Chapter 237 - The Plan (2/2)
”I'm sorry?” asked the Madame as she turned back to Ebony.
”Lord Revierre has just issued a challenge against the Reapers,” said Ebony, ”They'll all be in the Arena at once on that day. They can't get out through the tunnels because the guards will never open the gates unless they're given the order to, and even then they wouldn't let the Reapers roam freely. But up in the stands...”
”There is no way from the Arena floor to the stands unless one goes through the tunnels,” said the Madame.
”Unless we made one,” said Ebony, ”A few ropes over the walls should be sufficient”.
”You're placing the hope of your escape on a few ropes?” asked the Madame.
Ebony sighed, ”Look, once the Reapers are up in the stands the crowd will panic. Especially if the tunnels below are also being flooded with the other escaped slaves”.
”Other escaped slaves?” asked the Madame.
”You heard the challenge that Revierre issued, it's the biggest one since Aegin and I have been here, and I'd wager it's been longer than that since something like this has gone on in the Arena. Everyone will want to watch the fight, and if the warriors are all locked up where their supposed to be, they won't think about consequences. You only need one slave to release those down there, and after the other hundred of so Slave Warriors are free, they'll have a full on riot both above and below ground to deal with,” said Ebony.
The Madame looked somewhat convinced, but still skeptical, ”Why me? You could have attempted to bribe one of the guards”.
”Because you're the only one I've met who truly wants to leave and has the influence to do what is required,” said Ebony, ”Do you not?”
The Madame looked away in thought, and after a few tense moments during which Ebony couldn't help but wonder if she'd made a mistake, the Madame sighed, ”So kill the Master then help those freed navigate away from Herguard I assume, but what of me after that? I have not set foot on any land apart from Herguard in over two hundred years. I may hate my life here but I have no life anywhere else”.
Ebony bit her lip in thought. She'd hoped the Madame wouldn't be so long-sighted, but clearly Ebony had hoped a little too much. After a moment, Ebony took the Tracking Charm from her pocket and showed it to the Madame.
”Do you know what this is?” asked Ebony.
”The Charm we attempted to take from you but always seemed to find its way back to you. Your Aegin had one as well. The Protective Charms you had have been quite useful, but I've heard word that the Market for these Charms outside of Herguard has grown. A Moonshadow Trading Company produces them and is the only one despite efforts of many to replicate the product. Why do you ask?” asked the Madame.
”Because I know Moonshadow's owner and the First Craftsman of the Charms,” said Ebony, ”If you can free us and get us off this Island, I'll give you an introduction. Your a businesswoman after all, It can't not be a tempting offer”.
A slow smile adorned the Madame's face before she couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips.
”My, my, my little Ebony,” she said, ”You seem to have the makings of quite the businesswoman yourself”.
The Madame leaned forward, offering her hand to Ebony, ”I will make preparations, but if the Reapers cannot put on a convincing show in the arena during that challenge, the deal is off. After all, I will not risk my own neck. I will have ropes thrown down when they are on the verge of winning, tell them to be ready, and if they cannot dispose of the Master quickly, there will be no hope of escape. Do I make myself clear?”
Ebony took the Madame's hand, ”And the others in the tunnels?”
”They'll be the distraction when the ropes come down,” said the Madame, ”Don't worry, I've had plenty of years to learn how to get my timing right”.
The Challenge was only a few days away, she had to get the message to Aegin.