-Victoria-
"We have to find that girl." A voice said.
"Where could she possible have gone?" Another voice asked, "We've searched the entire school and the grounds."
Azax and I remained frozen in the alcove. For a moment, I forgot that we weren't at the mercy of chance. We had magic we could use to insure they didn't find us. Seemed I wasn't the only one who forgot as I saw something flash in Azax's eyes. He stepped back from me, a pen and paper appearing in his hand.
We need to stay quiet, the note read, they shouldn't be able to see or hear us, but I don't want to risk them being more advanced magic users. I nodded in agreement.
"She should be here," The first voice said, "Our spy in the school told us she wasn't permitted to leave. That the barrier would keep her in."
"But our spy didn't know that the prince would be staying," The other voice informed, "The prince is strong, though still lacking in practical application, he could've easily taken the girl out of the grounds."
"It could take weeks to search the surrounding forest." The first voice pointed out.
We heard a slap, and the first person say ow.
"You moron," The second person said, "We don't need to search the grounds. We'll just wait outside her room and the prince's room for them to return. Once we know they're back, we'll incapacitate the prince and take her."
"Right," The first voice said sheepishly, "You watch the prince's room. He won't notice you considering all your spy training."
"Very well," The second voice agreed, "Send a message if she arrives back at her room otherwise meet me here if she doesn't return by morning."
We heard them both walk away. I let out the breath I had been holding. Azax cautiously stepped out to make sure the coast was clear. He signaled for me to join him.
"Looks like we won't be returning to either of our rooms tonight," Azax said pacing back and forth, "How did these men get in?"
"Can't anyone come into the school?" I asked.
"Typically, yes but not when school is on break," He informed me, "You have to have permission from the headmaster or carry a royal seal."
"The headmaster doesn't like me." I pointed out.
"He's spineless," Azax assured, "There is no way he'd be capable of this."
"Then they would need a royal seal," I said, "And we know your father likes me."
"And the Varezian King didn't seem to harbor any ill will towards you," Azax added, "Then they must work for one of the king's and have gone rogue."
"I thought kingdom loyalty was an important thing," I said.
"Too important for some," Azax mumbled before his eyes went wide, "I need to send a message to my father. We're going to need some help."
"Help with what?" I asked.
"Catching these bastards." He said, grabbing my hand and pulling me off down the hall.
We ended up deep in the library in one of the many secret rooms. We met with one of the king's messengers who quickly took Azax's message away. Within minutes we had a response along with a handful of inspectors in blue robes. Immediately, they began making plans.
"We should send the girl down to her room," One suggested, "We'll follow close behind and corner the man when he attempts to attack."
"That won't work," Azax said, "The area her room is in is very narrow with only one way in or out. We could end up hurting each other in any attempt to take the man out. Also, the other man will cut off the entrance when he arrives to aid the man."
"What if the prince and the girl returned to his room," Another offered, "There's more space and we can approach from many sides."
"No, the man watching my room claimed to be a trained spy," Azax pointed out, "He will see you coming a mile away and not reveal himself."
This went on and on. Some would suggest confronting the person by my room first and Azax would shoot it down. Then someone would suggest a plan involving the man watching Azax's room and Azax would argue against that. Around and around, it went. I had to say something. I cleared my throat to bring attention to me.
"I think you've all forgotten something," I said pulling many confused looks, "They're going to meet in the central hall in the morning if neither of us return to our rooms."
"How does that help us?" One of the inspectors said.
I looked at him shocked. Even Azax, who had now caught up to my thinking, looked at him like he had suddenly grown a second head.
"The central hall is full of alcove and hidden passageways," I explained, "Very easy place to set up an ambush."
"But how can we insure they'll stay there?" Another asked.
"Are you all stupid?" I had to ask because that was ridiculous.
"They'll stand and talk for a while, just like they did earlier," Azax said, rubbing his temples, "We'll already be there surrounding them."
"We'll pop out and take them by surprise," I continued, "Once they're subdued, we can interrogate them."
A look of clarity washed over all the inspectors' faces. Finally, they were on the same page as Azax and me.
"Go, get in position in the central hall," Azax ordered, "Victoria and I will be right behind."
They saluted Azax and left to follow orders. Azax sighed, leaning against the table in the center of the room. I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle. We stood there for a moment as we tried to relax. Azax turned and surrounded me with his arms.
"I'm sorry this is happening," Azax said, "We'll find out who sent them and why."
"I know," I assured, "I just hope I can be helpful with this. I'm still very new to magic."
"Just stay close to me," Azax said, "I'll protect you."
"I don't doubt you for a second." I replied with a small smile.
Azax returned the smile, pulling me close for a gentle kiss. Unlike all the passion from earlier, this one was soft. Full of reassurance, comfort and a promise of protection. We separated and Azax took my hand.
"Let's go." He said.
We all took up various positions around the central hall. Azax and I returning to the alcove we were in earlier. We waited for hours. There was no noise in the hall as everyone set various barriers to hide their presence.
As the sun began to rise through the stain glass window above the main entrance, we heard it. Two sets of footsteps approaching from either side of the hall. It was time. Above the entrance to our alcove little green light began to appear signaling the readiness of the inspectors. It was up to Azax to order them to attack.
"I didn't see either of them all night." The man who went to guard my room said.
"Neither did I," The other man said, "It's strange."
"Maybe they stayed in the forest after all," the first guy said, "Rumor was they are getting very close."
"More the reason we must get to her." The second one replied.
"Should we search the forest now?" The first inquired.
"No, we'll wait here," The second ordered, "They have to return at some point, and this is the only way they can enter."
Azax decided that was the ideal moment to attack. Everyone appeared from their hiding spots, surrounding the two intruders. For the first time I got to see my would-be kidnappers. They wore black robes with one having blue accents and the other red.
One, most likely the one who claimed to have been a spy, tried to disappear. It seemed Azax was ready for this however, as he shot out some lightening from his hand towards nothing. The outline of the man appeared as he was surrounded by electricity. He completely reappeared as he fell to the ground slightly smoking.
The other man fell to his knees in surrender without so much as a fight. The inspectors locked both in magic dampening cuffs so they couldn't escape. They were then searched.
"My prince, neither of them carries a royal seal." One of the inspectors reported.
"Wait doesn't that mean..." I began to say but was cut off by Azax holding up a hand.
"I'll discuss that with my father later," He said before turning to the man still conscious, "What was your purpose in coming here?"
"I can't tell you anything." He responded.
Azax held out his hand and electricity shot out towards the man. He began to scream and jerk around. I was so shocked by what I was witnessing I couldn't move. After a few second, Azax stopped the spell.
"What was your purpose in coming here?" He repeated more forcefully.
"I can't tell you." The man cried.
Azax, not satisfied, stuck his hand out once again torturing the man. This time I managed to break through the shock. I rushed forward, pushing Azax hand down, breaking the spell.
"What are you doing?" I asked, standing between Azax and the man.
"Getting answers," Azax said, "Now move aside."
"He already said he can't tell you." I pointed out.
"He won't tell me." Azax argued with a growl.
"I can't tell you." The man cried again.
"Why can't you tell us?" I asked turning to face the man but keeping myself between him and Azax.
"A rune on my tongue," The man explained through heavy breaths, "It prevents me from revealing anything about who sent us and why."
He stuck out his tongue so Azax could see. Seeing the rune seemed to satisfy Azax some as he crossed his arms to address the man.
"I assume your accomplice has the same rune." He said. The man nodded. "We're going to need a rune breaker. Take them back to the palace for further interrogation."
The inspectors gathered both men and began to drag them away. Azax started moving to follow but I stopped him grabbing his arm.
"Azax, I want to talk to you about what just happened." I said, still upset by what he did to that man.
"Later right now-" He started to say.
"Hey, who are you?" One of the inspectors interrupted.
We all turned around to see another man dressed in all black standing on the main staircase. He wore a mask over his face to hide his identity. He didn't say anything, just held up his hand which was surrounded in black energy.
Behind us we heard screams coming from both men. They thrashed on the ground, having been dropped by the inspectors when they saw the new arrival. Glowing red cracks appeared all over them as they began to glow brighter and brighter.
"Take cover!" Azax yelled, tackling me into an alcove nearby.
We heard the explosion but were spared from the heat of it due to a quick barrier Azax built. We stumbled back into the main area to see devastation. A massive crater had formed in the middle of the floor where the men had once been. Cracks formed all over the walls and the windows were blown out. The inspectors were groaning around the room, having had just enough time to create protective barriers to prevent death.
Standing over the crater was the man from the stairs. He gathered what looked to be two pins out of the rubble. Azax and I just stared at him as if in a trance. He must've felt our eyes as he turned to face us. He gave an elegant bow before vanishing. The trance broken, Azax began looking me over.
"You're not hurt, are you?" He asked spinning me around.
"No, I'm fine," I assured him, "Who were those guys?"
"They're from Destruction." He replied.
"Destruction?" I asked.
"Just as there is an Order of Unity working to unite Evania, there is an Order of Destruction ensuring the kingdoms remain separate." Azax explained.
"But they were looking for me," I pointed out, "What could they want with me?"
Azax didn't answer me. He just stared at me though it seemed like his eyes were looking a million miles away. The Order of Destruction shouldn't want me. I'm a nobody. Right?