Path to Power (Chapter 3) - Land of the Lords, Here We Come!! -

[TzenToku]

In less than an hour, it would be time for all mansion servants to wake up and get prepared for their daily duties and work. Zhang woke up once every few minutes due to both excitement and the snoring from his roommates. The cook on his right was a heavy drinker and therefore was making the loudest snore. He was amazed how the two butlers to his left could sleep through the cook’s snoring. He thought probably it was due to many months of tolerance gave them the ability to sleep through almost anything. “Even cows did not make as much as noise as this fat man!” he thought to himself.


Just another hour till it was time, but Zhang could not wait any longer so he got up to get ready early. He thought he’d spend the time waiting for William’s orders out in the front yard. When he finished cleaning up and got out of the servant’s bathroom, he looked out one of the window that was facing the front yard. There he saw several of William’s personal bodyguards getting themselves ready for the journey.


He walks out to see the bodyguards making their preparations. 8 knights on unicorns and 4 hippogriff riders had just returned from border patrol under orders of William’s head bodyguard. The head bodyguard, Ranjen, was there in the front yard inspecting the bodyguards. By the time when all the servants were to wake up, Ranjen had already assembled an additional 6 unicorn knight riders. Ranjen then plans with his lieutenants the safest and fastest route to the capital of Vanorse.


When the sun finally rose, Sophie walked out of the mansion looking for Zhang.


Sophie: Zhang!! Come quick!! It’s time to get dressed for your journey!

Zhang: Coming my lady!!


Zhang goes back into the mansion with Sophie into the dressing room where he puts on his new formal servant’s clothing.


Sophie: Ahhh (Squeals)!!! You look so cute!! (Hugs Zhang really tight). Hmmm… something’s missing… Ohh… take this with you and use it on the day of the meeting (hands Zhang a bottle of perfume). You might get sweaty there and there might not be enough time for you to shower.

Zhang: (Takes the perfume and puts into the pouch he carries with him) Thank you my lady, I really appreciate it.


Once he was all dressed, they went ahead to the dining room where they ate breakfast. Sophie continued to talk to Zhang about what were some of the things to expect and what to do under those circumstances when in the capital.


William was at the moment in his study hall preparing whatever personal documents he may need when at the capital. He then got dressed and headed for the front yard where everyone was waiting for him. Zhang was also outside with the bodyguards waiting patiently for William. Once William stepped out of the mansion’s main doors, the bodyguards greeted him “Good Morning my Lord!”


Zhang was amazed with how great William looked in the Member of Parliament’s uniform. He looked upon every detail of William’s uniform and tried to identify what each part signified. The blue pants represent a noble’s moral and honor. The white top represents purity and distaste for evil deeds. The Flourite family’s emblem was engraved on the left chest part of the shirt, the red dragon’s eye jewel ring he wears on his left index finger represents the head of the Flourite family, the gold sash he wears across his chest to waist represents loyalty to King and Country, the bluish green jade talisman hanging from his belt represents that he was a member of the Vanorse Royal Magic Council, the colour of the rectangular jewel on both his shoulders represents how powerful of a mage he was, white being the lowest while black being the most powerful where only the top ten mages could have, William’s was dark blue which meant he was only one step below black. Medals were decorated over the right side of the chest of the shirt each representing a great deed recognized nationally by the people of Vanorse. Finally and most importantly, the dark blue cape with gold outlining represents not only his status as a noble but also as a Member of Parliament.


Ranjen walks towards William to make his report.


Ranjen: My Lord, here are some of the soldiers from the Flourite family army whom I have summoned here to escort us to the capital. They have just return from patrolling the borders of the Flourite family land.

William: I assume you have chosen elites, as always?

Ranjen: We cannot be careless with such events sir. The whole of “Jesselton” province would be a hostage if you were captured My Lord. The people of “Jesselton” love and respect you My Lord, your people put you first even before the King of Vanorse himself.

William: Speak not of such words Captain Ranjen, our loyalty is to King and Country, no one else.

Ranjen: Yes my lord. Shall we get going sir? Will this boy be following us sir?

William: Yes captain, he’ll be my personal assistant while in the capital. I expect you will watch over his safety as much as you will for me.

Ranjen: Understood My Lord.

William: Come Zhang, from this moment onwards; never leave my side unless I instruct you to do so. Only do what I tell you and take orders from no one else, even if it was another noble.


Zhang opens the chariot door for William to enter and follows after him. Once he closes the chariot door, Ranjen gives the orders for the convoy to move out. The hippogriff riders took turns to fly and keep an eye on their surroundings while the rest of the convoy was arranged with Ranjen riding the Pegasus with one hippogriff rider up front, followed by 8 unicorn riders, then the chariot with 1 hippogriff rider on each side and followed by the remaining 6 unicorn riders. They were carrying the Flourite family flags which looked so cool waving with the blow of the breeze.


Zhang fell asleep in the long journey to the capital while William was wide awake, unsure of what could be the reason for the King to summon every Head of Noble Family to the capital. All he could think of now was a way to approach Lord Mansoor and Lord Kaneshiro to seek their assistance.


Hours passed and the convoy was about half way reaching the capital when they arrived at a forest. They were now far beyond “Jesselton” territory and were passing through the neighboring province to reach the capital. They were now within the “Urundi” province, land ruled by one of William’s close childhood friends. William then wakes Zhang up.


William: Wake up boy, we’re now in “Urundi” territory. We’ll make a detour to meet with my old friend, Lord Ganth V. Bismarck. We should arrive at his mansion in less than an hour. I want you to be at your best behavior when meeting him.


Just then, bandits suddenly appear out of the camouflage of the forest and surrounded the convoy. The squad of bodyguards lead by Ranjen reacted immediately by assuming formation and charged at the bandits. William stepped out of the chariot, observed the situation and began blasting fire balls out of his hands at the bandits. Minutes of fighting finally led the bandits to retreat but William ordered the convoy to pursue them. They chased them until they finally reached a village that was being raided by the rest of the other bandits. From far, William could see Lord Bismarck was fighting the bandits with his group of bodyguards.


William: Ranjen!! Bring the whole squad and charge at the bandits!! You must protect Lord Bismarck!!

Ranjen: Soldiers!! Form up!! (Every bodyguard forms into a straight line facing the village) Strike at the enemy and protect Lord Bismarck!!


The unicorn riders rode at top speed while the hippogriff riders took the lead and started flying and charged at the enemy. Their screeches were deafening and caught the bandit’s attentions. Once both sides engaged, William walked from behind and started chanting his spell. He uses non-lethal magic to force the bandits to surrender.


William: Surrender Bandits!! And your sins shall be forgiven!! (Echoes could be heard) Surrender Now!! (Echoes become louder and sky turned dark).


The bandits were startled by William’s loud echoing voice which came from all direction but refused to lay down their weapons and continued to fight on. William was angered by the bandits’ persistence and moved to cursing their weapons. The bandits’ bows and arrows went up in flames making them useless while their swords and axes turned as hot as boiling oil, making them too dangerous to hold. Some of the bandits surrendered while others tried to make a run for it. Before the bandits got too far, Lord Bismarck’s additional soldiers, led by Sergeant Marcus arrived from the direction the bandits were running and surrounded them. William walks up towards Ganth V. Bismarck and greets him.


William: Greeting Ganth, Lord of Urundi, it’s been a while old friend. You seem to be having trouble keeping the bandits under control.

Ganth: Hahaha!! (Gets off his Pegasus and shakes William’s hand) It’s been a while old friend!! Not all of us were blessed with magic. We swordsmen believe only in the honor of our swords. We don’t believe in those cheap magic tricks you mage and spell casters put your lives on.

William: Hahaha… try not to get too jealous of out talents. Will you be joining us on our journey to the capital? Or are you planning to boycott the meeting, as always? (Sergeant Marcus rides towards them)

Ganth: I wished. But this came to us as an emergency order by the king, we have no other choice but to attend and to hear what the kind has to say to us. I can’t stand being in a room with all the other stuck up nobles. They’re all useless and an embarrassment to their ancestors. They neither have the magic talents nor the sword skills their forefathers were famous for. They’re just bunch of presume users and boy lovers!! I’d be surprise if their citizens could still tolerate their incompetence for another generation.

William: Well, we’d love to have you join us on our journey to the capital. The more people, the safer our journey will be.

Ganth: One moment William. (Turns to Marcus) Sergeant Marcus, I will leave these bandits to you and your squad of troops. My bodyguards and I will make our way with Lord Flourite to the capital. Inform my son of the raid that happened here, he’ll take over administration over what to do.


William invites Ganth into the chariot and they went on their journey towards the capital. The two lords were now in the chariot with a servant boy, escorted by William’s 19 body guards and Ganth’s 18 bodyguards. They had only a few more hours before they reached the capital both lords took the time to catch up and talked about the old days. Zhang was wide awake but was silent most of the time. The atmosphere and mood immediately changed when Ganth got into the topic about the oracle.


Ganth: I heard the oracle came to pay you a visit. Are you getting any closer to achieving your goal?

William: Yes Ganth. We have found “him”.

Ganth: (Looks at Zhang for a second) I see. Remember this William, you have my full support and the whole Bismarck family backing you on this. But don’t forget to never underestimate the magnitude of what is to come. We serve only the interest of our country, nothing else.

William: I understand the importance of this movement; however we will still need the support of the other noble families. The oracle has advised me to seek assistance from Lord Mansoor and Lord Kaneshiro.

Ganth: I wish you luck on that. I will try to see if I can get the help from other lords. We must be prepared for what is to come.


After that, both lords did not talk for the rest of the journey until when they reached the outskirts of the capital. There were military camps and outposts all over the outskirts of the capital. They continued until they reached a road block. The officer in charge of the road block approached.

Officer: Halt!! You are approaching Beilang, Capital city of Vanorse!! Identify yourselves and state your business!!

Ranjen: I am Captain Ranjen and we are escorting Lord Flourite of “Jesselton” province and Lord Bismarck of “Urundu” province to the emergency meeting called by the King himself. You are to allow us access through this road to the capital!


The officer did not want to insult either of the Lords by halting them from their journey any longer than he already had so he allowed them to pass. The convoy continued their journey and now they were only a few miles away to their final destination.


William: We will be staying at one of the Villas surrounding the main castle.

Ganth: How many nobles per Villa? I hope we don’t have to share it with one of them stuck up mother raised boys. I can’t stand their attitude. I’d probably mistake them for ladies, they’re practically not male with all the perfume they put on!!

William: It’s one noble per Villa. Don’t worry you won’t have to deal with their perfumes. Shall we have dinner over at my Villa?

Ganth: I’d be delighted, really appreciate the company. It makes me feel uncomfortable here in the capital with so many nobles all at one place. It’s like the perfect place to take out all the nobles all at once.

William: Hahaha… we’ll see about that. Don’t worry about it Ganth, I’ll watch over your backside for you if you’re so worried.

Ganth: Shut up William. We’ll see who’s watching over whom when the time comes.


When they reached the first gates, Zhang stuck his head out of the chariot and looked at the surrounding. The atmosphere was breath taking to see how great the capital was. The first gates were opened and had knights in heavy armor on both sides. Wyvern, Griffin, Hippogriff and Nazgul riders were on patrol flying around the skies near the castle wall. Outside the castle wall were outposts with unicorn and horse riders patrolling on land. As they approached the castle walls, Zhang looked up at the top of the walls and towers and noticed there were several archers and spell casters on them. But what really caught his attention was the presence of man like statues with wings.


William: Remarkable aren’t they? Those statues on the castle walls.

Zhang: Why are there so many of them? They are neither men nor birds; they don’t symbolize anything do they?

Ganth: Hahaha… You have never seen those statues have you? They’re called Gargoyles. When night comes, the current flying creature riders need to rest, that’s when those statues awaken and take over.


As they passed the first gates, the citizens of Beilang noticed the noble family flag the convoy was carrying and approached them. They tried to get as close as they could to the chariot and try to sell the nobles their goods. Zhang took notice of the houses around. They were all 3 storey high, made of clay and bricks.


William: We will be staying in the second layer of the capital (Talking to Zhang). You’ll notice a difference in social status and environment between the first and second layer.


Zhang looked out of the chariot again and now he could see the King’s castle. It was about 1 mile from where he was and was surrounded by 2 more layers of wall. Once they reached the second gates, the guards ordered the convoy to halt.


Guard: Halt!! Judging by the emblem and crests you carry, you are the Flourite and Bismarck noble family. Show your letters from the King before you are permitted to pass any further.


Ranjen and one of Ganth’s bodyguards pulled out the letter from the King to their respective lords and showed them to the guard. The guard immediately ordered the gates to be opened and they entered. Once inside, Zhang noticed the huge difference between the status of social society between the rich and the poor, the nobles and the commoners. Passed the second walls, was the King’s castle surrounded by a third layer of wall and huge villas were found around the second layer of the capital. The convoy was greeted by the Royal family’s head of servants and also the servants to the royal family themselves. The convoy was ushered to two villas which were reserved for them. William, Ganth and Zhang got off the chariot and started stretching their body.


William: I’m going to let my men take a rest so I won’t be going anywhere. I’ll have the servants here prepare dinner for both our men.

Ganth: Very much appreciated. I won’t be going anywhere either. My men need their rest as well. I’ll be over at your place in about 2 hours.


Ganth then entered the Villa while his men were getting the unicorns and hippogriffs to the stables before going in. William was about to head in his Villa himself but stopped to talk to Zhang.


William: Zhang, there won’t be much for you to do here until dinner time. So if you are still energetic enough, you can go to the first later of the capital and see if there’s anything special there. Maybe you can go get yourself something nice to bring home (Gives Zhang some silver coins). And when you want to get back into the second layer, take this with you and show it to the guards (Hands Zhang his Vanorse Royal Magic Council talisman).

Zhang: Thank you so much my Lord. I will be back in less than 2 hours.


William walks to Ranjen and chats with him a while before entering the villa. Zhang tells Ranjen he’ll be going out and will be back in 2 hours. He walks around the second layer of the capital and looks at some of the Villas and notices some are still empty. He thought probably there were still some noble families who were still on their way. He also sees more convoys coming through the second gate having just arrived.
Zhang then walks out of the second gates and into the first layer of the capital. He walks around the market place admiring what products the merchants have to offer. Merchants from all over the country set stalls all over the streets selling not only clothes and luxurious items, but also foreign food.


He continues to walk around the streets not looking where he was walking until he runs into another kid and they both fall onto the ground. He stands up and helps the other kid.


Zhang: I’m so sorry about that, I wasn’t looking at where I was walking.


Zhang could not see the face of the kid until she pulled down her hood.


Manami: It was my fault as well. I wasn’t looking at where I was walking as well. Was really amazed with all these things here on display. I’m not local here by the way. Ohh… where are my manners, I’m Manami, nice to meet you.

Zhang: I’m Zhang, nice to meet you too. I’m not local here either so it was really amazing to see the capital here the first time.

Manami: That’s great!! Let’s go exploring the capital together!!


Manami grabs Zhang by his hand and they both run into the crowd of people. Manami was about Zhang’s age, about 12 or 13 years old with black hair and blue eyes. She did not look like any ordinary commoner from the street. They walked passed many stalls and say many different people wearing different clothes. There were also merchants who were selling different animals and pets. Some were legendary and some were so rare that they have never seen them before.


Manami: What brings you here to Beilang huh Zhang?

Zhang: I’m here with my master. He has some sort of business to deal with here and I’m just here to accompany him.

Manami: Really? That’s so cool!! It’s so nice that your master lets you out like that. I actually snuck out while my father was sleeping. We were on a very long journey to get here, and I slept most of the journey, that’s why I’ve got so much energy right now.


They continued walking and watched the street performances that were going on. Different music tunes could be heard in the air. Performers doing daring stunts no one would ever dream of trying. Both Zhang and Manami put on really amazed faces after each trick and they clapped their hands really loud.


Manami: (Tummy rumbles) I’m so hungry!! I haven’t eaten anything on the way here!!

Zhang: (Tummy rumbles) Umm…. Me neither. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. Wait right here.


Zhang goes off to get something to eat while Manami squats on the side of the street trying to suppress the pain her hungry stomach was making her feel. At the time, she thinks to herself that it was probably about time she returns to her father. Zhang comes back with a bag of roasted nuts and a bottle of cold fruit juice. He sees Manami squatting and looking at the ground so he approaches her and touches her cheek with the cold bottle.


Manami: Ahhh!! Don’t do that!!

Zhang: Hahaha… sorry but I just couldn’t resist.


At that time the sun had already set and the merchants started to light up the fireworks. Zhang and Manami tried to watch the fireworks show but there were too many people surrounding and was impossible for 2 twelve year olds to watch with so many taller people around. Zhang looks at the buildings and has an idea.


Zhang: Manami (Shouts through the loud fireworks explosion sound)!! Come with me!! I have an idea!!


Zhang grabs Manami’s hands and pulls her through the crowd. He brings her to the corner of the alley where he saw a ladder leading to the roof of the 3 storey houses. He tells Manami to climb after him to the rooftop. Once they got to the roof they could see the fireworks display so clearly with nothing to block their view. They say on the roof ate the roasted nuts and watched the fireworks. Zhang was totally focused on the fireworks until he realized they were sharing the same bottle. Zhang had not realized they had shared an indirect kiss and this made him choke when he was drinking from the bottle. The juice spilled over his clothes and Manami quickly grabbed her handkerchief to wipe Zhang’s face.


Manami: (Giggles) Slowdown. You don’t want to get too excited with the fireworks do you? (Hands handkerchief to Zhang to wipe his clothes)

Zhang: (Face turns pink) Ummm…. That wasn’t it….
At that time, someone noticed they were on the roof and shouted “Hey!! You two kids get off the roof!!”


Zhang: Oh no!! Hurry let’s go before they catch us!!


Zhang grabs Manami’s hand and they started running over the roofs. The houses in the capital were all connected and this made the connecting roofs a flat surface strong enough for little children to run over. The continued running and Manami could not hold in the thrill of the excitement and laughed while they were running. They continued running until when they fell though a huge hold of the roof of an abandoned house.


Manami: (Laughs) That was so much fun!!

Zhang: Speak for yourself!! I almost for a heart attack!! Do you know how much trouble we’ll be in if we were caught?? I think it’s about time for me to get back. My master will be unhappy if I was late.

Manami: I guess I should head back too. I don’t want my dad to go crazy when he wakes up and finds me missing.

Both the kids found their way out of the abandoned house and into the streets once more. They talked for a while until they had to go separate ways.

Zhang: I’m heading this way.

Manami: I’m going that way. It was really fun today!! Thank you so much Zhang!! It was really nice meeting you. You really made my day today (Hugs Zhang and runs off).

Zhang: I hope to be able to see you again next time!!

Manami: (Turns back) Me too!!


Zhang walks towards the second main gates and back to the Villa when he realizes he was still holding onto Manami’s handkerchief. He puts it into his chest pocket and when he gets to the gates, he shows the talisman William gave him and he was let in. Once he got back to the Villa, Ganth and his men were already there eating dinner with William and his men.


William: You’re late Zhang. Where have you been? Was the capital really that exciting of a place?

Ganth: Hold it right there boy (Grabs handkerchief our of Zhang’s pocket). A young lady’s handkerchief…. Well well well… William my dear friend. I’d say our young friend here met a little angel while he was out. Hahaha!!

Zhang: (Tries to grab handkerchief back) Please sir!! Give it back!! (Grabs handkerchief)


Ganth spent the whole night making fun of Zhang and his little encounter that day. Once dinner was over, Ganth and his men returned back to their Villa and both Lords and their men were prepared to sleep. Both lords were also excited about the meeting that was going to go on the next day and prayed for the best.


Zhang went to sleep that night wondering if he would ever be able to meet with Manami again. He spends the night looking at the handkerchief and wonders what the initials KNSR on it meant. He then goes to sleep while holding putting the handkerchief away into his pouch.

[HeavensRose]

Like it its very well wrote.