Miner Problems

The smell really was the worst part. It wasn't something they could notice observing from afar, but drawing closer to the prison mine the smell of unwashed inhabitants and harsh solutions used in different stages of labor was overwhelming. Fortunately for Agnes she was old enough a lot of her sense of smell had long since degraded, and she was able to keep a slight breeze blowing outward around her nostrils like a mask. Chloe and Hektor on the other hand were not quite so lucky, the former especially looking like she was about to be sick.

There was little they could do about this in their current predicament. Chloe showed Rhuk a neat way to tie them up that looked more secure than it really was, but at this juncture they had to play the part. Marching up the main mountain road to the prison mine as if they were Rhek's captives. The gates of the compound looked far more imposing from this vantage point. Worked iron that was rare out on the steppe.

The two guards standing outside the gate twitched when they saw who was approaching, reaching for their weapons as one weakly grunted “Rhek? We don't want any trouble here. You know we let your friends go.”

“Huh?” Rhek replied. “What makes you think I'm here to cause problems? Look, surely you recognize these captives. Kneeling, fancy cat, old witch?”

The gaoler took a long look at the three travelers when Rhek gestured to them. Eventually offering “Oh? You of all people bringing in such a bounty? What's the catch?”

Rhek's short, sharp laugh echoed loudly in the narrow stone passage they were in. “Hah! I understand your concern. This isn't me feeling ready to join Dunne's retinue, but Rhuk received ill omens from the seer. Omens I confirmed upon capturing this group. The Littlefoot is a scion of one of their major clans, the girl the heir to one of Trelle's most influential families. Dunne was right to worry about them.”

Of course, this entire conversation was in the Giant's language. Meaning Agnes, Chloe, nor Hektor understood Rhek's words or how eloquent he was in his native tongue. Hektor though could recognize the body language and presentation of a strong salesman. He had gotten that impression from getting to know Rhek. And of course, his common tongue was better than their skills at Giantish.

The art of persuasion was on full display when Rhek stepped in close to the gaoler. Whispering in his ear, “I also discovered something pretty interesting. This witch? The boy who caused you so much trouble here several months ago? They're related. Granny down there has a grudge. You know Dunne's going to want her for the fighting pits. Might get you back in his good graces if you can point me to his camp.”

The gaoler looked to his fellow guard for a moment and both shrugged. He sighed and relented, reaching for the gate as he said. “If your story checks out I'll show you the way. But we have to make sure you're actually bringing the goods you claim. Not letting you trick me into pissing off King Dunne any more than he already is at us.”

The heavy door swung open as Agnes and her companions were ushered inside. Since they were already tied and likely overconfident in their own ability to keep three small prisoners in line, the Giant guards didn't undertake any rigorous inspection. The three were led through a maze of narrow passages to one of the main areas of the prison. A cleared yard with cells dug into the mountainside. Work gangs were moving to and fro, shipping away at another cliff face and hauling stone out. Several older prisoners operated a processing station looking for gems and traces of metal. But the three didn't get a long opportunity to see what their potential fate could be.

What Agnes didn't notice, being hard of hearing to begin with in this loud environment, were the murmurs. Many of these same prisoners remembered the breakout. Either recaptured or too beaten down to take the chance at escape. So these were the ones who saw Alexander's last stand, heard his last cry that one day a member of his family would topple the Giant King. Agnes never particularly thought her son Leonaidas took after her. But Xander? Many people noted the resemblance. Particularly the grandson himself who thought he was a real entertainer mimicking her.

News was rare in the prison mine, but what got in traveled fast. To the point many of these men at the processing stations were sneaking wry glances at this forest witch they had heard talk of. She didn't look like much physically, but there was something about her radiating an aura of command. Like she wasn't a prisoner at all.

In truth, Agnes was having a difficult time restraining herself. Seeing the misery and destitution of so many lives up close, being in this dreary atmosphere was making her extremely uncomfortable. To the point it was hard to keep her head down like she was taken captive. The rage had to go somewhere though, and magic often worked on the same principles as muscle memory. So she had trouble containing her new heat haze spell. Magical essence was leaking out of every pore. Filling the prison with her presence. Reminding the residents of that young man who evoked the same feeling of an unbroken spirit even in this hellish place.

The gaolers were unsure of what was happening as they shepherded Agnes, Chloe, and Hektor into a bigger room furnished like a place the guards used. They were placed on a table as an older giant entered through a different door. He had a grizzled appearance like someone who had been through many battles. Missing one ear and his gray beard grew in patches around thick, gnarled scars.

“You say this is the big bounty?” He asked in Giantish, examining the three captives closely. “They do match the basic description. This one's clearly from a noble family in Trelle, this one's a Tumlin, and the old lady...you say she's the witch?”

“Saw it with my own eyes,” Rhek replied cooly. “Summoned big, whips or something like that right out of the ground to thrash Naak.” He turned his attention to Agnes, barking this time in the common tongue. “Witch, show warden magic trick.”

The Warden split Agnes's cords with a fingernail and gingerly held her the replacement staff offered up by the man from the gate. Agnes took it, spun it in a circle, and singed his gray beard with a jet of flame. As rehearsed, Rhek was quick to be the one to grab her in reprisal. “Dumb choice, human.”

“Now, now.” The Warden tittered in Giantish, extinguishing the fire on his beard. “We don't need to damage such a valuable commodity. A spirited one like this will put on quite a show in the fighting pits! Especially with two teammates. Dunne's been enjoying group battles lately, says they produce a certain drama. Wait here a moment.”

The Warden left the room for what felt like a long time. Agnes was at least able to calm down and keep her magic in check without having to see the abuses in this prison, but it was still an awkward time where they had to pretend they weren't getting away with this exchange much more easily than anticipated. Eventually the warden returned, handing a massive piece of rolled parchment to Rhek.

“Here, Dunne should be up in Aurochs Pass right now. He just set up camp there so you should be able to deliver the goods in person. He'll be glad to see you ready to work with us for a change. Though if I were him I'm probably have just gotten rid of you and that...kin of--”

The Warden didn't have time to finish his veiled insult towards Rhuk before the club swung. Rhek had made sure to be in the exact spot of this room he wouldn't have to worry about tight quarters, toppling The Warden before the other guards could react. The gaoler from the gate reached for his weapon as he tried to shout, but found his voice made no sound as Agnes had already surrounded his head with a bubble of wind to dampen sound. Caught off guard by the second surprise, Rhek was able to quickly dispatch him with the backswing of his first strike.

“Well played, you three.” Rhuk cooed as she freed the other two from their restraints. Handing Chloe and Hektor their pistol and sword respectively. “We were able to take the element of surprise. Now all that's left is to take over this awful, awful place.”

“Yeah.” Rhek grunted. “Dunne best not know we coming.”