(Night, ridge outside Vorbis's camp)
The dried forest rustled under Trevor as they crawled to the edge of the cliff.  Vorbis's camp lay below.  "The map was not good enough?"  Trevor whispered to C'aranth who had insisted that they come out here in the middle of the night.

"I could not really get the picture of what we will be up against."  He looked down.  "I thought you said you cannot climb this wall?  I could probably zip down it."  He looked across the camp silently counting.

"Good luck getting back up, we would never make it back up in time.  Especially with some girl who I am sure has never climbed something like this before."  Trevor looked over the guards.  C'aranth was right, they were not watching the high cliff for an assault, they had left it wide open.

"Is that the river over there?"  C'aranth pointed to the far end of camp.

"Yes, it is another twenty foot drop from there to the river."  Trevor peered into the darkness to see what C'aranth was counting.  "You are not honestly thinking..."

"It is a quick way out, and we can be picked up down stream."  C'aranth finished counting.  "We would have four minuets."  C'aranth started to scoot back.  Trevor shook his head and was glad Cynthia did not come along to see this, on paper it may not seem as dangerous.

(morning, outside Anhandar's apartment)
The morning was coming quickly.  He had kept Trevor up most the night drawing out plans, and contingencies, you always needed back up plans.  He had his own plans, he did not think Trevor suspected, but it would all work out in the end.  He had timed it.  

"I've been waiting for you."  C'aranth turned and his eyes held the promise of battle ahead.

Andahar nodded as if it were expected.  "Where do we ride and whom do we fight?"  He asked.

"Vorbis.  I would have gone out during the night... but ... Renata..." C'aranth looked uncomfortable for a moment, and Andahar did not press him. "I will talk to Cynthia first, but I wanted to know," and C'aranth looked directly into Andahar's eyes as if measuring him, and as if confirming his opinion he continued, "if you would join us."

Andahar didn't hesitate.  "Of course.  How many Nomad?"  He asked already thinking of which of the young men he could ask.

"No, only you.  I want this to be a surgical strike.  In and out.  Not a drawn out battle.  Of course the Warrenlady may have other ideas."  He grinned as he turned, "but I'm glad you'll be with us.  We had a brief meeting last night -- Cynthia, Renata, Meena, Lady Amberyl and Lady Madyllin.  We're having a meeting in the dining hall this afternoon for those going..."

"I'll be there."

C'aranth knew the Warrenlady would want them to have all the help he could have.  And although he and the nomad had  their disputes, he would feel better with him at his side.  He had to admit, he would like to know how to handle two swords at once.

(afternoon, dininghall)

Trevor looked up at Cynthia.  She was unreadable, C'aranth had read out the details in a very factual way, hitting all the points and spots where trouble might happen.  It was simple in theory really.  Drop down the mountain side, move to the guarded tent, slip past the three guards, get the girl and slip out.  Easily done when you look at it on paper.

"What is the worst case?"  Cynthia looked at the four who would be going, Renata, Kat, C'aranth, and Andahar.  

"Worst case is we are all caught and killed."  C'aranth shrugged.  "But that won't happen."  

Cynthia shook her head.  "You know you cannot get caught.  I have a feeling he would not kill you."  She turned from the map.

"Cynthia, I would like to ask for one more member to join us on this mission."  Cynthia half turned to look at him, the look letting him know he was pushing his limits as it was.

"What is it?"  The curt words cut the silent hall.

"I want Trevor to go with us.  He knows the place well, and if we get swept too far down river, we could use some maps and someone who is expert at reading them."

"No, he is needed here."  She turned to face him, the fire in her eyes was very evident.  

"But Warrenlady.."

"I said no, he does not need to be risking his life for this.  He has other obligations to fill here."  She stood up, not quite to eye level with C'aranth.

"You should not let your personal feeling for him impede your judgement."  The room went silent.

"My reasons for keeping him have nothing to do with my personal feelings.  I do what is best for the warren, understood.  And it is in the warren's best interest that Trevor stays."  The two locked eyes, then C'aranth nodded.  "Good, is that all then?"  C'aranth nodded again.  "You should all get some rest then, you have a long night ahead of you."

(tag-open)

(Nikol's apartment, after the meeting)
Nikol opened the door and C'aranth stepped in.  "I have a favor to ask you."  

Nikol stepped back as the large man entered.  "What is it?"  He followed C'aranth into the living room.  Andorra shot him a hard stare and left the room.  

"I need some special tools made, something that explodes on impact and gives off a bright light.  Do you think you can make some by dinner?"  C'aranth did not sit but stood looking at the man.

Nikol scratched his chin.  "I think I could..."

"Good, I will see you just after dinner."  C'aranth walked to the door and let himself out.
(Tag- Nikol)

(Night, outside Vorbis's camp)

The guard passed the cliff.  He did not see the shadows dangling above him, or see them drop down behind him.  The four huddled together.  "The far blue tent, slip in slip out.  I will meet you at the other cliff where we use the river for our escape."  C'aranth reminded them one more time about what their job was.  They all nodded and split up in pairs.

Renata was moving a head of him, he could just make out her form in the blackness.  The died nomad outfits Ahandar had acquired were prefect for this sort of work.  made of a soft fine material that made next to no sound as you moved.  Silent shadows moving about the tents.

Two guards stopped almost a breath away from Renata.  The two talked, not even seeing her crouched among the ropes and poles of the tent the were stepping out of.  She slipped behind them as they stepped away.  C'aranth followed a few feet, then turned.  He slid under a tent flap and pulled his short sword, the steel made no sound as it was drawn.  He moved a few feet.  

He had planned this.  He could follow them out, there would be no risk except his own life.  He had to wake the poor fellow first, and then kill him in a fight.  The guards would come, but he could kill him before they came to save him.  C'aranth stepped quietly up to the sleeping lord.  he kicked him with his foot, the lord did not move.  C'aranth bent down low and looked at him.  The smell of fresh blood filled his nose.  Someone else had done his work for him.

The tent flap opened and a Guard stepped in.  "I hate to disturb you your lordship..."  He looked at C'aranth with his sword and Vorbis with his throat slit.  The man did not have time to speak as a knife flew into his head.  He dropped next to his lord.  C'aranth looked back to see Renata looking at him.  "You could not help yourself, could you."

"I did not do this."

"No time to talk we need to get going, they will be waiting for us at the river."  Renata slipped back under the tent, followed by her lover.

(Tag- Other members of the party, how is it going at getting Serina?  And Tag-John)


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