"Wreath?" There was no answer, just more gnashing and squishing sounds from the opposite cell. She tried not to gag on the smells, hand gripping the key from within the cell. Everything in her screamed to leave, but her panic would do her no service in these tunnels. It was no use trying to remember the way they'd come, so she resolved to sneak back where the jailer had appeared from and into the castle itself if she could manage it. She was already wrapped up in this, and far too curious of these maniacal Lords to just pretend it didn't happen. Making a silent promise, she vowed to return for Wreath. If it hadn't been for her, Nedra would still be on that island, racking up punishment for escape attempts. Though, she would soon wish that's what her life had been left to.
{{...}}
Sebastian had kept many contacts, some of whom were into more experimental arts, and for a contracted liaison he and Nedra visited the home of one of these strange men. She'd caught lengthy glances of rooms she wasn't supposed to see, full of jars of things which no one should lay eyes on, and bottles filled with the worst sort of potions. One of these, in a black bottle with a chalked 'X' and a cork stopper, had been a quiet goal. It had been the poison that eventually killed him, instead of her.
That place came to mind, reminded her of the castle she was in now - everything was a shade of evil and had the stink of rot. As she combed her way out of the dungeons and past experimental rooms, she pushed away the lingering guilt - that someone had died in her place - and tried to focus on her steps and surroundings. Wreath was going through something inexplicable and likely evil, and Nedra couldn't help her if she was dead. She'd taken her chance and now had to find someplace to hide, to wait out...whatever this was. Once she made her way past the gore of the kitchens, she found the servants' quarters and the dusty hallway that lead all over the castle. Deserted enough to be relatively safe, she stayed crouched and hurried as far as she could; looking for stairs or attics or lingering people, taking advantage of every nook and cranny to hide her.