I Spy Sea Green Eyes

Chapter 43

"Are you done yet?" Tritannus asked me as he leaned against the side of my desk. "'I'm planning to close up early today. It's the night of the banquet, after all."

"And Chaos forbid that we don't show up," I said drily. "I don't know why I agreed to go with you."

"You wouldn't have much choice. This is the way to keep your job," He said jokingly.

I won't be keeping it for long, if my plan goes either right or wrong.

"Yeah, yeah," I said lazily. "You really don't need to wait for me, though. You carry on with your stuff. I'll catch up."

"Are you sure?" He said, slightly shifting on his feet. "I mean, you're going to be all alone and stuff..."

"'I'll live," I joked, and then I felt a twinge at the irony of my statement. But he didn't know that. "I just got some more stuff to finish. Promise I won't ditch you."

"See you in the throne room at ten," Tritannus said, and far too soon, he disappeared into the portal wall. I felt the smile on my face melt away into a grim expression as I took my phone out from my pocket.

Looking around to check if someone else had somehow come in, I slowly, noiselessly slid the bottommost drawer of my desk open. In it, lay a single folder paper. I took it out and opened it, to reveal the full floor plan of Othrys.

I had found this paper a few weeks ago, and saved it until the time was right. I knew it would be very important for my mission. Quickly, I took a picture of it, and sent it to Malcolm.

Floor plan. The final piece. You're all set.

A second later, the reply arrived.

Okay. Now, the very last thing on our list: getting near the place. We can manage the Sirens. So....what about the soldiers?

I wracked my brains for a solution, and then it hit me. Eureka. Just leave it to me.

I went to Tritannus' office, and brought out the microphone he rarely used to make general announcements to the soldiers' ranks. The speakers were placed almost everywhere in the barracks, so it would be hard for the monsters to not hear. And the best part....the microphone had some sort of voice-changing software, so they would think that it was the Supreme Commander's order instead of the Assistant General's.

I switched the mic on and cleared my throat. "Attention. Attention to all soldiers and guards." I paused for a while, enough to get their attention. I was vaguely aware of my new voice; deep, loud and booming. Then I continued.

"Because tonight is the Othrys formal, there will be no training, drills or duties for the night. You may be free to your leisure, but do not venture anywhere near the top floors of the headquarters. I do not need to repeat myself. You may perform your duties till sundown."

I could vaguely hear shrieks of excitement from far away. I switched the mic off, hid it back in its place, and texted:

Done. No guards from sundown onwards. But wait a few hours. The soldiers need time to party properly before you strike.