The Fall of the Keepers

Chapter 1 The Coup D'etat

I strode along the edge of the ballroom, forcing myself to keep an even pace so as not raise alarm.

"Idris, I need you to do something."
I spoke in a low tone as my path crossed with the Sentinel.

"Yes, Keeper Hadassah?"

"Find Jessica and Parker pronto and then the three of you are to quietly collect the princesses. Don't make a big stir, just get the job done. Meet me in the cavern with the hot springs below the palace before midnight."

Idris glanced at the nearest clock and nodded sharply.

"Yes, ma'am."
She gave a stiff salute before walking briskly towards the nearest exit.

I could only hope the three Sentinels would be able to beat the race against the clock for Navia and Cymber. Ranen was my primary concern, but I wasn't about to knowingly let little girls be placed in danger, who knew what the Coalition had planned. The King and Queen, however, were on their own. I'd saved the ungrateful jerk once already, for all the good it had done me.

I wrestled briefly with the idea of using the rest of the royal guard to assist me but I wasn't sure that I dared. I knew I could trust the Sentinels to follow my orders, Laith and Saya were another story. Who knew what side they stood on? Then there was Ilian who was most definitely trustworthy, but likely to alert the entire palace of the attack. I wasn't necessarily looking to stop the rebels if that was even possible this late in the game, but I was determined to rescue the Prince.

I spotted Ranen in the center of the ballroom, dancing with a young woman in a red velvet dress. His princely mask was painted on, and he seemed to be staring over the top of her head. I waited til the orchestra completed the piece of music to approach him and bow politely.

"Your highness, there is an urgent matter that needs your attention."

"Ah, yes, thank you Keeper Hadassah, we should deal with that matter immediately. You'll have to excuse me, Lady Lila, duty calls."

The noblewoman sighed dramatically, with an elegant curtesy.

"Thank you for the dance, your highness. The happiest of New Years to you and yours."

That was unlikely to come true.

"Lead the way, Hadassah."
Ranen ordered.

We casually exited the ballroom floor and moved to the edge of the room.

"I can't thank you enough for rescuing me, although you might have thought to do it sooner. These women are nothing short of exhausting. Tigers in dresses if I do say so myself."
Ranen bemoaned.

I caught sight of Ilian moving in our direction.

"Ranen, we need to leave the ball right now. Try not to draw too much attention to yourself."

His brow furrowed and he lost his joking smile.

"What's going on?"

"I wasn't making the urgent matter up. Now, come on."

We passed along the edge of the room until we came to a door, and without fanfare, slipped into the hall outside. I had a mere fifteen minutes to get us down to the cavern now before the clock would strike midnight.

"May I ask where your highness is going? It's nearly the new year, you wouldn't want to miss the celebrations would you?"
A voice stopped us dead in our tracks.