#rescuemiriam

The Leanhaun's face flashes cruel, then "Margrave no more, so you dont' really need a vassaal" And she stabs for the child

August flicks his own blood at them, hopscotching the child behind him.

The blood in her face throws off the Leanhaun, and the bunk launches the girl behind him, she sticks to the wall where she landed. The sabre misses August this time.

August's repost will hopefully disarm or disable......

The later, as the spear breaks, but so does her wrist bone "Wretched Oakloving..."

Hopefully the distance provided by the spear allows him time to draw his sword; otherwise, he closes to grapple with her.

Sword drawn, she reaches for a new weapon having dropped her sabre but realizes he has the advantage "Fine, take the children. They' d be grand servants once PROPERLY trained, but fine. Your word you let me through and I'll just leave"

"I think.... madam....." he breathes ".... you'll stay in front of me while -we- free them."

"You will remain my guest for a little while longer. I insist."

"Shit" She snorts.

But complies

Laith whispers "why do villains think the heroes are stupid?"

"Laith, stay behind me please." And he gestures the Leanhuan forward.

They go forward, and he opens to see the childlings each chained about the neck like a dog. These children are wards of the Truthbranches, a sidhe , a troll a satyr, and..boggan girl. No doubt the last belonging to the couple in the basement.

"Unchain them." His tone might be unknown to those close to him.

Something IN that tone is not to be fucked with, and the Leanhaun complies "You'll never get out of here you know that? There are eyes ready to kill any liam they see about this place"

August almost responds, but instead, he gathers the children behind him with a gesture when they are free.

And free they are, some of them hugging him as if they've known him all their young lives. One says to Laith "Your mother's going to be miffed with you. She never wanted you to leave the river."//Laith stiffens "I had to. It's an adventure"

But the little girl does look stil lshaken, terror is one thing, a massacre is another

"Madam, after you. I will be right behind you; let's all get out of here together, yes?"

"Fine... fine" the leanhaun curses.

Does he head back to the basement?

Yes.

Down they go, with his prisoner... it is the boggan girls' return that has the instant effect, her mother turns "baby? Baby" And she cluthes her little girl slowly coming to senses.

August herds his prisoner to the corner, calling Mael to come with him.

Mael nods , head wound or not, he can watch her if need be

With the lady covered, August rummages around and gets materials to splint her broken wrist.

Not hard to do, but someone asks, "What now, my lord?"

"We're not going out via that stream." He straightens, dusting his hands off. "We can wait until dark, and leave through a side or servant entrance."

"But there are guards she spoke of?" the sluagh says

"Madam, may I have your name?"

"Me?" The Leanhaun says "Dame Discorta, in service to the Lady Opaline on loan to aid a Balor lord. It matters not the details You'll get caught, youll be killed. "

He nods. "That's as may be, but you will go before me, Dame. You know how to safely exit, now? Where the guards are posted, and such?"

"You're not ruthless enouogh to do what needs doing if I try to call out. you are too soft, even to save your own"

"I think you mistake me." Coldly. "You'll lead us safely out of here, provide cover, and when we're out, I will let you go."

"Well, we'll see won't we?" She smiles, "yes, I'll lead you out."

"Dame...." He leans in over her. "Remember this. I have nothing left to lose. I care very little about my own fate, and even less about yours." He lets her see the truth of it in his steely grey eyes.

And she pales a bit, the smile shattered.

And they make passage out, evading guards, knowing when the patrols are out... they make their way almost to the end and... he can feel her tense, tempted to call out. To risk it.

"No." He whispers, touching her back lightly with his blade.

And she abides and...

The dream, elaborate as it is, breaks apart.

And it is all a dream, and yet August can't help but feel..i twas more than a dream.

He jerks awake in the library; it's late, the candles low. He sits up, rubbing his face and then slowly combing his fingers through his hair. His expression is one of troubled wonder.

He appears to be alone... the fragments are threatening to leave, but just like an ordinary dream, not like a visit to the DreamING

Absently, he finds the paper and pen that are always nearby, and makes what notes he can.

And unseen by him, a sluagh countess slips away. She's learned much of August, and how he would react now as a leader if forced to, and if he were too hungry for ambition. She saw much, but did not understand it all... the pieces of his memory were put together, some by true memories of the pre shattering, others by his own imagination and rolefits that seemed natural... even she isn't sure which is which. Yet he did lead, when pushed, and once one is above a knight, one must be ready to do that. She has much to think of.

(End Scene)