Birthright: Promises to Keep, Chapter 2

[alhoon]

Shadow world, Ugo

The Duke looks down at Ugo and smiles.
"Well, friend, you've been a big help to us. I don't imagine you'd like to stay in this place, alone, after we have overthrown your former oppressors? You are welcome to come back with us to my country under my protection."

Ugo nods to the duke's kind words. His heart flutters with hope, but also with fear. It's all versus nothing now. He either leaves this place with the heroes or ends up in the cooking pot with them...
Ugo whispers, looking to make sure that he can't be heard from elsewhere.

"Master Runcible is in the cellar. I think the Cellar has many exits. I've seen holes in the garden, and while no tracker, I've seen steps of the Masters next to them, as if they came out of there. As you noticed, they can pop in and out of the Garden of delights and I think it may be through passages in the cellar. Perhaps Master Runcible is hiding in the cellar, perhaps he already left, perhaps he plans to ambush thee in the Garden.
I have no idea what other powers Master Runcible may has. Nobody ever put up any serious resistance to my knowledge. However, If thee tell me accurately how many Masters thee killed, I could tell thee how many are left besides Master Runcible, if any.

As a note, I've never been allowed in the cellar. That's for the Masters. It's also where they keep the pretties they take from travelers they capture. I'm not allowed to own pretties or even touch them. If I found any pretties hidden on thy servant for example, I would have given them to the Masters.

Deke Dulvin, I can't survive alone here and I doubt I can survive alone in thy place.
I would like to get in thy employ. I'm a good cook. I also don't eat much because I'm small. All I need is a small corner in your kitchen and a towel for a blanket. I can cook for thee, and clean thy room for practically no cost for you. I'll grow a few vegetables in thy garden to spice thy food and I'll feed from them and vermin I catch. If thee have guests, thee can tell me and I'll hide so that I don't offend them with my presence. All I need is a corner and the permission to own a kitty or rat. I'm too lonely and the Masters didn't allow me to have a pet. They would eat it.
If thee have no room for me, thee could sell me or gift me to one of your friends, like the pretty lady with the magicks or the proud warrior that turns to giant. I don't know exactly how much I'm worth compared to other slaves, but the Masters didn't eat me for years, so I must be worth a lot! "

[ewancummins]

SHADOW WORLD

Devlin says,
''Fair speech, Ugo. Now I need your help. We are trying to find something that was stolen. There is a box that we must find. It has a heart shaped lock. Maybe you can save us time-- did you see it among the, ah, pretties, that these Master took? Is it down in that cellar?"

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

SEEKERS

Outside the Cabin

Renn walks a slow patrol around the cabin, his prisoner close in tow. He's tied a rope around her neck, with the other end coiled around his arm and wrist should she try to escape.

"Easy now, Knifey," he says in the same tone he'd use when gentling a horse. "You're staying with me for now. Them in the cabin? Real nasty lot. Now Sevet and Gatt? Right gentlemen, both of 'em."

"My friend Roald back there, though? Probably torturing your friend right now. Slicing all the information out of her like a churgeon. But I'm not that type, knifey. I know I wouldn't get anything out of you. But you'll make a handy shield if your knifey husband comes looking for you. So lets hope your friends know what's good for you, eh?"

Then comes the noise from inside, near the cellar.

Renn stops in his tracks, draws his broadsword, and tightens his grip on the rope. With a jerk of his head he motions for Sevet and Gatt to flank him. And he starts forward toward the cabin, keeping an eye on his prisoner.

"Be smart, don't be a hero."

[ewancummins]

RENNAULT

Renn hears animal sounds coming from with the house. Something scratching, yipping.

[alhoon]

SHADOW WORLD
Maybe you can save us time-- did you see it among the, ah, pretties, that these Master took? Is it down in that cellar?"

Ugo thinks for a moment. "A small box made of wood? Fancy metal clasp? A long ago, the Masters brought in a too-big that had a box like that. It's down in the cellar probably. I hope the too-big wasn't thy friend" he says looking at Delvin cautiously. "It... didn't go very well for him."

[Varrus the Ethical]

RETREAT FROM THE CELLAR

Roald ascends out of the cellar, hefting his prisoner like a sack of grain, and looks to Cormac. "Where is Foerde?"

[VAN]

Devlin glances at Filbert.
He drops his voice a little.
"Can you work your shadow magic here, Filbert? We used the well portal to enter, but is it necessary that we should swim out to escape?"

Filbert points at his iron collar.

"When I got off the paralys Your Grace I was in a cage with this collar. I'm afraid it is to prevent Shadow Powers. Ugo has the same one if you notice. I will try to open it and if I succeed maybe I can get all of us out of here faster."


When Ugo finishes talking Filbert looks at the door where Lord Runcible escaped.

"How many masters were here? 4? I believe Lord Runcible will be hidden in the cellar preparing an ambush...We need to be very careful."

[Adam]

Cormac barrels up out of the cellar, shouting over his shoulder. "She magicked him off somewhere!" He turns back the way they came, reaching down into himself and calling on the mystic energies of his god, sending out a wolf cry in his mind and listening patiently for the answering call.

[alhoon]

UGO
"I think only Master Runcible remains. I could be wrong though."

[VAN]

Shadow world

Filbert gets his tools looks for a mirror or a shiny surface at the hall where he can reflect himself. Then passes his slim fingers at the collar trying to find a lock. When he finds it he tries to open the lock. The halfling needs only a few moments before a metalic sound is heard and the collar finally opens. With a smile Filbert turns to Ugo and says:

"Let me help you with that my friend, you will feel more free without it trust me."

Unsure if Ugo actually understands what he wants to do, Filbert tries to open his collar as well. But the lock was rusted and doesn't open."

With a grin Filbert says:

"You do have this one long time right? I'm afraid I cannot get it off. If you dn't mind I can ask my friend Gunnar over there to open it. He is really strong even if he is back to his normal size."

[alhoon]

Ugo looks surprised. "No. Why would I want it removed here? It's dangerous to remove it; if any of the Masters see me without it, they will attack me, and I don't have magicks nor swords. After we escape, thy friend can try remove it but I don't mind it."

[kintire]

Safana appears near them, looking a little tired and hurt.

"I am running short of useful magics, what with one thing and another, but I might be able to scout this cellar for a short time, at less risk than some others here. Not quite no risk, but less."

[ewancummins]

SHADOW WORLD

Safana appears near them, looking a little tired and hurt.

"I am running short of useful magics, what with one thing and another, but I might be able to scout this cellar for a short time, at less risk than some others here. Not quite no risk, but less."

"Do it--but only if you think your magic can provide protection enough that you feel reasonably safe. I loathe asking a lady to take risks."

Devlin inclines his head ever so slightly.

"But I have great respect for your powers, Safana."

[alhoon]

Ugo, having said his piece, waits respectfully a couple of yards from the party in case they need any information he can provide. He's elated and for the first time in his life, hopeful. But with hope, comes fear that he will lose it all. This time he has more to lose than his life. His freedom is on the line and also something that Ugo haven't felt since the "accident" of Hubertus, something he longed so much... companionship. Even listening to other people talk is re-assuring for Ugo but also strange. He realizes he doesn't really know what to do in a discussion; all his life he was ordered about and very rarely his opinion was asked. To the point he doesn't have an opinion or much to discuss.

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

SEEKERS

As Renn, his men, and the prisoner move toward the Cabin, he shouts. "What the hell's going on in there?"