Zeig attempts to wipe the mud off of his face between gasping for air.  After wiping the tears out of his eyes he gives Jack another incredulous look.

"You...are......nuts......" *gasp*

[Private to JACK: [OOC] Tes made an edit that said I rolled out of the bush and landed face first in the mud.  D'oh. [/OOC]]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

19:59, Today: VIL rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Listen check.

[OOC] I gotta stop rolling at work, the rolls are horrible. :) [/OOC]

Jack grins, "Sara didn't want us caught. Better this way. We should be able to go through the front doors to get to her room now. Is that still the plan?"

[OOC]Made an edit to reflect Zeig's situation. D'Oh.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:

[Private to DAI; VIL:
The discussion lasts for several minutes. It seems rather rushed, as if something concerns all of them. Garland's voice is unmistakable. Shreds of words can be heard.

"...hand... ...forced... ...DO NOT... ...Roland..."

Straining to hear, it seems as if Garland walks off, but you cannot discern whether it is up or down the stairs. A final, "...and wait for me there!" is heard as he leaves.

Stone silent, the two of you wait another minute before daring to move. Nothing can be heard from the other side of the door.]

"Yea...I suppose.  You think they'd let me walk in the front gate looking like this?  Bet I'd get a laugh or two at least."

[OOC] What's the ruling on prestidigitation for cleaning?  1 cubic foot is what can be cleaned, but when you're only cleaning surface area (clothes and face) that's a completely different measurement.  The plan is to magic some grime off, can I do it? [/OOC]

Edit: 1 cubic foot each round, my bad.

"No, this simply won't do at all."

fluffity-fluff text -snip- Zeig casts prestidigitation on himself in order to clean the mud from his garments and body.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Cautiously, Vil cracks open the door and peeks. If noone around, he opens it and slips inside, motioning Dai to follow him. He'll head downstairs as quietly as he can.

"Maybe." Jack admitted, "I think we can get through. And don't worry, I'll throw a great big party for all of us next time we get a chance. No mud at all"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI would follow whatever signs VIL made, attempting to listen for footsteps as well.

18:11, Today: DAI rolled 2 using 1d20+1. listen.
Wow I'm deaf...

ZEIG and JACK head around the gardens back towards the castle. One of the groundskeepers is going to wonder who or what fell off of the balcony and put two huge holes in his hedge row.

Please specify which entrance to the castle you'd like to take. You entered the Western gate before. There is also the main gate, the South one. I didn't want to assume anything.

VIL and DAI attempt eek back into the hallway.

One of you roll the DEX check to open the door silently.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:16, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

I think we agreed to go through the main gate.

20:18, Today: VIL rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Dex check.

[OOC] Vil flings the door open crashing against the wall, then makes a loud TA-DA! - The rolls hate me at work. Going home soon. Yay. [/OOC]

DAI attempts to open the door silently, crigning at the sound produced.
18:19, Today: DAI rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Dex(oh please...)
d'oh...

VIL/DAI:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
Going with DAI's 2 on his listen check. I'll roll one for Viladin to speed things up.
20:21, Today: teslas, on behalf of JACK, rolled 20 using 1d20+4. Listen.
OOC: Yeah dude, totally let me roll for you while you're at work.

Apparently the door's hinges may need some attention, as they squeak again as VIL opens the door.

VIL sticks his head through and listens, DAI waiting outside, his hearing literally being drowned by the storm.

20:22, Today: teslas rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Roland Listen.
20:22, Today: teslas rolled 19 using 1d20+7. Unnamed Palace Guard Listen. ]

[Private to VIL:
"THAT is how you tie a knot. Now let's g... shhh." Apparently the two guards were still at the bottom of the stair busily doing something.

You can barely hear one of them say, "I swear I heard that door open again. I'm goin..." and then Roland breaks in, "I heard it too."

Metal clanking of feet begin climbing the stair rather quickly.]

[Private to DAI: You see VIL poke his head through the open door and listen for a moment. His face changes from concentration to panic.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

ZEIG/JACK:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The two of you go around the hedge row and back onto the pathway just outside of the palace wall. You turn one of the corners of the castle and see two guards roughly 45 feet away making their standard patrol. They lock eyes with you immediately and motion for you to stop.

They briskly begin to walk towards you, Guisarmes in hand.

The path is 10 feet wide. The smooth castle wall stretches up into the sky to your left. To your right is a high hedge row of about 6'. Behind you the path turns back towards the way you came, and in front of you are the guards on their way to intercept you.]

"Hey!" Jack waves.

[OOC]Do we know their names?[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI whispers.

What is it? Are the coming?

DAI prepares to jump.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:00, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

Zeig slows to a stop and makes an elegant bow.

"And how are you this fine evening, good sirs?  The rain is quite lovely tonight, there's nothing quite as refreshing as a stroll through the garden in the rain."

[OOC] Rep sirs with their names if we know these guards. [/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:51, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

OOC:
It is customary for palace guards to only serve for 5-10 years, as they usually select already-trained soldiers who excel in their craft. After 5-10 years, they usually retire to make place for younger replacements or are promoted to a position that does not include patrolling the gardens in the rain at night.

As such, most of the palace guards that you would know fairly well from childhood no longer serve.

Also it's dark outside.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:54, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The guards come within range of their Guisarmes. While not pointed directly at you, they could be in an instant. Neither of you recognize either guard by name, but you're somewhat sure you have seen both of them before at least once.

"Hello. Fine night indeed. Might we ask what you're doing enjoying it so close to the palace," the one on the left queries?]

"We're on our way to see Sara. We kind of took a detour in the garden. Been so long since we've been here. I was thinking of bringing some vegetables for Chuck next time I was around, too. Do you know if Chuck is still a gardener around here? He taught me about gardening and all." Jack natters.

Vil curses underneath his breath and concentrates creating water to splash the stairs with Cantrip. "We go up! Quickly!" Vil whispers to Dai. Vil quickly makes his way up the stairs.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

JACK/ZEIG:
[Private to JACK; ZEIG:
The one on the right does not even blink, "You will follow us immediately and without incident. We will proceed to the gate and straighten this out."

One of the guards begins to circle around behind you on the hedge-row side. The guard circling does not remove his eyes from you, while the other scans the surroundings.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI follows VIL, hoping they would not get seen.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault really.  She invited us for a get together with some old friends but the gardens have always been very nostalgic for me.  We've only idled a few minutes."

Edit: "Please lead the way.  I'm sure if you asked the princess herself she would forgive us our tardiness."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:03, Fri 04 Feb 2011.

DAI/VIL:
[Private to DAI; VIL:
VIL quickly splashes the stairs with some water as DAI darts through the door. The two of you run up the stairs and end up back in the hallway.

You hear one of the guards slip slightly as he is running up the stairs, but they are otherwise unimpeded.

"Running will only make what happens to you when you're caught that much worse!", one of them yells as they round the stairwell past the balcony door.

OOC: DC in creased by 2 due to its unexpected location. Both pass.
21:11, Today: teslas rolled 7 using 1d20-5. Guard's balance check, DC 5.
21:11, Today: teslas rolled 10 using 1d20-5. Roland's balance check, DC 5.]