[IRP] The Dead One Calls

[Swift_Assassin]

A ransom?! I hope this doesn't backfire. Shad thought about that. It could be handy if Bern soldiers happened upon the castle during their attack. Who knows how many people they have. It was enough to overwhelm nineteen Etrurian soldiers. Sure, half of them were older vets and the other half were newer recruits, but they must have overwhelmed them. "Let's hope it works out," he commented as he stood up. "I'm going to prepare. Satsume, watch over the girls for us. I'll meet up with you later, Eli."

He walked out of the inn and stopped by the blacksmith again. He caught the man by surprise. It didn't matter to him. Shad bought himself a whetstone. He's not planning on sleeping and will need something to pass the time. Why should he impose on the others to find out if they have one when he could just acquire one himself. After that he went back to the inn and met up with Maisie. "Would you know about an alternate way into the castle?"

"No. Don't you dare ask me that. You're-" Shad put his hand over her mouth. He didn't want her to alert anyone to their plans, even the locals. She stopped speaking and glared at him. He gave an expression asking 'Well?' and she pulled away from his hand. "I know one exists, but the only ones who probably know were the kids and that spy of yours."

"What?"

"You have a pair of kids with no other kids their own age around. Of course they would find stuff like that."

"No, the other thing." That was a bit confusing to him. "I didn't assign a spy to follow Maria."

"She's about the age of that boy. White hair, green eyes, couple of facial scars. You don't know her?"

"Sounds like one of mine. Cass must have sent her. So, she's been shadowing Maria then?" Of course, Cass does still without consulting him. Hopefully she can be helpful, if she's still alive. "Anyway, that doesn't matter. I know all that I can about the matter. Be sure to go to sleep early, I'll be needing you tomorrow." He said as he left Maisie's room for his own. He sat down on the bed, pulled out the whetstone and started sharpening his schiavona. Now to wait.

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Nightfall came and Shad finally put the whetstone down. He was sure his Schiavona could probably split a hair just by laying it on the edge by now. He sheathed the sword and crept out of his room. He knocked on Eli's door and got no answer. He must have left already. As he was going to leave the hallway, he heard the door open and a man come inside. He couldn't get a clear look but his presence appeared to stir the innkeep who met with him. They started talking, and Shad moved a bit closer to try to listen in.

"-'bout seven of 'em."
"We counted six."
"Well, you missed one last ti-"

They were talking about something. Was there some kind of mistake? About what though?  Whatever it was about, he didn't want to attract any attention to himself. So he snuck back into his room and out the window.

There was almost no difference between this town during the night than during the day. If anything, that was a good sign. Nothing good would really come from the town being active at night. Shad was reliving his meeting with Ambrose and Paige back in the town they saved, when they were hiding from the church. Thankfully, there wasn't a patrol going around town like there was last time. The silence was almost getting to him. He looked up and for a second thought he saw his father in the darkness, wearing the very coat he began his journey here in. The lack of sleep and the crazy thoughts going through his head must be getting to him.

Shad finally found where Eli was waiting. As he approached, he thought he saw Alice crouched where Eli was. This wasn't the first time he's made that mistake, but he knows for sure Alice isn't here. This was one of the very few times Shad had been by himself with just his thoughts and he didn't like it. He knelt down beside him and spoke. "Good news, Maisie confirmed there is another entrance. We just need to find it." He started his way up the mountain. Why did the castle have to be higher up than the town?

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Maisie just sat at a chair near the window, taking in the cool night air. She couldn't go to sleep. Shad's last words had been getting to her. This town has been getting to her. She didn't feel safe, but can't explain it. At least, she can feel some comfort at knowing that hopefully the Bern army will be here to help. But who knows how quickly that will be. She wanted to go check up on Taika, but she'd been out all day. It didn't seem right. Nothing feels right.