I didn’t get much info on the prison that Théoden had Crimson in. I just knew it had magical protection and ten layers give or take. I just had to hope my form could not be detected by the magical forces that was within that damned prison.

Marcel once told me, “I don’t think the prison detects magical form shifts.”

And I had asked him, “Why?”

“Since the Captain of the guards is a dragon, it would detect him right?”

“Yeah…”

“Well, his guards act like they know nothing. So I assume the prison doesn’t detect shifting creatures. A flaw I hope is correct.”

What he said then made sense but what I felt when I walked up to the metal and stoned prison walls, felt like a jolt, a sudden shift. A force strong enough to make myself question if the form I was portraying to be was still upon me.

I quickly found a water hole and looked at myself. I sighed in relief as I saw Théoden's form instead of my own.

With that, I found myself walking up to the gate, a guard quickly noticing me waved. I waved back. “Captain! I thought you wouldn’t be on duty for another three hours.” The guard spoke. His voice sounded wise, a bit old and concerned.

I cleared my voice and hoped what I knew was Théoden's voice would emerge from my throat. “Yes, well it’s been three days since my last visit with Crimson.” I reminded the male elven guard.

“That’s why you doubled up on us?” He questioned.

“Yes. Perhaps it’s a bit paranoia but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.” I responded, I just hoped how I was taking fit his behavior.

“Makes sense I suppose.” The guard spoke, “Still the question as to why you are here early.”

“Couldn’t sleep.” I responded and began walk forward once more.

I could almost sense the guards eyes on me the whole time. Especially when I passed the magical force that hit me earlier. However, no one had yet to stop me, so I continued.

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They must think the Captain is foolish. The magical barrier he had just put up a day ago prevented shifting forms from going undetected. The Captain knew something would happen. So he doubled the guards on the outside, tripled those on the inside.

And he himself, told us at a briefing yesterday, “Anything suspicious happens let me know immediately.” And I believe seeing him before his shift is supposed to begin is suspicious enough. Let alone the shift in his form from himself to a devilish female.

“Captain, red alert.” I told him through message as soon as the female was out of ear shot.

I got a prompt response back, “Thanks Hank, sound the alarm. Alert the guards. Just finishing up this devil and I’ll be there.”

“Noted. And Captain, it’s a shifting devil.”

“Mhm.”

It was a common response from the Captain when he was busy. Following orders, I ran to the guard shack that’s attached to the prison and pulled a rope. Once the rope is pulled a siren silent to all but his trained guards could hear. This triggered all of us to act swiftly and effectively as possible. Drawing the least amount of attention to ourselves and keeping the citizens safe.

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In a flash the real Théoden stood in the entrance of the gate. His hands and sword was bloody. His face shown strain as concern danced across his eyes. His eyes… typically caring and trusting flipped showing rage as our kingdom was under some form of attack. And his true draconic form needed to protect it at all costs.

“Captain! A few minutes ahead!” I shouted down.

He glared up at me, smiled and gave a nod. He moved swiftly and quickly down the path, hoping to catch up to the intruder.

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I couldn’t help but have a grin fall upon my face as I walked hastily down the path and entered the first floor of the prison. To my surprise, there were six guards waiting.

“Stand by.” I told them.

A female guard covered in head to toe in armor stepped forward, “You think the Captain is a fool? Please, think again.”

My smile was quickly fading as I started to get this overwhelming sensation that my form has failed. “Stand by.” I spoke one more time. Hoping to get through to them.

The female guard took one more step forward, with a smirk she spoke, “No.”

“Then fall.” I spoke as I drew my own sword, a purplish colored metal with leather handle out of my hilt and readied for an attack.

The female who was squaring off with me, stood firm. She drew her own sword and looked up. As she looked up, she spoke one word that sent a shiver down my spine, “Captain.” Her lips parted with a smile as a wave of fear came crashing over me. As a scent of blood and nature wafted over me. I knew then, my disguise had failed.

Following the scent trail, my eyes glanced up, staring down at me were two crystal blue eyes that appeared heated with rage.

He spoke three words to me, “Who are you?”

I felt compelled to answer, “Empusa.”

His next five words held a magically lingering sensation in my body, “What are you doing here?”

I was hesitant to answer but I felt as if I had no choice. No control over my body. “Marcel.”

I watched as his eyes flickered briefly. As if more hate could dance across them.

He then asked me a question I wasn’t expecting. “Do you want to live?” He asked me.

I blinked. Too stunned to answer. “I… I…” I felt fear below with in me. As his draconic aura of fear started to take control.

“Well…” he spoke as he pulled his draconic long sword out of his belt, “What is it going to be?”

“You’re giving me a choice?” I asked him.

A grin fell upon his face, “Seconds to decide.” His voice was firm. I could feel his anger radiate from him.

“Why?”

He took a breath, “There’s been much death today already. No one else needs to die today.”

His soul was kind even in heated hours. “Even a person like me?” I asked him.

“Yes. Now let me ask you one more time. Live or die?” He pointed his sword at my chest. “Time is ticking.”

“Kill me.” I responded.

His face faltered a bit. “Why?”

“I failed. He’d kill me anyway.” I said with a shrug.

“Death would be too kind then.” He put his sword back in its hilt. “Quinn, magical cuffs.”

The female shuffled her feet and handed him a rustic looking pair of cuffs. He clamped the down upon my wrist and tightened them tightly. “Live with your failure.” Théoden spoke as he pulled me towards the stairs.

“Kill me.” I spoke again.

He looked down at me, “No.”

“Please…” I begged. I’d rather be killed by the Dragon King than deal with the lash out from Marcel.

“No.” He responded once more and continued to drag me downstairs. I knew I had a brief moment to think of a plan. My shifting powers was useless. My spells couldn’t function either with the cuffs. But once he got me down to Crimson there be two of us. I just had to think of a way out.

“How is your form still functioning?” I asked trying to make small talk.

“Specialized spells.” He responded firmly.

“Huh.” I responded and fell silent as I figured I’d only get one or two worded responses.

Once we hit the last floor of the prison, the floor I suspected Crimson to be on, I heard and so did he, a bit of ruckus down the hall as his grip tightened and his pulling on me strengthened.

“Who else is here?” He asked me as he hurried along. Pulling me with him.

I shrugged, “I was only supposed to be here.”

He threw me in the first cell as the door of it was open. In a flash he slammed the door shut swiftly looking it in place.

“She better be there.” He warned me as he rushed down the hall.