How long had it been? An hour? A day? A week? Time seemed to lose its meaning in this place. Things had moved so quickly at first, navigating twist and turn in this cursed place that defied all sense. Then the dwarf had gotten away: one minute he was behind him, the next a wall had appeared. How was one supposed to figure out this maze when it constantly changed.

Yet he felt as though he Was figuring it out. The challenges seemed greater as he went along. And the castle felt closer - even when it didn't look closer - as he began to picture seeing his son again.

And then he'd ended in that well of hands, who - after he'd thrashed at them and demanded they release him - simply dropped him into this hole. The dark cave with no door or window, not unlike the dungeons he'd thrown various traitors into before. Though thiw one was different. It had no bars through which food could be passed, or though which guards could enter to use their own methods to draw out information or confessions of guilt. It was just a hole. As if...

"Its a place you put people to forget about them."

Minos turned sharply to see the dwarf standing there.

"How did YOU get here?" he bellowed.

"It so happens I have something you don't. A door." He then placed a wooden plank on the wall in front of him. Minos was about to laugh at the madness of this dwarf... until he opened it and revealed a passageway.

"Haha! I'm glad I didn't kill you, dwarf. Now show me to the castle."

"Incredible," Hedgewart replied with exasperation clear in his tone. "I no sooner let you out of this oubliette, which I didn't have to let you out of at all, and already you're back to barking orders again. Not even a 'Thank you'. Harrumph."

Minos paused, as a thought suddenly struck him. How did the dwarf know how to find him, and why had he done so? This was not Crete, so it would not be like a subject serving his king as expected. Except... maybe it was loyalty to a king, but a different king.

"Of course. Thank you for releasing me, my good dwarf. Now, where exactly are you planning on taking me from here?"

Hedgewart hesitated. This suddenly polite Minos made him more nervous than the predictable, angry one with his threats and insults. "Why, out of the labyrinth of course. I'm sure you've learned by now that it's a dangerous place, and that you aren't going to solve it. Better get out before wasting away in some oubliette."

"Naturally..." Minos smiled as he thought. He now knew this dwarf had more knowledge than he was letting on. He was not simply a gardener tending the walls, but was also working for the King of Goblins to lead him astray. Which meant he could get him where he needed to go. Minos had plenty of experience in getting information from others, and though he would prefer to rely on his palace interrogators who specialized in such matters, he was not above getting his hands dirty himself. Everyone could be broken, through greed or through fear, through gold or through the sword. He examined the dwarf, and wondered what ways would best work with this creature.

With these thoughts in mind, he smiled, and followed Hedgewart through the door.