[b]Avalon ~ Castle Gandryll with the Canavar[/b]

It had been a surprisingly simple task to awaken the Canavar at dawn the next morning. In fact, when Avalon arrived, they appeared to have been awake for hours - for the better or for the worse, Avalon would soon discover. He currently led them through the long, narrow passageway that connected their annex to the underground portion of the castle. When they finally reached the area, torches on the wall were lit to reveal a spacious armory. Leolin had not managed to wrest control of the military from Avalon, at least what was left of it, at the equipment was relatively modern and well-kept.

Avalon drifted to the back and pulled out a chest, covered in ornate carvings that dust and age had dulled. Inside was what looked like folded black clothing. 

"Today is the last day of the Month of Rain and there is a festival in City Center. While that kind of chaos will make excellent cover, we will attract too much attention as we are. You will need to wear these disguises," Avalon pulled out one of the clothing bundles to reveal a well armored black and gold uniform, complete with a long draping cloak whose hood could be pulled over the head. To finish it off was a scowling mask of thick golden-bronze that obscured the wearers face and identified them as Atropos of the Abbey of the Nightshade. "These are authentic uniforms and should prove to hold up against clergy themselves, as long as you don't get too close to the real thing or open your mouth. Nightshade is hosting this festival and their presence will be very noticeable so we will not be out of place. These uniforms are not going to be easy to transform in, account for that if we should have to battle."

Avalon knew that the four were trained in various weaponry and transforming was too risky today. He encouraged them to bring personal weapons or choose one from the armory. 

"As long as you can conceal your weapon within your cloak, you will be fine. Just be mindful of when you decide to pull it out and know that your cover will be blown as soon as you do," Avalon tied the sash of the Atropo uniform, fastening a longsword in a hilt across his back before concealing it underneath the long cloak. 

When everyone had finished preparing and put on their mask, they made for a very formidable group. Nightshade induced respect and fear throughout Gandryll and nobody would question them as long as they played the part well.

"Now we can walk right out the door," Avalon said, noting how unique of an opportunity moving openly in a crowd was for this group. "Look confident and stop bouncing Empie," Avalon sighed, as the overly stern and aggressive manner of the Atropos was diminished wholly when they looked as if they were skipping.

[b]City Center[/b]
 
City Center was packed and though the sun had just risen, shopkeepers and performers had overtaken the street already, preparing their wares or rehearsing their performances. The Nobility of Gandryll were arriving in sleek carriages and the common people were filtering in, reveling in the chaotic mix of music, the cries of street vendors and the performances of fire eaters and acrobats. Wherever they went, people often gave the a wide berth, never meeting their eyes and sometimes scattering before them. 

"Here," Avalon said, as he indicated for them to duck into a small shop. It was difficult for them all to move comfortably in the small dining area of what looked like a tea house. 

A small, spindly looking girl, no more than 10 years of age, turned towards their direction. Her eyes were heavily clouded over, indicating a blindness that had been with her since birth. She appeared to look through them and her posture remained bold. Though her stringy black hair fell over her face, it was easy to tell that she had no fear of them. 

A woman ran out from the back of the shop, glaring at them and waving a wooden spoon. 

"I gave you everything I had last time you came in! We don't keep Ghost Candles and we surrendered our last unicorn horns to you when you raided the day before last. Why do you harass honest shop owners, especially on a day such as today!" The woman's wrinkled face looked both panicked and indignant and her greying hair fell from her bun as she brandished her spoon. 

"Betrys, it's Avalon," the girl spoke clearly, her high voice breaking through the tension and causing them all to turn. "He's come to visit. Though I didn't expect you to be ready today birdie, fluttering about with the wild ones." She giggled and when her mouth opened, a forked tongue flickered from between sharpened teeth.

She led them to the back of the establishment, dragging the broom that matched her height - and stature - behind her. 

"Funny cape! I almost didn't recognize you Birdie, that swooshing sound isn't like you." She laughed and her dark eyes flickered. She reached up to touch Avalon's face and she nodded knowingly as she detected the mask."But your friends...they wear their fierceness on their sleeve, animals pacing in a cage! Back and forth!" She directed her blank gaze to the other four, her forked tongue flickering from between her lips again, tasting the air.

"Rhonwen, we are looking for Lady Taliesan's son. What do you know?" Avalon asked her point blank. 

"I been slithering around at night! Listening in all the nooks and crannies like you asked me. Found myself at the Inn, yes, by the forest. Pretty new boy but green like a sprout. Sings like a birdie but he's a gallop-y one. Knew it right away - Rhonwen knows what she hears." She nodded and laughed. Then she paused, staring widely at an indeterminate spot behind them. "Wait, someone outside? They shouldn't be here!" She froze and hunkered down, as if listening to the ground.

"Fly away!" She screamed suddenly, "Fly away, now!" The girl crumpled to the ground, looking like a discarded pile of clothes. Then, from one sleeve of her now limp dress slithered a small black adder who darted into a hole in the stone and disappeared. 

From the front of the store a noise like a huge explosion wracked the building and Avalon gestured at the four to make for the back exit. The shopkeeper let out a piercing scream that sounded as if it were cut short - strangled out of existence. 

"Someone has been tracking our movements! They mean to delay us. Follow me, we must make it to that inn before they do, that is our priority." 

They evacuated the now demolished tea shop and saw that the once busy street had emptied completely, the people having taken cover within other buildings. Before turning towards the forest, anticipating the journey to the inn, Avalon caught sight of three shadows racing across the rooftops with the same goal in mind. 

"Le's go, we must either stop them or beat them there. Follow me."

However, Avalon's heart dropped as he saw a group of eight legitimate Atropos storming towards the teahouse. Two held massive and vicious looking dogs on tight leashes who sniffed the air. One of the dogs appeared to have a lead. It turned it's ugly head towards them before baring its teeth and barking, straining at them and drawing the attention of the other clergy.