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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alcareru" data-source="post: 1308681" data-attributes="member: 14718">Perhaps an hour passed. It was difficult to tell time. Emily knew the power of the ring had to recharge, like a battery. She didnt really understand it all, though she had studied texts and tablets. But she wanted the ring to be at full power, in case.As they waited, Grimir explained the layout of the prison. "This dungeon is near the lowest part of the citadel. It is part of an old cavern system. Around that corner a narrow passagway leads to a opening with a grate, a porticullis. Beyond that is where the guards are posted and live."Varrus thought. "There has been many things that puzzle me about this city. We were attacked and captured by guards wearing golden surcoats. I was surprised we were not slain when we were taken. Later we turned over to those crimson surcoated guards. While together, they argued quite a bit. What goes on in this city?"Grimir grimaced. "The golden surcoats are men in the service of the Prince. Those that wear crimson are men of a party of nobles who call themselves the Tetra. The Tetra have opposed the policies of the Prince as of late. There has been no open war yet but is coming."Emily looked on curious. Yalla asked, "You mean because of religion like the priest said? Is he part of this Tetra?"Grimir shrugged. "I am merely a warrior. I am a foreigner here, brought to guard the Royal House. I understand little of the workings of powerful men, they are the same to me."The earth rumbled beneath them again, the tremor quickly subsiding. "I never known the mountains to have such quakes in the past" commented Verrus "I will be glad when this place is behind me. Zamora Ill head and never look back." The tremor convinced Emily the ring was ready. "All right Im am off-wish me luck gentlemen." Her form again shimered and changed. The phoenix moved and hopped on the rough floor. The creature found enough room between the bars and in a flash was outside the cell. The bird cast a look at the three men and took wing around the corner and into the dark. The passageway was narrow and dimly lit but went straight and upwards. Emily narrowly avoided running into the side of the passageway but soon gained her bearings and shot upwards like an arrow.Emily landed near the iron grate that covered the cave opening. Through the bars she saw  another cavern room, brightly lit. A wooden chair and bed of some sort were in this room. Another tunnel went off to the right. She moved closer to get a better look and then froze.On the bed she was a form of a man lying prone on the bed, unmoving. He wore crimson over his leather armor. His spear was on the floor. The figure was snoring loudly.As quietly and quckly as possible Emily squeezed through the bars. Her talons tapped upon the stone floor, but the guard continued snoring. Emily realized she could not see well from the floor so she took wing and lighted upon the chair. From there she saw the guard was sleeping upon his side closer to the cave's wall, facing it. A clay bottle lay next to him, and his bed was sullied by a red liquid. She also saw a ring of iron keys on the man's hip attached to his belt.***************In the cells, Yalla moved close to Verrus. On the other side of the cell Grimir stood watching the in the direction the phoenix had gone. "Verrus" the younger man whispered so the Vanir could not hear, "Can we trust this woman? If she is a sorceress?" Verrus shrugged. "I cannot say friend. Few that mix with such things are to be trusted, but this woman is different in some way. Perhaps she is crazy, a madwoman. We should be watchful." The Nemedian glanced at Grimir. "To be honest I am more concerned about the Northman."********************Emily watched the guards for what seemed to be an eternity. She knew she didnt have much time, she could revert back to human form soon. Pushing herself off the chair she swooped down, her talons grasping for the key ring. The flames that wreathed her body seemed to grow stronger as she flew downward. The phoenix grabbed but missed. Emily turned sharply then dived to make another attempt. Again her talon stabbed for the keys. Her claws found purchase in the belt of the guard and she yanked,  her wings flapping furiously. With a  second and third and final jerk she ripped the keys and hemp belt from the guards waist. To Emily's chagrin,the tug of the belt woke the sodden guard. The sight of a phoenix, its wings aflame sobered him up quickly. He muttered an oath in a tongue Emily did not understand and he rolled over with surprising quickness.Emily flew for the porticullis. She did not think she could fly through the bars , so she landed quickly and wriggled through the grate. The belt caught for moment in the bars, almost cauisng her to lose her grip on her prize. Looking back as she tugged the belt free she saw the guard spring from the bed and grope for his spear.The phoenix was launching herself  back down the passageway when the guard pushed the lever to open the porticullis. Emily heard the iron bang and the footsteps behind her but did not look back. Cutting through the air as fast as her firey wings could, she turned the dark corner to the prison area. Yalla exclaimed as the flames of the phoenix pierced the gloom of the cell area. Flinging herself toward Grimir, Emily collided into the iron bars releasing her beak-grip on the keys. As the phoenix crashed hard to the floor, the keys landed just inside the cell holding her three new comrades.</blockquote>

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