They approached the guard station, which was built into the wall of the cavern. Massive windows allowed for an unbroken view of the prison, and Shadow spotted a long desk of levers and controls, presumably to move the cells on their ceiling tracks.
The path led to a portcullis and guard house manned by two dark elves. The two stood behind the closed gate, playing dice on a small barrel set between them. The courtyard beyond connected to the viewing and control room, also blocked by a second portcullis. Against the cavern wall, a doorway led to a set of stairs headed into the wall, probably to the guard’s quarters.
“We’re an hour outside of Elsurund,” Elenyr said. “The only people that come here are either prisoners or soldiers.”
About the size of a small fort, the structure contained a tower at the road, a small courtyard, and the control room. Shadow peered into the courtyard and spotted a door set against the stone, presumably leading to the barracks. The elves obviously relied heavily on the defenses of the prison, and did not station very many guards at the Melting.
“Let me do the talking,” Sentara said, advancing to the guard house.
Elenyr frowned, but made no move to intervene as the aged woman tapped the portcullis with her knuckles. The guards looked up and then went back to their dice, laughing as they rolled sixes.
“What do you want?” one asked.
“We need to speak to a prisoner,” Sentara said.
“These prisoners don’t often get visitors,” the second said, a touch of suspicion lighting his eyes. “Least of all from an old woman.” His eyes flicked to the others in the group, a man, two woman, a young girl. No dark elves.
“We have word from Queen Erisay herself,” Sentara said.
Elenyr extended a roll of parchment through the portcullis. A guard scowled in annoyance as he stepped away from the dice and accepted the parchment. He unrolled and read the missive, his frown deepening as he noted the mark on the bottom, the seal of Queen Erisay.
“Wait here,” he said.
He turned and crossed the courtyard, calling to the guards in the control chamber. Someone inside pulled a lever and the second portcullis rose upward, permitting the guard inside. Shadow craned his neck and caught a glimpse of the controls. The seconds passed and his irritation returned, so he cast a thread of shadow through the portcullis, tipping the dice as the remaining soldiers sought to continue their game. The loser cursed.
“These dice are rigged,” he growled. “There’s no way they roll so low every time—and only on my turn.”
“Just your luck,” the second said with a laugh, and rolled a six and a five. He grinned as he dragged the small pile of coins into his hands.
The second guard cursed again and struck the dice, and Shadow tipped them upward, bouncing them off the top of the wall. The surprised guards stepped to the courtyard wall and watched as the dice fell into the lake of acid.
Shadow grinned as he watched the dice melt and disappear.
“Shadow,” Elenyr murmured. “Do remember we need their help.”
“I thought you said gambling was a filthy habit,” Shadow said.
“It is,” Elenyr said. “But that doesn’t mean you can melt their dice.”
“Gambling is fun,” Sentara said. “But fun is not a virtue possessed by the Hauntress.”
Elenyr glared at Sentara while Shadow laughed. Few dared to stand up to the formidable Hauntress, and he enjoyed the spectacle. Elenyr noticed his expression and her scowl deepened, but before she could speak the last guard returned and waved for the gate to be opened. The thick portcullis clanked upward, allowing them into the small courtyard.
“Captain Jefsor would like to speak to you.”
Although he tried to hide it, his voice was hard. Elenyr glanced to Shadow, who shrugged like it didn’t matter. Rune and Sentara were talking about the prisoners, and Sentara was pointing to one of the prisoners, who had retreated to the back of his cell. He stared at Sentara with abject fear. Lorica frowned, making it clear she’d noticed the guard’s tension.
“Thank you,” Elenyr replied to the guard.
The five entered the courtyard and the guard swept a hand to the other two. They straightened and ambled to the portcullis, sealing it behind them. As Shadow crossed the courtyard, another trio of guards appeared from the barracks, and holes in the courtyard floor opened up.
“That doesn’t bode well,” Shadow said, pointing to the holes.
Captain Jefsor appeared at the gate to the control chamber, dressed in the customary green and grey of a dark elf captain. He was short for an elf, and oddly, had a beard. Shadow burst into a laugh.
“That’s better than a dwarven beard,” he said.
Captain Jefsor growled, his eyes on Elenyr. “An elf, two human women, a girl, and a vagabond.”
“Hey!” Shadow protested, looking to his traveling clothes. “I’m not a vagabond.”
“You expect me to believe the five of you are here on an order from the queen?”
“We are here to speak with Mimic,” Elenyr said.
“Not until we find out who you are,” Jefsor said.
He made a motion to someone out of sight, and there was a rush of sound. Shadow stepped away from one of the holes just before acid burst from the floor, spurting upward. A dozen other geysers rose, sealing them all inside.
“Captain, you’re making a mistake,” Elenyr said.
“No mistake,” Jefsor said. “Tell us who you are, or we’ll put you inside a cage and let you rot until you do speak.”
“I’m sorry,” Elenyr said. “But I really don’t have time for this. Someone else will be coming for Mimic soon, and we cannot afford to let her be taken.”
Elenyr turned ethereal and leapt through the acid. She drew her blade as she passed through the captain’s body, who cried out in fear. Elenyr placed her sword on his throat as she turned back to flesh. The courtyard was visible by the prisoners, who began to shout and call, rattling their cages.
“Captain,” Elenyr said, “please lower the acid. I’m only going to ask once.”