Zyxcsal: A New Era

The Lost

Arcanum woods, or the Forest of the Lost. An ancient property of mother nature, said to have been cursed by a certain witch from the First Era, houses a wide array of living beings both hostile and neutral. The mist emerging from deep within it spells misfortune for those who venture without care. It's wildlife untamed, untouched by humans for centuries out of fear for the unknown lurking every nook and cranny. Does it mean the dwarf has little of a chance to rescue his beloved comrades?

Darivan wakes up early, the other prisoners are fast asleep aside from Joehn. He stands up and walks near the bars to observe if anyone is coming to release him. He sees 2 guards on duty and no one else. He calls on one of the guards and says,

"Oi, you, come here a second."

The guard walks closer to the cell and responds,

"Aye, what is it? Can't sleep? What you want?"

Darivan grabs onto the bars and then replies,

"Is there nobody coming for me yet?"

The guard walks back to his post and says,

"None yet. Just lie down for a while and sleep. We'll wake you once Uri comes back."

Darivan walks back to his corner and sits down. He feels rather unpleased and agitated. The mere thought of his brethren being in the fangs of danger makes his facial expression unsettling in a way. Joehn looks at Darivan from a distance and asks,

"What seems to be bothering a dwarf at this time of day?"

Darivan doesn't look back and stares at the ground. He responds after a brief moment,

"My brethren, they are in need, I need to get out of here as soon as possible."

Joehn lies down in the cold cement ground and says,

"Sun has yet to rise. Worrying won't help you save your friends."

Darivan looks at Joehn and replies,

"Aye aye, just shut yer' trap. Talking to me won't ease my mind."

Joehn stares at the ceiling and responds,

"Good luck with those brethren of yours old man." Then slowly closes his eyes.

2 hours after the sun has risen...

Joehn wakes up in the sound of the cell gates being opened. He sees two armored men come and wake Darivan up. Outside the cell he recognizes a familiar face, the captain of the city guards was waiting for the two men inside. Darivan got up as fast as he could and stretched his tight muscular body, looks at Uri and says

"You took yer' time mate. What time is my release?

From a distance, Uri replies,

"You are scheduled to be released this very moment. I added to the reports that the bandits you bested yesterday were involved in different sorts of trouble. Now, I'll also have to announce amongst these men inside that two individuals will be hanged later this noon. One of which is here and the other one is in a hospital bed. Mister Joehn will be escorted half an hour before the public hanging by one of my gua--"

"Oi, is the fella right there the one to be hanged? The one in the corner." Darivan exclaims as Uri was speaking.

"Uh, yes, may I know why you ask?" Uri replied.

The guards inside the cell held Darivan's belongings and handed it to him. Then Darivan responds,

"You may have to can his hanging later. Big man's coming with me to the forest."