“Yes, but how did they learn shut away here like this?”
“It just comes naturally I guess. Des once saw an exhibition in his travels and came back to teach his little brother. And what would you know? The pupil surpassed the master.”
She laughed and the sound alerted the other two to her presence. Des, where had I heard that name before? I wracked my brain but it didn’t come. Though I was sure it was of some importance.
Des whispered something to the younger man who hung his head and hung back. He passed the sack from his shoulder to his brother who came forward to hand it over to the old woman.
“Here is the medicine young master. But it seems you’re on the mend already. Still, I’ll make you some tonic that’s sure to have you on your feet in no time.”
For the next day and a half I stayed there until my leg no longer felt like it needed to be amputated. In that time I watched the sparring between the two brothers twice more.
I had yet to reveal my true identity to my saviors but there was a thought forming in my head. My last evening there I pulled the old lady aside and told her my wishes.
“Is there a reason why you stay hidden away here?” She took some time to answer but once she did I found no artifice in her words.
“No real reason, just a disillusion with the way things are going out there.” She pointed beyond the forest.
“What about those two? They’re young men. Do they have no need for more?”
Again she took her time answering. “We’ve discussed it from time to time, but we’ve been hidden away here so long I have no one to sponsor them into polite society.”
“I dare say they’d fare much better out there in the world instead of hidden away here with this old woman, but without the right connections or someone to recommend them, I’m afraid there’s no hope.”
Emperor Jai thought for a second, but the truth is his mind was already made up. He’d never seen anything like the two brothers and his imperial guard was made up of the best.
“I am a man of some means. What if I were to take them back with me? You can come along as well if you’d like. We can find you a nice home in the city.”
The old woman sat and thought for what seemed like a very long time before turning her focus on me. “I will put the question to them. If they agree they may follow you. As for me I will stay here.”
“Alone?” Her smile was whimsical as she stared off into the distance.
“Until tragedy struck them I spent many years here alone. Alone is what I know best.”
“Very well, I will await their answer.”
That night it was agreed that the two men would follow me back to the capital. The younger one Bryan, whose face I have yet to see because the boy seemed perpetually shy, hung back as his older brother did all the talking for both of them.
“These two will surely serve you well. The younger one is a better fighter than his brother, but he’s shy. Do not take offense.”
I looked at the boy after she said this and my thoughts were, as long as he protects my back I have no need of words.
“Very well, we will leave then at first light.” I still had no answer as to why my men had not found me as yet. But since I had no knowledge of how deep into the forest I’d gone that first day I guess it was understandable.
NARRATOR
That night the old seer lifted the heavy fog she’d cast upon the forest that had kept the emperor’s men from venturing in.
Once it was clear she made it easy for them to find their way the next morning, and the occupants in the little cottage awoke to loud noises outside the door.
Emperor Jai stepped outside on his bandaged leg to greet his men who were happy and relieved to see him, though eunuch Van lectured him half to death about his carelessness.
Emperor Jai was just happy to see them and ready to leave this place. He’d had the dream again last night, that Mia was here. He’d spent a restless night searching for her in his dreams in the deep, dark forest.
His retinue got him settled in his palanquin, being careful of his leg and they headed out with the two brothers following behind after tearful goodbyes to their grandmother.
There were a lot of questions as to what had befallen the emperor in the days that he’d gone missing, but he kept his explanations short and to the point.
He did notice that there was no real change in the brothers upon learning of his true identity. Well not so much the older one, and he had yet to see the younger’s facial expressions anyway.
It was another fortnight before they reached the palace where no one knew they were coming and so there was much fuss and running about upon the Emperor’s return.
He found the palace in good stead and the state as well as he’d hoped upon his return. He spent the first few hours of his return shut away with his brother and father in law.
Going over all that he’d learned throughout his travels and listening to what they had to say about the happenings while he was away.
That night before he went to his bed he visited the Orchid Palace. He needed to feel close to her and this was the only place he knew to go to do that.
He sat for hours in what used to be their favorite spot and remembered the time when she was here. He felt the loss as keenly now as he had in the beginning and no longer wondered when it would ease. He never expected it to; didn’t want it to.
That night she visited him in his dreams once again, only this time it was the Mia of his fevered dream. He felt her body beneath his. Felt the soft heated silk of her flesh as it wrapped around him and came awake burning with need.
His heart was still racing in his chest as he laid in bed trying to collect himself and his thoughts. Why had his dreams changed so drastically of late?
How can he imagine so perfectly the feel of her skin when they’d never lain together? How is it that he knows the feel of her inside?
Shaking his head, he sat on the side of his bed with his head in his hands and fought back the pain of lost love.
Still he wouldn’t wish the sweet memories away for anything. If they were all he had left of her, all that he’ll ever have, he’ll take them.
Emperor Jai
I’ve been back for two months and a half and in that time I’ve made great strides to clean up the ministry. All those ministers who’d used their position to exploit and oppress were now either imprisoned or beheaded.
There was a tenseness over the court but that couldn’t be helped and as whispers and fears spread far and wide I was grateful to have the two brothers at my back.
I didn’t put it past my enemies to try to take my life and so was ever vigilant. They had worked out something between them where Des was ever at my side, while Bryan was never seen but always near.
I saw the benefit of this when paid assassins attacked Des and I while out on one of my incognito visits into the capital city late at night.
As we were surrounded by seven men with swords drawn, out of the dark came this flying being who fought back three of the attackers on his own while Des and I easily dispatched the other four. As silently as he appeared he disappeared again and I was left in awe.
“Your brother truly is a thing of wonder.” I put away my sword after cleaning it, and looked down at the men at our feet. Des checked them for any discerning marks but of course there were none.
‘They were all carrying poison.” Suicide assassins. Highly paid, which meant they’d been hired by someone from the higher echelons of society. I didn’t have to think too hard to know who that might be.
“We should head back to the palace Your Majesty.” I nodded my agreement and fell into step beside him. “My enemies are getting bolder. They know I’m coming for them one by one.”
“Maybe we should curb your visits into the city Your Majesty, it’s obvious that someone knows.”
“What do I have to fear when I have you and your brother at my side?”
I smiled into the night but the smile soon fell from
my face. The old Grand Empress dowager was really too much. She’d failed time and again at getting her granddaughter in my bed and on the throne and now she sought to kill me.
I wonder who she planned to put on the throne in my stead? Her worthless son? Did she really think the people would accept that? I knew better of course. Knew what my people really thought and have been thinking since the uprising against my father.
I was surprised to see Princess Rowena’s retinue waiting outside my palace upon my return. In the last week her grandmother has been hard at it again. Beating a horse that was already dead.
“Why are you here?” It angers me each time I see her. That she thinks she can take my love’s place makes me want to strangle her. If she only knew how close she comes to death each time she enters my presence she’d run and hide.
“Your Majesty, I made you these…” She reached back to one of the court ladies for a covered plate which I ignored when she held it out to me. I didn’t answer her, didn’t acknowledge her as I turned and walked away.
Once inside I gave strict orders that no one was to be allowed near my palace without an invitation issued by me. I was mean enough to say it so that I was sure she could hear.
I had no sympathy for her. After the things I’d learned about her father and grandmother in the last three years there was none left.
It no longer mattered if she knew or was part of their schemes and plots. The fact that she stood to benefit from their dark deeds was enough reason for me to hate and distrust her.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it eunuch Van?”
“You asked the servants to clean out your father’s study after all this time and…”
“What is it?” I was suddenly very tired, bone tired. He held out a box with my name written on it in my father’s hand. “What is it? Where did you get it?”
“It was found among your father’s private things Your Majesty.” I took the box with shaking hands. The memory of my father came back. Memories of his smiling face in happier times.
I’ve not allowed myself to think of him much. Not wanting to remember the shell of a man he’d become at the end. I ushered eunuch Van away before turning the key and opening the box.
It was full of papers, letters, all addressed to me. I opened the first and sat back to read, my tiredness suddenly gone.
‘My son when the time comes you must be a just and righteous ruler. Look after your people first in all matters and you will have a peaceful reign.”
‘Be careful of hungry men, men who care only for themselves and their own gain. Seek out the best scholars, those whose thinking are along the same line as yours and make that your foundation.’
‘A just ruler and righteous officials will make for a happy kingdom. I’ve done all I can to help the needy and keep order in the kingdom.’
‘The one thing I was never able to do was get rid of those ministers who are only here to fill their own bellies. You must find a way to purge them from the council and all forms of the government.’
‘In this box is another letter more important than this one, use it wisely my son and remember. You were always loved and I did everything I could to protect you. Forgive me for not doing more.’
I closed that letter and opened the next. There was a note in his handwriting, folded on top of this one which written by the old Emperor, my grandfather.
‘My father left this with me before he died. In order to preserve the family and not bring chaos to the imperial court I refrained from using it. You must not be as foolish as I was, use this when you need it most.’
I unfolded grandfather’s letter and got the shock of my life. It was a letter giving me permission to have the Grand Empress dowager put to death for her crimes.
I read the list of crimes grandfather had had investigated in secret and my blood ran cold. My brother’s words came back to me. The deaths now all seemed suspect.
Had she murdered my father, my Princess? Pain like a knife cut through me and I buckled over in my seat. Eunuch Van came running from his place in the corner.
“Your Majesty!” I held up my hand to stop him and fought to catch my breath. Once I’d collected myself the anger burned hot and bright. “Who else knows that my father left me this?”
“I told no one, but it has been left unattended all these years…”
“Did anyone see you bring it here?” He shook his head no and looked at me worriedly.
I had to think clearly. These people are vicious and would stop at nothing to keep their dark deeds hidden. I’m going to bury her. But first I will destroy everything she worked for right before her very eyes.
‘Tomorrow call my brother to the palace.”
“Yes Your Majesty.”
“That’s all, I want to be alone.” I knew he wouldn’t go far and that the brothers were somewhere around, but I needed to be alone to think.
In the morning after meeting with Prince Javan I sprung into action. We’d both agreed that it was more than likely that the Grand Empress dowager had indeed had a hand in Mia’s death.
That in order to put her granddaughter on the throne she’d got blood on her hands and according to grandfather’s words this was not the first time.
Before we had no proof and was only guessing, but now with my own thoughts and my brother’s counsel I was more sure than ever.
Unlike my father, I had no plans to wait. I will execute judgment swiftly and mercilessly starting now. “Eunuch Van, come with me.” I left my palace and headed towards the harem.
Since I returned from my travels Princess Rowena had left the Grand Empress dowager’s palace and taken up residence in the palace meant for the Queen Consort, no doubt at her grandmother’s bidding.
I’d ignored it as it made no difference at the time, but now I was glad that they’d been so bold. It will make what I was about to do all the sweeter.
As I approached one of the court ladies rushed inside to announce my arrival. From the smile on her face I had no doubt that she believed I’d finally given into their demands.
Princess Rowena met me at the door as if she couldn’t wait for me to enter. “Your Majesty…”
“Pack your things and be gone from here in the next hour. If you’re still here after that I will have you forcibly removed.”
“In case I haven’t made myself perfectly clear. You are to leave the palace grounds, you are not allowed here unless expressly invited by me in the future. Understood?”
The tears that formed in her eyes meant nothing to me. But the words that she threw at me as I turned to leave almost cost her, her life.
“Why are you still holding onto a dead woman? She’s dead, she’s never coming back? Why her? Why have you spent all these years mourning someone who wasn’t even worthy…?”
“Your Majesty.” Eunuch Van caught my hand as I raised it to strike her.
“Get out! I will have your things sent to you, leave now.”
When she didn’t move fast enough I pulled her forward by her cloak and pushed her out the door. She tripped and fell and her ladies rushed forward to help her up.
“Have all these women thrown out of the palace. They’re banished from the capital city. Have their families whoever they are removed from my service no matter who they may be.”
“Yes Your Majesty.” I ignored the cries and pleas for mercy as my men rounded them all up including Princess Rowena and escorted them away.
I had no doubt that there would be hell to pay once word reached the old bitch, but that’s no less than what I wanted. I want war, one that will destroy my enemies and leave their ashes to burn for times to come.
Unlike my father before me, I will not shy away, be backed into a corner and allow myself to be ruled by others. I will never be weak again.
As Emperor it was my duty to rule, to make policy and for my voice to be heard. Somewhere along the way the lines had become blurred and the power hungry nobles of the kingdom had taken over.
&nbs
p; Now it was time to bring about change and to take things back to the way they used to be when my first ancestor settled the land and set up this kingdom.
I returned to the imperial study to sit in quiet contemplation. I’d made the first move this time, now to wait and see what play they’d make.
NARRATOR
While the emperor sat in deep contemplation there was a flurry of activity in another part of the palace.
The Grand Empress dowager who had attained that title now that the late emperor’s empress was now Empress dowager, had just received the news of the Emperor’s actions.
It took her servants and the imperial doctor the better part of an hour to settle her down. But once she did, her old mind was fast at work. She still had a few tricks up her sleeve, she wasn’t beaten yet.
It was obvious there was no chance of her granddaughter attaining the throne, but there were other ways and means of usurping the throne and power.
The hate she felt could not be measured and the only thing that gave her peace was the thought of destroying the young Emperor who dared to defy her so outwardly. It has never been heard of that a Grand Empress dowager was treated with such disrespect.
His grandfather and his father before him had been no match for her. Hadn’t she sent them both to their deaths when they stood in her way? She was sure the young pup would do no better against her either.
With her mind once again at peace, she set about putting her latest scheme into action. By week’s end she should be that much closer to having all her dreams fulfilled.
Emperor Jai
“She’s been too quiet, I don’t trust it.” I was once again closed off with my brother who was now a regular in the palace. Once I’d gotten rid of those upstarts who were against him it was easy enough to get my way.
There were still a few that needed to be dealt with, but everything in its time. “At least you now know who your enemies are, so you can watch out for them.”
Flower In The Palace Page 19