“Maybe…” Garl began when a loud knock sounded on the door.
Someone snorted loudly and moved as if roused from slumber. A voice called for the visitor to enter.
“Come, Levitor,” said Salfour. “We need to talk to Maraton right away.”
“About what?” groused the sleepy Levitor.
“I don’t want to explain it twice,” growled Salfour. “Just come.”
Noises or someone moving around was all that was heard.
“Up one level and one window to the left,” instructed Garl. “I cannot believe what I am hearing.”
“Is it enough to take action?” asked Alahara as she adjusted the air tunnel to the proper window.
“Hardly,” frowned Garl, “although I now believe that those three are involved. All that we have heard is that they are paying boys to instigate the protests. That is hardly a criminal offense.”
“They knew about the ambush on Alastasia and me,” Alahara pointed out.
“I also know about it,” sighed Garl. “Does that mean that I ordered it?”
“Who is it?” a voice shouted in answer to the knock on the door.
“Me and Levitor,” came the answer as the door opened and two men shuffled into the room. “We have a problem or an opportunity. I am not sure which.”
“Shut the door and explain the problem,” instructed Maraton.
“Kara just came to visit me,” informed Salfour. “His purpose was to try to extort more gold out of me, but he delivered some interesting information.”
“Go on,” urged Maraton.
“It seems that one of the princesses does not care for life in Elvangar,” Salfour continued. “She plans to escape to the human lands. She is also against the war and plans to take part in the protest tomorrow.”
“What?” Maraton asked, his voice rising with disbelief. “Which princess?”
“Alahara,” answered Salfour. “She is the heir to the throne.”
“I don’t believe it,” Maraton said skeptically. “It is a ruse to infiltrate the organizers of the protests. You are to get rid of Kara and the others immediately.”
“I was skeptical at first, too,” admitted Salfour, “but this story rings true. She claims that she hates it here because no one likes her. She probably had many friends among the humans.”
“Then why is she against the war?” retorted Maraton. “If she likes the humans so much, she should want the elves to go save them.”
“The princesses did run away once before,” Levitor pointed out.
“They were imprisoned,” scowled Maraton. “They also came back with Avalar. I am telling you that it is a trick. Get rid of Kara and the others. I will not have them tied back to us. Staging protests is one thing, but Kara and his friends know that we tried to assassinate the princesses. You will get rid of those boys tonight. Do you understand me?”
“Do you mean kill them?” asked Levitor.
“No,” Maraton sighed as he shook his head, “buy them sweets. Of course I mean kill them. Are you a fool? Do you know what happens to people who try to overthrow the throne?”
“But they do not know about you or me,” Levitor pointed out. “Salfour has been their only contact.”
“Don’t be giving him any ideas,” scowled Salfour. “I will get rid of the brats, but this is going to destroy the chances of staying out of the war.”
“Get other organizers for the protests,” ordered Maraton. “I will not risk my life for three boys.”
“It is too late to get other organizers,” objected Salfour. “The council is starting to lean towards Avalar, and I suspect that he knows it. If tomorrow’s protest is weak, the king will strike and call for a vote.”
“Then cancel the protest until we can assure a good turnout,” countered Maraton. “We are too close to success to abandon this now.”
“We cannot even cancel the protest now,” Salfour shook his head. “Everyone has already been notified. If we tried to call it off, even a weaker demonstration would be the result. We have to go forward with it.”
“Wait a minute,” interrupted Levitor. “Even if the princess is trying to infiltrate the organization, she will still show up at the protest, right?”
“What are you thinking?” asked Maraton.
“Right now,” explained Levitor, “all she knows is that Kara and his friends are part of the organization. So what?”
“So they will squeeze the boys for information and they will discover that Salfour has been paying them,” scowled Maraton. “We cannot afford for that to happen.”
“So it won’t,” smiled Levitor. “The boys are to start a riot at the protest, aren’t they? People are going to get hurt, right? We just have to make sure that the princess is one of those killed in the riot tomorrow.”
“Along with the three boys,” Maraton nodded in agreement. “Now that is a plan that I like. I will leave the details to you, Levitor. See that it happens.”
“Me?” asked Levitor. “Why not Salfour? This is his mess.”
“Because Salfour will be busy looking for new organizers,” smiled Maraton. “He knows how to find the dregs in this city.”
“And what will you be doing?” asked Salfour as he brushed off the taunt.
“I have a meeting tonight with Kanis,” replied Maraton. “Avalar is not happy having her in the palace. We have to make our move soon, or we will miss our chance. The Royal Family must die this week.”
“Enough,” groused Garl as the meeting broke up. “I have never heard such disgusting talk in all my years.”
“Not even from Karaza?” asked Alahara as she dropped the air tunnel.
“Not even from Karaza,” replied Garl. “Oh, Karaza was evil. I grant you that, but he tried to use the laws to complete his nefarious schemes. These fools have a total disregard for our society. They would not only assassinate the Royal Family, but they would destroy Elvangar in order to rule it.”
“So what do we do now?” asked Alahara.
“I must find mages that I can trust,” answered Garl. “It will be dangerous to go up against those three alone.”
“I thought you were the most powerful mage in Elvangar?” asked the princess. “Why do you need help?”
“Because I do not wish to destroy Morada in the process of capturing those three renegades,” answered the Head Mage. “Do not underestimate their power. If they are cornered, they will seek to destroy everything around them.”
“You are the Head Mage,” frowned Princess Alahara as she turned to leave. “It is not my business to tell you how to conduct yourself. At least you finally believe in the truth.”
“You do not seem to be satisfied,” frowned Garl. “You are a headstrong young woman, Alahara. Do not do something foolish that will affect the lives of thousands of elves. Maraton and the others will face justice. Be patient and believe in me.”
“I will try,” Alahara said with an attitude as she walked out the door.
The princess made her way to the Royal Tree, her mind fuming with the lack of action on Garl’s part. While she was expecting Tamar to show up later that night, she was surprised to find that he had already arrived. Princess Alastasia called to Alahara as she entered the quarters reserved for the princesses. Alahara entered Alastasia’s room and saw that Tamar and Avalar were already there.
“You do not waste time with your spying tasks,” smiled the king. “I understand that you have identified the boys who tried to attack you yesterday. Alastasia also told me that Salfour might be mixed up in this in some way. Is that true?”
“In some way?” Princess Alahara replied a little too brusquely. “I am sorry,” she apologized in a softer tone. “I do not mean to snap at you, Father. Salfour is not only involved with the protests, but he, along with two others, are planning on assassinating the Royal Family.”
“That is a serious accusation,” frowned the king. “I am not doubting your word, but what proof do you have?”
“I just came from the Society of Mages,” answered Alahara. “I let Garl listen in to conversations that just took place there. Salfour, Levitor, and Maraton are behind all of these troubles. If anyone doubts my word, I am sure they will accept the word of the Head Mage of the Society of Mages.”