Page 103 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Trey stood guard at the door while Maximus investigated the desk. Soft, spongy moss covered every inch of it. When he opened the first drawer, he found it filled to the brim with more moss. But could something be hidden underneath?

He stuck his hand into the drawer. The moss looked soft, but inside it was moist and ticklish, with little hairy filaments that clung to Maximus’ skin. He pushed past the disturbing sensation and continued probing the sides and bottom of the drawer. The moment he confirmed it was empty, he ripped his hand away. Bits of moss clung to his skin and shirtsleeve, and he flung them off in disgust.

“Everything alright?” Trey whispered.

Maximus nodded, too embarrassed to explain. Trey had foughtmonstersto protect him—Maximus could handle a bit of discomfort. He searched the rest of the drawers, finding them all empty. “Nothing here.”

“As in ‘no anchor’ or ‘nothing at all?’”

“Nothing at all.”

“Dammit. Well, it has been fifty years, so it’s not surprising thatsomeonecleaned the office out. Maybe we’ll find something in one of the others.”

They continued to the next office and found a similar scene, except this time, there were filing cabinets along the wall. Maximus searched inside the drawers, relieved that the moss was shallower here and he didn’t have to grope his way around each drawer.

“Empty,” he confirmed.

Trey bit his lower lip, turning the pink flesh bright red. “Fuck, I guess it was too much to ask for the anchor to be stashed in some random room. It’s probably somewhere the Lord of Grimnight can keep an eye on it.”

“Where?”

Trey’s gaze grew distant as he considered their options. “The largest room on Fitz’s map was the courtroom. Maybe we’ll find something there.” He gestured for Maximus to follow him and led the way down the hall. He still had both swords out, ready to face any foes they encountered.

As long as Maximus stuck close to Trey, they would defeat the evil together.

Interruption Five

Brutus adjusted his cloak in the mirror, fussing with the scoop of his hood to perfect the angle to obscure his face without blocking his vision, checking that each fold looked purposeful rather than sloppy. He turned sharply on his heel and strode five steps forward, listening carefully. Was itswishyenough? Would thewhooshproperly emphasize his dramatic monologue?

A knock on the door interrupted his runway walk. “Your Grimness,” the lizard hissed. “The champions have arrived.”

Brutus clutched his hands in triumph, a broad smile spreading across his face. Immediately, he remembered his cursed dimples and twisted his expression into a menacing sneer. “Excellent. How many have you captured?”

“Other than the princess, none—”

“What do you meannone?” Brutus roared, flying toward the door. He threw it open and glared up at the lizard. He considered ordering the minion to kneel before him, so he could glaredownat them, but there wasn’t time for petty orders.

Maybe later he could make all his towering guards kneel at his feet to impress the champions with his power. First, he had to capture them.

“How do you even know the champions are here if you haven’t captured them?”

“One of the imps was wounded, and the paintings were activated.”

Brutus took a deep, steadying breath. If he started shouting, he might damage his voice before his big speech. “And did yourespondto these security breaches? Like I ampaying youto do?”

“Yes, but …”

His jaw clenched and he could barely get two words out. “Butwhat?”

“The champions had already moved on.”

“Then search the lair for them!”

“We don’t have the numbers. To do that, we’d have to leave the doors.”

Murdering minions was frowned upon. If Brutus bashed the stupid lizard over the head, the others might find out, and the best-case scenario would be that they would demand compensation. The worst-case was that they wouldallrevolt. A few lizards, he could handle. Lizards, orcs, and imps working together would be more difficult. Not to mention that they might sidewiththe champions, and then Brutus would really be in trouble.

At least he would still have his apprentice and son on his side.