Frantic thoughts raced through Ethan’s mind as he waited for his guild to arrive. When did they take Tae-Won and how? It had to have been not long after we all split up. Alera said he never made it to the House of Whispers, so it must have been on the road somewhere. But where are they keeping him? It’s got to be a city. But which one?

He didn’t dare say anything out loud, the captive Blood Dragon guild member could easily message any of his guild members anything Ethan said.

He tried to remember his only encounter with the people who had taken his friend. Paul was the leader’s name, then there was a Paladin, what was his name? Fuck. And a woman with a staff. Shit. What are we going to do?

The hinges of the wooden door squealed as it swung open, interrupting his memories.

“Hey man, it happens to a lot of guys. Nothing to be ashamed-“ Miguel stopped his joking when he saw the bound man sitting on the chair in the middle of the room, “so I don’t know what you guys are into, but ‘Red’ is my safe word.”

“Shut up,” David said pushing his way into the room with Sam right behind him. “What’s happening?” He asked Ethan, his voice low and serious.

Ethan held one finger over his lips and pointed out the door with his other hand. Nodding silently they all exited through the door they’d just come through. Ethan followed them as quietly as he could, grabbing the box from bed where he’d been sitting.

“Sam, leave your familiar in there,” Ethan whispered, opening the door a crack, just wide enough for the imp to get back through, “make sure it doesn’t say or do anything, we just need it to keep watch on that guy.”

The Warlock nodded and grabbed the face of his familiar perched on his shoulder. The imp struggled against its master for a few seconds before calming down under Sam’s piercing stare. Finally, it calmed down and timidly crawled down Sam’s outstretched arm and flapped into the room.

Sam turned back to Ethan and nodded, his left eye glowing in purple energy.

“Follow me,” Ethan whispered again, leading his friends down the short hall to another room two doors down.

Whisper to Alera: We’re in my room.

He updated Alera on their new location, he didn’t want Leah to see the prisoner, or know anything about him, before he’d had a chance to talk to her.

“What’s going on?” David asked once Ethan had closed the door, “who is that? Is he with them?” He dropped his voice barely above a whisper as he asked his questions, but even quiet he couldn’t hide the panic in his voice.

“No, he’s not with them,” Ethan answered, shaking his head. “But it’s probably just as bad as that.”

“Then who is he?” David demanded, still keeping his voice quiet.

Ethan sighed before answering.

“Remember I told you about running into some griefers on my way back to Startesgarde?” The three other men nodded at him, “he had an insignia of that guild. Alera spotted him trailing us. Her very public kiss was her way of breaking off to see why he was following us.”

“What did she find?” Miguel asked, having taken a seat on Ethan’s bed, “I mean, obviously it was enough that you tied him to a chair and we’re being all cloak and dagger about this.”

Ethan calmly opened the box, displaying its contents to everyone else.

For a second, all three stared in horror at it, not seeming to comprehend the significance of the severed finger and removed eyeball. Finally, Sam made the connection.

“Tae-Won.” He whispered in shock. The purple energy emanating from his eyes briefly extinguished as he lost concentration. He quickly muttered a spell to restore the vision of his familiar.

“I think they have him,” Ethan nodded.

“Does Leah know?” David asked, realizing the reason for her absence finally.

“Not yet,” Ethan shook his head, replacing the lid on the box. “I asked Alera to bring her up last, I wanted to talk to you guys about it first.”

“Man, that shits not right,” Miguel spoke up, running his fingers through his hair, “that’s her husband. She needs to know.”

“I agree, but if I was the only one who thought it was him, then I didn’t want to freak her out.” Ethan explained. “But it looks like you guys agree with me, and we need to decide what to do.”

Almost on cue, someone knocked on the door.

“Hey it’s us.” Alera said from behind the wooden barrier.

David stepped to the side and swung the door back in, allowing the two women to enter.

“Were you followed?” Ethan asked Alera, reaching out for her hand.

She pursed her lips and shook her head no, but didn’t take his hand.

“What’s going on guys?” Leah looked scared and nervous as she scanned the faces of everyone in the room. “Why do you all look so serious?”

“Leah, you may want to sit down.” Ethan suggested. Alera guided her to the bed as Miguel moved out of the way, not letting go of Leah’s hand as they sat down. He was suddenly glad that they had begun bonding, Leah was going to need all the comfort she could get when he opened the box.

“You’re starting to scare me, Tareth.” Leah laughed nervously, taking her hand from Alera.

“I know.” Ethan knelt down in front of the woman who was like a sister to him. Around him, their friends watched nervously. “And I’m sorry.”

Slowly, he opened the lid of the box and presented it to Leah.

At first, as she looked at its grotesque contents she was confused, her eyes flicking from the box to Ethan. But an instant later she recognized the items for what they were. Ethan saw her gently rub the matching gold ring around her own finger.

“What the fuck? How… where did you… what the fuck?” Leah burst into tears, anger and sorrow over taking her. Alera rubbed her back and arms while still holding her hand, comforting her the same way Leah had done for her less than a week ago.

“Alera found someone following us,” Ethan calmly explained what he’d told Sam, David and Miguel. Emphasizing the Blood Dragon insignia that had been found.

“Where is he?” Leah asked, her sobbing abated. “The man you got these from?” She stared at the box still in Ethan’s hand.

“He’s in Alera’s room.” Miguel spoke up. “Tied to a chair.”

“Has he said anything yet?” Leah looked again Ethan, tears still drying on her cheeks.

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“We haven’t asked him any questions.” He shook his head. “But we will.”

“And I’ll make sure he gives us answers.” Sam stepped forward, sickly purple magic glowing around his fingers.

“Aye, you can be sure of that.” Alera looked at Sam and nodded.

“Wait, hold up,” Miguel jumped to his feet , “are you talking about torturing him?” He quickly looked around the room, neither Alera nor Sam would make eye contact with him. “Because I am NOT okay with that.”

“Then don’t come in,” Alera’s voice was flat but deadly.

Ethan was shook. Just hours ago, he hadn’t been able to keep his mind off the beautiful woman and his growing attraction to her. He didn’t know much about her, but the idea of learning more was enthralling to him. Now, she was serious in her tone about torturing a man for information. He wasn’t sure what to think about that.

“No!” Miguel raised his voice, “I know you’re new and all, but that’s not who we are! There are other ways, we can take this to Arianna or someone!”

“They have Tae-Won.” Sam said quietly.

“And we will get him back!” Miguel clenched his fists, “but I won’t let you torture that guy to do it!”

“I don’t think you heard me,” Sam continued quietly, shaking his head, “I’ll speak louder. They have Tae-Won. They have one of us, Leah’s husband! And the man in there has to know where he is.”

“That doesn’t justify torturing him though!” Miguel shouted.

“David,” Ethan said, interrupting them, “where are you on this?” He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. Both Miguel and Sam were right. They had to do anything and everything to get Tae-Won back, but was this a line he didn’t know if they could cross.

“Man, I can’t agree to this,” David rubbed his bearded chin and shook his head, “Killing mobs in the world is one thing, this guy is a person. I don’t think we can torture him.”

“Of course the Paladin and Cleric won’t do it!” Sam exclaimed, “you’re falling too hard into the lore of your classes!”

“Aren’t you doing the same thing!?” Miguel shot back at him, “the Warlock and the Rogue? Your spells are all about inflicting pain. And you can’t say you aren’t enjoying it! I’ve seen you in a fight, you’re positively giddy at hurting things!”

“Enough!” Ethan shouted, “this isn’t getting us anywhere! We’re fighting about hurting someone who can’t fight back for information! This isn’t who we are as a guild! This isn’t who we are as people!”

Ethan’s outburst brought quiet to the room. Miguel and Sam continued staring daggers at each other, but didn’t say anything. Alera continued trying to comfort Leah, but was now staring at the floor. David was standing with his arms over his chest, a look of disgust on his face.

“They have my husband.” Leah’s voice was so quiet, Ethan wasn’t sure he’d even heard her at first.

“What was that, Leah?” Ethan knelt down in front of her again, wanting to hear her better.

Leah looked up, locking eyes with him. She was crying again. Tears poured down her cheeks and her eyes were already turning red.

“They have my husband!” She said more firmly. “And the man in there,” Leah pointed towards the wall leading towards the room where their captive was, “knows something. He knows where Tae-Won is. I have to know what he knows.”

“Then we will talk to him,” Ethan’s knees creaked as he stood back up, “peacefully.” He looked between Alera and Sam.

Sam scoffed at him and looked away. Alera still didn’t make eye contact.

Miguel hurried out of the room first, followed by Sam and David.

“Are you sure about this?” Ethan asked Leah after Alera helped her to her feet. “You don’t have-“

“Yes I do.” Leah’s resolve was iron in her statement as she left the room, still holding Alera’s hand.

The hallway was empty when Ethan left the room, everyone else had already entered their makeshift holding cell. Fuck this is going to be bad, he cursed to himself.

His hand had just touched the door knob when the door swung open. Sam was standing inside, his pet back on his shoulder and his eyes their normal dark brown. Miguel right next to him.

Ethan patted Miguel on the chest as he walked by and half heartedly smiled at him.

“Take a walk buddy.” He said calmly.

“What? We just said-“ Miguel exploded at him.

“You too,” Ethan interrupted him and looked at Sam.

“Are you kidding me?” Sam scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

“You’re both too hot,” Ethan jerked his head back towards the door, “go cool off. Now.”

Both men scowled at him but exited the room. He saw that David had turned the chair so it was facing the bed, giving Leah a place to sit comfortably while they questioned him. Sunlight shone through the open window casting a spotline on the captive Blood Dragon guild member. Alera was skulking in a corner behind the chair, still not making eye contact with Ethan. I can’t worry about her right now, he thought to himself, we need to find Tae-Won.

Ethan walked over to the man tied to the chair, his knees protesting once again as he knelt down until he was roughly eye level with the bag.

“Take the bag off.” He looked at David and gestured with his head towards the man. David nodded, walked over and ripped the burlap sack off the man’s head.

Their captive blinked against the sudden light and ground his jaws into the gag Alera had tied around his face.

“I know you.” Ethan found himself surprised staring at a somewhat familiar blonde haired and brown eyed man. “You were with Paul, that day on the road to Startesgarde.” He tried his best to recall the man’s name. “Caleb, right?”

The man, Caleb, jerked his head forward in a sharp nod, still chewing on the gag. His brown eyes were glaring hatred at Ethan, but he wasn’t struggling against the ropes that were binding him to the chair.

“Remove the gag.” He said to David.

Caleb spat and licked his lips, flexing his jaws as he tried to regain feeling and moisture to his mouth. But he continued glaring at Ethan.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” Ethan said softly, “I should, but I’m not.” Ethan looked from David to Alera, making sure they understood exactly what he was saying: this man was safe. There would be no torturing him. “We got your message, now, where is he?”

Once again, Caleb said nothing. He just kept staring forward at Ethan and grinding his teeth in anger.

Ethan sighed and tried again.

“I know you’re messaging Paul or whoever else is in on this,” he pointed at Caleb’s hands, “they aren’t tied that tight. Tell him I’ll make a deal. I want my friend back.”

Silence was once again the only answer he received.

Ethan stood up, his constant kneeling was beginning to cramp his legs. Caleb’s silence was already starting to get to him. He kicked out his legs, trying to get blood flowing again, and walked over to David, giving Leah a clear view of Caleb.

“Please,” she said softly, tears rolling down her face, “I just want my husband back.”

Silence fell hard in the room. Whatever Ethan was planning on saying to David, he suddenly forgot. Leah’s heartfelt plea rattled in his mind.

“Ahem,” Caleb cleared his throat, “Paul says: there’s no deal. You haven’t paid enough yet.” His voice was low and gravelly as he spoke Paul’s words. “And that “we’re still having fun with him, more packages will come.’”

The threat echoed heavily amidst the people gathered. Ethan was stunned, he had no idea how this was going to go, but he’d held onto hope that they would get Tae-Won back. Now, with Paul’s words through Caleb, he saw for the first time that that wasn’t going to happen.

“Then you tell Paul,” Leah jumped to her feet, electricity crackling in her red hair, green energy surging through her tattoos, the unbridled fury of nature in her voice “I will get him back, and you will pay for every scratch I find on Kim Tae-Won. Every single one of you in your fucking guild.”

Across the room, a flicker of motion caught Ethan’s eye. A small succulent plant in the window he hadn’t noticed before was growing.

“Leah!” He shouted, as the tiny leaves and stems turned to thick, thorny vines. Ethan tried to lunge towards his friend, but David’s strong hand held him back. He could see Alera in the corner, she was standing resolute as Leah attacked her captive.

Wind from nowhere whipped around Leah, twisting her hair in electrified arcs. As she raised her hand, the wicked vines shot out from the small plant, the sudden movement tossing the ceramic pot to the floor with a crash.

Fear flooded Caleb’s face as he struggled against the expertly tied ropes.

”Wait, please don’t kill me! Please-“ his begging was cut short as vines covered his mouth. A muffled shriek of pain followed immediately after and Caleb eyes bulged, it looked to Ethan as if Leah had commanded them to force their way into his nostrils.

Leah raised her arm higher, a grimace of anger on her terrifying face. The vines wrapped around Caleb’s neck began writhing slowly. Layer by layer they constricted around his throat, forcing his neck taught. His muffled screams and shrieks were completely ignored by the vengeful Druid.

Suddenly, she balled her hand into a fist. The vines twisted lighting fast and a loud crack echoed through the room. The wind died down and the electricity disappeared from her hair. The vines slackened and then retreated to their shattered pot.

Caleb sat slumped in his chair, his neck bent at an odd angle and his head facing backwards.