Rebirth: Over the Horizon

The two of them find a spot where the wall can be scaled out of view of the patrolling archers.

"The guards are stretched thin." Pergia remarks during the ascent. "Too much chaos in the city. Perfect for us."

The two quickly and silently climb atop the wall.

Coordinating with the thief, Adam makes his way to one of the castle gates, finding only a pair of guards manning it.

Periga strikes from the shadows, knocking the guards unconscious before either can react and sound the alarm.

At the same time, Adam opens the gate below so that the rest of the Chosen can also join them inside the castle walls.

"Not bad, not bad."

Hearing this praise, Adam become a little irritated but, still maintained his composure.

The group hurries through the castle, eager to reach the vault before any more guards realize what are they up to.

Fortunately, given the ongoing fighting in the streets and losses from combat thus far, the castle guard is severely understaffed.

One can guess that most of those who remain are posted on the walls and at the gates, giving the group free reign of the castle interior.

"I found a blueprint of the castle in the university archive," Daedala informs the group. "The vault is this way."

After navigating a maze of halls, stairs, and tunnels, they descend into a long corridor that ends in a massive circular door of imposing iron.

The walls are lined with machinery, contraptions which resemble Daedala's own inventions.

"Be cautious." The inventor warns. "This place contains many traps."

Suddenly heavy footsteps echoes from above.

"We may not have time to be that cautious."

Pergia says with an excited grin. "Now this should be a fun challenge."

"I suggest that powerful combatants hold off the soldiers while others enter the vault inside and loot the treasures."

Adam can easily see-through periga's scheme, even though the trial can complete, there is another thing of contribution, right?

"It's been a while...my glomes."

As Adam finished his lines the temperature decreased and a dozen of Ice glomes formed before him.

"Hold them off." Adam orders and turns his head to face the group, "Way we go."

The group reached the vault within a few seconds. There are seemingly infinite piles of gold, jewels, and priceless artwork inside.

Periga shouts, "Grab everything you can carry and run." He says, shoving a small fortune into his bag.

"Time to move. Any loyal guards left in this place will be working on a new plan to stop us."

Adam recalls the glomes and moves on out of the castle with the rest of the group.

They ran through the streets and hills finally reaching the beach and boarding the boat.

Adam can still hear the shouts of soldiers swarming the city and castle, but it seems that the group has miraculously evaded their pursuers, at least for the moment.

'Miraculous' is quickly proven to be the right word, as Elthnorn, currently in the form of a ferret, scurries across the beach to meet up with the Chosen.

Even in the dim moonlight, his radiant golden fur is immediately obvious when he wants it to be.

"Well, well, well! Not bad at all. Looks like you made off with all the treasure."

"And everyone survived," Qora adds, relieved.

"Yes, yes." Elthnorn replies dismissively. "More importantly, treasure! Let's take a look at this stuff." Elthnorn scurries around the pile of loot.

He doesn't hesitate to roll around on a priceless oil painting, giggling to himself as he does. "Oh, I'm going to have so much fun with this loot."

Pergia sneaks a bit closer to his patron. "Er… surely you don't need all of it, do you? We could keep just a couple pieces for… sentimental purposes?"

"Nope!" Elthnorn answers. The treasure disappears in a puff of smoke and shadow.

Pergia pouts, dismayed. Elthnorn continues. "Now, it seems like a good idea for all of you to get off of Sankos quickly."

"So we'll be doing the abbreviated version of this whole trial debriefing thing."

"You all passed, yadda yadda, great job and all that. The one who gets the blessing is…"

"Adam Crystal"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm as surprised as any of you, but they came through on this one, didn't they?"

Elthnorn shrugs his little ferret shoulders.

"Yeah, yeah, great honour and all that. No speeches. We're pressed for time here, kid. Whaddya want?"

Even though he is a magician and a spearsman, would it hurt to become a thief?

"Give me something which will make me stealth and Sneaky."

Sneakiness. Good. Easy. Here." Elthnorn conjures up a small black stone which he chucks in your general direction. "Shadowstone. Keep it in your pocket. Makes you sneakier. Or maybe not. Who knows? It's what you're getting. Be grateful."

Suddenly, the footsteps of the guards can be heard growing closer. "Now, you really should be getting out of here, yeah?"

"Time's wasting. You'll get the next trial on the way. Go, go, go."

Without further delay, the group does exactly as the god of mischief commands.

With the plundered spoils of the day removed by Elthnorn, Adam and his fellow Chosen are able to escape to their ship and make ready to sail before any pursuers figure out where they are.

Some of the Chosen worried over the possibility of pursuers for a little while, but with the continuing chaos in Sankos in the wake of the rebellion, and the heist, it seems that no one was in a position to try to give chase.

Soon they can see nothing but the sea stretching out in every direction

A soft green light envelops the deck of the ship, and soon they were joined by Utheral in his festive bright robe.

"Hah! Well done." He declares. "I mean, I don't normally approve of theft, but well done on completing another trial. And if there are no further delays…"

The God of Hearth and Home pauses, taking a long look around the deck.

Perhaps he is expecting another of the Twelve to interrupt him, as Elthnorn had done at the start of the previous trial.

Satisfied that no interruption is forthcoming, he heaves a sigh of relief and continues.. "… it is time for my trial."