Shadow and Memory

Part 1

Click, another tumbler in the cuffs fell into place. Wulfric's hands trembled ever so slightly as he worked.

"Huh... it didn't run out of oil." The first voice said. "It's been turned off." There was a whoosh of flame and the smell of burning lamp oil as the lantern was rekindled.

"Whatever, captain wants the prisoner up at the gate, we're handing her off. Finally. I can't wait to be done with this and get paid."

Outside there was the jingle of keys as the first mercenary went to open the lock, and inside Wulfric's heart did a little leap as the final tumbler clicked into place. With a heavy clunk a key was inserted into the door's lock, as Wulfric gently turned his pick, and both locks came open in the same moment. With a heavy clunk the manacles fell free and dropped to the floor, just as Wulfric stood and turned in the same motion.

"Wha-"One of the men gasped, jumping back in surprise. The moment of shock was what Wulfric needed. He launched himself forward, hands outstretched, driving a blow into both men's throats, stealing the breath from them and quieting their cries to only strangled gasps. One of them slammed hard into the wall of the cabin, the other staggering back out through the door.

Wulfric growled and fell upon the one still inside, slamming a knee up into his gut before he chopped a hand down, striking the inside of his right arm, ruining his attempt to grip the sword at his hip. Snarling like an animal he grabbed the mercenary's un-helmeted head and slammed him back into the wall, then again, then a third time, finally knocking the sense from him. He didn't know if the man would be stunned for a moment, or knocked cold, he didn't care, he needed to get a move on.

"Come on!" He hissed to Carol, who staggered to her feet, but made after him with all possible speed.

He turned back towards the door and practically leaped out of it, moving as fast as he could, but not fast enough to reach the second man before he managed to suck in a breath and call for help.

"The prisoner is escap-ack!" Was all he got out before Wulfric was on him, wrapping an arm around his throat and yanking, flipping him backwards and slamming him face down into the rock floor. He didn't move after that.

Wulfric growled a curse and took quick stock of the situation. The damage was done, the camp was roused to the threat in their midst. Ten, twenty, more men were hastily grabbing their weapons and running up towards them. Wulfric heard Carol at his back, so at least she was nearby. He looked to the upper path, going up and out of this damned sinkhole, seeing more men coming down the path. Some of them were dressed like this group, in mismatched leather armor and chainmail, but some of them were armored rather more impressively, in half plate that looked well cared for. Probably the direct servants of whatever noble had orchestrated this whole affair.

There was one thing in particular which caught his eye though, at the belt of one of the men, the familiar gleam of his axe. Wulfric smiled grimly, at least it was in sight now, his mind focusing on recovering his beloved weapon. If he could get it then he might be able to fight their way free. And if not, then it was only fitting he die with it in hand. Time, he only needed a little time.

He reached back, grabbing the large lantern by the door and hurling it right into the front of the advancing group, smashing it hard into the chest of the first man nearing them. The glass shattered, the oil tank opened, and the man went up like a torch. He screamed, chest covered in burning oil and jumped backwards, tearing at his armor, trying to get it off before the oil spread and the rest of his clothes caught fire as well. His comrades faltered and jumped back in surprise, perhaps wondering in the darkness if some terrible magic was at work, before they realized what was really happening, and finding their way around the burning oil puddle on the rock floor. In the excitement, Wulfric barely registered a tugging at his back.