Betrayal Ends...In Death?

Days passed, and I continued to assist the palace, judiciously inspecting and listening to any evidence that might be expedient to the resistance. I felt like a detective, regularly on authority, never quite sure who I could trust.

One evening, as I was formulating my way back to my quarters, I was advanced by a participant of the Dream Weaver's inner circle. His name was Marcus, and he had always seemed outgoing enough to me. But as he drew closer, I could see a look of distrust in his eyes.

"You've been acting bizarrely, lately," he said, eyeing me with intensity. "What are you up to?"

I tried to play it calm, to brush off his apprehensions, but I could tell he wasn't buying it.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I replied, trying to sound as innocuous as possible.

Marcus leaned in close, his eyes vehement with strength.

"I know you're occupied with the resistance," he jeered. "And I know that they're planning an outbreak on the palace. You have to tell me everything you know."

I felt a movement of horror wash over me. How had Marcus found out? Had I been too inconsiderate in my surveillance?

"I don't know what you're talking about," I reiterated, backing away gradually.

But Marcus wasn't having it. He lunged towards me, clutching me by the arm, he held a brass spear.

"Tell me what you know!" he screeched, his grip narrowing.

I knew what I had to do. With a quick motion, I heaved a concealed dagger from my sleeve and plunged it into Marcus's side. He gasped in shock, his grip loosening as he stumbled backwards.

I didn't wait to see the consequences of my action. I crooked and sprinted as fast as I could, my heart racing with anxiety and adrenaline. I knew that my duplicity had been exposed, and that I had to get out of the fortress before I was caught.

I ran through the snaking passages, absconding protectors and retainers alike as I made my way towards the exit. I could hear barks and yells behind me, but I didn't dare look back. I had to keep moving, had to getaway before it was too late.

Finally, I erupted through the citadel entries and into the night air. I took a deep breath and gazed around. I was unrestricted, for now. A part of me wanted to bound with joy, the other part cowering in fear, paranoid and stern. The Dream Weaver and her loyalists would be coming for me, and I had to be ready for whatever they had in store.