Chapter Eight: Traveling Partners

(Hershel's POV)

"C'mon Frey, you can do this, you're almost there."

Frey was currently trying to pick the lock using wires from the bed frame, so far he had managed to break two pieces of wire, but I had a good feeling about this piece.

"I think it's almost unlocked." Frey said.

We sat in silence for a few minutes as Frey kept working, eventually, I heard a click.

"Did I just hear the door unlock?" I asked Frey.

"No, that was the sound of the wire breaking."

Gosh dang it, Frey.

"Now what are we supposed to do?" I asked

"Well, we could kill the prison guards with the shank you made."

"I would rather it not come to that, but if we can't find another way out, then we'll go with that plan."

Let's see, the only ways in or out of this cell are the door and the barred window. So far, the door hasn't been very agreeable. And the window doesn't seem to be much better.

The cell door squeaked open and the two of us turned to look. There were several heavily armed Feroxi soldiers waiting outside the door.

"Get up, scum. You are to be brought before the West-Khan for your final judgment." One of the guards said with a sneer.

"What if we refuse?" Frey asked

The guard merely tapped the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Then by all means, lead the way." I said

We were handcuffed and led out of the prison and into a small town where everyone looked like they were cold and no one looked like they were happy. As we walked through the town, I could see the people looking at us, whispering to each other and glancing at us out of the corners of their eyes.

"They're looking at us." Frey whispered

"They're probably only looking at us because there are more than just one or two guards escorting us." I replied

"You're probably right; it's still a little unnerving though."

"Just don't pay attention-" I was cut off by a soldier delivering a quick jab to my stomach.

"Quit your whispering!" The guard said.

I kept walking, but I was having a hard time breathing.

"Heh, loser, you can't even take-" The same guard jabbed Frey in the stomach.

"You too." The guard said

Hah, who's the loser now?

We finally reached the West-Khan's residence. Now when I think 'Residence', I'm thinking a mansion or something, but this was no mansion, it was a full-fledged fortress!

How the heck did Frey manage to break into this place?! It's enormous! And I'm sure there's no shortage of guards in there. It seems like it would be nigh impossible to get in there, let alone steal from the treasury…I'll have to ask him about that later.

While I was lost in thought, the guards had led us through the 'residence', and we now stood before the double doors to the throne room. Two of the guards opened the doors and ushered us in while two more guards followed behind us with their hands on their weapons. We walked towards the throne upon which sat a dark skinned man with an eye patch. The guards brought us closer and forced us to our knees. We looked up at the man we presumed to be the West-Khan and we suddenly realized the gravity of the situation once we saw the scowl on his face. The three of us stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity until I spoke up.

"Uh…hi." I said nervously

Frey looked at me like I was crazy, and the man just stared harder. We stood in silence for a little while longer, when suddenly, the man looked like he was going to say something, but he didn't say anything, instead he began to laugh hysterically. Frey and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows, then back at the man.

"Ahaha, nope, couldn't keep a straight face." He said as his laughter died down. "Sorry about that, someone dared me to not talk and keep a straight face for thirty minutes, but I couldn't do it."

"Wait, that's why you were staring us down?" Frey asked

"Do you have a problem with that?" the man asked, suddenly serious.

"Ah, no, no problem." Frey said

"Good." The man said "Oh, but where are my manners; my name is Basilio, and I'm the West-Khan, but I'm sure you already knew that."

Nope.

"Now, I had you brought here because I must address an issue. You two stole from my treasury and normally, I would have you both hung in the middle of the town square, but I feel that you two could be useful to me, after all, you managed to get in and out of my palace without being seen by any of the guards, and you almost got away without being seen too. Because of this, I've concluded that you must be master thieves, and I am in need a few more thieves. So, here is my deal, I'll pardon your crimes, and in return, you will work for me. What do you say?"

"What's the alternative?" I asked

"Certain death."

Hm, killing seems to be the quick way to resolve things here in Ferox, but at least they're honest and to the point.

"Well, I think I speak for both of us when I say that we accept your terms." Frey said.

"Excellent, I'll still be keeping an eye on you, though." Basilio said "Lon'qu, please escort them to their quarters."

A man stepped out of the shadows next to the throne and motioned for us to follow him.

How long has he been there?

This man, Lon'qu, led us through the palace until we came to stop in front of a door.

"These are your quarters." Lon'qu said

"Uh, thanks." I said

He merely nodded and walked back the way we came.

Quiet fellow.

Frey and I entered the room; it seemed to be exactly like our old prison cell, except with proper beds, some furniture, and a couple of candles.

At least it has those soothing grey walls.

"Well, I think it's about time we started getting used to these types of rooms." Frey said

"I think you're right." I told him "I doubt this was the last adventure in which you and I will get thrown in prison."

"So, does this mean that we're traveling partners?" He asked hopefully

"…Yeah, I guess so." I answered

"Awesome." He said with excitement in his eyes.

It looks like we'll have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.

A/N: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it, Remember to leave feedback through PM or review.

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