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<blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 5910095" data-attributes="member: 6669384"><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The Senatorial Page jostled his way through the crowded common room, calling out as he came: "Marcus Gaius Domenicus? Message for Marcus Gaius Domenicus?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Marcus groaned quietly. He'd sent the message privately, to ensure that his secret would be kept. And what do they do? The sent someone to scream to the entire room, Tartarus, to the entire town, that he's alive.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"He's dead at the moment.", Penn volunteered casually, a chuckle rolled through the room. "But I'll give it to him when he comes back."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I have to deliver it to him personally.", the page insisted.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Come join us for a moment, we'll see if we can work things out. Sebernius, make room for our friend."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Once they had the noisy lad corralled, Marcus identified himself quietly, and they explained the need for the ruse. The boy's response was surprising.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"The assassins? I wouldn't worry about them, though I wouldn't be on the streets tonight if I didn't have to be. The Guard are out in force tonight, and they'll bring them down once and for all."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn and Sylus exchanged a worried look.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"If the guard are down in the south quarter, clearing out the baby assassins, what are the real assassins doing?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I don't know.", Apellenea responded, "but I know where they won't be. They won't be anywhere near that building in the south quarter."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"That's crazy", Sylus said to no one in particular. "Do you think they did this whole thing with the sign just to draw the guard there?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"And if the guard is there, we know where they won't be too.", Penn responded.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Grab your gear, folks. It's going to be a busy night.", Seeburn said, happy for some action.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel leaned back in his chair, setting down the dice cup. He'd been waiting for half an hour, and his disguise spell was going to fade soon. No Imperial messenger had arrived, but the others were heading for their gear in a rush, so he decided to wait outside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">As the companions emerged into the starless night, he spoke to them.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Imperial messenger my ass.", he complained. "I'm risking my life just being here, the least the guy could do would be show up on time."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Well, if that's the way you feel, then here's a better idea. Instead of standing here, risking your life for nothing, come risk your life with us."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Best offer I've had all night.", the Sorcerer replied with a smile.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">***</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia was the last to arrive, since she'd had to take an evasive route to the palace in order to lose her shadows.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The arranged meeting point was the fountain plaza just north of the palace, and she quickly spotted her friends in a nearby alley.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"What do you see so far?", she asked Sylus, whose sharp eyes were scanning the area.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"The gate guards are at their posts, and the patrols are nice and regular.", he reported. "See? 40 paces down, turn, and 20 paces back, pause and sweep, then 20 paces more. A child could slip past them."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"What about those guards down there?", the Halfling asked, indicating another group up the way.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"They don't seem to be doing anything. They're not at attention, they're just hanging out in that alcove."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Okay, we know what comes next.", Penn groaned. Looking at Nedel he said, "One of us has to go and challenge them. Whichever one it is will likely be killed. And we're the only ones who can do it." He drew a pair of dice from his pouch. "Loser gets the job?", he asked.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel nodded and the die was cast.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Good bye, Nedel.", the Bard said quietly.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Good bye, Penn.", the Sorcerer responded. Then he drew himself up, muttered a few words, and took on the seeming of a real Centurion, 4 Cubits tall, a scar on his face and a mean look in his eye. He all but stalked up to the group and mustered the gruffest voice he could manage.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"What are you lot doing here?", he demanded. "Why aren't you at your posts?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The guards didn't respond, or even move, and Nedel quickly realized that they were dead, hanging on spikes wedged into the walls of the alcove to make it look like they were standing on their own.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">He turned towards the group and noticed another disturbing fact: All the other visible guards had vanished.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Go! Go!", he called, waving his friends on as he ran for the gate. The Assassins had already infiltrated the guard, the attack on the palace was under way.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The others responded, joining him as he entered the palace grounds. He quickly explained what had happened.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A quick check down one side path revealed several uniforms, breastplates and all, dumped there as the Assassins shed their disguises before going into hiding.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Well, if you're the Centurion, then I'll have to be Caesar.", Penn declared, after assessing the situation. "The more confusion we can spread, the better. And if we give them two targets, then they won't be able to focus on either one completely." And then with a brief song, his form shimmered and shifted as well. Now he looked like Markus Caesar, accompanied by his staunch Centurion bodyguard.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The group advanced towards the palace proper.</span> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The attack shouldn't have been a surprise, since Penn and Nedel were trying to draw exactly that sort of attention. But it was.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The party had barely reached the palace entry when arrows flew from the darkness.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel and Penn were both struck, as was Apellenea. Nedel was hit in the shoulder and the thigh, neither fatal but together they were enough to drop him. He may have looked like a hardened battle veteran, but beneath the seeming he was still the same fragile Carpathian Sorcerer.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The Bard fared better, but was still badly injured. Apellenea held a hand to her side to staunch the bleeding, but kept her feet.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus almost smiled at the thought of an archery duel. He and Seeburn were both excellent bowmen, but the enemy outnumbered them six to two in this exchange. Yet his bow sang its song of death, neither knowing nor caring about the odds.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Seeburn's bowstring struck a similar chord, and the battle was on.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ahead they could hear the clatter of heavy armor as more of the enemy approached, which was fine with Cassius and Marcus. They stood their ground, ready for whatever came.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"The archers are Bugbears.", Seeburn called. "See? Atop those columns."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I'll get Nedel up.", Marcus replied. "We'll need everyone for this."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">An onlooker might have thought it odd that the bearded highlander was hoisting his half robe over the fallen Centurion, but that was where Marcus had secured the magical wand of healing, and in any case his target was unconscious.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn crouched next to his fallen comrade. He had been about to do a similar bit of healing, but since the Jovian had been faster he decided to try something else. He clasped his hands in concentration, and began to chant.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Silently the morning mist is lying on the water...</em>", and moments later a shroud of fog arose to provide them with cover.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Believe not what you see.", he whispered to Marcus and Apellenea. "And tell the others, quietly."</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Roars of frustration arose from the archers, suddenly denied targets, but Sylus felt much the same. He knew that the Half Satyr was a tricky bastard, and had heard him say not to believe in the fog, but his eyes told him it was very very real.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Seeburn had taken cover outside of the mist covered area, so it neither protected nor impeded him.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Cassius had moved to the leading edge of the fog bank so he could peer out while at least partially covered.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Ahead he could see the approaching foot soldiers.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"Tartaurus!", he swore. "Minotaurs, on the way. Could use some help here."</span> </p><p> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'">*** </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Seeburn charged the first of the foot soldiers, blade in hand and a song in his heart. He'd grown weary of people playing word games and hide-and-seek. Having a solid foe in front of him was far more to his liking.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus smiled as he saw the archers slide down their climbing lines. They were looking for a way to see their targets, but they'd left their good cover behind.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel waved feebly to Marcus, telling him to go where he was needed, then called together his will and summoned forth the magic of light. He sent the image of the flaming man up, clear of the "fog", to try and draw enemy fire while he pulled himself to his feet. Marcus had healed some of his wounds, but he was still bleeding and far from ready to fight.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Then the real fighting began. Seeburn held two of the great bull warriors at sword point, but he knew he was overmatched. More came stampeding into the fog, seeking prey.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A pair found Penn and Apellenea and with a roar of triumph laid in. The Elf maid dodged nimbly aside, but the other drove his blade nearly through the frail Bard and he fell. The fog vanished at once.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I got him!", thundered the warrior. "I killed Caesar!"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Then you'd better keep him in one piece, for the reward.</em>", came the subtle suggestion from Nedel, with all the magical charm he could put behind it. He saw that his friend was still alive, and didn't want him beheaded as a trophy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Apellenea shifted to her left and chanted the simple words, "</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><em>Vitae!</em>", and sent the healing energies into her fallen friend.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn was still in agony, but was now awake enough to feel it. He knew that he had no harmful magics, and the thought of him fighting such warriors was laughable, even under the best of circumstances. But he had one final trick up his sleeve, the demon amulet. He placed his hand on it and focused his will, trying to get it to serve him once more. He felt it stir to life, its power reaching out to seize the minds of the weak. All he had to do was give it form.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">"I am Markus Octavius Caesar!", he roared, with a strength he didn't really feel. "Who would dare to strike me?"</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The magic swept out, taking hold of the minds of several of the taurian foot soldiers. They stood immobile, caught up in the shock and awe of the moment. Even the one who kept his wits about him was shaken for a moment as he realized what would be done to him for this, whether he succeeded or not.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Sylus took advantage of the moment, spun in place and fired an arrow upward, under the chin of one of the immobilized combatants. The Minotaur clutched at its throat and collapsed, drowning in a river of his own blood.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn couldn't recreate his imaginary fog, but that became unnecessary a moment later as arrows began to fall in the area, shedding magical darkness as they struck. Apellenea almost laughed at their tactical blunder. The enemy archers had effectively taken themselves out of the battle, at least for the moment.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Cassius rushed forward to make it more permanent. </span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn handed the second healing wand to Apellenea and urged her, "Help Nedel. He's still in bad shape." She nodded and turned to follow in the direction the Sorcerer had taken.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel found himself in an odd game. He still looked like a burly Roman soldier, but staggered with the severity of his wounds. A Minotaur was after him, and he dodged around a statue, to a column, into the darkness and out again, his pursuer all but berserk with frustration at the foe who wouldn't stand and fight.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Penn knew that his amulet was still active, so he ran out of the darkness to confront some of the archers. If the power of the demon amulet could shock them into submission, they just might survive this fight.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Seeburn was doing more than just "survive". Taken with the battle madness, he had felled one of his opponents and was battering the second one soundly. He was bleeding from a dozen wounds by this time, but in his fury he hardly noticed them.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Fortunately for him, Marcus noticed. The Cleric found him in the chaos and shared the gift of divine healing, then began to maneuver to herd the great bull warrior, to hedge its maneuvering room, making it easier for Seeburn to deal with.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Euphemia had taken shelter within a low fountain, a place too small for any human sized person to hide in, but for her it provided a perfect sniper's position, and she was peppering the enemy archers with pinpoint accurate fire.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And slowly, slowly, the tide of battle turned. One archer fell, then another. The foot soldiers were scattered, lost, frustrated and harassed. Some had fallen, and all were bleeding, and every time they thought they had a victory, somehow their prey managed to rise again and continue the battle.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Marcus had decided to abandon any real attempt to keep his identity secret, and called upon the blessing of his grandfather, Chronos. He stood twelve feet tall, and laid about him with a mad abandon that would have made the bravest of men hesitate. None could close with him, and the few that managed to even step within striking distance were met with his huge blade and battered back.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Then, from the direction of the palace there came the sounds of running feet. A dozen more men approached at a full charge, weapons drawn. And there was no way to tell if these guards were real, or more hirelings of the Assassins' guild.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Apellenea decided not to take any chances. "<em>Rootbind![/I}", she said, almost gently, asking the plants and trees to aid her.</em></span><em> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The charge slogged to a grinding halt as the grasses of the garden seized upon any convenient foot, leg or sandal that happened to be within reach. The grasses did their job, deaf to the blustering oaths, threats and curses of the soldiers.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Nedel saw what had happened and dashed into the darkness once more, headed straight for the enchanted area. Counting his steps carefully, he pounded hard that way, then abruptly changed course, treading more lightly now in the hopes that his blundering pursuer would lose track of him in the murk.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">His plan worked perfectly as the Minotaur charged blindly into the darkness, then out again in a straight line and directly into the waiting clutches of the grasping vines.</span> <span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">And then, suddenly, it was over. The companions stood, gasping with exhaustion, with no foes left to fight. A few of the enemy had turned and run, one had surrendered, and the one in the tangling grasses was quickly subdued by the soldiers, once their identities were confirmed.</span></em></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Greenfield, post: 5910095, member: 6669384"] [FONT=Arial]*** The Senatorial Page jostled his way through the crowded common room, calling out as he came: "Marcus Gaius Domenicus? Message for Marcus Gaius Domenicus?" Marcus groaned quietly. He'd sent the message privately, to ensure that his secret would be kept. And what do they do? The sent someone to scream to the entire room, Tartarus, to the entire town, that he's alive.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "He's dead at the moment.", Penn volunteered casually, a chuckle rolled through the room. "But I'll give it to him when he comes back."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I have to deliver it to him personally.", the page insisted.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Come join us for a moment, we'll see if we can work things out. Sebernius, make room for our friend."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Once they had the noisy lad corralled, Marcus identified himself quietly, and they explained the need for the ruse. The boy's response was surprising.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "The assassins? I wouldn't worry about them, though I wouldn't be on the streets tonight if I didn't have to be. The Guard are out in force tonight, and they'll bring them down once and for all."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn and Sylus exchanged a worried look.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "If the guard are down in the south quarter, clearing out the baby assassins, what are the real assassins doing?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I don't know.", Apellenea responded, "but I know where they won't be. They won't be anywhere near that building in the south quarter."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "That's crazy", Sylus said to no one in particular. "Do you think they did this whole thing with the sign just to draw the guard there?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "And if the guard is there, we know where they won't be too.", Penn responded.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Grab your gear, folks. It's going to be a busy night.", Seeburn said, happy for some action.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] *** Nedel leaned back in his chair, setting down the dice cup. He'd been waiting for half an hour, and his disguise spell was going to fade soon. No Imperial messenger had arrived, but the others were heading for their gear in a rush, so he decided to wait outside. As the companions emerged into the starless night, he spoke to them.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Imperial messenger my ass.", he complained. "I'm risking my life just being here, the least the guy could do would be show up on time."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Well, if that's the way you feel, then here's a better idea. Instead of standing here, risking your life for nothing, come risk your life with us."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Best offer I've had all night.", the Sorcerer replied with a smile.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] *** Euphemia was the last to arrive, since she'd had to take an evasive route to the palace in order to lose her shadows. The arranged meeting point was the fountain plaza just north of the palace, and she quickly spotted her friends in a nearby alley.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "What do you see so far?", she asked Sylus, whose sharp eyes were scanning the area.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "The gate guards are at their posts, and the patrols are nice and regular.", he reported. "See? 40 paces down, turn, and 20 paces back, pause and sweep, then 20 paces more. A child could slip past them."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "What about those guards down there?", the Halfling asked, indicating another group up the way.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "They don't seem to be doing anything. They're not at attention, they're just hanging out in that alcove."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Okay, we know what comes next.", Penn groaned. Looking at Nedel he said, "One of us has to go and challenge them. Whichever one it is will likely be killed. And we're the only ones who can do it." He drew a pair of dice from his pouch. "Loser gets the job?", he asked.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nedel nodded and the die was cast.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Good bye, Nedel.", the Bard said quietly.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Good bye, Penn.", the Sorcerer responded. Then he drew himself up, muttered a few words, and took on the seeming of a real Centurion, 4 Cubits tall, a scar on his face and a mean look in his eye. He all but stalked up to the group and mustered the gruffest voice he could manage.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "What are you lot doing here?", he demanded. "Why aren't you at your posts?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The guards didn't respond, or even move, and Nedel quickly realized that they were dead, hanging on spikes wedged into the walls of the alcove to make it look like they were standing on their own.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] He turned towards the group and noticed another disturbing fact: All the other visible guards had vanished.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Go! Go!", he called, waving his friends on as he ran for the gate. The Assassins had already infiltrated the guard, the attack on the palace was under way.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The others responded, joining him as he entered the palace grounds. He quickly explained what had happened.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] A quick check down one side path revealed several uniforms, breastplates and all, dumped there as the Assassins shed their disguises before going into hiding.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Well, if you're the Centurion, then I'll have to be Caesar.", Penn declared, after assessing the situation. "The more confusion we can spread, the better. And if we give them two targets, then they won't be able to focus on either one completely." And then with a brief song, his form shimmered and shifted as well. Now he looked like Markus Caesar, accompanied by his staunch Centurion bodyguard.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The group advanced towards the palace proper.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial]*** The attack shouldn't have been a surprise, since Penn and Nedel were trying to draw exactly that sort of attention. But it was. The party had barely reached the palace entry when arrows flew from the darkness.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nedel and Penn were both struck, as was Apellenea. Nedel was hit in the shoulder and the thigh, neither fatal but together they were enough to drop him. He may have looked like a hardened battle veteran, but beneath the seeming he was still the same fragile Carpathian Sorcerer.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The Bard fared better, but was still badly injured. Apellenea held a hand to her side to staunch the bleeding, but kept her feet.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus almost smiled at the thought of an archery duel. He and Seeburn were both excellent bowmen, but the enemy outnumbered them six to two in this exchange. Yet his bow sang its song of death, neither knowing nor caring about the odds.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Seeburn's bowstring struck a similar chord, and the battle was on.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Ahead they could hear the clatter of heavy armor as more of the enemy approached, which was fine with Cassius and Marcus. They stood their ground, ready for whatever came.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "The archers are Bugbears.", Seeburn called. "See? Atop those columns."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I'll get Nedel up.", Marcus replied. "We'll need everyone for this."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] An onlooker might have thought it odd that the bearded highlander was hoisting his half robe over the fallen Centurion, but that was where Marcus had secured the magical wand of healing, and in any case his target was unconscious.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn crouched next to his fallen comrade. He had been about to do a similar bit of healing, but since the Jovian had been faster he decided to try something else. He clasped his hands in concentration, and began to chant.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "[/FONT] [FONT=Arial][I]Silently the morning mist is lying on the water...[/I]", and moments later a shroud of fog arose to provide them with cover. "Believe not what you see.", he whispered to Marcus and Apellenea. "And tell the others, quietly."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Roars of frustration arose from the archers, suddenly denied targets, but Sylus felt much the same. He knew that the Half Satyr was a tricky bastard, and had heard him say not to believe in the fog, but his eyes told him it was very very real.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Seeburn had taken cover outside of the mist covered area, so it neither protected nor impeded him.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Cassius had moved to the leading edge of the fog bank so he could peer out while at least partially covered.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Ahead he could see the approaching foot soldiers.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "Tartaurus!", he swore. "Minotaurs, on the way. Could use some help here."[/FONT] [FONT=Arial]*** Seeburn charged the first of the foot soldiers, blade in hand and a song in his heart. He'd grown weary of people playing word games and hide-and-seek. Having a solid foe in front of him was far more to his liking. Sylus smiled as he saw the archers slide down their climbing lines. They were looking for a way to see their targets, but they'd left their good cover behind.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nedel waved feebly to Marcus, telling him to go where he was needed, then called together his will and summoned forth the magic of light. He sent the image of the flaming man up, clear of the "fog", to try and draw enemy fire while he pulled himself to his feet. Marcus had healed some of his wounds, but he was still bleeding and far from ready to fight.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Then the real fighting began. Seeburn held two of the great bull warriors at sword point, but he knew he was overmatched. More came stampeding into the fog, seeking prey.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] A pair found Penn and Apellenea and with a roar of triumph laid in. The Elf maid dodged nimbly aside, but the other drove his blade nearly through the frail Bard and he fell. The fog vanished at once.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I got him!", thundered the warrior. "I killed Caesar!"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "[/FONT] [FONT=Arial][I]Then you'd better keep him in one piece, for the reward.[/I]", came the subtle suggestion from Nedel, with all the magical charm he could put behind it. He saw that his friend was still alive, and didn't want him beheaded as a trophy. Apellenea shifted to her left and chanted the simple words, "[/FONT] [FONT=Arial][I]Vitae![/I]", and sent the healing energies into her fallen friend. Penn was still in agony, but was now awake enough to feel it. He knew that he had no harmful magics, and the thought of him fighting such warriors was laughable, even under the best of circumstances. But he had one final trick up his sleeve, the demon amulet. He placed his hand on it and focused his will, trying to get it to serve him once more. He felt it stir to life, its power reaching out to seize the minds of the weak. All he had to do was give it form.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] "I am Markus Octavius Caesar!", he roared, with a strength he didn't really feel. "Who would dare to strike me?"[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] The magic swept out, taking hold of the minds of several of the taurian foot soldiers. They stood immobile, caught up in the shock and awe of the moment. Even the one who kept his wits about him was shaken for a moment as he realized what would be done to him for this, whether he succeeded or not.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Sylus took advantage of the moment, spun in place and fired an arrow upward, under the chin of one of the immobilized combatants. The Minotaur clutched at its throat and collapsed, drowning in a river of his own blood.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn couldn't recreate his imaginary fog, but that became unnecessary a moment later as arrows began to fall in the area, shedding magical darkness as they struck. Apellenea almost laughed at their tactical blunder. The enemy archers had effectively taken themselves out of the battle, at least for the moment.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Cassius rushed forward to make it more permanent. [/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn handed the second healing wand to Apellenea and urged her, "Help Nedel. He's still in bad shape." She nodded and turned to follow in the direction the Sorcerer had taken.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nedel found himself in an odd game. He still looked like a burly Roman soldier, but staggered with the severity of his wounds. A Minotaur was after him, and he dodged around a statue, to a column, into the darkness and out again, his pursuer all but berserk with frustration at the foe who wouldn't stand and fight.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Penn knew that his amulet was still active, so he ran out of the darkness to confront some of the archers. If the power of the demon amulet could shock them into submission, they just might survive this fight.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Seeburn was doing more than just "survive". Taken with the battle madness, he had felled one of his opponents and was battering the second one soundly. He was bleeding from a dozen wounds by this time, but in his fury he hardly noticed them.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Fortunately for him, Marcus noticed. The Cleric found him in the chaos and shared the gift of divine healing, then began to maneuver to herd the great bull warrior, to hedge its maneuvering room, making it easier for Seeburn to deal with.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Euphemia had taken shelter within a low fountain, a place too small for any human sized person to hide in, but for her it provided a perfect sniper's position, and she was peppering the enemy archers with pinpoint accurate fire.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] And slowly, slowly, the tide of battle turned. One archer fell, then another. The foot soldiers were scattered, lost, frustrated and harassed. Some had fallen, and all were bleeding, and every time they thought they had a victory, somehow their prey managed to rise again and continue the battle.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Marcus had decided to abandon any real attempt to keep his identity secret, and called upon the blessing of his grandfather, Chronos. He stood twelve feet tall, and laid about him with a mad abandon that would have made the bravest of men hesitate. None could close with him, and the few that managed to even step within striking distance were met with his huge blade and battered back.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Then, from the direction of the palace there came the sounds of running feet. A dozen more men approached at a full charge, weapons drawn. And there was no way to tell if these guards were real, or more hirelings of the Assassins' guild.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Apellenea decided not to take any chances. "[I]Rootbind![/I}", she said, almost gently, asking the plants and trees to aid her.[/I][/FONT][I] [FONT=Arial] The charge slogged to a grinding halt as the grasses of the garden seized upon any convenient foot, leg or sandal that happened to be within reach. The grasses did their job, deaf to the blustering oaths, threats and curses of the soldiers.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] Nedel saw what had happened and dashed into the darkness once more, headed straight for the enchanted area. Counting his steps carefully, he pounded hard that way, then abruptly changed course, treading more lightly now in the hopes that his blundering pursuer would lose track of him in the murk.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] His plan worked perfectly as the Minotaur charged blindly into the darkness, then out again in a straight line and directly into the waiting clutches of the grasping vines.[/FONT] [FONT=Arial] And then, suddenly, it was over. The companions stood, gasping with exhaustion, with no foes left to fight. A few of the enemy had turned and run, one had surrendered, and the one in the tangling grasses was quickly subdued by the soldiers, once their identities were confirmed.[/FONT][/i] [/QUOTE]
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Curse of Darkness IV - When in Rome...
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