Demon Hunters

Casus Belli XI

Gabriel could hardly think straight, but soon his well-honed instincts kicked in. He crouched, ready to dodge the incoming bolt, and turned to look at the man who had just murdered Bruno. To say that the man was unimpressive was a vast understatement. The man was young, probably a year or two younger than Gabriel, and he was clad in the simple garment of a servant. He rushed forward, casting aside his crossbow and stopping at the cell's door. After a brief moment of searching, the man produced a pair of lock-picking instruments. Having survived the initial shock, Gabriel stood up and narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?"

The mysterious man smirked while he was still working with the lock.

"No one – for now. But when I get you out of here, that'll change."

There was a clicking sound from the lock, and the man swung the door open.

"Show me that thing on you... I should be able to open it as well."

He reached for the prayer cage, but Gabriel took a step backward.

"A single wrong move and this thing will impale me. You'd better not touch it."

The man sighed and shook his head exasperatedly.

"We really don't have time for this... Look, I'll come clean. I'm a thief, so I know my way around locks. Now, show it to me before someone wanders down here and we both end up hanging from the gallows."

Gabriel didn't know if he could trust this strange man but decided to play along for now - after all, he had very little to lose at this moment. As the thief leaned forward to work on Gabriel's restraints, he could see the corpse of his father lying on the ground, its empty eyes seemingly staring straight into Gabriel. He felt like his heart was about to burst, and Gabriel suspected that the only reason he was even able to stand was the adrenaline now coursing through his veins. It had been far too sudden, and far too many things had been left unsaid. Ultimately, Gabriel had been unable to come to terms with his father's actions – and now he would never have the chance to talk with him again.

"There we go," the thief huffed.

Finally, Gabriel could move his arms again as the metallic gauntlets swung open. However, this also meant that he could finally see his left hand again – or what was left of it, anyway. Wrapped in a thick coating of bandages were his thumb and index finger – his only remaining fingers.

"They really did a number on you," the thief muttered as he moved on to the fetters wrapped around Gabriel's legs.

Gabriel examined his hand. The situation was worse than he had hoped for, yet better than he had feared. At least he had something left. Soon enough, the thief was finished, and Gabriel was completely free. He took a few experimental steps and observed that while his gait was still unsteady, he could walk unaided. That said, running would prove difficult.

"Alright, let's move on. I brought you some clothes. Change into them – quickly. We don't have a lot of time."

Gabriel accepted the bundle of clothes he was handed, and after brief consideration, decided to comply.

"I hope you have a plan," he remarked while changing his shirt.

The thief nodded, eyeing the staircase nervously.

"The whole place is currently in a state of chaos as the dignitaries are preparing their trips back home. We should be able to slip by unnoticed, as most of the guards never saw your face from close up," he muttered. "That said, you ought to try to avoid eye contact – and use something to cover that mangled hand of yours."