Into the Passageways
Aurora found an extreme pleasure in the wonder that the soldiers expressed when they entered the glow-stone passage. 'This is how Hanna must feel when she reveals something to us,' she thought. She smiled smugly. Unaware of what normal human structures looked like, Brinn and Alvar were eyeing the passage as if it were a normal occurrence, and Zan and Gandr, having already used the tunnels to escape once, were only mildly surprised.
"I knew it," the Guardian muttered under his breath.
Devrim heard him. "Knew what?"
"When I told you about the secret passages out of the castle, neither you nor Her Majesty even blinked. You have been here before!" Zan lifted his finger to punctuate his revelation.
"Many times, Zan. One of our hobbies has been to explore all these passages. They go to every room." Devrim put his hand on Zan's shoulder and smiled.
"What is this? I have been in the Council's meeting room and I have never seen this window." Nurlan gently touched the edge of the frame.
"They are one-way windows. You can see in any room you like, but no one can see you. Most everyone—except Cafer—cannot hear you either." Aurora looked at Gandr to see if he had anything to add.
"These tunnels were made to hide you from humans, so it is possible that Cafer's gnome abilities, namely his earth powers, help him to penetrate some of the magic. But that is only a theory," Gandr added to cover himself in case he was wrong.
"Ok," Aurora took charge. "We should get to work. Devrim and I know these tunnels best. Devrim will go with Alvar to check on the children." Devrim started to object, but the Empress stopped him. "I need to know that they are safe, and only you will give me the assurance I can accept. I will go with Brinn to see what Cafer is up to. Zan and Gandr, see if you can glean anything by spying on the other Councilmen. Nurlan and Junayd, find your way to the armory and see what, if any, military force Cafer intends to use today." Everyone nodded. "Meet back in this tunnel in an hour. Zan, do you have some chalk?" The Guardian produced some from his cloak, and Aurora passed the pieces around. "Mark your way as you go so you can find your way back. Now hurry; we haven't much time!"
They split into pairs and went on their missions. Brinn followed after Aurora, who moved swiftly through the passageway. The elf was impressed by her agile movements and knowledge of the corridors. They passed window after window, and Brinn observed many different scenes in the palace. A servant making a bed, a pair of lovers meeting clandestinely, an argument between two soldiers, all of these and more were presented for her perusal.
They finally visited Cafer's quarters, which were the furthest from the meeting room, but discovered them empty. "Hopefully he is in his office, or I am not sure where to look," Aurora said. "Remember to be silent when we see him. We can discuss things when we head back." Brinn nodded her understanding.
Cafer's former office had been emptied, so the ladies made their way up to the ground floor to look into the Chief Councilman's office, for that is what Cafer was now. They could hear yelling as they approached Chief's room. "You had no right to move my speech when you cleaned my desk," the Chief bellowed at a cowering servant. "Now where did you move it?"
"I swear I did not touch it," the servant answered.
Cafer rummaged around through all the papers. "It is not here. Did it just get up and walk away?"
The girls watched as Cafer struck the helpless servant across the cheek. "I am sorry, sir. What did it look like? I will help you look." The servant rubbed his cheek as he spoke.
"It looks like a pile of important papers, you fool! Just…" Cafer reached inside his cape and pulled a roll of papers from some hidden pocket. His face went from anger to calm instantly. "I have found what I am looking for. You are dismissed."
The servant bowed and rushed from the room. Cafer sighed and massaged his forehead. "Just three more hours," he told himself, "Then I can clean house. No more Council, no more Empress and no more pretending. I will be the regent and do what King Baak could never do. I will rule the human world." Cafer stood with new vigor and strode confidently from the room.
The girls moved away down the glow-stone hall. "He has got a bit of a god-complex, hasn't he?" Brinn tapped her temple a few times.
"Ha, you think?" Aurora scoffed. "Well, we have a time frame at least. We will have to find a way to warn the Council. Let's head back."
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Devrim and Alvar moved up a few levels and ran across the the entire length of the palace to get to the nursery. With help from a few other servants, Nanny was preparing Alaron and Mairwen for the afternoon's event with tears in her eyes. "Your mother loved you very much, and she would want you to be brave," Nanny said as she fixed Alaron's collar.
The boy squirmed under her ministrations. "I am always brave," he said. "But I do miss mother and father." Devrim's heart clenched. He missed the boy too. When this was over, he would give him the biggest hug.
"I still do not think they are gone," Mairwen told Nanny. "I can feel it in here. They are alive." The child pointed to her chest. Mairwen's faith was commendable.
Nanny took the little girl in her arms, "Sweet girl. Keep them in your heart always."
Devrim watched his children for a long time, unable to tear himself away. They were so calm as they had their midday meal, and he wondered how much they had cried before in order to get to this point. The door swung open without a knock, and Cafer entered. He should have been announced and admitted, but clearly he felt like he was above such formalities.
"Future Emperor Alaron, Princess Mairwen. I have come to check on you. Are you ready for the announcement?" Cafer's face was somber, but his eyes held greed.
Nanny was clearly unhappy to see the Councilman, but held her tongue. Instead, she hovered over the children to keep Cafer a small distance away. Somehow the Chief knew better than to argue with her just now. He could deal with her later.
"I have just come from my office. I have my speech and yours, Future Emperor."
"Why do I have to make a speech at all," Alaron whined. His mother had made him practice his speaking, but never to a group so large as this.
"We need to show the world your strength, Young Emperor." Unlike Aurora, he had no ability or desire to hide the child's age. As long as the boy seemed like he would be a good leader someday, Cafer could convince most people to accept his leadership with a regent in place. "The strongest move you can make is to dissolve the Council and make me regent. It is the only way to maintain power."
"I'm not so sure," Mairwen said, her clear blue eyes full of doubt. "The Council seems very important. Maybe we could keep them around a little while until Alaron has more experience."
"You are young yet," Cafer chided her gently. "Someday you will see that my ways were in your best interest." He thought about patting the princess on the head, but a stern look from Nanny stopped him in his tracks. "Ahem," he straightened his back and smoothed his official robes. "I will see you all on the balcony soon. I must check on the Blue Guard and see how security is for today's event. Glory to the Emperor." Cafer bowed and left.
Alvar touched Devrim on his sleeve and tugged him away from the one-way window. "The children are safe. That terrifying woman seems to have things well in hand."
"Nanny always finds a way to keep people in line," Devim agreed.
"The Empress will be expecting us soon. She will want to know what we saw." Without another word, they left behind the children, slinking through the darkness with only the glow-stone to light the way.