Divine Journey

- What is it? - asked Alco, approaching a little closer to examine the drawing, but not too close.

Father and son embraced. The dwarf felt the joy of reunion, but he himself seemed deeply concerned, and his face betrayed his worry.

- I just stopped by for a short visit; I'll be on my way soon! - Then Heimyr noticed the expression on his father's face. - What's bothering you? What happened?
Anxiety quickly began to spread to his son as well.

- This is a map of the dungeon. I had enough time to search every corner here," the hunter smirked again, "if you behave quietly and move smartly, you can remain unnoticed for as long as you like.
- Heymir, I wouldn't want to start our first conversation after a long separation with this, but... What do you know about our Thane?
The guard pointed out the nearest way to the herbalist's house to Faelvir, and the elf found himself at the right house in just a few minutes. When the elderly man saw the piece of paper from Brian Sirett, he handed him a bag with some herbs and told him to smoke a little before the battle. According to him, it stimulates brain activity, invigorates, and also makes it easier to use magic.

Wow, they're already giving out drugs!

-So? Where should we start the cleanup?

Faelvir decided to ask the herbalist about the possible side effects of this herb and whether it could be harmful to health.

- You did it again, - said the voice of the man the child was running to. That man was Vincent.

Redram, trembling nervously, raised his eyes to Vincent. Instead of thoughts, the rapid beating of his heart echoed loudly in his head. He felt emptiness throughout his body.
- No, - his voice was hoarse, distorted, alien. - Not yet, - Hostor forced out a twisted semblance of a smile and stepped into the darkness of the lair.

- If you've searched every corner, then where are our comrades? - the elf asked, puzzled. - And which room leads to the exit? The upper one?

Revanko is causing horror again! Hehe.

And what about Amko, did he say he won't be playing?

- Heimyr, I wouldn't want to start our first conversation after a long separation with this, but... What do you know about our Thane?

- Hmm, it turns out I don't know much! I've never even seen him in person; all his orders regarding me were relayed through other people. But he's a good ruler; no one here is suffering... What's the reason for this question?

- See that circle? This hall is responsible for the magic that was used to transport us. It seems that we were somehow moved to this place, along with the entire inn. It sounds absurd, but the remnants of the furniture speak for themselves. If my assumption is correct, most objects cannot withstand the teleportation. The same applies to people – the guy who was with you was already dead when he arrived here. Thanks to my natural resistance to magic, I was lucky enough to escape with only damaged armor. In other words, I don't want to create a gloomy atmosphere or undermine your morale, but we can't even be sure that we are near Erathia or even in the empire at all," – turning away from Alco, the hunter turned to Kerlian – "it's simple: I move, our captors move, your friends, if they haven't been captured again, also move. The exit, or rather the stairs up, is at the bottom right. And the upper one... It's hard to describe in words. It's something like a converter. I watched as someone's body with a crushed head was placed in a tank and then filled with a liquid I had never seen before. The body, in fact, dissolved, or rather, transformed into a liquid form and, together with the original substance, turned into a flask. It seems that they use this to create crystals, like the ones in the hall I was talking about earlier, as well as to brew potions. Perhaps your friends are there too.
The darkness completely engulfed the fire mage, but before he died, he saw Vincent's face. He was smiling.
- It's all because of his daughter, may the abyss take her! She heard rumors about your strength and courage and demanded that her father pretend to be you.
- After half a day, it may cause headaches, general weakness, and drowsiness. Excessive use can cause addiction.

- It's about his daughter, may the abyss take her! She heard stories about your strength and courage and demanded that her father arrange for her to marry you.

Heimira was as if struck by a hammer. Of course, his abilities could not go unnoticed, but he would never have thought that his popularity would reach such heights and have such consequences.
- Well... yes... She is... At least she's not the king's daughter, but even this is too much for me! She comes from a well-known family... How could this happen? I haven't even seen her! It shouldn't be like this! I need to talk to her... Request an audience, or something? - Heimira looked confused.

- See this circle? This hall is responsible for the magic that was used for our teleportation.

- Well, Florian, and how do you suggest we get out, if teleportation could tear us apart? As far as I understand, there are no exits on this map, but nevertheless, this dungeon must have been dug out somehow, which means it cannot simply be buried deep within the earth.

- Yes, probably. Thane asked to send you to his residence as soon as you return from your journey.

Added 2 minutes ago

- Well, Florian, and how do you suggest we get out, if moving around might tear us apart? As far as I understand, there are no exits on this map, but nevertheless, how was this dungeon dug out, which means it cannot simply be sealed within the depths.

- Are you listening to me? I'm saying there's a staircase leading up. And using the same method as our captors is unlikely to work for us.

"Oh my God!" exclaimed Siegfried, clasping his cheeks with his hands and shaking his head.