Page 20 of Crown and Dragon

Marius pressed his lips together. Going into this blind was not what he had in mind. He’d thought the contact would at least know something of Durniad’s wild plan to house the crown.

“And no mention of the tools they used to set up the trap or any visiting experts?” Marius asked.

“Well, now that you mention it…” The contact bent at the waist as a sleepy-eyed monster with tabby stripes trotted up to his boot. He picked it up and stroked its back—he’d get fleas for sure. “Aside from the usual engineers employed in construction that close to the sea’s edge, Durniad brought in a smithy.”

“A blacksmith?” Tahlia asked.

The contact nodded as he returned the kitten to the floor. “One who is known to specialize in locks, doors, custom carts for hauling livestock. That sort of thing.”

“Hmm.” Marius tapped his chin. What was Durniad hoping to contain? The crown, obviously. But anything else? Would there be an elaborate trap that they could trigger upon entering the area where he had the crown hidden? Or perhaps a mechanism that made it so sharpened spearheads or blades set into the walls of the structure could be loosed from outside the building if they were seen entering?

“You know, it might not be a terrible idea to attempt to get information out of Durniad’s brother, Jovanyth. He drinks too much, so Durniad basically ignores his existence,” the contactsaid. “I tried to get him to talk to me when he was deep in his cups four days ago, but a friend of his spoiled my attempts.”

“Where is this brother now?” Marius asked.

The contact waved his hand all around. “He’s with everyone else. In the streets, celebrating.”

“We will find him,” Marius said.

“But—” the contact started, but Marius held up a hand.

“Information is the key to success. What tavern does he frequent?”

“The Siren’s Grotto.”

Tahlia raised her eyebrows, and the mischievous glint in her eyes brightened. “Sounds fun.”

The contact snorted and Marius pondered what the sound meant to him. That the tavern wasn’t fun? That Tahlia was being foolish? Marius felt his lip curl, but because of the Witch’s potion, his Fae fang wouldn’t show and properly threaten this fellow for insulting his mate.

Tahlia tugged on his guard uniform sleeve. “Eh, Commander, are you listening? You all right?”

Marius shook off his growing irritation with the contact and forced a smile. “You were saying…”

Swallowing, the contact dragged his gaze from Marius’s fisted hand to look instead at Tahlia.

“Head up this road,” he said, giving directions to the tavern. He went on with little details to look for and where to go, including a trip through the city’s catacombs. “There is a torch or two sitting down there from our last use of the passage. A small bag should be beside them with flint and stone. It will only take a small spark to ignite the torch because it’s doused in the same stuff Durniad uses in sea battles. Do not, and I repeat, do not get any of it on your skin. You might be powerful Fae beings, but I think it would still give you a pretty nasty wound to deal with in the middle of all this.”

Marius nodded.

“The catacombs might be a little damp with the tide high,” the human said. “Follow the crown symbol etched into the wall on each turn…” His directions continued, telling them how to get to the Siren’s Grotto exactly. He told them to join the parade once they were finished with Jovanyth.

Marius crossed his arms. “Perfect. The tomato throwing begins at the sound of the explosions, yes?”

“The fireworks, yes. You’ll hear some horns too.”

“Do humans detonate fireworks often?” Tahlia asked. “Our king does, but the everyday person doesn’t have access.”

“No. Special events only. They’re too expensive for most to purchase.”

“Interesting. Thanks!”

The contact started to frown at Tahlia.

Marius stepped closer and stared down at the human. “Anything else?”

He coughed. “Ah, uh, no. That’s it. But take this.” Turning back toward the front door, he shoved a key into Marius’s hand. “I nabbed it from one of the guards at the fortress’s old gate. I’m not sure what it unlocks, but it can’t hurt to have it.”

“Thank you.”

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