King Adrian walked into a full council. Many of the councilmen were very weary as they bowed. This king had done a lot of reshuffling since taking the throne. He did not bother to get rid of any of them, he only shuffled their duties. But this was only a plot to ruin them. Many found that they were now saddled with the mistakes of their predecessors and slowly, they turned on each other to please the new king. It was only when they stood during that council gathering stating each other's shortcomings, did they realised that they had been played. This harmless smile on the king's face as he sat on his throne only brought chills to their spine after that day.
"Be seated," King Adrian said and they complied.
"Now, before you start on your issues, I have decided to expand Juhntt's influence. So make sure the words that come out of our mouths aid in this goal," he said to the council and they stared at him incredulously.
"Expand, Your Majesty? I am not sure we understand," one of the officials said.
"Juhntt is the root of the broken tree. Do you intend for this to be an empty title?" King Adrian asked and the official paused.
"Your Majesty, if I would be permitted to speak my mind," an official said and King Adrian nodded.
"This title was dubbed us by The Religion. Would any dare ignore it?" he asked and King Adrian chuckled.
"And so what if they acknowledge it? What does this do for Juhntt? Will Juhntt insist they pay tokens every year? Ask that all submit?" King Adrian asked and they all lowered their head; they felt utterly stupid. So what I they were the root of the broken tree? Then what? Other powers will not dare say a word of protest against the religion, but they will just take it as a change of name and look the other way. They will hold no power. As this thought went through their mind, they finally realized what King Adrian had said the moment he sat down.
"Still, taking on the whole Thriegor. Even the lady Wickshire would not..," an official said incredulously when he realised what his majesty was planning to do. At the mention of Lady Wickshire's name, King Adrian shot him a cold look.
"You dare claim to understand the lady's mind?" King Adrian asked and the official choked on his saliva. In his need to object to the king's thoughts, he actually dared to mention the lady's name. The king is probably one of the few persons who know what she is thinking. He is the king she had chosen for Juhntt. At that thought, they realised; he was the king she had chosen. His majesty's decisions must be in line with the lady's wish.
"I dare to ask, Your Majesty; is this the lady's wish?" someone broke the silence. At this, King Adrian smiled coldly.
"The lady's wish; such things I may never understand. But, I have decided on this and this is what will happen," he said and they frowned. They were advisers to the king on all matters of the kingdom, but it seems the king had no intention of listening to them on this matter.
"We will be sending envoys to Khul, Isne and Southern Lan. Those you have decided upon must come meet me for approval," he said and their frown only deepened. These kingdoms were known for one thing alone, their armies. Speak less of the rest, Southern Lan was a fortress. They were not sure what their king was planning and it seemed he did not intend to tell them the full story. At this, they wondered why he had informed them of his plans for Thriergor. Was this another trap? Suddenly, many of them had no intention of letting the words the King had said pass to other ears. Whatever trap he was setting for them this time, they were determined not to fall victim.