SELENE POV
I don't know how I will get into the palace, but there's a saying: where there's a will there's a way. "Mister Alford, is there a way to enter the palace without being noticed?"
Alford stared directly into my eyes, his fingers slowly stroking his grey beard. I can tell he was weighing the risk. I couldn't blame him. Infiltrating the palace is very dangerous. He could also be in danger if he is suspected as an accomplice. "I promise no one will find out you helped us".
"There's a tunnel behind the palace, it's like a maze that only the royal family knows which way to take so as not to get lost. However it is also a trap to hold intruders in. No one has ever made it into the palace" Alford said calmly.
"Selene , I don't think we should go through with this," Kathy said, her hands trembling a little.
"Do you have another way to get into the palace?"
"Maybe we should wait for the two months"
"I can't wait that long!! I need to find my mother and get back home -Our world" I said, my voice was barely steady.
"I know you can't wait," Kathy said softly, reaching out her hand towards me "But this is dangerous. We might not make it alive".
I avoided her hands, walking towards the desk. I took a piece of paper and a brush. "I'm willing to take the risk". I said, looking down at the paper. "You don't have to come with me Kathy"
I heard rushed footsteps behind me, a hand gripped my shoulder turning me around. Grey eyes were in view, strong will filling it to the brim.
"We both came here together, so if you're seriously doing this. Then I'm coming with you". Kathy said, her eyes firm but I can tell she was also scared.
I wanted to tell her no. To leave her here where she will be safe. To save her from going deeper into my mess but the look in her eyes tells me that she will never forgive me if I leave her behind. And that scares me.
"I'm coming too," Eve said, stepping forward. "Do you guys think you can make it without my help? None of you can fight" her lips curling up.
I sighed. She is one thousand percent right. We need someone that can fight. Who better than the girl that saved us from a giant bird.
"Then the three of us are going tonight".
"Then you better figure out a plan to get in there first," Eve said.
I quickly sat at Alford's desk while the three of them gathered around the desk. "Mister Alford, when is the best time to enter the tunnel?"
Alford caressed his grey beard. "By dawn, the guards had already begun patrolling the palace grounds.
"If they start from the main gate of the palace. We will have about 30 minutes to reach the back gate and enter the cave."
"Then we will have to be ready at dawn," I said looking down at the paper. Wait a minute, why am I even holding a paper. I don't even know where the palace is. "Mister Alford, you should give us a drawing of the back of the palace"
I stood up from the seat.
"I don't think that will be necessary" Alford said looking at Eve. "Eve can help you get there safely. At the walls of the palace find the brick with the wings marking, it lies the key to the underground tunnel"
"How are we going to find it in the dark?" Kathy said in disbelief.
I gently caressed the gold locket on my chest. "We will have to. We absolutely have to enter the palace"
This might be a foolish idea or a suicide mission. But who could tell what might happen to us if we wait for two months. So I. No. We must do this.
"Well if we're truly doing this then we must get ready" Eve said, staring at Kathy and I.
"What do you mean?" Kathy asked, confused.
"We need to change into more comfortable clothes and we need weapons"
" Weapons," Kathy and I said in unison.
Eve looked at us in exasperation "You just heard that no one has ever made out of there alive apart from the royal family"
"But we have one of the royal family with us," Kathy said, pointing at me.
"Are you serious right now Kathy? We just found out she is one of the Royal family however she knows nothing about her family heritage or anything"
Kathy sighed. The small spark of hope in her eyes disappeared without a trace.
"Then we will carry weapons."
"Which both of us don't even know how to use," Kathy said slowly, sitting down on the cold floor.
"Would you like to go empty handed, defenseless to anything in there" Eve said, looking at us like idiots. "Nobody knows how the people that have gone through that tunnel died"
"That's you three need to be prepared for anything." Alford said calmly.
"Then get us weapons as well" I said, my voice echoed in the little room and firm. But my stomach twisted in fear.
Eve slowly bent down in front of Alford at the desk " You heard her old man."
Alford quietly put his hand under the desk.
"OMG" Kathy said, her mouth wide open.
The book shelves behind the desk slid wide open revealing rows of swords, daggers , bows arranged neatly and shining dlin the dim light. This reminded me of a Vampire movie i once watched. I get the hidden study but this is a whole different level.
"Do you like what you see my lady? These are my beautiful children" Alford said, with a weird smile plastered on his face. He looked just like a creep right now.
"I thought this was a flower shop" I asked, my eyes darting from one weapon to another.
"It is," Alford said, gently touching one of the swords. "But it is also a place where I sell weapons".
I looked at Alford in disbelief.
"I might not look it, but I have always been fond of swords. However my body was never built for it" Alford said, his eyes glancing at the swords bitterly.
"Why?"
"My body only knew and wanted magic but my heart has always yearned for the sword. Maybe that's why I started selling swords in secret"
"So this is illegal"
" Yes, but it cheaper and well made"
"Beggars aren't choosers," Kathy said, picking up two daggers. It seems heavier since she is clasping it tightly.
"That's too heavy for you," Eve said, collecting the two daggers from Kathy.
"Go ahead, try this," Eve said, handing Kathy another pair of daggers with a tiny red ruby embedded at the handle.
"It's ok" Kathy said, holding in each hand and swinging it.
"And here is yours," Eve said, handing me a sword.
Clang.
"Why did you drop it"
"I swear the fucking God that was a heavy"
"Oh my lady, you shouldn't curse like that," Alford exclaimed.
"There's no way that's happening," I replied to Alford. As I bent down to pick up the sword from the floor, putting strength in my hand, sweat slick in my palms.
Eve took out a sack from the top shelf of where the weapons were placed. And poured out the contents in the bag. There was nothing but black fitted leathers, black leather braces, soft shoes etc.
"Alford please excuse us" Eve said, sorting out the pile of black leathers in front of her.
"Very well" Alford said without hesitation, walking towards the wall and the wall opened. The wall returned as he stepped out.
He must really trust Eve to leave us here with his children. It's not as if there was a way to smuggle it out with only one exit.
"We need to change into this" Eve said, as she started taking off her dress.
Kathy and I started taking off ours as well. This is so tight. The black leather fit my body so tightly that its practically my skin now.
"I feel like my boobs can't breathe" Kathy said, stretching the black leather holding her breasts tightly.
" Your what"
" My breasts"
"You have to manage like that cause there isn't another one that will fit"
I have never been so happy about having small breasts till today.
"Come Kathy" Eve called.
Kathy came closer to her and she fixed a black leather belt on her waist , with her daggers sheated at each side of her waist and did the same for me with my sword.
" All done-"
Bang.
"That's the first bell" Eve said putting her sword on her waist.
"Remember, we get into the palace, find the Queen's room, then I will handle the rest" I said, my hand clasping my sword tightly.