Chapter Four

The meeting with the ministers that was suspended due to the health of the king was called off a week after the king recovered completely. All the palace activities which were also suspended by the Queen were also called off. Everyone faces were as fresh as a loaf of new bread. As usual, the ministers arriving at the palace for the first meeting of the week as they did have the meeting twice in a week according to the constitution before it was suspended. It looked like the prime minister slept in the palace over the night but it wasn't so, they (ministers) thought so because he had been in the palace before them. He did be the first to arrive at the palace and he was even considered as the heart of the king due to their intimate relationship and his position. The prime minister was an average age man neither too tall nor too short, just average height. Everything about him was average as he didn't talk too much or less.  Though some other ministers that arrived at the palace earlier even the prime minister slept over the night in the palace because he wasn't seen in his usual minister's dress. It was because, he and the King visited the kingdom sorcerer. They visited the kingdom sorcerer to check on him, though he informed the prime minister to be in palace earlier than the time he did arrive. The sorcerer made a lot of things known to the king and blame him for not usually paying a visit to compare to when he initially access the throne as the king of Niyeye. There was danger on the mountain the sorcerer told him. What the king heard from the sorcerer that morning changed his mood. He was also preparing for the next month festival that was the major reason he visited the sorcerer. In other not to allow what the sorcerer weighed him down, he decided to forget it for the main time until after the festival, he would revisit him. He also planned not to tell the Queen because he knew the Queen would become worried about hearing it. 

The ministers continued entering the palace as it was about time the meeting commenced. The Yoe minister and Tang were also invited by the King since they were staying back this was, so they could all plan the festival together. As the Yoe minister entered with Tang there was a murmur among the Niyeye ministers standing together early in the morning. They were surprised as to what a stranger in the minister dress, though different design was doing at the palace early in the morning. Some of the ministers immediately knew that it was the king that invited them to engage in the meeting. Some of the ministers couldn't believe it , as they view it as somewhat not ideal, how could a stranger participate in another kingdom's meeting, it is not done anywhere they continued to murmur. 

"There is nothing wrong with it as far as the two kingdoms of both the foreign minister and the king are in an alliance, such idea is welcome", reiterated one of the ministers. 

Argument outburst among them as some supported the idea that a stranger could engage in another kingdom's palace meeting and some were against it. Immediately the argument outburst; it was about to become a pandemonium they began to dissipate. It wasn't the first time the ministers engaged in such argument in the argument, it had become something common among the Niyeye ministers. That was the case a particular day when the ministers were arguing to the extent that their voice was disturbing the Queen and the King in the palace. They had to interrupt before it was quit. They supposed to have been fined if not that the King and the Queen pleaded the prime minister on their behalf not to do that because he had the power to fine and suspend any minister who went against the palace rules and regulations.

The Yoe prime minister approached one of the ministers to greet him. The minister was happy to have gained such honour from the Yoe minister. He was actually among those who were against the fact that it was not ideal for a stranger to engage in a meeting with them but since the Yoe minister was nice to Him he overlooked the claim. When they first met they greeted each other and Tang walking by the left-hand side behind the Yoe minister also greeted the minister joining his hands together and raising it to the front on his chest and his head bending down his head like someone who wanted to use his mouth to remove something from the chest as he was greeting the minister. When the minister saw him. The first thing that came to his mind immediately was the king's injury. Though he wasn't present when the duel took place he heard the narrative of who the king demanded a duel with, who was said to be a strong soldier of Yoe. Immediately he saw him, he knew that Tang was the soldier as he has the exact features of how he was described. The minister of Yoe and the Niyeye minister was talking gently as they were walking to the palace, it was time the meeting should .

The ministers were already at the palace as a couple of faces were seen missing among the Niyeye ministers. Though some informed the king of their absence. The missing ministers were three in number. The first one was on the sick bed whom the king visited over the weekend. The second one was expecting visitors as he was the one to welcome the visitors, they were his relatives who left for the Kingdom called Putu some decades ago. While the third one informed neither the king nor the Prime minister, meaning he might be fined or suspended by the prime minister. He might not be fine or suspended only if the king intervened. The king did overlook almost every offence. Most people especially the ministers did take his leniency for granted.

The King was still in his room while the ministers were prepared at the palace waiting for him to join them. The guard was the cause of the king late preparation because he was supposed to remind the King of the meeting. The king was busy reading some books in the library after him and the prime ministers arrived the palace from the sorcerer domicile. He went to read some books in the library to disremember the bad news he heard that morning so that it won't have any effect on his routine activities. 

The King remembered that a meeting was going to take place later when he was reading that was about 5 minutes to the commencement of the meeting. He rushed down to his room to wear his royal. The Queen was also at the palace waiting for the king. Two different guards were sent informed the king to informed him that everyone leg was already at the palace. The Queen was thinking what was the cause for the king to be this kate to the meeting as it rarely happens. At where the Queen was sitting down, he didn't notice the presence of the Yoe minister and Tang. When she saw them he rose on her feet and approach them within two minutes they had a petty talk. As some who already argued that it was wrong to invite a stranger to the palace meeting were grunning thinking that the Queen must also be aware of it.

As the Queen was tramping back to her seat after having a petty talk with the Yoe minister that was when the King entered. The King in his usual favourite colour gown. Looking charming and handsome. He sat on the chair. The chair was made of gold. The chair was 6ft tall and has enough width that it could accommodate two persons. The top of the chair had a curvy design and some parts were also made of the king's favourite colour. Almost all the palace designs were blue because of king associate blue to blessings. Gold was lavished to make the chair as they were the original producer and supplier of Gold in the west. Some regions in the west even referred to the Niyeye Kingdom as the Kingdom of Gold because the inhabitant dwells in gold. Gold was their main mineral resources and the major form of exchange with other kingdoms in trade.

When the King sat down some of the senior ministers have their seat, followed by the junior ones. The reason they were standing was because of the tradition which necessitated that they mustn't sit before the king in the palace only the Queen was allowed to do so. Though the King didn't see those traditions as something worthy of taking note. Even the ministers knew the king didn't even bother about the traditions and constitution, they only remained standing because of the prime minister presence because he was the one that did ensure obedience in the palace and fine anyone especially the ministers who didn't comply with the rules and regulations.

The king after three minutes of silence when everyone was having their seat. That was something common with the king. Even when talking he didn't talk that fast. He didn't like talking too much. Everything about him was moderate. Some ministers even envied him end wish they could be like him because everything about him is special. 

The silence was broken by the king as everyone was expecting him to talk. The first thing he did was thanking them all for the care and massages he received when he was sick. He told them that there was no form of worries it panics again since he gads completely regained his health. He also emphasized on the importance and the role the prime minister played in him regaining back his health. He also stretches the remark of appreciation to the Queen whom he said to be the most important thing that had ever happened in his life. He never stopped there as the reiterated that the coming of the Yoe at that period was a blessing as he sees a great potential in Tang which the Niyeye army and kingdom could enjoy at large. Tang could be a massive boost to their army confidence since he was staying back this time around. The Yoe minister as the meeting was going on, he was thinking in his psyche their plan as the king was talking but, he knew it wasn't a short term plan because it wouldn't be achieved overnight. They had to firstly, create a good relationship with the Niyeye before they could unleash their plans. 

After thanking everyone he went straight to the major reason why the meeting was called. He made it known to them about the festival coming forth. Learning of the festival few of the ministers were surprised because they had forgotten about the festival that did take place annually. Though most of the ministers had a nonchalant attitude, the reason was that the king didn't pose much pressure on them concerning their ministerial tasks. Some only attend the meeting, at the end of the day, they will collect their weekly tributes such as gold, cowries, ivory, jewellery, etc. as a form of as a form of payment for their post-task whereas only a few were performing their duties and responsibilities. 

The plan on how the news would be disseminate was also shared. At the meeting, committee were also chosen to oversee the activities and the creating awareness of the festival. Some were put in charge of the invitation. Guards were also called in as they had some crucial information to disseminate to other neighbouring kingdoms and regions. 

The King also introduces to his ministers the Yoe Minister and Tang. All the ministers were looking directly at the Minister and Tang as they were being introduced by the King. When the king disclosed their plan on settling down. Some ministers saw it as weird move.

"How could people leave their kingdom and said they want to have a camp here because of the alliances between them", some ministers mumbled looking at one another. 

The minister and Tang were officially welcomed. They received several hugs from the ministers, most of the hugs weren't genuine. Some were still left surprised to the king decision to welcome such an idea, they were jiggling their head in regret.

Immediately after the meeting was concluded the King and the Queen moved toward the right-hand side to take their leave, that was the normal route where they did pass into and out of the palace. The prime minister then stands up to move outside and the minister started grouping right from inside the palace to resume their routine gossip. The settling down of the Yoe in Niyeye become the talk of the day as some were still left bewildered. Concerns were being raised, that the king leniency was still going to be taken for granted one day. The prime minister on the other hand didn't involve in any discussions with them, he rarely engaged. The talk of the Yoe settling down wasn't new to him as he has been aware since they arrived due to the intimacy he had with the King.

The King returned to the library to carry on with his initial pastime before he held the meeting and the Queen on the other hand reiterated that she needed some rest. Two of the guards wanted to follow the king to the library but he insisted that he would be fine they shouldn't bother. Some did think the king was always left himself vulnerable not to allow guards to be following him around as it is dangerous because any of their neighbouring kingdoms can dispatch assassins against him. That was what happened to the king of one of their neighbouring Kingdom called Putu whose King was recently assassinated. It was announced that the king just decided to take perambulate around the palace, a poisoned arrow from an unknown source just pierced into his heart. Doctors were called to attend to him immediately when the incident happened but, he later gave up the ghost. Even though Putu was an arch-rival to Niyeye, the death of their King was a blow to them all.

In the palace were some ministers who hadn't gone home because of the unnecessary discussions they had been engaging in since the meeting was concluded. The prime minister was seen roaming about the palace like a vagabond but was making sure things were in place. He was always making sure no loopholes were in the palace. If there was any dirt or any unarranged items anywhere he did call on the maids to take care of them.

As everyone stood talking, moving etc. there was noise at the Palace outskirt like someone being welcome. The crowd were shouting as some were singing but the noise subdues the song. Some ministers even thief was caught.

"What's happening", three of the ministers chorused looking at one another's eyes.

They move swiftly like a curious cat to go and check where the noise was coming from and what was happening. The prime minister on the other hand sitting back at his usual position and call on one of the guards to check out what was happening outside the palace. 

The minister of Yoe and Tang were delayed by one of the ministers talking to them. They also heard the noise, they didn't know what was happening but, they continued with their discussion. The guard sent by the prime minister was seen waddling back to his direction and some ministers were seen jubilation, running back into the palace environment, the prime minister was already curious, doing him like to draw near the guard and open the mouth his mouth rapidly to hear what was happening. 

"The Princes and the Princesses are back", said the guard.

The prime minister stood up immediately when he heard of the arrival of the Princes and Princesses. He headed towards the palace room to inform the king and the Queen of the arrival of their children The guard at the entrance of the king's room informed the prime minister that the king was in the library and the Queen was in her room having a rest. The Prime minister changed direction and most fastly to the library to let the king know. When he entered he informed the king. Happiness crowned the face of the King as he and Queen discuss the arrival of their children one day ago. The Queen looked worried thinking something could have happened to his children, she was usually calmed my the King. She cherried them a lot. The king though wasn't worried as he knew their arrival was imminent, what they were sent out for had been concluded.

The Princes and the Princesses were sent to one of the greatest Kingdom in the west named Duyeo. Duyeo yearly festival was always fun. Some people including the Niyeyean even regard Duyeo as the greatest Kingdom over Niyeye because of their army. Duyeo rarely lost in a war and terms of trading, they were far behind Niyeye that's the reason why their greatness was sometimes couldn't be compared to Niyeye. Niyeye was always deemed as the most blessed country in the west in terms of everything. 

The King sent his four children to Duyeo in other to satisfy the wish of their king, that if he knew he wouldn't be able to come, he should send his four children as a representative instead of his ministers. At the festival, different kings were always present, west, east, south and north. The reason why the King of Duyeo demanded that if the king wasn't coming he should send his children instead because they were all talented in different areas and could entertain the visitors with their intriguing talents. Muhu who was the firstborn was one of the most talented Archer in Niyeye, some people did bow for his archery ability. There was a time they went to war and Muhu used three arrows to kill three different soldiers on the battle field a the same time, some army men mouth were left unclosed. Dejoe was the most talented martial art fighter in Niyeye. He was the third and the penultimate child. He was the assistant army general of Niyeye. The second and the last daughter were Yon who was also a talented princess. She behaved like a male whereas she wasn't. Different men did make jest of her saying, "who will marry a man?". But that never bothered her. She didn't care about what people say but, she was very dangerous. The last daughter who was also referred to as the Queen's favourite was a talented dancer, her name was Onna. She was good at making designs such as beads, chains, etc. 

The King was already in the palace compound ready to welcome them. The crowd welcoming them outside was so much to the extent that the horses that they mounted on were moving like a tortoise that was about to die. At the standing position where the king was, the Queen rushed out to as joined the king in welcoming them. They eventually entered the palace. The spirited mood of the Queen could be seen all over her faces including in her actions. The king was just smiling. The prime minister was beside them and the Yoe minister standing far away from where the king and others were, were also smiling. It wasn't the first time the Yoe minister seeing them. He had even asked the king of their whereabouts and the king disclosed everything to him. Tang was beside the Yoe minister looking at the entrance like someone looking at the sun.