abraxaslogs | EVENT #3: AN EXECUTION OF SORTS

THE EXECUTION

As if performing a vicious mockery for what should be a somber day, the sun shines brightly in the sky. The rays of sun catch the iron brackets that hold up the gallows that have been erected overnight for the occasion, the gentle breeze causing the noose to swing ominously. Public executions do not happen frequently in Thorne, so a crowd gathers in strained anticipation of the grim sentence.

The welcome guests, who have up until this point been free to come and go within the confines of the castle, have been mandated to view the execution. It is meant to serve both as an example of Thorne’s power as well as a lesson to those who might think to try the same. The courtyard, which was buzzing with quiet murmurs, turns silent as Ambrose strides up the wooden steps of the gallows, flanked by two guards and a haggard-looking Jonathan Sims, arms bound behind him. As the guards march their charge to the trapdoor that will serve as executioner and position the noose around his neck, Ambrose turns to address the crowd that has gathered- willfully or not.

“Citizens of Thorne, our esteemed welcomed guests, it is with disappointment and a heavy heart that we’ve gathered to see to the execution of one of the very guests we sought aid from in our time of need. In a selfish and distrustful act, I was attacked, an action I cannot abide.”

He turns halfway toward his charge. “Jonathan Sims, you are charged with assault and intention of lethal harm. The punishment is to be hanged by the neck until you are dead. May the gods have mercy on your soul.”

Ambrose raises his arm to signal the executioner to pull the lever to release the trapdoor beneath Jon’s feet, steely expression locked on the prisoner’s face one last time.

MEANWHILE

Several miles away, atop a hill in the forest, two figures meet between portals. Oliver, tall and lithe, steps out to stand next to a petite waif of a woman who looks at him with a familiar smile. Her voice is lilting like a songbird’s when she speaks up, turning her gaze back over the city.

“Find out anything good?”

He hums softly, his hands clasped behind his back. “Two dozen prisoners, give or take. The one I met was very grateful for our assistance.”

“That’s good. Perhaps her gratitude will endear our cause to them.”

With a nod, he takes a deep breath and then sighs. “It’s time, Elizabeth,” he says, lifting one hand to open a new portal.

She nods and raises her arms above her head, eyes closing in concentration. Her arms begin to glow green while the grass around her begins to ripple in rings. The very ground seems to surge with power that radiates outward from her, and it isn’t long before the castle and the town are engulfed in a heavy air of intense magic. It courses from her in shockwaves.

Satisfied, Oliver steps through the portal.

In the wake of the magic flood, the walls of the dungeons seem to shudder for a long moment, and the doors suddenly clink open. No guards come rushing in to shut them, and in fact, all ambient noise in the dungeons seems to stop as the whole of the people of Thorne freeze in place. The hall becomes lit by daylight as a portal opens at the end of it, showing them the crowd of welcomed guests and Jon alone on the platform.

In the portal, alone stands Oliver, hand offered to the prisoners in welcome. His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, though this seems to be by nature rather than intention.

“Please come with me.”

CHOICES

Everything is happening quickly.

Once through the portal to the execution yard there's a moment of chaos and confusion at the sudden arrivals and then it stops. Everything and everyone has stopped, save for the guests, the prisoners, and the two mages who have come to their aid. Guards freeze in place. The attended mages are still as statues. Banners lifted by the wind remain where they are and even the noose hanging from the gallows stills.

"Time for them is halted." Oliver addresses the assembled, his voice projected to be heard but his tone calm. "It will remain so for one hour, no more. An hour is all you have to make your choices. Remain here in Thorne, or take a portal to either Solvunn or the Free Cities. The portals cannot be traced by the Thorean authorities, so no need to fear them giving chase.”

Elizabeth emerges from a portal behind him, which closes as she enters the yard. They both raise an arm and two white circles spread through the air, showing new towns in the distance on the other side. There is an ethereal glow around them.

“The Free Cities are martially powerful and seek to destroy the Singularity,” Oliver narrates, gesturing at one of the portals. “Solvunn is reclusive and claims neutrality, both in politics and in regard to the Singularity. I advise that you think hard about your choice. Travel between cities is not exactly easy."

He turns back to the crowd with an almost apologetic smile. “I'm sorry you don't have more time to make this decision. We’ll meet again.”

Opening a third portal with the wave of her arm, Elizabeth, who has not spoken a word, gives the group a wink and leaves with Oliver. Their portal closes behind them, leaving everyone to begin making moves.

Now is the time to make serious choices. Two portals stand in the courtyard, one courtesy of Oliver and one of Elizabeth. The Free Cities and Thorne are enemies, Solvunn watching both to see where the cards end up falling. None trust one another, none work with one another beyond trade through middle-men in Solvunn. The clock is ticking.

Someone should probably get Jon out of that noose.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He feels that petite hand in his and grasps it in return, mirroring her expression. Damn it's good to see her out from behind prison bars, but everything is kind of a clusterfuck. Lloyd won't pretend that he's 100% keyed in on all the affairs going on with the rest of their welcomed counterparts, mostly because it's their business and if they can't benefit Flagg, what's the point of giving them the attention?

Everything freezing and the two other mages stepping out and aiding with their escape wasn't expected, but damn if they're not efficient. ]

I dunno, I haven't spotted him yet. He'll find us before we can find him I bet. [ He looks between Julie and Nadine. ]

Let's blow this joint, where we goin'?

[At least there's no need for discussion here. Nadine knows the plan, even if she'd never imagined it playing out quite like this. But it's happening.]

Lloyd's right, Flagg will find us. We're going to Nott, we aren't going through one of the portals. We aren't done with Thorne yet, they're not getting away with locking Randall and you up.

[Julie's one of them, after all, and Nadine's own feelings about her don't change that. Her imprisonment deserves retribution, too. And hell, even Nadine and Lloyd's kidnappings, despite how they were treated. They were still ripped away from their world without consent.]

And there's some others coming - useful and loyal others. But we need to get moving.

[ Over the past few weeks, Julie has somewhat warmed toward Nadine, though she's still far from the way she'd doted on Nadine back in Vegas. After all, that was at the request, specifically, of Lloyd and Flagg, to keep the preggo happy and occupied. The food Nadine brought, and the way they would sometimes have a polite conversation has helped, though. ]

All right, but if we ain't goin' through a portal, we better find some way to haul ass. An hour's barely long enough to get outta town on foot.

[ It sucks that she's right. They don't have a real way of getting out of the city on foot, let alone far enough away that they won't be caught. Then all of them would be screwed. How welcomed would he and Nadine be for aiding in the escape of prisoners? ]

Okay, okay. We could find a wagon or some shit?

No, a wagon would take too much time.

[Nadine shakes her head. She's never worked or lived on a farm of any sort, but she lived around them plenty in New Hampshire. Hooking up a wagon takes time, and she doubts any of them know how to do it anyway. Or how to drive one, or whatever the hell it was called when steering a wagon.]

We could try the classic Western movie escape and steal some horses...assuming anyone here knows how to ride a horse. I don't. But it can't be that hard, almost every other student I taught rode horses and they were still in single digit ages...

[ Julie groans, because of course, of course precious queen Nadine doesn't know how to ride a horse, and if she falls off, it's gonna be on Lloyd and Julie's hands, and that is just some stress she doesn't need.

She rubs a hand over her face and nods. ]

Okay. Y'all point out the stables and we'll take horses. Nadine, you ride with Lloyd so you don't get yourself thrown. Where do we go from here? What other places are there?

[ Unfortunately for Julie, Lloyd's knowledge of horseback riding is from a few old cowboy movies, nothing in practice. He makes an uncertain face but nods all the same. If that's what they've gotta do to get out, then he'll ride a damn horse somehow. ]

Not too far from here, thankfully. [ He jerks his head in the general direction he remembers the horses being kept. ] There's a few cities in Thorne, but they're pretty fucking far. Nott's gonna be the safest bet- we'll be in their backyard, but far enough we can probably lay low.

That's fine. The biggest settlement is probably the one right around the castle, once we're clear of that we shouldn't have much trouble. And they'll probably be focusing on other places, not looking for runaways right under their noses.

[She follows after Lloyd, holding up her skirt...and realizing she's not at all dressed to ride. Well, whatever, there's bound to be something sharp in the stables to make a quick wardrobe adjustment.]

I'm going to have to cut my skirt to ride.

Wait a minute, don't come with me. Y'all don't know how to tack up a horse, you're just gonna slow me down while you stand there scratchin' your asses. I'll go to the stables, you two need to get as much gold and shit to sell off these people as you can. Take their wedding rings, serves 'em fuckin' right for bringing us here.

[ Julie stops, takes a step forward, then bends down and grabs Nadine's skirt. With a soft grunt, she rips it clear to the thigh on one side, then steps back and dusts her hands off. ]

Okay, two horses. Gimme like, fifteen minutes and I'll be back.

[ Lloyd holds up his hands in surrender. She's right, of course, he doesn't know how to do any of that shit let alone how to ride a fucking horse... but that's a bridge they'll cross in a little while. Now, though? He's got a mission and it's one he knows damn well how to do.

He gives Julie a two-fingered salute and spins around so he can make ready to rob these assholes blind. Serves them right for locking his girlfriend and his boss up, for bringing them here, and for having really shit fashion taste. ]

Everything that's not fuckin' nailed down is ours, now.

[ Starting with whatever poor bastard happens to be closest, Lloyd relieves them of their jewelry, the coin in their purses, and fuck it, a nice hat when he finds it. He steals a bag that he can put all his finds in. It'll be useful for later, too. ]

EVENT #3: AN EXECUTION OF SORTS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject