All through the night the small group poured over maps and sketches together, brought forth by Big Boss and his men, until the plan slowly took form. Both plans however would require a great deal of improvisation which Xanderian was less than happy about but there was no choice. They quite simply were running out of time.
As dawn rose, Big Boss looked up at Elsa. "OK Cutiepie, you will need to work out your own way into the Guardroom, but word is security is going to be pretty lax due to the festival. Once inside you gotta find two keys....one the Warder always has, a bastard by the name of Haarion. You should be able to get around him pretty easy though...he is well known for liking wine and women. Make of that what ya will. The other key the Duty Guard has...no idea who that will be, in changes every guard shift. You will need to look for the red sash they'll wear.'
Calidis pulled four small blue stones from her bag and held three out to Xan, Edu, and Elsa. "If at any point something goes awry, or we need to communicate with each other, merely hold these to your lips and speak... But it is a temporary enchantment and will not outlast a handful of uses each."
Xanderian smiled at Cal and took the stone..."Thank you Nighteye
Eduwiges and Elsa also took stones. Edu held it by her ear, shaking it. She looked skeptical, but it was Calidis. She grinned and slid it into the pouch strapped to her side. “This will come in handy Cal, Thank you.'
Big Boss then looked up at Edu. "As for the rest of ya, my men will take ya to a cave outside town where a stream feeds into the cisterns under the city, which link to the sewers...just follow them to the West, the first grates you come to should connect to the Donjon. There won’t be any guards in the sewers...by order of Lord Forlong years ago. It is off limits.'
Ellsabeth smiled, 'I will keep all the guards distracted so that they do not decide that change that policy.'
Big Boss smirked at Elsa. "THAT many? Better you just focus on Haarion or you'll get too tired'
Calidis fought the urge to roll her eyes at the hobbit.
Ellsabeth shrugged, '1...45...too bad you don't enough stamina to keep up little man.'
Eduwiges shook her head and muttered, 'I thought I was the smartarse.'
The Halfling just laughed. "If ya make it back, cutiepie...I may try that boast But that is a BIG if.'
And so, the two groups split up....and just as Edu, Xan and Cal found themselves at the aged, moss covered gate into the Cisterns, Elsa arrived in the now quite crowded and merry town square, at the foot of a well-cared for road leading up to the public entrance of the Donjon.'
As Ellsabeth gazed carefully around the crowded square she looked not so much at the patrols but the number of guards milling around, specifically to see if any of them were alone or in a small group that could be quickly handled without much attention being drawn.
However his far from the Donjon, the crowds were thick...many people seemed to be feasting on a new innovation, bacon wrapped rats on sticks...most of the guards she saw appeared to be on off duty but armed and in uniform, to give the festival goers a feeling of security...and vigilance.
Elsa lost track of the sheer number of uniforms she saw, some she recognized as local, others she had no clue about....as a little voice in the back of her mind began to whisper that she may have bitten off more than she could chew...however, along the path to the Donjon, she saw a young guard waving...probably at someone behind her, she assumed.
She made more of an effort at blending in with the crowd she noticed the waving guard, even buying something that seemed to be deep fried and covered in chocolate from a vendor. She then moved in a manner so that she could see behind her to look to see who or what this guard was waving at.
However, no one was behind her and the guard was still waving and smiling....and now walking towards her with purpose. Just for a moment, she wondered if she had already been spotted. How humiliating, to fail so quickly with her sword hand holding a snack..
Just as she was looking for somewhere to ditch the snack so she could draw her blade with sticky fingers, the guard called out to her. "Gerda? Oh it must be, you are just as Mother described you. I was beginning to think you had stood me up. It's me....Jan.'
Ellsabeth was puzzled. "Sorry but you have me mistaken for someone else friend."
Jan shook his head...the red sash around his waist waving. "Stop teasing...you are exactly as Mother said...who would have thought I had a cousin from Rohan. When mother told me, I was sure she was wrong. I am so glad you could make it for the festival. Let me give you a free tour...then we can get some lunch after I go off duty....ok?'
Elsa couldn’t decide if this was incredibly good or incredibly bad luck.
--
Eduwiges peered through the gates into the dark, dank cisterns, her nose wrinkling at the smells wafting out, 'Lethy, I sure hope this Daedre is worth all of this...'
Calidis looked to be calm, collected, and focused. But, if one looked closely, they could see that she was anything but. Perhaps she believed that pretending to be so would make it true eventually. "If she has the information you seek, Eduwiges, this is but a small price to pay.'
Xanderian nodded firmly. "Nighteye is correct...this Daedre means little to me, but you mean enough, my lynx, that we will brave any hell to bring you ease.
With a lump in her throat, Eduwiges was about to answer when from within the Cisterns, a sudden splash and the flow of water could be heard....as well as another sound, a scraping sound that could have just been stone against stone in the torrents.'
Xan tested the gate...locked. However when the gate was rattled, the scraping sound stopped.
Xanderian looked at Edu..."My lynx, this lock seems quite old and rusted...
Eduwiges nodded and took her belt knife out and attempted to pry the rusted lock off of the gate, 'Ahh, did either of you notice that strange sound a moment ago?'
Calidis paused a moment and then inclined her head, as if listening to something. After a moment, her brows furrowed and she took a step away from the gate. "...I did, Eduwiges… There are whispers within. Something is not right."
Edu tried harder, but for the moment at least, the lock held.
Xanderian nodded softly. "It makes one wonder why the Lord of Arnach would declare these areas off limits, when to the casual observer that would seem to leave a potential security breech unguarded. From my brief encounters with him in service to the Host of the West the Lord Forlong did not seem negligent or foolhardy…”
Eduwiges looked at Cal, 'Should I wait on trying again? What did you hear down there?'
Calidis tried to stare past the gate into the dim light. "Just whispers, unintelligible, in a tongue I know not. Something is down there. Perhaps that is the reason why the guards were told to stop patrolling this area."
Xanderian nods to Cal..."I fear that is likely...but we have no way but forward....try the lock again Edu, but try to do so quietly if you can.” Xan thumbed through the arrows in her two quivers as she waited, making sure that each shaft she had prepared was sorted and accounted for. Explosive, fire, poison, light, and piercing…whatever came, she felt prepared.
Eduwiges blew the breath out of her cheeks and cracked her knuckles, she she took the lock in both hands and twisted with all of her might.
As Edu flexed, the gate snapped free of the hinges, which seemed to be in worse condition then the lock...and with the sound of a massive bell ringing the entire gate clattered to the stone floor in front of them.
Eduwiges stared at the fallen gates incredulously and gave the others a sheepish grin.
Calidis winced and peered down into the cistern, listening closely for any other noises that may have resulted from the racket.
Xan simply sighed, 'I think...due to...circumstances, we may be best served by haste over caution....'
--
Meanwhile in the town square, Jan hesitated then pulled Elsa into an awkward but friendly hug. "I..I'm sorry if Mother's letter was...well..forward. You know how mother's are...they fuss about such things. But...gosh you are a lot prettier then I was afraid you'd be, Gerda.'
Ellsabeth was about to object and insist he had the wrong girl again before noticing the sash he wore, marking him as the Duty Guard. She swallowed hard and nodded her head, playing along with the man for the moment. "It’s ummm…great to see you too, and I would love to have a tour."
Jan would seem to be trying to find the courage to take her hand, but he just blushed held his hands behind his back. It was then that Elsa noticed the heavy iron key hanging from his belt.'
Jan smiled. “Great, a tour it is ...the shifts will be changing soon.'
As he pointed out local sighs and personalities, walking slowly up the broad road to the Donjon, Elsa quickly discovered that Jan liked to talk. Elsa therefore also found out that Gerda was a distant cousin, that he had had a serious girlfriend (which was an obvious lie) but was now “playing the field” and thinking about marriage...and that Gerda’s mother and his mother were cousins who had parted as children. He also loved the color of Elsa's (that is, Gerda’s) hair and felt the Warder liked him and would promote him soon.
Ellsabeth followed along behind him, occasionally making interested noises or saying “Really?” or “Gosh” while waiting until the duo were away from the eyes of the crowd. Allowing the man to walk in front of her slightly she silently slid her dagger from its sheath. Raising it as he explained that nearly a third of the beets eaten in Gondor were grown near Arnach, she prepared to bash him in the back of the head with the hilt. She tensed, her muscles coiling like a spring, holding her breath….
But Just as Elsa was about to strike, knife raised, Jan turned and stared right at the weapon hovering above his head....and smiled. "Oh quite right, you'll need to check your traveling knife at the Guard House...thank you for reminding me, Gerda. Right this way. You will get a little number so you can get it back.'
Elsa froze…and noting others approaching again, simply lowered her knife, cursing silently to herself.
Jan was still talking. Normally things are kept pretty tight around here, the war and all, but you won’t have any trouble .I already told the Warder my cousin would be visiting..he is eager to meet someone from Rohan. He traveled there as a boy it seems. Anyway, this festival is all about introducing Arnach to the world isn’t it? We all have to do our part and welcome people.”
Finally Jan threw caution to the wind and in a moment of madness took Elsa’s hand..."You know Gerda, I felt a connection with you right away...you know how that is sometimes...like I have known you my whole life...was the trip hard on you? Such a long way....golly you’re pretty.'
Elsa looked down and didn’t answer. Jan assumed it was because she was so modest about being complimented. Actually, it was so she didn’t either laugh in his face or throw up from sheer nerves. Either were possible.
--
At the Cistern gate, Xanderian nocked an arrow and fired, the trail of the shaft blazing with light until it stuck into the far wall, lighting the entirety of the Cistern....on the far wall was an obvious Sewer drainage port, 10 feet wide and 10 feet high and half obscured by moss and vines. 'That way, my darlings...' she whispered as she carefully walked along the planks and stone paths over the enormous cistern of water, finally reaching the sewer mouth.
Neither Cal or Edu heard anything at all now...in fact, to Edu the sudden silence seemed deafening. 'I've got a bad feeling about this.' The warrior muttered.
Calidis nodded in agreement with Edu and followed after Xan, walking along the rotting planks as carefully as she could.
Xanderian nocked and fired another light arrow...which illuminated a long stretch of fairly rough hewn sewer before them. A small amount of water trickled along the ground, but the path was wide and seemed well secured. 'I will go first....be wary of our retreat, Edu'
The trio walked for a good hour along the passage, noticing it was slowly beginning to incline upwards....however it seemed a bit odd that the air was growing dryer...and warmer.
Eduwiges had bow in hand as they moved up the slope. A small bead of sweat lined her forehead. 'Xan, why is it warmer in here all of a sudden?'
Calidis followed behind, keeping her balance. Her brows furrowed slightly as she peered into the darkness ahead. "I feel it as well. Should it not be colder and damper by now?"
Xanderian nodded and fired another light arrow...various small crevices and side passages were revealed in the glare. Glancing down, she toed a slick white skull back to the others. "It should indeed...yes....but from our depth I would say we will be below the Donjon soon...best simply to press on and be gone from here. Hopefully Elsa has her task well in hand.”
Suddenly both Edu and Cal would hear the whispering start again, a chanting…almost as if commands were being repeated again and again....and a scent began to be noticeable, the smell of warm sand.'
Suddenly they were surrounded by movement. Spiders seeming to boil out of the crevices along the sides of the sewer and drop down from above as a harsh, sibilant voice would echo."Brinnnnnnggggg the Preyyyyy to meeee....."
--
Approaching the Donjon, Jan walked hand in hand with “Gerda”.
As they were walking Elsa tried to consider Plan B. jan was still talking but she had last track of what about, something about flowers and viewpoints. She decided to try a less direct approach then “Dash out his brains and hide him under a rose bush” and she wrapped her arm around his waist while subtly trying to remove the key that hung on the other side of his sash without his notice.
Elsa’s light touch found that Jan had not paid much attention to knotting the lanyard of the key that morning and it opened easily for her, the key dropping into her hand. Jan suddenly stopped talking and again, Elsa feared she had been discovered, but he was just tounge-tied and pleased by her show of affection. So much so he didn’t notice at all as Elsa carefully slid the key up her sleeve.
Finally Elsa and Jan reached the large, heavy door into the Donjon's public area, the dimensions of which Jan was reciting along with the year the door was built and that the carvings of hanging wrongdoers had been crafted by a local artist named Geras. The door however was currently wide open, one armed guard to either side, with several civilians looking around the entry hall of the Donjon, ooh and aahhing over a display entitled “Famous Executions, and Their Role in Popular Entertainments”.
As they came fully into the chamber, Jan pointed at a door up a side flight of stairs with two more guards beside it. "There is the Main Guardroom...Don’t let the Warder scare you, Gerda. He seems gruff but I bet he has a softer side...somewhere…probably. Anyway, he likes me." Elsa turned and smiled at Jan, hearing him say “like me” and not being sure what it was connected to as she had been studying several high windows as possible avenues of escape. Encouraged by her smile, Jan leaned over..and kissed Elsa on the cheek.
Ellsabeth did not shy away as her cheek was kissed, a plan forming in her mind. "Alright love. Lets go meet this Warder that you speak of." She took his hand and pulled him along in the direction of the guardroom, trying to walk the way she had seen girls back home walk with whatever Rider was their “sweetheart”.
No man had ever looked as proud as Jan did at that moment as he walked Elsa right past the guards into the most secure chamber in the prison.
--
In the sewer the spiders were growing larger, and more numerous...as suddenly one wall of the sewar crumbled like plaster, releasing more spiders and an impressive number of bones, all chewed clean and white.
Eduwiges whipped out her sword, Badu Druit in an instant and launched for the nearest couple of spiders, aiming for the eyes and brain. However the spiders nearest them were only about the size of a loaf of bread, and skittered around Edu's sword as more rushed forward.
Calidis reached up to lay her hands on the hilt of her own greatsword. She hefted it up and held it in front of her to defend from the larger ones and attempted to stomp on the smaller ones, driving her heel down sharply.
She crushed several of the spiders which seemed to throw the others into a frenzy and two spiders the size of men stepped through the gap in the wall, the voice echoing again..."Brrriinnnnnn them to meeeeeeeeee"
The first of the two larger spiders swiveled and looked at the trio with a multitude of eyes. Then as it slowly opened it's dripping mandibles, a human head seeming to slowly force it’s way out between them.
After a truly disgusting few moments as the spider seemed to fold out it was revealed to be a large, muscular man gripping a war club...with several spider legs growing from his sides and poisonous mandibles framing his face. He rasped at Xan. "Surrender, you are to feed Zaritha Tasakh...be honored by this."
Xan nocked another arrow, hissing to herself. “Ungoledain.”
--
In the Guardroom far above, Jan was over the moon with how kind and tender “Gerda” was being. This was better then he dreamed when his mother proposed a distant cousin he had never met before as a possible bride.
As Jan led her into the room, Elsa counted six guards and an older man writing at a desk, clearly the man in charge. More importantly, built into the far wall was a large mechanism with two key holes…the Masterlock.
Ellsabeth looked around quickly taking note of everything in the room. For the moment her cover seemed to be intact so she stayed close to Jan as he led her further into the room pausing occasionally to stare at him with the same dew eyed, stupid expression he stared at her with. This seemed to encourage him even more.
Jan walked right over to the Warder still holding Elsa’s hand. "Sir...this is my cousin whom I told you of...Gerda...from Rohan....Gerda, this is Haarion, Warder of the Donjon...he’s a personal friend of Captan Baranor.'
Haarion rose and looked her up and down with an entirely different expression than Jan had....and left a large key on the desk.
--
In the sewer, Eduwiges was controlling her panic. “What the bloody feck is this and how did it come out of the giant spider????? I thought SPIDERS were bad enough on their own, but this one was filled with a person, like stuffing!!!.' She slashed at the thing with her sword as she backed away.
The spider-like man blocked her blow with his club, reaching out to try to grab her with is other hand. She moved back further, narrowly missing behind dragged towards those mandibles which were clacking grotesquely, spider legs waving as well.
Calidis just looked at the Ungoledan with absolute disgust raising her sword a little more threateningly now; a warning, though her friends would notice her hands shake ever so slightly. Still, there was no fear in her gaze; rather cool anger.
Xan looks around desperetly, unhappy with the close quarters...She nocked one arrow, shooting at the creature opposite Edu while trying to dodge past the spiders down the passage.
However after missing his grab against Edu, the Ungoledan caught the arrow with his free hand just before it struck him in the head...his senses seemed terrifyingly acute.
Calidis just... blinked. She had never seen anyone do that against Xanderian before. She then moved quickly after Xan, placing herself between the huntress and the creature protectively, sword still raised. "That dreadful little hobbit did not lie about the terrible things after all..."
Eduwiges pirouettes with her greatsword, and while the thing was distracted by the arrow in its hand and Calidis’ swiftness, she whirled to take his head off. Edu's blow caught the creature yet he was wounded but not dead.
The creature shrieked, one mandible hanging shattered, and spat poison at Edu The warrior covered her face with her gauntlet, the armor hissing and peeling as she staggered forward towards Xan and Calidis, more spiders pouring in like water.
--
In the guardroom, the Warder patted Elsa’s cheek. "Well, you look just as tasty as Fan here said you would...."
Jan cleared his throat. “Ummm..Jan…My name is Jan.”
Haarion did not take his eyes off Elsa. “Right..Jan…that’s what I said.”
Ellsabeth smiled at the warder, pulling her shoulders back a bit to make sure his gaze didn’t drift…and slowly reached one nimble hand towards the key on the desk. She gently slid the key across the desk, then slid it up into her sleeve with the other, no one any the wiser. She nearly laughed to herself, this looked like it was going to be awfully easy. She paused for a moment, hoping the others were alright.
--
In the sewers below, Cal and Xan try to move forward but there were far too many spiders in the small space to make progress. They were trapped, bogged down, as a figure stepped out of the gap in the sewer wall...larger than the rest and female...terrifying in aspect...this then was their leader, Zaritha Tasakh...and she had come to feed.
--
In the Guardroom, just as Elsa slipped the two keys down into her pouch as Jan described his daily work and Haarion was wondering if she was wearing anything under that skirt, a voice was heard from the doorway.
A young woman who looked remarkably like Elsa was standing in the door of the Guardroom. "Excuse me..I am seeking my cousin Jan? The letter from his mother asked me to meet him here. My name is Gerda.'
