"Well, this won't do at all." said Gerald as he looked about the basement. It was well made unlike the upper floors... Though it did keep all the innkeeper's supplies dry.<br/>"Ceremony can wait for later." CRACK!! Gerald lifted and drove the butt of his spear into the stone floor, which appeared to do nothing at first. Then one could see small clumps of wet, dirt fall from the butt of the spear, but there was no caked dirt upon it. In fact no one has ever seen dirt cling to the spear at all, blood yes, but not dirt. From the clumps of moist earth cracks formed across the stone splintering it like glass and from these cracks small 'hairs' appeared.<br/><br/>Thump-thump-thump, thump, thump-thump, thump, thump; grumbling, more footsteps and the dragging of metal. The guards were bringing down the barbarian. "Damn this fething animal is heavy."<br/>"Don't worry you'll not be carrying him again. He will never see the outside of this room... Though it will be quite the surprise for the innkeeper and his old woman when next they venture down here. *snickers* Though that is a small price to pay for harbouring enemies of your kingdom. Lay him over the cracks."<br/><br/>This done Gerald stepped to a sack of wheat, ripping it open took a handful of grain. He circled the body slowly pouring out the grain and muttering something the guards could not here. Once he completed the circle he turned to the guards, "Make sure the door is locked and barred. Then help yourself to whatever you find in here." The guards momentarily surprised by the second half of the order hesitated and then smiled. Lord Gerald was not usually like this, he would've beat them for taking from stores so freely. As they milled about the room shaking barrels and rifling through sacks and baskets Gerald sat cross-legged with his spear across his lap at the feet of the barbarian and seemingly went to sleep.<br/><br/>As the hours passed the stones about the body darkened with what appeared to be more 'hair' but it stopped at the wheat grains. This hair began to wrap around the body then began moving it to a standing position. As more time passed the 'hairs' thickened and thier true form shown, they were roots. Fully enwrapped now except for his head barbarian would never be able to move once he woke. Some five hours had passed now, "How hard did you hit him?" Rising now Gerald took a barrel as a chair and drew from a bottle of ale the men had. "You mentioned a barrel of water in here somewhere earlier right?" "Yes Lord." "Take it and wake our friend here. Our queen does not wait for us on fluffed pillows eating sweets."<br/><br/>After several good splashings of water the barbarian came to with a swift draw of breath that was cut short by a searing agony, or so the expression on his face said. "Good of you to join us my friend," said Gerald as he stood to face the captive. The barbarian returned the reply in some gutteral foulness he called his home tongue and then spit at Gerald. Instantly each guard was on his feet the nearest already moving to deliver a hook across the jaw. But a motion of his Gerald stopped him,"There is no need of that." Turning to the captive, "As for you, I'd make better use of my water supply." Sitting back down,"Well since pleasantries are not your strong suit we'll get down to business. Some two and a half months ago your kind and the foul orcs in league with some conspirator in my court kidnapped my queen. Where was she taken?" Silence..."Ah of course a barbarian never talks. Well let me tell you what is happening here and why you should be afraid."<br/><br/>Gerald leans back like he is about to share a hunting tale by the fire,"My queen made her kingdom known and feared by being bold and brutal. Public executions and torture were common and the rumors of her using bloodmagic were proven true countless times. Many people know of me for the victories I obtained since coming to the kingdom which of course led me to being chosen as the queen's husband and king. All of this you know. What you do not know is that I was once the unofficial ruler of not one but two kingdoms prior to coming to this one. My wisdom was so honored by my past king he hardly spoke to any other advisor. The other kingdom I literally built from the ground up, it is an elven kingdom. The elves are very close to nature and nature can be more dangerous than all my queen's power. You see it's the subtle quiet things you have to watch for, like these roots." AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHHHH! "That pain is from these roots. While you were unconscious I bent them to my will and laced them all over you and... in you. That's right you have roots right now growing through your body penetrating your muscles squeezing your organs wrapping around your very bones. I can crush you from the inside out in a blink. Your people's stoicism against pain and the elements are legendary but you've never experienced this. Tell me now, where, is, my, queen?"