The Rescue Party

[The Smith]

There was a ten foot drop and then a circular stair leading down. The other man dropped into the well and landed like a cat.

[The Flint]

Domeric didn't wish to show weakness in front of these men, whomever they were. But at the same time, he did not wish to break an ankle either. He did his best to climb down the well.

[The Smith]

There were rough rocks worn into handholds for the way out, he was able to climb down them. The men do not wait for him, but begin descending into the dark abyss.

[The Flint]

Domeric struggled to keep up, anxious for his eyes to adjust to the fading light. He disliked following these men, blindly or otherwise, but he suspected that had they desired to slay him, they'd have done so easily back in the swamp. He continued.

[The Smith]

The walked into the darkness, and never lit a light. Soon Domeric was moving only by feel down the dark stair.

[The Flint]

Domeric cursed softly under his breath, and let his left hand brush along against the stones as he felt his way forward. He was beginning to get the distinct impression that this was a foolish foolish idea.

[The Smith]

The black descended for quite some time until a crack of light from down below began to guide him down. Reaching the bottom, he could see a hallway going in both directions. The two men stood waiting for him to follow.

They began to walk down on corridor in a sure, and swift fashion. The light slowly grew brighter.

[The Flint]

Domeric swore and followed them. As soon as he reached an area where the light fell upon him, he undid a strand of wool from his cloak, and cautiously placed it on the side. If he did need to leave here unescorted, he hoped it would be enough to point the way.

[The Smith]

They walk along time before reaching the edge of the tunnel. It let out on a small rise. From where he was standing he could see large iron cages. As well as thirty men walking about, all wearing golden masks.

[The Flint]

Domeric scanned the cages to see as to whether or not they had residents.

[The Smith]

Children, wildling children filled all the cages. None older then nine or ten. They stared out sullenly, some crying but most not.

[The Flint]

Domeric cocked his head to the left. Mighty Queer, he thought to himself, but then everything about these Gold Masks had been queer.

"Where is Lance Sands." Domeric asked.

[The Smith]

The man lead him into the sparse village to a single rocken shed. "That is his prison." The man said, "He attacked only to defend and killed none of us, but we would be within our rights to slay him."

[The Flint]

"By what right do you have to slay a man you admit was only defending himself?" Domeric replied irritably. He was tired of their nonsense.

[The Smith]

"He attacked us north of the wall." The man replied, "The covenant between the black has given us the right."