Sypher nods.  "We have already closed one.  Turned it back into a one way filter so the dead can depaet, but not return. "

"We need to understand what caused them to open like that so it can't happen again.  The seal we place on them is strong and Fildegarne's won't open again anytime soon after we seal them, but we need to get word to other kingdoms on the mainland so they can address theirs.  Right now, it takes all four of us to seal it right. "

Kylis looks like he's just been punched in the gut. "Where was this opening that you sealed? And how recent?"

"In the Argonette Forest south of the Fyreworm lands five days ago.  Why?"  Now Shiaran's curiosity is piqued.  She wonders if there was some kind of noticeable event that took place when it happened.

Realization washes over Kylis now, as if puzzle pieces suddenly sunk together to paint a picture in his mind. "It all makes sense. Five days ago, East of the city, an armor column was attacked by a company sized element of the enemy. Halfway through their assault, witnesses say the entirety of their force burst into green flames, shrieking horribly, as if souls were exiting the bodies and leaving burnt husks. That force came from the direction of Argonette's south western end. When you closed that whatever it was, you not only stopped the PCA from creating new soldiers.. you destroyed what ones they had already created with that particular site. How many more of these are there?!".

"And that explains the bodies lying on the ground outside the wall."  Shiaran taps her chin, her go to tell that she is thinking furiously.  "There are around likely twelve of those ley lines left to close.  Every one we shut down destroys a significant portion of their fighting power.  Kylis, we need to get out of here.  Now."  Gone is her awkwardness as she focuses on the mission and the urgency grips her.  Shiaran is in her element under stress.

Most kinds of stress, anyway.

A voice chimes in from an adjacent cell. "I had hypothesized as much, but without evidence, the claim would have been unsubstantiated. It is a shame we will not be able to examine the effects"


"Don't interrupt, boy, they're having a moment."

Kylis looks at Sypher and Shiaran intensely, his thoughts racing a mile a minute. "I would have done my part in getting you out of here based on principle alone, but this new information... This is something I cannot idly stand by and let pass". Kylis stoops down, taking a knee and bowing. "As Baron of my small lands, as a man who considers himself lawful, and as a friend, I swear fealty to the two of you as I have the Crown. Your bidding is my command. My resources are at your disposal. We will triumph over Elm and over the enemy, in the name of what is good and righteous".

"Wait.  What?"  All Shiaran has known is the monastery, adventuring with Sypher and a couple of weeks in the military.  In other words, she's most often been junior when it comes to command.  This dreamboat kneeling before her swearing his life to her totally put her brain in neutral, spinning in high rev, but with nothing happening.

Sypher, still uncomfortable, maintained his composure.  "Thank you, Baron.  I will repeat my question.  What do we do?"  His voice is kind and gentle and he lifts Kylis to his feet.

"First, I need to know where you need to get to. Second, I need your patience. Give me a few hours to get my men in place. From there,you'll waltz right out of here, low effort

"The ley line is under the keep, below where we are now.  We would need to go down.  Way down."

Kylis winces. "So in the catacombs then.. wonderful place for that sort of thing".  He draws his cloak back up around him and pulls the hood over his head. "I'll see you again in a few short hours. I have to get back to my duties before eyebrows begin to raise".

Sypher gives the Baron a slight bow.  "Thank you, my friend.  It is good to see you again."

Shiaran waves with her fingers.  "Bye, Kylis."  The attempt at sultry looks silly and overdone such that when Kylis is gone, Shiaran smacks herself on the forehead.  "What is wrong with me?!"

Sypher grins.  "I have to say, it is rather amusing to see you so off your game like this.  Stop trying so hard.  Focus on the mission or you are going to push him away rather than draw him in.  The faltering speech around him is cute to a point, but if you throw yourself at him, how is that different than every other girl out there he's ever encountered.  Plus, you don't know that he isn't married.  Plus plus, your higher rank complicates things.  You head down this path, you are going to make yourself miserable, and him as well if you end up together."

"Wow.  You thought about that waaaaay too much, Syph.  Besides, what do you know about girls.  You've never even been on a date."  When Sypher chuckles, shakes his head, and finds a place to sit near the door, Shiaran stomps her foot in frustration.  Mostly because his words sounded right.  She knew he was right, but she couldn't help herself, and that he saw it irked her.

Sypher lets Shiaran stew in her frustration and attempts to get Beloc and Rebort's attention.  "Beloc.  Rebort.  Did you hear all that?  We need to be ready to move when the Baron's plan comes to fruition."

"Loud and clear." He can't help but chuckle a little. "I'm sure it was much less awkward than it sounded, but nonetheless, I'll be ready. A little more detail on the plan might help in preparation once the anti-magic orbs get swapped out."

"Confirmed. EM-01 could be of use if we are concerned that our alternate selves are not convincing enough. The obvious problem is that it will be very conspicuous. Perhaps, we could alter its appearance or render it invisible"

R.E.B.O.R.T. turns to Beloc, and in a lowered yet still audible voice, asks. "Is this sort of mating ritual commonplace among humans?"

Several more hours pass by with no visitors. The sun has finally broken through the clouds and hangs low, relatively speaking given how low the outer windows to be adjacent prison cells sit. Finally, someone down the the long hallway comes along whistling a cheerful tune. There is a scraping of metal, followed by a glassy tink, and a barely audible splashing sound. When the figure comes in to view, he's a lanky man in his early 20's. Unkempt blonde hair tops his head, and a has the look of someone without a care in the world. He reaches up with a small pry bar, and pops an anti-magic orb out of its socket, while replacing it with a fake from a satchel. He then take the real orb and enters each empty cell that is moatside, and casually drops it out of the window into the water a few feet below. He pauses for a brief moment to peer into the siblings cell first, then Beloc and Reborts. Each time he give a wink, and the only time he stops his whistling is to give a sly grin. He continues down the line until his work is through for the cell block that everyone resides in. On his way back through he feigns a stumble, and looks back at a high cobble stone that isn't there. Twice. On both occasions, a low profile packet wrapped in sack cloth slides under the door of the core party members. He give another wink, and says "Your Marqueeses. Marqueeships? Marquees? Nevermind. My respects" he whispers, and starts off on his way.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Thu 24 May 2018.

Beloc quietly walks over to the door and picks up the sackcloth that was slid into their cell. He carefully opens it and looks to see what's inside the packet.

Inside each is a hand written note that simply says "One Hour", and two slenderly crafted daggers.

"Marquises," Shiaran whispers back before he leaves.  She leans down and opens up the package, handing the note to Sypher and putting the blades in sheaths at her waist.

She spends the next hour poring over her spell matrix one last time to ensure all the proper spells are memorized.

Sypher reads the note then gets into a meditative position, praying silently.