After kicking the wall an uncountable number of times, I decide to stop before I hurt myself in anger. I can't think of any reason why they would decide to be so stupid and lock me away instead of deal with the monsters who invaded.
Minute or hours of silence pass, a faint trickle of water hitting stone making one of the most headache inducing noises, the rats which keep waking me the moment I go to rest by running around my feet.
Just as my eyes adjust to the darkness of this cell, a light comes from around the stairs down into this area, nearly blinding me as I hear multiple footsteps heading my way. Their steps in rhythm with the water drops which keep beating at my ears constantly.
"Is this the one?" The rough male voice holding the light inquires to one of his companions.
"Yes, he is the one I have been looking for, you can unlock the cage and leave us alone for a moment." A familiar female voice says to the guard.
The two men accompanying Ilmilmis nod as they turn and leave. Ilmilmis on the other hand looks at me with interest.
"You look almost shocked at me turning up, you should know running around in my territory would get you found out. I'm just glad you gave me a reason by robbing that bandit of the mage-vice. I was planning to tear up their whole stronghold but you managed to get there first. I wonder how I should repay my hero, who even went so far as to save my citizens." she looks quite pleased with herself at how this turned out.
"Your hero would do better not being arrested and thrown into a dungeon." I attempt to try and accuse her.
"Ah but you see, you interfered, the population in this area was getting too large and this town was working with those bandits, if I didn't order you captured they would have killed you. You should be glad I sent a message to that man who was going to publicly execute you. The monsters you killed were also one of my methods of helping the process along before someone who knew how to cut more than rockbread turned up and started assisting the wrong side." she puts on a face as if she is disappointed before perking back up.
"Well if you don't want me executed what are you going to do? Where did you put Elyn, I'll kill them if they touched her even if you get in my way."
"Ah but you see, she is having quite a nice time with my own daughter, they are already such close friends. I even gave them a few toys to play with, although your precious Elyn doesn't seem to like playing with monsters very much."
"What the hell are you doing to her? Let me see her now, if you have a daughter then you would know how much you'd be lost without her. She is the only one you have just like Elyn is the only family I have left."
"One thing I would be so very interested to know about you, is how you even became able to speak to me normally. You don't see many people learn how to speak a different language within a day or two."
"I've always been quick at learning, how do you think I learnt to use the knife? Where I'm from it is natural that people can learn things in just a few months."
"People? You mean there are a group of people who are actually literate? Does that mean you are both from the Hollowmantles?" she asks half in surprise.
"I'm not sure if you have a different name for our group, but yes everyone from where I'm from is literate. It is pretty rare for people to not be."
"In that case I think it might be better for now if I reunite both of you to examine everything closer, for now I forbid you from leaving my estate here, the town guards still believe you are the one who summoned the creatures to attack in an effort to claim fame." she tells me knowingly
I catch onto her other meaning, "You mean to say that you had to suffer for doing that in the past?"
"Lets move the detailed talks to a later date in a more comfortable place, for now your gear will be held in the guard-tower, I recommend not going near there at your own risk.
The cell also isn't the most clean place, so if you wish to wash up I could send over a few maids to assist you. It is the evening after all so they should have boiled the water for my own bath.
You shall be restricted to the guest building, it has a small kitchen with a few staff, a few rooms to sleep in and a main gathering room, you shouldn't be able to get lost if you stay in there."
"Thank you for your; hospitality, I suppose. After allowing me to enjoy the service of your jail guards." I comment sarcastically to myself.
"Well if you like it there, I'm sure Merle would love someone to keep company when he tests out his new torture equipment I bought him last month in preparation for the leader of the bandits." She comments with a smile.
"Just let me rest already, I hope Elyn is there too?"