With a creak, Antitina raised her head in the darkness and rotated her stiff neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone open the iron door, and the jailer led several others inside.
Then came the sound of flint striking. Soon, a flame sprang to life.
The bright torch was held by that rough-handed woman. Its light shone into Adviser Miss's eyes, making her squint uncomfortably as she struggled to adjust.
Outside the iron door, two knights stood beside the woman. Their armor was completely unlike Eluin's style, and the metal reflected a bright gleam in the firelight. One knight was older, while the other was somewhat younger.
"Let her out," the older knight ordered the woman responsible for guarding Antitina.
"Wait, sir. She's still wearing shackles." The woman hurriedly pulled out a ring of keys and answered, "Let me unlock them first."
"Then be quick." The knight sounded impatient.
The woman came over to Antitina and seized the shackles on her hands. Adviser Miss struggled symbolically, but it was useless. The former worked quickly, inserting a key into the lock and twisting it. With a clatter, the shackles around Antitina's wrists fell away.
The shackles were attached to the dungeon wall by an iron chain. It was only a few meters long, and within the chain's reach, she could barely move away from her bed.
The dungeon was dark and damp, filled with the stench of mold. Messy straw was piled in the corners, and occasionally a few rats could be seen darting over it.
The younger knight frowned as he surveyed the surroundings. He glanced at the heavy metal shackles on the floor, then at the abrasion marks covering the female prisoner's once snow-white wrists. Unable to help feeling sympathy, he asked, "Who is this