Act 3: The Ball - Afterparty

"Indeed. Did you want to see the fruits of his labor?"

"Yes, please," the king answers succinctly.

Konrad hands the king his copy of the runes. "Here."

Tibur takes the sheets of paper from the red mage and gives them a cursory look before handing them to Thirza. "Thank you. Once we've made sure these aren't harmful to their wearers, we'll see if we can find a use for them."

"Malik's real name is Jean Toussaint. Him and his sister Virginie—that's her real first name—have joined us a little over a century ago. They've been under Edward's command ever since 393, which is when they were tasked with the takeover of the criminal underworld of Villevieille."

"The vast majority of us don't," he answers. "We usually take the bodies of mad people or criminals condemned to death."

"Some among their staff are," Thirza answers. "You'd have to ask the agents stationed there. They're the ones who know."

The king and the mercenaries exchange a few looks.

"It's unfortunately something I cannot help with," he says. "However, Jacob has already ordered that we ensure the safety of all fairies across the Archipelago and set up villages for several of them."

"Like for me and my family?" Fluffle asks.

"Where are you from, little one?"

"Zest's Gate, Your Majesty."

Tibur smiles. "Then most definitely."

Fluffle falls silent and contemplates this news, which was quite unexpected for him.

"Good to hear. Anyway, we've taken up plenty of your time to strategize. We'll be taking care of the traitors' bodies now, as we agreed."

"Very well. Thank you again for your invaluable assistance tonight. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to contact Thirza or one of my direct subordinates. As for your new charges, I'll send an officer to escort you to the basement, where we're keeping them sedated."

The adventurers say their goodbyes to the king and the mercenaries, then head on down to the lower level of the building. There, in the glow of a lantern, they find the two Venator women unconscious, handcuffed and gagged. Two Coins mercenaries stand next to them, weapons at the ready.

"They shouldn't be waking up for at least two more hours," the officer who came with them says. "We've also tied their legs, just in case."

"Very good. We'll carry them out ourselves. Theo, give me a hand with Isidora, please?"

"Sure thing." The warrior moves to help Konrad, for his part gently picking up the unconscious woman.

It takes them a few minutes, but the party members manage to carry the two women to the carriage under the eye of the Myrzen warriors waiting outside. Needless to say, they're somewhat perplexed by this.

"Shit, we won't have enough space to all sit in the back now," Amber says.

"I can walk back to the ship," the Tyke suggests.

Femke stares at Mihai. "I am."

"You can stay with the warriors, then. They'll be coming with us."

Kaja approaches the adventurers just when they mention her and the warriors. "Glad to see you're safe. Where are we going?"

Steve says, "We are taking our new guests back to the ship. And hopefully getting some food and some sleep while we are at it." He can't help but yawn at the thought of his bed.

"Gladly."

Kaja raises a hand and motions to the others to get into formation—some of them will be carrying the stretcher upon which they laid down Tobiasz' body—while Théo climbs into the driver's seat and grabs the reins once more. Soon, the whole group is on their way back to the docks.

They use this opportunity to put the orbs into the head of their prisoners.
____________

Because the warriors are on foot, the group must advance more slowly than if they'd gone ahead alone. Fortunately for them, it appears that all the enemy forces on the eastern side of the city have either surrendered or fled by now, so they need not worry about possible ambushes. Once they reach the Temple, they see that the Coins have gathered their injured onto the plaza, where the paladins are now healing them with magic.

Among is a familiar looking Aspect of Darkness who is eager to talk to them.

Kaja blinks at the duo, then says, "So he's good? Okay then."

She waits for the group to move again.