Trapped in an Iron Grip

I'm Only One Degree Away From Hypothermia

"Okay, hold on," you raised your hand and shook your head. "Who the hell are you?" You pointed to Duke. "How do you two know each other? And should we even trust him?" Your last two questions are directed to Ethan.

Ethan turned to you and gave an apologetic look before introducing you. "This is the Duke, I met him after I escaped Heisenberg's murder maze." Ethan pulled you towards the Duke. "He's a merchant."

You slowly made your way over to the Duke as he leaned forward. You said your name to him and he nodded. "It's nice to meet you," you said quietly, reaching a hand out to the Duke.

The Duke smiled and took your hand, shaking it firmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You know, Mr. Winters over here was quite worried about you."

You saw Ethan nod in agreement as he pulled out some of the crystals and trinkets that he found earlier. "He had a cart set up right outside of the castle." Ethan handed the items to the Duke and the larger man gave Ethan a large pouch of coins.

Your eyes widened at that comment and you turned to stare at Ethan. "How long has it been since you got in the castle?"

"About fifteen minutes give or take," Ethan answered, walking towards you and pulling you to a corner.

You looked back at the Duke and wincing as Ethan's hand grabbed onto one of the injuries on your arm. Ethan said a quick apology and moved his hand to yours.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm a blunt person," you explained as Ethan gently pushed you into a lavish chair, "so please don't take offense."

"Go on," the Duke urged you, curious about your next comment.

"You are a fairly large man and that door is average for a door's height." You pointed to the door as Ethan pulled out some more medicine and water. "Granted, I have seen Dimitrescu fit through the castle doors but she is tall and, frankly, thinner. You're... well rounded, for lack of a better word. So how did you get into this room?"

The Duke laughed at your question and shrugged, pulling out a cigar. "You are quite the blunt person. Almost as blunt as a certain Lord I often do business with." The Duke took a puff of his cigar before answering. "I don't entirely know, I just get where I want to... I hope that answer is sufficient enough."

You nodded with a smile before hissing as Ethan pours some more medicine on a few of your wounds. "Of course it is, Duke. You don't know and that's good enough for me."

The Duke grinned and let out a small chuckle. "I'm glad to hear that. The Lord I mentioned earlier isn't as patient," the Duke explains, "he thinks that he is entitled to every answer he wants regardless if the person he is asking knows or not."

"Whoever this Lord is, he sounds like an asshole," you commented. Then a thought came to you. "It's Heisenberg, isn't it?"

"Correct," the Duke chortled, "I assume you've already met Lord Heisenberg."

"Met is a strong word," Ethan glowered at the stab wound from Bela Dimitrescu's sickle on your left calf. "He's the reason that she," Ethan gestured to you, "ended up here."

You nodded in agreement but slowly started to nod off due to blood loss. Ethan noticed your drowsiness, grabbed your arm, and pressed a finger in one of your cuts. You shouted and pulled your arm back, glaring daggers at Ethan.

"You need to stay awake," Ethan told you, "you lost a lot of blood and you falling asleep won't let me be able to monitor you properly."

You nodded but also rolled your eyes. "Okay, but if you're monitoring me, then how are we going to find Rose?" You questioned, crossing your arms. "I'm in no condition to move and we can't afford to waste any time." You pointed to the door as your voice rose. "Rose is out there and we need to get to her before any of those monsters, Lycan or not, find her."