[color=#ffff66][center][h3][b] Lynx [/b][/h3][/center][/color][hr]
Lynx's front paw traced a half-circle onto the stone floor, anxiously going over what options were available for both him and Octavio. His mind was currently focused on Octavio's illusions, and seeing the man cup his chin assured him they were on the same page.

[color=dde0c7][i]My biggest issue is getting an illusion up there,[/i][/color] thought Octavio, less to Lynx and more to himself. 

Chres' plan had been to conjure stairs using his magic and strain himself in the process, meaning that having more than one human scale them would most likely pose a risk for everyone involved. It would be possible for Octavio to circumvent the rule by summoning his illusions after scaling them from a hidden location. The problem with that particular strategy was that Ferris was the better combatant, and Lynx wasn't sure if Octavio would be able to find an area safe enough to summon under the time limit they were working with. It seemed like the only option would be to send Ferris off by himself. Unless...

[color=#ffff66]"I'll accompany Ferris. Having more than one human scale your construct would be dangerous, and I don't think that Octavio will be able to find suitable shelter to summon illusions in within time. I will not be caught."[/color]

Octavio looked at him the way a child looked at a brave knight, and for a second he felt a sense of arrogance sweep him away. He was used to scampering around as someone's shadow, so this would be a good way to test Chres' theory. 

At his command, Lynx shot towards the stairs in a gray blur, like a stormy cloud desperate to join its kin. He leapt ahead of the man to give him ample room and survey their surroundings. Windows with generous ledges. A feat of agility for a bipedal creature to overcome, but not something that one like him could get through without assistance. He looked at Ferris blankly, hoping he'd make quick work of the window he had chosen before the stairs had vanished entirely. Sure enough, the man unclasped it fast enough for Lynx to take a final leap in. 

Ferris and him silently traversed the interior of the tower. Through his acute sense of hearing, Lynx could hear various signs of life beyond them. Nothing stood out right away, as none of the noises were violent, mundane if anything. If travelling with a rogue had taught him anything though, it was that silence was never peaceful. 

[hr]
[color=dde0c7]"Well, now there's two of me,"[/color] said Octavio, patting his illusion of himself on the shoulder. 

With Chres prioritizing getting their party in and out of the tower, Octavio had figured giving themselves a bodyguard of sorts was necessary. Summoning any more would take some time due to the rain stifling out the light, so he had settled on only making one high quality illusion of himself. [color=dde0c7]"I suppose I should save my energy in case we need it later."[/color]