Wow! Been a hot minute since I last posted for this story. I'm finally happy with the direction this story is going though so finally time for another chapter! Hope you all enjoy it!

Thanks for all the likes and the comments! Love to see them.

"Well, we're here," Boomer whispered as he and his brothers approached the side wall. Butch rolled his eyes.

"No duh. What next bro?"

They both turned to look at Brick who was looking up at the castle on the other side of the wall in front of them, an almost gleeful look on his face.

The castle was the purest of whites. Legend had told that the first king of the Kingdom of Light was blessed by the Dragon with stones from the holy ground itself and used that to make the castle. Never had it needed repairs or cleaning, always staying in a perfect condition. There were several large spires spread geometrically around the large central one. Small crystals of pure light rested atop each one with the exception of that central tower. Instead, the central tower had what looked to be an extravagant garden atop of it, a waterfall of what could only be blessed day water falling down the front of it. Birds of pure white flew all around singing songs so sweet that even an angel would cry.

Brick though the whole thing was too dramatic and overdone. Clearly it had so many spells and blessings on it that he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Light fae.

He turned to look at his brothers. "Now we say hello."

They raised an eyebrow at him as he walked up to the wall and rapped against it three times quickly. He then took a few steps back, crossed his arms, and waited. Boomer and Butch shared a look but stayed silent.

A few moments went by before the two started to get twitchy. They watched in agitation as birds continued to fly around. One even landed on top of the wall and started preening.

Brick looked up at it and raised an eyebrow. It was a beautiful bird. Pure white like all the others but clearly larger and its feathers were longer, more elegant. He could tell the bird was well looked after. It looked down at him and cocked its head, its eye a soft, sky blue.

Butch opened his mouth to say something as the bird seemed to slide down of the wall. It spread its wings gently and drifted softly down. As it approached the ground the air around it began to shimmer gold. All three boys had to look away as a flash of light lit up the area. When they turned back, a woman dress in white with long brown hair stood before them. White down feathers peaked out from beneath the collar of her gown and along the backs of her hands. She watched them all warily.

"I was told to expect you. I just didn't think it would be so timely," she spoke, a lyrical quality in her voice. Brick raised an eyebrow.

"I'm a fan of punctuality. And who might you be? A stray caladrius who learned how to shift perhaps?"

The woman glared at him as she fiddled with the edge of her sleeve. "I am not of the caladrius. I am a maid who serves here at the palace. I was asked by my ladies to bring you to them, should you arrive."

Boomer and Butch walked up to flank Brick as all three regarded the woman. Brick nodded at her. "Lead the way then."

She huffed at him as the feathers on her hands rose in agitation. With a swift spin that sent her hair dangerous close to hitting the three men in the face, she faced the wall.

"You may wish to look away again," she spoke as she reached out to touch the wall. The men did as she said just before another blinding flash of light went off. When they opened their eyes again, they saw a passage in the wall in front of them. "Quickly. The guards will be back soon and as they are not yet aware of this passage, I would like to not have it open for them to find."

She didn't wait for them as she hurried into the passage. The three men exchanged looks before slowly following. Boomer went first. He hesitantly stepped through and into the passageway before stopping. A second later he turned and nodded at his brothers who then stepped through to follow. They turned to follow the woman only to find her standing, watching them, a look of pure amusement on her face.

"Where did they find you three? You're more cautious than the fae court themselves. I swear to you that the passage is, to my knowledge, safe. It's just a very simple hallway. The only part of it enchanted are the entrances and that's just so that they stay hidden. As you can imagine, it isn't wise to have too many blatantly obvious doorways into the castle." The three glared at her as she huffed lightly at them before turning back to the hallway. "Come now. One of my ladies is a stickler for being punctual and as you did arrive on time, I would be loath to make you late on accident."

Not knowing what to make of that, the three exchanged looks again. Brick eventually nodded at his brothers though and they visibly relaxed slightly. Turning, all three continued down the hallway after the bird woman.

Soon. Soon they would be face to face with their opportunity.

The knock came at the door and Blossom sat up straight at it. Robin would knock and wait for permission to enter, as was usual. On one hand, Blossom really did wish she would relax a little when it was just them. On the other hand, it was a good habit to be in for situations such as this.

Buttercup glared at the door before standing and planting herself at Blossom's side. Bubbles put a gentle smile on her face and reached to place her cup of tea back on the table in front of her. Blossom took the chance to take a deep breath before wiping the emotion off her face. With a nod from Blossom, a gentle wind kicked up and the door slowly opened.

The three women watched as Robin led the three men into the room. Brick was in the lead and his eyes immediately went to hers, not bothering to evaluate the room. The same could not be said for the other two.

Blossom watched as their eyes evaluated the space. It was simpler in style than most of the Drawing Rooms in the royal wing, but Blossom truly wasn't one to indulge unnecessarily. She had chosen not to hang any tapestries or pictures on the pure white walls, though a deep red pair of drapes did adorn the large balcony glass doors she had at the side of the room. They'd been drawn back to allow the soft light of the day to come through. There were a few bookcases along the walls, although not enough to make the room feel un-bare. On these bookcases were some of the less rare books Blossom had in her collection. Very few of them were the gifts brought to her by her dear grandfather from his journeys across the world.

Blossom herself sat in the large red armchair of said area. An antique wooden, round coffee table with additional seating sat in front of her with a large plush cream-colored carpet laid out beneath it all. Bubbles sat in one of the two chairs next to Blossom. A matching red sofa was placed directly across the table from her.

Blossom gestured to the sofa. "Please, make yourselves comfortable. The document you see on the table details the protection placed around the room. I can answer any questions you may have about it."

Brick glanced at it as he made his way to sit in the center of the sofa, but he didn't pick it up. His brothers stayed standing just behind the sofa on either side of him. Blossom had a flash back to the night they'd met and frowned. They were staying at attention, not that she was terribly surprised. There was no trust here.

Brick's lack of care for the document also spoke volumes. He had correctly decided that there was likely little risk to himself or his brothers from this conversation being overheard, at least initially. Blossom and her sisters though, were another story. It left Blossom feeling unbalanced at the uneven situation, but she internally reassured herself. This was fine. She'd known this would happen. She had one chance to present her case and then, all things willing, they'd be on more even ground.

Buttercup had been against it until the end. She had insisted that there needed to be an initial document for them to all sign that swore them all to secrecy. Blossom had considered it but ultimately decided against it. Having that was likely to scare them off. For now, they needed to offer trust first and ask for agreements and deals second. That particular order of things had caused Buttercup to storm out of the room that night.

"Let's just cut straight to the chase hmm? What's this deal you wanted to make?" Brick asked as he propped his check up against his fist, elbow on his knee. Blossom raised an eyebrow.

"You do not wish for us to introduce ourselves?"

Brick snorted. "Do you think you need to?"

Blossom glanced at the three men, each in turn. Their faces were all kept carefully blank.

"Perhaps not. That does not mean that I feel it would not be helpful."

Brick sighed. "The please go right ahead, Princess."

Blossom kept the frown from showing. "Welcome. I am the Heir to the Throne of Light, Blossom Aurore Faven Luz Utonium. My sister standing to my left is Buttercup Celeste Nasima Utonium and on my right is Bubbles Felicity Ada Utonium. It is a pleasure to finally, properly, meet you three."

Brick raised an eyebrow. "Sure. Pleasure Princess."

Robin made a loud tsking noise of annoyance at the lack of proper respect before stepping forward to grab the tea set. "I'll bring a fresh set my ladies."

"Thank you."

All six of the remaining members in the room stared at one another as they waited for the door to close behind Robin.

"Well? My ladies," Brick asked with a slight sneer. Blossom felt a slight shift in the wind and raised her hand slightly to calm her sister. Buttercup ignored the command for a second before the wind receded. Brick's eyes had cut to her when the wind stirred though, face blank but eyes clearly intrigued by something in a way that made Blossom more nervous than not. Already she could tell that he saw more than what was on the surface. A deadly skill to have in this place.

"I suppose we shall now… cut to the chase. Tell me, as you seem to have come with prior knowledge, what have you found about my sisters and myself? What of our court?"

Brick leaned back into the sofa, his arm going over the back of the sofa as he slouched into the fabric. "I've heard a lot of things. Maybe you could be more specific?"

Blossom looked from him to his brothers, confused. This was not how she'd been expecting this to go. A pleasant surprise, running into something unexpected, even if the timing was a little unwanted.

"Tell me what you think I wish to hear then."

Brick didn't frown but she saw Bubbles adjust her skirts and was sure that her question had hit a nerve of some sort.

"I know who you three are. I also know which of you was which that night. You three also each have defined…roles that you each like to play. Your Royal Highness, the voice of reason, Princess Blossom. Princess Bubbles, the heart, the laughter of the royal line. Lastly, Princess Buttercup, clearly the muscle."

"We are each very different. I do not know that I would refer to those differences as roles, but if that is how you wish to see it, then so be it."

"It doesn't matter how I see it, I don't give a rat's ass. This is what half of your dear city sees."

Bubbles huffed a little at the language, but it was more of a token reaction. Both of them were used to hearing worse from their sister.

"I see. And what else does our city see?"

"Not much. You royals definitely like to keep quiet about things. There's some talk though. The lower fae are wondering why the king hasn't shown his face in so long. The reforms that had been coming their way also seem to have stopped dead in the water. Strange with how vocal the king was about them."

"I imagine the…lower fae are unhappy about this."

Brick shrugged. "Unhappy? Yeah. Guess you could say that. Don't think that's their real sore point though."

"Oh? What else might they be unhappy about?"

Brick was watching her carefully and so Blossom was careful not to even twitch. There was something this fae was looking for, and Blossom wasn't sure what the repercussion of giving him something would be, even if the something wasn't what he wanted. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting after that first encounter, but this was not it.

"Many things. Guards having their fun in the middle of the day, punishments not being let go where they might have before, children looking to swipe a loaf for their next meal." Buttercup hissed through her teeth as the air shifted and Brick smirked at the reaction as he turned his eyes to her. "Seems that there have been a lot of changes that people aren't enjoying."

"Maybe it isn't the changes but the things that were already there that are the problem," Buttercup snarled.

Curse him. That hadn't taken long. He'd changed targets and gotten his rise out of the worst possible choice.

"And maybe the people don't see it that way. See? It was fine before. Before the kids had bread, the ones who didn't still kept their fingers, and guards at least didn't take blatant liberty with the city whores. Seems that there's a problem with the new city leadership."

"You scum eaters. How dare you speak as if-"

"Enough." Buttercup snarled one last time before quieting at Blossom's command. "Clearly you know how the people feel. And now you see how my sister feels about those sentiments. I still do not believe you have answered my question though."

Brick slowly brought his eyes back to hers, a spark dancing behind them. This fae…he'd known that wasn't what she was asking but didn't care. He wanted to see how they had felt about the state of the streets. He'd gone digging and found his answer, despite her not giving him one.

"I suppose I didn't. I suppose what you want to hear, Your Royal Highness, is that the streets aren't happy…and it's becoming more and more clear to them that the royal family who held their needs in high esteem has changed."

"They believe we have changed? Do you also believe this?"

Brick was quiet for a while as he watched her. He seemed to be waiting for something but Blossom simply watched back. He'd gotten enough for one day from them.

"I think that there's something else maybe happening here in the palace."

"Why do you believe this?"

"Because three very spoiled princesses showed up in the most dangerous information bar in town looking for something that I'm not sure they really understand."

Well, she couldn't argue that. Blossom didn't understand why she'd gone there, not truly, but she'd known it was the right move. It also left her in a bit of a limbo that she wasn't used to. She was used to having control, knowing more, and yet here she sat across from three total mysteries. A first in many ways.

"Perhaps those princesses are less spoiled than you think."

"If they are then that must mean they're just that desperate."

Blossom couldn't refute that. Bubbles stepped in. "Spoiled, desperate, just looking for a little adventure. Does it truly matter? Tell us, what do you believe is going on if you do not believe as the people do about the royal family?"

Brick cocked his head for a moment before shrugging. He lifted his arm and returned his elbow to his knee, his fist to his cheek.

"It always matters. That said, I have no clue why you three showed up. That's why I'm sitting here."

Blossom decided that was enough testing waters for now. "Our father, the king, is…indisposed for an unforeseeable time. The nobility has decided that means now is their most opportune time to attempt to influence the order of succession."

Brick's eyebrows crinkled as he thought on that. "Indisposed. Yeah, that makes sense. How are they attempting to influence the order of succession? Clearly not by setting you three against each other if you're all sitting here."

Buttercup snorted at that. "They tried. We wish they'd kept trying. That was entertaining at least. And less trouble."

Blossom waved the comment away before Brick could reply to it. "Pinning the three of us against one another would do them no good. None of us have any true influence on who will next take the crown."

Brick raised an eyebrow. "Is it the king that decides? Is that why?"

"No."

Brick waited for more that Blossom was not about to give him. He realized this quickly enough and sat back again with a roll of the eyes and a huff. "So more drastic means then. This is why Princess Buttercup here is the new head of the Town Guard and right as it all goes to shit too."

"Likely, yes."

"A coup?"

"Not possible."

"Anything is possible."

"I shall amend my statement, highly improbable."

"Forceful removal from the possible pool of candidates?"

"No attempts thus far."

"But you suspect they're coming."

"I cannot discount the possibility."

"And you want us three to stop it."

"Not quite."

Brick rolled his eyes and Blossom could feel Buttercup and Bubbles also fidgeting nervously, although that was more because she'd been more honest than they were expecting her to be. She supposed now was a good of a time as any to properly broach the intended deal.

"We need support here in the castle that will not turn on us."

Brick barked out a laugh at that. "And you think three hired thugs from the street can offer you that?"

"I think three fae looking for an in to the castle and harboring a strong dislike for the court on the whole is an opportunity."

Brick went silent but didn't even twitch. "That's a hell of an assumption for three fae you just met."

"Perhaps it is. Perhaps it is not. Time will tell."

"What makes you so sure?"

"You haven't walked out the door yet."

"It was a hell of a windy hallway. Maybe I just want to secure my guide first."

"And maybe there's something you want enough to listen to the words of three princesses you believe to be crazy."

"And how would you know? Hell, maybe I'm just sticking around for more dirt I can sell to my favorite newspaper."

"I doubt that."

"You don't know though, do you?"

"…I do not."

Brick was silent for a few moments before smirking and leaning forward again. "Let's move on from this point for now. What kind of support?"

Brick's voice was calm but she could see sparks of magic flaring up in his eyes. He was good at staying in control. Something Blossom could make use of if she could get them to agree.

"Even on the simplest level, more eyes and ears that we could trust would be a blessing. If you three agree and are capable enough, then more would be required. Positions in the high court and the city guard are guaranteed for you regardless."

"I think you'll find there's not a lot we aren't capable of when we put our minds to it. Assume we'd be more than just a pair of eyes and ears. What else would we be doing?"

Blossom hesitated. She'd been more upfront with these three than she'd already planned but a careless word about what had been talked about so far she could deal with. From this point on it could ruin everything.

Brick immediately noticed her hesitation. "If you're worried about us talking we can agree to a basic information pact. It's something we offer most of our clients the second they walk through our doors."

Blossom couldn't help but cock her head at that. If it was standard practice, then he had breached his standard practice for them. Why? The fact that they were meeting at the palace should immediately make one think that a pact like that would be more important to offer, as it would give the client protection. She didn't doubt there would be a clause in the pact to protect the three in front of her, giving them all the more reason to offer it. So was not offering it a sign of trust?

…If not that, then it was a test. Either way, it wouldn't change her answer.

"Bubbles needs someone capable of moving in ways she is restricted from being able to. Buttercup needs someone able to watch her back and help her find those few loyal guards still left in our city. I need someone capable of reading the political waters and to help with, at least, preventing the worst from happening."

"…and you have no one you can use to help with this near you?"

"No one who is not already being watched."

"Wouldn't we just end up watched?"

"…Each of you would need to play a careful game to maintain the image of neutrality. This is why you were brought here without anyone else being notified."

"So the feathered girl is one of your people." Bubbles shifted at the obvious remark about their dearest friend's curse and Brick's eyes darted over catching it. "Who I'm guessing was already targeted. As a warning?"

"Robin is one of our people. As for her story, it is not mine to tell."

"Is her's the only story that isn't yours to tell?"

"There are many stories in the castle. I doubt many of them are mine to tell."

Brick sighed as he leaned back again. "Fine. Be stingy. Still, you've thrown a lot at me today. I'll need time to think. Boomer, the information pact."

Blossom raised her hand. "Take the time you need, but please do not dawdle. As for the pact, there is no need."

Brick's eyes darted across her face, looking for something. Blossom carefully kept her face blank. He'd need to learn to look for less obvious clues if they agree to make a deal. Palace fae were exceptional at showing no emotion.

Eventually Brick nodded and stood. "Alright. Do we show ourselves out then?"

Buttercup sent up a gust to open the door, revealing Robin standing there, waiting. She nodded at them before gesturing down the hall. Brick let out a small laugh before turning back to Blossom.

"If I decide to talk more? How do I get in touch?"

Buttercup leaned forward, her teeth bared in a grin. "I'm sure you can think of a way or two."

Brick rolled his eyes at her behavior but Blossom noticed that Butch's lips twitched at it as magic swam quickly across his eyes. The only sign she'd see either of his brothers give of something. Which was odd now that she considered it. She hadn't detected any magic being used, but somehow she had a feeling Brick had done something to cover any reactions his brothers might have given. And whatever it was broke when he stood and turned to leave.

Blossom watched as the three left without a glance back. She felt very much like she'd given more than she gained but it was done. She only hoped it would pay off in the end.

An image of Brick standing, looking up at the central tower of the castle flashed through her mind. She could see nothing else but him and the tower but she frowned all the same.

"What the hell was that Bloss?" Buttercup snapped.

Blossom sighed, mentally filing the image away. She turned to face her sister who was standing there, arms crossed, glaring down at her. With a weak smile, Blossom quickly realized there would be no getting out of this one. Buttercup had words to say and Blossom was sure she wasn't going to enjoy the next hour or so of having to listen to them.

Brick couldn't help but snarl out a yawn as he climbed through the roof window and dropped into the small attic above their office. The roof that had looked full of holes on the outside was fully sealed and the walls that looked rotten through were in pristine shape. There were two beds lines up against the far wall and a single, large chest in between them. In the center of the room was a large rug which Boomer very quickly sprawled across. The rest of the attic was bare and despite the small space, it felt too spacious even with everything it had. Normally Brick might enjoy going for a spacious, minimalist design...but only if it was by choice.

"So what now? Thought you might have signed right there and then," Butch said as he, hunched over to near half his height, made his way for one of the beds and lay across it on his back. Even propped up against the wall slightly, there was no headboard, his feet were still hanging off of the thing.

"Not with how little I know, definitely not after how much they shared. And how much they didn't," Brick replied. He went and sat on the edge of the other bed as he popped a few of the top buttons on his shirt and pulled the neck of it down. His body temperature had spiked more and more on the journey back as he mentally went over everything the royals had divulged.

"Didn't seem like it was anything too surprising," Boomer commented.

Brick rolled his eyes. "The indirect confirmation that the king might truly be cursed was surprise enough. The nobles rising up, the princesses being desperate enough to actually want a deal with us, their people being cursed? Let's just say there's a lot to think about."

Butch shrugged. "So you say but you still wanna say yes."

"Obviously. It's the best chance we'll get to inside the castle. The risks need considered though."

"Risks to what? Us or your master plan? Cause if you say us I'll prove I can be twice as annoying as you think I am," Boomer said. Butch snickered and threw him a pillow.

"That'd be a nightmare. Just remember I ain't a part of the planning and don't deserve no punishment."

"Like I can enough about either of you to worry about dangers to you idiots. One wrong move in there and it would be game over. None of us would be able to make a comeback."

Boomer adjusted the pillow beneath his head before replying to Brick. "But that would always be the case eventually. Take us how many years to get there according to your original, already behind schedule, master plan?"

Brick narrowed his eyes. "Watch it Boom."

"He's got a point though," Butch said as he settled into the bed more. "Even you said it yourself, we're at a standstill. We were looking for a break like this. Why pass it up now?"

Brick was quiet as he thought on it. They weren't wrong, he just hadn't expected a break with so many holes in it. He'd been hoping for something sounder, even if it meant a lower position in the castle. Plus, that was assuming the princesses would even give them decent positions. A direct aide could hear a lot, but so could a well-placed run of the mill butler.

"I need to know more before I decide." Brick made a face as his brothers both let out loud sighs. "Whatever assholes. I'm turning in for the night."

"Finally. Can't you see Boom and I are all ready for some shut eye?" Butch said as he closed his eyes, arms going up to rest under his head.

Brick didn't bother replying, last thing he wanted was an actual argument at this time of day, as he slid up the bed. It was the bigger of the two beds and Brick just about fit on it. Finder's keepers too, so he never shared unlike Boomer and Butch who switched every so often. Tonight he'd send them out after the bar closed to start learning more. A week should be enough. One week to see what else he could find now and then he'd decide.

There it was. I wish I could say I'll be ready with another chapter for this one soon but I can't. I really want to take my time with this one. Still, I think at least one more chapter here before the end of the year is doable so look forward to it!

Alice1420! So glad to see you're enjoying another of my stories. Hope you enjoy this one as much as you do the other one!

Taiwoeretan1! Yes. Medieval everything. I love it! Hope you enjoyed this chapter too!

Until next time, ciao!