P.S. the Dragon Sleights

by K. G. Wilkie

  “In fact,” he hesitated. “They want to destroy the entire Shadeworld.” This time the werewolf warrior man fainted, and the fey man clutched the speechless mermaid`s arm.

  “Why ever would they want to do that?,” Jackie whispered.

  “To join the Mundanes?,” the mermaid said calmly. Her pale face and quivering lip belied her brave stance.

  The moment was too solemn to give any kind of sarcastic reply.“No,” Aeron said. “We do not believe that is the case.” The group leaned forward eargerly to hear further news. “They want to rule over the Mundanes, and all the rest of us as well.”

  “How can they plan to do that when the Mundanes have already almost wiped all of us out so few centuries ago?,” Richard asked.

  “The pain of the Turf wars? The dragon wars? Those demented fairy hunts? They have long since been forgotten by such a short lived race,” Daerin said.

  The finman broke through his usual calm reserve of strengths with all of the depressing news. “But how can we fix something on this scale? How far have things even gone now? What will we even do,” he asked.

  “We do not know,” Daerin said.

  “We need to know more.” Layel said.

  “Yes. To find the leaders of this, and get some information out of all the people we can,” Richard said.

  Murmers of assent spread through the room. “We have some witches, and there’s also Jane Mad,” Taiya said, “They can research into the workings of the barrior spell, and figure out how to fix things if it gets too out of hand.” The two nodded their heads in agreement. “Can I get the rest of you on sniffing out our spies and getting information out of them,”? he asked the rest of the table. All nodded their heads, fierce determination blazing in their eyes.

  Aeron cleared his throat. “Now that this task is covered we need to work on the next question that faces us all. How can we ensure that such a ridiculous, no, scandalous thing as an assault directly on the Palace never happens again? You might remember that this is the second time in a very short window that this has happened. This needs to stop!” The room was silent after his outburst. “So,” he scanned the room, “how can we prevent this happening ever again?”

  The members of the King’s personal guard, the Amaryliss Squad, stood as one in response to his question. “We will not let it happen. We refused to be separated from his Majesty ever again. I think the same would be of the princes guard as well in the future,” the leader added. When a person is stressed in bright red and yellow leathers and is still able to move around undetected before they strike someone, he tends to make you respect their strength. Spirit, even. Aeron did not fear her that he was very inclined to listen to her advice. Inclined his head to her. “Is as you say. I’ve been just as guilty as sending my guard members out to do errands, and I know the people of the Castle have been known to send the Palace guard out on-site duties as well. That can never be allowed to happen again in the future. We will have to take things more seriously than that,” Aeron said. He sighed in disappointment. “Which is a shame really. It’s so handy,” he said in an aside. When the assassin looked at him sternly for his mutterings he put both of his hands up to placate her. “All right, all right, I said I’d change. I’m just not real happy to change, so sue me,” Aeron said.

  The younger Prince took a stand. “It’s not enough to adjust stop sending your guard members out for pastries or whatever nonsense you go for. It’s not even enough to increase the guard on the Palace itself. Having trained warriors on the walls and grounds to stand up for us in battle is all well and good, but to stay safe we need people and to guard the perimeter barrier spells. Will need to have magicians on duty as well,” Richard said. The group groaned.

  “How many people do you honestly think are so highly trained in magic of all kinds that they gained the ring of magician? There are to time I’ll tell you. And then you’re going to go in tell these elites that they have to play guard dog on shifts like mere soldiers do? I doubt you’ll find any takers,” Xirzer said. The Fey governor did not look happy. It must have been quite a blow to not only have been usurped by Alyss taking on her rightful role as leader of the Fey, but said be demoted even lower to the position of guard had to be grating on his nerves.

  The mermaid delicate curled up in her barrel full of water next to him at the table patted the man on the arm. “I know it’s not exactly dignified, but it’s for the good of us all. That’s worth it surely,” she said. Looking into her batting lashes Xirzer was forced to agree. The other men at the table and one of the harpy delegates seemed inclined to agree to anything the mermaid said as well. Richard smiled at that and sent his own assistant to each of them with the science sheet so they could commit to shifts of guard duty while they were still enthusiastically agreeing to the idea. He knew if you wait until after the meeting they’d all spread far and wide and ignore any of his messages on the subject, but with the sweet mermaid in the room all of them were eager to sign up.

  “Meeting adjourned then,” Aeron said. “Follow them and then hunt them down. Whatever it takes to get the job done.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Moss and Plots

  The delegates split off with each other to say their goodbyes to their friends. One of the Palace people was in charge of setting up their transportation once both princes had finished escorting them back to the public floors and taken off their blindfolds once again. With the portal chamber disabled moving around had become tricky. Tricky, but not impossible. Only the Palace at and the rulers ever really got to enjoy the benefits of instant transportation via magic very often, so everyone was prepared to do things the slower way. It hurt the mission to move quickly and defeat the enemy in secrecy, but the security of the Palace was just as essential for winning this war as espionage would likely be.

  Jackie, Cillean, and Daerick huddled together to receive extra orders from Aeron. The Prince looked at the three of them. “Cillean, you’ll have to spend a bit more time away from your favorite nymph protégé. Thankfully, you at least have Daerick to keep you company again. Jackie, I expect you to go with the witch and the alchemist. I’m not planning for anything to happen but I want to be prepared; we know the that the elders in Witch City sent their delicate for a reason. I don’t want to assume the reason was to cause us problems from the inside, but I’m not willing to the bank on her reliability. That’s while need you to go so that if anything goes down the alchemist can be safe and you can send word to me of treachery,” Aeron said. “Sounds like a plan?” They agreed to their orders and split up accordingly.

  Jackie walked over to the two alchemist and introduced herself. It was quite the hurdle to talk to the sort of person that had a nickname like Mad Jane, but still orders were orders. She didn’t seem mad though, anyway. The woman wore layer upon layer of neon clothes and big dangling necklaces, The so it made sense that Witch City wouldn’t be fond of her. But still she seemed perfectly rational and mentally capable. The alchemist, on the other hand, was a bizarre person. But still, all the Alchemists are bizarre. It was especially surprising.

  Since she was destined to travel with two trained witches Jackie had to slip into their proffered cauldron. Both trained witches were able to ride brooms but those who aren’t trained in wrinkling the ornery devices always do best to avoid using them. It is a little embarrassing to use a flying cauldron when that sort of thing was usually reserved for children, meals, or both, but still Jackie was prepared to do it for the job. With a final wave goodbye they lifted off and zoomed through the skies.

  The two vampires left behind made way on their own quest. Once again and were sent out to do work for their Prince. Once again they were assigned to let go of their roles as warriors in place by his instead. By the end of this war I sure hope I never have to do second of smoking again and I can spend the rest of my life doing Kenya her at least warrior things Cillean grumbled. He was comforted at least in knowing that while he was off at work Priscilla would still be safely ensconced at
his subordinate’s house. The girl was a powerful person in look to become a fierce a warrior when she became older, but he decided that childhood was not a good time for her to practice her skills. At least not yet.

  The other delegates quickly split up into their separate tasks and left the grounds.

  Richard himself had no such orders to leave and accomplish some task. Richard stomped out of the meeting room. Once again he was certain that the plan was doomed, that everyone in there would be useless. Some of the representatives were perfectly nice people, and he was truly fond of them. But that didn’t change how useless they were. He was still 100% certain that his oldest sibling was at fault for. There was nothing Richard could do about it though. The plan was what it was, and he’d have to deal with it. The only thing left to do was to take some time to reflect. Maybe that would help him resign himself to the reality. The young Prince shifted into Dragon form and flew wherever the air currents guided him. By mid afternoon is ready for a break and glided down.

  Downey soft moss cushioned his fall when he transformed back to his human shape mere feet from impact. He rolled around, spreading his hands to let the ground caress his fingertips. Richard stared up at the sky and tried to discern figures out of the clouds above. It was a pure indulgence in relaxation. Too many weeks of battles and life or death encounters had worn on him, and Richard was ready to take a breather. Heavy breaths from the edge of the clearing soon reached his ears though.

  Gruzelvelt panted and hunched over to favor a stitch in his side. “It might have been easy for you to get here, but I’ll tell you anyone would have struggled to hike through that rise if they walked here. Why if I struggled so much with that, I’m sure anyone else would hardly have survived the trip,” he said.

  Richard spring up and pulled his sword out of his sheath and held his guard position. “You wizards are at war with my kingdom! Tell me why I shouldn’t slice through you now when you are weak,” Richard demanded. His feet were spread and his knees bent just a bit so he’d be ready to spring into battle whichever direction the old wizard came at him from.

  Gruzelvelt laughed at his antics and twirled his beard around his finger. “It’s always good to see a young one be so rambunctious. You have nothing to fear from me young man,” he said. He explained that the dragons and the throne had everything wrong about Domed City. Gruzelvelt assured the prince that He had made the trek to Richard’s little hidey hole to share an opportunity with the young royal. The wizards said that he volunteered his and his people’s services to fight the real enemy in the kingdom. And that enemy, he revealed, was in fact not the wizards or really the shifters at all. No, Gruzelvelt assured Richard the enemy was in the royal family itself. “Both you and your esteemed father have impeachable moral standards. Your brother Aeron on the other hand… Well, I have proof that he is in fact the enemy,” he said.

  Richard wasn’t inclined to believe this pronouncement. He still had problems with his brother Aaron, but he had to admit his big brother had worked tirelessly for the security and benefit of their kingdom lately. He’s starting to think that may be his brother wasn’t such a manipulative and backstabbing terror as he’d sought. It didn’t hurt that the guy heated court politics and seemed more likely to be doing all of these meetings with delegates lately for the pursuit of a greater good despite his hatred of such events.

  Gruzelvelt laughed at that. “You really believe your brother is such a respectable guy? No, that boy has no respect for the things that matter. Why, even before all of you start to suspect me and my people such terrible deeds have been claimed were responsible for, still that brother of yours was rude to such a respectable and likable person as myself,” he said.

  Richard didn’t quite understand how that connected to this claim that Aeron was treacherous. But still, he had to admit it was true his brother had shown his dislike of this man far before the current conflict had started up. There was truth to that, at least.

  The Prince shook his head. “No, I’m not buying that. Whether or not he likes you doesn’t have anything to do with your treacherous acts against the kingdom. I’m afraid I’m going to have to bring you in for trial,” Richard said. So saying he started to change into his scaly self so he could fly off with the rebel leader grasped in his claws.

  Hands held high the wizard warded off his efforts. “Don’t you want to hear the rest of what I have to say? I think you’ll find interesting. I have proof of Aeron’s treachery,” he said. Dragon looked surprised, but encouraged the man to go on. “I have proof that your brother arranged for the assassination attempt on your father,” Gruzelvelt said. Richard’s eyes widened in shock. Seeing his reaction Gruzelvelt nodded at him. “Oh yes, regicide. From within the royal family itself no less. Yes, your brother ordered the assassination. It’s all just our good luck that good King Vovin survived,” he said. Richard put away his sword away and sat down so he could settle in to listen to the rest of the tale. “Didn’t you notice that errands own subordinate made the attempted kill? Didn’t you hear the daemon promise that he had done everything for Aeron’s own benefit?” Richard found himself nodding along. He had to admit all that had happened. It was strange that this wizard would know the exact words said at that terrible encounter though he didn’t remember the old wizard being part of the rebellion’s forces during that battle. Still, Gruzelvelt had more to reveal, and Richard quickly forgot about his misgivings about the old man’s words. “The crown Prince has been running around both the Shadeworld and Earth, putting the seeds of his treacherous plans in place. You must have noticed that confidants have been sent here and there on far more missions than usual lately as well? Everything is for a reason, and this is no exception,” Gruzelvelt said.

  The wheels turned in Richard’s head. He had to admit, everything the wizard said checked out. Maybe it was really possible that his older brother was the mastermind behind all of these terrible events. Richard clenched his fist until his nails bit deep into his palms and left pinpricks of blood. If everything else the man said true, and that left only one thing. It must mean that this human was being fully honest. His heated older brother was responsible for all of these terrible things. With a roar he sprang to his feet and dug his fingers into both of the wizard’s wrists. “How dare he!”

  Gruzelvelt awkwardly patted the dragons arms as well as he could with his wrists still bound. The wizard did his best to show a suitably commiserating expression. “There there, I understand. All of this must be so hard for you to hear,” Gruzelvelt said. “I’m so thankful to hear that your father is on the road to recovery from these awful acts though,” he added.

  Just a shake of the head was all he got in response. “He’s survived, but he’s not well. It really takes a while to heal from a stab wound, let alone dismembering,” Richard said.

  The old man’s eyes lit up, and he struggled to look properly distressed at this news. “Oh? Dismemberment? What a shame. I glad to hear he is doing his best to move on from such and unfortunate occurrence though,” he hastened to add.

  With one hand released Gruzelvelt quickly smoothed it over his face. It helped to smooth down the upturned ends of his mouth. “Richard,” the old wizard said, “So sorry to hear about what happened to your father. That’s truly terrible, I’m sure. I think I can help cheer you up in your time of distress though. I have a plan that I think will help all of you, and the kingdom,” Gruzelvelt said. “Why don’t we work out a plan together to get rid of the brother who has betrayed your family so cruelly and restore the piece of your kingdom,” he asked.

  Richard grimaced. “I’m not sure if that’s the best idea right now. If I talk with anyone in seclusion it makes people think that I have ideas. Revolutionary ideas at that,” he said. “Right now at least I want to keep a low profile. A lot has been happening and I don’t want to stir anything up. For now,” he added. He frowned. “I might still be willing to talk to you if you have any ideas to fix these deplorable conditions,” he said, gesturing vaguely at
the hospital ward. The king’s room was secured deep within layers of security behind the doors, but still there were patient rooms leading up to the secured hall into the same problems in his father’s room could be seen in all of them.

  The wizard grinned. “Of course we would like to discuss the best ways to keep the king healthy as much as possible,” Gruzelvelt said. He thought about how if his plan had worked, the king would be in a casket; so the condition of the hospital would have made no difference, but no sign of these thoughts showed on his face.

  The Dragon shook his head. “I’m not sure if I’ll like your plan yet though. It still my kingdom, and it’s my responsibility to fix it,” Richard said.

  With a laugh Gruzelvelt patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I know you’ll love the plan. It’s to die for,” Gruzelvelt said.

  “The plan then,” Richard said, “Is to kill my brother. Is that right?”

  Gruzelvelt grinned. “Perfectly.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Coup

  The door in the city center at Domed City slammed open. The apprentices employed as scribes looked up in surprise at this he Steve visitor. There was Gruzelvelt, the head assistant to the leader of the wizards himself. All the apprentices knew better than to challenge such an important man for his behavior, even when he was breaking all of the rules of decorum insisted on for all of them. Gruzelvelt wasn’t concerned by the sides of any mere apprentices though and he walked into the heart of the center without paying any mind to them.

  There was only a knock on the door to warn him before Gruzelvelt stormed into the leader’s office. “I say, I’m surprised to see you acting so rudely before me,” the leader said. “You better tell me someone died or something equally important are I will have to punish you for your impertinence, Victor,” he said.