Treason

--Salami—

Dusty… I resisted a sneeze as the grayish cloud rose from the duster. It amazed me how quickly dust could gather. The entrance to the Queen's chamber was near the heart of the castle, featuring no windows and entrances other than the main door, but dust found a way, and it would not be long before cleaning was needed.

Not that cleaning was my primary purpose, but after being granted permission to enter a part of the Queen's sanctum, ensuring it was looked after had become an unspoken tradition. The Queen's toils were many and her travels tiring. Ensuring her place of sanctuary would be maintained upon her return was my way of thanking her for all her efforts. Becoming a confidant throughout the years was an unexpected privilege.

And... it would risk questions if I were to stop now…

A cough brought some relief to my itchy lungs. I let my eyes wander over the contents of the room, my hand fingering the red gem against my forehead as a ping of sadness flashed through my heart. The room had been undisturbed for over three weeks. An unusual time for the Queen to be away, but not unheard of. Impromptu adventures had been in her blood since she ascended to power. I've cleaned the room seven times since her departure, committing every detail to memory. It would not be long before the room had a new owner, and they might not take kindly to a servant such as myself trespassing. The memories would become all I have.

I sheathed the duster before adjusting an obsidian flask. It was not my place to raise my concerns, but Lokta was wrong. The Queen's death would not bring an age of peace. Maybe for the skin-walkers, but the void-born would be engulfed in chaos. News of the Queen's death would rally the skin-walkers, their goal undoubtedly to take our castle. With our current complement of forces, not to mention the loss of morale upon hearing of the Queen's death, our defeat was inevitable. There wasn't a void-born alive who could remember when Azala wasn't the monarch. It wouldn't be surprising if many of my brethren fled into exile.

I am sorry, my Queen. I lowered my head as a tear threatened to burst forth. I truly a-

“Are you alone?” A headache accompanied the voice in my head.

“Y-yes.”

“Where are you?”

“In the castle.”

“Where?”

“T... the Queen's chambers.”

“Then it is time. Deploy the beacon.”

“Y... yes...” A breath exploded from my mouth as the pressure in my head abated.

I don't want to do it. A tear streaked out of my eye. Please believe me, my Queen, I don't want to do it. I tried resisting at the start, but the pain threatened to tear my head apart. Orders must be followed, an absolute rule. The pain would return if you didn't.

My Queen...

I reached into the bag, pressing my claw past the duster to remove a small object. It would resemble nothing more than a volcanic stone housing a pearl to the untrained eye. It would be dismissed as a mild curiosity and be forgotten instantly. But problems often pretended to be something else.

Please...

I closed my eyes in a final bid of resistance before pressing the pearl against the gem on my forehead. Its activation signaled a cracking noise. Leaning forward, I placed it in the center of the room and took a few steps backward. A spiderweb of light cracked throughout the stone before the pearl broke free and started rising towards the ceiling. A pulse of light made the pearl expand until it formed a white ring hovering in the middle of the room.

Please forgive me...

A foot was the first object to appear, a body covered in white robes and silver embroidery following soon after.

“Welcome.” I bowed my head when the mage fully emerged.

“I doubt that is the case.” He speared me with a stare before surveying the room. “I am surprised you did not arrange a welcome party. If records are correct, I am the first skin-walker to set foot inside the void-born castle, much less the Queen's chambers.”

“The thought did not cross my mind.”

“Which means my snare is working.” The white ring closed when he tapped his staff against the ground. “How many forces are inside the castle right now?”

“Only the regular compliment.”

“Which means?”

“Forty staff members tasked with maintenance, and eight behemoths stationed in and around the throne room.”

“Similar to the skin-walker kingdoms.” The mage nodded. “And you?”

“I... do not understand the question?”

“Have your actions raised any suspicions?”

“I have carried out my duties as far as the snare allowed.” I hung my head. “I doubt anyone has become aware of my hidden activities.”

“Lokta said the same before he landed in the behemoth's pot.”

“It pains me to admit Lokta had been careless.”

“In what way?”

“As quartermaster, only he would have access to the Queen's weaponry and relics. Identifying who tampered with her weaponry would be a trivial matter.”

“That would amount to carelessness. I will remember to state my orders better in the future.”

“Yes.”

“You are to be commended for performing your services well, Salami. It is a pity I have no further need of them.”

“I do not-”

“Rank, spies!”