Chapter 13: Claire's Plan
Alright Claire, how are you going to get out of this? Claire was locked in a cage- a nicer cage than Flayer had been given growing up- but a cage nonetheless. She reflected on her capture- wondering if she could've done something different.
She had been organizing the potions when the wards Flayer had left went off, triggering a bell in the center of the tower. Claire quickly grabbed several potions, chugging them down as fast as possible before the enemy could find her.
It did not take them long, the Red Wizards blasted open the door and stepped into the room. The one in front spoke in an imperial and demanding tone.
"By the order of-" WHAM!
His proclamation was cut short as Claire picked up the table and smashed it over his head. She felt the power of the potions flowing through her body- and she had to admit- it felt really good! For all of her newfound strength, she was still no trained fighter. There was no finesse as she punched the next Red Wizard- only strength born of desperation and magic. The blow glanced off his robes, enchantments turning her fist aside as the Red Wizard raised his hands to begin another spell. But Claire was faster thanks to her potions. Before he could complete his spell, she had recovered from her miss, spinning around and grabbing at his arms to restrain him. She grimly noted that no less than three Red Wizards had come to her refuge- and the one she hadn't dealt with yet was summoning friends.
She lifted the struggling Red Wizard into the air- positioning him between her and the demons that were materializing.
"Not another step! Or I break him!"
Laughter was the only response, along with a blast of dark magic. Clouds of vapor formed around Claire- choking off her vision and breath. She threw the mage aside and charged at where she had last seen the third one- only to take a swipe from some massive creature in the cloud. Claire stumbled and fell to her knees, her vision going dark as her breathing worsened, still crawling and trying to escape. Another heavy blow struck her directly on the back of the head and she knew no more.
They took my ring... Claire thought to herself as she rattled the cage bars. The magical strength had long since worn off and the bars were securely welded in. The cage itself was the bare necessities, a bed, a privy, and a small washbin complete with a small cup. The cage was reasonably spacious- standing 10 feet by 10 feet- but there was nothing in it! Claire gave an exasperated groan and sat on the bed- trying to find a new angle to get out. It wasn't something she'd had a lot of experience with... if only she could think like Terren...
You can.
The thought was so quiet, so hidden, that Claire almost missed it entirely. She gave a small start before looking around quickly- but she didn't see Flayer anywhere.
It's obviously a trap- meant to catch me no doubt- but a trap for me could very well be an escape for you. We cannot enter the building you're in- but perhaps our knowledge can help you get out.
Claire nodded. OK- I'm game- how are we gonna do this?
A new voice filtered into her mind, unlike the cold and disciplined mind of Flayer- this one was sparkling and almost... jumpy even. We're gonna mentally guide you!
Irritation leaked into the conversation. Laminas, can you please keep her out of this? I can't take that much positivety.
A sardonic tone joined in. Have you ever tried telling a Pixie 'no'?
Claire held her hands over her head- struggling to keep them all in check. For a normal person the sudden barrage would've been overwhelming, but Claire's own rudimentary telepathic powers made it doable, if not exactly comfortable. She tried to establish order.
Okay- first things first- Terren?
The irritated voice returned. Speaking- er- mentally speaking?
Claire waved off his confusion. I'm locked in a cage and the bars are too strong to break.
Terren responded, Okay- take a good look around- what's the room beyond the cage like?
Claire surveyed her surroundings again before reporting. It's all dark- besides the cage I don't think anything is in the room. There's a wooden door set in the wall.
Terren's reply was swift, he seemed to be getting the hang of this mental conversing, though Claire suspected Flayer had no small hand in how smoothly they were all managing to speak together; she could feel his mind- acting as sort of an extension to link them all together.
The lock- look at the lock. Claire did as asked and described it as best as she could. Okay- that's not an overly tricky one but you need a tool. Do you have anything small and metal? Wooden? Anything that will let you get at the inside of the mechanism?
Claire shook her head before remembering Terren couldn't see that. No- they took everything- even my boots.
Search the bed. Terren thought to Claire. If they've had past prisoners (and they have) the captives may have hidden them there (shortly before they no doubt died).
Thanks Terren. Claire bemusedly responded. She searched the bed as she felt Terren's horrified realization that if he wasn't careful- Claire would receive ALL of his thoughts. Claire's digging suddenly found a false compartment in the wood the bed. It opened up to reveal several small objects that Terren informed her were 'lockpicks'.
After that it was a hellish game of Claire trying to describe the lock, the pins, and the way her hands had moved while Terren tried to guide her through what he called, "Lockpicking lessons".
The lock didn't click and the pins are straight up and down. I moved my right hand to the left and it gave a little.
No no no- twist your left hand to the right- you should feel a click.
I didn't feel a click.
Okay, try the other hand.
And so it went, Claire sweating as she prayed to any deity who would listen to not have a guard investigate the chamber. Eventually the lock gave up- allowing her freedom! Claire danced from the chamber before glancing at the door. It wasn't locked- but there was a guard on the other side. He had a leather cap that obscured much of his face- and shapeless leather armor covered his body- much of it looking patched and damaged.
An easy foe. The Elf spoke to Claire now, she knew his name was Laminas and that he was a potent warrior, but that was it. She had to trust Flayer's judgement in this regard- which was made harder with Laminas' thoughts. All you need is an opportunity. But I must know before you try- can you kill- Claire?
Yes. Claire knew without a doubt. Years of slavery had decidedly removed that barrier from her. Laminas took her grim acceptance in stride and continued to walk her through.
Go to the cell and close the door- make some sort of noise in the room so he looks through the window and sees you are no longer there- wait on the side the door will open for him to walk in.
Claire did as he said, altering the cell, grabbing the chamber pot, and creeping to the side of the door. The pot was heavy and made of iron. It would serve. Claire hefted the cup and hurled it in the direction of the cell- hearing a CLUNK as it bounced off the bars.
The light trailing through the window darkened as the guard looked into the room. Claire heard a gasp and curse before she heard a more welcome noise- the rattling of keys. The door swung open between Claire and the guard as he began to walk into the room.
Twist your hips when you strike, put your entire body into the blow and be sure to aim at the back of his head. If he is still moving after the initial hit- strike him again and again until he stops moving.
Claire gritted her teeth and lunged forwards once the guard exposed the back of his head. BONK. The bed pan slammed into the back of his head, denting the pan and causing him to pitch forwards. But he had caught himself on his arms- forcing Claire to hit him in the back of the head again. He was still moving when she hit him a third time. He stopped moving after that. Claire was panting with breath as Flayer now spoke to her.
Take the body and his things- armor, weapons, keys- all of it. Drag his corpse into the cell and cover him with the bed covers before locking the door.
Claire did as commanded, the guard was somewhat slight, enabling her to actually move him without an extreme amount of effort. She wasn't sure if he was dead and didn't feel like sending that information to the others- he was dead enough for her. And if he wasn't... Claire took the dagger she had stolen and cut a few strips out of the blanket to tie and gag the guard that she was quite sure still lived. The armor was clean, but very damaged, at least it fit her. The leather cap was slightly too large- allowing it to obscure some of Claire's face. The keys jingled at her hip and she looked herself over. It wasn't the most perfect disguise- but it was the best she had.
After accomplishing the tasks- Claire walked out the wooden door and locked it behind her, just as she had the cell door, before resuming contact with Flayer and the rest of the group.
What do I do now?
Now? Flayer's voice sounded amused in that way a mental voice could only be. Now you're going to capture us.