The conversation causes Nadia to cock a brow in interest, however her attention is quickly diverted over to where she hears a loud crashing sound of glass hitting ground, her head immediately turning to see the cause. Her eyes widen at the sight and panic sets in. Not only did he knock out a child, there is no way these guys didn't hear that. Not even taking a second to double check, she rushes over to where Happy was, making gestures to the firbolg that they needed to get behind some cover or something because there were people going to exit from the door she had been snooping on. Had she seen Zack too, she would have pulled him with her, unless he had other plans.

Stealth: 20

It seemed that that had attracted more attention that he thought. While talking with Happy, Nadia pulls them aside to hide.

Nadia makes you all hide just in time as the door opens and the male servant sticks his head out. What was that?  Walking down the hall the man doesnt seem to notice any of you as he inspects the broken bottle and stain on the carpet. Damn...one of the serving boys must have dropped the thing and ran off hoping he wouldn't get the blame. Damn kids. I'll get to the bottom of this...but first this needs cleaning. The man gathers up the broken glass in a dust bin and leaves to dispose of the glass, he will likely be back but you have a window of opportunity to move along.

Zack wuickly does the other things he listed in his prior post, but instead of all the way back to dthe door, he leaves the boy there, before proceeding to inspect the closest door on the kitchen side.

The man walks away givin you time to move. You head back towards the kitchen (presumably the others follow) and check the next closest door. You find what is essentially just a cupboard. Your eyes are drawn further down the hall however to a set of double doors. Heading over to investigate you can hear a mans voice speaking to someone. Yes Ma'am it's highly unusual. I have several guards outside handling the situation. Last I heard one of the boys lost a leg to some big gator. I really have no idea how to explain what's going on, maybe an attack by members of the Emerald Enclave, but I think it's best we get you to saftey for now. 

Nonsense Captain. I'm sure your men can handle the situation. It's just a bunch of dumb beasts. This place is supposed to withstand an assault by an army, are you telling me you're so incompetent you can fend off a few critters? 

N-no Ma'am it's just...the boys didn't take it very seriously at first. The gators caught them by surprise is all. If it's just a bunch of random animals we can handle it. But if this is an attack by the Enclave we might have some more serious threats to worry about.

Duchess Daggerford, as a representative of the Lords Alliance I must say your Captain brings up a good point. While we normally have an agreement with the Enclave not all of the druids agree with it. Some of the more...extremists...would certainly do anything if they felt it would bring them to whatever goal they had in mind. Even if the Enclave isnt involved, this is certainly the work of a druid, perhaps a rogue ranger. I've never seen animals band together like this unless spurred on by someone else. 

And what reason would the Enclave have to attack Daggerford? They would risk angering the Lords Alliance? And if it's a rogue druid or ranger I still don't see what we might have done to anger them. 

It's hard to say Ma'am, but we can ask why later. For now we should be getting you to saftey. My men here will escort you, you'll find them very capable. 

The Castle guard will escort you Ma'am. We don't need help from outsiders. 

Captain Fowler, so far your men have hardly been able to protect themselves. These fine warriors will be more than enough protection I think.

Zack, you recognize the name. Captain Fowler being one of the soldiers who confronted you and Angela before you could  escape. 

Why would the EE have anything to do with these people... whether they had something to do with what happened to me and Angeal... or whether they're the zom*****es...the thought  somewhat trailing off as the conversation continued to more present matters. And he couldn't even fully enjoy the thought of a fort under attack by a mass of cats, birds, and crocs. And why is he here? I mean I didn't expect him to not be within the premises but... this complicated matters just a bit. However they didn't have time to linger... Sooner or later the butler would be back.... And then they'd have to fight either way, and there really wasn't much of anywhere else they could hide, so Zack sets his sword down carefully inside the cupboard, closing the door.

Moving back to the group, he whispers We're in a bit of a bind, and low on time. So I'm gonna go in. Trey to stand around and act like you're waiting on someone to come out.

Waiting long enough for a nod in affirmation, he'd motion for the other two, or lacktherof. He'd heft the boy up and knock on the door before simply going in. Raising one hand in salute. The boy had been put on his right side and when he spotted Fowler, he did his best to use the boys body to block the view of his face. Duchess Daggerford. I'm sorry for barging in.  he said, glad Nadia had powdered out his scar, one of his most defining features. I found this boy dropping a bottle of fine wine that was meant for you. I realize this matter may seem small, but he attempted to run -not that I blame him- But I subdued him. I am also here on business better spoken of with just yourself and your trusted guards. It involves slime. he said, hoping she would catch on he was meaning the snail.

 Zack walks in boldly hoping to fool the guards and Duchess alike. After speaking your piece, you manage to get a good look at everyone in the room. Across the table from you is Captain Fowler who is flanked on either side by two guards. They all are wearing metal breastplates and have shields. You recognize the getup, these are the Duchesses personal Guard, it seems Captain Fowler had been promoted to the head of the personal guard since last you met. On the other side of the table, closer to you, is a man you've never seen before. He is wearing very expensive looking clothes underneath even more expensive looking half plate armor. He looks just at the age where he is on the cusp of no longer being a young man. On either side of him are two guards in similar armor but also carrying shields. On the mans armor and on the guards sheilds you see crest, A silver sword over a field of orange with a red chevron. 

The older male in the gilded armor looks at you curiously as you enter. I say boy, now is hardly the time to be worrying over a bit of spilled wine. And to handle the lad so roughly for it too! Duchess, is this really how you let your guards handle things?

The Duchess glares at you carefully. It seems she didn't fall for it either but has picked up your message. Before she can speak up Captain Fowler chimes in. 

He's not one of ours....I'd recognize that stupid haircut anywhere. That's Zack Fair! The one who tried to kill the Duchess all those years ago!

The guards all put their hands on their weapons as Fowler shouts this. The older man however doesn't and just turns to look at you curiously. The Duchess however as a feint look of recognition in her eyes now that Fowler as called you out. 

Is that so? He doesn't look the sort. 

Guards seize him.

As the Duchess issues her order she steps up and moves to be behind Fowler and her personal guard before turning back towards the men. You must stop him. There will be great rewards if you do! Her words of encouragement granting Fowler and his guards 4 temp hp. Zack is up.

Initiative order is as follows. Duchess, Zack, Happy, TB (older guy), Elite Guard 1(Fowlers men), Nadia,  Fowler, TB's Guard 2, TB guard 1, Elite guard 1.

Zack see's that his farce had failed, and as much as he wanted to set the poor boy down, as he really had nothing to do with it, if he did, he'd soon find himself surrounded. There was a trick he wanted to pull, but it seemed like that was going to be out of the question. Zack carefully sets down the boy against the 'cool' side of the fireplace and wall, so that he wouldn't fall. I was hoping this all woulda gone a lot cleaner. Sorry kid, I didn't mean to get you involved like this. Zack said, knocking on the door in hopes of alerting Happy and Nadia, if they weren't already.  Zack sighed as he stood back up, even as it seemed he sucked in a breath, Zack was like a bullet fiired in the moment. His eyes locked with the man who'd held his sword instead of drawing it, giving him an apologetic look as he bolted around the entire group in a way that none of them could cut him on his way around. and he makes his way directly behind the duchess, drawing his sword in her direction.

Once more, Zacks eyes locked onto the man who didn't draw his sword. And if I'm right, I have both every reason, and every right to kill this woman, As she is involved in atleast Trafficking with Zhents, and is very likely involved in international war crimes and human experimentation, myself and my former Commanding Officer, Angeal Hewley being prime examples. Zack letting his magic glow within himself for a moment As well as she may be involved in terroristic use of necromantic bioweapons that have led to entire towns dying overnight. Of wjhich myself and my friends disposed of the one producing the plague before arriving here.

His eyes never leaving the one man. 

 The guard closest to you manages to get a swing at you before you rush forward but he misses as you dash around the group. You end up right at the Duchess, the guards all stare you down (unable to respond to your words until their turns. You are at P2) Happy is up.

Having been listening by the door, and catching most of what went down, the Happy shook his head. 'Well that certainly went south rather fast' Happy thought, and softly chuckled a bit. Then his form grew more tense in anticipation of what would need to go next. He shares one last look with Nadia, nods sharply, utters a final prayer to Chauntae to cause a faint shimmer of light to briefly encapsulate his armor, and then strode in himself, ducking beneath the frame if need be to enter the room.

After a quick scan on of the room, he doesn't go for a blade, but rather points to the duchess and utters something in Draconic; calling down from just above her head a pillar of light green light to immediately violently purge the negative energy within her.

Bonus Action: Cast Shield of Faith at 1st level on self, raising AC to 20.

Movement: Onward to 10-O.

Action: Cast Sacred Flame on Duchess. Dex Save(15) or take 12 Radiant Damage.

(Just so it's clear, Happy is wearing no identifying marks of the order at the moment. He is however likely to be singled out as 'the druid or ranger' responsible just by gear.)

The Duchess cries out in pain as the spell burns her skin with holy fire. The rest of the room turns to notice Happy has entered the fray. The older soldier sighs and draws his weapon before walking over towards Zach (stopping at 4q) It matters not what she may or may not be guilty of young man. This is not the way seek justice. He points his sword at you and speaks a command word. A brief moment passes as light from his blade pedals forth and surrounds Zack before, in an instant, Zack dissapears entirely. When Zack dissapears one of the castle guards move in to protect the duchess, hiding her behind their sheild (EG1 to 3p)

Zack you confusingly find yourself somewhere you've never seen. You're in a room with a wooden floor and lit fire place, similar to the Duchess's palace. There is also a table filled with all sorts of delicious looking food. Outside you can see a viscous snow storm raging, with nothing but snow as far as the eye can see. The room you are in however is completely warm and safe. Theres bookshelves and seats to sit as well as a bed with fine furs and everything one would need to get comfortable.

Nadia is up

Once Zack entered the room, Nadia made a point to quickly go through her pouch and pull out the mask she requested Falkas to get her, slipping it on in case things went badly and they were needed to get in there. Like Happy, Nadia grew anxious as she listened in through the door, a slight sigh making it past her lips when it did indeed went south rather quickly. She had some hopes that this plan would have worked out in their favor somehow, but the dice gods said no sometimes they had to do things the hard way.

When Happy moves in, Nadia fills in soon after, beside him as to not risk shooting him. Without hesitation, her eyes lock onto the Duchess, past the guard, and lets loose a pair of arrows, quietly whispering, "Swift death to you who have wronged me." 

Action 1 - Attack: 29 Damage: 13 + 14 damage on hit
Action 2 - Attack: 17 Damage: 10 + 14 
BA - Slayers Prey on the Duchess - Extra 4 on hit

The first arrow misses the Duchess, striking agaisnt the far wall. The 2nd however hits her right in the side. Theres another cry of pain and Captain Fowler looks furious. The Captain moves to be directly in front of the Duchess and shouts. Taeros! We'll get the Duchess out. You and your men kill these intruders! The old soldier looks at Fowler incredulously, as if he would dare to order him around. He then turns to look at the would be assassins in the room and then to his guards, nodding. Only if you must! He shouts. The furthest guard nods and moves in front of happy, keeping his sheild up and going for three quick attacks against the druid. Some of the attacks connect...but then bounce off, partially thanks to the druids protective armor but also the magic surrounding him. The knight looks over to his buddy in confusion before he attempts the same thing. The first attack, a devastatingly strong sheild bash, connects and seems to push through Happys magic barrier. The knight grunts as he desperately fights with Happy, trying to knock him down, but ultimately fails. He tries to follow up with a sword attack but misses, however regaining his composure he turns a failure into a success, using his momentum to turn the blade around and smack Happy upside the head with the flat side of his sword.

The remaining guard of the Duchesses closes in on the Duchess, and stoping at the side of the Door. The Duchess follows him and runs to open the door and flee...but ends up slamming into it. The pushes it with all her might but the door doesnt budge. They blocked the door! Dammit we need another way out!.

Zack and then happy are up.

In spite failing to bowl the goliath of a man over, the man at least succeeds in shaking Happy's focus more than enough to drop the magic. The second blow left him reeling and bleeding. Yet, he stood his ground yet, and finally glared down at the knights beneath him. Yet his next words are spoken in elvish for Nadia's sake. "Amigo ha sido mágico. Termina el trabajo. Creo ... creo que puedo liberarlo." Even as the words flowed from his mouth, he again attempts to call upon the divine fires of life upon the one to magically whisked Zack away, hoping to break whatever displacing bindings might be in place.

But seeing the god's yet still favored the man, the firbolg presented his shield and spoke again in Draconic, causing his form to appear to grow hazy to those that now looked upon him with even a sliver of hostile intent.

Action: Cast Sacred Flame on Old Man(?). Dex Save(15) or take 7 Radiant Damage. (Passed, so no damage).

Bonus Action: Cast Sanctuary on self. Any wishing to attack or target Happy with harmful effect must make a Wis Save(15).

Zack had felt a powerful.. something, and then the world around him changed from that of a castle in a room full of soldiers, to what could be simplified into some form of a cabin in some odd-ass-snowing location. After a few moments of looking around, he realized he was more or less alone in the space. A flash of thought crossed his mind, and he considered burning the books on the shelf if out of nothing else besides spite, but thought better of it.. as he didn't know how long he'd be in here or if he'd ultimately be trapped with no escape should the fire spread.  He knew he had been moved by some sort of magic but what exactly it was or .. pretty much anything else, seemed to elude him. It wasn't something he was familiar with. After a few long moments, he decided the best he could do was prepare himself for a fight, should it come to it, after which point, he'd sit, and wait, holding a spell he'd been intent on using.

Zack readies Grease (DC 13) mentally eying the space around him, moving back to where he had originally appeared at, and visualized how the area had looked just before he had been moved to.. well.. here. He visualized where the duchess had been, and held onto that, Aiming the spell so his own feet would be just outside its area, and the moment the world changed, or.. if someone came to where he was... he would cast the readied spell.

The old soldier sighs in annoyance as he sees the Duchess is unable to escape. He calmly walks over to her and touches her arm. Be calm Duchess, this will be dealt with shortly. A faint glow surrounds her as he imbues her with protective magic. A little extra protection The old soldier then starts walking back towards the fight. One of the elite guards moves up to protect the Duchess.