5.5 Predictions

Shu XinYi did leave for the main palace, reluctantly so. He headed to his quarters to have a bath. Only then did he visit the king's quarters. Levay was as usual in the study, talking with the left ministers. Shu XinYi wanted to leave after knowing that Levay was buzy but Levay called him in from where he was sitting, saying, "It's ok, you can join us." Shu XinYi diligently obliged. Calian was very loyal to the kingdom, so Shu XinYi would naturally imitate him.

One of the ministers present said, not paying much attention to Calian, "My Leige, the western valley has suffered due to the earthquake 7 days ago. We can't delay this matter anymore. The winter winds have started to flow, We need atleast some budget to compensate for the losses." The minister was polite. He genuinely looked concerned about the well being of those people.

Shu XinYi noticed something weird about the room. He had a feeling that he was being watched, No, glared at. Shu XinYi asked Snow to do something and after confirming, a small smug smile appeared on his face.

The second minister also joined in to convince the king, "The people have become angry, they are demanding their taxes to be utilized. For now we have promised them a secure accommodation, but we can't achieve that without your help."

Levay hummed, "Hmm. I have heard your concerns. You may rest in the capital for the time being. I'll reach out to you soon."

The 3 ministers politely agreed and left after thanking the king. Shu XinYi didn't miss the hidden smiles on their faces.

As expected of Shu XinYi, the king asked him, "Calian, I heard that you were unable to make conversation with the dragon."

Shu XinYi stood up from his seat and said in a respectfully serious way, "The northern dragon was nowhere to be found. I can't say where the dragon left to. This subject has failed to gather the necessary answers."

Levay then said, "Mhm. Then do you think that a war is due?"

Shu XinYi answered, "I can not predict such things without concrete evidence my Leige. The dragons have merely visited the outskirts of our land. Based on logic this behavior suggests that they are looking for something lost, rather then scouting the land for war. It is not just the Elven kingdom the dragons have been sighted at. The south east kingdom of visions, has reported multiple sightings. The north east kingdom of the beasts too have sighted dragons."

Levay nodded looking at the reports that suggested Shu XinYi's claims as accurate, obviously Shu XinYi said what was the truth. The dragons only knew that the second prince was dead, not where he died, until later. They had a dragon pearl that indicated their life, the second prince's golden pearl had broken, indicating his death.

Levay wasn't disappointed with his answer, neither did he have room to disagree. But what if that man's prediction about the war actually happening, really comes true? If Calian too follows through with the man's predictions then should I believe the man's prediction about the war as true as well? Should I really test it, Levay thought. There was a part of him that was scared of the outcome. After all, which king wants their kingdom to war with the king beasts?

Levay still questioned, "What do you suppose I should do about the earthquake situation in the western valley? The war might be ahead of us. Funding a whole valley may decrease our deposits for war."

Shu XinYi first confirmed something with Snow, "Same as the original?"

Snow replied, "Yes, exactly the same."

Shu XinYi then replied to Levay saying, "My Leige, the people of the kingdom come first for me. In my lowly opinion, you should send the funds." Levay was astonished at this reply, even scared. He wanted to be angry but Shu XinYi continued, knowing what was going on in Levay's head, "Those ministers my Leige are not trustable, I suggest to send Yuè with them, to make sure the funds are used by the relevant audience." Yuè is the the first prince, Zither's elder step brother.

Levay was a bit shocked at this suggestion, seeing this Shu XinYi naturally explained, "My Leige, I am aware of your concerns for the first prince. He is not the kid you see him be, neither is Zither. Both of them can survive without protection, mine and yours. I would even suggest to send Zither and Yuè together. But if you are still concerned about their safety then I can assure you, they aren't weak. They have trained well under you all these years."

Levay was anxious hearing Calian's words, it was true that both his son and his Zither had started to rebel in their own little ways, because Levay had kept them trapped in a safety bubble for much of their lives. Levay looked towards a wooden partition at the corner of the room, then he turned to Calian to say, "No. I won't allow this ever. Leave."

Although he said such harsh words, his tune was not harsh at all. Shu XinYi obviously understood his implication, even if Levay wanted to say yes to Calian's offer, right now he could only say a firm no. After all there was an unauthorized council member behind that wooden screen, well 2 actually.

Bane had already infiltrated the capital. It was the same as original. Seeing that Calian had left for the north, Bane had introduced himself to the council. He told the council about his "findings" as a foreseer. Yes, Bane gained the council's attention as someone who could see the future. The council was very impressed by his accuracy. First Bane "predicted" the earthquake in the west valley, which obviously came true. Then slowly, for the past 7 days he had fully gained the trust of the council. It seemed bizzare, but the councilmen although old were susceptible to beauty. The Elves always trusted the most beautiful, tagged with the true predictions, it was easy to gain the council's trust.

Next step for Bane was to gain Levay's trust, but obviously Shu XinYi can't allow that. Levay is not a bad king, just a slow learner, so Shu XinYi was willing to invest in him. Bane had claimed that he could predict Calian's exact words before he spoke them. That's why Bane and one of the king's man were behind that wooden screen. The king's man was just making sure that Bane wrote on his parchment, before Calian said that particular thing and if it matched. Obviously it didn't. In the original, Calian had suggested to send only Zither. Not Yuè.

It was also important that Yuè wasn't trapped inside the palace for any longer, since he later rebelled against his father which bought the kingdom only more loss. As for sending Yuè and Zither together, Shu XinYi was sure Zither would approve of this very happily. But this could only be if the king actually allowed them to go.

Shu XinYi bowed to say, "As you say My Leige. I have some other matters to discuss with the council. Allow me."

Levay rubbed his temples again saying, "Yeah. Go on ahead. Meet me in the southern study in the evening. I have somethings to discuss."

Shu XinYi nodded and left. Levay can't totally ignore Bane because many of his predictions had come true but after today he won't fully trust him either. He may just give him a position in the council due to the councilmen's demand.

Although it may seem that the council was under the king, so was the kingdom. The reality was much different. The council was much more powerful then the king, although without the king's approval nothing would be authorized, but the council's words are what the king was forced to listen. He was a weak king, but also loyal to his kingdom.

The council consisted of 44 people, 12 preists/Scholars , 11 military heads including Calian with the highest authority, 12 Farm/Land owners, 9 community heads. Apart from 2 few people, the whole council was rigged. The preists were no preists, the military heads were just just looking for ways to secure a good pay. Even the community heads were mostly unaware of the matters in the community. Even after all this, Calian was still the head of the council. Without Calian's approval, nothing could be decided unless the king himself stepped in. That's why, the council wanted to get rid of him.

Shu XinYi didn't call the council for a meeting but instead went to particular officials that Calian trusted. He asked them for the daily reports of their own departments. To know what was going in the kingdom, there was letter chain set up. Everyday or week, the heads of different cities would sent a sealed letter directly to the related officials in the council, for daily or weekly reports. The accuracy of the letters could not be tested, but to Shu XinYi, even the inaccurate information would suffice.

Shu XinYi collected the reports of the capital, the northern region where Saye was, the western valley where the earthquake occurred, and two places in the south where the dragons were sighted. After reviewing it all in his quarters alone, he then went to write his own report for the king to review. Bane has entered the capital, he may even be allowed to live in the council as a council member in some days. Then.. Where is he keeping the baby dragon? Shu XinYi couldn't find this out through Snow.

Author notes:

Bane is here. I don't know how I should shape his character yet. He is motivated by his pure hate for Calian, along with his useless omnipotence. Thankyou for the reads and reacts. Hope you all have a nice day.