Crown Prince Yoshi – 9

“Your Highness,” Heloth Janir, Lord of Earith started.

“Before we start,” Tai said.

He spoke in a low tone, and stood behind Yoshi’s seat.  Still, his words carried through the large tent silencing the army officers and the Earith nobles attending the meeting.

“Who are you?” Heloth asked.

“Who I am is of no concern to you,” Tai answered.  “Her Majesty Almira has officially handed the Prince Yoshi control of the Empire.  The Prince Yoshi is now, your Royal Highness of Amana.”

Heloth’s gaze returned to Yoshi.  “I apologize—

“Regardless of my title,” Yoshi interrupted then, holding Heloth’s gaze.  “There are women and children living in fear in the Earith woods, Lord Janir.  They have little food, while your people live in comfort.”

“Your Royal Highness,” Heloth said in surprise.

“General Midori has fought to keep your lands safe.”  Anger burned deep inside at the thought of the children he’d met nights ago sleeping in the cold.  “His people run and hide in the woods like the forgotten.  We cannot move forward until a solution is found.”

Heloth stared at him silent for the first time.  Yoshi wondered that the man was not eagerly offering help.

“War is not kind,” Heloth started.

“No,” Yoshi said then.  “War is not kind, but decency is expected in times of hardship.  The General has protected your people from the plight facing Fier.  You must show kindness, Lord Janir.  Allow the Fier people suffering in the woods into the town.”

A round of protests filled the tent from the Earith nobles.  Yoshi contained his own anger at the reluctance to offer help to homeless families.  He understood the people of Earith worried that the people of Fier would turn on them.  Hand them over to Namik, and start a new rebellion…

He raised his right hand to silence the room.

“I understand your fears,” Yoshi said.  “However, those families suffering in the woods are not your enemy.  They carry no weapons, and only seek safety.”

“But Your Royal Highness,” Heloth said.  “How long do they stay?  Who is to say that they won’t want to remain in Earith—?”

“They are citizens of this empire,” Yoshi cut in.  “Where is it written a man from Fier cannot live in Earith, and one from Earith won’t live in Fier?  Is this the type of Empire you want, Lord Janir?  What would you do if the situation was reversed?”

Heloth frowned.

Telia stepped forward, inducing a round of murmurs as the nobles recognized her attire.  Her long red skirts were clean; she must have changed after the battle.  Her presence brought frowns to many.  The Furian women were known for their bloodthirsty nature, many feared them.

“I speak for the Furian Princess,” Telia said.  “The Furian forest offers sanctuary to those in need.”

Yoshi hid a smile when Heloth gaped and turned to look at the surprised nobles.  None of them expected kindness from a Furian.

“Thank you, Telia,” Yoshi said.

“Your Royal Highness,” Heloth said then, “Earith will accommodate those in need as well.”

“Are you sure?” Yoshi asked his gaze sweeping over the nobles who had their eyes cast down.

“Yes.” Heloth answered, “I will handle it personally.”

Yoshi nodded and glanced at Midori.  He got a short smile in answer.  Yoshi felt an answering heat sweep through him.  It was the least he could do for Midori’s people.  The Fier people would suffer much before he took control of the Empire again.

“Earith is still at risk,” Yoshi continued, his gaze sliding back to Heloth.  “The Furian Princess fights to keep Namik’s army from taking over the forest.  As long as they fight so close, Earith remains in danger.”

“What do you plan to do, Your Royal Highness?” one of the Generals in Heloth’s army asked.  “Last we heard Namik has taken control of the Capital.”

“His Royal Highness fights to protect the Empire,” Tai said.  “Earith must form an alliance with Terra, the Furian Princess and Dwind—

“Dwind?” Heloth shook his head.  “That is a divided Quad.  It is hard enough to get the Klud clan to Quad meetings.  How do you suppose we are to convince, Lilind of the Dunes to form an alliance?”

“The alliance is necessary,” Tai said.

Yoshi understood Heloth’s skepticism.

Dwind was to the south of Amana: a desert land.  The people of Dwind were divided into two clans.  The natives of Dwind were sons and daughters of the sands: a people who manipulated the sand itself.  Their leader was Lilind.  A woman they considered a mother and a spiritual leader.  Lilind often left the politics of the Empire to the Klud.

Yoshi frowned.  The Klud were children born from the mix of Dwind natives and men from different parts of the Empire.  They lived in an oasis in the middle of the Dwind Quad.  Their leader was Pipa Klud.  She too preferred to keep a distance from Empire politics.

“Leave Lilind and Pipa to me,” Yoshi said.  He’d have to approach them in person, and without an army.

“What of Terra?” Telia asked.  “Namik won’t leave them alone.  He knows Lady Tinya supports the House of Taimeng.  Namik will attack Terra the same way he has Earith.”

“Terra has the ability to isolate itself from the rest of the empire,” Midori said.  “They have an army to rival the Imperial Army.  The problem is how to get past their walls to seek help.”

Tai touched Yoshi’s shoulder, giving it a squeeze.  Yoshi realized then where Zia Sayu had gone.  His mother must have separated the twins for this purpose.  Zia had gone to Terra to get help, while Tai came to him.  If he managed the alliance with the Furian Princess, Earith and those of Dwind, their allied Army would rival Namik’s forces.

“Terra will know when to help,” Yoshi said, knowing Zia would find a way through, no matter the obstacle.

“Your Royal Highness,” Telia started to protest, but he stayed her with a sharp glance.

“We have no time to argue,” Yoshi said, thinking the faster he got on the road to the Furian Princess the better.

Tai moved to his left side and motioned for the head of the Black Guard.  The man who walked through the Earith nobles and army officers was covered from head to toe.  Yoshi didn’t know his name, or his face.  He carried a wooden box, gilded with gold.  He brought it to the table where Yoshi sat, and Tai opened the lid to reveal a royal seal.

Sando brought a new scroll to the table, holding it straight as Tai held out the seal to Yoshi.

Yoshi placed the seal on the red ink on his right, careful not to smudge.  He pressed the seal on the new scroll and lifted it with a grim sigh.  With one stamp, he was taking over the responsibilities he’d chafed against for years.

“All in this room now serve his Royal Highness, Prince Yoshi,” Tai said, lifting the scroll to reveal the new seal.  “You shall honor this seal.”

“We declare our allegiance to you, Prince Yoshi Taimeng of Amana, heir to the throne,” Heloth said, and his people repeated.

Tense relief flowed through Yoshi.  The lives of these people were now in his hands.  He was making a promise to fight Namik to the death for the Empire.

Meeting Midori’s gaze, Yoshi prayed he had the strength.

***

Zia Sayu raced her horse across the Imperial Lands headed to Terra.  The white horizon ahead seemed close, yet she knew it wasn’t, she had two more days before she could reach Terra.  There would be two more days before she would find a way in and find the Lady Tinya.  Risking a glance behind her, she frowned when she saw the two shadows in the distance.

Riders, Zia thought, sent after her by a spy in the palace.  Zia leaned even closer to her horse and urged him into a faster pace.  The open lands ahead didn’t offer any security.  At some point, her horse would tire, and she’d need to stop.  The riders would catch up.  She frowned.  Thinking of the ring on a leather strip around her neck, she knew she’d have to fight soon.

***

Amana Palace, Lexin City

Prince Tailen paced the length of his hall.  His gaze returned to his son, Saki, who was crouched by the windows playing with a kitten.  Twenty-one years old, and the boy still liked playing with pets.  Tailen shook his head with disgust and wondered why he even bothered to fight his cousin for the throne.

Saki was no Yoshi.  In all essence, the Prince Yoshi was perfect for the throne.  He’d see the Empire into higher prosperity were he to be Emperor.  However, Tailen thought continuing his pacing; Yoshi would also push Tailen into farther into obscurity.

The House of Taimeng would rule for generations to come.  Tailen scowled.  He couldn’t have that.

“My Lord,” his faithful servant said entering the room.

“Is he here?” Tailen demanded.

“Yes.  I will show him.”

Tailen breathed out in relief and hoped this meeting would bring him the piece Namik was missing.

Lord Hong Ma walked in dressed in his full uniform.  The head of the Royal Investigative Bureau held a powerful position in the palace.  This man knew all Almira’s secrets.

“My Lord,” Hong Ma said giving him a short bow of recognition.

“Do sit, Lord Hong,” Tailen said indicating one of the comfortable benches set around a short table.  “You must be thirsty from working all day without rest.  I heard the Empress has charged you with the security in the Palace.”

“It is my duty, My Lord,” Hong Ma said without hesitation.

Tailen hid the wince at the title.  He’d always hated that he’d never been Your Highness.

“There was an assassination attempt?” Tailen asked then, wanting to know what Almira knew.

“There was,” Hong Ma said and kept silent.

Tailen frowned.  “Did you catch the culprit?”

“The incident was resolved,” Hong Ma replied not offering any more information.

Tailen gave an inward sigh.  He was going to need to push harder.

“You answer to the Empress,” Tailen said.  “I understand that but, I am her family too.  Any attack on her is an attack on me.  I must know what happened.”

“I suggest you talk to the Empress Almira,” Hong Ma said then.  “My allegiance is to the House of Taimeng, My Lord.  I cannot reveal anything else.”

“The scales might shift,” Tailen warned.

“My thoughts won’t change,” Hong Ma said getting to his feet.  “Will that be all, My Lord?”

Tailen stared at the tall man with a frown.  “Yes, do send my regards to the Empress.  Tell her I wish her a long life.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Hong Ma said before he turned and walked out with swift strides.

The moment he was gone, Tailen cursed under his breath.

“You can’t win against her,” Saki said drawing his attention.

His son stood by the windows holding the kitten.

“What do you know?” Tailen cursed under his breath.  “We are doomed if Namik can’t enter the palace when he arrives.  His army might be strong, but if we don’t have the power to reach the people, we are rebels.”

“The funeral is in hours,” Saki said.  “My favorite cousin dead, I can barely believe it.  Use the Imperial Diet to your advantage in the morning.”

Tailen frowned staring at his son.  He hadn’t told Saki the truth about the imposter they were parading through the streets of Lexin City.  Saki had a strange fondness for Yoshi that wouldn’t help his cause.

“Explain,” Tailen said, crossing his arms against his chest.

“Convince the Imperial Diet matters of State must continue,” Saki said with a smile.  “With the Empire in mourning for my cousin, three months…issues will be at a stand still.  Even worse, the Empire’s successor is gone; the Empress needs to show strength and stability.”

Tailen smiled.

“If the Imperial Diet insists, Almira has no choice but to choose an heir despite the mourning period.”

“Yes, the Empire must be secured for the future,” Saki said with a small grin.

Tailen grinned.  “You are a Crown Prince, indeed, Saki.”

“Thank you, father,” Saki said petting the kitten lightly.

Tailen frowned.  “If only you’d leave your childish ways behind.”

***

Almira fought the urge to rip off the white silk gown she wore in place of her usual clothes.  The gold trim on the edges did nothing to embellish the garment.  The impostor’s funeral was an hour away.  She was meant to watch the people carry the casket out of the inner palace’s courtyard.

“Sayuri.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I must visit the apothecary.”

“But, Your Majesty—

“Be Discrete,” Almira cut her off.

She had no intention of sitting through a fake funeral.  Her thoughts needed to be on her son and getting him back to his rightful place.  Visiting the apothecary was Almira’s way of telling Sayuri that she needed to leave the palace without notice.  There were prying eyes in the walls, and windows.

“Yes,” Sayuri gave her a short bow and left her chambers to make arrangements.

An hour later, Almira walked beside Sayuri dressed in plain blue robes.  Sayuri wore the white silk gown prepared for Almira.  Sayuri’s face was covered with light gauze that effectively hid her face.  No one would question the headgear; this was the first time an Empress was in mourning in the empire.  When they reached the entrance into the courtyard, Sayuri paused and Almira touched her arm to reassure her.

She took a step back as Sayuri stepped out flanked by three women.

Almira didn’t wait for the applause that filled the courtyard.  She instead took the corridor to her right followed by one of her guards.  Her most trusted after the twins.  Ara was also a child she’d saved from the streets.  She was loyal.

Almira breathed in relief when she stepped out into the bright sun outside the palace.  The streets were filled with people, all heading to the palace for the mock funeral.  Almira adjusted the scarf covering her hair and took a small side street heading deeper into Lexin City.

***

“The funeral is underway,” Midori said, matching Midnight’s pace to Senbon.  Yoshi led his army to the North.  They’d had two skirmishes on their journey.  Both with Namik’s men left behind to man bases created to manage war supplies coming from Fier.

Yoshi took over the two bases they had encountered, and rerouted those supplies to Earith, securing the Earith border.  If they managed to help the Furian Princess, the North would unite.  Midori smiled.  They would ride toward the Imperial Lands as one army to face Namik.

“The Empress can handle herself,” Yoshi said, his tone too resigned.

“Your Highness,” Midori started.

“Don’t worry about the funeral,” Yoshi said.

Midori frowned and reached for Senbon’s reins, ignoring the nervous glances he got from the Black Guard surrounding them.  He moved Midnight even closer.

“Yoshi,” he said, needing to see Yoshi’s eyes.

The sun was fading in the distance.  The Furian forest got closer.  Midori wished he could steal two minutes with Yoshi.

“I’m fine,” Yoshi said squeezing his hand through leather gloves.  “I have a mission now, Midori.”

“You had one before,” Midori said letting go of Yoshi’s reins, when the prince tugged on them.  “The funeral worried you.”

“The funeral gives me a deadline,” Yoshi said glanced at him with hard, determined eyes.  Midori gaped.  “I need a united army before the week ends, Midori.  I must save the Empress before Tailen decides to kill her.”

Yoshi urged Senbon into a faster pace.  Midori wasn’t surprised when the Black Guard responded in kind, increasing their speed to keep up with the prince.

Telia rode up to Midori side.

“How do you like the Prince now?” she asked with a sly smile.

Midori scowled.  She gave him a smirk.

“You’re the one who wanted a Prince,” she said and raced after the speeding Black Guard.

****