Recudor: Repaying the debt

Clarent answers Sharpe with a soft groan and a sigh. She visually relaxes, a lot of her tension leaving as her hand opens up and a small makeshift shiv rolls across the room. She presses herself up a bit from the ground and rolls on her side, leaning against the wall although she is too exhausted and out of it to reply to him properly.

Sharpe unsheathes his sword, stepping back.

"Stay back, I'm going to cut the door open."

He grips the handle with both of his hands and analyzes the grate door. The grates should not be a problem, but he will have to put a little more pressure to cut the bar in the middle.

He breathes in, and exhales. A swift horizontal slash is cut into the grating near the floor, and another slash near the cieling. He refocuses the blade, and slashes once into the metal bar, it slides half-way through before he curves the blade out so the sword doesn't get stuck in the metal. He swings again and is able to cut through it. He does a single twirl of the sword, refocusing again, and then brings the blade down harder than before and gets a bit more than the last bar. He brings the blade down a final time and the metal bard severs from the part where the lock is.

He sheathes his sword and grabs the grating, and then tugs a few times, with more power each successive time to pull it off. Instead of tossing it, he lays it against the wall, and steps into the cell, and then puts his hands on Clarent's shoulders, then her cheeks and forehead.

"You're safe now. I'm going to carry you out on my shoulder and we'll be back home before you know it. I think I found something that should help you out." He says.

He grabs the shiv off the floor and stows it in a pocket on his coat, opposite the side he intends to carry Clarent on. He wraps his arm around her abdomen.

"Before I try this can you tell me if you've been injured? A nod or shake will suffice."

Clarent props herself on Sharpe as he begins to pull her up. She shakes her head, though it seems she is breaking a sweat and fever. "...sold..." she whispers, barely audible and steadies herself, ready to be picked up fully. "they sold."

"They sold your soul trap? They SOLD it?" Sharpe says, escalating his voice in anger.

He looks away, trying to think of how this is going to go.

"Maybe we can transfer your soul to this other gem I found. God, I hope we can. Else I'll be coming back and I'll show them the might of Teyness..." He takes Clarent upon his shoulder and takes the candle he had from earlier. He walks over to the ladder and climbs it up a bit slower, considering he only has the one hand he can use and his other hand is holding Clarent. He reaches the top of the ladder for a moment, stops, looking for signs of gang members.

There aren't any signs that anyone has heard the sound. Or if they have, nobody has come to investigate it immediately. Across from the maintenance room remains the closed door of the hideout.

Seeing that there is no activity in the corridor, Sharpe takes this chance to jog through and make a break for the catacombs and eventually back to the church.

Sharpe manages to make his way through the sewers and catacombs mostly with no problems. He seems to take a few wrong turns here and there but eventually finds himself in the section he was at before.

He doesn't come across anyone on his way to the stairs leading up to the church, though when he arrives there he hears the breaking of wood and cries of children. With all the adrenalin pumping through his system Sharpe finds it difficult to be subtle but he peeks up from the stairs.
Fortunately enough it's just a few kids playing playing with sticks and branches. It's certainly no place for kids to be, and they know it, because as soon as one of them spots Sharpe carrying Clarent, they run off out of the church yelling various things, one of which Sharpe could swear was "He's carrying a dead person!"

This raises a good point to Sharpe. Clarent may not be dead, but she's in no condition to walk into the city herself. And even if she did, she looks noticeably sick and carrying a body around with him would seem incredibly suspicious.

Sharpe frowns, realizing it also may have to do with him carrying Clarent in that particular way. The only real reason he carried her like that is because he would he needed his free hand just in case. He could not leave her down there though. It would be heartless. He walks out of the church and props her against a tree, making sure nobody can see them for now. He takes out his canteen and holds it before her face.

"I know its not some miracle cure but it at least can keep you hydrated. If you drink the whole thing it's not an issue. We're not far from town. He sits next to her on her right and props his right knee up, laying his arm on his kneecap and having his hand dangle.

"Do you know who they sold it to? I know you're feeling it tug at you, where is it pulling from?" He asks. He doesn't expect much, but anything is better than nothing.

When Sharpe offers her the drink she takes a few small gulps of it and holds her hand up weakly showing she doesn't want any more. She fails to answer Sharpe however loosely points towards the city without even looking in its direction. It's pretty difficult to pinpoint anything this way but at least Sharpe can safely assume it's still somewhere within the city. Though for how long, he's not sure.

Sharpe frowns, looking in the direction of the city, and he takes his canteen back, stuffing it back into place.

"I'll get it back to you yet. I just need to figure out a way to get you in without anyone thinking you're a dead body. Carrying you bride-style would definitely reduce the risk. But we cannot rely on that alone. Perhaps though we can find Miss Kiel, maybe she can help us..." He says, wondering. It was said that the woman healed Jian and was suspicious but seemed kind enough when he met her. She also works with the Trader's Guild, so he could ask for her to assist him in retrieving her soul trap. Though that can call to attention their group, so maybe if he approached on his own volition by himself...

He looks at Clarent.

"When you're ready for me to carry you and we can go on, let me know. I intend to take you to the south gate and maybe wait for nightfall, or stow away in a carriage or something."

Clarent nods at Sharpe and he picks her up. The two of them make their way to the small road leading past the side of the city. There are a few people ahead of them, walking in the same direction, but they are far enough that Sharpe doesn't have to worry about them.

He's not really sure how much time he spent in that place but he's sure a few hours have gone by. Though... judging by how bright it is and where the sun is at, it's likely that nightfall will be a long while. He has plenty of time to think about it however as they make their way to the south gate.

They arrive near the gate, but enough out of view that nobody has noticed him yet.
There are a decent amount of guards, including some patrolling the top of the walls.

Sharpe watches the guard pattens and finds it'd be rather difficult to get her inside in her current state. She'd either have to gather all of her energy to appear normal, or they'd have to find a way to sneak in. Both would be hard.

He looks around for some way they could sneak in, maybe some empty boxes they could flip upside down... no that's a stupid idea, who in their right mind would fall for that? He shakes his head and looks at Clarent in his arms.

"You think after a while you might have enough energy to look normal? If I walk in with you they'll get suspicious." He says to her.

Clarent vaguely nods at Sharpe. Her eyes are closed and she appears as if she was sleeping, though fortunately she remains conscious.

He lets her down and she sags down onto one knee, having difficulties staying upright at first, but eventually manages to stand up and lean against Sharpe. Still, it looks rather fishy, though now she would just appear either extremely exhausted or drunk.
The two carefully approach the gate, trying to act as casual as possible. One of the guards does indeed stare at Sharpe, though neither of them make any moves to stop the two from entering.

As Clarent and Sharpe make their way into the city Sharpe spies a familiar face. The young girl he had met with lox the previous night at the church is making her way towards the gate, presumably about to leave the city. As always, she's carrying the enormous rifle on her back, obscured by rags of cloth and string. She's not really paying attention to either of them, seeming somewhat lost in thought, with a grim expression on her face. Each step she takes seems meaningful and determined, despite her vacant appearance, and she's playing around with a little chain that is hanging out from a satchel on her hip.

So far so good, there doesn't seem to be any issues. The sniper girl passes them, and he can't help but notice the chain she's playing with, and something in his head clicks. He nudges Clarent.

"Point to where your feel the pull for me, I want to see if my gut's right."

Clarent, being too weak to respond properly and using her strength to stand properly, simply tightens her grip on Sharpe. She mutters something barely audible and squeezes Sharpe's arm, to try and turn him around, though she loses her footing and almost falls.

The other girl ignores the two and keeps walking, busy with her own thoughts and her own things to do.

"Shit..." He says.

He catches Clarent before she can fall, and he turns to the girl from the evening before.

"Excuse me, You were the girl I saw last night who gave me that info on my friend. I found her and she's exhausted, but at least she's fine, could you per chance lend me a hand with her? I'm sorry to bother but you've been a great help so far, and I have currently nobody else." He says to her, not so loudly or desperately, but enough maybe for some emotion to get through. Really however, he wants to be able to keep her close, that chain really struck a chord with him, and his gut tells him it might be crucial.

Sharpe calls out to the girl and she stops. She stands there for a little while but then turns.
Her expression is filled with a certain hint of ferocity, but as she sees who is calling out to her she turns a lot more pleasant. "Hey there." she replies to Sharpe and begins walking his way. Without any hesitation or offer she adjusts the rifle on her shoulder and picks up Clarent from the ground to steady her against Sharpe. "Is this the woman you were looking for? So I take it Tispery was able to help you, huh?" She looks at Clarent, and then back up to Sharpe. "Where is your other friend?" She asks him.

"Ah, thanks. Well, last night got a little... weird. If you're ok with helping me get her to our house, I'll tell you what's up with Tispery. And yes this is the woman i was looking for last night." He explains to her, thinking back on the events of the previous night.

"Lox, the guy with me? He went out with the group I do work with earlier today, they were going to get some gear and supplies last I heard. Let it be known I do appreciate this a lot." He says as they both help Clarent to the house.

"I don't mind. My plans for today were ruined anyway." She says and begins to help Sharpe move Clarent in the direction of the house. "Just lead the way."

He helps maneuver them through the southern district, taking less populated streets though as opposed to the marketplace, both to avoid attention and also so that it doesn't put any more strain on Clarent. As they walk, Sharpe speaks up.

"Your day was ruined huh? I can't say I'm exactly pleased with the events of today myself. I'm Sharpe by the way. I figure we're likely to keep running into each other, might as well stay friendly. Who knows, we might end up working on a thing or two. What soured your mood though?"

"I doubt it, honestly. I'm going to be leaving the city in a week or so."
The three of them make their way towards the high class district.
Occasionally a few people come by but nobody pays any real attention to the three as they close in on the district.
"There's not much work to be found in the city anymore as of late. Or at least nothing suitable for me. This morning I went out to take care of a group of wolves but some ravenous monster must have gotten to them beforehand. They were pretty messed up, and what I went there to look for was not to be found, so I had to accept another letter."
The three arrive at the stairs to the High-Class district and the girl stops. "Looks like this is as far as I'll be able to go." She says and gestures towards the High-Class district. "I hope you two will be alright." she says and wastes no time with formalities as she begins to head back to the gate.

Sharpe frowns, seeing that he won't be able to get her to come with him. She was pleasant no less.

"Thank you, miss. You've helped me a great deal. If your trade ever brings you to Teyness, tell them you know me, they'll treat you well." He says. As she disappears from sight, he looks back at Clarent.

"We're almost there, hang in there."

They begin the short trek towards the house. It is a welcoming sight after the events of the day, but his day is not over yet.

The girl takes her leave, with Sharpe seemingly have forgotten why he had her tag along in the first place. Sharpe helps Clarent get up the steps to the High-Class district, when Clarent stops him for a moment. "I feel... a little better" she says, and looks at him. For once she looks rather normal instead of completely out of it and she steps away from Sharpe to stand by herself. "Thank you for helping me out, yet again." she says and they continue to the house. "I'm sorry I ran off, I don't know what had gotten in to me. I just had this urge to go somewhere. But I feel a lot more refreshed now, somehow."

Sharpe nods to Clarent.

"Yeah, but I think I know why you did." He says. He stops completely, his eyes widen and his heart pounds. He watches her act normal and separate away.

"OH SHIT!" He yells and turns right around.

"I'll be back, you can probably get yourself to the house, I think I know who has your soul trap!"

He doubles back, running in the direction he saw the girl go.

Clarent blinks a little confused as Sharpe suddenly makes a run for it and leaves her by herself. She smiles weakly and shrugs seeing the man disappear into an alley and makes her way to the house.

Sharpe retraces his steps in a haste and eventually catches up with the girl who is casually walking in the direction of the gate.