February 20th:

Zeiss and the wagon finally arrives at the quarry. He looks around in search of his companions.

Zeiss, Z, Kolson, Tabran:
The quarry is, somewhat unsurprisingly, absolutely swarming with refugees of all types and make.  Most are just resting on the rockfaces and carved stone-ladders, getting some solace from the bitter cold that blows across the landscape, but even as you arrive and park the caravan up top you notice more refugees are noticing the quarry as a place to find respite and are gravitating towards it.

The only individual you spot you recognize is Sethos, who is smoking his pipeweed, sitting near where the entrance to the ruins should be, though all you see is rock and stone.

Zeiss approaches Sethos. He looks at where the entrance of the ruins was.

"...I assume Fierneceal closed it."

He turns his attention to the Burun.

"Where is everyone?"

Sethos, Zeiss, Kolson, Tabran, Z:
Sethos looks at you, and up close you can tell how stressed he looks, either because of the ruins, the refugees, or whatnot, but he wordlessly hands you a note.

"You two should get some rest. And, if possible, I'd like to get that Scionic brain training from you at some point, Fier."
Hanuel's voice was quiet, as they still felt ill and a little drained from the leycite pipeline.

As Zeiss reads the letter, he frowns more and more. He then gives the letter to Z. He stands there, a blank look on his face.

"...Tabran, I will need the Exit materia Kolson gave you."

"Wow, I'm surprised at how efficient the legal system is here. I was expecting to have to wait weeks or months."

*Z reads the letter and mutters something under her breath that sounds vaguely like 'idiots,' though you can't be sure.  She hands the letter back to Zeiss.*

"Not sure what you want me to do about this one."

*She sighs.*

"If they have been captured by the people I am assuming they have, my face is not one which should be seen again.  Come get me at the inn when you've reclaimed them."

"I'll be going with him to attend," Snarg informs the soldier. "I'm assuming I'm free to go?"

Spoiler:

In the quarry

Zeiss looks at Z, surprised.

"I didn't plan on your help. This kind of job is best left to me."

He turns to Tabran.

"So, that materia?"

*Z nods once to Zeiss; then turns to Kolson and Tabran.*

"If one of you isn't planning on joining in the fun."

*She cocks her head toward head toward Zeiss, who having received the material (I assume) is now making preparations for the rendezvous.*

"I'd like to borrow your weaving experience."


*She then gives a curt nod of farewell and then heads toward town.*

Spoiler:

Snarg & Araiguna:
The soldier, politely, tells Snarg he can come with.  He opens the mesh carefully, and moves to put chains and manacles upon Araiguna, the two soldiers at his back with their weapons ready.

"you may put me in a cell, but I will not hesitate to openly state I wish to keep my hands free in case another solider decides to attack me out of the blue again." 

Araiguna puts his hands up in an attempt to avoid the chains and begins to walk out, stopping at the door and nodding slightly to the head guard.

The soldier looks at you incredulously.  "Alright, no hand bindings, but we will be shackling your feet instead."  He moves to put the manacles on your ankles.

Araiguna sighed. "well it seems there's no helping it" Araiguna then sat on the bed, put his feet straight out in front and said "here you go."

Wildeash Group:
After carefully binding your tiny feet they guide you laboriously up the stairs, with great difficulty due to your tiny legs being shackled, until you reach the top.  The area upstairs has a small squad of soldiers present, armed and armored, and a single Sclavi in fairly plain looking robes of green hue.  He twists his neck up to look at Araiguna and Snarg and gives a low hiss.  "Be seated," he said, cordially, gesturing at a single chair drawn into the middle of the room.  Snarg is vaguely shoo'd over to the side to stand.

"may I have your name sir? and please continue with deliberations so I may know the specifics of what I am being accused of."

Snarg nods to the Sclavi and sets his and Araiguna's pack down to the side, crossing his arms as he surveys the scene.

Quarry Group


"Oh, Zeiss. Tab already gave it back to me." Kolson removes the Materia from his soul (!) and hands it to you with a here you go.

He follows after Z to help her with her Weaving request.

"Thank you. I'll go take care of Snarg and Araiguna and I'll be back later."

He turns towards Oghren and the Archweaver.

"As you can see, the entrance to the ruins has been sealed. It should be enough to contain any intruders. For now, I think you should follow my companions to the inn. We will take care of our business at a more appropriate moment. "

He signs his bodyguards to follow them. After it is done, he gets back on his horse and charges towards Wildeash.

To Arch:

Spoiler:

 
Tab watches Zeiss leave regretting that his own skill in stealth wasn't more advanced but for now not been able to help the team out he goes about the refugees seeing what his limited healing skills can do to help?
 
"Kolson if you need my help ill be along in a bit after i have seen what i can do to help out here."
 

Spoiler:

Archengeia wrote:Rory & Gwydo:
Gwydo awakens with a start, blinking with exhaustion and fatigue, having only gotten in about 40 minutes of a nap.

Rory wrote:Rory sighed. "More like a breakthrough," he answered thoughtfully. "I mean, aside from the circumstances, we could have something here. Er I could, anyway.

"So listen," he continues, cutting the banter short, "the patrol is suffering a gap that moves forward 10-20 feet every half hour or so. Could be a golden opportunity, but I'm not confident in the luck we'd need to try during the day. I'd rather wait for Zeiss if it came to that. Meanwhile they've got their own refugee problems, so the guards might be a bit distracted--or more alert, if they're causing trouble."

Archengeia wrote:Rory & Gwydo:
"Uhm."  She considers a moment, blinking her eyes tiredly.  "Don't suppose we know what they're looking for, or why... no that would be unlikely anyways."  She lapses into thought for a moment.  "I think I'd rather wait for reinforcements personally, Gwydo and me are very much not in fighting shape right now if it came to that."

Rory wrote:"Not a whole lot we can do...alright, you get some rest and I'll keep my eyes open," he replied. His tone conveyed he was willing to take responsibility and let them get some rest, but worried about the factor of time and how much longer it would be before Zeiss arrived. He pulled up a nearby log and, after panning his wary gaze and soaking in the spatial layout of the surrounding area, took a seat.

Groggily waking from his short nap, Gwydo listens to the conversation. 
"As Fiernacel said, I am in no condition to fight right now. I think it wisest to wait for Zeiss and the rest of the group that should be arriving from Holtburg."
Sitting up, Gwydo starts removing his plate armor. "Here, give me a hand, would you?" He asks Rory, as he fumbles with the strap on his breastplate. "If I can get a few hours of good sleep, I'll be able to give you a break on watch."
"Hmmmm. 10 to 20 feet for the watch gap, huh? Is that cumulative? Are they actually catching up to the other patrol near the end of the shift? How much time is actually passing during the gaps? Although, I doubt I'd be able to sneak past in my armor regardless of how much of a gap there is."

Grinning at Rory, "Maybe I should just go and knock on the door..."

Laying back down, now out of his armor, Gwydo gets comfortable and is asleep again in a matter of minutes.

Snarg & Araiguna:
With an almost dull tone, the Sclavi says, "The prisoner will refrain from speaking for the time being."  A pause.  "Hezhit Xiz of Torthis presiding.  Fähnrich Vernon of Anvilmar witnessing."  The Sclavi folds his hands before him.  "The Mite in question stands accused of willful provocation of one Idonis of Silentblade, leading directly to the murder of the Elf in question, and participating in an unprovoked sneak attack upon said Elf and his fellow, Scargil of Pallidtone, not present."  The Sclavi pulls down his spectacles a bit and looks at Araiguna.  "The accused may make a statement or plead guilty or innocent, should they choose to now."

Tabran:
You hear several stories similar to the one you've already heard, some of which conflict with one another.  You do hear some common elements; first, many of the people present were stopped by roamers or patrols of soldiers and had any valuables or gold they happened to have on them taken, though not food, supplies, et cetera.  Anyone who resisted was promptly beaten, to death or otherwise, and then robbed anyways.  There were many Banderlings, Trolls, Orcs, Sclavi, Ogres, and Burun in the invading forces visible on the ground.  There are, roughly, over 150 people in the quarry right now, with several hundred people passing every minute or so.  People are still visible as far as the horizon making the journey.

"Firstly, I would like to say I feel as though I have a right to speak when I so please. Secondly, I plead Innocent for three reasons: 

One, A direct violation of the Fair treatment of prisoners act by a guard of this city. 

Two, My Intent was never to kill, only incapacitate and heal any wounds if necessary. I can easily prove that I have the ability to heal basic wounds And would have done so if able. Unfortunately I was knocked unconscious and one of the more hot-headed members of my party dealt the final blow. lets just say she and I are not on good terms. 

Three, My accuser Is not present and I deem this proceeding unfit to continue or even be held if Scargil of Pallidtone is not present.

Gwydo wrote:Groggily waking from his short nap, Gwydo listens to the conversation. 
"As Fiernacel said, I am in no condition to fight right now. I think it wisest to wait for Zeiss and the rest of the group that should be arriving from Holtburg."
Sitting up, Gwydo starts removing his plate armor. "Here, give me a hand, would you?" He asks Rory, as he fumbles with the strap on his breastplate. "If I can get a few hours of good sleep, I'll be able to give you a break on watch."

Rory stared for a moment, appalled by the suggestion, and then looked elsewhere, the latter action signaling a silent refusal.

Gwydo wrote:"Hmmmm. 10 to 20 feet for the watch gap, huh? Is that cumulative? Are they actually catching up to the other patrol near the end of the shift? How much time is actually passing during the gaps? Although, I doubt I'd be able to sneak past in my armor regardless of how much of a gap there is."

Grinning at Rory, "Maybe I should just go and knock on the door..."

Laying back down, now out of his armor, Gwydo gets comfortable and is asleep again in a matter of minutes.

Rory grumbled in agitation, unamused. The joke was still running, but he was too worried and too upset to laugh.