Imoen dashed down the hall, with Minsc following closely behind. Link meanwhile, stood there scratching his head for a moment, shrugged and charged after them. He caught up to them quickly, finding them standing in the middle of the hall outside a large door made of thick oak. Carved into it was a small window fitted with iron bars. Imoen banged on it, "Jaheira? Are you in there?"

A defiantly female voice responded, "Yes! Oh nature be praised, Imoen! Where'd you come from?"

Imoen grinned. "We've been locked up too, Minsc, Link, and I. But we escaped."

A face peered out at them through the small window. "I see. That is Link I imagine." She said gazing at Link. Link shifted uncomfortably under the gaze; it seemed as though she was peering directly into his soul.

"Aye, I am Link."

Jaheira turned back to Imoen. "Hmph. Well child, can you get me out?" Imoen glanced at Minsc. "Can you Minsc?"

Minsc looked unsure. "Maybe miss, but it'll be difficult." Minsc set his feet grabbed the iron bars and pulled hard, "RAAAURGH! Ah ah..." No luck. "RAAAAOOOUGH" Still nothing. Imoen threw her hands up. "Nope, well I guess we'll just have to look for a key."

Link shook his head examining the door. "No, there 's no lock."

Jaheira cursed. "What now, then? Am I to be left to rot?"

Link surprised everybody including his self with his violent response. "NO! I will not allow anyone to be left behind! I've failed to many already!"

Imoen and Minsc looked at Link with shock written plainly on their faces. Jaheira merely raised her eyebrows expressing her surprise. Link grinned sheepishly, "Well it wouldn't be very nice, that's for sure." He looked at the door again, this time examining the hinges. "AHA! I'll be back in a moment." He dashed back down the hall from whence they had come. A few minutes later he returned with a spear. Imoen raised a questioning eyebrow, but Link smiled. "I was looking at the door, and if you look at the hinges...ernf!" he wedged the spear under the door. "If we can lever the door up, we should be able to get the door to come off it's hinges, and it'll fall down! Minsc help me with this, will ya?"

Minsc nodded, and with Link's help they managed to pop the door off its hinges. It fell to the floor with a loud crash, almost hitting Minsc and Link, but they both managed to dive out of the way in time. Link coughed and glanced up at the person exiting the cell and quietly gasped. She was beautiful. That was only way to describe her. Shoulder length blond hair, a nice physique, and despite the dirt that covered her face and clothes from being in the dingy cell, he could tell her skin was a tan color. He could tell just by looking at her that she was one you didn't want to mess with. Mentally he slapped himself upside the head. 'I shouldn't be thinking such thoughts. I still remain loyal to Zelda.' In his head, a different thought answered, 'You don't know that she even returned your feelings. Yes she did once, but that never happened in the life of this Zelda.' Link banished the thoughts from his mind for the time, and focused back up on the task at hand. She (Jaheira) was dressed in a simple green tunic, a lighter tone of green than Link's, though. She smiled at him. "My thanks, Link. I shudder to think what could have happened if I had been required to sit in there for much longer."

Link grinned, slightly embarrassed , "No problem miss, I deal with things like this quite often from where I come from."

Jaheira nodded, "I imagine." She offered a hand to Link. He took it and she heaved him up.

"We should move though." Link stated grimly, "Our enemies will know something is up, now that we made all that noise." Link began moving down the hall, not waiting for the others to follow. They did of course; Link knew they would. They came to a split in their path, one way leading deeper into the complex, the other leading to a door. Link turned to his companions and pointed to the door. "In there?"

Minsc nodded, "Aye, better to clean the area as we go deeper."

Link nodded at Minsc's logic and drew his sword. He was about to open the door when he stopped and drew the scimitar, offering it to Jaheira, who took it.

"Thank you." She said. He nodded and threw open the door. Inside, there were some tables and another one of those strange, water tanks. Only this one was different. Link walked past and a weak, crazed-sounding voice came from it.

"Eh... Who be ye? Servants... of the master?"

Link whirled around, startled, and gazed more closely into the tank and saw a man. Or at least, what was once a man. The pitiful creature had no eyes and was missing various limbs and other body parts, instead those parts of his body had been replaced with the limbs of other creatures. The man was a mutant. Link had never seen such a hideous creature in his whole life. None of them had. "By Nayru!" Link exclaimed, "What in all the world happened to you?"

The creature seemed to smile, though it was not one of good humor, but rather one that was filled with pain. "I... I am dead... or dying... I don't remember anymore." Link was mortified, but Jaheira spoke up.

"Who do you refer to when you say 'master'? Surely you do not refer to the man who locked us up?"

The creature glanced at her. "Eh? Locked up? What do you mean? The master is my friend, or was. I fear he has forgotten me."

Link groaned, "Do you know how to get out of here?"

The creature turned back to him. "Ah, ye are prisoners, then...truly I am dead, am forgotten. There is nothing left for the master to take. I seek release!"

Link frowned, "Release, what do you mean? Can we help?"

The creature squeaked excitedly, "Release! Yes! Master, release me! I no longer wish to come back! Let me slip into blissful oblivion that has been denied me!"

Link raised a hand. "Calmly. Right, how can we help?"

The creature smiled. "This cell that I am in, it is powered by cells. Crystals." With its one human hand, it pointed to a strange device outside the tank that hummed with mystical energy. "Remove that and I will die... again... at last."

Link nodded and stooped to remove the device, when the creature spoke again.

"You are prisoners, this I know. Some things do not change. You must escape. You especially." He pointed weakly to Link, who frowned again.

"Me? Why me?"

The creature continued, ignoring Link, "There are... others like me. But they are of more recent experiments. They may know how to escape. Now hurry you must escape, quickly!"

Link nodded gravely. "Very well. May you find sleep my friend."

The creature smiled one filled to the brim with happiness. "Sleep..."

Link pulled the crystal out and the machine powered off. The creature died. Minsc bowed his head in respect and Link rose the crystal in his hand. "Come, let us return to the room where we found the other tanks. I imagine that is where he meant for us to go."

They left the room. As they walked back though, Link's mind raced. What in Hyrule is going on here? Why is everyone acting so strange about me? What do they know that I don't? It's like being a Kokiri without a fairy again. I need to get to the bottom of this. As soon as we get out of here, I'm gonna get some answers. Even if I have to turn this world upside down getting them.

Back in the other room, Link approached the tank closest to the door. He put the crystals into it. The creature inside groaned and came to life.

"Master? Is that you? I've been alone so long. I can barely see." The creature seemed oblivious to the escapees presence. Link spoke to it. "Hello? Can you hear me?"

The creature didn't respond to Link. Instead, it said, "Master please! I didn't mean to go in the mistress's room! Please don't hurt me anymore!"

Link shook his head. The creature continued to rant about the mistress, completely oblivious to he and his companions. Link shook his head and pulled out the crystal, and the creature fell silent. Turning, Link walked over to the next tank. There was nothing inside. The next two he checked were empty as well. Jaheira called over from the other side of the room. "Link, there's something in this one."

Link hurried over and stood next to her, looking inside the tank. Indeed there was. Another mutant. He slipped the crystal into it, and the tank hummed to life. With a scream, the creature sprang to life.

"MASTER! The prisoners they are going to escape soon! Quickly, the answers you seek. You will find them!"

Link jumped to take the crystal out, and the creature fell silent. He turned to Jaheira a roguish smile playing at his lips. "Well, we may need to expect some company after that." Jaheira nodded. "Aye. But whatever we face we will overcome it."

Link turned to the others. "Let's get out of here!" Even as they turned to leave, they heard high pitched noises coming down the halls towards them. They raced for the door, but as they neared it they were intercepted by a large group of short, green monsters.

"Goblins!" Imoen called. Link paused for a second. "Blins?"

The seconds pause could have proved catastrophic were it not for Jaheira, who dived, tackling Link to the floor as an arrow flew overhead exactly where Link had been standing a second before. Not skipping a beat, Link leapt to his feet, pulling Jaheira up with him. Minsc had already charged the pack of goblins, swinging like a madman, taking down two goblins with his first blow. Imoen, meanwhile, was firing arrows mechanically into the Goblins. They fell left and right as Link and Jaheira entered the fray, but for every one that fell it seemed two more took their place. Slowly, however, the companions were pushing the goblins back out the door. They had killed at least fourteen, but there were still so many remaining. Link gritted his teeth as a goblin blade made it through his defenses, cutting into his side. It was shallow, but it hurt. He responded the way he had always responded to injuries: he ignored it and fought harder. A slightly larger goblin than the rest confronted Link, brandishing a large axe. Link smiled dangerously, the goblin snarled. "You die."

They engaged. Link swung his sword in a downward arc, trying to knock the goblins heavy axe aside so he could make a quick strike. Surprisingly, the goblin met his blow and pushed it back, and Link with it. Stumbling, Link managed to regain his balance in time to deflect the goblin's swing with his shield. Grinning, Link took up a defensive stance and waited for the goblin's next move. It roared and swung horizontally at Link.

This is what he had been waiting for. With a shout of victory, Link threw all he force behind his shield and pushed forward just as the goblin hit it. His plan worked, and the goblin was knocked off its feet, its axe flying out its hands. The goblin gazed up at him, breathing heavily, the fear showing in its eyes. Something inside Link, however, stopped him from killing the goblin. He never slew unarmed opponents. Unless, of course, they persisted to attack when they had lost their weapon. The other goblins had ceased their fighting and looked straight at Link, their eyes bulging. He put away his sword and grabbed the pitiful creature by the scruff of its neck and looked straight into the creatures eyes.

"You lost. I shouldn't do this, but I'm giving you one chance to get out of here. If I ever catch sight of you or any of you're rabble again, I will not be so merciful." He shoved the goblin chief down and stood up, drawing his sword again. "Now go, before I change my mind."

The goblin gazed up at him for a moment, a look of curiosity showing in his eyes. It stood up and spoke. "You have much honor. I am Gluz-rab, chief of the Green Fist goblins. I thank you. We will not hinder you on your path anymore. Go, and escape this foul pit."

Link was stunned; so were his companions, and they watched in surprise as the goblins scurried away and soon all sounds of their movement ceased. They stood in silence for a moment and then all at once, exhaled deeply.

"Well, that was surprising." Imoen said, stating the obvious.

Link laughed and winced, clutching his side. Jaheira was not convinced. "I do not think it wise to trust the goblins so easily, they are not trustworthy creatures. They are tricksters, and delight in causing mischief. We best keep our guard up."

Link nodded. "Good to know. Shall we move on?"

Jaheira nodded, and then looked at Link's side. "Aye. But not until you get that side fixed up."

Link opened his pouch and took out a healing potion, popping off the cork, "Time to see if these things work." He drained it in one gulp. He gasped as a slightly painful sensation rushed through him, and he watched in shock as his side seemed to mend itself. Jaheira nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let us go from this place. It makes me uncomfortable; there's no life here. Only iron walls and brick floors. It is stifling."

Link nodded, "Yes. I think it would be good for all of us to get out of here. This place reminds me of the shadow temple."

Imoen glanced at him looking puzzled. "Shadow Temple?"

Link waved his hand dismissively. "That's a story for another time. Right now, let's focus on getting out of here."

Imoen nodded understandingly. "Very well."

They returned to the area where they'd found the first mutant. Instead of going back in the room, though, they headed down the other path, deeper into the dungeon. It was another hallway that led to another door. With weapons in hand, Link opened the door.

It appeared the room was some sort of library. There were books everywhere. Shelves were overfilling, books lay on floor open and closed alike. Entering the room, it seemed safe enough to Link. He relaxed slightly, but then a slight noise of movement from behind one of the shelves caught his attention.

"Seems safe to me." Link said. It didn't seem the others had caught the noise from behind the shelf. He approached it slowly, acting casual. Then all at once, he rammed into it with all force he could muster. It toppled over and a strangled cry sounded from underneath it. Link jumped on top of the shelf, crushing whatever was under it further. The sounds that came from under it were not human. Link motioned for the others to help him. They all moved forward. Minsc did so much more enthusiastically than the other two, jumping up and down on the shelf multiple times over.

Imoen gazed down under it. "Mephit."

Link nodded. "I thought so."

Jaheira cocked an eyebrow. "How'd you know it was back here?"

The creature ceased its thrashing, suggesting that it had died or lost consciousness. They all slid off and while Minsc made sure the Mephit was really dead, Link answered Jaheira. "I didn't know it was a Mephit. But I did hear a slight noise. Experience has taught me to listen carefully to every sound that I hear in life threatening conditions such as these. Or any situations for that matter. I've surprised more than a few nasties who've tried sneaking up on me in my travels."

Jaheira looked impressed. "You must tell me of your travels in the future. Providing we make it out of this nightmare."

Link smiled. "I'd be happy too."

Jaheira nodded. "Well, we'd better move on."

Link agreed, but just as he turned to go, a book laying on the floor caught his attention. Stooping, he picked it up and looked closely at the title: A Short History on Bhaal: God of Murder.

Link nearly did a double take. 'Bhaal? That man called me the son of Bhaal when I first woke here. I wonder if this could explain something. Better hang onto it.'

Link slid the book into his pouch. It was thick, but had small dimensions, so it fit comfortably.

"Link, are you ready?" Imoen sounded slightly annoyed.

"Yes. Yes I'm coming." He hurried to where the others waited; they stood at the entrance to another room.

"I hope you found a interesting book." Jaheira remarked, sounding slightly annoyed.

"Yes. I believe I did." Link replied smiling innocently. The reply earned him a dark look from Jaheira. He grinned and shrugged. She turned away from him, paying him no more notice. Link looked at Minsc, who smiled back at him.

"Shall we go then?" Imoen asked, annoyed. Link nodded and led them out into the hall. They walked for a few minutes, taking a few turns until they came to an much more open room.

There were a group of eight small men inside the room. They looked at the newcomers in stunned silence. The two parties looked at each other for a while, then one of the dwarves spoke. "Ach. Ye be escapees are ye not?"

Link nodded, "Aye, that we are. Who are you?"

The dwarf laughed. "Heh, I'll tell ye, but just so ye knows who it tis who sends ye tah hell's gates. My name be Ilyich, leader of dwarves under the Master Mage."

Link kept his cool. "That does put a damper on our relationship. My names Link."

The dwarf frowned. "Aye. You are known to us, whelp. We are not to let ye escape, even if it means doing ya in. The master can always revive you."

Link grinned wolfishly, "Bring it."

Then, all hell broke loose. Three of the Dwarves drew war hammers and charged the party. Link, Minsc and Jaheira ran to meet them. Imoen meanwhile drew her bow and fired at one of the other dwarves who was headed for a crossbow. The arrow struck him in the left shoulder. Roaring with pain, it fell back, clutching his shoulder.

Link battled with his dwarf. He was a savage opponent, with much greater, raw strength than Link. But he was unrestrained, and Link's experience and skill prevailed, quickly dispatching his foe.

Minsc and Jaheira experienced more trouble with their dwarves. Jaheira especially, as she was continually forced to defend against the ruthless blows of her opponent, not getting a chance to attack. Minsc and his foe were basically mirrors of the same fighter in different forms, but Minsc had the advantage in height. While all this transpired, the two other dwarves had laid hands upon crossbows and were now firing at Imoen. She was able to shoot one of the dwarves, killing him, but the other got a shot off at her that punctured her right arm, just above the elbow. She cried out. Dropping her bow, she clutched her arm and fell to the ground, tears of pain streaming down her cheeks. The dwarf reloaded his crossbow and looked around for a new target. Link was about to engage in battle with Ilyich; the big man was still fighting with Marcus; the girl was down. But the other one...

Jaheira finally saw an opening and struck. Her scimitar sliced through the dwarf's defenses and cut into his chest. He coughed up some blood and fell gurgling to the ground. Smiling Jaheira looked up just in time to hear the click of the the crossbow and see the bolt come speeding towards her. She gasped, and her blood ran cold.