So I'm gonna try something new…
Farley POV
I honestly don't know what I'm doing here. When Maven sent me that letter, well, I didn't know what to think. All the higher ups in the Guard said it was too dangerous to come here, and that they wouldn't give me any men. But I got some people to come with me. We hijacked a flying machine, one of the techies says it's called a "plane", and flew it here. I had know idea Mare's fisherman friend was such a good pilot.
When I enter the ballroom, Barrow stares at me. I guess Maven didn't tell her about me coming.
"Long time no see, huh, Lightning Girl?" I laugh, but she scowls.
"Don't call me that."
I laugh again. "Don't worry, I think it was a complement."
Barrow runs towards me, and for a second, I think she might electrocute me or something. But she embraces me in an awkward hug. "Interesting display of affection," I say.
"I'm glad you're not dead." she whispers in my ear. "But what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Finding out if your prince is worth saving." She mutters. "If that doesn't work out, we'll just kill both of them."
Barrow steps back, and frowns at me. Then she realizes that we're not the only ones here, and glances back at Maven. He shrugs. The King of Norta shrugs.
"Right now, we all want the same thing." Maven says.
Mare looks at him, confused. That girl needs to work on keeping her thoughts off her face.
"My mother, dead." he continues, as if that's a reasonable explanation. Even though he explained it in the letter, his ruthlessness shocks me. To be able to kill your mother, father, and brother requires a messed up childhood, a lot of guts, and more than your fair share of insanity. I'm starting to think coming here was a mistake. But I'm here, so I should try to make this work.
"Yes." I say.
Maven turns to Barrow. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this. I didn't want my mother to find out if she looked in your mind. She leaves me alone, most of the time." Then he turns to me. "I understand currently you have 5 reds, dressed as servants ready to do what they need to do?"
I nod.
"Good." Maven says curtly. "Mare, take Farley to her room. My mother is under the impression that there will be a diplomatic meeting tomorrow, with the representative from the Republic of Montfort." He gestured to me. "That's Farley." he adds for Barrow's benefit.
Mare POV
They're crazy, I think, as I lead Farley to her room. We're all going to get ourselves killed. No, Farley's going to get herself killed. What was she thinking, coming here, to her enemies homebase. I know I'm here, and that was risky enough. But Farley too?
But there's nothing I can do about it now. She's here, and she brought others too. I hope Kilorn didn't volunteer to come, but knowing him, I'm sure he did.
When we get to farley's room, I check for cameras. None. Good.
We walk in, and as soon as I shut the door, I turn to Farley. "That was a stupid idea, coming here? Why? Why? Why?"
"We need to dispose of Elara. Maven, we can take out easily, but his mother is much harder to deal with. Maven sent me a letter, about two weeks ago, explaining that we should work together. That he betrayed us because his mother was on his tail. I don't know if that was true, but I do know, right now, we both want the same thing. Command didn't want me to come. I went against orders to come here. Do you really think I would do that If I though this mission would fail? If I thought the risks were too high? There are always risks we have to take. And sometimes, they're worth it."
I sigh. "I hope you're right."
"The plan is simple really," she continues. "Our reds, along with the information we have from Maven, will be able to assassinate Elara. Jst slip something into her drink…"
"You do realize that this might all just be another hoax, and Maven will broadcast this all over the country, about how the scarlet Guard tried to poison the former queen of Norta? Farley, why didn't you think this through?"
"I have, Barrow. The potential victory outweighs the risks." She says.
"I hope you're right," I say as I walk out, closing the door behind me.