Chapter 24 The Dwarve's Rum
On a specific day each week, an Ether vehicle would transport food materials to the Dwarve's Rum. Catering to some of the richest clientele in the kingdom of Lanthanor, many food stuffs were imported from neighboring kingdoms. Of course, many times the items being transported might not just be food stuffs. Captives of war or strong fighters of different races were often tied up and sent to enthrall the spectators of the fighting arena.
It was on this cart that Daneel snuck inside the arena. The cart was covered by a tent, with the rear open. As it passed, he had taken advantage of the sound from the cart and jumped inside.
Rolling in, the sight which greeted him shocked him to the core. Inside was a square room, at least 40 feet in length and width. Numerous crates were placed all around. As Daneel looked closer, he noticed that many of them were actually cages made of a green material.
This was definitely a room enlarged by using magic. It was a very high level application of the same magic that let a small coin transform into a dagger or a sword.
Daneel had only heard of it in rumors-rumors of tents that when entered that were actually palaces. Now, he was experiencing it himself. From outside, the cart and the tent barely looked like it measured 10 feet diagonally. Inside, it was at least 4 times larger.
Standing up from he had rolled inside, Daneel walked to the entrance. He wanted to make sure he could leave as soon as the cart entered the premises of the pub.
Only, there was an unseen barrier which blocked his way forward. Panicking, he tried punching it and kicking it to no avail. He was trapped inside!
[Space Enchantment detected. Data collection in progress], came the voice from the system which was no use at all.
"Is there any way I can get out?", he asked, frantic.
[Negative. Enchantment too complex to decipher exit route]
Yes, he really was trapped. He knew that he might be captured and handed over to the government for trespassing, or, even worse, be directly killed because he had witnessed the rumored truth behind the transportation cart.
Human trafficking was banned by law in the Kingdom of Lanthanor. Those who were found to be engaging in it were directly executed.
Dwarves with thick blocky bodies and long beards. Elves with pointy ears and fair skin. Even a giant who looked to be at least 9 foot tall. All of them were sleeping inside the cages, tied up.
Daneel heard voices outside as the cart started to grind to a halt. Thinking fast, he quickly hurried into a nearby cage in which 2 men with red hair were tied up. The gates only had a simple padlock.
The men wore white coverall robes that covered them from head to toe. They reminded him of priests from earth.
With no way to tie himself, he could only lie down beside them and hope he wouldn't arouse too much suspicion.
Just as he was done, the tent flaps opened and 2 burly men walked in. With a paper in hand, they started surveying the contents of the cart. One man stood at the entrance looking around.
After getting to his cage, the man said in a gruff voice, "Another unaccounted prisoner! And not even tied! They should at least tell us before adding 'em for free.....tie him up and inform the arena master. He seems to have some muscle on him, could be good to be a servant."
The man at the door walked toward Daneel and tied him up without saying anything. Both his arms and legs were bound tight, with no room for movement. Although it hurt like hell when the ropes were tightened, Daneel stayed calm and did not make a sound.
"Alright. Get em in.", said the man as Daneel heard multiple footsteps and the sound of crates being moved.
Although magic existed, it seemed that manual labor was still used in this world. Starved men lifted crates and cages and carrying them out. Daneel could only peek from time to time.
After a while, his cage was set down.
"Matches start in 2 hours. All of them were magically drugged to wake up at that exact time. Lets get some drinks.", said the first man again to which there was, again, no response.
Silence greeted Daneel as he carefully opened his eyes to check if the coast was clear. The cage was in a large room that seemed to be a warehouse of sorts. There were no windows and there was only one exit-a wooden door.
Daneel struggled with the ropes. This was the time to get out and get to the hideout.
But try as he may, he couldn't move his arms and legs even a tiny bit. Even worse, he started to lose feeling in them due to the blood flow being cut off.
"Need help with those?", came a voice from beside him, as the ropes automatically unfurled before falling on the ground.