End of Interlude

Susan was pretty sure that it was night time, though it was hard to say for sure. She lay on her back in the dungeon cell, clad in nothing but a breast band a loin clothe. A metal collar encircled her neck, and a chain connected her to the far wall. She felt exhausted, several days of torment having brought her to a new low. It was hard to focus on the future when it seemed so grim and dark. The only sound was her own breathing, the occasional pacing of a guard, and Sarah who sat beside her, chained and attired much in the same way.

The princess looked around, still seeking some way to escape, but she knew that she would not find it here. Quite contrary to most popular tales, the dungeon was solid, strong, and sturdy. Meant to keep people not, and was totally devoid of mysterious older mentors offering an escape via Faustian bargain, useful and barely concealed trap doors, or convenient armies ready and willing to ride to her rescue.

As far as she knew, it was only herself and Sarah here. No one was going to try and save them.

The cell that they were in was a large one, made of solid stones. Torches burned in the corners of the room, far away from their reach. The torches were enchanted, and burned brightly enough to shroud the room in light, but would not be moved from their place even if she could get free and try t pull them down. There was a single entrance to the cell, a large metal door with a grill near the front. Beyond that, a corridor. The guards paced it every now and again.

Other than these things - and a hole in the flor that was not large enough to climb down and existed purely for biological reasons - there was nothing else in the room. Once a day, they were fed and given water. Sometimes, the guards made lewd comments as they did. She was beyond caring.

She sighed, but didn't have it in her to just sit and wait until she was taken back to Kanor in order to be humiliated again. She felt like she was perching on the edge of a great darkness, and the only way she would prevent herself from falling into it was to take action. but what sort of action could she take from such a position? She thought back, remembering her father telling her that even in the worst of times, one had to keep an eye out for opportunities. But what opportunities could be offered here? From such a dark, foul, evil place, how could there ever be any chance of escape?