To Go Or To Stay

Bennett returns with Xavier and Aneira following him in. As he sits back down at the table, he turns to Yaz:

"So what's the scoop, hippy?"

Yaz misses the moniker, or accepts it without question, it's hard to tell which. He responds without looking up, limply:

"I think maybe I planted more'n I could reap... Pretty f***in' sure Prirodna was lookin' out for me, I tell ya."

Yaz pats his weed pouch, opens it, but then pauses and shuts it again with a frown:

"I got some worgs, and killed a bunch of goblins too... but... I shoulda brought along a shit-load of oil. My little fireballs didn't do much good, not like I thought they would."

The druid stops and looks up, a wry smile growing on his face:

"Was fun, though."

Bennett smiles just a bit:

"So another loss of their resources in town. This will be a red letter day in the revolution. Mark my words."

Padre Kokal interjects:

"I can't see that killing all of the worgs really matters any more," he comments sadly. "I thought that the only reason for killing them was to stop them pursuing the Foot when they left the city. With only 13 of them left now, they aren't going to have any trouble slipping out of the city once all of their wounds have been healed."

Bennett sadly nods:

"That and the fact that the villages aren't as high priority as we thought they were really does remove that necessity. Your people can keep the Foot safe until they are healed?"

"If we can break out one of the gates and make sure the Nyemetz know it, the citizens shouldn't have anything to fear," Bennett continues, "though a bunch of worgs chasing us doesn't particularly make me happy. We'll need horses, I think, to make our escape."

"Aye, the Church of Radegast will keep safe what's left of the Foot," Kokal answers, still VERY subdued over the carnage the Foot took. "An' maybe also provide us with the mounts too."

"The horses you rode in on are in the stables of this inn," Magda adds. "I asked for them to be brought here from the Vine yesterday."

The druid looks around at the others, especially Gronk, bloodied and messy:

"Shit, looks like you guys got out alive, but barely... Did you kill Kurtek? The Protektors? Witchfinders?"

Before anyone has a chance to answer Yaz' question, Faewen'il returns dressed in one of the nice green dresses, the group has seen before with Kurtek's bracers in her hands; depositing them on the table where she had dumped the sword and three daggers earlier. Any sign that she had just been involved in a major battle was gone.

"They be far protection far whoever wants them. Tha other thins require a trip ta tha Kitrans ta determine what they be for."

"Sounds like that's another reason for heading to Olmutz in that case," Magda interjects. "Although from what the spy said it looks as if the Head Library there will be watched, they will not be nearly as much on their guard there as they will be either here or in Hradetz."

Bennett growls at Faewen'il:

"Don't be foolish, girl. If the things protect you magically, then you are the one that needs them more than anyone."

For all his enthusiasm to see Sylva dead, he seems most put out.

Faewen'il looks up and gives him a cool smile.

"Sylva's bracers an me ring do me nicely, thank you," she says in response.

With her words drawing attention to them, the very edge of the bracers Sylva had been wearing could be seen peeking out from underneath the long sleeves of her dress. The powerful ring of protection could also be seen glinting on her right hand, cleaned off of the gore from where she had had to hack off Strakota's finger to retrieve it.

Faewen'il then gets the attention of the innkeep as he comes in to check whether they need anything and orders a bit to eat and a nice glass of wine. The innkeeper, very much relieved to see that the giants have now reverted back to their regular forms, is only too happy to oblige. With Fae is one of her spellbooks, which she proceeds to read.

Winnacer looks crest-fallen with the talk of the body count. He shakes his head at Bennett's optimistic words, his face showing that he believes their actions today to be wasteful. Even Magda's arms do little to brighten his spirits.

Once the situation with the worgs is clarified, Bennett turns toward the group:

"Okay, I think it's time for an exit stage left. We've done just about all we can hope to do here, and the Nyemetz will surely be hopping like mad once they realize what's happened. For our sake and the sake of any who protect us or ally with us, we need to get the hell out of here. I do not think we can return to the Villages, as if the Nyemetz manage to track us or locate us there, it will surely spell their end. The Foot should return to their villages, along with the Radegastafarians, and we should head out of the area. I think our presence puts the whole revolution at too much risk at the moment. Once things have cooled down, and the story has had time to be told, retold, exaggerated, etc., then we can return and make our presence known once again. The people know now that the Nyemetz are not invulnerable, and hopefully this act, and the sacrifice of our noble brothers, will inspire the hearts of all of Bohavia."

Bennett looks about:

"Personally, I would like to find an ally, either this Paladin fellow," Bennett doesn't sound particularly pleased with this option, "or that general that has a troop to the east, Zizkov?"

"We need to take some weight off our shoulders, and these are the people that can do that for us. However, if any of you have any other ideas, I am more than willing to go along with whatever the group thinks is best. What do you all say?"

Will says nothing, not wanting to repeat himself, but nods in approval to the suggestion that he has voiced many times since joining the group.

"I don't know 'bout 'is other Mr. Holy or Zikvoz fellow, but I do know 'at we be needin' ta scoot outta town," Gronk replies. "I know we's took out da 'ead 'onchos 'ere, but I be bettin' one o' 'em magic types be puttin' some control back 'fore too long. Let's leave da city ta da Padre's ta 'andle. Sounds like 'em villages gonna be OK iffin' what da spy said be true. Me 'inks we oughtta put some miles 'tween us and 'is 'ere area so as not ta draw any more attention 'ere. I be voting for da hills or mountains. I ain't never taken kindly ta staying in cities or out in da open fer too long."

Gronk pauses to take a breath.

"So, when we be leavin'? Iffin we 'urry I be sure we's can get out 'fore 'ey get 'eir wits back an' close down all 'em gates."

Winnacer then adds his thoughts:

"We have a lot of promises to keep before we go searching long and far for assistance. We also have a lot of obligations in the area, and to just pick up and leave everything behind us right now would make all the lives lost here today for naught."

Bennett stands:

"By all the gods, Winnacer, I tire of this! Armies of peasants dying because of us! How much blood do you need to have on your hands? The spy told us as much as that the villagers were safe from attack, and the Pardubitzans will be delayed for a long time just trying to sort out the damage we have done. I for one am not staying in the area, whether the rest of you do or not. I need to be away from all the death. I didn't sign on to send a bunch of young boys to their deaths, and I won't do it any more."

Winnacer looks at Bennett with disgust:

"Will you just shut up and let me finish speaking for once? If you could hold your tongue, you would see that I'm not in favor of overdoing our stay."

For a brief moment, less than a second, all can see a flash of hatred cross Bennett's features, twisting his face, but it quickly disappears, and he says quietly, with only the barest trace of venom:

"Your will, my liege."

Turning back to the rest of the group, Winnacer continues:

"I was thinking that we promised to bring Aneira to Olmutz, the Holy City. We also know a large number of the more powerful Mages in the realm are there that we could contact. We also could solidify connections with the Churches out there, as the unified support of the Holy City would go a long way in propelling the revolution. I also have a sister who is in the city that I wouldn't mind seeing."

Bennett looks about:

"The trip to Olmutz is on the way to where we can gather real support for the revolution, so taking Aneira to others of her faith is certainly something to think about. However, I continue to have little interest in contacting the great wizards. I'll make the trip to Olmutz with you, but from then on I think we need to bring this revolution some real, trained, fighting men, and I think I know where to find them. Xavier, you fought in the East before coming here. What word of the General? You may follow your master wherever he leads you, but I would find a real leader, a military mind, to further this revolution. I would have soldiers fighting, not peasant boys who are doing it for a belief in some uncaring goddess."

Xavier nods his head sadly.

"Yah, Herr Bennett, I fought in the east for some 16 years. Your vords are valid. Der peasant boys are as brave as any I have fought vith. But, alas, those who ve fight live for war. The Nyemetz military machine has been marching across national borders for some time. They are not some half-trained farmers, but men who have been bloodied in many conflicts. Ve must marshall what resources ve have. Many professional soldiers from Bohavia escaped the Nyemetz yoke by joining the crusade in the east. Der famous Bohavian General Zizkov must be contacted and convinced to give up his exile."

Xavier takes a deep swallow from his tankard:

"Der greater enemy this day is the Nyemetz, he must see this. Bohavia is no longer the disunified rabble wracked by civil war, which the Nyemetz put so easily to the sword. Today it is one, unified and restless to overthrow the Nyemetz yoke. Man and Fey have put aside old hatreds and see but one enemy. This information must be taken to him. Ve have all done vhat ve can as soldiers on the front line, but this is not enough to free Bohavia. Today ve must raise the stakes. The recruitment of the General and a solid core of his veterans for an army of liberation should be our dominant concern."

Shaking his slump somewhat, Bennett rises to his feet:

"Indeed! Why not let a professional fight this war with us? For that is what this is, a war! We are not an army, nor are the peasant boys who died today. Besides, I cannot be here any more. I need air. I need to be free of all this death!"

Padre Kokal glares at Bennett after his comment about the Foot and seems about to say something in response, but controls himself and instead answers Bennett's question regarding the whereabouts of Zizkov:

"Last thing anyone heard," interjects Padre Kokal, "Zizkov was based in Krakov, the capital of Silesia, 50 miles or so North East of the Bohavian borders. He's been there ever since the Nyemetz victory, helping the Silesians fight off the Russ. That's actually where my colleague, Padre Kochi, and the bugbear are headed in order to secure arms and mercenaries for the cause."

Bennett nods:

"It will be good to see Hrust again."

He seems saddened by the thought, though.

"Even if it means me going alone, I will be traveling to Krakov to find Zizkov and his soldiers," Bennett continues. "I for one am more interested in having allies to Free Bohavia than making sure my ego isn't damaged by a superior soldier. As for right now, I think we should go out through Yaz's hole and start moving."

"Kokal, do you have any people that could manage to take the horses out through the north gate? We would meet them right on the other side, but I do not think we should fight our way free. Our luck has held so far and I do not want to trust it too much."

"Iffin all you's gonna do is ta stay in 'is area an' raise a ruckus," comments Gronk, "'en it ain't no revolution ya be plannin', it be a massacre. Ta see da whole country free ya needs ta have people in da whole country stand up. I knows 'ere be lots o' others like us 'round other parts o' da country. We be needin' ta find 'em an' let 'em know whats we be up ta doin' so we can all work together. I know 'ere be quite a few dwarves ready ta kick 'em greenskins right outta da country. Used ta fight with da lot o' 'em I did. Mayhap we could make a few contacts 'ere 'at could provide us with some REAL firepower, powder an' all. Now 'at would be a pain in da greenskins side."

Gronk stops to take a breath, having said the above very rapidly as it came to his mind, before finishing.

"Iffin da ice princess is 'eaded ta Omultz 'en all da better."

"Aye, Gronk, that is well said indeed," Kokal says. "As should now be obvious, such a small group as this cannot carry open revolution throughout the country -- especially from inside Pardubitze's walls."

"The torch should be moved across all of Bohavia, and it seems Olmutz might as well be the next stop for it?"

"This way we can do what we promised Aneira and still be close enough to react if something happens locally," Winnacer finishes.

"Aye, it would be best for us to be out of the city as soon as we safely can -- soon before the Nyemetz can further lock down security," Kokal says to Winnacer. "And I, for one, want to continue to stoke the flames of the revolution throughout Bohavia, so that sacrifice such as the Foot has today made will not be in vain."

Speaking definitively to the whole group, the Padre continues:

"If ye will have me, then I would like to travel with ye. I cannot stay here after the Square, since it's likely my want for the revolution and my face is now known to the Nyemetz and I would bring too much of their attention on Padre Lukas and Radegast's Church here if I did."

"I suppose I have not accomplished many great things to recommend me since your escape, but what say ye?"

There are general nods of agreement throughout the party.

Winnacer then takes a seat and breaks out some ink and paper, preparing some letters.

Somewhat alarmed at some of the words that have been spoken, and still not clued in, Yaz stands and looks about him, and in particular at Bennett:

"So you lost 37 of those armoured priests, I got that much... But what was that you said about losing peasants? Did you kill off some civs, too? What about the nine prisoners, did you rescue them? And what the hell was that earthshake I felt? Was that you? Or Gronk's axe?"

Yaz peers at Bennett with wide eyes, waiting for his answers.

The answers, however, come from Padre Kokal, who shakes his head as he speaks:

"Aye, I'm afraid that the objectives were accomplished, but at great cost. All of the dignitaries that we had targetted, the Lord Protektors of Pardubitze and Trebova, Kurtek, the Trebovan Witchfinder and Sylva were all cut down, as they deserved. The nine prisoners were rescued, although two of them died as we were leading them away. Their rescuers, the Foot, suffered badly at the hands of the Nyemetz during the mission, with two-thirds of their numbers giving their lives in the name of Justice. They will sit at Radegast's side for the sacrifice that they have given in the name of what is right."

"There were many civilian casualties from the action as well," continues Kokal.

"Many of them were caught in the crossfire from the goblin archers, but the worse casualties came from the earthquake," the Padre finishes with a glance in Aneira's direction.

As more and more voices speak in support of the Olmutz route, Jihan can but nod his head in assent:

"You have all heard how I feel about remaining in this area. There are too many children here..." he says almost cryptically, with a faraway look in his eyes. "We must find further aid and let what we have planted here grow on its own, let it spread its own arms out and learn its own lessons. If we keep pruning at it, we run the risk of killing it off entirely... Now that we know the extent of Sylva's treachery, we know who is being monitored and who must be extra careful, and can take actions as such. Perhaps we can get a message to Boris concerning this fellow at the Green Frog and have him taken care of, though with the information already out there, doing away with him would be pointless."

"Heimlin's son must be saved, more to the point, the gnomes must be liberated, but throwing ourselves on the walls of Kutna Hora as we're equipped right now isn't going to do it. If my old man Luuhan really was running artillery, maybe we can track him down to help us out. It's been too many years since I've seen the old gnome..." the elf continues, whistfully. "But I think that Olmutz would certainly be a good start stepping stone for making contacts. It is THE holy city of Bohavia, one of the last partly 'neutral' grounds that is too dangerous for the Nyemetz to simply wipe out, though they were working to subvert it and its churches the last I heard. You can't just erase the religion of a country and expect the citizens to take it... People from all over the country travel there to make pilgrimages... It's almost a mecca... And at the same time, it is a strong point on the web of Obkod's people and their dealings... It would be a very good place to go indeed."

"And further," Jihan says, "we must consider the two as yet untapped resources Bohavia has in her hands: the dwarven and elven peoples."

"The dwarves," he adds with a nod towards Gronk, "seem already inclined for rebellion. All we really need is to give them something tangible to strike at rather than sitting helpless in their mountain strongholds. Sudeten would perhaps be a good place to go after our dealings in Olmutz are completed. Perhaps with their support, we could do something about Kutna Hora..."

"As for the elves... My people of the woods are not so easily convinced to put their lives on the line, but there remain the remnants of the great elven Warders of Old that still attempt to patrol the southern woods around Budyeyovitz. The cell the WSM mentioned in the woods down there intrigues me... This Sandra Nista who is able to capture the hearts of my people... With people such as her, or Warders like my uncle or father were, we might be able to turn my woodland family back on the path of freedom and away from apathetic self destruction."

"I have family in Budyeyovitz," he adds, almost with distaste. "Doing something to remove the collaborators of Budyeyovitz would do us well in gaining the support of my High elven brothers and sisters. And there are other things that may prove useful to think about, in addition to Hrust, Yiri and great generals... If we find ourselves in the southeast, it may do us good to search out the Great Griffon Eyries of the grey elves that live there, or in the west we could look for evidence of the dragons of light that were driven from this land, along with their evil brothers, during the Great Purge in the second age. The sky is a resource that the Nyemetz control without peer right now, a most devastating one, and if we can't take it from them by eliminating their mounts, we may just have to seek out those of our own for the rebellion."

"And this Old Blood that Hana mentioned... There was some mention of it in the journal of TruthSeeker Libor Zeman that we found in Boscobelous' tower, something to do with these 'lost ones' he was seeking... I asked Konan about it, but he knew little more than what I was able to find in the book. If Librarian Konig has knowledge of them, it may prove useful in the future if we ever come across such elite members of the STB as Sylva. I will have to pay him a visit before we leave..."

"I think that this would be too dangerous," Hana interjects. "We all know that the Library of Kitry here is under observation and after the events earlier today, they will be more vigilant than ever. In any case, if it is information that you seek, then there will be no better source in Bohavia than in the Great Library in Olmutz."

"True enough," Jihan replies with a nod, rubbing at his chin. "It's been a long long time since I last passed through Olmutz. Even cantankerous old gnomes sometimes wish to pause and consider their souls... It will be good to get back there again."

Staring off with that far seeking look again, Jihan shakes his head and returns to reality:

"But for now, we have many brothers who have spilt their lives away for us, and they should be honoured. When Her eye stands overhead, I would sing them on their way, for any who wish to join me..."

This said, the elf sits back, his face again thoughtful.

Faewen'il finally spoke up, though the others can't tell if it was because the chatter wasn't allowing her to continue studying or if she decided to contribute to the conversation. Regardless of the reason, her tone was cool, as usual:

"I be needin ta stay here at least another day an night. I also be needin ta visit Konan... an as far as other plans, Heimlin's son-in-law will surely be dead iffen we keep puttin tha trip off."

Faewen'il continues to look at the group about her, prepared for their dissent regarding staying in the city longer.

Bennett shakes his head:

"I do not think we can risk staying. Right now the Nyemetz will still be in chaos, but we have hours maybe before the Witchfinder General closes ranks and organizes. Within a day he will have the walls searched, find Yaz's hole, plus have extremely tough monitors at the gates. If we don't go now, we may not be able to go at all. What's so important that you can't do after we leave?"

"I have unfinished business with Petr," Faewen'il replies, without emotion.

Faewen'il pauses for a few moments, begrudgingly continuing to speak; knowing that if she didn't explain it all down to the last minute detail, they would be here all day and night arguing about it:

"Ye donna have ta worry about me gettin into or out o tha city, I have me spells far that; but I will be damned iffen I will let tha lot o ye keep me from copyin down some very useful spells from Petr's library especially since I ha already paid far them an some other magical supplies I have ta pick up."

Bennett shakes his head a bit:

"You mistake me. I am well aware that you have more than enough resources to leave when and how you choose, but we do not share your magical gifts, at least I don't. As always, you needn't go with the rest of us in any case, if you do not wish to, though I certainly understand the value of having you with us. What I was referring to is that the group must flee, immediately. If you choose to stay, that is entirely your prerogative, and if it benefits you enough to take the risk, then good for you. I hope to see you again very soon."

"Not tha ye all could care ONE god-damned bit," Faewen'il continues, "but I also paid far tha replacement o tha supplies tha tha Nyemetz took from ye with tha exception o tha horses as I did na have THAT much coin nor tha time ta go liberate them magically. So ye all are free ta leave tha city as ye choose, tha supplies are down in tha stables having been delivered in secret early this mornin."

Bennett's eyes widen once again:

"You continue to amaze, Faewen'il, with your bitter tongue and your amazing resources. Would that you felt comfortable enough with us to discuss things without using the tone that you are talking to children. In any case, you have done much that we owe you for, this and many other things. Too bad you don't understand that we are thankful."

"So iffen ye want, ye can leave behind a 'nursemaid' ta watch me copy spells," continues the feisty one, "though I canna guarantee they will be able ta get out o tha city as easily as I, nor can I guarantee tha treatment they will recieve at Petr's."

Bennett shakes his head:

"And what good would it do, in any case? Who among us could stop you from doing as you wish were they to watch you?"

He smiles a bit:

"No, whatever condition your soul be in, and whatever spirits may haunt you, I will not control you nor have anyone else do it. I hope that we all learned our lesson about that last night."

Aneira speaks:

"Fae can take care of herself. She has access to powers that we do not. The rest of us need to get out of here. Fae knows the risks and she deserves to get some spells. If we can arrange a meeting place so she will know where to find us? Then let us go."

Her blue eyes spark icily as she stands impatiently, eager now to leave the city where Kurtek fell.

Bennett nods:

"Wherever you wish, Fae. At your convenience. I have not traveled east, so I do not know the way to Olmutz, but it seems to me that we are going to be going in the direction of the Twin Villages, so a stop at the last friendly place we will see for a while is probably in order. From there, we can figure out where to go, though I think cross country to the east until we meet up with the southeastern road to Olmutz. We should stay off the regular roads, though I don't imagine they'll be looking that far away so we should be safe enough once we meet up with that road. Since we have stayed in the valley up until now, there is no reason for the Nyemetz to be looking for us out there, though it won't be safe to stay in the villages. Indeed, it may not be safe to go there at all. In any case, where do you think we should meet up, Fae? I think the earlier we get going the better, but for all your resources, I do not think it best that you travel alone for any length of time. We should reunite as soon as possible. Not to keep an eye on you or anything, but merely to protect each other. What do you say?"

Aneira sighs:

"Yes, you are right, Bennett. None of us should go alone. Fae, do you think you can get me out of here too when you are finished? I think I should stay with you if you will allow it."

Bennett looks at Aneira:

"Well, it seems to me that Xavier wants to stay for a while, and Winnacer wants to write notes, so I think it should be one of them. That is, if Fae can provide magically for someone else, which in the past she has said she can't. If she's got one of those area effect invisibility things, then perhaps she can take both Winn and Xavier. That should be more than enough protection."

Bennett continues to look at Aneira:

"I would just as soon have you go with us. After all, the whole purpose of us leaving is to take you where you want to go, yes?"

Bennett seems to have more in mind than what he is saying, but is obviously quite serious about this.

Aneira says:

"And I would honestly rather leave now. But I can't imagine Fae would want either Xavier or Winnacer staying with her in light of past events. Can you? I'll leave it up to her, of course."

A small smile flashed across her face:

"Fae rather knows her own mind, don't you think?"

Bennett rolls his eyes:

"Oh yes. That is certain."

He then begins to protest again:

"I just wonder why she seems to keep you around, when she's never taken to anyone else particularly. I worry about...."

He pauses:

"The danger of you two travelling without some martial protection."

His tone indicates that is not his primary concern.

Aneira frowns at Bennet:.

"Why she keeps me around? I'm not her pet, Bennett. Maybe it's because we respect each other. Or maybe it's simply because we're both women."

Bennett crinkles his nose:

"Hard to think of Fae as a regular woman. I just worry that whatever demons she carries around will endanger you as well. You must do as you believe best, of course."

That last said with some consternation.

"None of us are what any would consider, 'regular'." Aneira responds calmly. "And we all carry our own demons. Otherwise we'd all be living a more normal life."

Bennett shakes his head:

"No, I don't mean figurative demons. I mean real ones! Skeletal mages that climb inside your head and do funny things to you. We've got problems, sure, but not problems like that!"

Aneira looked at Bennett in disgust:

"Winnacer has yet to show me any such demon. Even his priest friends said there was no such thing in Fae's head. I can't believe you believe such rubbish."

Bennett looks at Aneira:

"You think he's wrong? Good. You priest types know about stuff like that, and I'd rather trust your opinion than Winnacer's."

Bennett sighs:

"What a relief!"

She rubs her head slightly as she speaks, the events of the past few days catching up with her again:

"The rest of you should leave now though. Don't wait around for them to catch you again."

"Okay, Maire' wants to stay here and get her ass whipped by Nyemetz," adds Yaz. "I tell you what, I ain't for that. I'm for getting the f*** outta here. Olmutz, sure, whatever, priests, mages, whatever helps you-guys' revolution... All I'm thinking is getting out of this stinking treeless stone wasteland and back into reality again. Just like Maire' wants to get at her books, if I don't get back in with the forests soon, they're not going to recognize me."

He says this last in all seriousness.

"I suggest we leave... That is, like, now. Let's go. We can run south along the road as fast as we can, then once we hit the forest, cut east through the hills and over the river until we come to Olmutz. It's three or four days ride, right? Keeps us nice and hidden, which is what we need right now. Maire', can you wait four days to get comfy again? You can talk to your traitor librarians in Olmutz if you like... You go to Konan's now and he's likely to have a bunch of Witchfinders all lined up to catch you before you even get to the door."

Will's brows rise:

"Hold a moment. There is a misperception here. Konan and the other Librarians are not traitors, but rather are our allies who are in great danger and under surveillance."

"Yeah," Yaz replies, clearly not buying it.

Will simply looks blankly dumbfounded at Yaz's lack of faith in the priesthood after all they have done to aid the party, then shakes his head almost imperceptably.

"Will and me should have no trouble getting us through the forest nice and safe," the druid continues. "And if we hurry, we might be able to get under Her leaves before nightfall tonite."

"If someone can get our horses out the gate for us, I got a hole in the city wall we can use for escape. It'll fit all of us through, 'cept maybe Gronk. It's in the north wall, in the east, behind the worg kennels, near the barracks. We can sneak around the outside of the compound no problem, and slip out. There's a little stream right outside; it's crossable. Might even help keep our smell off the ground for the worgs to follow."

Although he doesn't say it, Yaz's look is almost pleading as he speaks of returning to the forest after being absent for what seems a very long time.

Bennett smiles:

"Well, you were out doing something useful after all then, huh? I think our best, and perhaps only, opportunity, to get out of here, is to use Yaz's hole and take off, tonight, while chaos still reigns. The Nyemetz will be calling for help soon. I don't think something like this can be kept from the OverLord, and I don't think we want to be here when one of his minions arrives. We may seem safe enough, but if the Nyemetz have a single brain left among them, they will be organizing right now to try and find us. By tomorrow we may be locked in, with all our allies under surveillance. That isn't a pretty picture. No, I think we need to go tonight, or seriously change our plans. We've done what we came here to do, and much more besides. Why push our luck any further. Also, we need to make sure the Nyemetz know we have left, in whatever way is prudent, so that the suffering of the citizens is lessened when they do go looking for the perpetrators. Mounted, we can make our way faster than the worgs can chase us. Still, we need to go, now!"

"While there may be advantages to leaving now, there are many loose ends to tie up, including our wounds," Winnacer interjects as he looks up from his letter writing. "Let us take a few hours to tie things up, and best figure out how to smuggle our horses and gear out of the city. We are not in wonderful shape for smashing our way out, and to run now means leaving our horses, and possibly Flint, behind as we cram ourselves through Yaz's hole. If you can take an hour out to cavort with the dead, you can wait some more time until I can finish writing these letters and for the bunch of us to figure out a feasible way to escape the city with our encumbering gear."

Bennett shakes his head:

"While I was cavorting with the dead, you asshole, you should have finished whatever letters you were writing. What's the matter, didn't learn how to spell properly in your big rich house?"

" F***ing prick!"

Bennett then turns once again to Kokal:

"As I asked earlier, do you know of any way to get our horses and gear outside of town so that we might meet them there? If it is done very soon, and by someone who the guard is familiar with, it should be easy enough to get past them. I hate to be pushy, but sitting here and being an asshole is not going to get us out of town any faster."

"Getting your horses and regular equipment through the gate should not be a problem," Kokal replies. "I shall arrange for a low-profile member of the Faith to take them through. All I need to know is where they should be left."

"There is a roadshine shrine to Dazbag just half a mile to the east of the city," Hana responds. "I would suggest that this would make a suitable meeting point."

The Padre nods:

"I know of it. Very well, I shall arrange for your mounts and equipment to be left there."

Yaz is utterly confused by Winnacer's comments, and his face shows it. He speaks very slowly this time:

"I made a hole through the city wall. We can leave through that. And as for those notes you're working on, leave the ones that are done here for delivery. I can get my flying animal friends to deliver the rest for us once we're safely in the forest. It's a magic thing -- Prirodna helps me -- so you shouldn't be worried about them not getting to where you want 'em."

By the end of his speech, Yaz is fairly bouncing in impatience, and continues to bounce and pace and check the window the longer the party remains.

Aneira agrees:

"Yes, we should go now, while there is still confusion as to our actions."

Showing a rare glint of humor:

"I think that since we have even confused ourselves, they must surely also be confused."

"We need to get out now," reiterates Aneira. "No waiting. I am ready now."

The ice maiden then extracted her mace from the sack.

Will sighs and quietly gets up to go to his room, content to stay or go whenever the group is ready.

Stopping momentarily, he asks:

"Where are Min and the squires?"

"Min and the squires are in Holitze," Magda replies.

She then looks over to Yaz:

"The route that you suggested is a good one. However, I wondered whether you could alter it slightly so as to firstly accompany me to Holitze. I need to get back there as soon as possible so as to tell the villagers what has transpired here today. I would prefer to have an escort for the trip, just in case the forces are in less chaos than we believe and they send the worgriders out after me."

She looked over towards Will:

"It will also mean that you can meet up with Min and the squires again."

At Magda's words, Will sighs and mumbles something about too much going on to keep track of.

Will stops to retrieve The Educator and then heads up to his room When he sees that his dagger, 'Teacher's Pet' is not in the bag, he takes the dagger taken from the Witchfinder to replace it instead. He pauses in his path for the door:

"I will be in my room. Call for me when all of this is settled and I will accompany you."

"Oldrich, what are your plans from here?"

The great bard takes another swig from his bottle and then gives a little shrug:

"Well I don't think that it'd be a good idea to hang around in Pardubitze any longer, not after I escaped with you. It's time for me to move on. As to where, I don't know."

He looks around at you all:

"Y'say that your headed for Olmutz? Mind if I tag along? It's been a while since I've seen the inside of the jail in Olmutz."

Winnacer take a moment out from writing his letters and peers at the Lord Protektor's blade with Spravedelna's sight. He discovers that Spravedelna's sight does not tell him anything about the sword, and that it appears to be neither good nor evil, but rather simply a sword.

As he views it carefully, he sees that the weapon is indeed a work of art, and seems to have been especially commissioned as the ceremonial sidearm for the Lord Protektor of Pardubitze. The hilt is made from Kutna Hora silver, which gleams under the light from the lanterns. The pommel is in the form of a horse's head, the main element of the city's coat of arms. The grip is upholstered in red velvet, although the fact that it is now stained to a dark crimson color shows that this weapon is not newly forged. The hand guard is circular in shape, made once more from silver. Inset into the hand guard are a number of tiny rubies that sparkle with an unnatural light.

Winnacer places it in one of his scabbards then returns 'Old Bohavia' it its rightful place.

Jihan takes up Sylva's glassteel daggers, and looks up from them sadly:

"These have spilt so much blood that I am surprised they have not taken redness in permanence, but as Makanuru was capable of, they can find redemption and honour again against the things they once struck out for. I would take these, in memory of the woman who could have been, the children they could have saved, and give them new names..."

Looking around for any dissenting eyes, he slips the blades into reconstructed wrist sheaths, taking the places so long occupied by Link and Recht.

Bennett gathers up the Lord Protektor's sword, looking at the fine craftmanship, and attaches the scabbard to his shoulder belt, in the spot he used to carry Sorrow or Zsolt's sword, though this is a smaller weapon. He mumbles something about needing to practice with some other weapons anyway.

Yaz looks at the bracers Fae dumped on the table:

"For protection?" he scoffs, his face mocking. "Ya, right... Covers your arms a bit, but what the hell good is that when you got all this cushy area down here that's more important?"

He prods his belly with both hands to make his point.

Faewen'il simply stares at him and then shrugs:

"Iffen ye donna wan ta wear magic protection, tha be yar own business."

It is easy to tell that she had wanted to say words other than the ones she did; but the moment was past and she had turned her back and had headed over to pull the bellrope for service before settling down to read her book.

Yaz stops and looks at her, then at the bracers:

"Magic?" he says quietly.

He picks one up, stretches it, sniffs it, looks through it, then holds it up in front of his eyes between thumb and forefinger. Then he shrugs, and puts it on his left arm. The thing is obviously much too large for his scrawny wrist, but once he closes the strap, he lets out a yell as it contracts around his arm, conforming itself. He moves his arm around, flexes, then smirks and puts the other one on without hesitation.

"I like these," he says.

He picks up his sling, which he handles gently and slips under his belt at his back, and his scimitar, which he unceremoniously ties to a leather string on his right side. He takes one of two daggers, found tucked under his belt in front, and places it on the table in case anyone wants it. It is still dark with dried goblin blood. Finally, he opens the burlap sack he carries, and removes the signal arrow the forest elves of Sumava gave him. He makes sure it's still in good shape, and folds it away again.