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"What do you propose we do now? Take these men with us or leave them behind? You know that I wish to make for the palace and find the children...but I am not exactly sure of the best course to take..."
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Neither do I for sure, but it would not help to show that. Awyrgan shifted uncomfortably against the stone floor, attempting to find some semblence of a position that did not leave his joints aching. He hated these decisions, the ones that could lead to "what-ifs" but had to be made or there would be no time later to do so. He looked down to notice that his absentminded tapping of his knife against his hand had produced a few small cuts. Grinning, he placed the knife back in its sheath. He waiting a few moments longer before attempting to answer Rochelle's question.
He turned to the guard sitting next to him and tapped his shoulder. The man didn't respond so Awrygan reached over and snuffed his pipe. The man turned with a glare which Awrygan returned with a bright flash of green eyes. "Do you know if they were planning on leaving you here for a while or did they have other more interesting ideas?" Awrygan asked. The guard smiled grimly. "I think we have all but outlived our usefulness. Thus the small guard; I doubt they seriously thought that two broken men could do much damage. They were wrong." He paused. "I honestly think that my friend and I will not require your assistance much longer, thanks to the healing skills of your companion here."
Arwygan nodded. "I would have you come with us but four are no better than two for this; success depends on stealth not force. Unless you have several available companies of men readily available." The guard laughed darkly. "Not a company, but I could probably find a few groups if given some time." "That we do not have," said Awrygan. "However any trouble you could cause would undoubtedly aid us." The guard nodded and rose stiffly. "I will do what I can." He picked up a set of keys off the ground. "Lucky for us your pirate friend dropped these before you sent him off on a horse ride." With a slight bow to Rochelle he exited through the empty doorway and was gone. Awrygan turned back to the noble and Rochelle. He nodded silently as if assessing the situation. He knelt next to the man and examined him on his own for some time. His brow furrowed for a moment as if he found something that troubled him but he pushed it back into the back recesses of his mind. He helped the man shakily to his feet. "You should be fine in a few hours or so. Do you know the ways into the palace?" The man nodded weakly. "Good. I can carry you until you can walk." The noble was a slight man and Awrygan lifted him onto his back with ease. He turned to Rochelle. "Ready?" She nodded. "Very well. Try not to get injured, one is easy enough but carrying two may be a challange."
With that he walked out into the mists. He turned his head over his shoulder towards the noble. "Which way?" The man pointed off to the right and Awrygan strode off into the night, one on his back and one on his heels keeping a close guard on the rear as they approached the captured palace.
[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: Carrūn ]