Molepire: The Serpent's Silver Tongue

Gunpowder, treason and plot - [10]

[10]

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I knew my brother was low but spawn killing the new kid? It was a shock for many, but I couldn't say I was surprised. The big argument had started just before Aster confronted me about the law book - I think my head was about to explode with all the constant feuds and drama. I mean, it's ridiculous, in Elskanei, this drama would've stopped with someone impaled by a blade.

Katie had told us all to meet in her wooden house, the small cottage hidden in the cliffside cavern underneath Mole Hole. Trekking from a thousand blocks away really wasn't the best idea, especially since I was already late. Maybe I should consider installing a rail to go between my empire and Mole Hole, like a train? The wind blew lightly as I thudded up the cobblestone stairs, wheezing ever-so-slightly. Pebble, Isaac, Cat, Fern - everyone was here, except Casper. I felt a frown creep onto my face but I quickly forced a smile; now wasn't the time to mope about my brother's elongated absence from my life. I walked in, the warm breezes of a recently lit fire crept up my sleeve as I inhaled breathlessly. I had never taken Katie for an interior person but...

Oh.

My.

Gods.

Books lined the spruce shelves, the velvety leather back novels adorning the walls. Lanterns swung and hung from fence posts in the ceiling and a thick rug lay in the middle of the room. I marched straight over to the chair, sighing as I sat down. The chair itself embraced me with comforting arms, the patterned fabrics putting my buzzing brain at ease. This was nice... this almost felt like home - almost. I could ask Katie if I could stay here more often alas, if Aster hadn't spewed every detail of our encounter. The only thing missing would be the enraged yells of my parents and the inconsistent but chronic whirring of machinery. More people slowly filed in as I leant forward on my knees, resting my chin on the palms of my hands. I bit back a yawn as Katie closed the door, slowly, as if she was still waiting for someone. I did a hurried head count and realised we were missing that stupid Nymph. I cleared my throat, grabbing the wandering attention of the room.

"Isaac didn't say much, so fill us in please?" That wasn't such a big lie - Isaac hadn't told me anything. I'd been pestering his uneasy gaze for days now, the half smiles he shot at me causing my concern to increase. Katie smiled warmly, rubbing her hands together. "We have a plan, to take down Capper." I felt the room stiffen, the air between us growing stale as excitement began to gurgle inside me. Cat and Fern both exchanged glances, their steely expressions reminding me of Iron Golems. Though, there was something about Fern that made my heart jump a little - maybe it was just the lighting from the fire but her hair seemed to shine a little brighter. I smiled to myself, refocusing back onto the conversation at hand. Katie continued, "The first part of the plan only needs me and Isaac but the next bit is just as important-" I cut across her, unable to control myself, "Do I get to explode something, yes or no?!" Laughter seeped into the room, spreading a burst of life like oil to a set of rusty joints. Katie chuckled, smiling towards me, "It may be a small part of the plan but yes, you might get to explode something - all we really need right now is your TNT though." I choked up a small cheer, "Hell yeah!"

Isaac stepped forward, grinning as his purple eyes flashed a garbled warp of emotions. "Talk about explosions?" He tilted his head to the side, speaking into the silence, "More TNT is always good, no matter what." I jumped up, wincing as I jarred my right knee slightly - it had always ached with pain but today had been difficult. "I like the way you think, we should ally!" The Endian raised a lilac eyebrow as I sensed the slow cogs churn in his mind. He already thought we were allies, what an idiot. I smiled innocently, a small sensation of pride layering my shoulders as a small grin appeared on Katie's face - she really was naive. "Between us, we should have enough TNT to kill Casper!" I exclaimed, sitting back down. Isaac muttered a small reply as I shuffled around in my seat, "Also," I looked around the room, daring anyone to interrupt me, "I have a lot of flint and steel, just saying."