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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 8102322" data-attributes="member: 2012">"The Old Peacock Nest? I thought it burnt down last year, At least, that's what I heard," Vinccenzo replies. "I meant the Cuckoo's Feathers. I think it is that way," he points towards the north.Mani snickers quietly."I've got him," the Sectarian Guard replies as he grabs the doppelganger by the shoulders. "Move, you." He lets Akos lead the way south, southeast past shops and old homes.Tim takes up the rear to watch their backs. The heroes keep an eye out for more guards but the streets are completely deserted. No one else is out braving the fog this night. It takes over half a hour to find the way through the deep fog to the guard post. It grows cold and the mist seems to cling to clothes and skin and soft ice crystals form on whiskers."Damn, it's cold," Vinccenzo complains.Mani shivers in the night air. "A warm cell, please. Yes. Brr!"The guard post is a large square building that sits next to an inner gate known as Red Arch. Lights flicker from behind closed shutters and no one stands guard out front. The reinforced double wooden doors are locked. Vinccenzo bangs on the down with his fist."Open up," he yells. "We have a prisoner! We've caught the Old City Killer!"There is no response from inside. The Sectarian Guard bangs again on the door, this time with the pommel of his dagger. "C'mon, open up, you lazy dogs!"Soon a voice is yelling inside. "Shut up! And watch your tongue or I'll cut it out!" A wooden panel slides back on the other side opening up a rectangular slit just big enough to peer through. "What the Nine Hells do you want?""I am Vinccenzo d'Lucio of the Sectarian Guard, and we have a prisoner for your cells.""Sectarian Guard? You're a long way from the Wizard District, duffer. Take your prisoner somewhere else. This is a Regulars post." The panel slams shut and there is laughing on the other side."Stupid guards," Mani chortles. "So easy to fool."Vinccenzo sighs. "I really hate Regulars sometimes... they can be real bastards.""I say we paint them bloody and sleep here tonight.""Quiet!" Vinccenzo pounds on the door again and then kicks it. "The prisoner is the serial killer of Old City, you halfwits!"The inside goes quiet and then there is mumbling and cursing. The door is unlocked and when it opens, half-a-dozen guards stand inside with their longswords drawn.The leader steps forward and grabs Vinccenzo by the scruff of his neck. "Are you stupid! I said go away!" Then he looks and sees the adventurers arrayed at the door and his eyes bug out when he sees Big Tim. "This is your prisoner? Why isn't he in chains!""No, he's one of us," the Sectarian Guard motions to Mani. "This is our prisoner.""This old woman," the Regulars guard looks at the doppelganger through the fog, which is starting to billow into the guard post. Mani has taken the shape of an old human woman and looks scared. "This is your killer! Ha! Ha! You are stupid!""Stop that!" Vinccenzo orders Mani.All the old woman does is cry. "Please help me! They are crazy!""Let her go, now!" the guard sergeant orders. "You'll all be lucky if I don't throw you in the cells and throw away the key!""It's a doppelganger, you ignorant cretin!" The Sectarian Guard gets in the sergeant's face."Sure she is and I'm an effing dragon!" He pushes Vinccenzo backwards away from the door and moves to pull Mani away from the adventurers."Thank you, thank you," Mani says with glee."Sarge, I think recognize the big guy," one of the guards notes. "He's been working with that Elite named Custodio. They're hunting the Renegade Sorcerer.""Custodio? That damn outcast," he pauses and looks at Mani and then a Big Tim. Then he sees Tuck. "Wait, didn't that report say that there was a kobold working with him too?""Yes."Oh, bugger.""You are going to be in so much trouble when I tell the Lord Commander about your behavior!" Vinccenzo snaps."Sarge?"The guard sergeant hesitates, sword gripped firmly in his right hand, and Mani tries to step inside out of the reach of Vinccenzo and the others. "They've gone mad! Kill them! Protect me, please!"</blockquote>

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