Now then... I am aware that generally speaking writers should not rely on additional media in order to communicate their idea. However, in this case I'd rather err on the side of understanding and thus you can expect a diagram partway through the chapter. It's not that the scene in question is really that complicated, especially once the diagram is there as a guide, but I don't want you to do unnecessary mental gymnastics because I lack some practise in writing these types of scenes.
Tav read the letter again.
T
It is good to know that you are safe, friend. With regret, I was unable to requisition new passes. Apparently, I have reached 'my quota' for the Harpers and would need to wait a tenday before applying for more. Bureaucratic idiocy. I sent word to another one of our friends, who was very insistent on clarifying things with you. It is a shame; Counsellor Florrick was one of the good ones too. More bureaucratic idiocy, if you ask me, but what do I know?
Take care
J
She frowned at the paper.
Why does Jaheira sound so flippant about the whole affair?
Tav's fingers rapidly unfurled the other message. Its paper was thicker and smoother than the first, sporting the city's coat of arms stamped in the corner.
Official Missive of the Flaming Fists
Manip Aedric Stoneshield
Concerned citizen,
By decree of the Watch-Council and affirmation of the Dukes, the matter of Counsellor Florrick is settled. Her service, once honourable, has been deemed compromised beyond reclamation. Her authority revoked, her standing dissolved, she has been conveyed under guard to Wyrm’s Rock Prison, where she shall remain until such time as final judgment is rendered in two days. The Council declares this confinement just and necessary; her voice scatters as cinders upon the wind of law.
The Council records this as a matter of order and stability. Efforts to delay or contest the decision will be deemed as interference with lawful governance of this city. Citizens are urged to continue their daily required duties and allow the judgment to pass.
Due notice and circulation have been arranged, in accordance with protocol. Thus, official exchange of the case commences in compliance under current rule as testament of Wyrm’s Crossing, and its guards’ unwavering resolve.
25 BElient
She chewed the inside of her cheek and narrowed her eyes at the word cinders. Then her eye caught the crossed out B before Elient. A loud gasp escaped her, and her companions watched with quizzical expressions as she darted to her packed belongings.
"Ah ha!" She clutched her ink pot and quill triumphantly, hurried back to the logs, took a seat on the ground and reclaimed Notch's empty plate to spread the paper on top. Before committing any marks to the paper, Tav counted the words after cinders.
Every three words?
She followed those for a bit.
No, no... Every five? ... That doesn't make sense either.
Curious faces gathered around her, casting a shadow on her parchment, and Tav said distractedly, "Please don't stand in my light."
Someone apologised, but she didn't register who - rather, armed with a dipped quill, she methodically circled each seventh word after cinders. The smile on her lips grew as sensible words strung themselves together, and she jotted them down in the space below the original missive.
Council order contest(ed).
Interference (from) citizens required.
Pass(es) arranged. Exchange under (Wyrm's) crossing.
Shadowheart took a sharp breath. "I knew it! The Mother Superior always suspected that Florrick had secret agents."
The others muttered incoherently, but Tav ignored the insinuation and circled the crossed out B, adding the last detail to the encrypted message.
25 Elient, One Bell after Midnight.
Tav admired her handiwork and placed both messages on the log side-by-side for the others to read.
Shadowheart gave Tav a knowing look and asked, "So?"
"So, what?"
"Isn't some deep, dark secret weighing on you? Something you'd like to share?" Her other companions were mighty interested in Tav's answer too.
"No. Despite what you think, I'm merely a travelling minstrel who has picked up a thing or two along the way."
"Oh, sure. A secret agent would have to say that, won't they?"
Tav rolled her eyes. "What matters is that we have a way in." She watched as realisation dawned on the rest and announced, "Operation Interference is officially underway."
Wyll glanced at the decoded paper and asked unsure, "After midnight tonight? Surely, he meant tomorrow night? Are you sure it's not a mistake?"
Astarion scoffed, "That's neither here, nor there. Do I need to point out the obvious? Said prison is a fortress in the middle of the river. How do you purpose we get in, let alone get someone out?"
Tav's eyes sparkled with challenge. "Oh, ye have little faith. It's happening tonight, alright. Just you watch. We strike while the iron is hot."
Speaking of which. Tav stood, collected the papers and held them out to Gale. "Would you mind getting rid of these, please?" A fire incantation later and ashes drifted to the ground. She nodded to herself and turned to face Notch. He allowed her to scratch him behind the ear, and she said onto him, "I need you to reach out to a few other friends of mine."
--- --- ---
They had set up camp once more, fortunately the landowners were more than amenable to the extra gold in their pockets for 'good renters'. Tav had set her crew to work, preparing for this evening's impromptu jailbreak. The newfound sense of direction and purpose brought a palatable buzz to their group once more. Nyx's own anticipation rose with the handing out of tasks.
Halsin and Wyll were sent to borrow tools from the farmers to 'help fix up the place a bit'. This included furnishing one of the outhouses with a door and several tables cobbled together from materials lying around the farmstead. Tav, Gale and Shadowheart had left camp to follow-up on several 'favours' Tav was keen to call in. Lae'zel and Karlach went to observe the guard rotations around Wyrm's Crossing, while Nyx and Astarion scouted the same area for entryways.
From Nyx's position, she could take in the entire eastern portion of the Chionthar River with the bridge to her left. Wyrm's Crossing was nestled atop; connecting the southern and northern sides of the city adjoined by a small island in the middle. The island was the location of Wyrm's Rock, and the caverns below had been converted into a prison centuries ago. The sheer cliffs and rocks jutting from the shoreline made it nigh impossible to reach the prison within or the keep above.
What does Tav know that we do not?
Her eyes followed the wide bridge, so wide in fact that it sported a hap-hazard collection of buildings of various sizes, some of which even drooped over the sides supported by wooden scaffolding, beams and metal cables. Nyx always wondered whether the occupants of those houses felt like they would fall into the water at any moment. A house clinging to the side of a bridge struck her as a rather precarious abode.
Astarion sidled next to her and gestured with his chin. "What do you think, my sweet?"
They were on the second step of a series of tiered cliffs, and when traversed carefully was equivalent to a huge natural staircase.
She squinted at the wooden platform jutting out from the bridge, nearing the step below them, and shook her head. "Lae'zel, Karlach and I would be able to make it easily; the rest of you would need help. I don't think we should hedge our bets on navigating that when being chased by guards."
"Fair enough." He waved a hand at the shoreline below and asked, "Fancy a stroll?"
Wyrm's Keep was more imposing from the shoreline, towering above them while they casually made their way into the bridge's shadow.
Astarion tutted at the fast flowing water rushing past. "I suppose swimming across is out of the question."
"Especially with gear."
They surveyed the area under the bridge. Nyx spotted an opening between the rocks, and upon closer inspection, it revealed the mouth of a small cave.
She stepped around the broken planks on the ground where rusted nails waited for unwary footing, and she peered into the darkness.
He drawled behind her, "It is boarded up for a reason."
She gave him a flat look. "Scared?"
A scoff answered, followed by a series of mutterings about 'not understanding why she insisted on going inside'. The cavern opened up after a brief series of winding tunnels.
Astarion said, "Honestly, I do not relish this idea in the slightest. I highly doubt we'll find anything of use."
"Like a way into the Keep?"
"Hah! No, my dear - they'd have done more than board it up if that were the case. So, let's just turn around and leave before - Aah!" A bat dove past his head and into the tunnels.
His echoing, pitched shriek caused a cloud of bats to descend upon them, fluttering past in a flurry of beating wings. Nyx stood firm, waiting for them to disperse or settle. When they did, she found Astarion crouched and shielding his head - the irony of which drew loud laughter from her.
He straightened, dusted himself off and glared at her. "What is so amusing?"
"You really don't know, do you?" His growing irk confirmed her suspicions, making her laugh even more.
Sticking his nose in the air, he shrugged away from her. "If you keep this up, I'm leaving you to the bats."
Nyx sobered and wiped the tears from her eyes. "Bats won't fly into you, not only because of their echolocation, but because it won't end well for them either. So, there is no need to hide from them."
"I wasn't hiding! I still don't understand what was so amusing about it."
She tried very hard to keep a straight face and said, "I didn't think bats would make you jump out of your skin like that."
He attempted to recover some of his pride, but the result was tepid at best. He said sheepishly, a hand to his chest, "I was protecting my armour." However, he smoothed out his hair instead.
She walked up to him and said, "Here, let me help."
Standing on her toes, she combed the soft dishevelled curls back into place. His hands drifted to her waist. After finishing, she cupped his face and gave him a peck on the cheek. "There."
The mistress of vanity has been appeased.
Her efforts were rewarded with a lopsided grin and a quick squeeze around her waist.
She said, "Come on, let's make sure there is nothing else here except bats.", and they continued into the musty gloom.
After a thorough search of the caves, they'd come up empty-handed. The old remains of a shelter lay abandoned in one enclosure; including rusted fishing gear scattered about along with dried animal bones.
Astarion's voice echoed faintly. "Happy now? Just like I said, some refugees had broken in, and left again."
Nyx spotted another platform at the back of the cavern and made her way over. She halted the moment she heard Astarion draw his daggers, her hand moving to her knives. In barely a whisper she asked, "See someone?"
He signalled, No, and tapped the side of his nose.
She waited for him to join her, and they proceeded soundlessly.
The scent assaulted her at once, like walking into a wall of decaying flesh. She suppressed a cough and summoned her magic to cover her face. They rounded a corner, and the scene made Nyx gape in disbelief.
She breathed, "By the Abyss..."
Dark blood was splattered in crescent arcs across the breadth of the back wall. The source of which was laid out in a circle below. Ten bodies in total, mutilated and arranged like toys. They had been dismembered, their limbs exchanged into a mismatch display of broken puppets. From their clothing; there were refugees, merchants, guards and a priest's frock among them.
Another murdered Illmater priest? Or missing parts of the first? She couldn't remember the priest's name.
Nyx motioned to take a step forward, but Astarion grabbed her by the elbow, stopping her. He gestured to the floor at specific points farther away. Her brow furrowed in concentration, and a probe of her whiskers revealed the outlines of several concealed pressure plates. He pulled her back from the scene, far enough that they could dare to breathe again.
He sneered, glaring over his shoulder, "Clearly someone wasn't content with those bodies alone."
"We need to report it."
"What? There will be guards crawling all over this place, and we'll have no way of getting our passes."
"I meant after that. We can mention it to Aedric tonight."
"As you wish, but I'm done here. I have no interest in meeting the Bhaalists responsible."
Nyx's eyebrows shot into her hairline. "You think it was Bhaal's Chosen who did that?"
"You forget, my dear. I was here during the previous insurgence, the details of their deeds were all over the broadsheets. If not the Chosen; the crazed followers at least."
They usually marked their kills. Even though Bhaal's signature was not present, she inclined her head in concession. They left the disturbing scene behind and returned to camp to organise further for this evening's illicit activities.
---
Lae'zel crossed her arms, her mouth drawn into a displeased line. "These will not carry us all."
Two small rowing boats bobbed carefree in the water while they stood at the local fishermen's dock. The waves splashed against the hulls, gently rocking the oars within to an off-beat knocking. More dark waves rustled in the distance, and the moon had yet to rise.
Tav fretted briefly with her braid and announced, "Part of the plan." She turned to each of them and said, "Karlach, Lae'zel - you stay here and keep a lookout. I don't want any surprises when we get back."
They answered with a 'Soldier' and an 'It's done', respectively.
"The rest of us row to the northeastern side of the island. There, Gale and Wyll - you'll hide and guard the boats. Halsin, I want you to keep watch once we've entered the prison. I'll guide everyone to the prison cells where Shadowheart, Nyx and Astarion can reach Florrick."
Grunts and nods followed Tav into the rowing boats, and she quipped, "If something happens; we're lost fishermen."
Gale chuckled. "At night?"
"How else are we going to catch eels?"
Tav grinned toothily while instructing them on the basics of rowing, and after the usual squabbling they managed to get the vessels moving. She took up two oars and made it look easy while the others had to concentrate on the sea chanty she sang to remain coordinated and moving in a straight line. They eventually reached the shore in a zig-zagging path, where Gale and Wyll promptly saw to the boats while Tav led them to the next stage in her plan.
Nyx cranked her neck to spot the edge of the cliff lined by the soft glow of the moon. The river was at their backs, and the keep loomed in the background overhead.
Tav continued to march to the base and said, gesturing to the cliff face, "Halsin, would you mind constructing a ladder?"
At first he regarded her with an incredulous expression, then she pointed at the vines growing over the edge of the cliff. He grinned, interlaced his fingers and popped his knuckles. "Time for some gardening."
Druidic magic swelled when he placed his hands on the cliff wall, his power extending to the top through the ground, and the vines came alive. They slithered and grew thick like large serpents cascading down the side, weaving into one another on their way to the floor below. Halsin placed his fists on his sides and said, "Ladies first."
Nyx reached the top before Tav and Shadowheart, quickly scanning the area. Satisfied that no guards were patrolling the overgrown cliff-side, she helped Tav up. The rest followed, and Halsin cleared the way of brambles and other thorny bushes until they stood at the base of the keep's wall.
Tav rubbed her hands together and declared, "I'm next."
The wall was unremarkable, but Tav's hands searched the brickwork.
Nyx blinked. "A secret entrance, why?"
Tav quipped at the wall. "For exactly this reason; if Baldur's Gate should fall to corrupting forces once more. A very closely guarded secret that I ought to kill you for."
Nyx shared amused glances with the others.
Tav muttered an incantation under her breath and touched individual stones of the wall in a pattern that Nyx couldn't decipher. The stones receded into the wall one-by-one and something chimed softly within. Light outlined a glowing door, and the section of the wall within vanished, revealing a dark hallway. Tav summoned a magical light and retrieved the blueprints of the prison from her pack - blueprints she had assured them were completely illegal when asked about during the outhouse planning session earlier that evening. She straightened the paper against the wall and confirmed with it the route to the prison cells and layout of the block.
Tav bid Halsin an uneventful guard posting; whereas Nyx, Astarion and Shadowheart followed her into the Keep proper.
They navigated the hallways and opened several more hidden doorways along their route until they stepped into a corridor. Torchlight illuminated the far end. Tav snuffed her magic light, and they crept forward. The corridor was littered with long forgotten dusty boxes and empty weapon racks. The abandoned storage area opened onto the prison block below. From their elevated platform, they could look down on the cells sprawling to either side. Fortunately, getting down and staying hidden won’t be a problem, since they were all kitted in leather armour; even Shadowheart had traded her usual gear for the lighter and quieter combination.
To Nyx's right were four cells, three on each side of the block; to the left were six more. According to the blueprints, the left side included storage areas, the prison entry and staircase to the upper levels. Although the block had multiple sconces on the walls and lighting from above, not all were lit, creating a patchwork of shadows, and there was only one Fist actively patrolling the cell block.
Good. Complacency will work in our favour.
They tracked his movement for a while, but laughter drew their attention to a well-lit cell on the left.
Hmm, that's new...
A booming voice carried from the room. "Oi! You cheated! Roll up your sleeves; I know you cheated!"
Another chided, "Oh, pipe down, will ya? It's not like we're playing for real money.", followed by the clinking sound of mugs and cheers of toasting.
Complacent, indeed.
Once the guard below passed by heading toward the entry, Nyx and Astarion dropped soundlessly to the floor. Shadowheart whispered a feather-fall spell and followed suit. Tav was to play lookout from above. The search for Counsellor Florrick began.
Sticking to the shadows, they searched the four cells to the right. Most were empty, one had a snoring occupant on the bench and another reeked of alcohol; the drunk sprawled on the cold, hard floor.
What did we expect? For the Counsellor to be in one of the easier to reach cells?
The three of them hid in the ample shadows behind the raised platform, coordinating with Tav above using tadpoles and thieves' cant. The patrolling guard remained oblivious. Their group had come prepared with a few scrolls, including two of minor invisibility. One of which was reserved for Florrick, but they agreed for Astarion to use the other for a proper scout of the four remaining cells and then to regroup. He disappeared, and during the wait anticipation rose in Nyx's stomach.
Movement brushed against her whiskers, and Astarion's reappearance made Shadowheart jump. His smugness received a glare from her. He relayed that the well-lit cell had five Fists occupied with Dragon's Draw, and that the Counsellor was two blocks down from that one. Finally, there was a shrouded cell diagonally across the Counsellor's, which he suggested using as a stopover on the way out. After some more back-and-forth between the parties, Astarion took the lead. Once the guard had passed by, he snuck around the corner.
Shadowheart crept to the opposite wall. Both Shadowheart and Nyx waited for Astarion's signal. Shadowheart's fingers touched her temple, and she continued along the shadows, Nyx at her heels. Astarion had unlocked the stop-over cell's gate. Nyx retrieved grease from her pack and set to oiling the gate's hinges while Shadowheart kept lookout for them both. Astarion had moved on to the Counsellor's cell and was crouched at the lock. Nyx sidled next to him and serviced this gate as well. Due to the illumination at the cell; Florrick noticed them and hurried forward. Gripping the bars, she stared wide-eyed at Nyx. The clanking of the Fist's boots drew near, and Nyx placed a finger to her lips. The Counsellor nodded. Astarion stood; the lock clicked, and both of them slipped silently into Florrick's cell, ducking into the shadows.
The guard passed, and Florrick asked in hushed tones, "Did Tavangeline send you?"
Nyx blinked and confirmed. "Uh, yes. Tav sent us."
Florrick shook her head. "You're too late. It's over."
"Pfft, like hell it is. What are you snivelling about?"
The Counselor's shoulders slumped. "After Aedric's letters from Moonrise, I came seeking allies to our cause. Gortash caught wind of it, and his Watchers dragged me to Ulder Ravengard's husk. Empty as a stare. A tadpole's puppet, nothing more." A frown creased her brow. "He spoke of apostasy, conspiracy, sedition. I'll be executed in two dawns."
Astarion scoffed. "We're not here for your pity wallowing, Counsellor. You're coming with us, like it or not."
Nyx crossed her arms and said, gesturing with a dismissive hand, "I'm not listening to your excuses either, and you can save your explanations for Tav and Aedric. They've risked a lot to get you out." She shared a glance with Astarion. "We all are."
Florrick gaped at them, looked away briefly and fisted her hands. Upon meeting their gazes again, a newfound light burned in her eyes. "Forgive me, you're right. I should not admit defeat so easily. No more sulking." She drew herself up. "'When the people need a miracle, you cannot wait for the gods to answer.' Ulder's words, thank you for reminding me of what I should be doing. Let's get out of here."
The guard marched past, his uniform gleaming in the dabbled torchlight, and he disappeared from view to the left. They opened the gate, and the Counsellor slipped out first. A quick peek around the square pillar to the right, and she headed for the cell opposite the neighbouring one. Astarion went next, quickly swallowed by the shadows. Nyx took a steeling breath, stepped out and carefully closed the gate behind her.
A gruff voice called out to the corridor, "Aw, come on, Saunder, it's just a game."
Saunder's voice rang down the hallway. "I'm not playing with cheaters."
Bugger!
Nyx was caught like a deer in the middle of a clearing. She swerved around and grabbed onto the prison bars, tugged at the gate, but it wouldn't give.
What! How is it locked? Shit! Did Astarion lock it? Self-locking!?
Saunder grumbled to himself, and he whistled at his companion in the corridor, fortunately both remained out of sight for the moment. "Oi, Ivarus! I'm in need of a smoke."
Nyx was looking around, frantic to find a place to hide. Her eyes darted to the pillar's shadows, but they were too thin; she'd be spotted. Between her thundering heartbeat, Nyx heard Saunder's armour creaking with movement and the clinking boots of Ivarus drew nearer. Her hands went to her knives, but she was under strict instructions not to engage.
Abyss take it!
Nyx wrapped her legs in magic, intent on trying to leap to the area above the pillar where the shadows were deepest, but hands wrapped around her waist and mouth. The scent of bitter orange and rosemary filled her nose, and she suppressed a squeal. Astarion yanked her toward the pillar, the world spun, and she found herself pinned in the corner of the wall. He pressed his body against hers; a sliver of shadow concealing them both. The enchantments in his armour activated and shrouded them in deeper darkness.
Nyx stared at Astarion wide-eyed, her heart louder than Ivarus' inbound boots, her breath hastened. He lifted his hand from her mouth and winked. Nyx closed her eyes and focused on easing her frazzled nerves. Audible footsteps had Nyx tracking Ivarus over Astarion's shoulder. She held her breath, and time seemed to slow while the Fist blissfully strolled on by.
Graces.
Nyx let out her breath in a soft sigh of relief, Ivarus none-the-wiser. There was more grumbling between Saunder and Ivarus regarding matches. Light splashed against the walls to the right, and a puff of smoke wafted past. Nyx settled against the cold stone at her back and shifted slightly into a more comfortable position. Astarion did the same. Nyx placed her hands on his chest, and his drifted to her waist.
Saunder and Ivarus chatted about idle topics while they shared a smoke. Nyx wondered how long she and Astarion would have to wait for them to finish. She thanked the graces that it was Astarion she had found herself with in this, err, awkward predicament; pressed tightly against each other as they were. Her gaze searched for his, but Astarion's rubies were fixed on her neck - her pulse still recovering.
She patted his chest and gave him an arched eyebrow when their gazes met. He flashed his wicked grin and leaned even closer, lowering his lips to her skin, brushing them along the length of her neck. Nyx resisted the urge to reach into his hair - unsure of whether the enchantments would hold under such... exertions.
She whispered past his ear, "We're not supposed to be fooling around."
His replying nip made her draw a sharp breath.
This is retribution for earlier, isn't it? Fine, I can play games too.
Nyx turned her head to meet his lips, but the infuriating man kept his distance - teasing her with light, smiling kisses. By bunching up his tunic in her fists, she prevented him from squirming away again. She planted a firm kiss on his lips, slowly deepening it into more. Nyx was vaguely aware of the talking guards while she became engrossed with Astarion; the edge of his kisses sharpening in response to the rising smoulder in hers.
Someone coughed; Nyx and Astarion froze, lips glued together.
Ivarus, or was it Saunder? Whatever. Whomever croaked in a strained voice. "Helm, I don't know how you smoke that foul blend." The other guard chuckled, and the former cleared his throat. "I need to get back to it."
The other replied, "I'll join you."
Nyx met Astarion's gaze, and he tried to pull away. She didn't let him go until she ran her tongue over one of his fangs, eliciting a satisfying muffled sound from him.
Ivarus and Saunder strolled on by once again, paying no mind to the hidden couple. Nyx shared a grin with Astarion once they were alone and he whispered against her lips, "Delicious", pulling away before she could make good on that statement. He stepped back cautiously, peering down the corridor. With the coast clear, he took her by the hand and they scurried to the other cell.
Shadowheart opened the gate upon their arrival, and they slipped inside; everyone huddling behind its walls.
Astarion asked in hushed tones, "Miss us? Can't do without, I suppose."
Shadowheart narrowed her eyes at his smug expression. "Hardly, I can get the Counsellor out by myself. Besides," her suspicion deepened looking between the two newcomers. Nyx turned to face Florrick, retrieving scrolls from her pack. Shadowheart gasped and accused Astarion, "You were snogging, weren't you?"
He lilted, "My dear Cleric, Nyx doesn't kiss and tell. But I don't mind letting you in on every single detail."
Nyx couldn't keep the smile from her face at the Counsellor's expression, but Florrick graciously took the invisibility and high-jump scrolls Nyx offered.
Shadowheart made a disgusted noise. "No, spare me. You two better get your heads out of the gutter; we have work to do."
Astarion tutted. "You wound me. I'm nothing but professional when it comes to sordid affairs of various kinds."
Nyx snorted and addressed Florrick, quelling any further bickering. "We wait for the guards to head to the entrance again, then you use the invisibility scroll, follow us to the landing and then use the other scroll to reach Tav above. Then we get out, yes?"
She nodded, and they bid their time.
The Fists' walking conversation faded, and the sneaks slipped out of the cell. Nyx in the lead, followed by an invisible Florrick, then a shrouded Astarion and Shadowheart. Nyx's heart was in her throat again as she crept along the hallway, keeping flush with the shadows. The corridor yawned, stretching before her as though it had doubled in length. She paused and probed with her whiskers for Florrick's movements, hoping that Nyx was the only one who could sense her companions while the Counsellor snuck past the gambler's den. Relieved, Nyx continued, and the platform neared in agonisingly slow steps, Tav's crouching silhouette coming into view on top. Nyx reached the blind spot at the back of the platform, beckoning Florrick to join her, and whispered a reminder for her to use the other scroll.
Saunder projected from the opposite side, "Hold on. Ivarus did you open this gate?"
Shit! Who forgot to close it?
Ivarus affirmed in the negative as Astarion and Shadowheart dashed across the hallway to reach Nyx and the Counsellor. Saunder instructed Ivarus to check the Counsellor's cell, and he continued down the corridor, grabbing a torch from one of the sconces. The rest of the jailbreak crew communicated rapidly with each other and then waited with bated breath for the signal.
"Counsellor? Counsellor! Helm, she's gone! She has escaped!" And the piercing screech of his guard whistle sounded next.
Both Shadowheart and the Counsellor summoned their scrolls' magic simultaneously, lighting up the rear of the hallway.
Saunder called out, "Here! She's here!" Bobbing torchlight encroached on their position at speed.
Shadowheart and Florrick leapt onto the platform. The sound of bolts whipped from above, and Ivarus yelled to take cover. Nyx waited for Saunder, quarterstaff poised.
He rounded the corner shouting, "Halt! By command of the Flaming Fists!"
As soon as he laid eyes on her, Nyx clobbered the torch from his hand. Before it could clatter to the ground, Nyx landed another set of blows to Saunder's unarmoured head, knocking him out cold. She spotted his leather boots, silently cursed him for wearing them, then wrapped her legs in magic. On the platform, she found Tav and Astarion throwing vials of grease and alchemical fire toward the guards pouring from the gambling room - not aiming to harm or kill. Cries and swearing punctuated the Fists ducking silhouettes, and a lake of fire consumed the floor, blocking their advance on the platform. Nyx warded off arrows and bolts from return fire while the rest of her companions made for the escape tunnels. With a force arrow nocked, she shot one of the chandeliers clean from its bearings, and it crashed onto the ground in a rain of sputtering fire, adding to the fray.
Nyx dearly hoped the delay would be enough, and too, darted into the tunnels.
