The three of them shared a jail cell underneath the Sultana's palace. Armando was sitting on a bench, Akeru was standing against the wall, and Itsuki tried to use magic, but it failed. The jail cell was sealed with a non-magic barrier to prevent anyone from escaping. As a result, Itsuki couldn't even summon his katana.
Akeru: Quit trying… it's clear the spells won't work.
Itsuki: Well, I have to try something! If not, we will all be dead by the time the guards return for us!
Armando: I'm afraid we don't have a choice…these jail cells are meant to keep Mages in and to prevent magic from being cast. We are beyond doomed.
Akeru: Armando, do you have that magic bag from when we first met? Maybe we could-
Armando: No, I left it in the caravan…not like it would work anyways. It still uses magic; it would just be an empty sack.
Itsuki: So we are screwed then? They have the treasure; they have us captured…god maybe Ravenbeard had the right idea.
Ravenbeard: Aye, that I did, lad.
The three stood up and looked at the other side of the jail cell to see Ravenbeard with a bottle of rum and a rapier he was using as a cane.
Akeru: They didn't find you?
Ravenbeard: Oh, they did at first, came down to the bloody bar and tried to take me…but I may have started a bit of a bar brawl and distracted them. Took some rum and one of their swords - hope they don't mind. Then I hear the bastards talk about a hanging with three people that pissed off the ye Witch…I assumed it was you lot.
Itsuki: She probably has the whole city looking for us!
Ravenbeard: Aye…but that's fine; once I get you, fine folks, out, I have a vessel for us. It might look familiar to ye.
Armando: M-My caravan?!
Ravenbeard: The very same! Now the bigger question is: Why should I let you out?
Itsuki: W-W-What do you mean? Are we not allies after all that?!
Ravenbeard: Pirates don't have allies in these times. I can't trust no one but ye self.
Akeru: You called yourself a former Captain… which means you have no ship or crew…meaning you are not really a pirate right now. So…if you were to let us out, we would take you with us…we can get you a ship, and you bring us north.
Ravenbeard smirked as he stabbed the lock with the rapier and wiggled it around, unlocking and opening the cell door.
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Armando: D-D-did you just pick a lock with that sword?!
Ravenbeard: Aye, and keep ye damn voices down!
Itsuki: You are shouting too…
Ravenbeard led the three out of jail and maneuvered around the city, avoiding guards as they made it back to the caravan. They quickly got in and started moving it. The guards promptly found out as they began to chase it on foot. Itsuki opened the shop window to see them. Akeru went upstairs quickly as Ravenbeard was pacing around the caravan.
Itsuki: We got a problem out here!
Akeru: A-A-And we have a problem up here!
Itsuki and Ravenbeard looked at each other and quickly headed upstairs and stood with Akeru as they saw Cleo lying sideways on Armando's bed.
Itsuki: Of all the damn things...
Cleo: Well, well, well~ Look who thought they could escape~
Akeru: Damnit all!
Cleo got up and slowly walked toward them with a smirk and then a death glare at Ravenbeard.
Cleo: I see that you also brought the pirate trash with you. Perfect, I can kill all four of you here myself and let my guards get my treasure back to me!
Ravenbeard: Vile woman-
Cleo: Don't open your damn mouth, you scum!! You stole from me!
Ravenbeard: That we did…as you stole my life from me. I say that we are even.
Cleo screamed in rage, sand surrounding the room from the outside.
Akeru: If any of you have a plan…now would be the time!
Itsuki: Well, I didn't exactly expect her to follow us!
Ravenbeard: I agree with the lad, the vile Witch be-
A ton of sand came rushing at Ravenbeard, sending him into the wall and down the stairs.
Akeru: Shit, Ravenbeard, are you okay?!
Ravenbeard: Oh, I'm just peachy lass; I'm just down here sipping tea without a care in the world!
Akeru:...Okay, there was no need for that.
Itsuki: Tide!
Itsuki sent a water wave towards Cleo, hoping it would counteract her sand, which did nothing but go through the sand and make her wet.
Cleo: Bastard…!
Itsuki: Shouldn't sand clump up or something with water?!
Cleo: You fool…I am the Sand Witch for a damn reason! If you think I can't keep my sand from clumping, use your tiny peanut of a brain!! Ugh, enough of this!
Cleo sends the sand towards them as the caravan hits a bump, causing them to jump around. The sand, of course, misses. Akeru looks at the window on the top floor and thinks.
Akeru: Itsuki…I have an idea.
Itsuki: I'm all ears…
Akeru whispers to him quickly while Cleo is distracted. Itsuki nods as he heads down to the lower level. He went to Armando, then quickly to the window and started shooting out smaller-sized Mountaina pillars on the road. Armando purposely hits them to cause the caravan to bump. Cleo and Akeru were on the second floor as Akeru quickly went towards the window.
Cleo: You think a damn window will save you, runt?!
Cleo goes to shoot sand at her as the caravan bumps again. Akeru quickly unlocks the window, grabs Cleo in a hug, and switches positions with her. She quickly backs away from her and against the opposite wall.
Cleo: You dare touch me?! You little-
The caravan bumps again, this time when they jump Akeru dropkicks Cleo into the window as she lands outside the caravan. The guards all stop to check on her as the caravan rides away. Akeru goes downstairs and yells.
Akeru: Alright, she's gone. We are good to go! Good job, Itsuki!
Itsuki: Nah, it was all your plan.
Armando: Uhm…maybe don't celebrate yet!
Itsuki, Akeru, and Ravenbeard look outside, and their eyes all widen. The whole country's sand rose into a giant sand ball above the country.
Ravenbeard: A ball that big will wipe out everything in this damn country!
Akeru: Jeez, how mad at us is she to go this far?!
Itsuki: Does anyone have any great ideas?!
Armando: Oh, we are going to all die!
Cleo was back with her guards as she controlled the sand, her eyes glowing with rage.
Cleo: You won't escape me…even if I have to destroy everything to get to you!!!