See where Norbier is going

Whatever is going on, clearly Norbier is the mastermind. Stewart finds this so hard to believe, given his long relationship with the King, but Stewart cannot ignore the evidence of his own eyes. After making sure he has not been spotted, Stewart stealthily follows Norbier as he walks rapidly in the direction of the administrative wing of the palace. Most of the workers from this section are gone today because of the festivities, and Stewart makes his way in pursuit without detection.

As Norbier approaches his office, his pace quickens, and he appears increasingly nervous, looking this way and that, repeatedly. More than once Stewart narrowly avoids being seen by ducking behind a column or doorway at the last possible second. At last Norbier arrives at a door that bears a sign “Internal Affairs.” Withdrawing a large key from his pocket, he unlocks the door and steps inside, closing it behind him.

Stewart waits to see if he will come back out right away. When he doesn’t, the prince sneaks up to the door and listens. He hears voices coming from the other side of the door. Looking down, he sees the keyhole and kneels down to see if he can observe anything helpful.

Through the keyhole he sees Norbier standing behind his desk, speaking to a cloaked figure whose back is to Stewart.

“Plans have changed, and we will have to move now,” says Norbier. “Dathan is tending to the other matter as we speak, we have to take care of you first.”

Stewart sees Norbier remove another key from his pocket, unlock a desk drawer, and remove a glass vial. It is filled with a purple liquid. “Did you get what you needed?”

Stewart sees the cloaked figure reach into a pocket and remove a small envelop and hand it, wordlessly, to Norbier. Norbier opens the envelope and removes something that is too small for Stewart to see. He examines it and asks, “Are you sure it belongs to him? If it is not from him, this whole plan will fall apart. We won’t get anywhere if you end up turning into a billy goat or house pet.”

Stewart hears a muffled response, but cannot make out the words or discern whose voice it is. Norbier, however, seems satisfied with the answer. He places the item from the envelop into a goblet. Next, he opens the vial and pours about one-third of its contents into the goblet. Replacing the stopper on the vial, he sets it on his desk before picking up the goblet and gently swirling the contents, as if he were allowing fine wine to breathe.

Handing the goblet to the other person, he says, “Now drink it down in one gulp. Never mind the taste; you must drink it all at once.”

Stewart sees the hooded figure take the goblet and lift it to drink. A moment later,the empty goblet is placed back on the desk as the cloaked figure doubles over in apparent agony.

“Just relax and go with it,” says Norbier. “It will be all over in a moment.”

Stewart watches from behind as the cloaked figure heaves in pain and deep breaths for a few moments, before regaining composition and standing.

“Now, let’s see if this potion was worth the price we paid for it,” says Norbier, eagerly.

He steps from behind the desk toward the other person. Turning the figure to face him, the two now stand so Stewart can see their profiles. Norbier reaches to the other’s hood and pulls it back. What Stewart sees almost causes him to yell in alarm and give himself away.

Standing there, facing Norbier, is Crown Prince Stewart, heir apparent to the Kingdom of Mirantia! Stewart pinches himself to make sure he is not dreaming.

“How do I look?” the look-alike asks.

Norbier studies him closely. “Uncanny,” he murmurs. “Down to the last detail, from what I can see. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I was looking directly into the face of your brother!”

Stewart felt a cold hand grip his heart. Brother? Could it be that his own flesh-and-blood is involved in high treason? But who is it? Duncan or Adella — either way, it is too incredible to believe!

“And how long will this transformation last?” asks the would-be prince.

“Long enough, if we have no further interruptions or changes in plans. Now, you must quickly go to the prince’s quarters and change into his clothes and then make your way to the appointed place as planned. When you get the signal, you must move without hesitation. You look like Stewart; now it all hinges on whether you can act like him.”

“If I can act as if I am the most important person in all the world, that rules don’t apply to me, and that everyone should worship the very seat where I place my royal ass? Yes, I think I can pull that off fairly well.”

“Just don’t lose yourself in the part and blow all of this through drama. There will be time enough for your dramatics when Mirantia has a new king. Now we must hurry. Get to Stewart’s chambers while I check on how Dathan is coming along with his part.”

Stewart ducks behind a column as the two exit the office and depart on their missions. He puts his hand to his head and tries to collect his thoughts. Obviously there is going to be an attempt to get him out of the way so Duncan or Adella can rule, but does that mean there is also a plan to take out Father? How far does this conspiracy go?

Abruptly, his thoughts turn to Chantelle. Is she still in his quarters? He told her to leave, but she’s not exactly the type to comply with rules. And what about Mother? Is she safe? Norbier said that Dathan, the captain of the royal guard, had a mission to fulfill. What foul thing is he up to?

Stewart is so conflicted. The king must be told of the conspiracy, but can he really afford the time to do that now? And just who can he really trust?