OMINOUS SIGN

She was looking like fairy, many girls of Archons and Nobles were chirping around prince but he seemed to looking someone else, she was standing beside her caretaker and with impressive look, though prince had not passion for music but this composition was heart conquering, he was sixteen this year, he was always busy with his training and practice and visiting some army camps sometime.

He excused the chirping beauties and walked forward to Henan, "If you are thinking about your father, let me tell you if he happened to be here in this right moment, he would feel panic to look at you," she curiously looked at him just like she used to look at her father when she had question in her head back then she looked innocent at those moments and now she was looking breathtaking innocent fairy.

He praised this look from the start and this moment he looked at her blankly instead of her curious look.

She repeated her question, "I asked why he would feel panic?" snapped her finger with thump in front of his face.

"Oh… oh yes!" he patted his head, "Your father wished to see you happy, just suppose what if he know that you are always sad?

Just think how he would feel?" he hurriedly created random words thinking that she might have asked why he would feel this way?

"You are right; I should try to be happy in order to make my father worry-free," it felt that spring flowers were throwing petals endlessly, it was after five years that she smiled, he was captured right this moment.

With his utmost effort he diverted his eyes other things of this hall, just this moment a flower got watered in his heart, he never knew that there was flower ever.

A servant voiced to inform guests that it was time for evening meal.

They rushed to meal serving garden.

Garden was decorated with several oil lights and hanging cloths.

Bronze pots were filled with food; aroma filled the garden and guests felt hungry.

Small iron statue was erected on the entrance of this garden.

Everyone was occupied with praises of King and Queen. Everything was pleasant in surrounding and food served was delicious.

Meal was done but guests were still in garden that suddenly they heard sound of falling something heavy.

Servant came rushing to inform the King that the statue of their ancestor which was placed at on entrance of garden had fallen.

All guests started whispering. King was feared, it was ominous sign, they ate their full while their ancestors were hungry; it was sign that they were angry to their descendant.

He ordered his servant to bring Palace Soldiers troop Leader.

Troop Leader was looking like someone had sucked dry his blood from veins, he hurried to pay greetings, "Bring here the slaves for Ritual Sacrifice, and go hurry up."

Troop Leader did not move instead he knelt down, "My King we could not arrest slaves last night," "You dared to go against my orders?" King was infuriated over these words of Troop Leader, he wished to slaughter troop leader this moment.

"I dared not my King, we were encircled by much Archery, and twenty soldiers got severely injured, we barely escaped with rest."

These poor people can't even afford single weapon how on earth they learned Archeries, there is something missing, there is someone behind this, go and find the truth and if you can't find truth within month, cut your throat for the punishment of your failure," King roared and exited the garden.

How he would face his ancestor's wrath for being this careless, guests saw this and immediately took permissions from Queen because they were reluctant to stay longer.

If King could not do something for his ancestors, it was only time that unseen disaster would befell on Royal City.

That night all city Nobles offered slave sacrifices to avoid the incoming disaster.

Henan was tightening her fists with anger to see these large scale cruel sacrifices which was against her rationality.

She wept with the sense of helplessness.

She came back early than before.

Wan Hu was practicing in the ring; three torches keep lit the ring.

She saw when she was coming back from her trip in the city, she was broken.

She changed her usual dress and came toward the ring, Wan Hu stopped his training, he could see her face and it was clear that she was weeping before, "Henan what made you cry?" he asked with apprehension.

"Tell me one thing, when you will be King in future will you practice slave sacrifice just like your father?" he was taken aback with her question, she barely stopped flood of water behind her eyes.

"I don't like such kind of inhumane and irrational rituals; my master once told me that it was against the laws of nature to sacrifice a human for the sake of happiness of deceased, and I will stop this ritual in the future, currently I don't have enough power to influence society," he said with resolution.

She came running toward him, her both arms surrounded his chest and she was endlessly crying, he was speechless, was she upset over this?

His hands were slightly quivering and did not approach her, soon she lifted her head and said, "I will help you to establish your power and influence so that you could finish this cruel ritual." Her thoughts were clear just like her wishes but innocence cannot be denied.

Torch light was emitting enough light to calculate surrounding.

She was about ten years old and it would be dangerous for her reputation too as young girl.

He created space between them and smiled, "You should take rest for the night and we will talk in the morning, OK?" he advised her.

She acted on his advice and went in her room.

She was satisfied with his words, she was not alone to think that this ritual was inhumane. Wan Hu heaved sigh of relief when she went to her room.

She was the daughter of his master and he needed to guard her reputation very well.