The gloom that rolled into Khul lasted for weeks. Nearby states watched as the Khul empire sent envoys to Juhntt as part of the grand empress dowager's last rights. Only then did news roll through, the grand empress dowager has died, they said. She hands the Khul Empire under the care of Lady Wickshire before her death. By the time word went around, the Khul empire's envoy, Prince Ru had arrived in Juhntt and was received grandly by the king and Queen of Juhntt.
The citizens in the Juhntt capital did not understand what was happening when foreign carriages and horsemen were riding into the capital. People watched this elaborate convoy in wonder. The horsemen looked to be covered in heavily decorated armour, from them to their imposing horses. They made their way towards the palace and were met halfway by the King's council.
"Prince Ru, welcome to Toen, the capital of Juhntt. Our King awaits you," the head of the council said to the one leading the convoy. He had never met Prince Ru before, but he had heard of the costumes of the six empires. Prince Ru, a military man, will not ride into Juhntt inside his carriage; as such he must be the one leading the convoy.
"Please, lead the way," Prince Ru said to the amazement of the council. They had heard that those from five of the six empires, spoke Yuin; a variation of one of the lost languages, Zhol. Someone well-travelled and of royal blood as Prince Ru is bound to speak many other languages including, Iirk, the tongue of Juhntt was not odd, but to speak without the Yuin accent was odd.
They led the way to the palace, showing the importance the King of Juhntt placed on them. In the carriage was seated a blonde-haired Princess Yun and her elder brother. She had peeped out the window and seen the welcome council, which caused her to frown.
"They knew we were coming," she said to her elder brother.
"This kingdom belongs to Lady Wickshire, it would be odd if they did not know," her brother answered.
"I can't believe you volunteered to come here?" she asked him and he laughed.
"You also came," his answer caused her to look away.
"Don't think I do not know what you are thinking," he said and her sharp eyes slammed into him.
"You did not speak all through the journey, I thought it was just your attitude elder brother, but you are speaking too much right now, making me wonder if it was just your character that kept you silent or that Prince Ru was in the carriage," she said sharply and his eyes turned cold.
"You have a way with words, sister," he said, his face revealing a soft smile, "This is Lady Wickshire's territory, should your head be spurning with ideas,"
"Great-grandmother and Aunt Vion have left the land. To where, I do not know. It is only right I stay where Thraines still have influence," she said and he chuckled.
"You still think yourself one, don't you?" he laughed.
"Brother…" she warned.
"Yun, did you ever wonder why the lost languages are referred to as lost when there are still many who know how to speak it?" he asked and she frowned.
"The owners of the language withdrew their influence from the land. That is why they are called lost. It does not matter how many of royal blood learn them, they still remain lost," he said.
"Are you mocking me, brother?" she asked dangerously.
"Great grandmother made a point; what you wish for cannot be given," he said.
"By her,"
"Yun, we are of Thraine blood yet only very few are called Thraines. You should consider it," he said.
"It is a shame to be born male in the bloodline, Shuan, no matter how much skill you have you can never be Thraine," she said softly and looked away.
"It may be a blessing," Prince Shuan muttered softly.