Copyright ©1998 Jonathan Cardon
Amber DRPG is Copyright ©1991 Erick Wujcik

[much missing]

Vance hands over the card. "Nothing personal, Sean. If the situation was reversed, I would expect no less from you."

[- recap: Sean is about to try to contact Rinaldo by way of his trump. Vance and Allyna stand in front of him, outside of the image. Allyna is monitoring, to interrupt if Rinaldo uses the Trump to attack. -]

Sean shrugs, relaxing a little. He doesn't answer Vance, but stares at the card intently.

Shamus stands by his master's side.

Jeanette rejoins the group, her attention brought back to the present, and watches.

Minutes pass as Sean stares at the card.

Sean frowns. "It's not working," he mutters.

Vance looks to Allyna. "Can you determine what's wrong?"

Allyna holds out her hand for the card. "I can try."

Sean gives the card to Allyna.

Allyna brings the card to her eyes, examining it with an intent look.

More minutes pass as Allyna stares at the card.

Rex watches.

Sunfall says "Well, isn't this fun."

Vance glances over to Sunfall. "If we have to go to Kashfa the long way, can you lead us there?"

Sunfall says "I've never been to Kashfa, so no."

Allyna shakes her head. "I can't say what's wrong. But this path is presently closed to us."

Vance frowns. "Damn, that's right. Okay, I may have you take us as far as Chiare, depending on how close we can get with Allyna's Trump." He holds out a hand to Allyna for the Trump of Rinaldo.

Sunfall says "Actually, I might be able if I had a REAL GOOD description of it, but it might take quite a while and be somewhat frustrating."

Vance also says, distractedly, "Reed, you can give Sean his sword back, now."

Reed hands Sean his sword.

Sean snorts. "Figures, after all the arguing, that it wouldn't matter." He seems almost amused. He holds out his other hand for the card.

Allyna hands Sean the trump.

Vance gives an even stare at Allyna, then drops his hand. "Get us out of Thule."

Allyna frowns, and pulls a card from her pouch.

Sean pockets the card. "Ah... is this the place where people want to kill you?" he asks Allyna.

Allyna frowns, and nods. "Yes. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to explore, until now."

Jeanette says "If you care to take ship again, I believe I can get us back to Kashfa."

Vance says "We need to vanish without trace from Thule, so our departure is seen as the work of Clieto."

Ariadne looks as if she had something to say, but she swallows it at Vance's words.

Vance smiles. "Which, in a way, it is."

Sean nods, and chuckles wryly.. "Figures," he says to Allyna. "Well, we'll just have to be careful."

Jeanette says "The bidding, at least, yes."

Allyna says, "Hopefully, this particular place will be safe."

Jeanette says "So long as it is out of here."

Vance says "We won't be there long."

Allyna frowns.

Vance leans against a pillar, waiting.

Allyna shakes her head, and focuses on the trump again.

Allyna gives up, after a time, picking out another trump

Vance says "Is there a problem?"

Allyna nods, as she focuses on the second trump.

Allyna makes a noise of displeasure, and picks out a third trump.

Allyna's face begins to show strain. She sighs. "Something is very wrong."

Vance sighs. "Ariadne, we may need an alternative. If this fails, I'm going to have you contact Andra, so we can get the High King to arrange for a ship."

Sean ruffles Shamus' fur. "Maybe the problem is here, not where we're going."

Ariadne nods, "I'm sure he can provide one on short notice."

Allyna says, "That is a distinct possibility, but I got at least one trump to work."

Vance hmms. "Which Trumps do you have?"

Sunfall says "Can you sail the ship directly to Kashfa, or will we be retracing our steps?"

Allyna says, "Several locations among the Spheres, and the Watery Flame. A few I was hoping not to use, as well."

Ariadne says, "Kashfa is on the Golden Circle yes? We do trade with Rebma, we can sail to there first, and from there it shouldn't be hard to reach Kashfa."

Allyna does not.

Allyna selects a fourth card, and focuses her attention on it.

Vance says "Yes...but I need to sneak us out of this place without being seen. And prevent any rumors from getting back to the opposition forces here."
Vance looks to Allyna. "Do you have an 'Image' of yourself that works?"

Sunfall says "If it helps, I can reach Chiare without too much difficulty. Tanists are required to memorize the runic signature for the citadel."

Allyna shakes her head. "No. I haven't had the time."
Allyna adds, "And... Ah... I never thought of it."

Vance lowers his head and holds the bridge of his nose, as if he had a headache. "How long to make one? It doesn't have to be perfect...it just has to last long enough to transport us to a ship."

Allyna says, "That ought to work. A couple of hours, at the most. Let me try one more."
Allyna pulls one more card out, and focuses on it.
Allyna mutters. "Someone get me a mirror, in case."

Vance says "Actually...make one of Ariadne. She'll be the one to sneak out and get the ship."

Engela speaks quietly to Rex.

Rex nods to Engela, and smiles, whispering back.

Allyna breathes deeply, as if she were growing tired from all these efforts, however futile.

Engela smiles at Rex speaking softly.

Sean looks a little restless, and ruffles Shamus' fur.

Allyna tosses the card on the floor in frustration.

Rex clears his throat, "Excuse me. Engela tells me that she could cover us with what she calls a 'glamour', disguising us for our departure. How does that sound?"
Rex says "It would take a little while..."

Vance looks to Engela. "Can you weave a greater glamour? The royals of Thule can sense normal magical workings...we will need something strong enough to decieve even them."

Allyna says, "Why is it so important that we deceive them? Is your reputation worth all this trouble, Vance?"

Engela says, "Yes I can weave the greater glamours, I intended to weave one simple glamour to cover us all in an aura of misdirection, that would take but a few hours, but it wouldn't stand up to close inspection. I would need to weave a glamour for each of us if we would have to stand up to scrutiny. That would take an hour or so for each of us."

Vance says to Allyna, "Not mine. The High King's. He has to remain in power for Thule to survive. If there is even a suspicion that Clieto died from foul play, or that we were not gifted with her blessing, the High King will suffer for it."

Allyna nods. "I see."

Vance hmms. "Prepare your first Glamour. We can sneak Ariadne out first, to give her time to send word about the ship."

Allyna picks up the card and returns it to its place. "I might as well start on that Image."

Vance nods to Allyna. "Make it of Ariadne. We can use it to go directly to her, when she's on the ship."

Allyna pulls her sketchpad from her satchel.

Engela says, "I would ask that all of you remain in this room, while I spin the glamour, and please do not invoke any higher powers, either now or when we are leaving that can unravel the weaving."

Sean says "Should we send someone with her?"

Ariadne approaches Allyna, "What do I have to do?"

Allyna says, "I need her to sit for the sketch first."

Vance looks to Allyna. "Can you prepare two, and release them together?"

Allyna says, "Just find a comfortable position that you can keep for a long time."

Engela begins singing in a musical foreign tongue, she reaches out to where the sun streams through the window, and it is as if she grabs the sunbeam and begins spinning it around her fingers.

Rex blinks, and watches closely.

Jeanette watches, too, paying the close attention of a student of the same art.

Sean raises an eyebrow, then smiles and sits down to wait, trying to get vaguely comfortable. Sunfall seems to be remembering something as she watches.

Vance glances at Engela as if he's watching something familiar to him. At one point, he mutters something in a strange tongue.

Allyna pulls out her pencil, and begins to commit Ariadne's image to the paper.

Slowly Engela begins to dance, with grace and beauty, and apparently with happiness, she spins the sun into streams of light and color that she then throws and places about the room.

[- Time passes. -]

Krinac says "Allyna completes her sketch of Ariadne to her satisfaction."

Vance walks over and gives Ariadne a few quiet words of instruction.

Ariadne and Vance speak for a bit, when Ariadne opens the door to depart, it is almost as if she steps through a wall of water, her image is distored once she passes through.

Krinac asks, "Was anyone going with Ariadne?"

Vance says "You have four hours, daughter. We will contact you then. If there are any problems, we will slip out another via Engela's glamours. Engela, if you are prepared to cloak another, do so for Sean. He can protect her in case a problem arises."

Rex nods. "That sounds like a good idea."

Engela looks vexed, and continues her dancing and singing for awhile... then she nods, and says "In just a half hour more."
Engela resumes her weaving of the glamour.

Vance nods, and lets time pass.

Ariadne says, "Thank you for the concern for my well being, Sean."

[- Time passes. -]

Engela completes her weaving.

Vance watches Ariadne and Sean depart.

Rex moves close to Engela, and speaks softly to her.

Krinac says "Umm, just a second."

Engela motions for Sean to go stand in the sunbeam she was using before.
Engela says, "Now I'll give you something a little more personal that will cover you when you are away from here."

Sean smiles at Ariadne. "We're all in this together, after all." He moves to stand in the sunbeam indicated. "Should Shamus sit with me?"

Vance hmms. "You may have to leave him behind for a time, Sean."

Engela says, "I cannot cover him as well." When Sean steps into the sunbeam, Engela sings a few words, and it is as if the sunbeam sweeps over him and in his place is an old crone in the dress of Thule. "I'm sorry I don't have a more flattering disguise prepared, but that is the one I had at ready."

Sean laughs. "I'll live." He pats Shamus. "You'll have to stay here, boy."

Engela says, "Remember to walk slowly." She then goes to sit by Rex.

Krinac says "Now Sean and Engela depart. And the GM press the Fast Forward button. You are now all on the boat, with no problems, and are leaving Thule."

Rex smiles at Engela, and nods.

Krinac says "Now Sean and Ariadne depart. And the GM press the Fast Forward button. You are now all on the boat, with no problems, and are leaving Thule."

Vance looks to Jeanette. "If you can get us to Kashfa, I will let you lead for a time. Switch out with anyone that can take your place when you get tired. Ariadne...come with me." He heads belowdecks.

Jeanette nods, and walks to the bow of the boat...

Allyna looks for a quiet private place to do whatever it is she does in private.

[- Time passes. A day goes by without event. You seem to be retracing your path back to Chiare, but the winds are not as favorable. Jeanette guides the ship most of the night. -]

Vance remains in seclusion with his daughter. Those that spy on him can tell he's teaching magical theory and application of some sort.
Sean seems less than thrilled about being on another ship, but gets over it, and tries to keep occupied, playing cards with anyone interested and talking to Reed.
Rex keeps company with Engela, Aranor, and Middenriddle, all talking amongst themselves.
Jeanette remains seated at the bow for long periods, silent and unmoving except for occasional breaks to pace the deck.
Allyna spends most of her time sketching people, or locked away, ostensibly working on trumps.
After a few hours aboard ship, the weather seems to smile on you, and the winds change to blow directly where you need to go.
Sunfall remains in her cabin most of the trip.
Krinac says "The second day finds you off the coast of Chiare. Who is leading the boat from Chiare to Kashfa?"

Vance head abovedeck briefly, and talks to the others. "Jeanette, can you take us the rest of the way to Kashfa? Perhaps with Rex helping?"

Jeanette says "I will attempt it, at least. Though we did not come the entire route by ship, so I cannot be certain of the path."

Vance nods, and says to the group in general, "If we reach a point where none of you can take us further, I will bear the burden of transit the rest of the way."

Jeanette nods. "There are several paths leading on from here. If you could point out the one that we arrived by, I can get us as far as Eregnor.

Vance points in a particular direction. "There. Take the second, not the first."

Jeanette nods, "I have the path. Rest now."

Krinac says "Another day passes, and you approach Kashfa."

Vance emerges from belowdecks as the ship approaches Kashfa. He walks over to Jeanette and says, "You have proven to be of some use. Thank you."

Krinac says "A cry goes up, "Sail ho" Nothing unusal, it has happened several times before."

Jeanette chuckles softly. "You've known I could do this since Chiare, Vance. You had no need to be so... unpleasant."

Reed examines the ship with his binoculars.
Reed hands the binoculars to Sean.

Vance says, "A statement is one thing. Proof is another." He turns to Reed. "What colors does it fly?"

Reed says loudly, "That's a three masted warship, and it's flying a unicorn banner, making directly for us."

Sean takes the binoculars and studies the ship.

Sunfall comes abovedecks to watch landfall, just in time to hear Reed's shout.

Vance frowns. "Continue as if we hadn't noticed it. Anyone who has a spell useful to the situation, be prepared to use it. Hopefully they will choose to hail us."
Vance adds, "I do not want to have to use the Dark Well in the very harbor of Kashfa."

Jeanette nods, and pulls her jacket close about her.

Sean frowns. "They don't look friendly. Vance, is the banner who I think it is?"

Vance says "Amber, Sean. But not all in Amber have the same agenda. Keep watch...if you see them preparing weapons, let me know."

Sean says "Aye. Vance, they aren't alone."

Vance says "Hmm? Who's with them?"

A second ship is now visible accompanying the first ship, they are clearly on an intercept course.

Krinac says "The two ships are travelling together, and are moving to intercept your ship."

Vance takes stock of the situation. "Secure the sails. We're going to use the wind to cut right between them."

Sean frowns. "They mean to take us. They're readying ballistae, but no cannons. Can we outrun them?"

A slight hum, then a crackling noise is heard. Those who look see the figure of Sunfall, bathed in a gradually brightening nimbus of light as she begins to trace a circle of runes.

Vance smiles. "For a short time, I believe so. The wind change is going to catch them offguard." He gazes around the deck. "Brace yourselves. The wind is going to hit as soon as we reach ballista range...hopefully we'll throw off their aim with the change in speed."
Vance adds, quietly, "Assuming the sails don't rip."

Jeanette nods, and slips her gloves on. "Right."

Vance moves to the rear of the boat, facing the sails.

The pilot asks, "Sir, what are you going to do? I need to know."

Vance says to the pilot, "A sudden gust of wind will hit the sails. I can't say exactly how strong it'll be, but it should be less than hurricane force."

As Sunfall's junaive traces the runes on the floorboards of the deck, strands of light leak from them in streamers that flash across the deck, masts, sails, and sides of the ship.

Allyna heads to the deck, although she doesn't seem to have any idea what to do.

Krinac says "The wind is already in your direction and has been for most of the journey, so the other ships are tacking to reach you anyway."

Sean glances up at the sails, then hands the binoculars to Reed. "Let me know when they get ready to fire." He draws his sword.

The pilot says, "Aye sir." He then barks out, "All hands, secure the riggin'"

Vance says "Tack to turn us directly at them, pilot, and slow us down a bit. I'll signal just before I start...you'll have maybe 15 seconds to bring the full sails up."

Krinac says "With agonizing slowness you approach. Although your plan is worked out, it will be another ten minutes before you are in range to see if it works."

Sunfall leans heavily on the junaive as she traces, as if to carve the runes deeply into the deck. Drops of the ever brightening light seem to drip from her hands and pool on the wooden surface.

Vance waits. At one point he says, "Are they preparing boarders?"

Rex seems to concentrate.

Reed says, "They have archers on the second story deck, and grappling lines, and a great deal of men milling about. Someone is waving a flag at us... it isn't morse, who knows the local code?"

Rex shakes his head.

Vance says "I've spent little time on ships, Reed. Maybe the pilot would know."

The port of Kashfa slowly begins to come into view as you approach closer and closer.

The sailor looks at the waving flags, "Bloody predictable. Heave to and be boarded, or else."

Vance watches the two ships with an intent gaze. "Not yet..."

Sunfall appears to be tracing the final rune, a large one in the center of the circle. The rune somehow looks somewhat familiar. It appears to be the most difficult one of all, and the tracing goes slowly.

Sean looks at Rinaldo's trump for a minute, then curses and puts it away.

The streamers of light limning the ship start to accelerate.

Krinac says "You are quickly approaching ballistae range, other ships can now be seen in the harbor."

Reed continues to look through his binoculars, "Vance! There are two more of those big mother ships at anchor in the harbor, and several smaller ones. And I think you should take a look at this."

Vance says "No time, Reed. We're committed. Best we can do is move to one side of the docks and escape into the city before they can mobilize."

Jeanette joins Reed. "What's to see?"

Sean curses again. "What? Have they taken the city?"

One of the ships fires a 'warning shot' across your bow. Proving you are obviously in their range.

Sunfall completes her spell.
Suddenly, as the Rune of Structure is completed, the nimbus of light surrounding Sunfall spreads to cover the ship momentarily, and when it passes you recall the feeling of permanence that surrounded the gates to the Sorceror's Citadel. An echo of it is here, now.

Vance has started incanting. Some may notice that a spare rope has been wrapped around his waist to tie him to the back of the ship.

Reed says, "They aren't flying Kashfa's banner. They are flying the unicorn over the castle."

Vance says the lynchpins, and points directly between the two Amber ships.

Almost at once the wind builds to near hurricane strength. The mast and sails creak alarmingly and your little vessel surges forward.

Sunfall slumps a little in exhaustion.

Jeanette is caught by the blast of wind and is now hanging half way over the side.
Jeanette grabs hold of the rail, catching a ratline in one hand...

Vance hangs on to the ropes securing him, and yells, "Aim us to the left of the docks...ram the shore if you have to."

Rex rushes to grab Jeanette.

Jeanette was standing by Reed, and he manages to grab the other end of her rope, but he needed Rex's help to pull her back on deck.

Jeanette clambers back over the railing and mutters. "I'm fine, dammit!"

Reed says, "We've got you."

Jeanette mutters, "...can swim just fine, thanks... I'm okay..." as she settles onto the deck again.

Several bolts fly out from the two ships, and the wind appears to be throwing off their aim. It appears as if the plan is working, when a ballastae bolt smashes into the deck, making it clear you aren't through the gauntlet yet.

Allyna falls to the deck and rolls several feet, looking more comical than painful, although her cool, such as it is, is quite lost.

Vance unsecures himself, and moves to the front of the ship along the railing, going hand over hand to always maintain a grip. "Andra! Looks like you're coming with us."

Rex, Midden, and Aranor all get that silvery sheen to their skin and eyes. Engela simply vanishes.

A swarms of arrows fall upon you like bees. As you pass between the vessels at your closest point, close enough to read their names, Crown of the Seas and Eric. Several of the arrows fall upon the ship, some of them are burning.

Vance calls out, "Bring up a water barrel!"

An arrow bounces off of Rex doing no apparent harm, Sunfall watches the swarm approach with a careful eye stepping between them. Jeanette continues her chain of bad luck with the distinction of being the only person on board actually hit by an arrow.

Jeanette finds this highly unpleasant, and tumbles down below the railing, making a smaller target.

Sunfall shouts to Vance, "If we get split up, where in Kashfa should I look to meet with you!"

Vance waits until they're past the two ships, before calling back, "There's a clothier on Crow Street. Go there, and say that you want a double-breasted suit."

Grappling lines sail out, but they fall short.

Sean staggers away from the rail, obviously no sailor, but tries to help douse the flames as best he can.

As you pass between the vessels you notice that the wind begins to die out.

Vance says "Sean, use the water barrels...we won't be taking them with us. Take an axe to them if need be."

Reed hands the binoculars to Jeanette, "That arrow in your arm looks painful, but not serious, I'm going to help with the fire, keep watch."
Reed rushes to help with the fire.

Jeanette takes them with her unwoundewd hand, and nods...

Sunfall helps haul buckets, keeping watch for grapnels.

Allyna tries to get herself upright and help with the fire.

Sean uses his heavy sword to stave in the barrels.

Most of the people rush to put out the fires, which was not in much danger of spreading.

Jeanette calls out, "More ships coming!:"

Sean swears again. "Which direction?"

Jeanette says "We'll beat most of them, but that close one's a ramship!"

Vance moves to face the new threat, and yells, "It'll never reach us. Just keep the ship straight!" He graps the railing tightly with one hand, and begins to incant with the other.

Allyna makes for the railing.

Reed returns, "Jeanette, we may have to swim or run soon, now isn't the best time, but I'd better cut that arrow out."

Bells are ringing in the harbor.

Jeanette grits her teeth. "Get at it. And someone watch that ship."

Rex says "I'll watch the ramship."

Vance makes some arcane motions, and a fist-sized globe of blackness appears in his palm. He continues to hold it as he keeps incanting...valuable seconds pass by as he does this.

Jeanette gestures with the binoculars, "No, that one!"

Rex says "May I use that device of seeing?"

Reed takes out a knife, hands the sheath to Jeanette. "Bite this."

Rex nods. "Right, that one. Sorry."

Sunfall crouches behind the gunwale.

Jeanette says "Watch 'em both!"
Jeanette passes over the binoculars, and takes Reed's sheathe.

Allyna turns, noticing that Jeanette is injured, and moves toward her.

Ariadne and Andra are belowdecks, securing those possessions that will be taken off the ship.

The darkness between Vance's hands grows, and then he releases it as if throwing, it races out toward the approaching the vessel where it strikes the vessel. It's single mast snaps, falling into the sea, removing the threat.

Sean says "Everyone group up, twos or threes, in case we get sepeated. If you don't think you can find the shop, stick with me, Vance or--anyone else know where it is?"

To clarify: The globe of darkness cracked open as Vance pointed his palm at the ship, and the blast was a white-hot ball of energy.

Allyna shouts, "I have a way to find the shop!"

Vance says "Jeanette's been there."

Rex motions his friends to stay close.

You are now almost to shore. Andra and Ariadne return from belowdecks. One of the other ships at anchor opens fire as you approach. It is the other ship of the line, and it lets go withseveral ballistae bolts. Three of them hit. Your pilot is dead, and your vessel begins to lose control. Andra is injured. The vessel slowly begins to tack as the pilot slumps to the deck.

Vance yells for the navigator, also a competent pilot, to take control.

Allyna says, "Jeanette, can you swim to the shore?"

Vance says "I'm out of tricks, unless I want to destroy Kashfa."

The navigator rushes to the helm... and you all have one more pose before you reach shore.

Ahead at least a dozen troops wait to greet you when you reach shore.

Sean growls. "Small groups, stick together!" He runs to the bow of the ship, whistling for Shamus as he goes.

Krinac responds to a page publically, "You will ram the shore"

Vance rushes to the front of the ship, drawing his scimitar. "Ariadne, carry Andra! Sailors, grab the supplies and get off the ship as soon we hit."

Jeanette nods, "I'll be okay!" She looks around at her companions, and grabs her bag with her good hand, to sling over her shoulder.

Sunfall motions to Jeanette and prepares to leap into the water.
Sunfall ...grabbing her bag where she left it while crouching earlier.

Allyna grabs Jeanette's arm, and leaps into the water, trying to dissappear under a pier if possible.

Sunfall leaps into the water. Only her pack and her junaive disturb the water as she dives in.

OK, Reed, Jeanette, Allyna, and Sunfall dive into the water just before impact. Vance, Sean, Shamus, Ariadne(helping Andra) are all at the front. Rex, Aranor, and Middenriddle are on the other side of the boat. Engela just plain vanished from view at the first sign of danger."

Sean gets ready to jump. "I'll take the left, you take the right?" he asks Vance quickly.

Vance nods to Sean, and then...

Jeanette swims along, 'helped' by Allyna, despite assurances that she's fine.

With a sickening lurch the boat rams the shore and comes aground 20 feet from the beach. Sean, Vance, and Ariadne use their momentum to propel themselves to shore. Several soldiers immediately charge.

Vance rolls so he'll be positioned near the rightmost soldier, and comes up swinging. A flick of his wrist drops a throwing dagger into his free hand.

Incidentally the boat is totalled, and many of the sailors who were still aboard (and the horses below) are now severly injured or dead.

Rex was not seen to jump ship before the wreck, nor his companions.

Sean charges as well, yelling like a maniac, Shamus at his side.

Vance cuts at the first soldier, throwing his dagger at the second one just as he finishes.

The soldiers are disciplined, meeting the attacks in pairs, this doesn't keep one of them from falling from a thrown blade from Vance, or another from getting his throat torn out by Sean's blade. Ariadne helping Andra is forced to advance slowly.

Vance and Sean by virtue of moving quickly each face one opponenet. Ariadne is quickly going to be cornered by three. Sunfall has made it to shore.

Shamus dives into the frey, and surprisingly takes one by the throat, but another soldier stabs Shamus, with a wound that will almost certainly be lethal.

There are still more guards around, and more on the way.

In the water, Allyna, Jeanette, and Reed are for the moment unnoticed.

Sean lunges at the man who stabbed Shamus, yelling incoherently.

Andra draws a blade, "Drop me Ariadne."

Ariadne drops Andra, and moves toward one of her attackers, spinning her spear like a staff, and catching him in the knee.

Sunfall drops her bag and rushes to join the others, flanking the soldiers on the right, junaive swinging.

The soldiers now begin to give ground, refusing to stand and meet the wild charge, instead the fight defensively trying to give their comrades time to surround you.

The one who stabbed Shamus goes down quickly under Sean's wild charge, and the others back away quickly. Sean seems enraged on the edge of going beserk, and he whirls unpredictable first to one flank then to the other.

Sean never stops moving, often feinting with his blade to try to kick or punch at an attacker, and moving away from the others, screaming at the top of his lungs. "Briarwood! Silvanus! Artio! Shamus!"

Sunfall emerges from the beach and takes an opponent, her Junaive first breaking his weapon, then cleaving his armor while he still gapes.
Sunfall fights soldiers along Sean's path, trying to minimize the number of attackers at his back.

Vance grabs his throwing dagger from a fallen soldier's throat, as he runs back to Andra and Ariadne. "Get to the buildings! We'll cover you."

Ariadne engages her opponent, and quickly has him on the ropes, but Andra is beset by an opponent of her own, she exchanges a few blows, and then has her weapon knocked from her grasp, she is then skewered through the shoulder. Two soldiers rush to her postion and begin to pull her back out of the fray.

Vance engages the two soldiers reaching for Andra at full-tilt, swinging at one as he throws a dagger at the other.
Vance makes an opening for Ariadne to run through, throwing a dagger at one soldier while cutting at another with his scimitar.

Sean changes direction, driving toward a guard farther from his fellows than the others, trying to make a hole in their line. "RUN!"

Krinac says "Um, what are the people in the water doing? Waiting for the archers to arrive?"

Jeanette turns to Allyna. "You said you had a way to get us there? Go!"

Allyna says, "Won't work, now. Later."

Jeanette says "Not much time."

Vance's thrown blade does minimal damage, but it distracts the one on Ariadne, and she wounds her opponent enough to break for the opening and run.
Vance continues fighting just long enough to let those who have a chance to get away run through the opening he's made in the enemy lines, and then goes after Ariadne.

Sean has created an opening through which Vance, Ariadne, Sean, and Sunfall can leave. Andra is captured. The people in the water can't reach it in time. Actions?

Reed says, "Perhaps now would be a good time to get behind the boat away from shore then."

Krinac corrects "Allyna, Jeanette, and Reed are swimming. (did someone say ducks in a barrel?)

Sean continues to hold the soldiers back as long as he can, attacking one and then another unpredictably.

Allyna is going to follow Reed's lead unless Jeanette has a better suggestion.

Vance sprints toward the city. "Sean, come on!"

Jeanette nods... "For now."

Ok, Sunfall dives into water. Reed, Jeanette, and Allyna are hiding at the back of the boat, which is safe now, but won't last but a few minutes. Sean, Vance, and Ariadne are sprinting through the streets of Kashfa.

Jeanette murmurs, "Allright, Allyna, if you can get us there..."

Krinac says "Oh yes Andra is captured... anyone else unaccounted for?"

Sunfall says "Shamus?"

Krinac says "Shamus is dead."

Allyna treads water and pulls her trump case out of the water. "Hold this, Jeanette."

Jeanette takes the case, nodding.

Allyna opens the case, using one hand to stay afloat, and picks out a card.
Allyna takes the card in her teeth, delicately, and closes the case, returning it to her belt.

Sean ducks his head as he runs, barely looking where he's going except to follow the others.

Allyna examines the card.

Sunfall dives deep under water, and doesn't appear to come up again.

Vance takes Ariadne through the streets of Kashfa. They cut through alleys, steal clothes from clotheslines, jump from rooftop to rooftop, and manage to reach their destination on Crow Street unnoticed, going in through the back entrance.

Sean stops short, looking around the shop and back out the door. "What?" he whispers, very softly.

Vance looks to Sean. "You hear it, too?" He then looks to Ariadne.

Jeanette waits with Allyna and Reed.

Allyna treads water. "Vance, you have to answer. They'll find us soon."

Krinac says "Clarifies, Vance did speak to Sean, he just didn't move."

Vance stares into space. "Allyna. We are in a safe location. Can you use this for transport?"

Allyna is treading water with one hand, holding the trump in the other. "Yes. Thank you for answering. Give me your hand and I'll send Reed and Jeanette to you."

Vance holds out his hand, and helps ferry the trio through.

Jeanette smiles to Vance. "Well done. Though I must admit a double-breasted suit would be ... an inadequate replacement for this."

Allyna kicks with all her strength to free up her second hand to pull Reed's hand into contact with Vance's.

Sean sighs. "I thought you were under attack." He makes sure the door is shut tight behind him.

Vance mutters, "For a moment, so did I."

Krinac says "It takes some trouble... but you get Jeanette, then Reed, and finally Allyna through."

Allyna says, "Is there some place I can dry out my things, Vance?"

Vance says, "Wait here," as soon as the trio are through, and heads upstairs.

Allyna says, "Some of my sketches are probably ruined. Maybe some of the proper trumps, too."

Ariadne appears to lean a bit on Sean for support as people start appearing from midair.

Jeanette waits until Allyna comes through, then looks around. "Are we all here?"

Sean whispers, "No. I haven't seen Sunfall or Rex and his friends, and Andra was captured."

Krinac dropped Kaisarah.

Kaisarah strides into the room, pushing aside the curtain. "Vance, why are you here?"

There is a little anguish in Kaisarah's voice.

Jeanette nods, frowning unpleasantly. "Where were they - " she breaks off as Kaisarah enters.

Vance says "Disguises, a place to hide, and information. We all arrived unseen...if we can leave unseen, this place will remain safe."
Vance's tone seems to have the undercurrent of 'don't fuck with me'...

Vance and Sean are both covered with the blood of others.

Allyna takes a more conciliatory tone. "What's happened here? Has Kashfa been invaded?"

Kaisarah says to Vance, "I can do these things, but they will not be easy. I was not ready to move yet. I will have but one chance. You have forced my hand too soon." To Allyna, "Yes, it appears that Rinaldo's aim was not true. Two days ago Caine of Amber killed him and took the city. Caine controls the city of Kashfa, if not yet the empire."

Sean exhales heavily. "What about Coral?"

Allyna files this information away and decides to figure out the context later.

Vance hmms. "It appears the rumors of Caine's death were exaggerated."

Jeanette asks, perhaps hopefully, "Then Deirdre's may be, as well?"

Vance suddenly pauses, as if in shock at some piece of Kaisarah's statement that the others missed.

Allyna says, "Shall I attempt to contact our missing comrades?"

Vance glances back, recovering from his shock. "Not Andra. If the Amberites have her, they may detect the contact."

Allyna says, "There is quite an up side to this."

Kaisarah says, "Queen Coral disappeared a few weeks ago. I heard rumors she was kidnapped. Rinaldo returned without her. No one knows where she is. They say she went home to Begma, and no one else can reach Begma."

Vance looks back to Kaisarah, ignoring Allyna. "We're in serious trouble. I have to reach Coral, somehow."

Sean glances at Vance. "We're going to have to try to save Andra soon." He rubs the scars on his chest, noticing the blood and grimacing.

Vance sighs, but doesn't turn to face Sean as he replies. "No. I can't afford to waste the time. Andra doesn't know the whole story, and she can only expose Thule's weaknesses. She's also strong-willed, and will take time to break under torture. If it comes to her or the Broken Patterns...she'll have to fend for herself."

Jeanette says "If she can expose Thule's weakness, then can we afford to let them have that information?"

Kaisarah says, "Her will may not matter. Caine is a persistent questioner, as he has already proven to several who doubted."

Vance says "Thule has been warned, and a spy could uncover most of what Andra knows. They may already have all of that information."

Jeanette says "And they may not."

Sean frowns. "She'll die if we don't rescue her."

Allyna says, "How do you propose to save her?"

Vance does turn back to Sean, this time. "I know, Sean. She was a former lover of mine, and is a good person. But I have to decide whether a person is worth a world. I think you know what my answer is to that."

Sean looks directly at Vance. "You don't know that they'll destroy Kashfa if we don't pursue Coral immediately."

Allyna says, "It may not be as simple as that, Vance. She knows a great deal about us. Possibly enough to draw images from, after being with us for the past few days. And it's not clear that we or our mission are known to our enemies, yet. If we have that advantage, we must preserve it."

Vance says "I don't know, either way. But they'll expect a rescue attempt, if they believe she has information of value. It may even cause her death sooner, if we try to save her."
Vance hmms. "That is true, Allyna. I may have to kill her."

Kaisarah says, "As far as I know, Caine believes you operate alone. However if you seek information on Coral, you may also seek to free a prisioner. Coral's sister Nayda is a prisoner in the castle. She may be the only one who knows where Coral has gone."

Allyna says, "Vance, can you break out of a jail cell fast enough to make a proper jailbreak?"

Vance looks back to Kaisarah. "I need a crossbow - one suitable for a job. It's what they'll expect, but I can only hope they'll underestimate me. I know the palace inside and out, including the secret ways. Even one I never shared with the Guild. They just took control, and won't know it like I do."

Sean looks at Kaisarah. "Sir, is it likely that Nayda and Andra would be confined near one another?"

Allyna says, "I'll need dry paper and some charcoal."

Kaisarah says, "I'm told that Nayda is one of Caine's 'special prisioners'. Given that Andra arrived with Vance, it's likely that she will be treated the same."

Vance takes Kaisarah aside. He says to the others. "We're going to get you appropriate Kashfan clothing. I'll choose which of you get to join me when I return."

Sean frowns. "Perhaps we shouldn't split up more than we have to, though."

Allyna says, "I'll be useless in a jailbreak. I'll get you in, and if all goes well, I'll get you out. No sense me coming along."

Vance doesn't comment, as he walks off with Kaisarah.

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