Adrian followed the Sister Paladin as she entered the ally, sticking close behind her as the advanced. Rounding the corner the pair came across a small area, likely built to provide access to the sewers judging from the manhole cover in the middle. On the other side stood two cloaked figures, and a small boy. The thugs were holding the boy up by his hair, one pressing his knife into the boys throat and holding out his hands as though expecting something. They turn their heads at the sound of creaking steel from Castiana's armor. "Well well, looks like we've got company" the one on the left said, stabbing his knife into the boys shirt collar, leaving him to dangle from the ally wall. "Don't go anywhere now" he says before turning He turned to face the woman and her companion, and new knife appearing in his hand as he did so, his compatriot turning with him figuring the blade. "I suggest you move on friends, nothing to see here he says.
Castiana's eyes narrow, and tilting her head at the pair bringing her sword to bare "Who do you think you are speaking to. Do you have any idea who I am" she said, her jade eyes piercing them. Both men flinch at her words, and take a few steps back only to bump into the ally wall. "Look... Miss, we don't need any trouble, just let us finish our little... transaction and we'll be on our way" the spokesmen said, clearly rattled. his partner stepping to the side so that he his not standing right next to his friend. "Transaction?" The Paladin said, taking a step forward and, then another "I think not. I have little doubt that there is anything lawful occurring here. Depart this place, at once, or face my wrath".
The man lets out a sigh, as though he expected as much, and snapped his fingers "Done" he said. Before grabbing the boy and tearing him off the wall and bolting down the other end of the ally. His partner meanwhile reacted to his friends snap, throwing a bag of caltrops to cover a very thin line in-front of the two would be heroes before following the other thug. Castiana reacts far faster then either man could have anticipated rushing after them with shield raised. "Then pay in blood " she calls out even as one of the caltrops pierces the bottom of her foot, causing the paladin to limp as she ran after the pair. the warrior woman slammed into the first one, shoving him out of the way as she tore after the one with the kid, the thugs knife of little effect against her armou. "Adrian! Stop him" she calls out, unable to fully get past the first thug.
Adrian is not slow on the uptake either, and gathering his power, and unleashes a ray of enfeeblement on the thug holding the boy. Causing the man to stumble as his arms begin to shake from the sudden weakness, before racing after him, slipping between both the paladin and the other thug. His blade coming up and piercing the kidnappers back as the man continues to run, pulling himself off the Half elf's blade. When the other thug tries to run however, Castiana rams her sword into his chest, pinning him to the wall and causing the man to quickly loose consciousness as he bleeds out. Pulling her blade from the mans chest, the sword sister pursues the remaining thief, grabbing his arm to arrest his movement.
Adrian raises his hand for a second time, striking the thug with a ray of frost, causing him to drop the boy and stagger. Struggling with Castiana the man is unable to free himself, and looses consciousness, falling onto the boy before he has a chance to crawl away. The paladin reacts quickly, pulling the man off the boy and quickly examining their injuries. She finds that the thug is bleeding out from a sever injury on his back, while the boy is unharmed. In fact, while inspecting the child, the sword sister realizes that the boy is actually a halfling.