Two Hundred And Nine

Two Hundred And Nine

I returned to the mansion without any results. We had split up to investigate around the estate to see if we could catch wind of any Wild Hunt or other enemies that might have infiltrated the grounds. But of course there was nothing. The Wild Hunt is elusive and sneaky, and if they got away the Way-Wardens should still be looking, right?

“Lots of things don’t add up.” I muttered to myself as I took a seat at the table in the dining hall. Several of the maids were looking at me from the corner, waiting for orders, possibly, but I was too busy thinking. The atmosphere in the mansion has definitely changed. Initially when we came here, sure, the maids weren’t pleased at my presence, but from dealing with Risha and Velna I’m used to that. Still, after we had rescued Asha and her tree, continually pushing the Myconids back, the mansion changed. There was much more whispering in corners between the maids, strange looks I couldn’t interpret, and now this.

My suspicions were starting to solidify. The surging spikes of warning that my Foresight was constantly prodding me with was almost certainly referring to some disaster at the mansion. Of course, I wouldn’t be careless and I had got word out to anyone in the Material who might be vulnerable, but I was focusing most of my efforts here. As I was thinking about that, Shaeula entered, looking frustrated. She nodded to her maids, before stomping over and sitting down beside me, leaning in on me for comfort.

“No luck?” I said, and she snorted bitterly.

“There is not-not anything to find. Though sweeping the entire area is impossible. Even with my Mystic Eyes there is nothing to see.” She shook her head. “It does not-not add up anyway. The Wild Hunt would be unlikely to attack us here again after they lost a Barghest during their last infiltration.”

“I agree. Something definitely stinks here.” I stopped what I was about to say as the maids approached us, offering Shaeula a drink, which she waved away. As the maids retreated I lowered my voice, leaking a little wind energy of which I had masked the glow, to prevent my voice from being heard.

“Theoretically, if the Myconids were the danger and our constant raids provoked them into attacking the Seelie Court, how do you see it going for them?”Điscover new chapters at novelhall.com

“Badly, I should say.” Shaeula sneered. “Those massive plant-beasts around the hill are problematic indeed, but the defences of the Seelie Court are not-not to be trifled with, even now. It would take them time to break the barrier, and we would wreak a frightful-frightful toll on them before they passed it, allowing time for the Way-Wardens to identify the threat and rally the Seelie Court armies. Invading their Territory around the Spring of Clear Reflections is one-one thing, but on our own Territory, fighting defensively? I would hope-hope we have countermeasures now, else-else the entire Seelie Court would be a corrupted, fungus-infested ruin, no?”

I nodded. Her thoughts were aligning with mine. “Besides.” I lowered my voice still further, leaning in close and whispering in her ear, my breath tickling her. “They’ve seen us come and go with impunity. They’d have to believe that others in the Fae might have such abilities too.” Once we defeat the Myconids and reclaim the Spring, obviously we’ll share the technology and techniques we’ve been using. That should be another boost to Shaeula’s position. “I don’t believe it’s that either. You must have noticed the change in the mansion staff. After all, you’ve known your maids for years, right?”

Even now they were watching us, and their expressions were alternating between blank masks and worried gazes. I had been used to their anger and disgust for me before, even if I didn’t quite understand it or feel it was warranted, but now some of those same troubled gazes were directed at Shaeula herself, which didn’t fit the pattern. What’s even stranger is that some of the maids like Velna are starting to attract the same looks, and seem isolated, out of place. It’s almost as if...

“Their behaviour is indeed strange, but is that not-not due to their dislike of you, Akio? Really, I am rather inclined to dismiss them all anyway after this. It is a sad-sad day when Hyacinth is a more preferable maid to my childhood ones. I must confess that since I spent time away from them and their stifling urging to be more proud, more regal, I have discovered I much-much prefer freedom.”

“I think there’s more to it than that. But yeah, I guess you don’t pay too much attention to your servants ordinarily, do you?”

“Maids are supposed to be unobtrusive, just there should I need-need anything. On this too I suppose they fail. They should not-not have filled my head with nonsense when I was younger, even if it was out of compassion.”

Compassion, huh? “Excuse me if I’m being paranoid, but...” with that I focused and my Eye shone amber as I gazed upon the maids. No, they are both weaselkin maids, and their names seem to check out too. Nothing suspicious there, it seems.

“Fine. We need to stay alert, but we can’t let our suspicions run away with us. Grulgor is useless for the experiments, so we can set him to patrolling the grounds surrounding the mansion. I’m sure he’d be eager enough to crush any enemies lurking about the place.”

With that decided, we waited for Ixitt and Hyacinth to return too, from their own patrols. As expected they had found little of interest, although Hyacinth was looking a bit perturbed. Pulling her into a corner, she giggled at me, asking if I was ready to ravish her. First I checked nobody was nearby, before shaking my head, causing her to pout with disappointment.

“Not today.” I denied it. “No, I noticed you looking strange after you returned, but you said you hadn’t found any traces of enemies.”

“Hyacinth has nooot.” She declared. “But I still found something ooodd.”

“Odd, how so?” I asked, and she leaned in close, whispering in my ear similarly to how I had done with Shaeula earlier. Although I didn’t stick my tongue in. She’s a damn pervert. Oh well, not important right now.

“There have been tooo many coming and goooing from the mansion. There are only eight maids, and that annoooying butler, right? But when I searched, I cooould find traces of mooore!”

Huh? More, that could be important, but also... “While I’m curious about how you found out, firstly are you sure it wasn’t traces left by one of us? I suppose it could also be leftovers from our weaselkin when they were helping us set-up for the Tree rescue, or even some of Shaeraggo’s people. It’s not proof of anything. Hey, stop that! I’m grateful for your help but you are going too far!” Her tongue was sliding along my cheek now as she slobbered like an over-enthusiastic dog, and having her kiss me was way too far for some gratitude.

“Master is a tease!” She snickered, but did comply. “Hyacinth thought ooof that, I did. Nooo, the traces go in the other direction to the Ring Gate to yooour Territory, and it doooes not go towards the other ooone either.”

“I see. Suspicious, but not a lot to go on. Did you investigate further?”

“I did nooot have time. And I did not want to go alooone. If I was waylaid and ambushed, master would grieve, right? And Hyacinth is a good brownie, the best brownie, I will never let you dooown like these worthless weasels! The dinner they were going to serve yesterday was all wrooong!”

“How so?” I remember the mess, it got everywhere. Seriously, it’s not like they would try and poison us... would they? No way. They are Shaeula’s maids, and have been for years. They wouldn’t do that. Me maybe, but if they did Shaeula would kill them...

“The sauce has been tooo bold, day after day!” Hyacinth shook her head. “Toooooo much fruit, totally smothers the taste of the dish. I dooo not get it, they managed to cook properly at first, but every day, the taste gets mooore overpowering, and master and mistress did nooot ask for that! Useless maids, Hyacinth wants to strangle them! But master says nooot to kill useless servants, sooo I will not.”

“I can’t deny I’ve not seen-seen her in higher spirits since she was a child. She smiles again and doesn’t seem in such a hurry to prove herself. As for the Spring... we thought you mad, that she would surely die. But you venture in day after day and return, even saving a dryad, a feat worthy in its own-own right. I hate it, but I have to accept that the princess loves you.”

“Good. And I love her. So help me. The behaviour towards us you are all displaying is saddening her. She realises her past mistakes and wants to repair her behaviour and the strained relationships between you. But unless you meet her half-way, she can’t do that.”

“I know, I want things to be the way they were before her exile, before the whispers.” Vilna whispered.

“So, this can’t be why you sought me out. It’s about the changed atmosphere in here, right? We know something is going on, something dangerous. Someone has been slipping out of the mansion and meeting some enemies of the Fae. I’m not sure if it’s the Wild Hunt, but that’s my first guess. You noticed something was up, didn’t you?”

“They lied about the Warning Bell. And Klena has disappeared. Either her or I have been here the whole time, and neither of us heard the Bells. She lied, and Risha agreed with her when I asked her later. Now Risha is gone too, and I can’t find her either.”

“I see. That is suspicious. So, have you been in the room where we keep our protective gear? We told everyone to stay out, right?”

“No, I’ve not been in there...” she said slowly, eyes widening.

“All right. I’m sorry to do this to you, but we need to put on a bit of a show. Just bear with it.” I reached out and messed up her hair and fur, as well as disarraying her dress. I then pulled her up, and with lewd laughter I dragged her out of the door, pawing casually at her as we headed back towards the storeroom. Several maids peeked out at us, looking sympathetic, but every time I sensed them I pulled the shaking Velna close, touching her some more. As we reached the storeroom I grinned lewdly, before pulling open the door. “I can’t wait any longer. Let’s have some more fun.” I dragged her in, slamming the door behind us. Lights flickered to life and I released her, shaking my head. Well that pretty much sucked. “You can relax now. But I do need a witness. I’m going to check our gear. I get a bad feeling. And it isn’t just my Foresight.”

It didn’t take long to prove me right. As we inspected the rubber-style protective suits I found that cuts had been made to the insides very carefully. From the outside they looked undamaged, but any rapid movement would quickly cause them to tear clean through. My outfit was riddled with such damage.

“This doesn’t make any sense-sense!” Velna was crying. She’d had examined Shaeula’s suit, only to find the same sabotage. “Having you die-die, I can understand that.”

Wow, thanks! I’m really feeling the love right now. But I agree.

“But to sabotage the very items the princess needs to survive the danger is unthinkable!” She sobbed, emotion overwhelming her.

“Yeah, it does seem to go against the stated goal. It wouldn’t have worked though, not on us at least. Ixitt would definitely have been in trouble, Grulgor too probably.” Opening up the barrel of cream I could smell a faint foreign odour in it as well. If I wasn’t looking for it, it would be easy to overlook. “Pretty certain this has been ruined too.”

“So what do we do-do? This doesn’t make sense at all!”

“Sure, it doesn’t in isolation, but if we put everything together I’m starting to see a pattern. A quick question, if I may?”

She nodded, wiping her tears, so I asked her. “I am pretty certain that some maids have been travelling into the forest to meet with someone with spatial magic that has been avoiding the Fae Stones. I found unusual footprints and some blood. I had thought it possible someone had been killed there, but now... do you know about Shaeula’s Kin Restoration?”

Velna nodded. “The princess used to boast about her ability frequently, as it was proof-proof she was special. Everyone knew about it.”

“I thought so. In fact, I have my suspicions that is one reason her enemies hate her so. A skill like that, if Shaeula grew up to be powerful and respected, she’d able to use it to the fullest.” I shook my head, disappointed as pieces were starting to slot together in my head. “I guess Fae aren’t any better than mortals when it comes to treachery and betrayal. Stupidity neither. Shaeula could be the key to prosperity for the entire Seelie Court. Though I guess it would be hard to exploit, as Shaeula wouldn’t consider any kidnapper or enemy kin... not easily at least.” I shuddered at the thoughts I had. Really, with the right brainwashing techniques or by breaking her spirit, it could work. Though it seems Grulgor was sent to kill her. At least one enemy isn’t thinking that cruelly.

“I don’t know how much they know about her skill, but I’m guessing the other maid who was suspicious like you was lured away by the missing Risha. And I doubt the maid is dead, in case Shaeula considers her kin. That would be too much of a giveaway when her spirit-light appeared. They probably know about her Eyes too... damn.”

Velna seemed a touch relieved at my pronouncement. “But does that mean Risha is working with our enemies?”

“If only it was just her. I am suspicious of all the maids that encouraged Shaeula to behave badly from the very beginning. Sure, you agreed, but it wasn’t your idea, right?”

She nodded, horrified. “But that would mean...”

“Yeah, it means they can’t be trusted. One more question. Do you know anything about the mountains to the north of the Seelie Court? I found ash from there in the remains of the clearing.”

“The north? Duke Formor and his giants ward the north against our enemies, since the loss of Salamandrastrae and the northern forts.” She said slowly. “You don’t suggest...” her voice trailed off as she thought about it.

“Duke Formor huh? Wouldn’t be the first time, but this seems a bit clever for him alone, if you compare it to the plan with Grulgor. Still, if he guards a border, then getting in Wild Hunt or other enemies would be easy, I expect.” The clues are starting to come together, but next question is, what do we do about this?

“I think we need to confirm a few things. All we have is circumstantial evidence. But we do have some ways we can resolve this. But first we need to gather the others.” Foresight was buzzing now, and as I pulled together the clues, it rose in intensity. Yeah, the danger is here. I’m both relieved and afraid. At least with it in front of my eyes, I can deal with it...