Delver Magic: Book 05 - Chain of Bargains by Jeff Inlo Page A

of the goblins.
    The human prisoners did not look
up at the new arrivals. Most rested on thin mattresses thrown on the floor.
Blankets were pulled up high and covered the faces of the inmates. Holli wasn't
sure if these prisoners were shielding their eyes from the bright light of the
jail or burying their shame, and perhaps even their consciousness, in the
darkness of covers.
    The guards separated Ryson and
Holli as they reached a block of cages in the back corner far away from any
other prisoners. They were not, however, removed far from each other. Holli was
brought to a halt before one sliding cell door just as Ryson was guided to the
front of the neighboring cage.
    "Leave them dressed, but
remove their weapons, bags, and any other possessions," the soldier in
charge commanded. "Throw everything they have in the cell behind me. The
captain will want to go through it when he gets here."
    Before the other guards could
move, he tapped the sheath of the Sword of Decree that hung across Ryson's
back.
    "Except for this. Don't touch
this sword handle. Take it by the sheath only. Store it in that cabinet and
lock it after you close it. I want the key when you're done."
    Before leaving, the station
commander pulled the forester's cap off Holli's head and took a long look at
the pointed ears of the elf guard. He appeared to make a mental note of their
long, thin characteristics before turning away and tossing the cap in an empty
cell. Without another word, he marched back to the front of the station.
    The other guards followed their
orders. They quickly relieved Ryson and Holli of their weapons and pouches,
checked their pockets and removed all possessions they found. They placed the
items on the floor of the cell with Holli's forester cap and then shut and
locked the door.
    The soldier who took hold of the
Sword of Decree did so with great care so as not to allow the handle to even
brush his person. As he carried it to the storage cupboard, he held it far from
his body as if it were a venomous snake that might strike if disturbed. He
placed the weapon in the wooden cabinet and quickly shut the door. He locked it
with a key that he took with him as he left.
    The other guards directed both
Holli and Ryson into their cells. They didn't shove them with any force or
malice. They simply pointed and expected the prisoners to follow the order.
Both the elf and the delver offered no resistance. They stepped into their
respective cages and watched as the guards locked the cell doors.
    Holli watched the soldiers as each
one filed down the long corridor and exited the room. Not one guard remained
behind as the heavy iron doors were pulled to a thumping close. She heard the
latch lock with the twist of a key. Scanning the expansive space of the jail,
she could see through the bars of each cell and across the entire room. Only
prisoners remained in the jail area and all of them were hiding from their own
insecurities.
    "I have seen enough,"
the elf declared in a hushed voice, but not as low as a whisper. Her disgust
with the carelessness of the guards painted her tone as well as her expression.
She no longer believed she would gain anything of value from those that
captured her. She was even sorry she allowed the inept soldiers to take them
prisoner.
    Ryson, while comprehending the
meaning of her statement, questioned Holli's intention.
    "I thought you wanted to
speak with someone in charge?"
    "I do, but I no longer wish
to do so on their terms."
    "What changed your
mind?"
    "Many things... one of which
you pointed out. They are incompetent. They put us in cells, but then leave us unguarded and unwatched?
It is idiocy. That means I cannot count on them to act in any rational
manner."
    The delver sensed Holli's
annoyance with the guards, but her frustration billowed beyond dealing with
their incompetence.
    "What else is bothering
you?" Ryson asked.
    "They know exactly who we
are," Holli fumed. With each step, she faced another riddle, found