The winter morning, sky was full of fog. People were gathering for the festivities. The hilly chillness had got into most of the visitors as they were from far plain land. The news of queen giving birth to a prince was the main thing of gossip in the whole county. In that cold morning, the time was about to pass first quarter[S1] of day but no house was sleeping. The king had declared a feast for the whole city. Among them, the busiest was the head steward of palace, Kedan Kins. As it wasn't the first son of king with queen, it wasn't a new experience for him but it should be admitted that it's a hard work to feed a city of 5 million people. He had the responsibility of accommodating the guests of royal family and agree or not, listening to complains and addressing their requirements is a big deal

He wasn't the only busy one though. The Blisk family had their own reason except the birth of prince. A little girl had taken birth in his mystic family of magic last night. And their guest house was full of visitors coming to take a glance of little prince. As expected the tension of housemaster Bilbis Blisk was beyond words.

But the city was merry, for sure. The street was full of lanterns hanged last day by the road depart just after the queen went to labor. The brightest was the Blisk road because the heir of Blisk family had taken birth. Whiska Blisk was sad for sure, as her thunder was stolen by queen. If the queen hadn't given birth half the number of visitors would be on her door rather than of palace. She was sleeping in the bed staring at her girl. Beautiful was that one, with large eyes and thin pink lips and big chubby cheeks. She couldn't go to see the new prince as she had gone to labor before the queen.

Whiska

An errand runner from the palace came running towards the gate of Blisk family. A news was brought that the king wanted the Blisk child to be taken to palace. A rage could be seen at Whiska's face but a royal order couldn't be denied. She asked one of her maid servant to call for a carriage. The road to palace was fully crowded and most of them were from southern plains. A view to see as of the colorful clothes with golden thread of the Giroz[S5] people was a blessing to eyes. One little girl of about 12 came and stopped the carriage. Entered without permission and placed a shiny crystal on girl's little feet. Then she murmured, "Our day has come, Rasken will have a magician queen". That was the last Whiska wanted as she had seen a disaster coming to royal family in some years but hadn't told anyone because speaking ill to royalties could be called as a treachery to crown.

The king was sitting in the throne room accepting the hailing of the visitors, citizens and diplomats. The queen was on the throne holding the prince. The eldest prince, Ray Raska was standing beside the queen. 3 years old prince holding a knife drawn from the scabbard, he looked as cute as heroic. Three princes from concubines; Han Int, Bill Int, Cas Int were standing some steps below the throne all in golden armor and shield with a sun and 2 stars at each side.

When Whiska entered the throne room, Kedan Kins glanced at the girl and said, "Here comes the prince's bride". The sleeping girl opened her eyes just before he finished speaking. Whiska gave a savage look to Kins. Kins laughed," sorry if I offended you madam. But you will hear the same." King saw her coming and announced," Here I present you my daughter-in-law" taking the baby girl from whiska's hands. The child was then taken near to prince and placed on lap of queen. Biblis entered the hall hailing the king.

From the corner of the hall, spoke the lord of Giroz, "Your grace, what about the first prince?" he had come there with his little daughter of around three. Maybe he wanted to fixed the position of crown princess for her but the king spoke again," I declare the marriage of my son, Han Int with the first daughter of Jansin Hondras[S11] , The lord of Giroz. Aand they shall be married when the girl comes of age." The look on Lord Jansin's face was remarkable. He walked towards the king with his red face and beautiful tanned girl and hailed with kneeling. Whiska was happy seeing the face of Jasin Hondras at first but then she realized that if the families capable of revolting against the crown were to be listed, Hondras would be in top of the list.

Whiska went to queen and bowed towards her. The queen was feeding the prince the milk whereas the Blisk girl was staring at the prince without crying. Surprising for a day old girl. Then Whiska took the girl in her arms said," I need to feed her. Shall I leave the hall, your grace?" The queen nodded. She tracked her way to Biblis and asked him to arrange for a carriage.

Sadin

An early morning in the monastery was always a delight. The first rays of morning sun was striking the golden roof of pagoda styled main building. The monks were chanting various mantras with a central fire. Some of the disciples were milking the cow whereas some were busy cleaning the premises. The fields were barren but the tangerine trees were full with ripened fruits. And there was Sadin[S12] , a child of 5 struggling to climb the tree for getting some fresh fruits. The endless attempts from his little limbs were as fruitless as the enthusiasm in the little mind. Right behind him was standing his mentor pressuring him to get a foot higher in each attempt. Apparently, it was Sadin's training. As sadin belonged to one of the major household in the country, he was being trained in martial arts including sword fighting and other basics needed in war. His mentor, Gandin[S13] was the best one in martial arts in monastery who was directly taught by the head monk.

After a while, the head monk came near to Gandin and said, "How is he doing in recent weeks?"

"A fast learner, he has already excelled basic warfare. Maybe he will excel the physical training soon enough and then only mental growth will be left before presenting to the king", said Gandin.

Head monk said, "He will serve a different purpose, he won't belong to any king. He is destined to protect a pair of pure souls."

That got a bitter look at Gandin's face because in Lentek, a person is provided with a single disciple for a decade and the Head monk's words would mean that his hard work of preparing the first of his life wouldn't be recognized in the capital. Head monk got the hint of it but he preferred silence as the best answer and left with a pat on Gandin's shoulder.

By then, sadin was able to pluck 5 tangerines, full ripen and unexpected. A sad smile of appreciation was seen in Gandin's face. After that, Gandin carried the tangerines and took Sadin to dining hall. Gandin was not a sociable person and Sadin, a 5 year old student of Gandin. A mug of milk and a bowl of fruits was served to Gandin as he was vegetarian and a loaf of boiled meat with a jar of tangerine juice for Sadin. There was gossip in hall about the birth of new prince which was the main topic of discussion among the people in hall. But sadin was caught up by the news of birth of an heir in Blisk family. He said to gandin, "Isn't Blisk family of magical blood where the first daughter gets the whole property?"

"You do remember yesterday's lesson on great families. The king has tied the girl's bond with 2nd prince. Go around the hall, bring me a mug of milk and some boiled potatoes for yourself and get some opinion of other people in this bonding", said Gandin. Sadin ran off holding a mug on one hand an empty bowl on the other hand.

Little feets of sadin brought the news. He said,"Kojes[S14] of literature depart was unhappy as there was a chance of revolt if there were two princes but brother Rimas said that the risk was already brought by the sons from concubine. Bantan was saying that a witch prophesized that this second prince would be the end of current dynast ywhile he went to a pilgrimage whereas Mosko was boasting that the king would choose him for protection of the new prince."

Kedan

A huge weight got lifted from kedan's shoulders. Most of the guests had left either satisfied or not. With satisfied face he was the hallway to his room when an errand runner came running towards him. The errand runner said," Our lord, Jasin Hondras seeks the audience of king". Kins sensed another huge workload approaching him. With a sigh, he replied," I will take words to king. Hasn't lord Jasin left the capital?"

Errand runner said," he wishes to fix the date for betrothal before leaving for Giroz."

"Then, he may need to wait for two or three days, the King's schedule is too busy." said Kedan. Giving a sight bow, the errand runner returned the same direction. Then he entered the door of his room and saw Hans sitting on a chair biting an apple. "My prince, how can I help you?" said Kedan.

Hans replied," I am no prince and when will you take the words His Grace?"

"What words my prince?" asked Kins.

"Don't play naïve. A boy from Hondras's service was to meet you today in order to seek the audience of king. Lord Jasin wants to arrange betrothal as soon as possible. I heard they consider betrothal as important as marriage and treat the to-be in-laws with the attitude that we do after marriage." Said Hans.

"You must really hate me my prince. It means I will have to get to work again. And yes, they do. You are going to get the whole Power of Giroz on your back very soon , said Kins in a toiled manner.

Hans left the half eaten apple in the fruit basket and left the hall laughing.

With a small nap and a glass of honeyed milk, Kins left the room moving towards the king's chamber. The king was busy with one of the concubines while he entered. After his arrival, the girl left along with maid servants leaving only kins and king inside the chamber. Then he spoke, "Your grace, a boy came from lord Giroz's service with the words for fixing the date of marriage."

"I had to say something to calm him down. Who would want a Girozi girl as next queen? The arrogance of Jasin could clearly be seen on his younger daughter's face. I had to accept his girl and that beauty could satisfy the hunger of Hans's lust. Perhaps, the number of bastards in capital will be reduced in that way, what do you say?" said King.

Kedan said, "I can't discuss your decision sire."

"Well, I order you!"

"It could offend him. He wanted a crown princess and you nearly deprived her of her nobility."

"Hans is of royal blood. She would at least be a princess, more than Jasin deserves. It would be good if finished soon. Need to trouble you more. Find a good day and inform me. Organize a lavish ceremony in some days and send him to his hot plains. People of capital can't withstand their heat."

"I have to be honest your grace, but it will cost a lot if done within a month and the royal granary will be almost empty."

"Doesn't he boast of his richness? Let him cover half the cost including the food. For rest use golds and silvers."

"Aye, sir."

Characters Introduced:

Scarnta city- capital

Giroz- city near to the sea

Lentek- a country side in far west

[Kedan Kins- head steward of palace

Blisk- lead girl's family

Biblis Blisk- the girl's father

Whiska Blisk- mother of lead girl

Raskan- The name of country

Ray Raska -Eldest prince

Han Int-1st concubine borne,

Bill Int-2nd concubine borne

Cas Int3rd concubine born

Jasin hondras- lord of Giroz

Sadin kosk- protector of lead girl

Gandin ton- sadins mentor

Kojes- second chief in literature depart.

Bantan, head chef of cafeteria.

Rimas- Bantan's son, good at fighting.

Mosko- kojes's dicpile, first trained by Rimas. 13 years old."