The Path of the Adventurer

Chapter 19

A day of suffering began the next morning. Two unfortunate, exhausted prisoners, one facing execution for being of elven heritage, the other facing the same penalty for standing up for the poor elf, sat in a barren cell of a dwarven dungeon. Their only sight was a gloomy wall behind a row of thick, bronze bars and a locked barred door. Occasionally, a guard would walk down into the dungeon to check on the two prisoners. The dwarven guards themselves never paid heed to the prisoners at all, save for a single emotionless glance.

Erion and Tikana had nothing to quench their thirst or hunger that night. They did nothing that day aside from sitting back and reflecting on their lives, for death was their obvious fate. They barely communicated with each other, for all they could speak of was the dismaying fact that their days of adventuring were over, overcome by the hatred of King Bhalthran that severely damaged their once-strong morale.

"I wish... I wish I were home back at Rith's, warming myself by the fire..." Trembled Erion, curled up in a corner. "I remember sitting by the hearth as a child, and Rith reading me stories, stories that inspired me to become an adventurer. If only they'd given us a warning!"

"What's the point of wanting to return, anyway?" Uttered Tikana. "Face it, Erion. We're in prison. No matter how many times you plead, no matter how many times you cry, no matter how much you long for the company of your friends and family - nothing will allow you to leave until your sentence is over. That's just the law. And in our case, it will never be over."

"I know I've asked myself this a million times now, but why do things have to be like this?" Replied Erion. "This system is meant to punish and rehabilitate those who have done wrong, which is a good thing itself. But when it's used against innocent people in acts of discrimination and against those who defend against the discriminated - it's not justice at all! It's outright cruelty!"

"Well, guess what? It is possible for someone to be ruler and a sadistic bastard at the same time." Snapped Tikana. "The truth hurts, but that's just the way it is. Dwelling upon our past is useless now - if anything, it adds more pain to the injury. This is our fate, Erion. At this point we have no choice but to suck it up and accept it!"

Erion raised his head slowly and stared at Tikana. Her eyes seemed hopeless, almost soulless. "Y-You're hurt." Stammered Erion.

"I can endure it, this is just the way this law works..." Replied Tikana negatively. "OF COURSE I'M FUCKING HURT, ERION! I'M STUCK HERE, NEVER TO SEE MY HOME AGAIN, FACING EXECUTION! NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IXIS DIDN'T SEND ME ON THIS DAMN ADVENTURE!"

"Hey, don't blame Ixis!" Spoke Erion. "Ixis meant well. She thought we were going to be an effective fellowship to counter the orcs - and we were. She never expected, nor intended for this to happen. It's Diablon's fault that we're here in the first place, not hers."

"I understand," Replied Tikana. "But still, that has nothing to do with the fact that we're in a heavily guarded prison with our only easy way out being death. And judging from the guards' tactics and skill, I doubt that Magon and the others will come looking for us."

"You're right. Though fireballs can kill many foes, when you're in the citadel of an oppressive king you'll immediately have guards restraining you." Erion put his head back down. "If only I could tell Magon that he was like the grandfather I never had!"

Tikana stared back, with a face of sympathy. "You know what? I'm just sick of this cell already. How about we just try?"

"Try what?" Replied Erion. "There's nothing to do here but to sit around and weep."

"The thought just came to me, but how about we make an escape attempt?" Suggested Tikana. "I said that death was the only easy way out, not the only way out. This probably won't work, but it's worth the try. It's better than nothing, right?"