Page 140 of The Mad King and the False Queen

Kiran squeezed Magda’s hand again. “Let’s go find my mom. I think she’s in her office having an important meeting. But I have to warn you, we’ve been on thin ice since the trials.”

The trials where Kiran undoubtedly fought her siblings and won the guardian magic for their generation. Magda couldn’t remember how many siblings Kiran had, and felt too embarrassed to ask.

“Thin ice with your mom?” asked Magda.

“Yes, another long story for our gossip session tonight. Let’s go.”

Suddenly Magda noticed Ravi all the way on the other side of the courtyard. He was talking to someone from the Fowler’s Guild—Ishani’s Guild. Weren’t they trying to avoid all guild members? As quick as lightning, the two men exchanged hands, and Magda was almost positive that she saw Ravi drop a few coins in the hand of the officer. In exchange, Ravi stuffed a crumpled piece of paper into his front pocket. After another second, Ravi gave a nod to the guild member before disappearing inside a side door to the palace.

What was he doing?

“Kiran…,” Magda stopped walking through the crowd. “Where does that door lead?” she asked.

“To the other wings of the palace,” she announced like it was an obvious answer.

Magda was suddenly on alert. “You go find your mom. I’ll catch up with you.”

Kiran’s expression drooped, but she said, “Alright. Come sit at our table during the meal.”

Magda agreed.

Magda slipped around the gazebo, past the open door into the party. Their laughter slipped into the background, as Magda focused on the side door ahead of her. Where had Ravi gone?

Suddenly, a bark was let out behind her.

“Madame, your dog is being brought to Princess Kiran’s room.” The officer had returned, and next to him was Odie. In an instant, Odie was racing to Magda, jumping up on her.

“Madame, I can’t leave the Princess’s side for this long.” He seemed annoyed.

“Then go, I’ll find someone else to help me soon. Thank you,” Magda replied.

The guard shrugged, picking a piece of Odie’s fur off his suit, and disappeared back into the party.

“Odie,” Magda said. “Find Ravi.”

His ears pricked up and his head tilted.

“Ravi,” Magda repeated.

Then she had an idea. She quickly removed Ravi’s vest, and presented it to her dog. Odie sniffed it furiously, taking in the scent, while Magda repeated Ravi’s name a few more times. Then, while Magda put the vest back on, Odie began circling a distinct path in the garden. He wagged his tail by the side door. Magda grinned, before pushing it open.

It led to a hallway that disappeared around a dark corner. Magda and Odie dashed forward, rushing through a stone arch and into another passage, which was dimly lit by hanging lanterns. There were three directions, and Odie chose the one to the left. At the next fork in the hallways, Odie chose the one to the right.

“Good boy,” Magda said.

Ahead, Magda heard footsteps against the stone floor, and she rapidly picked up her pace. Then she turned the corner to see two guards on patrol, who were walking away from her. Magda stopped short, flattening her back against the stone until they had left. Odie followed her instincts, jerking instantly to a stop at her knees. As soon as they had gone, a door opened further down the hallway, and Ravi peaked his head out, looking right and left before continuing in the direction of the guards. What was he up to?

Magda pushed forward, following him. She was careful to step quietly on the stone and remain paces behind him. If he was more than a musician, he certainly wasn’t very good at noticing when he was being trailed. Odie obediently followed Magda’s every footstep, remaining quiet.

Suddenly Ravi stopped dead in his tracks.

Magda held her breath, hoping that he wouldn’t turn around and see them standing directly behind him.

Ravi reached into his pocket, pulling out the crumpled piece of paper, and unraveling it in his hands. He scanned it over a few times, before looking left and right in the hallway. Finally, he decided to head to the right after checking the paper again.

Directions. He had paid the guild for directions. To what?

Magda and Odie picked up the pace, careful to stay a long distance from Ravi. She watched him intently as he followed whatever was on the piece of paper, checking it numerous times before making decisions on the next turn. They ventured down a set of stairs, around another bend, and finally through a stone, curved corridor that was darker than the last. Barely any lanterns were lit here, signaling that it wasn’t frequented often.

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