Chapter 5: A Chance

The royals see that the new title vested to Prince Thariem is a kind of gift and appreciation for his excellence. However, to Mahagino, it was a call of more burdensome encounters to the following days of Clapestris. Mahagino was granted freedom in exchange for supplying the commercial trail of Clapestris and keeping his permanent residence at the small valley near the Kaskuhish. He was doing carpentry works for his unsold items when King Rashal and his men visited Mahagino.

“Greetings of peace to Your Majesty,” Mahagino saluted. “What brings Your Highness to my humble abode?”

“I will tell you once we enter your home,” King Rashal replied and marched towards the wooden cabin. The king found many Oriental items and jars inside Mahagino’s house. Many clothes are near the windows. The scent of the house was both out of agarwood and wine. He sat on the wooden chair and waited for Mahagino to settle himself as well. “I heard the rumors at the central market. You were saying it was a mistake to make Prince Thariem a Royal Knight.”

Mahagino knelt in appeal to the king to hear him first. “Before you smite your servant, I would let you know that you heard it wrong. Your Majesty, I have no ill-thinking about your power and to His Highness, the Prince. My thoughts are distinct from the soiled sentiments, My King.”

“Then what was it about?”

“I was only thinking that since you made Prince Thariem as the Royal Knight, your rivalries will think you are preparing for war. The allies will suspect you of breaking the covenant. More kingdoms will think that you are preparing for a great war against them because you strengthened Clapestris through Prince Thariem. However, your servant’s intention is not on causing dissatisfaction about the entitlement but to prompt Your Highness in preparing for other kingdom’s response. They might send troops to besiege the kingdom or lay an ambush. They will try to weaken the base of Clapestris since the news of Prince Thariem’s ascendancy is a threat to their authority.”

“I have not thought of that,” King Rashal said that delighted Mahagino. King Rashal is still the same king who would admit his fault and listen to counsel and admonition. “Then what should I do?”

“You have to prepare, Your Majesty. But do not make Prince Thariem lead this one because this would add salt to the wounds. Assign another person who is not earning the eyes of other kingdoms. A cavalry captain will do,” Mahagino suggested.

“Then Darina shall lead this preparation,” King Rashal said.

Mahagino was thinking the same but was surprised that King Rashal indeed mention her name.

“Her Royal Highness Darina is like the Prince. She is also responsible for her duties,” Mahagino sincerely replied without forgetting Darina’s frightening authority last time she confronted him. “I believe that they will not see her work suspicious.”

“Well then, I will take my leave. Keep guarding the Kaskuhish, Mahagino,” King Rashal said and left Mahagino.

The scholar fell at his feet after his conversation with King Rashal. He thought it would be the end of his life, although he managed to give a smooth talk. He could have just wished that his suspicion would be wrong. But he witnessed the conspiracy from a nearby country as he sold agar woods there. Mahagino returned to Kaskuhish with his merchandise and made his servants spread his thoughts. It was a game of minds that he risked his life on provoking the king to hear wrong versions of Mahagino’s theory. But the king took Mahagino’s pavement. That is why the king saw the mess in his place.

At the capital, Darina was at Farrah’s villa. It was her third consecutive visit since the hunting games. She might be silent about her purpose in visiting. But Farrah knows that her friend needs company in her defeating times. Darina was silent on the past few days and distant from other people. It was because she thought that she is losing chances to keep herself in Clapestris.

Darina and Farrah have their conversation in the hall. The hall offers a view of the ladies fanning themselves for Prince Thariem.

He was leading his troop upon the horses. Farrah shook her head while glancing outside.

“The girls are all the more attentive to your royal brother, especially that he has become the Royal Knight,” Farrah commented. “Glad that I only liked him when I was eight. Now, I do not need to compete with the ladies to earn his attention. Of course, they cannot get the Prince easily since you are there.”

“I’m not doing anything,” Darina replied while recalling if she intentionally removes girls away from Prince Thariem’s sight.

“If you think so. But the ladies would restrain themselves when you are around. They blabbered that you are that strict sister who guards over her twin and scares away his admirers. But it’s because you have beautiful salient features that stop them from doing so.”

“It’s not like I have the authority to choose his spouse,” Darina said. “I think he has more business for the kingdom than the ladies, especially now that he has a higher title.” She added and returned her gaze to the book of chronicles of Gilan. Due to the rumors brought by Mahagino, she thought that the capital needs reinforcement. She believes that the best source could be Gilan since it had encountered and neutralized incursions. She decided on knowing the first names of the great warriors of Gilan and then the leaders with great tactical strategies.

On the other hand, Farrah halted her needlework. “But where do you think would His Highness go?” she asked to see where Prince Thariem and his force are heading. “They’re taking the route to our gate. Darina, they’re coming here. We must sit still.”

Prince Thariem and his force entered Farrah’s villa. The Prince walked towards the hall and found Darina reading a book while Farrah finishes her embroidery work. He always arrives in this familiar scene. He would come to fetch Darina from Farrah’s home and see them doing their hobbies. Darina could be reading a book or writing a poem. Farrah has her needlework or playing the banjo. As a prince, Thariem didn’t grow to have close friends. He was glad that Darina has a long-time friendship with Farrah, although he cannot understand their way of bonding. When he’s far away, the girls are like students left by their teacher to make noise and play around. But when he is near the hall, they are the behaved princesses of the entire Clapestris.

“My sister, Father wants to talk to you,” Prince Thariem said.

“It would have been convenient if you just sent a messenger, Prince Thariem” Darina replied.

“It’s not bothersome for me to fetch you,” Prince Thariem said. “But I had not brought your horse.”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty. I’ll ride with your cavalry captain.”

“No, you can sit next to me,” Prince Thariem said that marveled Farrah.

It is supposed not to be new. But in these times where there was a silent struggle between the two, Farrah could no more convince herself than she already is that Prince Thariem deeply cares for Darina and would not hesitate to do so

“Let’s just talk for some time, Farrah,” Darina bid farewell to her friend.

Prince Thariem and Darina rode upon the royal horse. The ladies standing at the road were stunned that Darina was with Prince Thariem. They cannot make charming actions since Darina is looking at them with a straight face. However, Darina thinks that Farrah was right. The ladies were intimidated by Darina. When they arrived at the palace, the king greeted them. King Rashal was more glad that Darina and Prince Thariem are getting closer again. They proceeded to the hall and discussed Mahagino’s suggestion.

“I can’t believe that such countries would be offended on our milestone,” Darina commented as she stared at the map. “We are surrounded by them at the northern part.”

“That is why our reinforcement would be from the southern part. At Gilan, I am confident that we can have thousands of troops,” King Rashal stated.

“Since Gilan has more commercial activities, it would be better if we use the carts of provision. In this way, others would think that we will retrieve items from Gilan to supply here in Clapestris,” Darina commented and glanced outside. “I’ll bring my troops to clothe themselves as merchants. Others will keep themselves inside the cart.”

“But how can Gilan believe that you and your men are the royal force of Clapestris? Gilan is only familiar with the armories.”

“Some would dress as merchants. A few would keep their armories. In this manner, they would think that we guard for the merchandise. The people are familiar about the plundering of the bandits after all,” Darina reasoned. “As for the merchants, our armories are inside the central cart.”

“Darina, you will not wear your armory?” King Rashal asked.

“I see it best, your Highness. Since having a high-rank official like a cavalry captain to guard the called merchants would attract more bandits,” Darina replied.

“Could Mahagino be wrong then?”

“He’s not. Mahagino did not say after all that a cavalry captain has to wear the armories on the way to Gilan. A cavalry captain has to lead but without showing that he is so. Moreover, we will wear our armories once we reach the southern capital.”

“Well said, Darina,” King Rashal commented.

“I am willing to help Clapestris and your sovereign,” Darina said while placing her right fist on her chest.

“And I would be willing as well to stay in the capital to lower the suspicion of other countries, royal father,” Prince Thariem added.

At night, Darina and her cavalrymen imposed the plans. They proceeded to Gilan with caution against the bandits and beast attacks. Darina and Rowen, a cavalryman close to her, are inside the last cart. They are keeping themselves alert for their journey.

Darina stares at the jasper pendant Prince Thariem gave her. Her mind was blank except for the feeling that she can at least do something significant even at the heightened attention given to Prince Thariem and less to her.

It’s her chance to work well once she sets her feet at Gilan.