Note: Made corrections to past chapters

Ch. 16: Evil Plotting! Evil!

At Silver Eyes Estate, Wade was studying his battle map in his war room (which used to be Duke's office), while Arla was sitting behind a desk, causally painting her nails on her newly grafted skin. She ignored Wade muttering to himself as he went over the map. Arla was on her last nail, when Wade slammed both fists into against the battle map, shaking the figurines, and causing Arla to look at him.

"Is something the matter?" Arla asked in a blase tone.

"It's been weeks and we're still at a stalemate!" Wade yelled, frustrated. "Even with your infinite army, the Mckees are going to overrun our Eastern army with the support from the Bradys! If we had the Spirit of Rouge Pond under our power, we could lay waste to them! This is impossible! Duke should have been back here months ago, begging us to remove his curses! My spies lost track of him and I have no way to know what he's planning! All you do is just sit and change skins when it's necessary! I don't see you helping me with anything!"

Arla didn't seem fazed by Wade's outburst and finished painting her last nail before she put the nail polish away.

"I am helping you," Arla said, calmly, as she stood up. "You wanted to wage war to reclaim past Crocker lands; that doesn't interest me. We have one common goal: to get the Spirit of Rouge Pond, which I have been very busy with in my own way."

"How so?" Wade asked, as he watched Arla walking next to a brick wall, her fingers brushing against the bricks.

"Do not be upset for what I'm about to show you," Arla said, as her hand rested on one particular brick. "I did not tell you because I knew you would not keep this secret safe, and afterwards, you will realize that I was right."

Arla brushed away the dust surrounding the brick and carefully removed it. She placed the brick in front of Wade and took a step back. She waved her hand above it, and afterwards a transparent man was standing on the brick. He was middle-aged, but looked fit. He had dark blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and the start of a beard. Wade took a step back in shock, recognizing the ghost of Roland Holloway.

Roland Holloway was a minor noble, who became infamous after he murdered his wife and daughters by burying them alive in his mansion.

"I heard he was put to death for his crimes," Wade said, recovering, and knowing Arla was right; there was no way he could keep this hidden. "But his ghost remains?"

"After his execution, Roland's ghost haunted his mansion," Arla said, as Roland silently watched them. "He successfully killed many people who trespassed onto his lands, until a group of magic-users bound his spirit to a brick. I happened to stumbled across it and brought Roland into my services. Roland's power allows him to see and hear what's going on anywhere inside a house when the brick is inserted into a wall of the house. Roland has been keeping me updated on Duke. So tell me, Roland, has there been any word on Duke?"

Roland bowed his head and nodded. "I'm afraid Duke has somehow found my Mistress's secret. He has asked his servants to find where you keep your extras skins."

This time, Arla looked appalled.

"There is more," Roland said, getting Wade's and Arla's attention. "Duke has made friends with Princess Jennifer Mason of the True Heart region."

"How do you know this?" Wade asked. Roland turned to look at him.

"Because a few days ago, Duke came and asked his servants to see if any of his good suits are still here," Roland answered. "It appears the princess has asked Duke's hand in marriage, and on her birthday, less than a week away, Duke is supposed to propose to her to make their marriage official."

Wade's eyes widen as Arla thought over the information.

"Thank you for the news, Roland," Arla finally said.

"Is there anything else my Mistress wants of me?" Roland asked, bowing his head.

"If you have the strength, I would like to practice some long distance communication spells with you later today," Arla said.

"Of course; I will let you know," Roland said, bowing his head again.

Arla nodded and waved her hand, dismissing Roland.

"I knew I couldn't trust his servants!" Wade exclaimed, as Arla replaced the brick. "I should have fired all of them or executed them . . . no, both!"

"Calm down, Wade," Arla said, when she was done. "Do not let your family's temper overcome your judgement."

"You're right; we have to stop Duke," Wade said, as Arla got out a spell book, looking for a particular spell.

"Maybe not," Arla said, still looking, getting Wade's attention.

"Aren't you worried about your skins?" Wade asked.

"I am, but if we are going to truly stop Duke, we need him, especially alive," Arla said. Wade looked confused as Arla flipped the page. "Here we go; yes, we're going to need Duke alive."

"Why?" Wade asked.

"Duke is going to give us everything we need, as long you don't object."

"Object to what?"

"Marrying Princess Jennifer Mason."

Wade sinisterly smiled as Arla told him of her plan.