Reefer Madness!

As soon as they all get inside the safehouse, Viktor bolts the door behind them.

Faewen'il immediately leaves the rest of the party and goes up to the bedroom. She locks the door behind her so as not to be disturbed.

'OK, Brother Igor, get to work,' commands Viktor.

The sweaty cleric immediately starts to utter words to his god and then starts the healing rituals upon the injured.

Winnacer is the first to receive Zlodey's blessings and the healing works well upon the young knight. Jihan is the next recipient and he too feels a great deal better as a result.

There is little to choose between the state of Winnacer, Xavier and Jihan now, so the cleric bestows another healing spell on all of them. After receiving these spells, Jihan has been returned to full health, while Winnacer and Xavier are both still quite a way from feeling perfect, although they feel a great deal better than they did while they were in the Witchfinder Building.

While being healed, Jihan talks with Viktor:

"We surely need steeds if we are to move onwards to Hradetz Kralovye speedily, if such is our goal. We must also consider that Heimlin, Bekkah and Grandmother must be moved there with us, giving all due considerations to their limitations," he says with an apologetic nod towards Heimlin.

"We have taken two already, though neither seems to match my sister Wise-Nose for spirit..." he says, almost wistfully.

"We will either need a cart or some kind of carriage to move the gnomes most efficiently, or some really good disguises. Anyone have any ideas on this?"

Viktor shakes his head in response.

'Of course, the choice as to how you get from here to Hradetz is up to you, but I would recommend your not taking the horses. While you will need to get out of Dvur quickly, there is no great rush to carry on to Hradetz after you are safely out of this town. I would recommend stealth over speed. Were you to be riding horses, or traveling with a cart, then there is no way that you will be able to hide easily should you run into Nyemetz patrols. I appreciate that progress with the gnomes will be slow, but better slow than dead in my opinion. In any case, Dvur is only 10 miles from Hradetz, so the journey will not be a great one. If you want to keep the horses, then I can arrange for one of my men to take them on to Hradetz and you can pick them up after your mission is complete. As I said, the choice is yours.'

"When we reach the city, we must make arrangements to have Heimlin and his family sent back to the Twin Cities," continues Jihan. "Can Boris assist us in this, Viktor? We would most certainly need some assurance that such could be done safely and speedily, so perhaps they could wait while we carry out our assigned task and then escort them back ourselves, then to make further plans for how we will proceed with other matters..."

This is something that you are better discussing with Boris yourself' replies Viktor. 'I have no idea how well off he is for manpower currently. In any case, he will be able to provide both safety and hospitality to the gnomes while you are on your mission, as he has already been providing for your friend Corrow.'

"And the meeting with Boris himself... How are we to go about this, my basting good Arch'?" the elf says to Viktor.

"Where are we to meet him, and how will he know us? I know that word of us has spread, but we will need something to identify us as the genuine article. Perhaps a password or token? I know how distrustful canters can be..." he says, looking at no one in particular.

'You are to meet Boris at the safehouse written on this address,' he says giving a slip of paper to Jihan. 'Read it and then destroy it so as not to compromise our operations there. You will find that the address leads you to what appears to be a deserted warehouse in the northwest of the city. This is where you are to meet with Boris. When you reach the building, you should use the same knock that we use here to tell friend from foe. That should serve to differentiate you from the other seven parties containing three hulking great warriors, a young girl, a half-elf, an elf, a goblin and three gnomes that Boris is expecting this week!' continues Viktor with more than a touch of sarcasm.

"Your crew there will have cased the place really well by the time we get there,' continues Jihan. 'So all I'm assuming is that we'll have to ask. I'd like to do a little reconnaissance myself too... I might need some more gear for pulling off this next heist. Are your boys there equipped to provide for such? Of course they are... silly question. Hmmm..."

'Boris will provide everything that you need when you get to Hradetz, I'm sure' says Viktor. 'However, I have had some recent information from Boris that should prove useful. Boris has people who tell him pretty much everything that's going on in the city, but no one has mentioned a thing about your capture and subsequent escape in Dvur. We know that there is no love between Malek and Reinburger and their opposite numbers in Hradetz and their forces are not allowed to enter the city. I would guess that they have tried to hush the whole episode up, as they would soon become a laughing stock amongst their peers were they to know how foolish you have made the two of them look. Following the destruction of the Witchfinder Building, I think it is even more unlikely that they will inform the authorities of your actions. As a result, once you get inside Hradetz Karlovye, I think that you should be relatively safe from any interference from the Nyemetz. Only the Black Diamonds will have your descriptions, but I doubt very much that they will actively be searching for you right on their doorsteps.'

Realizing that he has been running on, the elf pauses and calms himself, taking several deep breaths:

"This whole thing's got me too excited..." he mutters beneath his breath.

Wiping the explosions' ashes from his face, Jihan then looks at Viktor, and addresses him seriously:

"I don't care what you say, brother. We have run up a serious debt to you today. Though a good bit has been paid back in the destruction of the Witchfinder's headquarters, I still feel that I owe you more. Not just for freeing us and the equipment, but for... everything. For the opportunity... You have shown yourself to be a man of honor and respect, a warrior and asset to the cause, despite the fact that it may serve your financial interests to do so."

Clasping the man's forearm in the manner of the warrior-brothers of old, he looks him straight in the eyes, and says:

"Hyanda otorno... blade brother do I swear myself to you... Until the obligation is met, and beyond. In the dark days to come, any and all blades may be needed..."

Viktor grins:

'Well, if you decide on finishing what you've started and start a full blown revolution, then you can count on me to mobilize the good folk of Dvur Kralovye in support. I wouldn't mind becoming the mayor after it's all over!'

Turning to the rest of the party, Jihan continues:

"Though we've been hesitant to before, I think it would be better for us to split up the party, if at least for the trip. We have been working on little more than luck before in regards to this, but the prominence of our escape, and the actions we've committed tonight will most surely lead our foes to look for a party of exactly our numbers and composition. I propose that the majority of the warriors go with Heimlin and Grandmother, who will no doubt have to be disguised either as children or..." and he coughs "...slaves. Or concealed altogether. Darius and I can slink our way over easily enough, with whoever else finds themselves up to the endeavor. Avoiding detection should be easy enough with all the confusion, though we will have to leave before they start blockading the roads and questioning all who pass. Speed must therefore be our partner in this. Can anyone think of some ways to disguise ourselves from distance inspections quick enough to get by?"

Winnacer interjects at this point:

"I'm not positive that splitting up will yield us any advantage, especially if we do encounter resistance. It may be best if we stay together, but leave as soon as possible, putting as much distance between us and this town as my wounds can tolerate. As for disguises, we can pretend that we are a group of Nyemetz led by Faewen'il, the Witchfinder. Or perhaps we can just rely on quick action instead of subterfuge right now."

Yaz, tired but energized, and still unwounded, speaks quickly:

"Haircut's right. I'm for something quick. Let's run for it; let's run NOW. This city has no walls. In pairs, or individually... in all directions... or in a group, it probably doesn't matter. But let's go now, while the fire rages and the guards are distracted. We can come together again in the forest some ways from town, and spend the night there to rest. I can help heal you, Winnacer, in the morning, first thing."

"How many days to Hradetz Kralovye? If more than two, we should all be healthy by the time we get there. Especially if Friar Tuck can pay us a visit...?"

Yaz looks inquiringly up at Viktor:

"But we cannot spend the night here. I would not sleep."

'I agree with Winnacer and Yaz' adds Viktor. 'You need to go from here as soon as possible, before the Nyemetz start their inevitable searches. I think that there is little advantage in splitting up. Remember that the Nyemetz have no idea as to where you are headed, so they will have to cover all directions and their forces are limited. I've prepared a map for you.'

Viktor unfurls a small map showing the location of Dvur Kralovye, Hradetz Kralovye and the surrounding area.

'Hradetz is not far from Dvur ,as you can see. Even at a gnome's pace, the journey would only take a maximum of two days if you took the direct route, although that would not be a wise decision in my opinion. I'm sure that the ford will be guarded. They always have a guard on there anyway, but I'm sure that it will be doubled or trebled, as they know that this is the one direction that you are interested in. I'm sure that they will also have blocks on both of the roads. However, as you can see, there is a lot of ground in between that they must cover to have even a chance of catching you. You can see from the map that pretty much all of the terrain between Dvur and Hradetz is hilly, and the majority of that is wooded. That's good terrain for hiding in, and bad terrain for following. I've also arranged for some new clothing for you. Unfortunately, Brother Igor will not be able to provide any more assistance now. He is expensive enough as it is. I'd hate to think how much he would charge to visit you in the countryside, were he ever even to find you. You're on your own from now on until you get to the safehouse in Hradetz.'

Viktor reaches behind his and brings out a large sack. Inside the sack are some fairly disgusting and fairly smelly robes.

'At Jihan's request, we've rubbed them in catstink. There's no way that the worgs will be able to follow a scent while you're wearing these and, from a distance, you'll just look like a bunch of peasants. Your journey will not be without its dangers, but these should improve the odds in your favor.'

Jihan brings out the sacks of Granny's items that he retrieved from the laboratory at this point. He presents her with her spellbooks, which were easy to locate. He then digs out all of the other items that he picked up from the Witchfinder Building and places them in front of her, hoping that she will be able to explain their uses to him.

Surprisingly, Granny is in a fairly lucid state of mind at the moment. Firstly, she tells Jihan to pick up a small blue gemstone.

'Now say the word "schneem"' says Granny.

'Schneem' repeats Jihan.

At that, Jihan's nose begins to grow until it reaches a size of about two inches long.

Granny starts screeching with laughter.

'Oh, it still works!' cackles Granny. 'My you do look handsome! The village won the biggest nose competition in the area with the help of those little things back in '83. We could only use them the once, then the judges realized what we were up to and banned them the next year. Mind you, it was fun while it lasted!'

Jihan drops the gemstone and is relieved to see his nose revert back to its regular size.

Next, Jihan picks up a small green basket, which he shows to Granny:

'Oh, yes, now that one was good, I remember' says Granny. 'Once you say the magick word, everything within a 20 foot radius of the basket will get imprisoned under the earth for eternity.'

Jihan looks excited.

'Oh, no, sorry young 'un' replies Granny. 'That was the RED basket. The GREEN basket keeps mushrooms and other fungus fresh for up to nine months.'

Jihan doesn't look very excited any more. He picks up a small wooden box that emanates magick.

'You'll like that one' says Granny, cackling again. 'Just open it.'

Cautiously, Jihan does.

'Immediately the room is filled with the sound of a band playing a fast jig on accordions, violin and lute.'

'For Zlodey's sake!' shouts Viktor. 'Shut the bloody thing up or you'll have the whole garrison here to see what's going on!'

Jihan immediately shuts the box. Starting to tire, he shows a small metal mirror to Granny.

'Now that was one of the most powerful items that I ever made' she says grinning. 'All you have to do is say the word, and anything reflected in the mirror creates a mirror image of that object which is yours to command.'

The elf looks excited again:

'So what's the word?' he asks expectantly.

'That's the problem' Granny chuckles 'I wrote the word down about 100 years ago and have never been able to find it since!'

Jihan gives up at this stage, resigned to the fact that he's never going to find anything useful amongst Granny's stuff.

During this time, Yaz has been looking at the animated nose and the green powder. He takes a pinch and is just about to take an experimental snort when Granny screeches at him:

'DON'T DO THAT!!!'

Yaz immediately drops the pinch back into the container, looking apologetically:

'Sorry. You know what this stuff is?'

'I should do, sonny' replies Granny, laughing. 'I made it!'

'That was close to being one of my most useful creations. I was trying to create a substance that would solve the problem of disguising the entry to our grottos. I was trying to come up with a substance that would create an illusion of whatever the holder of the powder wanted and for it to be completely undetectable as an illusion. I came close to succeeding. The only problem that I wasn't able to solve was the duration. It always lasts for a minimum of a week, and a maximum of two weeks, no shorter and no longer. That was why I had to give up on it, as the powder was too expensive to produce in the large quantities that would be needed to keep re-applying the powder on a regular basis. It's very easy to use. All you have to do is sprinkle a pinch on yourself, or someone or something else while imagining what you would like the object to look like. You or the object will then look as you imagined. It doesn't change the abilities of the subject, just their appearance, and it is completely undetectable.'

At this point, the animated nose sneezes its way out of the bag and starts to sneeze around the room.

Granny starts laughing hysterically at the sight:

'I was always worried that this would happen as it does look like snuff. What some poor chap has done is assume that the powder was snuff. While he was sniffing it, he was obviously thinking that it might cause him to sneeze, and so the powder has turned him into a nose. I'm sorry, but the poor chap is going to have to stay like that for a week or so now, as there is no remedy to the powder. You've just got to wait for it to wear off.'

While Jihan and Yaz have been talking to Granny, Winnacer speaks with Flint:

"So, good dwarf, it seems that you are again free to walk in the rubble-strewn path of Ohen. What do you intend to do now that you are free? Our cause, that of achieving a free and just Bohavia, could always find a use for those talents of yours. Perhaps you would care to travel with us some, or tell us how to contact you the next time we need to envelop the Nyemetz in fire and rubble."

Bennett listens to the conversation intently fascinated by the dwarf's Holy Powder and hoping that the dwarf has got more of it for him.

'I don't really know what I'm going to do now' replies Flint, still staring into the fire.

'I need to get out of Dvur Kralovye, the same as you, but I don't know what I'm going to do after that. I wouldn't mind hanging around with you. You lot seem like a whole heap of fun. I don't have a lot of friends. Most people don't take kindly to me when I start to blow things up and burn things down. I just can't help myself. I've always been fascinated by fire, the colors, the smell, I just can't get enough of it. I was lost until I was discovered by the priests of Ohen and taught that it is a gift from Him. Mind you, after the accident in the temple, even they won't let me stay with them now. So, I keep on moving. I sell a bit of the Holy Powder every now and again to give me enough coin to continue my travels, but I have no place to call home.'

Flint averts his gaze from the fire and looks at his pack and pouches:

'I used almost all of my Holy Powder back there. I've only got one sack of it left now, and a few skins of oil. As soon as it's gone, then I'll have to go back to the temple and hassle the High Priest to give me some more. He won't be very happy, as it's only been a few weeks since I got the last lot. Mind you, if I hang around long enough, then he usually gives me some more if I promise not to come back again for a while.'

Finishing with the dwarf, Winnacer then turns to Heimlin:

"We are safe, good gnome. But not for much longer. The time for our parting is long overdue, as we seem to attract trouble and attention you have no need for. What would you like for us to do for you?"

"Also, can you take a look at this gemstone I picked up. Faewen'il says it has a magical aura to it."

Heimlin picks up the gem:

'It's a Hyacinth Topaz' the gnome says holding it in his hands and holding it up to the light. 'The stone's worth about 1000 gold pieces as a gem. It does look magickal, but I've got not skill with magickal gems. Can't help you with anything else about it.'

Winnacer pockets the gem.

'As for what 'appens to Granny, Bekkah an' me, I don't really know. ' continues Heimlin. 'There's no way that we can go back to our village again, we'll never be safe there again until the Nyemetz are chased from Bohavia. We spoke about going to Holitze before. It still seems like the best idea to me. Kesryk should be able to provide some protection for us. However, Holitze is on the other side of the Labe, an' there ain't many crossing points. The most logical one is the bridge to Hradetz Kralovye. I think that we'll 'ave to come with you to Hradetz an' then either wait there until you've finished your job, or get some assistance from the Blue Dragons to get us back there. That decision can wait. First thing we 'ave to do is get to Hradetz with you.'

They can all see that Viktor is starting to get a little impatient now:

'Please, I think that the time has come for you to make your departure from the town now. The sun will rise in just two and a half hours and you should be a good distance from the town before then. I know that you would be happier to stay here for another day to rest and recover, but it simply isn't going to be possible. After what you did to the Witchfinder Building, I can guarantee that Reinburger and Malek are going to tear the town apart brick by brick until they find you. Please, it's best if you go now.'

Viktor and Heimlin look on speechless as Yaz, Darius, Jihan, Bennett, Flint and…<gulp>…Winnacer start toking on Yaz's weed. They look on even more staggered, as they start to make bad puns about the nose, which sends them all giggling like schoolgirls.

In between giggling, there are a few suggestions made as to the plans for escape, some of which involve using the powder.

Heimlin looks at the powder in the snuffbox:

'Looks to me as if there's only about ten pinches left, an' I don't reckon Granny's gonna be able to make any more. If you reckon that now's the time to use it, then I ain't gonna complain, but it'll mean that we won't be able to use it in the future when we might need it more urgently. Also, remember that there's no way of removin' the illusion until it runs its course. D'ya really want to stay like goblins for the next week or so?'

Bennett starts to interrogate the nose. Granny looks at him bemused, having no idea as to why everyone is acting in such a silly fashion:

'There's no use speaking to it, ducks. It's got no ears to hear, no eyes to see, nor no mouth to speak. If you want to chat with the fellow, then you'll have to wait until the illusion wears off.'

She then starts giggling in the same fashion as the rest of them.

The power of speech finally returns to Viktor:

'I just don't believe it!' he exclaims, still shaking his head. 'You're about to go on a dangerous journey and you're all as high as a kite! I've heard that stress does strange things to men, but I've never seen it result in such bizarre behavior. Please try and calm yourself before you make your escape. I don't think that I'm going to be able to rescue you a second time if you get caught leaving the town.'

As they carry on toking on Yaz's hash, Winnacer decides to do away with the nose. However, as he goes to draw his longsword, Yaz stops him, telling Winnacer that he has grown quite attached to nose and doesn't want to see it killed, yet. Winnacer is not so sure as to the wisdom of Yaz's actions, but agrees to abide by Yaz's decision.

Eventually, the effect of the hash subsides, and talk reverts to the subject of escaping the town. The idea of using the powder is promptly forgotten, so as to save the powder for use at a later stage. There is some concern at having to cross the Labe.

As Viktor listens, he interjects:

'It looks as if I still haven't explained the route well enough' he says. 'I can see that you are still a little confused. There is no need to worry about crossing the river. You will not need to cross the river until you get to Hradetz Kralovye. The bridges to Hradetz are part of the town's fortifications. Hradetz is a walled city and so there are only three gates, two of which are formed by a bridge over the Labe. Therefore, the river crossing should not be a major concern, at least no more of a concern than entering the city through the other gate.'

Bennett interrupts Viktor at this time, concerned as to whether his information concerning the fact that they should have no problems with the Nyemetz in Hradetz is correct.

'I would hope that I have already demonstrated my ability to provide you with accurate information,' replies Viktor, a little annoyed. 'I can assure you that determining the Nyemetz reactions to you was not at all difficult for us to obtain compared to getting a floor plan of the Witchfinder Building. Please, trust me on this. Once you get to Hradetz Kralovye, your only worries will be the Black Diamonds, unless you do something to upset the Nyemetz there, which would be a very unwise thing for you to do.'

Winnacer nods in agreement:

"In that case, let's follow down close to the river and take that down towards the city."

'Sounds like a good a plan as any,' replies Viktor. 'Unless the rest of you have any better ideas.'

With that question resolved, it is time to move out as time is getting on. There are now only two hours until sunrise. Everyone starts to get ready. However, there is still the outstanding problem of the fact that Faewen'il will still not come out of her room, despite the best efforts of Jihan, Winnacer and Yaz to speak with her.

Viktor decides to try his luck. He taps gently on the door:

'Errm, excuse me, Faewen'il. The time for your departure is now well overdue. Your colleagues are getting ready to depart. I really think that it would be a good idea if you went with them. As I have been telling your colleagues, the Nyemetz will be tearing the town apart brick by brick in a few hours' time. Were you still to be here by the time they check this house, then I would not be able to protect you. Please, I beseech you, please come out and go with your colleagues. I can understand it if you are tired, but I am sure that the rest of your colleagues are feeling the same way. Once you are a fair distance from the town, then you will be able to make camp in the woods and get some rest.'

The door to the room opens up almost as if on cue; its occupant standing in the doorway momentarily with several bundles of packed things. Even though the amount of time was not very long, Faewen'il somehow managed to once more work the magic she did best. Every hair seemed to be in place on her head and her clothing was clean and without a wrinkle. Though one would have expected her to don one of her dresses, she is still in the pants and tunic; though now she wears the pants with a proper belt, the extra long legs of which are tucked neatly into her boots. The tunic front has been altered slightly so as to have a lace-up design, the laces of which are ribbons from one of her dresses. Over it was her familiar old green cloak. The satchel at her feet is thoroughly stuffed with books, so much so, that the blanket she carries with her are now seconding as another vessel with which to carry her gear. The scrolls are now stuffed behind this new belt along with the Witchfinder's rod. The other new article is the sheath that contains the magic dagger; before it had been on a thong and hidden down her dress, now its sheath rests on her hip as it is attached to her belt.

"I be ready." she says in a cool detached voice, her eyes frosting a bit as they happen upon Xavier.

 Then the moment passes and she walks by to go place her things by the door.

 It's finally time to leave. All dress in the stinking rags and line up at the door with Jihan at the fore. As each leaves the protection of the safehouse to enter the yard, Viktor shakes each person by the hand:

'It has been a real pleasure for me to spend time with you here. Good luck on your journey and on completing your mission in Hradetz Kralovye. If you ever find yourself in Dvur again, then please be sure to come and see us. You can usually find me at The Cow & Gate. Until then, farewell.'

They say their goodbyes to Viktor and then steal out of the backyard of the safehouse.