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[@Nosuchthing]
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Their trip back into Maceron had only just begun, and they already cut swathes through thick packs of skeletal abominations - usually, Anna or the gnome could keep a couple from approaching, but then it was down to the melee combatants that could beat them back and scatter their bones, so that their mages could have an easy target and incinerate their skulls with minimal effort. Their trip back into Maceron had only just begun, and Kane, despite his success in maintaining his professional demeanor, was hurting inside. Perhaps slivers of it could be seen in how his voice sounded soft on occasion, or destroy what wights he could with particular prejudice, but only those close to him would really be able to pick it out - people who knew him. He was not with those people now; now, he charged himself with the task of protecting the recovery party. They may have been volunteers, but they were not the guard. In his mind, they were still the people Kane felt obligated to serve and protect - even the hard-headed Pietro who sought to lead this expedition. As capable as they may be, their presence still weighed on his shoulders... and it would seem that there might be one more to stack upon that pile.

"Hey! Hey! Over here! Help!"

Kane's head turned immediately to see a woman on top of a building, one of the many wealthy-owned manors that dotted the city. The woman waving her arms didn't seem to be one of the rich folk that used to walk these streets, but a humbly dressed lady, the type Kane would see scrubbing King Victor's palace floors. He was concerned that the lady's racket in her bid to catch their attention would also catch the attention of wights.

"Halt, everyone!" Kane announced with a raise of his hand as he marched to the front of the building, looking up at the lass as he did so. He called out to her, "Are you hurt? Take your time and come down, we can keep you safe!"

Kane turned around and looked to Wizzlebee, sitting alone on his enchanted coach. As Kane issued his command, the coach mystically slowed down to a stop. He asked the gnome, "Can you hold her inside your carriage? She would be safest there."

Wizzlebee nervously shook his head no. He said, "O-oh, no, I'm afraid not! You see, it is full! With, uh, herbs and alchemical ingredients! With some nasties in there too, might I add!"

He was partially making subtle mention of his skeletal father, which Kane did not know about - something to help him feel better about lying, or successfully pass one, but indeed, there were some pretty nasty herbs and plants and whatnot in there as well! An incredibly itchy plant, causes welts all over! Some putrid animal parts, too, but his main concern was nobody finding out about Bartleby. Kane, in response, gave him a curious look - perhaps suspicious. Wizzlebee responded with an indignant look of his own.

"I had come to start up a second shop here in Maceron!" Wizzlebee claimed. "Don't give me those looks! I should be owed an [i]apology[/i] for this skeletal brouhaha! She can sit up here right next to me, I say, it is as safe here as it is inside the coach! My word!"

Kane sighed, regretting challenging the elderly gnome's temper. The last thing he wanted to do right now was to get in an argument with an eighty year old wizard. It wouldn't serve their mission, nor would it serve his position as captain well. He conceded, "Very well. I'll be counting on you."

He turned back around and looked at the top of the manor where the woman was, expecting an answer or for her to hurry down the stairs and join their party - probably undoing whatever barricades she set up inside that place. Kane knew from experience that there was plenty of furnishings inside these sort of homes that there'd be more than enough to block a door with.