Chapter 128: CHANGES

The atmosphere in the First Kingdom had been tense for the past couple of days, after Prince Tristan's escape. More soldiers patrolled the streets, making it uneasy for the humans.

The slightest act that seemed suspicious to the soldiers was met with severe punishment by the soldiers. Unreasonable and baseless arrests were being made. Innocent folks who had no inclinations with The Rebellion were being punished for nothing.

This outrageous behavior by the monarchy caused the people to walk on eggshells.

Mr Thorne and some of his men returned from the home of a family whose father was arrested baselessly and was beaten to death when he resisted arrest, standing on the basis of his innocence. They went there to console the family.

On their way back, Mr Thorne saw posters with the portrait of Prince Tristan pasted all around the city, declaring him a traitor to the monarchy. And a reward was attached for anyone who would provide any vital information as to his whereabouts.

After reading through the poster, Mr Thorne looked around to see if there were any soldiers close by. Seeing none, he ripped off the poster and folded it, putting it in his pocket, and then he walked back to his office.

He got there and found some folks waiting for him.

"Folks, what are you all doing here?" he addressed them.

"We are suffering, Mr Thorne, more than ever. Why are we being punished for a crime we had nothing to do with?" one of the men who came asked.

"Crime? You call what The Rebellion has been doing a crime?" Mr Thorne was pissed hearing how unreasonable the man spoke.

"Please, you all should go home. We're all in this together, and we'll survive," Mr Thorne said. He didn't want to say certain things in the presence of those folks.

"Do you intend to see the King, on our behalf?" another asked as they were about to leave.

"I should," he answered. So they all dispersed, heading back to where they came from.

Mr Thorne and his men sat down. He sighed, leaning into his chair.

"Prince Tristan had been on our side all along," Mr Thorne chuckled.

"He has been risking his life for us, pretending to be unable to walk, and we had no idea. I salute him for that. He's earned my respect," said.

"This suffering can only end if he takes what is rightfully his," one of the men said.

"Well, he isn't here now, is he?" one of the men asked.

"The question now is, where is he?" Mr Thorne asked. "We need him now, more than ever."

***

"Where are these damn lords when you need them the most?!" the King raved under stress as he waited for some of his Council to arrive at an emergency meeting he called for.

Lord Agagus and lord Arius who were already on the ground looked at each other, not knowing what to say to the King. They didn't want his anger channeled towards them.

After a while, Lord Corin walked into the Council room, and General Klaus followed him shortly after.

"It's about bloody time you both got here. How dare you keep me waiting?" the King fumed.

"Apologies for the lateness your Majesty. I forgot to come with my records, so I had to go back to get it," lord Corin said humbly.

"And what's your reason for coming late, war chief?" the King asked.

General Klaus looked at him disdainfully, not saying a word. The lords noticed some tension between the two in the awkward silence.

"I had some things to take care of, your Majesty," General Klaus said. But he found it hard to do so.

"Okay," the King answered, clearing his throat.

"So, lord Kane has been away without leave for a couple of days now. He hasn't even cared to send word to me, or any of us. Therefore, I'll like to announce that he'll be replaced, effective today," the King said.

Everyone was stunned to hear that.

"Your Majesty, who will be lord Kane's stead?" Lord Arius asked.

He nodded at the soldiers, and they went out, and returned, opening the door. They saw Lord Dokkan walk in. Lord Arius and Corin were stunned.

"My lords, I present to you the King's Advisor, lord Dokkan," the King gladly announced, gesturing with his hands.

Lord Agagus clapped but noticed that no one else joined him. So he stopped, feeling awkward.

"You now have a seat at the King's Council, Lord Dokkan. Come, sit right here," the King pointed at an empty chair at his left-hand side.

"Thank you for this great honor and privilege, your Majesty." Lord Dokkan bowed and sat down.

"So, on to the matter of the day. Any whispers about the Prince's whereabouts, Lord Agagus?" the King enquired.

"No, your Majesty. There have been no whispers so far. But I trust it will," Agagus replied.

"Good. That traitor needs to be punished for his treachery. He had the nerve to side with the enemy, thinking he could steal the throne from me? Tch!" the King scoffed disdainfully.

"Your Majesty, don't you think if the Prince is punished, he'll be looked at like a martyr to the people?" Lord Arius asked.

"Well, it'll be a good way to pass the message that we do not tolerate traitors, of any kind. They'll know if the Prince isn't above the law, then no one, especially not them," he replied.

"And wouldn't that cause an uproar?" Lord Corin asked.

"Oh, let them band together. They'll find out what true power actually means," he replied, smirking.

Lord Arius looked at him, as he was a bit awry that something was going on that he didn't know about. He was concerned but chose to not press any further there, as to what was actually going on.

When they were done with the meeting, they all dispersed, heading out to various locations. Lord Arius hasted to lord Corin, as he was ahead of him.

"Lord Corin," he called, causing him to wait.

"Lord Arius. Don't tell me you're here to follow up on the potion you gave me. Because I'll save you the trouble of asking and confess that I haven't been so religious with taking it as prescribed."

"No, that's not what I am here for," Lord Arius shoved it aside.

"Oh, okay. So what is it then?" he asked.

Lord Arius looked around to see if anyone was close by. Seeing no one in view, he proceeded to speak.

"I know you know something has been going on. So tell me, what is actually going on."

"A lot of things have been going on. So what exactly are you talking about?"

"Lord Kane suddenly vanishes without saying a word to anyone, the Prince is able to walk and has been the leader of The Rebellion, and the attack at the games by that beast, and rumors of attacks by similar beasts. And the King has done nothing significant about the situation yet. So, why is that so? What is actually going on?" Lord Arius asked.

"I'm not the man you should be asking that."

"Agagus would rat me out with his loud mouth. That's why I came to you instead."

Lord Corin sighed. "You're going to have to brace yourself for what you're about to hear."

Lord Arius looked at him, somewhat afraid of what he was about to hear.

Unknown to them, behind the wall where they stood, a servant was able to eavesdrop on their conversation.