Chapter 27: Desperate Times
"Well I can't do it..." you say as you shrug.
One look at Thaïs and you can tell she feels the same way, "Yes, she deserves a chance to set things right."
The two of you turn back to Lyssa. The witch has not moved a muscle, her eyes closed, her hands in front of her, she waits for your verdict.
"Lyssa," you call as you and your friend approach her.
Slowly, cautiously, she raises her head to look at each of you. She stares in silence.
Thaïs speaks, "We can not forgive what you did. It is not our place to do so," Lyssa nods in resignation.
"But..." you quickly add. Her eyes momentarily flare to life, hope rekindling their fire, before she quickly douses them once more.
"But," Thaïs continues, "It is also not our place to condemn you. If you want a chance to make up for what you did then we are willing to grant it to you."
You nod, "You are one of us and we will not abandon you if you do not abandon us."
She sweeps forward and casts an arm around each of your necks. You wobble on your heels and just about collapse backward as she hugs you, "Thank you! Thank you! I... I can't even put it in words...I-"
"Lyssa-" you gasp.
"You are choking us-" your friend manages to spit out.
She instantly releases you and takes a quick step back, "I... uh... sorry," she beams, "Thank you though. I... I was certain that you would... well... dispose of me. So... just, thank you..."
You are genuinely happy for her, still a little suspicious of a woman that willingly served the Dark but you feel good, great in fact. For a moment you wonder if the necklaces have anything to do with how you feel, you wonder if perhaps you are being used. Quickly the idea passes from your mind like a single storm cloud on a clear, crisp day. The thought disappears into the ether and you are left with a feeling of certainty, that you have done the right thing here.
This night is dark, it is long, but it is also filled with laughter, with joy, with peace.
A single concern does creep to the fore though as the three of you make your way back inside.
"Obviously we can never tell anyone else about this, not the Pathfinders, not the king, no one-" you begin.
They both nod in agreement though something occurs to Lyssa, "You said there were no secrets within your Circle. Does that mean that we have to tell them about this?"
It is a good question. You have until now pursued a policy of complete honesty with the other members of your Circle but you are not certain that they will handle this news well. At least not at first. Perhaps no secrets does not in fact mean no secrets... but then if you start down that road what will separate you from every other Circle out there?
No matter what you choose to do the three of you swear to make the decision together. If you tell the truth you will make as strong a case as possible for Lyssa. If you choose to lie, or rather simply omit a few details, then you will need to perfectly coordinate your cover story.
Thankfully this is not a choice you have to make immediately. You have time yet, you can- "Derryth. Derryth!"
--------------------------------------------------
You are pulled back into the present. It is early morning, four thirty, maybe five. The rest of your group is still asleep but you are up. You decided to have an early breakfast with Bari and Astrid. The king should be by in four or five hours and you want to be prepared. It should be a busy day.
"Derryth!" Bari calls again.
"Huh, what?" you respond absentmindedly.
"Are you paying attention?" Bari and Astrid sit across from you at the table. Seems you missed something important.
"Sorry," you respond, "I was daydreaming I suppose."
Bari laughs, "What about? Some strapping young lad?"
Astrid elbows him, "Her friend perhaps?" she gives you a sly grin. If she keeps pushing you might have to do something about this.
You return their grins, you are not going to let them rib you without returning fire, "I am not some blushing young maid you two. If I was having that sort of problem I would have dealt with it by now. If I want something, or someone, then I take the direct approach."
Astrid tries to lecture you, "Well she won't wait forever you know. You should speak your mind."
Well now, two can play at this game.
You wag your fork at her, and tap the side of your head with one finger, "I am a mentalist remember, and so is she, we know where we stand. But speaking of 'speaking your mind' when are you going to... you know?" you point your fork at Bari.
It takes her a second to realize that you know she has a thing for Bari. Honestly it was hard to miss, you caught it as soon as you first saw them together. It was obvious. Also obvious is the fact that he has no clue. She stares at you in confusion but when that realization hits home it is completely worth it. She cycles through a number of interesting colours.
White, as the blood drains from her face.
Red, as she blushes under your knowing stare.
Blue, as she forgets to breathe.
For a moment you feel sorry for her but damn it she started this.
He gives you both a confused look, "Did I miss something?"
"I... um... Ihavetocheckourstockofsmokegrenades.Catchyoutwolater.Bye!" she hops up from the table and runs out of the room.
Well now you do feel bad.
Bari wipes the smile from his face, "What the hell..."
"You should have a talk with Astrid, Bari," you state forcibly.
His brows furrow, concerned he speaks, "Why? Has something happened? If she needs help then of course I will be right there for her! She is a good friend, I-"
You shake your head, "You idiot, Bari. Are you telling me that you have never caught her looking at you when you turned your head? Never saw her gaze in your general direction for minutes at a time? Has she never dropped even a single hint?"
"Wait you mean?" it finally hits him.
You nod.
"But... I mean..." he takes a deep breath and stares at his hand. At the pair of gold bands still on his finger, "Derryth... Ari..."
"I know," you lay your fork down.
The two of you sit in silence for an eternity. An ocean of meaning passes between you as you stare at each other.
Finally he speaks, "Well... fuck."
You give him a sly grin, "You really are a poet Bari."
He laughs and you laugh with him.
"Alright, oh great and powerful, fucking, mage. Lay it on me. What should I do?" he assumes a jovial tone but he is raw underneath. Ari is a wound that has not healed... one that probably never will.
You are no professional though. You are not here to solve his problems and you tell him as much, you chuckle as you begin, "Bari I am your friend and I will support you as such but I have no fucking clue what the right answer is here."
He nods, "Well I think a drink is in order."
You are not so sure about that and he seems to pick up on your reluctance.
"Just a little hair of the dog, Derryth, nothing more," he gets up and rummages through the liquor cabinet. He pours you each a small drink and you stand as he passes it to you.
He proposes a toast, "To fucking impossible situations!" and you knock back your drinks.
He drops back into his chair as you delicately sit back down.
He rests his head on one fist, "I should talk to her right?"
"Yep," you reply.
Good he has decided on a course of action. Now he just needs to follow though.
"I don't know though... is it too soon? It feels too soon. Maybe it is too soon," he begins to talk himself out of it.
"Too soon to have a conversation?" you frown. Maybe you will have to give him a little help after all, "Quit being a coward and go talk to her. It is not like you are proposing marriage or something, just talk to her. You can go from there."
"I don't know..." he shakes his head.
"Do it or we will turn you into a newt," a voice threatens from behind you. You turn your head as Thaïs daintily drops down next to you.
He looks at each of you and gives you an uncertain grin, "You can do that?"
"Only one way to find out," you begin chanting, all bullshit but he does not know that.
"Alright, alright!" he hops up mostly in jest but half serious as well. He heads off after Astrid.
"Maybe some good will come of that," you mutter.
"Hopefully," your friend answers, "He could use someone to..."
"Stabilize him?" you beam at her.
"Exactly!" she responds.
"So I have been thinking," you begin as you shift topics.
"About..." she leads you on.
You hold up your arm and reveal your bracelet, "That officer... ah... Caoilainn, was it?"
Thaïs nods, "Yes, that is her name."
You float the idea past your partner, "Well we can not really help each other if we can not even communicate. So I was thinking a few magic lessons are in order but I want your opinion first."
She considers the idea, rolling it around, tasting it, finally she renders her verdict, "Yes, I think that could work. If we can teach her enough of the theory she should be able to actually communicate with us."
Quietly you call out, "Caoilainn, we are going to try and help you. We will begin with the absolute basics and go from there. Try to remember as much as you can but don't worry, we will repeat ourselves, several times if neccesary. Now the first thing you need to know about magic..."
---------------------------------------------
The king does not come in person.
'Too busy preparing.' You are told.
Instead, Argus comes, alone and in disguise. He informs you that he has an escort of twenty Albrecht guards a couple blocks away, you will meet up with them and head to the palace together.
"Good morning ladies!" the dwarf barks.
"Morning Argus," you wave to him.
"Good morning Sir Argus," Thaïs bows slightly.
"Ready to leave?" he asks as he surveys the room.
"Wait!" a voice yells from behind you. Biliku and Uttu come racing out. Uttu hops along as she tries to get her boot on, "You can't leave without us! Who will protect you!"
"Not this time girls," you raise a hand for them to stop.
"Why not?" Uttu moans.
Thaïs takes over, "We are just going to pay a visit to the king, girls. It will be just a bunch of standing around and talking."
Argus laughs, "Mostly standing around. It is the dullest job imaginable."
Uttu nods, "That does sound boring..."
Biliku gives her a dirty look, "That does not matter! We are their protectors! That means we protect them through the exciting stuff and the boring stuff!"
"Oh right!" the younger girl nods, "I forgot..."
You try a different tack, "I don't know girls. Astrid just got in a new crate of grenades... and she asked me if you wanted to help her test them all."
Biliku hesitates, "Grenades? I... um..."
You tussle her hair, "If you want one day off I think that could be arranged."
"That can happen?" she looks to Argus certain that he will tell her the truth.
He nods, "It sure can kid, happens all the time."
"Alright then," she looks back to you, "Can we have a day off Derryth?"
You grin, "Permission granted."
The two of them turn to run off when Biliku halts in mid stride. She spins back on her heels, snaps you a quick salute which you promptly return and she is off again around the corner after her sister.
"Cute kids," Argus grins, "Shall we be going now?"
"Sure, but aren't Bari and Ori coming with us?" you reply as you walk out the door.
He shakes his head, "No the Pathfinders do not exist and the king is under observation by a dozen friendly and hostile factions at any given time. It would be a very bad idea for any of them to be seen with him unless absolutely necessary. It would raise too many long term questions amongst our enemies."
Makes sense you suppose.
The three of you make your way out into the city, towards the patrol and then the palace.
It is a quiet morning, clear, peaceful and you are really enjoying your stroll with your friend, arm in arm. The escort is nice as well. It is almost perfect, which is probably why it does not last.
When you get within five blocks of the palace you hear the sounds of battle.
Two blocks from the palace and you can see a large mob of cloaked dwarves walking towards the front gate directly in front of you across a wide square.
The guards order them to stop, to disperse.
The mob continues to slowly push forward.
The guards point, then shout something. They lob cocktails into the crowd. Killing dozens.
Argus frowns, "Lethal force against civilians, what in the hell..."
A nearby building disgorges a group of thirty dwarves. They walk, or rather shamble, towards the front gate. This group is close enough that you can realize what they really are, thralls. Each wears significant armour and wields a large hammer or axe.
You wonder how over a dozen thralls made it into the heart of the city. Still on their own they are slow and a poor match for dwarven cocktails. This should not be a problem.
As that thought passes through your mind two real problems present themselves.
A pack of twenty hunched, robed figures round the far corner on your left and enter the square. As they do so they throw off their robes and break into a sprint. Without their robes you can see they are clearly ghôls. Three of them carry large sacks under their arms. They are headed for the guards who have not yet detected them.
Your second problem is a group of fifteen robbed dwarves that come floating down off a nearby roof. You quickly realize that these are Soulless, the ranged support for the thralls and ghôls in the square.
They do not move to support the attack on the front gate however. Instead they are trying to cut over one of the side walls and down into the rear of the guards to trap them. The alarm has yet to be raised and they might just be able to pull the manoeuvre off.
You can feel multiple mages casting from nearby buildings. Three individuals or groups of individuals but you can not see anyone. They must all be inside hiding.
Such a bold attack, in daylight and on the palace is unsettling to say the least. These mages are obviously desperate to achieve something but the question is what.
Still such thoughts can wait until the situation has been dealt with.
Argus intends to lead his men to reinforce the guards at the main gate though you suspect he would be willing to consider your advice given your success against an army four times this size with a force one fifth of what you currently have available.
-----------------------------------------------
So you have a battle here, it has been a while but there are two ways we can do this. You can just select an option from the list or you can brainstorm an entire freeform plan yourselves. Whatever you want.
Your Assets:
1. Derryth - mage, mentalist, see character sheet
2. Thaïs - mage, mentalist, see character sheet
3. Argus - warrior, sword and shield, see character sheet
4. 20 Albrecht guards: 10 hand weapons and shields, 5 spearmen, 5 grenadiers
5. 5 surviving gate guards: 2 spearmen, 3 grenadiers
Your (known) enemies:
1. Mob of roughly thirty ghasts at the gate.
2. Mob of thirty thralls approaching the gate through the middle of the square.
3. Pack of twenty ghôls (3 of which carry large sacks) charging the gate from your left.
4. Group of fifteen Soulless trying to circle around and over the wall from your right.
5. At least three individual/groups of necromancer(s) in the surrounding buildings hiding.
1. You choose to:
A) All attack a single target. Simply write down which target and the most popular one will be chosen if A wins.
B) Split up to handle different targets. List which targets and which people. The most popular combinations will be chosen if B wins.
C) freeform - come up with an entire plan of battle yourselves. Pick this if you want to propose something incredibly complicated or clever. Feel free to ask any questions you would like, I will answer what I can.
at Christine's useful skills. I hope her attitude improves once she returns back. But I'm not holding my breath, since returning to the life of adventure when you've been a queen is just as likely to make things worse.
Just to understand what is happening.
