Crumbled

Defiance of Orders

       Bramstone tossed a knife into the air aimlessly. He leaned against the wall of the hideout, plotting. The last thing he wanted from that stupid meeting was to get stuck in a hovel with his unstable friend and a bunch of spies.

       Walz was currently occupied in the corner, reading a book. It seemed to Bram that his friend didn't really mind being stuck down there. But that was not the case. Walz felt trapped. The smell of rot that pervaded the room seemed to burn his lungs. But he wasn't about to tell anyone about that. He didn't need their pity, he didn't even want it.

       Bram returned the dagger to his belt with a scowl. He clomped over to Walz, dragging the book away from his face.

     "Look, I didn't leave my home and everyone I love so I could spend my days crouched in a hole! Our kingdoms are falling, and we won't be able to grow up in them if we keep cowering in this hovel! I'm leaving, and you all should come with me!" Bram said. Walz blinked, eyebrows raised.

       "I don't agree completely with what Fallemer told us, but I really don't want to get caught again," Walz muttered. Bram sputtered, stunned.

       "Walz, you are a spy! You knew the dangers of this job when you signed up. I know you almost died, and I'm sorry. But I don't think you realize that we'll all be dead if we keep hiding! We all need to get out there and fight," Bramstone pleaded, desperation crawling up his throat.

       Walz glared at Bram. After an excruciating pause, he threw his book down.

       "Fine, fine. Let's go. But if Fallemer asks, this was all your idea," he said. Bram rolled his eyes.

       "Yeah, whatever." The pair turned around. Everyone else had gathered around them.

       "What, did you not expect us to come too?" James asked, a sly grin on his face. Walz shrugged. Honestly, he wasn't thinking about the others. He'd been wasting all of his time thinking about himself.

       Shame clawed its way out of his stomach, leaving a hollow ache behind. Bramstone sighed.

       "I'm glad you all agree with me. Now, before we leave, we need to get some supplies. Gram, you and Markel grab everything from the cupboards, we're going to need a lot of food, water too."

       A small boy nodded, hurrying into the kitchen. An even tinier girl followed in his wake. An obnoxious thump ensued, followed by several clanks. Flour billowed from the kitchen. Bramstone winced.

       "Usually I'd make the call for disguises, but I have a feeling that we're about to be found out. So, instead I think we should head out as soon as possible. Everyone, if you would, please gather any supplies you can carry. We will leave before sundown," Bram finished. The group dispersed, muttering excitedly. Walz let out a breath.

       "Bram, do you really think we have a chance to stop this from happening? I mean, we've been trying to delay this for years. To be honest, we haven't done a great job either," Walz cast his gaze to the floor.

       "Walz, this is our home. We need to protect it from whatever threatens it, and currently, that threat includes everyone we've ever stolen information from. We started this mission as spies, which means we were meant to fight dirty from the beginning. You think Amiyah and Savant spent months tracking the princess of Uleca and her affair with the eldest prince of Tisha for no reason? Of course not! Information like that could permanently remove her chances of becoming queen!" Bram retaliated.

       "James spent weeks undercover in Uleca, posing as a servant to the Queen's sister and her daughter. He ensured that the girl next in line for the throne would dissolve the Alliance if it ever came to be. Walz, our plan is already working!" Bramstone beamed, eyes shining.

       "You really do have a thing for monologues, Bram."

       "Sir Bramstone, we are ready to go," A boy piped.

       The rest of the group had assembled, laden with bags, weapons and random pieces of armor. Several of the kids held longbows, quivers slung over their shoulders.

       Walz was taken aback once again. Here was a group of teenagers, some of them younger than himself, and they were all willing to sacrifice themselves to their cause. Walz started to say something, but his voice caught in his throat.

       "Before you get any ideas, we don't listen to you. We're spies too, and just because that one is prince of Tisha doesn't mean anything," Markel said, twirling a dagger around her fingers. Walz got the idea fast.

       "We're helping you, 'course. But you aren't our mothers. We don't take any orders from the likes of you," another stated.

       "Yeah yeah. Can it you two," James demanded. The girls closed their mouths.

       "We've wasted too much time, we should head out," James said. The group shouldered their bags and began filing through the tunnel. Walz grabbed his singed backpack, swing it over his shoulder and walked out.

       James was the last person in the room. Grinning, he looked through the corridor. After a moment, he walked over to the enormous oak table. He blew out the candles, smoke curling through the hazy air.

       James pulled a tiny dagger from his belt, and a note from his pocket. He carefully laid the paper on the table, and stabbed through it with the dagger.

       The boy left, footsteps echoing through the tunnel.