Chapter 56 – Stratagem Against The Sovereign

“Greetings, my honoured guests,” he began, his voice warm yet measured. “Welcome to my humble abode. Please accept this meal as a token of gratitude for your visit.” He gestured to the spread, the faintest smile touching his lips. “But before we share in this feast, I have a simple question: what brings a traveller and the princess of Atlantis to seek an audience with me?”

Both Makara and Selena exchanged stunned glances as they realised that Prince Enthril already knew their true identities. A surge of questions flooded their minds: Was this his core power, a unique gift of insight? Worse still, had he somehow detected Shawn, hiding in the forest with the sword fragments?

To break the tension, Selena cleared her throat and addressed the prince directly, her tone respectful but tinged with curiosity. “Prince Enthril,” she began, “how did you know?”

Prince Enthril smiled, a glint of satisfaction in his gaze. “As a scholar of foreign affairs, it is my duty to know the allies and the enemies of my land, and it is a form of preparation. When my elder brother ascends to the throne, my place will be to assist him.” His words were calm, and for a moment, Selena and Makara relaxed, realising that Prince Enthril’s knowledge did not seem to extend to the sword fragments or Shawn.

Makara seized the moment, eager to lighten the mood. “So, Prince Enthril,” he asked with a mischievous grin, “what kind of sake do you like?”

Selena shot Makara a pointed look, suppressing a sigh, but to her surprise, Prince Enthril chuckled softly. “You’re an amusing man, traveller. We brew our sake on these rocks, made with care and precision, and I must admit I’m partial to the one you’re drinking tonight. It’s among our finest.”

Trying to smooth over Makara’s light-hearted question, Selena gave a small bow. “My apologies, Prince Enthril. I hope you don’t mind my companion’s… informal approach.”

“Not at all, Princess,” Enthril replied, his tone gracious. “But I must admit I am curious: why is the princess of Atlantis journeying with a landwalker, and why have you come to see me?” Selena hesitated, but knowing it was best to stay as close to the truth as possible, she began, “My companion, Makara, has been tasked with gathering the fragments of your father’s sword, with the intent of safeguarding them in a secure location. I accompany him as his navigator, ensuring that he reaches the location safely.”

Prince Enthril’s gaze sharpened. “And may I ask,” he said, his tone steady but probing, “who entrusted this mission to your companion?”

Selena’s hesitation grew, but before she could formulate a diplomatic response, Makara, sensing her discomfort, took a decisive step forward. “Prince Zhao assigned me this task, my prince,” he said boldly. “My colleague hesitated only because she knows that the name of Prince Zhao is… not well-received by your brother, Prince Aerion.”

Prince Enthril’s face remained composed, though a flicker of understanding passed through his eyes. “I see,” he murmured thoughtfully. “Prince Zhao sent you.”

He paused, his voice calm but with a hint of something deeper. “Yes, my brother Aerion always resented Prince Zhao for standing in his shadow. Prince Zhao did everything he could to avoid that, but it was inevitable. He loved us all equally, despite our different mothers, and went out of his way to ensure that his siblings stayed far from the politics of the throne. That’s why I remain here, but once Prince Zhao ascends the throne, I will be by his side as one of the advisers.”

Makara and Selena exchanged glances, noting that this prince’s mindset and distance from the courtly rivalries hinted at a potential ally in their mission.

Prince Enthril’s gaze remained unwavering as he looked from Selena to Makara, his expression unreadable. “So,” he began, his voice cool and measured, “my brother Zhao entrusted you with his fragment and sent you to gather the rest from his siblings. And you say that my brother Aerion has already given you his piece?” He raised an eyebrow, his curiosity evident. “Interesting. You now possess two fragments—and might I ask, do you have them with you?”

Makara, ever cautious, replied smoothly, “No, my prince, we don’t carry the fragments with us. Given the volatility of these times, we decided not to take the risk. The fragments are hidden with someone trustworthy, in a safe place from all dangers. Once we secure your fragment, we’ll rendezvous with him to continue our mission.” His words, though carefully chosen, left Selena momentarily stunned. She concealed her reaction, but a twinge of concern stirred within her at how easily Makara had hinted at Shawn’s role.

Prince Enthril’s eyes gleamed with interest. “I see. So there’s yet another in your party—may I ask where this person might be?”

Selena, recovering quickly, responded firmly, “With respect, my prince, for the security of the mission, we cannot share that information”

Prince Enthril nodded, a faint smirk crossing his face. “My brother chose his allies well. Very well. So, you’re here for the fragment in my possession?” He paused, observing their eager expressions, then leaned back. “I am willing to give it to you,” he said, watching their faces light up in surprise, “but on one condition: you must first pass my trial.”

The words hit them like a sudden chill. Makara and Selena exchanged startled glances, each silently processing the unexpected twist. After a moment’s hesitation, Makara asked cautiously, “If I may, Prince Enthril—what sort of trial do you have in mind?”

Prince Enthril smiled, though there was a hint of challenge in his gaze. “Nothing too arduous. A simple test of skill, a way for me to assess those my brother trusts. The trial will be held tomorrow. For now, relax, enjoy the meal, and rest. You both look as though you’ve travelled quite a distance.”

Selena couldn’t hide her concern, but she attempted to push it aside as she picked at her meal. Beside her, Makara, who seemed unbothered by the prince’s words, dug into the food with gusto, savouring every bite. The sake, rich and fragrant, lived up to Prince Enthril’s promise of it being one of the finest brews. Makara grinned, lifting his cup with a nod toward Prince Enthril, silently toasting his host’s generosity and savouring every drop. Selena, watching her companion’s carefree attitude, sighed inwardly, unsure what the trial would entail but aware of the prince’s formidable nature. Her thoughts focused on conserving strength for whatever tomorrow might bring.

As Prince Enthril finished his meal, he rose gracefully, his movements fluid and deliberate. He turned to Thane with a subtle but meaningful glance, “Thane, see that our guests are comfortably accommodated for the night.” Then, with a final nod to Makara and Selena, he swept from the room, his figure illuminated briefly in the flickering torchlight before he disappeared into the winding corridors.

Selena and Makara exchanged a look before following Thane, who led them through open-air walkways framed by tall, moonlit pillars on the Eastern side of the castle. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of blooming jasmine, while distant sounds of the forest—the gentle rustling of leaves, frogs croaking by the pond, and the hum of dragonflies gliding over the water—filled the night with a quiet serenity. They walked in silence, captivated by the tranquil beauty of the castle grounds.

Finally, Thane guided them to a pair of adjoining rooms, each hall dimly lit by lanterns that cast warm, flickering shadows over the polished wood floors. Thane gestured to each room with a slight bow. “Please, rest well. Tomorrow is a big day. Goodnight.”

Inside his room, Makara didn’t waste a moment. He collapsed onto the soft bed, drifting instantly into a deep, undisturbed sleep. Selena, however, lay wide awake, her thoughts swirling with anxiety about the trial awaiting them at sunrise. She considered sending a message to Shawn, but hesitated, worried it might only draw unwanted attention or risk his safety. With a sigh, she finally succumbed to exhaustion, the soothing sound of dragonflies outside lulling her to sleep. The lake beyond shimmered in the moonlight, mirroring the silent beauty of the night.

Meanwhile, perched high in the branches at the forest’s edge, Shawn kept a vigilant watch over the castle, his posture tense and alert. The owl beside him dozed lightly, one eye occasionally fluttering open as if to keep him company. From his hidden vantage point, Shawn had last seen Selena and Makara closely following Thane into the southern wing of the palace. Since then, they had not reappeared. Time stretched on, and unease began to gnaw at him, but he forced himself to wait patiently. He knew revealing his position could endanger them, so he placed his trust in his companions.

Then, a soft rustling below caught Shawn’s ear. Instinctively, he shifted, peering down to spot a figure moving at the base of the tree. To his surprise, it was Thane. The attendant had started a small campfire, the flames casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Thane’s presence so close sent a jolt through Shawn; had he been discovered?

With a calm, almost serene voice, Thane called up toward the branches, his tone low but clear. “You can come down from there—I mean no harm.”

Shawn leapt from the branch, landing silently a short distance away, his posture wary yet intrigued. “How did you know I was here?”

Thane’s gaze was steady, his eyes holding a glint of knowing. “I am my master’s loyal attendant. I oversee not only the palace but also these rocks. I sensed you the moment you set foot on the rock.”

Shawn’s expression remained guarded. “Then you’ve known all along that I was with them.”

Thane nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. “Initially, I wondered if your group had ill intentions. But after tonight, hearing the true purpose of your journey, I no longer hold any doubts. Rest assured, my prince remains unaware of your presence. Unless he asks directly, I’ll keep it that way.” He extended a small basket filled with bread, dried meats, and water, gesturing to the crackling campfire. “I couldn’t leave a guest unattended. This campfire is for you, so you may rest as well.”

Shawn’s stance softened slightly as he accepted the basket, his cautious gaze lingering on Thane. “Thank you,” he murmured, sitting by the fire. Thane settled nearby, his silhouette relaxed under the glow of the moon.

As Shawn began eating, curiosity sparked within him. “You seem to know much about us. Now tell me—what’s your story?”

Thane leaned back, his face illuminated softly by the firelight, eyes reflecting a distant memory. “Very well. Under this sky and by this fire, I’ll tell you the tale that brought me here by my prince’s side.”