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(OOC: Actually, she's at -2 HP, so it's entirely plausible to still save her while the dragon is distracted.)

OOC: OK, though I hate to leave her.

Riverwind retreats, exiting the room and running after the children.

Tika watches as Riverwind leaves in surprise. With the dragon a bit distracted now, Tika runs to Laurana, picks up her motionless form, and gets the hell out of that room as fast as she possibly can. ""Whose bright idea was it to provoke the dragon?!"

With Flamestrike distracted, Tika has little problem in grabbing the elf woman and carrying her out the room. Riverwind and Raistlin are quick to follow.

By the time they reach the end of the tunnel, Caramon, Eben and Gilthanas have already organized the children the best they could. Many are crying, and with the screaming and sobbing of the dragon, any sentry that walks by will surely hear one or the other.

"We need to move, and quickly!" Gilthanas warns. "Does she still live?" he asks, referring to his sister.

=========

Laurana bleeds 1 HP of damage.

"She does, but she won't be for long," Tika says. "I can't bind her wounds while carrying her like this."

Gilthanas quickly takes a moment to bind Laurana's wounds before she bleeds any further.

"Here, Tika, I'll give you a hand," Caramon offers. The two of them together can easily carry Laurana without slowing down.

"We should move, already," Eben says. With nobody disagreeing, they start herding the children out into the hall and down the stairs.

Luckily, the wailing of the dragon hasn't attracted any attention just yet. But it's only a matter of time. They head down the stairs and back toward the cells where the women were kept, and where Goldmoon, Elistan, Magpie and Sturm continue to wait.

Nearly twenty minutes after they left, the party returns with nearly 200 children and an unconscious Laurana.

"Goldmoon!" Caramon calls out. "We got trouble!"

At once, the children begin spreading out, seeking out their mothers.

==========

Encounter check (1d10): 6, no encounters

"What happened?" Sturm asks, sheathing his blade after his short practice session with Magpie. "Is she alive?" He asks, stepping forwards towards the group.

"Princess hurt?" Magpie runs to Laurana's side, giving the group a raised eyebrow, "Me help, you put her here, me help her."

"Basically, we were sneaking the kids away, but Tika's sword started going all nuts. So the dragon got suspicious and asked Laurana to step forward. So of course, she was like, "Ah, sure! I see no downside to that idea whatseover!" Eben explains. "Then the dragon realized she was an elf, and started attacking. So her solution to this was, rather than run away, just stand there and let the dragon beat on her. Then some guy in red appeared out of nowhere and blinded the dragon; so we grabbed her and ran for it."

"That would be me," Raistlin says.

"I'm just glad you're okay, Raist!" Caramon says, moving forward to give his twin a hug. Raistlin uses the Staff of Magius to block him from doing so, however.

"Long story short, our cover has been blown and we have precious few minutes before the entire fort comes after us. We need to device a plan immediately," Gilthanas finishes.

"Here, allow me. I need the practice," Elistan says. Muttering a prayer to Paladine, he touches Laurana's forehead and restores her to consciousness.

As he does this, Gilthanas says, "We need to get these women and children into the courtyard. Then we can convince the men to riot."

"What about Tanis and the others?" asks Caramon.

"We have no idea where they are or where to look for them," Gilthanas replies.

"I know where they are being held," Raistlin says. "I did quite a bit of reconnaissance while invisible."

"Hmm, Elistan, are there any other prisoners in this place?" the elf prince asks.

"Yes, in the east tower, there are more women. Plainsfolk, like Goldmoon," he answers.

"Damn. Okay, so maybe we should split into three groups then. One group goes with the mage to free your friends, one group goes to the east tower to raid the armory and free the plainswomen. Then a third group to lead these women and children into the courtyard when the time is right," Gilthanas suggests.

"One question," Eben interrupts. "Once we get the riot going, how are we going to get out of here? Just walk out through the front door?"

"Good question. Any thoughts?" Gil asks.

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Elistan casts Cure Light Wounds on Laurana, restoring her to 1 HP.

"I will go to get Tanis.." Laurana says, barely able to stand, her legs shaky..

Tas sneaks over and gives Raist a hug. "He may be grumpy, but he is always welcome among us." Looking at the others, he says. "I can help move the children when it is time."

He looks at Eben. "You need to stop talking bad about Laurana, too. You did nothing to help us, earlier. And, you simply stand there most of the time. When you do something useful, you might have room to whine."

"I am sure all he said was arguing over the stupidity of facing up to a dragon." Laurana says weakly,

"I was trying to distract her, I had every knowledge of what might happen, if you all would have moved those children Riverwind would be unhurt." Staggering she moves towards Sturm.

Like with his brother, Raistlin uses his staff to keep the kender at bay. "Touch me, and I'll turn you into a mouse," he threatens.

Elistan places a hand on Laurana's shoulder. "I fear you are too weak to engage in any rescue missions. I will organize the women and children; perhaps you can stay and aid me in that course."

"Well, I'm going with Raist," Caramon says.

"And I'll go to the east tower," Gilthanas offers. "But first, we need an exit strategy if we're going to get out of here alive."