Emergence Game Thread

To'ot on a Mission

Wellington turns at the sound of To'ot crashing into the shubbery and sees a hooded figure approaching the gate. He, too, is on a mission and not interested in visitors at the moment. He looks at one of his companions and jerks his head toward To'ot's approaching silhouette. The companion grabs another, and the two human men walk to the gate and stand, feet apart and hands resting on sword hilts. The one who is clearly higher on the organizational chart calls out through the slats in the heavy wooden gate, "Halt. The Lord of the Manor has ordered all visitors turned away for the remainder of the evening. You'll have to return another time."

The King is obviously slightly careworn by our revelations and--though hardly excited about the prospect of letting the two adventurers out of his full control--surprisingly amenable to their plan. He quickly slaps shut his leather notepad strides to the door, ushering Rhiv and Therrien before him. Outside the same six guards snap to attention as the King steps out into the hall. After a brief conversation with the Captain, in which he repeated the plan he just approved, he bids the two a curt farewell and returns to the study. The captain and three guards bustle us, not rudely but silently, back to the great Hall and out to the gate. The Hall has emptied somewhat since the King's dressing down of Lord Wellington, but the room is still rather busy as the castle hums in preparation for evening meals. Rhiv looks to at least catch the eye of the First Disciple, but cannot find the trio of clerical figures that had previously occupied the northeast corner of the hall. The smell of The Captain stops to speak quietly with a brightly garbed man, who seems to be the Seneschal. The smell of the delightful roast reminds both of them that they have had little more than a little owlbear jerky since breakfast and their stomachs rumble in hope.

Nodding toward Rhiv and Therrien, the two seem to come to some agreement and the Captain quickly returns to their sides. The Captain looks the two up and down critically and taps his helmet once with forefinger."Well, I expect no funny business from the two of you. I will obey m'lords commands to take you to the Library as unobtrusively as possible, and stay far enough back that you needn't worry about being associated with us. Be assured though that if you make the slightest attempt to flee behind my vision I will have more arrows in your skull than you have hairs on your head. It obviously will not just be the three of us watching you, though I'm sure you understand that that would be more than enough for that to be a unwise decision. You have four hours."

As the group retraces their steps across the Ward it is not evident whether any additional guards have begun to echo their path but the Captain does not seem excessively concerned with the two bolting. When they reach the fountain he and his two patrolmen stop and, with another quick tap to his helmet, he motions for Therrien and Rhiv to continue ahead. They continue to trace the return, hesitantly at first, looking back frequently to ensure that they weren't crossing to quickly to avoid becoming pin cushions. Eventually the Captain and his guards settle into a measured pace some distance behind them but still in sight. The odd formation continues in this manner until they reach the portico outside the immense now shut doors to the library.

To'ot surprises the guards by casting a spell without warning, trapping both of the lord's companions in a growth of magical vines. Immediately, the well-trained guard calls out, "To arms! To arms!" while pulling out his short sword and beginning to hack at the vines.

The other guard tries to use his strength to pull free, but his struggles only seems to cause the weeds to town their grasp.

Wellington and the other two members of his entourage, were just reaching the door when the guard sounded the alarm. They all turn around and begin moving towards the fracas.

Rhiv looks around to try to spot any new guards, and realizes he can't even spot the escort they came with anymore.