Breaking in... Again

The next afternoon rolled around and it was time to execute our operation. Kuro and Ryo were approaching the entrance of the palace in their typical guard uniforms, while Cal closely followed beside them. I was with them as well, just out of sight in a much more cramped place... the rucksack on Kuro's back. At the moment I was a pile of bones because I had to be disassembled in order to fit in the bag.

The two guards standing out front of the gates instantly halted us.

"Both of you know you can't bring civilians on palace grounds." The one said.

Ryo spoke up,

"I completely understand guys, but it's kind of an emergency. Our buddy, Cal here, is visiting from out of town and he sort of had a mishap."

The guard raised an eyebrow.

"Oh and what's that?"

"Well... I don't want to embarrass my pal here...but he kind of ate some bad sushi and 'exploded' in his pants if you know what I mean. He desperately needs a change of clothes now."

Both the guards had unamused looks on their faces.

"Ehhh, that's too much info. Just take him to a bath house or something."

"I really wish I could, good sir, but I'm too concerned that a young maiden may catch a whiff of my tainted pants." Cal chimed in.

The guard shook his head and sighed,

"Fine, but make sure one of you two morons is by him at all times. Both of you are responsible for him."

"Thank you so much, sir. I promise we won't be long." Kuro said.

With that, we were allowed to pass on to the palace grounds. Now that our first obstacle was behind us it was on to the next phase of our plan...

Casually, Ryo and Kuro casually walked with Cal towards the barracks.

"Alright, I'll meet back up with you guys in a few minutes. Don't do anything until I get Arno and Red into position." Kuro said.

Everyone nodded as Kuro broke off on his own along with me in his bag. After walking a short distance he suddenly stopped.

*Klink*

From inside the bag, I could hear something metal being moved.

"Quick shove him down here." Red snickered.

Kuro proceeded to open the rucksack and pull out my bones one by one and shove them through a grate on the foundation of the palace.

"Good luck you guys. Don't forget to give us the signal once you get out with Erika-san." Kuro said as he proceeded to leave.

Him, Ryo, and Cal's jobs were to stealthily knock out all the guards in the courtyard with sleep powder, so that the coast would be clear for our escape.

"It's showtime skeleton man!" Red said.

The grate led into a relatively decent sized janitorial closet. Red began reassembling me inside....which took a little longer than expected because I had to talk him through which bone went where.

"You know this palace's layout, so you lead the way." I said.

"First thing we need to do is get you some clothes. You'll stick out like a sore thumb running around like that. There’s a laundry room just down the hall. Wait here a second." He responded.

He left the closet for several minutes until returning, dragging some garbs behind him.

"You lucked out, skeleton, there was a guard uniform and a set of armor laying in there."

"Nice work. It even has a helmet with a face covering. I should be able to move around fairly discreetly in this."

I slowly opened the closet door and peaked out. The room was large and had a number of coal fire ovens, as well as counter space for prepping foods. I'd imagine this was the palace's main kitchen.

"This is going better than planned. Your disloyal little apprentice should be in her quarters on the upper level right now. Just follow me."

Red confidently led the way, as I tailed behind him. My disguise worked surprisingly well. We walked past a number of servants and other individuals who didn't even bat an eye at me passing by. After going up a few flights of stairs, we stopped at a specific door.

"She should be in here. I hope you're ready." Red said.

I pulled out a small sack of sleep powder.

"Of course I am."

I reached for the handle and slowly began to turn it...

*Creee-*

*BANG*

Someone from inside the room flung the door open. Two very large men wearing pink Armor charged out and threw me to the ground.

*Click*

They forced a metal collar around my neck. Another person came casually walking out of the room.

"You know breaking into the Royal Palace is a serious crime, 'Mr.' Arno." Sato said as she approached me with a grin on her face.

"..."

I remained quiet. I attempted to muster up a fireball spell but I couldn't seem to gather any mana.

"Yes, I'm sure whatever spell you're trying to cast right now would do some damage, but unfortunately that collar you're wearing blocks mana. I know better than not to subdue a mage like you." She continued mockingly.

Suddenly I heard Cal's voice.

"Don't worry Arno they'll never get me to talk!"

Another set of guards appeared dragging Cal, Kuro, and Ryo subdued in handcuffs. They threw them down beside me.

Sato began laughing.

"Did you three really think you were going to just sneak into the palace and kidnap Shogun Erika and I wouldn't know about it?"

"..."

None of us spoke. I was happy the other three had enough sense to keep quiet so as to not incriminate us.

"You know I'm not really surprised that Erika-sama's former master and whoever this homeless guy is would try this, but you, Kuro-san and Ryo-san? You two were always my 'favorite' little guard boys." She spoke belittling.

Red, who was standing by, whispered to Kuro and I.

"Just hold tight, I'll find a way to get you guys out of this. This brown haired nut may think she has you guys, but unlike you, she doesn't have a ninja devil on her side."

Neither of us could respond to him, but we'd have to just put our trust in him. Personally I was a bit skeptical, but I'd have to just wait and see what happened.

"Please take these four to the dungeon. They have committed serious crimes against the East Kingdom and will face the full force of the law."

A group of guards proceeded to drag us all deep beneath the palace and threw us into a dark and dingy jail cell. They stuck around and suspiciously watched us for a few hours, hoping one of us would crack, but eventually they got bored and left us for a bit.

Kuro spoke up,

"I'm sorry, Arno. We were completely set up. Sato suspected us from the start. She intentionally waited until we started trying to knock out the guards with the sleep powder, so we would be caught in the act."

I signed,

"I suppose I can't blame you. That brown haired girl is much sharper than I anticipated."

It seemed as though once again misfortune had caught back up with me. If only I had learned from the last time I made this mistake...

*Stomp* *Stomp* *Stomp*

Footsteps could be heard coming down the corridor.

"You have a way to get us out of this, right, Arno?" Cal said nervously, while curled up in a ball in the corner.

"Unfortunately, I think this may be the end of the line." I responded…