To Be a Power in the shadows part 2

chapter 144

I was given a lax pat down.

The kingdom of Oriana was in a state where war could break as early as tomorrow. They obviously don't have time to spare for a mob like me.

I had a mana sealing collar put on me and was taken to a large building.

"You'll be staying in this camp."

"Camp?"

"Lord Doem is in the process of purging the Royalists. Prisons are all full."

"I see."

"Well, good luck, kid. Whether you can live or die in here all depends on your choices."

"Huh, what choi—"

The soldier guiding me put on a knowing grin, opened the large iron door and shoved me inside.

The door was shut behind me with a thud as I took in my surroundings.

What I'd been imagining was some dreary, medieval-fantasy dungeon of solid stone, but this was certainly not that.

In very few words, it was a big courtyard surrounded by tall walls.

The floor was paved with stone, and the place was packed with prisoners.

Some of them looked to be sleeping in tattered clothes, some just sat there with dead eyes and looked at me. Still others were standing in groups, discussing something or other. Seems they've made factions here.

Our jailors stood atop the tall walls, overseeing everything.

Actually, those walls looked like they had rooms attached to them. The prisoners seemed to be granted free entry into them.

Not as rigid as I'd imagined.

First of all, I needed to secure a place to sleep. I began walking with that purpose in mind.

And, "Ho, newcomer."

Came a voice from the side.

I turned to see a tall, thuggish man with unkempt hair. My internal Bandit Radar began tingling right away.

I was 100% positive. This guy was a bandit.

"You are...?"

"The name's Zack. Long story short, I'm a nice guy who teaches new blood like you how it works around here." Said Zack, eyeing me like prey.

"M-my name's Cid. Thank you so much, I really don't know what to do..."

"I feel ya, buddy. Them fuzz catch you and throw you in here and there's nothin' you can do about it. I totally get that you're scared." Zack said while patting my shoulder.

He then closed in and whispered so only I could hear, "Listen, Cid. Food, bed, fun, none of that's equal in this here camp. Look over there."

Zack pointed at a group of people huddled in a corner. All of them looked thin, ragged.

"The people in this camp are largely divvied up into 3 groups. Those ones you see over there are the worst off and also has the most people. They're what we call the Trash. Useless trash who aren't worth a damn. They get a few gulps of water and even less food. Just waiting to die. They're trash who have no power, or smarts, or even info... Now, look over there."

Next, Zack pointed at a group of people who were standing and talking amongst each other.

"Those are the Royalists. They're all idiots who went against Lord Doem and are now in here. They get the bare minimum food and bed. They're also our targets."