Sheraton Tara - move 4

5:49 AM.

The sun will not be up for over another hour. You may even live to see it. Or you may not. What happens next seemingly happens at once, words overlapping and thoughts colliding with one another.

It all starts with the most innocent of words though.

"Crap, you'd think I would get better at tying knots one of these days." Qwyn glances down at the towels on the ground.

Stones, his muscles rippling at the possibility of a battler that never came, opens the door, surpassing its magical lock, and ushers Qwyn inside.

Qwyn grabs the towels, wrapping them awkwardly around his hips though he wearings his leather armor, he begins talking before is even in the door.

"There's several score of them. Towns guard from Framingham -- I think I overheard that they're called the Flyers. They're approaching in a column from another side of the hotel. Not sure if we can see them from this window. We're going to need to bug out of here as quickly as possible." Short pause ... "Ummm, does anyone have a spare pair of pants?"

Most everyone is in the room stirs quickly, years of living on the road bringing instant awareness to tired eyes.

“Shit” Radegast mutters as the barely clad Qwyn makes his way past the threshold. With a quick two steps, Radegast is at Inara’s door, giving it a resounding two thuds loud enough to wake the dead. “Up and at em, folks. We got company.”

He returns to the group.

“Qwyn, how long do we have before they make it to the staircase? 5 minutes? 10? Less?” Radegast looks over at Stones. “Stones, brother, how long do you need for that portal you are talking about?”

“Are we missing anyone?” He looks quickly around the room. His eyes settle on the bulky fat man in the corner.

“Okay, so we can get the kid and the unconscious Halfling out the window if need be, but we either teleport his ass out of here, or leave him behind. No offense intended, friend. You just don’t look like the out the window rope climbing type.”

After those words Brin starts screaming, "NO! YOU CAN'T LEAVE RONAK!"

Ronak is groggy as he pats the boy on the head, "Brin'd, even if I am left. Death only comes to those who are ready. I am not ready."

5:50 AM

As Radegast takes a breath Voss throws out another possibility. "Unless this dwarven structure has sewage tunnels we can access through the out-house here. A wretched escape plan, but if we don't want to battle priests or town guards just yet, it could be the safest way out."

Voss goes to checks the outhouse for a potential escape route.

Radegast continues, his free flowing thoughts tumbling into on another, “We are down to four final options here folks. In descending order for my personal preference we have, Portal, Rope minus Ronak, Stay here and slaughter every last one of them, or just wait for them to show up and let Inara do the talking. I believe we are more likely to lose our heads the further we get down that list. But if anyone disagrees with me, now is the time to voice your concerns.”

Inara's doors open to reveal a dwarf with saddle bags draped over his shoulders and an annoyed female dressed in simple green travel robes. She has a set of leather armor being worn under her dress. She is also carrying her own weapons, no longer on the dwarf.

"Another hour and our breakfast would have arrived. Are you kidding me?" She scowls at the half dressed Tiefling. Inara pulls a trail bar out of the satchel Remsfeld is carrying and with a look of distaste starts to eat it.

Alion gets to his feet, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Surprisingly, he pours himself a beer. He then goes to Elbeneth's side, gently shaking the halfling awake.

"My friend, this will numb the pain."

A dazed Elbeneth takes the beer cup, needing both hands to hold it. In one swift gulp he downs the entire drink.

Elbeneth's eyes are suddenly as large as saucers. "I can fight...where's me boy?" asks the halfling in a whispered voice. His words are mumbled, it takes people a second to realize he is asking for his weapon.

He gets to his feet. It is either remarkable courage or remarkable stupidity.

Voss returns from the outhouse, drawing his sword Stormbiter. "Looks like we leave together or not at all. If hounded we shall be, wherever we go in this region, then let us portal to the lair of these priests so I can finish taking the hooded-ones head off.”

Inara takes note of the harsh tones of Voss’s voice. "Did I hear several score? Fabulous. I also think I heard options. Portal sounds neat, although who is casting, where are we going, and why aren't we doing that now?”

Stones rummages through a pack of people talk. He seems busy finding something.

5:51 AM

Voss turns to the group, adding what he learned. "The sewer looks out of the question. Too dangerous. Could plummet off a cliff inside the mountain. I say we portal out of here to the temple. Probably the last place any of these bastards would think we'd go. With all of them drawn to this chamber, if we bar the door and leave them thinking we're riding out the storm, it'll take them a long time to trace us there. If ever.”

Inara nods at Voss’s words. “The rope thing is cute, if not for the wounded archer that saved my life and and hysterically out of shape... paladin? The boy isn't a guarantee either. I'd likely be the only one that makes it to the ground not in a puddle of goo. And that's assuming we aren't lit up by arrows on the way down.”

Voss acknowledges her back, "By the time they know what happened, we could have these priests' heads in a bag and be on our way to a tavern where we can all share a beer in peace without burning it down."

Inara continues, “As for the slaughter idea, they're not coming in here. As I told Radegast, burning down a bar is one thing. Burning down a court full of traveling nobles is another. These priests aren't stupid. They'll take us outside. As for fighting at that point, only if you want to take on the several archers that will have taken up position all over the area. These are trained soldiers if they're marching in column. If they're Flyers, then they'll likely just come to arrest us. Trumped up charges of murder or some-such. Whatever.”

Stones takes out a few items, an almost “ah hah” expression on his face.

If we're going to portal, then lets portal. I'd prefer it as better for the halfling that saved my ass. If not, then Remmy and I are leaving out the front door to screw with a captain's head so much he'll spin. That will give the rest of you time, but maybe not safety. Even I have my limits...

So... portal?”

Stone takes out some ink, chalk and a few stones, and begins preparing the ritual on the side of the room furthest from the door. He starts sketching on the ground as he talks, “One way trip unless someone has another 1,000 gold. I’ve only got components for one casting."

He looks up for a moment from his work.

Voss packs away his bed roll, digging through his backpack to find a place for it, “Aye, Portal. But maybe somewhere near the Temple if that is our mission? Are we agreed to rid the world of these Priestly hooligans? If not, portal us to a tropical isle filled with beer, women and gold!"

Stones looks back at his work. Focusing on a detail only he can figure out.

"We go into the heart of the temple, and we leave through the front door. That's how it works, no choosing the spot, it is already set. I arrived there the morning of the funeral and the room has not been breached. The door to the room is wizard locked. I would know the moment someone entered the room so we should arrive to relative safety."

5:52 AM

Inara’s eyes glisten with the talk of money, “Another thousand?? Who has the first? And would they like to buy some ore?”

She sits to watch Stones work. Qwynn watches from across the room, taking note of everything.

Stones grins at Inara, "all of a sudden you want to exchange goods and favors? I'll remember that when we get back. The trip there is on the house..."

Voss snaps an extra pair of pants from his pack. He throws them at Q'wyn and hits him in the face by accident. "Put these on for Krom's sake. You should only have one rod in your hand in a fight my friend. Ha ha. Hopefully the one endowed with magic."

"As long as that portal is away from several dozen guardsmen with murder on their minds, I'm game,” Qwynn says as he holds up the pants, checking to see the size. “Voss, thank you for the garb. I think this is the second pair I owe to you or Alion. You'd think I would carry a spare."

Stones continues to work away. He places the stones in a 10 foot wide circle.

"As good of a plan as any.” Radegast checks his belongings, and pokes his head out the window to see if he can catch sight of a Flyer or two.

Radegast pulls his head back in from the window. “Not meaning to create any sense of alarm, but you might want to see what else we can push in front of that door. I count at least two score and 10 well-dressed well-armed flyers marching in the front gates. Looks like we are famous. We have the whole town up in arms.”

“Stones, how long does it take for the ritual to complete?" asks Qwyn.

Stones does not look up. He is a mask of concentration. "I only need ten minutes, so keep them busy, keep them distracted, and keep them out."

Voss steps toward the door, “If we need time, I'm willing to go out and speak with these gentlemen... WITH COLD STEEL...”

"Well then. Plan B. Bar that F'in door. We gotta make sure it doesn't open in the next ten minutes!" Qwynn smiles when speaks, providing a certain reassurance.

“I have an idea then. Voss, I would prefer if this did not come to blows. These are town guardsmen, essentially farm boys who are given a little training drilling and the like. We gain nothing by turning this into a bloodbath. Let us find a choke-point and stall them there for a few minutes if necessary. I believe the stairway should do the trick. Again, let me or Inara do the talking.”

He puts his hand out to stop Voss from charging out the door. Qwyn tilts his head toward Ronak, “ Ronak, can you stay here and guard Stones while he prepares the portal? If you see or hear anything suspicious, send for us immediately.”

There is silence as the words sink in.

“Sound good everyone?" asks Qwyn. Of course it sounds good. It is Qwyn.

Ronak replies to Q'wyn's inquiry, "Yes, Brin and I can stay and do as you ask."

Stones is doing the ritual, "hummina, hummina, rikkitikkimikkikikki, ahh oo ga, ahh oo ga..."

"Let's start bracing heavy crap in front of that door. Can someone keep their eyes on what's going on outside of the windows?" As Qwyn talks he pulls on the new pair of pants. They are too long for him. Not a problem as he tucks them into his boots.

5:53 AM

Radegast shakes his head. “Looks like that barkeep did a wonderful job letting the town watch know about our lack of involvement. I’ll have to swing by and have a conversation with him later.” He bends down to speak with Ronak – a private conversation.

"Anyone not beside the circle when the portal opens will not make it. Be sure to stand at the circle the moment it opens or you will be lost..." Stones does not look up when he speaks.

Radegast then stands close to Stones watching him work.

Voss asks, "Anyone have a spell to seal the door? Otherwise, someone give me a hand and we'll move the bed against it. If there's a bed next door, we can use that too.”

Voss goes the bed where the Halfling had been laying previously. No one moves to help him. He casually shrugs, effortlessly lifting the bed from the ground and gives it a toss so it lands in front of the door with a loud CRASH.

It is an impressive feat of strength.

Voss starts crossing the room to Inara’s, "I suggest when that's done, drink as much beer as possible. I refuse to leave any of this delicious ale for these bastards. Unless we can teleport beer?”

Qwyns talk, almost to himself, like he is going through a checklist. "The door's magically sealed. Those with big muscles, please brace the door. I'll go watch the windows. Elby -- can you give me a hand watching?"

Elby nods. He is a little slow right now, though able enough.

"Thanks Elby. Hang in there my friend.

Alion, can you make sure that we have all of our equipment gathered?"

Both Elby and Qwyn look out the window. There are still a few troops soldiering in.

Voss returns from Inara’s room carrying her entire bed while somehow still holding onto his sword. How strong is he? He doesn’t seem to be breaking a sweat. He is still talking though, "--And they'll have my mount. Damn. Rowan had magical speed, and was very brave."

CRASH number two.

He throws the bed so it lands atop the halfling’s bed against against the front door.

Radegast moves over alongside the fat man and crouches down so the two can have a private conversation.

Voss smiles at his pile of debris, "We should let them come. After killing them all, I'm sure we could find the 1,000 gold you need for a portal return trip. Weapons, armor... Couldn't sell it here of course - but we could make a killing after the killing.”

He adds another thought, almost as though he forgot, “But I'm for sparing them. They know not what they do."

Alion lights several torches, handing them to people. Every other person holds a torch.

Qwyn adds from the window, continuing to watch, "Brace the door Gentlemen. Save your bloodletting for those who deserve it -- the priests. We're going to need to conserve our strength. Who knows what lies the townsfolk have been told about us by the priests or Haas."

Stones finishes his designs, “Okay, get ready.” Everyone gets on the circle. It is a tight fit. Actually it is the tightest fit most of you have ever had.

You stand in silence for several minutes as Stones continues his spell work. The silence is deafening. It feels like someone is watching you. That the walls themselves are moving. That it will never end.

6:02 AM

The world becomes a haze for a moment. One second you are in the Sheraton Tara. The next you are in…

…A bedroom…

The torches throw off shadows at seemingly impossible angles. There is a thick layer of dust on everything, save for one spot on the wall and foot prints that make way across the room. It is not a particularly ornate room, though you are not positive on what type of furniture (meaning oak, et cetera.)

There are cob webs throughout the room, and a closed the door. The tapestries look as though moths have eaten through them and the bed is not even covered with sheets. The only other decor in the room is a small branding iron hanging from the wall.

You look over your shoulder at the portal you came through. It closes behind you.