While Garroth and Lawrence healed their wounds Aphmau helped around the small town they were in. After three days the group continued their journey to the Kingdom of O'khasis. Following the main road on horseback they could see the large citadel on the horizon. They approached the large stone gates with a drawbridge and it slowly opened. An ominous feeling overwhelmed them as the drawbridge lowered.
"Maybe they were expecting us?" Lawrence said.
"That doesn't make me feel any better." Aphmau said.
The group slowly made their way into the city. It was a ghost town, there were no people, most of the homes looked abandoned and the streets were empty. Suddenly the horses went frantic when guards ambushed them. Even though they were clearly outnumbered Lawrence started to draw his sword, preparing to fight.
"That would not be wise." An unknown voice said. The group looked forward to see a man shifting his glasses.
Aphmau got off her horse and walked toward him, "Where is everyone?" she asked.
"It is standard protocol that citizens should be evacuated when an unknown enemy is approaching. It helps lower civilian casualties in times of war. All the townspeople were moved out in precaution. This protocol was developed by me, Barthus Kumodori, member of the Jury of Nine."
"Another one…"Lawrence muttered.
Barthus turned away from the group and began to walk toward the castle. "Escort our guests to the castle." The guards began to seize the four and take their weapons. As they tried to fight back a sensation of fatigue and drowsiness overwhelmed them and they were each knocked unconscious.
When Aphmau awoke again she was in a large hall. It was floored with a red carpet and at the end of the hall was a throne. On the throne was an old man with a long grey beard and a crown. She could also see that Garroth, Zane and Lawrence were beside her. As well as a few number of guards and Barthus. Then the king spoke with an overbearing tone.
"Why did you come here?"
Aphmau was hesitant but then spoke in a clear tone, "We have a man who has committed many crimes under your name."
"And who would that be?"
"…Zane of O'khasis."
The man looked toward Zane, who refused to make eye-contact with him. The king then looked toward the guards. "Take him to the prison, have him interrogated there." The guards followed the order and took the former high priest away.
"That's it?" Aphmau said surprised, she didn't think that it would have been this easy.
"I expected you under different circumstances Lord Aphmau."
"I-I-I'm…" before finishing her sentence Lawrence kicked her slightly, as if saying "Don't say it." Perhaps the only reason this went smoothly is because he thinks she's a Lord. "I-I'm honored your majesty."
"Since you are here early you will be staying at the High Church, they requested that they greet you personally."
"O-of course, thank you."
As the two talked Garroth suddenly stood up and walked toward the exit. Guards lifted their swords to stop him. "Let him pass." The king said. The guards slowly lowered their blades. "It has been long time Garroth."
Without turning his back Garroth simply said, "You're still the same…" then continued to walk.
"Perhaps you should join him. My guards shall escort you to the cathedral."
As the group left the building Barthus approached the king. When they were out of earshot the two conversed. "Perhaps you should have told him, then maybe the hostility between you two would diminish." Barthus said.
"No, this is how it must be. It's for the best."
"It doesn't matter to me, I shall still follow the one I call king."
"Your loyalty is appreciated. Keep a close eye on them."
"Of course sir."
The gaurds only lead the three to as far the main entrance of the cathedral, said that they were not permitted to enter holy ground. As they entered Aphmau was at awe at how beautiful the inside was, there were a dozen of shining mosaics scattered on the ceiling above. The entire architecture was amazing with curved archways and a huge domed ceiling.
A group then approached them. It looked like an entourage of private guards surrounding someone. A small soft voice can be heard within. "Let me pass."
"Are you sure your holiness?"
"Positive, there's no problem."
The group slowly dispersed and revealed a young girl who wore a long white robe and a headdress with a veil. She slowly walked toward the three, the guards becoming more nervous. And when she was only a few feet away from them she suddenly dropped to her knees and placed her forehead on the ground.
"What are you-?" Aphmau said.
"On behalf of the Holy Church of O'khasis I apologize." The girl said. Behind her the guards could be heard yelling.
"High Priestess don't!"
"Get up."
"You shouldn't degrade yourself to this."
Aphmau could only be confused at the situation.
The priestess shouted back, still kneeling on the floor. "There is no one in this world that is too high to apologize to others. After wronging another one must put themselves below another in order to accept forgiveness." The guards began to yell again.
"Our priestess is so wise!"
"We'll bow as well."
"All hail our priestess!"
Soon all of the guards began to kneel in front of Aphmau, who was still in confusion. She looked toward Lawrence and Garroth for advice.
"The holy guards weren't this devoted the last time I came here."
"Devotion, yeah, crazy might work also." Lawrence murmured.
"Lawrence!" Aphmau glared then faced the high priestess. "You shouldn't be on the floor, get up…"
"No. The previous high priest Zane had abused his power to bring nothing but trouble to your village. I am willing to take full responsibility for his past actions."
"No, really it's fine you shouldn't stress yourself."
The priestess raised her head slightly and then immediately slammed her forehead down. "Thank you for your forgiveness! Words cannot express my gratitude!"
After a long and odd conversation the priestess finally got off the floor and led the three to their rooms. Aphmau was given a single-person room to herself and the guys were given a separate two-person room.
"Your guards will be in the room across," the priestess said. "Also my room is on the next floor so feel free to call. Again, apologizes for earlier."
"Please, stop apologizing."
"Sor-, oh dear I'm doing it again."
"It's fine."
"Thank you. OH! I almost forgot, there was a letter that was addressed to you." The priestess handed Aphmau a letter. "Well I'll be off."
"Wait," Aphmau said. "You never told me your name."
"Oh, i-it's Nirvana, odd name I know."
"No, it's fine. It's a nice name."
"T-thank you…" She stepped out but quickly stepped back in and faced Aphmau. "Are w-we f-friends? I-I mean I just must you, and you don't know anything about me…"
"Sure, we can be friends. I guess?"
"Really? Oh thank you, thank you. Sorry about that."
"What did I say about apologizing?"
"Oh right sorry. Sorry! Sor- I'll just be going now…"
As she left Aphmau couldn't help but smile at the girl's enthusiasm. She then looked at the letter and read the message.
Dear Aphmau
I am writing this letter to tell you some important news I have received. I don't know when you will receive this letter but hopefully before the ceremony. Today I was sent a package that contained a new type of communication crystal. I was then in contact with the Lord of O'khasis and several members of the Jury of Nine. Their proposal was that I return to my post as one of the Jury.
I accepted.
Now, I know you must be worried and concerned with my decision but I thought this was the best way to protect Phoenix Drop. With me acting as Juror, Phoenix Drop will have the full protection of O'khasis. I know you might think it is a bad idea, but it was Zane who manipulated the military of the kingdom. And if everything went as planned, he should be behind bars and awaiting his execution.
A ceremony will be held in five days from now. It will require me to take an oath of loyalty to O'khasis and it seems that you are to act as Lord. Even though technically Levin is lord now, it would be a bad idea to bring him to O'khasis, I think you can agree. So for now we have to let them believe that you are still acting as Lord. I hope you will respect the decision I've made.
` Best Wishes: Katelyn.
P.S. Don't worry about how things are back here, everyone is fine. Though they are a little disappointed that your return will be little delayed.
The note is dated 3 days ago
"Two days huh?" Aphmau sighed and looked outside to see the kingdom of O'khasis shine in the moonlight. "I really didn't want to stay here more than needed."
Across the land members of the nine received letters summoning them to the capital. During a battle a warrior in black armor was given a letter by squire. In a pub a man fighting a group of thugs got a letter that was given to him by a child messenger. In a bathhouse a women got a letter by a dove landing on a windowsill. And atop a mountain cliff a man with a hood meditated with a spear across his legs grabbed a letter that was dropped by a falcon overhead.
The Jury of Nine have been summoned and the Oath Ceremony was upon them.
The final chapter of this short fan-story will be posted sometime next week.