Here's The Deal

When Goleil awoke from the Inbetween, things were not as he left them, and he was no longer in the guardhouse nor in the training grounds.

Instead, chains bound his wrists and ankles to a wall, the rusting metal cutting into his skin uncomfortably. The cell was small and cramped, with three damp stone walls and a gate made of iron bars that had seen better days.

Outside his cell was a rickety wooden table and an even ricketier old man sitting at it. He read a book and glanced lazily at Goleil as he groaned into wakefulness.

Goleil squinted as his vision came into focus, the single fire-lit lamp casting long shadows across the cells.

The jailer shivered as the two previously dark abysses gave way to a pair of golden eyes.

Goleil looked down at himself, his chest tightening as he did.

He was completely fine, and even his robes were in good shape, albeit a bit dirty. There was only one problem.

"What have you done with my cloak?" Goleil asked.

"It coulda been hidin' a weapon. It's been safe in me bin." He said, pointing to an iron crate labeled: 'bin.'

In the shadows cast by the lamp, a tentacle-clad figure emerged from the darkness in Goleil's likeness.

Ty'Bral chuckled as he watched Goleil's eyes widen in horror, then narrow in anger.

Goleil looked at the pseudo-eldritch. "What are you waiting for? Help me out!"

The jailer followed the warrior's gaze but saw only the wall. 'Bastards gone crazy...'

Ty'Bral laughed heartily. "I'm not real, but I wouldn't have helped anyway! You can get out on your own. Figure it out."

Goleil mumbled something about a useless power. He tugged lightly on his restraints. Whoever had installed the cuffs had nailed them to the wall with long nails, but they felt loose as he tugged. One good pull, and it was completely free of the wall. He was free in under 15 seconds.

The jailer stood up quickly, his hand quickly going to his weapon.

Goleil held a hand out. "Wait! I just want my cloak and to talk to someone. Preferably Lady Tyria Colm. Why am I here anyway?"

"Why are ya here? Ya put three guardsmen in the hospital, that's why!"

"Well, tell them I said sorry, and it was an accident. I don't have time for this! I have a deal with Lord Colm, but I'm not nearly strong enough yet!"

"Not strong enough?! Ya just pulled your cuffs straight out the wall, yeah? I just had them installed!"

Ty'Bral chuckled. "I told you, you're stronger than you think! You could probably pull the bars apart and escape if you ask me. Get rid of this puny mortal and escape already."

"Shut it," Goleil mumbled.

"What was that?" The jailer asked, rechecking the shadows.

"Nothing. I need my cloak. It's a sacred part of my faith."

"You get it when I-" He suddenly went silent.

He stood aside and bowed. "Greetings, Master William. I suggest you proceed with caution. I may not be able to protect you."

A figure emerged from the shadows, the darkness that had been clinging to him a second ago fading away.

"Good skills. I hadn't noticed him at all." Ty'Bral nodded approvingly.

'Must not have been a very good mage.' Goleil thought.

"I'll have you know I was an exceptional mage, thank you. Being made of nothing but memories makes one's skills rusty."

As the figure walked into the lamp light, he said: "That won't be an issue, Uncle. Goleil is an honorable man, and he is only here to make sure he doesn't accidentally destroy Redvale."

William Colm looked Goleil up and down. Besides the mask and unsettling pair of eyes, he appeared to be very normal. Not too muscular or tall, but not underweight or short either.

Goleil looked at the heir of Redvale as well. He had an air of authority and command, and he walked like he expected nothing short of absolute loyalty. Goleil recognized the aura of an experienced leader immediately.

He quickly pounded his chest and bowed to the young man in front of him. "It seems you know who I am. Might I have the pleasure of knowing who you are?"

"I am William Colm, first son of Lord Aldritch Colm. This is actually our second meeting, though you probably don't remember our first. Anyway, you've caused quite a commotion on the training grounds."

"I'm sorry, but I don't remember much of what happened. Whatever happened to those guards, I'm very sorry." Goleil remembered he almost killed Gwen.

"That one may be my fault," Ty'Bral said. Goleil narrowed his eyes at him but didn't say anything.

William didn't miss the movement. "Thankfully, all travel in and out of Redvale is closed. Otherwise, the Krodians would've heard about you long ago. Try as we might, we can't protect you against yourself."

"Thank you for all your help. I would be a dead man without it. I'd appreciate it if you let me out so I can repay you."

"Oh, you'll repay us alright," William said. "But you'll have to do a little more than kill Y'trix. See, we need the people to see you favorably. So we'll have to do a little patching up after this last incident. It's a shame, and people were just starting to forget about you." The young man sighed.

Ty'Bral stroked his chin. "This man is dangerous. Keep your guard up around him."

"Give me my cloak, and I'm all ears," Goleil replied, ignoring the eldritch. Ty'Bral was experimenting with four arms instead of two and found it to his liking.

William nodded to the jailor, who took it out of the iron bin. As he did so, William unlocked the door to Goleil's cell.

"Here it is. My deepest apologies that we had to take it from you, but one must always remain cautious." William said, handing the sun knight his ragged cloak.

"Thank you." He replied, and donned the previously golden garment. He finally felt comfortable.

"What will I be doing then?"

"I have a task for you. A particularly bad storm approaches, and we will need more food. You will help me with that."