In the very deem light of yet another magic lantern inside, Choir could see four box stalls with silhouettes of huge - most likely draft - horses in them.  There are no people, at least, Choir can not see any.

Polly will use mage hand to lift Owis over to the other side of the wall. “Owis, I’ll be borrowing your body again. I need to know if there are any other guards inside.” She whisper to him before sending him over. 

On the other side Polly will use Owis sense of smell to search for guards. She’ll start by the stable and make her way around the yard. 

While Owis is scouting Adray continues the conversation.  "What if we have Owis spook the horses?  Maybe that will draw the guards over to see what's up and we sneak in while they are distracted?"

Right now perception was the least of Owise's worries - more importantly would be Hiding. Dropped to the other side, poor creature (13) barely escaped attention of a three-guard patrol marching by the spot he was hiding now. Owise's nose (and Polly's senses) made fey-mouse freeze on spot, and allowed to hear footsteps of another patrol. And another. Thalamra Vanthampur well earned her reputation of a beast of a woman - guards in her house did not sleep safely somewhere under the bush during their shifts, but worked and worked hard.

(Patrols are in the areas V1 for now, circling the yard counterclockwise) I assume the group is by the stables - between them and the Northern gates.

Polly return to her body and snap her fingers twice and Owis appear one her shoulder. “Well, this wont be easy. There are at least three three man patrols on the other side of the wall. Do we have a way to get in, I missed what you said while I was scouting.” 

"Polly, was there a section teh patrols path might not pass as much, or give us cover?"

(East wall between the big bushes and scoot in a southern entrance if I'm reading the map correctly?)

Ordrag favours the plan of spooking the horses as a distraction, then slipping over the far-corner wall behind the bush. Then maybe some Invisibility on someone who can slip quietly over and test/unlock the door.

Quote from ixi >>

"Polly, was there a section teh patrols path might not pass as much, or give us cover?"

(East wall between the big bushes and scoot in a southern entrance if I'm reading the map correctly?)

”Well, there are some big trees that might give us cover, but I think scaling the wall is out of the question. The risk is just too big and the chances of all of us making it over unseen is slim at best.” She looks over at Nibbs. “I think that Nibs is on to something though. Maybe we can enter through a window in the stable.”

Nodding, "That sounds solid enough.  Lets get someone with steady hands to open the window and try and sneak in that way.  If we can then avoid the guards, all the better but if they do get spooked, we need to knock them out quickly," he say.

Whoever that one would be - he better hurry, for the North side of Vanthampurs villa faces a street, and Watch patrolling the streets of Upper city vigilantly.

Choir gives a try at cracking open a window... Sleight of Hand 15 (Not cracking as in 'breaking' but as opening it.)

Thieve tools lessons with Fran payed off - the window moved under the Choi's hand. Hinges were kept well oiled in that house, even Choir herself did not hear a sound. A little push, and probably even Brutus can fit in the frame.

Ordrag will help lift everyone in through the window, then climb in himself.

Inside stable was appeared to be as accurate and well maintained as outside. And it was quite big - four draft horses were standing comfortably standing in the boxes, plus,, at the eastern part you could see a fully equipped smithy with an anvil and a hearth (now cold). Double doors we closed, but locked or not from outside, you could not see in the weak light of the magic lantern. There is another window by the doors, and patrol, though unlikely to hear anything (occasional pounding of hooves and horses nickering masked any other sound) could notice light flickering, should you play with illumination.

Perception check, please (yes, I remember about passive perception).

Perception: 19

Choir perception: 24

After getting through the first window, Adray helps with lookout.  

Perception: 14

And is distracted by the massive horses.

Nightvision (or familiarity with the ships, where hatches are norm) was a blessing indeed: in that soft dim light Ordrag spotted a trapdoor in the southwest corner of the stable, slightly covered with hay and betrayed only by barely visible hinges. Being lifted, the door revealed a brick-walled shaft and a wooden ladder that descends 15 feet to a tunnel, definitely running in the direction of the main house.

Perception: 18

“well done Ordrag!” Polly say and walks over to the hearth. “As I see it we now got two choices. Either we sneak over the courtyard and in tp the villa to confront the Vanthampur. Or we go down here, and if this is anything like the bathhouse, we’re in for an other long night. “ 

She take a piece of wood from the hearth to use as a torch and lights it with a whisper of magic. “Brisingr” and with the help of her mage hand she lift it down as far as she can into the secret corridor.  

“While looking down the corridor she speak to Choir. I think I have come up with a way for you to find your voice Choir! When we are done here, you and I are going to the library!” She say cryptically and smile towards her. 

(LOL. Just posted that roll on the run, didn't even know what it was.)

Ordrag shrugs and says: "Figured slippery folks like these always have a way to jump ship". He draws his scimitars and drops down the hatch to lead the way.