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

[second_time_around]

*looks him over* Are you all right?

[princetheoden]

Oh yeah. I'm great. *holds it above his head to get a good look at the tunnel without blinding himself*

Why are you down here? I appreciate the rescue. *would touch Feanor, but there's cultist blood*

You didn't happen to see any of the guards, did you? I lost them at some point. *keeping with the casual voice and not the 'I'm stuck in a tunnel with corpses and I don't know the way out' panic note in his head*

[second_time_around]

*glancing around the tunnel with the light from the torch* I'm here because the King asked me to join in the search for Finderato. But no, I haven't seen any other guards, besides you.

*looks at Theo's face* You shall stay with me until with find them. But put out the torch. We will be safer if they are not aware of us.

[princetheoden]

*frowns, holding the torch tighter* but we'd be blind. *not arguing about staying with Feanor*

[second_time_around]

*nods* Yes, but they won't see us coming. *grins, but it's not particularly comforting, and more than a little like a shark*

[princetheoden]

Just don't get me while you're at it then. *reluctantly drops the torch into the water and presses back against the wall to re-orient himself when everything goes dark*

[second_time_around]

Put your hand on my shoulder as we walk. If we are attacked, we will fight, back to back, it will be the safest. *concentrates in the darkness, and starts walking forward, towards the source of the bad magic again*

[princetheoden]

*reaches up to touch Feanor's shoulder lightly and follows, other hand on the wall to make sure he stays as much on the path as he can. Doesn't want to end up in sewage*

[second_time_around]

*can feel the magic growing stronger as they approach the altar room; takes out two more cultists who are guarding the entrance, then pulls Theo back into the shadows as he hears more people approaching* Shhh...

[princetheoden]

*quiet, and hand on Feanor's back for reassurance in the dark, other hand on the hilt of his sword*

[second_time_around]

*listens for the people approaching; can tell some are elves, but not sure if it's the guards yet, or if it's more cultists; stands ready and waiting with his swords*