She has a chance

[[Roll: 17]]

Runa had the information she needed. Any time spent in the office beyond this was a waste, at least for now. Maybe she could come back after securing the Gavel.

For now, she quietly and carefully made her way back to the main party and to Patience. She was chatting with other nobles, but immediately turned her attention to Runa. Runa leaned in and whispered, “If I can steal a ring from the Count’s hand, I can settle everything. Please give me some cover.”

Patience simply nodded. She turned back to the nobles and said, “My apologies, but it seems Count Hines wishes to speak with me. Please forgive me for leaving so abruptly.”

The nobles were all too polite to say anything about Patience getting called away by the party’s host, so she and Runa were able to slip away.

Count Hines was still the center of attention, chatting with various high ranking nobles, but Patience led Runa to a quiet spot. “Please give me a bit more information so I can support you.”

Runs did just that. She explained that the ring was an artifact, what it did, how Runa planned to steal it, and what would occur if the ring were destroyed.

Once she had the full picture, Patience nodded. “Simple enough. I shall get us in close and draw all eyes to me. Be ready.”

With that, the pair approached Count Hines. He turned to greet Patience. “Ah, Lady Calmwell, it is good to see you enjoying this party. I’m sure you would much rather be here than in a damp cell shackled next to your fool of a father.”

The nobles around Hines smirked, and a few even snickered. Runa focused her attention on the man’s hands, instantly identifying which had the ring as she drew closer.

‘It seems I am getting help in drawing all eyes towards me. I almost want to thank the Count,’ Patience thought to herself. And then, she broke down in tears. “Oh my poor foolish father. I am surrounded by warmth and joy, but he must be so cold and alone!”

Runa resisted the urge to look back at Patience, as she knew this was her opening. After all, all the nobles speaking to Count Hines and even the others nearby all had their focus on the famously well-mannered Patience Calmwell bursting into tears. That had not happened even at her father’s trial.

“Count, I know my father’s crimes cannot be forgiven. Criticizing the Queen is an offense I myself cannot forgive. But he is still my father, is there anything I can do to at least ensure he can be more comfortable? To be provided with a blanket and warm food? I would do anything you ask, as I know you are wise and know the law better than anyone, surely if anyone could help me it’s you!”

As Patience spoke, Runa slipped by the Count. Her deft hands had stolen rings before, and she managed to slip it off without the Count noticing.

She took a couple more steps, dropped the ring, and crushed it beneath her heel. Fortunately, it broke immediately.

Everyone around her was still staring at Patience, but turned their gaze back to Count Hines to see how he would react.

His sneer was particularly cruel. He knew exactly what he would ask for: a private session where the young lady Calmwell modeled for his latest sculpture. Once he had her alone, he could turn her to stone, and simply claim that she became so embarrassed by this public outcry that she had run off to a monastery. He could even forge a letter in her name entrusting her assets to him. Yes, he could even do it tonight, stripping her and then masturbating on the statue. He always marked them exactly that way, and tonight Lady Calmwell would join his collection.

But before he could speak, several screams came from the gallery. Among them were several voices he recognized, ones he thought he would never hear again, and he glanced down to see that his ring was gone!

What had happened, he had been wearing it just a moment ago!

That could wait for later. If the artifact was truly broken, he needed to do damage control quickly. His sister and everyone else he’d petrified knew it was him who’d done it, but if he got to them quickly enough he could still salvage this.

Just as he ran towards the gallery, Runa was already ahead of him.