Chapter Four

King Cartus sat down in the meeting chamber listening to the report from the council of elders meeting.

"Your majesty, we went to Mr Jude house as demand for him to bring his son, but he has sent his son away from the palace" Mr Wilfred said.

"Is that so?" King Cartus asked turning is head to look at Mr Jude

"Your majesty, I can explain, I didn't sent him away" Mr Jude said as he stood up in the council of elders meeting.

"Then where is he?" The elders in the council chorusly asked.

"Mazi Jude, you know what the customary tradition in our Town is like, why will you send you son away, knowing that we do not have enough soldiers and guards to guard our community?" Mr James asked

"Yes, he knew his son is need in the Palace and he sent him away, even after he had returned home" Mr Steward added.

"That's how they do, always trying to go against the king's orders, if they are not punished, many other people will also want to disobey our king" Mr Wilfred said.

"Quiet!" King Cartus ordered. "Mr Jude, you know what the town tradition is, why must you off all people want to disobey the rule, and you know what punishment follow next, for going against the king's orders?" King Cartus asked and Mr Jude gulped with head low.

"Forgive me your majesty, I did not send my son away, I didn't even know that he has left the house" Mr Jude tried to explain.

"Guards, seize him up" King Cartus commanded.

"It either you provide your son, or you will be thrown into the dungeon, or would you like to take his role and become a palace guard instead?" The king offered still have a heart of pity towards Mr Jude.

"I will take his role, and do whatever you ask of You majesty" Mr Jude stammered.

"But you are too old, to serve in the palace, you know you didn't welcome a child too on time with your wife, will you be able to do the work demanded of you, can you.run and catch a thief?" Mr Wilfred asked, almost getting annoyed that the king was beginning to have a change of heart towards Mr Jude.

"I can do all of that" Mr Jude spoked.

"Hmm..." King Cartus became quiet for a while, as he watch the guards go beside Me Jude, waiting for the king's order for them to bundle the old man and take him out.

After s few more minutes King Cartus finally passed his judgment.

"Fine, you will be allow to be recruited to join in the training section, if you fail any task, then you left me with no other option than to throw you into the dungeon, is that understood" King Cartus asked carefully.

"Yes" Mr Jude manage to reply.

"Fine, take him away and show him what to do, his recruitment plan starts today, and ensure to bring me feedback on his result" King Cartus ordered the head guard whom took Me Jude away.

Turning to meet the gazes of the rest of the elders, Mr Wilfred spoke, "But your majesty, Mr Jude is too old to work as a common servant talk more of a soldier."

"I know" King Cartus replied, "I am giving him a benefit of trial, if he fails to do any of his task, then he wouldn't say the king is wicked."

Mr Wilfred gulped hearing the king, "Your Majesty is Merciful" Mr Wilfred bowed his head toward king Cartus.

"You may seat" King Cartus ordered and they continued with.the meeting

"You majesty, how about the postpone arrangements, you have not given us the date yet?" Mr James whom was the head of the council of elders asked.

"Yes, that's because I haven't come up with a date yet" King Cartus replied.

"What stop us from doing it next week?" Mr James asked, but the king remain silent, "Forgive me your majesty but we need to fix a date, so it can go in accordance with our schedule" Mr James's said, bowing his head down as he spoked.

"James, I have that in mind as well, when I come up with a date I will let you all know, as for now the meeting is over" King Cartus said, standing up to leave.

"But your majesty we haven't discussed about the rest of the things we want to discuss with you about" Mr James quickly said.

"Why didn't you bring up the topic, why asking about my wife and family, didn't I warn.against anyone of you all interfering in my family, this is the last warning James, I respect you a lot and place you in charge, doesn't give you the right to talk back at me or go against my orders, The meeting is over, you may all leave and return to you various homes." King Cartus said as he turned and left.

Mr James didn't dare to stop the king again, ad he watch the king exit the meeting hall, he heave a sign of relief and turn to look back at Mr Wilfred whom was walking up to meet him as the rest of the elders exit the meeting hall.

"Mr James , do you think Mr Jude will he able to become a palace guard or soldier, he is above 60yrs of age" Mr Wilfred spoked.

"I don't know Mr Wilfred, do not implicate me, I think you can see that we are still in the palace and the palace wall has ears, let it not be like I say anything against the king, If Mr Jude isn't able to work for the king as he had promise then he will face the consequences of not providing his son, what's there, am going home." Mr James turned and left the meeting hall not waiting for Mr Wilfred to catch-up with him.

Mr Wilfred shook his head, he obviously wouldn't dare to work in the palace at his age, he had more important work to do outside the palace and his above the age of becoming a palace guard as anyone whom is above 35years at most isn't allowed to still work in the palace as a guard or soldier, the person is forced to retired with the king paying them pension for their retirement while the young ones are being recruited, Mr Wilfred shook his head as he would have preferred Mr Jude to be thrown into the dungeon, he turned and went back home, leaving the palace meeting all too, as all the elders had already left.