Dorothy

Chapter 16

     Ronan and Rosie sped through the halls, toward the kitchens. "You know," Ronan whispered, "I still can't get used to you having that... thing in your head."

     "You mean the map that is saving you having to wander the castle to find the kitchen? I am an android." 

     "Shhh. Somebody's coming." They ducked behind a massive statue of some long dead ancestor of Channary. Sure enough, a patrol of guards walked by them just seconds later, stiff backed and staring straight ahead. "Let's hurry it up a bit."

     "We still need a plan."

     "What do mean? We have a plan. Get the stuff on Channary's food, make sure she eats it. Get out." 

     "I mean a better plan. That is half-baked and doomed to failure. We need something solid." 

     "Yeah? And what do you suggest?" Ronan's whispering was growing steadily more agitated.

     "I suggest that you knock out the servant that brings Channary her food, impersonate him, and deliver it yourself." 

     "What!?" Ronan gave as stunned an exclamation as whispering allowed for. "That  is a half-baked  plan. That is the definition of half-baked. That's not even half-baked, that's downright raw!"

     "No. It isn't. And as the person with a computer for a brain that can supposedly only think logically, I think that I get to make the call."

     Ronan stared at her in disbelief. "But you have to knock the guy out."

     Ten minutes later, Ronan was walking toward Rosie in a tight suit and with a platter of food that was making his empty stomach feel particularly uncomfortable. The android held out a vial when he reached her, and he hurriedly dumped the clear liquid over the food. "You know, I'm pretty sure this is something that they teach you when you become a doctor. 'Don't poison the queen' and all."

     "It's for a good reason?"

    "Thanks," he sounded skeptical.

    "Now remember, don't leave until you see the queen take a bite. Make sure that your glamour holds. I'll meet you back here in ten minutes. If you aren't here, I'll assume something's gone wrong-"

     "OK, OK. Have a little faith, would you?" Ronan took a deep breathe, turned away from Rosie,  and started off along the hall. 

     Ronan marched along, trying to look purposeful and confident. He focused hard on his glamour, but with his heart hammering in his chest it was hard. Finally he reached the door of the queen's chambers. Two guards stood sentry on either side and didn't move a muscle when he approached them. One shot out a hand to open the door, and as the heavy wood started to creak, Ronan felt his breath catch in his throat. He was really doing this. He was about to kill his queen. 

     He stepped through the open door into a lavish room. Velvet drapes and crystal ornaments adorned every surface. The carpet was plush, the tables mahogany. The queen was lounging on an opulent sofa. Ronan approached her, heart in his throat. The squishy carpet felt like it was going to reach up and swallow him. 

     "Your food, Your Highness." Ronan bent down and extended the arm with the tray. He meant to put it on the table, until he realized that he couldn't move any farther. 

     "Stay there," the Channary said, "in case I decide I don' t want it." She extended delicate fingers and selected a green grape. Raising it to her small noise she sniffed, and Ronan's breath caught. She paused for a moment before bringing her hand down to her mouth and popping it in.. Ronan watched with bated breath as her jaw worked over the small fruit before, after what felt like centuries, she swallowed. "It was truly horrible!" She exclaimed. Have the kitchen prepare something else!" 

     "Yes, of course Your Highness. It will be done right away," Ronan tried his best to sound like a sniveling servant, but he was so elated he could have jumped for joy. He turned and hurried toward the still-open door as quickly as possible. 

     As the door closed behind him, one of the guards called out, "Hey! You! Wait!" Ronan sighed and turned around. His ten minutes had to be almost up. "We can't all afford to be as choosy as the queen, now can we?" He asked with a devilish smile as he snatched a piece of meat off the tray. Ronan tried to give a little smirk. 

     "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

     "And why is that?"

     Ronan searched his mind for anything to keep this man from eating the poisoned food. Nothing came. 

     "That's what I thought," he said, and stuffed the meat into his mouth. 

     Ronan hurried around a corner and almost barreled into Rosie. "Oh thank the stars! I was starting to worry!" 

     "I know.  I'm sorry. I got out as fast as possible."

     "Well, let's just get out of here before the others start to worry. I'm sure they've found Dorothy by now."