I am on my way back home to the capital where Lady Anda and the boys are, after a long winter away. Actually, I am planning to set the journey after the winter fall. However, since the blizzard is not torrential enough, I booked a pass with a destination towards the capital. I am approaching the castle with a new advent of entering the castle - Lady Anda and the boys. The sun is shining ablaze and the air is crisp and fresh. Afterall, spring air is always fresh. I can feel the vibrant energy of spring in the air, and I am filled with a sense of renewal and hope. The vacation really helps! Thank you, Lord Aisla!
As I approach the city, one city away before reaching Kehina's castle. I can see the buildings in the distance, their spires reaching up to touch the sky. The streets are bustling with people, all of them eager to enjoy the new season. The town is having so much as if there is a festival gathering. I ask one of the bystanders and it is true that they are celebrating for the commemoration of the new year despite being in the midst of war. The wagon master says that she lives here in this town. Since by the majority of votes, we all agree to stop by and enjoy the agape. Obliviously, we have had made the chaffeur happy. It is a good way to stall some time, all of the passengers (that's six - five of them with the inclusion of myself). Everywhere I look there are signs of life and joy. The fun starts when all are invited - locals and passerbys alike. I make my way through the city streets, taking in all of its sights and sounds. Everywhere I go, people greet me with smiles, friendly conversation, fist bumps, and high fives. To my surprise, most of the townsfolk are aware of my presence. The first impression when people see me is they cry: 'Lord Guan!'. It feels like coming home after a long absence. Albeit, this is not my real home… it's from the other city and it's where I really belong. I belong to the group of Lady Anda's.
After the fun that we had, we depart to go to where we are going - the capital. Among the five of them; the passengers, one staggers on his feet. After a while, the one who stumbled on his footwork, had taken his sleep when the cart is starting to hit humps and bouncing around. Yes, he is drunk. It is the time between late dusk and early evening. Finally, I arrive at my destination: my home in the capital city. As soon as I step inside the capital realm, I am overwhelmed by a feeling of warmth and comfort that only comes from being surrounded by my friends who live in the slums. I give them souvenirs from where I took vacation on. Of course, I leave three gifts for Lady Anda and the other consort of hers. And they are, well excluding myself,: Lord Geoff and Lord Aisla. Most of the passengers have dismounted out of the wagon, there are five of them. I stay for a bit until she notices me. As I am hanging around, she catches me looking at her from her behind.
She utters: "Sir, this is the end of our destination. I have reached the last stop, sir." where she says it in an annoyed tone.
"Madame chaffeur, may I take up some of your time." I reply, as I hand her over three coins with the face of the current queen of Kehina imprinted on it.
She looks at me with confusion. As she is trying to familiarize the figure of my face, she realizes: "Oh my god! Pardon me for my impertinent conduct, milord! Forgive me and my demeanor for how I smear upon your name. I am goin' to reflect my words." shouting, where she is attempting to apologize to me and at the same time, undertaking to be as a rude party.
"Hold on! I ain't going to detain you or to execute you! Hence, it is not my responsibility to do that kind of thing. But, one thing that is important, my safety when bringing me home to the castle." I clarify it, as she keeps on blabbering - begging for consideration.
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"I am surely reflecting on the words that I've spitted on you, milord. Please, I have children to feed-..."
"Okay. Okay. Copy. I am not mad at you… actually, I am just quite happy when you realize who this guy is sitting on the passenger bunk. Which is me…" I smile, as I do try to lessen the ruckus.
In the advent of my arrival, I am quite surprised when I see Lord Geoff is about to confront the boys, dressed in a nice looking v-necked blouse and a lousy trousers. Lord Gervðas is hanging around the nape and the shoulders of Lord Ameniah. Lord Gervðas is being wrapped with linen cloth all around his face, missing his pointing finger and also his ear. He looks nasty! What the hell happened to him? Ugh! Lord Aisla seems so as startled as I am when he is trying to assess what really happened to them - Lord Ameniah and Lord Gervðas. I have many questions to ask but my feet froze when seeing them from a distance. Observing them from afar won't solve my doubts in my mind so I muster all of my confidence to confront them.
"Hello, good lords of the inner circles of the incumbent." in a jolly tone, I intervene, where they keep on talking amongst themselves.
"Uhmm… hello?" as I am trying to establish my presence yet again.
Lord Ameniah, together with Lord Gervðas who is hanging around his nape and his shoulders, leaves the conversation and his alibi: is to tend the injuries of Lord Gervðas inflicted upon him. Lord Geoff claims to have finished his mission and a direct assistance in the foreign affairs where he amassed a coffer of coins, some troops, a handful of weaponry and arsenal, and an attaché.
"Your esteemed lords of Kehina. I am Quejaxo (Ke-ha-ho). I will be assisting in your upcoming wars against the juggernaut of Inglovia." as the guy introduces himself, where he bows and delivers a genuflection, as all of the lords with the exception of myself also perform their stance to impose their feats and accountabilities.
This guy, Quejaxo, stares at me after the other lords have ended their inductions to the foreign allied military ambassador. I clear my throat out of my nervousness, I open my mouth: "... hello, good evening! My name is Guan. Drop the formalities- you may include the title 'Lord' or whatnot. As long as you are comfortable, what salutations you refer to me is according to your discretion." speaking towards the visitor, as I beseech upon the guy… as it follows by both of the lords saying: "Lo, the guy is so meek and as he is trying to make himself remarkable. Quejaxo, if you prefer, for his credit. You call him as one of the lords like us." , "... yeah, didn't you know? He is the first ever to obtain such a feat created by Lady Anda herself. A royalty prize award dubbing: 'The Medal of Frugality.'" in a consecutive intervals.
He bows towards Lords Geoff and Aisla, he utters: "I see, milord. Indeed, I do really understand." whereas he as well lowers his head upon me, as he states: "Lord Guan of the Kehina. You have your command over me. Please accept my submission." putting it in a noble way.
Lady Anda then appears in front of us after a short while. She looks tensed up when she calls for a meeting on a short notice. Meanwhile, all of the leaders from respective obligations: Diplomacy, Martial, Stewardship, Intrigue, and Zeal have all seated down to their own chairs with Lady Anda as the master of this conference.
"Gentlemen, I have news to speak about." as we are brought into silence, the tension arises when amongst us five councilors start to get edgy in this spacious, well-ventilated chamber.
The Queen Kehina herself reiterates, rephrasing: "My five trusty cohorts and my five consorts of Kehina, I am …" as the feign sound ringing through my ears.