Unlucky Timing|Aegestrom, Maelstrom

[aivea]

Sierra searches through the city for Fern, though half-hoping she'd managed to get out of the city in time. He does, however, keep one eye on the locals in case anyone seemed to take in interest in him. With the situation being what it is from what he'd gathered along the way, it would be better to catch up with Fern and find somewhere out of sight to stay for a while.

[Kender Bard]

Fern, in turn, was looking for Sierra. She was wan and worried looking, doing whatever she could to keep her sign from being seen. She wasn't sure how the locals felt about Fires. From what she'd seen in the tavern, they hadn't minded her, but then nobody minds you when you're buying them drinks.

"Sierra!" she called out intermittently as she scanned the crowds.

[aivea]

Sierra comes close enough that he can hear Fern calling for him, and rushes over before saying to her barely loud enough to hear, "This doesn't seem like a good place to stay longer than we have to. Too many people seem tense about something, and there's a rumor about public hangings starting up again."

But what if it's true the gates are shut? The Thieves's Guild has tunnels out of most lands, but how would I get Fern through? I'm not going to just save myself and leave her behind.

[Kender Bard]

Fern's hand flew to her neck as she shuddered at the idea of hanging. She made her way to Sierra's side, slipping her hand into his as she looked about nervously. "Then let's go now, shall we? Can we get to the gates?"

[aivea]

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya like that but I didn't think it would be a good idea to make you learn by watching," Sierra replies, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Let's at least try. I don't know if they'll let us out or not, and maybe not even being from Maelstrom would help."

He sets off in the direction he thinks the gates are in, but the route he's taking would be the long way around rather than a direct route.

[Northen Light36]

Lurking in the shadows of a dark side street, a older male thief hisses, "Hey you. Boy! Come 'ere already."

[aivea]

Sierra approaches the other thief, but doesn't let go of Fern's hand. He doubts anything he'd done so far would have called attention to himself, and being called into the shadows isn't a normal occurrence for him, so he is both somewhat wary and puzzled. Keeping his voice down, he asks, "I'm here. Is there something you need me to do for you?"

[Northen Light36]

"Nah, just a warning from a fellow," the old man replies. "If you're not a Storm, don't try and get out the gates. The new Lord Melissan's reluctent to let anyone out, 'pesially Fires. Probably afraid that Damien will catch word of what he did to Shadow."

[Kender Bard]

"What happened to Shadow?" Fern asked, her hold tightening on Sierra's hand. "What's he doing to people who try to leave?"

[Northen Light36]

"Word has it, Shadow's dead," the thief replies bluntly. "The new Lord killed him. People who leave are being... detained for questioning, is how the guards put it. Locked up and the key thrown away is how it really is."

[aivea]

"Shadow's... dead? This Mellisan's likely to have bitten off more than he can chew, especially if that bit of news gets around. If he's being paranoid like that, then it's likely he knows what he was going to get into, but went on anyway," though he speaks quietly enough it's not likely anyone else would have overheard, he still comments a bit thoughtlessly. Sierra tenses; the lock down was unfortunately what he was hoping would not be the case. Noticing Fern's tightening grip, he assures her- though still uncertain himself that what he was saying would come true-, "Don't worry, Fern. We'll get out of this somehow; I'll think of something."

He takes the chance of touching his little finger to his thumb when he's fairly sure no one outside the alley would be looking at his hands, before asking, "If I found a way that wouldn't get me locked up, what are the odds I could take Fern with me?"

[Northen Light36]

The old theif hesitates, then looks at Fern and back at Seirra. "If you moved fast and made a few... donations, I suspect a blind eye would be turned, this once."

(Since this is an out-of-date thread, let's wrap it up quickly.)

[aivea]

(Ok. I think that it can be done after Kender posts.)

"Thanks for the tip." Still holding Fern's hand, he once again makes his way toward the thieves' guild. Somewhat awkwardly, Sierra whispers to her, "Fern, I know a way for us to get out of Maelstrom safely, but I can't tell you any more about it without having to put us in even more danger and telling anyone about it would do more harm than good. I'm sorry, but I don't think there's a choice..."

[Kender Bard]

Fern swallows and gives a curt nod. "I trust you, Sierra," she says, smiling at him. "I'll follow you anywhere."

With a deep breath, she heads to hopefully safety with him.