552 A-bsolver Team

Geralt "Shit."

Vesemir looks grim at the revelation, "I-We must assume that he's still alive, I do not think they would kill him as quickly as we did with our own prisoner..."

Quelaag "Does this mean we can destroy the city?" she asks hopefully.

Reima rubs his forehead, "No... It just means we have another objective."

Talem "Then we will just rescue him before we attempt to assassinate the Eternal Fire leader."

Vesemir "I fear both targets will be in the same place, if they have indeed captured Arie then the Eternal Fire would be jubilant at the chance to interrogate him."

Reima "They're making it terribly hard not to annihilate them..." he mutters as Ard Carraigh in the map begins to smoke and smolder.

Quelana remove the flame by dragging her finger across the burning patch and interjects, "Perhaps we should leave the Prospects to assassinating the target, and choose someone else to rescue our capture comrade while everything is in chaos."

Geralt "Hmm, assuming that they are in the same place... Who would be suitable for the task?" he asks.

*Cough, Cough*

Solaire coughs into his hand with a smile, "Friends, I believe I would be suitable."

Quelaag snorts, "Suitable at destroying the city."

Vesemir shakes his head, "It isn't a bad suggestion Lady Quelaag, he is-looks, human. Not only that I doubt we have to worry about his safety or that of Arie's."

Reima looks at Solaire, "You sure you can manage it bro? I don't doubt your strength but they'd probably execute Arie at the first sign of trouble."

Solaire thumps above his heart with his fist, "I will not allow any harm to come to Sir Arie my friend."

Reima nods, "Then, you will leave with Risryn... I'm sure the others wouldn't mind you borrowing their horses for this, just make sure to leave nothing to chance." he states.

And thus the plans were made, Risryn, Talem, and Solaire along with a few highly skilled Prospects would be heading to Kaedwen to achieve two things. To assassinate the Eternal Fire leader in Ard Carriage, and to rescue Arie from wherever he was being held.

Obviously they could not go as they were, the Prospects wore ragged foreign clothing that, while it did not degrade and even regenerated, was not suitable for the task at hand. The same was true for Solaire, golden armour with grey robes isn't exactly the most inconspicuous...

Risryn, Talem and the five other Prospects that were coming with them were all given some of the Chaos Servants grey robes that'd be fashioned into travelling cloaks. Their hoods hid their masks unless someone was specifically trying to get a look at their faces.

Solaire, on the other hand, stored his golden armour and sunlight crown in a small bottomless box on his hip while putting on some "Peasant" clothes under his travelling cloak. The only thing he retained was his Sun's Sword, the fractured golden blade not able to be seen in its scabbard.

The night before they were due to leave Reima was having a drink with Risryn, Talem, Solaire and Kuretz.

Kuretz "So you guys just decided to leave me here?" he asks in disbelief.

Talem "We felt that you wouldn't be the best suited for stealth."

Kuretz bangs his fist on the table and exclaims "What!"

Risryn finishes her drink and nods, "Exactly."

Reima smirks at their interactions and leans in, "So, you guys ever assassinated someone before?" he asks, wondering if they had experience in the matter.

Risryn nods, "During my time as an Absolver the Guides had me sent to many countries to assassinate various leaders of rebellions, rulers that stood against them and troublesome influential people."

Reima "Seems like the Guides had the right idea on how to control the world, just crush anyone who resists." he muses before looking at Talem, "And you?"

Talem shrugs, "Apart from a few raids on Guide outposts... No, I will be following Risryn in our task ahead."

Kuretz "What's so hard about it anyway? Killing someone is easy, just walk up, stab them and run." he says.

Talem "If only it were so easy." he mutters.

Risryn "If everyone were as simple as you Kuretz we'd still be in the stone age. The people who warrant assassinations don't wait in the open and allow random people to brazenly walk up to them. Our target will most likely be in a heavily fortified position guarded by an army of people who'd gladly give their lives for their "Cause", not only that but we need to assist Solaire in rescuing the Witcher Arie."

Solaire who'd been silently listening to them finally speaks up, "We will most certainly complete this task, the only caveat is how many innocent people are involved. I would prefer to limit the number of unnecessary deaths but, of course, the lives of our comrades come first."

Reima "To be honest, the only reason I haven't torn apart Mensfeld and Kaedwen with him is due to how many people would be affected, what Vesemir said earlier opened my eyes to the fact that everything I do would have consequences... Plus, people would probably seek asylum with us, I don't know if I could be bothered to take in so many people, the work required would be stupidly huge." he mutters.

Kuretz "Man, Reima, you gotta get used to this. You're our boss now bro, no more adventuring for you hahaha!" he laughs at Reima's expense.

Reima "I refuse! I'll push all the work to you if you don't shut up Kuretz."

...

The look of horror and silence given by Kuretz told the entire story of how he regarded Reima's job.

Talem "Don't fret Reima, it is an honorable position to be responsible for everyone. I am sure you will find a way of doing it that will suit you well."

Solaire nods, "Indeed, I have no doubts that you will make a fine King my friend."

Reima "Don't call me a king or I'll have a heart attack." he grumbles out holding his chest.