The King's Court

LIV

The way around the tunnels was way more complicated than I thought. I lost count of how many times we turned left and right and how many times we stopped to rest. My brother assured us that only a few knew about this passage, including Lorence and other members of the Royal Family. Apparently, the passageway was used to transport goods straight from the district center, avoiding the mass of people that could potentially delay the deliveries. But Lorence's father had long shut it down due to the possibility of it being used by enemies to infiltrate the palace. 

We were kind of doing it now only that we are going out and not infiltrating inside. 

My head wandered to many things and I was restless as we continued to venture down the dark path. After I sent Eris coded letters, I only got one letter from Eris. That was all. Perhaps they were trying to be discreet by not sending too many as it would get intercepted by anyone in the palace who could be working for the Southern Council. 

The possibility crossed my mind multiple times but it is only now that I got to muse about it. Something doesn't feel right. 

"We're here," Leon announced and we all stopped walking. The guards, led by Louis, immediately checked the metal door in front of us. One of them tested the knob and it twisted quite easily. The door was rusty and it croaked too loudly in the tunnel. The sound was loud enough that could have woken up everything that should have remained asleep. 

We were greeted by the soft buzzing of the district--the merry music, the people's cheers and conversations. We ended up in the city as we all agreed. 

Whoever took Evelyn and Lorence is obviously working with the Council of Solaris. For some reason, they want this war to happen. 

Or perhaps they have another agenda in tow? 

"What makes you think we could lure out the abductors this way?" asked Markus beside me as we successfully came out of the passage. The outside air filled my lungs, replenishing the stinky air I'd inhaled down the passageway.

"Evelyn and Lorence's abductors are working with the council. Or perhaps they're just done by the same person. Nevertheless, the news of us escaping the guards would have spread and now they're going to come after us."  

"And pray tell, how is that a good idea?"

I looked at my brother. "I did not say it is a good idea. It's certainly a bad idea. But it's the best we have."

The street where we ended up was baren of the buzzing district center. Save for the trash bin that was turned upside down, there was nothing remarkable there. Although, I could see that it used to be a crowded place with all the small stalls and buildings lining after one another. Whatever happened to the place, left dust and the ghosts of what it used to be.

I need to make a quick plan-- a quick decision. Not only is Solaris ar great risk here but also Visaris and Nolaris. With the two rulers absent, I'll have to do it alone. 

I faced Markus. "You go with Louis and another guard back to Visaris. Take the route less traveled and cover your faces. Tell me what's going on there." 

"Your Majesty, I was under Sir Roylan's orders--"

"Roylan can sod off. We're not even certain if he's safe or not," I cut Louis off. "You go with Markus and go to Visaris. Send me a letter as soon as possible. I don't have a good feeling about this." 

"Me neither," Leon seconded. "There is something going on, definitely but I just couldn't quite put my finger on it. Me and Nikolas will scour the streets of this kingdom to find the abductor or if we're lucky enough, they find us first."