Adam is carrying someone

“Who is th...” Winlay started to ask but Mika stopped her question before she could even finish it.

“I'll explain what I can later. This is what I came to the Convent to do.” Mika hesitated for a second or two as she tried to see if Adam had done a better job than she had. "Well, one of the things I was sent to do." She corrected herself, wondering how Winlay would react to her attempted **** of the High Priest. The sense of relief she felt was almost euphoric as she saw Adam coming around a smooth bend in the tunnel with a motionless body clasped in his arms.

“Mika! What have you done?” He exclaimed as soon as he saw Winlay. Mika cringed, he was clearly displeased at seeing Winlay and she had already failed at her part of the plan. Taking a deep breath she introduced Adam to her roommate and friend.

“Adam, this is my friend Winlay. Winlay this is Adam, and this” Mika said as she raised her light to illuminate body in Adam's arms “is His Holiness, the Oracle of Xelta.” Mika watched Winlay carefully as she stared at the **** figure in shock. So much of what had to happen next depended on her reaction to seeing the Oracle with her own eyes.

“It can't be Mika.” Winlay protested, “The Oracle is on his way to Cryn for the peace talks.” Mika relaxed slightly, she knew Winlay as well as the pretty new initiate knew herself, even as Winlay protested Mika could feel her friend's doubts grow.

“That's what Beldan wants everyone to think Winlay.” Mika explained as gently as she knew how. “Adam found him chained in the Templar's prison a week ago and I happened to be available to help." She could see Adam's displeasure grow as she divulged more and more of the Chevalier secrets, but she ignored him and concentrated on helping Winlay adjust. "We weren't planning to get him quite yet, but I ran into some trouble with Beldan so it was now or never.” Mika could feel her anger and disappointment in her voice when she mentioned the Church's High Priest, and she turned to Adam immediately after and added. “I'm sorry Adam, he was wearing a vault-tech layer of armor under his vestments. It stopped my blade cold.”

Adam gave a curt nod, but Mika knew that she'd have to go through a meticulous debrief as soon as they had the chance. She'd have to explain why she didn't cut the fat pig's femoral artery when she had the chance. Winlay's shocked voice interrupted that disquieting thought.

“I don't understand.” Winlay said simply in a low voice, “Who are you, and what have you done?"

"We have no time for this, Mika." Adam cut off any answer she might have formulated. "She'll have to come with us. We can decide what to do with her once we are out of the city." Mika saw Winlay's eyes widen in alarm but she gave her friend a gentle hug.

"Don't scare her, Adam." She scolded deliberately keeping her voice light. "If we left her here you know what he'd do to her."

"He still will, and even worse to you if we can't get to Anglar's ship before all hell breaks loose." Mika nodded in silent determination, although how they'd be able to sneak past, or fight their way through the many check points that must be springing up all around the city she couldn't say. To her surprise, it was Winlay who spoke next.

"I don't understand, Mika," She straightened her back and squeezed Mika's hand firmly. "I don't understand, but I think I know what we need to do.” She added with more confidence than Mika had ever seen in her friend. Mika sensed Adam about to brush aside Winlay's suggestion, but she stopped him with a look.

“We need to ask Sister Margaret for help.” Before Winlay could explain why, Adam interrupted her.

“No! We can't involve any more people.” Adam kept his irritation and impatience well hidden, but Mika sensed that he would not remain this calm for long. Again, Winlay surprised and impressed her; the pretty young initiate turned to face Adam placing her hand on his bicep as as she spoke calmly and rationally.

“Look at yourselves, Adam.” Mika watched their interaction with avid interest, she wondered what it was about Winlay that made Adam listen to her. “Look at him.” She added pointing to the Oracle slumped in Adam's arms. “How far do you think you will get walking through the streets of Telnon carrying an **** man covered in sewage before you attract attention.” Mika could see the truth of Winlay's words sink into his dark intelligent eyes. "They might not be looking for you two, but by now every guard in the city will be looking for an initiate with a head full of golden curls." Before Adam could protest again Winlay added her final argument. “Sister Margaret is a healer as well as a good woman, and she has no love for High Priest Beldan. You need her help if you want to get the Oracle out of this alive.”

For three full breaths the two stared into each other’s eyes. Mika held her breath as she waited for Adam's decision, she knew Winlay and trusted her, but Adam had just met the young woman and he gazed into those lovely almond shaped dark eyes steadily, measuring her worth for himself.

“All right.” Adam conceded, and in spite of her training Mika gave a small gasp of surprise at Adam's words. “We'll talk to this Sister Margaret of yours.” Mika suddenly wondered if Sister Margaret would even help them. This could be the shortest rescue in history, her finger traced the hilt of her knife as Adam cradled the Oracle gently and once again started moving along the sewers. There was no way she'd let them take Winlay alive, far better to slice her pale throat herself than let Beldan get his hands on her innocent friend.