In the palce court, all ministers and subjects of the king assembled.
Tension and panick filled the atmosphere as they discuss about the invasion which occur the night before.
The king was in a very sour mood, fuming with rage . Who will dare try to take his life? And even threaten him?
The bitter fact that the assassin escaped was enough to wrench his heart with anger.
"I am so sorry my king, but the man is very skilled and has the best swordsmanship ever. ", Luke explained his head bowed as he knelt in front of the king.
" He killed ten of my men and you let him go, you rascal ", the king roared angrily banging on the table loud and hard.
Luke lowered his head, praying earnestly not to get killed, the king is one who will be never give out a second chance when angry.
" What were you doing? Almost like fifty guards could not catch a single man! What a shame"
" Forgive me My king, however.... ",
" SHUT UP! ", He barked, the intensity of the yell made every single person in the space flinched in shock.
Pensive silence followed.
" And Jade, where were you? The report stated you were not inside the palace walls yesternight, where were you? ", He demanded.
" Apologies my king, but you were the one who ordered me to meet up with the lord of Salem ", jade spoke calmly, his head inclined slightly.
Oh right, but why will it be last night? Of all days? No doubt, jade will have not drop a single sweat in capturing the invader.
"What do you think you are doing Riverdale? You are the minister for war and security, what use are you?", He yelled.
" My king, pardon me but I have always make sure there is tight impregnable security in the palace. ", The minister for war and security, sir Riverdale stated with his head bowed.
" Tight enough for the king's life to be threatened? Tight enough for an assassin to intrude into the palace? You dare lie to my face"
The prime minister, sir Salvador spoke opened his mouth to speak for the first time since the gathering.
"No offense My king, but you need to calm down and keep your rage at bay "
" And who said i am not calm ", the king countered bruntly, his eyes bloodshot with immense rage.
" Nonetheless my king, getting angry at your subjects isn't the best thing to do at hand. We have to catch the culprit and make sure such happens ever again.",
A tensive silence followed, which lasted for a minute or two .
" Apart from him having a good swordsmanship, what else can you say? ", Sir Salvador asked , facing the king's bodyguard.
He rotate his eyes in a way of him trying to recollect any observable or tangible information about the ordeal.
Suddenly his eyes widened almost bulging out of its socket.
Observing this, Salvador asked," Do you remember something? ",.
" Yes my Lord, my king I think this will definitely be of great help "
" Speak up!"
" I can vividly remember that I stabbed him at the shoulder. Yes, I did inflicted a wound on him ", he repeated, his head nodding endlessly at its own accord.
" And how helpful is that piece of information? ", Riverdale hissed obviously annoyed. He then faced the king
" My king…I think the best thing to do is to....",
" Hold on! ", The king ordered, his fisted hand held up gesticulating a halt.
" For that bastard to be able to invade the palace securities and barge into the king's quarters. He must be someone who knows the palace very well. ",
Murmurs filled the air as the king's subjects looked between one another.
" He must have studied and know every nook and crannies in the palace, the king's quarters is located at the east end of the palace. He must be someone who has been watching me! ", He concluded.
The murmurs increased as everyone tried to reason with his view.
" But my king not just anyone can walk into the Western end of the palace. ", Jade said.
" And that is why I said he must be someone within the palace walls . He is among us!",
" My king, Who do you have a suspicion on ? ", Salvador asked.
" I don't. But I will make sure to catch that bastard and trust me if I lay my hands on you. …..", he trailed his breath heavy due to rage.
" I will kill you and throw your remains to the dogs to feed on ", he threatened passing a message to that someone whom he thought is among them.
Swiftly he rose up from his throne.
" My king are you.....",
" General Jade ", he called loudly, his voice booming round the courtroom.
" Yes my king", jade responded, moved to stand In front of the king.
" I have an assignment for you, and I hope you won't let me down", he said and without saying no more walked out of the courtroom, leaving his dismayed subjects standing.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Princess Sabrina walked gently and regally to her morning lectures, her maid , Nina beside her.
For some odd and unknown reasons to her , she noticed the palace was a bit quiet that usual.
She can hardly see anyone around, the few she sighted are secretly whispering amidst one another.
It doesn't feel right. Something is amiss.
" What is happening today? The palace seems strange", she voiced out that thought, but surprisingly Nina didn't respond as quick as she should.
She halted her steps, and faced her , her brows twitched up curiously. Why is everyone acting strange?
"Nina ", she called .
" I…I ..I find it strange as well my lady", stuttering a bit on her wordings and constantly avoiding her gaze definitely means she is hiding something from her.
" That is not the truth"
Nina gulped nervously," Believe me my lady I don't know anything"
" Speak Nina! ",She ordered strongly leaving no room for argument.
Bitingly and with a heavy heart, " The king instructed us not to say a word about it to you, I'm scared my lady",
" Just say it Nina. Father won't hurt you",
Reassured and a bit at ease, she decided to open up.
" It's the king my lady. His Majesty, the king was attacked last night at his chambers "
" What are you talking about? ", She asked , the news coming to her as a complete shock.
Her eyes a bit widened than its normal size, her heart racing as if she ran several rounds of marathon.
" It was last night in his quarters. Someone tried to assassinate the king"
" My father? The king? ", She asked again to be sure of what she heard.
" Yes my lady, the palace has been in chaos since last night. Everyone is not ….."
" Why are you just telling me this now? Nina! ",
With guilt Nina lowered her head a bit,
" I'm sorry my lady but the king ordered no one to speak of it not, to you ",
" Oh my goodness ", princess Sabrina mumbled under her breath, abruptly she changed her direction towards the Western end of the palace.
She needs to see her father.
Is he okay? Was he wounded?
" My lady where are you going? ", Nina asked running you catch up with her lady's heavy and long steps.
" But you have to attend your morning lectures. The king will be mad ", she wailed.
To hell with that!
She need to see for herself if her father is okay.
© Adira H.