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-----"Yeah, tie him up...Zentil's got rope, that I know," Sol smirks, after which he returns his attention to the sounds coming from above.
-----Sarah asks the party, "Any idea how many people are in this tower?"
-----Raven frowns, "No idea. How many horses were there? I didn't count them. That would give us a good idea of how many people are here."
-----Thalog looks in the pouch just as the others tie Heiros up. "It would appear your guess is correct," the mage replies to Raven.
-----Suddenly he is interrupted by a harsh female voice calling from the upper level. "HEIROS! Bring yourself forth now!" The green motes hovering around Thalog suddenly pop. A light bit of smoke is released from each one and with a nod of Thalog’s head, the smoke collects and rises to the top of the ramp.
-----"The prize would appear to be," the mage calmly whispers with a deadpan look, "the honor of answering yon fair maiden." As he turns toward Raven with a thoughtful look, he adds, "Perhaps it is time for you or someone else to try a disguise." As if remembering something, he turns to Sarah and whispers, "Did you not mention outside a spell that you had that allowed you to change what you look like?"
-----"Umm....problem." Sarah comments. "The spell won't let me resemble a specific person. I could make myself look like a bandit and then tell the woman up there that Heiros fell and hurt himself and that the others are busy tending his wounds so I came to answer her summons, and that he is calling her name and wants her by his side!" Sarah ponders it for awhile. "Think it will work?" She asks.
-----Sol shuffles uncomfortably by the ramp, "Maybe." He concludes doubtfully, "You might be able to change your appearance, but can you do voices too? If not you might be better off casting your spell on...well...Raven." He quickly looks at Raven and adds, "'Cause you've got the best voice for the job."
-----Raven says, "I'm up to it. Let's give it a try."
-----"That may not be as easy as it sounds," Thalog says, quickly whispering. The greenish glow returns to his eyes. "If I understand the spell, Sarah may only be able to cast it upon herself. Correct me if I’m wrong," He says as he slightly bows toward Sarah.
-----"However, perhaps we only need a momentary distraction. How about this? Sarah assumes the shape of a bandit like she suggested. Raven could take one of the dark cloaks of the men and accompany her. Perhaps Sol or Zentil could wear another cloak. The point is two or three of us appearing momentarily as bandits with the rest of us following would be enough to see how many are up there. Those of us with weapons keep them ready under the cloaks. Those with spells keep them prepared. If their number is small, we attack or persuade them to surrender. If there are too many, then we retreat back here hoping they follow. We may defeat them as they come down the ramp." Thalog pauses to see how the others respond.
-----Sol carefully removes two of the cloaks from the bandit's bodies and hands one of them to Raven.
-----Raven says, "Sounds like a plan." Raven grabs the dead man's cloak and readies his short sword in his left hand.
-----"Oh yeah. I guess it won't really work." Sarah says, looking a little disappointed. "I don't think it will change my voice at all, although it will change my clothes and stuff. Okay, so me and Raven are going up and the rest of you guys are tagging along behind us? We could say we caught you, but we don't know what happened to Heiros?" While Sarah waits for responses she studies a few of the bandits to find out what she should turn herself into.
-----Thalog looks at Sarah and replies, "Once you change, I would suggest you prepare another offensive spell if you have one. That way if conditions are favorable above us, we can all take full advantage." The green motes return, sparkling mysteriously about the mage's shoulders giving him an ominous look.
-----Sarah says from the ground, while looking at the bandits, "All I have left is that sleep spell you taught me. I'll use that if we meet a large group." She continues studying until everyone else is ready to go.
-----Sol dumps the second cloak he picked up. He then squats down, his sword point on the ground of the stables, and his head resting against its hilt. A moment later, Sol stands up and says, "Let's get this over with."
-----Sarah begins an incantation and starts spinning her hands around rapidly. Her form shifts and melts. Now instead of a smiling young girl in yellow there is a gruff middle aged bearded brown-haired man wearing breaches and a loose shirt with a sword at his side. Sort of a blend between two of the bandits that have just been ko'ed.
-----"Mistress Sarah?" Gabe asks as he looks at Sarah’s changed form.
-----Raven says, "Okay, I don't think they know we're down here. I hope they think all the noise down here is from the fire. I'll try to get them to help us with the fire." Raven says to Sarah, "Let me try talking with 'em first. Let’s throw some more hay on the fire. We need more smoke." Raven reaches down and rubs his hands in some soot and then rubs his face. Raven follows Sarah to the bottom of the ramp.
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