Elmo wasn't sure about his initial assessment that he'd be released as soon as the duchess confirmed that he had been telling the truth. Part of that was the fact that he'd been taken to where he could only assume was their dungeon, even though it didn't seem like the kind he'd seen in movies or video games.
In fact, it felt more like a holding cell at a jail or something. A place to hold suspects without expending much effort, while also making sure they don't have the ability to escape.
Elmo was in what he would term a 'holding cell' that had iron bars creating three 'walls' around him, with one wall being the regular stone walls seen around the rest of the building. It certainly looked secure enough to hold the average person, though Elmo didn't let those who were holding him know that he wasn't 'average.' If he really wanted to, he knew he could get out very easily.
Worst case, he would do a quick recharge of his MP, then put those who could see him through the bars to sleep, then either use a spell to smash his way out or brimstone fire to melt the lock and leave that way. Not that difficult to do, but he'd rather wait to see what the duchess might have in mind for him before doing anything.
Otherwise he'd merely be leaving without understanding who his opponent was this time. If he didn't know what to expect, he might not know what might come down the road.
Or at least that was the lesson he'd taken from how Jonas had handled the time when he'd been attacked on the street in the village they'd been in before they came to this city.
He wasn't sure if he'd understand all that he'd learned here, but he considered this an excellent opportunity to start understanding how to do this. Especially since he didn't plan on seeking out opportunities like this. As it wasn't like he could set things up this perfectly.
If things started to go south for him, he'd know that he could easily make an escape at minimal risk to himself. It wasn't something that he really felt in danger from. Even though he knew there was still chance that he was wrong somewhere and that oversight could cost him his life. No matter what he did, he accepted there was always going to be that chance, but right now he wasn't too worried about it. He was confident that the rest of his team would be available to help if he absolutely needed them.
Footsteps approaching drew his attention towards the door, moments before the duchess walked through, her previously calm demeanor replaced with one that seemed more fiery and angry. Which told Elmo that the chance he'd misjudged the situation had just increased. He couldn't say by how much, just that things weren't as simple as they had been before.
Not that he thought the danger had risen that much. More that from his experience those who were upset tended to be just a little more unpredictable than those who were calm. If he knew more about the duchess, he would have an easier time getting an accurate threat assessment on her, but since he wasn't, he felt like he should err on the side of caution.
He didn't say anything as she approached the ones she'd left to guard him. He was certain that if he spoke that she might not be so 'kind' to him as she had been so far. Not that he really cared. He was still certain that he'd be able to get out easily when he chose to.
"Has he done anything yet?" the duchess demanded.
The man guarding Elmo shook his head. "He hadn't said anything since we bound him, after we caught him," the man answered concisely.
The duchess nodded. "Make him disappear then. I don't want any trace of him to remain."
Elmo sighed. He suspected if those holding him captive heard it that they'd assume he was resigning himself or feeling defeated or something, but for him, it was more of annoyance.
He had a perfect opportunity to try and improve his skills that weren't even from his system, but it was clear that the duchess was ready to eliminate his immediately. Which also meant that it was time for him to make his exit.
"How do you want it done, my Lady?" the man asked respectfully.
"Get it over quick. We can dispose of the body once the king has left. Then we can deal with my daughter and how she's becoming too willful. I need to make her realize that I'm the one in control here."
Elmo couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment. He had thought better of this woman who had so much luxury around her, yet she was willing to satisfy her own petty desires over those of what Elmo was sure she knew was right.
Which, in the end, was merely a sign of a society that had no moral compass. Which let him also know that there wasn't much religion in the area, or if there was, it wasn't a very strong presence.
Although, it could also be that there was a religion that espoused a moral conduct, but the duchess was so far gone that she had corrupted herself with her own delusions of self importance.
Regardless of any of that, Elmo was ready to leave. Although, he didn't think that the duchess or the ones who'd tied him up and brought him here realized just what he was capable of. Which would make it easier to deal with them in a non-lethal way.
"Are we done already?" Elmo asked, more out of boredom than anything else. "I thought we'd have a little longer to talk before I left."
The duchess looked at him and sneered. "Why would you think you'd be leaving in the first place?" she asked, her contempt clear in her voice.
"Well, I thought you'd be someone who kept your word, though I get the feeling that you've decided not to keep it now," Elmo remarked.
"Shut you mouth, you insolent cur!" the man who seemed to be in charge of those keeping Elmo locked up snapped at him. "She doesn't have to keep her word to scum like you!"
Elmo sighed as if he was disappointed. "Just out of curiosity, what made you change your mind about releasing me once you confirmed that I was telling the truth?"
"This has nothing to do with whether what you said was true or not," the duchess replied. "It has everything to do with how you and those with you and the king are smearing a good man's name just so you can say you did some good."
Elmo felt like he was discussing things with a person who had clearly lost it, but he still wanted to get a better clarification of what she was referring to.
"If you're talking about the chamberlain, we caught him red-handed last night," Elmo said, feeling like he was missing something.
"I don't know what the color of his hands has to do with anything, but that's not what I'm referring to," the duchess answered, looking like she was venting more than anything else right then. "This has to do with the captain of the guard for my husband's estate. He wasn't involved in what happened last night, but you're still painting him as if he was one of the ringleaders." The duchess paused for a moment as she caught her breath, and her previous calm demeanor started to hide her true feelings again. "So, we'll make sure that you will get to pay for what's being done to Garret."
Elmo couldn't help but shake his head. This was certainly a good example of the wizard's first rule in action. That people would believe anything because they were afraid it was true or because the wanted it to be ture. Terry Goodkind had explained it well in the Sword of Truth series and Elmo was a little amazed at being able to see it in action firsthand.
"So, is that all?" Elmo asked. "I really need to get back to the others. It's probably about time for us to leave anyway."
The duchess laughed. "You think you're just going to be allowed to leave? Weren't you listening to what I said earlier?"
"Yeah, something about me needing to be eliminated or something, but it's not like you can stop me," he replied. "I just thought I'd be cooperative and let you do what you needed to do, but since you're not someone whose word can't be trusted, I'll just have to leave."
"And how do you plan on doing that?" the duchess asked. "It's only you against us."
"He does have me to help," Jonas said, stepping out from the hallway, startling Elmo as well as the duchess and her guards. "Since you really don't know what's going on, I'd suggest you stop trying to bother us."
"So, I'll just have to deal with one more person than before," the duchess merely said. "That won't be that big of a difference."
"Sleep," Elmo said, already getting bored of the duchess' attitude.
In moments, The duchess fell asleep, falling into the arms of the guard in charge. Then Elmo systematically started putting the other guards to sleep. Originally Elmo had planned on waiting for the guards to open the cell door, but wince Jonas showed up, then he was confident that Jonas would be able to help him out of there.
"Decided for a more in depth tour, I see," Jonas remarked as he walked over to the cell Elmo was in.
"Would you open the door for me, please?" Elmo asked, hoping he wouldn't refuse.
"Sure," Jonas said. "Just get me a hammerfore and I'll be able to go from there."
"What's a 'hammerfore?' Elmo asked, feeling like he was walking into a trap.
"What's it for? To pound nails, dummy," Jonas replied chuckling, as he walked towards the door and started examining the lock.
Elmo sighed feeling like he had asked for that one by not realizing it was a verbal setup. Not that he didn't find it amusing. He just wished Jonas had done that at a better time than this.
Though, before he knew it, the door to the cell was open and Elmo was able to leave easily. Though, he was sure that they'd probably want to be gone before the duchess woke up. He doubted she'd be very happy when she did.