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It takes a moment for your eyes to adjust once again to the darkness of the cellar. The night in the jail was terrible. Ireena is in a room next to you - you were able to talk to each other when the guard left for the night - but you cannot see each other.
You can't figure out what they want with you, or why they decided to throw you in a cell if they are uncertain about your humanity. Does this town in the middle of a foggy valley have a justice system? Will you get a fair trial? If not, they could have just killed you and Ireena in the water.
Footsteps approach. <span class="mu-i">Great, just my luck</span> you think, <span class="mu-i">the guard is returning before I even get the chance to wake up.</span> You considered coming up with an escape plan, but were too tired to reason clearly after the journey you took to get here.
The cellar door opens. It's not who you were expecting.
"Greetings," says the woman as she strides toward your cell, the light from her lantern filling the chamber, a ring of keys in her left hand. She wears a crimson red outfit tailored with intricate patterns, complimented by streaks of gray in her hair, which betray the youthful energy she seems to carry herself with. "Apologies on your uncerimonial entry to Vallaki. In spite of everything they purport to accomplish, the Baron's men lack the ability to make a good first impression to those with unknown reputations, or whose presence could prove to be a boon to the town's present obstacles."
You stand up straight. "Nice to meet you," you say. You look at her set of keys. "Are you... letting us free?"
"Not exactly," she says, and begins unlocking your cell. "My name is Lady Wachter, but you can call me Fiona. And you are a cleric from outside the valley. What is your name?"
"Aranuel, cleric of Kossuth," you say, nodding at her politely. "So, what is this about, exactly?" you ask, as you carefully open your cell door.
She <span class="mu-i">hmm</span>s as she moves onto Ireena's cell. "An adventurer from outside of Barovia arrives, and is immediately arrested? That is a wasted opportunity." Ireena's cell swings open effortlessly, and Ireena steps out. "I've negotiated with the captain of the guard to have you freed," she says, "but there is a condition to this arrangement." There's not a single hint of pretense in her voice.
This uncomplicates things. If she asks some kind of undoable favor, you and Ireena can just flee, right? These people wouldn't follow you into the Svalich woods. At least, not with how terrified of it they seem. Still, this woman freed you, so doing what she wants may not be the worst way to repay her, depending on what it is.
"You're doing us a big favor," Ireena says, echoing your own thought on the situation. "And it is nice to meet somebody who is on our side. I would be happy to entertain your condition, and I'm sure my partner would as well."
Fiona makes room for Ireena to step out.
(cont.)
