Wreckage, Continued.

It was a simple gambit.

Tilk & Tilum were both necessary cogs in a machine of Ripple’s magnitude. Tilum worked as a custodian of the streets. He cleared gutters of leaves and horseshit, washed store fronts, and saw the city for what it truly was. His position allowed him to move amongst different classes as a ghost. While adorning his grey uniform with green accents, he would be granted clearance to High Ripple for his work. Tilk was a specialized guild worker, his outfit was similarly grey but with maroon accents. Dark red and silver were the colors of Mid Ripple, for his passage to High Ripple he would have to have a green and gold envelope with special permission inside, an item which Tilk currently had in his posession. He often serviced only the richest of the citizens. Those privileged enough to have the new invention of “copper pipes” for running water, they called on Tilk for maintenance and repair.

So the plan was simple, they would make their way into High Ripple individually.

Tilk & Tilum’s parts were well established. Tilum would go first and be the eyes. Tilk would follow next and gain entrance to the Ripple Hightower with his false work order. Bishop would be the last piece. As Tilum found his way into the guard headquarters by way of the vast sewer system underneath; Aesop would stride confidently, with falsified papers, in the front door.

This was where Aesop shined. He had already built a backstory for the situation. While on a job, he always kept the name Bishop Prescott. He had placed an enchantment on the monicker, so that whenever he told it to people it would sound familiar to them. This only worked on those unblessed or unburdened by the powers of high-perception. In Bishop’s past experience, the guards who were unfortunate enough to pull a night shift were quite unburdened by such things. Add that to the fact that only a fool would dare attack the fortress that was the Ripple Hightower, it was a formula for success. From there it was up to the wind. The loose ends of the plan would hopefully tie themselves once they got inside. Bill would provide a distraction to pull focus from the group. The details were simple enough after that, find out where Abe, Stauch, and Finn are; then get them out.

Bill was a powerful (and secretive) wizard, when asked how he would find access, the reply was blunt.

“I will be in High Ripple with pipe in hand. Worry about yourselves.”

So they set out. Tilk and Tilum departed first, Bill shut the door behind them. Standing at the door with his earless head pressed against it, he spoke in a whispered tone.

“They are gone.”

Aesop stood at the fire, his back to Bill, warming his hands.

“They seem sturdy, reliable. Powerful allies in a corrupt city such as this.”

Bill made his way across the room with confident, but silent strides. He stopped a few feet away from his old friend, who turned to face him.

“One moment.”

Said Bill clearly. Then he mumbled in Draconic.

“Peace, and trust.”

A spell enveloped the two in an orb of silence. Had there been someone else in the room, they would see a hazy barrier with two figures inside. They would only barely hear the incoherently muffled voices within.

Bill looked at Aesop for a moment.

“Bishop.”

“You can call me by my real name, we are alone.”

“Aesop. I think things here are beyond our control. When the party was here days ago, they met with Mayor Burgess, and a few others. The mayor would have been the only person to have known to look for them and have the power to act quickly. The swiftness in which they were snatched up…”

Aesop nodded knowingly.

“He’s connected to Banish. If it’s true, I’ll have to inform someone.”

Bill shrugged.

“Seems likely. Our friends made serious enemies when they attacked their camp outside Millquad. I had no idea it’d be this bad though.They tipped their hand to him, somehow. He knows they’re responsible. I doubt they survive the night.”

Aesop placed his hand on Bill’s shoulder. He spoke delibrately, but with great fluidity.

“The wheels of bureaucracy work slowly in a city this size. They set the trap, and it sprang well. True. But the decision makers of this town are slow to rouse, and they are sleeping still. If we are fortunate, some low level enforcer is with them right now. There’s royalty amongst them, no brash decisions will be made. They will hopefully survive the night if we move quickly. You have no reason to feel guilt either way, keep in mind. We must act on what stage we are given; to the audience before us. These three made their decisions that led them here. I know you’ve grown to trust them, but I have more to think of. I have Tetra to consider.”

Bill looked visibly bristled, some smoke puffed from his nostril.

“I’ve told you. They could be very strong allies for you, for your mission.”

“I believe that you think that. It’s why I’m here. Your money is fine, I have a life to maintain. But I trust you Bill, you have to trust me.”

The older Dragonborne bowed his head.

“We have to move.”

Bill clapped his hands together suddenly and spoke.

"Depart."

He disappeared into smoke tendrils; leaving Aesop to change into his costume for the evening's performance.