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Turn 145.0: The Rescue Begins

Posted: 3/2/01

Crayne stays silent for a moment as he hears the voices down below. He then casts his eyes over the magnificent statues and the paintings. "Fantastic!" he whispers and then turns to Emma, "What do you think those statues represent? The fact that they face each other seems to suggest some sort of conflict between the four."

Emma looks at Crayne, toward the statues, and then back at the distant torchlight. She shakes her head, keeping silent for the moment, but a part of her wonders why he would still be thinking about the statues when Amos and the Caerloon party were so close by.

Crayne then thinks about the voices below. "Good!" he says, "It seems Amos has been leading them on a wide goose chase. They also, seem to be getting a little agitated. Agitation and lack of patience usually leads to mistakes. It may be a good time to strike. Also, if we can defeat the Red Dragon mage now I believe Amos would be a very useful guide. I have Levitate and Invisibility at my disposal as well as poison. If I could just get close enough to that mage then one quick strike would end all of this. It is a great risk I know but with those out of the way we can then put all our efforts into finding this play without the risk of some mage coming up and stabbing you in the dark or pounding you with a fireball."

Crayne pauses for a moment calming his nerves, "However, before we do anything I think we need to find out whether it is safe to venture forth into this chamber. For all we know that distraction down below may be some sort of mechanism to lure us into a trap! Emma do you think that the bridge is safe?"

Emma narrows her eyes and peers out across the bridge trying to discern if it's safe to cross. The Highbrow was starting to make a bit more sense to her now. Although it wasn't clear if they should attack the Caerloon soldiers and Red Dragon mage right away, they would still need to walk upon the bridge no matter what course of action they chose. To the best of her ability, she perceives the bridge to be safe enough to venture onto, or even cross.

Elloharin looks at the mage his eyes open in shocked amazement. "You must be a fool Crayne to think you can take him on in one fell swoop. And what about the soldiers? Would your invisibility end after you attacked? They would rip you to pieces. However, if you are firmly desirous of this course, mage, I can offer my own humble abilities for you. I can blind the mage, then I can jump down from the bridge and fall light as a feather into the soldiers. Or I could stay here and ply them with arrows while I cast my spell on Storm instead, or Canter. Maybe provide a diversion while you go in for the kill. Also I have rope if anyone cares to join us. One last thing. Those statues are more than they seem I think. The Hatheans mentioned having placed guardians down here. Could not those be them?"

Emma listens carefully and quietly to everything Crayne and Elloharin discuss regarding an attack. Her own mind begins to formulate a plan, but she wants to hear their ideas...and the resources they have at their disposal...before committing to anything yet. Their ideas might have more merit than her own anyway. So it's best to listen and learn first.

Crayne looks to Elloharin, "I don't think Elloharin that it was ever my intention to do this alone. I do feel however, that we have an opportunity here that shouldn't be wasted. After all it is us that hold the surprise card. We know that they that are down beneath us. Also, as I mentioned earlier I think Amos would be extremely valuable as a guide around this place. His knowledge of Hathe would serve us well. I think we should strike now before they surprise us later on."

Crayne pauses and then continues, "Perhaps as a more elaborate plan I could create a diversion using my illusionary powers. Perhaps another of those dammed scorpions. If I could use that to lure the soldiers off to the right of the chamber then perhaps me and Elloharin under the shroud of invisibility could throw ourselves off to the left side of the bridge using Feather Fall and Levitate. Thus, with surprise on our side me and Elloharin could strike the mage down with a rear attack. Meanwhile, Emma, Storm, Hannibal and Canter could pepper the soldiers with arrows and spells. I think it would be wise then for me and Elloharin to stay to left of the bridge so we wouldn't be caught in the firing line. Furthermore, Elloharin we would have the darkness as our advantage. What does everyone think?"

Crayne then looks to the statues, "You are right to be wary of those statues Elloharin. That is what holds me back at the moment. But, remember...!" he says, "...the Coreognate's words: 'With songful praise of Hathe, your way will be--' I think he was trying to say something to us that was very important. That with songful praise of Hathe our path will be safer. Remember it all for I believe his wisdom will be invaluable to us!"

Hannibal remains quiet for the moment, listening to the others offer ideas in trapping the party below.

Emma nods and finally offers up her own thoughts. "Crayne and Elloharin have an interesting idea," she says to everyone, "And there are benefits and risks to their plan. Let's weigh them all carefully now and decide our course.

"If we launch an attack upon the Caerloon force below," she says, "Then we cannot insure Director Amos' safety...and Dodgen was quite clear that we mustn't endanger his life. The Hatheans have already lost a Coreognate. So, we must take steps to rescue Amos first. An attack upon the Red Dragon mage and his allies should be secondary...or diversionary at best...while we attempt to win Amos' freedom.

"Crayne?" she asks, "How much weight can your levitation spell lift? Would it be possible for you to make yourself invisible, grab Amos, and then levitate the both of you back up to the safety of the bridge?"

"I don't see why not!" Crayne replies to Emma.

"I know that sounds dangerous," Emma continues, "Perhaps we could send Storm or Hannibal down with you...maybe via Elloharin's feathery falling enchantment...and then count upon them to help you free Amos. Of course, one or both of them would need to hide themselves or climb back up before they were overwhelmed. In the meantime, we can use our position upon the high ground to concentrate fire down on anyone trying to stop you. I think that plan stands a chance of succeeding."

Hannibal arches an eyebrow at her suggestion but says nothing. Without the help of Canter or Skandor should things go poorly; he doesn't relish the idea of being down there and vulnerable.

Emma goes on: "But is all that enough to risk everything on this one attempt?" she asks, "Might there be a better place to set up an ambush? We're unfamiliar with the lay of the land right now. What are those statues for? Could they be guardians of some kind? They look almost as big as that giant we fought in the Raimead Mountains. Could the room be trapped in some way? What lies beyond in the tunnels through which the Caerloon force has already traveled? Would it be better for us to wait until they pass and then slip down behind them? This has certainly been a stroke of good luck for us to find them so quickly after they had such a large headstart. But is this the best time to confront them? I don't know, but we should make sure we keep them in sight from this point on."

Hannibal nods in agreement. He did not consider himself a coward for not pressing the attack, rather biding his time. There may be better opportunities to attack farther on and after their numbers had been further weakened.

"Back to Amos, though," Emma reminds everyone, "At some point, we're going to need to get him away from them. And, as Crayne has suggested, he would make a wonderful guide...serving to help us interpret the Hathean miracles that lie before us. What's more, he might be able to give us the rest of the Coreognate's message about using songful praise of Hathe to make our way throughout the Ancient Chambers. Even if he can't help us find the play, we should still get him away from those cutthroats down there. Is this the best time to do it?"

She looks around at the eager faces of Rinder's Six. "Maybe it is," she smiles, "I'm reminded of an Anhurian legend about a scout whose army was slain in ambush while he was away from camp. He vowed to seek vengeance for the lives he was supposed to safeguard and so he followed along behind the victorious raiders, picking them off one by one...feeding their fear of the forest as their numbers dwindled. He became an army of one and finally defeated them all by causing the frightened raiders to turn upon one another in the end."

Hannibal smirks, amused by the irony. Guerrilla warfare was no secret to the realm. It had been used quite successfully to finally drive the Orcs from his lands years ago...not that he had been a part of that. The fact that Emma, a Priestess of Anhur, was suggesting its use was a little funny. He had always seen her kind as one to be upfront and deliberate...maybe she was learning as much from the group as they had learned from her: Right isn't always best.

Emma says, "Perhaps we should play such a mind game with our opponents, too, then?" Emma suggests, "If the first step is to steal away their guide by freeing Amos, then this place will become a nightmare for them...even worse than the giant scorpion they fought behind us. If we continue to harry them, concentrating our fire always upon a single person, we can trim down their numbers. If we count upon Crayne's illusions to strike even deeper terror into them, they may start to rebel against the leadership of the Red Dragon mage. And, then, when he's alone or down to his last few guards, we can make our final strike and end this competition for the play.

"Remember, the Hathean Coreognate was murdered by that Red Dragon renegade and his friends..." she says, looking at Hannibal and giving him a respectful nod, "And much like Bernigan was brought to justice by an avenging spirit...we may be the hand of Anhur in bringing the same kind of punishment down upon this evil wizard's head. But we should make him suffer the same kind of fearful torment that the Coreognate must have experienced knowing his followers were threatened while being powerless to defend them. The Red Dragon should learn his lesson before the final reckoning.

"What do the rest of you think?" she asks.

Hannibal was thoroughly enjoying Emma's idea 'til she mentioned the name Bernigan. Suddenly that sickening feeling came over him again as past memories came flooding back. At first he avoided Emma's eyes, afraid they would relive the whole debate of whether he was right or not...and then he matched her gaze. For the first time Emma didn't look at him with pity or disapproval but acceptance, possibly even approval. What was she thinking? Why bring that name up again if she knows that Hannibal had killed the man in cold blood, against her wishes?

He tries to hide his confusion but can't, her words haunt him. Instead, he offers a simple, "I'm with Emma on this one I guess," before turning away and pretending to watch the Caerloon soldiers below. Life had become no more easier for him since he had exacted his revenge...just like Emma had warned.

Emma nods and takes a moment to watch Hannibal's reactions. She can't really figure out what might be going on his head. But he just seems ill-at-ease inside or something. Perhaps it was just difficult for him to side with her still, after all that arguing outside the gates of El-Balans?

Crayne looks to Elloharin, "Right Elloharin! It's up to us now. Let us get down there and attempt a rescue. Stay close to me. We'll levitate off the bridge using the cover of the four statues over there. Keep your Feather Fall spell just in case the mage spots us and decides to dispel our magic. If we lose each other meet up at the foot of the statues. I'm going to have to levitate you up with Amos. No matter what Emma says we are going to have to take the mage out of action. With the panic caused by the illusion we should be able to nab Amos fairly easily. Once we've done that if the opportunity arises we must go for the mage. I have poison on my dagger and if I can just pierce his skin it should be enough. Then using the darkness, the cover provided by the statues, our cover fire and the illusion we should be able to escape back up to the bridge. Any questions?" Crayne raises an eyebrow.

"Whoa!" Emma interjects, her attention finally coming around from Hannibal to what Crayne has been saying, "We need Elloharin and his bow up here more than you need him down there. He's a better archer than any of us." She looks at the elf and asks, "Didn't you say your feather-falling enchantment could be placed on someone other than yourself? That's why I suggested Crayne take Storm or Hannibal with him. They'll be much better at moving about stealthily while we try and rescue Amos.

"And remember, Crayne," she says, looking back at the Highbrow, "No matter your feelings about these Red Dragon renegades...about facing them down or whatever...Amos is our top priority. I understand your concern, though. The mage could potentially counter a lot of our plans with a simple spell. But, if we act fast enough and from a position of total surprise, we ought to have Amos away from them before they even realize what's happening. Wait for us to fire into their midst...then grab the Director, pull him into your sphere of invisibility, and run. As long as you don't attack anyone, your spell should stay intact and include Amos once you pull him into the area of effect. We'll harry the Caerloon soldiers from above while they're confused and distract the mage long enough for you to make good on your escape.

"Also, there's no need for you to employ your illusion at this time," Emma says, "In fact, I think we'll probably need it down the road...especially if we try to unnerve them once they become lost in the tunnels without Amos. If you try to take the time to concentrate on the illusion or attack the wizard with your poison, it just complicates things and makes pulling this off a lot less likely. The important thing is that we need to keep everyone's attention focused on us...up here. As long as we do that, you and Storm or Hannibal will have the opportunity to spirit Amos away from them in the confusion. Your invisibility and stealth are the keys. Later, we'll use the rest of your skills and enchantments to trim down their numbers and finally assault them head on."

She looks around at everyone else and says, "Look, I know that this plan leaves our most powerful enemy alive...and that's not exactly a good thing. The Red Dragon mage might very well have the means to come after us somehow. But I'm willing to bet that like us, he's prepared his spells for the ancient chambers beyond and he's probably less likely to have something that can stop us from stealing Amos away from him. Also, he thinks he and his men are well ahead of us. Our surprise should be complete from up here."

Crayne turns to Storm and nods, "Keep an eye on this will you?" He hands Storm his staff.

Following Elloharin's response Crayne casts Detect Magic. Adjusting his eyesight to the free-flowing colours Crayne flicks his eyes around the chamber glancing particularly at the statues and the bridge. He also looks to see if there are any colours coming from underneath the bridge. The statues, he notices, do have a faint green glow, indicating some kind of magic--though which kind he can't be sure. Also, he can clearly sense the presence of strong magic below the bridge, with the Caerloon party. Surely, that was the Red Dragon mage.

Storm gets fidgity as Crayne hands him the magical staff. He takes it gingerly. "Errr...I don't be likin' this. If ye plan goes wrong even a little, ye and El gonna be the nicest dressed pin cushion I ever seen. It be too hard an' risky to try this. I's say we wait an' follow them." Confident in his stealth skills, he remains confident in his choice. 'Know you limits,' he had been told by...by whom? Was that a

Dwarven saying from his father, who trained him, or was it one of Nightshade's? Storm simply can't remember, and he momentarily freezes as he tries to think. Unable to arrive at an answer, though, he simply shakes it off and waits for action to be decided. He doesn't feel good about trying anything drastic, or even not drastic, while up here on the bridge and outnumbered.

"Hmmmmm..." Emma murmurs, stroking her chin as she looks at Storm, "I'm worried about it too. I think Crayne's right that this is a great opportunity to attack from surprise. Again, we hold the high ground. Our archers will be most effective from here rather than down in the tight confines of those tunnels. It'll be like spearing fish in a barrel. But just like Storm says, the risk is still great...maybe too great. The two that go down to grab Amos will be in the most danger. If they're caught then we're in even worse shape than before."

She crosses her arms and says, "We're still going to have to rescue Amos at some point before we try an all-out attack on the mage and his soldiers. Now seems as good a time as any. And Crayne's Invisibility spell has never let us down before. I think I'm decided that I'd like to try this." She catches the dwarf's eyes and says, "But your concerns are no less valid. And you're right to raise them before we go off and do something so foolhardy that we needlessly risk Amos' life and ours as well.

"What do the rest of you think?" she finally asks, "Who feels confident we can do this? And who feels like the risk is too great right now and that we should wait for another opportunity?"

Elloharin nods shortly then says, "Then let us do this quickly. Crayne, Storm is a far more experienced warrior than I. If he is willing, he can go down with you. He's probably lighter than I am anyway. If he doesn't bring that damn chain mail. I can be ready with the Feather Fall spell, though I worry that his dwarven body might resist the spell. Anyway, I can also blind the mage from here if things look to be going ill. Not to mention fill him with arrows. However..." At this point Elloharin kneels and takes a heavy rope out of his back pack. He attaches his grappling hook to the one end. Then he stands, regarding the party.

"Crayne, should you need my sword arm, then I will be down in a minute. As I imagine any of us would. Now let's do this before they leave the room."

"Good thinking, El," Emma responds, helping him play out the rope so they can drop it quickly if they should need to do so, "Crayne and Storm might need our help eventually." She looks at the mage and says, "You can count on us. We may not be there right away, but we'll be coming if things go wrong."

"Arrr...stinkin' magic..." Storm mumbles under his breath, though probably loud enough for the others to hear it. He's obviously growing nervous at the fact that he will have to rely on magic for his well-being. "Never c'n trust it..." He looks up to the group and says, "I's still not likin' this. I's think we should wait 'n' see where they go, look fer an easier spot to hit 'em from. Sure, this bein' a good place to shoot 'em from, but not fer gettin down there, grabbing the Amos feller, an' gettin' back up."

Crayne nods at Storms words, "I accept your words Storm. Nevertheless, I think it wiser to act now than have them sneaking up on us later! If we do not see a good opportunity to nab Amos then we can come back up. However, let us get down there first and then we can go from there. You'll have to cling on to me so we don't lose each other. We don't want you becoming visible now do we?"

Upon Elloharin's words, Storm sneers at him, then removes the chain mail from his pack, making it considerably lighter. He plops the folded armor in front of Canter and asks his friend to look out for it for him. As he moves, though, he winces a little bit as a shooting pain goes up his left arm. Looking at it, he sees that one of his numerous wounds from the battle on the surface has reopened and is bleeding. He tightens the makeshift bandage and looks sheepishly back to his friends.

Emma sees Storm's expression of pain and looks away. She still hasn't reconciled with the dwarf's earlier rejection of her offer to heal him with Anhur's blessing. Making another offer at this point might just spark off another lengthy debate...and the last one Rinder's Six had engaged in wound up bringing their enemy straight down on their heads. 'Better to keep quiet for now,' she tells herself, but as Storm turns away, she looks at his wounds with obvious concern, 'I hope we're not sending him to his death or anything. Anhur watch over him and keep him safe, whether he wants your attention or not...'

Then she looks toward Crayne and overhears part of Hannibal's words to him.

Crayne smiles at Storm as he readies himself, "Arhh! It is good to be fighting side by side again old friend!"

He then turns to Elloharin, "Remember to concentrate Elloharin. Any sign of trouble then we'll need that Feather Fall spell!" He was beginning to grow attached to the young elf. In some ways he could see a younger self in him.

Hannibal nods his agreement with both El and Emma, although he still remains off to one side by himself. "I agree," he whispers to the others, trying to maintain a level of secrecy. There was no telling how well sound would carry to those below. "Storm is the best choice for this job, and I too can provide cover with bow...although I'm not as well trained as El here."

As the two are getting ready, Hannibal approaches both. Patting Storm on the back, he nods and smiles to his friend. "Be careful, I fear we couldn't get to you in time to offer support if things go poorly." Then to Crayne, "You be safe down there Highbrow and don't go picking any fights, okay?"

He smiles and is about to let Crayne go about his business when another thought crosses his mind. Grabbing the mage's arm softly, he leans in close so only he can hear. "Forget what I said outside, you know and I know I didn't mean it. Sometimes my emotions let my mouth get ahead of my brain though. For what it's worth...I'm sorry I said it."

That done he leans back and smiles at both of them. "Good luck."

Emma sees the thief lean in close and whisper something to the Highbrow. 'Probably encouragement or advice,' she thinks. The part that she did overhear involved not picking any fights, and the Shield Maiden agrees fully with that. And she also worries about it, too. Crayne had definitely shown an eagerness to measure himself against the Red Dragon wizards lately. She can't really blame him for that. But still, it worries her. An Anhurian proverb springs to mind: 'Don't go looking for a fight all of the time, or you just might blunder your way into one you can't possibly win or prepare for...'

'Watch over Crayne, too, Anhur,' she mentally prays, 'Help our plan to succeed...for it is just and good to seek the freedom of Director Amos from this evil mage. Keep all of them safe...and lend us the strength to come to their aid.'

Finally, Emma removes her short bow and inspects the string, before laying out a few arrows. "Someone turn the lanterns down low...or just leave them back here at the entrance to the bridge. If we fire from the darkness into their lights, it will be harder for them to locate us and retaliate. That should buy Crayne and Storm a few more moments to get Amos into the clear."

"I'll take care of that," Canter replies, grabbing the two lanterns and moving them further into the first cavern.

"Lastly," Emma continues, nodding to Canter, "let us know when you've levitated everyone back up, Crayne, and we'll all retreat and regroup at the secret door. Also, make sure you don't let Amos give away your position when you grab him. He's flighty at best. We all saw how rattled he was in the presence of the Caerloon soldiers. It could be even worse if a hand reaches out and grabs him from the shadows. So make sure you have a good hold on him and keep him quiet...your safety may depend on it."

Skandor lies on his stomach near the bridge, his head angled so that he can look down into the room below while the rest of his companions talk. Occasionally, when one of them speaks, he takes a quick glance around to look at them. 'All of them have suggested good ideas, so far,' he thinks. 'This seems like the perfect opportunity for surprise. But while removing Amos from their midst might slow them down, it definitely won't stop them. So,' the paladin debates mentally, 'shouldn't we use the element of surprise to take out as many of the enemy as possible?'

At Emma's mentioning of the squeamish Director, Skandor nods and turns to face his companions, whispering softly but loud enough for them to hear. "Comrades, we will only have this element of surprise once. For even if we successfully make off with the Director, the enemy will then know that we are here, and will most likely know our numbers and composition. We won't be able to surprise them again, most likely. So I would recommend, if the opportunity presents itself: attack! This may be our best chance to go for the kill." He looks mainly at Storm who, with the element of darkness and surprise, could single-handedly put a dent in the Caerloon forces below. Added in with Emma's and Crayne's magic...

Emma looks at Skandor and shakes her head imperceptibly. So far, she hadn't disagreed with most of the paladin's suggestions, but this once she truly didn't feel like they were on the same page. Mentally, she wonders if it has something to do with a Sword-Bearer's tendency to think offensively, while a Shield Maiden focused more upon defense...

Skandor then turns his head back around to watch the enemy below. He felt almost useless: he was big and heavy, perhaps too much a burden for the Levitate spell. He also did not possess a ranged-weapon, having always preferred the physically-demanding close-in combat. Quietly, seeing El preparing his rope, the paladin slings his shield and sheaths his gladius...and waits for the plan to commence.

Crayne nods his head firmly in agreement, "That is what I too think Skandor. However, Emma thinks we should just rescue Amos now and then later use guerrilla like tactics on them. However, the problem with this is that they'll be on guard from then on. Thus, facing a Red Dragon mage who is on his guard could be a whole lot trickier. I still believe that if I can stab the mage in the back using surprise with my poisoned dagger it will make life a whole lot easier for the future! I think we need a group vote on this as we cannot afford to stand about bickering again. Who thinks that we should go on the attack and who thinks we should just go and rescue Amos?

"It seems me and Skandor believe in going for the attack! Emma believes in the rescue attempt. That's two to one in favour of going on the attack. What do the rest of you think? And hurry for we have waisted enough time as it is!"

At Crayne's mention of wasting time, Emma peers once more down into the chamber, looking to see if the Caerloon force has passed on its way, or if they've chosen to stop and investigate the statues. Hopefully, they would be moving slow enough to warrant a few more words of planning.

Squinting her eyes, she can see them. Indeed, they had moved in the time the party had been planning their attack. The Caerloon group is now standing amidst the statues, some on the side of the four large statues underneath the bridge, and others within the square outlined by the great sculptures.

"Crayne, ye be crazy or somethin'???" Storm leans closer to the mage, looking directly into his eyes. "Don't ye dare be attackin' anyone while we be down there, otherwise we be dead. Dead! They's ain't no gettin' around it if it just be me an' you against a bunch o' Caerloon fighters with bows! An' I be recallin' right, yer invisibility thing goes away when we try to hit a feller, ain't that right? We be sittin' ducks then!"

He pauses, but then turns to the whole group to continue. "I's be goin' down there fer a rescue try if that's what ye all be thinkin' is best, but they's ain't no way in the hells I'm goin' down there if Crayne or me be attackin' an' makin' us visible again. I's don't know about ye all, but I ain't interested in no suicide." He crosses his arms defiantly.

Crayne turns to the group, "Then that settles it. Storm has made his point. He wants no part of this so there is no way I can force him into this. We will forget my plan for the moment and maybe confront them at a later point in time. I feel though that we miss an opportunity here which we could well regret at a later point in time. For now I suggest we stay silent and wait and see what the group below us does."

Crayne nods and takes his staff back. He moves back into the shadows and hides his frustration. The group just didn't appear to be able to come to a decision of any sort without having a diplomatic meeting. Crayne's temper was wearing thin. If nothing could be decided then it was better he go his own way. He was sulking now. He had always been drawn to quick and abrupt decisions. If the group could not put any trust in his judgment then his part in the group was beginning to crumble. The anger and hatred which he had felt during the battle for El-Balans was beginning to boil again.

"Wait!" Emma says, "Storm isn't so eager to venture down there at this time...but he's committed to the task if the rest of us see value in it. He's simply stating that he sees no value in a direct assault that puts him and Crayne needlessly in harm's way. I agree with him."

She looks toward Skandor and says, "I don't agree that we should seize this opportunity to try and overwhelm them with force. But we should seize the opportunity to win Amos' freedom. That's enough for now. Tactically, we have a good firing position. We're high up and capable of bringing our bows to bear on the enemy in a way that we normally wouldn't be able to to do in the tunnels below. I'm not sure that we'll have such an opportunity later. Also, we're prepared with Crayne's enchantments to literally lift Amos out of their midst and to a safe place...we won't have to fight a running battle with the Caerloon soldiers chasing us down the halls later. This is our best opportunity..."

She gestures to Skandor and Crayne, saying, "Yes, they'll be alerted to our presence...but they'll be powerless to stop us. And we may even trim their numbers down. If we do that, we'll have superior numbers against them later...as well as Amos' ability to guide us more safely through the Ancient Chambers, keeping us fresh for the final reckoning. I think that warrants this attempt, here and now.

"Does that mean we should attack them and finish the fight if the opportunity presents itself?" she asks, "No, I think that the risk is too high. Crayne and Storm would most likely fall to the Caerloon blades...or at best be cut down by their bows when they tried to lift Amos back up here. And I'm in complete agreement with Storm on that issue. Let's just put our current strengths to their best use right now. Stealth...magically assisted confusion and escape...appear to be our greatest strengths, not a direct assault. We're still trying to catch our breath and lick our wounds from that last battle in the courtyard of El-Balans anyway."

The priestess winds down and looks plaintively around the group. "C'mon,' she says, "The plan can work...if it's executed properly. And it delivers Amos out of their hands just like we promised the Hatheans. Once we have him safe, we can set about facing the Caerloon force full on..."

"How's this," Canter says, stepping between Emma and Crayne, hands outstretched as if to reach for both of them, "we go with the rescue plan. Make yourself invisible, Crayne, and bring Storm down with you. Create the illusion of the scorpion and get Amos and bring him back up. Once Amos is safe up here on the bridge, we'll reassess the situation. If we can see plainly that the mage can be taken out, you should still have enough time left on your levitating abilities to go back down with your dagger, yes?"

Crayne nods, his eyes narrowed in frustration. The leatherman's son did have a point, though, the Levitate spell would last for quite a while if he wanted it to--and if it wasn't dispelled first!

"Will you agree to that, Crayne?" Canter asks. His question is first met with silence. Then he addresses the mage again, "Crayne, we need you on this one. We can't do it without you..."

"Fine," Crayne says curtly, obviously not pleased with the situation.

"Emma?" Canter asks.

"I still don't think we should attack the mage, but Amos is our priority. Once he is safe, if the opportunity presents itself, I suppose we ought to consider it." She unfolds her arms and turns her back on Canter and Crayne, setting herself to preparing her bow.

Cursing to himself, Storm stands near Crayne and braces himself for the mage's Invisibility spell. He never felt comfortable with such magic, not once. Crayne begins to whisper the arcane words, and in a few moments both his and Storm's images begin to fade from view. They are invisible.

"Grab onto me and hold tight," Crayne whispers. Soon he can feel the dwarf's hands close around his shoulders as Storm takes hold. Swallowing with a gulp, Crayne then begins to intone the words of Levitate, and a few moments later he can feel the power course through his body. "Here we go..." he whispers, taking a step off the edge of the bridge.

For a moment, he and Storm simply hang there in mid air, just above and to the side of the formation of statues below. Then Crayne initiates their descent. It is very slow. Extremely slow. In fact, Canter grows worried as just over three minutes pass before there is any indication that Crayne and Storm have made the journey down fifty feet below. In the meantime, the Caerloon party has gathered behind one of the statues farthest from the bridge, which serendipidously offers Crayne and Storm some additional cover as they reach the vast cavern's floor on the other side of the square.

Crayne squeezes Storm's arm, indication for the dwarf to wait a moment as the mage begins his third spell, whispering as quietly as he can so as not to attract unnecessary attention. After a few moments, on the far side of the statues (closer to and behind the Caerloon party as they are facing the statue square), the illusion of a giant scorpion begins to take shape.

With a final flick of the wrist, Crayne adds the finishing touches: the snapping sounds of the beast's pincers. The first snaps immediately grab the attention of the Caerloon soldiers and mage.

"What what! Another creature!" one of the soldiers says loudly, not in a panicked tone, but more one of alert. From their position on the other side of the statues, Crayne and Storm cannot be sure which soldiers are talking.

"Mind your arrows, men!" another voice booms, this one with authority.

"Hathe be blessed, not another!" Amos' voice cries out, echoing through the cavern.

"Ready with bows!" the authoritative voice calls.

Crayne whispers to Storm, "Now Storm!"

Nodding, even though he remains invisible, Storm feels Crayne let go of his muscled arm. Creeping along the back of the statues, he makes his way toward the confused Caerloon party, doing his best to stay in the shadows once he reaches the edge of Crayne's invisibility.

"Bows at the ready!" another soldier replies to the officer.

From his position, closing in, Storm can see the mage at the center of the group, the officer beside him, and a line of Caerloon soldiers in front of them, bows raised, ready to fire. Amos is, fortunately, cowering behind the officer. 'At least me won't be havin' to cut through 'em ta get to the priest!' Storm thinks to himself, continuing a slow and quiet approach.

"Can you see anything?" Canter asks El, kneeling on the edge of the bridge next to the elf.

"Hardly," El whispers in reply. "I think...I think I can just barely make out Storm. There, in the darkness, keeping that statue between him and the enemy."

"Come on, Storm..." Canter moans, biting his lip.

"Fire!" the officer bellows. A cloud of arrows is let loose, and comes raining down upon the scorpion. From his position, Crayne can look across the square of statues and clearly see the scorpion. At the right moment, he twinkles his fingers, causing the illusionary scorpion to wince in pain as a few arrows "strike" it.

"Yaoooooo!!" Amos yelps as suddenly a strong burly hand grabs him, yanking him forcefully backwards and into the shadows behind the statue he had been standing in front of.

With a growl, Storm shoves his hairy hand in front of Amos' mouth to stifle any more screams. Amos struggles, flailing wildly with his arms, kicking up a small cloud of dust. With an inaudible "umf!" Storm throws Amos forward, moving him and the Director away from the Caerloon party and toward Crayne's position.

"Take 'em," Storm says, handing Amos over to an invisible comrade.

Amos struggles, moans, and kicks, but Storm holds him fast.

"Director Amos!" Crayne whispers seemingly from nowhere. "We are here to save you. Hold on tight!" Crayne then grabs Amos' arms, positioning them around his shoulders as Storm had done. Amos does not become invisible, nor is Storm invisible now that he has left the area of Crayne's spell. "Up we go..." Crayne says, under a bit of strain as he slowly begins his descent.

"Anhur be graceful," Emma whispers as she barely makes out Amos' funny form, holding onto what appears to be nothing, and ever so slowly rising up from the cavern floor.

"Now let's see how long that scorpion will last them..." Skandor says in response.

"Joelen," Storm overhears the mage say to the officer, "see to it our 'guide' is safe from this annoyance."

"Yes, Covarc," the officer (Joelen) replies.

Storm's eyebrows shoot up, concern suddenly filling his mind.

Joelen then turns around, looking for the cowardly priest that had been clinging to him. He is stunned when he suddenly discovers Amos gone. His eyes search the area, and he rushes toward the statues, rounding one just after Storm had taken cover behind another (causing Storm to breathe a quick sigh of relief!). His posture goes from frustrated to furious.

"Covarc!" Joelen calls out, rushing to the mage's side, "the Director is gone!!"

"WHAT?!" Covarc, the Red Dragon mage screams, causing some of the other soldiers to turn around.

"Mind your bows!!" Joelen screams at his soldiers; they turn back toward the stationary scorpion and continue firing their bows. Then, returning to Covarc, Joelen reports, "He had been standing behind me but a moment ago, and now he is gone. I've checked between and around the statues and he is not there, either!"

"Tenser be cursed!" Covarc screams, fury in his voice, his hands pounding his robe-covered hips.

"The imbecile escaped!" Joelen suggests.

Covarc begins to answer, but then stops himself. His eyes narrow and he turns his head toward the other soldiers and the scorpion beyond. There is a tense moment as he examines the scorpion, the soldiers continue to fire, Storm continues to stay as quiet as possible behind the cover of the farthest statues from the soldiers, and Crayne continues to levitate Amos up to the bridge quietly at an excruciatingly slow pace.

The tense moment seems to pervade even the scene on the bridge as well. Canter swallows hard, saying quietly. "Oh shit..."

Hannibal raises his bow, preparing to open fire on the soldiers below. Their line of sight isn't great; some of the soldiers are blocked by the height of the statues in front of which they stand. But some could be hit. The mage, however, is definitely blocked by a statue, at least from Rinder's Six's vantage point.

"Not yet!" Emma warns, placing a hand on Hannibal's shoulder. "We don't want to risk it until Storm is clear!"

"Shield Maiden," Skandor replies, his voice hoarse with intensity, "if we wait too much longer, there may be no more Storm!"

"Order them to hold their fire," Covarc says determinedly to Joelen.

"But the scorpion!" Joelen protests.

"DO IT!" Covarc screams. Then, he throws his arm out, shoving Joelen aside. "Cease your fire!!"

The soldiers stop firing, but are (understandably) confused. They continue to hold their bows at the ready, but turn to look to their officer for some hint as to why they are no longer attacking a creature similar to one that devoured two of their comrades!

"Covarc?" Joelen asks, looking from his eight soldiers to the mage.

"The scorpion is nothing! We must find the bumbling priest before he gets too far!"

"Did you hear that?!" Amos whispers in Crayne's invisible ear as they continue to ascend.

"Stay quiet!" Crayne replies. "They don't know you're up here. Talk now and you risk everything!!"

The mage looks directly up at the bridge above. It is still at least twenty five feet away, and thought the Levitate spell offers good vertical movement, it is slow. The remainder of the trip would still take at least another full minute. And that's a long time. A drop of sweat trickles down his cheek, falling off his face and careering toward the cavern floor below...a long way down.

---

1. Current positions of Rinder's Six:

CANTER, ELLOHARIN, EMMA, HANNIBAL, and SKANDOR are on the bridge, above and next to the position of the statues below. They have a clear line of sight and firing on some of the soldiers, but not the mage or the officer. They can also see STORM, who is hiding behind one of the statues closest to the bridge.

CRAYNE and Amos are levitating their way back up to the bridge. Remember that the bridge is a good fifty feel above the cavern floor, and the Levitate spell allows for controlled vertical (not horizontal) movement at a rate of 2 (which corresponds to 20 feet per round in the dungeon setting). So Crayne and Amos will not reach the altitude of the bridge for another minute (1 round), assuming they are not discovered in the meantime.

2. Current position of the Caerloon party:

There are eight soldiers, one officer (Joelen), and the Red Dragon mage (Covarc). They are gathered near one of the statues farthest from the entrance to the bridge and farthest away from the axis of the bridge, battling the scorpion illusion farther away from the bridge on the same side. From their firing position, Rinder's Six can only clearly see and hit five of the soldiers. They cannot clearly see or hit the officer, and they cannot see the mage (for he standing too close to the statue which is blocking the line of fire).

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