Artur couldn't help but smile as more of the now-freed people filed into the room. They stood in nervous groups, and the massive dog staring at them in the darkness did little to help their nervousness, but otherwise, so many were hale after their experience.

It was better than the few they had left behind, lying dead on the floor in the next room.

Artur knew of the prevalence of slavery across the Twelve Kingdoms and had seen its effects firsthand whenever they went to visit any of the core islands; however, on Grim Aegis, slavery was outlawed. His father would not stand to see his people in chains, and all who called Grim Aegis home were his people.

To come out to the Fringes and see it so prevalent firsthand turned Artur's stomach.

Not that he could change it. No, he only wanted to return home to Grim Aegis and make his father proud. That would prove that he was wrong to banish Artur from the realm. No matter what his father claimed he wanted, Artur would show the king what a proud knight was capable of.

That was why he was so overjoyed to have found this ragtag group of heroes. Though they claimed to be outlaws, Artur could see the truth of the matter. They were heroes through and through. If Artur could persuade them to his cause, perhaps he could bring them back to Grim Aegis and show his father what he was capable of.

"That should be everyone," Erin said as she entered the room behind the last group of stragglers.

She looked exhausted, her pale skin red in the cheeks as she panted and looked around the room. Her two other compatriots were still absent, but Artur didn't doubt for a moment that they would be coming soon. He smiled at her and quickly put together his thoughts into a couplet.

"Soon, we will need to flee," Artur said. "For that, they must be free."

Erin narrowed her eyes at him, shaking her head and sighing immediately afterward. Artur couldn't help but be who he was, though. Just like when his father yelled at him and tried to make him do as his station demanded, Artur could not be someone other than himself.

"It will all be worthwhile," Artur said. "Remember, heroes always smile."

"Hah." Erin snorted out a laugh, and a smile flickered across her face.

Artur returned the same. While he didn't like their circumstances, that didn't mean they could falter. Part of a knight and a hero's duty was to put on that brave front and be a beacon of hope to the people around them. At least, that was what Artur had learned in all of his studies.

"I am certain I saw movement outside that door," a large tan-skinned man said as he walked into the room, sheathing two swords as he followed the shorter man who had sent Artur and Erin to free the rest of the prisoners.

"I wouldn't be surprised," the shorter man said. "It took us so long to clear out all the cages that he had plenty of time to get the Port Authority. The question is, why haven't they just charged in?"

"Perhaps it could be the rain," the large man said, rubbing at his beard.

"I don't think getting wet would be enough to stop them if they wanted in," the other said, grimacing. "If we had a way to see outside, then maybe we could figure it out, but it's best to assume they're out there."

"So what are we going to do about it?" Erin asked.

"Let's put ourselves in their shoes," the shorter man said. "You're coming to respond to a break-in, where there's fighting, and you want to make sure that the people are caught. The weather's not in your favor, so you do your best to surround the building and cover all the exits."

"It would be a sound strategy," the larger man said, nodding and closing his eyes. "Cover all the possible ways the rabbit could escape, and you will always get your meal in the end."

"I may have a thought to say." Artur stepped forward, raising his hand. "If you don't mind the delay."

"Alright, first we need to solve this: who are you?" the shorter man asked. "I get the gimmick, but is now really the time?"

"I am Artur, knight and prince the same." Artur bowed. "And I would gladly know of these heroes' names."

"We'd like to know the same," one of the slaves, an older man, spoke up. "Just who are you people?"

"I'm Alex," the shorter man said before pointing at the larger one.

"Sayed," he said.

"Erin," Erin said.

"We're outlaws, and we just came to get her out after she was kidnapped," Alex said, pointing at Erin as he looked over the gathered people. "Getting all of you out is more of a side effect than what we were here for, not that I'm going to tell you to go back to your cages."

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"If we run out, they'll just capture us and return us to the cages," the older man said to murmurs of agreement. "Not that you don't have my thanks for freeing me, but freeing me just to go back is…"

He trailed off, but Artur understood his words.

"I intend to give you all a fighting chance," Alex said. "We may not be heroes because we're outlaws, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to send you all to run out the back."

"So, with that in mind," Artur said, looking around the room. "What is the path forward for us to find?"

"Give me a minute," Alex said, looking up at the massive dog as it sat back on its haunches. "The one thing you can always count on me for is that I have a plan."

"Even if it's insane," Erin said under her breath.

Clap.

"Those are the best ones!" Sayed boomed, clapping his hands together.

"The way I see it, we have all the resources we need right here," Alex said. "I can't guarantee you all won't get caught again, but I can give you a fighting chance."

"How's that?" the old man asked.

"Instead of going through a door, we're going through a wall," Alex said, pointing to the wall on the far side of the warehouse. "Then all we need is a distraction and some cover, and we can escape while the Port Authority deals with all the mess."

"You're planning to use us as distractions?" The old man clenched his fists, glaring down at Alex.

"Hah, no," Alex said, holding up one hand.

From across the room, a metal ball flew through the air, planting itself perfectly in his hands. Behind all the freed people, where it had been resting, the dog rose, its tail suddenly wagging as it watched the ball. Alex smiled, tossing the ball across the room with one solid throw.

Thump.

The massive dog ran off into the shadows, breaking through several crates as it searched for the ball.

"That's the distraction," he said, pointing at the dog. "Erin's the cover. Sayed will get us through the wall."

"Wow," the old man whispered. "Just who are you people?"

"We really need to come up with a name." Alex sighed. "We never just sat down and thought one up."

"Don't look at me," Erin said, raising her hands.

Artur had seen Erin's healing prowess in action earlier, so he wasn't certain how that would help make cover for them. While he had seen the swordsman fight, he had no idea how the man could break through a wall. Artur was skilled with a sword but couldn't cleave the stone in twain.

However, they all seemed very confident in their abilities. Perhaps he could assist them. Artur's curse allowed him to generate barriers, shields of force, and light that could repel most things. Without the amplifier in Grim Aegis, it wasn't nearly as powerful as his mother's had been before her death, but it was still a fairly strong curse.

"Perhaps I can assist as well," Artur said, putting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Their attacks I may be able to quell."

"Is that with just your skill in the blade?" Sayed turned to him, putting his hands on his hips and looking down on Artur.

"No, it is my curse," Artur said. "With my shield, attacks I can disperse."

He reached inside of himself and opened his gate, pulling out his shield from behind his back as he did so. Blue light again lit up his shield, forming a lined barrier that almost perfectly matched the shape of the metal. With a little mental effort, he sent the shield up and above himself, forming a dome in the air that stretched about as far as the huddled group of people around them.

"It may not stop all forays," Artur said. "But its strength will do for today."

"Alright," Alex said. "That can fit into the plan easily enough."

"What about us?"

"My advice would be to split up once you are all out, head straight for the docks." He looked around the room like he was figuring out the chances for each person to overcome every obstacle. "Stow away if you have to, but get off this island. You're more likely to find help doing that than staying here."

"Thank you," the old man said, looking over all of them. "Thank you all. You didn't have to do this. The fact that you're willing to risk it means something."

"It is the least one should do for brothers in need," Sayed said, smiling wide.

"So, let's get this started," Alex said. "Sayed, pick a part of the wall and start cutting. I'll throw out the ball and send the dog out to distract them. Once that's done, Erin will throw out a garden path that'll cover everyone. We run, and we don't stop until we're out."

"I understand, brother!"

Sayed stepped forward, his swords glowing brightly as he stood before the wall. He held both swords ready and took a deep breath. Artur walked forward, paying attention to the man's stance. He didn't often get a chance to see another swordsman in action. His muscles bulged in his arms and legs as he faced the wall.

"Are you all ready?"

"Ready," Alex said, the metallic ball floating around him as the dog watched from beside him. "Make sure you make the hole big enough.

"Ready," Erin said, her hand glowing brightly from within her sleeves as she held her hands toward the door.

"Then, let us start this tale!" Sayed said. "Devil's Gate!"

With three sharp swings, Sayed cut through the air in front of him, his blades growing a hot orange as he cut two vertical lines and one horizontal line. It was only three quick motions, but they cut deep through the stone. A wafting of fresh air flowed into the room, and the sound of the relentless rain outside echoed through the tiny cuts.

"One more," the swordsman said, bringing his swords to his side. "Devil's Wind!"

Twelve slashes cut through the stone, drawing lines from the corners and sides to the center of the stone. With a grunt and a kick immediately after, Sayed now stood before an open entrance to the warehouse. Outside, the rain came down onto the street, and Artur could even see a few people standing on a patio, watching in masks.

"Your turn," Alex said, waving the ball in front of the dog and then throwing it out into the rain.

Ruff.

With a throaty yell that shook the air, the dog ran out into the rain, following the metal ball. The people in masks started to yell, though Artur couldn't hear them through the rain. Erin was already moving, pushing to the door and throwing out her hands.

"Thorn Garden!"

A spray of seeds shot out of her hands and across both sides of the entrance. Black vines immediately sprouted out of the ground and grow together in a cone. It stretched out as she led the way forward, and Alex motioned for everyone to start running.

"Do not be a barge!" Artur yelled. "Charge! I say charge!"

Together, they ran for the exit, following Erin's lead as she forged a covered path out of the warehouse.