"Alright," a voice croaked, "get up. Vu are free to ko."

I glanced up from where I lay on my cot. A hunched old woman stood by the bars of my cell, the keys to the padlock clenched tightly in her gnarled fists. Her beady green eyes glared at me through the curtain of white hair, silently judging and appraising me. I didn't have [Battle Sense] anymore but I could tell there was more to this hag than it seemed.

I rolled off of the cot, landing on my feet in one practiced motion. "Who are you?" I asked, striding up to the bars.

"Back up," she barked, pointing one clawed finger toward the back of the cell. "Vu zit zere und vu vait for me to oben up zee cell!"

I obeyed with a quiet huff, folding my arms across my chest as I watched her slowly unlock the latch. Her slow, practiced movements reminded me of the {Debriefer}, which made the wait even more aggravating. Was she being this slow on purpose? No, it must be because she's old. I wonder, if something were to...happen, would I be able to take her? Most likely. I was severely weakened but I had been practicing my skills. Then there was my natural height and strength. I could take a little old lady any day.

Are you really sure you should be thinking about fighting yet another important person in this keep? It's almost like you WANT to stay in the donjon.

Shut up! I'm only being cautious. You never know what could happen...

A pretty crappy excuse for wanting to shank everybody with that stupid spear of yours. Oh, wait! You got it taken from you because you were overly aggressive yet again. I'm sensing a pattern here...

I ignored the voice, striding towards the old woman. She glared as she stepped aside, her stink-eye worsening as I exited the cell. My foot barely passed the threshold when she slammed the cell door back into its place. I heard her chuckle as she locked it back up.

"What're you aiming for, huh?" I growled. "Trying to take off my foot?"

The hag snorted. "Big, schtrong man like vu vorried apout lozing foot? Perhaps not zo pig und schtrong." She cackled as she skip-hobbled down the hall, her raggedy dress trailing along behind her. "Come, come! I take vu to your bed, ja? Bad {Guards} like vu get zee vorst ones."

I scowled. It wasn't my fault the {Debriefer} had been such a pain. I hated pompous pricks like him...

Too bad he didn't take getting stabbed in the chin so well like Frost did. I wonder where that little twat is now...

"Hey, uh, whatever your name is," I started.

"Vu call me Inge," she said curtly, stopping to wag her finger at me. "I am zee {Keeber} of zee donjon. Vu schow resbect!"

"I've never heard of a {Keeber} before..."

Inge narrowed her eyes at me. "Vu mock mein accent?"

Well, no, I hadn't been, but now that she was being rude about it...

I inclined my head, a small smirk on my lips. "So what if I am?"

She stared. I stared right back. The challenge was clear in my eyes. Would she take it? I didn't know but I found myself tensing all the same. Shifting my footing slightly and clenching my fists, I waited for her to charge and-

The next thing I knew I was back in the cell with a large lump on my forehead.