6 PROTECTING THE CITY

"Your highness," Azra bowed as he offered an elegant but thick royal tunic, embroidered with thousands of Basra seed pearls, to Raigon, to keep him warm during the journey. He then proceeded on rowing the boat.

"Did someone see you on your way here?" Raigon greeted Azra in a formal manner. His old nature returned as soon as his feet stepped out of Lord Howe Island into the boat from the City. 

"No, your Highness. Everything is clear. Did you find what you were searching for, your Highness?" Azra inquired as he kept his hands on the oar.

Raigon let out a deep sigh. "A yes and a no." He tilted his head and gazed at the night sky with a smile. 

Azra gave Raigon a puzzled look. "You have taken a very risky decision to leave the lands, sire."

Raigon nodded as he was reminded of his mission. "I know. How is Terra?" 

"The City of Terra is in good condition. But the King passed out again, your Highness." Azra stopped from rowing the boat.

"What?!" Raigon immediately stood up. Azra quickly scrutinized the sea in case there were citizens who might recognize that the prince was outside the capital.

Realizing the danger he was in, Raigon's anxiety dissipated and returned to his hiding stance. 

A week ago, the King passed out while he was in the fields talking with the farmers in the Eastern region of the City. His father is a hands-on man, seeing everything from his naked eye. 

The doctor told him that he was not capable of traveling anymore because of the deteriorating condition of his body. They said that the loss of consciousness came from overwork because of his duties. They were still examining him if there are other illnesses that could have provoked it.

It is the reason why he was trying to solve the mysterious rumors of people negotiating outside of Terra, a forbidden rule among Terrans. He was trying to relieve his father of the greatest headache that he could ever experience as the ruler of their land.

But he didn't know that his condition would deteriorate quickly like this.

"How about the King's duties for today?" He interrogated Azra. 

"It was postponed, your Highness. The Royal Council were also disturbed as they have important matters that need attention." Azra reported.

Raigon swallowed hard as he doesn't have confidence in being the King Regent just yet. Since the Great Bloodbath that happened fifteen years ago, the King has been very protective of the royal family, not wanting them to leave the Castle unless necessary.

Though he studied all the books that he needed in being a monarch to a country, he didn't have enough experience yet to rule one.

But he did not want the King to continue to exhaust himself. He must take action at once.

"What were they discussing that exhausted the King?" Raigon inquired with furrowed brows.

"One of the informants told me that some noblemen are suggesting to open up the City of Terra to the outside world," Azra answered back.

Raigon slumped back. No wonder his father passed out. The City has been safe for thousands of years because the royal family has been keeping it from the eyes of the world from generation to generation.

They were doing well independently until fifteen years ago. Since then, security has become more strict and rigorous.

'Who started this? What are their motives? Is this connected to the reports about people leaving the island?' Raigon contemplated as he rubbed his chin.

Raigon resolved to himself that he would just solve this mystery and then he will ask the King if he could take over while he was recuperating from his sickness.

They carried on their travel in silence as Raigon pondered about what he should do.

With Azra's meticulous overseeing, they made it with no delay through the Ball's Pyramid, the isle where the City of Terra was situated, and back to the Castle.

"I'm going to the King's chamber," Raigon informed Azra. Azra bid him farewell.

As he went to his room, the servants of the King, realizing that he was Prince Raigon, let him in.

The King was already sleeping when he stepped inside. Raigon didn't bother to wake him up. He just stared at the maturer version of his face lying soundly as if Azra was lying when he said that he became unconscious just a while ago.

"You are a picture of a strong mortal soul, conquering through all life's battles both for his household and his kingdom, with an intelligent mind and a kind spirit." Raigon whispered as he had always admired him since he was young.

'Is this possible?' Raigon mumbled as his lips trembled with a pool of tears welling from his eyes.

Raigon gazed at his father's greying hair and wrinkling skin with a sad smile. 'How could I not notice that time flies so fast?' Raigon pressed his lips bitterly.

After leaving the King's room, he proceeded to the chamber of her mother, the Queen's. Although she was resting on her side, she was also hugging a photo frame of their family at her chest, with marks of tears at her cheeks.

'The Queen must have cried a lot to be so sound asleep,' Raigon surmised as he lifted the blankets to cover her from neck to foot.

Lastly, he went to the chambers of her sisters, the Princesses. They were both sleeping soundly.

Raigon went out to the Castle's Tower and looked fixedly at the horizon of Terra, knowing what he had to do, with a passionate determination in his heart.