Solitary Confinement

As Fred was dragged to a different cell he saw that Ringroot, along with two more guards, stood at the doorway of the jailroom Astra was still trapped in. In Ringroot's hand he no longer held the glass bottle, instead he once more had his gnarled magic staff. The last thing Fred saw before he was thrown into his new prison was Ringroot entering into Astra's room and then a bright blue light, like lightning, flashing from within. And then he was shoved to the ground and the demifox guards locked his door.

It was two more days before Fred saw Astra again. Two more days. That only left them five days in which to be cured of their animalistic transformation. Five days in which to escape, retrieve the Crystallic and find Synizn. And even then, what if Malachi had lied? What if there was no cure?

But Fred fought to dispel such thoughts from his mind and from his heart. He still believed that his humanity could be reclaimed. And he would never give up while he still had hope. And so for the last two days he had spent his time observing everything around him, investigating his cell - all its nooks and crannies, and above all else engaging in an accelerated regimen of his fighting arts. He practiced every movement he knew, stretched his strange body to its limit, learned its strengths and weaknesses. His tail, an extra appendage he doubted he would ever get used to, still kept him slightly off balance, but for the most part he was now more than prepared to deal with three or even four unprepared demifox guards.

But would he get the chance?

Since Astra's unwise outburst he had seen no one but the guards, and they only visited him to bring him food. They never came into his cell, rather, they slid his plate and cup through a slot at the bottom of the door. And Fred was never sure of how many were out in the hallway. This put him at a grave disadvantage, but simply remaining here was not an option he could afford to consider. He had to escape.

But then Ringroot came to his cell and the door was finally unlocked and opened. Fred stood before the demifox elder and wondered what the fox mage wanted from him. Fred made no threatening moves, in fact he smiled congenially at Ringroot, but he also took in every detail around him. The door was open; Ringroot stood closest to him, though not too close; six guards stood behind Ringroot; each guard held a spear; the key to the door was held by the guard to Ringroot's left; Ringroot was holding the magical staff. The odds weren't good for Fred, that was for sure, but at least the door was open. This might be his only chance to get out. But then Ringroot spoke.

"Come with me," the elder said and walked back out into the hallway. Fred followed, escorted by the six guards who encircled him with their outstretched spears. It was clear they were taking no chances with him. One false move on Fred's part and he would quickly discover what it felt like to be a pin cushion.

1. Fred is led to...

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