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Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown Ch 8.2, Rude Awakenings

Theo lost track of everything in the chaos except for his sister and his nephew-- he had promised himself he would never lose them again. The altercation between the sell swords working for Professor Milhoy and the meager resistance offered by the group after Princess Noriene fell did not last long and, before he knew it, the Ermine and his companions were led into the University and brought downstairs to the basement.

The basement itself was not a visually appealing place. Used predominantly for storage (and subsequent banishment) of unneeded items, the large series of chambers and hallways beneath the University were playfully referred to as 'the tombs' by students while the faculty simply called them 'the depository'. The one thing that Theo had never expected them to be, however, was a prison. As the group was led into one of the large locking storage rooms however, the Ermine began to fear the worst.

On a positive note was the fact that none of the group was seriously injured... and even the Princess appeared to be relatively unharmed-- rubber bullets, Theo was to learn. Apparently the scuffle in the street was far too noticeable an event within Newport and, even in the early morning hours there were too many witnesses for Professor Milhoy to risk having anyone killed... and so they were subdued. Unfortunately, the Ermine rationalized, now that they were away from prying eyes the Professor could do whatever he wanted with impunity. The question was" would he?

They had been incarcerated for just over an hour, but it took half that time for Roaring-Flood to grow stir-crazy. The huge Bear was calmed for a time by a discussion he shared with Enarork in their own tongue but eventually he gave up on words and turned to repeatedly shoulder-ramming the reinforced door. The timbers were wood, yes, but they were THICK wood-- thick HARDwood... thick hardwood reinforced with iron. No... it was an exercise in futility, Theo realized, but apparently nobody could convince the big black Bear otherwise.

One unfortunate side effect of the noise was Theo Younger awakening. The little kit was not happy at being roused with so many hours left until dawn and his cries only added to the noise. Thankfully, Enarork finally got his brother to calm down, at which time the big Bear grew immediately remorseful over having awoken the kit. Surprisingly, Roaring-Flood's attention actually managed to calm Theo Younger and, at the Tribal Bear's insistence, Evelyn even let Roaring-Flood hold the young lad.

It was a magical thing in that they each immediately quieted the other. The enormous Bear was gentle and accommodating and little Theo was wide-eyed and full of wonder. Roaring-Flood switched back and forth between the Tribal tongue and little bits of common while the kit practically climbed all over him as if he were a furry jungle gym. Theo ultimately did fall back asleep, right in the crook of the big Bear's arm.

Despite Enarork's ability to remain calm, he still appeared ill at ease. He spent the first few minutes of their imprisonment helping Errol care for the Princess, who was in great pain from the impact of the rubber slug to her ribs. Once she was situated he then focused on Roaring-Flood. Once the big Bear was occupied with the kit, that left the smaller brother without much to do aside from think. That was when he involved Theo.

The jeweler made his way over to where Theo sat on a crate with his sister. The Bear pulled a second crate away from the wall and lowered himself down onto it facing them. "What do these people want?"

Theo didn't have much of an answer. "I'm not sure."

The Bear glanced to the Princess them back to the two Ermine. "They said that Princess Noriene wasn't the real Princess, but they knew she was. They were lying... why?"

The scholar shrugged even as he thought about it. "There could be any number of reasons... but it probably has something to do with the Order of Blades, and the fact that they said she wasn't useful anymore."

Enarork's claws dug into the wooden crate where he was gripping it. "They sent Metal-Eyes to the spirits... they will not continue this."

Theo couldn't argue against the Bear's anger but he also couldn't really think of a way to interfere with any portion of a clandestine plan while he was locked up in the University's storage cellar. He looked to his sister. "I'm sorry, Evie... I shouldn't have gotten you involved in this."

She shook her head, resting a paw on his. "I was sworn to the Princess' aid, Theo... if anything I got YOU involved."

Princess Noriene interrupted all activity in the room with a simple declaration. "Kesst isn't here."

Errol confirmed her observation. "He flew onto the building top across from the University-- that is where the man was who shot you."

The Wolf sat up, an aura of confidence returning to her despite her injury. "Good. Then Milhoy hasn't won yet."

Evelyn slowly detached herself from Theo and moved immediately to the Princess' side. "Your Highness? The Dragon? How can he aid us?"

Princess Noriene accepted help from Errol and Evelyn to stand and they moved her to where a large, rolled up tapestry was resting on the floor. Once the Princess was lowered down onto it she began rubbing her side with a paw. "From the short time I had speaking with him I can tell he is quite an ingenious survivor. He is resourceful and inventive but, most importantly, he knows we are his allies."

Enarork nodded in agreement. "Kesst is a good person. If he can help us then he will."

Errol was a little less optimistic. "Then the question is IF he can help us."

All discussion came to a stop with the sound of a key turning in the door's lock. A moment later it swung open, revealing Kesst. "Yes. He can."

Everyone was standing in seconds, each wishing to make a statement or ask a question, but the Dragon held up a talon. "We can talk later... I do NOT want to stay here any longer than we have to... there are armed men on all of the upper floors and it sounds as though they plan on executing the Princess."

The Wolf smirked. "Well... Milhoy apparently realizes just how dangerous I can be. I wonder how he plans on pulling it off."

Kesst moved over and helped the Princess to her feet. "I overheard him speaking with another one of the Professors... apparently you're a double who is responsible for the Princess' death and you're impersonating her toward nefarious ends-- his words, that I recall."

Princess Noriene kept one paw on her ribs and the other around the Dragon's midsection. She nodded. "Yes... I suppose that certainly does sound like Milhoy."

Theo Elder quickly took Theo Younger from Roaring-Flood and passed the sleeping kit to his sister before joining everyone else at the door. "If they plan on executing the Princess that can't mean good things for us. We need to get out of here very soon."

Kesst shook his head. "Not yet."

Errol paused at that. "What do you mean 'not yet'? In a case like this it has always been on my mind that the sooner the better."

The Dragon nodded. "Perhaps... but I have a plan."

Princess Noriene was all ears. "Oh? Pray, tell."

Kesst looked to her then to everyone else. "I'm waiting on a signal."

Enarork flicked an ear. "A signal?"

Theo finally felt a spike of optimism. "Did you find help?"

The Dragon nodded. "Yes--- we just have to wait for--"

Kesst was interrupted; the signal was unmistakable.