Meanwhile, in a dark, dank, damp prison cell, with a musty smell lingering in the air like smog, Lyle was sat on the floor, his knees drawn close to his chest. He had recently sent a letter to Sean, and he hoped that the prince had got it. He had heard that winged creature talking about the Dark Force needing a vessel, and he was trying to think what on Samesina he was on about. As he pondered, footsteps began to echo through the passage. Lyle stood up and stared out of the bars of his cell. an ugly goblin stood in front of the cell, staring at Lyle with a piercing glare.

"Afternoon, worm. Your lunch." it said, passing a tray full of food to Lyle. The tray was full, but the food on it was very slimy and smelly, some of it rotted and maggot-filled. Lyle retched and dropped the tray on the floor.

"Yeah, thanks. I'll... ugh, enjoy that." Lyle replied, still reeling from the tray of inedible stuff. As soon as the goblin had left, Lyle realised that a stone in the floor was loose. The clatter of the dropped tray had knocked it slightly. Lyle went over to it and pushed it out. There was a thud as the stone hit the floor below, but no-one had noticed.

"I've not made too much noise, have I?" Lyle muttered to himself. He picked up his staff and dropped through the hole in the floor. He landed heavily on his side, and his left leg caught the stone that had fallen through. Lyle gritted his teeth and stood up. He feared that he had badly hurt his leg, for it wouldn't support his weight very well. He made his way over to a small alcove, using his staff like a crutch. He had hidden not a moment too soon. Two demon-like creatures walked past.

"Hmm, I hope we can do it."

"What?"

"Get Laya's Treasure and revive Dark Force, of course!"

"We need a vessel, though."

"That's been sorted. The big winged guy got someone."

"Who?"

"Not a clue what his name is, but he's got bright green hair and a fairly low-slung dress sense." From inside his alcove, Lyle could feel his heart beating double-time. He'd found out that he was going to be used in the revival of Dark Force! He had to tell Sean, but he couldn't remember if he'd brought his pen and paper or if he'd left it in the cell. He frantically scrabbled through his pockets, but he couldn't find the pen and paper anywhere. A small bag fell out of his pocket and clattered on the ground. The demons stopped walking and looked around. Lyle quickly swiped up the bag and put it back into his pocket.

"Who's there? Come out!" one of the demons snarled, drawing a scimitar from a scabbard on its belt. Lyle tried to tiptoe out of the alcove, but he had to try and remain in the shadows. If the demons spotted him... no, he wouldn't even go there.

"Come on! We know someone's there!" the other demon said, taking its scimitar out of its scabbard. Lyle's breath stuck in his throat. He could feel his heart pounding heavily against his chest. Several drops of sweat were running down his forehead.

"I can't stay here..." he muttered to himself, and then he looked round the corner and quickly turned his head back. The hallway was clear, so he gingerly put his foot just outside the alcove, leant forward slightly and darted out. He thought he'd escaped, but the swish of his cloak had alerted the demons.

"Slow down, you little escaper!" one demon shouted. However, Lyle didn't slow down, despite the fact that he was gasping for breath and his left leg was torn with pain.

"He's fast." the other demon sighed. They ran faster, and they caught up with Lyle.

"What the-? I know what you're gonna do to me! Get off!" Lyle yelled, trying to wriggle free of the demon holding his right arm. That demon wasn't letting go so easily.

"So you know that you're the vessel." The demon smiled cruelly. The other demon then weighed down on Lyle so much that it forced him to the ground. Worse still, it was his left leg that was taking the brunt of the weight, and that was the leg that he'd hurt. He cried in pain whilst the demons pinned him to the ground. All Lyle could do was take it. There was no escape from this one.

"Take him back, and warn everybody that he's a trickster." the demon said. The other demon nodded, grabbed Lyle around the arms and dragged him roughly back to the prison cells.

"Get in there, you escaping moron!" the demon snapped, throwing Lyle into the cell and locking the door. Lyle picked himself up and hobbled over to the front of the cell.

"I'll kill you when I get out of here!" Lyle yelled, but the demon had already gone out of earshot. He crossed over to the tiny desk and got his pen and paper. He sat down, gritting his teeth against the excruciating pain, and began to write.