Even though Xanxier's afternoon was cut short, he was pleased with how it ended. He had to leave Kamigani and the servants to attend to the matter Daminas called him for. He was a little surprised to see Barin came with Daminas but he didn't comment.
Xanxier wanted to tell Daminas he could see the colourful flowers as they walked out of the garden but decided against it since it would only sound like he had color vision deficiency to Barin.
He heard two people talking loudly as soon as he stepped into his meeting hall. On getting to his dinning, he saw Kale sitting probably enjoying his little break talking loudly with Goutra, Duren was only sipping his tea listening to their chatter. Goutra's back was turned to him blocking Kale's view while Duren was sitting opposite Goutra. None facing the entrance, they were not expecting him since Xanxier made it clear to Kale he would be back by dusk.
"....If you see her lush skin, it was like milk and I told her I want to marry you! do you know what her reply was?" Goutra asked Kale.
Xanxier could see they didn't even notice him come in and he was a little interested in their discussion which made him lingered at the entrace. Daminas and Barin stopped right behind him.
"What?" Kale asked eagerly.
"I am married and that was my first heartbreak..." Goutra faked a cry.
"What a pleasant view." Xanxier doesn't want to look like he was eavesdropping.
Kale jolted and they all turned to him and briskly stood up. "Your Majesty." They bowed.
Xanxier nodded a bit amused with the way Kale bowed guiltily like he was caught doing something improper. Xanxier walked ahead to his study only to stop at the door which made Kale quickly opened the door widely for them.
Xanxier walked behind the table taking his seat and gestured for Goutra and Duren to take theirs. Daminas was still lingering by the door with Barin and Kale hand was on the door knob waiting for them to make a decision whether to go in or stay out.
Xanxier gaze flickered to them. "Daminas, Prime minister. Take a seat too." Xanxier gestured for them to sit. He doesn't want Daminas pacing about in the meeting hall if he wasn't included. Since he and Barin came to fetch him the least he could do was allow them in. He waited till they took their seat and Kale closed the door before raising a questioning eye brow.
Goutra cleared his throat bringing out a folded piece of paper which he glanced at before folding it back. "The war rations will last us for three month since we are not sure how long the war will last and how large Freshland troops are and yet we do not know when they will make their move." He explained before bringing out the piece of paper and glanced through it before folding it back. "When we get the alert that they are on the move we will have to cross them to avoid bringing the war to Autumnshell because they are moving in stealth." He brought out the folded piece of paper glancing through it for the third time. "But according to our calculations it will take up to twenty days but since most of their troops will have to go on foot then it will take a maximum of thirty days to reach our borders which we cannot allow."
Xanxier nodded watching the way Goutra folded back the piece of paper. "Hmmmmm trying to play smart I see, seems they are training really hard because I am starting to think if they are cowards and already running with their tails between their legs" His index finger tap his table. "Do they have any mages?"
"We are waiting for a reply from Lord Za." Duren replied. Autumnshell doesn't allow the practice of magic except those at the temple serving Heaven.
"Very well we have to discuss a strategy with the court tomorrow.. and?" Xanxier could feel the wine he drank already kicking in making him a bit tired. He never fancy any alcoholic drink but being able to see the colourful flowers for the first time in years and seeing Kamigani seated in front of him made him lost his sense of reasoning a bit and after tasting the wine and detecting it was alcoholic he only threw caution to the wind and drank to his fill.
"About the woman Ayante, she is no longer in Autumnshell and according to my resources she would have taken refuge in one of the neighboring Kingdoms and it would prove difficult to seize her without the help from them and if it is the Kingdom we have no alliance with then it nearly impossible." Duren explained slowly.
Xanxier nodded. He doesn't want to make empty promises to Kamigani. The least all the slaves in Autumnshell deserved was being free and given amenities to start their lifes. "You are right, it will prove difficult to arrest her." This woman was more corny than he thought. He always thought she was still in Autumnshell hiding.
"She will certainly come back only if we do not start the rounding up of those slaves traders and the head of the houses that have slaves serving them....." Duren started explaining his strategy.
"But I do not think it is a wise decision to let them walk freely just to catch the woman." Barin interposed.
"His Majesty safety is important." Daminas reminded Barin. "We can even send the girls that came in home to lure her out and see if she will come back within a span of one month." Since Xanxier was adamant on searching for Ayante made Daminas suspect that one of the slaves brought in must be the one that almost attacked Xanxier when he was unconsious even though he had no evidence to prove it and Ayante could be his only means to get the evidence.
Xanxier doesn't even want to think about it. "No, they will stay in the palace till we capture Ayante." He declared. "Next."
Goutra unfolded the piece of paper and nodded to Duren before folding it back. His gesture almost made Barin rolled his eyes.
"The two guards detained died this afternoon." Duren reported looking dejected which made Xanxier closed his eyes. "First they lost their sense of speech and Bezel....."
"And who is the person that decided to waste my men's life?" Xanxier flung his eyes open. It was clearly a murder which means someone in the palace disregarded Autumnshell rules and thought it was a good idea to toy with people's life. Xanxiers need many men as possible to guard the palace when they leave for war.
"It was the same person that murdered the spy Morton Noth...." Duren trailed off.
Xanxier stared at Duren who doesn't want to complete his sentence. Duren eyes flickered to Daminas, he opened his mouth and closed it before turning to Goutra his eyes silently begging for help.
Daminas noticed his hesitation and he glanced at Barin. Barin only shrugged before turning to Duren waiting for him to continue but Duren only stared at Goutra who pretended he didn't notice their gaze. Daminas and Xanxier too joined by staring at Duren intensely.
"Duren who murdered them?" Xanxier narrowed his eyes at him tapping his index finger slowly on the table.
"Your Majesty... can we... can we.. discuss this privately?" Duren asked hopefully.
"No." Xanxier deadpan refusing to reason with Duren. He doesn't care about the status of who commited the crime.
"Your Majesty it can be a little shocking but it was... it was.." Duren could see all eyes were on him and he could feel a cold sweat run down his spine. "It was Lord Vane that killed Morton Noth and the two guards." Duren said finally only to see Xanxier doesn't look shocked neither did Daminas nor Barin. It was like they had been expecting this reply.
Xanxier was only surprised about Vane's method. Vane doesn't want them to know about Morton Noth, he doesn't want Duren to find out and the best solution he came with was to silence the guards because of what seemed to be a grudge.
"Any tangible reason why?" Xanxier asked calmly. It was a great offense to commit murder in the palace right under his nose for no reason.
"Lord Vane had been looking for Morton Noth for a very long time and they had no connection till Morton was arrested." Duren explained. "I believe he killed him because he was holding a grudge against him."
Xanxier could not believe he was right. Vane stooped so low and killed a spy of Agatha because of a grudge he had against him for eloping with Krista and he even killed two citizens of Autumnshell.
Xanxier vowed never to be a King that would go around silencing his enemies if they didn't step on his tail first. He would also never initiate a war since it would only cause the people to suffer and he was a person with a strong sense of justice.
Xanxier took a deep breath and massaged his forehead. "I will deal with Vane myself, you all can leave if there is no more to discuss about." He said almost like a whisper.
Barin, Duren and Goutra stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty." They said before leaving.
Xanxier raised a brow at Daminas that was still sitting.
"Lord Vane is your brother but that does not mean he can escape the punishment rules of Autumnshell."
Xanxier only stared at him. "I can't think with you here." He stated. "Send someone to call me Vane."
Daminas stood up and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Xanxier watched him leave before clenching his hands into fists till his knuckles turned white.