Ch. 14
Everyone changed back into uniform as quickly as possible. When Alice came to Stecchin's room to relay the latest developments, she shooed both Lionel and Dr. Steinenburg out.
Surprised by her sense of urgency, Lionel looked at the rest of the group.
"What happened?" he asked. He bowed to Septieme, then turned to Kavi and bowed again. "Was there some entertainment I missed?"
Oreldo and Martis looked at each other and then back at him.
"You mean…you didn't hear all that nois-?" Martis asked, but then Kavi interrupted him.
"I was scheduled for tonight's amusement, my Lord Taylor," she said, "but I see there were some…unexpected developments."
Lionel's smile was at once charming and predatory.
"Yes," he mused, "strange how your presence is somehow always involved with a political attack."
"What?" Oreldo and Martis said. Septieme gasped.
"Oh, didn't you know?" Lionel asked, his tone light. "If you study all of the major political assaults, assassinations, and terror plots over the course of the war, and pinpoint the towns, cities and battlefields, then cross-reference those with Madame Minstrel's tour schedule, you might find some rather…interesting correlations."
They all looked at Kavi, who glared at Lionel.
"Madame, is this true?" Martis asked.
"Don't put too much faith in correlations," she said, her eyes never leaving Lionel's face.
"Just what are you accusing her of anyway? Oreldo asked.
"Perhaps it is nothing," Lionel said, "or it could just be that all of your so-called charity tours are just a front for your real purpose, that of spy and assassin. Who else could get so close to royalty?"
"Oh please," Kavi scoffed. "Assassin? Really? People have made up so many stories; they practically made me an urban legend!"
"And I'm sure you're very proud of that," Lionel said, "but just think a moment over the past few days. You were on the train, and now, shortly after the Sergeant-Major was poisoned, you just happen to show up? And just what was that commotion earlier? Of course I heard the noise. Why do you think I stayed here?"
"Well, you seem to have made a tidy assumption, my lord," Kavi said. "But here's the thing about correlations…you can make them work for almost anyone and any situation."
"How, Lady Kavi?" Septieme asked.
"Easy," Kavi said. "We can keep the example he used. It's true I was nearby for all 3 events, but so were three other people."
Martis thought for a moment. "Yeah," he said, "you're right. Mr. Jacques was one, Mr. Alan here was two, and…why you, my lord."
Lionel smiled again. Kavi could see a hint of triumph. "And just where is our major domo, anyway?" he asked Septieme, his voice all innocent.
That caused the princess to well up again. Martis put an arm around her, ignoring all sense of protocol.
Alice suddenly opened the door. She looked at the scene and frowned.
"You'd better not be discussing what's happened," she told her team. "I told you I want him kept out of it!"
Oreldo held up his hands and shook his head. Kavi stared daggers at Lionel before lowering her gaze to Alice.
"Lieutenant, we need to get moving. If we act quickly, there's still a chance the Ball Masque will go on as planned."
"Understood. Section Three, move out!"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
"Princess?" Lionel called, but she didn't hear. He sighed, and chuckled to himself, rubbing his eyes in frustration.
"I think it's obvious she knows," Dr. Steinenburg said.
Lionel started and laughed again. "I'm sorry, Doctor! I forgot you were still here."
"Well…" the doctor said, "it's part of my job to be unobtrusive. Amazing, the information patients will spill while their bodies are wracked with pain."
"True, my friend. Yes, I think it is clear the Mad Minstrel has become a nuisance."
"How shall we proceed, my lord?"
"Well, I'm sure you both and your FTT's can think of something. You're creative enough to invent those suits, after all."
"Perhaps, sir. However, we are dealing with a master of espionage."
"With her leading Section III, she will stay in the open. She won't risk their lives."
"I hope you're right, my lord."
"Naturally. Oh, and Quintus wants an update. Report to him first. And I don't think I need to remind you to leave my lady alone this time?"
Dr. Steinenburg gulped. "No, sir. Not at all."
"Good."
Lionel suddenly frowned and looked behind him. He saw that the door to Stecchin's room was slightly open. Mildly alarmed, he strode over to it, opened it all the way and peered inside.
Stecchin's figure was tiny in the queen-sized bed. She was turned on her side, facing away from him, her breathing deep and regular. He watched her for a long moment, then released the breath he was holding and shut her door softly.
"Be on your way," he said to Dr. Steinenburg. "You have your orders."
As soon as she heard the bolt click, Stecchin slowly turned over. Though her eyes were still red and itchy, she could see she was alone. However, her ears worked perfectly. She had heard every single word. She wanted to scream into her pillow. She didn't want to believe it.
I wish Merc was here! she thought. I'd be able to send a message to Alice, or Captain! But I can't! Oh, what do I do? I have to warn them! But…but how? I'm still so sick and weak!
She sat up and almost immediately fell back again as a wave of dizziness hit her like a tidal wave. Nausea gurgled in her throat, and she swallowed hard, forcing it back down again.
She recalled what Alice told her earlier.
Sergeant-Major, I need you to focus on the mission, not yourself. You are a soldier, a blade of the Pumpkin Scissors, so act like one!
Stecchin sniffed and tried to sit up again, slower this time. She succeeded, carefully sliding out of bed, testing her balance. Nearly falling, she shut her burning eyes and waited for the dizziness to fade.
She's right, she thought, I…I am a soldier. And soldiers…never give up! Alice never gives up, even when she's proven wrong! Martis and Oreldo…they're not perfect, but they really care about our mission! Why, even the Corporal kept going, even though he's been shot or blown up! So then…so then I won't, either!
She carefully went to her suitcase and pulled out her uniform, thinking hard. How to get past Lord Taylor? She thought for a long moment, then hatched a plan. It was very risky, but if it worked, she would make her way out of the castle tower before Lord Taylor or the doctor would know she was missing.
She immediately knew the good doctor was suspicious when he gave her laudanum as a sedative. Stecchin knew all too well the effects of that drug, especially in high doses, thanks to her mother who took it constantly to calm her nerves during the war. While the drug was indeed quite useful in that regard, she knew it was also very addictive, as bad as or worse than Himmel, in her opinion.
So, when the good doctor mixed it in a glass of warm milk, she pretended to be her usual clumsy self and accidentally knocked it over. As Jean and Lucia cleaned up the mess, she promised him she would be faithful and take it when the maids returned with a fresh glass.
Rats! she suddenly thought. That's right; there will be two of them! Now what? Can I trust them?
"We must make haste!" Septieme declared. "The sooner we get there, the sooner we can quell this uprising!"
Lady Kavi suddenly paused and looked around. Confident they were alone, she turned to the princess and Alan.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness," she said, kneeling, "but I must strongly insist you and Mr. Alan stay here."
"Out of the question!" Septieme cried. "The Cavelians are part of my domain! I am their Regent! I must go!"
"And who will protect you?" Kavi asked quietly. Mr. Alan here is injured, and if we take a group of guards with us, we'll stand out too much."
"I refuse to just sit safely in my tower and do nothing!" Septieme said.
"Then I can give you something to do, Highness!" Kavi replied. "I have one piece of info that only you can confirm for me, but in order to get it, you must speak with your brother, Prince Quintus."
Septieme stopped cold. "I knew it," she breathed. "I knew my brother was involved. He wanted me to know exactly what he thought of my ideas, and my friends. He's tried to kill me for years."
"If you can prove this, you can not only stop him, but possibly save the world as well."
"The world?" Alice asked. Lady Kavi glanced at her and nodded.
Septieme looked up at Martis who smiled at her. She turned to Kavi, stepped forward and lifted her chin.
"What must I do?"