Rogue

Rogues Night Out

Eliannora Bladedancer stared into the glass of fine Silver Mist Mead in her hand, watching as the as the glass fractured the image of the person sitting across from her. She was doing her best to ignore the rogue who had taken it upon himself to invade her privacy without even the decency to ask permission. Still, she was in a congenial mood this eve having just completed yet another assignment.

“I tell you Ellie it would be an easy few Triones,” the rogue-warrior Gaetan continued excitedly, a twinkle in his blue eyes.

“And I told you,” Ellie repeated to the handsome youth as she played with her long braided ponytail. “I am not looking for another job right now. Besides, getting involved in the affairs of priests is not something I take lightly.”

“All we need to do,“ he argued, “is obtain a scroll from the temple of Silvanus and take it back to the Temple of Schetwine the Bloody-handed.”

“Nothing is simple where deities are concerned. When you have a few more plantings of experience in the business you’ll understand that,” she countered. “Besides, I recently finished a mission for one of the local Archeon families here and expecting to be paid well for my services.”

“So I heard,” Gaetan said in an admiring tone. “You managed to help them gain the governorship of Midtor over their rival.”

“Thanks,” Ellie said accepting to the compliment, “but if they see you here it might complicate matters. You know how these noble types are about secrecy. Not like anyone here would care much one way or another.”

“Very well,” Gaetan said flashing her his most winning smile, handing her a small slip of paper. “If you change your mind you can reach me here.”

Ellie acknowledged his departure with a slight nod. The lad was handsome enough to be sure. However, the youth’s enthusiasm could be a bit much.

Ellie spotted several uniformed men enter the tavern. At first, she though they might be emissaries from her employer. Upon closer examination, she noted that the symbol on their tunics were different. Her eyes opened wide in apprehension, as she recognized the symbol to be that of the rival house. What would they be doing here? The half-elf rogue absently fingered the small sword and matching dagger strapped to her slender waist.

Ellie noticed more soldiers had arrived, proceeding rapidly in her direction. “Dragperg,” she thought rising quickly from her seat. One of the nobles must have sold her out.

Hurrying to the bar, Ellie spotted one large man about to take a swig of ale. She nudged the man’s hand, causing the drink he was holding to spill onto another, nearby large gent. Ellie stepped back. The man turned angrily towards the confused fellow, punching him before he could offer an explanation.

“There she is!” One of the soldiers exclaimed seeing the rogue attempting to inch her way to the door as the tavern erupted into a brawl. The soldiers pushed through the mob to reach Ellie.

“Great,” Ellie muttered, turning around making a mad dash for the kitchen with the soldiers hot on her heels.

Ellie burst through the kitchen, noticing a large shelf suspended by a rope filled with cooking pans and tins. The rogue unsheathed her sword, slicing the rope. The contents fell on the running soldiers. The soldiers cursed the half-elf, slipping and stumbling in the sudden metallic mire.

Racing out the door, the rogue snatched up one of the large poles used to lift heavy cooking pots. Turning the corner, the nimble woman used the pole to vault onto the roof of the tavern flattening her body against the thatched covering just as the soldiers reached the exit.

“Where did that breed go?” One of the soldiers exclaimed. “Lord Alton wants her head.”

“What’s all this excitement about one breed thief?” Another asked. “The coo was a failure.”

“Lord Alton wants to make an example of her to other thieves.“ One who sounded like a leader explained.

“Then we best get on with it,” another grumbled in a gravely voice.

“Agreed,” the leader sounding one concurred. “We’ll split up into groups and search the area, with guards along the wall and the gate at the alert there is no way she’ll slip by.”

Ellie’s thought frantically. With the guards warned, there was no way even she would be able sneak out. She might if she had bribe money. Sadly, she had used her last trione to buy the mead and without payment for the ill-fated mission, the rogue was broke and trapped.

Sighing resignedly, Ellie unfolded the scrap of paper Gaetan had handed her earlier. She really hated getting involved in anything dealing with deities, but these were desperate times. Ellie needed money and she needed it fast if she was to survive the night.

Shortly, after the last soldier had disappeared down the dark twisted streets, the rogue arose from her place of concealment. Fortunately, the buildings were built packed close together in the crowded walled trade city, making it relatively easy for Ellie to traverse the roof tops to avoid any guards.

Gaetan did not seem surprised to see the half-elf thief, in fact, it almost seemed as if had been waiting for her arrival when she slipped into the window of his small compartment.

“I had a feeling you might show up.”

“Really,” Ellie replied in an accusing tone. “You wouldn’t have had anything to do with the rival faction finding me out would you?”

“I am hurt,” Gaetan answered defensively. “I had nothing to do with that at all. Though, I had heard rumors Terria’s plot had been foiled by Alton.”

“Right.” Ellie glared at the handsome young man.

“Besides,” he continued, “right now you need triones or else you wouldn’t be here correct?”

“True enough,” Ellie admitted. “So tell me how did you plan to get the scroll?”

“I’ve been given a map of the compound from the Schetwine priests,” he told her. “I figured we’d just find a high window, or possibly an unguarded exit and enter that way.”

“You never break into a temple like that,” Ellie, reprimanded Gaetan. “They usually have magik alarms on every portal.”

“So how do you propose we gain access?”

“We walk in,” Ellie said with a sly smile. “We pretend to be followers of Silvanus and say we are here on some sort of pilgrimage.” Ellie began fishing in a pouch, extracting a small wooden medallion as the left the rooming house. She tried to keep a symbol of at least one of every deity in the land of Iamoore on her.

“Won’t they detect us?”

“Unlikely,” Ellie proceeded to the main gate of the ivy-covered temple. “Silvanus is patron of nature, time and balance. Their priests are not normally blessed with that ability.”

“You really are amazing,” Gaetan said stroking her arm.

“Its just experience,” Ellie slid closer, he really was a handsome one.

They could see the simple wooden door flanked on either side by two leather-clad men armed with quarterstaffs, the weapon of choice among the followers of Silvanus.

“Halt,” one of the men commanded, presenting his staff. “What is your business with the temple at this late hour.”

“We have traveled a great distance to visit the temple in Midtor,” Ellie informed him, displaying the wooden disc with a small leaf design. “We are of the far-off territory of Weston I know it is late but we wish to see the temple and have no desire to spend anytime in the confines of this city.”

“Wait,” the temple guard answered. “I’ll send for the priest on night watch at this time.” Ellie nodded humbly indicating Gaetan to do the same. This was one place where being a half-elf was an advantage. Many of the followers of the lord of the Forest were elves and half-elves.

Presently, a young man approached them garbed in the rough brown robe of a Servitor of Nature. “I understand you have traveled a great distance to visit our temple?” the man said in a soft sleepy voice.

“Yes, we have traveled very far and only wish to finish our long quest.”

“It is very rare for the followers of Silvanus to seek a temple.” The priest remarked.

“True,” Ellie admitted, “but we came to see the most wondrous artifact said to reside within the walls of this temple.” It was a stab in the dark, but most of the temples usually boasted of some valuable relic in their possession.

“Of course, you mean the great oak which grows in our courtyard, said to be where Silvanus proclaimed his doctrine here on Iamoore. Surely though you can wait till the morrow for that.”

“We are betrothed, “ Gaetan announced, slipping a hand around Ellie’s slender waist. “We can’t think of a better place to proclaim our love then at the tree where the Lord of the Forest addressed his people.”

“Please,” Ellie pleaded, “we have waited so long for this moment.“ She wrapped her arms around Gaetan. “I simply can’t stand to wait another minute.”

A warm smile appeared on the priest’s lips observing the apparent couple very much in love. “Normally it’s against the rules,“ the priest contemplated, “but I think we can make an exception in this case.”

“Oh thank you, thank you,” Ellie cried, hugging the priest. “Isn’t he so sweet, “she glanced back Gaetan with a loving smile.”

“Indeed,” Gaetan agreed pulling her back into his arms. The priest led them to the courtyard to the great oak.

It was actually inspirational to see the mighty tree within the confines of the congested city of Midtor. The oak did look as if it was as old as the world itself.

“Oh please sweet, “Ellie cooed, cuddling up next to Gaetan. “Can’t we have the hand-fasting now?”

“You mean right now? “ Gaetan was taken somewhat aback bye the half-elf.

“Why not?” She gave him a quick kiss. “I am sure our friend wont mind. Here in front of the Mighty Oak itself.”

“I am not able to perform hand-fastings as of yet,“ the priest confessed, “but we do have a priest here who can. He is a romantic at heart. I am sure he wouldn’t mind performing such an inspired request.”

“Are you sure?” Gaetan asked.

“Not at all,” the priest assured him, “I’ll wake him now.”

“Please hurry, “ Ellie urged the disappearing priest.
Once the priest was gone, Ellie pulled away from Gaetan’s embrace.

“I was starting to enjoy that,“ Gaetan said smiling.

“Time enough for fun later,” Ellie replied returning the smile. “Now, I imagine we have maybe twenty minutes to find the scroll and get out.”

“I know where the scroll is but how do you propose we get out of here without being detected?”

“With these,” Ellie triumphantly flaunted the keys she had taken from the priest.

“You continue to amaze me,“ Gaetan said with a look of wonderment. The pair skulked through the shadows to the room where the scroll was supposedly held.

They kept close to the shadows, next to the stone wall. The only structure not constructed of aged cedar within the confines of the temple grounds. The small building serving as the treasury was next to the far wall. Oddly, the building was left unguarded. Then again, who would think to rob the simple and rather poor temple of Silvanus?

Upon reaching the door, Ellie removed the lockpicks from their hiding place in her braided ponytail. The lock proved to be an extremely simple one, hardly a challenge for one of her skill. Making a quick scan, the rogue determined there were no traps. Using a series of simple hand gestures, she informed Gaetan she was about to enter. The young man acknowledged her with quiet nod.

Carefully, she pushed the door open, creeping into the room. The room was filled with various items such as wood statues and a few bags of silver of varying kingdoms. In the far corner were several well-preserved scrolls. One scroll in particular caught her eye. Unlike most of the items, this was kept in a glass case surrounded by a soft blue glow.

“That’s the scroll,” Gaetan whispered pointing towards the protected item.

“Strange they would shield the scroll so carefully,” Ellie observed. She was beginning to wonder about this mission. She had very little use for any deity, but Schetwine was particularly disturbing to her, the patron of storms and war.

“Can we get the scroll?”

“It’s guarded by a magikal alarm,” she replied.

“So it’s hopeless,” Gaetan despaired.

“I didn’t say that,“ Ellie removed two small discs and a tiny ring with a bright white gem set in it. “It’s just not going to be easy.”

“What are you doing?”

“Magik works on vibrations,” she explained, concentrating on placing the two discs at just the right angle. “These discs were enhanced with a slight magik vibration, they’ll disrupt the field for approximately two minutes.”

After the discs were in place, she took the small ring and cut a circle out of the glass. Next, she produced a telescoping rod with long clamps on one end. Tapping the glass with the rod, the cut circle dropped on the scroll. She reached in the case with the implement, removing the scroll, pulling free the two discs as well.

“Done with a few seconds to spare,” she said with a touch of pride, displaying the scroll to her current partner.

“Impressive,” Gaetan approved, eyeing the slender figure of the rogue. “All this talent, and beauty too you have the keys to get out past the protective devices and the scroll.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Ellie said coyly.

“I hope so,” Gaetan swept Ellie up into a tight embrace, staring into her violet eyes.

“We don’t have much time,” Ellie warned, as their lips grew ever closer.

“Time enough.” They kissed each other passionately.

The seasoned half-elf was lost in the young man’s kiss. He may be only a youth, but Gaetan definitely knew the art of seduction.

Ellie was so lost in the moment. She failed to notice the bright glint of the dagger before Gaetan stabbed her. The rogue staggered back holding her hand against the wound. Blood oozed through her slender fingers. Gaetan tore the keys and the scroll out of her grasp.

“Sorry,” he shrugged. “Part of the deal is they wanted this dagger coated in elf blood for some ritual.”

“I am only half-elf you idiot,” Ellie winced, struggling back to her feet.

“Close enough,” Gaetan remarked casually. “You wouldn’t believe the obscene amount they are paying me for this. Well I’d love to stay and chat but I must be off before they discover me, thanks for the keys.”

“I hope you gag on the triones,” Ellie growled, between clenched teeth.

Gaetan flashed her his boyish smile, exiting the building leaving her crumpled up on the floor. The young lad had made a fool of her with his charm and bedroom eyes. How could she be so stupid?

She drew out her dagger with her blood-coated hand, flinging it at the glass case. Soon, the night was filled with a shrill howl. If she were going perish, she would at least try and make her assassin pay. Her eyes rolled back. Ellie dropped down upon the hard wooden floor.

The blurred image of an aged man with a long salt and pepper beard slowly came into focus when Ellie regained her senses.

“Great,” Ellie thought. “I tried to rob the temple now I get sent to the deity himself to face judgement.” The sharp pain in her bandaged side when she attempted to sit up indicated she was still among the living, at least for now.

“You were nearly dead Eliannora Bladedancer,” the bearded man informed her with an air of authority. ”Your fellow thief escaped with the scroll.”

“ Too bad,” Ellie grumbled. “How do you know my name?”

“You are not unknown to me,” the man sat back in his chair comprised of tightly wound branches and vines. “You’re father was once one of the greatest Wilderness Warriors ever to grace their ranks.”

“And where did it get him,” she shot back. “Ending up a mean-spirited drunken cripple, running a shabby tavern in the territories.”

“Sometimes the measure of hero is not how well they succeed but how well they endure failure,”

“Whatever, “ Ellie retorted. “So I take it you plan to turn me over to the authorities.”

“Actually no,” the bearded man told her. “That scroll has a spell on it to summon a horrible juggernaut of destruction. We have safe-guarded the scroll for more plantings then most can remember.”

“Explains why followers of Schetwine would want it,” Ellie determined.

“Yes,” the man affirmed. “Such a thing must not be allowed to exist, but alas with the city currently in turmoil. We can hardly call upon guards to get it back.”

“So what does this have to do with me?”

“We need someone of your unique skills to get the scroll back and stop the priests of Schetwine from summoning the creature. Being priests of balance and nature, naturally we can’t interfere with another deity.”

“But I can.” You want me to break into the temple of Schetwine and take back the scroll, forget it.”

The man’s brown eyes narrowed at the half-elf’s outburst. The priest sat back clutching the arms of his chair.

“The choice is yours, “he stated. “We will not force you to risk your life to set things right.”

“Good,“ Ellie smiled, rising to her feet making her way to the exit.

“However,” the bearded man commented behind her. “I fear the forces and creatures of nature might not be quite so understanding at your refusal to aid the Lord of the Forest.”

Ellie stopped cold, turning around slowly to face the old priest once again. “Are you telling me that if I walk out of here without helping you I’ll be attacked by everything from giant mountain cats to chipmunks?”

“The power of nature is great,” the man answered magnanimously. “I dare say such a situation could become a problem particularly, since you are wanted by the current authorities in this very city.”

“You can’t do that!” The half-elf rogue exclaimed. The bearded man stared back at her in stony silence.

“ Very well, “ Ellie sighed resigning herself. “You got yourself a hero.”

Once again, Ellie found herself leaping across the rooftops to another temple. The priests had at least given her a small charm to take with her.

“It is a sphere of time suspension,“ the bearded priest had informed her. “Toss it to the ground and time will freeze for a few seconds.”

It wasn’t much, but at least they had given her something to help on this mission. The only good thing was the chance to get even with Gaetan.

Ellie had always considered the Temple of Schetwine to be an architect’s nightmare. With its odd angled walls, and huge dome, it was a wonder the building was still standing. There were small terraces jutting out of the wall at irregular intervals. The temple relied on living guards rather then alarms. Not that anybody would be foolish enough to try and gain access to the insane place.

Circling the large structure, Ellie located what she deemed to be the best possible access point into the building. One lone terrace obscured from sight by the others guarded by two men armed with large axes, the weapon used by followers of the chaotic god. To successfully gain entry, she would need to neutralize the men, a daunting task for most in her profession.

Ellie however, had been trained by her father before his tragedy in the ways of the wilderness warrior. The teachings, and her own natural agility made her an opponent to be reckoned with.

Ellie winced, remembering her father. They had been very close at one time. Then he lost the use of his left leg and arm during a skirmish. The injuries changed him. The half-elf instinctively rubbed her arms remembering the brutal beatings she had suffered during his drunken rages.

Ellie forced back the feelings of despair, like she had done so many times before. She tossed a thin rope and collapsible hook across to the roof directly over the targeted terrace. She gave a strong yank on the rope, imbedding the hooks on the ledge, she next secured the other end.

The rogue Traversed the rope with deceptive ease, her scheme was simple a one. She planned to drop down on the two guards from above, hopefully silencing them before they could raise an alarm. It was a risky, but the best she could come up.

A grim smile appeared on Ellie’s thin lips, as she stood balanced on the thin wire, poised over the unaware guards. She leaped down upon the terrace with sword and dagger in hand.

Ellie effortlessly ducked between the awkward swing of their axes, tumbling backwards. Leaping up, she kicked the one guard as he was turning around. She expertly slashed the stunned warrior’s neck, flipping over him.

The other watchman slashed downward with his massive axe. Ellie quickly dodged. The rogue delivered two rapid kicks in the man’s side, blocking the axe with her sword. Before the guard could recover, she slashed his wrists causing him to drop the fearsome weapon to the floor.

In a flash, she placed the point of her sword against the warrior’s thick neck. “Want to live?” she asked with a wry smile.

“W-Who are you?” the man stammered, still stunned by the speed of the assault.

“Just a thief,” she smiled. “One who has had a very bad night.” The guard stared in disbelief; a mere thief had bested two of the bloody handed.

“You never answered my question,” Ellie continued. “I’ll make it easy for you, tell me where the ceremony is being held and you live.”

“You can’t threaten a member of the bloody handed in such a way, “The man sneered.

“Suit yourself,“ she sighed with a casual shrug, drawing back her sword.

“It’s in the main antechamber,“ the man blurted. “All you need to do is follow the stairs down to the main hall.”

“See,” Ellie lightly slapped his cheek with the side of her blade. “That wasn’t so hard was it?” Smiling sweetly, she drove her knee hard into the groin of the guard forcing him to double over in pain. She bashed the pommel of her sword on the back of his head. “At least those two areas have little chance of any serious damage” Ellie quipped whimsically sliding the two blades into their respective sheaths.

Entering the building, she found the stairs. She also noticed that the inner building was comprised or several tiered mezzanines. The only support for the structure was eight massive pillars, reaching to the domed ceiling. The walls themselves were white smeared with a brownish red stain. The rogue could only assume it was blood

“Nice decor,“ Ellie thought coldly.

Sensing time was short she hurried down the stairs. Drawing closer, the rogue’s sensitive ears heard the chanting voice of a priest performing the ceremony.

Reaching the bottom floor, Ellie slipped into the shadows created by the flickering torches. Every eye was transfixed on the two men standing upon a dais garbed in ceremonial blood red armor. One was reading a scroll while another stood with a dagger poised over an unmoving body upon an altar comprised of old weapons.

The situation was desperate. The priest had just finished the last phrase. The other prepared to plunge the blade coated in her blood in the heart of the sacrifice.

“Gaetan tricked you,” Ellie shouted, stepping into view. Her mentor in the rogue profession had told her when all else fails, use the truth. She decided this was one of those times. “The blood on the dagger is not pure elf blood.”

Several of the worshippers grabbed her by the arms. “How do you know this?” the priest holding the dagger challenged.

“Because the blood on the dagger is mine, and as you can plainly see I am not a full elf. Have your worshippers check my side they’ll find a fresh wound.”

“It’s true,“ one the men holding her captives confirmed. “She does have a recent injury.”

“Can you explain this?” the priest asked Gaetan, rudely pushed up to the altar.

“She’s lying,” Gaetan assured, flashing a disarming smile. “Just another jealous female, who feels I’ve wronged her in some way.”

“I’ll give you jealous female you swamp slug,” Ellie scowled, struggling against the worshippers holding her.

“See,” he said pointing at the enraged rogue. “She’s hysterical, besides do you really think I would lie to people like you.”

“Because you’re stupid,” Ellie shot back.

“Look,” Gaetan said pleasantly, “I’ll even stay here with you until the spell is completed. If the ritual fails, you can kill me here and now.” The priest holding the scroll nodded in agreement gesturing for the other to proceed.

Ellie knew Gaetan was gambling the spell would work even without the proper component. The truth was magik was never exact, the spell might work or it might not.

“To dragperg with this.” Ellie snarled, flipping backwards, breaking the grip of her captors. The nimble rogue landed into a handspring propelling back into the two worshippers. She somersaulted in the air snatching a helm, hurling it with incredible accuracy at the hand of the priest.

The impact of the helm knocked the dagger away from its objective, just as Gaetan was leaping forward in a vain attempt to deflect it. The ceremonial dagger stabbed him in the heart. Gaetan stared in disbelief at the dagger protruding from his chest, collapsing upon the altar.

“She as ruined the ceremony,“ the priest with the scroll shouted. “Get that breed!”

“Great,” Ellie griped, drawing her twin blades. “One stupid noble act is going to cost me my life.”

Ellie prepared for the skirmish, when suddenly there was a loud high-pitched screech at the altar. The worshippers turned to see what had made such a horrible sound. Gaetan was standing, taller then before bursting out of his leather armor. Huge plates of armor exploded out of fragile flesh encasing his body. The fingers elongated, growing extremely pointed like massive metal claws. The handsome face twisted as metal plating exploded across his face into a grotesque mask. The scream became a howl, like two swords scrapping against each other. Huge massive spikes sprouted across the things arms.

The juggernaut ripped it sharp claws through a priest’s chain tunic, tearing open his chest.

“I-I h-have the scroll,“ the other stammered holding the parchment in front of him. “You must obey me.”

In response, the thing shredded the scroll proceeding to do the same with the other priest. With a roar, it turned towards the stunned crowd.

Ellie made a mad dash for the exit. She sprinted for the door. The thing launched into the crowd, still too stunned to react.

Flinging open the door, she ran madly through the streets. The rogue reasoned any place was better then the temple. Just as she turned a corner, a crossbow bolt whizzed past her ear.

“There she is,“ she heard a soldier shout. “Get her.”

“Well this is good,” Ellie thought dismally. “Either get ripped apart by an abomination or face torture and eventually death.”

Then the clever rogue came up with a plan. It was desperate, but it might actually work. Ellie turned around, heading back to the temple with the soldiers in pursuit.

Reaching the temple, she could see a few of the survivor were attempting to escape the juggernaut. Gulping hard, Ellie charged through the frenzied crowd into the temple. Now if the soldiers were only stupid enough to follow her. They were.

The rogue entered the huge chamber littered with severed limbs and mangled bodies. The thing that had been Gaetan covered with the gore of its victims, was pilfering the bodies. Once a thief always a thief Ellie deduced.

Just as the thing’s huge metal head was turning, Ellie leaped sideways. The soldiers charged into the chamber in front of the juggernaut. They attempted to retreat upon seeing the creature, the thing leaped into them with a berserker frenzy. The abomination slipped on the gore as it was decapitating one of the soldiers, slamming into one of the pillars. The weight of thing caused the pillar to crumble creating massive cracks throughout the fragile dome ceiling.

Observing this, Ellie came up with another scheme to put an end to this. She leaped up on the altar where the parts of priests laid.

“Not much without your looks are you,” Ellie laughed. The juggernaut growled, noticing the half-elf smirking on the altar.

“That’s right,” she continued. “That muted brain of yours recognizes me doesn’t it? Not that you were ever too sharp in the first place.”

The being roared, charging the rogue who leaped nimbly out of the way. Ellie vaulted towards one of the pillars. She flipped away, just as the juggernaut was about to reach her. Her move was so quick, the creature couldn’t turn in time, sliding into yet another a pillar. The walls groaned as the pillar deteriorated from the impact.

“You are a clumsy one, “ Ellie taunted the thing struggling to its feet. “But then that’s not much of a change either now is it.”

The juggernaut screeched with rage charging her again. Ellie leaped, swinging herself around the pillar using the momentum to propel her past the creature crashed into another pillar.

“The only thing you lost is your looks.“ She chided, landing nimbly next to another pillar. “So I guess all things considered, your outside now matches your inside.” The juggernaut charged yet again, with the same result.

Ellie palmed device given to her by the priests. If everything went right, she might live to see another day.

“That is slow plodding and stupid,“ she goaded, landing against the pillar. If she had judged the condition of the building correctly it wouldn’t take much more stress.

Ellie remained in place with swords readied. “You want me you moronic oaf,“ she dared. “Come and get me.”

The juggernaut was almost on top of her, ducking into a tumble she rolled between its legs. Coming out of the tumble, she kicked the creature in the rear sending it flying into the pillar. The thing went through the pillar, imbedding the fearsome claws deep into the tiled floor.

The remaining pillars groaned unable to hold the massive weight of the dome, collapsing to the floor. The dome started to cave in. Ellie tossed the magik item to the floor. It exploded, sending out a light blue ripple causing everything in the area to freeze.

The rogue wasted little time scurrying for the door, stopping just long enough to snatch up a tattered rough brown hooded cloak from one of the bodies.

Ellie just reached the door when the spell ended. The wall in front of her collapsed. With a determined look, Ellie leaped forward through the falling debris into the street.

So intent was she in escaping, she collided into an armored figure standing in the street. Ellie dared a quick upward glance as she landed sprawled out on the ground, to discover the man to be Lord Alton himself.

Before the lord could catch sight of her, the rogue pulled the cloak over her head. “A thousands pardons,” Ellie said in an ancient cracked voice groveling at the feet of the Archeon noble, rubbing her hands in the filth. “I did not mean to annoy you please forgive this one.”

“What is going on here?” Lord Alton demanded.

“I swear I don’t know sire,” Ellie whined pawing the waist of the mighty lord with her grimy hands. “I was sleeping in an alley when the building started crashing and people were running. Please forgive this unworthy one.”

“Leave me be old hag, “Alton demanded with a note of disgust, pushing her away.

“You there,” he shouted to one of his men, “Go tell them to secure the gate. We may have saboteurs about”

Ellie followed the man running for his mount. She reached him just when he was about to mount his steed.

“A fine horse,” she cackled stroking the animal.

“Not now old woman,“ the soldier sneered. “Besides what would a crone like you know about horse flesh?”

“More then you think,” Ellie shot back, switching to her own voice. Before the surprised soldier could react, she smacked him on the head with the hilt of her dagger.

Discarding the brown cloak, she threw the red one of the soldier over her shoulders, putting on the large helm. The rogue galloped towards the gate, pulling the cloak tightly about her.

“Sabotage,” she shouted in her deepest voice, approaching the gate. “Lord Alton wants every available man to assemble near the courthouse someone is destroying the buildings in the city.”

“So that was the noise,” the captain of the gate remarked, “but if we leave who’ll guard the gate?”

“I will you fool,“ Ellie retorted. ”Besides, the attackers are inside city aren’t they?” The soldiers could hardly argue.

Once they had left. Ellie rode unhindered out the gate. The rogue continued riding till she reached a safe distance, removing the helm and cloak. She looked back at the cold gray walls of Midtor.

If the juggernaut did survive the mages of the Hall Hazarle would make short work of it now. Once the bodies of the soldiers were discovered in the temple, Lord Alton would have some explaining to do. Worshipping the chaos god was frowned upon in the social circles of the empire.

“And best of all it was not without profit,“ Ellie snickered; tossing the large purse in her hand she had lifted from Lord Alton. Smiling to herself, Ellie started her borrowed horse down the trade road. The sun was beginning to slowly rise in the sky.

The End