The Siren and the Deep Blue Sea - Kerrelyn Sparks Page 0,109
second curse won’t work unless she first removes the prior curse.”
Maeve exhaled. “Oh, that’s a relief.”
Brody slipped on his leather shoes. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“Do you know what Nevis and his Spiders are planning?” Ruth asked, and Brody nodded.
“Spiders?” Maeve asked.
“That’s what Nevis’s army is calling themselves,” Brody explained. “They plan on getting rid of most of the guards.”
“Gabby wants to help, too,” Ruth added. “And I think Gavin is trying to help in his own way. He escaped from their room last night and ran around the castle causing trouble. The night guards were exhausted from trying to catch him.”
“Excellent.” Brody smiled. “The Seer was right, naming him Trouble.”
“I thought we should do our part.” Maeve whisked the tablecloth off to reveal the linen strips she’d made. “How many guards can we tie up before lunch?”
Brody snorted. “We won’t know until we try.” He grabbed a candlestick from the table and strode into Maeve’s bedchamber. “Your guard will be first.”
Maeve stuffed a few linen strips into her pockets and followed him. “How do we do this?”
“You get him to run inside, and I’ll do the rest.” Brody positioned himself beside the door, where he would be hidden when it opened.
Maeve took a deep breath, then screamed. The door immediately opened, and the guard peered inside.
“Help!” Maeve frantically motioned toward her dressing room. “Th-there’s a man in there!”
“What?” The guard dashed into the room, and Brody clobbered him from behind.
Ruth ran over to shut the door, while Maeve tied the man’s hands and feet.
Brody pulled a knife from the guard’s boot, then unhooked his sword belt. “I could use these.” He gagged the guard, then dragged him to Maeve’s dressing room.
“Where should we go next?” Maeve asked.
“There’s a guard outside Gabby’s room,” Ruth suggested. “I’ll show you the way.”
Maeve and Ruth pocketed the rest of the linen strips, while Brody pulled on the Seer’s hooded robe to hide the sword belt that was now strapped around his hips.
He slid the spare knife into the belt, then grabbed the Seer’s staff. “Let’s go.”
“Oh! Just a minute.” Maeve ran into the Seer’s bedchamber to grab the key, so she could lock her room as they left. She didn’t want any servants coming in and discovering the guard.
The hallway was empty now, so they were able to walk quickly.
“Where are the guards?” Brody whispered to Ruth.
“There should be four circling the castle,” Ruth replied. “Two more at the back door and another two at the front door.”
“That’s eight,” Brody said. “Nevis will take care of them.”
“How many are inside the castle?” Maeve asked.
“Seven,” Ruth replied. “There was one stationed at your door, then there’s one at Gabby’s room, two at the throne room, one on the lookout tower, and two who move about patrolling the hallways.”
When they reached the stairwell, they paused at the sound of booted feet climbing the stairs.
“It’s one of the guards on patrol,” Ruth whispered, and they ducked around the corner.
Brody whipped his knife from his belt.
“I’ll distract him,” Maeve offered. She eased to the head of the stairs and gasped in feigned surprise as the guard reached the landing below.
He glanced up at her, his eyes narrowed. “Your Highness. You’re not in your room.”
Maeve shrugged. “I thought I’d go for a swim. Can you tell me the way to the tank room?”
He scoffed. “You’re not going there. It’s an escape route. Where is your guard?”
Maeve let out a small squeal and ran up the stairs. With a muttered curse, the guard gave chase. He reached their floor and turned to follow Maeve up the next flight. She stopped at the landing and glanced back. Brody sneaked up behind the guard and clobbered him with the blunt end of his knife.
She hurried down the stairs to tie and gag the guard.
“Where can we stash him?” Brody asked Ruth, and she used a key to open a nearby storage room.
With the guard locked away, they proceeded down the stairs to the servants’ hallway. Maeve peered around the corner and spotted the guard in front of Gabby’s room. She nodded at Brody, and he immediately hunched over like the Seer. They walked slowly down the hallway with Brody leaning heavily on his staff.
The guard watched them with a suspicious look.
After what seemed like an eternity, Maeve finally arrived at Gabby’s door with Brody and Ruth. “We’re here to see Gabby.”
The guard looked away with a sniff. “No one is allowed in except Her Majesty.”