Marabir scowls at Tyronius as his brother appropriates the mace, contenting himself with the notched dagger that is the guard's only other weapon.

"I don't suppose we are going to attempt to retrieve our weapons on the way out?" he murmurs as he picks his way up the stairs.

"Not unless you feel like taking on Veldorn and fifty-odd guards," Calvorn murmurs back gruffly as he swiftly moves to the front of the procession. "Which we are not doing," he adds firmly, frowning at the glance the pair of princes share with each other. "We can always come back for them another day, or have new ones forged."

"Anyone would think you did not enjoy carting wounded princes around, Calvorn," Falnis says, sounding amused.

Tyronius ignores Falnis, though Marabir gives the desired reaction, shooting the varim a dirty look.

Calvorn for his part directs a reproving glance over his shoulder as he joins Tyronius at the top of the stairs, peering out into the empty service corridor above.

"Your highness, I propose Falnis and I scout ahead to ensure no guards are alerted on our way out. There are a series of alleyways which lead almost to the wall at the rear of the town and should conceal us for the most part once we are safely out of the tavern."

"Kill them, you mean?" Falnis checks, to be sure, seemingly feeling this is the only way any guards in the vicinity would not be alerted to the combined efforts of stealth of two human princes of Thane.

Calvorn gives a grim smile and a shrug.

"It does appear to be your speciality."

"Quite so," agrees Marabir darkly.

"I have several things I could say to you, Prince Marabir, given the sheer number of dead killed recently in these parts and how little I have had to do with any of them, but I shall-- with great difficulty-- restrain myself," Falnis says, virtuously if hypocritically given his probable involvement in that particular body's demise. "Shall I lead, Calvorn, or shall you?"

Calvorn extends a gracious hand for the varim to lead the way.

Tyronius shifts his gaze appraisingly from Calvorn to Falnis as they begin to creep forward, before sighing as he follows.

"Very well," he allows at length. "As you say, there will be ample opportunity to deal with this rabble once we are out of here."

Falnis proceeds to do so. One moment, he is there. The next, to all but the most keen-sighted, the varim seems to disappear into thin air, as he melts gracefully into the shadows.

OOC: Dalmar Argant rolled 35.  Move Silently Check.
Dalmar Argant rolled 39.  Hide Check.

"'A simple hunter' my foot," Aerendir scowls, watching where Falnis isn't sourly. "We'd best be moving, Your Highness. I back Calvorn. We will not be stopping for either of your swords."

OOC: Aerendir rolled 23. Spot Check.

Calvorn may not be able to see Falnis, but he does appear to be able to hear the varim as he follows silently behind, though he does not make as much of an effort to remain concealed.

OOC: Calvorn Areldan rolled 36. Spot Check.
Calvorn Areldan rolled 38. Listen Check.
Calvorn Areldan rolled 21. Hide Check.
Calvorn Areldan rolled 30. Move Silently Check.

Fortunately for the trio left behind, neither Tyronius nor Aerendir was blindfolded on the way here, and both seem to know which way the most likely escape route is from the vague description of "one which will require descending a wall." The trio make their way down the narrow, darkened service corridors, passing several branching corridors down which the sound of chatting and laughter can be heard. A darkened staircase leads up to their left, and further down a corridor leads to what they judge to be the kitchens, based on the clanking and shouting.

They don't see anyone, but they do spot a few suspiciously damp patches of wall that suggest that had they been by themselves, they might not have found these corridors quite so unfrequented.

In the end, the closest they come to being spotted is when a servant hurries in towards the kitchens (the rules for murdering servants clearly being slightly different to murdering professional thugs, based on the lack of action from the shadows). Fortunately for the servant's continued good health, his attention seems to be solely on the pail of water he is carrying, which is both heavy and extremely noisy, its rusty handle having clearly seen better days. He fails to notice either of the princes or Aerendir hiding in a side-room watching him pass (an achievement, give how much of both princes, and indeed Aerendir, is showing.)

At length, they reach a guards lounge where Calvorn and Falnis seem to be waiting for them. Calvorn seems to be disposing of a few dead guards into a convenient pair of barrels.

OOC: Caladormists rolled 8. Spot Check.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:04, Tue 07 Mar 2023.

"Very obliging of them to leave a pair of empty barrels here," Calvorn remarks as he slides their lids back into place.

"Indeed," Marabir agrees as he pauses the ranger in order to reach into one of the barrels and withdraw a worn but serviceable longsword, which he flourishes about experimentally. Satisfied, he places his appropriated dagger into the barrel and nods for Calvorn to continue in his efforts.

Falnis makes no effort at all to help Calvorn, satisfying himself with keeping watch.

"You may wish to steal his scabbard, too, if you are planning to climb holding that," Falnis says, gaze resting on the longsword, clearly feeling that if Marabir, like Caled, last climbed a tree at Erald's age, his climbing ability is going to be low enough with two hands without making it one.

"He can pass it to one of us after we have ascended the wall," Calvorn replies, with the air of someone who feels enough time has been wasted searching bodies in barrels in a room which could be entered at any time.

"Precisely," Marabir agrees, pleased to be able to dismiss any suggestion made by Falnis, as he begins to follow Calvorn over to the exit which leads out into a darkened courtyard beyond.

Calvorn glances out into the darkened courtyard, peering about the darkened garden for a moment before giving a satisfied nod. "Clear," in informs the others curtly before slipping through the door and stealing stealthily across the courtyard to pull himself nimbly up to crouch on the low, ivy covered stone wall which surrounds the courtyard.

The rest of the party follow, keeping to the shadows and steering clear of the light and laughter which flood out of a series of windows further down the building. Calvorn waits for the others to join him at the wall before leaping nimbly down into the gloomy alleyway beyond.

If Falnis is secretly hoping either of the princes botches their landing, this is something the varim is sensible enough not to voice.

If he indeed hoping for this, he is disappointed, as both the princes swing themselves athletically over the wall and begin to follow Calvorn through the alleyway beyond, doing their best not to bump into anything in the gloom. Once the laughter from the tavern fades, the streets are silent and empty. Calvorn leads the way confidently through the darkness as they turn left and right, keeping away from the main streets, aided by the light of the crescent moon in the cloudless sky above. A stray can hisses at them midway through their journey, and in the distant a dog barks, but aside from this their passing appears to go unnoticed and they do not meet any resistance. At length they reach the foot of the high stone wall which surrounds the town. Above them a pair of guards stand on duty, peering out into the darkness beyond the town. One coughs and stifles as yawn as the pair begin to pace slowly around to the left.

It's hard to tell if Falnis immediately follows, since it's hard to spot or hear the stealthy Falnis in the gloom, but they have not been waiting long at the foot of the wall before he steps out of the shadows.

One each, or shall I deal with both? the varim signs.