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>four total successes between ‘Nira and the Caged Man to bridge the language barrier
>12 vs 24 – three degrees of failure to convince him to swear oaths.
You simply can’t risk releasing him without some guarantee of safety – you spend the next minute with the caged man trying to find some common understanding. His grasp of Hellenika is poor, but you’re quick to find that he shares the same gods that you do – you pantomime Zeus throwing thunderbolts from Mount Olympus, which he seems to instantly recognize, although he then barks out a bitter laugh. You presume that he is ascribing his current predicament to Zeus’ will, which…may actually be the case. From there, you’re able to demonstrate the swearing of oaths with Gerasimos, and you essentially plead with the man to swear the same oath that you and Myrethuia had earlier this evening – to do no harm to you or your troupe. Myrethuia herself says nothing during this episode – she stands silently watching your pantomime at the Palace Gates. You get the strong sense that she is preparing to flee, but she doesn't get the chance - you are surprised to find that the caged man is quick to nod in agreement with your proposal, eyes shining in the dark, but you can only get him to say:
“Woman, I swear, I swear.” Instead of the full oath you had proposed. With time burning away and your carts laden with stolen treasure, you shrug – it’ll have to do.
Between yourself, Gerasimos, and the caged man straining from a cramped crouch within the cage, you’re together able to topple the massive boulder from its resting place – it crashes to the cobblestones of the entrance hall with an enormous noise. Down the hallways, you can hear distant shouts of alarm and the sounds of sandaled feet striking stone.
The caged man, stretching to his full height, is taller than you, but not by too much. He grins wolfishly at you, as he stretches – his tousled and filthy hair, pungent stench, sharp cheekbones and short beard completes the profile of a half-starved beast – the noise of approaching guards doesn’t seem to be alarming to him, although your troupe immediately begin hustling the carts out the palace gates. Gerasimos draws to your side, bronze-tipped spear at the ready, for hostile action on the caged man’s part. You find yourself gripping your staff and bow a bit tighter, as you watch the man eyeing Gerasimos’ spear.
But it doesn't matter.
