Larks bolt slams into the brands back, felling him, with two pins  sticking out of his back. Dead. Making a soft thump against the floor. Alynoa's attack changing targets to the remaining one, a slightly thicker layer of frost than before, causing him to recoil slightly from the frigidity in an already chilly cave.  The man looks around, and seeing his buddy fall with two bolts in his back, manages to finally notice lark, with an assumptive guess based on the arrows and so forth.

As Salazar goes for a flat strike, he hits Alynoa hard on the head, knocking her out cold. Alynoa is effectively unconscious.

The redbrand seeing he was clearly outnumbered, and confused as to why the boss would want to hurt or kill him and the other guard, gets on his knee's and begs the other two (Sal/Lark) to spare him, looking confusedly at the unconscious Iarno.

(Ugh, Im a terrible goblin, I don't even have rope in my pack) 

Lark will take a couple of cautious steps toward the Aly. He crouches near her face and checks her breathing. He looks toward Salazar. "Still alive, though I do not envy the headache she will have when she awakes. I know from experience." His hand reflexively reaching toward his own scalp. He will poke through Aly's bag looking for rope (but also coming up empty.) 

Lark's crossbow remains on the man while he is not occupied with Aly's bag. 

(OOC: Is she just unconscious or does she need healing?)

(Disguise would drop if i'm unconscious)

(Wait never mind it's not concentration. Carry on)

(She is KO'd entirely. Though healing would help with her headache when she woke up in 5 minutes.)

Salazar doesn't even spare a glance, knowing that doing so would weaken his resolve. "Kiss the ground. Hands where I can see them." The cleric commands in a tone that brokered no argument, and held a touch of celestial "accent". Just as soon as that was done, or if by then, Lark had crossbow trained, he begins reverse hogtying the man at the wrist and ankles from a rope on /his/ person; intoning something in celestial that sounded... ominous, to say the least. Even though it was merely a litany meant to provide guidance. 

"You are fortunate. But only for the time being. In the master stead, we will ask a few questions. Answer them honestly, and you will not be fed to the monster in the main chamber. The one that dwells in the crevice. Lie in any fashion -- ESPECIALLY to perserve your own, pathetic life, and you will be fed to it. Alive. Do we have an understanding?" He asked, crouched just far enough in front and off to the side the man could see him. After a pause for an answer, he press on. "How long have you been apart of the brand? Why did you join the brand? And what part, pretell, did your friend play in the disappearance of the Master's guests in the cells?" He gestures with his axe over to the redbrand corpse.

"You know, the ones he has graciously allowed you and the rest to play with up until now? Or are you going to tell me that this is the fault of some other?" He glances over to Lark, feigning an amused smirk before snapping back to the Redbrand, frowning once more. "And don't try to blame the one's currently on guard. We've already had my chat with them, and one has already been seen to for... poor behavior." 

(Though some of you may look anyways, do not google reverse hog tie. Salazar isn't going quite... far.)

(did i take any damage or was i just knocked out?)

(you would take full damage, yes)

The redbrand would as quickly as his injuries allowed, shivering, do as he was told. Nodding profusely at Salazars threats, he dared not speak unless actually asked something. Uh... I can't answer that for sure.. I been here bout a year.. but I don't remember the month.... A..And I joined fer the same reason anyone joins a gang.. you get protection... food... whores... food.... food... Dissappearance? what do you m.. it was clear he initially misunderstood the question...  Ah.. I wasn't on that job... I .. am .. I prefer to stay here at base... instead of enforce... its easier here and I'm not that strong... and I'm not exactly intimidating... But I do what I'm told and i get fed.. it's simple as that!

Lark will take two steps and kick the man on the ground in the ribs, not hard enough to do damage but for effect. 

"The prisoners are gone you orc-brained fool. Who was watching the door? Hmm.." Larks taps his chin. "Thats right, you and the dress making dummy here. Now tell us who else is working the base tonight, or my friend here will add you to OUR friends feeding trough."

Salazar clenches his jaws, but held his tongue. While his first instincts were to admonish Lark for the abuse, remembering their situation, the old morality is held in check. He does however seize the opportunity that was Lark stepping up to go over to Aly-Lark and check on her. Masking a grimace behind a glance away from both prisoner and Lark, he eventually turns back and places a golden glowing hand upon her forehead, alleviating the bruise through the spark of divinity, if nothing else. 

(To DM: Using Healing Hand's Trait to restore 2 HP to Aly, since she did take some damage.)

(To all: And just so its clear, besides some story reason, I only didn't do the above sooner because it sounded as if she'd be outcold regardless for another 4 to 5 minutes).

"You can answer that much, can't you?" Salazar turns back glaring coldly at the man, and saying something in celestial once more. Another focusing litany before put down the proverbial boot to the neck. "Or are you going to play the dummy there as well? Or perhaps... perhaps your not really one of us at all? Just some mercernary -- or dear it be said, adventurer trying to ruin the boss' plans by infiltrating. Which is it?" He asks, and as he spoke, took great care to eye the man for any duplicity in tone or nervousness that went beyond just fearing for his life.

Insight: (1)20
(IF a check is needed. Otherwise, Passive Insight is a 16.)

The man coughed up blood from the kick. He was confused. The boss had attacked them.. then the boss was attacked.... and now people are telling him he might be some agent infiltrating the area, when THEY seem to not know what's going on, or who's here or not... he held a thought to himself. With all due respect sir, I was guarding the front entrance.. not the cells I have no idea what you're talkin' about... Salazar can sense the truth is highly likely.

And aint that goblin there whats his name? uh... that cowardly Droop what was gettin his jimmies in a jamble when the bugbears were talkin to him like a stuffed nanny? he chuckled, if a bit painedly. If so you should already know whats going on.... and the layout, and all that, you've been here for weeks Droop. he seems to be relatyiong the truth even if it's not the truth. In that he thinks he's being honest, but doesn't know that Lark is in fact, not Droop. It's also clear he no longer believes that you guys are 'on his side'

Larks pulls his dagger leans in to the man. He cuts two strips of cloth from the mans jerkin; One rag, he shoves into the man's mouth, the other he ties around the man's head, gagging him. 

With the man restrained and prone, Lark doesn't feel worried in leaving him lying there to join Salazar by Alynoa's side. 

Speaking in hushed tones, Lark says to Salazar, "I do believe i found my next role. There may also be bugbears about and they make for some nasty bullies. What do you think we should do with him? I'd rather not kill him outright, the city watch will want him."

(keeping an eye on the thread!)

Salazar rolls his eyes at the man as Lark went to work. "That isn't Droop. But rather, a fresh recruit. And did you not think we sought to confirm how much you knew? To uncover if truly were one of us, or someone else?" He asked in spite knowing the man wouldn't be able to talk past new gag in his mouth. Catching a motion from Lark, he follows after, and then realizing it was to talk, held up a hand to hold off any talking in order to move just a little ways further from the man, and closer to stairs. Only once there and with his back turned to the man(but not to where he obstructs Lark's view) does Salazar starts almost hyperventilating into a hand, his cool all but left to shattered, as the word 'bugbear' plays over and over in his head. One alone had been enough to nearly kill all of his first compatriots. And now there were more?!

If not for more celestial instincts gnawing at the mind, Salazar....

But it didn't come to that. After covering his face for a seconds, the trembling slowly came to an end in a few steadying breathes. "... There is no City Watch." He pulls his hands down to give Lark a solemn look. "Aside from Master Sildar -- who has his own business at the moment to take care of -- We... are the one ones that can help. Why do you think these redbrands have been able to get away with kidnapping not just the wife of the mayor, but so many more?" He says in hushed tones, then shakes his head. "But I do have a plan. Once Aly awakens, we can gather up the rest the brands 'inside' already, and have them aid us in taking out the bugbears. We... We tell them... That their services are no longer required. And.. uhm... they are to be slain and fed to the thing in the crevice, as you -- er, Iarno -- has found a new use for the prisoners." At that, he glances back to the man for a brief few seconds. "As for that one... I am afraid he's already grown too suspicious, and we can't take him back to the prison, least one of the others think to at least ungag him.... Stand at the ready in case I slip up." He gives a mirthless grin at the last line, took another breathe, then made his wave over to the side of the man, axe dangling in hand from the side.

"Good news. We have judged you innocent of the missing prisoners.... Unfortunately, for not only calling into question our being here, but also that of Master Iarno himself... I'm afraid there's only one sentence." He says, slamming a booted foot down on the man's back in case he started struggling and raised his axe high. "May the gods show you favor, or oblivion take you before devils do." After shooting one last glance to make sure Lark was clear of any shenanigans, he tries bringing the axe hard onto the back of the prisoner's neck.

(If you still need an attack roll for an axecuting here it is. At advantage due to his being prone: 16 )

Lark stands confused and stunned. "No city watch.." he says quietly to himself. He listens intently to Salazar. Many emotions play across Lark's face in a slide show of realizations. The panic that Salazar just fought back himself, spreads to palsy Lark's own resolve. "There's no help coming." 

Lark stares hard at Salazar's back as he walks over to the prisoner. Despite darkvision, Lark feels the darkness closing in around him. The sound of his own heart pounding in his ears drowns out any ambient sounds. Clenching and relaxing his fists, Lark breathes shallow and ragged at first, but the rhythm slows as the adrenaline passes. He turns to meet Salazar's eyes, giving a small resigned nod. 

Lark, no stranger to unabashed brutality, numbly watches Salazar execute the redbrand.  After a few moments pass, Lark looks at Salazar thoughtfully. "Perhaps it would be wise to let Alynoa remain as Glasstaff, and for me to assume one of the redbrands appearance. I would be better able to convince the bugs and reds to fight, if the first attacks comes from a redbrand. I think stealth remains on our side for now and I would not like to match any of these cretins in a fair fight." 

Alynoa starts to finally awaken, her head developing a lump that only stung a little thanks to the healing she had received. She awakens just in time to see the redbrands head fall from his shoulders, the head rolling a few feet at random, before finally resting in such a way that its now agony-filled eyes stared up directly into larks, in a silent scream that never was born. a mass of blood beginning to pool on the formerly clean cistern floor ceaselessly.

The other one full of bolts. Eventually the blood pooling starts to freeze over, creating a grotesquely beautiful sight.

A chill air flows through, reminding you that it's still winter, but silence is all that hangs in the air. Soft drips can occasionally be heard as they plip plop into the clear cistern water. The people you had saved, silent within their room, whether oblivious to what happened or afraid, you didn't know.  

(waitin on actions)

As much as Salazar may have wished to look away, through force of will, gold stayed upon the corpse, drinking in the sight, and burining it deep. Although he had played a hand in the deaths of the likes of goblinoids and one or two raiding orcs in the past, never had the experience been quite so visceral. In thinking back, comparing the moments, shame crept into his heart for the first time, as a realization sunk. For all his professed since of equality when it came to his personal view points of other races, the fact that he felt less remorse for the deaths of less 'human' looking races -- 'What about Iarno?' He thought, catching himself mid-downward spiral.

Before anymore thought can be put to a now new concern, Lark's words and Alynoa's stirring drew the scholar back, confused at first, but then nodding in dawning understanding. "Yes, well--" He steps back away from the pool of blood, least it stain his boots. "Oh, that's a lot of blood... *clears throat*... So, we're agreed then." He says to Lark seriously, and then to Alynoa adds, "My apologies, Lady Alynoa. I know that was not quite the welcome sight you expected, but... things went interesting route. Also, I do apologize for the injury earlier, and will do so again more profusely later. Right now, we need to stay focused. A time will come to... That's it." Salazar leans back with eyes wide from an epiphany.

"Okay! Slight alteration. Uhm... quick run down. There are bugbears here along with the brands. But, if you as Iarno can talk the guards into dispose of them. Saying something like... needing to clean house or something? That could be one problem taking care of -- While whittling down there number." At that point, while dainty sidestepping both pooling blood and and body, Salazar heads over and offer a hand up, but would continue on. "I-I know you still require rest. We all do, frankly. Which is why for now we'll send the guard by the prison area to talk the others into rounding up either there or close to there in roughly an hour. For as much as I'd like to just leave it to them... handling the bugbears alone, it is far too easy for that too go sidewise without 'Iarno' being there, goading them on when the time comes. And if need be, we can use our... *gulp*... this one's body here as the excuse for the clean up somehow." He looks worriedly between the two. "Does that... sound like a plan? I'll probably have to hang back here when you talk to the guard, but after the hour and its time to move, I got one more of those potions on me I think. N-not to mention, Lark is going to be disguised as one of them as well!" 

Lark nods along with Salazar's assessment.  Lark moves solemnly over to the severed head of the brand. Grabbing a handful of hair, Lark rotates the head so that he may see the man's features. He studies it for a few moments, before standing up and wiping his hands on his breeches. 

Lark raises his hands to his face, "For those whose eyes have seen the night, his face on mine must now alight, and though his death may seem trite, it shall aid us in the coming fight." Lark's disguise self spell shimmers and fades, leaving the Redbrand standing over his own corpse. 

Recalling the man's voice, Larks coughs and tries to replicate it. 19 "The damned brutes. Those bugbears shall pay for their treachery." 

(keepin an eye on the thread , just waitin on actions :) )