#rescuemiriam

August waits for him to distract the Ogre, and tries to hit him again.

That plan works, quite well actually, the knight dcalls out "You will not harm my liege!" and draws the troll's attention. The other sidhe's blade stabs but it's not a good one, annd the troll rewards it with a counter stroke but that stroke is thrown off as August stabs in the same leg, this time from the otherside! Twice struck from two sides, the knee buckles as the troll groans.

August moves to pin him down, disarm and disable him.

The troll is not so easily bested just because he's forced to fight on one knee. FOrtunately he has help. August gets cut for his trouble, but the bleeding sidhe manages a strike at the wrist of the troll. August takes advantage of that and manages to disarm the troll

August keeps his weapon trained on the monster, asking the other Sidhe. "Can you walk?"

"Yes 'mlord...dizzy but... yes"

August nods, and uses the spear to knock the Ogre out.

And down the foe goes. The other sidhe moves slowly "My lord? I heard they captured you"

"I.... I am not sure. Things are very confused right now, but...." He turns back. "Miss? Come out, now. How shall I call you? Both of you?"

"My lord, you don't know me?" The sidhe says "Were you injured?"//"Or cursed," the girl says "maybe they cursed him" worried look in her large eyes.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have any names for you. And we need to get going. We're heading for the basement, unless you know of a plan, sir.....??"

"forgive me, lord, my head wound, I can barely remember my name, and you are my liege, not matter thei stripped rank.I'm Mael, the girl is Laith.. We will follow and live or die by your choices"

"Let's all agree to live for now, ok? Miss Laith, please keep an eye on Sir Mael. Thank you. Let's keep going." He speaks quietly, and then leads them on.

And they move, quietly, the child seems afraid to leave his shadow, the knight in no condition for thinking beyond taking orders. they go down into the basement and find a miserable looking boggan who cradles a stump of an army with his good one. One can hear water here, no doubt from the stream the pump brings up cool water from.

August glances around for safety, then drops to a knee by the boggan. "Hello."

"May I see?"

"My lord you're alive and free" The boggan beams "It..got cut off, lord. I'm afraid my wife is shaken, our daughter is still captured..up in the tower."

Another boggan in the dim rocks back and forth, crooning a luillby

August does what he can with first aid, but an amputation..... he feels a little ill. "In the tower. Do you know if there are others there?"

"Yes, they..they gathered others...something about the childings for re education. I guess Laith escaped..."

Laith nods at that

"Right." Grimly he looks at Mael. "Can you get these people out of here? They, and any others down here?"

Mael glaces at them, then "no my lord. I.. I don't think I can. I can't think. Guiding a near catatonic she bogganess and her one armed husband, and a child out...I'll die to protect them, of course, but that will be my last stand"

"Alright then." He looks around, letting his memories tell him where the best exit would be.

There's a stream under this stone work...it would bee cold, and dangerous, but also a sure way to get out...

A strong swimmer like August, yes.... but a concussed knight, a one-armed boggan, and another who might not understand the instructions? There has to be a better way.

Up and out, mm surely they'd be in trouble on the openside. Maybe wait for night time? Long wait to be sure but the cover of darkness might assist. Increase their chances.

"You'll wait here. Do what you can for each other, barricade the door. After nightfall, I will try to return and help you escape, but you must go when you can."

"But my lord, to leave without you..." The knight groans "not honorable"

"I have to go up for the children. I need you to stay here and do what you can for these people."

"is.. is that an order, my lord?"

"It is." Firmly.

"I obey and it will be done"

He nods. "Laith, come bar the door after me." To the others he says "I'll be back as soon as I can but remember; leave at nightfall, as soon as you can."

And he heads back up, his ultimate goal the tower and captives therein.

"yes my lord"

He does not stride through these familiar halls; he ghosts, staying quiet and in the shadows.

there is a click behind him, the bar lowered

He keeps going, senses straining.

He makes his way past the carnage lefft behind of the cleansing of the place he once called home. His wife, he hopes, is still out iwth the Deep Dreaming with Liam but... memories are so fuzzy. He doesn't feel like the invincible Margravee at all, but he has conviction.

And perhaps it is this distraction that has someone further up the stairs as he's climibing go "i'm sure I heard something"

He looks for an alcove, or other hiding spot.....?

This spiral stair case doesnt' offer much, and figures are coming down, two of them, he'll never be able to hide in time.

that's when the sluagh childling with white hair shoots up past him. she can't call for attention, but Laith waves her hands and moves between their legs to make sure they can't miss her. It is obvious, she lowered the bar, but stayed on HIS side. Stupid brave girl!

August doesn't waste breath scolding her.... he charges up the stairs after her, spear at the ready and braced. Attack!

"It's just a child grab the stupid girl and be done with..." And August spears him in the eye, the Balor Sidhe goes down the steps past him. If the spearing in the head didn't kill him, the tumble is certainly keeping him down.

August charges the Balor's partner.

A wound appears on August's chest, as the Leanhuan woman flicks her sabre "Die!"

She's nimble and avoids his first charge

He dances back, jabbing with the spear, looking for an opening.....