"The land of Tubal is not our number one priority for now, my king."
The king caressed his temple when he heard the minister of war. The other officials were also present at the royal court.
"Instead of spending time dealing with the bandits, we must focus on our main concern." The minister of war continued. "As we all know, the southern and western kingdom have been eyeing our western regions and if we don't get the northern kingdom as our ally then it will be the end of us."
The king sighed and was seemingly thinking. He knew that their military defense couldn't match the other kingdom's defense force at the moment.
"We don't have enough soldier, your majesty. The application had been opened since the other year yet we could only acquire a small number added to our royal soldiers. So to dispatch some of our soldiers to fight against the raiders is not a wise move for now."
"Could it be because the soldier's salaries are not enough?"
"We can consider that fact as well. But the main reason was the increase of raiders in our country."
"You mean rebels?"
"Yes, your majesty. The number of the rebels grew immensely for the past few years. They chose to go against the current government instead of giving support. Therefore, we are having problems with the recruitment."
"So now you are saying we are in disadvantage, is that right?"
The minister nodded in response.
True enough, raiders, bandits, rebels and other kinds of group increased in number over the past few years. Almost all the groups were against the administration so they continued to cause problems all over the country, worst, attacking and seizing towns was the number one concern right now. Yet, the royal courts seemed silent to the cries of the small towns.
The king wanted to help them but the council wanted to focus on the national problem first. Anyway, there are governors in each region therefore they should be the one handling those matters.
"I will be sending Prince Veziron in the North to handle the matter with the Northern Kingdom. Let two satraps go with him too.
The discussion about the Northern kingdom ended in an hour and rumors about Prince Veziron representing the Kingdom of Allen spread all over the palace.
"Did you hear it?" Prince Zyrei sat at Prince Leo's balcony. As soon as he heard that Prince Veziron will set off to the Northern Kingdom tomorrow morning, Zyrei rushed to see Leo.
"Is there anything I do not know?"
"Then I guess you heard it too." He heaved a sigh. "He'll get big points for this."
"He's been getting quite a lot in the past few years, don't you think so? The court officials and the people of Allen somehow sees him as the next future king so representing the kingdom in the North wouldn't change anything."
"And you're okay with it?"
"I'm not but I cannot do anything about it now. Our only chance is to find the crown prince because even if you top the tests, there's no way Shadrach would let you step up."
"Yes! that's right! I heard he was alive."
"Ehm."
"But how are we going to find him?"
"I don't know either. If we can only ask the herald's help…" They suddenly looked at each other knowingly.
Yes! the herald!
"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Prince Zyrei smirked.
"If you are planning to sneak in her room then we should do it tonight. I'm afraid I won't be around starting tomorrow."
"What do you mean? Where are you going?"
"Remember the tasks the king gave asked? He wanted me to foresee the bandits causing problems in the country. I heard one particular group is in Rouen so I must go there tomorrow."
"Hmm, then we don't have to wait for the night. We can go visit her today."
"How? No one is allowed to enter her room, right?"
"But it's lunch time." He sneered viciously.
Prince Zyrie is not hard to read at all. Since they've been close friend for a long time, Leo already knew what's on his mind.
He's good at it anyway.
The two prince changed their royal robes into the kitchen's staff uniforms and threatened the kitchen crew. They were able to pass through the guards in Milcah's room without being checked thoroughly.
Phew! They both sighed in relief.
They entered the spacious room and laid the food on the table while sneaking a peek on the woman sitting at the study desk with a book in her hand.
"Excuse me, your food is ready." It was prince Zyrei who spoke.
Milcah glanced at them and sneered within. She walked towards them and sat on the chair while the two stood up watching. Their hesitation and resistance to each other was not hidden to her as well.
"Why don't you sit down so we can dine together? Besides, the food is enough to feed five people." She uttered without looking at them.
"Uhm, no, where good. Thank you for the offer."
"You want to ask me something, right?"
The two prince stared at each other surprised. Did she notice them? They're not sure either.
��Your highness, please do sit down." She smiled as she looked up to meet their confused gaze. "If I am not mistaken, the one on the left is prince Zyrie and the other one is prince Leo, am I correct?"
"H-how did you know?" Prince Zyrei yelped. "So the rumors about you were all true, you are indeed the great herald!"
"Tsk!" The old woman hissed as she motioned them to sit down. "I already know I'd be having visitors today but I didn't know who until I both saw you."
"Then how did you know our names?" Prince Leo asked.
"I may be old but my memory about you are still fresh. I've been with you while you were growing up so there's no way I would forget your handsome faces." She smiled sweetly when she remembered a particular event in the past. Both of you and the other princes loves my daughter so much when you were younger. I bet she'll be happy to see how you matured if she was still alive." a hint of sadness shadowed her eyes for a minute.
"Sorry if we reminded you of her." They meant it. They definitely loved her daughter because she was friends and was a frequent visitor of the royal concubines. Though they haven't seen Milcah personally before. They only heard about her.
"Anyway, let me hear the reason why you're here."
The two princes looked at each other once again and the herald saw their hesitation.
"I am hoping I was wrong but looking at you, you seemed to be concern about the crown prince, am I correct?"
"Uh… Ehm." They both nodded. "Your indeed powerful as the rumors said."
"No, I'm not powerful at all. I am just a simple messenger."
"With a special gift." Leo added.
"Uh huh… with a special gift." She smiled at them. "I knew people will be looking for me to inquire about the crown prince but I never thought you two would come. I expected your brother prince Veziron though but not you."
"Sorry, but did you just say Veziron came to see you?"
"Yeah. He left just a few minutes ago before you two came in."
"Did he asked you about the crown prince as well? What did you say?" Leo inquired worriedly.
"Yes." The herald watched how his expression changed. Then she smiled.
"Then the crown prince will be in danger now." Leo and Zyrie lowered their heads, their thoughts were deep.
"Maybe, but not for now." The old herald tried to break the gloomy atmosphere. "He doesn't know who the crown prince yet. I won't risk his safety even at the cost of my life."
"Y-you mean…''
"Well, no one knew about his identity yet. Unfortunately, even if both of you have good intentions, I can't tell you his identity either. But one thing is sure, the heavens will definitely help him rise to the throne. He'll fulfill the prophecy of old. Sooner or later, the lost heir will pave his way inside the palace and will reclaim what was rightfully his. And you… I hope you'll help him."
"How will everyone know he was the lost heir?" Zyrie asked.
"That is a mystery to me as well." The old herald replied as she stood up and walk towards her bedside table and took something inside. "I can see dreams and visions and what not about a prophecy but not all the details." She went back to the table and handed Leo something.
A feather pen and a small sealed diary notebook? Leo creased his brow in question.
"You are going on a journey tomorrow, right?" Milcah smiled knowingly. "Please hand this to a lady seer once you meet her. And tell her that this old woman is doing great."
"A lady seer? How am I supposed to meet her?" He yelped.
"You will, my prince. You will definitely recognize her."
Prince Leo and Prince Zyrie left the herald's room confused. They didn't actually get the answer they were seeking but they witnessed how powerful the herald was. She's definitely someone who you can't mess up with!
She seemed to know everything, even someone's thoughts! Scary!
Prince Leo went back to his chambers and spent his night thinking about what the herald told them. But most importantly, her last statement puzzled him greatly.
"Prince Leo, let you heart be your guide." They were about to leave the room when Milcah suddenly uttered those words.
'Let your heart be your guide….' Her words kept ringing in his ears. What did she mean by that?