The Dance of the Keepers

Chapter 41 A Moral Quandary

"Wait, what?"
I exclaimed, positive I must have heard wrong.

"The rebels are planning to kill the King based off of information I gave them! We have to stop them!"

"Okay slow down, when is this supposed to go down?"

"Tonight, they're doing it tonight!"
He hissed urgently.

I was understandably surprised they'd take a shot at the King's life at the gala with so many people around. But perhaps that was their cover for how they would get in.

"How is it going down, do you know?"

"She said it would be his last toast, they've spiked his wine with something."

"That's impossible, he has taste testers."

"It's some kind of long-acting poison, there won't be any signs for at least twenty-four hours."

That was certainly the way to do it if you were going to try to get away with poisoning the King.

"Who told you all this?"

"There's a girl in the kitchens I've been passing information to, she was bragging about it just a short while ago. Astrid, I don't know what to do, I won't be able to live with myself if I cause the King's death!"

"For heaven's sake, keep your voice down!"
I snapped.

Part of me was tempted to let the plot play out. I would have no love lost for King Valdimar and neither would the majority of the country. I didn't have to do the dirty work, I simply had to stand by and watch. Yet how could I, knowing what it would do to Solomon? The guilt would eat away at him for the rest of his life. He was too honorable to be tied to the death of his monarch. So I decided to act, not for the sake of the King who had killed my mother, but for the sake of my brother whom I loved.

"Alright, just calm yourself, I'll go find my Keeper and get this taken care of."

It was odd for me to be the one fixing a problem my brother had caused. I definitely owed him one by now. I zig zagged my way across the ballroom searching for my mentor but trying not to appear too frantic. I finally spotted him leaning against the far wall and reached him quickly.

"Kyle, I'm going to tell you something and I need you to believe me."

He narrowed his eyes.

"There's going to be an attempt made on the King's life tonight, you have to stop it."

He pushed off the wall, standing ran rod straight.

"Where did you hear this?"

"From a reliable source."
I answered firmly, not about to give my brother away.

Kyle shook his head.

"Fine. How is it going to happen? What do we need to look for?"

"Someone has poisoned his wine for the toast, it's a long-acting poison so the effects won't be seen immediately."

Kyle swore in Latin.

"That's bloody clever. Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"No, that's all I know."

He nodded sharply.

"Alright, you were right to bring this to me, even if it's only a scare. I'll take care of it."
He told me before sweeping off to find the other Keepers.

There. It was out of my hands. I returned to the bench and nodded to Solomon encouragingly before turning my attention back on Ranen who was very kindly holding a glass of water for me.