Once inside their new cell, a small winged creature flies in from the window of their previous cell and squeezes its way through the bars to rest gently on R.E.B.O.R.T's shoulder. The large construct looks over to EM-01 and nods. "Sypher, do you need to get a message out to anyone else? Perhaps King Thadrumir? Em'Owon can be of some assistance, I believe."

"How much can he record?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Fri 18 May 2018.

R.E.B.O.R.T. is silent for a moment before finally answering. "Answer is unknown. Em'Owon can carry a message of undetermined length to its target. After that, I am able to open an indefinite two-way conversation with the target using it the proxy."

"Send him to Thadrumir.  Aprise him of the situation and keep a channel ready in case this heads into the Abyss. "

R.E.B.O.R.T. whispers to the tiny construct a short message to the dwarven king prefaced with the fact that it’s from Sypher. He instructs EM-01 to fly straight to the king and stay with until further notice.

Thadrumir's reply is brief, suggesting he wasn't in a position to converse much. He also mentions how Em'Owon was almost seen, which would have surely brought forth suspicions.

For the better part of the rest of the day, nothing of note happens on into the night. Those who can sleep are able, but find themselves restless in the dank conditions and uncomfortable bedding. The night ticks by agonizingly slow for Beloc and Rebort, though Apache seems to have no problems curling up in the corner and lightly snoring on the cool stone floor.

When daylight finally arrives the next morning, most everyone is sore and stiff. Boyle brings by a loaf of bread and pitcher of water for each cell. It isn't much, but it's better than nothing. The morning passes just as slowly as the day prior. Just before lunch, the light sound of boots on the stone floor are heard.

The lock to the door of Sypher and Shiaran's cell clicks open and carefully swings outward. A hooded man of medium build stands before you, unarmed. His cloak obscures most of his features, save for strands of long dark hair poking out of the hood, and a well trimmed beard.

"Sypher and Shiaran? Is it truly you?".

Both Sypher and Shiaran can't place the voice, but there is something very familiar about the dialect and kind tone.

Shiaran stands from her cot and moves around to its front to lean against the wall.  The move puts her opposite the cloaked man from Sypher.  She speaks as she moves to draw attention to herself at the same time she distracts from what she is doing.  "I kmow, right?  It's hard to believe.  I use a special plant extract to maintain my youthful appearance. "

Sypher takes her cue and stands as well.  "The voice is familiar, but I cannot place it.  You know us.  Care to put us even footing?"  As he speaks, he leans casually against the wall opposite Shiaran so the man has a hard time seeing both of them simultaneously.

The man removes his hood. "It's me, Kylis. The two of you look young as ever, as if time stops for you. And yet, all these years, I've thought you both gone" he says, looking both puzzled and marveling at the two. While the name Helgen didn't ring any bells, the name Kylis causes both Shiaran and Sypher to instantly be flooded with memories of summers during their childhood when a boy - who would have been in his early teens at the time - would come to stay with them. Too young in those days to have any care for the ranks of nobility, the two only knew they adored the older boy. Sypher would often "spar" with him using wooden swords, and Kylis may have very well been Shiaran's first real crush. His looks have done nothing but improve over the past decade, though now with the gap in time he appears to be in his mid 30s rather than only a few years the sibling's senior.

"Your man got word to me, about you being here. I cannot stay long, but I would trust no one to verify it was really you. The less who know of this, the better and easier it will be to make a move to get you out. I'm told there is still a day and half's time, and that you've been framed for war crimes you didn't commit".

When the hood goes down, Shiaran's heart skips a beat and her hand slips off the wall.  "Wow, Kylis, you got old."  Her eyes go wide as she realizes how that sounded.  "Older!  I mean, you got older.  You did a good job," she finishes lamely.

Sypher stands up straight from the wall and moves to Kylis.  He takes his hand in a firm hand shake.  "It is good to see you again, Kylis."  Glancing at Shiaran and her sudden awkwardness, he grins.  "Better I think than even knowing we have a true and honorable ally within the court."

He looks through the door and the devastation on the other side of the hall.  When his eyes return to the Baron, there is a grim sincerity in them, a determination that is unmistakable. "As you can see, we can get out if we need to.  We did not want to harm your soldiers, who seem to be good men.  But we have the means to severely wound the PCA war machine.  Whatever inconsequential politics that involve our friends Oro and Gazra need to be set aside.  As such, we do not need the crown working at odds with our mission.  We need the King to back us, or at least stay out of our way.  That's why we sent word instead of broke out."

He steps back and takes a deep breath.  "Baron...Kylis, is the King a good man?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Sat 19 May 2018.

"Julius Ghendrake has a heart of gold, my friend, as does his family. Elm takes his kindness and tenderness for his people as weakness. He managed to rally most of the court into agreement that the royal family had to be put away for safe keeping once the seige began. While the king wields supreme executive power, he doesn't go it alone.. Hence why it was easy for Elm to make his first move, and get them out of the way. Most of the top military brass is at his beck and call now, and the man appears to either know nothing or care little about ensuring our fair city goes without bruises and black eyes. You two showing up threw a series wrench in his plans, given your status and social ranking".

It is Sypher's turn to stumble a bit.  Instead of speaking, though, he pauses to collect his thoughts.  When he does, he ignores the part about his own standing.  "Are there any in the military command here that are good?  Men we can count on to do what is right?"

R.E.B.O.R.T. notes the conspicuous nature of the messenger and instructs EM-01 to remain out of sight, but as close to visual contact with King Thadrumir as possible.

Beloc shares his bread with Apache and attempts to create a makeshift bowl for him to drink out of. Failing horribly, however, he makes a bit of a mess on the floor.

Given the fact R.E.B.O.R.T. doesn't need to eat, offers up his bread to his cellmates. "Let me show you a trick of the trade." Being a master craft, the warforged steps over his unused cot and begins to break it down. With the spares parts in hand, he puts together something for Apache to drink from.

For possibly the first time, Beloc walks over to R.E.B.O.R.T. and truly thanks him for his efforts. "Thank you. Truly. Through all of this, you have shown nothing but loyalty and kindness. For what little time we may have left, I am honored to spend it with you."

R.E.B.O.R.T. nods in appreciation. "It is my secondary function to ensure my charges survive long enough to complete their mission"

The red gem in his chest glows as Ewes voice comes from it. "Come now boy, out with it. You can do better than that." R.E.B.O.R.T. stands for a moment trying to reprocess, but after a fairly awkward amount of time, Ewes chimes back in. "My dear elf, what I believe he is trying to say is. You're welcome and that your, as well as the others, companionship is invaluable to him."

"I wouldn't consider them bad per se. You have to consider that in their world, doing the right thing is following the orders given to you. But we can change that, now that we have not one, but both Marquis and Marchioness Whiteraven still alive and well after all these years. That is why the Count wants you dead. You stand in his way to the throne and absolute power".

Shiaran gets a fierce look on her face.  "You bet your sweet be- uh beared we do!  That kommáti apó vromiá needs to-"  Sypher gives her a look and Shiaran backs down.  "He needs to be put on trial is all I'm saying your Baron-ness."  It completely escapes Shiaran that Baron-ness sounds exactly like Baroness.

Not much for small talk and still uncomfortable with all this talk of succession, Sypher gets to the point.  "What do we need to do, Kylis?  Other than break out of here and kill a lot of men who are not evil and who are needed on the front lines against the PCA, we need to be out there, not in here.  The sooner the better.  If we accomplish our mission, the PCA will likely flee the city to regroup."

"No, you're right. You can't just sit in here for much longer. Elm plans this evening to pay you a visit, probably as a final taunt before tomorrow. That is why we're going to get you out, but it can't be done with force. We have to match, if not exceed Elm's cunning. Any misstep you make will add fuel to the bonfire he's building. I'm sure it's probably not your forté, Sypher, but you fight a shadow war by being the hardest to see shadow. I have a plan that with your permission I'll commence this evening. As the sun sets, you'll be replaced in these cells by doppelgangers, and have your own appearances altered. I have a rather talented mage who can help with that. These anti-magic orbs out here will be replaced during a "maintenance" period with duds. Though your replacements will look like you, Elm will catch on quickly... But, the ruse will buy enough time to skirt you away to safety. You mentioned a mission though, and I don't want to impede that. Where do you need me to get you to, beyond the obvious of out of this cell?".

Before Sypher can speak, Shiaran pipes up.  "Do you know anything about ley lines?"

Kylis thinks for a moment. "I can't say that I do. I assume this deal with mystical forces?".

"Right now they are acting as a gateway for the PCA to draw souls from to power their army.  They have unrestricted access to the dead.  If we close the ley lines, they cannot renew their troops with such ease and we can begin whittling them down. " Her words come out in a gush, so many emotions all aligned into spewing out all the details of their secret mission: relief at having someone on their side, her need to accomplish the mission, her natural persistent need to show off her intellect coupled with her attraction and awkwardness toward this man, and many others.

Sypher gives her a look, but she ignores it.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Sat 19 May 2018.

A mixture of anger and shock flashes across Kylis' face. "That is how they operate? It's not enough that they desecrate our dead, but they draw the souls of long departed from their eternal rest to do it. By the One... Have you managed to find one of these things already? And also, are you suggesting there is one here?".