[https://www.tanyarochester.com/uploads/5/4/5/5/54553809/grace3_orig.png]

Once I had calmed myself down, I started to think.

This place was more dangerous than we had suspected. So, I needed to make a plan on how to deal with it. And In order to make a plan, I first needed to observe my enemies.

I waited.

When I next heard the footsteps of the tainted prisoners I turned invisible and Observed them. As soon as I saw their levels, which were between 15-22 I almost cried. I had briefly considered adding all my points now and leveling to 9 instead of waiting to do research, but this was ridiculous. Four more levels would do nothing for me against these guys.

I even, madly, considered stabbing them with my fiery blades but, to be frank, I wasn’t ready to use fire unless I absolutely had to. It still terrified the shit out of me. And, once again, these people were too strong to even consider taking them head-on and by myself.

So, what I would continue to use, was one of the first things I learned in this game, stealth.

But, where could I go? I couldn’t hole myself up here forever.

For now, I would head to the boat.

I wasn’t exactly sure if it would be considered a safe area or not but I had to try. From there I would make more plans. Do research on where Lore was being kept. It might take me days, but I would fucking do it.

***

After almost 40 minutes of wandering around, I realized that this wasn’t a game like I was used to playing. And without Lore by my side with the damn map, this whole place felt like an endless fucking maze.

The only good thing was that my stealth skill increased to level 6, and my invisibility spell increased to level 5. I sighed and once more teleported past a few gates and hid in a corner, behind some boxes of old supplies.

That was when I heard it. A loud screeching noise like rusted metal gears turning after decades of not. Then all of the gates that I had painstakingly teleported by started to open. I glared at them.

Just as I was about to continue moving forward, I heard footsteps. A large number of footsteps.

What was going on?

I tucked myself deeper in between the boxes and waited for someone to come closer. As soon as I heard them in the other room I activated my invisibility spell and stood still.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Row upon row of tainted prisoners exited the building through the nearby door that I’d been aiming for. It was like a creepy imperial procession. And in the center of it walked a man with a high crown of driftwood. And next to him, walking calmly, was my boyfriend.

I wanted to slap my forehead but instead, I just waited. This probably wasn’t what it looked like. And although Lore didn’t appear tainted, they may have done something to him.

I felt a bit upset. Here I’d been running around, terrified for his well-being and he looked perfectly healthy. But he had his ways of dealing with things that didn’t involve violence. I’d just have to follow and see if there would be a chance for us to escape to our boat.

***

The procession traveled through the prison, gathering more and more prisoners. As they did I felt more and more helpless.

What the hell is going on here?

They traveled past the portcullis and down the dirt and cobble road. I, of course, followed at a distance since it wasn’t like I’d lose them. The group was too massive. Then instead of going to the dock, they headed down another path to an empty village. Half of the small elven buildings were burnt and the other half looked like they would be torn down with a strong wind. They made their way to a near-circular building that, when they opened the door, seemed to hum with energy the same way as one of those weird green boxes I used to sit on as a kid.

Since I stood so far back, I could only see a figure in blue, who I assumed was Lore, enter the building.

“Got you,” a vicious-sounding voice said from behind me.

My eyes bulged.

A nasty smelling hand wrapped around my arm and I was just thankful that it touched my armor and not skin.

I turned to teleport into the tree line but the person just said, “None of that,” and hit my head stunning me. Then someone else tied a blindfold around my eyes. While another person grabbed my other arm. I struggled, thrashing and kicking, but someone just threw me over their shoulder like a sack of potatoes and started running with me.

This asshole’s bony shoulder dug into my waist. It hurt a lot, making me lose focus. Shit, I needed to get this blindfold off me and escape. Then I was thrown somewhere, hard. Somewhere dark. And when they shut a door it became even darker.

“Remember our deal,” The creepy voice called.

“I will,” Lore responded.

I froze. Did he make a deal with these creeps?

Well, considering their level, he’d have to.

“Wow, They took a while to find you,” Lore’s said.

Since my hands were free I lifted my blindfold.

“Lore!” I stood up and hugged him. And he hugged me back, even tighter than myself. Just having my arms wrapped around him had me feeling 50% better. As long as we were together, everything would be fine. Maybe. At least that was what it felt like. I knew the reality was far from that though. When I was satisfied I pulled back. “What are we going to do?”

He grimaced and pressed his lips to my ear and whispered. “I made a deal with them, that if I take down the barrier then they’ll let us go without being tainted.”

“Do you believe them?” I whispered back.

“No. But I don’t think they believe that we can take down this barrier.”

“I don’t think we should, to be honest.”

“I agree but...” His breath tickled my ear. “Let’s have a look at this place first. As long as I make a half-assed attempt to take this barrier down then they won’t be too suspicious. Maybe I can even convince them to give us more time so we can find a boat.”

“What do you mean ‘find’ a boat?”

He showed me a very serious expression. “They destroyed ours.”

A chill ran down my spine. So even if we did escape it would be pointless.

Fuck.