Page 21 of Kingdom of Crowns and Daggers

I mean really, did they truly expect me to sit tight until dawn like a good little girl?

Idiots.

I give them enough time to get their stumbler asses back to the king’s palace and then I get to my feet. Tugging up my hood and face covering, I lean over and extinguish the candle before sliding the door open and heading back the way we came. I hurry to the side to peek around the concubines’ palace.

It’s dark in the palace at night, and I make sure to avoid the sporadically placed lanterns as I hurry across the paths. I map it out in my head, using the information Orion gave me to find my way. If I am to survive this game and emerge as the victor, then I need to know every inch of this place—exits, entrances, tunnels, and hideaways.

I need to become the master of the palace, so I move through the sprawling estate using the cloak of nightfall. I check out the lake and buildings, noting the soldiers and watching their patrol routes and schedules. I can’t make out a lot of details or visuals in the dim light, but I can make out enough to give me a starting point. I make my way around it in a circular manner until I find myself near the western gate after passing the main gate. The stables are close, and as I watch, a small man scurries out from inside, stilling when he sees me.

He dips his head, holding his fist over his chest in a familiar gesture.

Daggers, this man is a rat.

I spot another sliding through the darkness, and another.

Crux sent his little rats in here. Turning away with a smile, I can’t help but feel protected and cared for. I begin to head back to the concubines’ palace to rest and think about what I’ve seen, but then I still when I hear the whisper of voices moving this way.

Cocking my head, I listen harder, staring into the shadows of the building ahead when a flame catches my attention. Shit, I can’t get caught. I search for somewhere to conceal myself, but the only places that are close are a well or the concubines’ palace.

I burst into a sprint towards the palace as the voices get louder.

I rush across the grass and look around, but I know I won’t make it inside in time.

Stepping back, I dig my heels in and then run towards the wall of the concubines’ palace. I leap at the last moment and grip the edge of the tiled roof. Using my arm strength, I yank myself up and roll onto the roof before the voices draw closer.

Lying on the edge of the roof, I flip over and blend into the darkness as I watch and wait.

It doesn’t take long for two figures to appear below me. They look around, lit by the torch they carry, which washes over their white robes and hats. When they are happy there is no one around, their voices get louder and more confident, and I listen in.

They are clearly hiding what they are saying for a reason, which is more of a reason to listen.

“Are you sure?” the one on the left says. I try to memorise their faces, but the darkness makes it somewhat hard. However, I can remember their voices for the future.

“If we can get it past the king.” They both chuckle. “We can increase the taxes within those provinces, and the extra money would go to us.”

Ah, the rich getting richer, how surprising.

“They have already been taxed hard,” the other responds. “Will they pay it?”

“We will not give them a choice. We can make it seem important, say it’s for crops for the Lowers. Everybody likes to seem selfless and giving.”

They turn slightly when the horses make noise, and it gives me a chance to scan their faces and implant them in my memory. They might not be killers, but they are clearly crooks who have no love for the king and use their positions to get what they want.

They are threats, and I’m here to dispose of threats.

“I will propose it tomorrow then,” the other responds. “We should return before the guards come.”

I watch them hurry away, happy with their dirty, rotten plans.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m all for stealing from the rich, but only as long as it’s me doing the stealing.

Waiting to ensure they have left completely, I stand and move across the roof to the back of the concubines’ palace, where I throw myself off the edge. I flip in the air and land on my knees with a slight thud before climbing quickly to my feet. I hurry back into the palace, ready to get some rest and prepare for the big day tomorrow.

Chapter

Thirteen

JOHA

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