Iron Spear promised Red Beard that she would take down the man in the weird black suit.
But the guy hadn't reappeared for two consecutive days thereafter.
Red Beard's patience had almost worn out; he had been secretly observing these days, looking for a chance to break free.
However, the guards had clearly become more vigilant after entering the mountain. Not only were they watched during the day's march, but their hands and feet were also bound before going to sleep at night.
The rope used was very sturdy. Red Beard had abraded a small notch all night long but couldn't break free, and he ended up being beaten by a guard who found out.
This beating made Red Beard completely give up on escaping using his own strength. During an afternoon toilet break, he surreptitiously engraved a large snake with two wings on its back into the rock wall.
This was the Mist Snake Tribe's totem, and it was also the agreed-upon sign for contact with the Dwarves.
