The days before the king's wedding were peaceful; at least to those who could not see the storm brewing. King Khur had received reports that there were powerful martial artists of unknown origins trying to enter the capital. To him, it meant that the unconscious Lady Teel had found a helper.
But he was sure that the antidote for the poison keeping her unconscious was still in his sister's hands. Though she was now imprisoned in the lower prisons, he was sure no one but she would know where the antidote is, and that she would not be quick to hand out that information; after all, she needed him to help get her released.
He had no choice but to wait until after the wedding to leave the capital because not attending this wedding was not an option. As long as he left safely, all will be well.
Helen spent her time receiving guests; all that came in the hopes of meeting the new Lord Steinhouse. But to their disappointment, Walter was not around. She spent most of her time with the Krains the past two days, getting to know the entire family and trying to crack the hard Mr Krain. The Krains were really satisfied with this daughter-in-law; even Mr Krain, though he never said it. They had assumed that her status would make her look down on them and not want to associate with them; but she came around just after her wedding, taking Amie out to tea and learning more about how to take care of Walter's needs. When she returned Amie home, Mrs Krain started giving her tips on what she usually did so that Walter worried less about things in the household and she dutifully listened. In but these two days, she had gained their complete love and acceptance.
Walter spent his time reading the pile of paper Lady Wickshire had given to him to study about his mission. He now understood a little more about this mysterious shed. Legend has it; that before Thriegor was divided into two, the owner and ruler of this world, a person known as a Thraine, had crowned her general, an emperor to take care of Thriegor; and he had a secret city he had built underground and the entrance was rumoured to be in the west side forest. The city served as a test for those wishing to gain the power the emperor had left behind.
Those who lived in the city were unusually strong and loyal, but soon, they started to die out. It was said that the city was a testing ground for not only those who wished for the emperor's power, but it could also strengthen those who can survive the test, with or without gaining the inheritance. Of course, this was all speculation.
But it had always been known that whoever owns the inheritance would own the city and its people. Walter's forehead was filled with imaginary black lines, as he wondered why the lady assumed that he could get it when others had failed. After studying this, he felt a need to go back and ask questions. He had not been summoned, but this had to do with his life so he made his way there. This time, only he and Lady Wickshire sat in the sitting room.
"You knew I would be back?" he asked her.
"How could you not after reading all that?" she asked.
"Why me?" he asked.
"You wonder, if all had failed to get it, why I asked you to try?" she asked and he nodded.
"The emperor's shed is not a place for just anyone, just as its inheritance is not for anyone to acquire. You see, most who have gone there, have known the legend and wish to use the power that the shed promises to fortify themselves. What they don't know is that the emperor's shed was made by the right hand of the true ruler of Thriegor, and I believe only those who are right hands can take it; those who don't truly seek it for themselves, but for the aid of someone else. Most don't know that the shed was built by the emperor for the purpose of supporting the ruler of Thriegor, who had made him her right hand," Lucy said.
"A right hand," Walter muttered.
"The martial artist I said I will give to you to take to on this mission, he had been watching you for a while. I received report on everything that concerned you. What happened in the ministry of justice, that drunkard and how you convinced him to kill himself so you don't have to do it; what happened with the minister of finance; how much of a natural you are at doing as told, I know it all," she said and Walter tensed.
"You may not want to accept it, but beneath your ever-thinking mind that is mistaken for calm, behind that blank face and helpless frown you show your loved ones, is a ruthless man. I know one when I see him. Don't get the wrong idea, that is all okay to me. It made me wonder, how farther you can go. Should I push you? You take orders well. You couldn't care less about power. I wondered if I should make you try. I have sent many people there, but none have succeeded. Your lazy yet decisive character fits well with the general I wish to raise; my right hand. How you intend to gain that inheritance, I will leave to you. Whatever the outcome, I will accept," she said.