Diaspora

The port was congested and abnormally busy by the time the Kasai royal ship had docked. Prince Yoh had never witnessed anything like this before. Protocol would have required the port to be cleared prior to the arrival of the ship bearing the king's flag. He guessed that day might be an exception.

As he disembarked, he saw families scurrying towards the next ship with a trail of luggages that looked as if they were never coming back. He knew some of them from his father's circle. The Makis, the Tamamuras, the Tamurazakis, the Yamadas, the Kidomuras, the Yonedas, the Sugimotos... They were the affluent families of Kasai. These clans owned numerous businesses that were keeping the kingdom's economy afloat. They did not seem to be leaving for a vacation. Yoh followed their movements with an anxious look on his face. Their departure meant that they were closing down shops that had been providing employment, goods and services for Kasai commoners.

"I am so relieved that we are finally home!" Tamao exclaimed oblivious to what's going on around her. She wrapped her arm around her fiancé's waist. The entire journey was exhausting for her as she attempted to control her bowels but failed everytime. She was feeling better when she caught sight of land and was looking forward to shutting herself up in her room to recuperate.

A horse carriage was waiting for them at the foot of the plank. The footman was wringing his hands nervously, sweat dripping from his forehead. He waved frantically the minute he saw them.

"Well somebody is in a hurry," Prince Hao observed. He tightened his grip on the arm of the blond girl walking reluctantly next to him.

The footman wiped his sweaty forehead to make him more presentable to the heirs as they come near. "Your Highnesses, the king called for your immediate return to the palace grounds."

"What's going on?" Prince Yoh inquired as he climbed up the stairs of the carriage followed by Tamao.

"I believe the Kouku and Kaminari troops are almost near the central town. "

"What?!" Anna pulled her arm from Prince Hao's grasp who shrugged and boarded the carriage without care.

"It is true, my lady. The war already started."

The blond girl was the last to climb the vehicle. She was still in shock. She stuck out her head through the window to continue interrogating the poor footman, "But why?" she whispered.

"The Kaminari royal ship was blown up on its way home. They were probably blaming us for it." The footman helped the cabin boys load the luggages on top of the carriage to speed things up.

"And the prince?"

"Dead. Everyone aboard the ship is. That's what I heard from sailors returning from foreign lands." The footman signalled the driver to proceed.

"I'm sorry, Your Highnesses but I must evacuate my family as well. May the Great Spirit be with us all." He bowed his head then closed the carriage door.

Anna went pale. Her hands kept on shaking. She brushed the tears that were forming from her eyes hoping that her companions would not notice. Prince Yoh gave her a worried look from across the seat.

Ren is gone...

At the Kasai palace throne room...

"They are here, Your Majesty," a palace guard reported to King Mikihisa of Kasai.

"Please bring my sons to the throne room at once. Kindly request the presence of their tutor as well." The monarch ordered as he eyed the nightgown held by one of the palace maids called Kanna. She had made serious accusations about Yoh's personal maid. He didn't want to believe but it made sense after he heard reports from Ryuu and Manta.

The two spies were standing next to Kanna, just waiting for further orders. They were exhausted from their mission but couldn't leave right away. The king had called council to discuss a few things. One of them was the impending attack on the central town. War was approaching but there was an internal matter that need to be addressed first.

It was unfortunate that the monarch's most trusted people were not there. Kasai's finest warrior, Amidamaru had gone missing and his exiled adviser, Faust, was believed to have been killed in the skirmish by the border lands. Ryuu and Manta had only found a burnt cottage with one body that was beyond recognition.

King Mikihisa squeezed the hand of his queen who was seated beside him. Next to her were her parents. They wore grim looks on their faces as they waited for the twins to arrive.