. "Uh, oh. Sorry. That's uh, not why I'm here. I come bearing a message from you mother, Cassandra about your friends the red head, the bookish boy, and the archer," She relayed, emphasizing some traits that Cass mentioned she should. She didn't quite understand why Shad was the 'bookish' boy, but it would probably be a reference to something when the met. "They gotten themselves into a bit of trouble and she'll need your help in getting them out of it. Before I say more, I would prefer an answer."
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Shad silently followed along keeping an eye out for Cass. He was almost disheartened in the fact that he didn't even spot a hint of her once. Perhaps she was already working on something. He can only hope. When he saw their cell, he almost laughed. The guards even gave it away with their taunting. They were brought to the very same cell as who they were looking for. Paige's plan payed off in a big way. Maybe. When it sounded like the guards were out of sight, he took off his coat and layed in on the ground, exposing his bare chest and a bad looking scar on his right side, spreading from belly to back. He began to scour the coat for any hidden tools they could use. He glanced over to Morgan and saw an almost defeated look as she gazed through the bars. "Cassie is still out there. She's trained for stuff like this since we were kids. She saw us get captured, I'm sure of it. She's probably already enacting a plan to get us out." He turned back to his coat and almost gasped in joy. Then let out a sigh. He found one of the lock picks, but at some point the tip broke off. And a cell like this might even need a couple of tries to pick the lock.
He gave up after that and just sat there on his coat. He turned to Paige who was struggling to get a response. "Friar, you don't have to verbally respond, just nod or shake or head. Does the name Coran in relation to Ostia ring a bell?" Shad attempted. It was all he could do at this point in time.
Yuri sat cross-legged on the ground inside one of the staging tents. His mind raced ceaselessly, agonizing over his actions that day. Surely I will be expelled from the Church if I’m ever found out… but somehow I do not feel as though I have wronged. Heaving a big sigh, he reached behind him for his Keepers’ robes, which were folded neatly in a pile on the cot behind him. He stared at the insignia on the collar. Maybe my faith isn’t tied to you. Maybe it lies… elsewhere.
Just then, a messenger entered the tent. “Yuri… Lumenic, am I correct?”
“Yes?” Yuri acknowledged the young woman and got to his feet.
“Alice Richter,” said the messenger. “My mother used to work alongside yours during some of the Elimine Church events back in Ostia.”
Yuri gave her a hard look. She looked a bit young to have worked with his mother. Instead he only nodded and began to put on his robes.
Alice paused in the middle of her introduction and peeked outside the tent. “Sorry, that’s not why I’m here,” she continued. “I come bearing a message from your mother, Cassandra about your friends the red head, the bookish boy, and the archer,"
“My mother’s name isn’t –“ Yuri started. Alice held up her hand to stop him. Yuri waited for her to interject, but she only stared back at him.
“…oh.” The strangers from the forest were trying to contact him. He nodded in understanding and let Alice continue.
“They’ve gotten themselves into a bit of trouble and she'll need your help in getting them out of it.”
“Elimine knows I’ve put myself in enough hot water helping spellcasters and their ilk,” Yuri replied. “What could they possibly want of me this time?!”
“Before I say more, I would prefer an answer.”
“No.”
“What?!”
“I can’t. I’ve put myself in too much danger as it is.” Yuri finished fastening his robes, tucked his prayer book into its belt slot, then walked out of the tent, leaving an exasperated Alice. Yuri laid a hand gently on her shoulder as he walked by. “Tell them I am sorry.”
He hadn’t made it but a few steps when a sharp cry pierced through the rumble of noise in the camp. “Yuri!”
Yuri whirled around and was met with the captain’s glare. “Pack up and get ready to march. They need reinforcements in Pherae.”
“By your word,” Yuri said blankly. The captain gestured behind him, to the wagon that was being steadily filled by Keepers. Yuri started towards it. The captain stopped him.
“Listen,” he said coarsely. “Oates says he saw you in the forest. Says you were walking free with the heretics.”
Yuri could feel the color just drain right out of his face. His stomach somersaulted.
“The penalty for conspiring with black magicians-“
“-is death by public hanging.” Yuri recited. “I know, sir.”
“You had best reconsider your faith, Yuri,” the captain warned. “There’s no place in Lycia for the weak-hearted.”
Yuri stood, frozen, as the captain walked away. His words sank like a knife into his heart.
There’s no place in Lycia for the weak-hearted…
“No place in Lycia…” Yuri said aloud. He picked his head up and surveyed the camp. Towards the gate, he could see Alice weaving her way past a couple of men, making for the checkpoint.
He hurried after her. “Wait!” he shouted. Both Alice and the guards near her stopped and watched him slide to a stop in front of her.
“Tell…my mother…” Yuri eyed the guards. One of them appeared to stifle a laugh. “…that I will grant her request.”
(01-04-2016, 03:30 AM)Swift_Assassin Wrote: [ -> ]He gave up after that and just sat there on his coat. He turned to Paige who was struggling to get a response. "Friar, you don't have to verbally respond, just nod or shake or head. Does the name Coran in relation to Ostia ring a bell?" Shad attempted. It was all he could do at this point in time.
The monk looked over to Shad, surprised that he knew of such a connection. He slowly nodded, still wondering who these people were.
"I knew it! You did write it!" Paige exclaimed. Finally, a lead. The trick was to get him to talk. The librarian was looking around for something in the cell.
"Does anyone see any paper? A book? Anything that can be written!" She was so close to another piece of the puzzle! Unfortunately, her excitement had attracted one of the guards.
"Hey, keep it down! At least let the man get one last good rest!"
"What?"
"The monk's scheduled for execution at dawn."
The news made Paige even more frantic: she started crawling on the ground in search of anything that would allow the man to keep his silence while giving them everything they needed to know about the Emperor. She didn't care that they had no escape plan; the truth was enough.
Ellie listened intently to the one sided dialogue before her; the red haired young lady seemed in a panic, searching for some way to communicate with the silent monk. Thinking quietly, she had a sudden idea; they may have disarmed her, but she wasn't without her pauldron and quiver! With haste she stood, unfastening her quiver from her shoulder strap and unbuckling her pauldron, which slumped down over her bicep. She began working the strappings out of one of the clasps, and smiled wide as the buckle fell to her feet with a hushed clink.
"I don't mean to interrupt ma'am, but I think this might help!" Ellie whispered, tossing the clasp towards the adjacent cell. The clasp clattered against one of the bars and fell just short, but close enough for her liking.
I hope the soldiers didn't hear that...
"Maybe he can tear into that bedding some, or mark up the floor!"
Ellie sat cross legged next to the bars closest to her neighbors, hoping they may take her up on her offer for help; not that she'd given them much choice. She smiled politely and scratched lightly at her nose as she watched, wondering what may come next.
This is kind of exciting! Never expected I might make friends down here...
Shad's words took Morgan by surprise, though not for their content. Her attention had drifted far from what was happening in the cell until she was addressed. He assured her that his allies likely had some plan to bust them out, that their arrest was only temporary. The tension in her stomach ebbed away a little, hearing this. She wasn't sure how much the assurance was for her benefit and how much was him trying to convince himself... but any small comfort was welcome. Besides, it wasn't doing her much good to sit and mope.
She observed the pair trying to convince the monk to spill whatever information he had they'd been so desperate to find; she had nothing to say to the man, so she remained silent. Convincing him to write his knowledge down inspired quite a bit of excitement... and hearing the guard warn of the monk's approaching execution inspired an equal deal of panic. Paige set about searching the cell frantically for any means the monk could use to write with. Morgan almost stirred to help...
... before a voice whispered from outside the cell. Turning to look, Morgan saw its source right as their neighbor threw something at the cell, clattering to the floor with quite a racket. Its owner, a young villager by the looks of them, offered advice along with their gift. Before anyone else did, Morgan shuffled along the floor, towards the bars. She reached through them and picked up the clasp, along with a small smile and a hushed "Thanks".
Holding the clasp out for either Shad or Paige to take, she whispered "Here. Hope your friar hasn't forgotten how to write as well as how to speak."
Success! Shad was relieved his hunch was correct. The monk finally responded...non-verbally, but at least it was a step in the right direction. He looked on as Paige excitedly began looking for a means of bypassing his oath of silence and get more information. She directed some questions to them, but Shad only shrugged, having already checked his person for such items. He considering handing the broken pick, but that thing was so fragile, it'd probably break the moment it when had force applied. Then the guards alerted them to the direness of the situation. The monk was essentially on his death bed unless he was freed by morning. Shad jumped up to his feet, his coat almost slipping out from under him, doubling his efforts to help Paige.
Then there was the whispering. He barely heard it and began scanning for an origin. Then he heard a clang against metal. He turned in time to see Morgan grab something and offer it up. He looked down at it for a second before looking at the cell across from them. He bowed his head in appreciation and grabbed the clasp, bringing it the rest of the way to Paige. "We'll keep a lookout. Just do whatever it takes to communicate."
--------------------------------------------------
"No."
Her eyes widened a bit. "What?!" Alice couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was Cass mistaken in trusting him? Should she have killed him earlier? She didn't hear his reason or his apology. She was just sort of left staring as Yuri left her there. She stepped of the tent, examining the area to the best of her ability. She had no qualms about killing their way out of here, but that would blow her cover. Alternatively, she could request to have them freed or blow her cover even harder and take them into her custody. She saw some guards approaching her. "Don't worry. I'll show myself out."
She began walking out, unfortunately weaving in-and-out of church soldiers. How many of them were here anyway? She almost made her way out when she was stopped. "Wait!" Her eyes perked up and she turned around to see Yuri standing in front of her. "Tell...my mother...that I will grant her request." She thought she heard a bit of a laugh from nearby, but she chose to ignore it.
She bowed low, a signal that Cass told her to use. A nightingale sung up as she did this. She recognized the call from Pharae, believing it to be none other than Cassandra. "Very well. Until then, keep an ear out. I've heard nightingales sing some beautiful songs. Perhaps you'll can track one down if listen carefully enough." She turned around and began walking away. "Or perhaps it'll track you down." She said as she left. Her part of the deal complete, she didn't even bother to meet back up with Cass. She went to go find a safe house for the night and prepare for the following morning.
Paige immediately got off the floor and grabbed the clasp from Morgan. She then offered it up to the monk.
"Please...," Paige said to the monk, "we need to know what we're up against."
The monk stared at the wall, contemplating what exactly he could tell these young people. Footsteps were rapidly approaching; the guard was alerted by the sound of clanking metal. He couldn't exactly write a book with the time given. Then again, could his knowledge help them, or would it only hurt their cause? As he debated what to write next, the guard arrived at the cell.
"Don't you people ever sleep?!" The guard looked into the cell to see what was going on. He caught sight of the monk brandishing some sort of clasp. He didn't like what he saw.
"No graffiti allowed, old man. Hand it over." The soldier reached out towards the cell, waiting for the item to be passed along. This proved to be a mistake: it left him wide open for an attack. His hand was grabbed and pulled into the cell. As a result, his head slammed into the metal bars, knocking him out cold.
Paige had no idea she had that in her.
"I-I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking."
The guard laid in the hallway, waiting for the others to find him and act accordingly.
While Paige was panicking about her sudden violent reaction towards the guard, the monk was quietly scratching upon the wall. Using the clasp was difficult as he scraped the stone wall, but he slowly revealed an 'A', then a 'n'. Eventually, he spelt out 'another'. The rough writing was starting to get to his wrist, but the monk only needed four more letters. He hurried to scribble down the secret. The scratching caught Paige's attention in time to see the finished product.
"Another heir," Paige read the phrase aloud. "Another heir to Ostia? To Lycia? Heh, that would make more sense."
Paige started pacing around as she pondered what this meant to her objective.
"The empire isn't burning books to hide the emperor. They're trying to hide his bloodline, the fact that he might have living relatives. One that could challenge him for the throne."
Suddenly, Paige saw a new goal, one far more important than documenting the history of the empire. Finding this person would rewrite the fate of the country. It would be history. But first...
"Search that soldier for the keys," Paige said to no one in particular. She was far more calm as she looked at the unconscious soldier.
"We need to get out of here."
The guards sudden appearance threw Shad off. The available viewing angles weren't that great to begin with, but the suddenness of the guards arrival was a bit disheartening. To think they could be discovered that quickly was surprising. Thankfully, Paige took the guy out with a honestly unexpected manner. The thought of doing what she had did had passed his mind briefly, but perhaps he was giving them too much credit for thinking they wouldn't put themselves in that situation without a second guard nearby. Thankfully he flopped down on his side along the bars instead of backwards towards their new friend.
He then sat down next to the guy, slowly looking him over. He had to have either a weapon or set of keys on his person, but Shad didn't want to go dig in his gear for fear of rousing him from his attack. He wanted to make a quick grab and get it over with. He was finding it hard to focus with the sounds of scratching on the far wall. He completely lost focus when Paige read aloud 'Another Heir'. He jumped to his feet and turned towards Paige. He knew what 'Another Heir' meant immediately, but Paige was still piecing it together. Perhaps that was a difference between commoner and a noble in this regard.
Thoughts on how to free Etruria rose to his head. Find the heir, coerce the heir to their cause, form an army, and fight Coran to install their new heir in place. Unfortunate politically minded thoughts brushed the surface of his thoughts. Thoughts to the effects of placing himself in charge of the Etruria annex and rule Lycia with the heir as a proxy. Force the heir to abdicate the newly won throne to himself. If the heir was female, marry them. If the heir was male, break off his sisters engagement and marry her to them. He then slapped himself to snap himself out of that power hungry mindset. It was at this time Paige made the connection. "That's plenty enough cause for what they are doing. When my immediate predecessor claimed my families lands and titles, he immediately set out to kill or placate the remaining heirs. He succeeded in adding my uncle to his list family members killed, but made enemies of my cousin and I in the process. And my baby sister was in the care of the other noble family in Arretium who would have had no problem fighting him to place her in power instead."
"The heir could erupt all of Lycia in a power struggle that would most likely draw in Bern and the Etrurian refugees," Shad commented again turning away from Paige. He knelt back down next to the soldier and began trying to search him.
Ellie listened on as the group pondered aloud, watching the now motionless soldier intently; she didn't quite understand everything, but she caught on to the gist of what was happening just now.
"The heir could erupt all of Lycia in a power struggle that would most likely draw in Bern and the Etrurian refugees,"
"Are you all some kinda freedom fighters?" Ellie asked, head cocked to one side ever so slightly. She smiled gently, attempting to hide her excitement. For Eli, this would be a new adventure! For Ellie, this was exactly what she had been hoping for; she understood, if she were right in her assumptions, that this would be her way to get back at Lycia for what happened with Etruria; this was her chance to do something worth remembering!
His head jerked up at the question. It was a fair question, but was that what they were? He knew for a fact that he was, but was Morgan and Paige with him on that? "Well, I can't speak for all of us, but I suppose I am. I am, or was, an Etrurian noble, with novice magic skills, with an uncle fluent in Dark magic, and an unfortunate little sister, trained in magic, hiding in Bern. I'd raze the Church of the Preservation of Sanctity to the ground just so my family can be reunited back in our home." He paused after that, laughing a bit to himself. "The Emperor made a big mistake taking Etruria. I fought to claim back my family lands once before. Assembled an army at my back to do it too. I'll gladly do it again if I must. Couldn't be too much harder. I'm sure the Emperor has made a lot more enemies."
"You talk too much, pup," A voice called out from just out of view. It was Cassandra! She came into view and grabbed the keys off the mans body. She attached them to her waist and hefted the mans body over her shoulders. Shad was shocked by her strength. "I'll hide the body for now. I think our friend will be willing to help. I'll need his help in retrieving your weapons before I set you loose." She began walking away.
"Wait!" Shad called out. Cass stopped, not turning around. shad looked back at Eli. "Can you fight? Let her know what you use and Cass will grab one for you." He looked back at Cass to see her looking in Eli's direction.
Paige nodded along as Shad recounted his history of rebellion in Etruria. Taking back homelands seemed to be old hat to the Etrurian. She was fortunate in her choice of friends. Speaking of which, their neighbor Eli seemed interested in their quest. Either that or he (she?) was looking for a way out of his cell. In any case, Paige appreciated the help, whether it was temporary or not.
Just as she finished her thought, Cass showed up and immediately picked up the keys. The monk stepped forward upon mention of weapons. He was somewhat familiar with the prison; he knew exactly where their belongings were being kept.
"I'm afraid our friend has taken a vow of silence," Paige said to Cass. "You might need him to lead you to the room."
The librarian then turned to their neighbor in hopes of a new recruit among their ranks.
"We're forming a group known as the Vanguards" Paige replied to Eli, recalling the conversation with Ambrose that started that group. "We weren't sure of our next goal, but I think we have a good idea of what needs to happen to end this" She took another look at the writing on the wall. The reveal of another heir sparked a desire to change the current status quo. She was goign to need a lot of help to do it. Fortunately, she had good people around her.
Ellie had heard just what she'd been hoping for and then some; but as the young man spoke of his past trials and his nobility, another voice joined the banter.
"You talk too much, pup,"
As the voice rounded the corner, a silhouette followed suite; the woman searched the guard and tended to the scene before starting on her way with little more to say - at this moment, the young man stopped her. Ellie turned to face him and listened carefully to her newfound friend.
"Can you fight? Let her know what you use and Cass will grab one for you."
"Sure can! You bring me a bow with some arrows, and I'm your guy! Eli Vael, the hunting prodigy!" she exclaimed with excitement, fists pumped and a wicked grin etched into her visage.
Cool it, hot shot - don't wanna scare them away while they're willing to have you!
Clearing her throat, Ellie composed herself and blushed lightly as she rushed to retrieve her pauldron and straps from the corner of her cell. As she did, the woman who questioned the monk spoke to the mysteriously lady, who apparently knew the young noble. In the next breath, she turned to Ellie and spoke calmly.
"We're forming a group known as the Vanguards. We weren't sure of our next goal, but I think we have a good idea of what needs to happen to end this"
"If we make it out of here alive, count me in!" Ellie became serious in that moment, preparing herself to take a stand - and in that moment, she felt a flicker of fear; then nothing. "Could I get that clasp back, ma'am?"
"I was referring to the choir boy who rolled his ankle. The one you couldn't help trusting for some reason," Cass responded to Paige, referring to Yuri over the monk. "I had a third party contact him and he seems to be on board. I just need to contact him when the opportunity arises." She informed. She listened as Paige explained their group to the new person. She turned to the person and listened to their reply. She instantly realized something the others didn't about Eli, but said nothing. The way Eli spoke at least made Cass believe that there wasn't any malevolence behind 'his' tone. She internalized it as lifestyle choice and locked it away. Not before the passing thought about Shad attracting red-heads to their group with an alarming speed. "Got it. I'll grab a dagger for you as well in case it gets too close to shoot properly." She turned away for a second, ready to leave before remembering something. She grabbed a book that was secured to her thigh and tossed it through to bars at Shad. "If they come to check the cell out before I return, at least you can fight back. The last thing they'd expect out of you would be magic, especially when they didn't take any tomes from you." She then left to hide the body.
Shad sat there, stunned that he got his albatross tossed back in his hands. As helpful as that book has been, it's yet another target on his back. But, Cass had a point. They'd probably expect some sort of makeshift blade to come at them during a cell inspection. Who'd expect magic when they offered no signs of any mastery of it? They'd be crazy to expect a magical attack every time they passed a cell. It was a good advantage to have.
Yuri quietly rounded the corner as he heard Cassandra’s voice.
“I’m here,” he said.
He reached behind himself to grab the handle of the travel chest he had brought with him. The chest’s contents clattered and rattled as he approached the group, displeased with the uneven prison floor.
“Cassandra has told me everything,” said Yuri. He looked down at the chest. “I’ve brought you your weapons from the detention center. Those of you who wield um… other magic…” he looked up at Shad and frowned. “...oh. Nevermind."
The group seemed a bit surprised to see Yuri. It was understandable – he wore the garb of their enemies, after all. Perhaps the most startled was the monk that had apparently joined them. Yuri took a step towards him, and he hastily stepped away in fear.
“I’m sorry for the way my brothers have mistreated you, sir.” Yuri bowed his head. “These are good people, and they will-“
Just then, he heard the sounds of rumbling footsteps. Yuri’s head snapped round and peered up the stairs leading out of the cell block. There were a few voices shouting – some that Yuri even recognized.
“They must be onto me now. We don’t have much time. Hurry, take your weapons! We’ll try going out the back way.”
Things were starting to look up for Paige and co. Cass had reappeared and opened the door. Ellie had joined their ranks. They even managed to convert Yuri to their side, their weapons in tow. As Paige took up her rapier, she noticed that the monk armed himself with a rather ornate sword. When he grabbed the hilt, runes appeared along the blade. The librarian recognized the symbols; they were the same as those that appeared in tomes. She said nothing of it, however. They had bigger concerns.
"Lead the way," Paige said to Yuri. Despite having new allies, Paige didn't think they stood much of a chance against the entire unit in a straight fight. She decided to follow Yuri and hoped the others would comply. It wasn't as if there were many other options: soldiers would be inside at any moment.
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When (and if) the group made it to the back of the prison, they would find a stable directly across from them. They'd also find a unit of six soldiers waiting for them, having anticipated an escape through the back. Three were armed with spears, two had crossbows, and the last was carrying one of the new tomes of light magic, as ordained by the new church.
Yuri wasted little time. “This way!” he whispered sharply. He led the group past the cells, ducking around the corner into a tiny archway that a casual observer would likely miss. Beyond that was another set of stairs, leading up through a cellar door and out into the open. He was the first to taste fresh air.
It got his adrenaline pumping. “Come on!” he said, holding the door open for his companions. “They usually keep a skeleton crew on this entrance. You’re almost free.”
“Yuri!”
Yuri’s head snapped in the direction of a familiar voice calling him. Across the way, in a stable, was his senior officer – Inquisitor Faulkner. His robes were in bad shape – torn up from their earlier adventure in the forest outside town. Yuri took half a step back. His cover was almost assuredly blown. But he did not look away.
“Inquisitor! How did you-“
“Silence!” Faulkner raised his spear. A yellowish light began to manifest at its tip. As the area around them grew brighter, Yuri could see a small crew of robed men taking up positions nearby. Yuri instantly recognized the spade-shaped spearheads of three of the Keepers. Two of them bore ornate crossbows. The last of them appeared to be holding a prayer book.
Faulkner glared at Yuri. “I saw you in the forest, Yuri. You’re the last person I expected to collude with these blasphemers.”
Yuri balled up his fists. He tried to answer back, but could not yet find his voice.
“I didn’t want to believe it, Yuri. I thought you to be a pure-spirited man. But now I see your deception.”
“No! It is you who deceive!” Yuri burst out. “These are good people! Saint Elimine says we should all strive to be pure of spirit! Not to ostracize what is different!” He angrily pointed at Faulkner and his men. “YOU are the one with misguided faith! All of you!”
The adrenaline was reaching a fever pitch. Yuri was so invigorated, he did not notice that the prayer book strapped to his belt – the very one that he had leaned on for guidance, that he would retreat into in times of strife – was beginning to glow.
“Infidel!” Faulkner slammed the butt of his spear into the ground, sending small ripples of light scattering across the ground. “As Inquisitor of the Church of the Preservation of Sanctity and enforcer of Elimine’s will,” he shouted, “I brand you, TRAITOR! Your sentence is death!”
As Ellie re-equipped her pauldron, a new figure entered the room with a chest in tow. The group seemed to be acquainted already, so Ellie kept quiet. As the group prepared themselves Ellie managed to round up the arrows from her quiver that had been haphazardly tossed about the chest; she slung her bow over her shoulder and sheathed her daggers with a sigh.
Ellie met the soldier's eyes and she gave him a faint nod before he beckoned the group towards the back; the crimson haired lady followed first, and Ellie took it upon herself to follow her lead. Her mind was running a mile a minute as they made their way through the archway and up the stairs; as Yuri thrust the cellar door open, Ellie's heart skipped a beat and her mind went blank - fresh air! Glorious!
"Come on! They usually keep a skeleton crew on this entrance. You’re almost free."
"Yuri!"
As the group stumbled out into the chill, Ellie's eyes focused on the direction of the new voice - it evidently was not friendly as the two men argued. During the commotion, Ellie noticed the group of soldiers amassing nearby. She unslung her bow and shifted her eyes back and forth between the apparent commander and the crossbowmen, watching for the first sign of trouble.
“I brand you, TRAITOR! Your sentence is death!”
In that instant, Ellie knocked an arrow and drew with all her might, loosing an arrow in the Inquisitor's direction - she missed by a small margin, but the man fumbled as he shambled to the left. Ellie followed up and loosed a second arrow in the Inquisitor's direction; this time she hit her mark - more or less. The enemy commander winced as the arrow clipped his waist before burying itself in the wall of the stables behind him.
"Arrogant prick!" Ellie bellowed, drawing another arrow from her quiver. In the commotion, she heard the crack of crossbow fire and her head snapped left; losing her footing, she tumbled backwards as the bolt flew across her face, splitting her nose at the bridge. She landed hard on her tailbone, dropping her arrow in the process. Amateur! Pay attention! She scolded herself as she wiped blood from her nose - she could feel her face running hot and her heart was pounding.
"Damn, close one..." she muttered as she prepared to stand again, ready to fight.