"What brings you here young man?" asks Alexandra. Philippe still looking over his shoulder. The nurse still tending to his wounds. Philippe gathers his thoughts and starts to respond to Alexandra. "Madam, I'm sent here by the king himself, from the empire. I'm his lead counsel." Alexandra was shocked "A lead counsel of a king comes here hurt and without any protection. That is very surprising to me" she replied. "I come here on a private mission for the king. No one knows that I have traveled outside the kingdom. So I intend to keep my travels a secret" said Philippe. "Alexandra laughed, sir have arrived on a horse and you intend to keep your travels a secret" The nurse too laughed, which pleased Philippe. "Does your search involve a District or something of some sort", asked Alexandra "Yes Madam, have been sent here to search for a person from this District who is no longer here" replied Philippe. "The areas here are vast," said Alexandra."I suggest you take rest and learn our ways, lead counsel." she further implied. "What makes you trust a complete stranger," asked Philippe "Your cloak" replied Alexandra "Glad I did not remove it" smirked Philippe The nurse and Alexandra left the room, leaving Philippe to himself. Philippe fell into a deep slumber, sleeping for a day full! The next day As Philippe got up the next day, only the old man was present. Philippe tried to compose himself. "No need of that, you are not fully healed," said the old man. "It is better you take some more rest, the nurse shall come visit you again in a short while" he further added. "Yes Sir", said a retreating Philippe back to his lying position. "I heard about your story from Alexandra. It is indeed a great honor for us to host you young man" said the old man "The gratitude is all mine" replied Philippe "The sad passing of the prince is a misfortune to all of us, the king and the prince have ensured peace to all of us to Andora. Even though we live in different spheres of the planet, we are at all times aware of the happenings of the kingdom." said the old man. "I'm surprised and glad to hear that", remarked Philippe. "The king's goodwill has reached all parts of the land, indeed," remarked Philippe once again. "I do not want to greatly interfere in your mission sir, so I would leave you to yourself now," said the old man. After a few hours... The nurse arrives to see how the wounds have healed on Philippe and whether the medicine is working. After looking at the wounds, she looks at Philippe. "It will be another couple of days for it to completely heal," said the nurse. "I shall apply medicine and come again tomorrow" she added further. Philippe smiled and nodded. The nurse takes leave and Philippe begins to rest again A couple of days later As Philippe begins to heal, The old man enters the room and asks Philippe to get ready. "It's time to go for a walk," said the old man Philippe obliges. "I don't suppose we can take the horse," said Philippe. "You have a funny side too," remarked the old man The two of them begin to stroll down the district, Philippe walks the same way he rode the horse in with the cloak still intact. They walk down a few meters, Philippe keenly observing the happenings. This was after all a strange new world for him. A new civilization. These are things he has just read up on. But to experience it in real life was a bit humbling and overwhelming as well. All he ever knew was the kingdom. As he took more strides, he thought to himself. How will a man brought up in these lands take control over the kingdom? That is the king's wish and it shall stay the same! "Philippe" called out the old man. "These are the districts famously controlled by the corporations. These people make money from our work, give us a place to live, and provide us with enough money to survive," he said in a complaining tone. Philippe nodded "We are paid in green paper, not like the coins of your land.No small businesses run here, only major corporations. No trading takes place, not like your land. The king is a fair man, these owners aren't so much" said the old man Philippe nodded again, he has read about these things after all. But he chose to stay silent. "Some people do manage to get rich in their lifetimes, I have not. So I would say, not all is bad" spoke the old man of his life! "This is District 8, a total of 15 districts are present. The other districts are much better off, I have heard. We faced a big problem during the floods long ago and no repairs have been made. We are left to fend off on our own!" the old man continued. They would have walked a mile by then. Philippe responds "Sir I must say I much admire the resilience of your people". "I'm worried that our people have known good times for far too long that they have forgotten how to be resilient" he further added. The old man now nodded. "If i may" asked Philippe "Sure" replied the old man "Have you not received any assistance or any high-ranking individual offering, at least a few words of courtesy" Philippe questioned the old man. "I am afraid not" replied the old man. "That sir, is not a fair way to govern" replied Philippe. "But a few years ago, there was a messenger. Who arrived in a horse much like yours. But he was no lead counsel, he was just a messenger. He offered us amnesty in the jungles, that we live under the rule and protection of their lord Darticus. It was a rare proposal, as it was never heard of that Darticus offered amnesty to outsiders. So many of us did consider his offer." said the old man. Eventually, we passed up the opportunity. "Why Sir?" asked a surprised Philippe. "We are an aging population, we have our ways that we have known forever. And they have their ways. Only a young man much like yourself can adapt to different environments" replied the oldmman Philippe quietly nodded again!