6th Limestone, 209, Early Autumn
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At last, the final wall is set in place! The trap is finally ready. Soon, everyone will see that this place is
not just some 'cursed deathtrap.' It's home to outstanding architecture designed to fry all those who dare enter, a marvel of dwarven architecture and practicality!
~Actually, the winner goes to the builders at Hellfurnace, who created a super-efficient, super-reusable, and super-artistic trap! -Asob"Your little pet project is ready, I see."
I turn and find King Minkot, again dressed in his peasant garb.
"Expecting the caravan again, I see."
"Yes, of course. They'll be asking how Duke Lolor Ekastathel is doing. They're going to be somewhat suspicious of his disappearance."
"Surely you've planned for this, your peasantry?"
"What did you say?!"
"I said 'your majesty?'"
"... I could have sworn I heard different."
"Oh, but your disguise is so convincing! But again, a plan?"
"Yes, well, it's already finished. You finished it. Your giant magma distraction device over there will draw much attention away from the fact that a second baron has turned up missing. We can use it to leverage attention away from Lolor's demise."
"Of course, King. But what of next year? Magma traps are so commonplace, this one couldn't possibly distract the attention of the Swift Arches for more than a season."
~Oh! Do they know about Nelare the dragon? She could distract them for a season, too! -Asob"I should like to see a demonstration, then. Let us see how powerful this trap of yours is, then we can determine the magnitude of its distraction potential."
"Of course." I then shout into the dining hall, "Hey! Somebody go pull that lever!!"
"Ooh! Ooh me! Mememememe!! I wanna do it!"The voice of Tekkud Lenodmeng, the coattail-riding tax collector, rang out from deep within the stairways. A half-dozen available dwarves looked at the lever, shrugged, and went about their business. I had to wait impatiently for Tekkud to drag himself out of bed, walk up several flights of stairs, before finally getting here to pull the lever.
"Why... what's this? Your 'trap' is just sitting there!"
"Oh, no!! What happened?! How..."
"The only way in which this is a
distraction is in its shoddy construction! Fix it at once, or so help me..."
"Yeah, yeah. The caravan isn't coming for another week, so why don't you change out of those filthy peasant's clothes?"
King Minkot glared at me sternly, and I calmly back at him. "Zon, you dishonor me for the last time! I demand you prostrate yourself before me and beg forgiveness!"
"Oh. Gee. Let me get right on that." I deliberately drop my journal on the rough basalt floor, and say while bending to pick it up, "Oh. Would you look at that. While prostrating myself, I happened to find this book full of evidence about a secret mission to forcibly eliminate competition for your throne. Hm! Who would just randomly leave such a thing lying in the middle of a hall? I wonder how many more books just like this are scattered throughout the fortress to be found?"
"What! You... you..."
"Relax, Your Highness. Your secret is safe with me... as long as you keep me safe. Got it?"
The king stared blankly at me for a long time, utterly aghast. He opened his mouth to speak, and as he did that I lowered my eyes to my book to quickly document this little exchange as it happened while my journal was on the floor. By the time I looked up from my writing, I could see him walking away, visibly shaking.
~Zon, be careful! Don't keep tempting him, or he might have you 'removed' during the night! I know, you think that if you're gone, nobody could say where the evidence is hidden, and its only a matter of time before it's found... but do you honestly believe that's enough to keep yourself safe from his hammer? -Asob