79 Family Feud

Royal Palace

"Yadaji, I have told you several times to leave Hill City alone. It's no longer your responsibility." King Ometu said in a calm and yet firm voice. His long hair, which had prematurely grayed out, had been tied up in a bun. Even though the king was sitting in a wheelchair, and looked sick from head to toe, he still exuded an intimidating aura of royalty around him.

Yadaji Piron-Yarra only stared at the stubborn king, completely at a loss of words. He still could not understand why King Ometu had suddenly handed over Hill City to Jambati. And as if that was enough, the king had severed Yadaji's power over the city as governor of Royal Hill Province.

"Forgive me, your majesty. Hill City may no longer be under my jurisdiction as governor, but it is still my responsibility. It is all of our responsibility.

People are going missing in the Lower and Middle Domains and it is creating fear and a sense of insecurity in the hearts of the people. "

Governor Yadaji adjusted his spectacles slightly, and then returned his hand behind him. Then he sighed heavily. He knew he was wasting his time. This was not the first time Yadaji had confronted the king about this issue.

Eight years ago when the king first appointed Prince Jambati as the Lord of Hill City as reward for saving his life, it had come as a surprise to everyone. For starters, Jambati was a high rank member of the royal family. Thus, he was more suited to be a governor or minister rather than a mere city lord. Eventually, that surprise transformed to confusion when King Ometu announced that Hill City would no longer be under the Royal Hill Province, and that the prince would rule over the city as its one true ruler.

When King Ometu told the Dream Council about his decision, all the governors and ministers tried to talk him out of it. Governor Yadaji had suggested that if the king so wanted to show his gratitude to his brother, he could give any of the cities in Royal Hill Province other than Hill City. Hill City was the capital and seat of the king, and thus, making Prince Jambati the one true ruler of the city was sending a bad message to the entire kingdom. But of course, King Ometu had refused to listen to reason.

Over the years, Jambati had made several changes to how things worked in Hill City. Firstly, he fired all the prefects of the Quarters in the city and then appointed only those loyal to him. Then, he increased the taxes exponentially and forced people to pay with the help of his loyal prefects. Ever since the prince became Lord of the city, taxes had spiked unreasonably in the last eight years than than had ever been in the last two centuries. When people could not pay their taxes, a special force, known as Tiger Claw, loyal to Prince Jambati rounded up these defaulters, took everything they owned and then banished them to the fringes of the city. Eventually, this practice ended up segregating the city into three domains with the Lower Domain being home to the poorest of the poor in the kingdom.

People started getting tired of Prince Jambati's abuse of power and the king's silent approval. Thus, the former prefects directed their grievances to the governor or Royal Hill Province. After having his people investigate the matter, Governor Yadaji began to understand the seriousness of the issue, and thus, forwarded it to King Ometu. The king however said that he could do nothing about it since Hill City was no longer his to rule.

But of course, Governor Yadaji knew that this was a poor excuse. After all, the king still had the power to take Hill City away from his brother.

After many years of the king ignoring Governor Yadaji's complaints, the governor gave up. However, two days ago, the governor received reports about several people going missing in the city. For some reason however, no one was doing anything about it. Not even Tiger Claw. Thus, the governor decided to see the king about. Instead, King Ometu was asking him to stay out of it.

"I will have Jambati look into it." King Ometu said.

Governor Yadaji sternly eyed the king. "Jambati? You mean the very person involved in this?"

This wasn't the wise and just man Yadaji had grown up with. Perhaps, through no fault of the king, the tragedy had changed him. Still, that doesn't mean he should no longer care about his people. Why was he letting his brother have his way?

"What makes you think he is involved?"

"Hill City hasn't been exactly a model city ever since you made him city lord. I wish you wee in good health so you would come and see for yourself. Your brother has gone mad. Those loyal to him do whatever they want, like they own the place. When people go against him, they get punished for it. The only people he dares not antagonize are those linked in any way to any of the Sage clans. It is possible that those missing people went against him."

"Yada…" King Ometu began to cough incessantly.

"Your majesty," Yadaji rushed quickly to the king's side.

"I'm fine." King Ometu wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. "Listen, Yadaji, If this were coming from anyone else, I would say they are only saying this because I took Hill City from them. But I know you, cousin. You are an honourable man. Even still, I do not appreciate you accusing my brother without evidence."

"You are right. Forgive me, your majesty." Yadaji said, bowing curtly. "I am just worried about what is going on. The people are afraid and helpless. Out of respect to you, nobody, not even the soul guardians, is intervening. You are the only one who can help the people. Your people."

"I understand. And like I said, I will have have Jambati look into it. Just don't get involved. That is an order."

Governor Yadaji's heart sank in disappointment. What was going on? Why did he feel like his cousin was hiding something from him? They used to confide in each other. However, ever since the king was almost assassinated, he had grown apart from him. It was almost like the king was deliberately pushing him away. "King Ometu, is there something going on? You know you can count on me for anything if you need my help."

King Ometu smiled dryly as he saw the concern on his cousin's face. He could understand why Yadaji would feel that way, however, he knew this was the only way to protect his cousin and nieces. If Yadaji and everyone else hated him for it, then so be it.

"Yadaji, do you trust me?" The king said, wheeling himself closer to the governor.

Governor Yadaji's eyes softened a bit. However, the uncertainty returned. Had the king asked him this question a few years ago, the question would have been a resounding yes. But now, he did not know what to think. Ever since the king grew closer to Jambati, Yadaji had grown further apart from him.

King Ometu could read the uncertainty in Yadaji's brown eyes. "Well, if you do not trust me, then trust your daughter. She trusts me, and we both know what that means. Just like her mother, her instincts are always spot on when it comes to reading people's intentions."

The governor sighed bitterly. He knew the king was right about that. Ironically, while Yadaji grew further apart from the king, his daughter became even closer to. Ashesi would never get close to someone unless she completely trusted them. Maybe that should count for something. "I guess you are right."

A comfortable silence engulfed the room. But before the king could say anything, a booming voice filled the room. It was coming from outside the king's chambers.

"Your majesty, his highness, Prince Jambati Rui-Yarra is here to see you."

As soon as the voiced announced the presence of the visitor, Prince Jambati walked into the room, his golden cane in hand.

Governor Yadaji adjusted his spectacles casually, wondering what the prince was doing here at this time of the night. Was he perhaps here to deny everything that was going on?

"Ah, brother, you are here." King Ometu said. He had a a smile on his face, however, the smile did not reach his eyes. "I've received an alarming report. We need to talk."

Prince Jambati gazed at the governor, a hint of contempt in his eyes. Then he chuckled. "Let me guess. Our dear cousin is here to accuse me of unspeakable crimes again."

"I wouldn't call it an accusation, dear cousin. But do tell me, do you have any crimes to confess?" Governor Yadaji retorted, coming face to face with the prince.

The prince laughed again. "After all these years, Yadaji, are you still sore about losing one little city?"

"Hmm… You mean that one little city you can't even take care of?"

"Do you mean like how you could not protect your own daughter?" A smirk widened on Prince Jambati's face when he saw Yadaji's pained expression.

F0r someone as witty as Governor Yadaji, bringing up his children in an argument was enough to throw him off balance for a while. Prince Jambati knew this, thus, he used it to his advantage.

"That's enough." King Ometu intervened. He did not raise his voice, yet it was enough to shut the two men up. Among the three men, King Ometu was the youngest as well as the strongest until he became sick. Before his soul got damaged due to the poisoning from the assassination attempt, he was one of the strongest and most powerful people in the kingdom. Thus, no one dared to defy him. Even now, though he was a lot weaker than before, he still had the same imposing effect on people.

"Jambati, never speak about Layeesi in such a manner. Do you understand?" The King's gaunt face was clouded with fury. Since he lost his children, he had become even more protective of his nieces.

Jambati could feel his palm becoming sweaty. He could not make his brother angry right now. At least, not before he had succeeded in carrying out his plan. Cursing Yadaji in his head for almost making things go awry, Jambati bowed before the king. "Forgive me, your majesty. I did not speak well."

Then Jambati turned to Yadaji, and with a straight face said, "I apologize for my distasteful choice of words, governor."

The governor adjusted his spectacles, not for a second believing the prince. However, he said nothing.

King Ometu snapped Yadaji out of his thoughts. "Yadaji, leave us."

The governor bowed and then turned to leave, but not before glaring at the prince. Before he could open the door and get out of the room, the king called him. Slowly, he turned his attention to the king.

"Take care of my niece." The king smiled.

When Governor Yadaji left the room and made his way out of the palace, the last words of the king lingered in his mind. 'Take care of my niece.' Was it Ashesi or Layeesi? Did King Ometu say this because of what Jambati said? In that case, the king must be referring to Layeesi. Still, that was odd. There was no way his cousin would ask him to take care of one niece and leave the other. Or perhaps, the king had said, 'nieces', but he had misheard it as 'niece'.

"Why am I even thinking about this? This is nothing serious." He said to himself, dismissing his irrelevant thoughts.