The tunnel was dark, but they were able to cast a simple nighteye spell to make their way through it aside from Marcus who seemed to have no trouble in spite of his lack of magical eyes.“What can we expect on the other side of this?” asked Pyotr.“It exits into a small storeroom near the stairs to the King’s personal chambers. I have several distractions being implemented at this moment, not to mention the fact that the king himself should be unaware of this tunnel. I’m certain that Crick didn’t know of it.” They turned and the tunnel narrowed slightly forcing those in heavier armor to turn to the side and shimmy in order to keep moving. “In terms of what forces to expect, I believe the king will be armed and ready for us along with most of his royal guard and that winged monster along with any of her allies they’ve managed to keep hidden from me.”“So fifty? Sixty? Against the four of us and Ollie if he manages to find us?”“I have some allies among the royal guard. Most will have been purged by now, but there were at least a few that Crittenden didn’t know of.” He paused for a few moments. “I always felt he may take my place someday.”“I’m sorry you lost him,” said Michael as they turned another tight corner.“It’s Stent that lost an asset. He would’ve made a fine spymaster.”Michael let that lie and focused on squeezing through the narrow tunnel. Eventually they widened again and a small stairwell could be seen leading upward. Bayle signed for them to muffle, which they did, and then he climbed up the steps to push the floor open slowly. He peeked for just a moment before slowly pushing it open the rest of the way and walking up out of the tunnel.The rest of them followed, finding themselves in a small storeroom filled with chests and wooden cabinets. Marcus took just a moment to open one of the chests, finding it filled with fine clothes that must’ve belonged to the king before closing it again.They (...)