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[SeriousConcentrate]

"Right. We'll send Anna, Seraphiel, Naziri, and anyone else who wants to go with them back to report on this. Grelen, Jackal, I'm counting on you two at least to back me up if we need to fight. Domenico, here."

Vahn took the Heal staff from Seraphiel's pack and handed it to the white-robed man.

"Just in case. Now, let's get ready to go."

[Lyca]

Understood. However, if I go alone or with together with Felicia I will be much faster. Expect me to take less than a day of travel. I can also rescue one of the slaves together with you and disappear quickly. This will strengthen our case.

[Solymr]

: We will probably need to keep our heads low while waiting, but now we need to get to Kovitz.
The party headed back to Kovitz as the night fully set in. There was no one out, lights were off, and the group sneaked until they could get in the church, which Domenico opened himself.

: We made it here at least. Do you want to do the honors or should I do it myself?

[SeriousConcentrate]

"I might as well. Best for these poor people to see a face not from Kovitz first."

It might be the first time people are actually happy to see the Gahnawende demon.

Vahn looked at the sconces, then pulled the third from the right and turned to the altar. Presumably it would move aside.

[Solymr]

Once the sconce was pulled, the floor behind the altar opened up, revealing stairs leading to the catacombs below.

[SeriousConcentrate]

Vahn glanced at the group, then grabbed one of the lanterns from the wall, lit it with a burst of black flame, and led the way down the stairs.

"We're coming down there. Don't be afraid."

The warlock reflected on the distinct irony of him saying those three words with his voice, let alone his reputation.

[Solymr]

When the group came down, they saw a grim scene: a few dozen people, caged in what should have been the final resting place for the deceased; some of them wounded, dirty bandages over the stumps of missing appendages; some were too young to be working normally; some asleep, or possibly unconscious; but most of them malnourished and depressed.

At the sight of new people, some of the slaves came up to the door pleading, asking for help, food or just water. Some of them too tired to stand, but didn't keep them from trying. And one of them already known to the members of the original group.

: ...Help...Help!

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Shh, shh, quiet down. We're here to rescue you, but we can't do that if everyone's alerted."

Vahn turned.

"Domenico, do you have the keys, or do we need to rely on Grelen?"

[Solymr]

: They didn't trust me with the keys. You'll have to open them the hard way.

: You're the ones that captured me... Why are you freeing me now?

[Lyca]

Whatever we are going to do, it will be better for you than staying here. And stay quiet.

[Doomblade187]

"The less you move,
the quicker this goes."

Grelen unlocks the chains of each prisoner.

[Solymr]

Raz nodded and kept quiet as Grelen undid his shackles and the other ones, but now there were a lot of people with no idea about what to do, and they were looking at Domenico and Vahn.

: I've brought food to these and other people for years... They probably trust me more than they should. What now?

[Doomblade187]

"Are there any ways out other than the church?"

[Solymr]

: No... Someone tried to make a new exit, it caved in and became their tomb...

[SeriousConcentrate]

"Then we lead these people out. And if anyone tries to stop us, we get them out of our way. They should know better than to think they can possibly stand up to us, but there's no helping some people."

Vahn checked on the prisoners himself, trying to determine who could walk under their own power and who couldn't.