(Note: The following story has been pieced together from the in-game emotes of several players and, therefore, each person should receive credit for the words and actions attached to their characters- though a few words have been altered due to having to guess what the game censored. Also of note, the player of Calidis wrote for Grimstan, Hawke wrote for the kitchen maid, Theodwen, and Annabette wrote for the upstairs maid, Tinkie.)
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A small blueprint of Lady Addwyn’s house lay abandoned on the floor in the middle of dim, candlelit room as the group busied themselves with final preparations; the plan had been set and everyone knew what part they were to play. Annabette unbuttoned a few of the top buttons on her shirt to make herself a more alluring distraction for the outside guard, Hawke and Rhavanielle slipped into “borrowed” kitchen servant uniforms and picked up a few crates from around the house to make their disguise seem more convincing, Calidis checked the enchanted gem that she and Rhavanielle had crafted the night before one more time to ensure that it would be able to perform properly if needed, and the others equipped their weapons in preparation for a possible fight. With only a final look and nod to each other, they left the safety of the home that was to be Addie’s after her marriage and dispersed to their planned locations in the streets of Snowbourn.
Nethrida, Xanderian and Masin headed toward the gates of the city in order to keep watch in case Lady Addwyn returned to Snowbourn- it was assumed that she had left for Cliving since the number of guards usually around her house were not present and since she had not been spotted either while they were scouting the property. Eduwiges and Addie took their lookout positions on opposite sides on the house; Eduwiges opted for a more casual a less suspicious approach, leaning back against the guardrail and chewing on a piece of straw, while Addie squatted down behind the wall to remain hidden while watching. Once the lookouts were in place, Anna was signaled and events began to unfold rapidly:
(switching to emotes)
Annabette comes limping up the lane, using her staff for support. As she nears the house, she somehow stumbles and falls to the ground in sight of the door sentry, leaning forward with one hand on the ground for support and allowing a lot of cleavage to be seen. "Oh, help!" she whimpers, piteously.
Grimstan is standing at attention doing lookout activity type things. His eyes narrow when he catches sight of the unfamiliar face coming closer and he raises a brow toward her, but he can't help but to ogle the woman’s assets just a little, which, of course blinds him to anyone else walking by. Eventually he steps over to the fallen lady and extends a hand to help her up.... still totally-not-looking-but-definitely-looking at her chest...
Annabette sighs, offering a trembling smile of gratitude to the guard as she turns at the waist, arching her back slightly for more emphasis on 'parts' and clutches her ankle. "I think I've twisted it, sir." Eduwiges snorts to herself while watching Anna's antics.
Hawke is waiting his turn a little further down the lane with Rhavanielle right by his side; both are wearing typical servant's clothing and Hawke is carrying a crate. He looks fairly innocent as he trudges up the path to the house, keeping his eyes down and moving past the distracted guard. Rhavanielle helps him with the crate and follows closely behind.
Grimstan lets out a little sigh of annoyance, but quickly recovers his stern lookout-approved composure and kneels down by the lady. But not before he turns to look back at his post. Seeing nothing but servants, he turns his attention back to the lady and smiles in a friendly manner. "Foul luck then, my lady. Perhaps it should be inspected? If... you would allow me to?"
Annabette sighs, her voice a bit breathless. "Oh, would you please, sir?"
Grimstan tries to contain his over eagerness and doesn't reach for her ankle right away. He makes a show of removing his helm so he can see better. Slowly he reaches over to her ankle and rests a hand gently on it. His hands might be a little shaky...
Eduwiges chews on the piece of straw and watches the path, and the guards antics, laughing on the inside. She thinks to herself, “Men are so easy.”
Annabette blinks several times, fluttering her eyelashes and simpering as he 'inspects' her ankle.
Grimstan grins even wider and his eyes get a little hungry looking. Of course, he's doing an absolutely *stellar* inspection, poking and prodding at the ankle in random places while his eyes drift to her bosom again.
Hawke sees that the guard doesn't pay him or Rhava any mind, so he nods to the Elf and enters the house with her. Once inside, he hefts the crate so that Rhava no longer has to help with it, and he nods towards the stairs, turning his steps towards the kitchen and the serving girl working there. He moves into the kitchen and sets down the crate, glancing to see if the elf had taken the hint and was moving towards her objective. Rhavanielle carefully elfs her way up the stairs taking care to be silent and weightless.
Once Hawk enters the kitchen, the serving woman, Theodwen, glances up, startled; she doesn't recognize him, so she opens her mouth to protest. Hawk offers a charming smile and makes polite conversation in a passable accent. He manages to convince the kitchen maid that he's a new hire, and while he's keeping an ear out for the sounds on the stairs, he opens the conversation to the matter of Addie and her horse. However, Theodwen clearly knows better than to gossip so easily, and she scolds Hawk, but she's also batting her eyelashes so, Hawk turns up the charm a little more.
On the stairs, Tinkie gasps as she nearly collides with Rhava. Rhavanielle 'a eyes are downcast, muttering an apologetic noise. Tinkie clutches at her apron, staring at Rhava with a hint of fear; she tries to edge her way around Rhava, clearly wanting to hurry down the stairs. Rhavanielle sidesteps, mumbling apologies once again. Once Rhava passes, Tinkie flees, clutching at her apron. Rhavanielle looks back and mumbles to herself, “Somehow my glamour scared the old maid.” but then continues to move up the stairs, unfazed.
Back outside, a patrol guard rounds the corner and looks to be on a path that will bring him straight by Eduwiges and toward Anna. Seeing this, Eduwiges starts walking up the road towards the guard while whistling a familiar Rohirric tune.
Annabette sighs, trying to keep Grimstan’s attention and make it sound like she's delighted at his thorough inspection of her 'ankle'. Grimstan continues his inspection and may or may not find this... *risible*. "Hmm, looks like you've twisted it completely. I don't think you'll be able to walk--" His ears pick up a familiar tune and he begrudgingly tears his hungry gaze away from Anna's assets to look toward the approaching patrol guard. Annabette glares at the back of the guard's head once he turns his gaze away from her, he's lucky she can't drill holes in it with her gaze.
Eduwiges sees that she distracted Grimstan and shuts up while continuing to walk towards the approaching patrol guard, who seems like he’s about to pass her by. The guard looks toward Eduwiges and nods in approval at hearing the tune. She smiles back at him, “Well met!” and gives him a fetching smile while turning to walk with him. “I’m Hanna! 'I like your sword.” The guard is distracted by Eduwiges and looks to her curiously as he continues walking with her. She is able to keep his attention as she says, 'You seem like a brave sort? Why do they have you walking a beat?' The two continue walking the path and he doesn’t give a second thought to Grimstan or Anna.
Grimstan frowns a bit and shakes his head before turning his gaze back to Anna. "As I was saying, perhaps you'd like for me to take you somewhere to... rest? You know, so that I can inspect it further."
Annabette sighs and reaches for the guard's arm with her free hand. Clutching it, she gasps. "Ooh, you're a strong 'un, aren't ya?" she coo's.
Grimstan may or may not perk up with a little pride at that! He nods like an overeager puppy and lifts his other arm to flex it. "Oh! Uh- Yes! Very strong. If you'd give me your permission, I'll be your... steed for this evening."
Annabette blushes. "I'm supposed to ride you? I don't even know your name!"
Grimstan flushes red in his cheeks but doesn't manage to disguise his lust now. "The name is Grimstan, my lady. And I would know the name of such a fetching rider."
Annabette shrugs, in for a copper, in for a gold..."I'm Enthan." she tells him, forcing a blush.
He blinks a little at the name, noting that it doesn't sound familiar or local. "Enthan..." But he shakes his head when he catches sight of that bosom again. "Well, Enthan, It would be my *greatest* pleasure to carry you to someplace more comfortable."
Back inside, Hawke isn't getting much out of Theodwen, though she did let slip that the horse had been moved. Tinkie descends the stairs, casting a nervous look at Hawke and the old bitty as she flees toward the front door. Hawke sees Tinkie fleeing down the stairs and suspects that she might alert someone about suspicious activity; so he excuses himself from the kitchen and intercepts the fleeing maid. Tinkie gasps fearfully as the stranger moves to intercept her. Hawke keeps his expression charming and catches the fearful maid's hands. ''I'd know that lovely face anywhere!" He keeps himself between her and the door.
While the two are speaking at the bottom of the stairs, Rhavanielle finds the chest at the foot of the bed upstairs- the intended target- and focuses her mind. “Edro!” The lock pops open. She shuffles though many letters and papers in the chest and finds one for the sell of a white horse to a gentleman in Edoras. She pockets the paper and then sees a brooch with a blood red gem, one very similar to the one that Eduwiges' father had left her as evidence. She pockets that as well and locks the chest back up before making her way back down the stairs.
Downstairs, Tinkie stares at Hawke, then turns her head toward the door, raising her voice. "Grimstan!" Hawke grimaces, because that was exactly what he hadn't wanted to happen. Rather than chance the magic ring Calidis and Rhavanielle crafted, he goes for the old-fashioned method...and kisses Tinkie into silence. Tinkie faints. Hawke catches Tinkie's weight in his arms and angles her away from the stairs, into a slight corner as the kitchen maid looks out to see what the commotion was; seeing the two of them she gasps at the shameless display and ducks back into the kitchen.
Outside, Grimstan looks up suddenly and turns his head towards the door of the house, wondering if he actually heard his name or if it's just the wind. Annabette giggles to catch his attention again. "Oh...carry you meant! Not ride! I'm so silly! Could you just help me up and see if I can stand?"
Eduwiges returns from walking the other guard away from the house and watches what is happening with the Grimstan, she readies her sap and moves a little closer, but not too close.
Grimstan turns his attention back to 'Enthan', shrugging off what he heard as the wind. "Oh, if you like, courageous lady that you are - I like the courageous sort." He stands and extends one hand that is still semi-shaky with anticipation down to her. Annabette clutches his hand with her own, using her other to brace her staff on the ground and slowly pulls herself up, 'accidently' falling against the tall rider's body as she gets shakily to her feet. Grimstan catches her with his other hand and greedily brings her up close to his big chest, grinning at her lecherously. "I've got you, Enthan." Annabette flushes. "Oh my...." While Anna has him distracted by shoving his face in her cleavage again, Eduwiges walks towards the struggling couple and 'bonks' Grimstan right where it would knock him unconscious.
Back inside, Rhavanielle quietly sneaks past the kitchen maid and out the door as fast as possible. Hawke sees that and mumbles to himself, “Guess that the coast is clear.” He gently sits poor Tinkie down on the floor, leaning her back against the wall before quickly but casually heading for the door as well.
Outside, Addie tries to whistle out as she spies a regal looking lady in a green dress riding around the corner; she recognizes immediately that it is Lady Addwyn, but it’s too late, a guard grabs her from behind, stopping her signal to the others. He walks Addie beside Lady Addwyn’s horse as she and several of her mounted guards continue to ride toward the house. They reach the door just as Rhavanielle exits and Addwyn points her sword toward the elf; it seems like they were anticipating the break in. "My, my, what have we here?” Addwyn looks down to the unconscious Grimstan and then over to the somewhat exposed Anna, “It seems as though I shall have to deal harshly with you, Grimstan, for leaving your post for this hussy." Annabette is quickly rebuttoning her tunic and thinking of what to do. Her temper nearly causes her to explode, even though she was acting like a hussy...logic be damned
Eduwiges drops Grimstan and draws Morinhtar and her elvish dagger, happy she chose this armor. Hawke freezes when he catches sight of the group outside through a window and he curses under his breath. Rather than get caught with them all, he finds a window and climbs out, sneaking around the side of the manor. He watches from cover, ready to do...something, though he isn't sure what at the moment.
Addwyn looks back to Rhavanielle, "As for you, I'll be taking what you tried to steal, dear." Rhavanielle laughs merrily and insouciantly. “Good luck taking my head, madame.” Hawke acts! He jumps out of cover and yells, ''I stole it! Come an' get it, ye old hag!" Addwyn shakes her head at the young man’s brashness, knowing that he is clearly a distraction, and motions her hand for one of her guards to go after him.
Hawke turns and nimbly leaps over the stone wall, running along it as the rider pursues him. However, the rider is able to follow and quickly catches up to Hawke; he reaches down and grabs Hawke by the back collar of his tunic and lifts him up onto the horse. Hawke flails, throwing his elbow up under the rider's helmet, into the man's chin. The blow does land squarely on the chin, but it does not knock the rider out or off of his horse. He continues to keep his grip on Hawke and ride them both back to the others, "Stop squirming you.." Hawke does not stop squirming. He throws his elbow again, turning with the motion in an attempt to slip down from the saddle. The second elbow causes the guard to lose his grip on Hawke and he escapes, gliding down easily to his feet. “Why, you little.." the guard huffs out as he turns to give pursuit again.
Back at the house, Eduwiges watches what is happening and readies her sap. She says to Anna, “Bring out your bear! It will scare them shitless!”
Lady Addwyn motions for Addie to be brought over to her and puts her sword to her throat. Her eyes are icy cold and her sly smile speaks of confidence as she stares Rhavanielle down, "We can strike a deal, dear, my belongings for her life."
Eduwiges shouts at Anna, “Bear now, Anna!” She lunges toward Addwyn, but her strike is blocked by another rider that now stands between her and the woman. She shouts, “Anna! Anytime with that bear!” knowing the magic of the bear will scare the guards and possibly Addwyn.
Annabette pulls of the metaphorical kid gloves and puts on the steel gauntlets, so to speak, releasing a bane flare over the rider's heads and summoning her bear who roars, rearing up on his hind legs. Eduwiges looks at the guard and says, “Move or your dead! If I don't kill you the bear will!”
Four guards turn to confront the girls and the bear. Addwyn also turns her gaze momentarily from the elf to look in their direction; she pushes the sword deeper into Addie's skin, causing a thin line of blood to trickle down Addie’s neck. "You can have it your way if you truly wish to fight, but she will die first. You see, I no longer need this worthless child for my plans."
Rhavanielle decides on a display of magic as well and brandishes her ring which suddenly seems to make her grow four feet taller and dim the sun. Two of the guards seem to be uneasy now due to the display of magic from the elf, they had been warned of such since childhood. Calidis watches from across the street through the window of Addie's house, trying to keep herself from panicking. She pulls an agate from her pocket and chants something desperate and fierce. She steps out of the house and edges along the side of it so that she will not be seen.
Down the road, Hawke sees an opportunity to possibly circle behind Addie's mother and her other guards. He continues to lead the rider on a chase while trying to get to his new objective, jumping over the walls along the way, hoping that it will slow the rider down. The rider keeps pace and is just about to catch up to the lad again when the sun dims and spooks the horse, throwing the rider to the ground. Hawke continues on, mindful of his leg tiring slightly; he's jumped the low walls and circled around behind the group of riders, Lady Addwyn now in his sights.
Eduwiges lunges at the guard between her and Addwyn and bashes him in the head, knocking him out cold. She readies her next attack for Addwyn. However, before she can act, Annabette, clearly pissed now, aims her free hand at 'Mom' and mutters a quick word of power; lightning suddenly wreaths Addwyn in its grasp. Addwyn screams out and drops both her sword and Addie as her muscles begin to lock up. The guards all startle at this and one cries out, "Milady, we need to get you out of here!" Addwyn glares daggers at Anna before giving a quick nod to her guards. "This is not a victory, plans are already in motion." She looks to Addie, "Good luck finding your horse, dear. I will find all of you again."
As Addwyn and her guards spur their horses on to leave, Hawke runs forward and attempts to leap onto Addwyn's horse to deliver a killing blow to the woman; however, the horse is too fast and Hawke hits the flank hard causing him to stumble and fall into the road. Bruised and winded after his failed attempt to leap onto the horse, he rolls to avoid getting trampled by any other guards. Rhavanielle runs over to help him and he gets painfully to his feet.
Annabette’s bear, Hyacinth, charges at the guards as they flee, trying to frighten them even more. The sound of pounding hooves fill the air as the group rides toward the gates. Once the group is out of sight, Annabette dismisses Hyacinth, not wanting the entire city up in arms with all the noise they're generating. Eduwiges, on the other hand, yells, “Someone stop that woman!” and runs after the riders toward the gate. Her cries are heard by Xanderian as they round the corner toward the position she is guarding. Xan nocks an arrow and puts it straight between the eyes of one of the fleeing guards, dropping him instantly. She is able to kill one more guard before the group escapes the city. Eduwiges stops running once the guards clear the gate, chest heaving and fast walks back to the group with Xanderian.
Back at Addwyn’s house, Addiela stands; she's a bit shaken, but she seems to be fine. She pats a hand to her neck and pulls it back to see the blood trickling from the wound on her neck. Calidis runs over, the unfinished agate in her hand glowing like fire despite its rough state. She hesitates in place, unsure of what she should do if anything. Her dark eyes are wide with fear.
Annabette spots Grimtan's unconscious form, walks over and pulls a dagger from her pouch. With a few quick slashes, she cuts his mustache off. Let him remember that tonight and not her chest. She looks back to the others, “We need to get off the streets.” Addie nods in agreement. As they prepare to move, a horn is heard in the distance. Annabette motions for everyone to hurry! “Walk, walk or we draw attention!” Hawke is limping, but he hurries as best he's able as Rhavanielle helps him along. Calidis follows along, still clutching the agate in her hand; whether from fear or something else is anyone's guess. Eduwiges brings up the rear to make sure everyone is safe and they all make it back to Addie’s house to lay low for the time being.
Once inside, Addiela moves the shield stand over to barricade the door. Eduwiges punches one hand with her fist, 'By Bema the old bat trapped us!'
Addiela finally collapses to the ground after everything is secured, feeling the gravity of the situation now. "She's always one step ahead... We're lucky. She wasn't expecting magic."
Annabette says, 'What happened inside? Did someone get out to alert them?'
Rhavanielle says, “That was wondeful timing on her part.. Bad timing”
Annabette says, “Wonderful? Suspicious, I'd say.”
Addiela nods, "As the elf, Asmalinde warned me.. a trap.. She must have expected us."
Hawke limps to find a seat, but ends up sinking to the floor instead. Easier. Calidis looks to the stone in her hand and then drops it, as if burned, looking a little horrified with herself. After a shaky sigh and a moment's hesitation she picks it back up and deposits it in her pocket again. Her dark gaze shifts to Hawk and then to his leg which he seems to favor with concern. Anna walks over and begins to help Hawke with his injury, offering magical means to help patch it up for now.
Eduwiges “Did we find out where Lily is?”
Rhavanielle nods and brings out the piece of paper noting the sale, ''This seal bears the arms of Edoras. Someone there has your horse, Addie.”
Addiela 's face pales, "She.. she sold Lily?"
Rhavanielle then holds up a blood red gem in a brooch before Eudwiges’ startled eyes. “Look familiar?”
Eduwiges startled “Aye, like the one.” She pulls out the ring on her necklace from her tunic and holds it next to the gem. Eduwiges gasps in shock.. “How?”
Rhavanielle says, ''Twas in Lady Addwyn's jewelry. 'I was loathe to take anything but this seemed vital”
Calidis shifts her gaze to the pair of gems with interest. "... I-It appears that might be one piece to your puzzle, Mistress Eduwiges."
Addiela 's eyes widen as she looks toward it, "I've never seen her with that before.."
Eduwiges eyes hood over and gets a grim look on her face. “Addie, I do not want to kill your mother. You tell me what this means and what we do.”
Addie shakes her head and fire flashes in her eyes, “Kill the witch for all I care.. she was never a mother to me.”
Rhavanielle looks to everyone, “Very good. Seems that we’re all heading to Edoras.”
(To be continued in The Great Horse Rescue: Part 2)
