Rosalia went through the portal and looked around.
They were on the other side of the Black Hills- so
named for the scorch marks they bore to this day from dragonfire.The Storyteller turned to the group and overheard Cole say, "Hey, what's that over there?" He pointed to what looked like a ruined building not far from their location, the only structure in the immediate vicinity. "It's not exactly Venger's Fortress but do you think we should check it out?"
She did not need to look to know the building he referred to. "That is all which remains of what was once a magnificent structure. What you see is the watchtower. It was from there that the first warning of the flight of bespelled red dragons was sounded and the last to stand. Few survived that encounter to tell its sad tale and the hills you see around us still bare the marks of the dragon's breath. On the other side of this hill lies Lord Venger's stronghold."
Addressing the others, Rose said, "Zakiyah has told me that you are all trustworthy. I hope that you can find it within yourselves to trust me as well. We are all on the side of Yarfell and stand against Lord Venger."
Clearing her throat, she continued, "As for my plan to get us inside... I believe it would be best if we split into two groups. I know that Lord Venger has been in Yarfell and some of you perhaps have with him. If you do not object, perhaps Kimmy, Bubbles, EO, Fay, Iris, Zanthia, and Sheila should come with me to the castle. Cole, Night Steel, Garrett, Hank, Bobby, Salmack, and Halphas could stay behind as the rescue force. And be back-up. You never know what can go wrong and we may need you."
"Those coming with me, we shall walk into Lord
Venger's Castle as though it were ours to conquer!"
She grinned at their expressions and added quickly,
"As traveling performers. Though it has been a very long time, I have been here once before. I am also well-known enough as a Storyteller that it should not cause suspicion, and I have been known to travel with others who dance and shake a tambourine or play an instrument." Sheila, you must stay invisible, for obvious reasons and can get a message to the others."
"We will try and distract Venger," she ignored the
muffled giggle coming from Kimmy who was looking at
Bubbles, and continued, "and then you can try to sneak in and find Yodel's daughter. If we are lucky, we may even find the whereabouts of the Orb!"
Rosalia held up her hand in a graceful movement. But before we proceed, there is a decorum that must be upheld. There is, after all, a way to go about this sort of thing," she smiled.
Taking a step back, she removed the palm coverings and clasped her hands together for a moment while she closed her eyes and concentrated.
Her eyes flashed open and she raised her clasped
hands. She parted them, one below the other and the
rose and violet smoke shot out from her hands in a
burst. She lowered her hands and the smoke created a wall. Suddenly, a huge black horse trotted through, snorting.
"Trappings," the Storyteller muttered, and the horse wheeled around and trotted back through the wall of smoke, coming through wearing rich black leather trapping with tiny silver bells woven into its smoke-soft mane and green and gold ribbons trailing around it.
Bobby let out a low whistle and Hank exclaimed, "No matter how many times I see this part of her art, it's still amazing!"
Mounting, Rose sat upon the violet-eyed steed and
almost ran down the wide-eyed kenderkin. Shaking her head and remembering her promise to Zakiyah to keep an extra careful eye on her, she reached down and, with a grin, plucked Kimmy up to sit excitedly behind her. From the things the Lorekeeper had mentioned quietly, it was probably the safest place.
She then handed from her pack a variety of objects to those following- gauzy sheets of cloth, tambourines, pipes, flags- and led them on a merry procession.
"Remember, she said to them, "we are happy-go-lucky traveling performers, willing to perform for any who will pay. Try and to keep our mission a secret from your eyes for I would not put it past Lord Venger to read our very thoughts in them. Sheila, you must stay invisible for obvious reasons and can get a message to the others."
Turning towards the other group, she said, "Wait in the watchtower. We will send Sheila back to you when it is time! Be ready with a plan! And good luck, my friends!" She waved and the horse began walking with Kimmy leaning back to pat it's solid black rump and remark on it's tail.
((I hope it's okay with everyone how I posted this with the grouping and all. I figured- we should keep most of the fighters to try the rescue attempt on Yodel's daughter, Salmack and Halphas would not want to be separated, we ought to have one who can sneak in each grouping, as well as those who can do magic on each side. If you don't like the grouping, just switch. I just wanted to make sure I posted this before I get stuck at work. I don't think I'll be able to post anything Tuesday, but will be able to on Wed. to lead the group inside the castle. Perhaps while the watchtower group are checking the tower out and making plans, the performers can work out some entertainment to keep Venger distracted? Sorry for the delay, guys. And the monster post. ))
