When the time came to leave, Gallus had composed himself and no longer showed obvious traces of weeping. Regardless, he wasted no time in stashing away Dar-tzesa's head and heading out of the door with the others.

Gallus stopped when Ri'vashi put her hand on his shoulder. He looked back up at her and sighed through his nose despondently. She had not heard what was said, but Gallus was at least grateful for the sympathy. He frowned, nodded with determination, and brought his own hand up to his shoulder, before moving on.

Meesei's last minute briefing was nothing that Gallus was unaware of, but it helped him to focus. He responded with a stronger voice than before. "I have already thought about a cover story. If the guards act well, there should be no problem."

As they moved to the dungeons at a brisk pace, Gallus spoke of nothing unless it was further clarifying the plan. After final wishes of good luck, they separated at the entrance to the cell corridor.

For Hiritus, Gallus' entrance to his cell started off the same as usual. The door slammed open and his captor stomped in with a rush in his feet. However, it wasn't a boot to his side that forced Hiritus to awaken this time. It was a feathered head landing on his middle.

"You'd better be ready, jester," Gallus said, not sparing the usual disdain in his voice, "We've not much time." Gallus was apparently allowing Hiritus to inspect the head, but Gallus was already tying a gag cloth around his head. No doubt manacles and a blindfold would follow.