The afternoon passes uneventfully, as does the early evening. In short order it's time to prepare for the trip home. Bags are packed and Torn's prepared the circle to render you all invisible.
Garth confirms with the innkeeper that they're all paid up "in case we leave really early tomorrow," packs his things, and makes sure they have privacy for Torn's preparations.
"So how long again will this last, Torn?" Felam asks. "Just in case I should stumble or some other ill event occur."
"The gate should open at midnight. So I have attempted to set the spell's expiration at a minute before," Torn explains. The effects should be fairly close, though since I was not involved in building the Gate network, I cannot time it perfectly.
"I'm sure you will do as well as ever, my friend." Felam says, checking the time to discover it's less than two hours to midnight.
"So we'll all try to get there early," agrees Garth, estimating a half hour walk to the gate.
"Yes, I think that would be best." Felam says. "Our time for departure has come. Other events overtake us, I think, and I dislike our ignorance of them."
Torn agrees. "We should be prepared to make haste, in case something unforeseen occurs as has happened before."
Alessa shrugs, "I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"Very well." Felam says. "Is it time yet, Garth?"
"Let's go, then," agrees Garth, looking at Torn.
Torn nods and says the words. The circle lights, shimmers, and a pulse of energy makes the room waver until it settles, leaving the room... empty, to all eyes.
"And done," says Torn's voice. "Let us all meet before midnight at the alley."
"Before midnight, everyone," says Garth.
"And everyone keep safe." Felam says. "I'd prefer if we didn't have to mount any rescue missions."
He opens the door and goes out, leaving it ajar, and goes downstairs. Avoiding the inn's inhabitants, he waits until someone opens a door and goes out with them.
There is plenty of time and Garth makes his way there in a leisurely fashion, enjoying the city.
Felam makes his way to the alley, keeping out of the way of anybody that might be approaching.
The alley appears deserted, until someone falls off a roof into a pile of garbage with a loud thud. A feminine chuckle carries on the night breeze and a softly called, "All Clear," in Alessa's voice rattles about the empty alley.
Garth smiles. (Invisibly, but he does.)
The invisibility fades and everyone is revealed as being present. Though the unconscious watcher doesn't appear impressed. Just at the stroke of midnight a point of dim light appears, stretching out to a wavering heat haze in the dark alley.
"Everybody in," he says aloud. He waits for everyone else to go through, then goes through last.
Felam attempts to take his customary position behind the others, staying alert for any potential threats.
Alessa and Torn go through first, then Felam and Garth look at each other a moment before Felam goes through, and Garth last.
The hallway is lit in the standard bright but indirect glow from amber jewels set high on the walls. A squad of armed men, weapons drawn greet you, and stand down only when the gate closes behind you.
"Welcome back," says the leader of the group. "We'll mark you as back in sirs, ma'am."
"Excellent," Felam says.
"Thank you. It's good to be back," says Garth. "If you could let Zaris know we'll need a meeting with her right after breakfast, we'll find our way to our quarters. And would you happen to know where Gem is?"
He nods and makes a note on his papers. "She'll be notified by the morning report sir. And last I heard, Zaris had assigned Gem to follow Bonniselle about sir."
Felam turns to the others. "I suppose it's a little late to find anyone awake. I think I'll sneak off to the kitchen for a snack. Are you all planning to go to bed?"
Torn nods, "I most certainly am."
"Everyone I'd want to see is probably asleep now, so I might as well," agrees Garth.
"Then I will see you all in the morning." Felam says. "Get some rest. I have a feeling we'll be on the move again soon enough."
Begging his leave Felam heads to the kitchen to at least get a couple of cookies and a glass of milk. Once there the chef's assistants tending the fires give you /two/ cookies and make a point that they aren't open for business before pouring you a glass of milk.
Making his way to his quarters to get some sleep Felam crosses the great hall, where the pillar of fire still burns from the floor to ceiling, and the lightning plays between blocks of Laen fifty feet tall. The tornado circulates the air in the room.
Despite his apparent desire, Torn doesn't go the Essence node, but instead to his room and sleep.