a/n: I really should update regularly… anyway here's the next chapter…
Chapter 8: So much for Neal's brilliant plan…
The day had arrived, they were ready to go ahead with the plan. Everyone was present as they went over the final plans in one of the many secret passageways that riddled the castle.
"Right King Jonathon we'll have to hide you in a secret passageway with Raoul while Neal, Kel, Numair and I follow Alanna and the illusion discreetly," said Myles.
"We'll just hope that this agent doesn't have the gift," said Alanna. Kel listened in to the proceedings but couldn't help but feel that there was something wrong.
"Can I switch places with Raoul?" asked Kel.
"But that defeats the purpose of you catching the criminal and becoming a knight!" exclaimed Raoul. Everyone stared at him.
"What?" he asked. The king coughed.
"Whoops," said Raoul in a small voice.
"Well it's nice to know that you've been taking advantage of a plot against the throne," remarked Jonathon wryly.
"Right, Kel you stay here and we'll leave know," said Myles hurriedly.
"Sire, remember that you must stay hidden in these secret passageways," continued Myles as he turned toward Jon. The king nodded and the group departed leaving Kel and the King of Tortall all alone. Kel stood there lost in thought as she tried to figure out what had been nagging her. There was something not quite right with this situation. She tried to figure out what it was. The room, she thought The room that we looked at was big yet the portraits were only put in a certain place; right in view of the peephole. A coincidence? There's too much at risk to put it down as a coincidence but if it isn't then that means the spy knows about the secret passageways. He might even know how to use them…
"Sire, I think we need to get out of here," announced Kel.
"Why?" asked the king.
"I think the spy knows about the secret passageways. He was probably spying on us when we made our plans to catch him. He'll probably take advantage of this moment of distraction," explained Kel.
"Where are the Queen, Prince and Princess?" questioned Kel as they exited.
"Thayet and Kalasin should be practicing with the Riders and Roald is away with his knight master," said Jonathon.
"Sire that means you are the most likely target. With only one guard you will be the easiest to attack," said Kel.
"We should get into the middle of the room, away from the walls," said King Jonathon.
"Your Highness, can you make a barrier around yourself?" questioned Kel. The king nodded and sapphire coloured Gift started to flow from his fingers. He raised his hand to form a barrier around Kel as well but she shook her head.
"Sire, my mission is to catch this traitor and a barrier would simply be in the way." Jonathon looked unsettled but consented to Kel's reasoning. Kel cautiously walked back into the secret passageway and closed it behind her. She centred herself and closed her eyes. She stood stock still listening for any signal that the spy might be approaching. She waited alone in the dark. Time ticked slowly onward. Alanna and everyone else will be deep within the forest by now. He should strike soon thought Kel to herself. She waited a minute longer when she heard it; the faint sounds of footsteps that was coming steadily closer. She opened her eyes and let them adjust to the darkness of the passageways before she took action. With the silence and grace of an assassin Kel moved to meet the intruder. She came to a corner and waited for him. Thump! Thump! Thump! Kel's heartbeat echoed the sound of the footsteps as she readied herself for action. The footsteps were extremely close now. Kel paused and then leaped into the adjoining passageway, her sword at the ready. She used her bulk to pin the startled figure against the wall and placed her sword across the stranger's neck.
"Who are you?" Kel demanded. Her captive quailed.
"P-p-please don't hurt me; I was forced to do this. Please, he has my wife and children!" babbled the stranger. Kel eased off a bit. Why wouldn't the agent be here? Surely he knows no ordinary man could defeat the king unless thought Kel. Suddenly she felt a shiver run down her back and she whirled around and brought her sword up. There was a sharp clang as sword met sword.
"Surely you did not think me stupid enough to make that much noise?" asked Kel's assailant.
"Well forgive me for hoping," replied Kel. The man started to attack Kel furiously and she struggled to defend under the flurry of attacks.
"Sir, run while you can," Kel said to the man who she had pinned against the wall previously. He let out a whimper and ran.
"It's no use, he's dead already; at this very moment there is poison running through his veins, did you really think I'd let him live?" asked the attacker with a sneer. Kel silently fought on, her mouth set in a grim expression.
"You are a good fighter, why not join us. We can give you a country to rule if you like," offered the agent. Kel continued to fight silently.
"Come on, what's your price?" With a move to quick to see Kel disarmed her opponent and rested the tip of her sword at his throat.
"I have none," she stated as she brought up her other arm and punched him full in the face. He fell like a stone.
a/n: well… that sure turned out better than I had hoped… I hope you enjoyed that chapter and hopefully there'll be another chapter soon… hopefully… anyway please review!