Clive stood outside the wooden door. The light from underneath the door illuminating the dark hallway. It appeared only this room was occupied in the inn.
Biast, broke the silence. "Well, what are you waiting for? Open it! "
Clive hesitated. "Maybe we should knock—"
The door opened and their Sergeant, Tiamat stood at the doorway. He had a tired expression in his face from long hours of work. Before Clive could say anything Tiamat spoke, " You walked too heavily. I could practically hear you " He roared, " Have you forgotten your training in the past five months you were away from me ? "
Both Clive and Biast stood silent unable to speak. Tiamat sighed, the sound heavy with unspoken worries. "Come in, quickly. Time is a precious commodity these days and we do not have much of it " He gestured them inside. The room was plain, say for a wooden chair, desk and a small fireplace.
As they walked into the room Clive asked," Not enough time for what ? "
" We've encountered a slight complication," Tiamat replied. "A spy travelled aboard your ship. Unfortunately, he hasn't reported in yet. He's vital to the mission, for he knows of a way for infiltrating the castle undetected and kill Shiva's dominant. "
Clive replied, " Why did you not tell us about him? surely we could have offered assistance to him "
"No, It is imperative he is not detected and hence why i did not tell you. " Tiamat continued, " It doesn't matter now. If he hasn't reported back by now, there's a good chance he's been captured."
Biast, scoffed. "Captured? Or maybe he decided the odds weren't good and cut her losses."
Tiamat's gaze hardened. "He wouldn't abandon a mission.
Clive cleared his throat, trying to shift the focus. "Alright, so we're looking for someone we don't have a description of, in a dungeon we've never seen. Sounds… promising."
Biast rolled his eyes. "Of course it does. Let's just waltz into a heavily guarded fortress, sneak past who knows how many guards, navigate through the dungeon, and then somehow determine which shivering prisoner is the right one, all before day breaks"
Tiamat chuckled, a rough sound devoid of humor. "Not quite that simple. The most challenging thing would be avoiding the captain of the town guard, Captain Thorne"
Clive asked surprised, " Captain Thorne ? We saw him earlier, arresting a young woman. "
Tiamat sighed as if he knew the fate that awaited that poor girl, " He takes the women, foreign women especially and uses them for his pleasure and when's he done enjoying with them, he slits their throats and discards them like refuse. a fucking bastard "
Clive felt sorry for her. Even though there was nothing Clive and Biast could have done to save the girl, he still regretted doing nothing. He wondered, " Would she be dead already ? "
His thoughts where interrupted when Tiamat handed him a map drawn on a old piece of parchment. He had rummaged through the room, and pulled out a worn map from a drawer under his desk, "This is the best I could get. It's far from perfect, but it should give you a rough idea of the castle layout."
Disappointment washed over Clive. As much as he craved a good night's sleep after the long and arduous journey, he knew better than to refuse a direct order from his sergeant. "You leave in two hours," Tiamat confirmed, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.
The following hours were a blur of hurried preparations. Clive and Biast donned their black leather armor, the familiar weight a comforting presence on their bodies. They strapped on their weapons, Both Clive and Biast use a standard issue Sanbrequois longsword. Biast however also preferred a pair of daggers. After ensuring every buckle and strap was secure they returned to Tiamat, who outlined their plan.
"The map reveals a hidden passage beneath an abandoned well within the eastern courtyard. It should lead into the lower dungeons, bypassing the main entrance. Locate the spy and extract him. Once retrieved, escape through the passage and return here. Remember, discretion is paramount. If discovered, all hell will break loose. However, should the situation escalate, do not hesitate to use force"
Tiamat searched through the room and handed him a pipe like device. Clive collected it and held it in his hand, rubbing his hand through the cold metal. It was smooth and small enough to be concealed within his armor and had a pin at the bottom which could be pulled, " What's this little contraption ? "
"I managed to recover this from a Ironblood soldier not long ago. I believe they call it a 'flare' in their language. They use it to for signaling others "
" What does it do ? reflect light of its shiny surface ? " Clive asked, rubbing his hand through the smooth metallic surface of the flare.
Tiamat replied, " No. Point it skyward and pull the pin. It will send a bright burst of light into the sky.. If you are detected and it gets violent, get outside and use it "
Clive and Biast exchanged surprised glances. "To summon aid?" Biast inquired
Tiamat turned back to this table, " Of course no "
Clive's face saddened, the smile disappearing from his face, " Should you use the flare I will pack up and get ready for us to leave the town. If we cut through the forest we should reach the capital within two moons. Now make ready, You'll leave soon "
As they slipped out of the inn under the cloak of night, the air was crisp and carried the faint scent of woodsmoke. The moon, a sliver of silver in the vast expanse of the night sky, offered little illumination. They navigated the deserted streets finally arriving at a secluded area by the side of the castle. Clive Following the map's instructions, they found the abandoned well hidden amongst a tangle of overgrown weeds in the eastern courtyard. The gaping maw of the well, choked with debris and shrouded in an unsettling darkness, didn't inspire confidence. Biast took once sniff and wrinkled his nose in disgust.
"Charming," Clive muttered, peering into the depths.
Clive knelt beside the well and began clearing away loose stones and debris, revealing a heavy iron grate rusted shut with age.
"Looks like we need a rod to open it," Biast said.
Clive ignored him, his fingers brushing against a cold gate. He gave it one kick and it broke off, going tumbling down into the dark hole.
"Well, well," Biast said, a grudging respect tinging his voice. "Looks like you found a more… persuasive approach.""
Clive offered a wry smile and unfurled a length of rope they'd brought along, securing one end to a sturdy beam. He tied the other end around his waist, the rope offered protection in case they lose their grip and fall.
"You first, fearless leader," Biast quipped, a smile playing on his lips.
"Wouldn't due to disappoint you Biast," Clive replied, taking a deep breath. He lowered himself into the inky blackness, the rope scraping against the rough stone walls. The air grew heavy and damp, the stench of rotten flesh and stagnant water stinging his nostrils. He descended slowly, Biast's muffled voice fading into the distance above.
The passage seemed to continue endlessly, each step taking him deeper into the bowels of the sewer. The smell grew stronger as he descended more. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his feet touched solid ground and he untied himself from the rope and stowed it away, his senses on high alert. He looked around, it was pitch black. The floor was covered in Sludge which made it slippery
A faint, rhythmic dripping echoed through the damp air, and a pale luminescence emanated from somewhere ahead. Clive drew his sword, the polished metal glinting faintly in the dim light. He motioned for Biast to follow.
After a few moments Biast was by his side, gagging. "Just our luck, sneaking through a stinking sewer," he grumbled
They proceeded cautiously down the tunnel, walking carefully by holding onto the walls to prevent them from slipping and falling into the mess. After an hour or so a passage to their right opened into a vast chamber, its walls slick with moisture. The air grew thick with the stench of decay and rotting flesh. Iron bars separated them from a series of cells that stretched along the far wall. Muffled groans and whimpers echoed through the chamber. Sevral dungeon cells were on the sides. Some of them holding live prisoners while the majority did not.
Frustration gnawed at him, " The spy could be anywhere in here and we do not have time "
A ragged cough from one of the cells caught his attention. A young woman, huddled in a corner, looked up with hopeful eyes. It then hit Clive, It was the young girl the captain had arrested earlier in the docks. Biast was also looking at her and spoke, " No way in hell we are taking her with us "
Clive looked at him pleadingly and Biast turned away, " Don't give me that look Wyvern. You know she's dead weight"
Wyvern was the call sign Sergeant Tiamat had given to Clive when he first took him under his wings.
The woman whispered, her voice barely audible, " Bastards"
Biast growled, " What did you just say ! "
She spoke up, straining to speak every word, "You are the bastards aren't you ? Tell your sergeant his precious spy is long dead "
"How do you-"
The woman cut him off," He died aboard the ship due to a flu. He had taken me in as his apprentice not too long ago, and so when he lay there in his death bed I swore to complete his mission, and here I am."
Clive remembered seeing a young child with her on the docks. "Where is the baby?"
"Not mine, I murdered a woman for her coin, only to discover she had a child. I stole the baby, hoping it would grant me safe passage, but here I am." Her voice had no remorse.
Clive and Biast recoiled in disgust, " You killed a mother for a child ! how could you ? "
" The mission comes first. You should have known that by now "
A part of Clive understood. He, too, had committed unforgivable acts in the line of duty, " Fine, just wait we will find a way to get you out of there "
A wave of despair, washed over her face. "No" she croaked, her voice hoarse. "It's too late for me " Gesturing to the many wounds on her body she said, "They've... broken me."
Clive knew they needed her, she was their only hope for getting to the capital. He had to get her out of here, now. But before he could formulate a plan, he heard several footsteps coming towards them. The guards knew they were there and were coming for them