“We will bury him at dawn“

The words rung in Papea’s head. What did they mean? How did they know about him? Why did they care? Who was the deep voice? Is Snudo there? What’s Karlio doing?

All of the questions swirled around in Papea’s head. He heard indistinct talking, the deep voice, he could make out. Another person was undoubtedly speaking as well.

He dug up where he heard the voices before. Karlio had left; he heard the door twice and no talking, although it may have been a trick. Papea was good at spotting tricks and he didn’t think this was one, or maybe he just didn’t think Karlio and that other guy would be smart enough to do any tricks.

Papea kept digging until he felt a pillar of spruce. He climbed and was lucky enough to feel a creaky floorboard, and stealthily, he was in.

The Great Lake.

This was some sort of cabin or so. It has some gold here and there, but not nearly enough to be the Great Mansion thought Papea.

He saw one gold plate that read “Empire Plan” in large, italic letters on a table.

Intrigued, he moved closer. There was a map of Edwawor and the countries near it. Papea noticed red lines streaking from the middle of Edwawor and into other countries. He mentally noted this.

Then he saw another scrap of paper, this time with three words on it.

Theft and Murder.

A knife was lying there.

Behind the table, a mask.

A grenade.

Definitely not illegal use of that seemed fun.

Theft and Murder.

Surely to stop that he had to use the grenade?

Or…

Would he be sentenced to the Obsidian Prison?

The Obsidian Prison was an inescapable prison designed by master architects and escapists. It was built by Snudo’s grandfather over 40 years ago.

Or would he be sentenced to death?

What if it didn’t work?

He realised he was wasting time, footsteps were approaching.

He took the mast and knife, and ran to hide under a trapdoor.

Theft and Murder.

He decided then. He would have to kill Karlio and his accompolice.

He was poised and ready until…

The accomplice was Sir Edward. And with them, Snudo.

Theft and Murder.

No…he couldn’t kill Sir Edward and more importantly, SNUDO?

But he didn’t have to.

Right then, the lights went out, Karlio grumbled, and Papea heard a slash. Make that two.

And Sir Edward and Karlio were dead.

And Snudo had the knife.

He couldn’t be friends with a mass murderer…but what if he already was?