Creeping out, the group slipped across the courtyard in the shadows of trees and along walls- Sera careful to close the door behind them. Along the way, they picked something up- the tattered sapphire sash Violet pulled from her uncle's body. They tucked it away for later. Infiltrating the Main Tower should have been easy enough, since the gatehouse was open. A stairwell had to be ascended, with nowhere to hide. But they had been spotted- a brief shout could be heard, the gate-house closing.
"Oh no yeh don't!" Charging forward, Thorin leapt forth- sprinting up the stairwell and vaulting himself over the ascending gate. Sliding down the inside, his mordenkrad swung forward. Between the momentum of the slide and the perfect positioning, one swing was all it took to stop the gate-keeper. Permanently. Taking over the controls, Thorin guided the gate to open once more; all five went inside, Sera and Violet sliding down much like Thorin had while he closed it once again.
"Nice work- I don't think I could have done that in a thousand years."
"Yes, that was rather flawlessly executed. Well done, Thorin."
" ’Twas nothing to it; thank yeh though."
Delving in to the main floor of the tower, Sera tapped Violet's shoulder. When Violet turned, Sera held out Tahnlan's sash. Violet took it- wrapping it securely along her non-sling arm, before nodding silent thanks. Rejoining the others, exploration of the main floor began. Oddly, it was... quiet. Too quiet, almost. Four doors surrounded them- one to the left, one to the right. At the other end of the hall, one in the corner to the right- and one facing them. Creeping forward, Violet poked her head into the farthest one on the right. It was a small room, filled with... Mostly nothing, save for some holes in the floor, a thin window for ventilation and a crude washing station.
Closing the door again, she shook her head. "Just a bathroom. Let's try these two."
Sera examined the one on the left- it was closer. While Violet was the main one to examine doors- she was the trap-master, after all- Sera was quite perceptive in their own right. And from what they'd gleaned from Violet, it looked safe enough. Just to be certain though, Silver opened the door. Inside stood a decently-furnished room, with ten beds; five to each side. At the foot of each bed, heavy polished wooden chests gleamed.
"Found the officer's barracks."
Quickly looking around, there were no other entrances to this room. Looking on the other side revealed a near mirror-image room. Nothing; this confused them. There had to be a way...
"We're missing something here."
"Thanks for pointing out the obvious" Violet hissed.
"You're welcome." Sera shook their head in silent reply.
"Have we checked everything?"
"I believe so- what were those rooms at the end, Violet?"
"Yeah. I mean, this one is a bathroom." For emphasis she opened the door to her left "And this one is the other..." Snickers came form the five as she opened the door behind her. Revealed to the group, a small platform- with stairs going up... And going down/ Violet flushed dark. "Could happen to anyone."
"I'm sure it could." Sera couldn't hide their amusement.
Rolling her eyes, Violet began to descend the stairs- disappearing into the darkness. The others lit a torch, following suit. At the bottom of the stairs, the six walked into another kitchen- pots, pans, barrels, shelves, door to another room, an oven. Typical kitchen fare. Atypical to a kitchen, servants cowered in a corner- and three slavers sat at a small table just inside the next room, playing cards. The slavers never stood a chance; Violet and Sera decapitated them in seconds. Looking on in confusion and terror, the servants shrank away even more- only to have Asriel walk over to them, keeping a respectful distance.
"We're here to help. We won't hurt you." Asriel's ever-present tranquil manner had a subtle calming effect. While the others passed to the next room, Asriel stepped back- easily allowing the servants to escape up the stairs. By the time he re-joined the others, they were already peeking into cells. On one wall hung a wooden board with pegs- the keys, he suspected, grabbed by Sera already. Looking over, they approached the cell door on the far right- opening it… before they froze. Thorin shattered the brief silence.
"There's someone in here, and he doesn't look good."
Pushing past Sera, Asriel and Jordan stepped into the cell- the latter taking the keys. Inside, chained to the wall, was a man- presumably the Baron Highdell. Kneeling there, grime covered him- body emaciated from starvation. Cuts and bruises marred his body, silver-touched blonde hair placing his age in the mid sixties. Despite this, he looked fairly alert- and relieved, as Jordan unlocked the shackles affixing him to the wall.
"Thank you... Have you brave souls managed to find Nazin?"
"Not yet- we came down here first. I take it you are the Master Of Highdell Keep?" Jordan pulled an infusion off his bandolier- but the man waved it away.
"Yes, that would be me... Your offer of healing is most kind; but please, finish Nazin Redthorne. Worry not- I will be fine."
"Is there any way besides the main stairwell we can use? He might now know we've made it inside yet."
"Yes. If you... head back up one floor, into the Great Hall... Behind the tapestry over the Grand Table, there is a door. It will take you right up to where Nazin should be."
Sera nodded thanks- they began to usher the others out. The healers wanted to protest- but thought better of it. Everyone doubled back and snuck up to the second floor; creeping quietly they made it back to the Great Hall. Sera found the door, and Violet checked it quickly. All clear. The group slipped inside, sneaking up the stairs- keeping the light minimal. Gathering around the door at the top, Violet felt Silver and Asriel each rest a hand on her shoulder. In turn. They felt the involuntary shiver- the gentle tremble beneath their hands. Looking back, Thorin, Sera and Jordan nodded back at her. Weapons were drawn, and Violet took a deep but silent breath, before throwing the door open. It was time to put an end to Nazin.
Chapter 19- Chaotic Assault On Highdell, Confrontration