The Pirate and The Piper

Eavesdropping, Conspiracy, And Shorthand

Eavesdropping, Conspiracy, And Shorthand

I clung to the windowsill with my fingertips. My feet found purchase in between two of the rocks that had been used to build the palace. I was spying on one of the council members in the bedroom he had claimed, since I had overheard rumors of a secret meeting occurring there tonight.

Someone had drawn the curtains on the window shut earlier, so I could safely pull myself up and sit on the windowsill, at least for a little while. As soon as I got up there, I heard a door creak open.

"Quiet, fool! Do you want the whole castle to know you are here?" barked the council member. I forgot which country he was a king of.

"They'd just think you wanted a midnight snack," pointed out the old woman who'd just entered, judging by her voice.

The first council member snorted. "Where are the others?"

"On their way. They wanted to make sure they weren't followed."

"And you didn't?"
The old lady cackled. "No one ever follows me. I'm a child of the basilisks! Or is it basili? I can never remember?"

"I believe it is basilisk. Now, enough dallying about. Do you have the package?"

"Of course I do! What do you expect from your oldest agent?" The old lady wheezed. "And I'm sure feeling my age now! Running up those steps was absolute murder I tell you, murder!"

"We do not use that word lightly, Chrysanthemum, not knowing what we plan to do."

My breath hitched. They were talking about killing someone, but who? I didn't have time to think about it, since the door opened again and three more sets of footsteps came trudging in. From the sound of metal dragging along the stone floor, one of them was in chains.

"Ah, our noble host, King Haulani. How nice of you to join us," the council member whose room this was all taking place in sneered. Someone else snickered.

"Quiet, fools, or I will have you executed. Haulani, my misguided cousin. Why in the world would you see fit to open the Prison of Eldan just for your bastard daughter? Her mother was merely a commoner!"

"You don't have the right to call me your cousin. Iekika is of better blood than you could ever dream of being. Now will you stop this horrid plan of yours, or should I tell these people how you came into power?"

The councilman chuckled. "Oh, I made sure that everyone in my inner circle knows just how far I have gone to secure my claim on the throne. Have you changed your mind since I last spoke to you?"

"I hope you spend eternity drowning in the dankest, most disgusting cesspool eternity has to offer."

"Ah, I see you haven't changed your mind after all. I'll give you one more chance to tell me—who is the Silver Piper?"

I stifled a gasp. What could these people want with me? And why were Islanders looking for me, since I'd only committed crimes in Lil?

"For the last time, I don't know! Isn't he some Tulian legend?"

"You know, I'm almost inclined to believe you. You never were very bright. I give you one week to tell me the identity of the Silver Piper, or I will kill everyone you hold dear, starting with your son."

The king let out a strangled sob. I nearly did, too, except I was sitting on a windowsill eavesdropping and couldn't afford to be caught, especially since I was wearing my silver mask.