Vlindrel:The Knight-Hunter's Freedom

Day 3, 6:30 PM
The Stone Reformatory, Armory Bridge

Caspian: **He runs across the bridge before sliding to a stop as he looks ahead. He readies his longsword and waits to see if the soldier shows himself before he proceeds any farther.**

Armory Soldier: **The door to the armor swings open with a loud screeching as its old hinges grind flat. He shifts his head and Caspian can see his eyes glowing a dim green within his black iron helmet. The Armory Soldier has consumed Caspian and Ahiga's souls. He slowly stomps out onto the bridge with heavy footfalls and reaches back behind his head with his unbroken arm, then suddenly hoists Caspian's sword-spear from a clasp on his back and onto his shoulder.**

Caspian: **Caspians eyes go wide as he sees the Soldier pull his beloved weapon up onto his shoulder, then they quickly narrow as his expression turns fierce and angry. He grips the hilt of his longsword tightly.** You will be ash before the sun sets!

Armory Soldier: **He begins to slowly trudge across the bridge, passing by his old greatshield that he's left laying against the halfwall of the bridge.** ...No... **He breaks into a run, being much more agile now that he's no longer carrying his ultra-greatsword and his greatshield. He stabs the sword-spear forwards at Caspian with a powerful thrust.**

Caspian: **He jumps to the left and immediately swipes with his blade, slicing through the Soldier's broken arm at the elbow. He swings again at the same spot in an attempt to cut the Soldier's forearm off.**

Armory Soldier: **Caspian's second swing lands true and the Soldier's arm is cut off cleanly, only dangling by a few straps from his armor. The Soldier doesn't seem too phased by it though, and suddenly launches forwards into Caspian with a shoulder-slam that sends him flying back into the halfwall and almost tumbling backwards over it. He then thrusts the sword-spear forwards at Caspian's stomach for a quick follow up strike.**

Caspian: **He turns his body and rolls against the top of the half wall, then pushes off of it and grabs onto the knight's remaining arm before raising the sword over his head and stabbing it down into the unarmored area between the neck and breastplate.**

Armory Soldier: **He shifts his weight and Caspian's sword hits the Soldier's left pauldron, sparking as it slides off harmlessly. He then shoulders forwards again and pushes Caspian away from him and swings the sword-spear in a powerful cleaving motion.**

Caspian: **As he stumbles backwards and attempt to block the cleave with his longsword, as he doesn't have the space to dodge.**

Armory Soldier: **The swing shatters Caspian's sword and slashes a shallow wound across the front of his chest, he then steps forwards and shoulders Caspian before bringing up the sword-spear up over his head and swinging it down with a powerful overhead slash.**

Caspian: **He lets out a muffled groan as his weapon breaks and he gets slashed, then knocked. As he falls back and onto the ground his arm touches something. Quickly realizing that it's the soldier's iron great shield, he grabs it and quickly flips it over onto him just as the sword-spear slams down against it.**

Armory Soldier: Die... Die... **He repeatedly begins to slam the sword-spear into his old shield.** Die... Die!

Caspian: **He waits a moment as the shield is repeatedly struck, waiting for the timing before pulling his legs up under it and letting out a loud yell as he pushes the shield up with all his strength to meet the next strike, using both his arms and feet to meet the next strike. The sword-spear clangs loudly off the face of the shield, releasing a shower of sparks as it wildly ricochets off of it, staggering the Soldier.** You are not fit to wield a weapon of Loyce- **He quickly pushes himself to his feet and then charges with his shield raised, slamming it into the Armory Soldier with as much strength and force as he can muster.** -*CREATURE*!

Armory Soldier: No... **As he stumbles to recover from Caspian's block, he's unable to retalliate fast enough and Caspian slams into him with the greatshield, knocking him backwards and through the door into the armory. He slips off a ledge and falls down into the room below with a loud thud.**

Caspian: **He's breathing heavily as he heaves the huge shield, pulling it with him as he moves into the armory. As he reaches the ledge he slowly looks down for the Soldier.**

Armory Soldier: **Caspian sees the Soldier standing about ten feet below him, loading one of the large steel bolts into his heavy crossbow. He heaves it up with his one arm and fires at Caspian.**

Caspian: **As the Soldier lifts the crossbow to fire, Caspian lets out a gasp of surprise and heaves the heavy iron greatshield in front of him. The iron bolt shatters against it harmlessly.** You killed my friend with that armament! **He runs off the ledge, jumping down with the shield in front of him to plunging slam onto the Soldier.**

Armory Soldier: **He quickly loads another bolt before looking up in time to see Caspian come crashing down onto him.** No- **An audible crack is heard as the Soldier's neck and back breaks. A cloud of ash explodes from the joints of the heavy iron armor and pale wisps of smoke flow into Caspian as he regains their lost souls, along with the Soldier's souls.**

**Caspian Souls +120.**

Caspian: **He slowly gets up, pulling the great shield away to see the remains. He takes a deep breath, then grabs his weapon, heaving it onto his shoulder where it belongs, and he lets out a long satisfied sigh, glad to have his sword-spear back.**

**As Caspian looks around, he sees that his and Ahiga's equipment are on a nearby table, neatly set up. Next to it is a large weapon wrack with numerous old and rusted weapons, though among them is the large Black Iron Ultra Greatsword that the Armory Soldier used in the first fight, along with Delpha's polished silver-steel twinblade and Ahiga's serrated sword.**

Caspian: **He smiles as he sees the deep blue of his clothing. He lets go of the black iron shield and quickly walks over to the table, leaning his sword-spear against the edge of table before grabbing putting his chainmail and the tattered blue cloth on. He looks around for a moment before grabbing a few leather straps and a pack, putting them on too, then walks over to the weapons rack and grabs Delpha's twinblade, fastening it to his back, and puts the serrate sword into a loop on his waist. Finally he packs Ahiga's shirt and shoes in the backpack, before moving back to grab his sword-spear. He takes a deep breath, carrying all of this is heavy, even for him.** I do not yet have your means of freedom Knight-Hunter, best to check on Ahiga first... I hope he is feeling better... **He heads for the stairway, but stops as he walks passed the soldier's greatshield. He looks away from it, thinking for a moment, then reaches down and lifts it up with his left hand, grunting as his muscles tense to lift the heavy shield with one arm. He lets out a labored breath as he looks to the stairs.**

**Forty-five minutes later, back at the Sentinel Bonfire...**

Caspian: **He walks through the ruin, his gear making loud noises as he nears the bonfire.** Ahiga? **He's weak from carrying all of this gear and the wound across his chest has stained the front of his outfit red with blood. He looks rather pale, and he's sweating heavily.**

Ahiga: Holy shit Caspian, are you alright? **He immediately gets to his feet and runs over to help him, grabbing the large shield and attempting to lift it up. When he can't he just tries to drag it over to the bonfire.**

Caspian: I will be fine, I just need to rest in the warmth of the holy flame. **He smiles at Ahiga, glad that he's still here waiting for him.** I found your clothing and equipment. **As he reaches the bonfire he stabs his sword-spear into the ground next to him, then pulls the backpack off and sets it near Ahiga, along with his serrated sword.** How are you feeling Ahiga? **He takes Delpha's twinblade off his back and sits down, already feeling a bit more better as he starts to look the weapon over. The blood on his chest slowly begins to light up like burning paper, and little by little it slowly begins to burn away.**

**The twinblade is intricate, no simple weapon, with each end having a machete-like blade inscribed with flowery imprints and writing in a language that Caspian can't read. It's about five feet from each end to the other, with each blade being roughly a foot and a half and the middle grip being a little under two feet.**

Ahiga: **He drops the shield next to the fire and sits back down.** Better, I think... I've had some time to... Just absorb... Everything that happened... **He grabs the backpack and pulls out his ragged shirt, pulling it on** This shirt is so torn up, it's not even really worth wearing... **He shakes his head a little as he looks down. The numerous holes in his clothing reminding him of the arrowhead he saw sticking out of his chest.**

Caspian: We need to make an effort to find you some light armor. **He shakes his head.** Cloth is no proper thing to wear in a fight.

Ahiga: **He grabs his socks and shoes, pulling on his old socks first, which are beginning to smell pretty bad.** I'd kill for a shower right about now...

Caspian: ...Do you mean rainfall? **He looks up at the sky. There's plenty of clouds, but no hint of rain.** Would that make you feel better?

Ahiga: No I... **He smirks and shakes his head.** Back home we have... Plumbing that runs water through the walls of our houses and... Pours it down onto us... We use it to clean ourselves.

Caspian: A contraption that showers water onto you, so that you may bathe? **He looks from the sky to Ahiga.**

Ahiga: **He pauses.** ...Yeah. **He starts to daydream about a nice warm shower.**

Caspian: I bathe in the falls below Forlorin... **He thinks for a moment.** To have water available in your own home... Such a modest thing, and yet it would be very nice to have.

Ahiga: You just bathe in a river? **He smirks as he looks to Caspian.**

Caspian: The water is clean... Though it can be rather cold at times. Though revival through the flame cleans just as well, death is more... Inconvenient than a chilling water. **He looks at Ahiga and nods a little.**

Ahiga: Yeah... I bet... **He grabs his shoes and pulls them on. They're like a cross between a sneaker and hiking shoes, and having them on makes him feel a lot less vulnerable somehow.** Man I wish I knew I was gonna fall down here... These things are sturdy, but my cleats would've been so much better.

Caspian: Cleats are a kind of footwear? **He smiles, then runs his hand back through his hair, pulling it away from his face.**

Ahiga: Yeah... They have spikes on the bottom to help with footing.

Caspian: Such a thing would be good for kicking too, I bet. **Now that some of his strength has returned, he gets up and walks over to the greatshield and lifts it up, he moves it to the bonfire and slowly slides it as a shower of embers consumes it. After a second the shield vanishes.** If you had access to the things in your world, what else would you bring here?

Ahiga: **He thinks for a moment.** My farm gloves... Maybe my truck... It'd be a lot easier to get around with that... Though I'd have to bring fuel... **He sighs and thinks a little more.** Some camping supplies... Like a sleeping bag and a tent... **He shakes his head.** ...My shotgun... Man if I had that and a bunch of ammo, we'd be able to tear through that prison in a single night...

Caspian: It is a kind of weapon?

Ahiga: **He nods quickly.** It's like a crossbow, only it's a long tube. You put ammunition into the tube and aim it, then pull the trigger and a small explosion in the tube sends out a hail of metal that rips apart whatever it hits...

Caspian: Could it bring down a jailer in a single shot? **He sits back down and leans back against a stone slab, still resting a little to recover.**

Ahiga: Yeah, I think it would. If I aimed it right it should blast apart his head in a single shot. **He thinks about home for a moment.**

Caspian: Sounds like a powerful weapon... I would like to have one.

Ahiga: ...You don't really know how much you miss things until they're gone... **He sighs a little.** ...I hope Tate's not getting himself into trouble.

Caspian: You must be good friends, to worry about him so.

Ahiga: I've known him since we were little kids... He's my best friend... We do almost everything together... **He looks to Caspian.** You said you've never had friends before? Ever?

Caspian: I have known a few people that pass through Forlorin, but the closest thing I've had to friends is Orma and Reeves... They are very kind, but very old, and rarely leave town... Even then, they tend to keep to themselves... Sometimes I wonder if I annoy them when I loiter around their residence... **He closes his eyes and thinks back.** Never have I seen anyone like you or Tate. Never have I known someone in their youth, as I am. The only youthful face I'd seen previous to the two of yours is the Lady-in-Waiting, and my own of course.

Ahiga: That must get lonely... I don't think I could stand being here alone. It'd drive me crazy. **He looks to Caspian.** But you seem pretty well-adjusted for someone that's never had friends before.

Caspian: My mother and father told me that the path to becoming a Knight is a lonely one, that few others would be willing to travel with me... I suppose before I met you, never before did I know what it was like to have someone to speak with like this... At least not anyone that wasn't my parents.

Ahiga: How old were you when they left?

Caspian: **He leans back a little more, Ahiga can see his eyes darting below his eyelids as he things.** They left in the eleventh summer of my life, and never returned.

Ahiga: ...How old are you now?

Caspian: This is my twenty-third autum, in my twenty-third year. **His voice is starting to sound a little solemn.**

Ahiga: So the years here are similar in length to the years where I'm from... That means you're about twenty-three years old... I'm eighteen, soon to be nineteen. So you're five years older than me and Tate.

Caspian: You are to say that I'm you're elder? **He opens his eyes and looks to Ahiga.** And yet you seem so much more well-educated.

Ahiga: **He smiles a little.** I guess I just went to school longer... But you're really smart for a guy that was only tutored by his parents, and has been on his own for more than a decade.

Caspian: **He shuts his eyes again.** You know the meaning of a great many more words than I do. It makes me feel uneasy that I must ask of you their meaning so frequently. I must admit that I worry you'll think me soft in the head.

Ahiga: ...What? **He laughs a little.** No way man. You know how to use a sword and fight undead, and sneak into big stone forts and save people. I don't really know how to do any of that. What's the use in knowing a few words when you don't know how to fight?

Caspian: Perhaps as this quest goes on, we can continue to teach one another then. **He suddenly stands up and places Delpha's twinblade into the bonfire.** But for now I am going to secure the means to free Knight-Hunter Delpha. **He grabs his sword-spear and pulls it from the ground.** I have left her awaiting her release too long already.

Ahiga: Wait, already? **He looks up at Caspian.** But you just got back.

Caspian: Do you want me to stay here longer? **He wipes some dirt from the edge of his sword-spear and looks to Ahiga.**

Ahiga: **He looks down and thinks for a moment.** No... You're right I can't be afraid... I'll come with you. **He stands up, patting some dirt off his pants.** I can't just sit around. If Tate were here he'd be forcing me to get up and go with you guys.

Caspian: **He smiles warmly.** He pushes you to face your fears then? He sounds like a very good friend. **He heaves his sword up onto his shoulder.**

Ahiga: Umm... Yeah... **He looks around and changes to subject.** Are you thirsty? Seems like that fight took a lot out of you... You want another soda? **He looks to the bonfire.**

Caspian: **His eyes light up, the last soda was probably one of the best things he's tasted in his life.** I... We should wait for Tate. They are for him.

Ahiga: I already told you man, Tate won't care. **He reaches how the bonfire, pausing.** How do I pull them out?

Caspian: I put them in, so I must be the one to take it back out. **He walks over and bends down, reaching into the bonfire and pulling out the backpack and then holding it out to Ahiga.**

Ahiga: We should eat the tots too, I'm starving. **He grabs the bag and starts looking through the different pockets. He pulls out two cans of Mountain Dew, then the carton of goldfish and the bag of doritos. He opens the carton.** You can try Mountain Dew this time. **He holds it out to Caspian.**

Caspian: **He grabs the can of soda.** I must admit Ahiga, I feel a glutten drinking two of these in a day, though I look forward to the taste again. **He grabs the tab and cracks the can open. He smells at it a little, then takes a sip.** Hmm... **He looks to Ahiga.** It tastes different.

Ahiga: If the can looks different, it'll usually taste different. **He smiles and holds out the carton of gold fish.** Let's walk and eat?

**A few minutes later, along the ramparts near the armory...**

Caspian: **He's been eating the goldfish.** I must say, Ahiga, that the fish from your world taste entirely different than the ones here. **He picks one out of the carton and looks at it.** And they're very small. **He pops it into his mouth and chews it.** And hollow.

Ahiga: **He laughs a little.** They're not *real* fish, Caspian. They're just meant to look similar. They're made of cheese and salt... And starch or something.

Caspian: **He eats another one.** I thought as much, but I did not want to accuse you of giving me fake food. **He looks to Ahiga.**

Ahiga: It's not fake it's... **He struggles to think of how to explain it.** ... They're *supposed* to just *look* like fish... Because it's... Cute or something... People like it.

Caspian: It's a trade novelty, to secure business. **He says it in realization.** I like it. **He eats two more.** ...Though it is unneeded. I'm sure the taste alone is worth the purchase.

Ahiga: **He just shakes his head as they reach the bridge to the armory and start walking across.** What is it that you eat here, Caspian?

Caspian: Meats, roots, herbs... Usually cooked. **He eats another goldfish.** These little crystals on the fish are better than most of that though.

Ahiga: That's called salt.

Caspian: It is very good... **He licks one of his salty fingers, then eats the goldfish.** Delpha said that there were two solutions to opening her prison, one in the basement below the armory, and one in the Warden's quarters near to it. Which do you think would be best?

Ahiga: **He shrugs.** Dunno, you're the knight-to-be, right? You know better about this stuff than I do.

Caspian: ...The basement it is then. **He reaches into the carton, grabbing nothing, then looks down into it and shakes it a bit, seeing that there's none left.** Going down there will likely be safer than a possible audience with the warden.

Ahiga: Can't say I'm partial to basements... Especially the ones for giant prisons full of undead. **He lets out a quiet sigh.**

Caspian: **As they enter the armory he looks around for stairs.** I grew up pillaging basements. The best findings are always in the darkest places, because the less courageous avoid them.

Ahiga: **He shakes his head and pulls out the flashlight Hunter sent them. He flicks it on a few times to see if it works**

Caspian: **He moves down the stairs quickly and heads across the armory to a door that leads to a flight of stairs that goes down.**

Ahiga: Isn't that his armor? **He looks to the large heavy armor.**

Caspian: I thought of taking it, but it looks quite heavy. **He looks back at Ahiga.**

Ahiga: Yeah... I definately couldn't carry it... What about the big... Club-sword thing?

Caspian: Perhaps I will take it later. It is too heavy to carry into combat along with my sword-spear. **He looks down the stairs into the darkness.** We will need your light. **He turns to look back at Ahiga.**

Ahiga: **He's flicks on the flashlight again.** I'm glade Hunter sent one of these. **He walks up next to Caspian and shines it down the stairs.**

Caspian: Is it magic? **He tilts his head as he watches the flashlight illuminate the stairway.**

Ahiga: Nah, it's powered by electricity. **He smirks and shifts the light around.**

**As Ahiga illuminates the area there's a long row of stairs that lead down into an empty room with a floor of wooden planks. On the other side of the room is another stone stairway that leads down and out of sight.**

Caspian: That must lead to the basement. **He steps out onto the wooden plank and his foot immediately breaks through and he nearly falls, but he manages to catch himself and uses his sword to lean back and regain his balance before falling back against the wall.** Knight-Hunter Delpha said she came through here... **He stands up.** But I don't see any breaks in the floor...**He sighs.** Perhaps because she's much lighter than I am, especially with my weapon.

Ahiga: ...Lighter? I'm pretty light. Especially with Amunet... **A wisp of iridescent wind flows up around him.** Maybe I can make it across, get the shit outta the basement, and come back here. **He looks to Caspian.**

Caspian: **He looks to Ahiga.** You want to risk it? We could just try to find a way around, or look in the warden's quarters.

Ahiga: This is my time to make up for being such a pussy earlier, don't take it away from me.

Caspian: You risk another death, Ahiga.

Ahiga: Well, I figured that death was so horrible, the next on can't possibly be as bad. **He smirks and steps out onto the plank, carefully at first, then puts more of his weight onto it.** Gotta keep an optimistic attitude, you know?

**The floorboard doesn't break, though it creeks under the strain of his weight a little.**

Ahiga: See? **He walks out onto the floor.** My time to shine. **He turns and looks at Caspian.** Sit tight white knight, I got this. **He turns and moves for the stairs.** Besides, Delpha saved my life, least I could do is risk mine. Especially since I'm immortal now anyway, right?

Caspian: Just be careful Ahiga. No need to die without proper reason.

Ahiga: I got this man! I'll be right back with that acid! **He jumps down the stairs, gliding down to the bottom instead of running down them. As he reaches the bottom his look of resolve quickly vanishes and he turns, shining the light around the basement.**

**Ahiga has to glide down almost three floors worth of stairs before he hits the bottom. It's pitch black, with tall stacks of old barrels and rotting crates scattered about the large basement.**

Ahiga: ...What'd she say... That the acid was in urns... **He steps around one of the muddy pools and shines the light around the interior.**

**As he shines the light to the far corner of the basement, he sees a table with many green clay urns scattered across it, all a little larger than a softball. Just as Ahiga notices it, a large broad-shouldered figure wrapped in bandages and a black leather trench coat steps into the light. He looks like he's been heavily cut up already and his wounds were just recently stiched back together, giving him an almost "frankenstein" appearance.**

Torturer: **He lets out a deep growling sound, then breaks into a quick jog, running at Ahiga and then leaping into a jumping swing.**

Ahiga: Oh *shit*! **He quickly jumps up onto one of the barrels then leaps to a nearby table. As Ahiga lands he turns and flings a sharpened blade of wind at the torturer.**

Torturer: **He lands and slams his massive axe into the floor, sending mud flying up from around it, he then immediately turns and swings the axe in a wide arc that cleaves through the barrel Ahiga just jumped from, tearing it to pieces. As the wind-blade hits him the stitches in the area burst apart and thick coagulated blood pours from the wound, but it doesn't slow him down and he turns and leaps a few feet into another powerful jumping attack, swinging the heavy axe at Ahiga's leg.**

Ahiga: **A gust of wind blasts him upwards as he jumps. He jumps over the axe's swing and onto a nearby stack of crates, releasing another blade of iridescent wind as he lands, it sings through the air and slashes into the Torturer's upper chest.**

Torturer: **He roars as old chunks of blood splatters out of the large wound across his chest. He runs forwards as he starts swinging at Ahiga with non-stop powerful swings.**

Ahiga: Shit! **He jumps over one swing, then at the peak of his jump he blasts himself backwards with a gust of wind to evade the next and get him some distance. His haphazard dodge launches him through a stack of crates, which splinters into soggy wood, and he lands on his back on the other side. He rolls over and tries to get to his feet and shake off the stun from throwing himself into rotten boxes. He lets out a quiet whisper.** Oww...

Torturer: **He turns and raises his axe over his head, it glows with a grim crimson light for a moment before he slams it into the gound. A linear blast of force tears through the muddy floor and debris of the rotten crates, racing towards Ahiga. Before the boy can act it slams into him and exploes in a blast of red light, launching him through another stack of nearby crates and slamming him into the wall.**

Ahiga: **He lets out a quiet whimper as he slides down the wall and hits the floor.** ...Ahh... **He turns over and tries to move, there's stars in his eyes and the hit has made him dizzy.** ...C'mon... Get up... Up.. Stand... **He claws at a handful of mud and pushes himself up. Being in football prepared him for getting hit, but he's not wearing any gear and even the strongest players never tackled him as hard as that shockwave hit him.** Up... Get up...**He lets out a gasp as he pushes himself up and takes a deep breath, standing up.**

Torturer: **Ahiga recovers just in time to see the Torturer slamming his axe down into the floor, a red flash sending another line of force along the ground towards him.**

Ahiga: **He groans loudly and limply jumps out of the way, using a slight gust of wind to propel him an extra foot to evade the explosion from the shockwave.** Not dying... **He turns and straightens his stance, shaking his head to try and recover more.** Not. Dying. **He looks up and glares at the torturer defiantely, feeling his head pounding with dull pain.** Not to you.

Torturer: **He's already running towards Ahiga and leaps for yet another jumping attack.**

Ahiga: **He moves towards the Torturer, figuring that he'll do that same running jump attack again, and he slips down into a slide, using the mud and a powerful draft of wind to give him some more distance. As he comes to a stop he stands up turns turns around, pulling out his axe and serrated sword, then swings both of them down into the middle thing's back, just like how Caspian taught him to do earlier today, cutting deeply into the creature's spine.** You're not gonna kill me! **He rips the weapons from the thing's back and then jumps up and stabs his serrated sword down into its upper back/shoulder as he comes down. He lets go and leaves it there.**

Tortuer: **He lets out a garbled gasp and stumbles forwards, trying to grab at the sword, but he can't reach it. After a moment he just turns and tries to backhand Ahiga with his free hand.**

Ahiga: Shit-! **His eyes go wide and he stumbles back, thinking that double backstab would've taken him out.**

Torturer: **He drags his axe behind him and he hobbles towards Ahiga. His main hand has been crippled by Ahiga leaving the blade in there.**

Ahiga: **He groans a little.** C'mon man, how are you even *standing* after that!?

Torturer: **He does a short hop and swings his entire body in a turn to send his limp arm swinging in a huge broad stroke at Ahiga to cleave him in half in one fell swoop.**

Ahiga: **He lets out a groan and backflips over the swing, falling flat onto the ground, as he's incapable of sticking the landing with his head still reeling.** Not... Dying. **He rolls to the side and lets out a yell as he gets up and runs away from the creature to get some distance, as he does he sees the table with green acid urns and an idea pops into his head.** My god I'm so *stupid*! **He breaks into a sprint and reaches the table, grabbing one of the urns with both hands, he turns and immediately throws it at the creature.**

Torturer: **Having already been ambling towards Ahiga to catch up to him, the urn crashes directly into his chest and explodes, orange liquid and steam bursting up from him, along with a loud searing sizzling noise. He recoils backwards making a labored grunt as he claws at his melting skin.**

Ahiga: **He holds back the urge to vomit and grabs another urn, throwing it for good measure.**

**The second urn shatters against the undead torturer and the acid quickly begins to burn down to his bones. He stumbles around like a drunk for a moment before collapsing against the floor.**

**Ahiga Souls +100.**

Ahiga: **He shivers a little as he looks away, completely grossed out. He looks over the urbs and smiles a little, glad that he succeeded.**

**Ten minutes later...**

Ahiga: **He's slowly making his way across the last of the rotten planks, a net with three of the urns in it is slung over his back. As he nears Caspian he does a slight jump, with a gust of wind to push him a little farther and he lands on the solid landing at the bottom of the stairs. He lets out a relieved gasp.** Whew...

Caspian: **He looks Ahiga up and down, seeing that he looks pretty beaten up and he's covered in mud.** Are you alright? **There's two new holes in the planks near him making it obvious that he tried to come help at least twice before giving up.**

Ahiga: Yeah, man, I think I'm good. Hit my head a few times I think, got the wind knocked outta me and I feel like one of the QB's from school ran me over with his big ass truck, but I'm good. Didn't die. **He makes a goofy smile.** Sting like a butterfly, float like a bee. **He pauses, realizing that he said that wrong.** ...Or maybe a dragonfly in any case... Just kept moving and dodging, quick as I could, just like in football... **He murmurs to himself.** Except with a lot more jumping and axes...

Caspian: Football, the game you where you twisted your ankle? **He starts to head up the stairs to the armory.**

Ahiga: Yeah. **He groans a little as he starts to follow Caspian up the stairs.**

Caspian: It is a game of speed and agility then?

Ahiga: ...Yeah, kinda. You... **He tries to think of how to explain it in simple terms.** There's a guy that carries a ball and he has to run it across a field. His teammates try to guard him and clear a path to the goal, while the opposing team tries to defend their side of the field... **He nods.**

Caspian: Were you good at this game?

Ahiga: Yeah, I was the running back, fastest guy on the team when I needed to be. **He smiles.**

Caspian: So you earned your clan name then, Ahiga Lighting. **He looks back at Ahiga and smiles.** Sounds like you're earning it in combat too.

Ahiga: **He just smiles.**

**About thirty minutes later...**

Caspian: **He pulls the cork off the top of one of the urns and pours it over the lock on the cell door.** Only a moment longer and you will be freed.

Delpha: **Her silver mask betrays no emotion, but her voice sounds happy.** Did you happen to retrieve my weapon?

Caspian: I did. **He finishes pouring out the urn and takes a step back as it eats through the lock. He looks passed the bars, into the cell and to the unlit bonfire.** I will pull it from the bonfire for you once I can get to it.

Delpha: **She tilts her head strangely, then looks to the bonfire.** You are linked to the flame? **She looks back to him and Ahiga.** Had I know that I would've relieved you and your friend of agony, and this place, when you were thrown into my cell.

Ahiga: We actually weren't firelinked back then, so uhh... We would've just died... Heh... **He has Caspian giant sword-spear leaning up against his chest, holding it for him while he deals with the lock.**

Delpha: **She looks away, silently thinking for a moment.** I don't understand. **She looks to Caspian and Ahiga.** Are you to say that there is a fire keeper near here?

Caspian: The Lady-in-Waiting tends to the Forlorn Fire about an hour's walk from here. **He looks up from the lock to Delpha.**

Delpha: **She tilts her head a little, then looks down.** I did not know that keepers still existed.

Caspian: You mean to say that you are not firelinked, Knight-Hunter?

Delpha: I am, but I was born to the linking. It is a trait granted to me by my excess of Pale Blood. **She looks back to bonfire for a moment, then back to Caspian.** There has been no Fire Keeper in Argyria. Not for many generations.

Caspian: **He grabs the cell door and gives it a strong pull, breaking what's left of the lock and forcing it open. He smiles as he looks to Delpha.** Now let me retrieve your weapon. **He walks into the cell and to the bonfire, holding his hand out and igniting it. He then bends down and reaches into it, pulling Delpha's twinblade out in a shower of embers, he turns and holds it out to her.** I believe this is all that you asked of us.

Delpha: Yes... Thank you, Caspian of Loyce. **She takes the weapon and looks to Ahiga.** And Ahiga of Lightning.

Ahiga: **He shrugs a little.** An easy task for the lady that saved my life.

Delpha: **She takes a few steps away from them and swings her twinblade in a flurry of twisting spins, stops and then spins in a cricle while swinging it a few more times. Her motions are obviously practiced and precise, and when she swings it's almost like a blender of blades. It's made obvious that she's been finely trained with her weapon. She lets out a quiet sigh of contentment, the feel of her familiar weapon in her hands is a good one.** Unfortunately I have business to attend before I lead the two of you to Argyria. **She flips the weapon around her back and it magnetically pulls itself onto the back of her silvery armor, where it stays.** I must slay my prey, though I need more rest yet, as my Pale Blood runs too thin to face her again.

Ahiga: **He raises an eyebrow as he watches her swing her weapon around, he immediately makes a mental note not to get in a fight with her.** We're not really in a hurry, we're still waiting on a friend to return. **He smiles a little, then looks down.** We can't leave without him.

Caspian: Yes, perhaps we should travel back to Forlorin and rest, then decide what action to take in the morning.

Delpha: **She nods her head slightly.** I would like to meet the fire keeper. **She bows slightly.** Thank you for staying true to your words, Caspian of Loyce and Ahiga of Lightning. I will not soon forget your deed.