The Dungeons of Savant

Chapter Five: Vivetta

I woke up to the sound of shouting in the distance. Only half awake, I tried to stand up, but I found myself tied to a tree. My heart started pounding. I looked around to see I was still in the skib and Faisal was at my side, also tied to a tree.

I sighed at our failure then listened to the shouts. They were muffled and hard to hear, but I could manage. I heard them yell, asking if the others found "them". I called out, hoping they could hear me, and Fai jumped to life.

He jerked his head and whipped his head around with wide eyes. "Wha- Where..." He tried to stand, but the ropes held him back. He looked at me, swallowed hard, and spoke slowly and quietly. "What happened?"

"We got tied to a tree," I said in an even voice. I let my hand burn white then tried to bring it to the ropes.

"What are you doing?" Fai asked, his eyes getting even wider.

I rolled my eyes. "Burning the ropes so we can get out."

"You're gonna set them on fire."

I stuffed all the rude comets I wanted to make, down, and tried to listen for whoever was yelling. If I couldn't burn the ropes, I would have to hope they could set Fai and I free. The birds of the skib were loud, but I could still hear voices in the distance. I screamed for help again and Fai caught on. We were both screaming at the top of our lungs, praying for someone to hear.

Soon, someone called back to us. Fai, a stranger, and I called for each other until a middle-aged man came out from behind the tree. He was dressed in light leather armor, like an Ardes, and his hair was pulled back into a short pony-tail.

On seeing us he immediately bent down, pulled out a small knife, and cut the ropes. We got the ropes off and the man came to help me up. He pulled me to my feet and grew a look of concern.

"Vivetta the Sari?" He bowed slightly. "What happened?"

I quickly composed myself and spoke with my politically flat voice. "The Tulava Tower was attacked. Faisal and I saw the culprits and chased them into the skib. We were, unfortunately, beaten. Then, I assume, tied to this tree."

He nodded then looked at Fai. "Faisal The Laminar? Not much of a fighter as I thought."

Fai raised his brow and let out a small laugh. "I'm still learning, Baradin. What's your excuse?"

The man smiled then turned back to the skib. "Follow me. We'll get you two home."

Baradin lead Fai, and I through the skib, looking out for any creature that could harm us. Fai was walking a little crooked, and I knew I wasn't any better. I still had a headache, and my knees were quivering. My hands were tingling from burning them, I hoped that there were no visible signs of it, I couldn't handle the stress it would bring right now.

Once we were out of the skib, Baradin got Fai and I a ride to the castle. Fai didn't speak a word, nor did I. The second we walked into the castle we were swarmed. My family, Wyeth, and any other family and friends Fai and I had been waiting for us. Apparently, they already knew that The Tower was attacked and that we were in the area, but they didn't know we were attacked and tied up until a Mercis made her way through the crowd of people asking us if we were okay.

She went up to my father, whispered in his ear, then moved to another to do the same. The word was spread, slower than if she would have been if she had spoken to everyone at once, but spread nonetheless. One by one family and friends grew more worried, while my father became furious.

"Why would you go to The Tower?" He demanded, clenching his fits.

Faisal opened his mouth to speak, but cut him off. "We were settling a quick dispute, Father. We thought it would be harmless, we didn't know The Tower would be attacked."