The Four Swords

Chapter 61: Overheard

My mouth creeped into a grin. Who would we tell first about a secret passageway that leads outside the castle? Alina? The Queen? The Swordsmen?

My smile quickly faded as I thought about it in a different light. There was a relatively unprotected passageway to the heart of the castle during a time of war. This might not be an asset, but rather a liability and a large one at that.

"We need to head back," I agreed with Finley's assessment of certainly needing to tell someone.

We turned around toward the library. Finley led the way yet again. The journey back lagged. The excitement of my discovery wore off letting worry fill the void.

Each step allowed me time to imagine new horrifying scenarios of how this tunneling system might be used. Soldiers, explosives, vicious animals and dark magic hidden in the walls just waiting to hurt people I loved were among the most gruesome. Chills ran down my body.

We finally made it to the top of the ramp, when Finley suddenly stopped. My breath caught in my throat. Was one of my nightmare imaginings ahead of him? Were we too late to warn the castle?

"What.." I started in a whisper, but was cut short as Finley turned his head with his finger to his mouth. I needed to be quiet.

In the stillness, I heard what he did. Two voices were having a conversation nearby. The words seeped through another painting entrance. This one did not look familiar. Maybe Finley could place it.

"I told you no one uses this hallway." An older woman's voice rang out. Her vowels were elongated in an accent that I couldn't place. Where had I heard it before?

"You were right, Moha. I never visit the laundry so I didn't know," another woman responded with the same accent. My mind scrambled. More than just this accent stirred something in my memory. I think I knew the second woman.

"We all can't be a fancy maid! Some of us have to get our hands dirty washing the clothes of the palace scum," Moha responded. If she disliked the monarchy, why work in such a coveted position? Suddenly I had more than one thing to tell the council and the royals.

"Enough grumbling. Have you any plans to share?" The familiar voice got down to business in a melodic cadence with a dramatic stop in her voice.

Finley craned his neck in my direction. What type of plans could these women have? Whatever these women desired, it did not seem good.

"The only thing I've heard downstairs is that the wedding garments for the Princess and her dimwit betrothed are almost ready for fittings. Not that I can do anything about it. The seamstress in charge has known the royal brat since birth and seems highly invested in her wedding attire," the laundress scoffed, clearly frustrated at this roadblock.

"She keeps everything locked up when she is not there. I've tried to pick it, but I'm never left alone long enough to finish. Dullard servants are always lurking around working on this or that keep me from my duty. I can't even get close to Alina's dirty undergarments without someone shooing me away to another task," the woman continued.

Never have I been more grateful for the royal steanstress's loyalty and forethought. Was this woman trying to stall my wedding? If so, I had news for her. Or was she trying to harm Alina through something on her garments? Dubious intentions weaved through the woman's speech but clear motivation as to the reasoning behind them could not be found.

"I thought I had a more promising lead. The Princess keeps to her chambers more often lately. I thought this would be a good place to bring some," the woman coughed intentionally as if to replace a word, "tea. But that ridiculous maid of hers lets no one inside except for this one surprisingly handsome guard. I think the maid likes his looks."

Inwardly I chuckled. Marta perfectly guarded Alina, even if she was not as guarded with her fondness toward her husband.

"Maybe your way in is to replace that guard? I will keep trying on my end. Nyx will expect a report of completion soon. If we can't take out one little Princess, what good are we to her?" The laundress offered.

Nyx? Who is Nyx? We have enough to worry about already without someone else wanting to murder Alina.

"I will see if I can take out the guard with something that looks accidental. That seems like a less bloody trail than you poisoning fabrics. Remember, everything has to look accidental." The familiar voice continued. Part of me wished her disgusting speeches were longer so that I could better traverse the archives of my memory of how I might know her.

"I know that's Nyx's style, but what if we just went all in with a trail of blood in our wake? The Autarch would appreciate that more," the laundress thought aloud.

"How dare you say that name in these halls! People might not know our mistress by name, but they may certainly know our leader," the maid countered.

"Relax. No one uses this hall," the laundress assured her.

"I'm leaving before anyone tries. Good day, Moha," the maid's angry tone showed her displeasure even through the wall. Her staccato footsteps slapped the floor to accentuate her point.

Was it the mention of the Autarch or the idea of massive bloodshed that set off such anger? Either way, I did not like having these women anywhere near Alina.

My shadow stayed still in front of me until we heard another set of retreating footfalls. Once the hall next to us fell quiet, Finley moved through our passage with a speed that I did not know was possible in such a confined space.

The moment our feet hit the floor of the library, he quickly closed the entrance to the passage. His face wrinkled with worry.

"Alejo and Princess Alina are in danger!" Finley said aloud as if processing the information.

I hardly registered his words as I was already on my way to the royal wing to warn Alina