Is there any way we can flee this dungeon, maybe hide further inland?

At his question, the two traded a surprised glance.

“Hide inland?” Sienna finally said, as she gave him a surprised look. “Na’ae, would be a hard thing indeed. Irongrasp is not overly large, as islands go. The only way off this place would be by ship.”

“That’s how we came to be here,” Donal added. “The Sea Vipers came and took everyone in our village, shipped us off in chains. Irongrasp’s their fleet’s home base.”

That’s just great, Caleb thought. Of course we’ll be escaping from Evil Central.

On cue, the Quest Window blinked into being at the edge of his vision.

Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to escape Deephold Keep: PARTIALLY COMPLETE. Quest difficulty increased 200% due to assumption of two additional Adventurer’s Level Quests. New Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to free the paladin and escape Deephold Keep. PARTIALLY COMPLETE. New Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to free all the prisoners and escape Deephold Keep. PARTIALLY COMPLETE. New Veteran Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to escape Irongrasp Island aboard a sailing ship. WARNING! Completion of quest shall trigger an additional Veteran Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to escape a squadron of the Myrkur’s Naval Arm, the Sea Vipers.

Lir and Danu’s Helpful Hints:

Those you rescue are not all helpless. Use their strengths and expertise to assist you. The Myrkur value immediate obedience and submission to authority over critical thinking. This may allow you to avoid confrontation and violence. You should know by now what confrontation and violence usually result in, and what we recommend you avoid.

“Right,” Caleb said, aloud. “Then we’re going to have to make sure we steal the fastest ship on the island. So I need to know: Do any of your people have sailing experience?”

Donal nodded. “Aye, we’re islanders ourselves. Most of us have at least a little seacraft in our veins, as you please.”

“Good. Are you the, ah, leader for your village? Like a mayor, or something?”

“Me?” Donal protested. “I’m just a carpenter! Sienna’s more what you’re looking for.”

“I am the Keeper of the Books,” Sienna agreed. “Or at least I was. But we’re both known and looked up to, an’ that’s what you’ll be needing right now.”

“That’s spot on.” Caleb turned to Donal, then pointed at the two guards Shaw still held in his grasp. “Find something to tie and gag those two. Strip them, throw ‘em in the closest cell.”

Donal blinked. “You wish us to do what? Strip them?”

“You heard me. Get their clothes, the outer layer, at least. One of those uniforms has my name on it. The other is yours. You know how to use a flintlock pistol?”

A shake of the head. “Na’ae, I haven’t so much as set hand on one.”

“Fine. Take one of their swords, give the remaining one and their pistols to whoever’s still able to fight.”

“Yezzir, I’m on it.” Donal strode off, calling a quartet of men to his side as he did so.

“What is it you wish of me?” Sienna asked. Her eyes glowed as she looked at Caleb, though it could have been the torchlight that made it seem as such.

“Gather everyone else together,” Caleb answered. “I’ve seen the gates into this place, and we’re going to have to storm them as best we can. Keep the elders and children to the rear of the group.”

“There might be another way.”

“I’m listening,” Caleb said. He watched as Donal got Shaw to release the guards, one at a time. They dutifully stripped the men of their clothes and weapons.

“There’s a side entrance where the guards’ supplies are brought in. Donal and I have both been through it. It’s a small passage, where perhaps only two can walk side-by-side, but that’s enough. It usually has only one or two guards at the end, and no tower or shot gallery above.”

“I hope you’re right about that,” he said. “Anything that trips an alarm, and the Myrkur will be all over us.”

The two guards were dragged into a cell, bound and gagged. A clank as someone swung the cell door shut. Donal brought up the guards’ uniforms and two pairs of boots. He handed one of the bundles over.

“Here’s what we need to keep from sticking out like a pair of verrah sore thumbs.”

Caleb didn’t argue with that.

Sienna left to gather the escapees together. Meanwhile, he pulled the black-and-silver uniform over his existing shirt and pants, and then slipped on the boots. The fabric was heavy, and fully perfumed with the former wearer’s body odor. He ignored it and refitted the belt and scabbard, along with the three pistols.

Shaw turned and gave Caleb a dismissive sniff.

“Thy scent is not improved.”

“Yeah,” Caleb said, as he shifted uncomfortably in the new layer of clothes. “I guess bathing isn’t something the Myrkur prioritize.”

“Unfortunately, I have to agree,” Tavia said wryly. “So. Assuming we have one, what is the plan?”

Donal and several others around them gaped at the exchange. Before Tavia or Shaw could add anything in response, Caleb stepped in.

“Yes, they can both talk,” he said firmly. “Tavia and Shaw are as smart as you or I, likely even more so. Be astounded later. Right now, we need everyone working together.”

He got a bunch of slight bows and a chorus of Yezzirs at that.

“Sienna’s told me about a side passage out of here,” he said. “It’s going to be a narrow spot, easy to block, but we need to take the risk. Donal and I will be in front. Tavia, I want you behind us. Then any man who’s armed, I want you next in line.”

One more line popped up in the Quest Window as Caleb spoke.

New Adventurer’s-Level Quest: Attempt to exit Deephold Keep without the guards setting off the alarm.

“What dost thou want me to do?” Shaw asked.

“You’re going to be our rearguard for now. Sienna says that there’s only a couple guards ahead. But if anyone comes down into the dungeon from the main entrance, they’ll be looking for us. And they’ll be coming in force. I trust you can handle them.”

A clack as the griffin snapped his stout beak in affirmation.

“Assuming we defeat the guards at the exit,” Tavia said, “what comes next?”

“We’ll see what we need to do, and do it,” he answered. “We’re going to have to make this up as we go along. It’s not like we have much of a choice right now.”

The unicorn let out a long whinny of a sigh.

“May Kirren watch over the knaves and fools,” she grumbled.

“All right,” Caleb announced, as he gestured for the crowd to follow, “it’s high time we left this place far, far behind us. Come on!”