As the shackles were removed from our party members, some were happier than others and some of them reacted more violently than others.

Thakin started shouting in old dwarfish, swearing, and attempting to instigate a fight. It was best if no one understood him, or at the very least, if they pretended not to.

But despite being free, nobody was content.

Yam could not fully comprehend what was taking place.

In his mind, a little fighting started, and then there was none to be had anymore. He was subjected to chains before they were removed. He decided that it would be better to wait until Mine gave him a command, the same as it was since the moment he had met the human.

Yam respected Mine for his strength even though he was human. While Mine was physically weaker than Yam, Yam knew that Mine was a war commander. Also, in orc society, being picked to lead them implied that you were among the strongest.

Yam hoped that the next order Mine gave him was to engage in battle with the little man, who he took to be the leader of the black-hooded people.

If he won, then he thought that he could then order them around, just like Mine did to him.

Vethra was aware of what was happening, but she was unable to focus.

She was too preoccupied with Aebshem's black robe, which was embroidered with rare black diamonds that glittered even in the dimly torch-lit darkness.

A price that would amaze any other goblin and demonstrate prominence in goblin culture, she reasoned.

She gave it all she had to resist the urge to attempt to steal them, but just now.

She was aware that if she attempted, she would die. So, she kept that thought in the back of her mind in case a chance presented itself in the future.

Asharisralorentanithilgenkia, on the other hand, was less interested in anything related to this situation. The ‘Alexandra’ in question was not one of the acknowledged gods in the ancient pantheon of the dark elf race.

The idea of new gods was reserved for the lower races.

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None of these cult members, in her opinion, could have been dark elves.

If this ‘Alexandra’ didn't exist, the 'summoning' plan would fail. Thus, theoretically, this scheme would fail for any dark elf. The so-called sacred relic, no more than a trinket in her mind, would prove ineffective, and the myth that a deity had personally placed it in humanity's lap was a pure invention by humans or some other lesser race.

Thakin felt humiliated.

'Who among the dwarves would allow themselves to be abducted while at work?'

'Any dwarf worth his salt could escape shoddy-made shackles such as these,' and in addition, 'It could have waited till he was off work.'

But despite his best efforts, he was unable to overcome them. He observed that the Ex-General Mine was the only other person attempting to remove the restraints, but rather than continuing to struggle mightily, he stopped.

Thakin made a mental note of his party members.

'Most of them are weak, but at least the human tried.'

Imagining how unhappy his father would be if he could see his son at this particular moment, he became enraged, yelling at himself and everyone else—except the elderly human lady who had released him. She had done wonderful work, and in his mind, he believed he owed her.

If she were to ask him if he had something to drink, he'd be obliged to give her a full mug of his personal mead supply. The offering of a drink to non-dwarves was a sign of great honor and respect in platinum dwarf society. The drink itself was prepared using an old formula, and only a few non-platinum dwarves could have claimed to have tried it.

Finally, Mine.

He had a haze of questions and escape plans going through his mind, and he was attempting to figure out what he could do in these circumstances.

The most likely answer was: Nothing.

He briefly considered trying to hold someone hostage if he could disarm them, but immediately abandoned the notion. Threatening them with the things they worship was unwise since these folks belonged to a death cult.

Being their leader and all, he was confident that even if he could hold Aebshem captive, he would be the most suicidal of them all.

The old woman was useless, too. When Thakin offered her a drink, she took it and returned to the bench, and continued to observe.

Calling for assistance was impossible. No communication could reach the outside due to their current location, deep in the underground belly of the mountain.

And, to put it simply, the cult members would murder him if he did anything they didn't like.