The court panicked at the news of the messenger.
“The women are being held hostage by the Mahan people. They trapped themselves in the inside of the castle and declared that they would kill anyone who would attempt to attack them. We didn’t see any sign of Lord Adreic and we have yet to hear from it though the people said that he was inside when the attack happened. He didn’t have his army with him and he is the only able man there who could wield a sword.”
The ministers, especially those that were on Waharis’ side, were keeping up with their gasps and murmurings like women in heat. Dasran didn’t believe that they were feeling genuinely shocked. They were just putting on a show to pressure the king.
“Chancellor Dasran, you seem to be relaxed despite hearing such news. Do you not care for the noble women who have come to Apharothia? Do you not fear for our city to be tarnished with questionable security?” Waharis was at it again but Dasran dared not to bite.
Dasran was not shaken over such happenings. He had heard worse. He had heard of Apharothia being surrounded with arrows, the army that he commanded was wiped out in a blink of an eye when they were once ambushed, the sad fate of the son of the king that shook the country, the poisoning of the queen, and the treachery of his own wife.
He had heard much worse through the twenty years that he had been serving the throne. Yet these flimsy ministers and their terrorist leader had the guts to question his integrity just because one single problem. Just because Dasran’s face was calm doesn’t mean that he was not thinking of the women who must be terrorized right now. Thinking back, maybe it was a little early to call Waharis a terrorist. They have to find proof first, something solid that will make the country see his real face. He had deceived their motherland for so long. It was high time to pick the evil at its roots.
If he could recall, most of Zeikontour participants were the wives, daughters, fiances, and high ladies of the lords and soldiers of Apharoth. The least that the court could do for them is to return the love of their lives safely. And they will do it without falling into the traps of Waharis.
“What do the Mahan say? And how many are they?” the king asked.
“There are about thirty men. They said they are only asking for fifty carts of gold and that they must have it before the light of the morning shows tomorrow. If we will not be able to pay the ransom, they said that they will start raping and beheading the women,” the messenger answered.
“Are the women the only hostages? What about other civilians?” Dasran asked.
“Save for the girl servants in the castle who were caught in the middle of it all, we saw no other civilians involved, Chancellor. But the people there are distressed. Everyone is shocked that the Mahan was able to slip into their place. They are crying for help. They say that they want the Mahan people gone for good. ”
It produced another wave of whispers among the ministers and only Dasran and the king didn’t react.
“That’s a hefty demand. The treasury is half a day away from here even with the fastest horses and another half a day to bring it to the Adreic Palace. It’s almost night time and we only have twelve hours at most. Where will we find that amount of gold?” Waharis asked as he paced back and forth. The ministers were nodding at him like he was actually suggesting something sensible when he was only questioning things.
“Fine, then, we’ll give them the gold they want,” the king finally said. Waharis and the other ministers looked at each other in a puzzle.
One had the courage to ask. “But, Your Majesty, it is what Chancellor Waharis has said. The treasury is far from here and we might not be able to send them in time. The women might be long dead once the gold reaches them.”
Another was wise to defend the king. “His Majesty means well. If we can use the royal horses and take the shortcut by the Shuzan boundary, the gold will be delivered just in time.”
But as usual, the camp of Waharis was far more numerous. “The Shuzan boundary is the home of the bandits. By the time they use that route, it’s over for the gold. The ransom will just be stolen. ”
“Then we can just send guards to protect them!”
“You think they care about the guards? They only care about the gold. They could just destroy the carriages in an instant without killing the guards!”
They erupted into a series of arguments. It was like Dasran was watching how he and Waharis debated each other.
King Visian cleared his throat, calming everyone down.
“They can have the gold of the Vahamor family. Go and tell the merchants in charge of the carts to ready them. They will set out foot past midnight just in time before the sunrise. Chancellor Dasran will see to the gold.”
Both the messenger and Dasran bowed and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The others, do your jobs. Make sure to send out soldiers ready to intercept the magic of the enemy. I don’t believe that they are only thirty. Don’t give the order to attack, just let them roam around the shadows of the castle and of that place. Their presence will give assurance to the people. It will greatly help with the panic going over there. Everyone will be busy. Those ministers who will sleep tonight will face the dungeons. Now, go.”
Everyone stood up at once. In their hurry, some even forgot to bow before leaving the court. Even Waharis had no choice but to move his foot lazily.
“Chancellor Waharis,” the king called out. The Chancellor looked back at the king.
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Is your wife doing well? It must be stressful for you to always be present here at court when you have someone waiting for you at home in a faraway land.” Even Dasran was quite puzzled on why the king was suddenly asking questions like that.
“It warms my heart to see that you bother yourself with my family. Yes, Your Majesty, my family is doing well. If time allows, I will bring them here once they are big enough to know how to greet a king .”
King Visian nodded. “I see. Thank you for your service, Chancellor. You may now go.”
When everyone left, Dasran couldn’t help but ask. “Your Majesty, you didn’t have to compliment him that much. You know that he would just be using your words to highlight and elevate himself over you. I will not be surprised if one day the ministers will publish on the public stages that you favor him to be the king just because you said some kind words to him.”
The king chuckled. “Jealous, aren’t we?” he teased. Dasran went red at that. He didn’t mean anything by it. He was just making the scenario that Waharis would create because that’s how he operated. However, deep within him, it made him question if he was actually jealous or not.
“I don’t mean-Never mind. I’ll go prepare your.. gold.” The king nodded at him. “Yes, make sure that the carts will be overflowing with them.”