Some small scenes that lead up the exodus – takes place after 27MAR21
10
APR/21
Gathering supplies for the people leaving Raam
Niki was ducking as he ran along a partially broken wall. He heard a man yelling from beyond. He went around a corner where he could stand and charge off down a little back alley. He took a couple more quick turns to where he and Wink had setup a rally point. They were now using the tribal hunting terms regularly. He turned one last corner and Wink was there, laughing. Niki glared, “and why did you not warn me the merchant was back. Wink struggled the speak through the laughter, “this was funnier. And you should have heard him. His foot falls smacked out for miles.
Wink and Niki were out gathering supplies for the families in hiding. They were moving about old taverns and markets. Most were still closed. They avoided the ones that were starting to open. They would find a good spot to hide. This was generally on some partially ruined roof top. Wink would stay hidden a be a lookout for Niki. Niki would slowly work his way back to the shop or tavern. Wink would make a sound like a Lizard Beetle if someone was coming. If things went south, they would fall back to a prearranged rally location. This had been working great.
Niki looked up to the laughing Wink: “not funny at all
Wink: “was for me.”
Niki: “this area is pretty much picked over.”
Wink: “we could break into the Whitehall’s. I am sure they have stuff they would like to donate.”
Niki: “not yet, I think it is too dangerous.”
Wink: “safer now with the guard isout flying around. It will be harder once they are back all the time.”
Niki: “let’s just scavenge for now, it is safer.”
They gathered the two stuffed backpacks and headed back to the warehouse.
When the sewer hideout was discovered, they moved the small group of families to a warehouse they found. They were both shy about telling anyone about it. It was only going to work temporarily but it was working for now. They had asked the families to stay put fearing they would be spotted moving around. Niki and Wink would gather the supplies they would need. The Mul were gladly working as guards. They were starting to look like a real force. They were all armed and some had armor and shields. They had to do it quietly, but the old gladiator was training them as he could. He was still injured. Niki could see he was still the greatest threat among them, even in his wounded state.
As they came into the warehouse, they plopped their packs next to Audun. He sorted the supplies into piles. He started to go through the pack, “we could use more weapons.” He moved the food into the each of the packs to spread it out, “for our trip to the oasis.” Niki and Wink in full acting mode turned to look at him. Wink spoke in a whispered nervous voice, “you know we are not supposed to talk about that. It is secret that we are helping the houses build the way station.” Very few people knew the truth. Audun, and the old gladiator were the only two here that knew the truth. All of them used the story of the oasis as a great way to hide the it.
Niki looking at the pile of broken daggers and swords: “I have an idea for them. See if folks can change those into spear tips.”
The old Mul: “and attach them to what?”
Niki: “there is a ton of wild bamboo just outside the city.”
The old Mul: “those will not make good spears.”
Niki: “I know, but they will work in the pitch, we are in.”
Audun: “that is good idea, I will get it done. Can you get us some more files and chisels?”
Wink smiling: “I know a place.”
Niki slightly angry: “NO”
Wink walking towards the door: “they will not even notice them gone.”
Niki: “oh shit.”
Niki and wink grabbed the empty packs and headed out into the city again. Wink moved through the stashes of debris that concealed the warehouse. Niki moving with as much stealth as he could, “we should not do this.” Wink looked out into the street, “it is the only way.” Niki came up next to her to look out into the street. He followed her gaze and saw nothing, “what did you see?” Wink had seen a small child. It was likely one of the many orphans out in Raam, barely living in the wake of the chaos, “nothing.” She ran out across the street and headed towards the Whitehall compound. Niki huffed and ran to follow her.
Niki and Wink moved through the streets avoiding anyone they saw. No one seemed to notice them as they made their way to the Whitehall compound. They sat on a rooftop looking over the wall. The house was starting to look a little more normal within. The sewer entrance in the middle of courtyard was seeing a lot of traffic. That was going to be a difficult way to enter the place. They moved around and saw a part of the wall have been destroyed on the far side. They debated using that to enter, but it looked like a trap. Most would not have seen them, but guards were hidden next to the opening. Niki whispered to Wink, “looks like it is going to be fun.” Wink pointed to a blind spot from the gate, “we can go over the wall there.” She counted in her head, “but we will need to be quick. See the wagon on the other side. Once you go you must make it to the wagon in less than a minute.”
The street emptied in both directions. They slid down the side of the building and stalked over to the wall. Moving along until they were in the blind spot. It was where the gate came out from the wall. Wink closed her eyes listening for the foot falls of the guard walking along the top. He was past and she sprang up the wall. It took her three hand grabs and two foot rests and she was up and over. Niki was well practiced but not quite as good as Wink. He went up with five hand grabs and three foot rests.
Niki landed gently on wall. He did a quick scan to see where the guard was. He had not been seen. Wink was already down the other side and behind the cart. Niki thought, “that girl is fast.” He quickly lowered himself to the ground and made the three steps to the wagon. His landing made some noise as his backpack scraped along the wall. They waited there until the guards walked back by. They were crouching. Niki saw three birds resting on a rooftop. It looked to Niki that they were talking and watching them hide. As the guards walked off again, Wink smirked, “how much noise are you planning to make, my lord.”
The two of them moved from spot to spot. They would need to make it into the stable and barrack. They were after weapon making tools. They found a damaged wagon near the entrance to the stable. They made themselves as small as a possible as the scanned the area. Knowing the place in detail behooved them. They were both here for supplies for the survivors, but both felt a vendetta against the Whitehall house. This theft although dangerous would make them both feel good. Thoughts of Toad crowded Wink’s mind as she looked out across the courtyard and into the open stable. A small number of mounts were present within.
Niki: “Fuck, I was hoping it would be empty.”
Wink: “they look exhausted. They are being overused and will not hear us.”
Niki: “what about their noises. Animals can smell you.”
Wink’s eyes were bouncing around: “The wind will help us until we get to the door.”
Niki: “the weapons room is on the far side. It was so nice of Sandini to give us a tour.”
Wink pointed with her chin: “there. We will grab that dung and that will mask our smell.”
Niki: “okay, this is rally point one. From here we can pop over the that wall over there and be out of here fast.”
Wink: “I am not waiting here.”
Niki: “I know, and I need you.”
With a plan the two of them went into to the stable. Just before the door both of them took a small cloth and picked up a chunk of fresh dung. They moved into the giant open door and moved to the right. Just as the turned a cover a guard opened a door on the far end and headed out towards them. They slipped into a stable and hoped they had not been seen. They both hid in an empty stable and controlled their breathing. The guard moved out and saddled a Pegasus. It took a lifetime to saddle up and leave the stable.
With the guard gone they silently moved down into the barrack area. The moved down the hall room to room. They left the dung in the last stable before moving in. They finally made it into the weapons room. Along one wall were all the tools to craft and sharpen the blades. Niki whispered to Wink, “okay, only take one or two tools from each kit. That way they will not notice them gone.” Wink had an evil look on her face, “what if I want them to know.” Niki smiled, “we are thieves, we do this the smart way.” They both spilt up into the room. They gathered tools as they went. Niki stopped and stared at a beautiful dagger on the counter. Someone had been working it and looked sharp and more importantly strong. He knew he should not take it, but he rolled it in a cloth and placed it in his pack.
Wink moved to the door when they were done, “we should grab some food and other supplies while we are here.” Niki nodded, “I agree, but do it smart.” They split up and moved about the barrack going from room to room. The met back in the stable. Both of their packs were now full. Niki looked at Wink and saw she was a little over loaded, “put some of your stuff in my pack, I am stronger.” Wink swung her pack off and moved a couple of items.
They spent the next hour making their way out of the complex. The streets were a little more full but they were able to make their way back with ease. They even stopped a couple of times to gather some traveling gear. By the time they arrived back at the warehouse, Niki had a full sack of gear including a large pouch of salt. They came into the warehouse and set their packs down. Audun came over. Wink opened her pack and pulled out a bottle, “I grabbed this for you, I know you have been missing it.”
Niki grabbed the bottle of wine and examined it, “holy shit this is a good bottle. Where did you get this?” Wink gave him a coo little smile, “It was next to Sandini’s desk. I wanted him to know someone was there.” Niki reached into his bag pulled out his dagger, and used it to open the bottle, “I guess me too.” They both grabbed a little hard tack and sat in a corner of the room. Niki enjoyed that bottle for the rest of the day. He started to teach Wink how to play dice. Niki laughed a little, “You know if I see Sandini again, I will need to thank him.”