Knightfall
World of Kulan DM
Custodio nods to Tim and is soon moving to keep pace with Tuck and Mutt. The urban ranger heads north past Hollingsworth Estate through Rift Arch and into the Pentad Ward. He tries to think of a shortcut instead of going through the The Trench but he knows there isn't any way through other than the Iron Gate. Even with Custodio with him, it's better to avoid the prying eyes of Riftwatch and the overworked guards of the Old City Barracks.
As dawn into day, the streets are soon filled with people going about their business. Tuck and Custodio pull their hoods up to try to avoid attracting attention. Tuck does an excellent job of hiding his features and it seems that Mutt has not become as famous as his pack mate. Still, the big dog attracts attention and soon there is a pack of youngsters tailing the big dog. They try to get Mutt to play with them but Tuck firmly keeps the dog's attention on the task at hand.
Once they reach Quill Gate, it's Custodio's turn to shine. He gets them through the gate with a few sharp words and the Lord Commander's name. The guards know him by reputation now and a small contingent escorts them into The Trench, past the Trenchpost, and through the small gate known as The Narrow. Tuck knows The Trench was designed to be a killing field versus any mundane invaders that managed to breach Old City and get to this point. While its protection against magical attackers isn't as useful, it remains an important part of the district's defenses. It hasn't been tested since the last time the morlocks of the Underearth attacked.
After passing through The Narrow, it doesn't take long for Tuck and Custodio to make their way through The Blade Gate and the Golden Gateway into the Garden Ward. Tuck has to rein in Mutt agains once they get near the Sublime Bazaar. The big dog whines. The bazaar is one of his favorite places in Old City, but he sticks out in the haughty marketplace.
As Tuck and Custodio arrive at the door of Old Oakfirst Manor, Tuck is surprised that Carter isn't there to greet them right away. The halfling butler is very diligent and usually knows when someone approaches the manor house. But this time, he doesn't answer the door and the house is strangely dark. Tuck's scales begin to itch as Custodio produces one of the keys given to the group by the Lord Commander. Then, he notices Tuck scratching the scales on his hands.
"What is it?" Custodio asks. The Vanquisher cleric looks up and down the street but doesn't see anything. The streets are filled with the normal amount of people for the time of day and nothing feels wrong in his mind.
Meanwhile...
By the time that Tuck and Custodio are standing at Old Oakfirst Manor, Akos, Big Tim, Breva, Falen, and Vinny are arriving at Quill Gate with their prisoners in tow. Custodio had told the guard they were coming and to keep things quiet. He had told them that the prisoners would go to barracks and they are simple ruffians caught making trouble on the streets. The guard captain had been suspicious at first, but once Custodio had used the Lord Commander's name, the guard decided not to risk being dressed down by the leader of the Bluffside Regulars.
"We are glad to see you, Loremaster," the guard captain says. All but Falen know the man's name is Haulfrun Breedon. He is one of the best known Elites in Old City and takes his position guarding The Trench very seriously. "We had all feared the worst. Custodio told us these troublemakers are headed for the barracks. It will be a tight squeeze for them as the cells are full of Loyalists." Captain Breedon pauses. "Custodio said they aren't Loyalists, just some Golden Sabres from Sordadon making trouble. It's not like the Sabres to risk coming inland from their canal bolt holes to cause trouble on the mainland."
One of the guards tries to take a closer look at Lady Arnona's features. "Hmm, they don't look like Sordadon canallers. Maybe they're Loyalists in disguise."
