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It did not take long for Iliskra, Leon, and Elthel to reach their destination. The estate of this Jadarl lay along the southern wall, just west of the main gate. The lingering snowstorm and the fact that the posh abode was somewhat out of the way made reaching it no challenge. It was surrounded by a small, circular grove of trees and an ornamental red picket fence. A single cobblestone path led off from the main road and stopped at the front steps of the larger structure. The estate mansion building itself was three stories tall with a second story balcony and a rooftop balcony. A small courtyard graced the back of the mansion and a humble brown barn sat along the western edge of the grounds. Brightly lit lampposts surrounded the mansion and lined the courtyard, Iliskra could see the moving shapes of guards as she and her two shadowy companions drew near. Elthel had led them around to the east side of the grounds and over the fence where they slinked along among a patch of ornamental bushes which withered and leafless due to the unforgiving winter. It was not long before the three found Firoz and Willory, the Turmish bowman and the halfling ducked low behind a statue of a loosely clothed maiden sprawled against a stone tree.

“I see our new acquaintances agreed to help us once more.” Firoz said shakily under his hood as the three approached.

“Yes,” Elthel replied as she, Iliskra, and Leon moved in close behind the two thieves, “their dwarven friend remained behind while they will be aiding us in our little raid.”

Firoz nodded, “There are two guards that patrol around the mansion and courtyard. There are two crossbowmen up on the second floor balcony.” The Turmish thief got right to business.

“Is that all?” Elthel asked with audible surprise.

“Not quite,” Firoz said flatly, “there is… something inside that acts as a first floor guard…”

“‘Something’?” Elthel asked with a shiver.

“I only caught a glimpse of it,” Willory spoke up, looking over his shoulder, “but it’s big. Lumbering past the windows and talking in a deep rumble of a voice.”

“That does not sound good.” Elthel remarked.

“Not at all.” Firoz said.

“Have you seen anyone coming or going?” Elthel asked.

“Only a servant that left just before the storm really got bad, I assume on an errand.” Willory said. “There is a groundskeeper but he seems to stay around the barn.”

“How would you suggest we go about getting inside?” Elthel asked.

“A window is the best route,” Willory raised his voice slightly as the wind began to howl around them, “the back door and wine cellar door have a magical barrier on them. And the front door is too dangerous to try unless anyone has an an invisibility potion and a nerve of steel to go with it.”

Leon watched the estate, though there was little information to be gleaned aside from the report by Firoz. The guards and overwatching crossbowmen were nothing, unless Leon and Iliskra made some critical mistake they could take out two separate pairs like that without breaking a sweat. And with the cover of the snowstorm they could leave the bodies to be covered by the snow without much consequence. Still, the creature Firoz had mentioned... he would have preferred to have more details.

"Thats sounds like three options then," Leon said, nodding along as he brushed a hand against his mask, "I'm fairly certain we can deal with the roof guards without much issue. Which would make a window the best entry point. However, there are a few pieces of information I would like to have... starting with what that large lumbering creature is."

"The good news is there are ways for us to learn that without exposing ourselves to the creature," Leon said, his eyes looking back out towards the barn, "a lone groundskeeper should be easy enough to lean on or bribe... the barn may even tell us what sort of other creatures this person likes to keep on the property. The only trouble is if the groundskeeper proves uncooperative a scuffle might alert the beast or the guards to investigate."

"Second option is a bit more... weighty in terms of payment. Mask does grant me the blessing of calling on servants from the shadows, things that emulate normal creatures," Leon continued, figuring the vague explanation was enough. After all Iliskra had already seen him summon a fiendish wolf, the idea of other companion creatures was surely not a great leap in logic. "A bat could tell us much of the interior and even if it did not recognize the creature, could provide us a description. Their senses are also not easily fooled by illusion or magical disguise."

"The last option is perhaps the greatest in terms of risk, but if the cellar door is magically warded, there may only be some traps we need to work past for infiltration. I may be able to dispel the magic depending on it's strength," Leon sighed a bit as he mentioned this, "not my favorite choice obviously, but if anyone here has an additional reason for venturing those routes I thought it best to mention that doorway could be opened to us."

"Thoughts?," he said, turning towards Iliskra.

Iliskra’s response was immediate, “Well then, I say you send your bat friend to look the place over. We can decide on how to get inside after. Fingers crossed of course that your winged lackey can prove a better spy than Willory here.”

The halfling seemed insulted by this but agreed with Iliskra as did Firoz. The four made sure that no guards or anyone else was near and then Leon began his incantation to summon forth the bat. The spell was quick and in just a few moments after there fluttered a shadowy black bat before them. Leon directed the creature to the house while Iliskra, Firoz, and Willory kept an eye out for anyone that might encroach upon their hiding spot as the winged agent soared in toward the mansion.

Iliskra watched as the bat flew in to the nearest window, clinging upside down to the upper seal and pressing its tiny form against the glass. It lingered for several moments before fluttering free and moving on to the next window, and then the next, and so on. As the bat rounded the house Iliskra refocused on the guards. They seemed to maintain their pattern and there had been no change of shifts - yet. Iliskra guessed there were at least four or five more guards on the inside of the mansion. A handful of servants as well without a doubt. It was possible for the four of them to be in and out of the mansion without tipping off anyone, but it would be a challenge to say the least. Iliskra also thought of the possibility of there being more magical obstacles inside, nevermind whatever this large thing was that Willory had glimpsed. One problem at a time. Iliskra thought sighing softly.

Before too long the bat returned, flapping its’ way back against the biting wind and the snowflakes straight to Leon. The bat relayed quite a bit of helpful information to its master. The first being that the large “thing” that occupied the mansion was an iron golem, Iliskra wincing as Leon shared the information. The bat however had noticed that the golem seemed to patrol in an unchanging routine; going clockwise throughout the first floor, looking over each room before moving on continuing it’s endless cycle. The bat had seen only two servants on the first floor, a maid and a cook. The second floor was tended by a single servant as well with one heavily armored and armed guard patrolling the hallways. Iliskra presumed that there were other guards but they were sleeping somewhere inside the house. The bat had also flown up to the third floor windows but could see nothing as the windows were too high up from the floor.

“If we were too pick just the right moment to go inside we could just walk in through the front door,” Willory suggested after Leon had finished “convening” with the bat, “so long as we mind the guards outside and the servants inside.”

“I say we climb up to the second floor and go in through a window.” Firoz said with a cross of his arms.

"Well done, Bram," Leon said, the magic of Mask translating his words into the mind of his summoned bat before it returned to it's home plane. The bat's report had been exceedingly useful, knowledge that the creature was indeed a golem and seemed to be following a set patrol route with pre-determined search points would help them avoid the creature altogether. Golems were tricky guardians to fight, often immune to nearly all forms of magic, possessing the strength of a dozen normal men and the endurance of the unliving. Their only weakness is that they couldn't make their own decisions, so it depended on the cleverness of the creator to issue them the right orders. The patrol pattern was one obvious weakness, but it couldn't be ignored that the golem likely had orders to respond to suspicious noises or disturbances as well.

"The golem continually checks the first floor. We may have a rough idea of it's schedule, but if there is any deviation from that schedule or if we get distracted and lose track of the timing we will anger something I do not think any of us are prepared to destroy. Certainly not quietly enough to avoid drawing the attention of our target," Leon said, sighing in a bit of resignation, "and I am loathe to channel any further powerful blessings from Mask lest we find ourselves having to deal with our target or any other magically inclined individuals."

"The second floor is simply too inviting to ignore. It is possible there are magical wards or traps, but we may just have to risk the maybe instead of the likelihood of us being caught on the first. Once we ascend to the second floor, the snowstorm should give me enough cover to weave a spell to let me detect magic within about fifty feet in my line of sight for a few minutes. As long as someone checks for physical alarms on the window, we should be able to enter without issue," Leon said, his hand reaching for the mask at his waist and sliding it up to his face, "shall we?"

Iliskra was already up and moving, Willory and Firoz right on her heels - Leon somewhat humorously being left at the rear and having to tow in behind the others. The four waited until the outside guards had made their close pass and then scurried across the snow covered grounds toward the eastern side of the mansion - careful to avoid the burning oil lamps that illuminated the areas around them. The storm would quickly cover their tracks so there was no concern there. Neither of the crossbow-wielding guards were on the eastern side of the balcony so there was no chance that the four had been seen from above. So far luck was with them. They all pressed themselves against the frost-glazed wall, taking a quick deep breath despite the pain it caused in their chests given the cold air.

Iliskra raised her head and looked over the side of the structure. The luck would hold with there being enough ornamentation to give she and the others hand and foot holds to grasp as they ascended up to the second floor. The windows were all encased in a “frame” of swirling protruding stonework and just above them were miniature carvings of mephits of all things, winged little fiends sitting perched on small platforms. Above those was the edge of the second floor balcony and the ornamental fencing that banded all the way around it. So long as no one accidentally kicked one of the windows or let their hand slip causing a fall climbing up would be easy enough.

“Firoz and I will go around to the other side.” Willory said. When Iliskra looked at him the halfling said, “It’s not a good idea to have four people scrounging up the same side of a wall.”

“He is right.” Firoz added.

Iliskra thought about it for a moment and nodded in understanding. “Just be mindful.”

“Of course,” Firoz said, reaching into his bag and pulling something out, “take this.”

Firoz handed a smooth piece of polished flat metal to Leon. It had a slight upward hook at the end of it. It was about a forearms’ length and felt very heavy despite how thin it was. “It is good for opening closed windows,” Firoz explained, “just slide the hook under the eave of the window and gently force it up. If the windows locked, of course, then it will not work. I have a spare, so worry not.”

With that Firoz and Willory whisked away and disappeared behind the house. Iliskra looked at Leon with a raised brow and said, “After you, good sir.”

Leon took the proffered length of metal, sliding it into his sword belt for now. The tool would be better than a dagger admittedly, the edge of it filed down like a chisel for working its way into a gap and the sturdier construction allowing him to use more force and leverage. He looked up the side of the building, eyes picking out several decent looking foot and handholds. Ascending the wall wouldn't be overly difficult, but they still needed to do it fairly quickly.

Checking his gear again to make sure nothing was loose enough to fall, he took one last look into the storm for signs of approaching lanterns or torches, then began climbing up. Thankfully the climb was short, barely enough to get the muscles warmed up as he reached the partial ledge of the roof. He planted his feet and released one hand from the wall to wave in a semi complex gesture as he called on Mask's blessing. Although he couldn't see it himself, shadows poured into his eyes, darkening them completely as Mask granted them the ability to sense magical energy. Slowly he peeked up over the edge, readying a ranged attack spell in case he was spotted. Luck was with them though, the crossbowmen weren't within sight.

Hauling himself over the edge he crouched down to lower his profile against the roof and looked around for any signs of activity. If his companion had been anyone other than Iliskra he might have offered a hand, but he knew that she probably would have made the ascent even quicker than he had if she had taken the lead. Once she was up onto the roof, he began advancing to the closest window keeping his feet spread and using his hands to support some of his weight in a manner which looked more like an animal than a man as he quieted his steps across the roof.

Reaching the window, his eyes showed no signs of magical energy on the window itself and he nodded to Iliskra, trusting her eyesight to look for traps while he watched the interior for signs of activity. Once everything was clear, he retrieved the tool and wedged it under the window, carefully increasing the pressure until the window began to give.

Iliskra took the lead this time, sliding the now open window up carefully, ignoring the snowflakes and icy crystals that rained down across her face and arms. Iliskra checked for any defenses around the window before going inside - a steel claw trap on the floor or a guillotine blade rigged up to fall and decapitate careless interlopers. Whatever there might be. Seeing there was no danger Iliskra crawled inside the mansion, her snow-covered boots lightly plopping down onto a carpeted floor. She waited for Leon to follow her in and then quickly shut the window behind them and pulled the curtains together. The two were in a small bedroom. It had a single bed, a chest of drawers an armoire, and a nightstand on which a lone stubby candle provided a dim light. Iliskra noted the humble dresses and shoes in the armoire and guessed they were in the servants’ bedroom. She doubted this Jadarl or any woman of note associated with him would settle for such an unimpressive abode. The room was welcomely warm and cozy compared to the unforgiving cold outside. Iliskra felt a sudden temptation to lay back on the bed and pull the covers up around her neck. If only. the half-elf thought.

“I take it we should find this Jadarl’s bedroom.” Iliskra stated the obvious in a low voice. “Perhaps you could summon a little mouse to give us an eye of the insides of this fine place?” Though she was somewhat jesting Iliskra hoped her companion had more up his sleeve. If the outside look told her anything it was that this was a large mansion, and while Iliskra welcomed the thrills and finds within that usually came with breaking into such a place she would very much rather not be skewered on the end of a guardsmen’s pike or squashed under a golems’ foot while blindly wandering from door to door.

"I can, but the weakness of such companions is that they can only tell me what they have found if they come back and can exist for only a few minutes. Wonderful for combat or general scouting, limited for true spying," Leon muttered, though the idea still had some merit. It was rare for even wizards to think of every precautionary defense, especially in their own homes. "that being said, I can call on a hound if we can find something that we can confirm Jadarl has had on his person recently. The scent should be enough for a dog to track. I don't believe we'll be so fortunate as to find him snoozing in bed. Perhaps in a study or alchemical room..."

He was talking too much, at least in his opinion. Tactical and magical strategy was important, but unless it was directly helpful he should keep his mouth shut when performing break ins of other people's homes. He quietly palmed a dagger, tucking it into a throwing grip and moved for the door, listening carefully to the other side.

"Unless you care to change your clothes," Leon nodded towards the servants garb and raised an eyebrow quizzically. If she made no move to do so, he unclipped the golden mask from his belt and brought it up to his face, securing it into position and speaking a command word. Light bent and shimmered around Leon, overlaying his taller, sturdier frame with a lighter, thinner one that hade a far more feminine tilt to the shape. His weapons and armor were gone, though his other hand remained in the same position as though holding something that was now invisible. In moments he looked like a serving girl, the garb matching the clothing in the armoire. There were flaws to the illusion, especially with as close as Iliskra was to him, and it would do nothing to alter his voice, but it might cause hesitation if they accidentally stepped into the hallway and found themselves facing a servant or guard... or perhaps even Jadarl himself. Only his blue eyes remained the same, something the illusion could cover if he chose but more often he chose not to.

His training kicked in as he felt the illusion around him. His shoulders slouched a bit and his face became downcast, his eyes averted towards the floor as though he was now one of the most tired, beat down servants in the world simply looking to finish her chores for the day and return to a wonderfully mediocre bed.

He listened at the door again, then took a breath and muttered a small prayer to Mask. As long as he heard no other noise from outside the door he would carefully open it and slip into the hallway. Hopefully they would find something to go off of before he had to speak or interact closely with any person in the house.

“You make such a pretty servant girl, Leon.” Iliskra smirked, unable to hold back on making a jape. Iliskra considered a disguise but chose not to, instead slipping up beside the door and pressing herself near the frame as Leon opened the way into the hall. The second floor hallway was long and quite spacious. As well as decorative. A blood red carpet reached the full length of the corridor, paintings of various sizes and depictions lined the walls, and gold encrusted fixtures held burning oil lamps which illuminated the upstairs area brilliantly. A glimmering crystal chandelier hung high over the center of the hall. There were two staircases on either side of the chandelier which Leon and Iliskra could clearly see. The one on the left went up and the one on the right went down. Iliskra counted six rooms in the hall, including the one she and Leon were in. Both directions of the hallway had a room at the very end with a room on each side.

A single figure could be seen in the hall, the same armored guard that Leon’s bat had spotted. A man of average height and build adorned in full plate armor - helmet included - with his weapon resting upon his right shoulder as he rather lazily plodded along. As luck would have it he was walking the opposite direction from Leon and Iliskra.

“I would put coin on Jadarl’s room being up on the third floor. If you are swift you can be up there before the guard comes back this way,” Iliskra said quietly to Leon, “I can check this floor and try and meet up with Firoz and Willory and-…”
The half-elf hesitated suddenly having realized something, her voice nearly bursting from her mouth before she caught herself. “Say, where did Elthel get off to?” It had dawned on Iliskra that Elthel had not even accompanied herself, Leon, Firoz, and Willory when they approached the house from the courtyard area - which Iliskra quickly pointed out to Leon as the guardsman passed by the respective staircases. Surely Elthel had not taken off or betrayed them. Had she seen something in the snowstorm outside? Or had she shared unheard words with Firoz and Willory when Iliskra and Leon were not paying attention? Iliskra felt the hair on her neck and forearms prickling as the possibilities raced through her mind. How could she have so carelessly lost track of Elthel? How could she and Leon have both done so?