Apologies for the delay.
“This can only work if we all know our parts” proclaims Mr. Gold
Mrs. Copper expresses doubt asking, “what happens when this all goes to piss?”
Mr. Silver interjects “If we follow the steps and everyone signals at the right time it won't.”
“If we just manage to keep the disguises on and the good Dr. can keep the weather bad that will be distracting enough.” assures Mr. Brass”
Ms. Bronze states plainly “This plan is reckless, and without backup. You want me to go along with this ridiculous effort?”
Dr. Fe “I believe it will work”
Sir Tin while slapping Dr. Fe on the back exclaims “that's all I need to hear, you son of a centaur, I'm in!
The ragtag assembly slowly but inevitably all consent to their participation in the plot.
Mr. Gold acknowledges his colleagues and the risk they undertake “If we're all in agreement then let's get started”
And with that this motley band sets out to right a wrong and help a people stay free.
As planned, no one arrives together and each takes various meandering paths to get positioned.
Dr. Fe begins to set up his advanced weather equipment in the forest just outside Falen Dara. He stares thoughtfully at the city making small adjustments in the instruments of the machines. Smiling slyly Dr. Fe mutters to himself “This is going to be magnificent”
A short while later Ms. Bronze silently ropes her small dinghy to the docks. The air is thin and the only sound readily heard is that of the waves crashing along the peers. She looks around intently judging her surroundings with the keen sight of a predator. She speaks not a word thinking only to herself “I should be asking extra for this”
At the same time Mr. Brass wanders in the front gates very obvious to anyone looking or listening. A random city guard takes notice and moves to question him. With a smile and tone that could sooth any soul he greets the soldier with outstretched hands asking, “Good sir, thank you for helping...might you give me directions to the Schola Mortis?'
Mr. Silver was here before everyone else. He had in fact been here since the plan was hatched. Plotting behind the scenes from within the city itself, his intentions hidden from even those comrades that have put their trust in him. On high from the third story of his chosen hideout he glanced out from behind dark curtains just in time to see a dense fog envelope the city “Dr. Fe really pulled it off' he whispered coyly, as a satisfied smile appeared across his face.
On horseback Sir Tin trotted slowly through the streets. His presence demanded the attention of all those folk low and high born. His shimmering armor and regalia carefully chosen to make him stand out. He seemed to the onlookers almost a celebrity the way he carried himself high on his horse waving and smiling. “I've come to treat with the King of Asps and offer my aid in these trying times” He shouted confidently.
Mrs. Copper hearing the commotion in the distance recognized that as her cue. She had come in with a caravan moments before and had just finished unloading several heavy crates. With swift motions she unlatches a side panel of each crate as hundreds if not thousands of rats begin pouring out desperately fleeing the captivity they had just escaped. She says under her breath “Hope this is worth it; they'll be catching these little buggers long after this night is over”
Mr. Gold arrives last utterly pleased in the chaos he is greeted by. He moves with determination, highly aware of his surroundings but unburdened by them all the same. His destination is the goal of this endeavor after all, and he will not be impeded. He passes effortlessly by a small contingent of the city guard who are clearly overwhelmed, making quick work of his task he approaches the chosen location, down a dead-end tunnel in the sewers where no one would deer think to look. He places the Portal rod activating it and marveling as it begins to crackle, buzzing with magic energies slowly but surely bridging the connection to its twin.
With the rod in place and the goals achieved there is that the one thing left for the group is to flee. Noticing the time and the events having played out as intended each of the group begins to recognize the window of escape has arrived and will surely close if they do not make haste.
Ms. Bronze has been busy in the hours since this all began. The dockworkers are all deep in an unnatural sleep and she has cleared and commandeered a much larger vessel as means to carry the lot to safety. Mr. Brass is first to board embracing Ms. Bronze, he asks, “Were you worried about me again dear?”. “You silly man without my worries you would be rotting in some dark tribunal cell by now” She scoffs with a clear hint of affection in her tone. She questions him earnestly “is it done then?” and he replies “of course was I ever in doubt? They are in for one hell of a surprise when this is all over”
Unbeknownst to the two of them Mrs. Copper embarks the ship startling them when she speaks “We're not out of this yet so save the lovey dovey shite for once we've set sail” The two share a sigh of relief when Mr. Gold arrives shouting “We must leave now!”. “But what of the others?” asks Mr. Brass and in response Mr. gold states plainly “they all knew the risks”. Reluctantly Mrs. Copper and Ms. Bronze begin to prepare for their departure. The ship starts to drift away from the docks when the sound a mighty steed in full gallop is heard along the boardwalk. Mr. Brass exclaims “Sir Tin! We have to turn back.” as Mr. Gold harshly snaps back “we do not have the time for your faintheartedness, we leave now!”
Sir Tin seeing the vessel leaving commands his mount to increase speed and with one mighty lunge the beast leaps off the last plank of the dock with incredible form landing firmly on the deck of the ship. With contempt he scowls at Mr. Gold “You would leave us after all we have done for you?” Mr. Gold answers coldly “We all know the risks, and this was one of them, did you do your part?” Sir Tin in disbelief replies, “Of course but what of Mr. Silver and Dr.?” before he can finish Mr. Gold interrupts “good, then it all is still happening as planned.”
Back in the third story room Mr. Silver waits, listening carefully to the events transpiring around him. The city guard have had a close eye on him for a while now and suspect he may be the one responsible for the chaos that ensues. They have barricaded exits from the building and forego any negotiations as they prepare to siege the building. A pair of Tribunal envoys head the incursion parading their jurisdiction over the local authorities.
Rats stampede over the streets as thunder erupts suddenly and frightful screams echo from the towns people when the vermin begin to seek refuge in their homes and businesses. Lightning and torrential rains descend upon the city churning through the midnight skies. Dr. Fe scrambles to adjust his machines in dismay “no, no, no this is too much! What could have went wrong?” In a last-ditch effort to stop the out-of-control forces he has brought to bear Dr. Fe is forced to smash his equipment leading to the eventual calming of the weather. Almost in tears Dr. Fe exclaims “what a waste”. But now is not the time for regrets, as he collects himself and bolts toward the riverbank to intercept his comrades.
On the river Dr. Fe can clearly see the ship leaving the city and knows instantly that something is not right. No sooner than his thoughts can coalesce does he see an unusual craft along the bank. A rotocopter sits idle waiting for a pilot to enter. With glee the scientist takes a seat and clumsily begins to get the craft airborne. This technology is new to him, and he struggles to control the vehicle toward its destination. However, with a bit of luck and great timing he is able to jump from the cockpit and land without injury onto the bow of the retreating boat, as the craft sputters on until in crashes into the waters.
Now only Mr. Silver remained. Seemingly trapped and surrounded by soldiers he casually rises from his chair and climbs a ladder to the roof top. The jig is up as they say while the encircling guards led by the two Tribunal storm the room he recently vacated. They quickly find the ladder and follow his path to the roof. Once there they see Mr. Silver standing along the edge and quickly assume that they have him cornered with no escape. The senior of the two begins to speak “You have nowhere to go surrender now and your interrogation will be swift” to their shock he drops from the rooftop and the rush to see the outcome. Overlooking the edge of the building they see no body in the streets but rather Mr. Silver sitting in an odd chair just below them out of reach. “Better luck next time” he exclaims happily as he pulls a lever and is launched into the sky by the contraption he had just been seated on.
He lands effortlessly on the ship to the cheers of his compatriots. The tumultuous skies have since cleared and the morning sun breaks through the clouds. The stolen ship is too far away to be intercepted and the group now at last can rest at ease. Mr. Gold approaches Mr. Silver as they shake hands in solidarity. A glimmer of magic intwines the two as it is revealed that Mr. Gold is in fact Mr. Silver and vice versa. They had secretly swapped places quite some time ago, just another layer of the subterfuge Mr. Gold had planned out to throw off their perusers.
They all laugh and carry on reveling in their victory as the real Mr. Gold points back telling them all at once “Now just you watch this next part”. Still seeing the city in the distance, they begin to hear an odd melody begin to play. Its tune is low, pulsing and not distinct to the naked ear. The rats begin to move collectively toward the source of this noise emerging from city in droves and racing into the sewers away from the populace. At that moment more than a dozen more sky launchers sprang one by one from the rooftops dropping leaflets over every corner of the city.
Aabahran