Deviating from the original plot

Chapter ninety-four

"And we have to stay out of sight," Celeste added quietly. "Most of the palace staff has already been turned. My informant warned me before they fled their post a few weeks ago."

Cassius halted abruptly, turning to glare at her. "You still had someone inside the castle?"

Celeste lifted a shoulder in a small shrug. "Not anymore. They quit weeks ago - said they valued their life too much to stay. By now they're probably halfway across the world."

"But if he turned everyone... my mother." Cassius's voice trembled as fear surged through him. "My mother-what if he-"

"Calm down," Evelyn said, but her words were far from comforting. "We'll save her... assuming she hasn't been made into a black mage already."

Cassius went pale.

Victoria stepped in front of him, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. "Hey. Look at me. We're going to get through this. All of us. But you need your head clear."

Cassius swallowed hard and gave a tight nod.

"Good," Victoria whispered. "Now let's keep moving."

They slipped down the dim corridor, their footsteps light and controlled, until they reached the narrow staircase tucked behind a support pillar.

They climbed carefully, the staircase winding upward and narrowing as it approached the upper levels. Faint torches flickered from a distant hallway above, casting long shadows that danced along the walls. They continued down the hallway, heading to the busier parts of the castle.

Victoria pressed herself tighter against the wall, peering cautiously around the corner. "Two guards up ahead," she murmured. "Black mages. We'll need perfect timing to get past them."

Cassius crouched beside her, tightening his grip on his sword. "And... what's the plan?"

Evelyn shook her head slightly, voice low. "We wait. Let them move past before we make a step."

The group huddled in silence, the faint sound of chanting and footsteps echoing down the stone corridor. When the guards finally turned the corner, Victoria gave a barely perceptible nod.

"Move," she whispered, and they moved forward.

They pressed close to the walls, moving swiftly along the corridor, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Just as they reached the end, a heavy door blocking their path, two black mages emerged from the shadows behind them.

"Hey!" one shouted, unleashing a streak of dark magic straight at them.

The group rolled aside just in time, narrowly avoiding the deadly spell. Celeste quickly notched two arrows to her bow, drew, and released them with precision. The arrows flew, embedding themselves in the mages, who collapsed with a grunt.

"Keep moving!" Victoria urged, steering them toward the door. Evelyn and Cassius slipped through first, pulling it shut behind them as quietly as possible.

They found themselves in a wide, dim room filled with covered shapes-furniture and other items hidden beneath dusty drapes. The air smelt of old fabric and disuse.

"We're in the novelty chamber," Cassius said, scanning the room.

Celeste frowned. "The what now?"

"It's where the palace stores outdated or unused ceremonial pieces," Cassius explained quietly.

Victoria lifted the corner of a nearby drape, revealing a white marble elephant statue tucked beneath.

"Well... this is certainly interesting," she murmured before letting the cloth fall back into place.