Maji Born

34 - A Waiting Audience

Devarak scanned the street ahead watching for signs of movement before gesturing for the others to follow him through the thick snow. Carsire had insisted that he don boiled leather armour. He was used to just a tunic and trousers but had relented after a long discussion. The leather hindered his stealth. He felt on edge with each loud crunch of their boots and the jingling coming from Carsire and Zehara's chainmail.

Devarak motioned for the party to stop and gestured toward a small door only a few paces away. A single guard stood looking bored with his back against the stone wall beside it. Carsire nodded and pushed passed Devarak. He approached the guard, who immediately straightened up.

"No closer. State your business," he said in a hoarse authoritative voice. Carsire raised his hands in yielding to the other man's sword point.

"Leard Carsire, Captain of the City Guard and once golden guard to the King. I come in peace." As he said this he stepped forward.

The others pressed against the wall, waiting with bated breath. Zehara leaned forward ever so slightly to peer around the corner at the scene. The guard stowed his sword but stayed alert.

"Ser Carsire. I've heard your name among the soldiers, apologizes. I must ask, however, what brings you out so late at night?" The soldier kept a general appearance of calm but suspicion crept into his voice.

"The royal family has asked for my assistance," Carsire said, it wasn't an all out lie. "It is of high importance and of a certain sensitivity." As he said this he approached the other man. He stood a foot from him, keeping his form natural and relaxed. The other man opened his mouth and as he did Carsire's fist collided with his jaw causing him to swallow his words. He fell to the ground looking dazed.

Zehara took the guards momentary confusion to gather her people. She motioned for the others to follow her and passed behind the guard with a slight nod to Carsire.

"Apologies sir, our Queen requires haste and I do not have time to sway you to our cause." Carsire cuffed the man across the side of his head with a gauntleted hand, putting him out cold. He leaned down and retrieved the man's keys from his belt. He tossed them to Zehara.

"Those have this door and the keys to the servant entrance. I'll gag this man and follow after you." Carsire leaned down and expertly bound the unconscious soldier's arms and legs, then he gagged him. "Keep your eyes peeled, I suspect this will not be the only soldier on watch tonight. I turned several of them but not nearly enough. I'll try to get into the barracks here and make it a bit more difficult for the King to call for reinforcements. That will buy you some time," Carsiree said, dragging the man toward the darkened corner.

"See you on the other side," Zehara murmured. She began fiddling with the lock. Once unlocked she handed Devarak the keyring and allowed him to guided the procession into the castle grounds.

They crept as quietly as possible past the vegetable patch and the chicken run. Devarak led them up to the servant quarters and gestured for the others to stop. He listened breathlessly for noises, finally glancing at Lavinia, who followed just behind Zehara.

"Hear anything?" he asked her quietly. She cocked her head slightly to listen.

"Nothing."

"Good." Devarak's said, fishing around for the keys. Lavinia rested her hand gently on his arm.

"Not good. I hear nothing. No snoring, no talking in the halls. It's like a crypt," Lavinia countered.

Zehara and Devarak exchanged looks of dismay.

"You think they know we're here?" Eirian asked. Lavinia nodded.

"Definitely," she said calmly.

"This changes nothing. We knew they would be on alert and most likely become aware of our presence. We just need to stay alert and stick to the plan. If we hesitate they will get the advantage. Remember none of them have majik," Zehara said, "we just need to get to the throne room."

Devarak nodded. He had managed to get the door unlocked and quietly turned the handle, peering into the room. It was pitch black and silent. To regular eyes, it would have been impossible to make out anything distinct but with his eyes, he was able to pick out the stairs on the far end and the length of a table.

They were in the kitchen. Devarak vaguely remembered passing through this room on his previous escapade. As he entered he scanned the room cautiously, searching for signs of guards, an ambush, or the help. He ushered the others inside and shut the door behind them, latching it firmly and sliding the lock, there was no reason to give the soldiers an easy access point.

Snow coated the kitchen floor in a light layer, blown in by the wind as well as kicked from the soles of their boots. Their presence would be detected immediately if the help arrived downstairs.

Devarak led the procession silently up the backstairs and into the upper hallway. It was dimly lit by torches. He gestured for the others to stop and scanned the hall for signs of movement. The castle was too quiet as Lavinia had previously pointed out. He knew a trap when he saw one.

It didn't take them long to reach the main hall and from there it was only a short way to the throne room. They paused at the bottom of the stairs to confer. Devarak and Zehara made eye contact as they reached it, silently communicating the plan. There was no patrol. Both of them knew that boded ill. Devarak leaned toward Zehara and murmured,

"They know we're here. Last time I was here there were guards in almost every hall."

Zehara glanced at the rest of the group, making sure they had all heard. Even if they hadn't they seemed well aware of the danger.

"Be on guard. Keep your weapons on hand," Zehara said, she turned back to Devarak and gestured for him to lead them up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs, Devarak stopped and peered around the corner toward the double doors.

Lavinia was mumbling something under her breath.

"We're outnumbered. Considerably. There are eleven. No twelve people in there. By my count."

"They have the numbers but we have majik and the stone," Zehara said. She strode to the double doors and with a glance behind her at the others, threw them wide open. She entered the throne room and gazed around at the waiting soldiers and the King, who lounged lazily in his throne. As she entered a small sharp smile slide across his features.

"You've kept me waiting Belestine."