Bk 2: Chapter Six (9)

The conversation did not go on for long as Amie asked the maids to show the guests to their rooms to rest. The king looked at her with a raised brow as she got up to leave.

"My wife is quite aware of the matters of the Khul Empire," he said and she paused.

"You mean to ask then don't beat around the bush," she said.

"Young Master Ru?" he asked, "Your ability to unsettle people unsettles me,"

"What unsettles you is how I gain information to unsettle people. You fear that you requested a gullible wife and got one with a secret information circle," she said and he smiled slightly.

"Fear not, King Adrian, your wife is still gullible," she made to leave.

"Why did you call him young master Ru?" he asked and she paused then turned to face him. King Adrian stared at her pondering expression as she made her way back to him and took a seat beside him.

"Since we are revealing secrets then will your majesty please tell me what you wish to use the entire Khul Empire for? If they do not bring us any benefit in any way, why would you agree to have them under Juhntt?" she asked.

"Do you really believe that the grand empress dowager of Khul is dead?" he asked and she raised a brow.

"I did not make this deal. It was Lady Wickshire that made the deal. I would have to accept them under my wing no matter what. But what makes you think they bring us no benefit? Have you forgotten that kingdom south of Juhntt?" he asked and she smiled softly.

"Shouldn't you let our guest know you are using them, your majesty?" she asked.

"They came on their own, wife. Lady Wickshire only said they would come and not why,"

"Yet you assume she is not dead, the grand empress dowager of Khul?" she asked.

"The Thraines are leaving Thriergor," he said and she froze.

"To never return?" she asked, "why?"

"It unsettles you, doesn't it?" he asked as he got up and gave her his hand, "Come, let us go on a walk. I hear you love the snow roses," He said and she took his hand and let him lead her out. They walked out of the throne room through different corridors in silence till they got to the entrance of the south garden. Ice-black petals bust from snow-covered leaves that could be seen from the staircase.

King Adrian led her down the staircase carefully as all the servants retreated far.

"Thriergor is about to face hard times, it seems. The lady only predicted that. What was coming, she had no idea. That is why the religion named a king," he said as they descended.

"Times are coming where Thriergor having a king will save it, won't it?" she asked.

"Barely," He said.

"My parents,"

"Lord Torgenn is still in Juhntt, Amie," he said and she felt relieved slightly.

"That is why Juhntt was chosen?" she asked,

"Many assume that Lady Wickshire asked the religion to crown me king,"

"Is that not so?" she asked and he chuckled and led her into the garden.

"Southern Lan has probably heard of our guest's arrival by now," he said as they walked around the snow-filled grounds.

"That is what you wanted. Those who stood with southern Lan will hear that Khul is now under you. Still, there are many great empires. Isn't Khul weak now the grand Empress dowager has left them?" she asked.

"They are, but no one really knows how weak. Lady Vion has left them too," he said and she stopped moving.

"You brought an empty shell to scare southern Lan?"

"They are not completely a shell, Dear wife. Khul is strong. Besides, no one else but Khul and we know that Lady Vion left with the grand empress dowager," he said and a soldier ran in at that moment and knelt before them.

"The soldiers have arrived, sire," He said and King Adrian nodded for him to leave. He took off his wide grey coat and hung it over Amie before turning to leave.

"There was a Young Master Ru that lived in our village when I was young. The village girls were completely taken by him, they would climb over the Van couple's fence to see him as he practised sword fighting in the yard," She said to his back. King Adrian only paused for a second before walking away.