The three guards that followed them paused at the beginning of the dock. They hesitated, seeing the escapees board a large ship, unwilling to risk being outnumbered. One of them was human. Just then the rest of the reinforcements started pouring out across the curve from which you could see the shoreline. There were around two dozen, mostly Reindir knights - their numbers were bolstered by the troops brought in with the general.
Violet knew of Niara Shadowleaf all to well, but must have been surprised to learn of her presence. She wasn't supposed to be here.
Following the captain's orders, the crew was already working to set sail. There were ten of them, which was incidentally just enough to man a ship this size. Meric fell in with them to help speed things up. By the time enemy soldiers reached the docks, both the anchor and the sails were raised, and ropes taken care of. The ship was free and away. The crew disappeared below deck to row. Brigantines were usually equipped with both propelling systems.
They had just left the dock when Niara reached the place where the boarding plank was not too long ago. Her figure was unmistakable. Tall, clad in green, gold-trimmed armor shining in the afternoon sun. She kicked a knight in the water - one of those three that hesitated to follow the Chosen onto the brigantine. Afterwards she just stood there ignoring everything around her and stared at the fellowship who looked back at her from the ship's railing. Her facial expression couldn't be made out. She couldn't have been happy though.
Xenthriss chuckled. "I reckon we just put the good general in an awkward position."
Those who kept looking back could see that there would be no pursuit. The enemy didn't have the means to quickly follow them across the sea. Niara and her knights marched back towards the Great Library, likely going to thoroughly explore it. They'd find the secret passage and the tunnel. They'd find the secret section with its skeletal guardian perhaps still frozen in place. But they wouldn't find what they came here for. The proof linked to the Amaranth, taken by Dina, was now in the hands of the scholar, Henvei. General Shadowleaf would return back to Alicante empty-handed... For the first time in her career.
And Ilhirel would not be pleased at all.
Violet knew of Niara Shadowleaf all to well, but must have been surprised to learn of her presence. She wasn't supposed to be here.
Following the captain's orders, the crew was already working to set sail. There were ten of them, which was incidentally just enough to man a ship this size. Meric fell in with them to help speed things up. By the time enemy soldiers reached the docks, both the anchor and the sails were raised, and ropes taken care of. The ship was free and away. The crew disappeared below deck to row. Brigantines were usually equipped with both propelling systems.
They had just left the dock when Niara reached the place where the boarding plank was not too long ago. Her figure was unmistakable. Tall, clad in green, gold-trimmed armor shining in the afternoon sun. She kicked a knight in the water - one of those three that hesitated to follow the Chosen onto the brigantine. Afterwards she just stood there ignoring everything around her and stared at the fellowship who looked back at her from the ship's railing. Her facial expression couldn't be made out. She couldn't have been happy though.
Xenthriss chuckled. "I reckon we just put the good general in an awkward position."
Those who kept looking back could see that there would be no pursuit. The enemy didn't have the means to quickly follow them across the sea. Niara and her knights marched back towards the Great Library, likely going to thoroughly explore it. They'd find the secret passage and the tunnel. They'd find the secret section with its skeletal guardian perhaps still frozen in place. But they wouldn't find what they came here for. The proof linked to the Amaranth, taken by Dina, was now in the hands of the scholar, Henvei. General Shadowleaf would return back to Alicante empty-handed... For the first time in her career.
And Ilhirel would not be pleased at all.