Chapter 59: Rescrue Of The Prisoners

POV Eliza

For the next two nights I observed the area around the supposed hideout, looking for enemies as well as prisoners. I had to make sure that no one noticed me. I had the great advantage of my night vision, which meant I could stay under cover at night with almost no risk. This meant I didn't have to sneak up close. I counted over a dozen people going in and out of the building. A direct attack was out of the question anyway as they were clearly in the majority. In addition, they were all the same level or higher than me. So I had to resort to other means, but which ones? Alchemy in the form of potions or poisons was out of the question because I hadn't master it. In addition, it had many disadvantages such as price, conspicuousness and I could not guarantee that the prisoners would not be harmed by it.

I was in observation position, looking at my spells. I could only do a few air spells and a full 2 ​​water spells. None of this was helpful when fighting multiples, but my enhanced hearing was useful though. Still, it didn't improve my situation greatly. New spells were expensive to learn and I didn't have the gold. This meant that the heroes increased in importance again, even if it was purely out of necessity. I had to find ways to help myself. While I was still thinking, I saw, or rather felt, several people gathering near the hideout. Everyone was hiding even though it was night . Occasionally a flash could be seen in the moonlight, like metal in armor or weapons. I preferred to retreat further into my hiding place and continued watching.

Over a dozen people had gathered. Then several events began at once, as if on a signal. Inside the shelter, the last light went out first, while the people outside stormed the hideput and broke through the door. A fight then seemed to break out inside, as corresponding noises could be heard. My brain suddenly started working faster to keep up with events. The first thing that came to my mind was the realization that I had to go in there to get the prisoners out. The second thing was, it was impossible at the front. The attackers just stormed in. The third was, was there another entrance? From above was out of the question because I couldn't climb well. So through a back door. I knew from my previous observations that there was a courtyard.

I quickly retreated and circled the block. However, I didn't get far, just around the bend. Then I saw a small door open a dozen meters in front of me. Two men came out with several people tied up. There were five people tied up, all wearing hooded cloaks. A third person followed them and closed the door behind them. This also blocked out the quiet noises coming from the house. Everyone had a weapon in their hand. My feeling told me that the five people tied up must be the prisoners I was looking for. I didn't hesitate and started a spell as soon as the door closed. I spoke the formula up my sleeve so I wouldn't be heard. The front person holding the rope that tied the prisoners together was struck by an air bolt. The person hit screamed in shock and turned around. I immediately began a second spell from my hiding place.

“Holy shit, we’re under attack. Where is that damned pig?” <Man1>

“I have no idea, I can hardly see anything. We need light.” <Man2>

“No, just don’t. Then we’ll reveal ourselves even more.” <Man3>

Then the second air bolt hit the first man and he fell to the ground. I had hit his leg randomly. To avoid being discovered, I check my value in stealth. Even though I have the skill at advanced, I don't know if it's enough to avoid being detected in the dark. I increased it to 3000, the maximum. First I had to improve it to expert. I checked quickly and found that I could upgrade the skill to expert. I always forgot that I had the two unique abilities that saved me the instructor. You needed a characteristic to 500 to be able to improve a skill to expert. This allowed me to improve the stealth skill, which I did straight away.

I wish I had a decent ranged weapon other than my throwing knives. Since I didn't have one, I pushed the thought away. It couldn't be changed anyway. Meanwhile the prisoners became restless and started pulling on the rope. The sounds of fighting from the front were now getting louder and seemed to be getting closer.

“Zett, damn it. And you, now finally be quiet again.” <Man2>

"We do not have time. We have to get out of here.” <Man3>

Then I had an idea, even if it was risky. If I concentrated well, I could direct a spell to a specific spot. If I used an air bolt to cut or at least weaken the rope that bound the prisoners, the other man might also let go of it and the prisoners could break free. With no time to waste, I put the plan into action and focused. Then I spoke into my sleeve again and fired an air bolt. I wish I could control the strength so as not to potentially hurt the prisoners. I was lucky and actually hit the rope that the second man was holding in his hand without injuring the prisoners. He cursed and let go of the rope. The prisoner in front was frightened and fell to the ground. In a chain reaction, other prisoners also fell to the ground.

“Shit, the boss is killing us. But if we stay here, we will definitely die. Come on, cover the retreat and I'll grab Zett. Forget the prisoners and get out of here.” <Man3>

The two men helped the third man up and quickly pulled her back, away from the noise of the battle. I waited until they were out of sight and ran to the prisoners. They had all just stood up again and were backing away from me. Everyone had their hoods pulled over their faces, so I couldn't see their facial expressions.

"Keep calm. Dilara sent me.” <Eliza>

“Dilara? What luck. How is she?” <Woman>

"She is fine. Let's talk somewhere else. We have to get out of here before we are discovered.” <Eliza>

"I trust you. Things can hardly get any worse than now. I know a hiding place near here. We can go there.” <Man>

"Let's go. I'll just cut the rest of your bonds, okay? So don’t be alarmed.” <Eliza>

I drew my dagger and cut the rope. The former prisoners rubbed their wrists. One of the humans took the lead.

“Follow me.” <Man>

We followed the man across the street into a side alley. There we entered an inner courtyard via a passage. From there we went through one of the doors into an apartment building. Here we went down the stairs into the basement. In the farthest room, the man grabbed a candle holder on the wall and turned it 180°. A mechanism was then activated because a click could be heard. In the room, obviously a storage room, there were many boxes and barrels as well as two tall closets. He went to one of them and opened it.

“There is a secret passage in the closet. Goes through. After about two meters there is a doorknob on the wall to the left. Turn it and go into the room. I'll close the passage behind us." <Man>

We did as we were advised and entered the closet. Behind it was a short hallway and a doorknob could be seen on either side. The person in front turned the left one and opened a door. The room behind it was about 4x8m in size and contained a large table and several chairs. We heard the passageway being closed behind us and the little light that shone in here went out. We heard a brief scratching and a lantern on the wall next to us turned on. We immediately covered our eyes and were still blinded. Especially me, who had gotten used to the darkness. Then the man spoke to us.

“We’re safe here for now. Sit down and we can exchange information and find out who saved us." <Man>