Company+of+the+Phoenix+Session+24

**Session 24** **The Stealthy Rescue of Katelyn Goldsword and Sebathian Hawklin **

After spending a little time watching the patrols around the prison spire, Alaric levitated up to the top of the outer wall around it to tie off a rope and drop it down to the others.  Tiri used a flight spell to aid her ascent while Charlemagne, Alix , and Urd climbed the wall easily with the rope.  Nalen, Karlissa , and Rhain waited at the bottom of the outer wall to aid their escape.

Everyone gathered at the top of the wall, hiding behind the taller sections of the parapet. Hoisting up the rope, they dropped it to the other side. In the distance, they could see a couple of guards coming toward them on patrol along the wall. Charlemagne grabbed the rope and began his descent as quietly as he could. Knowing they needed to hurry, Alix leapt off of the wall to drop to the ground on the other side. As he fell past the halfway point on the wall, five runes activated and began pulsing a red color.

Before the young slayer could say anything, Charlemagne passed through the halfway point and the runes began to pulse white. Peering over the side, Tiri and Alaric's eyes were wide as Alix managed to stop Urd and was doubling back up the rope to try to disable the runes... there was no way he was going to disable all five in time! The blue-haired elven priestess muttered a quick prayer to Corellion, and dispelled the runes, but they would still reactivate when the other three dropped...

Alix made it carefully up to one of the runes near the rune and managed to scratch out a link in the magical drawn lines, disabling that specific rune for safe passage. He and Urd then slid down the rope as Tiri and Alaric moved over to float down and join them.

 Huddling together at the bottom of the inner wall, Tiri wove a blessing of the mole spell on them to aid their stealth and allow them to see in the dark. Using a silence spell around them, they moved together to the prison spire, Alix leading them through as he watched for any other traps. Shadows of men patrolled above them, but they made it to the base undetected.

There were two barred windows on each floor... alternating per floor. North and South, then East and West, back to North and South, etc... Alix got on Alaric's shoulders and the muscled sorcerer levitated up along the wall of the spire, invisible to the 5th floor. Dim candlelight came from inside the window. Alix looked over the window slow and carefully to find a daylight alarm trap. Inside, they could hear the ending sound of someone either laughing or crying... there was snoring and footsteps of a patrol in the distance. He disabled the trap, allowing Alaric to dissolve the bars slowly with splashes of acid. Eventually, he was able to remove one of the bars to make enough space for Alix to squeeze in.

Slipping in the window, the young slayer found a guard sleeping next to the window. He used the handle of his dagger to knock him out to be sure he wouldn't wake. The snoring halted and the guard slumped over. There was a rack of keys, a small kitchenette with guard bunks, and four central barred cells. Another guard was walking the inner rim of the floor on patrol. Quick thinking, Alix hoisted up the unconscious guard to cover himself in hiding.

The patrolling guard rolled his eyes and sighed at the "sleeping" guard and continued on his patrol with a slow mosey pace. With careful timing, Alix slid the unconscious body back to the ground and snuck up with stealth behind the patrol guard. He slammed the hilt of his blade into the back of the guard's head, dropping him unconscious to the ground!

In the first prison cell, Alix turned to see a man with his face turned to steel... his face in a permanent grimace of agony. He had rag pants and no shirt. A steel belt, chained to the wall, was locked around the man's waist. The inside of the belt was spiked so that if he pulled against it, the spikes dug into his flesh. Blood drips and spatters stained the rags of his pants. He screamed in frustration and pain, but was unable to speak due to his face frozen in place in steel. Alix tried to calm him, "I'm going to get you out of here also. Hold on. I'm going to need you to please shut up." One more grunt of a scream and the man nodded, quieting.

While Alix was working inside, Alaric was able to remove a second bar from the window. He slipped inside and secured a rope to drop to the others below. The young sorcerer joined his slayer cousin to observe the well-built Cormyrian man, "Can you understand me?" The prisoner grunted and nodded. While Alix got the keys from the wall, Alaric kept the prisoner's attention as he talked with him. "Can you write your name in the dirt?" the young Goldsword asked. The prisoner nodded, stepping back to spell out Sebathian in the dirt. Alaric's eyes went wide. If this was indeed Sebathian... who was on the throne?

Alaric met his companions coming up through the window, whispering quietly to Urd, "That guy claims to be Sebathian... but you know Sebathian far better than I do. Do you think you can identify him?" She nodded, walking over to peer through the bars. She pointed to a scar on the prisoner's shoulder, "It's him. I put that scar there when I shot him with an arrow." Sebathian reacted to Urd, nodding and reaching out for her. Alix gaped at her, "Why did you shoot him with an arrow?!" "He was sneaking through my sister's window," she shrugged casually.

Managing to find the right key, Alix opened the prison. Festering hooks were embedded into his flesh. Tiri stepped in to deal with the infection and get the hooks out of his flesh, doing her best to keep him calm and out of pain.  Both poison and antibiotics were found on the hooks to keep him both alive and in pain. Tiri mended his wounds and the newly ordained king groaned as he clawed at his steel face. "We'll get that undone as soon as I can," she tried to assure him, "I'm sorry... Unless we're lucky enough to find a scroll or potion that could remove such a curse... we'll have to wait until morning when I can do it." He groaned but seemed to understand and tried to be calm as she mended more of his wounds. Coming up beside the priestess, the young golden haired Cormyrian nodded to Sebathian, "I am Alaric Goldsword. I am looking for my mother." Sebathian groaned and pointed to the cell next to his own.

Rounding the corner, Alaric seen Katelyn dressed in rags and battered. There were dark purple bruises on her fair skin. Her metal caged sarcophagus had screwed in spikes that surrounded her form so that she was forced to stand with her arms held close... if she fell asleep or leaned, the spikes would jab into her. She appeared exhausted with bluish circles under her eyes, and several dots of blood stained her rags... a gag was bound around her mouth. As though in mocking contempt, the rest of her cell looked like a noble's room with a plush rug and luxurious furnishings. A deep and hateful rage boiled inside of the sorcerer as he took it all in. Releque would pay dearly for this. With his jaws clenched, Alaric asked his cousin to look over the cell for traps.

Alix nodded and looked it over carefully to find a magic trap that would make the sarcophagus shrink... shoving the spikes through the noblewoman. He quickly disabled it, but struggled with picking the lock. Urd tapped him on the shoulder and handed him the keys from the wall. Alix smirked as he accepted them, unlocking the cell. Without the spikes to force her to stand, Katelyn began to fall. Alaric quickly stepped up to catch her in his arms and cut the gag free from her face. He carried her over to Tiri who quickly mended her wounds closed.

With both of them healed, but weak and exhausted they needed to escape the spire before anyone else came. "Do you think you can carry him with you as we slide down the rope?" Tiri asked Charlemagne as she gestured at Sebathian. He nodded, "Come on, Tin Face, let's get out of here." He offered his arm to his childhood friend, "You know I never thought of a built in helmet... that seems handy. You'll never lose it." Sebathian groaned at his jest with a grumbling mock laughter. Alaric raised an eyebrow at Urd, "Would you shoot Charlemagne with an arrow if he was crawling through your window?" She shrugged, "If it was dark and I couldn't tell who he was... yes." She nodded.

Urd hoisted up the spidersilk rope at the window and shot it to the others waiting outside of the outer wall. Nalen took the arrow in his shield and secured the rope for the others to zipline down. As the others gathered at the window, Alaric gestured to the unconscious guards to his mother, "Did either of these men hurt you?" Still exhausted, she nodded yes. "You should take your mother first," Tiri gestured to the rope. Alaric shook his head, "Go. I'll follow you down last."

Alix was the first out, sliding down the rope with ease, making it look fun. Charlemagne went next, supporting Sebathian easily as they slid down together. Urd quickly followed behind them and Tiri used her flight as she used the rope for guidance. Alaric clamped the hooked belt around one of the guards, and then grew his dragon-like claws to sharply mark the second guard's face. He left them both in the same cell, closing the door to lock it. Carrying his mother, he then slid down the rope to join the others. "What took you so long?!" Alix hissed at him. "Justice," the young sorcerer nodded to him, "Let's go."

Sure that Releque and the prison guards would chase them to a town... the companions opted to go into hiding for the night in the Hermits woods. Urd managed to find them a well concealed abandoned tree house to make camp in. It was fairly quiet as Alix took first watch. Mew. He could hear some sort of small critter... that upon further investigation turned out to be an adorable kitten. He watched it pounce around for awhile and found that there were three kittens... a light smell of tobacco hung on their fur. Despite how adorable they were to watch, he refused to abandon his post and follow them. He woke Tiri for her watch instead, filling her in on the kittens wandering about.

The young priestess moved down and dropped food for the young kittens. On one of them, she found a twine collar around its neck... it had an owner somewhere. Recent footprints marked the area and pipeweed tobacco floated through the wind. Tiri scooped up one of the kittens, petting it as she walked through the wood toward the scent. A half dozen kittens wandered around an old run down shack. A half orc leaned in a doorframe, a cat coiling around his feet as he nodded in greeting to her, "Hey. I'm Siggety ." She smiled warmly, "I'm Tiri. I didn't expect to see anyone out here." "You're not going to shoot me with an arrow, are you?" he asked. "No, no," she shook her head and touched the elongated star symbol on her forehead, "More of a healer than an archer."

"Can I offer you some tea?" he suggested. "Yes, please," she nodded following him in and sharing her rations, "How long have you lived out here?" "About a year and a half," he answered with a nod, "I don't see too many elves this way." "I'm from Cormanthor," she gestured in the direction of the forest. I'm just visiting," she nodded. "What brings you into the forest?" he asked. "We were looking for a place to hide," she answered honestly. "It's a good place to do that," he agreed, "Is there anything that you need?" she asked, "Healing or anything?" "I'd buy any rations you can spare off of you," he nodded to her, "I'm not much of a hunter. I'm a pretty good fisherman, but I can't bring myself to kill most animals... As you can see." He gestured to the cats roaming about around them. "I rather like that," she smiled, pulling out several packets of rations from the elven wood.

Siggety was quiet and enjoyed his solitude... straying away from orc haters. Tiri found him companionable enough and left him with several extra rations as she said her farewells. "If you ever come this way again and need to hide... I'll be happy to look the other way," he assured her. She smiled warmly, "I appreciate that! Good luck with your cats. They're adorable." "Yeah," he laughed as he looked around, "They wont stop. I just try to keep them fed and out of the wolves' mouths." "You're a good man," she nodded to him. "It's been a pleasure to meet you, Tiri," he nodded to her. "If you ever have need of anything... My name is Tiri'elenae Embermoon," she nodded to him. "You sound important," he raised an eyebrow at her. She laughed, shaking her head, "My family is noble, but I'm a simple priestess." "Your family would likely shoot me on sight. I'm good, thanks," he laughed. She smiled, "You wouldn't have to go to the crescent city. You could go to Highmoon and leave word for me there." "I have heard of Highmoon," he nodded to her. They finished their farewell and Tiri returned to the tree house.

"Is everything alright, Tiri?" Alaric greeted her as she returned, "Alix told us of the kittens... there was no trouble?" She shook her head, "They're being looked after by a half-orc who lives in the woods." "You found an abomination in the woods?" Charlemagne raised an eyebrow. "He was quite pleasant," the priestess assured him, "I'm not an orc fan... Corellion would have them exterminated from the land... but this man was friendly and intelligent." "So you don't believe he's any threat?" Alaric asked. "No," she shook her head, "He was very nice. He agreed to look the other way." "Excellent. Then we'll concentrate our efforts on healing our wounded and get out of his way as soon as possible," the young sorcerer nodded. Despite keeping an eye on the priestess to make sure she didn't keel over from any poison the half-orc may have put in her tea... she stayed perfectly healthy. Right before sunset, the companions noted a pillar of rising smoke from where Bogbrook used to be... Alaric frowned, "I guess Releque's searching is underway." Tiri shuddered. How many had died in their search?

The following morning Tiri was able to pray to Corellion and cure the curse over Sebathian, turning his steel face back into flesh, "How are you feeling now?" "Much better," the new king seemed to melt slightly under the relief, "Thank you." "Well if it isn't old Tin Face," Charlemagne chuckled when he seen his friend back to normal. "You and I are going to go a round," Sebathian grumbled at him. "It's all in good fun, my King," the young Rallyhorn nobleman grinned. "What happened?" Tiri asked. "I was grabbed by a couple of men... Lord Releque's men," Sebathian answered. Tiri glowered, "Ambitious bastard." "Yes," he nodded to her, "I was sitting in my room. My wife had just left with her sister. When I heard the door open, I thought it was her coming back in, but when I turned around... I seen myself." "Whoa! What?" Alix gaped. The young elven woman frowned, "Magic disguises... Posing as the King. He is indeed ambitious."

"So the King that is currently on the throne isn't Sebathian?" Alix looked from one to the other. The new king raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward the slayer, "This guy's quick." The elven priestess laughed, and Alaric nodded encouragingly to his cousin, "You got it!" "So we need to get you back to Suzail as soon as possible," Tiri nodded to him. "And deliver Releque to the King's justice," Alaric nodded to Sebathian, "Which is, of course, up to you, my King." "Yes," Sebathian nodded, his eyes narrowing at the thought of vengeance for what he'd been put through.

"Apparently that arrow was originally meant for me... It was supposed to be easier to replace me that way," Sebathian explained. "So he was with the shadowvar from the beginning," Tiri nodded, "How is my brother? Do you know?" "He hasn't stirred, but he has not gotten any worse," he tried to assure her.

Alaric shook his head and frowned, "I can not imagine that this rouse has fooled your wife... you've had a long standing relationship with Lady Kalaree ... Surely she would know your mannerisms better than that." "Yes... I do not know what has transpired in the weeks that I have been missing," he agreed. "When you are feeling well enough," Tiri nodded, "We will get you back to Suzail." "We will leave now," Sebathian answered. Tiri nodded, turning to Alaric, "How is your mother? Is she awake yet?"

Katelyn stirred when Alaric sat beside her to check on her. When asked what happened she confirmed the rumors, "Your father and I were sitting in the estate when a number of city guards came knocking and asked for my books. Accusations were made that I had committed fraud on the gold weighting system. Emlar... he was outraged at the mere thought. When they came for me, he interposed himself. When they tried to grab him... he fought back. He... managed to dispatch several, but he was killed at the hands of the city guard." "I am terribly sorry for your loss, Lady Goldsword," Tiri laid a soft hand on the elder woman's arm. "I... I haven't really had time to think about it... They took me away... All that I have heard is that they auctioned off our estate and our name was stricken from the book," she shook her head sadly. "Yes," Alaric nodded, taking her hand, "I'm certain that Sebathian can set things right." "Don't worry, cousin. We wont leave you homeless on the streets. I'm certain we have a stable we can put you up in," Charlemagne nodded to him. "You were really his friend?" Alaric turned to Sebathian who laughed and nodded. "Didn't you fight?" Alix asked. "All the time," the new king nodded, gesturing to a scar, "He hit me with a rock... but that's okay, I stabbed him." He gestured to a scar on Charlemagne. The young warrior nodded to confirm. "I will rectify this," Sebathian nodded to the Goldswords. "What happened to my sisters?" Alaric turned back to his mother. "I... I don't know... your father had told them to run out the back," she shook her head, "I don't know what's happened to either of them since then." Alaric frowned, a heavier weight sagging his shoulders. Mia could likely take care of herself in hiding... but Ophelia was so young. Where could they be?

"Do you think that someone else is involved beside Releque?" Alaric turned back to Sebathian. "Someone is backing him," the once adventuring nobleman nodded. The young Goldsword sorcerer nodded, "Do you think that this impostor could be Lord Releque?" "I don't know..." Sebathian shook his head, "I've never seen the two in the same room together. He never revealed to me why he was torturing me." Alaric nodded, "Do you have any reason to believe that any of the other nobles are involved?" "Someone is backing him... I believe they're using Shadoweave," he explained further. The gold-haired Cormyrian nodded, "We have done some investigations and learned of shadowvar involvement at the behest of the battlemage, Nilyniel ." We went on to explain what happened in the crevasse in the waste lands. "Excellent," Sebathian nodded, "She has always been on top of things."

"Princess Ily'Aleera... she may know of what happened to you," Alaric suggested, "I've heard rumors that she and Lord Releque are to be wed." "What?!" Sebathian blinked in surprise, "She hates him." "Yes," Alaric nodded, "The only explanation I can fathom is that he has blackmailed her into this by revealing that he held you in a prison... it may also be why you are still alive." The new king nodded his agreement, "I will have to thank her... to be honest, I didn't think she thought that much of me." "If not for you... She certainly thinks a lot of her sister," Alaric nodded. "And of you if I'm not mistaken," Sebathian agreed. After pausing for a moment, Alaric smiled, "I've hoped that I made an impression." "From what I hear around the castle walls... you've made an impression," he assured him. "Well it does not help my impression that I'm off gallivanting around, but... your majesty and Cormyr need me. These shadowvar are too big of a threat to sit idle," Alaric explained. "She is one of the few who would understand that," Sebathian nodded. Tiri remained quiet through the conversation, leaning her back against Charlemagne as she listened.

Alaric laid a soft hand on his mother's shoulder, "If we can find what they did with the body... we can bring him back." "I'm afraid all of this has happened after I was abducted," Sebathian frowned. "We will have to find a high level cleric," Tiri nodded. "Yes, and some of the Goldsword fortune," Alaric nodded.

He turned back to Sebathian, "I think we should try to book a ship to get us back to Suzail because they will be expecting us to come by land." "I may have a contact to help with that," the new king nodded.

"We could perhaps get your boyfriend to lend a hand," Charlemagne grinned at Tiri. Tiri laughed softly, "I'm certain Nuada would be happy to help if we need him." Alaric glowered at the thought of competition from the suave gryphon rider and grumbled at Charlemagne.

"Perhaps we should make contact with the shadowsmiths," Alaric suggested, "We've also been working with Quarrelle on this shadowvar and orc investigation. When last we seen her, we were to meet in Suzail. I'm sure she's likely realized something is going on." "Who is Quarrelle?" Sebathian raised an eyebrow. "Are you familiar with the drow who wanders the palace?" Tiri asked. He shook his head, obviously knowing nothing of a drow. "Oh... well she works with Al'Ashay I believe," Tiri explained. "Al'Ashay does something?" the new king seemed honestly surprised, knowing nothing of any such spy network. Alaric nodded, "Spies. Quarrelle is a spy... apparently a very good spy. You didn't hear it from us."

"So, Tin Face, when can you get in touch with this contact to get us a boat?" Charlemagne nudged the new king. Sebathian sighed... he was never going to lose this new nickname. He turned to Tiri, "You know he's the shortest of his brothers, right? It's short man syndrome... that's why he's angry all of the time." Tiri laughed, "I didn't even know he had any brothers... how many does he have?" "Three," the new king answered. Tiri nodded and looked over the muscled warrior wondering for a moment what his brothers must look like.

"Is there anything we can do to publicly prove who you are?" Alaric turned to Sebathian, changing the subject. "There is an enchantment on the crown, I think," Sebathian nodded. Alaric nodded, "We will eventually need to do that." "If you want to publicly show who he is," Sebathian countered. "We would leave that up to you," Tiri shook her head. "We can certainly try to take him down stealthily," Alaric nodded, "But now that he knows you've been released... he has likely informed your guards that there is an impostor of him that they need to kill on sight." "Yes, it should be interesting," the new king nodded. "I assume that most of your guard and such have no knowledge of that plot," Alaric began to say. "I would certainly hope that they would butcher this man if they knew," Sebathian interrupted. Alaric nodded, "But we don't want to have to hurt innocent men if we don't have to." Sebathian agreed. "The not so innocent though... those we can burn," the young sorcerer nodded. "I am certainly interested in finding those who are backing him," the Cormyrian King nodded. Alaric agreed, "There is no surprise that the shaodowvar are involved... though there would likely be few agents actually here. We will find out."