[Lauchenoiria]

Princess Leila, age 11, of Zargothrax was once again dressed as a common boy and wandering the streets of Castle Zargo without permission. With the new cat law, however, the city gave her no more relief than the palace.

She had never liked the city. Castle Zargo was built in stages, around her family’s ancestral home which had been demolished and rebuilt quite possibly ten times throughout history. The city became the capital when her family took control of the country. Zargo was the family name, though she had no idea of its root. They’d renamed the country after themselves. Her father was not the first of the line to have delusions of further grandeur than he was entitled to.

“I want out of this country sooner rather than later,” she demanded as she opened the door to the small dwelling that was her destination. She slammed it behind her, sneezing as she did so.

“Patience,” the woman sitting by the door said. “First, you must fulfil your end of the bargain.”

“I’m doing so!” the Princess said. “You got the video of the weird cat conversation. What more do you want? Everyone knows Father’s insane already! Surely you've got enough by now?”

“I want to know what is in the room that Chief Advisor Hashemi is hiding,” the woman replied.

“Oh no. There’s no way I can get there,” Leila shook her head. “That creep always knows where everyone is. He’d stop me.”

“Find a way,” the woman ordered. “Or we no longer have a deal.”

The 11-year-old snarled as the woman stood up, sweeping past her and out into the street where Leila had entered moments before. Leila, in response, kicked the chair the woman had vacated, shattering the rotting wood into pieces. It did not help her feel any better.

*

The Secret Room

Javed Hashemi stood in the room, staring out of the dusty, cobweb-covered window.  The bound figure behind him struggled against the ropes and shackles that kept him firmly attached to the chair on which he sat.

“Must we go through this routine each time?” Hashemi said finally. “You and I both know that you are not going anywhere.”

In response, the chains rattled once more and then halted. No words left the man’s mouth – they could not, as he was firmly gagged. The man looked up at Hashemi with a look of pure hatred in his eyes.

“Now, do not worry my friend,” Hashemi reassured his captive. “It will not be much longer before this idiot King crosses the line that should not be crossed. We are edging closer to our goal with every passing day, and there is little else that could stand in our way.”

In response, the captive snorted in derision.

“There is no need for that, friend,” the King’s Advisor soothed. “All is going according to plan. Things will be as they once were. Now, if you will excuse me, I have work to be getting on with. I shall return soon. We are so close, my friend. So close.”