Aya was now frowning at him, and probably resisting the urge to request coming along. Fortunately though, she apparently understood why doing so was simply too dangerous.
“Be careful,” she told him instead.
“Provided I don’t get stuck,” he replied, lowering himself once more, “this may take a while. I don’t want to leave any reachable areas unexplored.”
“Take your time,” Neco answered blithely. “It’s not as though we have anything better to do than wait for you.”
Aharon flashed the prince a quick, crooked grin before exchanging a final glance with Aya. Maneuvering himself into the hearth, he then pushed himself through the opening.
His shoulders just fit, brushing the smooth sides of the passageway as he edged himself within. Moving along on his stomach, he estimated there was about three inches of space above him, which wasn’t a whole lot, but enough to lend him the necessary maneuverability. Shimmying along, he peered into the blackness ahead but could make out nothing.
“Everything all right, Aharon?” he heard Neco call out a few moments later.
“So far,” he yelled back.
He’d now come about eight or ten paces, and was beginning to doubt the wisdom of entering here. What if the tunnel never widened? Would he be able to back himself out?
He thought he could probably manage, but the experience wouldn’t be pleasant. Thankfully, confined spaces had never bothered him, although he suspected too much time in this one might test his limits. He was beginning to feel like he’d been entombed.
Continuing on, several minutes passed before the shaft seemed to come to an end, emptying into open air. Still unable to see anything but darkness, he managed to drag an arm out from under himself and cautiously waved it before him.
Feeling nothing, he reached down and discovered the ground about three paces below. After dragging himself the rest of the way from the shaft, he straightened and immediately moved to retrieve the candle from his trouser pocket, thankful to find it still intact.
After lighting the wick, he held the candle upward while performing a slow turn, his eyes gradually adjusting. To his surprise, Aharon saw he now was standing in a sizable room, perhaps fifteen paces by twenty, although it was oddly shaped and completely empty. At either end was a corridor stretching farther into darkness, and as he stepped toward the nearest he saw that its floor gave way to a pronounced, downward slope. Currently on the palace’s fourth floor, he figured this must be the pathway down to Aya’s rooms.
The smell here was flat and stale, unsurprising given the lack of fresh air, and he saw no sign that Siris—or anyone else—had recently been present. Still, and unfortunately, this meant nothing. Indeed, at this point the most he could hope for was that only the jester knew of and was using these tunnels.
Since there was only one floor above him but three below, he retreated from the downward-sloping corridor as he didn’t wish to leave any unexplored territory at his back. Approaching the second passageway—which was tall enough to keep him from slouching, but uncomfortably narrow—he saw its floor appeared to remain level, or at least as far as he could make out, and that it led into the east wing.
The effort to move silently came naturally, and he started along the corridor with equal parts caution and curiosity. Needless to say, he was now very interested to know the origin of these tunnels, as well as their intended purpose. He also wondered if Ceja’s current king was even aware of their existence. Given their placement at the heart of the palace, Aharon figured they must’ve been part of its original design, and therefore fashioned roughly six centuries earlier. How many of the palace’s inhabitants had since known of them, he couldn’t answer, but if Aya and Neco were any indication it seemed possible such knowledge had been lost long ago.
He walked for approximately three or four minutes before finding himself in another room, this one much smaller, and where he could go no farther. He found another thin shaft here, akin to the one he’d followed from Neco’s fireplace, and presumed it led to a similar exit within another apartment. Furthermore, he’d spotted two more of these shafts along the way, meaning he’d found a total of three additional entrance points. Unsure of which rooms they led to in particular, he planned on asking Neco and Aya to narrow down the possibilities before he explored further.
Turning about, he retreated back along the passageway, through the other room, and down the sloping corridor. The decline grew more severe as he continued, then seemed to even out, leading him to presume he was now on the palace’s third floor.
Still holding the candle aloft—as it occasionally dripped wax on his fingers—he found no rooms on this level, only a long passageway that contained four separate shafts. The last was situated at the very end of the corridor, and unless his sense of direction had failed him, he deemed this the route to Aya’s quarters.
Frowning suddenly, Aharon came to a pause and brought the candle closer. A flash of white had caught his eye, and as he leaned in, he saw a folded piece of parchment resting just inside the edge of the shaft. He reached for it and flipped it open.
Greetings, Aharon.
You may want to have a listen at Seret’s chambers.
Swearing, Aharon lowered the parchment, shaking his head at himself. Siris had set them up.
He knew I’d find his pathway into Aya’s rooms, and then come exploring. He wanted me inside these tunnels. But why?
Uncertain of the answer just yet, he at least found comfort in knowing that the jester hadn’t been completely accurate in predicting his actions. Obviously, Siris had assumed he’d enter the tunnels from Aya’s apartment, not Neco’s, which was why he’d left his message here.
If he wanted me to find these passageways, then he also must’ve realized that I’d block his access to Neco and Aya. But why do this if he’s helping Tosis, and needs them both to die?
Not seeing any sense in the jester’s motives, he stood for a long moment, frowning in thought. He further wondered if he should take the man’s advice and use this opportunity to spy on Seret. While it was probably a good idea, he was also paranoid it might be some manner of trap—perhaps Siris had smeared poison within the shaft leading to her quarters, or else forewarned the twins so they could fashion their own defense. Furthermore, Aharon wasn’t entirely certain which tunnel led to Seret’s rooms, and didn’t fancy the idea of crawling into all of them.
Irritated, he finally started away, making his way back along the corridor. Following it upward, he returned to the first room and extinguished the candle before climbing into the shaft that would take him back to Neco’s chambers. Emerging within the fireplace several minutes later, he pushed to his feet and sent the waiting siblings an exasperated look.
“I don’t know what Siris is up to,” he told them, “but we need to figure it out.”
“What did you find?” Aya asked, taking a step closer.
Aharon explained while handing over the parchment the jester had left for him. Moving to the sofa, he then sank down while Neco took the chair opposite him.
Aya remained standing, Siris’s message still gripped in her hand. Now wearing a look of deep thought, she glanced over. “I think I may understand, but I need to know where those other shafts lead before I can be certain. Might you sketch out their locations?”
“Sure,” Aharon nodded.
Once secured with a quill and ink, he drew a diagram on the back of Siris’s note, marking the locations of the shafts and how many paces lay between them to the best of his memory. Once finished, he turned his work over to Neco and Aya.
Aya took the quill and hovered over the parchment. Between exchanged murmurs with her brother, she occasionally moved to make a note, before finally returning to Aharon and settling down beside him while handing the parchment back.
Gazing downward, he immediately saw that two of the shafts were marked as leading to empty quarters, one located on the fourth floor and the other on the third. In addition to Aya’s apartment, the third
floor also held tunnels leading to the chambers of her sister Heni, and the late Prince Borohm. Aharon thought this cast an interesting light on Borohm’s death, for while it still didn’t explain how he’d been poisoned, it might answer the question of how the substance had been delivered.
The fourth floor tunnels contained an even more provocative detail. Aside from connecting to Neco’s quarters and the empty chamber, there was also access to Seret’s rooms—which wasn’t surprising, given Siris had already revealed as much in his note—as well as the king’s. Observing this final truth, clarity finally emerged and Aharon turned back to Aya.
“You think Siris wanted me in those tunnels so I’d make a move on your father?”
She nodded. “It’s the only explanation that makes sense.”
Neco frowned. “How does that make sense? If Aharon kills him, I gain the crown. Tosis—as well as that meddling jester—would then be exiled, unless I decide to just kill them outright.”
Aya shook her head. “That’s not what they intend.”
The prince’s look moved impatiently to Aharon. “Do you understand what she’s implying? If so, explain.”
Aharon inhaled a long breath before speaking. “You won’t be capable of exiling them until you’re officially crowned, and for this to happen you’ll need to leave the safety of your quarters and attend the coronation. I’d wager this is where they plan on killing you.”
Neco’s eyes narrowed. “Even so, Tosis would still have five additional siblings to murder before gaining the throne herself.”
“I imagine that number will soon diminish rapidly,” Aya predicted worryingly.
Aharon nodded. “Also, we’re still assuming Siris is aiding Tosis. If we’re wrong, and it’s actually Padus he’s helping, the targets become much fewer.”
The statement was met by a long silence, which Neco finally broke.
“So what is our wisest play?” he asked, taking them both in.
Aharon exchanged another glance with Aya before responding. “Our safest move is eliminating Tosis and Padus as quickly as possible. However,” he went on, looking back to the prince, “to absolutely secure your safety, everyone but you and Aya will have to die, and this needs to happen prior to the king’s death.”
Neco nodded. “I can help,” he then offered. “Perhaps by making use of the tunnels myself.”
“No,” Aharon insisted. “Should you happen across Siris in there, he’ll kill you in an instant. Don’t forget, he’s a mage.”
The prince gave a sigh of frustration. “Then it’s all on you and Aya.”
Aharon turned to the knights who remained standing at the far wall. “Block the fireplace, and keep up a constant watch. Also,” he went on, after a pointed glance at the prince, “under no circumstances allow his highness into those tunnels.” When Neco frowned but didn’t reply, Aharon moved to address Aya. “I’ll have to reenter from your rooms.”
“If you’re going back in, I’m going with you,” she issued firmly.
He hesitated a moment, but then nodded. Now having six people to kill—not counting Siris—he really had no choice but to accept her help, regardless of how he felt about it. Unfortunately, they’d also both have to live with the consequences of their upcoming actions, although he still aimed to shield her from as much as possible.
“Very well,” he told her now, settling back. “We’ll begin tonight.”
Chapter 7
It was unfortunate that none of the tunnels led to the rooms of Tosis or Padus, for this would’ve made their targets clear. Also to consider was that Nevis and Padus would prove the most difficult to eliminate, since they were male and therefore retained a private guard. In light of these facts, and given where the hidden tunnels did lead, Aharon and Aya had fashioned what seemed the most sensible assault. If all went well, come morning Neco and Aya would have two less threats against them.
“You realize we’re still playing into Siris’s hands,” Aya now said as she paced about.
Aharon nodded. After leaving Neco, they’d returned to her apartment and were now waiting for the hour to grow late before entering the tunnels. “I know,” he said, “but we’ve little choice. So long as tonight unfolds as we hope, we can reassess matters tomorrow.”
Stopping before him, her looked turned reflective. “Perhaps tomorrow we should pursue the jester.”
“If we happen across him tonight, he won’t live to see dawn. But I imagine he anticipates this and plans to keep himself scarce.”
She frowned. “Siris has always been cunning, but these maneuvers seem too clever for him. Also, too daring.”
“Are you implying Tosis or Padus is directing him?”
“I suppose it’s possible, but I’m more inclined to the point the finger at the Jennite royal advisor. He was a guest here for two weeks, and departed the day you arrived. I was relieved to finally be rid of him.”
“Actually, I made his acquaintance at the docks,” he told her. “Our exchange was brief, but he struck me as the outspoken sort.”
She shook her head. “Outspoken with his opinions, perhaps, but his overall manner was deceitful and highly manipulative. Naturally, Siris was drawn to such tendencies and followed the man around for the entire duration of his stay. The Patrons only know how Advisor Caye may have further corrupted him.”
“I think the more important question is why,” Aharon returned. “If Siris is merely following instructions, we’d do well to learn the Jennite’s specific interest in this.”
“As a member of a foreign court, there’s only three possible answers,” she replied. “He might be looking to strengthen ties between Ceja and Jennen by aiding its next ruler, or perhaps he hopes to weaken our realm by seeing an unfit king or queen appointed.”
Aharon nodded. “And the third possibility?” he then asked.
“Interfering in our affairs might simply amuse him. After two weeks of his company,” Aya went on, “this option doesn’t strike me as unlikely.”
Aharon’s eyebrows flickered. “Whatever the case, it won’t matter so long as we foil his—and Siris’s—objective.”
“Yes.”
When she said nothing more, Aharon gave her a closer look. “Are you sure you want to go through with this? If not, I can—”
“I’m sure,” she insisted.
He nodded. While neither was happy to be carrying out tonight’s tasks, both were ready to do what needed to be done. At this point, it wasn’t as though they had much of a choice.
They waited another hour, letting the day shift from Seventh to Eighth, before finally making their way to the fireplace. Hoping to catch their victims asleep—a cowardly approach, Aharon had to admit—he’d nevertheless cautioned Aya to prepare herself for anything, while silently giving thanks for her pyromancy talent. If not for her Magic and ability to defend herself, he doubted he would’ve accepted her help no matter how much he needed it.
All three of Aya’s handmaidens had been apprised of the night’s activities, and while Seta and Ioni would be remaining here in the apartment, Molli was entering the tunnels with them. Unwilling to leave Aya undefended once they separated, Aharon had insisted on the woman’s presence.
Again pocketing a small candle, he climbed into the shaft and began maneuvering himself forward. Upon reaching the tunnel at its end, he emerged and called for Molli to follow before lighting the candle and taking a quick look about. Seeing nothing amiss, no signs of the jester or any further communications, he turned back and waited for the women to crawl through.
Molli made quick time traversing the tight space, and Aya appeared a few minutes after, looking relieved to escape the close confines. Assisting her exit, Aharon then watched as she straightened and raised a hand. A small fireball appeared in her palm, illuminating the corridor where they stood with much more effectiveness than his candle.
Aya gazed about somewhat disbelievingly. “To think this space has existed all this time…I really must try and discover its original pur
pose, and when this knowledge was lost.”
“Questions for another time,” Aharon said in reply, while making a quick check to ensure he hadn’t dislodged any of his weapons. Finding all as it should be, he then looked back. “I love you,” he said, rather than repeat any of the cautions and warnings they’d already exchanged.
“I love you too,” she replied, making a similar effort.
He took a step closer, kissed her forehead, then exchanged a brief glance with Molli before starting away. The assassin-trained handmaiden offered him a nod in return, leaving him fully confident that she’d sacrifice her own life to protect Aya’s, should matters come to that.
Holding his candle aloft, Aharon continued along the corridor as it sloped upward, bringing him to the fourth floor and the oddly-shaped room that contained the shaft leading to Neco’s chambers. Moving along, he passed by the following opening, that connecting to an empty apartment, before drawing to a pause at the next.
This shaft led to Seret’s rooms, which meant he’d be taking Siris’s advice after all, although his present agenda included more than merely listening in on the princess’s conversation. Also, and given what they’d now concluded of the jester’s motives, Aharon was reasonably certain that he wasn’t moving into a trap—for he very much doubted Siris had the nerve or intention of making a move on the king himself, the very reason he’d revealed these pathways to Aharon in the first place.
Extinguishing the flame of his candle, he set the item aside before feeling his way into the shaft, once more moving headfirst and upon his stomach. Taking care to creep along as silently as possible, it was several minutes before his hands found the wall, and he quickly felt about for the latch that would grant him access into Seret’s rooms.
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