O Emira, Where Art Thou?

[Vilik]

Vilik jerked his head as he heard Envin's chiding remark. As he looked looked up his eyes widened and he began shouting something though his gag. His muffled warning was met with a smug grin and a laugh from Envin, who couldn't understand a word of it. Vilik rolled his eyes as he watched the Rohirrim guard knock Envin over the head with the same plank used on him hours earlier.

Vilik spit his gag out as he saw Envin waking. "Wonderfull that you could join me..." He remarked sarcasticly as Envin looked groggily around, examining the cell he now found himself in.

"The good news is that aiding a horse thief in his escape is not punishable by death." Vilik paused, letting Envin take in the enormity of his situation. "The bad new is that they suspect you killed those guards in your efforts to spring me. And that, my friend, is a hanging offense."

[Envin]

Envin shrugged, and then with a snap the ropes that bound him sprang apart as though sliced with a razor. The paladin had cast a very, very carefully aimed Holy Shock at them, and now he grinned at Vilik as he assisted him out of his own bonds. "Well then, we'll just have to hang another day, now won't we?" Very swiftly Vilik was free. "Now what are we to do? I do not see my mace anywhere nearby, and I cannot leave without it. But what of your mare?"

[Vilik]

Vilik rubbed his wrists, thankfull to be free at lesat of his bindings. Standing from his dank corner he moved forward, pressing his face as far as he could through the bars in an attempt to see if the guards were still alert at their posts. And for the moment they were.

"My mare, for the moment, is the least of our troubles." He motioned for Envin to come closer and nodded down the corridor of cells. "Our belongings are down there, locked away. That much I saw them do as they dragged us here." He stepped back from the bars, casting his eyes to the floor as a guard passed by, making sure he was out of earshot before continuing. "That fellow will be along again in a few moments. I counted three more at the end of the corridor when we were brought in as well." Vilik then smirked, nodding down to the ground. He kicked away a small patch of the hay that covered the floor, revealing the planks below, and in particular one that seemed a bit loose.

[Envin]

Envin smiled, but then put a finger to his mouth as he heard the guard in the distance complete his loop and begin to return. The paladin pointed to the ground and mimed that he was choking. Vilik broke into a huge grin and laid prone on the floor, and began to act as though he was could not breathe. when the guard neared their cell, he heard the commotion, and came quickly up to the bars. "Here, help!" Envin called to him. "My comrade cannot be too long without water! He is ill and will choke to death! Please, unless you wish to have your commander's sincere displeasure, help me stand him up and get him to water!" The guard had grumbled, disbelieving, but when Envin mentioned his superior, he thought perhaps it would not be a bad idea to be certain.

The guard unlocked the cell and began to walk inside, but no sooner had he crossed the threshold than Envin stomped with all the weight of his leg and his armor upon the near end of the plank. The far end leapt upward, and smashed into the guard, right between his legs. The man's eyes rolled up in his head and he stumbled forward toward Envin, as though to grab him in spite of the pain, but for all his trouble he was met with the paladin's massive fist in his face. He nose shattered in an explosion of wet blood, and he fell to the floor, out cold. Envin grinned again and up jumped Vilik. They took off any uniform items from the guard and shoved them under the cot in the cell, then turned the fellow on his face. Locking the door behind them, they snuck down toward where their gear lay.

[Vilik]

Vilik shook his head in frustration, as it seemed his and his comrade’s minds worked in an entirely different manner. Where Vilik had seen opportunity to slip quietly away from their captors, Envin found opportunity to … smash things. And albeit he was well versed and highly skilled in his trade of smashing things, he lacked subtlety. It was to be expected however. Paladins were learned in many things, but somehow Vilik imagined that they were not so well versed in lies and deception. And rightly so, for no one wanted a fork tongued warrior of the light tramping about.

Before Envin could take three steps down the corridor Vilik snatched him by his collar, pulling him back into the cell. “Do not be so hasty, my friend. The guards ahead will not be so eager to open the gate as this fellow. They might even take notice our cut bindings, and possibly be curious as to why we are not in our cell.” There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, though, he was not entirely sure Envin have given thought to this before his pointing it out.

Vilik then reached beneath the cot and retrieved the guard’s discarded uniform, promptly tossing it in Envin’s direction after catching the scent of the sweaty garment. “Try that on for size.” While Envin changed into his new apparel Vilik knelt over the unconscious guard, smearing a bit of his blood across his own face to make it appear he had been beaten and abused. Once that was accomplished he took the ropes he had been bound with before and wrapped them loosely around his wrists.

By this time Envin had caught on to the plan he was formulating. Vilik stood, holding his bound wrists out before him with a grin. “We are ready then.”

[Envin]

Envin felt a bit sheepish when Vilik chided him for his headstrong methods. But he saw readily enough what his crafty comrade had planned. He snatched Vilik by the bonds between his hands, and led him down the hallway. The rogue's head drooped as though he was a man broken, and the guards leapt to their feet when they saw the two approaching. Their eyes were filled with suspicions, but when Envin imitated his best Rohirric voice, their fears subsided somewhat and they sat down again. "The cap'n wants this'un at once. Bloody horse thief oughta be strung up if'n th' choice was mine," he growled.

But the two were nearing the table where the three guard were, one standing nearby and the two sitting on rickety wooden chairs beside it, with a deck of cards scattered between them. There was an open bottle in the center of the table, and the two sitting were lounging at their ease. The third, who was standing, was carefully sharpening a knife - he could possibly prove a problem. Envin tugged on Vilik's bonds sharply, and as if on cue his prisoner groaned with exhaustion. Vilik stumbled, and Envin caught him up and raised his hand to him. Slowly he lowered it. "Nae, I dinna wish ta fall afoul of th' cap'n. He'll give ya plenty o' time to enjoy 'is comp'ny." He turned around again as if to walk out of the room, but suddenly, and with a deftness that surprised Vilik - for the paladin was a stocky fellow, lifted Vilik horizontally into the air and threw him bodily onto the table, the rogue's outstretched arms catching one guard in the face, while his boots clipped the other's. Envin dived at the fellow with the knife.

[Vilik]

The guards had even enough time to lower their cups before Vilik’s body crashed into them, sending both guards flying back in their chairs with Vilik landing atop them. Vilik landed a punch square between one guards eyes, knocking him out before he could fully understand what was happening. Rising to his feet he kicked the other guard in the head, sending him back down, hard against the floor he was pushing himself up from. The acted as if he would try to rise again, but just as suddenly his eyes rolled back and his head dropped as he passed out. Vilik stood, brushing the dirt from his arms, quite satisfied with the job he’d done to the guards faces. He turned, ready to congratulate Envin on a job well done, but found him locked in combat with the third guard. Vilik quickly plucked one of the overturned chairs from the floor and with a well placed swing shattered it across the man’s back. This, in conjunction with a well placed punch by Envin to the man’s jaw, sent him down to the ground.

[Idrial]

Idrial was making her way through the main market place when wind of the attack upon the Rohirrim had reached her ears. She had been a bit startled and saddened at the news of their deaths, but the subject hadn’t fully caught her attention until someone mentioned that a horse thief had been one of the two men captured. The maiden had hesitated, but had finally accepted the idea of sneaking down to question the horse thief. In a land such as Rohan, the creatures were held in high honor, and to have one stolen was a great and horrible event.

Idrial went through great effort to get past the Rohirrim guard posted outside the prison, but with careful planning and precision, she made it. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, but once they did, she continued slowly. She only hoped it was not too late to get some answers from the man. If the two had another accomplice, the horse might still be long gone.

A mixture of loud sounds was coming from the corridor ahead, and Idrial paused. Whatever she was hearing couldn’t be a good sign. The maiden crouched low, grateful that she wore dark colors to blend in a bit with her surroundings. As she carefully peered around the corner, she nearly fell back in surprise. Her eyes landed on the tall form of Envin -- the very man she’d been dining with the night before. And the man she’d spoken to that very morning. Anger began to brew inside of Idrial as she realized that the man had obviously lied straight to her when she’d questioned him about the horse. Why else would he be in prison? And he had something to do with the murdering of Rohirrim guards! How could Idrial have been so blind to such a malice filled personality. Certainly, the man must have been a great pretender.

Idrial was unsure of who the other man was, but then, she was entirely certain that she didn’t want to know. Any man who would steal something that wasn’t his and then kill many innocent men was not someone she wanted on her list of allies. The maiden ducked back, hoping she had not been seen. The fight continued on, but there was not much Idrial could do about it. Finally deciding that something was better than nothing, she leapt up and began yelling for the Rohirrim guards that were posted at the prison’s entrance.

[Vilik]

Hardly had the pair time to celebrate their triumph, for no sooner did the last guard fall to the ground did the woman begin her frantic screaming. Vilik swore loudly, cursing the woman as he grabbed her from behind and jerked her into the room. He planted his hand firmly over the girls mouth to stiffle her cries, though, it was hard to immagine that someone hadn't heard her already.

His grasp on the woman was tight and for all her effort she could not free herself from him. With her subdued for the moment he turned his attention back to Envin. "Find the key to the store room and gather our things...," Putting his back to the door Vilik peeked out the small window, his eyes jerking nervously back and forth. "Quickly, my friend... QUICKLY!"

[vanya]

Green mist rouse from the gap under the door and thickened to a green wall between the inside and the outside while Rohirrim, alarmed by the scream of Idrial came running toward it from the outside. A hissing voice came from everywhere in the room: "Hurry you fools. Just open the door and run, I will deal with the rest in my way! Off to your destination Vilik, don't linger any longer!"

[Idrial]

A gasp of surprise escaped Idrial's lips as she was pulled harshly backward and a forceful hand was clamped over her mouth. She squirmed and fought for all she was worth, but her efforts were in vain. Whoever the man was, he was much stronger than she and pinned her in place, it seemed, with the greatest of ease. She lessened her struggle ever so slightly, waiting for the perfect moment to break free. That's when the man spoke. Idrial's brow furrowed ever so slightly. There was something familiar about that voice. The maiden blinked.

As an odd hissing voice filtered through the room, Idrial became even more confused. She couldn't locate the source, but perhaps whoever had spoken was out of her viewing range. She cast a harsh and decisive glare in Envin's direction, hoping he would notice -- though he was probably too busy. Idrial was furious with herself for falling for his charade.

The strange voice spoke again. This time it mentioned the name Vilik. Idrial's brow furrowed once more. It couldn't be. She dismissed the possibility from her mind. The Vilik she knew wouldn't be in prison for horse thieving. Nor would he have killed guards for convenience. She resumed her struggle, longing to get away from this man.

[Vilik]

Vilik snarled at the voice, “Begone, wench!” He shouted out in anger, not eager to have any more of what she considered help. He backed away as the mist bellowed from beneath the door, creating a wall. It was convenient to have it separate them from the Rohirrim, though, it also hindered their passage through the room’s only exit.

“Settle down, woman, I have no intentions to harm you!” He scolded the girl as she wiggled about in his grasp in an effort to free herself. The then gave way to her efforts to escape him, figuring that between her initial scream and the supernatural green cloud that no more harm could be done. Envin had in the meantime found the storeroom’s key and was busily donning his armor, the great mace already at his side. Vilik sprung forward, giving the girl no more thought and collected his own belongings. They needed to get out of Edoras - the faster the better.

[Idrial]

Idrial gasped as she was suddenly released, and she fell forward. Luckily, she was quick enough to regain her balance before she actually hit the ground. Brushing her hair back from her forehead, she spun around to view her captor. Her eyebrows rose and she inhaled sharply. “Vilik?!” She cried in dismay. The man took off. Quickly regaining her senses, Idrial leapt forward. There was no way she was going to be left behind to face the anger of the Rohirrim when the found the cell empty. She quickly made her way through the odd green haze, staying close to the two men. When they had gotten past the borders of the prison, Idrial grabbed Vilik’s sleeve and pulled herself before him to make sure it was him. Anger and disbelief registered in her brown eyes, and she glanced fleetingly toward his companion. “It is you,” it was more of an accusation than a simple observation.

((I’m going to be gone Wednesday, Thursday and most of Friday. I will, however, be back for sure on Saturday! Don’t miss me too much -Jess))

[Vilik]

Vilik wheeled around as the girl caught his sleeve. "Idrial?!?" His eyes opened wide in shock and for a moment he stopped, though the shouts of the Rohirrim from behind made him snap out of it. He shook his head and pushed her forward. It was a surprise indeed to see her, though now was not the opportune time for reminising.... or explaining... or whatever needed to be done. Now they just needed to move... and quickly. "Just follow him," he urged her, motioning in the direction the paladin was running.

[vanya]

The mist condensed behind him and started to glow, rouse bigger and bigger until it filled the entire room and poured out from there into the lines of Rohirrim who arrived at that moment. It covered even Vilik after he pushed Idrial and cut him off sight where she and the paladin were gone. There was a loud hissing and the men trapped in the fume were crying in fear. They never had known such terrible panic in all their life.