Markus tried to gather himself as best he could, but to his surprise he saw Raelynn throw caution to the wind and saunter over to his cell as if this was a conjugal visit! He didn't have enough wits about him to stand up immediately. "What are you-" he asked, before her eyes bored into him and she knelt down, placing her hands on him as she began to perform healing spells. He felt the restorative magicka flowing through him. 

He couldn't look away from her eyes, the blue orbs swallowing him up. His own dark eyes would look even darker, akin to chocolate shadows of night. Once she was done, he placed a hand to his chest and steadied himself, letting her scamper off. He had never felt odder than that moment. That wasn't what he would fantasize about a woman as beautiful as her, but it was nearly as pleasant. In fact he felt vaguely uncomfortable, [i]because[/i] it was so pleasant and intimate, and it was in such contrast to the woman he thought he had gotten to somewhat know. 

He turned in time to catch the sway of her hips as she entered her cage. "Thank you." he said breathlessly, though it sounded all too soft and quiet for the large favor she had just done him. Perhaps she had wanted to get even, for him taking a beating for her. Maybe she simply wanted him at peak performance to escape? He didn't know. 

Yes...they would wait for nightfall. Markus declined onto the sidewall, resting his head. It wouldn't be long now... 
[hr] 

The moon had risen, and the cool air of Skyrim had turned far cooler. Many would call it frigid, and even inside they felt the nip of the chill. The guards moved about methodically, their footsteps audible over the stone. And in the spellsword's cell, Markus stirred and opened his eyes, having kept his gaze away from looking further within the jail to let them get used to the dark. He had no idea if Raelynn was ready, but he gave one snap of his fingers. 

To anyone not privvy to their plan, it would sound like any creak, or crackle of fire, or any other mindless, numerous noise of the dark. But it was close enough to feel keen in Raelynn's ears, and to Markus' hearing, he had just stopped hearing the guards movement down the hall. 

The time was now.