The plan that Griffin came up with was the best that he and his group could do. As a noble, he and Tiran would be placed close to where Trinia would be executed, giving him the opportunity to rescue her. Given his reputation, he would also be able to sneak his sword cane if guards searched him for weapons. Although it was risky to try to get to Trinia, the group was able to come up with a distraction. Falenas assured his companions that his explosive bombs would not be used on any of the common folk and that the chaos would give Griffin the opportunity he needed.
Griffin would have to fight his way out in order to escape. He wouldn't be alone as Takota agreed to take to the rooftops and provide covering fire with his bow. Although the noble didn't think he was that great of a fighter, he just needed to fight his way to the escape carriage. Viera would be waiting there and she was a better warrior than he was. They would need to lose their pursuers in the streets before trying to flee Korvosa.
Viera was worried about Griffin exposing his identity but he told her that he would disguise himself with his scarf. That was enough to convince her even though the noble knew that it wasn't going to be enough. Someone would see him and there was no way that he could stop them from learning and telling the truth. That was a sacrifice Griffin was willing to make. This was bigger than him or Trinia or any of his companions. What happened today would influence the future of Korvosa and may be the first step to stand against a tyrant like Queen Ileosa.
The morning of the execution, Griffin received a message brought to him by Citadel Volshyenek. Field Marshal Kroft asked that the noble and the adventurers that he employed to attend the execution if only to ensure that no riots break out. Cressida had been a wonderful ally during their time working with the Korvosan Guard but she wouldn't approve of their plan. Although Griffin felt bad about betraying her trust, he hoped that she and others like her would take a stand and lead Korvosa to a new era when all is done.
With the letter in hand, Griffin made his way to Citadel Volshyenek. With Trinia's execution scheduled at sunset, the group had time to make any final preparations for their plan. The noble was allowed into the citadel and made his way toward the barracks. He was confident that it would be quiet enough to meet with the Korvosan Guard spread out as is, and if not, they would be able to find somewhere else to meet.
When Griffin entered the bed, he was shocked to see two of his companions coughing terribly in their beds. Viera and Alexander both appeared to be sick and lacked the strength to get out of their beds. To see two of his strongest friends in such a condition was a low blow. Worse, he was aware of the symptoms they suffered for he had to deal with them not too long ago.
Viera and Alexander had contracted filth fever.
The barracks was empty of guards and Griffin was at least grateful that Falenas and Takota were healthy. The archer leaned against the wall and spared a glance towards the noble. The alchemist was hard at work with his craft, working on a remedy to help treat the sick. Griffin knew from experience that Falenas didn't have a way to remove the disease for today, meaning that Viera and Alexander would need more bed rest to recover.
"Griffin, is that you?" Alexander coughed, struggling to keep his eyes open. "I hardly got any sleep last night."
"It's me," Griffin answered. "Falenas, do you know how they became sick?"
"Likely from something in the Dead Warrens," Falenas predicted, not looking up from the clay bowl that he battered herbs in. "The undead and filth we've had to endure is hardly sanitary. They'll live, of course, but they won't be of any help today."
"Don't count me out yet," Viera said and slowly sat up with a struggle. "I won't let this stop me from saving an innocent life."
"Rest, Viera," Griffin told his friend in a comforting tone. "Falenas, Takota, and I should be enough. We'll just have to think of a way for one of us to take your role in the plan."
"Actually, it shall be you and Takota," Falenas informed the noble and finally looked at him with an apologetic gaze. "Before your arrival, Cressida found out about Alexander and Viera. She ordered them to rest and for me to work on helping them recover for the day. We're excused from the execution and I do not want to risk her taking action against us should I disobey her command."
"Can we not ask a cleric to cure the disease?" Griffin questioned. "We have the coin for it."
"The clergy has heard the rumors that Queen Ileosa is replacing the Korvosan Guard and are cutting ties with them," Falenas shook his head with a sigh. "Given our success, this may apply to us."
"The Pantheon of Many will help," Viera said and nearly fell from her feet with Griffin catching her. "I just need to get there."
"They weren't too pleased with your favor yesterday," Takota said. "They barely had the power to restore my eyesight. It wouldn't be wise to come to them with another problem so soon."
Griffin helped Viera return to bed despite her protests. The plan was falling apart before they could even enact it. The rescue team was down to half strength and he and Takota couldn't do their roles along with that of the rest of their group. They couldn't be in two places at once.
"Your plan won't work," Alexander told Griffin and coughed. "There's no shame in giving up."
"I will not turn back now," Takota shook his head. "There is more I can do."
"At first, I was willing to give you some benefit of doubt, but I am convinced you've fallen for this painter's charms," Falenas said. "I cannot see why else you would be so insistent on fulfilling a promise against such odds."
Takota ignored Falenas and turned his gaze to Griffin. "Will I go alone?"
"I would be a terrible friend to let you do something so reckless by yourself," Griffin chuckled. "If we fail, we shall fail together."
"Do you have a new plan?" Takota asked.
Griffin shook his head with a smile. "At this point, I'm hoping for a miracle."
Hours went by and Griffin grew nervous as he stepped out of the carriage along with Tiran. His older brother frowned as they arrived at a public courtyard outside of Citadel Korvosa. His eyes were drawn to a guillotine on a stage along with a hooded executioner, a burly man wielding a large axe. The nobles had their own stand nearby that the two walked to while the citizens watched from below. The other nobles were dressed in their best clothes as this event was a ball. Griffin could tell that Tiran was here only to fulfill his noble obligation to the throne and took no pleasure in the death he was about to witness.
As the brothers took their assigned seats, Griffin looked to the rooftops nearby. He couldn't see Takota anywhere but knew that the archer would be ready when the time came. It was decided that they would go without an ambush, that Griffin would simply dash towards the guillotine while Takota fired arrows. The guards in the courtyard would be focused on him, and although the noble was skilled with the blade, he wasn't a warrior strong enough to win every fight.
Griffin figured that today he would die. He only had three hopes: that Trinia would be able to escape, that Tiran would be spared from Ileosa's wrath, and that the people of Korvosa would stand up against the queen.
On the other side of the courtyard, across from the guillotine, Queen Ileosa emerged to the sound of drums and horns from a band of heralds nearby. Enough time had passed that she no longer mourned the loss of her husband and wore a green and white silk dress that was worth more than any of the other nobles around Griffin. Her stride showed grace and confidence as though she had come to terms with the responsibility of being the sole monarch of Korvosa.
As she made her seat at a throne set for her, she was joined by several guards to keep her safe. One in particular stood out to Griffin, garbed in the same armor marked by red plumage on her helmet as the soldiers that took Trinia away. Perhaps it was the same woman that had punched him when he tried to stop her. Already, the nobles around him were gossiping about who the warrior was. Griffin realized that if Queen Ileosa intended to replace the Korvosan Guard, she was already on her way with these armored individuals.
Then, the heralds beat their drums at an ominous pace as the sun set, and the crowd grew silent. A guard escorted a hooded woman whose hands were bound to her back by a leather cord towards the guillotine. When they arrived, the guard pulled the sack hood off of her. Trinia couldn't hide the fear on her face and could hardly fight against her tears. The guard left her in the capable hands of the executioner and returned to join the other soldiers below the platform.
"Fellow Korvosans!" Ileosa addressed the crowd. "You have suffered greatly these past few weeks. Homes have burned, family members have died, and fortunes have been lost…"
Griffin clutched his cane tightly. From how close his seat was to the stage, he could jump over and stab the executioner in the neck with his hidden blade.
"...I feel your suffering, for not only have I lost a beloved husband, but with each act of anarchy that followed, my heart bled more…."
The guards below the platform were going to be a problem. He couldn't fight them all off even with Takota's aid.
"...This has been a trying time for us yet the torment is at an end. Before you is the source of your anguish and pain. Do not be deceived by this murderer's timid nature for she is an assassin who holds no kindness in her heart…"
There was a banner hanging from the wall by the courtyard. Griffin could climb up it and Trinia too if he could undo the leather cords binding her hands. But then what? He doubted he could climb down the other side and it wasn't like he could fly to safety.
"...I offer you her death as a salve against the hatred and hurt you have suffered. And so, without further delay, let us usher in this new dawn with justice…"
The executioner pulled Trinia toward the guillotine by the leather cord with one hand. It was now or never. Griffin twisted the top of his cane, ready to pull out the sword hidden within at a moment's notice.
Queen Ileosa stood up to end her speech. "Off with her head!"
As Griffin stood up from his seat, the executioner screamed in pain. The noble gasped with the others when he saw a dagger embedded on the back of the hand that released his hold of Trinia.
A moment later, a man jumped on stage from the crowd, and Griffin could only look at him in awe. There was no way to distinguish who it was that took a stand against Queen Ileosa. He wore dark leather armor with a black hood, mask, and cloak concealing his face. With another dagger that he held in his hand, the masked stranger cut Trinia free of the leather that bound her. Afterwards, he threw the dagger at the executioner's left foot, pinning the man to the stage. Someone from the crowd called out, confirming what Griffin had thought before.
"It's Blackjack!"
Griffin couldn't believe that the hero of Korvosa that he looked up to was right in front of him. Even though he was inactive for nearly two decades, Blackjack stood up for the common people of Korvosa to fight for what was right. The hero turned to address the crowd that was already muttering words against the queen.
"Indeed, my queen!" Blackjack called out. "Let us usher in justice, but let that be justice for Korvosa, not this shambles you call a monarchy!"
An elderly woman in the crowd shouted. "Let the poor girl free! Why would Blackjack save an assassin!"
"Why would Blackjack stand up against the queen if she weren't plotting something on her throne," a man added, his voice joined by others asserting agreement. "I call for Queen Ileosa to step down from her position!"
"Long live Korvosa!" Blackjack said and his eyes turned toward the queen. "Down with the queen!"
Queen Ileosa was stunned by the interruption. The masked guard by her side whispered something to the queen. The monarch stood from her throne, and under the escort of the dozen soldiers with her, retreated to the castle. Blackjack laughed from where he stood, taking joy in the fact that he drove Ileosa to retreat through his actions. While some of the guards tried to make their way to stop Blackjack, many others had to keep the crowd from rioting
So entranced from his victory that Blackjack didn't see the executioner raise his axe, ready to cut down the vigilante.
Griffin knew that it was his time to act, and better yet, he didn't have to sacrifice his identity to do so. Tiran, who had noticed his brother was standing up, said something that was lost to the screams around them. Griffin took one step toward the stairs before he "tripped" off of the stage. As he fell, he threw his cane toward the executioner, striking him in the head and dazing him long enough for Blackjack to realize that he was nearly attacked.
Of course, Griffin couldn't see what happened afterward as he fell into a guard that stood below. Two other soldiers pulled the noble off of him, and thinking that he was an attacker, one of them punched him across the face with a fist covered in a metal gauntlet. Griffin could taste blood in his mouth from the attack and tried to break free. Before he was struck again, Tiran jumped down and landed harmlessly next to the encounter. He glared toward the guards who finally saw the fine clothing that the two brothers wore.
"Release my brother at once!" Tiran ordered.
The guards listened and Griffin nearly fell down to his knees in pain. "Tiran…"
"I've got you, Griffin!" Tiran said and took his brother by the arm to carry him over his shoulder. "We must get out of here before any more harm comes upon us!"
Griffin let Tiran guide him away although his gaze remained on Blackjack, who fled from the stage with Trinia. Like Griffin had planned before, the vigilante led the way to the banner hanging from the wall and climbed up it with Trinia with ease. There were two guards that rushed to cut the decoration down before they could reach the top but an arrow struck one of the guards in the knee. He collapsed while his peer, who nearly avoided an attack to his shoulder, rushed to cover.
For a moment, Griffin took his eyes off of Blackjack and turned to where the arrows came from. A cloaked archer stood on the rooftops, firing an arrow at the hand of a guard who tried to climb after Blackjack. Afterwards, he made for the edge of the roof and jumped off, out of sight from everyone. Griffin sighed in relief, glad to see that Takota was able to help and hopefully escape in the chaos.
Griffin turned back to the wall to see Blackjack and Trinia standing atop of it. He pulled down his black mask briefly to drink a potion before tossing the glass vial at a guard that tried to stop him, stopping him in his tracks. He pulled his mask back up, and after scanning the crowd, his eyes locked on Griffin. The noble saw that the hero he looked up to carried his cane in his free hand. Blackjack raised the cane in the air as though it were a blade in a salute.
Blackjack saluted Griffin. He nearly fainted from joy after realizing it.
Afterwards, Blackjack grabbed Trinia and jumped from the wall and disappeared from sight.
Time passed by as Tiran made it to the family carriage, which was fortunately protected by two guards employed by their family. The two brothers climbed inside with the elder one ordering for the driver to get them back home. With the courtyard behind him, Tiran started to silently tend to Griffin, patting his cheek and mouth with a handkerchief he carried on him. Although it seemed the noble was silent since he was recovering from the hit, the truth was he was still processing what he saw.
Griffin couldn't believe that Blackjack had returned. Any doubts that he had about whether he was doing the right thing faded away instantly. If Blackjack was willing to stand against Queen Ileosa, then so would he. Before today, there were only silent whispers of the queen being a tyrant and people were content under her rule. Now that Blackjack had made a stand, people would talk. They would see that there may be more to Queen Ileosa than what they saw.
Change was coming to Korvosa and Griffin looked forward to seeing what it would bring to the city and its people.
A/N: And with this chapter, we near the end of Edge of Anarchy. The next chapter will serve as the conclusion to this story but more awaits our heroes in Korvosa. Expect an announcement on what's to come in the author notes of next chapter.
Until next time.