"Do we... want to stop in here? It does seem convenient."
"No. We have things to do. And getting the jump on them is wise."
"We will, Silver. Don't worry much about that. But I see where Sera's coming from- taking a bit of time to rest up would be good for us."
"Thorin's right. Besides, it's right here. Quick bite now, head into town to learn more, make our way to the Keep- be done ideally by day's end. Likely they're thinking the forces of Albridge will be mobilizing, and won't expect anyone for at least two or three days."
Rather stubborn, Silver looked to the others. Most of them did look worn out from the morning's travels... Reluctantly he sighed. "It makes sense to stop here, rather than looking for something else farther away. Jordan's plan is sound."
Everyone nodded in agreement and gratitude. With that in mind, they swung the door to The Broken Gaol open, and stepped inside.
This proved to be a less-than-ideal-idea.
Unknown to the group, the Silver Nail had been taken over and re-named by the Iron Ring. The former staff and owner had been chased off, a half-orc woman now running the place. She stood behind the bar, eyeing the six up... Alongside the dozen or so slavers inside, enjoying a drink. Slavers who had been informed of Albridge's failure by Nazin. Slavers who had been told to look out for these six in particular. Slavers who were offered a seriously tempting reward for anyone capable of stopping them; especially if they were brought in alive.
"...It's them! Master Leviticus promised riches untold to anyone who brings them in alive! Especially the purple-haired one- capture them!"
All twelve slavers immediately fell back, eight of them upending the two long tables for cover. The other four took refuge behind the bar; chasing the proprietress out of The Broken Gaol. None were sorry to see her go. Asriel, Silver and Thorin went up to one of the long tables, engaging in combat with half hidden away. Sera and Violet took up positions behind the round tables, ranged fire on those behind the other. Jordan positioned himself behind the shield wall, acid and fire raining down on those locked in conflict with the first three. Seizing the opportunity, the four behind the bar closed ranks- surrounding the Wall. Immediately the ranged duo switched targets- two of their enemy’s number succumbing to death immediately. That didn't help; the two standing risked the Wall's wrath, teaming up on Jordan- skewering him from two different angles. While that happened, three-on-four were stuck in a dead-lock. Hidden away, the four behind the other table shot arrows.
Sera shot down the two skewering Jordan; it seemed nobody learned not to mess with their partner. Bloody fools. They really don't know who they're messing with.
Meanwhile, Violet removed the head one of the four in direct conflict- helping ease the dead-lock. And barely dodged the mini-rain of arrows that came for her. Both sides were caught in dead-lock. Sheer numbers on the side of the slavers worked against the adventurers; spread their forces thin, or risk being surrounded. Besides that, the tables made getting hit harder- at the price of hitting also being more difficult. The tables were soaking damage, defences quickly wearing down... By this point, the gents were starting to look rough- not having opportunity to yet heal. Right now, their priority was keeping Sera and Violet safe. Giving them the chance to snipe the extras, keep them pinned. Eventually, something would have to give.
"Violet, can you see anything that might help?" Chancing the moment to make some gestures with their hands, Sera ducked down as best she could- two of the arrows piercing their right shoulder. Violet looked around. There had to be something... One of the four hidden behind the far table looked more heavily armoured than the rest. Giving commands. Quickly observing, she noticed the man was not only giving orders, but seemed to have some kind of aura about him...
"That's enough- no more!" Letting off a shot, Violet's bullet ricocheted, hitting the heavily-armoured man. Roaring in pain, it seemed to break his concentration- and the aura about him. The injury broke the slavers' concentrations a moment- letting Silver cleave a pair of the men before him in two. Thorin's mordenkrad sent a third behind the bar; leaping over the table, he charged. With one mighty swing, the deed was done- flattening the throat and severely damaging the chest cavity. Asriel's divine influence guided his hand, enfeebling then decapitating the one who just put a sword into him. Without the influence of their leader, the group shattered- not unlike glass.
Rounding on the remaining four, Jordan decided to fall back- trading places with Violet. Sprinting across the room, she slid around- Briarthorne lodged into the leader's back. Before he could pull her off, she leapt off his shoulders- twisting in mid-air to avoid being cut to pieces. Grabbing Asriel's shield arm, she slid between him and Silver- landing safely out of the way.
"Right boys- they're all yours!" Enraged, the slavers made an attempt to lash out- but were rebuffed. Sera's arrows and Jordan's acid found their marks, another one slammed to the wall and melting, but not quite dead. Asriel and Thorin threw the table back- propping it upright and injuring the followers. Silver, seeing his chance, leapt upon the table.
"Feel the wrath of The People's Broadsword!" With a roar, and a mighty leap, the leader found himself cleaved clean in two. He stood no chance. Immediately, silver turned on the surviving slavers- blood-soaked broadsword dripping the life essence of their felled leader.
Screaming in fear and covered in their leader's various fluids, the three ran for their lives. Into the daylight they went, sprinting for their lives toward Highdell Keep.
"After them!! While we have a chance!!" Silver ran out the door, in hot pursuit of the three escapees. Leaving the other five to follow, immediately hauling out after him.
Chapter 16- Chaotic Assault On Highdell, Infiltration