Sabotage - Chapter Five

                                         Chapter Five



The next morning, Mondre` and Skreme drag their feet to the dining hall, half asleep. The dining room bay windows show the gray sky outside. Rain drizzles down in sheets. Lightning flashes then thunder roars, rattling the glass. They sit at the dining room table and wait for their breakfast to come. Skreme lays his head on the table with a thud. Mondre` rests his chin on his palm and yawns. “We should never bring them that late ever again.” Skreme mutters to him. Mondre` silently agrees. 'But we're not able to show them in the day.’ he thinks then pauses. ‘Or can we?’ "Where's Everdron and Bersion?" he asks. Skreme waves a hand in the air. "Around." he replies sleepily. Mondre` taps his fingers on the table, watching lightning streak the sky. “Maybe we can bring Ryuu and Ashla from the guild and show them around again.” he says. Skreme glares at him from under his long bangs. There are dark circles under his eyes. “What?” he asks him flatly. “I said we can bring Ryuu and Ashla from the guild and show them around again.” Mondre` repeats to him in private. “Why?” Skreme asks him. “It was just a thought. Since you don’t want to get up late to show them next time.” Mondre` says to him. Skreme's left eyebrow twitches. “Must we? I mean, they are peasants, let along thieves, after all. They’re not supposed to see all of the palace.” he points out to him. Mondre` understands his concern. But he liked having friends, even if they weren't really supposed to be there. He tries to think of something he couldn't argue with. “We won’t show them everything. We’ll watch them.” he says to him then blurts out. “Besides, we owe them.” Skreme seems to be surprised. "Oh?" Mondre` thinks of how to explain. “Ryuu saved us from the guards. He helped us while the guards were chasing us.” “I wouldn’t call dumping us in sludge helping anyone.” Skreme interrupts him. Mondre` continues. “He brought us to the guild. Ashla had a bath prepared for us/ They gave us food. And they’ve become our friends. We Royals keep our promises.” he finishes telling him. “They’re not my friends. And I promised them nothing. You did.” Skreme says to him. “I thought Ashla was a friend?” Mondre` asks him. Skreme's cheeks flush red. “Well, she’s not.” he huffs at him. He swivels to face the kitchen door. "Where is our breakfast!?" Mondre` smirks, knowing he would at least consider it. Servants walk out with plates of food. "Please forgive us, Your Majesties." one says, curtseying. “You are forgiven. Only bring it out soon after we come in.” Mondre` suggests. “Yes, Your Majesty.” the other says with a bow of her head. They place the plates down, curtsey again then leave the room. The boys eat and try not to fall asleep in their food, saying nothing more of the subject. The rain hammers at the glass outside while the wind howls. They finish their meals then stride to the study, not in the mood to run off. They open the study door to find it empty. "They must be busy to miss our lessons." Mondre` says. “This would be a great opportunity to leave.” Skreme plops down into a stuffed leather seat. "Perhaps later." he says. Mondre` sits in another chair. He grabs one of the books they were supposed to study and flips through the pages when he stops. "Where do you think the Advisors are?" he asks. "Too tired to think." Skreme mutters, sinking in his chair. Mondre` checks the time then returns to skimming through the book. In just a few minutes, the door opens. Lightning flashes when Everdron steps in. Mondre` stares up at the Advisor with wide eyes. "That was strange." he says to Skreme. Everdron sees them gazing at him from the chairs. "Good. We can get started then." he says. At the same time, thunder roars overhead. Mondre` looks to Skreme, who looks back. "Very strange." Skreme says to him. Everdron notices the way they react. He frowns as he walks up to the bookshelves. "We will start with history." he says, grabbing a book. The boys whine. "Since your parents will be arriving soon, we will talk of them." he continues. Skreme groans. Mondre` sighs, which is more of a hiss of irritation. He loved their parents. But he didn't want to hear every little detail of their lives. "High Lord Gothron...." Skreme raises a hand. Everdron notices. "Yes, Your Majesty?" "Who is the princess we are supposed to meet tomorrow?" Skreme asks, lowering his hand. Everdron places a bookmark attached to the book between the pages then snaps it shut. "Daemon Marinae is daughter to Daemon Marques Bradin of Haeltin and Daemon Marquises Esther of Uatha, may Daemon bless them. Daemon Marques Bradin ceased the Troll and Ogre Squabble that nearly destroyed the city of Mainat four centuries ago. He was offered aid by Daemon High King Gothron and Daemon King Yorroe, may Daemon bless them. But he wished to go on his own. He was able to halt the quarrels before the citizens were killed. Not a single drop of Demon blood was spilt. He also aided in the return of the High King to his throne from the Lord of Kekkar....." Mondre` feels his eyelids get heavy. He rubs his face to keep himself awake. 'He's not going to stop unless I say something.' he thinks. He wonders what he should say. "High Advisor?" he asks, raising his hand. Everdron stops talking. He looks a little put out at being interrupted for a second time. "Yes, Your Majesty?" he asks. "We know why the Avantras are fighting us. But why are the Dragons? Were they not peaceful before the war?" Mondre` asks. "Yes. They were peaceful before the Battle of Tears. Some suspect they are afraid either the Avantras or the Daemoniacs will attack them after the war is over. Others suspect they wish to defeat both sides to conquer all of Varnuc." Everdron goes on and on about the war, forgetting about what he originally was going to talk about. Mondre` and Skreme listen and take notes, always curious about the war. By midday, he had described most of the subject. The rain had become a torrent of water outside. The wind rattles the windows and lightning flashes across the sky. Skreme raises his hand again. "Yes, Your Majesty?" Everdron asks, seeming more calm than he had been that morning. "May we have luncheon now?" Skreme asks. Everdron realizes the time after a glance at the alchemic time keeper on the wall. The rod was now between the first and second ball. "Yes, you may, Your Majesties." he says. The boys get up and walk out the door. "That was close. Excellent work changing the subject." Skreme says. Mondre` stretches, stiff from being in the chair for so long. "Thank you." he says, clasping his hands behind his back. They eat then return to the study for the rest of their lessons. Everdron teaches them some fencing in the practice room, literature, which they grumble at, piano, and arithmetic. They finish early and dash out the study. Everdron goes to close the door when two servants from the kitchen step up. “Lord Everdron? Lord Bersion told us to come see you about something.” one servant girl says. “What about?” Everdron asks, not interested in what they had to say. The girl looks to her feet, clasping her hands in front of her. “We heard the princes mention something when they were in the dining room this morning.” she says. He opens the door further, paying attention now. “What did they say?” he asks. The princes stop running and stride down one of the many halls. "When do you think we can return to the guild?" Mondre` asks. "Why do you keep talking about it? It's not interesting anymore." Skreme says. "It is too. It's the only place I can go where I can be like everyone else." Mondre` says. "Why would you want to be like everyone else?” Skreme asks. "I'm tired of people bowing to me whenever I walk by and treating me as if I'll burn them to cinders if they anger me." Mondre` replies. "I don't mind." Skreme says, smiling proudly. "I know you don't." Mondre` says. "Besides, there's nothing to do." Skreme seems to consider on what they should do. "I suppose we could go. We need to distract Everdron and Bersion though." he says. Mondre` ponders on what to do. Skreme looks to a row of windows then furrows his brows. After a moment, he snaps his fingers. "I have it!" They run back to the study. Everdron stands by the fireplace, reading a thick tome. He looks up to see the boys breathing hard. "High Advisor Everdron! Thank Daemon!" Skreme cries, catching his breath. "What is it, Your Majesties?" Everdron asks, closing the book. "We believe we saw a gnome spy sneaking through the courtyard." Skreme says, taking a gulp of air. "Is that so?" Everdron asks. The cousins nod. "Yes. We would recognize a gnome a mile away." Skreme replies. Everdron makes a soft snort of disinterest. "Is it true you let someone into the palace last night, Your Majesties?" he asks. Skreme is confused. "No. We did not." Mondre` says. "And what is this about a guild?" Everdron asks. "It was a game we created. We have the servant children playing along." Mondre` says. "But Skreme does not like playing with them anymore." Everdron looks like he agrees. "You should not have to play with servants. They have no use except to follow orders. Do you understand, Your Majesty?" he says. "Yes." Mondre` says. "Run along then." Everdron says. They walk out. "That didn't go well." Skreme says to Mondre`. "We need to find some other way to leave." Mondre` mutters to him. “Maybe we can play Summon The War until we find a way.” Skreme stops and looks to him with a look of realization on his face. “What is it?” Mondre` asks, puzzled by his expression. A clever smirk crosses Skreme‘s face. “Shall we play Summon the War?” he asks. Mondre` understands and smiles. “Why, yes. I think I'll win this time.” he says. “No, I will win.” “I will.” They hurry off. Everdron continues to read by the mantle, turning a page every once in a while. This was one of the only times he could. He was far too busy the rest of the time. The door flies open. It is Their Majesties again. "High Advisor, it is horrible!" "We were practicing when we accidentally summoned two animals!" "And they are destroying the blue ballroom!" they yell. At the same time, he hears the secret escort soldiers say. "There is something in the ballroom wreaking havoc. We are trying to stop them, but we need your aid." "Stay here." he orders. He rushes out the door, bellowing for more sentries. Skreme stops panting. "That was so easy, it's sad." he says. Mondre` grins. "Let's hurry." he says. They go to their room, hearing crashing noises behind them. They change to their plain clothes then travel. They appear in the alleyway beside the tavern. Mondre` runs ahead of Skreme to the front door to get out of the rain. He steps through the doorway and bumps into a young man, causing the person to stumble. "Oh, excuse me, young sir." the person says politely. Mondre` notices he has a strange accent. His blonde hair is short with white highlights and blue eyes that seem to radiate their own light. He wears a long traveling cloak, cream colored tunic underneath, matching pants, and brown traveling boots. He has a traveling pack over one shoulder. He has a cheerful smile and no aura to him, but something about him makes Mondre`'s skin crawl. He refrains from shuddering. "It's fine. It was my fault." he says. "I have not seen you around here. Are you new?" the young man says. "Yes. My name is Andre`." "My name is Ream." the boys reply. The man tilts his head, seeming confused about something. He smiles a wary smile. "Where are you from?" he asks. "We're servants of the palace." Mondre` says. "Really? What are servants of the palace doing here?" the man asks, shifting the pack strap onto his shoulder better. "We're visiting someone." Mondre` says. Skreme was looking the man up and down. "Who are your friends?" the man asks. "Just some locals." Skreme says. "Greetings all!" they hear. Ashla runs up. "Oh. Good afternoon, Debern. Are you here for Jaran?" she asks. "Yes Ma'am. Do you happen to know where he is?" the man named Debern asks. "He is gambling in the back." she replies. "Thank you very much, Miss Ashla. It is nice to have met you both. I hope we see each other soon." he says to the boys then walks to the back. He disappears behind a door. "Who was he?" Skreme asks. "Debern? He is a friend of Jaran's. He comes every month or so." she replies. “Where's Ryuu?” Mondre` asks, noticing Ryuu is nowhere to be seen. "He is still asleep." she says. "Still asleep?" Skreme asks, unable to believe it. "He remained awake after you brought us home. I think he was upset about High Advisor Viscount Everdron. He fell asleep some time during the sixth morning tone." she says. "You need to go wake him. We don't have much time." Skreme says. "All right." she says. She walks past the tables to the door next to the one Debern walked through. “Quit telling everyone what to do. She's not a servant.” Mondre` says. “They serve us. It's all the same.” Skreme says thoughtlessly. They stand by the door, watching people walk in, dripping wet, and stumble out while whispering amongst each other. Water drips from the rooftops onto the doorstep. “Do you think they'll find out how we did it?” Mondre` asks. “Maybe. Maybe not. Bersion will tell us after Everdron stops yelling.” Skreme says. Ashla comes back a moment later. "He is getting dressed." she says. "We have to hurry. If Master Everdron and Master Bersion find out what we're doing, they're going to kill us." Skreme says. Ashla gasps. "What did you do wrong?" she asks. He is puzzled by her reaction then shakes his head. "They're not literally going to kill us. They're just going to punish us if they figure out we let creatures into the palace." he says. "Oh. Why?" she says. "Because we wanted to get out." he says. "Oh." she says. Ryuu walks up to them, slipping on a tunic and yawning loudly. "What's going on?" he asks sleepily. His earring is already in his ear. "We're here to show you more of the palace." Mondre` says. "But only for a short time." Skreme says. "Why?" Ryuu asks. "Do you want to come or not?" Skreme says sharply. Ryuu shoots him a dirty look. "I was only asking. We can go." he mutters. "Where are you planning to go?" Debern stands a few feet away, a curious eyebrow raised. "Somewhere." Mondre` says quickly. "Would you like to come see the palace?" Ashla asks. "That would be fantastic. I have always wanted to see the palace." Debern says with a wide grin. Ashla faces Mondre`. "May he come?" she asks. “We can't bring another person.” Skreme says. “We can not?” she asks sadly. Skreme scratches the back of his head. "Well, we can't because....." "That is all right. I do not wish to be a burden." Debern says. He goes to walk away. Ashla gazes at Mondre`, her big eyes pleading to him. He quickly thinks of what to say. "It can't hurt to bring another, if he stays close." he says. Debern turns back. Skreme narrows his eyes at Mondre`. "Not another." he says to him. "Why not? As long as we watch him, nothing will go wrong." Mondre` says to him. “What of the guards and the High Advisors?” Skreme asks aloud. He notices Debern‘s expression change slightly to nervousness. “They won't find us. They're too busy.” Mondre` says. Ashla clasps her hands together, smiling a little at Skreme. His cheeks go red as he lets out a loud sigh. "You can come. But if you try anything....." he threatens. Debern chuckles and holds up his hands. "I will not. You can trust me." he says. "I doubt it." Skreme says to Mondre`. The two hold out their hands. Ashla and Ryuu take them. Debern hesitates though. "What is it?" Ryuu asks. Debern warily smiles. "It is nothing." he replies. He reaches out and gently touches his shoulder then tenses. A look of solace appears on his face. ‘He is a strange person.' Mondre` thinks. He focuses. The room disintegrates around them.

Copyright 2007