Cyn studied this new location with an expression of interest and excitement. His feet unrestrained, he walked around the small cell, his eyes studying every detail as he smiled whimsically. He looked more like a child seeing something new, rather than someone imprisoned for wrongdoing.
There were only 3 walls to the cell, with no window to allow light in. The fourth section consisted of iron bars several inches thick. The stones of the cell were covered in magic-blocking symbols, the ceiling and floor also peppered for good measure. A number of magical beads adorned the cell door to safeguard against magical attack, and the pyromancer even had his wrists shackled together, the metal cuffs covered in similar silvery runes. A hole in the ground served as a toilet, and the bed had a single thin sheet covering it.
And yet, the man seemed completely unaware of his circumstance. The only time his smile faded even slightly was when the guard in charge stepped forward. A sneering man with a magical sword strapped to his waist studied him with angry eyes.
"You are charged with modifying the runes that are meant to protect the city. The Archmage wanted to know if you had anything to say for yourself."
Cyn shrugged, his shackles clanking together as he sighed. "Look mister guard guy, I'm not great with the whole forced confessions thing. If you've got some proof, that's great. If not, it seems like a moot point. Still, I'm not good with torture, so why not tell the guy in charge I spilled my guts at the threat of violence? It'll save us a lot of trouble, and time. Unless you get your kicks from tortue. In which case, I'm not judg-"
The magical sword was out of its sheath and pointed at Cyn in an instant. The man holding it sneered even more grotesquely, and the tip of the sword glowed faintly from magical output. The magical barrier meant to ward against magical attacks flared to life, keeping the sword from slipping between the bars. Still, the pyromancer stopped talking and raised his shackled hands in the air, a universal sign of surrender.
"I have worked for this city for over eleven years," the sneering man told Cyn, his lips set in a snarl. "And when I've finally gotten the nerve to move up in life, a strange man who claims to be a pyromancer appears and starts undoing my work. Not only does he do this, but he acts like a complete buffoon at all times. You were with Emil and his pack of urchins when they entered the city with that runt of a mage. You were too busy daydreaming to even hear my name. I'm Head Guardsman Costello. I oversee the guards of this city. And you are completely at my whim now."
"Pfft."
The noise was short, nearly a whisper. If Cyn wasn't facing Costello, it may have gotten by unnoticed. However, the pyromancer was visibly laughing at him. The man was chuckling, with his shackled hands covering his mouth. The swordsman felt a rush of anger running through him, and for a moment he entertained the thought of unlocking the cell door and using the magical sword on the plainly dressed man imprisoned within. Instead, the moment passed, and the guardsman returned to a slightly more rational line of thought. After all, the pyromancer was unpredictable. Best not to fall for his ploys.
"I'll let the Archmage know you admitted to your crimes. In a normal situation, I'd have your excecution set in a few day's time. However, with the... upcoming situation, that might speed up considerably. Do have a pleasant stay, master pyromancer."The swordsman sneered and walked out of the room, leaving behind an amused looking guardsman.
Cyn sighed and put his shackled hands behind his head. "Sorry bud, that wouldn't turn out the way you'd expect," he muttered, his bemused smile slowly spreading across his face. "Luperan, I'll have to leave the rest to you. Sorry, I thought I'd be able to go another day. If the attack happens in a couple days, like I think it will, you'll need to protect the center point. I'll have to step out."
A clattering sound occured as the guardsman wrapped a wooden staff against the bars. "You okay there, yah wierdo? No magic in there. All your talking is just to yourself, y'know?"
Cyn smiled at the man and winked. "Oh, I'm well aware friend. You guys have me well and locked up. What shall I ever do? But while I have your ear, mind if I ask a question?"
The guardsmen's brow drooped as he considered the question. "I'm not letting you out."
"Of course not," Cyn agreed, letting his hands drop. "My question is, do you love your city?"
The man considered the question, scratching the back of his head in a thoughtful manner. "Well, doesn't matter does it? It's my city. Not sure what else I'd do if it wasn't this. You're asking a big question, friend."
Cyn smiled and nodded. "Indeed, and you want to keep things going here right? You'd be sad if it all ended, just like that, right?" He asked, snapping his fingers for emphasis.
"I suppose." The guardsman replied, still perplexed.
"Then... sleep."
The guardsman frowned for a moment, but then a familiar smile formed on his lips. "I suppose... for just a minute..." he said slowly, as if in a haze. Then, he slouched down, and fell on the floor.
Cyn smiled, shaking off the cuffs linking his hands in a fluid, practiced motion. The metal hinges creaked in protest, but gave with little hesitation. When he touched the cell door, the magical symbols flared to life. Silvery runes flashed on and off ina defensive manner.
The pyromancer chuckled and held up a single finger. after a moment, the air around the finger distorted from intense heat. He smiled knowingly and slid the extremely hot digit into the metal of the locking mechanism, a loud hiss escaping from the metal. After a few moments, the magical symbols made a sound akin to shattering glass and disappated, and the metal door swung open.
"Sorry firend," Cyn said aloud to the sleeping guard. "with any luck this will all be done in a day or two. Don't die before then, okay?"
The pyromancer walked to the wall next to the cells and sighed. "Wish I could just leave through the door, but something tells me a flashy exit might be a bit more impressive. Rosa... stay safe. I'll be back in a few days when this is all over. I wonder what you'll decide. But, well, I feel like I already know."
With those words, Cyn began his escape.