>>5197687>>5197691>>5197752>>5197877>>5198034You leave Alys and the surgeons to their tasks and approach Elpest's cell. Better to get his story quickly, there might not be time later. The knight looks miserable, his rumpled smallclothes covered in sweat. His head hangs low as he moves to a seated position on the rough cot. You make yourself known by lightly rapping on one of the bars. His head shakily raises and his bloodshot eyes meet yours.
"You picked a great night to do this, Elpest." You say, shaking your head. He chuckles dryly, but you don't see the humor in this. "Lord Uilleam, ever the hatchetman." You're not in the mood for snark tonight. "Just give me your story, I'm not taking a hatchet to anyone until I hear it." He grunts. "What's there to say? We just got back, I was celebrating. I got drunk. I fancy Aeflyn from the stables, you all know it, I invited her for drinks and we ended up doing what couples do hidden in a haystack." Rubbing your nose, you fight off a migraine. "The Emperor needed you Elpest, needed us all." He laughs sharply, derision clear on his face. "Saved him yourself did you? Save me the righteousness, Lord Campbell" He turns your title into a sneer. "I wasn't the only one out at a tavern with girl he fancies, was I?" This idiot is really making you regret considering helping him. "It's not like that." He doesn't look like he believes you. "And we could be found, Elpest, we came when called. You couldn't even stand." He tosses his arms up in exasperation. "And that makes me a traitor? Alkaign, my sworn brother, tried to get Graven to behead me, Uilleam! Right there on the floor before the throne. They weren't done cleaning up the blood already there and he wanted more of it!" He's scrambling, and you see the desperation behind his lashing out. He truly thinks himself condemned, and you are not convinced he is wrong. In this moment, despite his words, you decide to do what you can.
"I'll tell him what you said. I don't see a traitor here, just a drunk fool. We don't hang those." You turn away from the cell. "Don't let them hurt Aeflyn!" He calls out to your back. "They took her too!" You stop for a moment. "I can't make promises for yourself, but if what you said is true no one will harm the girl on my watch, you have my word as a knight."
You have to leave it at that, as two Imperial Guardsmen enter the dungeon, walking with brisk purpose.
"Lord Campbell, The Emperor sends for you." There is only one answer to that. "As he commands." You leave with the men, not missing Alys' worried glance nor that she was not sent for.
