Note: Yes Chocolatetuna the name Nibbler is from futurama but I couldn't remember where I got the name from when I started writing this as I always use the name in any random computer game where I can't think of a name.

I have tried to keep sentencing shorter and more understandable but some characters will have long ranting bits because that is they way they think and talk. I hope it's understandable.

Chapter Two: First Impressions.

Neystrul really didn't expect the door to fly that far into the cell or even for its hinges to shatter. This just goes to show how one should always be specific when giving instructions to those not gifted with as great an intellect as his own. Still it was hard to imaging how a simple "Open the door quickly and stand aside" got misinterpreted as a command to "Kick the door off of its hinges and leap through shouting some slightly customised but still rather generic sounding war cry"

Still he reasoned to himself as the dust settled it did add that extra something to entering a room or in this case a very small rather dank and exceptionally smelly prison cell. Since he had still managed to cast his spell despite the distraction Neystrul didn't feel the need to verbally chastise the ever so slightly enthusiastic Stratus at this moment.

Blinking away the after effects of his spell just reinforced his argument that the spell needed more work! Blasting an area in natural sunlight causing massive damage to any undead and total destruction to those blood drinkers was all well and good but temporally blinding and disorientating anyone foolish enough to look in the same general direction no matter how noble or pure of heart was plainly inefficient and needed remedy as soon as there was a more opportune time.

With an air found in those more used to speaking to themselves then others sentient life Neystrul muttered "Well at least we know one thing now that we didn't before"

Ever keen to reply Riddic hastily asked before Stratus "Really how can you tell? Sorry Master I didn't mean to interrupt you Master. What is it you have learnt Master?" as always he asked with the type of eagerness Neystrul had started to associated with either gross stupidity or fanaticism and sadly he had the ever encroaching feeling that Riddic was cursed with both.

Sighing Neystrul continued "Well I think it is safe to assume they are not vampires or" he paused momentarily"any other form of undead for that matter"

"Then we must free them at once!" declared a temporally blinded Stratus "And continue that most foul beast that attacked us" Neystrul would have laughed at this but the poor fool wouldn't know what a pun was even if he had drunk an entire cauldron of intelligence boosting potion and then had the concept explained to him by the entire Council itself.

"Since this is the last cell it is safe to assume that it had fled" Neystrul explained as he stepped onto the broken door, taking care not to step in anything questionable "and will you please stop swinging that sword around for the moment. Thank you. Riddic I need more light!"

As Riddic increased the light created by each of the three glowing orbs following around them and Stratus had cessed his senseless flailing about Neystrul could finally have a good look around the cell.

This cell was larger then the others they had already cleansed, chains enough for six prisoners two upon each wall. Though strangely unlike the other cells that had been crammed with victims this one had only four chained within.

Of the four bodies only three retained any signs of life, one on each wall. A dark haired Human and tattered and very soiled rags, a Gnome dressed in what once was a finely tailored suit and a Dwarf covered in tattoos with only a loincloth that had seen better days next to the corpse of a what was well dressed human noble, if Neystrul had to guess or at least someone with wealth, all three were still unconscious.

"Strange… Where are the other bodies?" Neystrul mused

"What bodies Master?" A bemused Riddic asked on que

Answering with what occurred to him as almost saint-like patience "If all the other cells were filled with bodies why would this one have space for two more?" quickly answering his own question before Riddic managed to make a mangled attempt at logic Neystrul added "The other two prisoners have already been taken somewhere meaning we are too late"

"Then we must be off at once!" Stratus was far too excitable in Neystrul's opinion

"So you already have a destination in mind?" Again not waiting for an answer he continued "then let us wake up these three "guests" and see if they have anything enlighten to reveal to us, start with that human. If you would be so kind as to revive him now Riddic"

"They are prisoners we should release their chains first!"

"Stratus just because they are not undead does not make them friendly and whatever they were before being confined here I doubt they have endured totally untainted by the madness of this place"

The man grunted then slowly raised his head all the while blinking idiotically at the light. He looked up at each of his rescuers in turn seeming to take note of their appearance until finally he muttered "Dear gods, Light priests"

Riddic misinterpreted Neystrul's silence as an order to speak "Stranger! Be thee a friend of the Free People or do you side with darkness?"

The man started to laugh and asked "How many of the Legion of light does it take to ignite a hanging lantern?"

"Silence stranger! We will be asking the questions here" Which sadly Neystrul knew would be the predictable response from Riddic but to his dismay Stratus decided he was also aloud to speak.

"How many priests? Surely only one is needed"

"Two! One to light the lamp and one to uphold the light!" the man was now in gales of laughter

"I do not understand what you find amusing sir as the-"Stratus began

"Enough!" Neystrul having kept quite to determine what manner of man was chained before him decided that his almost saint-like patience was not enough to let this conversation continue "Who are you? How did you get here? And where are the other prisoners?"

"Who am I? A good question but surely one that should be answered after much mediation and soul searching perhaps a revelation will come and I will be more able to answer-"

Now extremely agitated Neystrul cut him off "Answer or we leave you here!"

"Fine, fine calm yourself for a moment" the man sat up straight and tried to do a half bow but was restricted by his chains "despite evidence to the contrary my name is Nibbler the Elf and I seem to have arrived here sometime after being struck rather rudely on the back of my head. In regards to my current companions here in this wonderfully decorated accommodation are rather obviously chained to the opposing walls.

"Master he is a madman; he thinks he is an elf"

"Ever observant Riddic, thank you" focusing again upon Nibbler he asked "how long have you been here and was there any other prisoners here?"

"Three days, well three feedings though you couldn't really call it food as real food has…" he trailed of as Neystrul glare intensified muttering something sounding like "spoilsport" he continued as if he hadn't said anything at all "Three days and only Tarr and The Bard have been here as company oh unless you count our decomposing friend there who I more smelt then saw if you get my meaning"

"Then she was not here! We must leave at once!"

"Again I ask you to have patience while I talk to the other prisoners" as if on que the Gnome started to awaken "Ah now and who are you?" Neystrul made a silent promise to his God that if Riddic didn't ask that foolish question just this once he would serve a penance when he returned to a temple.

The Gnome started to struggle to free himself from his chains while glaring at Neystrul with a rather psychotic gleam in his eye "You cage Tarr! Now Tarr see you now Tarr show you pain!"

"Tarr?... is that really you?" the man calling himself Nibbler the Elf said as he broke once more into fits of manic laughter.

"Crazy man-elf now I show how to slay enemies!" yelled the trashing Gnome who looked likely only to slay himself at this moment in time.

"Just calm down and wait! If you answer my questions I will release you" Neystrul had to yell over the frantic war cries of a slightly frothing Tarr "Stop struggling and just WAIT!"

Neystrul heard a voice that was never meant be used for anything other then a blood curdling screams attempt to sing "See I've already waited too long… and all my hope is gone…"

This was all just too much for Neystrul "Stratus deal with them as you see fit I am going back outside" he said as he was already halfway out the door

As he walked down the hall the others could still hear the occasional "Why am I cursed with such stupidity" and "All totally mad" trailing after him