The party made their way out of the tavern to track down Karlus through the back alleyway, but there was no trace of the mage there. Stepping out beyond the garbage and clutter in the alleyway they could see a completely abandoned marketplace with no one in sight. Unlike many of the stands and merchant shops dotting the marketplace, one stand off to the right of the alley still had a number of trinkets upon it. The area was somewhat small, but nestled between sprawling favelas and dank alleys. 


Vekyzz's feet came to a trampling stop on the dirty cobblestones, almost sliding a few inches over them as near a harbor things always had a nasty tendency to be a little wet. The tiefling looked around, but it certainly would not have taken anyone near his height to get a perfect overview of the situation quickly: There simple wasn't anybody left to obstruct any line of sight. The marketplace was devoid of any life, but not of indications that it must have been there just moments earlier.

This could simply not be a good sign... What had caused this mass exodus of people ? The situation inside the tavern ? Vekyzz almost immediately dismissed this thought as rubbish -- too far, way too silent and probably all too 'normal' for a tavern with drunk people in it. For him, things pointed much more to Karlus. Had the crazy mage not been able to stop his fiery temper once outside ? Had he continued to use dangerous magic ? And most importantly: Which of those small streets had this damned, tiny little man taken ? For a moment Vekyzz even considered [i]hoping[/i] for Karlus to continue to use his magic as it would have made finding him a lot easier, if not possible in the first place.

However he was not the kind of guy to give up in this situation. The place being empty also had the advantage of nobody being there to obstruct his path or to alert even more guards about another crazy man running around -- this time with a rifle ready to fire. Vekyzz had not taken the thing into his hands yet as carrying it strapped to his back made it easier to run. And so he did now, taking the alley to the east. Hopefully anyone who had followed him so far would be clever enough not to waste his or her presence following him but to take another route. The tiefling did not give instructions at this point, he was too focused on the hunt and assassins usually worked alone.

Upon making his way towards the alleyway Vekyzz was greeted by the sight of both Karlus and the guard rendered unconscious. There was clearly some kind of skirmish. The mage laid face down at the head of the alleyway while the guard, about four paces away, sat against the wall. His armor was dented on the right side with smoke billowing out from the center of the wound. Vekyzz could see that neither were dead, at least. 

[color=red]”By my ancestors,”[/color] Kjellfrid said, looking at the scene, having followed Vekyzz for reasons that he would not have known. However, it was clear on a simple thought that the Tiefling was tall and intimidating, odds are she would be using him as a wall to hide from others. Though, the magical flute she carried was nowhere to be seen, having been placed back somewhere on her person. The brith, looked at Vekyzz and then back to the mage and guard.

[color=red]”S-should we help him?’[/color] she asked hesitantly.

[color=ff9900]”Help whom ?”[/color] Vekyzz almost snapped back, the brith recoiling from the response. It was pretty safe to say that seeing the scene ahead had not helped his adrenaline level go down again. [color=ff9900]”And help with what ? I can try to heal some wounds, but I can not help making a madman sane again!”[/color]

Having made this kind of statement, the tiefling raised his rifle and pointed it right at Karlus before approaching him carefully. Once he stood right next to the mage’s feet, he used the barrel to gently touch as much of the unconscious man’s cheek as there was reachable. Maybe the feeling of cold metal forged into a very lethal form would help to wake him up. If not there still was Vekyzz’s voice, even though the tiefling always found it odd to do anything else but whisper when using it: [color=ff9900]”Hello there! Wake up!”[/color]

[color=ff9900]”Kjellfrid ? Take care of the guard. We can still come out of this without anyone having been killed. We have to!”[/color] Vekyzz added, not turning away from Karlus for a single moment.

The bard moved forward, slowly getting closer to the guard before crouching next to him after making sure he truly was unconscious. She looked at the bent and near shattered armor, noting the smoke coming out of it in a rather large column. Though, Kjellfrid first took away the weapon of the guard, setting it behind her in a clear bit of paranoia, either of dying or just the sight of the weapon in general. She looked to Vekyzz, silently watching his gun before turning back to the guard and trying to release him from the armor.

Before Kjellfrid could relieve the guard of his armor a voice called out from just beyond the alleyway. “[color=f6989d]Minerva, mother spoke true.[/color]” Surprise echoed in the onlookers voice as he called out to the Goddess. Stepping out from around a corner and peering into the alleyway was a man dressed in rather striking robes. A head shaved nearly too close to the scalp contrasted with his flamboyant clothing. His lanky frame came into view as he motioned towards the party. “[color=f6989d]If your intent is to harm that mage I’m afraid I cannot allow you to leave this alleyway.[/color]” 

[hider=Sigemund]
The onlooker was thin though he looked fairly athletic. However, he carried no weapons with him. Someone brave enough to threaten armed strangers with no weapon could only be one thing...mage. He had yet to take a defensive stance. You tried desperately to recall a mage that needed to. He was a far enough distance away that only the brith and tiefling would put up much of a fight. They’d have to help you close the distance. You looked to them for some kind of signal. 
[/hider]

[hider=Annabella]
The man’s accent was Caracan, but he was of a lighter complexion than most you’d come to meet here. He wore the robes of someone with quantma to spend, but why would someone like that occupy the Caracan favelas? From your vantage point you could see that he was human. Perhaps a noble? You were one of the closest to the stranger, but still a good distance from him. You could sense trepidation in him. Perhaps this could be solved peaceably. Though, judging by every other interaction today was it worth the risk? 
[/hider]

[hider=Kjellfrid] 
You could smell burnt flesh even as your eyes turned to meet the stranger approaching you all in the alleway. Your heart sunk as he called out to you from a distance. You could feel the anxiety worm its way to the forefront of your mind. So much so that it was difficult to concentrate on what he was saying. Even still you could be comforted by the fact that in between you and this man were four other people. He was no doubt another guard looking to round you all up and send you to the Pits. Your mind traveled back to Armonte. How could things get any worse?
[/hider]

[hider=Vekyzz]
Today just really wasn’t your day. Having finally found Karlus and subdued the guards with the help of your new allies there was yet another obstacle. You could sense that, unlike Armonte, this man wasn’t looking for a fight. You studied him and his posture. You would likely be the one to make the first move. Your rifle could close the distance fairly well. You felt Sigemund’s glare from behind you. He was no doubt looking for a signal of some sort. As your eyes traveled back towards the man you noticed just beneath the sleeves of his robes were bandages poking through on either wrist. Thinking back again to your encounter with the guard captain you remembered what that meant. 
[/hider]

The stranger inched closer to the group, or more specifically towards Vekyzz and Annabella. He raised his hands as if in surrender. “[color=f6989d]I mean you no harm. This, I swear to you. So long as your intentions for this mage are pure,[/color]” he stopped moving forward. His left hand tugged at the bandages on the right wrist, still raised in good faith. The bandages fell gingerly to the pavement revealing, in their place, a bevy of scars and cuts about the stranger’s flesh. 

Annabella showed the man her palms but made no move to step forward. She took note of his scars. A friend of the mage, perhaps? At the very least the two were likely allies. Perhaps three was the charm for the day. That was the hope, anyway as she took a deep breath before speaking to the man. She spoke softly, evenly, doing her best to exude an aura of calm
[color=fff79a]"Our intentions are peaceful, we do not want to harm him."[/color] She paused, pursing her lips as she thought about her next words. [color=fff79a]"However, I will not lie to you. If we cannot stop him with words, we will use force. We cannot allow him to endanger anyone else."[/color]

The robed mage dropped his hand. He looked to Annabella and then his eyes wandered behind her towards Kjellfrid, or more likely, the unconscious guard. “Is he dead,” he asked. It was clear from his tone, though, that he didn’t expect an answer. He shook his head gingerly and with it the question from his mind. He walked more casually towards Vekyzz and Annabella.  “[color=f6989d]It is not the mage you should fear. You and your companions aren’t safe here,[/color]” he urged. The mage paused for a moment in thought. “[color=f6989d]I may be able to afford you safety from them,[/color]” he motioned towards the guard as he spoke. “[color=f6989d]Anyone who would call Stantos’ dogs their enemy is an ally to us.[/color]”

[color=ff9900]”Well… if I am allowed to speak frankly… With friends like these you don’t need enemies. They have been giving trouble to me for the whole, freakin’ day!”[/color] Vekyzz clearly was speaking about his own party and he was doing so with the blatant undertone of at least partial resignation. He felt like a hunter who had been so close to his prey before some greater evil had decided to just snatch it away from him. Who was going to give Karlus the rant and beating he had earned himself so profoundly now ? Probably none. Not with the small madman just having gained a tall, could-be lunatic as his new best friend who could be a powerful mage, too. Or maybe that anonymous guy just pretended to be such until he’d reveal his true and ugly face ? Who knew what kind of different factions were at work in this city. Right now it definitely felt as if there were more than just the guards.

The tiefling stopped trying to wake up Karlus with his rifle and strapped the weapon onto his large back again. He reached for the man instead, his huge hand easily gaining a vice grip around the mage’s shirt so he could pull him up. [color=ff9900]”Hello ? You there ? Wake up!”[/color] Vekyzz tried to slap Karlus’ cheek. Gently first, then with significantly increased strength. The tiefling sighed, speaking to the stranger again while not turning his eyes away from Karlus. [color=ff9900]”Actually we are here to save him from both the guards and his own actions, but if he doesn’t wake up soon I’ll have to carry him to whatever hideout you have in mind and that will trigger even more attention...”[/color]

The mage observed the motley crew of adventures with an eyebrow raised, and head slightly ajar. A smile threatened his downturned mouth. As Vekyzz tended to Karlus the stranger continued. “[color=f6989d]Our medics have been quite busy tending to plague-ridden, but we could likely tend to you all.[/color]” As the tiefling sighed and spoke again the mage nodded away Vekyzz’s concerns. “[color=f6989d]I can promise you discretion…[/color]” he said as he gave the party a final look over. “[color=f6989d]Certainly more discretion than you’ve managed thus far. But you must make your choice quickly. I have taken a risk in trying to help you.[/color]” 

Annabella narrowed her eyes at Vekyzz and crossed her arms over her chest. She stepped right up to the man and looked up at him with a less than pleased expression.
[color=fff79a]"First of all, I arrived only minutes ago. Second, you waving your rifle around like a drunken grenadier is not helping either. I want to help you and everyone here, but if you're going to keep acting like a tantruming child who throws blame on everyone else then I'll be happy to part ways, even with someone as handsome as yourself."[/color]
Without waiting for his reply, she picked the mage up off the ground and laid him across her broad shoulders in a fireman's carry. With that, she turned her attention to the mage.
[color=fff79a]"I don't know about the others, but I am not waiting here for the guards to crash down on us like a tidal wave. Röl grosh, avůk nogal. Lead the way."[/color]

[hider=Dwarven][color=fff79a]"By the hammer, not the furnace."[/color] (do not wait to strike while the iron is hot, make it hot by striking)[/hider]

Vekyzz did not say anything. Or well… at least nothing anyone else would have been able to understand. It was a curse straight from the deepest, darkest abyss to be found in the heart of a tiefling’s native tongue. A tantruming child ? A drunken grenadier ? Well first of all she herself had just admitted that she had merely arrived minutes ago, so she had missed some of the insults and unnecessary provocations he had had to endure in the first place. Then she probably had no idea how to handle a rifle, let alone a precision one like his. So how could she dare to speak about how to deal with one properly ? And carefully nudging a dangerous mage from the distance with the cold barrel could hardly be called ‘waving around’, could it ?

Vekyzz once more used the tiefling language, this time speaking to Karlus who still seemed unconscious: [color=ff9900]”Karlus ? If you hear me… wake up! Wake up and unleash all of the uncontrolled rage that’s left in you upon the Orc carrying you. I have been a fool and deemed her to be one of the more reasonable of the party at first!”[/color] Well... from a strictly technical point of view Annabella still was, but that barrage of accusations was a very major blow still.

"[color=f6989d]Stick close to me, and follow my every direction exactly.[/color]" With that the mage hurried forward out of the alleyway with the others following close behind. 
[hr]
[i]Collaboration between [@Fetzen], [@Lauder], [@Famotill] and [@Jarl Coolgruuf][/i]