>>5241501The Archmage stands alone now—well, save for Malalyn Wramfeet, and you from your hidden vantage point in the side-alley, in his blind-spot. He rolls his shoulders, adjusts his robe, and sniffs a little at the acrid smoke. HE is breathing heavily, from exertion or adrenaline, or both.
‘…Unholy fuckin’ shit,’ Irrinile comments.
“Come, Miss Warmfeet,” the Archmage says brusquely, offering her a helping hand up. “We must waste no more time. We will not be safe so long as we remain here, exposed to ASSASSINS.”
He says the last word loudly enough for the surviving guards to hear. You see them flinch, as if worried this exclamation itself will explode them where they stand.
“Release my man,” he demands, advancing towards them. “And my unicorns, and my carriage. We are leaving, gentlemen, and if you have ANY wisdom, you will NOT get in my way again, but will instead throw yourselves on the mercy of your own Commander—with whom I am to MEET, sirs!”
They back off. Even the enthralled guards are not properly ectoplasmed, after all—it would have taken too much energy, too much time, to do it for each of them. They cannot go against their own instinct for self-preservation…
And to stand against this man, this Archmage, is indeed certain death.
‘Right!’ Irinnile agrees with forced cheer. ‘Agreed, babe! SO, like, we ain’t gonna’ do that… Right?’
Your grip tightens on your dagger.
‘…Babe? We’re not, right?’
He hasn’t seen you. Apart from Tomas, none of these guards have seen your face—your true face. The Archmage has, though. If this man lives, Ismena Rosgard and Kamunu die.
‘Babe, if we attack him, WE die!’
You have the element of surprise. His back is turned. It would take only a single strike…
‘BABE!’ Irinnile protests.
What do you do?
>Let him go—Irinnile is right>Throw your dagger [frost dagger +1, or regular dagger? Please specify] and duck into the alleys if you miss—it’s your best chance to attack without exposing yourself to counter-attack>You’re better in a melee, and this demands certainty—charge and attack, finish this fool!>Write-in