89 Assembled
johnb (Admin)
Zhiri manages to climb down safely, with a little help from Madelyn, and everyone (apart from Kerim) assembles in the hallway.
Kerim, hiding against his wall, keeps an watches and listens for signs of attack. All he sees and hears, though, are the normal sounds one would expect in this type of environment. There is nothing more than the occasional small bird, insects and the odd rat to be seen nosing around.
well
Zhiri
Zhiri straightens her dress, adjusting the bodice and pushing her hair back from her face for a moment, before turning to the rest of the group.
"I did not see anything of much interest from the roof, I think I just gave Madelyn cause for concern."
She smiles at Madelyn and wrinkles her nose slightly.
Form a straight line there !
Edgar
Edgar politely refuses Ravn's offer of a drink, "I think clear heads are called for, Master Ravn," he says, by way of excuse, as he flutters down from the roof after Zhiri has safely alighted, to resume his normal perch atop Mandrake's shoulder, caarking a greeting to the gnome that is half "well met" and half "thanks for letting me sit on you".
Down, now for out...
Yuri
"So it wasn't a total waste then?", Yuri teases Zhiri, and Madelyn.
"I would hope our master locksmith can unlock the door he just locked", he replies to Peter.
Sure ..
johnb (Admin)
Peter laughs dryly and looks pointedly at the catch that controls the lock, on the inside of this door.
Marching Order?
Rolf
Nodding in support of Peter, Rolf says, "Aye, we'll leave the other door blocked for now. We might find we want to use it after all."
He looks at those assembled, "Okay, Ravn and Callum will take the lead with me behind them. Then, Mandrake and Edgar, Peter and Zhiri, Yuri and Elsbeth, and Madelyn bringing up the rear. Edgar, which direction did Ravn's crow warn of danger?"
Peter nods a greeting to Zhiri, a slight smile on his lips, as he moves into his assigned place.
Ready, set...
Ravn Ashengrey
Ravn takes position as indictated, holding on firmly to his spear. Uddhugg has hobbled off to the-Aesir-know-where. There must be trouble coming...
"Where to, Lord Constable?"
.... GO!
Madelyn
Finding herself at the rear of the party once again Madelyn starts to wonder if she has done something wrong. Rolf has pretty much avoided her since they set foot on this island.
She shakes her head in a vain attempt to discard the thoughts, and as they leave the solace of the building behind, she looks back to the dock area, to check that they are not being followed in any way. Her gaze then wanders up to the sky above the docks, and scanning around skyward before returning her attention to the direction of the party in front of her.
First left, third right
Edgar
"The crow led me to a clearing on the landward side," Edgar answers Rolf, clinging a little tighter to Mandrake's shoulder to avoid being knocked off as everyone moves to their allotted position. "I will direct you as best I can ... though you will appreciate things look a lot different from the air. Still, it should not be too hard to find."
Quiet
Elsbeth
Elsbeth follows the group, silently walking next to Yuri. Words cannot express her joy at finally being out of that awful building. Now, she only hopes there is nothing more awful awaiting them ahead.
Lost in her own thoughts, she wonders if she is still being useful to the group. After all, she's no fighter like Rolf or Madelyn. Still too, she's well aware of the latter following behind her.
"What a day, to be sure," she whispers to herself.
Then why are you down here?
Ravn Ashengrey
"Bird Edgar! Take aloft and fly slowly hence again, as slowly as you can lest we lose you from our sight! There is but little vegetation here, and we should be able to follow your path unobstructed if you remain high up and do not fly too fast. When you arrive there, circle above to mark the spot and scout for threats!"
Should I rather, as before, suggest to Rolf which actions he should command of his minions? He discards the impulse. Nay, we have tarried long enough - and I am convinced the Constable will see the logic of my suggestion.
"Fly, Edgar, fly!"
Wait for me!
Uddhugg
** EDITED June 25, 2001, 5:16 am **
Uddhugg peeks out from his hiding place with in the rune caster's pack roll, greatly dissatisfied at finding neither birdseed nor candy there. Then the flurry fowl notices the locomotion and hops back onto Ravn's shoulder with a prolonged and shrieky *CA-CAAW, CA-CAAAW!* that makes the rune caster whince and break his self-confident pose. *CAW! CAW-CA'AW! CAAW-A-CAA-AAW! CAAW!*
Everyone but Ravn notice the white stains suddenly appearing on the back of the rune caster's cape...*CAW!CAA'AW!*
OOC: If Edgar takes off as suggested, so will Uddhugg. Otherwise, fly off somewhere to do what crows do when they're doing what crows do when we're not watching. (sorry if I got a little flippant there)
Can we fight now, please
Callum mac Aonghas
Callum moves up to the position Rolf indicates, gripping his spear loosely. He looks around for any danger but can see nothing which worries him.
Chain of command
Edgar
"Constable ?"
Edgar's seeks Rolf's approval of Ravn's suggestion.
A wink is as good as a nod
Rolf
Noticing Edgar's regarding glance, and gives a nod of assent. Still, all he can think is Edgar's response to the request to overfly the giants compound, not so long ago. Perhaps the bird's confidence has grown since, or the lack of a visible foe as emboldened the bird.
Waiting for Edgar to point the way, Rolf says, "Okay, let's move out."
.
Opporunity. Motive. Reason.
Edgar
If he thought on it, Edgar himself would hardly credit such a change in himself - perhaps it is due to a growing sense of attachment to this diverse group of two-legs to whom fate, or perhaps the gods themselves have bound him. Or mayhap a sense of duty, if not to Earl Richard, then almost certainly to a higher authority ...
That be as it may ... as Rolf nods his ascent, Edgar takes to the air, launching himself over the heads of those before him, as he flies low towards the clearing.