Cloaks

Chapter 5: The Tangled Web

Their first night on base had proven to be a restless one.

"So the princess is leading the revolutionary forces," Malakos muttered. The party had gathered together in a private cell, to discuss their next move in hushed whispers.

"Bit more extreme than most rebellious phases," Bardy shrugged. "But what do I know about upper-class society?"

"I'll tell you about upper-class society–" Deruque started, but the others continued over him.

"She wasn't kidnapped," Ruby said. "She's not being held against her will. In fact, you could even argue that the castle was where she was being held against her will, and that returning her would make us the kidnappers."

"This changes things," Malakos scrunched his eyes closed and rubbed the space between them.

"Yeah," Bardy mused. "How are we gonna convince the princess to go back to the castle? Or should we use force?"

"You're still planning to take her back?" Ruby asked.

"Well, we won't get paid if we don't–and nobody said anything to me about the plan changing," the halfling said defensively.

Everything was silent for a moment, before he prompted, "...Has the plan changed?"

Malakos released a long breath before answering. "I...don't think we have a choice. We came here to rescue a princess for the crown. It turns out we need to rescue a kingdom from the crown."

Deruque startled everyone with a loud outburst of support. "YES! DOWN WITH THE CRO–!"

All three other members slammed down with their hands on his muzzle, effectively silencing him for the moment.

"But...the money?" Bardy groused. "I'm all for doing good, but I can't do that on an empty stomach. And our benefactor is the one in charge of the kingdom's extensive treasury."

"Not for much longer, if we have anything to say about it," Malakos said. "That treasure hoard is going to feed the people of this town, one way or the other."

"I vote for the violent way," Deruque muttered through the three sets of hands over his mouth.

"And I'm sure the new leader will remember your efforts, Bardy," Ruby added.

This seemed to satisfy the halfling, and they all settled down to sleep.

The next week gave the party more insight into the Red Cloaks. Teams came and went–most on charitable missions to alleviate the suffering of the townsfolk, but some were sent to raid the wealthy for funds from time to time. Occasionally, they would come back with bits of armor they had been able to swipe as well–all of which were added to the slowly-growing armory.

The party found their talents well-appreciated among the other members. Bardy discovered an eager audience in the other revolutionaries, who cheered for his performances at every meal. Ruby spent long hours attending to the animals in the stalls, connecting with their riders. Malakos kept himself busy in the clinic, some days leaving only long after the sun had gone down. Even Deruque successfully secured the camaraderie of the other troops–his passion and long speeches becoming a sort of endearing inside joke the entire base could share.

"You're just getting off now?" Ruby asked, as Malakos slipped into their sleeping quarters.

"Yeah," he whispered, taking off his cleric's robe and hanging it on a chair. "Grishnar's party got in late. Had some stab wounds, but they're right as rain now."

"Did you eat?"

"I did, yeah. How's everything outside the clinic? I don't think I've stepped outside it during daylight hours in three days."