(Double posting today. Chapter 20 was posted around midnight earlier today in case anyone's a bit confused over email alerts.)
To be honest, this chapter was partially written before the previous two. I got stuck and changed plans.
Also, just a heads up, it's gonna get violent around the end. Let's just say Batu happened.
The Chief Consul's Diary
By Bilbo-sama
Entry 18 - Justice
Day 278/December 25, 20XX
A robed figure grinned as he viewed what the Prying Eyes have been recording. He had planted the Eyes while King Evan was off rescuing that merfolk bard who then joined the kingdom in gratitude. Lord Vermine assigned him to this task because he was more worried than King Mausinger about what Evermore may be plotting. What if King Evan decides to declare war on Ding Dong Dell? What if he was planning revenge on mousekind?
"I'm counting on you, Pippin," said Lord Vermine, "but I must warn you, if you get caught, you are on your own. His Majesty will need some plausibility to the other nations if you are compromised."
And so, Pippin Squeak traveled to Evermore and took advantage of the castle's renovations to set up scrying equipment in a spare room in their new house. Since the Kingmaker wasn't present when he installed the Eyes, the Kingmaker wont be able to tell if the Eyes were part of the renovations or not.
The plan was to grow the Eyes to a decent size, wait for a partner to arrive so they can observe the Castle in shifts, write down what was recorded so far, and send the transcriptions to Lord Vermine.
The Prying Eye in the Chief Consul's office had some hiccups at first because the former Archon would bespell the room from such things when he filled in during Roland Crane's absence. The Chief Consul himself apparently never had to account for magical means of spying and so far has remained oblivious.
The Minister of War had noticed one of the eyes once. He stopped and stared at it for a good long while before he wondered out loud if that was just a sculpture to make the Junior Consul feel less homesick. He continued on walking.
Unfortunately, the Prying Eyes in the personal apartments of the King, his ministers, and a few others never fully matured.
The former Earl's Eye works once in a while and all it shows is him reading. The Eye in the one named Lady Penelope's apartment only showed her sewing once before it went out.
With the presence of mages in the kingdom, it would be a surprise if there wasn't protection spells in place. But the throne room had none. Thus Pippin was able to obtain important information.
Like right now, King Evan is in the throne room discussing with most of his advisors on what to do next.
"All we have left for the Declaration is Ding Dong Dell," said Crane, "But...it will be hard to approach."
"Indeed, we will need to find a way to get King Mausinger to hear us out," agreed Aristides.
"And with the Horned One's resurrection growing closer thanks to Doloran, we can't afford such strife," mused King Evan.
"You think Doloran will go after Mausinger's kingsbond too?" asked the new minister from Broadleaf.
"There's a great chance that he'll do so," said the Junior Consul.
"If we had a way to get that cowardly swab I'd reckon we take care of him first," grumbled the minister of war.
"Unfortunately," Crane shook his head, "we don't. Our best - what is that noise?" He turned to the window as he heard a loud mechanical sound.
They all turned to the window and gasped as someone shouted, "HEY GUYS! IS THERE ROOM FOR ONE MORE?"
A few minutes later, a guard rushed into the throne room, "Your Majesty, President Zip Vector wishes to speak with you."
To Pippin's horror, President Vector offered King Evan an airship. Which meant that Evermore could bypass border patrols and walk into Ding Dong Dell.
There was a clanging sound coming from nearby the Kingdom. Curious, Pippin emerged from his hideout and followed the trail of curious citizens to the beach.
Bracken Meadows was dismantling the airship and ignoring President Vector's protests.
The only thing she and a few others eventually removed was the giant Vector face that adorned the airship. Everyone (including Pippin, reluctantly) agreed that the improved airship looked a lot better.
"Ah, can you get me a ride home?" President Vector asked.
Day 280/December 27, 20XX
The airship returned to Evermore two days later. There was talk about a dragon being granted citizenship and a spot in the army but Pippin scoffed at the idea.
Who would be crazy enough to do that?
But then rumors went around that an Incineraptor was spotted nesting in the hills nearby. At night, you can hear draconian roars.
Maybe King Evan really does plan to start a war with Ding Dong Dell.
Day 281/December 28, 20XX
Pippin was reviewing the previous day's recordings when he spotted movement in a storage room in the castle. What's this?
It was Crane negotiating with a robed figure. The robes had sigils that were of Dellian origin. Ah, so the back up has finally arrived.
Crane handed the other spy a stack of papers. They looked it over for a moment before nodding.
"This is promising," said the spy, whose voice was magically altered but years of training around that would tell you that the spy is male, "Now as for your payment..." He handed Crane a device that Pippin recognized as a light bomb. It is usually used for escaping.
Pippin looked back at several recordings for the room. For several nights before Crane had ran off to rescue a sailor, there would be an exchange of papers and gadgets. What is Crane up to?
He check on it again after the next night and found similar results. Oh this is fascinating. Has Crane been committing treason this whole time?
Day 283/December 30, 20XX
Tonight, a sky pirate walked into the scene and fled when he was spotted. It was a shame that Crane didn't get to kill him before he could tell anyone because on the next night, the War Minister sneaked in and listened.
"I must thank you again for your assistance, Mr. Crane," said the second spy, "the items and information you provided would help my...employer a great deal."
"Don't mention it," Crane waved a dismissive hand, his tone businesslike, "Let me know if you need anything else."
"There's one thing I've been meaning to ask," Crane's contact tilted his head questioningly, "why do you serve a realm populated by bandits and vagabonds? Surely there are places that are better suited to someone with great talent such as yours?"
Crane smiled as he wistfully replied, "Well...I guess I am kinda used to performing on a larger stage, but that was in the past."
"Don't you miss it?"
"I do," Crane looked down at the table in thought. He then added, "Maybe it is time I move on to somewhere where my skills would be greatly more appreciated. The word 'enemy' is relative after all..."
"Sage words indeed," agreed the spy, "Well...You have done more than enough to earn our gratitude. Should you wish for a change of scenery, we will welcome you."
"Thank you."
That wasn't actually a bad idea. From what they have gathered, Crane had helped build Evermore from the ground up. His skills in diplomacy were legendary. He'd be a great asset to Ding Dong Dell.
Why not ask him to join the Dellian cause, mun? said a stray thought.
Yeah...that sounds like a plan.
Day 285/January 1, 20XX
Pippin made his move after Crane escaped from Evermore before Chief Batu could send the guards after him. He found Crane wandering aimlessly in the grasslands. Warrior instincts caused the man to quickly sense the spy's movements.
"Who are you?" he asked as he turned around.
Pippin, in what he hoped was an accurate sky pirate disguise, said, "Ah, forgive Chief Consul...or should I say former Chief Consul."
Crane sighed, "Well, I guess you saw that, too, huh?" There was a flicker of light as he prepared his arms band, "What do you want with me?"
"Why, to engage your services, of course! You have information that would be quite useful to us, I'm sure."
"What do you have in mind?" smiled Crane.
"For you? Oh plenty, my friend, plenty. But if you wish to know more, you'll need to speak with my master."
"And who would that be?" asked Crane.
"Oh don't be so coy, man. It's King Mausinger, of course."
"Well, well," said Crane cheerfully, "Looks like I landed right on my feet."
The journey to Ding Dong Dell was a quick one. Crane used a trip door that was closest to the river that bordered the kingdom. However, he had to rely on his new comrade to vouch for him to the border guards. From there he was lead into Ding Dong Dell where mice and humans co-existed but there was a very noticeable lack of grimalkin in a kingdom where grimalkin lived and ruled for centuries.
Crane didn't seem to pay attention to the stares or whispers as people spotted him as he walked up to the castle.
Once inside, he looked around with a victorious smirk.
Pippin waved him over, "King Mausinger awaits for you in the throne room. Just go straight ahead. This is where I leave you. Good luck on your future endeavors."
"Where will you be?" asked Crane.
"I will be returning to Evermore to continue my mission."
"Ah. Then farewell and good luck," said Crane, still smirking.
Day 287/January 3, 20XX
Pippin returned to Evermore in his original disguise. He noted the tension that seemed to ripple in the air. Did everyone find out about Crane's betrayal so quickly?
He checked Leafbook for an idea of the citizen's thoughts.
[Edna: I heard some shouting from the throne room the other day. I wonder what happened?
Floyd: The Ministers are tighter-lipped than usual. I hope everything's okay.
Linda: I heard rumors that there's a spy lurking in the castle.
Edna: I guess...they caught them?]
Day 290/January 6, 20XX
King Evan has been doing his best to hide how hurt he is but its clear that from the throne room recordings that he's not taking Crane's betrayal well. The boy clearly has never been taught to how to restrict tail movement in order to prevent miscommunication and diplomatic missteps.
It's making Pippin's job much easier.
Day 292/January 8, 20XX
Pippin was about to finish making tea when there was a knock on his front door.
"Master Tomca! Are you there?" called a woman's voice.
With a quick change on his glamor spells, Master Tomca called back, "Oh yes, I am!" He opened the door and was greeted by the sight of a rich woman holding a container of tea biscuits.
"Oh, purrfect timing," said Tomca as he felt compelled to do so, "I was just about to make some tea. Would you like some?"
"Certainly," smiled the woman.
Tomca went over to the cupboard and removed an extra plate, tea cup, and spoon from it. He carefully carried the items to the table and set up a spot for the woman. She gracefully set down her tea biscuits. Tomca poured the tea into the cups and set down the tea pot.
"My apologies," the woman sipped her tea, "I wasn't aware you have survived the coup as well. Where were you?"
"I was purrfecting my magic, ma'am," excused Tomca, "in hopes of purrtecting our new King purropurrly."
The woman blinked, "Oh, I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I am Lady Penelope. I had seen you around King Leonhard's court a few times."
"A purreasure to meet you, Milady."
Look over there, mun. Tomca turned to look at the fireplace where the kettle rested on the mantel. Ah, so he remembered to leave it off the fire this time.
He turned back to his guest who was daintily nibbling on a biscuit. He sipped his own cup.
"I say," the Lady set down the remains of her biscuit, "since when did you start picking up that dialect? Nobody has used that for...five hundred years, I believe."
"A few months ago, I thought going back to my..." Odd, why is it getting wobbly in here? "Er...my roots would be..."
"Are you alright?" Penelope asked, concerned.
"I..." He stood up only to collapse from the sudden vertigo.
"W-what did...you...do to...me?" Tomca gasped.
"You fool. Did you really think nobody would notice?" Penelope sipped her own tea cup. "Did you really think a Kingmaker would allow spies to operate unopposed? Have you ever considered that I saw Master Tomca, a man I knew for years, being very dead?"
Shit.
"Your little spy game was doomed from the start," said Penelope triumphantly, "Mr. Crane and Mr. Aristides were just humoring you."
"Then-" everything is getting fuzzy.
The last thing Pippin heard was "You may come in now," and he faintly saw Chief Batu calmly entering the room with a feral grin.
He woke up to the sun and cold wind bearing down on him. His foot scraped against hard dirt. Wait. Where is he?
He opened his eyes and saw mountains in the distance.
"So, mousey boy has decided to join us, eh?" said a nearby voice.
"W-what?" he tried to say but found his mouth stuffed with cloth. He tried raising his hand to pull it out but found his wrists in a stock. He twisted around and saw his mouse tail behind him. He focused and for a moment a glamor spell flickered before failing.
Oh fuck.
Chief Batu, a couple of Sky Pirates, and Evermore's Kingmaker entered his line of sight.
"Ye really think ye can pull a fast one on us, eh?" Batu grinned nastily.
"You gotta be flippin' touched in the flippin' head if you think I wouldn't notice all them flippin' Eyes everywhere, mun," said the Kingmaker.
"Roland lured ye out and ye fell for it," added Batu.
They knew. They knew from the start.
"Evermore is Sky Pirate territory, ye see," said Batu before turning to the small crowd of sky pirates behind him, "What do we do with intruders, lads?"
"We toss 'em!" someone shouted and their comrades cheered in agreement.
"Well, ye heard 'em," Batu lifted the struggling prisoner, "the penalty for tresspassin' and stirrin' trouble is...death."
Pippin's muffled cries for mercy went unheard as he was dangled over the cliff side.
"Flippin' sucks to be you, mun," the Kingmaker waved goodbye.
Batu used all of his strength to throw him.
Pippin screamed as much as he could as he quickly reached the jagged ground. His head bashed against a pointy rock and he knew no more.
So...uh...yeah. That happened. :O
I originally was going to refer Pippin as 'the spy' and use they/them pronouns to hide his identity until the last minute but then the other 'spy' showed up and it all got confusing.
(Pippin pretty much confirmed it to Penelope that he's an imposter the moment he failed to instantly recognize her.)
I will explain everything in the next chapter because technically this arc isn't over yet.