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The Mage District guard grumbled upon seeing Yolanda. "It's past visitation hours, and don't bother comin' back tomorrow." He said. "He'll be dead before the sun's up too far in the sky. Execution's at dawn tomorrow, come and see if you want to. You can say your last goodbyes then." He snickered.

Ravenar heard Yolanda's voice outside of his cell and down the hall, but he wouldn't call out to her. This was for the best. If they broke him out of jail, they would be forced to leave this town. If he died, however, if he were executed, they could stay and be happy here. He did not want to jar them from this place.

Ravenar, though, was still thinking about what Arminas had said. What 'other affairs' could possibly be more important than a murder? What had gone on while Canina was dying? He didn't know what had been happening, but he did know that neither him nor Lasha had anything to do with it...

He hoped for all of their sakes, though, that they had enough sense to just let him die... It would be easier that way, and Ravenar did not like being any trouble.

Another Mage District guard came up and opened Ravenar's cell. "Come here, you little drow b*****d." The guard said, holding up a rope. "Executioner needs to know what size noose ye wear..." Ravenar stood up, mortified, and allowed the guard to measure him. "Good, nice tight, snug fit." The guard snickered.

"Make sure it's tight." Ravenar said through gritted teeth. "Because I don't want to suffer too long. Just to utter a curse upon your family and home." Ravenar spat in the guard's face... literally.

"Why you little!" The guard punched Ravenar in the face, sending him reeling back, falling onto the floor, unable to keep his balance because his hands were bound. "I'm gonna be in the front row when I come see you die!" The guard threw shut the door and stormed off, cursing and swearing.

The Mage District guard eyed the coins from beneath his hood, and then looked at Yolanda. He snatched them away from her. "Get back in there." He jerked his thumb back in the hall of cells. "Don't take too long, or I'm gonna make ya pay triple!" He threatened.

Ravenar heard the guard and was grateful, but he did not know if he could face Yolanda. After all, this would most likely be their last meeting... and he would tell her not to attempt to interrupt his execution. No daring rescues... that would do nothing but put them in grave danger that did not need to happen...

He idly attempted to use his magic... he reeled in the pain that came from his bracers, the runes on them flaring up and burning his skin... His mouth opened in a silent howl of pain, his teeth bared and strings of saliva going from the roof of his mouth to his tongue. He stopped, forced down by the pain, and the runes slowly faded... It hadn't worked.

He hoped, that for the life of him, however, that he'd find a way out on his own if he could... He didn't want them involved.

Waking up a few minutes after Yolanda had left, the drow only vaugely remembered the mage opening the door and then suddenly, she was whisked away into her bed. Attempting to sit up, she stopped quickly and groaned, putting a hand to her head as a splitting headache throbbed just at her temples, provoked by her stirring.

Getting out of bed, she found herself still dressed, and her sword was where she had left it that morning. Smiling sadly, she picked it up from the floor and strapped it on her back, under her cloak before going downstairs. Blast the headache though, it almost made her fall down the crystaline steps as she grit her teeth in pain and made it down step by step.

Then it all came flooding back in a rush of painful images, and she practically shouted..
"RAVENAR!!" Before she bolted about the living room and found Imo curled up and sleeping there. Grief was etched on her usually emotionless face as she realised that it was her fault that this had happened. If that old crone hadn't died... Ravenar would be with them still. But it was no use looking to that now as she saw the young dragon sleeping peacefully.

"Yolanda?" She called out a moment, but heard nothing in reply. Thinking to rush out into the streets and find the mage, the drow was at the door when she paused to think. 'No, not smart, going running through the streets of a town you barely know to look for someone that could be anywhere..' Resting her forehead against the wooden door, she stood straight and turned on heel, sitting down on one of the couches cross-legged as she waited. Lashantha did not like waiting, but she would have to, Yolanda was bound to come back before sunrise.. at least she hoped so. Looking down at the coffee table, she saw a piece of paper. Picking it up, she read the letters on it before sighing in relief. Yolanda was already on top of everything.

The drow would await the mage's return and hope that they could come up with a plan together, or that the human already HAD a plan..

(( ninja Errr... She's tired? Ehehe sweatdrop Edited my other post..))

Yolanda was shocked. He thought that she was just going to leave him there to die? After all they'd been through together... She gave him a dark glare.

"Of course I wouldn't," she said through gritted teeth, but hoped that he caught her meaning, "Something like that would be...impossible." Obviously, their conversation was not going to be exactly private.

"I just decided to come see you one last time, before tomorrow," she lied. Weather or not he had caught the message was beyond her control, but she would come. She'd think of some way to do it...somehow. Gods, it wasn't like Yolanda was intent on staying here anyways. She could easily pack up her things and leave. Perhaps it was time to move on to another place.

"I WILL not FIND this easy though I will find A WAY to accept it," she said, "But I WILL try my best NOT to do anything and LET YOU DIE." She hoped that it was subtle enough. I will find a way, I will not let you die.

"Don't lose hope," she whispered to him, her lips barely moving and the sound nearly inaudible. Don't lose hope...

(( xd Go, blatantly obvious secret messages...))

Yolanda nodded and left, dropping another three coins for the guard to keep their conversation quiet, though he wouldn't find anything worth telling. Just a friend saying goodbye... As she walked, her mind went over any possible plans. Well, breaking him out now would be impossible. However, tomorrow morning would grant them a slim time frame to work with.

Sighing softly, she returned to her own home, tapping on the door as it swung open quietly. Inside, she turned to see Imo still asleep, but Lasha awake. Well, they would have to make a plan quickly. Not only that, but they would have to figure out how to execute it, perfectly. Ravenar's life was in danger.

"I have some bad news," Yolanda said quietly to Lasha, "Ravenar's execution date is set for tomorrow morning. We need to come up with a plan and quickly if we wish to save him." She paused looking at her. Did she wish to save him? They'd only known each other a short time, but... For some reason, she doubted that Lasha would just leave him to die. They were of the same race.

"I need your help, Lasha," she said softly, trying not to wake Imo, "Will you help me?"

"I'm glad you feel the same way," Yolanda replied, giving an attempt at a smile. Okay, now to think of a plan.

Holding her staff, she produced a 3-D diagram of the execution 'stage' as it was commonly called. The actual execution would be done on a platform in the middle of the square while anyone who wanted to come watch stood around it. Then again, being mages, many often brought their own tortures for the victims. Once, a mage had casted a spell on a convict while he hung, keeping the air out of his lungs but not allowing him to die. This went on for a few hours while the man squirmed until the mage finally released the spell and let the poor fellow meet the welcome arms of death.

"Now, here is the path that Ravenar will be lead," Yolanda said as a small red line of air moved its way through the path that she mentioned.

"Ravenar's things are probably still held at the guard tower. Your job is to get them back. I will stall the execution for as long as possible. After you get his weapons back, signal to me and I'll free Ravenar. Then..." she paused, "We run. As far as possible, as fast as possible." She sighed.

"If anything goes wrong, leave. We'll meet up again outside the town. Head south, towards the coast. I have some friends down there who can help us. Just tell them that I sent you. They'll know." Yolanda hesitated for a moment. This would be difficult. She would have to use some of her most dangerous spells...some that she usually wouldn't use unless in battle. But... Just as she thought this, she let the tiny map dissipate. It wouldn't be easy, no. However, it was the right thing to do. She knew it.

Yolanda chuckled softly.

"Yes, Deghar would have no problem being a distraction," she said. The hotheaded Duergar would definately not have a problem with that. He was also a friend of Ravenar's as she recalled.

"I'll contact him. If you're not too tired right now, see if you can track down Ravenar's items, his dagger and staff." She paused for a moment, "But whatever you do, do not touch them. They've been magickally equipped so do not try to take them."

Briefly, she wondered where Deghar would be at this hour. Drinking, no doubt, at the local bar. She would check there before checking at his store to try to find him. He would be a good help if he was willing. Turning, she opened the door, then gave her staff a wave, allowing Lasha to enter and exit without being stopped by any of the magickal defenses.

"Quickly, we do not have much time," Yolanda added before walking down the street towards the local tavern where she was sure to find Deghar drinking until he was hardly able to stand. Perhaps she would find Valgard there as well, one of Ravenar's other allies. He seemed a bit more level headed than Deghar, especially when drinking.

She arrived at the tavern, pushing open the door to find a myraid of smells and sounds. A blast of warm air spilled into the cold nights air of the mages district for a moment before Yolanda stepped into the bar and closed the large door. Her eyes scanned the room, searching for a sign of Deghar or Valgard.