Return to Aether

A Brief Imprisonment

Once again in a cell at an arena where he would be gored to death by a Sacred Bull, Falco looked down at Kenneth and Merit, the little girl holding the caracal close to her as she sat in a corner of the cell. It was not exactly the same as how things had been at Hyperion, but still it was similar. At least Achilles was free and could have possibly found a way to free both him and Rowena... If they didn't manage to free themselves first.

"Everything will be alright, Merit." Falco assured the little girl. "There is a way out of this."

Walking over to the door, the Divine Deucalion took a good look at it and wished he was a locksmith. Perhaps some sort of spell would work, but what kind of magic would be of use? The magic of the clergy? The magic of healers was certainly out of the question. The magic of druids? This was wherefore he didn't use magic that often, besides healing and turning something into a snake, there were just too many variables. Perhaps he should have just cut the proverbial knot and burned the door down, though there was certainly a reason he didn't do such a thing in Hyperion: it would have gotten awfully hot.

This time was different as well. It wasn't just him it was Kenneth and a child as well. As brave as he was, Kenneth's first instinct would have been to jump through the bars, into the arena and flee in fear, while Merit would have just been plain frightened.

Hearing footsteps, Falco crossed his arms and waited as someone, a man younger than Achilles, yet still his elder, appeared. He was ethnically ambiguous, he could have belonged to any ethnicity, but then again, an Aetherean of the native populace could have looked like any ethnicity given their ambiguous appearance.

"Divine Deucalion Falco?" the man asked gruffly.

"Yes, who might you be?" inquired Falco.

"I was a member of the Priesthood of the Storm Falcon." Answered the man, unlocking the cell door. "Now, I am but a serf, but I remember who the rightful ruler of this island is."

"What is your appellation?" inquired Falco.

"Amenemhat, sire." Answered the enslaved priest. "My magic may not have gotten past the word stage, but thankfully a little bit of slight of hand is something I am perfectly capable of. Now come, I will guide you to the seraglio."

"What about the guards?" Falco asked as Kenneth walked over, sniffing cautiously with wide eyes and ears erect. Merit simply continued to sit in the corner, staring at the stranger with fright.

"They are currently indisposed. I sent them on a wild goose chase about someone who had come to kill the Sacred Bull." Stated Amenemhat. "

Smiling, Falco nodded and uttered: "That would do it." Looking over at Merit, he then said: "Come on, Merit. Lets not stay here and end up thrown to the Sacred Bull." When she didn't get up, he knelt down, looked her in the eye and said to her: "Don't worry, I won't let anyone hurt you."

Slowly, Merit got up and walked over to Kenneth, once again holding onto the caracal while she looked up at Falco with wide-eyes. Kenneth did not look happy about being held onto in such a manner, especially when he was standing, but he was a gentle beast and did not strike the little girl, only meowing to be let go.

When Kenneth was let go, Merit asked: "Are we going to rescue Rowena and my mother?"

"I will rescue them." Falco answered. "First, I am going to get you to someplace safe, Merit. Kenneth will keep you company."