29:
A:
"What can you observe from this new Throne Ambassador position that Emperor Egher appear to trust more than ever?" Zee asked the former Head Guardian.
Leeh Xamai said, "The new position made for Rooh Fizel has made him more ambitious, and it appears to free him of certain decisional constraints. Be careful of him."
"That's more like it. It's the first time I'm seeing more human-like interaction among you. Don't worry about me, I might look puny to you but my human mind packs a lot of wallop." Zebedee then waved goodbye to Leeh Xamai as soon as he boarded his transporter for a return flight to Tetrahedral Palace. Leeh Xamai waved back even if he only does that to Zebedee, who exhibits remnants of his human activities to them. He never asked the meaning though.
Emmer then contacted Leeh Xamai for a short report, "He's been complaining why we call him different names, which I find amusing."
"He asked me on my opinion about Rooh Fizel and I said my own thought."
"Which is?"
"You know that already, your Highness. But allow me to repeat myself, Rooh Fizel has become a little ambitious and tend to make non-judicious decisions."
***
Zebedee arrived in time for a meeting and was immediately escorted by several Palace Assistants (which are Oinoskamb Kersians)- the Council specifically chosen by the Emperor led by Rooh Fizel were in a meeting. Later, it was revealed that Rooh Zivel was being replaced by Rooh Rinai and he's now wearing Rooh Zivel's head circlet.
"What happened to Rooh Zivel?" Zebedee asked Lah Ribheg, as they both sat in the Council.
"He's been attacked in Azulex while on a visit. He's with Rooh Fizel at that time. Rooh Fizel gave an account to the Emperor in his report. He also gave Rooh Zivel's Circlet to Rooh Rinai."
"What exactly happened?" Zee insisted. This however caught the attention of Rooh Fizel, who was then briefing everyone with the slight changes in the command of the Ambassador's group, with Rooh Zivel's death.
"Our Gracious Earl, Zebedee! Lah Farai will entertain your questions," to which Zebedee asked Lah Farai, who is a meter from him.
B:
"What happened in Azulex?"
"Oh, Zebedee, that is quite a question to ask! It is a matter of some delicacy, and perhaps not something I should speak of freely. May I ask why you have an interest in the events on Azulex?"
Zebedee responded: "The one who died, Rooh Zivel, why did you just take his head circlet without even giving it back to the Emperor Egher. That's a protocol you need to follow!"
Lah Farai, strangely answered with much disrespect, not his usual, 'My Lord' answer, "You seem to know much about protocol, Zebedee. But I assure you, there are many things at play here of which you are not aware. Matters of galactic security, you understand. Perhaps we should discuss this in private?"
Zebedee answered, "Why so? When you can tell it outright now? What you and Rooh Fizel did is not proper for Star Sailors like you. Even the Emperor's personal guards defer to such very grievous incident, yet you just took it. Hand that over to me, so I'll report the situation to the Emperor myself."
Lah Farai asserted, "You are being rather aggressive, Zebedee. You must realize that what you're implying is treasonous. Do you have any evidence of wrongdoing on my part, or Rooh Fizel's? Because I will not stand for such accusations against my honor or that of my fellow officers. What is it you hope to gain from this?"
"You're the one doing the treasonous thing, Lah Farai. Rooh Zivel's death cannot just be treated as a death of a mere slave. He is a high standing official, a Star Sailor Leader, like you. And you dare talk to me, as if I am one of you. I am the Prince's Emissary!"
Lah Farai answered in a very mocking way, "Ah, so that's it. This is not about some concern over protocol or the death of a Star Sailor. This is about your own position and influence. You think that by making such accusations, you can increase your own standing with the Prince. But I assure you, Zebedee, that is not how things work. And I will not allow you to slander my name or the name of my fellow officers."
Zebedee replied, "You don't misdirect this talk to back to me. Your blatant disregard of protocol, which includes talking to me with disrespect will be reported to the Emperor, with or without your approval. This is not even a threat."
Lah Farai again, answered back, "Oh please, Zebedee. You're not in any position to make such threats. And I have done no such thing as to disrespect you. I merely refuse to be intimidated by your baseless accusations. If you wish to report me, then do so. But I will tell you now, it will not end well for you. I would advise you to choose your next words carefully."
Zebedee is already angry, "What accusation you're telling me? You are in possession of Rooh Zivel's circlet without even letting the Emperor know? That's a fact and its treason."
To which Lah Farai answered, "You misunderstand, Zebedee. The circlet is being held as part of an ongoing investigation into Rooh Zivel's death. I cannot disclose the details of that investigation to you, but I can assure you that due process is being followed. And I am well within my rights and duties to hold the circlet as evidence. You are making wild accusations without knowing all of the facts. I suggest you calm down and let the proper authorities handle this matter."
Zebedee is triggered now, "We'll see. I will call first the Prince's personal guard to inform him of this unfortunate event. You first explain everything to him. If I'm in the wrong here, let the Prince remove me from my position as his Emissary, otherwise you'll face the wrath of the Prince and then the Emperor."
"You really are pushing your luck, Zebedee," Lah Farai answered, "You are walking a dangerous line here. You seem to be forgetting that I am also a trusted and highly regarded officer. I have served with distinction for many years, and the Prince values my counsel. Do you really think that he will take your word over mine? Perhaps it is time for you to reconsider your approach to this situation."
But somehow, Lah Farai became a little conciliatory, "Let's pause for a moment and reflect on where we are. You are clearly upset and making accusations without any proof. You are also threatening me and trying to use your position to influence the outcome of this situation."
Zebedee finally said, "It's unfortunate that these things will have to end this way. You have changed, you don't talk that way before. You defer to my presence as well as the Prince. Has Rooh Fizel influenced your ways?"
Lah Farai, in a lower voice,"You are making wild assumptions, Zebedee. You are letting your emotions get the better of you and you are not thinking clearly. I have not changed. I am simply responding to your behavior. I will have to defend myself from you, even as the Prince's Emissary. I am simply reminding ourselves of who we are. We can resolve this situation if you just calm down and minimize your accusations."
The conversation has taken a very strange and confrontational turn and Zebedee wasn't expecting a very defensive Lah Farai.
C:
This may have triggered Lah Ribheg and urged that Zebedee and Lah Farai stop and proceeded to confront Rooh Fizel.
Zebedee turned around in disappointment to what's happening and didn't turned much later as he has proceeded to the exit portal. He did notice something from where he came from, Lah Ribheg and Rooh Fizel are having a shouting match, with Lah Farai just appeared to have been pulled out of the behavior he gave Zebedee and pleading that the two-stop shouting at each other. He immediately called for Guardians as the two (Lah Farai and Lah RIbheg) appeared to be flapping their wings towards Rooh Fizel while he has morphed into a ball, still voicing somethings Zebedee couldn't understand. They talking in their native languages that has the hallmarks of their original animal behavior before they were transformed. He has witnessed their primal instincts, a thing that the head circlet is supposed to suppress from them and make them more intelligent, respectful and less violent.
Zebedee called for help from the Guardians. The physical confrontation between the Courier leaders and the Imperial Representative is not supposed to happen, at any time ever. Yet they happened and the Guardians arrived to restrain them, and even the Guardians have difficulty containing them to the point that the language of Rooh Fizel even triggered some Guardians to become more violent against him. Such is the power of Rooh Fizel's voice.
Their encounter was reported to Emmer, by Zebedee himself, even if the Prince is hours away from them. In all that instance of Zebedee's observation, there is that feeling once more of someone or something is watching him. That creepy feeling that the floor, walls and ceiling appear to be alive in a rather strange but palpable manner.
Also strange is the absence or a better yet, the missing physical presence of the Emperor. The hours that the entire Palace waited was for the arrival of the Prince.
The Prince did arrive at the wee hours of the morning the next day. An emergency that required his presence yet the Emperor or any ladies of the Royalty did not intervene. They appear to be watching only, for reasons they themselves know. He called for the Guards to deliver to him the Throne Ambassador. He went forward to the Throne normally sat by the Emperor but in its stead, is the Throne Successor.
The Prince started a little monologue, "Rooh Fizel, you are a Throne Ambassador. That is a prestigious position in the Royal Court. My father chose you for your known intelligence, cunning, and ambition. Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai are two of the Emperor's most trusted Royal Couriers, even before you. They are responsible for delivering important messages to the Emperor and his representatives. They were his ambassadors before you. They were both skilled warriors and loyal to this Royal Family."
Zebedee, whom the Prince chose to sit by the Prince's right side listened to the Prince and made him wonder whether he's been given a go-signal by the Emperor himself and apparently, that's not even required as he is anyway the successor.
Prince Emmer continued, "One day, Rooh Zivel, another Royal Palace aide, died under mysterious circumstances. Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai were devastated by the loss of their friend and colleague and from their own minds, they suspected that the Throne AMbassafor had something to do with Rooh Zivel's death, but they had no proof. Which makes their conjectures, a mere hearsay? Now Rooh, let me hear your side."
Rooh Fizel, characteristically made a gesture of respect before saying, "Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai confronted me after Lah Farai himself argued with the man on your right hand, Zebedee. It was Zebedee who gave them that idea that I Rooh Fizel was accused of being responsible for Rooh Zivel's death and demanded that he, Zebedee asked for an explanation. But I am denying everything, but this Zebedee with his smug demeanor appeared to have angered Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai against me. A fight broke out with me, and the we three lost our control and impulsively tried to hurt each other in our primitive state."
The Prince then added that, "I was called by Zebedee because you somehow managed to call from your inner recesses the instincts that the head-circlet is supposed to inhibit and exhibit a more controlled behavior."
Zebedee then added, "The fight was eventually broken up by the Royal Guards. Rooh Fizel, Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai were detained and is now taken before you, Our Most Royal Prince Emmer."
The Prince continued, "I was was furious to learn of the fight and the allegations against Rooh Fizel that's why I summoned you, Rooh Fizel to these chambers and offer an explanation."
However, Rooh Fizel insisted that he was innocent and that Lah Ribheg and Lah Farai were simply trying to frame him. Emmer didn't believe him but his skill at mental reading an Oinoskamb, let alone a trained one appeared to falter. He knew that Rooh Fizel was a ruthless and ambitious man, and he suspected that he would do anything to advance his own position but he still had to prove it.
Emmer still severely reprimanded Rooh Fizel and warned him that he would be closely watched in the future. Rooh Fizel simply sneered at Emmer and turned to leave. Emmer emotion rn high by Rooh Fizel's insolence, but he knew that he couldn't punish him too harshly without proof of his wrongdoing.
The confrontation between Emmer and Rooh Fizel left the Oinoskamb feeling bitter and resentful. Somehow, Prince Emmer knew needed to find evidence of Rooh Fizel's guilt.
The confrontation between Rooh Fizel, Lah Ribheg, and Lah Farai was the first time their head circlet's, their way of controlling them, evolving them to a base-human, giving them ability to decide appeared to show something was amiss in their algorithm. But what worked for thousands of years that wouldn't work now when there's no change in the subjects?
It was clear that a storm was brewing, a skill all Mekholi's can easily stop but the enforcers of laws, these Couriers, Star Sailors and Palace Aides have shown that whatever they've started then, may have just reared its ugly head.