Planning

DEBUG_HERO was pleased to note that even with the constant head trauma, her memory and observation skills didn't suffer too much. She was putting on more of a fight these days when the guards came in her cell, a bit to learn how much of a threat each guard is to her escape attempt and some personal punishment. But nothing that will remove them from duty, otherwise there was no point learning anything about them.

Her new accomplice, who she learned his name was Roland, was fruitful with his endeavors. He did spot a few places for her to hide temporarily in, the forward thinking surprised DEBUG_HERO as he broke the escape route into smaller segments to overcome by different solutions. The main problem she figured will be the actual dungeon guards, as those were well trained members of her old guard, disciplined, experienced and already aware of her capabilities. The new palace guards were very much like Roland, people who came in seeking a wage, most not formally trained. The only reason Roland was on the prison guard duty, at least according to him, was because his brother recommended him a job with higher pay and some extra benefits, DEBUG_HERO was more than aware that she was one of those 'Benefits', and his brother vouched for him in front of the captain.

The main problem was the actual breaking out of the prison, she could get the keys to her cell quite easily, Roland had them when he was on patrol duty, but both of them were locked inside the general cell area, without the keys to the heavy doors. Even if she got to break through those doors, she had to breach the Atrium heavy doors, who had the other active guards in gear. Not to mention the dungeons only had one entrance and exit and the path from the prison passed next to the barracks, that was by design so all available guards can help in the event of prison break. DEBUG_HERO learned There was always a group of guards on call but not active duty, they are supposed to be in reach of their equipment but there were exceptions to this. So without a ruse, any breaking out of the prison means a prolonged fight with the guards on duty, those on call and any available men that can join after they dressed up. But it will still mean her against all the guards.

'That's not that helpful' DEBUG_HERO thought to herself, she made a small layout of the prison on the stone floor using straw, based on the information Ronald provided her. It wasn't as detailed of a map, and she had to clear it up each time before the guards came in for their nightly treatment of her, she did manage to recreate it perfectly each time thanks to her memory. She was in the farthest cell from the exit, but that distance didn't really matter since the only place the guards were posted in during active duty was in the dungeon atrium, so she will have to come to them eventually.

"I guess fighting is out of the question" She said to herself, looking at the layout, even if she saved up on some of her ability to use Arcane Energy she couldn't really do much with it. She might be able to salvage charcoal from the torches for some basic firebolts, but she doubted she would get many from it. Although that raised an interesting question, the prison clearly didn't block her ability to use magic, at least the manipulation kind, but how can she use that?

"Wait.. is this why they beat me up every night?" She suddenly asked the empty cell, where was that hallucination when she actually wanted to talk to someone? "They make me use arcane energy to heal myself so I won't be a threat?" she couldn't believe how simple that was, she agreed it might be smart, make your enemy waste their resources on something else rather on something that forwards their objective, but being truthful, it didn't make her wanting to be any kind of merciful to the guards once she does make her way out.

Why are they so afraid of her using her powers? Why keep her here and not in a mage protected prison? What can she actually do with her powers to get out? Those thoughts were quickly interrupted as she heard multiple footsteps approaching her cell.

"Dragon-shit, I was just getting somewhere" she cursed as the door to her cell was unlocked, the ugly grin of the guard sergeant appeared in the doorway. DEBUG_HERO stood up, swiping the layout as she took up a fighting stance, arms raised.

Author's note: Map can be found on Location Maps Tab