by Jeff Inlo
Even as the soldiers surrounded her, she discarded their importance. Perhaps order did not come from the guard, and with that thought, Holli began to consider other explanations. Goblins could be subdued by brute force, but only when they feared that force. These soldiers projected little authority. Some other power must have kept the goblins in check.
Magic.
The abnormality in the flow of the energy was one of the reasons she chose to explore Huntston, and she still had not found an explanation for the bending of the magic. The presence of a powerful mage would explain many things. Such a sorcerer could temporarily shield his existence—even from the perceptions of the elf—and would find little difficulty in maintaining control over a few dozen goblins.
She considered the flow of the magic once more, even as the guards stumbled into position around her. It flooded into Huntston from all angles. The surge inward was unmistakable, but so was its escape. Nothing absorbed the magic, nothing held it within the boundaries of the town. It was much like the rivers that bordered Huntston on both sides. The magic rushed in, swept across the streets, and then dashed away.
The flow was so overpowering, it was difficult to focus on a single vibration, but as a whole, the magic remained pure to her. She could not find any diabolical purpose for the onslaught of energy.
She thought again of the goblins. The rush of magic did not diminish the possibility of a sorcerer guiding the movements of the insipid creatures. It might, in fact, offer cover for the mage. It was only a theory, but it would explain certain mysteries that continued to elude her.
If a sorcerer was at the heart of the goblins strange behavior, then Holli would have to reassess her opinion of the town guard. Perhaps Ryson was correct, the soldiers that surrounded them might have just been extraordinarily incompetent, which meant they were also possibly very dangerous.
"You're to come with us," one of the guards finally spoke up.
Holli nodded, but remained quiet. She did not regret her decision for refusing to escape the predicament, but she also began to lose faith that she would speak to anyone of credible authority within the ranks of those that stood before her. The guards didn't even disarm their prisoners, even as they turned their backs upon them to guide them through the city. Incompetence quickly began to appear as pure foolishness.
Ryson also did not speak. He simply stepped cautiously along with the group when the soldiers turned and started marching further up the street. He kept a watchful eye on their movements and their surroundings. He mapped out their path in his mind and committed several landmarks to memory. He made absolutely certain that if escape became necessary, he would have several routes at the ready.
Holli kept track of their movements as well, but she also watched the reactions of other humans that passed them in the streets. Night had taken hold, but it was not so late that the streets were deserted. The town was active enough for Holli to gain a true perspective of the citizen reaction to armed activity, and it surprised her. Not one resident who passed paused to gawk at the parade of guards escorting apparent prisoners through the town.
That fact seemed almost incomprehensible to her. In living among humans, she learned that they were a curious race. Such spectacles should have brought much more attention, but the townspeople actually shied away from their approach. Shutters remained closed on all windows as did the doors of many homes. The residents of Huntston clearly wished to distance themselves from such incidents.
Bizarre.
Humans simply did not act in such a manner. Some might keep to themselves, might seek the shelter of obscurity and avoid spectacles, but not an entire town. Many, if not most, would seek to view the commotion, not shield their eyes from it. Yet, there were no crowd of onlookers, and those that walked the streets deliberately avoided the parade of soldiers escorting two strangers.
Turning her mind once more to the goblins and how they entered Huntston earlier that evening, Holli wondered if the residents acted in a similar fashion. Did they ignore dark creatures roaming the streets? Did they simply look away and mind their own business? Did they hope that any potential threat would simply dissolve away?
Extremely Bizarre.
The soldiers escorted Holli and Ryson on a fairly long walk. They led them to an ominous building just northeast of the center of town. The entire structure was built from rock. Only a few very narrow windows lined the front exterior wall. Bright lanterns lit up the streets and alleys surrounding the building, but the stone walls themselves were bathed in shadows. There were no adjacent structures, as the nearest building stood several paces away across a very wide side alley.
A brick walkway led from the street to two massive doors that served as the front entrance and appeared to be made of iron. Holli believed that assessment to be true when she watched one of the soldiers struggle to open the door. A soldier waiting within gave quick instructions once they were all inside and the heavy doors were closed.
"We're bringing them to the back, follow me," he stated in the fashion of an order he expected to be followed without question or delay. This particular soldier had at least some level of authority, but Holli didn't expect it extended beyond the stone walls.
She believed he was a station commander, nothing more. He didn't create the orders. He simply issued them to the guards under his command. The true decision to take Holli and Ryson captive came from someone further up the chain of command. If she was going to get any answers, she wasn't going to obtain them from any of the soldiers they had encountered so far.
Ryson's discomfort continued to grow. He reviewed their surroundings and realized they had been brought to a guard station that also served as a jail. He and Holli were led down a narrow hall and through another set of heavy iron doors. The entire back half of the building was a wide expanse—very much like a storehouse— but with several areas squared off with metal bars. The cells were more like isolated cages, as sections of iron bars completed four walls and containment ceilings for each individual holding area.
Ryson expected the interior of the facility to be dark and dreary, but the jail area was exceedingly bright. Far more lanterns than were needed hung along each wall. Though the unpolished iron bars offered little solace, the white stone floor actually sparkled under the dancing flames of the lamps.
Holli peered curiously into each cell they passed. Most remained empty, but a few housed an occupant. No cage held more than one prisoner and each one was human. Once more, she found no sign of the goblins.
The human prisoners did not look up at the new arrivals. Most rested on thin mattresses thrown on the floor. Blankets were pulled up high and covered the faces of the inmates. Holli wasn't sure if these prisoners were shielding their eyes from the bright light of the jail or burying their shame, and perhaps even their consciousness, in the darkness of covers.
The guards separated Ryson and Holli as they reached a block of cages in the back corner far away from any other prisoners. They were not, however, removed far from each other. Holli was brought to a halt before one sliding cell door just as Ryson was guided to the front of the neighboring cage.
"Leave them dressed, but remove their weapons, bags, and any other possessions," the soldier in charge commanded. "Throw everything they have in the cell behind me. The captain will want to go through it when he gets here."
Before the other guards could move, he tapped the sheath of the Sword of Decree that hung across Ryson's back.
"Except for this. Don't touch this sword handle. Take it by the sheath only. Store it in that cabinet and lock it after you close it. I want the key when you're done."
Before leaving, the station commander pulled the forester's cap off Holli's head and took a long look at the pointed ears of the elf guard. He appeared to make a mental note of their long, thin characteristics before turning away and tossing the cap in an empty cell. Without another word, he marched back to the front of the station.
The other guards followed their orders. They qu
ickly relieved Ryson and Holli of their weapons and pouches, checked their pockets and removed all possessions they found. They placed the items on the floor of the cell with Holli's forester cap and then shut and locked the door.
The soldier who took hold of the Sword of Decree did so with great care so as not to allow the handle to even brush his person. As he carried it to the storage cupboard, he held it far from his body as if it were a venomous snake that might strike if disturbed. He placed the weapon in the wooden cabinet and quickly shut the door. He locked it with a key that he took with him as he left.
The other guards directed both Holli and Ryson into their cells. They didn't shove them with any force or malice. They simply pointed and expected the prisoners to follow the order. Both the elf and the delver offered no resistance. They stepped into their respective cages and watched as the guards locked the cell doors.
Holli watched the soldiers as each one filed down the long corridor and exited the room. Not one guard remained behind as the heavy iron doors were pulled to a thumping close. She heard the latch lock with the twist of a key. Scanning the expansive space of the jail, she could see through the bars of each cell and across the entire room. Only prisoners remained in the jail area and all of them were hiding from their own insecurities.
"I have seen enough," the elf declared in a hushed voice, but not as low as a whisper. Her disgust with the carelessness of the guards painted her tone as well as her expression. She no longer believed she would gain anything of value from those that captured her. She was even sorry she allowed the inept soldiers to take them prisoner.
Ryson, while comprehending the meaning of her statement, questioned Holli's intention.
"I thought you wanted to speak with someone in charge?"
"I do, but I no longer wish to do so on their terms."
"What changed your mind?"
"Many things... one of which you pointed out. They are incompetent. They put us in cells, but then leave us unguarded and unwatched? It is idiocy. That means I cannot count on them to act in any rational manner."
The delver sensed Holli's annoyance with the guards, but her frustration billowed beyond dealing with their incompetence.
"What else is bothering you?" Ryson asked.
"They know exactly who we are," Holli fumed. With each step, she faced another riddle, found another puzzle. Irritation assaulted her as she realized the incompetent guards of Huntston knew more than she did. Worse, she couldn't understand why.
Ryson agreed. The mystery surrounding the valleys grew with every step of their exploration and it suddenly appeared as if they were expected by those they came in secret to question.
"Yeah, they seemed to be very careful about my sword."
"Exactly. That fact bothers me greatly. I understand you and your sword are becoming somewhat legendary, but not many people know about all the sword's enchantments. Many know the blade magnifies light when unsheathed, but how do these guards know about the gift of insight the blade bestows on the holder? The station commander was very clear on his order not to touch the handle. That means they know you are Ryson Acumen, that you carry the Sword of Decree, and that the sword holds many enchantments."
She shook her head in disgust.
"They were also aware that I am an elf," she continued. "They are not wise enough to disarm prisoners before traipsing through the town, and yet they are aware of things they should not know."
"So we're leaving?"
"Immediately."
The elf placed her hands together at her chest and focused on her connection with the magical energy. The power within her rushed around her wrists and a crackling green octagon formed at her hands. She whispered words meant to direct the magic, to give the power at her fingertips focus and purpose. As she did, the green light burst forward and struck at the keyholes of three cell doors; hers, Ryson's, and the cell that held their belongings. All three doors swung open.
"That was fast," Ryson noted.
"They are simple locks. I believe that these guards have very little experience with magic. That will work to our favor in more than one regard."
The elf raced down the corridor—ignoring the other prisoners—to the iron doors that separated the front lobby from the jail. She concentrated on the handles and cast another spell. Again, the green magic shot into the keyhole, but this time the door did not swing open.
She returned quickly to Ryson, who was gathering their belongings but had watched Holli's actions from a distance.
"What did you do?"
"A small magical barrier. It will serve as a lock jam. Their keys will not turn the tumblers."
"They're going to have a hard time getting in here. They're not going to be able to smash through those doors." Ryson then looked at those humans still in their cells. "What about the other prisoners?"
"Do not fear for them. They will ignore us and they will not be isolated in here for long. The spell will dissolve long before morning, but my guess is the guards will remove the doors at the hinges when they realize they cannot enter. Still, it was a necessary precaution. I want to ensure we had time to escape."
"Good idea, but now how do we get out?"
"I intend on using that vent shaft," Holli nodded upwards to a metal cylinder that cut through the stone roof of the building. "I believe we both can fit through the passage, though I will ask for your assistance in reaching the opening."
Ryson looked into the dark passage that led through the ceiling.
"It's going to be a tight fit, but we can make it." He then looked back to the elf. "Are you going to be alright with that?"
"I will be fine. Why do you ask?"
"Back in the hills, when we were talking to the dwarf commander, you said you felt uncomfortable in enclosed places. This is going to be about as enclosed as it gets."
"Do not worry. I said that to ensure we were kept near the entrance. I did not wish to be taken too far down the tunnels. I have been living in human cities for quite some time now. I am used to enclosures."
"Ah, so that's it. I was wondering about it when you said it. Well, we can fit, but I just need to get my sword first. Can you help me with that lock, too?"
"That was my intention."
Holli moved swiftly to the cabinet that held the Sword of Decree. She cast another emerald spell and Ryson heard the lock snap open. He pulled on the handle and swung the cabinet door silently to one side. After securing the sword to his back, he returned with the elf to the space directly under the air shaft.
As he peered upward, he realized they faced one small dilemma.
"There's a cap at the top of the vent. I think I can pry it open, but you can never be sure."
"Stand clear, please."
Focusing her gaze upwards, Holli raised a single arm above her head. She pointed her index finger at the shaft just as emerald energy surged up her arm. A streak of green power shot from her finger and rose up through the shoot. When it reached the cap, a large pop was followed by a metal clang.
Ryson looked up through the shaft again and this time he could see the night sky without obstruction.
"It's clear. We can both fit without any problem." He then heard a clamor at the iron doors. "Seems as if we gained their attention."
"Let us not waste any more time. Once you have secured yourself in the shaft, drop me your rope."
"No problem"
Ryson positioned himself directly under the vent pipe, and with one great leap, he effortlessly propelled himself into the opening. The tubular path was dark, dirty, and cramped, but a delver cared little about such minor discomforts. He saw a handful of spiders scurrying further up the vent and simply dismissed them. After dealing with bloat spiders that could trap a full grown shag, a few average cellar variety spiders smaller than his thumbnail were hardly a concern. Pressing his hands, feet and back against the vent walls, he climbed further up to allow Holli a clear section of pipe for her entry.
The vent was narrow enough to allow him t
o jam his knees against opposing sides of the circular wall. He also twisted his upper body so that it lodged at an angle within the pipe. His hands became free to go through his pouch and retrieve the short rope that he always carried. He dropped it down toward the ground. It was long enough to hit the floor. He braced himself within the metal shaft as he served as an anchor for the line down to Holli.
After taking one last look around the jail, Holli grasped the rope and shimmied herself up into the narrow opening. Once fully inside, she used her body against the passage just as Ryson had done.
"I am in," she stated as she released the rope to allow Ryson to recoil it and return it to his pouch.
"I'm going up to the roof," Ryson whispered, and then the delver thrust himself upward like a red hot ember released from a fire.
He paused just below the top of the shaft. He raised an ear to the night air and listened intently for any signs of a guard on the roof. He heard nothing, not a breath, not even a heartbeat. Certain the roof was clear, he bolted over the edge of the pipe and on to the roof.
Holli followed. Immediately after exiting the vent, she took the bow from her shoulder, ducked low and stalked to the front of the building. The roof was nearly flat, only slightly pitched to allow the rain to run off. The walls stood high and the lanterns below shined mostly on the surrounding streets and not the building itself. She crouched in the cover of darkness as she waited for guards to exit the front entrance and surround the building. It never happened.
As Holli kept watch on the only door, Ryson scouted the perimeter of the roof and looked over the surrounding grounds. He scampered over the edges like a squirrel dancing across thin branches until he reached Holli's position.
"No one's out here. There are guards in the distance—walking the streets—but they seem to be on normal patrol. There are others on the rooftops where we first spotted them, but they're watching the outskirts of town. I don't think anyone knows we're up here yet."