Withered Plant Mage

They stopped at windowless iron door numbered 501.

“I have a good feeling about this one,” Kurl frowned, “Looks like I’ll have no other choice.”

“I thought you wanted a male, you know, for balance.”

“You’ll have to do. You’re practically a man.”

Roxanne stared, darkly frowning. Shoulders squared as she cracked her knuckles, “Care to repeat that?”

“The plant mage is an old woman I go way back with.” Kurl raised an eyebrow, “I meant it as a compliment. We haven’t spoken to a single man with potential at your level.”

Roxanne pursed her lips and nodded as the iron barrier slid aside, “When you put it that way.”

An iron wall plaque detailed the inmate’s dietary restrictions. She was allowed meat, diary, a limited amount of white bread when observed, strained juices, peeled and boiled potato mash. Vegetables and fruits had to be peeled and cooked before serving.

Leather and hide mats for sleeping piled over the corner. Clay jars contained her food; a large chamber pot existed for bathroom needs. The old woman wore only a hide and fur cloak. They hung over slender shoulders and down her knees. Hair hung wildly with no ties. Iron shackles hugged thin ankles broken with rashes.

The stump of her left arm caught Kurl’s eye. He didn’t want to point it out, but he looked almost distraught, “Where’s your hand grandma?”

She creaked as she stood at attention, to her feet from the floor in one smooth motion. Her stance swayed slightly before she centered. Fingers went through sweaty gray hair, “It sure is hot today.”

“Your hand,” Kurl growled.

Roxanne took a step back against the wall.

The old woman stood unwaveringly, slowly raising her stump. The hide and leather fell around her elbow, “They amputated it stupid. I thought you could see that much.”

“Why? Why wasn’t I informed?”

“Since when do they inform prisoners about other prisoners? Especially traitors.”

Kurl ground his bare toes into the stone while clenching his teeth. The others waited for a few deep breaths through fared nostrils, “Since we’re here now, would you care to provide your account. I won’t take any action that could jeopardize your wellbeing.”

A gentle laugh escaped, along with a genuine smile, “Feels like old times, captain. I broke my wrist in the mines. It became infected. They did what they had to do. I’m grateful they cared enough to do anything. That’s it.”

“That’s it?” Kurl’s voice shook low.

“That’s it. Promise me you’ll calm down.”

An exasperated exhale completed slowly, “I can be angry on the inside. That’s where it matters. Let’s get you back in the trenches. I could use a woman with your skills. Your experience will carry the squad.”

“You haven’t even introduced to your companion Kurl,” she laughed tiredly with a gentle cough, “How very rude of you.”

Roxanne stepped forward, almost reverently, and knelt on one knee, “My lady, my name is Roxanne Dessinger, of house Dessinger. My power is muscle control. My affinity is muscle fuel.”

“I’m Gisela, former Duchess of Wittenbach. Pleasure to meet you. Kurl has an eye for talent. You’ll need it to counter his contagious misfortune.”

The glance cut at Kurl with more power than Roxanne expected, “Are you two- acquainted?”

“I’ll deny nothing,” Kurl returned to form despite the dirty cell and tribal garb, “My apologies, Gisela. Time is short. I assume you know what I’m up to. It’s a punishment squad, but you’ll have movement, access to your element, better supplies and rations, and some semblance of honor. I suggest you join. You’re the best candidate after this young lady I’ve seen all day.”

“Kurl, is it not true that everything I’ve lost can be attributed to my association with you?”

“I assumed you supported me of your own free will.”

“Would I have supported you if I had known your wife was a vampire and your child a hell spawn?”

“My wife is not a vampire sympathizer. Choose your words carefully.”

The sigil on the back of the duchess’s neck glowed. Pellets fired from the wall. Air shifted, they shot into the back wall. A formation of holes appeared from the clearing dust, in Kurl’s general outline. But he stood unharmed.

“Must be nice not having to scavenge,” Gisela pulled at her neck, “I didn’t say sympathizer, I said vampire. Your hell spawn family ended my career, erased my fortune, disgraced my name. In what world do you think I would be your loyal soldier? What are you waiting for? Your mark isn’t even glowing.”

Zinnian decompressed from around Gisela’s neck, “This is the chance we’ve been waiting for. As far as I’m concerned, you just proved yourself. Join me. You can apologize to Zofia and Zinnia later.”

“They’re using you! And you would let them! Are you honestly holding out hope for anything other than death?” her eyes softened, “Kurl, you poor boy. It’s almost enough to convince me.”

She turned, stumbled, flopped back into her pile of mats. She wiped the sweat off her brow with her stump as her other hands kept her sitting.

Kurl knelt by her side through a short coughing fit, but said nothing.

“Can’t you let an old woman die in peace.”

“You’ve been through worse. And you’re the only one I can trust.”

Gisela slowly met his eyes, hers were deep and hollowed out, her face was pale, “If I could be more than a burden, I’d join you. But I’m no longer fit protect this cell, much less a forest. If you can manage one favor, I want to be buried in Brugwald.”

“Join me and the odds improve,” he took her withered hand.

“You and I both know you speak out of kindness. Ahh, you always win though. But not this little battle.”

“I have no other options. I need someone I can trust”

“Have you interviewed the prisoner in the red brick tower?”

“I haven’t been permitted access. I thought that was a guard post.”

“They’re holding a young charge of mine there. He did something unspeakable, but if you need a true force, there is no better man in this prison.”

“Is he stable, will he listen to reason?”

“Ask him yourself, if they let you. I’m sure you’ll find him interesting. Now, I must confess I’m at my limit. If you and your friend would please leave, I wish to rest.”

Kurl stood, “I won’t forget what you said. I’ll see you apologize to them, in person.”

Roxanne bowed respectfully. The iron barrier slammed. Gisela collapsed onto her furs. The man-shaped outline of holes glared.

“What a damned fool,” she whispered, “Kurl.”