WAR TABLE: wtf is happening in the anderfels

[ichaer]

WHO: Ciri, Inessa, Merrill, Rachette, & Alistair
WHAT: After the situation with the Wardens of Weisshaupt went from bad to worse there has been little coming out of the Anderfels. Time to find out just what is going on.
WHEN: /waves hands in a timey wimey wibbly wobbly vague way
WHERE: Andefels, Hossberg
NOTES: Violence, mentions of serious injuries and some gory bits. OOC Plotting here.

Comments

[byblow]

"Maybe a little less," Alistair says, "if we stop calling it kidnapping. 'Rescuing' is a good word. I like 'rescuing'--Merrill?"

Where's Merrill, with her elf eyes? He puts both hands straight out in front of him in case the answer is right there. Rachette also has her dwarf eyes, but Alistair thinks she's a lot less inclined to let him touch her. But he is going to fall down and make noise and possibly die if someone doesn't do something.

"Can I hold your hand? I won't tell Mal." Or--"or someone glow, please."

[circleprodigy]

"'Rescuing' seems more appropriate, I concur." There's a small smile in Inessa's voice even if it can't be seen. Though after a moment, she comes over, staff in hand and deliberately tipping it downward so that the humans of the group can see a little more than absolutely nothing. "Better?"

[chainlightning]

There's a little 'oof' as one of Alistar's hands collides with her ear, and Merrill turns around (hi, glowing elf eyes) to take one hand in hers. Even with Inessa's glowy staff, it's best to stay together. It's difficult to split up if some of the group is attached to each other.

So. Hand-holding.

"It's not as though we'll be holding him for ransom or turning him into a puppet ruler." Pause. "Let's all agree now to not let those happen."

[ichaer]

"Okay, okay but someone is still going to use the 'K' word at some point and I agree. We have to get him out and away from this mess."

Immediately there is a grin on Ciri's face as soon as turns to the source of light chasing away the shadows of the tunnel and what has allowed her to actually see. She isn't grinning about the light though and more about the staff or rather what sit atop the staff.

"Nessa, I had no idea. You'll have to tell me where you get your staves, I want one of those for the hilt of my sword." She winks, holding in a laugh but reaches out to whomever is behind her because whatever. She'll hold hands with someone. "This is turning out so much cuter than I thought a dark tunnel could ever be."

[circleprodigy]

Inesa slips her smaller hand into Ciri's, shaking her head with a smile as she figures that would draw attention sooner or later. It's a fairly new staff, her old one being far less eye-catching. "It was given to me at the Circle in Perendale. The irony of an elf wielding a Tevinter staff was too good to pass up."

I didn't see any matching sword hilts, but if any exist, be comforted in the knowledge that I shall inform you immediately." If not directly purchase it for Ciri herself, because then they can match. Or just laugh about it.

[byblow]

There's a joke to be made about wanting one of those for his sword, too; get it, swords, etc. But Alistair is not the man to make it. He's only the man to imagine if Zevran were here to make it and to make a strangled, huffy noise in his throat without any explanation while he holds Merrill's hand for guidance.

"No ransoms, no puppet rulers," he says. If anyone's going to Not Be A Fan of politically maneuvering orphaned princes, hello, he's here. "Maybe hand puppets. Is three years old enough to like puppets?"

They're going to be the best five moms in all of Thedas.

[chainlightning]

Alistair is the new favorite, and Merrill helpfully squeezes his hand. Maybe he'll get more of those "coughs" out.

"And no nude women around the prince in public or else Cassandra might make that noise where it sounds like she can't breathe." Probably because she's wishing whoever made that choice couldn't breathe. "But hand puppets should be fine -- I think he'd like them, at least. Oh, and little toy griffons! And a pony!"

Beat. Maybe they should start moving.

"Everyone holding hands? Inessa, do you want to go first so everyone can see? I can go last."

[ichaer]

"We probably shouldn't spoil him too much." A beat. "But he is definitely getting a pony and some really nice art supplies like the fancy ones in Orlais. Kids love drawing, right?"

Moms of the age right here. Also she might raise her free hand, wiggling her fingers and chuckling.

"I still got a free hand open."

[circleprodigy]

"And dog rides, don't forget. He should still be small enough for Garahel." The mabari at her side agrees, letting out a quiet wuff. Make that six moms, Alistair.

Merrill's plan is a sound one, and Inessa nods, picking up the pace a little but then she's used to keeping up with significantly taller people anyway. "I'm in position. If anything approaches from either direction, we should be prepared."

[sistertohermen]

"Ancestors guide me," Rachette mutters, grabbing onto Ciri's other hand, "I haven't lost my Stone sense yet. We could have sent someone to scout ahead and warn anyone of any rocks or roots to trip over."

Not that she's not a fan of going in the sneaky way. It's just that the sneaky way usually involves less talking? Usually. And holding hands is for kids grumble mumble.

"At least someone's got an idea how to treat kidnapped rescued child princes. I'm a little more worried about what happens when he starts growing up. Or when people realize their prince is gone."

[byblow]

"We'll have this mess cleaned up before he's old enough to know the difference," Alistair says. Does he sound confident? Hopefully he sounds confident. What he feels is tired and disappointed and wearily determined, but maybe that sounds kind of like confidence.

And then he's quiet. Listening. Elves probably have better hearing in addition to better eyesight, but it can't hurt to try to contribute to the whole not-getting-caught thing.

[chainlightning]

Alistair's hand gets a little squeeze. "We will," Merrill confirms, and she's definitely filled with confidence. "And you could have gone ahead, but what if you were captured?"

Better to do it all together, Merrill thinks. Especially if the prince has also been enchanted to explode. They're going to need a support network.

Which reminds her-

"Inessa or I should cast Dispel on the prince before we move him, if that's okay with everyone."

Other than that, time to be quiet and keep moving.

[circleprodigy]

Trying to listen as well, Inessa snaps back to attention upon being mentioned and nods. Then realizes it's too dark for her nod to probably be seen in the back, anyway. Oh, well.

"I can do that. It's no trouble at all, and a good idea considering. We don't know what we're walking into, not exactly."

[ichaer]

"We will all do well not be captured. Who knows what they'll do to him if they realize what is happening."

She's already witnessed the death of one child, one she had a hand in killing and will not stand to lose another if they can stop it. The thought alone has her squeezing Inessa's hand briefly before focusing back on the now.

"Right, well... we know we'll come to a fork and we need to go up some stairs. That should put us in the King's old study near the apartments where the royal family stayed. It's just a matter of figuring out which door our Prince is hiding behind."