As luck would have it, it was quite easy getting over the wall into Gondol. The tricky part came when they had to inconspicuously ask where the location of the brothel was without alerting any of the patrolling soldiers.

  However, thanks to a brief, physical conversation Tam took part in with a drunken merchant, they learned it was farther north of the city, and a bit closer than they’d realized to the palace.

  The Opulent Opal was a discreet building, unlike most Zinferan brothels.

  Instead of red lanterns hanging from the front of its eaves, it opted for a lone discreet black Troivackian style lantern with glass windows right beside its door. A door which was painted black, with an arched top and heavy bolts screwed into its wood.

  A peculiar style choice unless one knew of the primary owner of the establishment.

  There was no sign that the building could be a brothel on its street of quiet, respectable businesses—literally. There was not even a sign or painted lettering on its front to alert anyone what sort of nefarious and scandalous business was conducted within its walls.

  The only indication of it being the right place, was the hulking mass of a doorman that would greet you should you knock.

  Tam stared up from under his hood at this man who was twice as wide as most men, but stood at his same height.

  The doorman’s beady eyes narrowed even more at Tam when he registered that he was not a Zinferan.

  “I am the Shadow. Son of the Dragon. The cave will open for me.”

  The man’s eyebrows shot upward, but he said nothing. He didn’t move an inch either, his thick form blocking the entryway.

  It wasn’t until another, higher pitched, squeaking voice whispered behind him.

  “Good Goddess, get out of the way!”

  A scroll came up behind the doorman and clunked him upside the head, making him flinch and shuffle out of the way awkwardly.

  Tam found himself staring at a man in an absinthe color coat, with bright white lapels and cuffs cut in square designs. The smile he beamed at Tam looked like it was drawn up by fishing hooks as the deep lines of his small face climbed as high as they could.

  “The Shadow! Of course! The Dragon did mention you might come! I am Mung, and it is an honor to make your acquaintance.” Mung bowed low.

  Tam gave no reaction to the news that his mother already estimated he would make his way to their establishment.

  “I come with allies,” he said in a low voice. “We are not to be seen and our presence is not to be shared with anyone but the madam. Understood?”

  The man only then noticed Eli and Harris standing off to the side in the shadows.

  He jolted a little, and his smile faded briefly before he swung back to face Tam. “Of course, Shadow.”

  Tam said nothing else, merely stepped inside, with Eli and Harris following closely behind.

  The door swung shut on squeaking hinges, and the group found themselves in a narrow hallway. Its walls of white plaster were bare, and the width of the hall barely permitted Tam and Harris to walk side-by-side.

  “Why is it so narrow?” Eli murmured.

  “In the event of an imperial investigation or attack, this buys everyone inside time, and helps slow any intruders,” Tam explained gruffly.

  The group then rounded the corner to find another long narrow hall, only this one had a series of wood and paper sliding doors running along the left wall.

  Colored slats were hung outside each room. Some were red, some were yellow, some were green. Most likely they were there to indicate the service or the status of the customer.

  Music and murmuring voices could be heard from within the rooms. There was the occasional giggle, and the odd moan here or there, but otherwise it was quiet in the dimly lit hall.

  Even the scent of perfume was not overpowering as it often was in brothels.

  When they’d all reached the end of the corridor, Mung took another left, and headed straight down another straight white hall much like the entryway.

  When they reached that end, they took another left, this time, there were sliding doors on both sides of the hall.

  It was moderately louder down this new row, but not by much. There were also some rooms marked with white slats along that hall, and some appeared to be painted in silver and gold.

  At the end of the hall, they came to a narrow set of stairs on the right, which Mung proceeded to climb.

  They followed him upward, their boots thunking heavily against the wood despite any effort to mute them.

  They climbed up to a third story—or what was most likely an attic, but that had been decorated and refurbished into a luxurious office.

  A large, ornately carved desk sat facing the stairs on the right, and once venturing closer to the desk, on the left, a seating area was revealed thanks to privacy curtains that were partially tied back. There were two chairs and a couch covered in rich jewel tone cushions, thick rugs, and a fireplace. On the opposite side of the office seating area, were two doors that were Daxarian in style, and were closed.

  “Pardon me, Mistress, but the Shadow has graced us with his presence.”

  While Eli and Harris looked around to see where this elusive brothel owner was, Tam stood perfectly still.

  Then, dissecting herself from the shadowed corner behind her desk, a tall Zinferan woman appeared.

  She was in her late thirties, wore a wide brimmed black hat that resembled one a pirate might wear, and held a long carved pipe in her hand. Her lips were a glossy red, her dress a vivacious purple, and she wore an eyepatch with gold designs over where her left eye should have been.

  “Do you just wait in dark corners all day? Just in the event you have to make a dramatic entrance?” Harris asked loudly, breaking the mysterious mood in the air.

  Tam was grateful for his hood as his lips twitched.

  The brothel madam’s eye cut to Harris as she slowly raised her pipe to her mouth and took a long inhale, making the embers in its bowl crackle and glow. She stepped closer to the trio of newcomers, and released a long plume.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “Shadow. I am Madam Sao. The Dragon recently mentioned that you might pay us a visit. How may I be of service?”

  While her words were polite, her gaze was cold, and calculative.

  Tam held his ground. “I require a place to rest and to gather information on the palace.”

  Madam Sao raised an eyebrow, and shot one quick look at Mung that sent the man barreling down the stairs out of sight.

  “I see…” She turned and rounded the desk to seat herself behind it comfortably. “And would you like to stay here with your entourage, or would you like more respectable accommodations?”

  “Here will be fine. You are well known for your mastery at keeping things hidden,” Tam retorted.

  The madam tilted her head over her shoulder. “Very well. Here it shall be. I’ll arrange a bath for all of you, beds, and a meal. Will any of my women be required?” Her eyes darted to Harris, then to Eli. “Or men?”

  “No.” Tam returned swiftly.

  Sao’s index finger tapped the side of her pipe. “And would you like news from the palace now or later with more privacy?”

  “Now.”

  At this, the madam drew in a long breath, and began knocking out the singed tobacco from her pipe onto a silver tray. She then reached over to a gleaming maple box with a beautiful inlay design, and opened it to reveal more tobacco that she began to pack in the bowl of her pipe.

  “There are children in the custody of the Dragon and the Golden One, and there has been great upheaval brewing for Prince Jum’s birthday. Some expect all the guests to be poisoned, others a simple massacre of those who oppose him,” Madam Sao explained—the Golden One she referenced of course being Kat.

  “What news of the first witch?” Tam persisted without allowing himself to show any measure of relief at the news that Luca and Penelope were allegedly safe with his sister and mother.

  “She hides in plain sight. There have been ships preparing to leave Zinfera operating under the command of the Giong Coven, and there are members of the Coven of Wittica somewhere in the palace as well.”

  Tam watched the leisurely movements of the madam as she restocked her pipe.“How can I be placed in touch with the Dragon?”

  “I can see about sending a note with one of my customers. But make your message discreet. There isn’t a true ally in sight of the palace these days.”

  “And who are you allied with, Madam Sao?” Tam asked mildly.

  “I’m assuming you are asking in terms of royalty, as I’d have to be a fool to name anyone other than the Dragon.”

  “Of course.” A cool smile lifted Tam’s mouth.

  “I do not align with Concubine Soo Hebin for one simple reason: she wishes to change the capital from Gondol to Junya. This would hurt my business. Her power is crumbling even as we speak, and the people are angry.” Sau paused, and took her time lighting the new bowl of tobacco. “There is talk of the downfall of the empire. Zinfera may break off into pieces depending on how evenly matched the nobles are. How much breaking will occur, will become known with the outcome of Prince Jum’s birthday in two days.”

  “You haven’t answered my question,” Tam rumbled.

  The madam smiled wryly up at his shadowed face. “I’m getting to the point. Which is this: I side with no one but myself. I have survived as long as I have because of that mindset. Now, I won’t bother asking why you probed about my political views because it’s evident you are concerned about me reporting your presence to a concubine or two for some gold. But my coffers remain full because of Daxaria, your home. I do not know how powerful you are there, and I do not tempt an unknown power to become angry with me.”

  Tam could’ve argued to the heaven’s and back why she could find other possible self-serving reasons to betray him, but he was tired. They were all tired.

  “I will write my note for the Dragon. Send fresh clothes. You will be compensated.”

  The madam smirked and bowed her head before saying. “Does the lady with you wish for pants or a dress?”

  “Rude of you to assume I myself wouldn’t care to enjoy a bit of a breezy skirt,” Harris scoffed.

  The madam’s expression fell flat. “You are an annoying man.”

  Harris shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”

  “Pants would be appreciated,” Eli cut in, her voice tight.

  The madam’s eyes settled on Eli for a while, then, appearing bored, she stood. “I will go arrange everything now. Stay here. You are welcome to sit over there.” Sao jerked her chin in the direction of the sitting area.

  “Is there a water closet I could visit?” Harris called out, his left hand resting on his middle with a wince.

  Sao didn’t hide her dislike of him. “The door on the right. The one on the left is my private quarters. Stay out.”

  “Thanks!”

  Without further ado, the duke waddled off in the direction of the water closet, and the madam, rolling her eye, proceeded to head down the stairs. Her heeled black boots made an even bigger ruckus than the three of them had caused on their climb up.

  Once stillness rested over the space, Tam rounded the desk and stared down at some correspondence that lay opened. He saw only an order for moonshine, and food. Neither of those orders were in his mother’s handwriting, so he knew it wasn’t a code from her—though those kind of messages were probably located somewhere in Sao’s private quarters.

  “Who is the Dragon and the Shadow?” Eli’s quiet voice pierced through the hush.

  Tam paused. Now was not when he felt comfortable sharing the details of his underworld dealings with her.

  “It’s a long story. Go take a seat. You still need to rest.”

  Lowering her hood, Eli gave him a hard stare.

  For a moment, Tam thought she was going to try and resume their argument. Until her shoulders rounded and she stalked off toward the couches without another word.

  He watched her go, his heart feeling both icy and sore.

  Later. We will deal with it later. We’ll get a good night’s rest, a hot meal, and then strategize how the hell we’re getting everyone out of the palace without getting involved in the bloodshed of the prince’s birthday. Though knowing my sister, she won’t want to leave…

  Tam’s serious and foreboding thoughts were interrupted by a horn blast of a fart echoing out from the water closet.

  Startled Tam’s head snapped round to stare at the closed door.

  But as the trumpeting stutters of gas persisted, he blinked and dropped his gaze, caught between a laugh and a sigh.

  “Pardon me!” Harris shouted through the door. “I tell you, Tam, those beets never fully left me!”

  Tam opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again when his sleep deprived brain couldn’t think of any words to say back to the duke.

  Acknowledging how worn out he really was, Tam made his way over to the couches, plopped himself down, and dropped his head back.

  It was a good thing that Harris hadn’t been expected to be stealthy for very long. If in the near future there was a situation where subtlety was required for a greater duration of time… Tam decided the man could only be allowed to eat a meal of carbs and cheese to keep him sated and his bowels silent.