The Longest Night

[*Darkrob]

As the two others scramble upstairs, John swishes a mouthful of the bub in his mouth and spits it into his hands. A quick rub of his neck to add aroma. He grabs some dirt and ash and rubs it on himself (to look more the part of a Hiver) and ruffs up (and dirties up) Bens fur as well. He hollers to the door in a drunken fashion.

"Quit yer damn bangin'! (followed by muttering and the sound of stumbling/shuffling). I'm comin' already!"

He makes sure his weapons are not worn (but stowed nearby if needed). Ensuring the two have made it up the stairs and out of sight, he fumbles with the lock and opens the door.

[*Darkrob]

John looks at Norman blankly then looks down at Ben then back at Norman

"You're kidding, right?"

He takes a real quick look around the immediate area in search of booze... any kind of it. If found he tells the other two to head out the window and get to safety. He'll meet with them shortly.

[*Midnight]

There is a second more insistent knocking.

"Open it up or we are kicking it in."

It does not take John to find the kitchen. He can see from the washing up drying by the sink it was recently in use after frantically searching through the cupboards he finds half a bottle of cheap bub, the smell of ginger would suggest it is cheap rough gin.

[*Midnight]

Thist and Norman race upstairs and soon they find themselves in a bedroom over looking the street. Growing down the wall is a sharp thorny growth of razorvine. They can see the Harmonium around the doorway below.

Where two of them speak to John. Or rather speak about John.

"Is this one of them Namer?"

"No sir I don't think so."


The ranking trooper or at least the one addressed as sir regards John from behind his helm his face hidden by it.


"What is your name citizen?"

As they question John plays his part growling at the intruders into "his" house.

[*Darkrob]

John would eyeball them suspiciously (and drunkenly). He would reply;

“Nunya”

He would ensure he was holding onto BenÂ’s harness tightly. He didnÂ’t want the dog to biteÂ… looking menacing was fine but not attacking.

[*LiquidDreamer]

"Stay away from the window. Maybe John can trick them" Thist says as he looks around the room. "And razorvine along the window seal. At least we'll know if whatever John is doing is going to work." Thist makes sure he is concealed by the wall aside the window, then takes a peak down to see if he can stop the two Harmonium.

[*Selebius]

Norman nods, sits down beside the wall, takes a sip from his waterskin. Running up the stairs in armour and the dragging of the table was tiering in his weakened state and he would prefer to avoid having to climb of course.

He listens to what is said below, hoping for the best.

[*Darkrob]

John ensures heÂ’s holding the harness tightly but he does not stop ben from growling and snapping. He hangs on in typical guard/guard dog fashion.

“Aye… I s’pose you could if ya wanted to but then I’d have to let go of ol’ Ben here to permit ye to shackle me… an’ none of us be wantin’ that, eh?”

He pulls Ben back a bit

“C’mon, dog… yer not eatin’ lobster today… you knows it’s not good fer ya”

He winks at the two officers as he closes the door

[*Midnight]

As the door is shut the man slams his foot in the way. There is a moments tension but a shout from out side diverts him and he slips the plated boot out to attend to the noise. From upstairs Thist and Norman see the tall blond drunkclutching his bleeding nose as he is struck with the haft end of a halberd.

[*Darkrob]

John quietly waits for the scene to pass before moving around too much inside. Once it quiets down he quietly calls upstairs

"Time to move"