The prison opening, the chain that snaps.

[finrod]

Finrod tries every spell that might corrode the metal into rust, and every spell of strength he can remember to break the chain binding him. It's only when these fail that he thinks of the basic principles of metalwork. The links and bands of steel will have seams for all their outward smoothness. He focuses on the centre chain link first, but though it grows hot enough that he can burn his fingertips if he stretches to touch the chain, the solder does not fail.

He sighs and jerks on the chain in frustration. The cuts on his neck itch. He recalls the girl's - Rae's - words.

"Strong blood makes good magic."

A shiver runs through him even as he finds the joint in the band on his left wrist. It grows red-hot, but he concentrates hard enough to ignore the worst of the pain, even as blood begins to trickle over the metal. He can feel the metal give, bends it on the rung of the chair just enough to work his hand free...

From there it's easy enough to snap the length of chain that had linked his wrists together, and he throws the broken band into the water as soon as he gets out of the room. He can't ignore his wounds indefinitely, and a hot, sick feeling courses through him. Still, he keeps his footsteps silent.

---

_{So, from here we'll play in comments for the rescue party arriving and ensuing chaos!}

Comments

[princetheoden]

*gotten separated from Boromir and Nyel when he lost his torch and making his way as quietly as he can through the tunnels, feeling his way with his fingers*

[ecthelion_of_gondolin]

*has sent teams of guards down each of the tunnels; going down another with his torch in one hand and sword in the other*

[ecthelion_of_gondolin]

[Ecthelion pauses to check his map, and realizes that this tunnel is in a straight line, bisecting the city - the same straight line that all the bodies were found along up above.

He turns and shines his torch on the walls, and stares at both the rose tile, and the symbol that was present at all the bodies.

Putting his map away, he continues down the tunnel, occasionally stopping to check the walls for the symbol and tile. He doesn't realize it, but he is approaching the altar room, where the cult members are planning their sacrifice. But the magic is strong down here, and the back of his neck prickles with the curses and spells that are heavy in the air.

He hears voices and footsteps approaching, and he quickly turns down another tunnel, hoping to find a hiding place.]

[theodredprince]

*is down with one of the teams, squinting as he tries to feel his way along, and trying to stick close to someone's torch as possible. This is probably one of those moments when his coordination is going to end up fucking him over, isn't it?*

[ecthelion_of_gondolin]

*realizes the people he hears approaching are the guards, steps out of his hiding spot to see Theodred and the others* It's me.

[theodredprince]

*That is kind of the moment DRED is starting a little at the noises. And he kind of isn't seeing too clearly in the dark and a little unsteady and you know, freaked out and the torch isn't close enough to him that he's seeing anything so...down he goes. On his face.*

[princetheoden]

(Son I am disappoint)

[ecthelion_of_gondolin]

*minute sigh; reaches for Dred's shoulder, to help him up* Theodred, it's me. Ecthelion. Come on. *looks at the other guards* We're going this way... *pointing down the tunnel to the direction of the altar room; they will be meeting up with the others as they all converge on it*

[second_time_around]

*has joined the search party at Turgon's request; in the tunnels with his own sword, and the one he's made for Finrod; is concentrating on the bad feelings to lead him to his nephew*

[second_time_around]

[He follows the feelings of bad magic, and takes a turn off a tunnel into ... a vacant room. But it has not been vacant for long - he shines his torch around the room and sees what remains of the chains that so recently bound Finrod.

He's crouched low, examining the chains - not happy to see the blood, but given hope by the way the chains have been broken. Finrod was not unchained by his captors and taken on to a worse fate, he has escaped.

He straightens and turns to leave the room, trying to decide whether to catch up to his nephew or to follow his feelings, and determine the source of the bad magic, when two cult members enter the room.

Luckily Fëanor has the element of surprise on his side, and makes short work of them, but in the fight, his torch is dropped, and goes out the wet floor. He steps over the bodies and back into the tunnel, hoping the noise hasn't alerted other cult members, and realizing he will have to find his way back with no light.]

[princetheoden]

*still making his way along, looking for an exit so he can get up and get a new torch or SOMETHING*

*quietly* one step, two step, don't step on a warg or in sewage, yes, this is going very well...

[second_time_around]

[Fëanor is making his way to the center of the city, the altar room, the source of all the bad magic, when he hears footsteps approaching from either side.

He pauses and steps back against the wall, sinking into the shadows, trying to discern if they are friends or foes, when he realizes it is Theoden approaching from his right, and cult members, carrying a torch and speaking with great urgency about the missing captive, from his left.

He steps in front Theoden, blocking him from the view of the cult members, and uses both the swords he is carrying to cut them down. Then he turns.]

Hello, Theo.

[boromir_of_gondor]

*caught up to Nyel* Are you alright? *looks around* I don't see any more coming. *catches his breath* We should double-back and try to track them.

[finrod]

*hears the sound of voices ahead; thinks they sound human, but pauses, quiet and still, to be certain*

[john_npcs]

Yeah, I'm fine, sir. Just bit off more than I could chew. Sorry. *rubs her arm where a much larger elf got a good hit in*

[finrod]

*yes, humans definitely; steps forward quietly*

[boromir_of_gondor]

*looks at her arm* That'll bruse up nicely. *points off to the right and whispers* I think I hear something. *withdraws his sword*

[gondocase1]

[Lights flare up coming through side-tunnels, making things very uncomfortable for anyone who hasn't had time to adjust, and the remaining cult members appear on the scene, led by Cristaer]

You've hurt the city. You've stolen from the city.

And now you will be given back to it!

[second_time_around]

*presses the sword he made into Finrod's hands* Take this, Finderato.

*to Cristaer* You don't want to do this. *approaching with his sword drawn*

[finrod]

*slightly surprised, but grips the sword reflexively*

[princetheoden]

*stays by Finrod, to guard the guy they're in there to keep out alive*

[gondocase1]

You've taken this out of my hands, Lord Feanor. But if you choose to submit to the will of the city, we can end this swiftly. *has daggers in his sleeves, ready to strike out*

[second_time_around]

*glances quickly at Theo, Finrod, Boromir and the other guards, to make sure they're ready* We're all here to stop you. I've already killed six of your people - now is the time to surrender, if you want to survive.

[boromir_of_gondor]

*feels the weight of eyes on his back and turns around, sword drawn.* Nyel! Behind you! *jumps into the muck and takes on two elves approaching from the rear flank*

[john_npcs]

*jumps into the fray, yelling a corsair battlecry*