LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER FOUR

Earlier in the day

At the sight of Gorons ships from a distance, Ravian royal guards, servants and officials gathered at the imperial docks to prepare the area for a safe and proper welcome for the Cudanian royal party. Word was sent to the king, of the impending arrival of his guests while he was meeting with his royal council members. He smiled at news and discharged the royals from the hall except for the ministers of his interior cabinet.

'My lords, we have just received great news that our guests, the royal family of the Cudanians will soon be with us.' the king said

'Indeed my king, this is great news, the arrival of king Ceryes himself shows that the Cudanians truly want peace.' Lord Bojin who is the minister of internal affairs said to the king.

'I am told that he arrives with the crown-prince Razan and two daughters, perhaps he intends for alliances through marriage my lord. May I suggest that noble daughters of marriageable age be allowed to attend the festivities tonight my lord. ' says the minister of external affairs, lord Darnam.

'Perhaps' replies king Dyrai, 'but let us presume nothing until his arrival. The maidens may attend the festivities but I forbid the raising of the subject of marriage from any Ravian royal or noble to the Cudanians. Under no circumstance must anyone broach the subject to them, anyone who disobeys will answer to me personally. If there is any interest in marriage, let it come from the Cudanians.'

'His eminence is most wise, I will send the invites with your conditions immediately.' replies Darnam

The king nods and turns to the noble sitted besides Darnam, 'How fares the expenses and the planning Lord Farad?' asks the king.

'We are still within budget your majesty and everything is going as planned. The entire palace has been decorated and redesigned as approved by her majesty the queen. Currently, servants are at the imperial harbour decorating and should be finishing before the arrival.of our guests at sunset. The imperial decorator requested for more flowers in the morning, which are being purchased in the city as we speak, I shall have a full report within the hour my lord' says the finance minister.

'And the wine?'

'The royal winery has been filled with the very best Varia has to offer my lord.'

'Excellent, inform the queen of whatever you will be requiring. Spare no expense Farad, I want the events to go smoothly.' the king says to him.

'Yes Sire', the minister responds.

The king nods and speaks with the other ministers until he finally looks at the ministry of defence led by lord Biron.

'I wish to be alone with the lord commander. You may all return to your duties.'

'Long may you reign' the entire court choruses together bowing down to the king and the ministers with the soldiers begin to file out of the room.

'General Padario, your presence is as well required', the king said to the soldier also exiting the room. The entire room looks at Padario who turns to look at the king and bows before walking back into the room.

When the golden double doors are closed and all three men are left, the king stands from his throne and both soldiers bow to him.

'Enough with the formalities old friend, its suffocating enough coming from all those power hungry wolves. Rise, both of you' the king says reaching them.

Biron chuckles rising up to face the king. They exchange pleasantries for a few minutes and then the king stops to look at Padario. He stares at him for a few minutes and then asks, 'How are you Padario?'

'I am well, your majesty', Padario responds.

'Good son, I am pleased with the reports of your expedition to the southern tribes. I am told you were able to forge strong alliances with them in little time. Excellent job son.'

'Thank you your highness. It was a combined effort of my men, I cannot take the glory alone' Padario responds

'Come with me, both of you',the king says walking towards his inner chambers. Padario looks at his father who nods at him to comply with the kings orders. They follow the king who whispers to a guard standing at the door. The guard bows and walk away while they all enter into the room and shut the door.

'Sit ,I wish to show you both something' says the king walking towards several scrolls that were stacked in a library. He removes a scroll and hands it to Biron who opens it and reads.

Birons expression changes from curiosity to surprise, 'Your majesty...'

'That is for your eyes and ears alone, until I am ready to share it with the courts.'

'But my lord...'

'Not a word Biron, promise as my friend that you will say nothing.'

Biron nods and rolls back the scroll, handing it back to the king who sets it on his table. King Dyrai sits on the carved chair and hands another scroll to Biron who looks at it suspiciously this time.

'Oh! take it you old goat my arm is beginning to hurt', the king says to Biron.

'I'm afraid of what I'll find in it' Biron responds.

The king smiles and says, 'it a testimony of your sons accomplishments in the south.'

Both Biron and Padario look at each other before Biron takes the scroll and opens it.

'Read it loud', the king says to Biron

'To the King of Ravia.

In the name of our holy mothers we swear that all we say is true.

We the people of the south give thanks to his majesty for sending us a saviour-General Padario, son of lord commander Biron.

Whereas many had come to us before with weapons and threats of death, trying to take our lands, he came with courage and understanding. He listened though we said nothing and offered the help we needed, though we did not ask. We at ratio packed him and still at the risk of his own life, he saved our children from certain death.

He has proven himself a brother amongst our warriors, a father amongst our children and a just leader amongst our people. We believe in him, gladly follow him and believe that under his guidance and guardiance, our people will be treated fairly under Ravian rule.

Therefore, we the people of the south pledge our allegiance to the sovereignty of Ravia under the rule of his majesty King Dyrai the first.'

Biron looks at his son with pride who has gotten down from his sit and bowed to the ground.

'The crown and people of Ravia owe you a great debt Padario. You have shownn the sagacity of a leader and made your father the proudest man alive this day.'

'Your words honour me your majesty. I simply did what I thought to right as man.' Padario responds

'So how do you wish to be rewarded my boy?.' the king asks, 'Ask me anything under the heavens and I shall grant it.'

'Your highness...'

'You need not give me your answer today, whenever you are ready, let me know. I swear on my life and my word as king that it shall be granted even after my death.'

'Thank you your majesty', father and son say in unison.

A guard announces the arrival of commander Kulta with Prince Arin and the queen, the king commands their entry into the chambers.

'Welcome my queen, Arin. Come both of you, sit down.' the king orders. The queen navigates with her son across the room as everyone in the room except the king bows to her.She sits with her son beside the king and asks them all to rise. 'I have called you both here to discuss the final security details for the period of the stay of the Cudanian royals.'

Both the queen and the prince bow and join the discussion. After several hours, they all agree on required changes and conclude.

'Thank you my everyone, I am satisfied with the plans, if there is nothing left to discuss then release me. I wish to retire and prepare for my guests.'

'Father, there is something.' Prince Arin says

'Son, your father is obviously tired, and these men still have alot of work to do. Whatever needs to be said can be postponed can it not.'

'Yes your majesty.' Arin responds with a hint of frustration.

The king exits and the queen turns to Lord Biron.

'Biron' the queen says casting a haughty look at the commander who looks back at her with indifference.

'Yes your highness' Biron responds

'I heard about the incident at your house. Is it true?'

'A lot has happened since my arrival your highness, I do not know the incident of which you speak.'

'I hear your daughter is the most beautiful in all the lands, even more beautiful than all the princesses. Arin won't stop talking about her and now, I'm curious to meet her.'

'I assure you your highness, they are simply over exaggerated rumors' Biron replies.

'Surely there must be some truth to the tale. My husband has ordered that all eligible maidens be invited to the evenings event, therefore I am extending my personal invitation to her. She will be my special guest tonight.'

'Thank you for the honour, my queen' the lord says in an exhausted tone while Prince Arin grins from ear to ear listening to their conversation.

'Thank you Biron, I will leave you now. We all need to prepare for tonight.' she says standing and everyone bows again as she walks out of the room with her son while the Biron and his sons follow behind them and walk together to Kultars office.

'Father, please don't bring Prem here. Something about that woman stirs my spirit' Padario says

'It is a royal invitation Padario, he cannot reject it' Kultar responds, 'She deliberately let the king leave the room so he wouldn't interfere in the matter.'

'So what do we do? We can't give my sister to that dog. I won't let that happen.'

'Padario walls have ears.' Biron says and looks at Kultar.

'Where is Ladiff?'

'He is headed to the docks with the royal chariots to receive the Cudanian royals. I didn't want him to learn about the incident with the potion this morning, you know how protective he is of Prem and with his short temper, he may make a mess of the situation.'

'Well done Kultar. What have you learnt?' Biron asks

'The content of the bottle wasn't a love potion father, it was poison.' Kultar says. Biron and Padario look at each other

'Go on' Biron says

'A young girl apparently died two nights ago.'

'I heard it was the daughter of a minister. She died in her sleep.' say Padario

'It is lord Taewun, the minister of agriculture. Apparently she killed herself because her suitor had withdrawn his proposal for her hand and is now interested in Prem. It was her mother who sent the poison. We found the man who posed as a suitor just in time, he tried to leave on a boat but with the current barr on sea travel, he stood out like a sore thumb and was caught. He confessed everything during the interrogation, he has only mentioned the name of the lords wife, but I fear there may be more people involved.'

'Why do you say so Kulta?' Padario asks

'The way and manner he answered the questions seemed coerced. It doesn't seem right. I will continue to interrogate him to see if I can get more answers. For now, I will wait till the Cudanians leave before I start to make arrests.'

'Place the man in solitary confinement No one is to see him, talk to him or feed him until I see him myself tomorrow.' Biron says

'Already done father'

'Good'

'What do we do now?' Padario asks

'You will stay here with Kultar and prepare yourselves for the arrival of the Cudanians with your men. Kultar, I will go to your house and bring your mother and wife here together with Prem and Vasha. Send word to them to spend as much time as they need, the later we arrive, the less time Prem will have to stay here. Say nothing and do nothing till we arrive and do not let your mothers see the worry and fear in your eyes, do you both understand?'

'Yes Father.'

'Be careful, both of you.' Biron says looking at his sons

'You too father.'