Re: Chapter 1: Darksday Hope
Sara finishes tightening her hood and walks towards the western castle gate. "Stay close, please."
As you walk up to the gate, the four guards stationed there immediately form up, weapons ready. "Hold, citizens, please declare yo..."
Sara de-hoods herself, interrupting, "Hello Raul, let us through please."
Very surprised, the guards bow their heads slightly as is appropriate. The guard that must be Raul steps forward. "My apologies your grace. We did not know you were among town today. Might I ask where your escort has gone?"
Sara looks annoyed, pointing back at you, "This is my escort. I was told to be present before tonight's assembly, so we must be going now. I will send these gentlemen back to the gate once I reach the palace. They will be carrying something back for me, so expect them to be late and in the possession of a box."
"Yes your grace," the guard says, moving back out of the way. The other guards move simultaneously while remaining in exact formation, like points on a perfect trapezoid. Cornelia's palace guard has a reputation for being exceptionally well-trained and professional which stretches even to other lands.
The western gate was not often used by anyone but nobles entering from the city. None of you have actually been through it before, though you have explored the gardens beyond.
It begins sprinkling, and the clouds that were over the city only moments ago now appear to be traveling at an amazing speed, voraciously consuming the sunset. The wind has begun to pick up, and is beginning to moan slightly as it passes the trees, hedgerows, and high walls of the gardens.
"This storm will definitely help us remain unseen. I hope it's a sign of things to come," Sara remarks calmly. She has always been superstitious with the old perception of the world and its elements.
You make your way up to the palace's decorated garden entrance. The guards once again ask the same questions and are given the same answer. This time, however, they seem very displeased and eye each of you carefully.
The interior is warm and moderately illuminated by candles lining the hallway walls and tables. None of you have seen the palace interior at night in a very long time, and nostalgic memories come back of the group of you running down them, escaping the worst thing possibly conceivable at that age: bed time.
"Follow me please. It may take a few moments to gather everything," Sara says quite obviously making sure the guards at the door can hear. Large raindrops begin to fall against the ornate palace windows. The sound of remote thunder begins to echo through the outer doors.
You continue to follow her, taking a left down a smaller hallway, and then through a rough-hewn archway directly by one of the castle larders into what looks to be an unused storage room.
"Ok," her tone sounding planned and collected, "we have a meeting to eavesdrop upon. Let's all be very quiet, and attempt to not be noticed. Stick to my lead if we see anyone. It will begin in 15 minutes." Sara steps gracefully back into the short hall, taking a look around the archway. "As soon as the next patrol passes, we'll head for the assembly room. It should be an easy walk. I'm guessing we have a few minutes until the patrol comes by."
Palace guards are equipped with heavy armor and Guisarmes. Guards usually also carry Longswords, Heavy Shields, and Heavy Crossbows, although guards stationed at the walls do not have this additional equipment. VIL, DAI, and ZEIG, in the past, have all noticed that most of the equipment the guards carry is magical.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:25, Mon 17 Dec 2012.