((All I need is time.))
"My death is an inconvenience that could be avoided. Let me ramble for a few moments.
I did not act alone, my men would not see my death as an accident. More deaths equals a larger explanation of what occurred. More chances for things to go..Less smoothly. Not to mention I sent runners to my King, so he is well aware of what is transpiring here. My death? Will look suspicious. Now if I survive, I am sure I could talk my King out of any actions that would not be profitable for all parties involved.
There are things I seek, and I was endeavoring to use this notebook to acquire some of those ends. You're clearly a man who wants to be on the right side of things. So why not make that side slightly larger by including Elbreth in your deals, at least to an extent?"
[1] About half-way through your speech, the Count cottons on to what's happening. "Guards, fan out!" He lunges at you with his sword. [6] You draw up your own sword in a spectacular parry and perform a riposte, drawing a large slash across the Count's cheek. He is now strengthened by rage. [2] Two of the count's men draw their blades and face the door whilst the third comes at you as well. Perhaps too late, you hear footsteps running in approach. [5] Fortunate for you that your own men are fast runners, and spirited at that. The door slams open as two of your men kick a door each, the third stabbing straight through with his own longsword and taking out one of the Count's men.
[5] Both the Count and his bodyguard assault you, but you expertly parry both attacks and manage a grazing slash upon the Count's thigh. [3] He swings his longsword in a mighty arc and you only barely step out of the way of the swathe of steel... [5] ducking and rolling as the bodyguard tries to flank you. You end up directly behind him, [4] spring to your feet and stab him through the chest. [6] The Count, seeing that the tables have turned on him, flees through the nearby open window. You hear a faint scream, a crunch, and then a mob of voices screaming "Murderers!". [2] Your own men, distracted, are unable to prevent the last of the Count's men barging past them and running into the hallway shouting "An Elbrethan assassin has killed Count Castor!"
Pre-Battle Forays[4+3] Flames spread through the town and soon enough nearly all of it is on fire. The walls are completely impossible to man, but will likely not survive the combat. (
Walls destroyed.) [5] Fortunately for the rebels, the defenders' preparations still allow them to maintain a strong enough defence to pull back to the secure positions, forcing the King's army to try and locate them amidst a blazing town. [4-2] The extreme fire does not cause permanent casualties, but due to the chaos of the flames and panich one of the royal army regiments is separated from the rest and does not take place in the ensuing battle.
Battle for Hikari's CampRebels: [4+2+2 = 8]
King's Men: [2+7 = 9]
The battle is close. Very close. Had the walls not been taken out at great expense, the rebels might well have fought to a draw. Sadly the king's men are able to surround the rebel armoury where they make their stand and slaughter or capture nearly all the defenders at the cost of one regiment's worth of wounded. [5] Some of the leaders on the King's side will have a scar or two, but none are seriously wounded or captured. [4] Jorm and some ten soldiers are able to escape through the burning wreckage of the town and flee to safety, but Hikari himself is captured and brought to the King as prisoner.