Penelope held her breath as she eyed the cellar door. With all that she was risking, she prayed that it would lead her into the dungeon rather than just some weapon or wine cellar. Summoning her courage, she began to move towards the cellar door. It took nearly everything in her to not bolt for cover, especially when she heard another softer rumble of thunder come from above. She was still trembling, though it was becoming difficult to tell if it was from fear or cold as the rain had made her completely drenched.

She walked briskly, trying to stay out of the sight of the archers she had spotted. If there were any guards patrolling nearby, she definitely didn’t want them to find her. She finally made it across the clearing and over to the door without being seen. She paused to do one last survey of the area around her before opening the door and slipping inside. The knight felt a great deal of relief wash over her now that she was inside. She swept her gaze over what lied inside. She couldn’t seem much yet as she was at the top of a long wooden stair case that lead down further below the castle. It was dimly lit by lanterns and Penelope guessed that guards were likely waiting at the bottom. 

She paused to reach into her boot and pull out the cloth that had the henbane oil on it. She carefully unfolded it and rubbed it over her dagger before stuffing it away again. Chances were that there would be more than just one guard at the bottom, so she hoped the oil would help even out the upcoming fight. She stood back up and began her descent into the cellar, trying to move quietly but finding it difficult as the wooden stairs creaked beneath her.

[i]I wonder if their swords will be broken too...[/i] She recalled the half swords that the knights from the previous fight had drawn. Was it a fluke? Or was it... [i]He must have done something to them..[/i] A smile tugged at her lips as she figured Crow must have done something to the swords. She wasn’t sure how or when but any other reasoning seemed unlikely to the knight. However, this meant she would be stuck with a dagger for the rest of the mission. It wasn’t something she was overly thrilled about but she had managed fine with a dagger so far. 

The end of the stairs came in sight and with it, two guards. One was sitting comfortably at a desk with a dull expression on his face while the other leaned against one of the pillars in the room. It was certainly a dungeon, for which Penelope was very thankful for. As she snuck a look past the two guards, she saw a long row of tightly locked up rooms. She couldn’t see into them so she had no idea where William and Abraxas were. [i]I’ll find them soon..[/i] She focused back on the guards, thankful they were unaware of her. 

“Man I hate these shifts.” Groaned the man in the chair. He leaned back in it and stared up at the ceiling. “And it’s so cold in here!”

“Bad weather.” The other mused without much care about the conversation. “At least we’re dry.”

His gaze lifted slightly and he noticed Penelope approaching. “Hey!” he snapped. Penelope moved fast, tipping the guard in the chair and causing him to fall to the ground as she moved to meet the blade of the other guard. He had pulled out his half sword, and though thrown off by it’s state, swung at her. She deflected the attack with her dagger and went to attack his shoulder. The guard blocked her and she glared at him in annoyance. Penelope slipped to his left and swiped at his right hand, managing to fake him out and cause for a small cut on his arm. He snorted, thinking nothing of it and moved to attack her again. Except this time, he fell short as the henbane took effect. 

Penelope spun around, expecting to face the other guard but instead finding his form fleeing up the stairs. She felt her stomach churn. He was going to get back up and that meant she wouldn’t have as much time to free William and Abraxas. “Damn coward.” She spat hatefully then quickly began to look around the room for the keys. She finally spotted them hanging on a rack on the wall and quickly grabbed them before hurrying into the hall of cells. 

“William! Abraxas!” She called out, dropping her accent. “I’m here! Where are you guys?”

She held her breath as she listened for a response. 

“Hey if it gets me out of here, I’ll be either one of ‘em!” Came a crude voice of a different prisoner. Laughter and agreement came from another cell. She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“Penelope?” Came a familiar voice from a little further down. She grinned. “Abraxas! There you are!” 

Penelope hurried over to the cell and began to undo the locks on the door. “My gods, Penelope, you’re actually here!?” Came the louder voice of William from the cell across from Abraxas’. She finally got the door open and stood back to let Abraxas get out. “Yes I am and we’re getting out of here.” 

Her younger comrade stepped out, looking dazed by her sudden appearance. He looked a little beaten up but nothing too bad, which she was grateful for. She smiled at him and then turned to undo William’s lock. Soon the older knight joined them, also looking rather beaten. “How did you even get here? What happened?” William questioned her immediately, clearly shocked by her sudden appearance. 

Penelope looked at him and smirked a little, feeling rather joyful that she was reunited with her comrades. However, she knew the moment couldn’t last long as they had to get out before the guard returned with reinforcements. “I’ll explain everything once we get out of here.” She said tossing the keys to the side as she hurried down the hallway to where the guard was lying. She grab his half sword and handed it to Abraxas before shifting around him to locate his dagger. Once she did, she haded the weapon over to William. 

“We got to move quick.. Just follow me.” She told them sternly. Her heart began to race again as she turned to begin the last stretch of her mission.