When Jurex returned to the rest of his group downstairs in the mansion, he found Bassington and his household bound and gagged in their custody. He chuckled at the look of horror in the eyes of the children as they watched the dead guards dragged into the basement, blood dripping from fatal wounds to the neck. Yes, little children, your nightmare will only get worse.
Suddenly a door was heard creaking open in the upper floor of the house. Jurex waved for his party to retreat into the basement, and to evacuate the prisoners into the sewers below; while he investigated the noise. It was a servant, heading downstairs for some unknown reason. Grasping a cudgel, the seasoned corsair waited until the footsteps were nearly to the bottom before leaping out and swinging the stout weapon with as much force as he could muster. The man crumpled to the ground.
Leaving his victim lying unconcious on the ground, Jurex hurried into the basement and locked the door behind him. Just then, Hessa stepped out from behind a row of boxes. "What about me?"
The man turned to her, making his decision swiftly. "You'll be coming with us."
The girl looked troubled. "But what about my mother? She needs me to-"
"Into the sewers - NOW!"
Knowing that she had no choice, the Hessa climbed into the dark tunnels, regretting more with every passing moment her decision to aid the corsairs.
___________________________________________
Within the hour, the prisoners had been safely smuggled to Jythralo's modest residence, where they were lead into the small underground dungeon and placed under heavy guard. Hessa was allowed to remain free, but was told that she could not leave the house under any circumstances. The gold which Jurex had discovered was quickly distributed among his band, but the documents were given to Jythralo, who stayed up late into the new day examining them.
Jurex and Acacia, of course, recieved a bonus.
<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:13 PM January 30, 2004: Message edited by: Himaran ]
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