A watch is set over the scribe's house, and he is followed the next day to work, then after work to a restaurant again, where he dines alone, though notably it is the same place he ate the night before, and he seems to be expecting someone who has not arrived after dinner the scribe returns home, and a group of 20 young men seems to be approaching the house...
How are they dressed? Are they street thugs or the queen's men? Or somebody else entirely?
What kind of house is it? Does the scribe have a room or the entire house?
Did we get some info from the quasitoris?
What did you ask the quaesitoris?
The me are better dressed than street thugs, but certainly not the queens men.
The house is a small, single story affair. You cannot be certain of the internal layout, but it shares walls on either side with the houses next to it.
Most importantly, if they had repeated the search and if Leo was still in town. We told them that we had seen Leo's persona but lost him.
Are the 20 men armed?
Are they closer to or further from the house than we are?
Leo is still in town at last report from the others
the 20 men are further away than you are.
Marcus removes his characteristic red cap and tucks it inside his tunic, and pulls up his hood instead. Then he hurries towards the door. He knocks quickly, but he opens it and walks in before the 20 men catch up. It is too early for the door to be bolted, isn't it. He asks whoever he sees that he needs to talk to the scribe, and there is no time to miss. When he finds him he says, «we need to talk. And by the way,» he points through a window, «that gang over their, are they friends of you?» If there is a back door, he tries to get the scribe to leave with him.
As you move towards the house the men break into a run. You knock on the door and they are approaching rapidly, and as it turns out the door is either bolted or locked- in any case it does not open easily. The men are right behind you, with short swords drawn...
Marcus moves quickly away from the door. «After you,» he says with a smile, and backs into a nearby, narrow passage between the houses. Do the men head for him or for the door? Are any of the sodales in the vicinity?
Richard looks at the men warily. «We should...», he wanted to advise to stay out of their way given their number when Marcus started to rush towards the door.
«... Sir...», he slightly shakes his head but follows Marcus immediately, guarding his back as the magus tries to open the door. He stays between him and the men guarding the narrow passage.
«Easy,» says Marcus, «we do not want to draw blood. Let's see if they take an interest in us at all.» If the men approach them, they draw far enough into the passage that the men have to enter it before they can engage them, and hopefully the passage is so narrow that only one person can engage them at a time.
«As you say, Sir», Richard replies putting his hand off the sword again. He remains ready to change his stance in an instant though.
Marcus has a quick look behind him. Is there a courtyard further in?
The buildings share a wall as in there is no space between them to slip down... the space you are describing for defensive value does not exist.
You step aside from the door and them men direct their attention towards you instead of the door...
If there was no passage immediately next to this building, we moved on until there is a passage we found. Without delay.
The men will move to intercept you before you get to a passageway. This is a city center of a large city which takes up little ground space and is not a high income part of the city. Space is at a premium and alleyways are sparse.
«Sir? » he says, undecided if he should draw his sword or if the magus would have another plan.
When it is clear that the men will overtake them, Marcus stops and looks at the apparent leader. «Are you looking for someone? Can we help?»
He glances quickly past the men. Is there any sign of life at the scribe's house?
There is no activity at the scribe's house, but there is light flickering from inside.
The leader laughs as he brandishes his weapon "Hold still, this will be over soon."
Marcus stares him in eye, only subtly moving his hand, casting a Trust of the Childlike Faith¹
¹ 6 + 12 (casting score) - 7 for no voice and subtle gestures with a quiet mastery ability. = 11 over L10. So if we are not too close to the cathedral.
divine aura of 3, so the spell works. I assume you are planning to say something before he hits you with that sword...