The strong swell of the gray sea from the north hit the ship causing it to move from side to side forcing the wounded Ezer to hold on firmly so as not to lose his balance. In the distance one could still see the port, although the distance was such that it did not allow much detail to be perceived.

"Awful right? Gray and cold at all times, only the short spring and summer give us a break.” Breno, the man who was next to Ezer, addresses those words that found reason in him.

“It is surprising the change that brings a few hundred kilometers and a change of language. The shores opposite these are incredibly different.” He continues relating as if Ezer were an old friend with whom to share his travels.

"Is there where you're taking me?"

“No, of course not.” The answer puzzles Ezer. They were already inside the ship. Where else would they go?

"No, I see more value in you than a few coins. The fire in the city caught my attention and maybe... just maybe, that has to do with your capture.” Breno averts his gaze from the horizon and redirects it to Ezer's eyes. Maybe he saw through it or maybe it was just a coincidence, but smiles as if confirming his suspicion.

“Sailor!” Breno calls loudly without ever taking his eyes off Ezer.

“Sir!”

"Get a boat ready, we're going back to port."

Ezer finds no blood in his body to turn pale, all the strength that held his body seems to leave him, not even the cold wind from the sea could wake him up. The man in front of him was crazy, crazy enough to perform such a maneuver out of sheer suspicion, or perhaps he should be considered a genius.

It doesn't take long for Ezer to find himself on a boat headed back to port. He was totally dependent on Lyaria and he wasn't sure she was capable of discerning the truth in Breno's false action. He needed to make some kind of signal, something to warn her, but he didn't even have the strength to look over the boat.

"I suggest you take a good look at the sunlight. Trust me, you will miss it.” A soldier was struggling against the waves as he rowed the small boat. Brennos just looks into the distance throwing that strange advice at Ezer.

He doesn't know how long it was or which way they went, all Ezer distinguishes is being picked up by a pair of strong arms and dragged back down the rough streets. At some point, Brenno leaves, dictating brief orders to his men.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"What was all that commotion in the end?"

“Apparently there was a big fire in the cellars of a certain merchant, it seemed to be something serious.” No matter how tired he was, listening did not represent any action other than paying attention, that is why Ezer sharpens his ears and tries to capture any information from the men who carried him.

"And so many soldiers deployed just for that?"

“The lord had just returned... I heard a few words and I didn't like how they sounded.”

"What did they say?"

“A revolt...”

The people walking down the street were few and far between, everyone was struck by the pair of soldiers dragging a young man. However, each one already imagined where they were taking him and that is why they lose interest in the moment.

“And!? It happens every year! There are always hungry people attacking those with full bellies. A few riots and they call it a riot. Pfff...”

"But burn down a warehouse? What food is gained with that? This time it seems to be something serious.”

“You're right about that. Don't worry about things inside the wall, winter is coming, what's outside is more dangerous now."

Ezer was increasingly convinced that it was Lyaria who caused these disturbances. It intrigued him how she did it, but that didn't have the importance and he didn't have the strength to think about it now.

"We're finally here. I was getting tired of carry him.”

"I never liked this place... it has a bad reputation."

“Those are children's stories, I'm beginning to think that you get carried away too much by what the others say.”

“But it is true! Several times I heard screams inside.”

“Of course it is! It's not uncommon in a prison!”

The soldiers carrying Ezer stop in front of an old building that has clearly been modified to fulfill its current function, a prison. Away from the city, but inside the wall; away from the sea, but close enough to hear the waves if you paid enough attention. A gloomy place which received little light due to the shadows of the walls and that did not invite anyone who, if for some reason approached, was removed by the warnings of the guards who guarded the place.

“And now?”

"Now we hand him over to the guards, it's not our problem anymore."

Ezer is handed over by the two men who immediately leave. Lastly, he can discern a few words from the pair that clearly liked to talk.

"How long do you think it will last?"

"I don't know...he was very hurt."

“Two weeks?”

“Two? You forget who's in charge of that place.”

“Ahh… you mean…..” Ezer can't hear the last details, the distance doesn't allow it.

A low wall surrounded the two-story building, it looked solidly built and partially abandoned. Several vines grew up the walls and the atmosphere that prevailed was gloomy and humid, guards could be seen in different places and they all had complex faces. It wasn't boredom that was reflected in them, it was something else... something that Ezer didn't bother to understand because of his exhaustion.

“There is no more space. Where do you want us to put this one?”

"Pile him up in one of the cells!"

"He's going to die in a few hours! Why even bother?”

"The boss ordered us personally, they want him alive. It's your job, your problem.”

Ezer can hear several voices yelling at each other trying to reach an agreement. Before he knew it his eyes had already closed, the truth is that he didn't even know if he was actually listening or just dreaming.