We continued back down to the dungeons and things really started to slow down. From a map laid out on a table, there were 3 cell blocks with 14 cells each. I've seen how small the cells are but that's a lot of cells for one small fort. Why would Ostroven need this many so far out?

We started the leftmost block. The doors were easy enough to open, it was a single bolt, no lock, and push to open them. We searched for Mayer and anyone they may have kidnapped. The first block was empty and was enough to handle. Though, once we got to the second block, the fatigue of opening 100-pound iron doors repeatedly caught up to us.

Steven: "Goddamn.. this is harder than I thought."

Rayna: "We don't have to open all of them, Steven. We just have to find Mayer."

Steven: "I will not leave anyone behind. We have to open all of these to see if anyone was kidnapped."

Rayna: "Alright.. there's one more block left. Let's do it."

At the third cell block, things took a twist. The first door we opened and someone was sitting in the corner with their head resting on their knees. I was nervous, I didn't know if the silhouette was Mayer or an innocent person. Rayna gets in front of me armed with her dagger and casts Candlelight.

Rayna: "It's a kid."

I move to her side and see a young girl. No older than 9 years of age. The poor child was at least dressed in a natural jute dress and brown laced bodice. Her long black hair was in disarray and she was dirty.

Steven: "I'm not here to hurt you."

I get on my knees and sheathe all my weapons. The girl was terrified and backed further up the wall the closer I got. No matter how many times I reached out to her, she flinches and tries to move her body out of the way.

Rayna: "Look at her, poor child.."

Steven: "Do you understand me?"

Maybe she doesn't understand me and speaks the Old Language. I don't have much vocabulary but I've been learning some words while I was here in Esnia.

Steven: "I'm here.. to voitheia."

(I'm here.. to help.)

Rayna: "Oh! Isos den ton katalavainete?"

(Oh! Maybe you don't understand him?)

Rayna: "Tha sas pame spiti. Boreite na milisete?

(We will get you home. Can you speak?)

The girl shakes her head nervously.

Rayna: "Ochi. Katalavainete episis Anglika?"

(No. Do you also understand Anglika?) [1]

The girl nods.

Steven: "No? Yes? What are you telling her?"

Rayna: "No, she can't speak but she understands both the Old Language and Anglika."

So she's bilingual.

Steven: "We'll get you out of here, will you follow us?"

I was expecting a nod but what I got was we running into Rayna to hug her. It took her by surprise, causing her to momentarily lose her balance. However, Rayna seemed happy and even hugged the little girl back.

Rayna: "Oh! It's okay sweetheart.. you're safe with us."

The big iron door slammed shut and before we could react, the bolt slammed and locked itself. Rayna hands the girl to me and immediately begins investigating the door. Laughing could be heard on the other side and an unfamiliar voice shouted at us.

Male Voice: "I caught you!"

Rayna: "Is locking us away the best you can do?"

She already knew what to do and looks do the weak points on the door. If it even has any! That iron door is impenetrable unless she's crazy enough to blow it off the stone frame.

Rayna: "Steven.. shield the girl. I'm using force to get that door open."

Shit.. she really is crazy!

I took the girl to the farthest corner and put myself in front of her and acted like a shield. I wasn't expecting any dangerous debris to fly towards me and waited for Rayna to do her thing and blow the door open.

Steven: "Cover your ears.."

A blinding flash of light and a very loud, thunderous bang overwhelmed us all. I was stunned by the shockwave that sent and slammed my head against the hard, stone wall. I got up from the daze and saw that Rayna blew not just the door, but the entire fucking wall!

Rayna: "What happened? Aren't you going to teach us a lesson?"

I followed her out to assist and see her creeping over to the man that locked us up. As fate would have it, he was Mayer Hofer! I drew my sword and prepared to knock him out. Once I was bent over and reached for his head to slam it against the floor, he kicked me crawled a couple more feet way.

He reached for his waistline and saw him brandish a gun. I froze, shocked, giving him the opportunity to aim and fire. Another loud bang rang in my ears. I could feel something hot pierce my shoulders and relying on instinct, I hit him back with a spell.

Rayna: "Steven!"

Steven: "Wind Torrent!"

I sent him flying into a wall and collapse while holding my wound. It was bleeding heavily and hurts just as bad. Rayna rushes to my aid and begins using her healing magic. It was enough to stop the bleeding but some of the damage was still visible. It worried me because I've always known healing magic to heal wounds to the point where it's like nothing happened.

Rayna: "It went through your shoulder. Though it damaged some of your skin so you'll have to let that regenerate on its own."

Steven: "Is it bad?"

Rayna: "No.. it'll just look like fresh skin if you follow a treatment plan. I'll tell you about it when we get back to the Academy."

After I was healed to the best of Rayna's abilities, we searched Mayer for any other possible surprises. I picked up his pistol and inspect it. Rayna becomes curious and hovers over my shoulder to get a look as well. I'm not good with guns but the build looks good. It's just a simple pistol that just works.

Rayna: "It's a miniature musket?"

Steven: "A pistol."

Rayna: "You know about these?"

Steven: "No.. I just happen to know what it's called."

If anyone would know about this it's either: Young Mi or Madelyn. I handed the pistol to Rayna so she can see it for herself. Behind her, I caught a glimpse of the girl peeking her head out, looking at us.

Steven: "Sorry, we didn't mean to scare you any further. Are you alright?"

She comes out, dusts herself and nods.

Steven: "Good, we're from the Academy. It's a safe place not far from here. Do you want to go there and see if we can find your family?"

She nods again.

Rayna: "Here, Steven. I don't know what to do with this mini musket—pistol. Do you know how to use it?"

Steven: "God, I sure hope so? Madelyn might like it."

She seems like the person to like this kind of stuff. Pocketing the pistol, I continued searching the rest of the cellblock for any other captives. Fortunately for everyone, the girl seemed like the only one here.

We secured Mayer and checked if he was still alive. He was breathing, which was a good indicator. After bringing him up with the others, we did a headcount of all the bandits.

Steven: "10.. if there was 11, we're missing 1."

Rayna: "We checked everywhere. Did you count right?"

Steven: "2.. 4.. 7.. 9.. yeah, it's 10."

Rayna: "Hmm.. we can search or we can leave. It's up to you."

We've already spent a lot of time here. If it's only 1 bandit, then he'll be discouraged to stick around if he finds out everyone is gone. What we should do is find a way to move 4 people from here to the Academy.

Steven: "Tend to Geralda and I'll do a quick search and find a way to transport them. Sound good?

Rayna: "Yeah, just be careful."

Steven: "I will.."

I look at the little girl and get down on my knees to her level.

Steven: "Stay with Rayna, she'll keep you safe."

...

Author's Notes:

[1] - "Anglika" is English.