Indosira: A Bold Beginning

[DoNotFearToTread]

The city was a patchwork of darkness and light, spotty fires still burning along the poor quarter. From your collective perch near the throne room window you could still hear the occasional shout of alarm from the populace below. Some of the guardsmen argued over whether the fires were the result of the sudden attack or just a diversion to keep the people distracted. The room held nearly fifty people, all fortunate survivors of the initial assault, and they huddled together as murmered conversation and frightened weeping swept across the crowd. The doors were barred from your side, a dozen men in the green and gray of the Vigilants standing watch as the heavy pounding on the other side grew stronger.

Magister Renault stood at the throne as Tobin, the castle physician, did his best to tend to the king's injured leg. The queen stood stoic over her husband's left shoulder, any fear guarded by her emotionless mask. Two Vigilants, Remar and Polias, stood on either side of the group with a wary eye on the room. The conversation was hushed, the din of the crowd only making it more difficult to hear, and each of you felt the last half an hour coming back to you.

Each of you had been roused from your sleep all too early. For some it was by the fearful cries of fellow servants or the painful rap of a magister's staff, but for others it was more complex. Rushed as you were, you'd barely managed to pull on proper clothing and grab your nearest possessions before castle guards arrived to escort you through the halls. An attack, they told you. Invaders already within the castle walls. The path to the throne room was marked by the signs of battle, blood smears on the walls and discarded bodies pushed to the the side to make room.

Octavious

Spoiler

Show

It was along that path that you and your father met with a small group of armored assailants, dwarves and men both. The guards on your floor did their best to force them back but the fighting was fierce and the battlefield too cramped to prevent casualties. You father, trained with the gladius and spear, was a match for the dwarf he caught slipping through the guard's ranks, but the one he didn't see was too much for him. The blade bit deep, the blood too dark for the wound not to be mortal. He shoved the hide-wrapped bundle into your hands, demanding that you swear to see that that papers found their way to the hands of a Legion commander. The words were still on his tounge when the guards ushered you away, his arm falling limp at his side.

Now, as you sat near the window of the throne room and listened to the enemy hammer at the only barrier keeping the people in this room safe, you held the bundle as close as your halberd.

Raite

Spoiler

Show

The sword was light in your hand, half the size of what you were used to and still marked with the name of its owner. The thought of objecting when it was shoved into your hand in lieu of your own blade was followed by the realization that your own weapon was already gone, taken up by another as the doors to the barracks gave way and dwarves stormed the dining area. Training had been all that kept you alive, training and the men who stood by you as the group withdrew towards the castle proper. Linking up with the group who was escorting Magister Renault, you totalled only 8 when you arrived at the safety of the the throne room. Now you stood watch over the injured and the teriffied, hoping Captain Polias would come back with good news. And still, you held that unfamiliar weapon that bore the name Kelvan along its grip.

Darien & Shalana

Spoiler

Show

You were among the first to be roused and rushed through the hallways towards the throne room. Being that both of your quarters were located in the king's hallway, you found yourselves marched alongside the king and queen, as well as Darien's older brother Theron.

The fighting came as a suprise to everyone, and as quickly as it had begun it was over. Seven dead dwarves, five dead guards from among both the Auldarian and Yunisian groups, and one badly injured king later you were secured in the castle's center. The wound to Phillipe's leg was deep and had greatly hindered his progress along the way. As you stood to the side of the throne, unable to approach despite your station, you could see the suffering the attack had caused. The castle housed over 1500 people earlier that night, and so few had made it to safety before the doors were barred. Some might still be hiding, hoping to avoid notice until it was all over.

Members of the Vigiliants and Shah Risarad stood in close proximity as Theron studied the group around the throne, clearly trying to piece together what was being said.

The conversation came to a sudden end as a deep, resounding crack rose from the doorway, splinters of the great oak doors spraying inwards. The men around the entry tensed and readied their weapons. Each of you was drawn away from the sight as your name was called and motions were made for you to draw near the throne. Your approach entered you into a conversation mid-phrase.

"...there would be less chance of a smaller group being noticed." The magister spoke softly, without passion. It was his way to be level-headed during a conflict, and this was no exception. King Phillipe looked over the lot of you, pain obvious in his eyes as he spoke.

"The doors will not hold and we fear there will be no mercy. The throne of Auldaria is in peril but it's heirs must not be. We have a way to get you to safety." He focused on Darien, Theron, and Shalana for a time. "You three must not be here when these men break through. You will only strengthen their position. There are tunnels from before the old wars. They lead to the coast and you can follow the shore south to Dumphrie. There will surely be ships to take you to Yunis there. I will send six of my best men to see you safe and you will have the Shah Risarad."

At that Eliyni, the Shah Risarad's senior swordswomen, made gestures to four of her own. Those four took positions near the five guardsmen that had been selected for the task. The remaining dozen fell back to form up near the door. She laid a hand on Shalana's shoulder, her voice heavily accented. "My four best to go with them. The rest, we stay. Yunis protects her allies."

The gathered gave no objection. The king continued, grimacing as Tobin pulled tight on the wrappings around his leg. "Magister Renault insists that his young apprentice will be of help to you." He offers a difficult smile to the girl, then sets his eyes on Dacin. "I am sending this page, as well. He's swift and capable." He leaned in and motioned Dacin closer. "I've heard such things about you so I must entrust you with a task. While my sons travel to safety, I want you to take the Market Road north and visit the three forts along that route. Bring word of this to the commander of each, tell them what has occured. They will know what must be done." He shifted his attention back to Theron. "See that he recieves written messages with your seal before you part ways." He leaned over and took up two small pouches from beside the throne, handing one each to Darien and Theron. "This is all we could obtain from the treasury before the fighting became too thick. It should be more than enough for passage and food along the way."

Captain Polias stepped away to converse with one of the men by the door, returning with a greatsword in his hands, the leather of its sheath a faded gray. He held it out to Raite, taking the longsword in exchange. "I'm sure Hadley can make due with this. You'll need a blade you're comfortable with but I don't envy you the weight. Dumphrie is a lengthy walk. Form up with the others, take your orders from Cross and remember what you've been taught. Once they are out to sea, I want you to go straight to your uncle's estate and see that he sends aid. Remind him that he owes me."

Magister Renault took Worm by the shoulder and slapped a book into her hands. It was thin and light, bound by string with a cover that was worn by age. Small strips of vellum poked out of the pages in places, different from the material of the book. They appeared to be spell-strips, incantations bonded into written words that Renault often spent days creating. "You take this book. It will help you continue your training while we are seperated. Do not grow lax, I am counting on you. Few can do the things that you can do. You have a great responsibility."

Renault moved to the wall, sliding a hand along the statue of Auldaria's first king. A few moments later it responded with a slow, rough grinding sound. The statue slid backwards, taking a small section of wall with it. Beyond, a stairwell descended into darkness.

King Phillipe eased back in the chair as the room's doors shook from another heavy blow. "There is little time. You must be off."

[Valairn]

Shalana

Angry, frustrated, tired, confused, and particularly distraught, Shalana stood with the best posture she could muster, and accepted the kings words quietly. The events of the night had settled on her like a dark fog, and her normally boisterous mouth was completely lost for words.

She shifted uncomfortably on her feet and the awkwardness of turmoil overwhelmed her. She felt like crying, but she also felt like fighting, and the difference between the two states was causing her already high level of anxiety to reach a feverish peak.

Blood rushed into her head and she opened her mouth, "Is there an extra sword I could take? I would feel better if I could meet our enemies with steel inbetween us." The tension in her seemed to release as she said it, and the dark fog around her lifted as a steely exterior took hold.

[ajw79]

Raite

Raite looked on nervously. The presence of so many of the kingdom's powerful doing as much, if not more, to put him off, as the pounding at the door and the death already witnessed. his eyes wandered about the room as his mind attempted to make sense of what was happening.

The familiar sound of command in Captain Polias' voice snapped Raite back to attention and military discipline took over as he listened intently to his orders. The comforting weight of the greatsword further calmed his nerves and he saluted Captain Polias. "My honor, Captain." With one last look towards the battered door, Raite took his place with the other Vigilants and awaited the order to move.

[Rachel Lorelei]

Prince Darien

"Capital idea. I'd feel better if I could meet our enemies with her steel in between us, too."
It's exactly the sort of thing one might have expected the sardonic, less-than-respectful youngest son of King Philippe to say, although now his cultured voice was bitter-bright, pulled taut like a harpstring with the awareness of danger.

Darien leaned against a column near the throne, ankles crossed, arms folded over his chest and fingers drumming nervously; his green eyes were puffy with lack of sleep and long lashes drooped low. The prodigal prince was fair-haired, with high cheekbones and an aquiline nose--a striking, aristocratic face, pretty in a way that could not quite be called boyish anymore. His build was lean, tall for his age, wiry rather than strong: whipcord over bone. He took in the room, his mouth a thin line, and received the pouch given to him with the flick of a hand, slim and long-fingered--a harper's hand, or a thief's. He started for the secret passage; stopped and turned, unable to leave with a certain thing unsaid, though he knew the response.
"I'm not eager to become High Advisor, Father. Come with us--two soldiers could carry you. Mother, you're not hurt, you could walk."
His free hand clenched into a trembling, white-knuckled fist, the coldness of his voice a dam for unshed tears.

[will.h]

Octavius

His light gray eyes were red and bloodshot as he struggled to hold his tears back. His soft hands trembled visibly. He was just as brave as any soul remaining in the throne room but he was still so young, and the death of his father replayed over and over in his mind. He felt like screaming! He braced himself on his halberd as he buckled over and threw up his dinner instead.

It all seamed so surreal to him, the invasion came so swift, so effective, it was executed exactly how it was written in his Battlefield Strategy Textbooks. Except this was real life, and he had no Legion at his back. He felt helpless, he didn't know any of these people. Why were they running? Didn't they have an army? We should be fighting! He thought to himself. That thought quickly vanished as a guard ushered him over by the Kings side.

He was hardly listening to the words as the King spoke, he was angry with them, all of them! This would have never happened on Valexian soil! He gripped his halberd tightly in his left hand and grinded his teeth. The sound of the old statue grinding on the ground pulled him away from his thoughts for a moment. Without waiting for an order to do so he quickly stepped through the portal, cutting off the shaken Yuni girl. He didn't need to be told, he understood what was happening...they were running away.

He gripped the rolled parchment in his right hand and held it to his heart. Quietly he whispered to himself as he began down the hallway.

"I will not fail you father..."

[slapdash]

The scrawny apprentice stood off to the side, her round ochre eyes darting nervously back and forth. The crack and splinter of the door causes her to flinch, and out of the corner of her eye she sees the Velaxian expel the night's feast, causing her freckled skin to go pallid with a wave of her own nausea. She takes a partial step toward the boy to make sure he is alright, then decides against it and steps back, managing to cross over her own foot and turn in a circle.

The sound of her name being called grabs her attention, and she approaches the throne, eyes locked on the wound to the king's leg. She lowers herself into a stiff, deep bow, and something wriggles visibly within her pale-green robes. Nose crinkling, she straightens and peeks down the front of her outfit, making a hushing nose between the gap in her front teeth.

When King Phillipe indicated that she was to leave, her mouth widened into a little O, and as Renault pressed the book and spell-slips into her hand, she blinks rapidly, trying to assure herself she isn't asleep.

"But, Magister, I have not even learned how to, you know, well, a lot of things and I don't think that I would be of much help, even with - wait, I haven't seen this book before." She flips open the corner and attempts to peer at the writing before regarding the magister again. "What I mean is sir, shouldn't I stay with you. Er." A furitive glance to the door and the beads of sweat on her brow prove this to be an empty sentiment, and she grins broadly at the wizard, her toothy smile not quite matching the mood of the room.

"Because what if we're seperated and, you know, never exactly unseperated? I mean, I don't have exact numbers, but there are certainly many more of them, and what if you should suddenly find yourself, um, um...dead?"

[jng2058]

Dacin

The slender young page was a bit of a mess. His dark blond hair was a far cry from the neat cut expected of a representative of the throne, and for once revealed the slightly pointed ears that betrayed his half-elven birth. He took in the scene with an attempt at stoicism that didn't really succeed, not really. It was true that his young life so far had been full of surprises, not the least of which being his appointment as a castle page in the first place, though he'd since come to understand the politics behind it.

But this...this was totally unexpected. Dismissal from castle service had seemed like the worst possible outcome on any given day, and now he faced the prospect of a painful death if he failed his task and at best an uncertain future even if he succeeded. It wasn't a very pleasant prospect in the slightest, but he knew he'd never be able to live with himself if his nerve broke now...

Dacin bowed low before the king, "It shall be done, on my life." He hesitated a moment, and his voice cracked only a little as he went on, "It has been an honor to be in your service, your majesty. May the gods go with you."

Moving off he bowed to Prince Theron, "Milord, perhaps it'd be best if we were off...the sooner we go, the more chance we have to succeed, and with you travel the hopes of the kingdom."

As he waited to follow the prince out, Dacin's gaze caught on the terrified faces of the other pages who had made it into the hall. They were dead, they just didn't know it yet.

There but for the grace of the king go I, he thought.

He shuddered and looked away, forcing himself to look instead at the others who might yet live. The brother princes he knew, having served them both at one time or another. The Yunisian princess had been served mostly by her own people, but he'd heard a rumor or two. Hearing her ask for a sword seemed in character...but of course she was from Yunis, and they were a warrior folk.

His gaze caught on the girl scribe. The book she clutched so tightly must be important if she carried it instead of a weapon. Important...or valuable. He contemplated this for a moment longer, then shook his head to clear it. Now was neither the time nor place. But perhaps those both would not be long in coming...

The other guards and soldiers he passed over with just a glance. They would fight if called on, but if it came to a fight they were probably already doomed. Speed was their only ally now, and Dacin could feel the time slipping away.

He looked up at Theron again and added with greater urgency, "Milord..."

[DoNotFearToTread]

King Phillipe shakes his head in response to Darien's questions. "You must move quickly. Carrying me will just slow everyone down. You will not stop to fight." This was clearly directed at Shalana. "If battle finds you, let those who have pledged their lives in your defense deal with it. You run, fast and far, if you are in danger. I will not have a royal daughter of Yunis dead on my soil."

The queen sets her hand over Phillipe's, her mask unwavering. "I will stay by your father's side. Your presence here will only give these men something to threaten us with. Your father would never betray his country, even to save his children, so you must not be here when they get through that door."

Magister Renault shakes his head in response to Worm's questions. "Swords and axes are no match for the power of magic, girl. I can do things that these Spine-born can't even imagine. As could you, if you'd dedicate more time to following orders and less to asking pointless questions." He rapped his staff against the wall, the sound reverberating through the throne room with suprising force. His voice seemed to rise with it, as well. "Now, everyone through the passage. It won't close easily so we have no time to spare."

Theron nods and steps forward, motioning for Dacin to follow at his back. Cross hands out three lanterns among his men, setting two more aside for others to take. The glow from them seems muted in the well-lit room, but they'll no doubt serve well in the tunnels below. The Vigilants are so busy with their preparations that they do not move to stop Octavius as he slips through the passage behind them. Four of the soldiers move to take up the rear of the group as their Yunisan counterparts form up near the front. As they step towards the passage the sound of crumbling stone rises up to meet them...

Octavius

The stairs decend and the light from the throne room fails to illuminate any further than the fourth step. It is that same step that shifts when you put your weight on it, the stone cracking beneath your feet. You spill forward, hands lashing out for something to stop your imminent descent into the darkness below.

( Our first in-game dice roll. Reflex save vs DC 12. )

[Valairn]

Shalana

Shalana did her best to not smart off to Darien at his comment, and burned a little inside when he had said it. The king's order to run was distasteful and frustrating, but she had come here to find peace with the Auldarians, and if running away was key to preserving that, she would do it. She bowed before the king and said, "You are an honor to your people and your family, thank you for all you have done." Shalana quickly fell into ranks and walked with them as they left.

[will.h]

Octavius

The darkness does nothing to waiver his descent. It's that damn 4th step that trips him up. As soon as he sets his foot down he realizes what a fool he'd been for starting off by himself.

The step starts to give under him, unfortunately for Octavius he's too many things on his mind to feel the slight give in the step until he's already shifted his entire weight over. Too late to catch himself he falls forward. Desperately trying to save himself from the fall, he swings his halberd out in front of him attempting to hook it on a step, or handrail, anything!

Unfortunately, (Reflex Roll: 9) he finds nothing and he tumbles down the stone staircase, skinning his knees and elbows on every step. He drops his halberd frantically trying to stop his fall, but to no avail. Finally his plunge down the staircase comes to a brief halt when his head slams into the stone wall.

He lays there for a minute trying to find his bearings...

Slowly, he begins to sit up. He reaches to the side of his face where his head connected with the wall. Wet.. He brings his hand to his mouth to taste his fingers, its blood.

He sits there, his head pounding, his body aching all-over...Without the energy to pick himself up, he justs waits for the others.

[DoNotFearToTread]

Cross holds up a hand from his place at the front of the group, a signal for everyone to stop. "Two by two, watch your step. These tunnels look to be in bad shape." At that he turns to Raite and inclines his head down into the tunnel. "Take a lantern and get down there. Fast but careful. See if the Velaxian is alright." At that he pauses to check that everyone is in line and allow for any last minute conversation. Another impact sends cracks spidering out across the doors, eliciting a gasped cry from several in the room.

( That's two painfully discarded hit points for Octavius. )

[jng2058]

Dacin

The half-elf winced as he watched the Velaxian soldier tumble down the stairs. His night vision gave him an excellent view of the lad's graceless roll down the steps, and what he saw wasn't pretty. "That had to hurt," he muttered to himself. Looking at the bruised soldier, he saw him sit up and touch his head. Still alive, then. Maybe he'd learn something. As for himself, Dacin made a note to watch which steps bore the weight of the armored soldiers and to only step where they had. Any stone that could bear a man in mail would hardly be upset by his own slight frame.

Putting the clumsy soldier out of his mind, Dacin followed Prince Theron into the passageway. He quickly seized one of the two lanterns that had been left by Cross. Not only would it do his keen eyes twice as much good as it would any of the rest of the party, but he figured it would have to be worth something to someone down the line, and you had to take your opportunities when they appeared.

Speaking of which...

Dacin leaned forward and spoke quietly to Theron, "Milord, perhaps it'd be best if you wrote those messages now. If the dwarves have found the tunnels, we may soon be too busy fighting and running to have another chance. If you'd like, I'll hold the lantern for you, and you can write them on the move." He paused, then perked up as if he'd just thought of something, "If you could append an order to have the fort commanders provide me with a fresh horse on my arrival, I'd be most grateful. I'll be able to get the word out much faster that way." He frowned as if in thought, then added, "And if you have it to spare, some coin to buy a horse for the first leg of the journey would be helpful as well or...perhaps an order allowing me to requisition one. Time is of the essence now."

[slapdash]

Worm's face falls at the magister's reprimand, and she seems to take the criticism to heart, hugging the book tightly under one arm as she snatches up the remaining lantern. To Renault, she says lamely, "Then, um, I guess I will see you later, Magister."

Even as she walks toward the opening in the wall, her pace seems to pick up, and she turns to add, "And I will study even harder while we are apart! You won't be disappointed!" Flashing her bright smile, she whirls around to enter the tunnel, stopping short to hold the lantern out to the Njortevian boy when the Vigilant orders him down. She shuffles along after the others, taking extreme care on the staircase. The steps in the tower had claimed their share of skin from her knees and palms, and these seemed far nastier.

More movement in her robe, accompanied by a gentle chittering, and she freezes, stuffing her nose down the collar of her robe and hissing, "Be still!" Whatever it is seems to settle, and she resumes her slow descent.

[Valairn]

Shalana

Shalana just barely contained herself from running down when she saw Octavius fall. Not wanting to fall as well, she waited impatiently to hear about his condition.

[Rachel Lorelei]

Prince Darien

The younger prince, after a long, tense moment, bows his head in acknowledgement; his eyes are bright, light sparkling off of them, and he blinks to clear them of wetness.
"As we must, then. Come, brother. I'm sure it will be fun and ponies."

He gestures to allow the others down the stair before him, wincing as Octavius falls; then he himself makes his way down carefully but nimbly, glancing back at the others.
"There'll be plenty of time to lose hands and feet later," he says with sardonic cheer, coming up beside Octavius and helping him reach his feet.
"Here, have a swig of this," Darien adds, and reaches down to his belt. His graceful hand comes up produces a silver flask; he twists its stopper off, and holds it out to the Velaxian. The scent of strong alcohol hits the air.

[ajw79]

Raite

Raite takes a lantern from the nearest Vigilant and quickly moves down the stairs. Watching every step carefully and moving with a grace obtained from long hours of sword practice, the large youth reaches the side of the young velaxian and checks his condition asking, "Are you alright, sir?" Raite attempts to administer any battlefield aid that he deems appropriate while reporting Octavius's condition to Cross.

Spoiler

Show

Heal check to aid Octavius (if possible): 9

[DoNotFearToTread]

Octavius' injuries seem largely superficial, with the gash above his temple being of the most concern. While it is quite bloody, common for head injuries, the actual cut is rather small and holding pressure to it should stop the bleeding.

Theron looks over to Dacin as the group begins to move forward. His hand rests on the hilt of his shortsword but that does nothing to hide the fact that it is shaking. "We don't have the materials and we should be moving quickly. Once we're out of harm's way I will have the letters drawn up and a horse provided."

Cross motions for the group to move forward and the column descends the stairs. The lantern light provides enough warning about unsteady surfaces that everyone is able to descend with little trouble. Raite calls up, noting that the Velaxian does not appear to be badly injured. The group arrives at the bottom of the stairs shortly thereafter. The sound of grinding stone echoes from above as the light of the throne room fades away. The sound of startled shouts muted by the closing of the passage.

As Shalana offers a shoulder to help Octavius to his feet, the Vigilants and Shah Risarad evenly distribute the lanterns to give as much light across the column as possible. Cross gives Darien a stern look as the boy presents his flask but the soldier says nothing against it. Instead he looks the Velaxian over and sets a hand on his shoulder. "Can you walk without support?"

[jng2058]

Dacin

The young page bowed to Theron as he replied, "As you say, milord." He held the position to allow the prince to move ahead of him, then swore under his breath and followed.

Dacin had serious doubts that dwarves of all people would neglect the possibility of an underground escape and suspected that the hoped for 'out of harm's way' would be a long time in coming. He also wasn't sure where Theron thought they were going to acquire a horse in the tunnel or on the seashore. It seemed to him that Theron was still thinking like royalty rather than how he should be thinking...like a fugitive.

But of course, if royalty weren't capable of making bad decisions, then they wouldn't be in this terrible position in the first place...though, to be fair to the soon to be late King Phillipe, it was hard to see what he could have done differently besides not sign the alliance with Yunis in the first place.

That, Dacin thought to himself, assumed that Nasjtor had attacked purely to break the Auldaria-Yunis alliance before it could bear fruit.

The interminable lessons in etiquette and nobility he'd attended did seem to have borne some fruit. He could almost hear his instructor's droning voice as he thought on the political situation of the various realms.

Besides, it was better than thinking about the stark terror he should be feeling and the likelihood of his imminent painful death. Politics, while boring, was also something distracting to think about and he desperately needed some distraction right about now.

He glanced at the young betrothed couple, taking a long look at first Shalana then Darien...then finally his gaze fell on Octavious as he contemplated. It was true,Dacin thought, that a fully-fledged unification of Auldaria and Yunis would threaten Nasjtor...but it would also weaken Velaxia's position as the pre-eminent nation in the world. Could these dwarves be mercenaries in the hire of Velaxia? Maybe. But perhaps there is something else they want. Something hidden beneath the castle, perhaps? Hmmm...

Dacin slowed his pace a tad until the girl scribe was walking beside him. He leaned slightly toward her and smiled at her, "I'm Dacin, by the way. Nice to meet you, though I'd have wished for better circumstances. I've got to admit, I never expected to be down here. I didn't even know there was a down here to be! I don't suppose Magister Renault ever mentioned these tunnels, or what dangers or treasures might be down here, did he?"

[will.h]

Octavius

Slowly climbs to his feet with the Dariens support. Not impressed with Dariens comment in the least he replies with contempt "You'd think with all your peoples running that they'd at least build a proper escape route" he holds a stern glare with the younger prince...but then his expression fades to one of pity, "Alas, building tunnels and fighting dwarves do seem a bit over your heads." With that he gives Darien a cold shoulder and begins to walk away with only a small limp. "I don't drink" he finally calls out.

After moving several feet a rush of blood flows to his head, he stables himself agaisnt the wall before turning to acknoledge Raite and Cross. With all the determination he can muster, he nods grimly, "I'll be fine."
He walks along next to Raite using the light from the lantern Raite is holding.

Again his thoughts fall inward, While they may be fools, I'll probably need there help getting out of here alive. He takes a deep breath to regroup.

He stops suddenly and holds Raite's shoulder, while his other hand grabs at his pocket quickly. "I've dropped my things!" he exclaims while searching his body for the scroll his father gave him. "Will you help me find them?" he begs, almost apologetically. Already scanning the floor where he had fallen.

[Rachel Lorelei]

Prince Darien

"No, but I bet you'll start," the younger prince says with a shrug, and downs a swig of whiskey himself; his face screws up for a moment as he swallows.
He's already noticed and begun scooping up the dropped documents when Octavius bends down for them.
"I'm going to forgive those remarks. Just this once, because of the situation." his voice is whisper-quiet, barely more than a breath in the Velaxian's ear, and remarkably serious for a dandy. "Because we need to work together, not fight. But just because of that."
He rises to his feet, documents in his hand, glances down at them, then hands them over.

"Well, a fine start. Do let's hurry on."

[ajw79]

Raite

Raite forms up with his comrades once again to await further orders, but not without a quick glance in Prince Darien's direction. Such behavior would never be tolerated among the ranks of the Royal Vigilants, but what does a simple boy of Nasjtor know about the stresses of Noble life. The Three know his own throat was filling just a bit parched at the moment, and he didn't stand to lose his father, his mother, and his kingdom in the same day. Raite has never understood those who envied the Noble class. Much better to know your job and perform it to the best of your abilities than to be faced with the uncertainty that must come with being the one to make the decisions that so many lives would hinge upon. Raite turns to look at Cross, who's comforting presence confirms that those who know how to handle the current situation are nearby and will lead the small party to safety.

[Rachel Lorelei]

The prince catches the glance and holds it for a moment, and then holds the flask out towards Raite, prepared to toss it to the young soldier.

[Valairn]

Shalana

Shalana cursed in her own mind as Octavius didn't even bother a thank you for the help up. These people do not understand the situation at all, fighting each other, rushing ahead. They are so blasted SELF ABSORBED! She dusted herself off in a nervous twitch, pulling on her unwieldy dress that had been assigned to her, she never would have worn such a thing at home by choice. And that blasted king refused to give me a weapon worthy of any fight we might get in. Trust the soldiers, bah, we are running for our lives, and our lives could be decided by knowing when to stand and fight.

Shalana let out a sigh, and seeing the prince's outstretched hand, she grabbed the bottle from it as gently as she could and took a slow drink from it. Handing it back to him she said, "Thank you. It could be the last time I ever taste anything." With that she made ready to move again.

Looking over her shoulder she counted how many were together. She hoped it would be enough to survive.

(OOC: Could I get a count of how many people total including bodyguards please :-) )

[slapdash]

Craning her neck to see the extent of the Velaxian injuries, the redhead turns to Dacin, returning his smile a little shyly. "My name's Worm." She considers his question for a moment, then shakes her head. "Nope, he never mentioned 'em. Never read anything about 'em either, but I suppose they'd be pretty poor escape tunnels if a lotta people knew they were there."

"Doesn't seem like a very good place to keep treasure either. I mean, maybe no one'd find it, but if they did you wouldn't have anyone to guard it." She twirls her fingers absently in her fluffy, tangled hair.

"Dangers? Other than collapsing pieces of infrastructure, maybe some rats and spiders, maybe even snakes if the conditions're right. Which would mean the dangers are pretty much debris, poisoning and disease," she says matter-of-factly in the way one might discuss the weather. "And, I dunno, maybe some deadly traps, but probably not. Magister Renault would have mentioned that. Maybe."

She tenses up a little at the confrontation between the Velaxian and Prince Darien, but quickly relaxes when the boys ease up. Her focus then goes to Prince Theron for his reaction, the tips of her ears reddening a bit as she looks at the older boy.

[jng2058]

Dacin

Dacin nodded at Worm, "That makes sense, I guess. Too bad, it'd have been useful if we could find more supplies on our way out." He shrugged sadly, then looked ahead to witness the little 'discussion' between Octavius and the not-so-happy couple.

He sighed. A Velaxian being arrogant, a Yunisian being socially awkward, and Prince Darien being an irresponsible smart-ass. Check, check, and check. He glanced at Worm and caught the look in her eyes as she stared at Prince Theron, and snorted to himself, and the servant girls are all in love with the princes. Check. It'd be just another day in the castle if there weren't all those dwarves trying to kill us....

Dacin fully turned his attention to Worm, and as was his wont when not dealing with the upper class, just said what he was thinking, "That's an interesting name you've got there. Is this one of those apprentice things where you get an unhappy name until you make journeywoman and then get a slightly better one until you get to pick a name for yourself when you make master? I've heard there are some guilds that work that way. I even met a guy who's been called 'Stinky' for thirty something years now, 'cause he's a lousy thie...err...guildmember."

He smiled at her, "If its not like that, I'd change it if I were you." He casually flicked a lock of her red hair out of her face, "'cause you really look more like the Robin than the Worm from where I'm standing."

[slapdash]

Worm crosses her eyes and bats at the page's hand, looking a little confused. She shakes her head at the boy, grinning.

"Nah, I ain't in any guilds, it's just my name. Has been ever since I was tiny, you know? Lots of worse things folks can call you, after all."

[jng2058]

Dacin

Dacin laughed, the sound echoing a bit down the tunnel before he covered his mouth to suppress his mirth. Once he was finished, he added in a quieter voice, "You're an odd one, Worm, I'll give you that. Try to stay safe...I think the world's a more interesting place with you in it." His cap was gone, he'd lost it in the run to the throne room, but he made the same tipping motion he would have had he still had it before increasing his pace and returning to Theron's side.

Now, he thought to himself, if only Prince Theron can muster half the wit of the little Worm, maybe we'll be able to get out of this alive. He winced slightly as he recalled Theron's hand shaking on the hilt of his sword. Gods help us, we might be better off with Darien or Shalana in charge!!

The thought was frightening. So frightening, in fact, that it took an effort of will not to run off on his own into the darkness, and only the knowledge that if there were any dwarves down there, being on his own was guaranteed to be fatal, whereas he might be able to slip away if it came to a fight with the rest of the group on hand.

But it was a near thing.

He took a deep breath to try and steady himself, and hoped he wasn't showing how scared he really was.

[ajw79]

Raite

Raite smiles in embarrassment at the offered flask in the hand of the young prince. He declines with a barely perceptible shake of his head and a quick look towards Cross. Duty first...

[Rachel Lorelei]

Prince Darien

The prince shrugs, giving Raite a crooked half-smile for a moment, and then surrenders his flask to his fiancée. The contents are a startlingly strong whiskey, lightly spiced, and burn enough to water the eyes of someone inexperienced with liquor.
When she's finished, he accepts the flask back and stoppers it; his hand reaches cross-body to return it to his belt, and when it comes back up, he's holding a dagger, the hilt extended towards Shalana. The long, straight sheath lies flat along the inside of his arm as he offers it to her unobtrusively: it's obviously not meant for hunting or for use as a tool--its balance and narrow shape make it out to be a knife-fighter's blade, or an assassin's. He draws no attention to it as he passes it over, instead reaching out to straighten some bit of Shalana's clothing.
"Come, now, my lady," he murmurs. "I'm sure you'll live long enough to taste at least two more things."

Then he keeps moving; occasionally, his head half-turns in Dacin and Worm's direction: he may be listening in, or just making sure everyone's hurrying along.


(Taking 10 on Sleight of Hand for 13, if someone is really bound and determined to spot him.)

[DoNotFearToTread]

Darien recieves a cuff to the back of the head as his brother passes by, an all too common occurance for the younger prince. It was Theron's way of showing he disapproved of something Darien had done, though the list was long enough to make determining what it was pretty difficult. Cross motioned the group forward and the Vigilants began a steady march.

"Let's keep conversation to a minimum. I don't want any suprises." The passage is carved stone, wide enough in some places for three people to walk side by side but narrow often enough to keep the group in a two by two formation. The air grows colder as you progress and the lantern light kicks shadows across the slate gray walls, savage beasts rising and vanishing at the the corners of your vision. The tunnel bisects after several minutes and Cross leads the group along the right fork, keeping is lantern high to cut through the oppressive gloom.

The trek feels like it is taking forever, each step revealing only more of the same. More rock, more darkness. The occasional spider or vermin. When the sound of approaching footfalls and clanking metal arise from behind you, it's almost a welcome change. Cross turns back his eyes narrowed as he takes in the sound. "Double time, move!" At the command, the Vigilants in the rear push forward, urging the group to a steady jog. Your lungs begin to ache as you suck in chilled air, keeping pace if only to avoid being trampled. The sounds of your pursuers begin to fade and the possibility of losing them shines bright ahead of you.

Then you follow a soft curve in the tunnel and come face-to-face with broken stone and packed dirt. A wall of collapsed tunnel stands in your way, thick and heavy and immobile. Cross allows a curse as he wheels around, pushing through the group to join up with the Vigilants who now stand between you and the approaching sounds. "A cave-in." He motioned to the soldiers, who formed a wall of shield and steel. The Shah Risarad filled in the space between the Vigilants and the nobles, dropping into practiced stances. "No time to double back. Vigiliants at the ready. Form a wedge. We need to break through them to get back to the fork. Raite, back with the others. Don't let them get through."

Theron's blade is in his hand and he steps forward to stand between the Yunisian rear guard and the non-combatants. He glances back over his shoulder to Darien. "If they get through. ONLY then."

Dacin

As you work to catch your breath, your eyes catch a small network of cracks in the wall to the right of the group. The cracks are thick enough to reveal an open space beyond the crumbling wall.

( Everyone who grew up in, or has lived in the castle for several years, has likely heard stories of an earthquake over a decade ago that collapsed an eastern section of the castle walls. This could easily be linked to this cave-in, as earthquakes are uncommon in western Auldaria. )