Rigert spat at Valfern. "Lies! You made me a laughingstock to my fellow knights!"

"So what are you suggesting? That I just stand there and wait for you and your kind to beat me to death? Is that it?"

"Yes!"

"Maybe somewhere in the future, I'd do that. But for now, please help me escape."

"No! You'll rot here until your death tomorrow!" Rigert said. The keys on his waist jingled as he moved out of the cell, carrying his helm between his right arm.

Valfern stood up and rushed to the bars, a beat too late before Rigert shut and locked his cell. "Really, Rigert? You can withstand the death of your friend?"

"I would have considered if your victims were ordinary people, but you stole a treasure that belongs to the Kingdom. My loyalty is to the King, and you've just crossed the line."

"I don't even know what treasure you're talking about!"

"Lies! They've already examined your stupid sack and found the artifact in there!"

"No..."

Moving away from Valfern's cell, Rigert said, "You've been a good friend."

"Wait! I finally found a cure for your mum. You won't need to extort money anymore for her," Valfern said.

Rigert stopped. He then marched back to Valfern's cell, shaking the bars with his grip. "Don't you dare use my mum's name! Do you want to die now, huh?"

"I just came back to Soden and searched for you when you chased me with a bow," Valfern said. "It's an herb I found east from here, and it's in my sack—plenty of it. And an experienced healer like Igur can help your mum."

"Valfern-"

"I'm not lying, Rigert. You can check it for yourself."

"Even if I wanted to, your sack is with the King's Council. I'll be dead before I reach the place."

"It's okay. Just let Igur out of here, and I'll make sure he'll cure your mother. He's the only one who could pull it off."

"I-I can't. They'd cut my head off!"

"Then, I'll do it. Just let me out of here, and I swear on my grave that I'll return to my cell once I've freed Igur," Valfern said. "If not for me, then at least do this for your mum."

Rigert hesitated.

"Rigert, we're running out of time."

"d.a.m.n you, Valfern! This better be true! You only have five minutes, ten at most, and if you're not back by then, I'll kill Igur myself!"

Valfern nodded.

With a turn of the key, the cell opened. "Quick!" Rigert said. He then unlocked the chains in Valfern's hands. "Here's the key to Igur's cell! He's in the first room of the lower floor. Don't pull off anything foolish, do you understand?"

"Thank you, Rigert. I'll be back."

"Wait. You must be hungry. I don't want your stomach to be empty in case they catch you." Rigert grinned. He pulled out a hidden piece of bread from his helm.

"Gross. Is this the reason your stomach bloated?"

"Shut up and just take it! And never mention the pride of my manhood lest I cut your tongue!"

Valfern gratefully took the bread preserved in Rigert's helm. It smelled like a knight's foot. "Where do Igur escape? Is there any secret door?"

"There's no secret door. Once you've successfully released him, return here. I'll tell you the next plan after."

Valfern nodded.

"If trouble beyond my control comes, I'll drop my helmet to let you know. You're on your own after that," Rigert said, unstrapping the sheath from his waist. "Take this."

"I'm no good with the sword. Do you have a dagger or a knife?"

"You fool! If life gives you a sword, take it."

Valfern chomped on the bread. "This will only delay me. Your bread is enough."

"Go then! I'll wait here!"

...

Sneaking his way out of his cell, a series of dimly lit spiral staircase welcomed Valfern. Flickering torch lights lined the narrow wall and melding one's shadow with darkness was nigh impossible.

Valfern inched his way down, keeping himself near the wall. After two minutes, he finally reached the lower part of the dungeon. It had many cells lined to the left side, and each one was a few meters apart from each other. He then crawled his way to the said room of Igur.

With a sack still on his head, Igur in his black robe slept on the floor. His chest heaved with his every labored breath.

"Igur. I'm here," Valfern whispered. He then slowly placed the key in the lock and turned it with little noise as much as possible. It clicked.

"Who's there?" a familiar voice said from the distant room. Its bars shook as Doug tried to fit his head through the gaps. "Noice! Me too, kid! Let me out of here, and I'll help you escape!"

Valfern gestured him to quiet. He then entered the cell of Igur, but Doug cried out with a deep and loud guttural voice that reverberated throughout the entire floor.

One by one, the cells rattled as their prisoners checked the situation outside their bars—each one called for help—causing a ruckus.

With time not on his side, Valfern rushed to Igur. He pulled on the hood.

A familiar figure with gray hair smiled at him. "I knew you'd come, Vance Valfern."

From upstairs, the clang of Rigert's helm echoed.