Alarm, First Contact
Subject: Crashing the party
The waiting group hears a quiet hoot coming from the darkness to one side of the tower. It is the agreed upon signal for "proceed with the plan". Cadfael and Garyth look at each other once, then move forward toward the doorway.
Mission takes a deep breath, and focuses his vision down the length of his crossbow bolt. It is a 60 foot shot to the front doorway, an easy shot normally, but the uneven and dim light will make targets difficult to separate.
Sa'id and Farron move a few feet apart, to give each other room to cast if needed. Other than that, there is little they can do at this point.
As soon as he gives the signal, Rennik scoots back inside the tower and stands by the makeshift door gripping his axe. At the first sign of trouble, he will bash the door down and enter.
Cadfael and Garyth walk toward the tower, trying to look casual, but only get about 20 feet before there is a gentle but quite audible ringing sound coming from inside the tower. Behind them, Farron hits himself in the forehead with the heel of his hand and whispers to Sa'id, "Alarm. Rennik said there was a mage with them. He has cast alarm outside the tower. We should have thought of that. A simple detect magic cantrip would have seen it. Damn."
[Rennik is inside by the door, and can hear the ringing, though it is a very non threatening sort of ring, like a handbell. Cadfael and Garyth are about 20 feet from the treeline, and 40 feet from the tower. Mission, Sa'id and Farron heard the ringing, and are all still inside the treeline. Everyone check in, please, even if it is only a "I stare at the tower". Tom, I need your actions in a private email, please.]
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Mission will stay focused and still. He hopes the mages will too.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Garyth pauses for a moment when he hears the bell begin to ring. But it changes nothing, he wasn't trying to be stealthy anyway. He continues walking toward the door.
OOC: Tom should be on the list as of a few days ago. Are you receiving doubles of this email, Tom?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Farron remains absolutely silent, though he does run his finger reassuringly across a small, perfectly straight and perfectly smooth rod of iron in his robe pocket.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Cadfael jumps slightly at the sound of the chimes and takes a moment to collect himself before carrying on toward the tower. The plan has not changed in the slightest.
"I suppose this means we don't have to knock, eh Garyth?"
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
Btw guys. As I mentioned before, there is no actual door. Just an open doorway.
Just a reminder, in case it becomes important later.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Crashing the party
But in the next second, Farron thinks to himself that it's actually a good thing they didn't do anything to prevent the alarm. That would surely tip off any mage worth his salt that there were other mages about, effectively blowing their cover just a surely as if they walked right up to the door and said "Howdy!".
From: Ty
Subject: Crashing the party
Cadfael and Garyth pause only a moment when the alarm sounds. Trying to act as nonchalantly as possible, they continue towards the doorway. At about 15 feet away, the scene inside becomes clear. A large man in splint armor is standing inside the room, about ten feet back from the doorway. In one hand, with the butt resting against the floor, is an exceptional looking halberd. He has a blank expression on his square face.
Behind him, and a bit to one side, is a man in plain gray robes. He stands with one bare foot against the wall in what looks like a sort of awkward position, though he shows no sign of discomfort.
There is a tense moment as each of you looks at the other, waiting for someone to speak...