The end of an Era has come. Magic is broken. New Heroes are needed to face the challenges of the new Age!
What happened to Cackle during our imprisonment?
Just so I am clear, that's your companion, right?
I believe Cackle was not captured with you. If that is the case, you don't know what became of him.
Note that you do not gain xp for down time when you spent that time in prison.
I find it hard to believe that the incarcerated brothers haven't started at least one prison riot in all this time...