Chương 9: Inside

With deep inhales of the rancid air, Joel clenched his jaw tight, biting away the rising anger. The dark, cramped interior contained two rust-iron cages, sitting opposite each other. Held within the larger cage, a tanned elf — in chains and dirty, patchy rags — squinted against the invading light. He looked no older than Joel, though nothing was certain because of his elven heritage. The other cage was considerably smaller, the size of a shoebox. Inside, a bear cub laid chained and flat upon its belly.

Its bi-colored eyes, amber and blue, stared back desperately. The metal bars of the cage snuggly pressed against it; the pen was much too small, restraining the cub's ability to turn around. Joel's mind raced. The bears near the Lodge, their subsequent ambush. The loam elf's dying, pained look. It wasn't at Bhas — it was toward the cart. Previously, Gorum had mentioned that the Burton Gang smuggled contraband, weapons and drugs. Maybe exotic creatures or monsters. But people meant... Slavers.

Dragging himself to the side of the cage, the elf cried out toward him and stretched out a trembling hand, between the bars. His graceful features broke as he babbled on in a soft, melodic language. The desperate and terrorized plea was undeniable. Joel lowered his head, tilting it away from the low ceiling, as he entered. Crouching near the pleading elf, he held up his hands as a sign of goodwill.

"Don't worry. I'll get you out of here," he said, though none of his words got through to the poor wretch. He looked at the cage's door, locked by another padlock. Darting over, he tried Flendel's key. Unable to turn, the key achieved nothing. He nearly stumbled as he rushed over to the cub's cage, trying the key there. Nothing again. He cursed under his breath. He'd have to bash the locks off, maybe with the hatchet they used for firewood. He simply had to get them out.

Then they would be able to run, flee— That's when he noticed the elf's manacled ankles, swollen with black bruises. Broken ankles. Recently broken ankles. Even if he got out of the cage, there is no guarantee regarding how far he'd get away. The others would track him down easily. He needed a plan. Even though he couldn't understand a word, the elf's voice drew him back from his thoughts. He blinked back cluelessly. They needed to work together, to communicate. [Homebrew].

The screen popped open, visible only to him. — [NOTIFICATION: Obtain ability score upgrades and class features for EXP.] [Total available EXP: 300] [Ability Score Upgrades] [Class Features] — He selected [Class Features], scrolling down the list of options until he reached the Bard class. His eyes searched the plethora of options that popped out. Where was it? The Bard class contained too many abilities to choose from. It took him longer than he liked, but he found it. 100 EXP? More than he thought it would be.

Whatever, it was fine.

"[Elvish Language Proficiency]. [Confirm]," he muttered. A familiar jolt briefly pierced his mind as the basics of the elven language flooded in.

"Please, I beg of you. Free my brother," cried the anguished elf, his words slowly becoming understandable. Tears streaked his dirty cheeks as he implored, his voice trembled.

"I-If anything, anything at all, release him from there. P-Please, please, help him."

"I promise I will get you both out of here," Joel replied firmly. He fiddled with the cage's lock, looking around for anything to help.

"Who are you? How did you end up here?" The elf hiccuped, surprised at the sudden fluency.

"I am Irenval. We were taken from our grove. I know not how long we've been travelling. Many moons for sure." Joel felt sick, guilt twisting his stomach. Still, the revulsion and fury he felt slightly surprised him. Once again, he found himself caring. It was an easy feeling to sidestep when it was all game, when he could log out and forget. Having a moment to digest it all, he realized what an idiot he'd been. The strongbox wagon alone should've made its contents obvious to him.

He chewed on the inside of his lip till it hurt. How could he be so foolish?

"Please, if you can do anything, release Ishval from there." Irenval pointed at the restrained cub. Now that they could communicate, the elf was clearly trying to keep his voice level. It was his only way to be strong in the current predicament.

"Too long in his wild form and he will become lost as a beast. He cannot revert back in that tiny pen. Please help him." The understandably desperate tone of the elf was adding to Joel's panic. Fumbling around, he tried to pry the padlock open with his quarterstaff. The pained whines of the cub made him pull harder. After straining until his face felt red, he sat on the floor, out of breath. The cage's lock was hefty; its shackle was a thick coil of stubborn iron, refusing to bend to him.

Even with a hatchet, it seemed unlikely he'd be able to break through soon. He tried to center himself, elbows on his knees and head in his hands. Thankfully, the captured elf seemed to notice his struggle, giving him a moment to think. Joel took the moment to swallow his anxiety with deep breaths. Then it hit him. The Rogue's [Lockpicking Proficiency]. Shaking his head, he silently admonished himself. All those countless hours as a Thief main, it should've been the first solution to materialize in his mind.

"[Home—""Joel! Flendel! You there?" Perri's faint voice startled him, faraway but approaching. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Joel scrambled as quickly as his mind did, getting to his feet." I'll come back for both of you," he whispered forcefully as he shushed the renewed pleas from the elf." I promise." Dashing out of the door of the cart, he slammed it shut with his shoulder and hastily fastened the padlock upon it. He wiped the sweat off his brow and settled beside the campfire. Hopefully the putrid smell of the prison cart wasn't sticking to him." Over here!" he yelled out as casually as possible. A minute later, Perri came from around the cart, rusty spear in hand. Huffing for air, a sheen of sweat covered his red face. The lanky man grabbed a nearby waterskin, chugging down greedy gulps. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve." Curzan said I should guard with you." Damn it. Joel shrugged, still trying to act laid-back." How is he?" Perri asked, tilting his head towards the sleeping Flendel." Fever's staying high. I mentioned it to Boreth but it might be a while till we can move."" Curzan's not gonna like that." Curzan could stick it where the sun didn't shine but Joel knew better than to say that outloud." Do you think we could convince him to put Flendel in the wagon?" he asked instead. Perri shook his head." Curzan wouldn't allow it. He'd said he wants no one to mess with the goods." It took everything for Joel to not narrow his eyes. The goods. What an euphemism for people. At least Perri had the shame to look away." I doubt Flendel can mess with anything in his current state," he pointed out. Pausing, he let the silence linger before pressing." We must be moving something pretty valuable if we can't move a hurt man in a wagon." It was Perri's turn at silence." So what are we moving?" Joel continued, his tone fluctuating between friendly and assertive." I don't know. No one tells me nothing." Still looking away. Liar." You've been travelling for weeks and you have no clue what you've been moving? What you've been risking your skin for?"" No, because I mind my own business!" Joel frowned." Alright, alright. Whatever." For a brief moment, he was tempted to immediately rush and knock this idiot out. Even if Flendel woke, he was sick and had given him the damn key. He'd get that [Lockpicking Proficiency] and get those poor wretches out. Then they could run… But could they? Grimacing, he recalled the black and blue ankles of the elf. They wouldn't get far before the crew tracked them down. Maybe it was possible with the younger brother — Ishval — alone? No. He was getting both of them out. He needed a different approach. To truly escape, they couldn't afford to be chased. And the best way to guarantee they wouldn't get pursued was to remove their pursuers. He snuck a glance at his fellow guard, now sitting. He was confident against Perri. If he guessed, he'd favor himself against Curzan. Both seemed like cowards, perhaps opportunists at best. Boreth and Bhas were a completely separate issue. Competent and deadly. The way they carried themselves last night revealed plenty. Together, they'd overwhelm him in seconds. If he wanted any real chance at this, he needed to divide and conquer. Bhas was a lost cause, but could he flip Boreth? Press his honor? Plead for decency? The dwarf appeared to have taken a shine towards him. Plus he seemed the most reasonable of the lot. If Joel could get him onside, would it be enough to take on the rest? Massaging his hands, he watched the fire dance, his eyes tracing their cozy rhythm. It calmed him. No, it threatened to still him into inaction. For a second, he thought about just ignoring it all. After all, what if he failed? If they killed him? Maybe he wakes up back home. Or maybe he'd be risking his life to play hero. Joel gave his own face a sharp slap, enough for Perri to stare — startled." Sorry," he said quickly." What was that?" Perri asked, clearing his throat." Just building up courage," Joel replied, rubbing his reddened cheek. He thumbed out on the plains, opposite of where the others had gone." Actually, I saw the other bear that attacked us back there. I just didn't say anything."" Oh..."" I don't think we have to hunt it. But the two of us could at least track it for a bit. See if we can keep eyes on it long enough to tell the others where to go."" Uh, but that could be dangerous, no? What if we run straight into it?"" We won't go far. Whether we find it or don't, we come back within fifteen minutes. Can't leave Flendel alone too long anyway." Perri's forehead wrinkled, considering it." Just in case, we'll make it ten minutes," Joel nudged with a smile. Sweetening the deal, he tossed Perri a sizable chunk of spiced cheese." Sooner we get rid of the bear, sooner we can get to Wardenhal safe and sound."" Ten minutes then," Perri nodded, already munching on the cheese. It was a brisk walk through the grassy plains, fields of that shimmered sunlight. Joel almost felt peaceful. At intervals, he squinted at the horizon, pretending to search for a bear. Instead, he saw a perfect stand of trees. Entering the thicket, he waded through the bushes with his quarterstaff. He glanced back at the now distant camp. This would be far enough for what he needed. He turned to Perri, who was already a sweaty mess." I saw what was in the wagon," Joel said calmly, grip tightened on the quarterstaff. Perri's eyes went wide before he laughed — it sounded like a shaky bark." What are you talking about?"" The people in the wagon." Perri froze, his grimey face sinking." So you knew," Joel continued softly. Perri immediately dropped to his knees, tossing his spear to the ground. Bursting into tears, he began to babble incoherently. The words 'spare' and 'life' were somewhere in that mess." I-I'll help you!" he sputtered through the snot and tears." I know who has the keys, we can get them together!"" Who has the keys?" C-Curzan! H-he keeps it in the inside pocket of his coat. Didn't trust anyone else after the elves almost escaped once." Useful." So you'll let me go, right?" Hope ached from Perri's voice. It was harsh to lie but Joel shook his head, slowly approaching." Sorry, can't trust you. You seem like the type that will sell me out in an instant."" I don't want to die. I don't wanna die!" the lanky man shrieked. Panic setting in, he fell back on his rear, his hand shielding himself." Please! No! Don't kill me. Don't!" The knot in Joel's stomach twisted. Awful as this guy was, it felt pathetic to kill him, especially like this. His grip on the quarterstaff loosened slightly as he sighed." Well, I can't just let you go," he said, thinking. He circled around the frightened young man." You might run off to Curzan and them. So that means the best thing to do is…" Joel's quarterstaff swung in a short arc, aimed downward. With a loud crack, the end of it bludgeoned across Perri's skull. The force sent the man rolling across the ground — limp and unconscious. Hopefully that didn't kill him. Ambling over, Joel prodded at the stupefied body. Out like a light. However, there'd be no guarantee when he'd wake. He dragged the body over to a tree, stripping Perri's tunic off of him. He had no rope, so the cloth would have to do. Positioning Perri so that he hugged one of the more modest tree trunks, Joel tied his hands together as tight as the ripped tunic allowed. The makeshift restraints wouldn't last forever. Struggling out of them would be time-consuming, not impossible. Combined with the knockout blow, he figured he had until sunset. Plenty of time. Finally securing the bindings, he flapped his shirt and took a breath of relief. That was one down. Before turning back to camp, he picked up a few pieces of dry wood, an alibi for his absence He trudged through the brush. All of it felt off the cuff, too improvised. Annoyed, he swatted away some low-hanging branches. He was thankful for the gentle breezes of the grasslands, though large rain clouds loomed closer. Hopefully, there was still some time to refine this plan, before the others returned. Minutes later, those hopes were dashed as he saw sight of the camp. The three others had returned, and they had all seen his approach. He waved, his heart pounding in his ears.