>>5195103Serpico's case was the easiest out of the two, but it was still very painful for him to get out. First they tried to pull his head out of the rock pit, but the loud snapping of his bones implied that maybe this was a better strategy for decapitation than to get him unstuck.
"You alright there, mate?" A knight by the name of Jerome asked Serpico after seeing his lack of an extreme reaction from the mild discomfort of having to bite a rope and be tugged at his body for hours on end as his body got dragged back and forth between the soil.
"Eh, been through worse. Suppose I can't complain much, whining is not on my vocabulary. As long as you get me out, that's good enough."
"Can you guys hurry up with me? My neck is super sore..." Vlad whined as he got the attention of Farnese.
"You are the one who helped the black swordsman in his escape... Know your place and stay in the mud where you belong!" Farnese ignored his pleads, aiming a foot on his head to place him further into the quicksand.
"Wait!" Serpico protests against his master's wishes, interrupting her before she could drown Vlad in more mud. "He might have been a detractor in our quest against the swordsman, but capturing him is good enough for a consolation prize. How about we try and interrogate him, see if he has anything worthwhile to say?"
Farnese greatly considers the idea. She did have to report back to Mozgus, and coming back empty handed would be something both she and the priest would feel great shame in. That youngster could very well know the whereabouts of that evildoer.
But the ally of her enemy should also be her enemy. She would squeeze all the words she needed out of him, and then report the sinner to the council of Vritannis.
After the use of some buttery substance to remove Serpico out of his mess, an iron chain was held next to Vlad as Farnese kneeled in front of him.
"Don't take my helm off! I'm, uh... Cursed in my ugliness." The halfling grasped at straws before his face could be revealed.
"How else are we supposed to pull you out when you can't use your hands? Show me your face and open your mouth-"
Farnese quickly took off his helmet and instantly recognised his identity. The sight of Vlad was nearly enough to make her puke. The ethereal pile of garbage himself was staring back at her with nervous smile.
"Well, I'm glad you can see people for something other than their looks..." Vlad sweats, neck deep in dirt.
"Y-YOU! WHY MUST YOU KEEP HAUNTING ME, PHANTOM!? ARE ALL OF MY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH FOR YOU!?" Farnese shrieked.
"Hey, you said it, not me... Good to know that I'm always in your mind. I'd call it cute if you werent such a creep..." Vlad said the last part under his breath.
"You shall not escape me this time, ghoul of the undead. These chains were specifically made to be used against evil spirits invading this world. This is the end for you and your cowardish ways!"
