Sabotage - Chapter Six

                                       Chapter Six



Everdron walks around the dreary courtyard. Soldiers run about, searching the bushes, trees, statues, anywhere they suspected something could hide. The creatures had made their way outside while knocking over guards in their attempt to get at one another. They had rolled off into the hedges and now were not to be found. A soldier found two little figurines in the shape of the creatures. Everyone checks to make sure they are gone. But Everdron knew the truth. A soldier runs up, his helmet dripping under one arm. "Lord Everdron." he says, placing his right hand on his left shoulder in a salute. "What is it?" Everdron asks. "We have found nothing, sir. Should we search the outside of the wall?" the soldier says. Bersion walks up, chuckling. "Do not bother." he says then looks to Everdron. "I suppose they have fooled us once again." Everdron becomes grim faced. 'Those two shall be dealt with when I...' A sudden feeling that would have made him quiver comes over him. Bersion and the soldier seem to notice the same thing. "What is that, my Lords?" the soldier asks, looking to the palace. The presence fades away. Everdron comes to his senses. "I believe an intruder has arrived." he says, facing Bersion. "I would have to agree." Bersion says, now straight faced. "Gather everyone and search the palace, captain. Have some units follow me." "Yes sir." the soldier says, saluting again. He takes a deep breath. "All units, to and through the palace!" he bellows. His voice bounces off the walls. It passes through the entire courtyard to every soldier on the grounds. Everdron grimaces and rubs an ear. "I will meet you inside." he says then travels. He appears in the study. It is, expectantly, empty. He sighs with frustration and rushes out the door. Once everything is solid in the armory, Debern lets go of Ryuu and checks his hand. "Something wrong?" Mondre` asks. "No. Everything is fine." Debern replies, flexing his hand. Skreme gestures for them to follow. They walk to the door, passing the usual assortment of armor and weaponry. He tries the door. It is locked again. "Let the Great Ryuu..." "I'll do it this time." Skreme interrupts. He taps the door handle once then turns it. The door opens without a sound. Ryuu opens his mouth to say something then frowns. Ashla pats his shoulder. "You can do the next one." she says. Skreme peeks out the door then signals all is clear. They stay close to the walls as the two escort them to the dining hall. Debern gazes around with wonder. They peek into a corridor to see soldiers running in the same direction they were heading. They have to wait. Once clear, they sneak down the hall to the door of the throne room. Mondre` opens it a crack. Ashla turns then points to the Lodestone room. Debern sees it there. “May we check that room?” he asks. “No one can get into that room.” Skreme says. Mondre` closes the door. "It is occupied." he whispers. "By who?" Skreme asks. "Only farmers." Mondre` replies. "I think we all appear to be servants. Maybe we can go in." Ashla whispers. Mondre` doesn't feel too sure. "I think we should go somewhere else until they leave." he suggests. "Please? I have not seen the throne room yet." she begs. "That wouldn't be a good idea." Mondre` says. "Then I will go in alone." she says, opening the door. "No, wait!" Mondre` hisses, grabbing for her. "Come, please?" she says, catching his hand. She pulls him out into the room. The rest of the group look to each other then Ryuu creeps out. Skreme sees Debern staring at the Lodestone doors. “Are you coming?” he asks. Debern turns back to him. “Yes, of course.” he says. He steps out with Skreme behind him. Ashla gazes around the huge room. She had been unable to do so last night. The farmers turn when they hear their footsteps. "Young man." one farmer says. The three teenage boys and Debern point to themselves. "You." the farmer says, pointing to Debern. "Where is High Advisor Everdron?" "Everdron? He is here?" Debern asks. "High Advisor Everdron is busy with a little problem." Skreme says. Mondre` can not help smiling. The farmer looks bothered by this bit of news. "Tell him Kolby’s here when you find him." he says. "Yes sir." Mondre` says. He and the others hurry to the dining hall. They open the door. Ashla and Ryuu are awed, but not as much as the throne room. "This is huge." Ryuu whispers. Ashla walks over and rubs her fingers over the wood of the long elegant dining room table. A small smile makes it's way across her face. Everdron turns a corner, heading to the throne room. He and his soldiers had scoured the area for the intruder or intruders and for the princes. Nothing could be found of either. He was becoming very concerned. He comes to the throne room door, but stops when he hears voices. He thrusts the door open, expecting to see the princes standing there, talking to each other about their next grand plan. Instead, a small group of farmers stand in the middle of the room. The oldest looks over to see him come in. "High Advisor Everdron. I just asked one of the servants to look for you." he says. “I'm here to talk to you about the Conargans.” Everdron is not paying attention. He feels an unusual presence. "Who was in here with you?" he asks. The farmer looks confused and nervous. "Only us. A young man and four teenagers came in, if that is what you mean, my Lord. They went that way." another farmer answers, gesturing to the dining room mirror door. "Where is the kitchen?" Ryuu asks. "The door over there." Mondre` says, pointing. Ryuu walks to the kitchen. A bellowing occurs outside. "Everdron!" the princes hiss. The four run to the kitchen door, shoving Ryuu through and fall over. They get up as footsteps come closer. "This way!" Mondre` whispers urgently. They follow him. Everdron steps into the dining hall to see the kitchen door swing closed. He rushes to it. The five dash through the kitchen. Several servants have to step aside for them. Tino looks up in time to see the five coming. He dodges out of the way then watches them turn to another door. ‘Was that Ryuu?’ he wonders. They run out then stop in a corridor. "Hurry!" Mondre` hisses, holding out his hands. Everdron runs out of the kitchen to find no one in the hall. The five appear in the guild a tick later. Debern releases Mondre`'s shoulder as if he had been stung. Mondre` feels a burning sensation on his shoulder. He winces, rubbing it. "What's wrong?" Ryuu asks, noticing Debern‘s reaction. He breathes hard, trying to calm down from the fright. "Nothing. I am fine. Just a stomach ache from the run." Debern says, placing his hands behind his back. "We have to go." Skreme says. He and Mondre` disappear in the blink of an eye. "I hope they don't get in trouble for showing us." Ryuu says. Ashla walks him to the bar. "They will be fine. I am sure of it." she says. Debern looks down at his hand. It is red and sizzling as if hot. He clenches his hand, wincing from the pain. 'Those two are not ordinary Diabolics.' he thinks. The princes appear in their room. They hear multiple footsteps stomping up the stairs. Mondre` runs over and slides a game of Summon the War out from under his bed. They put as many white and red glass pieces on it, leaving a few on the floor. Everdron swings open the door with a full escort of soldiers. "Your Majesties?!" he snarls. The two look up, astonished by the sudden intrusion. "What is it, Advisor Everdron?" Mondre` asks, sitting up straight. Everdron notices their clothes. "Where have you been?" he snaps. "Watch your tone, Advisor." Skreme says, narrowing his eyes. Everdron looks like he is going to snap at them again. He manages to settle down enough to speak in a calmer voice. "Where have you been, my Lords?" he asks stiffly. "We were planning a strategy until you arrived." Mondre` says, looking over Skreme’s game pieces then moves his piece. "Why? Is there something wrong?" "I believe someone is or was recently in the palace." Everdron says. "Who?" Mondre` asks, standing up. "I am not sure. I do not want you to wander anywhere without a visible escort from now on." Everdron says strictly. "Why?" Skreme asks. "Your fathers would not approve if anything happened to you. This escort will accompany you for now until another is assigned." Everdron says, walking to the door. He stops and turns. "And I believe the creatures you summoned, Your Majesties, have shrunk." he says. He holds up the two figurines. ‘He did find out.’ Mondre` thinks worriedly. "Oh. Well, it was an accident, so it could be possible they would not last long." he replies hesitantly. Everdron does not look like he buys it, observing what they are wearing. Mondre` and Skreme try not to notice. "Of course, Your Majesty. I shall fetch Hume." he says anyway, clasping the figurines. He bows then walks out. Mondre` sighs. "No more friends over." Skreme says to Mondre`. "Not for a while." Mondre` agrees with him. Hume comes in moments later and sees their clothes. “Where did you get those, Your Majesties?” he asks. “We discovered these in our laundry. We decided we might try them on. They fit quite well.” Skreme says offhandedly. Hume looks to their dresser drawers then back to them. “I will make sure it does not happen again.” he says. He helps them change their clothes then takes the wool clothes away. The princes, now in their silk outfits, walk out of the bedroom with the escort following close behind. They make their way to the red ballroom, where they practice wielding their auras. The soldiers stand along the walls, keeping their sight on the boys. Someone steps inside from one of the glass doors, dripping wet. He starts when he sees the guards. “Oh, excuse me.” he says. The guard closest to him gives a slight nod. The wet clothed person notices the boys in the middle of the room. "Good evening, young Majesties. How are you today?" he asks with a kind smile. "Good evening, Belphabas. We are very well, thank you." Mondre` says, bending a bolt of electricity into a bow. "I have heard you have been getting into some trouble. What have you been doing?" Belphabas asks, shaking water from his sleeves. "We have not been doing anything. Only practicing." Skreme says innocently. "What sort of new ideas have you thought of?" Mondre` asks, pulling the bottom strands of the electrical bow. It bursts into a cloud of sparks then vanishes. "I have not yet, Your Majesty. I am resting right now. Enjoying the day." Belphabas replies. "But it is raining." Skreme says flatly. "All the more reason to wander the grounds. I have not felt a good rain in a long time." Belphabas says as he wipes the water from his face. "You should enjoy it while you can." Mondre` says. "That is an excellent idea. I shall. Thank you, Your Majesty." he says then bows his head. "Good day to you both." He heads to the door when lightning flashes. He stops then tilts his head. "That might be it." he mumbles. "What is?" Mondre` asks. Belphabas looks to him then smiles. "I will show you when I am able to finish, Your Majesty." he says. He walks out, leaving a trail of water after him. A soldier swings a hand to the door Belphabas left open. The water on the floor is grabbed by his reddish orange-purple aura and slides back outside. The door closes on it‘s own. "He is truly mad." Skreme mutters under his breath. "His ideas are interesting." Mondre` says. "They are. He is just mad." Skreme says. They return to practicing. As the thunder rolls overhead, Mondre`'s shoulder itches horribly. He scratches at it then winces. "Is something wrong?" Skreme asks, dispersing a vibrating spike of his aura. Mondre` scratches some more. "Our shoulder hurts." he mumbles. He checks his shoulder. It is in the shape of a red handprint and is covered in welts. "Isn't that where Debern touched you?" Skreme asks him. Mondre` nods, examining it. "It really hurts. Should we tell Everdron?" he asks. "No." Skreme says. "Is something the matter, Your Majesties?" a guard asks, stepping forward. "We are fine. Mondre` was in the garden earlier and something fell on his shoulder and burned him." Skreme says. "We will have Tauva take care of it." “Yes, Your Majesty.” the soldier says. "But she will tell Everdron." Mondre` tells him. "We will tell her the same." Skreme says to him as they begin to walk out. "Once she sees it, she'll know it wasn't from a plant." Mondre` says to him. "It's better than explaining to her what actually happened." Skreme says to him. So they all head to the alchemist's lab down by the dungeons. They arrive infront a door at the lowest part of the palace. Moans of pain and agony come from within. Mondre` gets a chill down his spine. "Remain here." Skreme orders the escort. "We were ordered to accompany you." "Lady Tauvanuki will be with us. We will not be in any danger." Skreme says. He grabs the door handle and twists. It opens with a heavy croak. They step inside, leaving the escort there. A long tunnel stretches out before them. They make their way past several cell doors. “Ah, young Mondre`. Young Skreme. Have you returned to see me?” The sweet voice comes from a woman with parts of her face covered by her long white highlighted blonde hair. She sits in a dark cell, gazing at them with blue eyes that seem to glow with their own light. She has no aura, but she has something about her that seems wrong. “Not today, Lubomira. We are here for something else.” Mondre` says. The Avantran woman gives them a snide smile. “Maybe some other time then.” she says. The boys walk away, passing three more cell doors. They take a left to a brightly lit room. It is perfumed with the scent of lavender and lilies. Roots, herbs, bottles, and more hang from the rafters, swaying in a breeze that isn't there. "Tauva?" Skreme calls. The sound of a cloth moving informs them someone is in the back. A woman in a thin white and red dress with aqua trimming steps out. She smiles a friendly smile when she sees the two. "Greetings, Your Majesties. What brings you lovelies here?" she asks politely. One of her eyes are blue and the other is purple. Her aura is a light pink. “Hello, Madam Tauva.” Mondre` says. "We need your help." Skreme says. He pulls Mondre` up to show her the burn mark on his shoulder. She walks over to inspect it. "How did this happen?" she asks, gently touching it. Mondre` tenses from the pain. She moves her hand away. "Sorry, dear." she says. "We were in the garden and a spitting flower squirted a liquid on him." Skreme says. She gets a clever smile. "Are you sure that is what occurred?" she asks. Skreme stands tall. "Yes. Quite sure. Why?" he asks. She returns to examining the injury. "This looks like many burns I have seen from soldiers who have come into contact with Avantras and Unicorns." she explains. "You mean we have been touched by an Avantra? How could...?" Mondre` cuts himself off. Tauva gazes at him. "What is it, Your Majesty?" she asks. "It is nothing. Can you get rid of it?" Mondre` asks. She puzzles over the burn, brushing away a strand of long black hair, then walks to the back. "I may have something." she says. She leaves them alone for a bit. They wait for her to return. "Could it have been Debern?" Mondre` whispers. "Shhhhhh!" Skreme hisses, eyeing the curtains. Mondre` becomes quiet. She returns with a bottle of salve. She opens the top and dips a long fingernail in. A creamy white salve covers her fingertip. She rubs it on the rash. It cools the itching and shrinks the welts, relieving Mondre` of the pain. "Thank you very much, Miss Tauva." he says. She closes the bottle. "You are most welcome, Your Majesty. But please, tell me something. Who is this Debern?" she asks. Skreme gives Mondre` a foul look then says. "He is someone we met while journeying through the city." Tauva tilts her head. "Where, may I ask?" she says, placing the bottle on a table. "Somewhere. You do not need to pry." Skreme says. Tauva lowers her gaze and curtsies. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I am only concerned for your safety." she replies. "Thank you, but there is no need to worry. We can take care of ourselves." Mondre` says. "Of course, Your Majesty." Tauva says. "Come." Skreme says. He walks back to the door. "Thank you again, Miss Tauva." Mondre` says. He walks out into the dungeons with Skreme. They meet Belphabas on the way out. "Excuse me, Your Majesties." he says, letting them go by. He steps inside to see Tauva standing there. "Is something the matter?" he asks. She picks up the bottle of salve. "Young Lord Mondre` came in with an Avantran burn. But they will not tell me how he received it." she says. "They get into so much trouble." he says. "They will never learn." she agrees with a worried smile. “Are you going to inform High Advisor Bersion?” he asks. She thinks about it. “The burn is gone. I have no proof it happened. And they will not admit to it. Hopefully, this will not happen again.” she says.

Copyright 2007