[ freeing the others in this area is not particularly high on his list, though contrary to what those may believe about him, it is on the list. he does not like to see innocents jailed — there is the simple logistical hangup that he does not know which restless among the prisoners are actually innocent.

however, is the hierarchy thinks they can simply sweep them all up regardless of crimes, they can figure out who actually belongs here. laurent doesn't have time to speak before he finds a fist colliding with his face, just barely steeling himself for the blow. the man doesn't hold back, and laurent feels the hot gush of blood from his nose just as the guard yanks the bars open and stalks inside while wielding his club. laurent doesn't hesitate, springing like a viper to take the man down — he, too, is not unskilled in combat, and in less than a minute the man lays unconscious at his chained feet, the keys held in laurent's pale hand. ]

You're escaping with me. [ laurent frees himself first, shackling the guard to the wall with his chains, and then kneels by his companion's feet, unlocking the heavy irons around his ankles. he wipes his bloodied nose on the back of his hand. ] Or I'm not freeing anyone, and I'll drop these keys in the first gutter I pass. I'm Laurent. Who are you?