-----"Ravenhold has its share of mages," the invisible prisoner starts to explain. "Those of high level are used by Lord Sintor in the Town of Ravenhold or are part of his larger assault troops. For smaller troops or slavers like what you just defeated, they tend to rely on common mages or lowly magicians."
-----With a bit of bitterness creeping into his voice, he continues, "Lord Sintor's troops have not been picky about recruiting soldiers or mages into the army and they certainly don't wait for volunteers."
-----After a clearing of his throat, the captive says, "I come from a family that lives not far from the town of Black Bog. When the troops came through our village, they first looked to see what special talents we villagers had. After I was discovered to be a mage with some talent, my parents and my siblings were collected to insure that I served with 'dedication'. My family was then carted off and since that time I have suspected they have been taken to a river town where other enslaved people have been sent."
-----"I have been told that if I serve without question, my family will be released," and here the bitterness is evident again, "but with the ruthlessness that I have seen, I have not had much hope."
-----"I have been hoping for some kind of . . . challenge or . . . confrontation to this troop that could mask my disappearance as my own death. In that way, I might be able to search for my family. The invisible potion is a potion that I had received from my mentor a few years ago."
-----The pleading tone returns as the mage suddenly asks, "One thing that comes to mind right now that I beg of you. Please don't tell the soldiers you captured that I live. Even if I am to be imprisoned by you, if they find out that I survived and I spoke to you, they could . . . harm my family."
-----As Sol looks around, he sees the blacksmith standing close to Pil as the warrior guards the prisoners.
-----Whisper digested the tale, never relaxing his half drawn bow. It sounded plausible. But voices can be disguised, and lies are best if mixed in with some truths.
-----Taking the tension of his drawn bow soley in his left hand by locking his grip, he snapped the fingers of his free hand to get the attention of his companions.
-----Waiting to see their eyes on him, he pointed at the imprisoned emptiness, and then gestured at his own eyes before deliberately clenching his fist. Then he returned his hand to the bowstring.
-----Sol's eyes narrowed at the elf briefly, as the Gorian gave up on trying to decipher the obvious attempt at instruction. He also passed on the idea of speaking to the blacksmith, at least until he had spoken more thoroughly to the mageling.
-----His own countenance had eased considerably, most noticeably with each time the man mentioned his family. Sol carefully cleaned his sword with a rag from his pack as he began to ask the young captive some questions. The first thing he did was make a promise, "We've no intention o' letting those men back there threaten anyone."
-----Sol then asked, "Were the people of this town all t'be carted off t'this river town ye mentioned?"
-----"On the 'missions' I have been on with these soldiers, all of the able-bodied people in the villages we have visited have been gathered. Occasionally only the anciently infirm have been left behind," relies the invisible prisoner.
-----"How long will it be before this slaver group's absence will be missed by Sintor's forces? Are they due at a particular time?"
-----"What is usually done is, this troop will ride with the slave wagons to a village on the river called East Bend. There the slave wagons are sent on and new drivers in slave wagons journey with the troop to a different village or hamlet. East Bend is probably a day's ride from here if the wagons are taken. It would be less that riding without the wagon to slow you down."
-----"Now that this town has survived one attempt at forced slavery, are they likely t'be attacked again?"
-----The captive pauses and seems to consider before answering, "I'm not sure how the troop stationed at East Bend will react. With other troops heading in from different parts, I would hope that it would be a while before they realize that these people are free." After another pause, he adds, "I could be wrong as I'm not sure just how organized they are at keeping track of their . . . slave wagons."
-----"Do ye know the name an' location o' this town?"
-----"If you mean the town where the imprisoned people eventually end up, I'm not sure. I have heard the name Kule or Ku, but I believe they are talking of the village of Kulendra. It is, . . . or was, a small mining village located on the Altor."
-----"Ye may not be in a position t'know, but guess - why is Sintor doing this t'his own people? Why does he need t'resort t'slavery t'swell ranks in his own holdings?"
-----"Guess?" the captive asks, but continuing, "I am guessing that Sintor no longer cares for his people. I am guessing that he is using humanoids as his main force beside his knights and those faithful to him. That way he can use the commoners as hostages. I am also guessing that there must be something in Kulendra that Sintor feels is valuable to his war effort and that's why he is using slave work there."
-----"What do ye know about the goblin an' orc-kin that now work fer Sintor? I understand men who serve t'protect their families, but there are an awful lot of men, higher officers who seem to be terribly loyal t'serve a lord who breaks fealty to his own king, as fighting side by side with evil humanoids."
-----A choking sound is heard resembling a quick sob before the man answers, "It is truly a madness I do not understand. It is as if the realm of the Lady of Night has descended upon us. There are also those who serve the Lord of Flame and Hate who are part of Ravenhold now."
-----"Yer mentor. Does he serve Sintor now?"
-----"Belyon is my example," he replies. "If he does serve him, I know it to be without desire."
-----"Lastly, I'd have yer name. If we can't see ye fer now, I'd appreciate at least calling ye appropriately."
-----"I apologize, Belyon's potion seems to have worked almost too well. I am called Jyan and I would expect the invisibility to work no more than an hour's time longer.
-----Satisfied at the captive answers, Sol sheathed his longsword and contemplated his next course of action.