Molepire: The Serpent's Silver Tongue

Devil's advocate - [6]

[6]

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The plan was flawless.

I stormed towards Mole Hole as the lunar rays sunk into my flailing trench coat. I'd been marching around for the last couple hours, hoping this prick would turn up eventually; my attire had consisted of my beige trench coat, a mocha-colored pair of trousers and a plain black shirt - the leather halter on my leg contained my spyglass. Call me overdressed, but its better than some of the rags I'd seen around here. If Casper was as naive as he used to be, this should be a piece of pumpkin pie.

The clouds shook with every thundering bolt of lightning, erupting the sky into hazardous shades of electric blues and whites. The pine trees shivered as the pine needles hit the ground with a steady pitter-patter beat; I'd seen a few Moles hurrying off to the mines, wielding pickaxes in high hopes of getting some ore grind while the weather was atrociously shit.

I climbed down the ladder as they rattled and cried with old age and use. Casper's room was small but cozy, a lapis-blue bed tucked into the corner as chests laden with mining supplies and otherworldly treasures lay close by. As I walked in, I noticed a frog on the bed, his name-tag reading Dimitri. I shook my head - leave it to my brother to collect weaknesses like achievements. I shifted the toad across, sighing as I sat down, my leather boot buckles pattered against the bed frame. Time slowly ticked by as I heard the creak of a chest opening in Evie's room. I stood up quickly, equipping my ax. As I started to approach the room, Casper strode in, the smell of birds and rainwater overwhelming my mere human senses. I turned to face him, smiling grimly. He looked like a mess - his feathers were extremely tousled and his glasses were fogged up.

"I see you received my message," I began, but he just groaned, bored already. I resisted the urge to scoff at him, but I needed this... alliance... more than anything. "Casper we need to talk." He replied shortly, "Go on." I nodded, before clearing my throat, "I want to help you take over the empire, I want to help you destroy Molepire." I held my breath as his eyes lit up with greed, a small smile twisting onto his lips. I continued, a small sliver of pride settling over my shoulders, "But are you willing to help me? If you agree, I'll support your crappy ambition to become king and I'll even defend you in court, should it come to that." I muttered the last part, but his golden eyes twinkled with mischief as the wheels in his head started turning. My heart dropped as his smile faltered slightly, he whispered, "How do I know you're not a spy?" I rolled my eyes, before I responded, "Because, I want to have control, just like you big brother."

Silence.

"Just trust me Casper."

The five syllables trickled from lips, as I began to spin my web of lies - it was richer than gold but softer than silk. Casper thought, before holding his hand out. I smiled fondly, shaking it with exertion. "Glad we could come to an agreement, plus, the other's aren't expecting us to ally so!" He began to offer me treasures that nobles, like ourselves, should be divulging in: netherite, iron, redstone, diamonds.

This was too easy.

I stood up, brushing myself off. "We should have a calling card," I stated, looking towards the Avian. He raised an eyebrow, evidently confused. I repeated myself, before continuing, "Like a flower or a sign?" I sighed as he looked dumbfounded, "I want there to be murder Casper, we should leave an item so people know the crimes are all connected." A cough erupted from Evie's room, both of our heads swiveled with concern. I warily awaited Casper's thoughts; albeit, I didn't plan on listening to him anyway. He asked with a sly smirk, "But, brother, what shall we do?" I shared his expression, "What we do best, cause chaos."

"People are too gullible," I declared, cracking my knuckles. Casper looked at me befuddled, before speaking up, "What?" I cocked a smile; we'd been sat in his small cavern for the last half an hour, he'd been telling me all about Molepire and I had tried to disguise a yawn with a badly executed cough. "People will believe whatever I- I mean, we tell them to believe, ya know?" Capper nodded, but I cut him off sharply before he could speak up. "When we take over, you could have the lush cave, if you wanted?" He scowled, replying quicker than a wicket, "You aren't in charge Alistair, know your place." His words dripped with scorn and control - it was surprising, control was something he never had or will ever obtain. I bit my tongue, before glaring at him, "Do me favor and play Devil's Advocate?" He ignored my tone of voice, as he replied, "I sure can." I thought silently for a few moments, before speaking up once more, "What if I rigged the Mole king poll?" I quirked an eyebrow, as my brother thought again, before replying quietly, "Good, good..." 

His expression was distant and his eyes seemed almost glossy. "I'm apart the council, you know?" He said after a while, now it was my turn to listen; if I could get into the Elder Mole council, then I could spy on the other members. 

"Let's steal the law book."

Casper let out a loud laugh, throwing his head back as he nodded gleefully, "My dear Alistair, that may be the best idea you've ever had!" I felt myself inflate at his praise, my head feeling dazed with compliments; I quickly shook my head, not wanting the heat get to me - well, not yet at least. "Then they'll have to do as we say!" I exclaimed, excitement bouncing within me. Casper smiled brightly, as I eagerly shoved more ideas into the air, "Or we could throw it into lavaaa!" I sang, waving my hands around in small motions by my side. Casper hushed me, before he replied quietly, "No, no, we can use it, c'mon, let's go think of a plan." He went to usher me further into the abandoned mining tunnels but a loud, thundering noise wailed from Evie's room.

I darted in, brandishing my iron sword - as I peered up the ladder and out the window, I saw a small Nymph hurtling down the path, disappearing into the storm. Casper poked his head in, after settling his dogs and frog.

Well shit.

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Word Count: 1102