The subsequent days were quiet for Norbert, the others moving about getting planned and items, the once-empty room slowly filling up with gear. Norbert practised pushing energy within himself, allowing it to circulate when everyone else was out, not wanting to risk getting caught outside. After his last run around the following days, posters with his face could be seen around the city. The others said people were searched and masks removed from people when they wore them—the soldiers were out for anyone that looked slightly suspicious.
Just happy that Krrrasna hasn't ratted them out yet. They knew he must have seen the posters by now blowing through the streets. As the days continued, Dousan spoke his concerns about the soldiers possibly becoming more active in their searches, and if they came through, they could prematurely be called to action.
Sitting in the room, a knock on the door came; Norbert uncrossed his legs as he opened the door, seeing Mackey standing there, "How did it go?" Norbert asked him. Mackey walks through, wiping his hands on his clothes, streaks of dirt showing on them.
"Shipment is all packed up and waiting for us in the next few days. Had to dig way too deep to fit it all in," He finished, sitting down on the ground with a groan, eyes closed. Norbert heard the man already fast asleep. Norbert closed the door, locking it as he sat down again, one more just waiting for time to go on. To pass the time, Norbert took out his sword, watching as it caught the light and reading over his bestiary, now starting to memorise the pages and information on them.
With the others coming and going, another day passed for Norbert, only taking a bite of food and a mouthful of water over the day as he just sat and waited.
The days where passed. Norbert watching as others came and went, discussing plans between themselves for their next course of action. Norbert just sat back and put in his two cents whenever needed, listening in and nodding along, following the plan's details for what he would need and what to do if he found their comrades first. They were waiting for Rachel to make their way back, then rest up and hit it the next night.
Sitting at his spot, just looking out the window, Norbert knew those who went past by now would have strange ideas about the man looking out from the inn. Shrugging to himself as he watched the guards move about, his stomach twitching in itself as he watched the guards down below. Would he be stopping them from meeting their friends and family tomorrow night? How many tears would be shed by his actions tomorrow?
Feeling his stomach start to move, he stopped his thoughts, steeling himself for what he was about to do. "They exchanged their life for coins when they became guards and soldiers. They took the risk and accepted it," Norbert finished whispering as he looked back at Dousan and Mackey sleeping on the ground, spotting the compasses on the floor, a circle drawn connecting them with the original in the centre. Azalea and Mackey work together to copy the destinations from the original so everyone would be aware of the prisoners and how to get back if split up.
Norbert turned his eyes away, going over everyone. Norbert sitting wondering what Dobert, Martitia and the rest of them were facing right now as everyone slept.
***
With the sun setting, everyone stirred from their forced rest, Norbert having closed his eyes and rested, trying to recover for the long night ahead. Sadly they couldn't get another mask like the one he had now, all masks being controlled in the city for a short time after his mad dash from the casino. The others said soldiers had gone in and out of the place, trying to find something, what Norbert couldn't even guess in that den of greed.
Standing up, Norbert patted himself down, ensuring he had everything on hand. Everyone wearing their new equipment with spells for reinforcing on all, even Norbert. The short use could save one of their lives; everyone matching in the black aesthetic Norbert had gone with before, hoping to avoid any association with The Frontier.
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Cringing to himself all of them in black he hoped someone wouldn’t make fun of their Chūnibyō choice later. Unsheathing his blade, confirming that it was sharp and coming out smoothly, that the sheath wouldn't be in the way of the fight or flight to come. The sound roused the others from their rest, confirming that the time had come.
Azalea leaning forward, inspected the circle with the compass on the ground, nodding as she took one on edge. Norbert stepped forward, leaning down, and took the one in the circle's centre. Now, only three around the circle. Norbert stepped back, allowing the others to take one.
Dousan, the last to action, remained standing after he had his in hand, hearing his click through the options with a nod, happy that it was pointing correctly. "We all know the plan, but going over it one last time, if there are any questions, then ask." Dousan stopped, waiting for anyone to say anything before continuing, "Everyone except Norbert will go over the bridge and head to the closest point we are allowed. There, we wait for Norbert to start up", turning to Norbert, who just nodded, knowing what was coming next.
"Who will make a distraction, any idea what it will be?" Dousan asked Norbert. What was needed would be left up to him, giving him free rein of that part. The only requirement would be attracting everyone's attention.
"I would say a fire, but there is too much stone, so instead, I will be taking a trip with the bridge down to the bottom of the ravine", Norbert finished, pointing his thumb out to the bridge closest to them. "Then make my way up with as much noise as possible. It should grab everyone's attention. Then subsequent hit and runs until the signal is shown," Norbert finished.
Dousan nodded, confirming that Norbert had thought, "A higher fall than I would like, but it's up to you to take it. So while Norbert is distracting, the rest of us will march down into the prison quarters, thanks to Rachel for finding out. While doing so, Azalea and Mackey will nullify the anti-magic barriers." Dousan said, turning to Mackey and Azalea, who nodded in turn.
"Then, with everything and everyone accounted shoot a fireball in the sky to signal our departure in case we get split up. Together we make it to the train and travel back to the dividing range as quickly as possible, running away from anything on our heels like Death is chasing us." Dousan finished.
Norbert grunted in agreement, not having anything to add or make changes to the ideas made. Patting himself down, Norbert confirmed where the pads needed to be, his hood secured to his mask, allowing some head protection. The fingers on his gloves were reinforced so they wouldn't be ripped apart like his first pair. He heard everyone else check their equipment; they all looked up.
Dousan raised his hand in the air, in the frontiers' sign that they would always have support from each other. One by one, each raising their hand as well, Norbert the last one as he followed suit. "Together", Dousan said, "Together!" everyone cried out in return. They filed out individually; Dousan, Mackey, and Rachel headed out the door in that order. Azalea stood there before looking back and smiling at Norbert. "Have something to tell you, but only after we make it back on the train" she said.
Norbert just stared at her, feeling his eyes start to water. "You've just raised a flag, you know?" Norbert said as she walked away.
Before the door closed shut, Azalea shouted back, "Good thing we have Luck on our side then." The door closing blocked off her smile, the creaking echoing around in the closed room as Norbert looked out the window, seeing Dousan and Mackey already walking to the bridge, split up from one another. Azalea headed out of the inn, looking around and going in the other direction, planning to walk around the block so not all four would meet up simultaneously.
As darkness overcame the city, the far side lit up, and the windows in the houses alight. In contrast, Norbert stood now, only watching as he saw the world in greys as people moved over the bridge to the nightlife on the other side, each paying their single silver to go over there.
Norbert took the coin from his pouch and flicked it in the air. "Heads, we all make it out fine, tails we don't", Norbert said, flicking the coin into the air before catching it in his right hand, holding it there as he thought about what this could mean if tails set up. Shaking his head, he dropped it back into his pouch.
"And now we wait", his voice echoed around the room as a yellow mote of light fell outside, Norbert tracking it as it fell into the ravine, over to where the prisoners were meant to be. Norbert smiled, knowing someone was watching him now.