[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/q020OKO.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/9SpAqdN.png[/img][hr][b][color=0054a6]Event:[/color][/b] Best Served Cold [b]|[/b] [b][color=0054a6]Location:[/color][/b] Meldheim.[/center][hr]
[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/ZoKy6GmT4iU[/youtube][/center]

Under the city, light filtered weakly into the catacombs through sewer grates and crumbling entrances. It was the pale, flickering yellow of the occasional lantern, bobbing from a wagon’s hook or an early-riser’s hand. The sun had not risen, but if the gray dim was anything to judge by, it was no more than an hour or so away. 

Osanna stifled a yawn in the sleeve of her voluminous black cloak, her eyes prickling with the dry ache of having spent far too many hours peeled open. Searching the catacombs at night and playing servant or tutor by day was wearing her thin, but it would not last much longer. It was probably a construct of a very tired mind, but Osanna thought she could feel the tension pooling in Meldheim, a miasma thickening as the various pieces moved into their starting positions. One more day, maybe two, and then she could rest on the long—hopefully uneventful— trip back to friendlier pastures.

It was still near-dark when Osanna reached the exit she had found the night before. It was above her head, a heavy iron door set above rotting wooden rungs. She dropped the heavy rucksack she’d slung over her shoulder—that ladder didn’t look like it could take any extra weight, and hauled herself into the empty space at the back of a dirty, crowded alley. It was empty, so she settled in to wait.

[hr]

After uniting with the Parrench operatives and Pentad converts, Asier started to better understand what had been going on. It seemed a detachment was sent to cause some trouble, and he was on board from the moment they said their plans. He was to meet up with Osanna, the woman he last saw before the battle, working to secure the ‘guests of Arcel’, a fancy term for hostages from the royal palace.

After being cleaned up to appear like a respectable Eskandr warrior, he made his way to the meeting point down the back alley, spotting the hooded figure. With a gruff and terrible impression, he spoke out towards her with one of their war cries.  [color=0054a6]“Det som er dødt kan aldri dø! [i]- what is dead may never die[/i]”[/color] he holds out his arms towards her, hoping for some kind of recognition as he approaches, then speaking quieter,  [color=0054a6]“Donc, couper la tête du serpent. [i]- So cut off the snake's head[/i].”[/color]

Osanna’s shoulders relaxed as he approached, hardly perceptible beneath the cloak. [color=black][b]“I think today, it is their hearts we’re striking at.”[/b][/color]

Asier nods as he glances his eyes across to the building looming in the backdrop.  [color=0054a6]“The heart is the most important organ. Gives us courage, passion, and love. Be good to see if they are motivated for things other than greed, envy, and lust.”[/color]

[color=black][b]”They’re just as human. I doubt our motivations are all that different at heart. Come. We can talk more freely below.”[/b][/color]

Osanna disappeared. At first, it was impossible to see where she had gone in the shadows before the sun rose, but upon closer inspection, the black maw of a hole leading downward opened up behind stacks of crates and small piles of refuse. Osanna’s voice echoed up from within. “Step lightly—this ladder won’t hold up much longer.”

He moves towards the darkness as he descends into the abyss, the wood whining and bending as it takes his weight as he steps further down, following his ally. [color=0054a6]“You’re likely correct, though one likes to think we do follow a nobler purpose.”[/color]

[color=black][b]”You could say we follow the same purpose as well—to serve our respective Gods. Really, it comes down to who you believe in, which God will come for your soul when you die.”[/b][/color]

[color=0054a6]“These are the days of Echeran, though once there was death, comes life. Let’s hope we reach the days of Oraphe once this war is over.”[/color]

Once his feet were once more on solid ground, Osanna scurried back up the ladder to close and lock the hatch securely behind them, less a solid form than a darker patch of shadow. Dust fell in a light rain as the bolt creaked home, and the assassin followed it, dropping lightly rather than test the ladder once more. [color=black][b]“Can you see? There’s a cloth sack at the bottom of the ladder containing a guard uniform. I guessed your size, so forgive me if it’s off, but I do have an eye for that sort of thing.”[/b][/color]

Asier nods as he begins to undress himself in front of Osanna, taking a hold of the cloth sack as he empties it, [color=0054a6]“As long as your guess is too large, it should be workable”[/color]. The shameless horseman starts to fit himself into the garments, sliding his arms into the cloth and leathers, a far more colourful display as he is adorning the royal colours. The fit was not too terrible, though snug in some places, the voyage thankfully lost some muscle mass which would have left a lot more to be desired.  [color=0054a6]“Have you been around the guards? Make note of any greetings, phrases, or patrol patterns we need to be aware of. Important relics?”[/color]. He turns towards her, somehow carrying a more tanned Eskandr guard look within the outfit.

Hidden in the cowl of her cloak, Osanna was impossible to read, but he had the impression that she gave him a once over. [color=black]“That will do, I think. Just try not to speak much. If anyone asks, you’ve been rotated into the house guard to help cover additional watches. Give them a name close enough to yours to remember, but less… Parrench-sounding.”[/color] She laughed. [color=black]“I’m Ositha. Nice to meet you. Best forget I’ve ever gone by anything else, please. Come on. We’ll talk as we go.”[/color]

She turned in a swish of dark fabric and strode into the gloom, taking long strides without making much noise. Cobwebs and dust blanketed the passage, and scurrying creatures scuttled out of sight. More light was beginning to work its way inside, but ahead, the path disappeared into impenetrable shadow.

Asier was impressed at how Osanna kept her composure and knew her information; he couldn’t help but admire her skill. [color=0054a6]“Ási seems simple enough. Just have to come up with something like a farmhand background.”[/color]. He got himself into the role of the house guard, clearing his throat as he does his best impression. [color=0054a6]“Lady Ositha, pass på dine skritt - mind your step.”[/color]

[color=black][b]“Thank you, Guardsman, Ási,”[/b][/color] Osanna said, laughing. [color=black][b]“The guards patrol the keep either alone or in pairs, checking the more heavily populated areas more frequently. There is a contingent constantly stationed around the Queen, and usually one or two trying to keep up with the royal children, though they don’t always succeed. On the day of the attack, I’ll need that to be you, if you can manage it. If not, meet me in the kitchens after you feel the tug.”[/b][/color] 

Ási nods as he absorbs the information. It seems he would have somewhat free reign of the palace if he passed with being alone. Typically it is simply acting like you belong there to avoid unnecessary suspicion. As for the children, that shouldn’t be too difficult, simply offer them something fun and exciting and they will follow you out willingly. He does make a mental note to have that talk with Maëlle when he returns home. He does raise an eyebrow at the last statement,  [color=0054a6]“The tug?”[/color].

[color=black][b]”Oh! That’s right. You rode over with the Eskandish. You’ll have to tell me how you got away later. I’m sure that’s an interesting tale. By tug, I mean the signal Maud will send us. It feels like someone pulling on your ear.”[/b][/color]

He nods confirming the assumption that they know he is present. As for the story, it was definitely an interesting and long tale, though the comment spurs something to memory.  [color=0054a6]“We may have reinforcements, sea raiders, coming to sack the palace and might provide a good distraction. They may want water access to the palace and the treasury. Do you know such a route?”[/color]

She sighed in a long-suffering sort of way. [color=black][b]“I believe there are a few sea entrances in the catacombs but I’ve yet to find them. I could do that this morning, but I’m exhausted and I’m not sure how we would get the location to them in time—[i]if[/i] I could even find them. These tunnels are vast and I’ve yet to uncover any sort of map. I know the entrance where you met me, the way into the keep through the kitchens, and a path that lets out on the far side of Meldheim. That is where we will take our charges when the time comes.”[/b][/color]

He noticed the tonal shift in her expression, only offering a smile. [color=0054a6]“These are not your… average sea raiders, they are sea people. We need all the help we need. A lantern at the entrance should allow them to find it”[/color] He scratched upon his chin,  [color=0054a6]“Will use the rounds as an opportunity to make a mental map of the palace. Especially the kitchen.”[/color]

“Sea people…” her voice was full of wonder. “Well, I suppose that changes things.”

A few minutes later, Osanna stopped at another ladder. This one was in better condition and it showed signs of recent use—probably her coming and going as she worked out where the various passages led. She laid a hand on it and listened for a moment, the tunnels filling with a silence so profound, it made his ears ache and the sound of his breathing oddly loud.
Osanna put one hand on the ladder. [color=black][b]“Be careful looking for relics. Other than the throne, the Tree of Life, they keep them well hidden. I’ve only found a few interesting eggs, despite the fact that I had my hopes pinned on stealing away their Monsigneus Dragon-Tooth sword. And Asier, no matter what you do, avoid Dietrich Erhaben at any cost. He’s already suspicious of me.”[/b][/color]

 [color=0054a6]“Lady Ositha gets the sword, got it”[/color], he grins as she starts to mull over the other information. The Tree of Life certainly sounds interesting, so taking a few seeds and fruit from that might be worthwhile and easy to conceal. 

She laughed.[color=black][b]”If you find it, it’ll make my day, but don’t worry about it.”[/b][/color]

 [color=0054a6]“This Dietrich, what is the story with him?”[/color]

[color=black][b] “The long and the short of it is that I messed up, and he has an idea that I might not be who I said I was. Rookie mistake, really. A bit embarrassing. With any luck, though, we’ll be out of here before it causes problems and I’ll swap the whole story with you for the one of your escape.”[/b][/color]

The assassin led the way up the ladder and into a well-stocked pantry that smelled faintly of yeast and flour and salted meat. There was more light here, and he could see her plainly. She smiled and dusted off his shoulders before giving him directions to the guard house. [color=black][b]“You look the part, Guardsman Asi. Just keep your head down. I’ve got a sea-facing door or two.”[/b][/color]

With that, she disappeared back down into the dark.

After that farewell, it is time to start his duties, making his way to the guard house whilst swiping a morning bread roll from the pantry.


[hr][hider=TL;DR Summary]
Asier assumes the disguise as the guard
Osanna puts her plans in place.
A little chit chat, soon it is going to be go-time.[/hider][hr][hr]