The Two Types of Trap

Castellan tracked back to the rope ladder [2072] which led to the room that had the chests that had now disappeared [436]. And indeed, the original passage into the room had also disappeared.

Castellan read Fred's memories again. "So the blue potion was a perfume. Being a man of war, you did not recognize that this would be a lure - such a perfume would fetch a good price. I am not a trader myself, but I do make it my business to know what is valuable to man...." Castellan analyzed the room's setup. There were two types of traps. The first killed its victims. The second captured them alive. This room felt like the second type of trap. So Lord Fred should be getting a visit from whoever baited the trap.

"Someone knows you are here, Lord Fred. They do not know that I am here ... yet. It may take some time for that soul to get here, but I know how to hibernate a man's body like that of a bear, if needed. I have time."

Castellan turned to the idea of breaking out of the trap. Although he was accomplished, he knew that even a modestly secure magical trap would be difficult to break without either having knowledge of how it was put together, or certain special tools. But it would be worth thinking about this for a short time. Maybe this trap was weakly constructed, or had been weakened over time.

And what of Astra? Any Aqualarian noble worth her salt had spent time as a youngster in play, tracking other children. As the descendents of hunters, silent and unobtrusive shadowing of small game was a valued skill, and still honed even after the Aqualarians had settled on farms and estates, and the need for expert tracking was less acute. Castellan had probably discounted her as angry but ineffectual, and would underestimate her. That would work to her advantage. She was sure that she could disappear from Castellan's sight while still shadowing him. She knew enough of Castellan's history, and saw enough within the last hour, to be outraged by his union of brilliance and brutality. Astra thought that perhaps, in freeing himself from the caves, he would break the wards that held her in. She did not have a complete plan yet. Once out of the caves, she could perhaps appear before someone and let them know of what the ghost of Castellan had done. At any rate, her fixed purpose was now to bring Castellan down, if possible without killing Fred.

1. Castellan finds a way to break the trap.
2. Someone arrives, as Castellan expects.
3. Castellan decides to explore other parts of the cave.
4. Castellan does not break the trap, and Fred goes into hibernation. Astra sees a potential opportunity.

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