I'll leave you to work your magic, comes the response.

"What are they doing?" whispers Marabir, looking perplexed by the signing.

Tyronius doesn't respond, glancing up at the guards on the wall above as he patiently waits for the silent exchange to conclude.

Falnis seems to agree that given the stealth of Thanian humans, Calvorns choice is wise.

Stepping back, he seems to melt into the shadows. A few moments later-- and two soft thuds-- Falnis gestures gracefully for the humans to join him

Calvorn nods, satisfied as he climbs the wall, glancing about to ensure no one is watching before tying a rope about one of the battlements and proceeding to lower it for the princes to follow.

OOC: Calvorn Areldon rolled 16. Climb Check.
Calvorn Areldon rolled 17. Use Rope Check.

Tyronius tosses his mace up to Calvorn, who skillfully catches it the prince climbs the rope to pull himself up in the shadows beside the ranger.

OOC: Tyronius Carendil rolled 12. Climb Check.

Marabir seems to be in some kind of unspoken competition with his brother as he tosses up his own blade before beginning to climb at a faster speed than Tyronius. He is fortunate, and does not lose his footing, pulling himself up and looking pleased with himself as he glances about.

OOC: Marabir Carendil rolled 16. Climb Check.

Aerendir wastes no time in bringing up the rear, pulling the rope up after himself once he's up and immediately (and not without a suspicious glare at Falnis) wandering over to the other side to peer down.

OOC: Aerendir rolled 21. Climb Check.

Calvorn also glances over the far edge, peering down a gloomy slope below which leads onto the forest a hundred yards or so away. With a nod, he begins to slide the rope about the battlement so that it hangs over the far side.

"Let's go," he murmurs curtly.

Tyronius takes hold of the rope, climbing carefully down the wall once more to land on the wet, dewy grass below. He catches the mace which Calvorn tosses to him a moment later, as he presses himself against the wall, waiting for the others to join him.

OOC: Tyronius Carendil rolled 12. Climb Check.

Marabir once more appears to be competing with Tyronius, though he thinks better of it partway down as his left foot almost slips on a mossy stone, wisely deciding to slow his pace as he descends safely to the bottom.

OOC: Marabir Carendil rolled 12. Climb Check.

"Where are the horses, Calvorn?" Aerendir scowls, looking around and apparently failing to see any.

"Keep your voice down," Calvorn murmurs back. "We could hardly conceal the horses so close to town. They are with our allies in a hollow on the other side of that hill up there."

"Speaking of horses, where is Cyralas?" Marabir inquires, frowning in concern as he remembers his stallion for the first time.

"In the stables where you left him, probably. I doubt the Caledormists want to add 'horse theft' to their attempted murder and regicide charges," Aerendir replies, also ignoring Calvorn's advice to remain quiet.

Thanian knights have such a unique grasp of phrases like 'be stealthy' and 'keep your voice down,' Falnis signs.

Calvorn sends Falnis a longsuffering glance.

"The only horses they have are mine and a few of my knights," Tyronius confirms impatiently, "all of which can be easily replaced upon our return to Carendisal."

"I'm sure that Taurus will be pleased to learn that he means so much to you," Marabir responds darkly. "Cyralas had better be still in that stable, and not stuck plowing the field of some hapless farmer..."

"We'll have plenty of time to discuss horses once we are away from here," Calvorn murmurs sternly. Advancing to peer cautiously back at the wall above them before giving a nod and signalling for the party to advance.

Thus abjured, the party sensibly begin to pick their way away from the wall and into the light mist which grows thicker as they move toward the forest. Calvorn glances back warily as Marabir stumbles on the slippery grass, narrowly avoiding cutting himself on the blade he carries as he catches himself. Tyronius also appears to struggle in his plate armour as he attempts to pick his way up the steep embankment at the foot of the hill leading to their companions.

OOC: Tyronius Carendil rolled 10.  Balance Check (DC12).
Marabir Carendil rolled 6.  Balance Check (DC12).
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:13, Tue 07 Mar 2023.

"Have you ever considered getting either of Their Highnesses a pair of ice grip boots?" Falnis-- who is already at the top of the embankment, a place the varim appears to have reached with an insulting lack of difficulty-- says unhelpfully, making no effort to give either prince a hand. "I have several relatives who swear by them. I am sure for the right price, I could get hold of a supplier."

Calvorn is perhaps the only one who knows the kind of boots Falnis references, which have spikes on the bottom which-- while more than one ambassadorial quarters garner has lamented is terrible for Thanian lawns-- nevertheless grips extremely well on all surfaces, from rock to earth to ice.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 20. Balance Check (DC 12).
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Tue 07 Mar 2023.

"Have you ever considered how you would look with an arrow through your chest?" Aerendir sneers sourly, cursing as Marabir nearly stabs himself.

OOC: Aerendir rolled 21. Balance Check (DC 12).

"I'm fine," Marabir says quickly, picking himself up and continuing his climb without making eye contact with either Aerendir or his brother. He doesn't seem to know or care what I've boots are, and is the last to eventually make it to the top of the hill, where he stands, panting for a moment as he glances back across the misty field below to where the lights of Calarn are barely visible through the fog. "Well, not a bad escape, all things considered."

"I believe the word you're searching for is 'rescue', Your Highness," Calvorn grunts darkly. "Now we had best be going, before even a man of Galnor's intellectual capacity works out you're gone."

With that, he begins to stride through the trees and into the hollow below.

OOC: End of Chapter VII...