Chapter 15: A Fateful Eavesdropping

The Black Mage froze in his steps, instantly crouching down and listening, peeking through the slightly ajar door.

The vizier was speaking to a man dressed in black. The stranger seemed nervous, but the vizier was apparently trying to reassure him. He passed over a small crystal vial filled with a reddish substance.

Vivi?

Sh! Vivi shifted his focus to Danious, never letting his eyes leave the scene. The vizier is doing something.

What do you mean?

He’s talking to a man in black, and he’s given him something in a bottle. It looks... funny. The one in black looks nervous. The vizier is handing him a pouch as well, and the man in handing back a scroll sealed with yellow wax.

Yellow wax? Are you sure?

Yeah. It’s really bright, visible, like my eyes. Suddenly the pair moved, the vizier going to the door and the man in black going out the window. Vivi bolted through the closest door and hid in the room beyond, holding his breath, tense, as the vizier passed by. They’ve left. The man in black went out the window. That scroll stood out in Vivi’s mind.

Vivi? Trolly-molly, what’s going on? came Orko’s voice. Vivi hesitated a moment, then decided to trust his gut instinct. He opened this call to everyone with a pendant. Prince Caresh, I think you’re in danger.

What?all three responded.

Trust me. Don't eat or drink anything, get out of sight of any windows, get Dregan and Zentarou to cast whatever defensive magics they have. I'm going for proof. Feeling brave, Vivi slipped out into the hall, peering around, then entered the vizier's room.

The room was elaborate, with rugs and curtains stitched with gold in what could appear as arcane marks and signs. Various vials and beakers filled with liquid and potions covered the largest table.

And peeking out of a drawer on the table was the scroll.

Vivi grinned. He crept over and carefully pulled it out. The wax seal was neatly cut in two, so it was each for him to piece it together.

Danious, he called, a crescent moon and three stars. Mean anything?

Bring it to me, fast. Orko peeked in, having finally found his friend.

"Vivi," he hissed. "C'mon, lets go." The pair quickly slipped out, moving silently but quickly down the hall, Orko leading the way. Vivi cast furtive glances out every window they passed, but caught no sign of the man in black.

Prince Caresh, where are you? he asked. Who's with you?

We're in the war room, responded the prince, and I'm with my father, Danious, your two friends, and the vizier.

Stay away from the vizier! Orko winced.

"Sorry," Vivi apologized, "but he's involved." Just then two guards appeared around a corner, and led the pair to the war room.

Inside an argument was raging, as Danious accused Vizier Sahadi, and he in turn tried to defend himself. When they entered, the vizier turned on them, shouting accusations, which pulled Dregan and Zentarou into the fray. But before too much could be said, Vivi presented the king with the scroll.

"Dregan, please translate for me. King Tazan, I witnessed an exchange between Vizier Sahadi and a man dressed in black. The vizier gave this man a vial of red liquid and a pouch in exchange for this scroll. I can't read it, but I think the seal might mean something to you." The king frowned when he saw the seal, skimmed the contents, and instantly ordered the Vizier's arrest. The vizier lunged for the scroll, or perhaps to harm Vivi, but Danious and the other guards in the room were quick to grab him. They dragged him away. "Dregan," added Vivi, "tell the king that there's another person, the man in black. He's got the vial the vizier gave him." Dregan did so, and King Tazan sent a guard to follow them with orders to discover the identity and mission of this second man. Then the king made a suggestion to his son, which he apparently accepted.

"The king suggested that his son to rest in his room, and us with him," Dregan translated. They followed the prince, with several very tense guards, to his chamber. It was decently large, with ornate rugs and curtains, the only furniture being a large wardrobe, a desk and chair, and the bed, which the prince heavily sat down upon.

I am worried, he thought to Vivi and Orko, even as he spoke to the others. My bride-to-be is to arrive tomorrow to begin the wedding preparations. With this assassin still on the loose, I fear for her safety.

Everything will be okay, Vivi assured. Did Dregan and Zentarou cast their spells?

Yes. Zentarou placed his Life Aura upon me, with a condition that must be met before it will activate. Someone must threaten my life or health, and then it will appear.

The Bretheren remained with the prince all night. Zentarou reveried early, so all three could be awake to watch, and then maintained a vigil all throughout the long, quiet night.