Nurlan and Junayd wandered through the tunnels, using their memory of the layout inside the palace. While they had both stood guard inside the Castle Valiant many times, they had not been inside in months, and their lack of practice showed.

"This way," Junayd insisted.

"We need to go up a level and then past the officers' quarters." Nurlan argued.

The men stopped and squabbled for a moment. They used their chalk to draw on the stone floor and recreate the castle's floor plan. Finally they agreed and set off again at a more determined pace. When they reached the armory, many soldiers were selecting weapons and donning armor.

Nurlan was surprised that he didn't seem to recognize any of them. "Do you see anyone that you know?" He asked Junayd in a low voice.

The young soldier began to shake his head and then his eyes widened. "There! There is Captain Caleb. I don't see any of his men though. How can that be possible?"

Nurlan pulled at his chin. "Most of these men look like thugs. Why are they all wearing those blue ceremonial uniforms? Only the few who stand up on the balcony during events need to wear them."

"I don't think those are regular ceremonial uniforms. I have worn them and they are stiff and difficult to move in. These seem much more utilitarian. And have you noticed how short and stalky some of these soldiers are? Do you think they could be..." Junayd was hesitant to finish his thought.

"It is very possible," Nurlan said, knowing what he had meant.

Just then Caleb went to reach for a spear, but his hand was brushed aside by one of the men in blue. Unlike the shorter soldiers, this one was overly tall and bulky.

"What do think you are doing?" The large man asked. His face would have been handsome if not for the malicious gleam in his eye.

"I am about to take my post, Captain Ledford," Caleb said as he reached for the spear a second time.

"No one gets to check out weapons today except the Blue Guard. You will have to use your own personal weapon or nothing. All of these are needed for the announcement of the new Emperor." Ledford responded haughtily. He used his bulk to try to intimidate the other older, more experienced captain. Caleb bore his gaze into Ledford as tension mounted in the room. Many of the shorter Blue Guard soldiers began to growl, encouraging a fight. Coming to his senses at the last moment, Caleb sighed and backed down. He was too well trained to give into a bully.

"I shall take this up with your superior," the older captain said at last.

Ledford laughed, "I answer only to Cafer."

"And His Majesty too, I should hope," Caleb looked at him angrily.

The bulky young man waved his hand dismissively, "Yeah, sure, him too."

This brought a new wave of anger in Caleb (and indeed Nurlan and Junayd as well), but before the old soldier could speak, the Blue Guard came to attention. Cafer entered the armory and looked around, his gaze pausing briefly in disgust on Caleb. "Only Blue Guard in here today, Captain. I am sure Ledford told you as much."

Caleb bowed his head, "Yes Sir, but I thought maybe..."

"No buts, we need an elite group ready to serve. You, Captain, do not qualify." Cafer put Caleb in his place.

"Yes sir." Caleb exited quickly.

Cafer turned to the Blue Guard. "You are to be stationed at every entrance. From this point onward no one is to be let in or out of the palace without my approval. Now, have you had any word on Anna or Ezer?" When Ledford shook his head, Cafer took a deep breath and sighed, "If they are spotted, kill them on sight. They are traitors to the crown and will ruin the announcement of the new Emperor if they can. You have let me down. Do not let it happen again."

"Yes, Sir," Ledford said, with a hint of resentment in his voice. Had the Chief not promised him great power, Ledford never would have sworn his allegiance. Cafer was far too entitled for the large man's taste.

Cafer ignored the man's obvious disgust. He shooed at the men. "Well, get on with it. To your posts!"

——————————

Zan and Gandr were the quickest to their mission, needing only to travel a few windows to find the first Councilman's quarters. Zan thought about calling the Empress back when he saw what was happening, but she was already out of sight.

Birger was being held in a chair by two guards in blue, his face almost as red as his hair. "As I told you, I don't know where they are," he spat.

Cafer leaned into Birger's face. "Let's not play games, you and I. I will find them, and once they admit you colluded with them, you will all hang for treason."

"I am no more a traitor than Zan was. And neither are Anna or Ezer. The truth will come out." Birger jerked against the guards, and one of them pushed him roughly back in the chair.

"You better hope not," Cafer said with a murderous look in his eye, "or you will be dead that much sooner." To the Blue Guards he added, "I am afraid the Councilman is unwell. He is delirious. See to it that no one enters or exits. In the meantime, I will go retrieve my speech."

"Your pretty words are hollow!" Birger couldn't help himself.

Cafer chuckled, "Call them whatever you like; they are effective. Goodbye, Birger." The guards followed Cafer out of the room, and the door slammed shut.

Zan's eyes flashed silver. "Open the wall," he said to Gandr.

"What?" Gandr thought he had not heard correctly.

"Open the wall. I need to talk to Birger."

"But humans aren't supposed to see our magic on this side of the barrier…"

"What will happen? The Fates will show up? I hope they do! We need all the help we can get. Now please open it." Zan was clearly upset. He never cared for Cafer, but seeing him treat Birger in such a manner made his blood boil.

Birger was holding his head in his hands when the wall began to split like dropped egg. The Councilman abandoned his chair and was about to cry out when Zan miraculously came through the crack followed by another figure.

"You are alive!" The red-haired man embraced his friend. "And you have come with very strange reinforcements." Birger tried to remember where he had seen this strange figure before. "You are the gnome!"

"In the flesh," Gandr gave a lopsided smile.

"This is Gandr, and he's been helping the Empress and me." Zan said quickly.

"The Empress is alive?! I knew it. Another of Cafer's lies." Briger's face was once again crimson.

Zan could see he had questions, but the Guardian stopped him. "We haven't much time. What exactly does Cafer have planned?"

Birger saw the sense in his request. He thought for a moment about what was most important. "Ezer and Anna are in hiding. Cafer planned to murder Anna and use her body at the Empress's funeral. Cafer also has confined me to my room because he suspects I helped them. The other eight Councilmen are too afraid to speak up. I think he means to dissolve the Council entirely. Prince Alaron does whatever the Chief suggests. I had not realized they were so close."

Zan nodded. The relationship between Cafer and the boy likely came as a surprise to most. "Anything else?"

"Cafer has repurposed the ceremonial Blue Guard into his own personal army. He released those who were in it and hired ruffians and… I know it sounds crazy, but some of them do not seem human." Birger rubbed his hands together nervously.

"More gnomes means more problems," Gandr sighed.

"Come with us," Zan said to Birger. "The Empress needs to hear this."

Birger declined. "You have the element of surprise. If I am found missing, you will lose you your biggest advantage. But feel free to come find me when the fun begins. I always fancied myself a warrior statesman." The Councilman allowed himself a grin.

Zan shook Birger's arm and headed for the wall. "Thank you for your help, Birger."

The red-headed man saluted. "Glory to the Empress!"