CHAPTER 10: THE EMPEROR - EGON CREE

The next morning, two maids approached the bed to wake Abiri. She woke with a start and pulled a dagger from under her pillow, almost slitting the maid's throat. The maids were frightened and dropped the water and fresh clothes they were holding.

Abiri was still half-asleep and for a while, forgot that she was in the palace. Once she realised what happened, she immediately put the dagger back in the sheath and apologised to the frightened maids.

"Please forgive us Princess! We dropped your dress!" they pleaded and fell to their knees.

Abiri was surprised.

"Please get up! I am the one who should apologise to you!" she said as she tried to help them get up. But they flinched and shrunk back without saying anything. She could see their hand shivering.

She sighed. "Palace maids are really too easily frightened," she thought. She didn't approach them and said, "Understood. I forgive you so just get up already."

"Thank you, Princess!" they said in union and got up.

"Don't call me princess, I'm not one yet. Just call me Second Lady or Little Chief for now."

They looked at each other and said nothing. She sighed yet again.

"This is only morning but I am already frustrated," she thought.

"Okay. Why are you here trying to wake me up so early in the morning?" she asked.

"His Majesty wants to have breakfast with you and the Crown Prince," one of the maids said, "Crown Prince is waiting for you."

"Me? Only me and father?" she asked again.

"Yes Prin-Lady," the maid answered timidly.

Abiri knew the emperor would send for her father but didn't expect her to be called as well. Soon she got ready with the help of the maids. Conall was anxiously waiting for her along with two attendants and two guards behind him.

Conall was not used to huge entourages and had dismissed almost everyone except for two guards and servants.

"Father!" Abiri called him. He turned around and was surprised.

She wore a light blue blouse and a white long flowing skirt. A blue and white shawl was draped around her shoulders. Her hair was tied in a top fan-shaped bun in the front and open hair in the back which is tied in a loose knot. She also wore a head medallion and a single string of beads on her forehead. The only thing common was her sword hanging by her side secured with a waist band.

As they walked towards the emperor's residence, Conall said, "Is this really you? I almost didn't recognize you!"

"Don't tease me! Those maids said that this is how women in Yuj dress up. Yesterday, I saw Aziza dress like this too," she said.

"No! No! I am not teasing you! I just didn't know my daughter was so beautiful!" he smiled, "You should dress up more like this from now on. Don't wear the tunic and trousers and don't braid your hair like you used to."

"I am not going to dress up like this every day!" she declared while adjusting her shawl for the umpteenth time, "I dressed like this today because they said this is how people meet the Emperor. And I don't want to leave a bad impression on him and cause trouble for you."

Conall smiled, "But you look so pretty! What is wrong with it?"

"This is so impractical! How am I supposed to fight when my hands are practically intertwined with this shawl? And this skirt is so long that I might trip on it while fighting. With all this dress up I can't even reach for my sword fast enough," she complained.

"Hahaha!" Conall laughed, "This is the Royal Palace! Who are you going to fight with?"

"I am not saying I'll go to war. I just feel defenceless," she said sulkily.

"It's fine. You will get used to it," he comforted.

"Lev should have seen you like this, he would have really married you right away," Conall winked.

"Father! Now you are really teasing me," she blushed.

By the time their banter was over, they reached the Emperor's Residence. They left their weapons with the guards before entering.

"Greetings Your Majesty!" both of them bowed to the emperor.

"Please rise!" Egon responded. They were in a hall at the emperor's residence. A table and three stools were arranged at the centre. The hall had two rows of large pillars running parallel. The high roof and corners of the pillars had intricate carvings. It also had large windows, which brought gentle breeze and lots of sunlight covering the hall in a golden hue.

As they sat down, the servants quickly served the food on golden plates and bowls. The emperor was just about to eat when he noticed that Abiri was staring at him. She immediately looked down at her plate when their eyes met.

"If you have something to ask, just ask. It's fine," he said.

Abiri looked at her father who looked confused.

"I heard there is always a food taster with the emperor, but you don't have one," she asked slowly.

The emperor and Conall looked at each other. Conall was about to say something but the emperor spoke first.

"I am the chosen one! What poison can kill me?" he laughed.

"Your Majesty!" Conall protested.

"I am just joking, don't take everything so seriously!" he said.

Abiri knew there was more to this conversation but she didn't pursue it. They finished breakfast along with various anecdotes of Arlos' battles.

"Hahahaha," laughed the emperor, "So the tribesmen ran away just by looking at your father?"

"Yes! Father has a reputation at the battlefield," Abiri told him excitedly, "Your Majesty, you should've seen their faces when they ran."

By now she had grown comfortable with talking to the emperor and didn't feel nervous. The only person who was growing more and more nervous by the minute was Conall. He coughed slightly to remind Abiri that she had to be reserved. Abiri immediately stopped.

"Look at how nervous he is!" commented Egon Cree.

"Your Majesty!" Conall bowed.

"It's fine. I know you are wondering why I called your precious daughter too," he said as he got up.

Conall and Abiri stood as well.

"Come with me," he said as he walked out. They immediately followed him.

They reached the emperor's court. The court was massive hallway with huge pillars and velvet seats on both sides. The guards were present at every pillar and they bowed to the emperor as he walked past them. At the end of the hallway was a raised platform with the emperor's throne. The throne immediately attracted Abiri. The golden throne was big enough to fit two people on it. She wondered why the cushions were silver in colour. There was a second floor but Abiri couldn't find the stairs anywhere. Egon led them towards the throne. Conall and Abiri stopped right below the platform.

"It's okay. Just come up!" The emperor turned and beckoned them. The father-daughter pair looked at each other and carefully stepped on to the platform. Egon pushed one of the two drapes, hanging behind the throne, aside to reveal the stairs leading to the upper level. Conall and Abiri quickly passed the platform staying as far away from the throne as they could. The stairs were wide enough to fit five to six people on it.

As they climbed the stairs, Egon said, "As you already saw, the stairs are accessible only by going past the throne, so the second floor is exclusive to me and people I permit."

The second floor was made of two long corridors which met at the other end and opened to a balcony. This balcony looked over the vast space in front of the court. The corridors too were filled with Royal Guards on both sides.

"The crowning itself will take place on the second-floor balcony and this is where all the attendees for the Coronation ceremony of the Crown Prince will be present," the emperor said pointing to the open space, "Abiri, look around and tell me where could be the weak point in security?" Egon asked.

Abiri quickly scanned the surroundings. The balcony looked over the vast open area in front of the court. It was surrounded by high walls on three sides and Emperor's court on one side. The three walls had three large doors which were guarded by four sentries each. The walls had 2 sentries on top, patrolling the length of the walls. The floor was filled with grass except three stone paths from each door leading to the court. To the left of the court was the emperor's residence and right in front was the banquet hall which was used for royal dinners and other ceremonies. To the right was the outer palace beyond which one can see the city.

"The walls," Abiri said, "Soldiers should be placed on top of all the walls, positioned every two feet. Patrolling the walls would leave many blind spots, especially the corners, unguarded. Even though the walls are high, it is not difficult for skilled assassins to climb them."

Egon asked, "But don't you think it is intimidating for the people when they see so many soldiers?"

"That should be the purpose. Placing the soldiers not only prevents security threats but also shows everyone how serious you are about the new crown prince, especially after the assassination attempts," she spoke. She almost forgot that she was speaking to the emperor. Quickly realizing this she immediately bowed, "You Majesty. This is just my humble opinion."

Conall bowed along with her. But Egon didn't mind her frankness. He laughed out loud and turned to Conall.

"Your daughter is smart and bold!" he exclaimed, "Then we will do as you suggested."

Abiri looked up at him in shock. She then looked at Conall who was as surprised as her.

"No need to be so surprised. I think it is a good idea so I am going to implement it," the emperor said.

"I am glad I was of use, Your Majesty!" she said.

"Conall, I really think your daughter is a talent that our kingdom cannot miss. It is time to tell her," Egon told Conall suddenly, "There is no one else more suitable than her."