[i]Mediocrity?[/i] 

Berich thought he recognized everything else that just transpired, but did that bandit just accuse him of mediocrity? [i]You know, from getting smuggled out of the Imperial City through a sewer pipe, to hiding in that haunted tomb in Chorrol, to getting the shit beaten out of me by an angry yet oddly determined guardsman who followed me all the way from the Imperial City, being called mediocre hurts the most.[/i] Berich had never had so much excitement in such a short period in his life, and that's including the time he tried that synthetic skooma from the travelling Khajiit in the tattered grey robes. [i]I'm practically an adventurer, now,[/i] Berich thought, [i]I mean, slightly above average if anything.[/i]

Berich probably would have shat himself at the riding in of the oddly well groomed bandit if he had been given anything of sustenance to eat during his time in prison. But as his body failed him, so did the Count's body fail as it's head was separated from the rest of its gross self. [i]The Count Whosit is dead, well I'd be lying if I said that wasn't the best possible outcome of this day,[/i] Berich admitted. [i]I can't believe he was going to take the Emperor's money they paid him to hand me over and then sell me into slavery. What a... weasel. Even I wouldn't do that. Then they'd come back asking questions, and what's he gonna say? Guileless fool.[/i]

Berich remembered the conversation the Count of Meir Thornvale had with the lone Penitus Oculatus agent that had managed to follow Berich to this shitstain of a Breton town. Titus Urellius, was his name. He always liked to stick his nose up and pretend he was above being bought. In truth, Berich just couldn't find his price. [i]Ah, Titus! My sweet, pure symbol of upstanding guardianship! It is fitting you were the one to catch me, old boy. But did you really have to kick my ribs so many times? I only have the few. I suppose that was responding to when I sent the prostitutes to his door. I really had you pegged for a prostitutes kind of man, but you went and arrested them all. Big Tit Bruna was a fine girl, and she didn't deserve to see the inside of a jail cell.[/i]

"This piece of rat shit cannot be trusted," Titus had told the Count while Berich was tied up. "He will try and make you release him with promises of gold. As such, you can't tell any of your guardsmen you have him in your custody. Let nobody know his true wealth. If anyone asks, say he is an Imperial merchant from the city who committed tax fraud. Keep that in the records, too. When I get backup and Macer is transferred to the Imperial City, we will pay you double whatever he offers to release him. Here is a down payment on that offer." Titus finished his instructions by handing the Count a small bag of gold, and Berich saw the greed in his eyes. Perhaps the Count was always planning on double crossing the Empire. [i]If I'm really lucky, Count Whosit had Titus killed when he went to signal his other Penitus Oculatus boyfriends. Then nobody really knows I'm here.[/i]

That would explain why the Count kept Berich for so long. Titus should have been back at least a week ago with two, three of his merry band of Oculatus fops. [i]So this Raimes fellow has no idea what my crime really is... and if I'm lucky, Titus is dead and the trail is cold... worst case, my doting Titus returns here and assumes me dead or sold into slavery. And I can slip away from these stinky prisoners the moment I get a chance![/i] Berich had to contain a cackle as he formulated his plan. [i]Then again... the Penitus could always pick up the trail. I suppose if Titus is dead, then that will only increase the attention tenfold whenever his body is found. And it's not like I have an appearance that can't be easily described... by Azura, I'm missing a damned finger. A blind midwife could describe who I am to a passing Penitus Oculatus hunting me. It might work if I stayed with this group... for now, at least. Safety in numbers, and I don't even think Titus will suspect me of travelling in a group. I [b]hate[/b] people. They're the worst. Yes... this would be the perfect escape. My finale to our dance across the continent, Titus! I will evade you![/i]

"Boy, that was weird." Berich offered, trying to make himself seem normal to the other prisoners. "You know, when someone says to me 'quick, I need a prison break, find some reliable men', my first reaction wouldn't be to raid a village's prison, throw a bag of money at some convicts and hope for the best. That is just... very optimistic, I'll give him that." Berich shrugged. "Anyway, I suppose I have nothing better to do than storm a castle. So I'll be accompanying you. Just don't expect me to fight, please. Also, don't expect me to wear any guards' armor if we do sneak into the castle. The plates bruise my shoulders. Other than that, I'm in."