Peter Mercier and the Hunters of Artemis

Chapter 9

"This is great," Peter huffed. The cell was cramped, dusty, and damp. An overflowing bucket caught the water in the corner dripping quickly from the wooden ceiling. The sun peeking through the iron bars of the door was the only light they received; on the other side, a stone-faced guard stood statuesque, watching them wordlessly with a spear by his side. The other guards had gone outside, presumably to help with Eret's ship. "Why'd we have to bring Lillian back here? Why are we so damn nice?"

"Let's be lucky they didn't kill us. It gives us time to find a way out of here," Amber said, studying the cell. "That bucket could be useful."

"You think we can dig out of here?" Eret scoffed, sitting in the corner by the bucket. He tapped the heel of his boot on the wooden floor. "And I thought I was the idiot here, letting you take my ship."

"You're sitting in water," Hiccup pointed out. Eret shuffled over, mumbling under his breath. "And we're all in this mess together. Let's try to at least act like it."

Amber smiled, curiously looking at the lock on the door. "Finally, someone who thinks like I do."

Peter frowned, straining to see in the dark. "You think you could pick it?" he whispered, getting closer. She nodded, kneeling on the ground. Her head was below the bars, out of sight. "Distract the guard, and make it loud," she whispered back, taking the shiny trinket out of her hair, the locks unevenly falling down to her chest. "Give me a few minutes."

"So, Mr. Guard," Peter cleared his throat. The guard blinked suddenly. "What would it take for you to break us out of here?"

He didn't answer, frowning. "C'mon," Peter continued, leaning on the door. "I'm sure it gets lonely here. Why don't we take you back to New Berk? We have good food, great accommodations..."

"Bribing me won't work," the guard said, a dainty Scottish hue to his voice. "Although, New Berk is a paradise, as far as I've heard. But I won't be going. Now, shut up and patiently wait for your death. I would sleep if you can."

Amber cursed under her breath in frustration, her hand furiously working with the lock, the metallic clanking growing louder. The guard raised a brow at the sound, peering forward curiously. "It's not a bribe," Hiccup interjected suddenly. The guard flinched, returning to his post. "It's just a thought. I'm the chief, after all. I could set you up with a house. Some friends, too. I bet those other guards are as miserable as you."

"Our work environment is quite stable, actually. We all enjoy each other's company and get along well with each other. They laugh at my jokes, too. I'm quite content with my circumstances," the guard confessed. Hiccup raised an eyebrow. Peter pinched the bridge of his nose. "I get paid leave every month to visit family south of here. Artemis covers what little dental I get. Free, decent meals," he shrugged. "You sure you don't want to work for her, instead?"

Amber rolled her eyes, turning to Peter and shaking her head. He returned the gesture to Hiccup, who looked confused. Eret piped up, drowning out Amber's noise again. He got to his feet, a watery stain on the back of his pants. Walking to the bars, he nearly tripped over Amber. "Ever think about sailing the seas?" he asked, his tone like that of a shifty merchant in a bustling market. "I could make you a crewman on my grand ship. Not a bad gig."

"Seasick," the guard replied quickly, chuckling. "I'm a bit old for all that nonsense anyway. Besides, I saw your boat. Not bad, but a far cry from the ones Romulus quietly commissions to get us our stuff. If I'd sail anything, I'd sail on one of those. Well built, too. Not quite like the ones Henrique had, though. Shame about them."