Snake, Scarab, & Sons: Purveyors of Fine T

Henry swore it took more time to convince Prince Tae to return to Suna's capital with the prisoners, including his half-brother, than it did for their family's trade vessel to catch up with an ubiquitous ship half its size, at best. Ash had climbed up the mast, and by sunset of their second day out at sea, he caught sight of the kidnapper's vessel in the distance.

As the birds described, it was a plain wooden ship with unmarked sails. Nothing stood out. In fact, one gull said it looked worn down. From the clues they found on the mainland after extracting information from Xian's people, the ship was called Jatlok. The name of the ship was painted on sides of the bow and the stern in Iverian Common, following the nautical laws of the region.

Ash confirmed it was the correct ship and then climbed down the mast.

"Keep our distance for now, so they don't suspect us if they see us. When the sunsets, extinguish all the lights and pick up speed," Nera instructed them from where she stood on the quarter deck with the ship's captain.

"Will we board the ship at night, Madam?" The first mate standing on the main desk asked.

Nera shook her head. "Me and the two young masters will board the ship. Once we have secured the ship, you are to continue with your route."

"Madam, should we assist you in commandeering the ship?" one of the officers asked in a serious voice.

Henry looked around at the crew. Just like with their other ships, the sailors were experienced and well-trained. Most merchant crews were a hodgepodge of people. Usually, they were contracted for a period of time and every so often, a particularly large shipping company will put out word that they are accepting and looking for new sailors for their fleet.

Snake, Scarab, and Sons' first merchant vessels were staffed with Lunapsar sailors who then trained their children. As their fleet grew, connections were made, and pretty much the only way to become a full-time merchant marine with their company was by recommendation of an existing or retired one.

It didn't end there. After a proper interview, they would be tested on their skills, and then go through a rigorous three-month long training camp, followed by two months on one of the vessels with a shorter route. The three-month long training included a month on basic naval combat, and every two years, they were required to take a month-long basic naval combat training.

After a dozen years, Snake, Scarab, and Sons had a reputation for being the company to work for as a merchant marine, but vacant spots were rare. Aside from the pay, benefits, and work environment, the amount of time and effort spent on training could not be wasted, so turnover was very low.

Everyone on the ship at that moment could easily assist in commandeering an armed enemy vessel of similar size, what more a ship half their size that couldn't outrun them.

"No need," Nera replied with a wave of her hand. "We will sail beside it just close enough for us to get on board. The three of us will be enough."

"Auntie, how many people are on board?" Henry asked.

"Eight not counting your god sister. Three of them being the kidnappers who abducted Anhya in Suna," Nera replied. "So, there are five others. I don't know if they are all part of the crew, or if one or two of those were added escorts."

"What do their weapons look like?" Henry asked as he went through various scenarios in his head to prepare himself.

Nera pursed her lips. "The birds could only see what was available on the deck and in the cabin where Anhya is being kept. They are armed with what appear to be only swords and daggers, but we don't know what else they have."

"What will we do with them after we take the ship? Throw them overboard?" Ash asked.

Henry gave him a look. "We're leagues away from the shore, in the middle of nowhere at sea, and at night. Isn't that just leaving them to die?"

"And on the slim chance that they are rescued, we can't let them report that we've taken over," Nera said. "We'll keep them on board until the Dragon Continent to ensure they won't report us. Besides, we still need to question them. We don't know much about the person who is willing to provide weapons and bodies for a succession war in exchange for a Sunan Princess."

"Do they want to marry her?" Ash asked as his face scrunched up. Henry couldn't help his look of disgust either.

"She's only thirteen years old. She's a child," Henry said with a frown. "She's not even finished with school."

Nera took a deep breath as she seemed to stare out into the distance from behind her veil. "In all honesty, a simple marriage for clout could be a best-case scenario. She could be used as a bargaining chip, trafficked, or used to fulfil some strange prophecy."

Henry crinkled his eyes. "Fulfill some strange prophecy?"

"Fortune telling is still very widespread on the Dragon Continent. I can't guarantee that they're legitimate, but the elites of the continent won't disparage the words of a shaman or oracle easily," Nera replied. "There are stories from ancient times, when a human sacrifice was needed for everything from good sailing to turning the tide of war to gaining fame or resources. Of course, they can't just sacrifice anyone. It would either have to be an elite enemy warrior or someone of noble blood. The better the warrior and nobler the blood, the more effective they believed it to be."

Henry barely held back his shudder. In some places, animal sacrifice was practiced, but most places in the Iverias offered fruits, food, and sometimes precious gems. Prayers also counted, so nothing physically needed to be offered.

"As if the Dragon Continent could not get any more frightening...." Ash muttered from the side.

"Let's deal with it when it comes," Henry replied in a low voice.

"Ash, when we near the ship, release some slips with fog," Nera told him. "Just to ensure our element of surprise."

Ash nodded. "Yes, Momma."

"The sun is going to set completely soon," she said. She turned to the captain standing beside her. "Keep the course and use their ships' lanterns."

The captain nodded. "Yes, Madam."

Nera walked down the stairs of the quarter deck. "I'll go change," she told her sons as she passed them. "Prepare yourselves. Remember, when we face the opponent, knock them out quickly. Don't waste your energy and don't kill them." She gave both Henry and Ash firm looks, as if to ensure they understood the seriousness of the matter.

"We won't, Auntie."

"Don't worry about it, Momma."

She eyed them for a bit longer and then nodded, satisfied. "Don't make them bleed so much that they'll die of blood loss later, either. Just knock them out and tie them up. Try to keep them as quiet as possible so as not to alert anyone."

"Yes, Auntie."

"Momma, we know," Ash sighed with a heavy breath as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You're warning us as if we've never commandeered another ship before."

Henry ran his hand down his face and pretended he didn't see the curious, and somewhat doubtful, looks on the faces of the crew. It wasn't as if he and Ash participated in commandeering vessels as a family activity for fun. It's just that in the early years; their upstart company attracted some unwanted attention.

Which led to some unwanted actions, and subsequently, needed retaliation.

Nera went to gather her things below deck. Henry looked over at Ash. "Bring some rope to tie up the crew."

Ash patted his bag strap. "No need to say anything more."

Before the sun completely set, Ash gave the crew eye drops to assist in nighttime visibility, as they were not going to anchor or have any lights on deck. As they closed in on the Jatlok, Ash covered some slips in his hands to prevent the glow from being seen as fog seeped out between his fingers.

"Can you still see the ship?" Nera asked the captain.

He nodded. "Yes, it's surrounded by fog, Madam. The Second Young Master is enclosing their ship in the fog, but we are otherwise unaffected. At most, we'll be partially consumed in the fog."

"Good," Nera nodded. "Keep it steady."

"Do you need a plank, Madam?" the first mate asked.

"No," Nera said as she walked down the steps to the main deck. "We'll jump on to the other ship."

Henry drew his lips inward to keep from laughing as the crew members who heard her furrowed their brows in confusion. Beside him, Ash walked to the side of the ship and looked out. The fog that had come from his slips had floated away like a low-lying cloud, to wrap around the Jatlok.

They could tell where the other ship was based on the fog.

Ash placed another slip under his hand and pressed it against the wooden railing of the ship. The creaking and familiar lap of water against the boat quieted down. At this point, everyone on the ship subconsciously seemed to go silent.

Many crew members remained in place, as if trying to avoid making any additional sounds.

Nera's footsteps were silent as she passed him. She patted his shoulder and motioned for him to step forward towards the side of the boat where Ash stood.

Though they could see reasonably well in the dark, the thick fog that was meant to hide them also hit the other ship. From the sound of wood creaking, they were near the other boat. They began to hear the voices of some crew members speaking in Sunan as they commented on the sudden fog, and whether or not it was unnatural considering their location.

Henry watched the side of the ship, looking for an outline of the other ship through the fog. He climbed on the railing and waited

Ash jumped first, landing on the opposite ship with a thud, followed by Nera. Henry was a few paces away, and couldn't see the edge of the other boat. He only knew it was there.

Worst case is I'll land in the water and Naali can bring up with some ice. Blindly, Henry jumped across. The moisture of the fog touched his skin, and he felt cold all over before he landed.

As soon as he steadied himself and stood up, the fog that had covered the deck of the ship was suddenly pushed out, as if blown away by a fan.

"What happened-who are you?" Panicked voices filled the deck as Henry turned around. He had landed on deck, but closer to the railing that he'd like.

He raised his head and saw the stairs of the quarterdeck just above him. He ran up the stairs, but didn't draw a weapon.

"Who are you?" Above the sounds of fighting below, the man at the helm shouted. Due to both surprise and skill difference between Ash, Nera, and the crew, the fight was rather one-sided. His eyes were wide, and he seemed to be alternating from looking at him to looking at the people fighting on the main deck below.

"Never mind that," Henry said as he reached him. "Raiju!"

He pointed his hand and a flash of lighting cut through the night. Raiju was measured. The lightning was at most a quick shock that wouldn't kill the other man, but it did send him flying back from the helm and landing on the ground, twitching.

"Who...you....what....?" The twitching man rolled on the ground, trying to get a look at Henry, as if he'd seen a ghost and wasn't convinced.

"Helm secure!" Henry shouted.

Ash rushed up the stairs, rope in hand. Henry held out his hand to stop him. "Wait until all the lightning has been released before you touch him, or you'll get shocked, too.'
"Oh, thanks, Brother!" Ash gave him a lopsided smile.

On the deck below, there were four bodies lying on the deck, unmoving. There was no blood nor any torn clothing, so Ash and Nera must've knocked them out.

"Where is Auntie?" Henry asked as he kept control of the ship.

"She went downstairs to find Anhya," Ash said. He knelt down beside the man who'd been shocked. "Can I tie him now?"

'Knock him out first."

There was a pause and then the sound of first hitting flesh and a dull thud as the body went limp behind him.

"Okay," Ash said. "That's five...there should be three below."

"Brother! Second Brother!" The voice of a surprisingly energetic teenage girl came from the stairs leading below. In the dim lantern light, a disheveled Princess Anhya, still dressed in the clothes she'd worn over a week ago, emerged and waved her arms at them.

"How are you feeling? Are you all right?" Henry asked.

"I'm fine! Hungry, but they didn't torture me or anything!" She raced across the deck, as if to show off that she was unharmed. She climbed up the stairs and raised her arms to hug them.

"Ew, don't touch me!" Ash held out his arms and waved a hand in front of him as if to dissipate a smell. "How long have you been wearing the same clothes?"

Anhya visibly balked as she was staunchly rejected. Her pale face flushed red as she shot him a glare. "My clothes are just worn. I don't stink!"

Ash lifted his chin and gave her a knowing look. "You're used to your own smell, so you can't tell if you do."

"Brother!" Anhya complained to Henry and pointed at Ash.

"Ash, don't tease her," Henry said in a tired voice.

"Take a seat," Ash said, motioning to some crates behind Henry and the helm. He removed his bag from around his body and opened the top. "What do you want to eat?"

Anhya's eyes lit up as she immediately forgot about Ash indicating that she smelled. She scrambled to take a seat and eyed the leather bag, knowing it held food she needed to quell her rumbling stomach. She almost rubbed her hands together. "What do you have?"

"Pick a region."

"Home."

"Sunan food, okay," Ash nodded. "Soup or dry?"

"Dry."

"Noodles, rice, dumplings, or patties?"

Anhya licked her lips. "Noodles!"

"Pork or chicken?"

"Chicken!"

"Spicy or mild?"

"Spicy!"

"Spicy noodles with chicken in peanut sauce?"

"Yes!" A moment later, the smell of savory noodles with a sharp hint of spice and nutty aroma briefly overwhelmed the salty ocean air.

Ash pulled out a clay pot that fit in the palm of both of his hands. It wasn't too big, but it would hold just enough for one serving of food. He placed it on the wooden crate in front of Anhya and lifted the lid.

The orange-red noodles were still hot and glistening with oil, as if they had just been plated and brought from the kitchen. Ash handed her some utensils and smirked.

"Wipe that drool off your face. It's unbecoming of a princess."

Anhya shot him a glare as she took the clay pot and began picking at the noodles. "You don't know how hungry I am!" She shoved some noodles into her mouth and slurped, her eyes closing tight as she relished the rich flavor. She didn't care that the noodles still seemed to have steaming coming off of them. "You don't know, Second Brother!" she said between chews. "They only gave me crackers!" She swallowed her food.

She didn't have any manners associated with a princess at that moment, but she didn't seem to care.

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Ash prepared some tea quickly. "Don't choke," he said as he poured her a small cup. "No one is going to take your food."

Anhya's face was red and there were oil marks around her mouth, but she sniffled and nodded. "Thank you, Second Brother."

Ash hummed and sat down across from her.

"We packed food for you from the imperial kitchen in your bags while we were at the palace," Henry said. "We don't have everything, but we have a good assortment. Just tell us what you want."

Anhya nodded. "Thank you, Brother." The Sunan terms she used for their honorifics were terms applied to non-blood related elder siblings, but more intimate than the honorifics for strangers. "Godmother sent me fruit and bread wrapped in wax paper, but it's difficult for the birds to bring me meat and cooked items."

"Did the kidnappers only feed you crackers?" Henry asked, displeased.

"In the beginning, there was some sort of gruel," Anhya replied, already half-way through her bowl of noodles. "But I think their food was running out or they were starting to ration it, so they gave me a handful of crackers and some water."

Both brothers frowned at this.

"Do you still want to continue to the Dragon Continent?" Henry asked. "If you want to go home-"
"No!" Anhya sat up straight and frowned. "I want to know who wants to use me as payment for assisting my half-uncles in a revolt!" There was a spark of anger in her eyes, and she looked ready to fight at any moment.

"Are you sure?" Nera's voice came from the stairs. She reached them and gave a nod to Ash. "How soon do the eyedrops last? I found some correspondence below deck and want to review them. They should have something on who we're meeting at the Dragon Continent."

The eyedrops allowed for light sensitivity at night, but reading could give one a headache.

"These ones will last two hours," Ash replied. "Do you need a light slip, Momma?"

Nera nodded. "Yes. The lantern light is limited."

"Auntie, where are the other three crew members?" Henry asked.

"They're in the storage room where Anhya was locked up. Stay on course. Ash, come with me and help me drag the rest of them inside the storage room," Nera said.

Ash got up and walked back to the man who'd been electrocuted. He easily heaved the man over his shoulder and made his way to the stairs.

After Ash delivered that man into the storage room, he came back to the main deck for the remaining men. He made sure to run his hands along their bodies, and checked any pockets or pouches on their persons, to ensure that they didn't have any weapons or tools that could help them escape.

As he came up for the last one, the crew member was starting to wake. He barely had time to open his eyes before Ash knocked him out again and carried him below deck.

"At dawn, Momma is going to send out one of the messenger hawks back to Suna," he said, looking back at Anhya, who sat cross-legged on the crates. Her bowl was empty and looked almost licked clean. "Do you want to send your parents a message?"

"Just that I'm fine and will be back soon after the other involved party has been caught," Anya replied. She looked around. "I noticed that Effie isn't here. Didn't she come with you?"

"She needed to stay behind at the palace to receive messages from animals," Henry replied.

Ash crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the railing. "She thought we'd return as soon as we found Anhya. She won't be happy to know that we went to the Dragon Continent without her."

"Isn't it too dangerous for a seven-year-old anyway?" Anhya asked, looking back and forth.

"She's eight, and it depends on the eight-year-old," Henry replied.

Ash nodded. "I personally think that Effie would be right at home in the Dragon Continent."

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Was she upset, perhaps even bitter, that her mother and brothers had left her behind to go to the Dragon Continent? Yes.

Did she dive into her responsibilities while staying at the Suna capital imperial palace as a way to distract herself from the disappointment and outrage at being left behind? Also, yes.

Effie sat down in the pavilion with a map, several trays of snacks, and some tea. Every day, she would wait outdoors for one of her mother's birds to return with a report. The Empress urged her to wait inside, where it would be more comfortable for her, but Effie insisted on waiting outside, as it would be easy for the birds to find her.

Also, she had a feeding and drinking station set up for the birds outside, so they could rest before returning to work.

The first few days, Prince Geran stayed with her and helped familiarize her with the map of Suna, as well as its coastal region. However, he was eventually sent back to the military academy despite his protests.

Nera had found Anhya's whereabouts already, so there was no need for Geran to worry as much. As long as Nera knew where Anhya was, she could get to her. The other children had lessons inside the imperial palace, which resumed along with the court sessions.

Everyone in court knew that Princess Anhya had gone missing, but as soon as Nera confirmed that Anhya was alive and well, the Empress seemed to regain her composure and downplay the seriousness of Anhya's kidnapping.

The official response was that Anhya had disappeared during an investigation, unlike previously reported, and was now being joined by the Empress' people to assist with the complexity of the investigation. The Empress' people mentioned were not named on purpose, as Nera and her sons were not Suna citizens and shouldn't have gotten involved in such a case

The court had resumed as normal, with all attention now being on the Empress' half-siblings and the accusations against them that they were planning to revolt once they got the weapons and soldiers they needed. From what Effie heard from her animal intelligence network, the court was furious and quick to admonish the actions of the three half-siblings, but that was only what they saw during the court session.

Effie had instructed some small animals to follow the various ministers and listen to anything that may involve the half-siblings.

In addition, she sent additional small animals to the below ground prison where the three half-siblings were imprisoned separately. The last of them had arrived late last night, and the Empress was scheduled to speak to them that morning.

The small mouse on the table, sitting beside a small pile of seeds and broken crackers, happily reported what it had learned that morning while hiding above the interrogation room, on a wooden beam.

Effie frowned. The Empress could not get much out of the siblings, as they all refused to admit that they'd been involved despite the testimonies of others who'd spoken up. Nera had verified that several were telling the truth, mainly out of fear, as while they were willing to risk their own lives, the lives of their families were not something they could gamble with.

The little girl opened her eyes and let out a heavy sigh.

She was only eight years old and didn't look very intimidating. Even though she learned how to use weapons and fight empty-handed, she was still only so tall and with only so much strength, so against an actual fighter, she wasn't much of a challenge. Commodore was with her and could be intimidating, but she didn't want her snow wolf to get hurt.

"You have such a serious look on your face," a man's voice said from the path leading up to the pavilion. "Do you miss your momma?"

Prince Tae still had some dark spots under his eyes. He'd arrived with the prisoner the night before and didn't seem to have gotten much rest afterwards.

"I do miss, Momma, but I'm patient," Effie replied. "Besides, when I start at West Wind Girls Academy, I will go even longer without seeing her." While she looked forward to the day when she could begin her schooling at the prestigious academy that both her mother and grandmother went to, part of her also dreaded it, as she'd be far from home and everyone she was used to having around.

Prince Tae smiled and took a seat across from her. The mouse continued to eat, unbothered by his presence. He looked at the rodent and tilted his head to the side. "Did you find out anything new?"

"The prisoners are being kept apart and aren't talking," Effie said. "So, there isn't much to listen in on."

Prince Tae pursed his lips and thought for a moment. "If we put them all in the same room, do you think your animals could hear more?"

"It depends if they speak. They all look pretty stubborn, Uncle Prince Tae," Effie replied knowingly.

The corner of his lip curled up and he chuckled with a nod. "You're right about that." He let out a heavy sigh. "No matter what we ask, they claim they don't know. They've denied the testimonies of their subordinates. If your mother hadn't verified they were telling the truth, we wouldn't know what to believe."

Effie scrunched her face and thought for a moment. She clasped her hands together in front of her and leaned forward. "Uncle Prince Tae, can I question the detailed?"

At that, Prince Tae sat up straight. He frowned at once and met her big blue eyes with firm ones. "No." His answer didn't sound as if there was room to maneuver. "Effie, they won't answer my sister. How will you, a child, get answers from them?"

Effie smiled at once. "I'm a beast master."

"Yes, I know," Prince Tae replied with a nod.

"That means I can understand what animals say."

"That is what a beast master is supposed to do."

"And not only what they say from verbal cues and sounds, but what their bodies say." She stressed the last part and leaned even closer as she saw him falter on his stance. "Uncle Prince Tae...humans are animals, too."

He twitched. For a moment, he didn't seem to know what to say. He sat in place, his eyes wide and looking at her, but not at her. "Effie...I can't bring you to the dungeon to interrogate." He shook his head, as if pulling himself out of a trance. "It's too dangerous."

"Who is in the dungeon that's dangerous to me?" Effie asked as she puffed her cheeks and slumped back in her seat. "All the guards take orders from Empress Auntie, and all the bad people are in cells. Unless they are unlocked, they can't hurt me."

"That's true, but-"

"Are you afraid I'll be afraid of the dark?" Effie raised a brow. "Uncle Prince Tae, I'm already eight-years-old."

He took a deep breath and shook his head once. "No, I don't think you'll be afraid of the dark."

"Is the dungeon frightening? Are there ghosts?"

He rolled his eyes. "There aren't any ghosts, but aside from being dark, it smells and it's old. Some of the floor stones have worn away and you could easily trip."

"Then I'll walk carefully and use a light slip," Effie replied.

Prince Tae took a deep breath and released it. "A dungeon is no place for a little girl."

"Uncle Prince Tae, I am not just a little girl," she told him, sounding serious. "Momma left me here to help you and your family. By questioning the people in the dungeon, I can help!"

He still shook his head. He gave her a defiant look and crossed his arms over his chest. "Effie, my sister won't agree."

Effie sighed, exasperated. "Uncle Prince Tae, can you at least ask?"

"I'll ask if you go with me, so she won't yell at me about how ridiculous this idea is," Prince Tae told her with a raised brow.

Effie slid off her chair. "Then, let's go!"

Prince Tae stared at her a while before he exhaled and shook his head. He placed his hands on the stone table and pushed himself up. "All right, fine," he told her. "But don't be disheartened when she refuses."

Effie took his hand and nodded. "I won't." Full of confidence, she half pulled Prince Tae back into the imperial palace and down the long corridors to get to Empress Yayae's office. The afternoon court session had just ended, and the Empress was returning to her office.

As they turned the corner coming from one direction, they caught sight of the Empress followed by two assistants and escorted by imperial guards arriving at the front of her office.

Empress Yayae, dressed in her former court robes, paused as she saw them.

"I didn't think I'd see you two until dinner. Is something the matter?" she asked.

Prince Tae glanced at the little girl at his side holding his hand. "She has a request to make of you."

Empress Yayae raised a brow, but nodded. "Let's speak inside." She stepped into her office and her guards took their stations on either side of her door. The two assistants waited until Prince Tae entered with Effie. They had been with the Empress since the start, and knew why a foreign child was staying at the palace without her parents.

Empress Yayae stopped by the window and held up her arms. The two assistants entered, and each took careful hold of a side of the robes and lifted them up and off of Empress Yayae, then stepped to the side to hang the robes up on a wooden device used for hanging and displaying clothes.

"Bring some snacks," Empress Yayae told them as she circled her large desk to get to her seat. "And close the door behind you." The two assistants bowed and stepped back. When the door was closed, she looked at the two people, one big and one small, standing in front of her. "Did you hear news from your mother?"

Effie opened her mouth to reply, but Prince Tae spoke up first. "No, Effie wants to know if she can question Xian and the others in the dungeon."

Effie inwardly grimaced. She squinted her eyes and turned her head to look at the tall man accusingly. Was there no way for him to word her request better?

It came across Empress Yayae as expected. Her eyes widened and she snapped her head towards Effie. "Absolutely not! Effie, the dungeon is no place for an eight-year-old!" She then turned her head towards her brother and glared. "And have you lost your mind? How could you even think of entertaining such a request?"

Prince Tae looked at the little girl, almost smug. "I told you she wouldn't agree."

"Well, not if that's the way you say it!" Effie pulled her hand from his and stood closer to the desk. "Empress Auntie, I know you are having trouble getting information from them. The animals I sent to listen in on them haven't come up with anything. They're just not saying a word. I think I might be able to get some information."

Empress Yayae looked unimpressed. "No."

"Empress Auntie, I know you are the empress, but this also has to do with Momma and my brothers," Effie pleaded, purposely blinking her eyes and making them look watery in order to gain pity. "They can use all the information they can get in order to prepare for what will meet them on the Dragon Continent. They are my family, my only family...." That was not entirely true, but she had no shame in saying it.

Empress Yayae remained firm, but her eyes were darting away from Effie's. "My dear, I understand your worries. I also want to get as much information as possible for your mother, but you don't know my half-brothers and half-sister. Think about it. For so many years, they've stayed quiet, never giving me a reason to suspect them. They've come so far. How could they be willing to reveal anything now, even when they're captured." She sighed. "The only reason they're still alive right now is because we're trying to extract information from them. Otherwise, their heads would've already been freed of their bodies."

Effie lowered her head and tried to think of a way for herself. She took a deep breath and bit her lips. "Empress Auntie, what if you bring them out so I can question them?"

The Empress shook her head. "We can't risk them having contact with others."

Effie tilted her head back. "Okay, what if I bring Commodore down there with me? I'll be safe then, won't I?"

"Effie, even if you are safe, what information can you get from them?"

"I can tell if they're telling the truth or lying," Effie said, grasping the edge of the table. "If I ask them questions, I can tell if they're lying or not, or if they're about to lie. Words can't distract me. Even body movements can't."

The Empress squinted and shook her head. "Effie, I can't in good conscience allow you, the only daughter of my esteemed sister, to go to such a wretched place as a dungeon to do the work of adults," she said in a soft voice.

Effie lowered her head once more. "What if you come with me?" Her voice was quiet at first] as she tried to come up with another way to gain access.

Empress Yayae and Prince Tae both looked at her with furrowed brows. "What?"

Effie took a deep breath and lifted her head. "What if one of you comes with me? One of you can ask the questions, but I'll observe to see if they're telling the truth or not."

"Effie, that still means you'll end up in the dungeon," Prince Tae told her. "We were never thinking of allowing you down there by yourself to begin with."

"What if we question them and tell you what they said?" The Empress asked. Effie shook her head.

"No, I need to see them in person, in real time. I need to observe them as they answer to know if they're telling the truth or not." Effie sighed, defeated. She slumped her shoulders forward and lowered her head. "Okay...if no one is going to let me go...." She turned around and slowly walked out, swaying from side to side, as if the rejection of her idea had taken the life out of her.

No one tried to stop her, but it didn't matter. As soon as she turned into the hallway, she lifted her head, and narrowed her eyes. If no one was going to go with her, then she'd simply go by herself.

She touched the jade token under her robes, which gave her unlimited access to most parts of the imperial palace. She didn't know if it would work on the dungeon, but she was going to try.

Prince Geran had given her a thorough tour of the imperial palace, and she was familiar with most parts of it from previous visits there, including where she wasn't supposed to go. She was sure if he were there, he'd go with her, but this time, she had to act alone.

It took a full two hours to not only cross the imperial palace to get to a heavily guarded area where a prison and underground dungeon were located, but to also wander around the palace so as not to give her plan away so easily. She'd even stopped to have a snack with Prince Muran and Nanny Wu on her way to question prisoners.

Outside, she played with Commodore for a few minutes before pretending to get tired and saying out loud that she was tired and they should go take a rest. Then, the two of them wandered around the gardens a bit more before changing course.

When she arrived, she received many confused looks.

Her brothers always told her that if she wanted to blend it anywhere, she always had to pretend to look as if she belonged there and had a purpose for being there. Pretending that she was actually approved to question prisoners, however, was not enough in this case.

First, she was clearly a foreigner even though she was dressed like the other imperial princesses.

Second, where did the massive snow wolf come from?

And third, she was eight years old.

Who in their right mind would've allowed a child to come to the prison without adult supervision?

"My lady, please stop." Not knowing who exactly she was, but seeing that she was dressed well, one of the imperial guards stopped her at the entrance of the prison. "You cannot go any further."

Effie was quiet for a moment. She looked up at the two guards with sharp eyes and lips in a line, as if she were displeased. Instead, they seemed to take her expressions as something else.

The two guards exchanged uncertain looks. "Perhaps she doesn't understand?"

"I'll speak slower," the other guard said with a nod. He knelt down to be at eye level and then spoke not only slower, but louder. "You...cannot...enter. You...too...small!"

The other guard crossed his arms over his chest. "No...children!"

Effie held back her annoyance. She took a deep breath and replied in accented Sunan, using a slow, measured tone that her mother used when dealing with stubborn clients. "Young man, I know I may look like this, but I'm not a child. Small I may be, but a child I am not." She gave them a serious admonishing look.

The two guards looked at each other, confused. They then shook their heads and looked back at her.

"My lady, even if you are an adult, you cannot enter without prior authorization."

Effie sighed, as if their request was such a task. She reached into her collar and pulled out a braided silk cord with a heavy, circular jade token on it. "Is this enough authorization?"

The two guards looked at the token and then back at each other. They whispered, looking at each other, and then gave her small bows of their heads. "Forgive us, my lady, but we don't know what this token means."

Effie narrowed her eyes. She looked at one guard. "You don't know what this token means?"

The guard kneeling shook his head. "I do not recognize it."

Effie then turned back to the other guard. "Do you know what this token means?"

The guard standing also shook his head, and then gave her an apologetic look. "I do not recognize your token, my lady."

Effie stared at him with darkening blue eyes. She lowered the token, never taking her eyes off the man. "You're lying."

She saw the man flinch, but quickly composed himself. He let out a small laugh and shook his head once more. "My lady, I know you want to enter, but you can't accuse me of lying."

"I'm not accusing you, I'm stating a fact," Effie replied. "You know what this token means. And you know I have access to this prison."

"Do you know what her token means?" the other guard asked as he stood up and looked at his companion.

The guard who denied Effie shook his head and gave the other guard a silencing look. "No, I've never seen that token before in my life-"

"You're lying again."

"I'm not lying!" He snapped at the child and let out a low hiss. He took a deep breath and stood up straight. "My lady, please leave. This is not somewhere you can be. If you do not leave now, I will have someone take you into custody."

There was a threat in his words, and Commodore, who stood just behind Effie, took notice. For the first time since arriving, he let out a low grumbling and lowered his head. His ears voided back as he exposed his teeth in a slight snarl.

The two guards tensed at once.

The one who had been kneeling looked at Effie. "My lady, please. We don't want trouble."

"And there won't be any trouble if you let me in."

"My lady, you may have access to the palace, but not the prison," the first guard said, angry. "If you don't go back, I will have to sound the alarm."

"That won't be necessary," a man's voice said from behind them. The guards froze, but Effie grimaced then let out a low hiss. She slowly turned around and saw a man in military robes walking towards her. "I can take her inside."

The two guards immediately knelt down. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Uncle Emperor?" Effie asked in a tentative voice. Was she seeing things? Did the Empress give him approval to take her? Did he know the Empress said no? She eyed him with suspicion.

Emperor Consort Gansen reached them and held out his arm to stop the two escorts with him from approaching. He looked at Effie and Effie looked at him.

"I don't know your mother as well as my wife does," he said in a firm voice, as if measuring the child. "But I know this is something she'd do, so I should expect nothing less than such reckless daring from her children."

Effie did not back down. "Uncle Emperor, are you going to let me do my job here or not?"

The corner of his eye twitched. "If I don't come with you, you're going to find another way in, aren't you?" Effie looked away and didn't answer, but that seemed to be enough. "Ten minutes per prisoner. If they don't answer you, then you've wasted your time and can't get it back. We'll leave and you'll never try this again."

"Deal!" Effie almost jumped up. "Thank you!"

He clicked his tongue and narrowed his eyes. "Your Empress Auntie gave you the deadline, so don't thank me." He looked at the two guards guarding the door to the prison and gave them a nod. "Let her in."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Effie clapped her hands together. "Can Commodore come?"

"He can't fit into the corridors inside."

"Oh." She turned around. "Commodore, you stay here and wait for me. I'll come up when I'm done."

Commodore complained, but since he couldn't fit, he couldn't do much. Effie followed the Emperor Consort into the dungeon.

"Who do you want to see first?"

"Quan," Effie said. "Then Xian, and then Sarae."

He glanced behind him. "You have a plan in mind?"

Effie snorted. "Atractas do not move without a plan."