Chapter 14.2 – Jailbreaks and Familiar Faces

Klaus's eyes go wide, and he seems to hesitate, but he does as I ask. When we walk inside, I drop all my spells and Klaus closes the door behind us. I look around and see Ilina leaving one of the beds in a nightgown, but she quickly puts on her cloak. She walks over promptly with surprise on her face.

"Mizuki? Lady Nedonera? I'm glad that you two seem to have made a decision, but could it not wait until morning? Also, why all the sneaking?" (Ilina)

I nod at her apologetically. At this point, Klaus seemingly decides that tea will be important, and he goes to start making a pot. Nina responds to Ilina before I do.

"Yes, hello again elf. We haven't come to bring you a decision. Mizuki just had some questions about another matter, so please discuss that with him and we promise to be on our way quickly." (Nina)

That was borderline polite for Nina, especially towards Ilina. She must figure that's the quickest way to leave.

Ilina gives me a quizzical look.

"Ah, yes, it's as Lady Nedonera says. We don't have a decision for you yet. However, I wanted to ask you, what was your business in Cedonia that you mentioned wanting to attend to?" (Mizuki)

Ilina narrows her eyes at me thoughtfully, as if trying to decide something. After a couple of minutes, she hasn't responded. I need to move this along.

"Is it about abducted elves being held as slaves here?" (Mizuki)

Her eyes go wide in surprise. So that's a yes.

"I'll take that as a yes. Do you know where they are being held?" (Mizuki)

Ilina seems to recover, and she tries to redirect the questioning towards me. Guess I can't blame her.

"Mizuki, what is this about? How do you know these things, and why do you need to know more? What are you doing here?" (Ilina)

Well, time to go for broke, I guess.

"Ilina, I once promised you that you'd meet the Elder Dragon you sought, and I delivered. I'll now promise you that, if you answer all my questions honestly and let us move quickly, those slaves will be free and safe by morning." (Mizuki)

Ilina's mouth is now gaping in shock, but she seems to find the words to speak after a moment.

"Mizuki…I appreciate the sentiment, but that place will be heavily guarded. There's no way to get past all the guards and free the slaves without them noticing you. Then, they'd have your description and would eventually track you down." (Ilina)

I give her a very serious look.

"I expected as much. However, if we kill every guard, completely dispose of their bodies, and transport all the slaves to safety right after, those concerns disappear. The scene left will be as though everyone suddenly disappeared through magic. By the way, we're doing it with or without your permission. Your help only improves the slaves' safety." (Mizuki)

Ilina's face goes pale, and she glances at Nina who nods back to her. After a minute, Ilina sighs.

"What do you want to know?" (Ilina)

Klaus finishes making tea and we all sit down at a table while I question Ilina.

She doesn't know where the slaves are being held, but she also has intel that there are elves and wolf-kin children among the slaves. She also suspects that it's on the outskirts of the city, and the actual slaves may be kept underground. The facility is heavily guarded by probably ten or more mercenaries.

In addition, the slaves probably all have a slave contract that forces them to obey the guards, and it causes them excruciating pain if they disobey or leave their cells without permission.

The slave contract is technically a type of magic spell, and Ilina doesn't know any way to undo it without the master of the contract, whom she doesn't know how to find. I think I have a way to deal with that, but I won't be able to test it until I'm there. It can't be helped.

At this point, it's two or three hours after sunset. Prime time for a jailbreak. So, I just have one more order of business.

"Klaus, please give me your hand." (Mizuki)

Klaus looks surprised, but Ilina gives him a nod to cooperate. I take Klaus's hand and close my eyes to concentrate on tuning my magic sense to him. Honestly, I'm being a little sloppy at this point, but time may be critical for the slaves, and Ilina hasn't been hostile to me in a while.

"Alright, Lady Nedonera and I will be leaving now. Thanks for everything Ilina. If you'd like, we can come get you and bring you to the slaves in Elmesia later by teleportation?" (Mizuki)

Ilina looks grateful, and she nods approvingly with a smile. However, there's also a tinge of unease in her expression.

"That would be great, Mizuki, thank you. Also…are you ever going to tell me why or how you're doing all this?" (Ilina)

She looks at me hopefully. Yeah…I've been sketchy tonight.

I smile at her lightheartedly and adopt a playful tone to lighten the mood.

"Nah, probably not. We're kind of friends, though, and you want the slaves freed, so I just figure you'll have to forgive me for that!" (Mizuki)

Ilina looks at me dumbfounded over my cavalier attitude, then shakes her head in exasperation. However, when she looks up again, I can see a slight smile on her face. I think we're good.

I wave at the two of them, then walk over next to Nina and cover us in concealment. Then I grab her as before and teleport us into the sky above the inn and instantly activate the stealth flight spells.