epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

THE BARRIER

As promised, Arthur has the means to unlock that first, crucial step to saving the ALASTAIR recruits: unveiling the runes maintaining the barrier. He has sequestered himself in a rented room in the inn down the road from the prison; he’s at a good enough distance to keep his concentration unbroken, but near enough that he can reach the runes in question. The recruits are told to be ready, to wait for his signal before they take action.

The signal comes just after the stroke of 5 on the town’s clocks, at what would be dawn in a world of less darkness. There’s a shimmer in the air around the brick building of the jail, like the surface of a bubble. Then suddenly the runes are there: glowing bright green, flaming into existence at various points along and within the barrier.

There are at least 30 of them along the outside. They’re etched on walls, scribed into doors, carved into the very ground. These have to be destroyed first to make any progress, in any way the recruits are able to. Once these all have been broken, erased, or scattered (and some of them are cleverly hidden or out of reach -- have you checked the topmost brick in the clock tower of the jailhouse?), the first defense of the barrier has fallen. Then the jailhouse itself can be rushed, but magic is still hampered until every rune is destroyed. From there the runes can be found every few feet in the walls, ceilings, and floors of the jail, and only once each one is broken will the spell be completely lifted, magic and abilities restored to the area, and the inmates considerably easier to break out.

The recruits aren’t the only ones that can see those runes, though. The jailers are quick to react, and some spring to the defense of the runes while others rush to sound the alarm, calling even more armed guards to the area. Even city guards start to show up in response to the alarm -- there’s definitely a time limit on this venture. Dispose of the runes, rescue your friends, and be out of the area quickly, or you might just be overrun with armed, angry opposition.

THE ESCAPE

By the time those in the cells are finally brought out, it’s pandemonium. The guards, jailers and city guards alike, might not have been able to stop ALASTAIR’s recruits from destroying the runes and bringing down the barrier, but they’re determined at least to stop dangerous criminals from escaping into the city. And these criminals were due to be hung, so they’re not looking to take anyone down peacefully. They’ll be going for the killing blows.

The best chance will be to rely on numbers and scatter. In ones and twos and threes, people should be taking to shadowy alleys, slipping around corners, even dropping down into the sewers, if they have to. Anything to thin out and disappear. The most capable and destructive fighters are asked to stay as long as they can, giving the bulk of the rest of the escapees time to disappear into that unending night.

THE COOLDOWN

Those that helped free their friends probably won’t run into too many problems in the following days, unless you run into a guard with a few injuries and a long memory. The ex-prisoners, though, are another story. They were in there long enough that the men and women who guarded them know most of their faces quite well, and since they’re out of prisoners to guard, what else do they have to do but take to the streets and search? Ex-prisoners should play it carefully, then, if they don’t want to end up right back where they started. Guards are more than happy to cause an immediate fracas should they spot anyone that belongs in jail.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t go out at all! Just, you know, take a disguise with you. As if anticipating the rising demand for them, all local merchant shops seem to be stocking up on scarves, shawls, and bulky clothing. Isn’t that nice? Most of them don’t really care what anyone did to end up in jail, they just want to share in on those ALASTAIR-paid wages.

If spotted, townsfolk have varied opinions of the escapees. Some are mistrustful and bitter, and will immediately alert guards upon realizing who they’re dealing with. Some of them really don’t care. They’re tired of the darkness, tired of the conflicts, they just want to get on with life. One old man in particular seems to inexplicably love all ALASTAIR recruits, the ex-prisoners in particular, and will insist on buying a drink and playing a game of chess with any of them he runs into. The goblins, of course, have pretty good opinions of anyone on the wrong side of the king, and will be your best bet for finding lodging and food. Some of them might even think of you as a hero, or at least a roguishly charming vigilante.

Spend your post-breakout time well, and try not to make any more enemies.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, the young lady under my care is able to... heal people now, I suppose would be the best way to describe it? She could not before. Or at least, not with magic.

[ He nods, though he still looks deeply thoughtful about it. It's something that's actually more troubling to him than he would let on, since a place where magic was commonplace was also a place that posed slightly more risk to him. It wasn't much, but Sebastian still took pride in living as long as he had through preparedness over anything else. ]

So I suppose "experience" is not quite the right word. It is more what I have witnessed.

[ Young lady under his care--healing--her mind makes the connection fast. She doesn't know very many healers. It can't be Sakura, because Sakura could perform magic before. Which leaves... ]

Is this girl named Sieglinde?

[ She purses her lips, looking up at Sebastian with an expression that could almost be called cautious, or perhaps considering. She's not nearly as aggressively protective over the girl as Masamune is, but she still feels responsible. ]

[ The recognition and the sort of cautious air that Kida has about her gets Sebastian to smile. It's a warm, understanding smile, and he even seems grateful that she would show that sort of trepidation, but he nods without hesitation. ]

Why, yes. Master Sullivan is... Well.

[ He laughs pleasantly and shakes his head. ]

The circumstances are a bit complicated, but I am her butler. Temporarily, mind you, since she does have one of her own... But since he is not here, then I will care for her to best of my ability.

A butler--a kind of servant?

[ That response actually gets her to relax considerably. Servitude, at least, is something she can understand, even though she personally didn't entertain much of a retinue--she left that to her father. ]

That is excellent news, then. She does need the help.

[ She can actually predict some resistance on Masamune's part, simply because she knows him to be naturally belligerent, but she suspects he'll see that the benefits outweigh the costs.

Maybe.

Eventually????

She lays a hand on Sebastian's arm, casual and pleasant. ]

You are well met, Sebastian.

That is correct... Generally, the butler is the highest of a household's servants, for we are the ones to plan and tend to all of the affairs of the master.

[ He bows his head a bit more deeply to her when she touches his arm, though he doesn't shy away from it. He may be polite and genteel, but he's actually not the sort to shy away from physical contact. ]

Well, Miss Kidagakash, as are you. I take it you are a friend of hers?

[ A 'friend'... ]

Something like that. We met on a battlefield. [ Her hand falls away from Sebastian's arm to describe a gesture in the air, as if to indicate the expanse of the city. It's the quickest descriptor she has for the riots, and gets the image across besides, even if it isn't completely accurate. ] I was quite impressed with her skills, which were not at all magical at the time.

[ She pauses, her expression clouding as she remembers it. What a brutal day. And a child so small being so steady... ] I am a guardian of hers, you could say--one of many she has picked up. [ There's a small smile at the corners of her mouth, thinking of Masamune and all the other people who fall to Sieglinde's manners and charm. ]

Ah, yes—

[ Sebastian's expression is quick to brighten when she elaborates further. The cheerful smile softens into one that's much warmer, and his gratefulness is quite apparent from his expression. He gives her a bow his his head again, but this one is deeper than than an idle gesture. ]

Then I must give you my thanks as well. If you have been one of her guardians, then I am in your debt as well. And especially if you met on the battlefield! The young lady is quite the doctor in her own right, but it is still no place for her.

[ Not at all, in his opinion. He doubts he'll be able to keep her away from them, but at the very least, Sebastian will feel better when he's the one to lead her onto it and protect her. ]

So, truly, thank you. I am sure the young lady is quite grateful as well.

[ The warmth of his smile isn't unwelcome, and she returns it easily enough, though her hand falls away from his arm to hang by her side. She's glad Sieglinde has such an attentive servant. ]

I do not need her gratefulness. [ Said as more of an idle observation than anything; really, do any of them protect Sieglinde for thanks? ] She has earned respect. ALASTAIR has precious few healers. She will be called to battlefields again, I suspect.

Ah... I suppose that is the nature of things.

[ Sebastian's expression falls lightly, but it's not hard to figure out why. It's clear on his face that he's concerned about Sieglinde being on a battlefield concerns him, though he at least gives a somewhat rueful smile. ]

Then mine alone. If you and others have kept her safe before, that is enough. I will be certain to protect her on any battlefield in the future, at the very least. It would not do to lose a healer, since I believe in any fight, there are never enough, it seems.

EVENT ★ THE USUAL SUSPECTS

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