A Venture into the Dark

[Niphi]

Thaese stops to examine the smear on the ground before him and Angder, he crouches down and sniffs the air curiously, "It looks like someone had a rough encounter here recently," his ears swivel, listening for sudden noises as his eyes follow the trail into the darkness of the alleyway.
He turns to Angder, "This has the looks of a trap if ever I've seen one but I suppose the mage would want us to snoop around. You think you can handle yourself if things go tits-up?"

[Angder]

Angder Peers down the alleyway, and nods uncertainly.

"I would survive..." Angder brings his crossbow out. he then ducks to the side just inside the alleyway. pressing himself against the wall as if to hide.

"So how do you plan to do it? Sarrus I mean, not the dark." Angder glances back at Thaese, "You must have a dozen plans on how to escape him right?"

[Oedipus Rex]

Karthus notices the two people and recognizes their behavior and appearance to be similar to the Minx they met before. He tried to avoid startling them as he quietly moves into one of the deserted looking buildings, hoping to find a way around them.

[Niphi]

Thaese follows Angder into the alley far less tactfully, making sure to avoid standing in the blood stain on the floor, not wanting to carry the scent around with him through the city.
"Honestly, I don't have a plan. I don't see how we're going to be able to get rid of these collars he's given us," he scratches at his neck irritably.
"The only way I can see us getting away is to kill him and I'm very tempted to try but I have a feeling doing so will have a very adverse effect on my health.
I'd say we should wait until an opportune moment to strike, if he's weakened or distracted perhaps but until then the bloody lizard has us by the balls."
Thaese peers into the darkness of the alley, sniffing the air, "Do you see anything?"

[Angder]

"Nothing yet, I am going to head further in, watch my back..." Angder begins to inch his way down the alleyway, keeping his back to the wall. He had not actually expected a plan from Thease, but hearing him say he hadn't got one was still crushing. Still, they had one advantage, Sarrus was arrogant, he thought nothing could touch him, he let the two people most likely to betray him work together.

Angder knew how dangerous arrogance was, now he just needed to find a way to use that arrogance against him...

[Sarrus]

The building Karthus' enters looks like it has been left in a hurry, drawers are open, clothes are scattered all over the floor and, of course, the door was left unlocked. The house looks like it was owned by quite a wealthy family, there are oil paintings on the walls of the vast room the mantis has entered, which looks to be a large entrance hall. There is a large staircase leading upstairs and a set of 3 doors, one to the left, one to the right and one straight ahead.

As the two wolves follow the trail on the floor they are lead down an alleyway and turn a corner, there, on the other side is the corpse of a tiger, lying on the ground at the end of the trail. It looks to have been dead for some time. On the ground next to it is a young black cat with a large red bow on top of his head, he is in a foetal position and shaking rhythmically, he looks up as the pair approach and they can see the fear in his young eyes.

[Niphi]

Thaese' eyes widen at the sight and he swears under his breath. He glances at Angder's crossbow before taking a step forward, paw on the weapon at his side as his eyes dart between every shadow.
"What's your name, little one?"

[Sarrus]

The cat looks up at Thaese "S.. Saul" he says quietly.

[Angder]

Angder leaves the kid to Thaese, and keeps watch on the entrances to the alley, looking for any sign of movement. He is twitchy and restless, it feels like the Omnipresent shadow is... watching him somehow. and to think he usually he likes the dark...

"We should keep moving, can't afford to stay still", he whispers, just loud enough for Thaese to hear.

[Niphi]

Thaese turns his head slightly to address Angder, "Just give me a minute, we can't leave Saul here and he might not be in a fit state to leave yet."
He takes another step forward, approaching the cat, "Okay, Saul, my name's Thaese and this is Angder. We're going to get you out of here... to safety. Do you understand?" he takes another step towards the feline, not making any sudden movements that might upset or frighten him.

[Sarrus]

The little cat nods. "T..thank you Mr Thaese" He slowly gets to his feet. He looks very shaky but manages to stay upright. He steps towards Thaese and keeps close to him.

[Niphi]

Thaese smiles at Saul, "Look, we can't stay here, it isn't safe. Just stay close to me or Angder and we'll look after you."
He turns motions the cat to stand between him and Angder, "Let's get out of this damn alley, it's giving me the creeps."

[Sarrus]

"Thankyou, brave wolves... your.. my heroes." He looks up at the pair with tears forming in his little eyes. "Did you come here to save us?"

[Angder]

Angder took a few steps back, and leans round the corner, back the way they came, making sure the way was still clear.

He glances back at Thaese, and opens his mouth as if to say "hurry up" but then stops himself, now was not the time.

[Oedipus Rex]

Karthus looks around at the vast house. Obviously this was no poor town. He locks the door behind him just in case the two outside heard anything, then continues upstairs.