Chapter 25
Castle
The moon shone over Castle, the skies overcast tonight so its glow was dim and mottled. Castle never preferred nighttime. Nighttime was when it was too quiet, too still, the hustle and bustle of activity gone as everyone slept in their beds.
Except for some of the nocturnal creatures that roamed the castle. Most nights these creatures left the castle to catch prey, to wander, to explore. But not tonight.
Tonight two of those creatures whispered in Castle’s hallways, their conversation hushed and taking place with the dying light of the sconces. Castle wondered what these two advisors were up to.
“What do you mean she’s going after the brotherhood?” Fargus asked. “Surely she realizes how dangerous that is.”
“I’m just telling you what I overheard,” Meera said, her tail lazily undulating behind her.
Castle knew most things, but Castle hadn’t known about this. Aoife the Warrior Queen was cunning, indeed, and she must have purposely kept this information from Castle, planned this in secret where Castle could not see or hear her.
Fargus’s wings flapped, and the owl’s head swiveled from side to side. “We must stop her. I’ll tell Lor.”
“That will make her furious,” Meera said as Fargus began pacing.
“We have to do something. She might be furious, but at least she’ll be alive.”
“It’s your funeral,” Meera said.
“You’re the one who told me! Why did you have to involve me in this? I don’t want to earn the queen’s wrath. I’ve seen her yell at Lor, and I have no interest in being on the receiving end of that kind of anger.”
Castle had an idea, one that wouldn’t involve either advisor. Aoife could be mad at Castle all she wanted. She was already angry with it. Angry that Castle had tricked her.
Castle hadn’t meant to trick the warrior queen. It didn’t know she’d assumed she would be ruling alone. It had just wanted to save her.
“Maybe she won’t yell at you,” Meera said. “She’s been nice to Lor lately. They’ve attended meetings together without getting into screaming matches or slamming doors.”
“Or overturning chairs,” Fargus added.
“Exactly,” Meera said, sharp white teeth flashing. “Maybe this will only bring them together further.”
“Lor telling Aoife she can’t do something she wants?” Fargus’s feathers ruffled. “I don’t think that’s likely to bring either together.”
“You do what you want with this information.” Meera turned to walk down the dim hallway. “But if she leaves and is injured, His Majesty will never forgive you.”
Fargus made a strangled noise as Meera disappeared into the darkness.
“Oh, what do I do? What do I do?” The owl paced back and forth, its wings rising and falling, its panic seeping into Castle’s walls.
Castle rumbled, the floor trembling under the owl’s talons.
Fargus froze, head swiveling. “What’s going on now?” Castle opened a window, and Fargus stared at it. “You want me to leave?”
Castle rumbled again, mustering all its strength to send a single word. Go.
“Oh, thank the godwitches. I thought you were going to force me to see His Majesty, to tell him what his wife is planning.”
Castle blew a gentle wind toward Fargus, nudging the faerie toward the window.
“Okay, alright. I’m going.” Fargus spread out his wings and soared out of the castle and into the night sky.
With the advisors gone, Castle could finally awaken His Majesty. It only hoped it wasn’t too late.