Chapter Two: The Difference Between a Kettle And a Brain (Pt.22)

Duhon moved his hand towards his stomach, and pulled out a bunch of keys.

"Looks, these are magical keys, the keys to freedom. Haha. All the doors in this prison can be opened by these."

I think so too. Because there are over a hundred keys there! Really, if we have to try the hundred keys one by one, it not easy to not get caught.

Duhon managed to read our faces (Because the prison is very dark), so he started explaining to us.

"Of course, there is no need to try these one by one, Here are a total of 103 key. The truth, these are copied from the mayor's keys! You know, it wasn't easy to copy 103 keys. Ah, it really was a epic project! When I dressed up like a laundry worker while the mayor was taking a bath, I set a fire in his room, and then..... "

"Stop!"

Axelhand hit him with his elbow, finally Duhon stopped his trash talk, He continued to explain the plan:

"Letters and numbers are printed on the keys. Check out your cell lock on the iron railings, there should be several consecutive small number below."

I looked Sanson, Sanson moved to the iron railings, carefully inspected the lock. After a moment, Sanson said:

"Well, yes J-104, sounds like Jail 104." 

I quickly looked for the correct key under the moonlight. It is not an easy task to read the little digits on the keys, but after a while, I finally found the J-104 key. I'm laughing: 

"For the people who are being held in this city jail, this is a really precious treasure! Duhon, are you a thief?" 

"Well, why are you saying the same thing as this dwarf? I am just a expert of transferring ownership. Oh right, you cannot come out now. After you can clearly see the moon, that is after the second moon Lumina crossed the mountain, come to the front gate. We will get your horses out from the stable first and wait at here. And these. "

Duhon gave us three daggers. He continued: 

"All actions should be carried out quietly, and then come out. Try not to cause any attention, understand? Remember that you can open all the locks in this building. There we go." 

"See you soon!"

Axelhand said handsomely and then stood up. Duhon looked at Axelhand who suddenly stood up, unhappily pulled his arm and then disappeared. I took a deep breath and held my fist. 

"Well, let's start." 

Karl shook his head and said: 

"Now? The halfling told us to wait until  Goddess Lumina's moon...." 

"But if we want to get our stuff back, and rescue Iruril, there won't be enough time." 

"You're right. Ah, then we have to learn to be a thief., There is no other legitimate way to get out of here." 

Karl nodded and walked towards the iron railings. No one is outside. Sanson whos is holding the key is trying hard not make any noise(In fact it's very difficult since there are so many keys on the key chain.) - J-104. Cak dak! What a wonderful sound, the lock is opened. 

Sanson opened the iron railings door which has no painting, carefully, and then went out. Then we are all biting the daggers in our mouths, like three assassins, hidden in the shadow of the aisle. Sanson followed the memory of the time we got brought here, carefully found our way out, but I pulled Sanson and whispered: 

"We should find Iruril first. They said she is on the lowest floor."

Sanson nodded, then we turned back. The municipal underground prison seems to be composed of several levels. Where we are in the first floor. We looked around and didn't see anyone else. Then we found a stair which leads to the lower floor. When we went down the stairs, we suddenly saw flames underneath. 

We hurriedly attached our body on the wall at the entrance. The tramp of footsteps are coming. Sanson on the other side put up a finger. Does that mean there is only one person? 

After a while, the footsteps are getting closer and closer, the light is becoming brighter. It is a soldier holding a torch coming up from the stairs. Because I don't have OPG now, so I didn't give him a punch, but I patted his shoulder. 

"Hey, I have a question." 

He turned to me, with a shocked face. Then Sanson behind him quickly grabbed his neck, and put his dagger on it. Good teamwork. 

"If you dare to shout, you're dead!" 

Sanson threatened him in a low voice, the soldier doesn't dare to make any sound. I quickly snatched the torch he was holding, and also the sword on his waist. 

"Is it another prison downstairs? Is there an elf?" 

"Yes, yes." 

"Keepers?" 

"Me and two other guys" 

Just like Cherine said, there are soldiers guarding understairs. It must be very tough to do guard work in the middle. 

"Where were you going?" 

"I was about to get us some food...." 

"Oh, you can't do that. Turn around to get another person to come with you." 

"You said ask another person to come over?" 

"Just tell them," Oh, my feet, I fell down. Hey, one of you bring along a torch and help. " Make it sound real, understand?" 

Although the soldier doesn't look willing to, but Sanson's hand added a little force, he immediately cried as he said. 

"Oh, my feet, I fell down. Hey, one of you bring along a torch and help!" 

From far below an impatient voice came right after that. 

"What? This guy doesn't know even how to walk?"

Sanson quickly knocked the guard out with the dagger hilt. The guard fell on the ground. I extinguished the torch. Then we could hear footsteps from end of the stairs, torch light appeared again. 

"Hey, where are you?" 

I said to this soldier: "Here," and the same way, the soldiers also got grabbed by Sanson. It is so much fun! The soldiers also shouted as what I instructed: 

"Hey! Looks like this guy's leg is broken! I can't lift him up alone, come quickly!" 

Then this soldier got knocked out too, after the last of the soldiers showed up impatiently, Sanson made him unconscious equally. Why is this a little like playing game? We looked at each other, then tittered, walked downstairs and left the soldiers behind. 

We found Iruril after seconds. In the middle of the way there is a table, there is a lantern on the table. I can also see cards on the table. Iruril is at the prison in front of that table. 

"Iruril!" 

There is a pretty person inside the prison, smiled  and stood up. That is Iruril.

"Please come over." 

"Huh? Don't you feel surprised?" 

"Although those soldiers who couldn't, I could hear the noise coming from upstairs." 

"Wow! Amazing!" 

Sanson quickly checked this prison's lock, then opened the prison door with a key. Once Iruril came out and stood in the light, we immediately noticed her tired appearance. We always saw her comfortable appearance, so now been held in jail , she looks very abject. Her face and hair are not very clean. I heard that she couldn't even eat normal food..... However, she is still calm and dignified. Sanson is very sad, to the extent that he couldn't say anything. We had to urge him to hurry. 

Next to the table there are three crossbows. These bastards! If Iruril tried to use magics, they would probably shoot her with this. I don't know how to use a crossbow, so the other three persons took them. Then we also found some rope next to the table. Holding the rope, we again return to those fainted soldiers. After the soldiers were bundled, Sanson asked: 

"Which one should we wake up?" 

"The last guy, most senior people always comes last."

Sanson woke the last soldier up, he seems to get a very painful head, wildly frowned, and then a terrified face. Sanson asked him with a ferocious face: 

"Well, Answer every questions I ask. If you don't talk, or I feel that you are lying to me, then I will cut your fingers one by one, so you can lie to me ten times. When there is no finger left, I will cut off the thing in your mouth. "

Karl and I are scared after we heard this. The soldier is almost tearing, kept nodding with fear, Sanson asked him where they put our stuff, as well as the status of the soldiers outside. The soldier obediently answered each question sincerely. Sanson again banged the back of his head, so that he fainted, as an alternative to saying thank you. 

The soldier said that our stuffs are in the municipal storeroom. And that place is inside the city hall, so there should be no guards. The soldiers should all be in the guard house, except two guards in the front gate, sitting in the outpost.

Because it is at night, the government staff are not here, we went the way the soldier said, and soon found the storage room. Duhon was right, those are magical keys, we broke in to the storage room easily. We found our armor and weapons, but I don't find my OPG. 

"Damn! Must be that Aphnaidel. He could take it away already!" 

"Nothing we can do now. Let's talk after we leave here." 

We went to the front gate of the municipal building. We observed the situation from the window next to the front gate. It is unfortunate! One of two soldiers is patrolling. Soon after, he began to walk around the building. 

"Should we go now? Or wait until he come back?" 

"Of course we wait. Goddess Lumina' moon has not risen yet." 

We are looking at the window impatiently, while waiting Goddess Lumina's moon to rise. During th period, the soldier has already came back, he sat back in the outpost and chatting with another soldier. Ah, if we fight those soldiers, all the soldiers in the guard building would come out to help. The guard building is in the left of the main building, but they are very close. Sanson frowned and looked at that direction. 

"It would be great if there were ways to go out quietly... That stupid halfling, why would he tell us to come out from the front gate? Sigh, the moon of Goddess Lumina is rising soon. Should we shoot them with this? "

Sanson seems to wan to lift his crossbow. But before I speak, he said: 

"No. Right? We have to fight for our freedom, but their life would be hurt." 

Iruril then came forward She began casting a spell. 

"Huh? Did you memorize a spell?" 

Karl helped to reply: 

"This is Summon Fairy. It can be done without memorization." 

As Karl said, Iuril read something that I can understand.

"Among dew in the night, owner of the only dry sand, the guardian of rest, please soothe those who who can't sleep!" 

I feel like something is moving, but I can't see. Karl said: 

"It's the Sleep Fairy!" 

Sanson and I keep looking at outpost. After a moment, the two soldiers begai to yawn, stretch their waist, and then tried hard not to fall asleep by slapping their cheeks. 

"Don't resist! Sleep! You bastards!" 

Sanson and I whispered anxiously. But in fact, nothing is anxious. The soldiers started to nod, then lied on the table and fell asleep. 

"Good, let's go." 

We are out of the main building, quietly walking. Although this courtyard feels really long, fortunately nothing happened after we arrived the front gate. Sanson and I high fived with out making a nosie, we also quietly said: 

"We came out!" 

The night city is silent, the occasionally blowing wind adds to desolate  atmosphere. The quiet moonlight illuminates the surrounding faintly. But after we arrived the front gate, we haven't seen anyone. Isn't the moon of Goddess Lumina here already? Did that halfling cheat us? At this time, we finally hear the voice of Axelhand. 

"Oh, you guys are really on time!" 

 

This time I understand Duhon's feelings. We are all scared because of Axelhand's loud voice. We turned back, and see a red light spot in the dark. Axelhand is smoking a pipe, sitting next to city hall fence. Because he is under the shadow, and he is too short, so we just didn't see him. 

After he stood up, Duhon appeared immediately, he just greeted us with a gesture. We followed Duhon and saw our horses tied to a tree. Axelhand still holds a very calmly look, he told us: 

"Well, run. Now, it should sufficient to repay the favor of you guys helping me to cross the Bridge of Dozen, right?" 

"What? You did such a dangerous thing just to repay that....?"  

Dwarf blown a beautiful smoke ring towards the sky. His eyes are like the night sky over our heads, infinitely deep and shining. His black eyes are shining in the moonlight. He replied:

 

"Didn't you guys risk your lifes to fight with me? Dwarves treat who fought together as friends forever. Yes, yes, even the forest race who doesn't uuderstand the beauty of rocks." 

The last words are a little weaker. Iruril nodded and said: 

"Thank you so much!" 

"You're welcome! Go quickly. If it's destined, we will meet again." 

Then Axelhand had another smoke, turned away without saying anything. He looks like just taking a walk in the evening, but not breaking three prisoners out. Duhon who took the key chain back from Sanson winked at us, then he turned away immediately. Karl is surprised and said: 

"Ah, you don't want us to pay...?" 

"That's fine. The cunning dwarf have already paid."

Axelhand? After Duhon turned over, he stretched his two arms forward and then said: 

"Whenever you come to this city, if you encounter any difficulties, please remember me. Duhon Butter! Expert of transferring ownership, and the only truly romantic in the night! Ha ha ha!" 

So Duhon disappeared in the darkness, leaving behind only his hearty laughters. Although Karl wanted to say something, he couldn't see Axelhand and Duhon. In the bright moonlight, only we are here. 

"Oh, such kind men." 

"Not men, but dwarf and halfling. And when it comes to men, I really want to see a man. Nope, two men." 

Karl looked at me and Sanson. I aggressively said: 

"We only have one night. Tomorrow morning people will find us escaped, so I have to make sure the false baron and the suck archmage get a unforgettable night."

Chapter Two: The Difference Between a Kettle And a Brain (Pt.21)

"This is ridiculous!"

I am furious, and once again bumped into the iron railings. But the iron railing didn't even move a bit, I fell to the ground. Damn, now my OPG has gone. Sanson looked at me and said:

"If you try to escape, then you will became a real criminal, Huchi."

"Well, aren't treating us like criminals already?"

Sanson still holds his suffering face, sitting in the corner and didn't answer. Karl is also showing a very unhappy expression, he talked to Cherine who came to visit:

"Well, where is the guard captain called Rynin ?"

 "In the charge of negligence, he lost his pension as the punishment."

"My God! Negligence?"

"I am surprised too."

Cherine told us the story, but he seems to be more angry than us. I frantically grabbed the iron railings again, violently shaking. But after being kicked by Sanson, I fell again.

"Dude! Stop muttering like a pig, like, can you stay quiet for a while?"

"We are in such a depressing situation, how can I possibly keep the dignity of the human being?"

Subsequently, Jusina who followed Cherine called me.

"Ah, Huchi..... Drink this, I have no other ways to help you. I secretly brought this here. Whenever I think of you suffering...."

Jusina spoke, while took a small bottle out from her pocket. Although I said aloud: "You think I am a drunkard?" "It is the first time I ever been in the jail, but that doesn't mean I am fallen to this extent!" kind of words, I still took over the wine bottle. Jusina saw my actions and giggled.

One I opened the lid of the bottle, I felt lightheaded. This wine seems really strong. I took a sip, then gave it to Sanson without saying anything. After Sanson took the bottle near his nose, he sniffed and shook his head. 

I started stroking my hot cheek and said: 

"The horrible scary guy has gone. Thank you, Jusina." 

"If it could help you to cool down, it would be great." 

"But I'm sorry, it didn't really help. In the end why things became like this?" 

Things treally should have been different. We arrived the city hall, all our weapons were taken away immediately, they even take away my OPG. Then we were shut in prison. At that time I still thought we were just being held temporarily, once the investigation is complete they would let us go. So I was even very pleased, as I got the change to visit prison the first time ever in my life. But it's been two days and we haven't heard a single word for the government.

 However, on this second night, Cherine came to visit us, and told us that fake Baron called Silikian had already been released, and the guard captain Rynin who arrested him was disciplined. Moreover, the municipal government doesn't seem to intend to investigate. Cherine said it might be Baron Silikian's decision to get rid of us.

I scratched my hair, and then said: 

"Wait a minute, what about Iruril? Where is Iruril now? Iruril is an elf, I don't think they can lock her up?" 

Cherine is very depressed and said: 

"The elf is not Vyseus citizens, so she is not officially locked up, But you guys are actually in the same situation. All of you are jailed without clear charges. In fact you are not on the criminal list, so you don't even exist. We in fact didn't come in the name of visiting you, but in the name of sightseeing the prison. Do you understand? "

"Dam....." 

"You should feel lucky. No one can even get close to the elf now. We heard from the jailer that she is bottom locked in the bottom floor, her situation could be even worse than you. And they are afraid her casting magics, they even don't give meals to her. In a rugged stone chamber, monitored by soldiers 24 hours. "

"Oh my God! They can just prevent her from memorizing spells in the morning, can't they?" 

"Summoning fairy doesn't need the memorization process...." 

"Damn!"

I kicked the stone wall. Of course, the result is my foot hurted. If I had OPG, I would able to punch through these walls, go out and beat those guys. Karl said with a sad voice: 

"Cherine, so it sounds like we can not expect a fair verdict, right?" 

"Sounds....Yes." 

"Really, we are in a tight schedule. And Miss Sereniel also delayed her schedule because of us, not only that, but she is suffering from this pain.... These people are extremely abominable!" 

Cherine's face looks bad. He has already filed a complaint to the mayor, he is also looking to manufacture a public protest, but he doesn't look confident on the result. 

After Cherine and Jusina left, I kept thinking. Now I can't stand it any more. Break out! We must, we must break the prison! But how to prison break? I looked at only window here. The window panes are made ​​of stone, even without these panes, the window is too small, it's impossible to escape from there. Now, through this window, we can see the starry night sky. 

"Damn it, give me that, Sanson." 

I took the bottle from Sanson's hand, and began drinking. Huh? The prison ceiling started moving, looks like the prison will soon be collapsed, then we will be free. Freedom! Muhahah ha ha! 

Alright. I am sticking my fever cheek on the cold stone wall, I started grinding and talking to myself: 

"This will not ned well, If we get locked here for months, everything will fall apart . If we can't raise enough money, then Amurtaat will kill our thane and the Earl, and those prisoners. Deacon Hamelhow won't find any other way to raise the money. "

Heard me muttering voice, Sanson and Karl's face became melancholy. Although this is the fact that they all know, but they can't do anything about it. Should I keep grinding the wall with my cheek, until the prison wall gets worn out? 

A funny face appeared in the only window here. Ah, the face really looks interesting. I think I am too drunk. Why would I see a head with long grass on it, a child with a middle-age face?

 "Butter!" 

I reluctantly lowered my voice. He is the halfling who called Duhon Butter. Duhon straightened up a finger in front of his mouth, it is meant to keep us quiet. Sanson quickly moved to the iron railing and monitoring outside, Karl and I approached to the window. 

The prison where we are is underground, so the window is on the same level as the ground outside. Hence Duhon put some hay on his back, and laid on the floor. Outside is the City Hall courtyard, he probably dressed like this in order to not be found. Duhon whispered: 

"Gentlemen, if I get caught, we would be all done. So we make it quickly and easily. Get you out, how much are you willing to pay?" 

 

Karl was surprised for a moment and then replied: 

"How much? Ah, how much do you want?" 

Duhon laughed. When he opened his mouth , something came down to hit Duhon's head. 

"Bastard! I knew it!" 

We are caught! The guards found out. We are done. But all Duhon doesn't look surprised at all. Instead, he quickly stretched his hand to the side, as if to let another person to lay on the ground. After a second, another beard face appeared next to Duhon

"Axelhand?" 

It's the dwarf we encountered on the "Bridge of Dozen". Duhon quickly move the haystack to Axelhand's back, he is accusing Axelhand if a barely hear-able voice. 

"Hey, what are you doing Why shout so loud? Do you think we are in dwarves' mine? This is a prison, prison!" 

"Really funny. So the righteous people are inside the prison, the bad guys are outside the prison, Is that what Human does?" 

We heard Axelhand's words, Karl seems to blush as a human representative. But I didn't blush for that. Because my face are already red because of alcohol. I asked Axelhand: 

"Why are you here?" 

"I am here to save you, I don't what human's rule is, but for dwarves, righteous people stay outside the prison, bad guys stay in jail, so I sent this little bad guy over, but I knew that he would play tricks, so I followed and had a look. But looks like you are doing pretty well in the prison, aren't you? I can even smell alcohol. "

I didn't listen to his long words. The first sentence is the most important. 

"You come to save us? Prison break?" 

"Yes I am." 

"How?" 

"This little bad guy will help. Hey, quickly tell us your plan!" 

Duhon clicked his forehead, and groaned. 

"Dwarf.... Please, can you keep your voice down?"