An Act of Hubris or Guile

Kasbis gets no response.

If we were given a “secret knock” to use on the gate when we returned, we would do so, otherwise we would call out for the gate to be opened.  

With the catchy knock of shave and a haircut, the postern gate opens. Surprisingly its not someone from the militia. There stands a middle age women with auburn hair. She gestures for everyone to enter and then she closes the door.

"We pulled it off, we need to speak with Elder Bruth immediately to let her know of our success." Aisha quickly states putting urgency on the need to talk with Elder Bruth while trying not to alert anyone know of what we learned about an insider.

The women seem hesitant,  but then just points towards the fortress. "Well....She is up there. Go on I am sure you can find her."

Kasbis wastes no time, turning and moving instantly in the direction of the fortress.  Gaz slithers inside of his cloak and his small head pokes around backward, out of the top of the neck of his shirt, just exposing his head but looking backward, watching this woman with interest…. and suspicion.  “Thank you for your help, have a good day!”  Kas says as he is walking quickly.  

 The Women stands by the postern gate. She seems nervous and bit sullen.

Kas turns around at the last moment and says “Don’t forget to close and lock the gate!  By the way, what’s your name, so that I can thank you and give a good report!”  After he hears the reply he smiles and strides on…

"Oh its Narael. Yes I will lock the gate" She goes over and locks the gate

As they are approaching, walking at speed, Kasbis tries to send Elder Bruth a message again, “Really need to meet with you, have important news, we accomplished our task but I have something to discuss with you in private.”

Duncan follows quickly behind, and tries to see if the enemy solider that they'd passed by on their way out is still lying on the street. While walking he's also keeping his eyes peeled, as always, for threats.

Aisha will follow Duncan and Kasbis' lead looking around at everyone they encounter wondering if one of them is the insider referred to in M's letter.

In his mind Kasbis senses Elder Bruth. A grunt of pain .... I am dying...hurry.

The party arrives at the fortress and there on the floor barely breathing is Elder Bruth with a ring of dead miltia men around her. There is blood spatter everywhere and Elder Bruth is quickly bleeding out. The townsfolk are nowhere to be seen. In the middle of the hall is a massive portal to a mist shrouded forest. From memory you know this portal was not here before.

Aisha will rush to Elder Bruth and cast a second level cure wounds for 14 HP. "Hold on just a moment and we'll have you right as rain."

Her wounds stitch together and color returns to face, but she seems to be struggling to concentrate. The portal wavers for a moment and the once imposing Elder Bruth now seem so frail. "Please rescue the townsfolk, they were taken through the portal as hostages by Mossbrush"

"Looks like the people still need our help." Aisha stands brushing her robes off. "Are you two still willing to help?"

Kasbis kneels down, the alarm bells going off in his head.  “Something seems very, very wrong here.”  he thinks to himself.  “Bruth, who is Mossbrush?  I retrieved a note on the commander’s desk mentioning an inside operative with the initial “M”.  Did they get the Chiracki tree?  Where is everyone else?  Narael let us in at the postern gate, where is everyone?  I need you to stay with us, tell us what to do!  Rushing into the grasp of an army is not wise, you’ve got to tell us more!”  Kasbis does his best to coax information from the Elder, and quickly.

Elder Bruth points a shaky finger at the portal "It is little Ori. The one you came with. He became something else. Hurry before the portal closes." The strain of holding the portal open is immense and she is slowly losing control. The portal flashes dangerously for a moment, but Elder Bruth regains control." I can't keep it open much longer"

While they talk, Duncan quickly surveys the soldiers around the Elder, looking at their equipment and weapons, seeing if he can get some understanding of the types of troops that were sent on this mission. He then looks towards the portal and says, with a grimace, "There is no way that child could have planned to meet us to come get past the gates... and he is the one who led us through. Something doesn't make sense." He then says, "I should have left Shai at the mines... he's still in the room upstairs..."