“Oh, one last thing,” adds Hy-Jinx, turning to her companions, as all the soldiers including Clem and Carlisle turn to her, “thanks for not killing them.”

“No problem,” says Dozer in his gruff gravelly tones.

“You’re welcome,” says Madeleine.

Thud!

Hood just stares in silence.

Helmet clears his voice. “Well, I mean, they’re an intimidating force, superior in numbers. Fighting would be futile.”

“That’s very kind of you Helmet. But there’s no need to lie.”

“What are you talking about?” asks Clem with mounting incredulity.

“I said earlier that I didn’t feel right about fighting any Kera’Burian troops and was thanking my friends here for being so polite and abiding by my wishes.”

Clem sniggers, Carlisle laughs.

Thud! Creak!

“You think that you could best us? In the situation you’re in?” Carlisle says, gesturing to the troops that surround them and their stash of weapons - his ego obviously responding somewhat to what is being suggested.

“Oh yes,” says Hy-Jinx “Without doubt. I mean this is a ‘Masque’ - she’s like a highly trained assassin, and Dozer there, well he could probably crush your head with one hand, or simply rip it off. Hood here - he’s awesome - I saw him roast a vampir only a couple of days ago, simply by waiving his hands in the air and mumbling. A vampir! Can you believe if? Arkanthor trained you see. And his hands are already in the air. Helmet well, I can’t really vouch for him but I’d imagine if he’s already caused you guys so much trouble then he’s probably got some skills…and then there’s me.”

“And what’s your skill set missy?” asks Clem sarcastically.

“Mischief!” states Hy-Jinx proudly.

“Mischief?”

“Yes - I only had the epiphany a couple of nights ago but..mischief, isn’t that right Hood?”

Thud!

Hood nods his head.

“Anyway, carry on, we’re not going to cause you any trouble.” Hy-Jinx says. “Bembry might though,” she says out of the side of her mouth, her head half turned to the side, as if this last statement was meant purely for her companions.

“Whose Bembry?” demands Clem, his head extending forward somewhat, his eyes narrowing again with concern.

“Oh! Sorry! You weren’t supposed to hear that. Bembry hasn’t joined us yet, but I think he was there in the initial conversation about not wanting to fight Kera’Burians so I think actually you’ll be okay. He’ll be lurking at the top of the ladder, waiting to follow you out - possibly choke out whoever’s at the rear - he moves like a shadow.”

A sigh emanates from the open grate, followed by the voice of Bembry “Way to go Hy-Jinx!”

“Boss!?” One of Clem’s soldiers - cautiously pears over the hole in the floor before stepping back and holding her sword out with one hand and pointing with the other.

Thud!

“Haul him out!” commands Carlisle as two of his troops sheath their weapons and march over to pull Bembry up from below, drawing their swords again once Bembry is lined up with the rest.

“Are you stupid?!” Clem enquires of Hy-Jinx, his manner of asking showing that his mind has now reached a state of saturated incredulity - almost to the point that he’s getting a head-ache.

Hy-Jinx looks at the ground introspectively for a moment before lifting her gaze and fixing it on Clem. “I have been mistaken once or twice for a fool,” she says philosophically, “but…well, who am I to say?”

“I’m so glad to hear it. Now enough of this nonsense,” says Carlisle. “Let’s get a move on.”

Thud! Creak!

“Wait a minute, we can’t…I mean…think about this…she’s just said that she causes mischief…and she’s just given us a plan…” Clem stutters.

“We don’t have time for this.” says Carlisle impatiently, “If we’re going to do this we need to do it now! If any other reds or blues come into the bell tower before we open the gates our plan’s useless and we’re going to have to go back to fighting one another.”

“And…But why?” half pointing to Bembry, Clem looks at him, a twisted knot of confusion lining his face. He points to the grate. “I don’t…it.” Clearly Clem is having problems processing the situation.

“Relax, she’s just playing mind-games with you.”

“He’s right, mind games” says Hy-Jinx, smiling and nodding her head vigorously, “If you just pretend I’m not here and go through your normal decision making process then…but leave our weapons here, that would be my final piece of advice.”

“Shut it!” snaps Clem, anger focussing his mind.

“I’m just trying to help!” Hy-Jinx says imploringly, her hands upturned in a gesture of honesty which goes ignored. “I’m just trying to help,” she says, turning to her companions.

“I know,” says Madeleine.

“It’s okay,” says Dozer comfortingly.

Hood looks at Hy-Jinx pityingly.

“Arr, thanks guys,” Hy-Jinx says, a smile beaming across her face.

Bembry still looks annoyed.

Thud! Creak!

Clem wipes his face down with his hand and takes a deep breath, shaking his head backwards and forwards, before motioning to his troops. “Come on then, we’ll take the lead. Prisoners in the middle?” he asks Carlisle, realising that this is a compromised situation and he is not necessarily in charge.

Carlisle nods. “Fine with me.”

Clem moves up the steps, with his troops, scowling and muttering to himself, clearly still fighting with his own thought process.

Before Carlisle’s troops usher and prod the six companions forward, Carlisle separates Hy-Jinx from them, twisting one arm behind her back and drawing a sharp dagger to place it at the side of her neck. “Listen up,” he says, commanding their attention, “any nonsense from any of you and she’s the first to go, understand? Now, hands on your heads and let’s get moving. And you missy, keep your mouth shut.” Carlisle pauses for a minute, his face twisted, looking at the grate. “Throw a lit torch down there, and bring their weapons,” he says as an after thought.

Thud!