Chapter 25: Shadows of Hope

Dragged unceremoniously through the winding corridors, Lyndis' senses unraveled in a chaotic mosaic of sights and sounds. Her once agile form now hung limp; a hollow vessel drained of vitality. Each step echoed through her; a mere specter shackled to the mortal realm by the faintest of ties. The guards' restraining grip, once a formidable force, now brushed against her dulled awareness like a passing breeze.

She comprehended that Lumara's stratagems had veered into the murky realms of moral ambiguity, the very conduits of war aimed at her people. Yet, this? Tremors reverberated within her, an unsettling cold from the encounter that lingered, an icy grip that reached deep and was unyielding. Recollecting the alien gaze, the sinewy appendages clinging to her countenance, a suffocating sensation welled within her throat, the violation of her mind. What abyssal depths did they plumb with such deeds? The indifferent return to her cell and the frigid embrace of the bed scarcely etched a mark upon her consciousness.

Prostrate, drained of strength, she exerted every ounce of will too lift herself from the unforgiving sheets. Her breaths, labored and burdened, echoed the oppressive weight of a malevolent goblin, perched on her chest, mocking her with a sinister grin. Staring at the ceiling, she trembled, suppressing tears born of stark vulnerability—each sense violated to an unfathomable extent. She had fought fiercely, squirmed and thrashed, yet her mind lay exposed, a parchment unrolled for the monstrous interrogator. Strangely, it had shown restraint, withholding darker impulses always ready to break free.

Reaching into its consciousness, she perpetually felt the insatiable hunger underpinning its motives. Were it not for the restraining collar encircling its throat, bound by Suntail's directives, she might have been consumed without hesitation. On numerous occasions, the ghastly image had projected into her own mind—a chilling glimpse of herself laid bare, a crimson-stained orifice leading to the hollow recesses of her skull.

Battered, mistreated, and drained, she had somehow retained a grip on a critical piece of information. The kernel burned within her, its revelation accompanied by an all-encompassing pain, yet she endured—or so she believed. The alien hisses and grunts, bittersweet in nature, heightened her agony as they sought to breach her defenses. Unfortunate as it was, if they didn't extract every morsel they desired, the certainty lingered—they would meet again, subjected to another mind-splitting ordeal.

Were Arcturus and Veledar truly worth enduring this torment? Two souls she had known for less than two months, seemingly oblivious to her predicament. Why persist for them? The allure of an end loomed; she could surrender, relinquish their secrets, and bring an end to her ordeal. Was the paladin's influence seeping into her consciousness? Did the dragon's charm leave an indelible mark? In days of yore, during the early adventures, such thoughts would have been dismissed as inconceivable. Natassa's warnings echoed in her mind, a testament to a time when she knew better than to succumb to such doubts.

Amidst the despair and shadows enveloping her, she discerned a detail the guards had overlooked—the chains and cuffs they used to bind her were absent. A glimmer of hope sparked within the darkness. With a determined grunt and groan, she shifted to sit, her cell swaying as she sought balance. Muscles protested but yielded to her unwavering resolve as she endeavored to stand. Legs, like unsteady pillars, wobbled, and the room itself seemed to spin. It took all she had to remain upright.

Gritting her teeth, Lyndis pressed forward, seizing the moment that had presented itself. Her legs faltered midway, control slipping through her fingers. To her relief, the pain of impact was a distant echo as she crashed to the unyielding floor with a dull smack.

"Lady Lyndis, Lady Lyndis!" Feku's voice, a blend of concern and sweetness, cleaved through the pounding in Lyndis' ears like a blade. The sound dispelled the encroaching cloud of despair. Somehow, the kobold had managed to break open the door, and now she knelt at Lyndis' side.

Had that door not been shut? Lyndis groaned as the kobold fussed over her, she must have been more out of it than she’d imagined.

“Azzik what they do? Pirate Lyndis look bad!”

"An adventurer." Azzik chimed in, his scaled form entering the room. His eyes traced the length of her, and back again, his snout crinkling as he delved into his pouches with his claws. "She fashioned a robust wall, but Suntail summoned a creature to dismantle it."

“How she put up wall Azzik, she in cell.” Feku whimpered, “You help? She looks sick.” Scales shifted pale white as she laid a hand on the woman’s hair, “Bad sick.”

Amidst the concern of these small lizards tending to her, their boss's ruthless actions lingered in her thoughts. She chortled at the irony, a bitter taste of blood on her lips from where she'd bitten down. As they guided her back to the bed, leaning against the edge, memories of Suntail's cold, heartless expressions during the torment flooded back. The casual inquiries, the detached cruelty—something she'd never encountered. Maybe, in her callousness, this one surpassed even the Emerald Lady. If such a level of cruelty could be possible.

“Here, this help with pain.” Azzik found a glass vial with red liquid inside, a healing potion. “Won’t help with fatigue though.”

“Helping with pain would be nice.” She mumbled.

With care, Azzik cradled her head, uncorking the vial and emptying its contents onto her tongue. The taste, vile and near wretch inducing, served its purpose well. Moments after swallowing the concoction, the pain dulled away, leaving her resting on the floor, a serenity washing through her veins.

“You better now?” Asked Azzik’s snout hovered over her nose, eyes darting across her face.

“Oh yea, much better.” She replied softly, resting a hand on his cheek, “Almost forgot the torture chamber ambience.”

“You very welcome.” Beamed the kobold, “You should not have lied, Suntail only sicked that thing on you for doing that.”

“Note to self: honesty is the best policy, especially when dealing with gryphon inquisitors. Got it, Azzik. Thanks for the life lesson.” She groaned, “I think it just gets her wet, wielding that much control.”

“Wet? There was no water.” Feku wrinkled her snout.

"Never mind, love." Lyndis laughed weakly before being prompted to stand. She fumbled, her legs shaking, but this time she managed to remain upright. While there was no physical pain, the realization set in that she was in no condition to escape, let alone fight her way past the guards outside. Spirits sank as she grasped the reason behind the absence of chains—they feared no physical resistance. A spark of fiery determination flickered in her gaze. "Bastards."

“YAY!” Feku’s scales overflowed with green as she leaped for joy, clacking her claws together, “Azzik is best healer ever!” She turned to her mate and pulled him into the tightest of hugs. “Lady Lyndis better!”

“Not all the way.” Lyndis collapsed to the bed with a wistful sigh, “Now, what brings you lot to my doorstep? I can’t be that great of company.”

“Cause we want to help!” Feku smiled, rushing out the door to fetch a silver cart with trays upon it. “Food always makes better!”

“You really like making food don’t you.” Lyndis laughed as the kobold practically bounced on her feet.

“Uh-huh. Want open inn one, feed everyone, make happy!” She sighed, staring off as if she could see this future, “Play music, make feet tap, it be wonderous!”

“Could you eat?” Azzik asked sheepishly, a claw resting on one of the dishes, “I know after the Cthulhid …I’d understand if your appetite was- “

“Oh, fuck that, I’m starving.” She replied with a smile, “If it’s even slightly good, will be the best fucking part of my day.”

Feku scoffed at the idea, rolling her eyes, “I give princess bad food? Like that happen. I do best.”

Feku seized a pitcher and a handful of plates, lowering them within the princess's reach. Before unveiling the contents, she paused, her eyes suddenly lighting up with pride. The plates settled back onto the cart as she delved into her pouches. "One more thing!"

“Oh no, I’ve seen that look.” Azzik said, “Feku what have you done now?”

“Nothing.”

“You only have that look when you do a stealing.”

“I don’t do a stealing.” She hissed as a spoon with a polished handle tumbled from her pouches to the floor. “I return.”

“Is that one of the kitchen’s spoons? Why do you have it?”

“Borrowing.” She stuffed the spoon back, “Using it like tiny mirror, make sure all scales in place.”

His eyes squinted as she continued to work, spying a flash of an orange and black feather. “Is that one of Suntail’s tail feathers?”

Feku averted her gaze with a snort, “It was gift, she knew I thought was pretty.”

“Uh-huh. She’s going to be mad when she finds out.”

“It was gift!”

Lyndis shook her head; it seemed this one had stickier claws than most. Just as she was going to ask her what her favorite part of stealing was, the kobold wheeled around, clutching something tight within her claws as if it where the greatest of treasures.

“I found it!” Her smile consumed her entire snout as she snapped to Lyndis’ side.

“Found what?” She chortled, “I’m on the edge of my seat.”

“Toodoo!” Feku thrust her palms out, within it was the enchanted green scale of Cordenth. “You say you wanted it other day, so I go get.”

“Feku.” Azzik hissed, his eyes narrowed. “Suntail will squawk for sure!”

“Why, cause give princess back jewelry?” Scoffed Feku, “She no care. Especially if it makes her happy and tell secrets!”

She blinked, dumbfounded by this gesture. The little one probably didn’t even know that she could have used this to contact Cordenth if she chose. She accepted it with a soft word of thanks. Even in this bleakest of scenarios she was shown good fortune and kindness. “You shouldn’t have done this.”

“Yea, that’s what I was saying.” Azzik growled, crossing his arms, “We be in so much trouble. You know how much Gleinreich doesn’t like stealing?” The kobold cursed several times under his breath, “I’m going to have to do so much praying!”

“Suntail did a stealing to Lady Lyndis first.” Feku rolled her eyes, “Shiny god thank me for doing a returning.”

Azzik wrinkled his snout, clearly thinking over his excuse. When no words came, Feku merely grinned with the smug aura of Veledar himself.

“Hah, I win, don’t I?”

“This time, but that doesn’t excuse the other times.”

“What other times? Azzik, I told you, never do stealing.”

Tracing her fingers over the green scale, Lyndis could vividly conjure the Cordenth before her. A melancholic smile graced her lips as she admired the armored snout and caressed the smooth, onyx horns. Closing her eyes, she could almost hear his breathing, envisioning the comforting rhythm of his heartbeat. With this scale, she could signal him for aid, steering him away from whatever adventure he and his brother Lyyreth had plunged themselves into.

Yet would that truly offer her salvation. Her hopes darkened as she recognized the futility of the gesture. Here she was, deep in the heart of the enemy's lair, uncertain of her precise location. To summon the dragons meant asking those two to toss caution to the wind, potentially risking capture or worse, considering Lumara's current animosity toward dragons. No, she couldn't burden them with such a perilous task solely to save her own skin. Clutching the scale close, she whispered her thanks again.

“We made another dish from Drenedar!” Azzik beamed, grabbing one of the plates and sweeping it over, clearly wanting to get off the subject of his mate’s sticky hands.

An earthen bowl was upon the plate, simple and brown, clearly handmade, cradled a masterpiece of colors inspired by nature's bounty — wild game, root vegetables, and pearl barley wove together a rich tapestry. Hues of deep browns, warm oranges, and lush greens blended in harmony, each ingredient contributing to the visual narrative of resilience and sustenance.

“Recipe strange.” Feku added. “But was fun, called serenity harvest stew.”

“How strange, to find such a peculiar dish within this kingdom.” She accepted it with a deep breath, warmth starting to rekindle within her. “Suntail has no issue with…these thoughtful gestures?”

“What you mean?”

“This dish, it was crafted by a wolven cook, Alaric. It was given to my kin ages ago as a means to bridge the unease between our peoples. If you made it correctly, with the dew drop dream root, it will help tooth aches, pains and create a sense of serenity.”

“Sound like perfect dish!” Feku smiled with pride, “And Suntail no mind, she trusts.”

“Which you seem determined to ruin.” Sighed Azzik.

“I told you, was gift.” She rolled her eye.

“Regardless, it was amusing to create. That dew drops dreamroot, rather strange, the powder can cause…reactions to it.” Azzik giggled, “We found out, if exposed improperly, it makes everyone uncontrollably giggle, that’s not to mention the stomach cramp- “

“She not want text book talk.” Feku motioned for her to begin, “She hungry, eat Lady Lyndis, eat! Get strength back! Then you can tell Suntail and be done!”

“I can’t tell her anything.” Lyndis frowned.

“Why not?” Gasped the kobold, “Don’t you want out?”

“More than anything.” She replied bitterly, wishing she could be commenting on his ego, trading barbs, or even kicking Arcturus’ ass at poker. “But I can’t sell out my friends, not like that. What would they say then? Lyndis, the one who sells her friends out. Besides, one of them be a dragon love- “

“Right.” Feku replied sheepishly, “No backstab dragon. They go rawr.”

“Exactly.”

“How about.” She waggled a claw, “You only back stab knight? He no rawr.”

“Feku!” Azzik hissed.

“Knight not important as dragon. Azzik, think!”

Lyndis laughed as she savored a spoonful of stew, finding it invigorating and soothing, allowing her body to relax despite the day's ordeals. The memory of the Cthulhid was fleeting now, almost as if it had happened to someone else. "I wouldn't go saying that around the bloody dragon. Those two are practically saddled at the hip."

“Who saddled dragon? That be crime!” Feku’s scales flashed red, claws balling into fist, “Was this knight? I kill knight!”

“Expression.” Azzik laid his claws on the bard’s shoulders, soothing her down the fire that was about to explode.

“The dragon’s rather fond of this knight, I should have said.” Lyndis continued, “I think he’d like your over protectiveness of him.”

Feku gasped, “We could meet dragon?”

Upon hearing that, even Azzik's eyes lit up with interest. The genuine concern these two displayed for her well-being, their inherent trust, and their eagerness to win her favor did not go unnoticed. As she chewed down her recent morsel, Lyndis had already formulated a plan to exploit this to her advantage.

“That depends- “

“Depend how?” Pleaded Feku, her hands clasped together as if in prayer, “We always want meet dragon.”

She smiled, “If I was out of here, I could lead you right to this dragon. Though I’d come to regret it, I imagine he’d love two kobolds to toss whatever praise his way.”

“We go after Suntail let you go!” She bounced in delight, nearly shouting, “Azzik, you hear, we meet dragon!”

“She didn’t mean that.” Azzik’s snout wrinkled, his tone measured, “She wants us to let her go.”

“You’re the smart one.” Lyndis clicked her tongue with a wink, “You know I’m innocent in all this, Suntail is just being too over-zealous. Besides, you know that creature Azzik. Come on you two, you’re smart, you’ve already repaid her.”

The cell went silent as the kobolds exchanged worried looks. Feku’s scales started to sprinkle with islands of white.

“She’d be very mad.” Feku muttered, tucking her tail between her legs, “Even I know that.”

“For letting an innocent person go?” Lyndis pressed further, “Sounds like you’re working for another villain like that observer.”

“She means well.” Azzik replied sheepishly, clicking his claws together, “She saved us, care about us, how could we betray her after that?”

“Because she lets that twat waffle treat you the way he bleeding does?” If she could grasp a courageous thread within them, perhaps her captivity would be only fleeting. “You’re good people, I don’t want to see you work for some power obsessed cunt.”

“H-how would we get out?” Feku asked, eyes darting to the door.

“Keys love.” Lyndis wiggled her fingers, “Just slip around, snag the keys and leave the rest to me. We’ll get out of here and no one will be the wiser.”

Azzik squirmed uncomfortably under Feku's gaze, an expression of pleading desperation on his face. Behind his pale blue eyes, a sea of internal conflict raged, torn between the desire to heed Lyndis' words and the loyalty to Suntail. He whimpered, shaking his head. "We can't do that, Lyndis. Not when Suntail wants you here."

Like that, her chance of freedom was dashed yet again. Her appetite instantly died. She placed down her spoon, pushed the bowl back in their direction.

“Why stop?” Feku asked innocently.

“Not hungry all of a sudden.” Replied to the rogue with a hint of distain. “If two good people like you won’t do anything, what hope does this kingdom have?” She clambered onto her bed against their protests, excuses coming like water of how they could not cross the inquisitor gryphoness, “Leave me be.” Lyndis turned away from them, clutching Cordenth’s scale tight.

“We’re sorry.” Azzik said softly as they gathered up their things. “I wish we could.” Without another word they grabbed the cart and wheeled it out, closing the door gently behind them.

Despite its outward appearance, progress had been achieved. Lyndis sensed the fortitude of their resistance, a wall not too formidable to be insurmountable. Given ample time, they could potentially serve as the key to her escape. However, it also meant enduring another round of the mind-invading creature. She shivered at the thought, closing her eyes and redirecting her focus to Cordenth. In her mind's eye, she conjured his image, a formidable fortress of emerald warmth, holding her tightly and protectively. She pictured him snarling defiantly at the looming beast. Despite the day's horrors and trials, she drifted off into a pleasant slumber, hopeful for a better tomorrow.