The next morning began with a roar as Georgia had awoken fully recovered, she asks that they setup shop in the quarters where they were staying. She wanted to have a working breakfast as she had a dream last night that provided a possible way to get her into the city, without anyone ever knowing that anything was taking place and expediting her reunion with her father.
They were all intrigued and anticipating what she would reveal to them during breakfast. Silviano had worked with the cooks again to ensure they knew how to prepare something that would be acceptable to their guests. The kitchen happily went to work on it as they all loved to learn new things and different
approaches to preparing food and drinks.
They had set up in a smaller room that could be closed and guarded. Stonefist had surveyed the area and found this room to be suitable for their needs. She requested that the planning be done by a minimal group of her, of course Elysian, Silviano, the first counselor and Stonefist. She realized that many might be offended by her refusal to allow anyone else to attend this plan but said her plan needed secrecy and she would have it or leave and take her chances without their help. That had put a stop to most of the protest that she knew would come.
Her experience with controlling rowdy crowds at the inn all those years had given her great insight as to how to interact with people regardless of their station in society. Once they were all gathered, and the food and drink had been brought into the room she nodded at Stonefist who stood up and spoke to the guard he had posted. They pulled the doors shut. He knew nothing would disturb them until he had given the word for them to allow access again.
Once everyone had a chance to get some breakfast and coffee in them, she began by saying. “I would like to avoid a long and difficult journey through your kingdom and its secret paths. There are multiple reasons for this including the saving of lives which matter a great deal to me.
Secondly, I believe I have a way to keep our opposition guessing and off center concerning how we will move forward to allow the reunion with my father. Elysian finally spoke up and said, “Okay your lady, I am certainly open to hearing these ideas. You are amongst friends here so let’s begin in earnest.”
Georgia steadied herself, then responded by saying, “I believe that our opposition will expect us to take the secret ways of this nation. My experience is no secret is unknown once it is known by even one person. Given that thought though I don’t believe we should disappoint them but instead provide a series of faints for them to stay occupied with.”Georgia steadied herself, then responded by saying, “I believe that our opposition will expect us to take the secret ways of this nation. My experience is no secret is unknown once it is known by even one person. Given that thought though I don’t believe we should disappoint them but instead provide a series of faints for them to stay occupied with.”
Stonefist spoke up next, “My lady if not the way of our people, then how do you propose we safely get you back to your much needed reunion with your father?” “I believe we can simply walk right in the front gate without them ever being the wiser.” She waited for a wave of protest, but none said anything other than Silviano who asked her to please continue with her idea.”
“My instinct on this is that they do not want me dead, they just don’t want me to achieve my goal of having this reunion with my father. In fact, I would say they have been aware of me for some time and if I was busy taking care of the inn and living a life of happy ignorance, they were perfectly content to not do anything at all.”
Elysian smiled and said, “Please continue as I agree with your assessment so far.” If there are enough faints provided both below ground and above, we will weaken their ability and resources to be able to consider all possibilities or to ensure they have it all covered. I don’t believe they will expect this, yes, they are likely expecting some type of faint at least but multiples happening on many fronts all at once will force them to divide their forces and therefore leave an opening for us to achieve our goal.”
Stonefist then asked, “Okay, so if not for any of the first or secondary possible ways we might have chosen not having your insight, how are we going to enter the city without anyone noticing?” Georgia looked at them and asked, are we sure this room is private and that there is no way for anyone to hear this conversation let’s say through a vent or some other means?” Stonefist replied, “I spoke with the architect and builder of this home. He assured me that this was the one place where it could be guaranteed.”
Georgia then did something unexpected; she took up a book and writing instrument she had brought with her and began writing out the plan. As she did so she began to tell another plan to the group as if they were discussing the actual plans for reaching her father. She encouraged participation in the vocal planning as it was critical that it appear sincere and well thought out. It did not take her long to describe
her idea of entering the city without none be the wiser.
Each read it and passed it on to the next until all four had read it. Elysian smiled and then began to argue this point or that and to encourage the others present to do so as well. By late morning, the planning was complete, and she handed the book to Elysian and asked him in writing, “Can you destroy this and such a way to ensure no amount of work or magic could restore it?” He nodded he could, and she handed it to him.
They continued talking as if wrapping up the conversation and then Georgia said, “I have grown tired, it’s time for me to retire to rest before the afternoon meal and whatever else is planned for us at this time. She smiled and Stonefist rose and gave a very specific knocking pattern on the door. She heard a response and then he responded to the challenge. The doors were opened the party got up with the attendants arriving to usher Georgia towards a fresh bath and rest.
Elysian took the book which he held in a secret pocket and wove a spell of hiding around him. Once it was complete, he used another spell and when the book was brought out before him it simply dissolved as if it never existed. The spell of hiding was removed, and he smiled at the depth of Georgia’s now formidable insight.
The first counselor knew that he needed to send out some false trails to the council before they began to plan for his demise in a vote to remove him due to an uneasy state set in motion by all the amount of change that had taken place in their carefully planned out society. He asked for a lunchtime meeting to update the council. He would act to ensure her real plans came through without a hitch and worry about the political rebound later.
Georgia had taken her bath, enjoying the refreshing waters and oils that helped to restore her health. She then had them prepare the room for a short nap before they came for her to meet with whomever needed to meet with her during and after lunch. She knew her plan still had its dangers but felt it was the best choice out of all the different ones she had considered.
Georgia had spent years managing constant dynamics in crowd control, food management, servicing her patrons and guests at the inn. That had now paid off in spades and she wondered now how much her father knew about what was needed to prepare her for her journey, of which she was now sure, he had anticipated this possibility.
Georgia felt she had not rested long before the servants where there needing to prepare her the afternoon activities. Silviano was there of course while Elysian was elsewhere preparing for their plan. Stonefist had returned home briefly so he could ask for help from his most trusted assistant, his wife. He needed to keep this closed to others as
to what was really going on so he enlisted her aid knowing she would want to do the right thing for him and for Georgia.
After being readied Stonefist came with a company of closely trusted guards to escort Georgia and Silviano to the afternoon’s activities. She had been outfitted again with traditional dress and robes worn by those of some of the older royal families from their history. They were elegantly done with beautiful stitching made of threads embedded with gold and silver from the earth. The robes collar had some beautiful small gems embellished into it which with her beautiful wavy auburn red hair and green eyes made everything stand out even more.
When they arrived the room was setup in a different configuration with rounded tables set in a circle around a pit area where musicians played beautifully traditional dwarven music that had a sad but haunting sound to them and spoke of stories that had been woven throughout their history. Her table had the most influential and intellectually engaging members of their current society at it.
The conversation flowed around possible future trade agreements, working relationships and cultural exchanges already if some future state of a new kingdom would occur where she would somehow be a pivotal part of it. She played along and did so well as she had years of role playing as a successful inn owner where it was necessary to be well-educated across a broad range of subject areas to help the guest and patrons feel important and even special at times while dining or staying at her inn.
None were disappointed by the breadth and depth of her perception to seem to understand how to respond to any question that may have been posed. All that attended her table knew their language and were fluent in it since they were all merchants and had secret deals already with some outsiders where they managed to trade goods with them without revealing who and what they were.
Once they were done her quarters were prepared for an early dinner at the residence as the core group knew they would act on the execution of the plan soon. During the dinner she asked lots of questions concerning the vocal plans of what had been discussed. It appeared as if all was in place and ready for its execution. She wrote down a single word and passed it around to the core players. They all read it knowing what it meant and once done she put the note into a candle nearby and let it burn into ash.
They all retired early that evening but that was a faint itself as their real plan was being executed that evening. They were all up and dressed in common travel and merchant clothes for a journey on the outside towards the city. They made their way through secret areas known only to Stonefist who had controlled security in that city for a long time now and knew of ways no others had discovered. He guided them and the small company along pathways full of strange carvings and etchings that went back far into their history. These ways were of the old nations that were the first among their people.
When they arrived at their destination, one of the people who had dined with her came to them and said everything was ready and in place. My most trusted people will be traveling with you and none no anything other than the story made up to help satisfy their curiosity. They have all been guaranteed additional payment with proof of delivery to the capital city and its market area.
She came over and bent down to kiss him on the forehead thanking him for his assistance and letting him know it would never be forgotten what he had done to assist them on this most important mission. He beamed with her praise and thanks and told her he looked forward to visiting with her in better times. She assured him that she did as well. With that they joined the merchant caravan and it started for its location full of goods for the market.
As the journey continued, they found one of the common camp locations for merchants where gathered to offer each other company and protection from rogue and bandit groups that roamed the countryside. Everyone, including her jumped into their roles and carried on as if they had been doing this for years. No one ever questioned them or thought there was anything amiss. All her time as a merchant at the inn paid off in spades as she was able to have easy conversations and joke around with others like she had always been doing it.
When morning came the groups, all prepared together and complete the final leg of the trip to the capital markets as one large caravan with all their guards riding in the forefront, rear and spread alongside the long parade of merchants and goods, there would be no attempt at harassing them. All the bandits and rogue groups knew they were well armed, and it would be suicide to attempt anything with this band of traveling merchants who together formed a small army.
Back at the capital the rest of the plans were put into play during the early morning as well. With multiple groups attempting different routes in their secret underground pathways and finding skirmishes off and on along the way but it was well planned out and once a skirmish began an alternate path had been planned where that group would disappear for a while.
It was well orchestrated too as each group had dwarves who were wearing false legs under them that were used in mining to reach higher load areas. They were dressed in such a way to emulate the three humans who had come into their kingdom.
So, unless captured no one would know any better. On the surface various bands had been sent out as well with different plans for how they would try and approach the city. Each being made up of a different disguise and set up to keep the opposition guessing at which one was the actual group of humans they needed to capture and keep from obtaining their goal.
The intent was never to harm them, just to keep them from reaching their goal while others played out a desperate plan there in the royal courts to take control of power and prevent her from ever being able to take what was hers. Of course, she was unaware of the exact nature of what they knew but was not lost in the fact her role had changed from an innkeeper to something much more as these events played out and they got ever nearer to their goal.
They could not have asked for a better outcome. They knew there would be guards at the city gates who were paid extra to try and pick her out entering the city since they knew of only one public way into the city, and they had all other paths covered with plenty of people paid good money to capture them should there be an attempt to enter by those more unknown ways.
However, this was market day. The city gates would be overflowing with masses of people, goods and services arriving all day long. The merchants would be first coming in early to get to their stalls and shop in the market area of the city. Even then the gates would be overwhelmed with the large market caravans as well as the much smaller highly
specialized ones.
There would be a limit to what could be done with so many to enter and leave and the small group of guards manning the gates. Also, the guards never told the others that the wealthier merchants paid them much higher to turn their heads and allow them unfettered access to the markets. Their view was they were making the wages they should be making to ensure they had a comfortable retirement someday. Most knew not to live extravagant lifestyles now as it would be questioned by those who had the power to lock them up for a long time.
They arrived at the capital city of the kingdom on the third morning, right on schedule for market day, and the city gates were already booming with activity. The caravan masters all had their captains approach the guard and discreetly pass them the payment for an expedited entry into the gates so they could reach the markets and get the wagons unloaded and the stalls and shops setup and ready for a full day of sales and trading.
As the last of the caravan entered the city, they all went to work setting up for the day. Nothing was to deviate from their normal work and appearances as to what they were doing. There was to be no special treatment for her sake, and she would help along with everyone else. The merchants were most impressed with this young lady and the skills she
showed in managing the flow of work.
Once the day came into play and the markets were at their peak with a hub of activity flowing throughout the area. The small company played out the rest of their plan. They spoke to the market master and went as if to take a break for lunch and drink at one of the local establishments.
This establishment, however, was used by the royal families at times to pass unnoticed from the market area to the inner city where they were better protected and expected to be seen on a regular basis. Once they arrived, they placed their order which was a keyword for what was to happen next. The company sat themselves at an open table and servers began to bring both food and drink to them. At some point she first excused herself to use the facilities, the barkeeper pointed his finger to a door. Four others all men also got up to use their access to the facility.
The table was still busy with regulars from the caravan who continued with their meal and drink. Once Georgia had entered the room, a women was washing her face at one of the wash basins setup the customers. She looked and said to Georgia, “I love the market day, don’t you? It is the perfect opportunity to find some rare treasures for your hope chests.” Georgia’s response, “yes, if we could only find ourselves a trustworthy man to share those hope chest with, the market would be the perfect place.” They both laughed at the conversation and then Georgia approached the wash basin next to her. She said, “the water is clean is it not for such an establishment?”
With that the lady reached into the wash basin and turned the drain, there was soft sound of a wall opening in one of the privacy stalls. Georgia never said another word but went into the stall and passed through the open doorway. Once she was inside the hallway, the door closed, and a lamp hood was raised to reveal the others were already there waiting for her. Silviano now took the lead having used this path many times for the Duchess and her company.
Off they went and they finally came to a dead end. Silviano reached out and pulled on a hook that was on the wall. The wall opened and they all passed into a home. It was a wealthy merchants home whose family had been servicing the royals with their needs for generations.
The coach and its guard arrived. Elysian reached out to probe the carriage and the minds of the guards. Nothing was amiss so he returned to them and said, “we need to go, the carriage is ready.” All got up and ready to go into motion. Elysian then reached out and pulled Georgia briefly aside. He then said to her, “If I may advise, please use that amazing depth of sensory ability you now have and probe the carriage, the guard, and expand your need to the surrounding area.” He paused, then said, “We need to be sure nothing is not as it should be on this final leg of the trip.”
She nodded to him and began to dig down to utilize that now formidable power of sense she owned and sent it in waves around her and the gathered company. She was not picking up anything at first but then she sensed something in one of the guards and asked Elysian if he could assist in dealing with it. He smiled and said to her, “When we get to the coach take a moment to look at the one who needs to be attended to and I will assure he goes no further.” She smiled and they continued to the coach. Silviano was there with the door held open for her.
He bowed slightly as would have been done with any that used this coach anyway, “If you would my lady, we will return home now that the shopping is done for the day. She paused briefly and turned to
look at one of the guards. She then took the offered hand that Silviano extended to her and stepped up into the interior of the coach and sat down.
She overheard Silviano whispering something to the driver. Then he entered the coach to sit on the seat opposite of Georgia with a smile on his face that said patience please. As they pulled away, one of the guard’s horses reared up and knocked him off to the ground. The coach continued to pull away immediately, and then she asked. “Okay, Silviano what can you tell me about where we are going and why is my father here within the court of the royals?”
Silviano responded, “You will know all soon enough Georgia, but it is for your father to inform you, not me. Also, before you protest, if you use your instincts, I am sure you can gather some of the truth before arriving.” Georgia probed Silviano gently by looking directly at him making eye contact. She decided that there was nothing to be done but to wait and ask her father once they arrived.
The rest of the journey passed without incident, and it was not long before she heard horns announce their arrival. A series of orders were barked out by someone. The carriage had stopped but then continued for another few minutes then came to a final stop. Georgia had no idea where they had travel to since the curtains to the carriage stayed
drawn for the whole trip. Silviano then said, “Georgia, please wait but a moment. She nodded but did not appear to be happy about the delay. It had been a while since she last saw her father and she was anxious to see him again. Despite all the secrecy surrounding this trip she missed her father a great deal.