Conspiracy

In reality he is savouring the day they would go back to the capital. He closed his eyes and imagined them standing in front of the gate of the capital.

He imagined the soldiers parting the gate with the symbol of two eagles and the rows of officials that will welcome them back.

Karnez smiled and went back to the meat been roasted in the fire. Dertry could not care less.

He is very confident in their ability to defend themselves because all them are already past early stage of minor sage realm.

Jaroy probably thought the same thing. He was totally relaxed. Soon they were done with their breakfast and set off from Haghi forest.

The Haghi town is about 3 miles from where they were. The town looked a little bit desolate.

They could have passed the town a long time ago but they opted to travel like mortals to get the information needed for their journey.

"Let us be faster, so we will rest in the Haghi inn for tonight," Jaroy urged them as they drove their dragon horse into the town.

Fraris smiled sinisterly.

He already imagined the comfort he will probably get.

"Hope there will be beauties there to warm our bed," he said.

Igule looked at him with disdain and said, "perhaps you will buy one that will follow us in the journey so you will be warm always."

They all smiled heartily. By now the sun is up in the sky. It's irradiance slower than how it was at Exkaby.

The distant voices of the singing birds could be heard. It became faint as they moved farther towards Haghi town.

Back at the capital, elder Mouah the imperial censor sat in his carriage. He sat back thinking. This few days his colour has become pale from constant anger. He hit the side of the carriage.

"Sir, what will you have us do?"

That was his bodyguard Ceryl. His lifted the curtain from outside, his face full of concern for this noble he had served for years.

Elder Mouah whose given name is Staex is a very wicked and cold man. Having been born into nobility, he inherited his father's post as the imperial censor but he was not content.

He wants more.

He commanded the servant driving the carriage to go west. The west of Exkaby is known for being boisterous.

However, most of the population there are not nobility and there are only few cultivators living there.

Staex have bought a house there during spring earlier in the year. According to him he wants to stay away from the stinking nobilities of Gray street.

Finally the carriage stopped in front of a mansion. The gate keeper immediately opened the gate to let the boss in. He stepped out from his carriage.

His eyes like that of an eagle darted across the entrance.

The place he bought a house is Maeh street. The most populous city in all Exkaby. The street also houses a lot of officials and nobilities like dukes and retired generals of the eagle army.

The commoners comprises merchants, stall owners, travelers and the natives. The newest manor on this street "Staex manor" is always shut.

Some people have always wondered while he bought the house if he wouldn't make use of it.

The populace of Maeh street are good in idling around and gossiping. So, it's not entirely a new thing for them to seat around a stall and talk about the new manor while drinking or having breakfast.

That was the main reason elder Mouah bought the manor. To use people's sentiments to avoid the suspicion of the court and other officials.

He walked as fast as he could, his eyes occasionally twitching. A streak of sweat formed on his face. Ceryl was walking close by observing everywhere.

Being a sage he has the permission to fly inside the capital but he opted not to, to keep a low profile.

Seated in the outer room was another middle aged man, probably in his late thirties. He appeared to be uneasy.

Finally he caught sight of the imperial censor approaching him.

He stood up and they shook hands. They sat back and sipping their tea. Both of them are unsure of what to say.

Elder Mouah cleared his throat, "have you received the letter I sent before," he asked.

The other part nodded in acknowledgement. He extended his hands and brought out another letter from his sleeve and handed it over to elder Mouah.

He accepted it with a shaky hands. He tore it and read through the content: " proceed."

His face changed color.

Being an imperial censor means that he can instigate civil unrest in the court, which will give the other party time to act.

The other party stood up and bid him goodbye. He grinned wickedly. His features surely shows that he is not a northerner. His from the south.

He went to the backyard and changed his clothing to that of an ordinary peasant with a woven hat.