Jeff Inlo - Chain of Bargains

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 to 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.