As the silent day after the Festival continued, Morrigan used the opportunity to sneak into the prison. She had never actually been there since obviously, a princess had no business going to the prison. However, from her trips down into the dungeon, she knew that its entrance was located right across from the dungeon entrance, guarded by Chad. The stoic guard never once tried to stop her from going into the dungeons, however, it certainly would be different if she tried going into the prison.

Sneaking in as a shadow wasn't an option since the place prevented anyone from using their shadow form. Nonetheless, Morrigan already had figured out a solution to this problem and knew how she'd get past Chad without any issues. She would turn into Alphegor. After all, the King could go wherever he pleased.

With this plan in mind, she turned into a shadow and quickly zoomed into the part of the castle where the main living space intersected with the servant's quarters. The castle felt deserted with only one or two guards snoozing away at their posts. Morrigan probably could have sneaked past them in her physical form – that's just how lax they were.

Once Morrigan reached the narrow corridor that led down into the prison and dungeons, she shape-shifted into her father. It was an easy task since Alphegor was the person whom she could mimic perfectly down to the last strand of his hair. Nobody would be able to tell the difference between her transformation into Alphegor and the real King.

The main problem is my voice. I have yet to learn magic that would allow me to change my voice. That should be the next thing on my learning list.

As Morrigan descended down the corridor, her pulse quickened and she began doubting herself. While she believed that Galandir certainly should not be in prison, she began doubting whether sneaking inside was the best course of action. What would she do once she got him out? Did she even want to free him right away or would it be better to just talk to him and have him admit that the fallen forced him to sneak around the castle? Could she use his confession to free him afterward? Or would that anger her father even further?

The more she thought about it, the more she doubted herself. Before long, she had already reached the dead end and began stomping her feet against the ground in a pattern now well-known to her. After a minute, the wall began to shift and move out of the way, and she proceeded down to come face-to-face with Chad.

The stoic demon guard didn't show any emotion at her appearance, instead just barely inclining his head in acknowledgment. Morrigan didn't say anything either and instead just strode past him while her heart hammered in her chest like crazy.

"Wait," Chad spoke up, and Morrigan stopped. It felt like her heart would leap out of her mouth.

Is he onto me? No way, the transformation is perfect. Could it be that Father always says something to him before going further?

"Keys to the prison, Your Majesty," the demon said, and Morrigan exhaled in relief. She turned around and took the keys without a word, trying not to show how shaky her hands actually were. Then she hurried into the prison, praying that her behavior had not seemed weird to Chad.

But as she went through the dimly lit corridor and realized that nobody came running after her, her breathing relaxed and her heart calmed down. She reached a barred door, where two guards who were equally as stoic as Chad (if that were even possible) stood. As they saw her approach, they bowed their heads but said nothing.

With as much confidence as she could muster, she took the key Chad had given to her and inserted it into the keyhole. A wave of purplish energy glittered across the bars, and the door sprung open. It was difficult to retain a calm expression in front of the guards, and Morrigan felt her hands become clammy with sweat. But somehow she managed to retrieve the key without dropping it to the floor.

As soon as her foot crossed the threshold, it felt like the world had transformed. Moans and groans of pain and misery echoed around the large hall which had large metallic doors spanning on both sides as far as she could see. There was barely any light in the prison, only occasional torchlight on the verge of going out provided a miniscule amount of lighting. The stench within was also horrid – a mixture of sweat, vomit and other unpleasant body odors wafted through the air, forcing Morrigan to cover her mouth and nose with her hands.

What a horrid stench! And they sent a child down here? The thought that anybody would have to spend more than a day in this place is just horrifying. Better to find Galandir quickly and get out.

But as she looked at the identical metal doors, she realized that she had no way of knowing where the elven boy was locked away. There was only a tiny hole at the top of the door and it was covered with a metallic lid.

I can't just go from cell to cell, checking each inhabitant one by one. But how else am I supposed to find him? Calling out his name in a clearly girlish voice would certainly alert the guards.

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With a sigh, Morrigan went up to the first cell and slid the metallic lid aside. Inside there sat a scrawny demon man, all skin and bone, his hair long and tangled up and dirty. The man looked up when the hole opened, perhaps, expecting his next meal to be brought to him. But when he saw Alphegor's face, the prisoner instantly dropped to the floor and began groveling and muttering 'Sorry, spare me, don't kill me' over and over again.

Her heart clenched at the sight, but she reminded herself that the people here were criminals and had no doubt been thrown inside their cells for a good reason. Thieves, rapists and even murderers no doubt spent their days here, reflecting on the crimes they had committed. Well, aside from Galandir. He was just an unlucky child.

Morrigan closed the lid and then went from cell to cell checking each inhabitant one by one. The guards who were positioned at every ten cell doors never questioned her behavior and merely bowed in greeting. It seemed like Alphegor was not a rare visitor here.

Morrigan got to approximately the thirtieth cell when the prisoner she saw inside caused her to pause. The demoness inside seemed somewhat familiar but it took her a moment to realize that it was the same spindly demon that had kidnapped her all those years ago. One of her arms was completely cut off and there was a horrid scar running down the left side of her face. When the demoness gathered enough strength to look at Morrigan, she basically smashed her head against the floor and apologized with double the vigor of other prisoners.

I should have felt some sort of satisfaction that she got punished, but somehow the only thing I could feel was pity. At least I can rest easy that she won't be sending more children to Phantom.

Morrigan's mood got darker and darker with each cell she checked and just as she thought that she would never be able to find Galandir, she finally saw him. He was in a much better state than other prisoners, but he by no means looked happy. Once he saw Alphegor's face appear in the small opening, he just turned his back against her.

Well, it's good to see that he hasn't been hurt. But how do I even speak to him? I can't just turn into myself with guards around.

She gently tapped the metallic door in hopes of attracting the elf's attention, but all she heard was a 'hmph' as he huddled deeper into the corner.

Oh, why does this boy always make it so hard to help him?

"Your Majesty, shall I open the door?" one of the guards asked, breaking Morrigan out of her thoughts. She was about to say 'yes', but caught herself before she opened her mouth. Instead, she nodded firmly as she had seen her father do before. The guard unlocked the door without question.

"Will you be taking the boy with you, Your Majesty? He's tough, but I don't think he'll endure it here for long," the guard asked.

Obviously not. This place is just horrible. But thank you for asking, kind guard. I shall take advantage of this opportunity.

Morrigan nodded solemnly again and the guard strode inside the cell and pulled Galandir out. He was rather rough with the boy, and Galandir was resisting with all his might.

"The boy is very stubborn, Your Majesty. Shall I help you escort him?" the guard asked, trying to contain the flailing elven boy.

"Let me go, you overgrown monkey!"

Morrigan shook her head and grabbed Galandir's arm, pulling him away from the guard. He was doing everything in his power to resist, and it was difficult for her to keep a steady hold on him. She bent down and whispered in his ear.

"I am trying to help you."

Galandir instantly stopped flailing and looked at her with a shocked expression, no doubt trying to process how the Demon King managed to sound like his daughter. The guard however took it as a sign that she's got everything under control and returned to his post.

Morrigan didn't give Galandir the chance to change his mind and began pulling him along. The walk through the prison felt long as the guards watched them leave and the prisoners wailed miserably behind them. But once they finally reached the entrance, Morrigan felt relieved. The smell and the noise disappeared right away. She looked at the door and hurried out of the prison, only stopping to return the key to Chad.

"What exactly are you doing?" Galandir whispered once they were out of the hidden pathway. Morrigan's eyes darted nervously around the castle corridor, wondering what she was supposed to do next.

I should have actually thought of what to do with Galandir once I got him out of prison. But I couldn't ask him anything without arousing the guard's suspicion.

"I don't know," she admitted and turned back to her normal self, still holding onto his hand.

"What do you mean you don't know? Did you drag me out of prison without even knowing the reason why? Are you stupid?" he snarled.

"Should we go back?" she countered, and the elven boy shook his head. "For now, let's go somewhere where people won't bother us. I believe I can convince my father to spare you or at least lessen your punishment if you just give us more information."

"Oh, I see how it is. This was the King's plan to get me to speak. Forget it!" Galandir tried to pull his hand free stubbornly, but Morrigan held it firm.

"Listen! I never intended you to be thrown into dungeons. I've been there, I know how awful that place is. But the fact that you tried to steal from us before is working against you. You need to explain exactly what it was that the fallen wanted. But this isn't the place."

Galandir scowled at Morrigan but didn't resist her anymore.

I don't like doing this, but I think I'll have to move around like a shadow with Galandir in tow.

Morrigan slipped into the shadows dragging the boy along with her, feeling his bright presence like a heavy rock on her form. She couldn't move as fast as usual and began to tire pretty soon, however, after some time she managed to reach her destination – the dragon stables.

As soon as she was inside, they materialized together with Galandir who had a disgusted sort of expression on his face.

"That is too suffocating," he grumbled.

"It was the only way for me to get you through the castle unnoticed. Now, let's talk!"