Things could’ve gone a better, to say the absolute least. Annabella could only watch in shock as Karlus bent the very fabric of reality around him in a glorified temper tantrum. The orc rubbed her forehead and let out a harsh sigh as the dust began to settle. She was so close to getting a peaceful resolution. [i]This[/i] close. She would’ve succeeded had the mage kept his composure and even prevented the barkeep from being arrested. [color=fff79a]”[b]Reshnok far durza narbak.[/b]”[/color] she muttered

[hider=Orcish][color=fff79a][b]The ancestors piss in my grog.[/b][/color][/hider]

At this point, she didn’t care whether they found the mage. She’d rather have nothing to do with him at all. However, she couldn’t let someone like that run wild in a populated city like this. Who knows what he might do if threatened again? More importantly, she couldn’t allow Cristopher to be thrown to the wolves for going along with her plan. No, something had to be done. Something drastic. Hopefully her bluff would be as good as her diplomacy. Balling her hands into fists, she stepped right up to the captain. Even as small as she was among her own people, she was easily a full head taller than him and then some.[color=fff79a]“[b] Release the barkeep and we will help you capture the mage.[/b]”[/color]

Armonte didn’t back away from Annabella’s stature. He raised and eyebrow and tilted his head at her proposal. “[b]Cristopher? Why would his fate matter to you?[/b]” He closed his eyes and pushed a finger into the intersection of his nose bridge and forehead. He sighed. “[b] Do you think I want to jail him? He was a good friend...is a good friend. The situation is out of my hands. This city is tearing itself apart, and if you aren’t with the crown then you’re siding with that bastardo child-murderer, Dantel.[/b]” He took a step back. “[b]No, Cristopher knew what he was doing.[/b]” 

[color=fff79a]”[color=fff79a]Then perhaps I should enlighten you so you know what is about to happen. We,[/color]”[/color] she gestured to herself and the party, "[color=fff79a][b]are taking the mage and leaving with him as soon as we apprehend him. We will remove him from the city to prevent any further harm. In exchange, you will release Cristopher and drop all charges against him.[/b][/color]" As much as she didn’t care for the violent and clearly unhinged little wackjob, there was clearly a reason for him being with the party. She could only hope it was a good one.

“[b]If that is what you intend to do, so be it. I will not release him. I will not punish my men to save foreigners that have proved themselves to be my enemy, even if it is for Cristopher. He is lucky he’s managed to stay alive as long as he has with [i]his mouth[/i].” His face twisted in contempt. He took a more firm stance as he tightened his grip on his dagger. “Do what you will, but you will kill me dead before I let that mage go.[/b]” Armonte managed to choke out the last few words. His brown hue was made red with passion as if he was speaking passed the party. So too did the white of his eyes slowly redden and begin to water. Though he was content to obscure it from view. 

The orc stepped forward until she was just close enough for the proximity to be uncomfortable. She leaned down slowly until she was eye level with the man. There was only one chance for this to work and no room to be soft.[color=fff79a]”[b]How much blood do you think your gloves can hold,[/b]”[/color] she asked calmly.

Captain Armonte let out a small grunt followed by a sniffle. He looked bewildered as if the passion from before mixed with confusion. “[b]Is that some kind of threat,[/b]” he asked not backing down from the orc. 

Annabella shook her head slowly.[color=fff79a] "[b]No, little captain. I’m just curious. How much? The blood of one man? Could your gloves soak up the blood of five men, perhaps? A dozen? You saw what a single member of our party could do, now imagine all of us. How many men, how many boys playing soldier are you willing to throw at us? How many sons and brothers are you willing to sacrifice for the arrest of one mage and a lowly barkeep? How much blood can you stand to be on your hands? Answer me.[/b][/color]"
With any luck, she could make him back down without the need for bloodshed. 

The look on Armonte’s face was one of animalistic intensity now. His eyes widened with a sort of seething rage, still red and teary. “[b]Haven’t you been paying attention,[/b]” he scoffed. “[b]This city is on fire because of [i]one mage[/i].[/b]” It seemed impossible, given what little space was left between the two, but the captain stepped closer. “[b]Boys and men,[/b]” he questioned as he bit his lower lip so hard it should’ve have drawn blood. “[b]They die the same way,[/b]” he was actively crying now. “[b]Fighting someone else’s war.[/b]” With that Armonte lunged forward at Annabella attempting to thrust his dagger into her stomach. 

A single, guttural swear passed her tusks as she slapped his wrist away with a frog’s hair of space between her and the tip of the dagger. She responded with a measured palm strike at his throat. The last thing she wanted was to collapse his throat. She already felt awful for what she’d said.[color=fff79a][b][i]“[color=fff79a]Then break the cycle![/color]”[/i][/b][/color]

Armonte coughed and recoiled, trying frantically to catch his breath. Just as quickly, did he lash back out with the dagger throwing a quick strike towards Annabella’s face. He was frothing now, and to the other party members it must’ve seemed a fit of desperation. He was outnumbered with only his dagger. His anger seemed disproportionate, but wild and palpable. The orc’s words did little to assuage his rampage. 

[hr]
[center][hider=][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5qhNRmMilI[/youtube][/hider][/center]
[url=https://youtu.be/-5qhNRmMilI]The simple sound of a flute[/url] broke the seeming violence between the orc and the human, the tension having been cut by a sound far too soothing and far more relaxing than what the orc had felt when the sound of the flute had been played earlier. Looking back, it could be seen that the ghostly form of a flute had once more appeared in the hands of Kjellfrid, who looked at Armonte with scared eyes, and her playing was only a tad bit shaky. However, the effects soon became apparent as those who listened felt themselves become more tired with the call of sleep becoming ever louder.

Once again the brith played her wavering song, and once again did her flute flicker and wane in its form. The erasure ward was enough to render the flute’s song hindered. Each of the party and Armonte began to waver in their stance though no one more so than Armonte. Had he been more composed he likely would have been able to shrug off some of the effects. As he’d swung at Annabella his movement became sluggish. He completely missed the orc and fell to the floor like a drunkard at the week’s end. He stammered a bit, but whatever he intended to say was incomprehensible. He tried to pick himself up, by leaning on a nearby table, but struggled to.

No sooner than Annabella jumped out of the captain's reach did she feel a wave of drowsiness wash over her mind. Her body tripled in weight instantly and she swayed in place. She was vaguely aware of the sound of a flute behind her and she turned, eyes unfocused. It took a moment for her to process what the brith was doing but when it clicked, the orc knew she had to fight the spell. If she didn't, she'd be dead weight for who knows how long.

Annabella straightened up and held her hands looesly clasped at her navel. She took a slow, deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth.[color=fff79a]"[b]Dråsh. Ukór. Limac.[/b]"[/color]

[hider=Dwarven]"[b][color=fff79a]Peace. Stability. Fortitude.[/color][/b]"[/hider]
She repeated this mantra several more times until the unnatural drowsiness passed. Many take for granted the raw power of will, but she knew it well. Mountains can be torn asunder, oceans boiled away, and the strongest fortress obliterated if only the will to do so is there. The orc looked on sadly as Armonte collapsed. Guilt and pity swirled in the pit of her stomach as she moved to stand beside him. She laid a hand on his shoulder and quietly hushed him as he struggled.[color=fff79a]"[b] Adesso dormi, Armonte. Mi dispiace per tutto quello che ho detto, non intendevo nulla di tutto ciò. A tuoi uomini saranno al sicuro. Riposati.[/b]"[/color]

[hider=Caracan]"[color=fff79a][b]Sleep now, Armonte. I'm sorry for everything I said, I meant none of it. I swear your men will be safe. Just rest.[/b][/color]"[/hider]

Vekyzz too heard the strange song, and it made his so far solid stance waver and the aim he had been maintaining at Sigemund perish. At the same time he could grasp the brilliance behind this idea [i]and[/i] complain about it: It was so... undirected... like a poor man's buckshot instead of a solid hit. The Tiefling started breathing more heavily. He needed air! More air or his consciousness might not remain afloat! And he needed to concentrate on Karlus, if not for the sake of catching him then for the sake of just hating him right now! Anger too was a feeling suitable for fighting the effects of magically induced sleepiness.

The moves with which Vekyzz opened the chamber of his rifle, dropped in a quite disturbingly large projectile, padded the empty space behind it with powder that gave of the smell of sulphur and then closed the entire assembly again were a far cry from the swiftness he was used to, but at least he managed it despite the circumstances. Then he pushed himself out of the window Karlus had used before, but with being about four times the overall size and reduced attentiveness his horns left a bit more obvious damage behind. Did he care ? Not now. There was a much higher priority roaming around in this city, possibly still out of control and in dire need of being stopped.

He'd get him. Or at least go to the greatest lengths affordable in order to try it. However Vekyzz also wasn't stupid enough to engage a fiery mage on close range. Disabling Karlus, should it occur, was bound to be a much more unfortunate event for the mage.

[hr]
[center][i]Collaboration between [@Fetzen], [@Jarl Coolgruuf], [@Lauder], and [@Famotill][/i][/center]