At the end of the courtyard was the Palace of the Cherry Blossoms, perched above an incline of gleaming white stone steps.The brick-colored structure consisted of multiple levels, its sweeping pagoda covered by black corrugated roofs. On the first level, large gold doors were flanked by amber-colored screens that ran the length of the building. Under each roofline, horizontal rows of emerald panels matched the color of the eaves. Delicate floral designs in vivid shades of amber, green, red, and blue cut across the façade. In front of the building, there was an elevated stone platform. In the middle of the podium sat the king.
The prince rode his horse to the front of the complex, motioning for his troops to follow. The sounds of the cheering crowds could still be heard. She gripped the pommel as he dismounted. Scanning the nearby faces, she noticed a number of officials eyeing the prince’s army.
“Aisling.”
He raised his arms to help her down, grasping her around the waist. To her surprise, when she landed on both feet, he clasped her hand and they walked together to the front of the stage.
The balustrades, she noted, were decorated with dragons and other creatures, the same symbols that were written in her father’s journal.
The prince bowed. “Your Majesty.”
“I heard you’ve done some great work. I’d like to hear more about it later.”
“Thank you, Father. I’d like to present Lord Bailey’s daughter, Aisling.”
“This must be the commander I’ve heard so much about.”
“Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Welcome to the East Kingdom. I understand you’ve already seen some of our country.”
“Yes, it’s beautiful, and the people are remarkable.”
He nodded. “It’s a pleasure to have you in the palace. We’ll have dinner later, and we can talk more then.”
“Thank you, I shall look forward to it.”
The king stood and raised his arm, addressing the crowd. “I would like to welcome the prince and his guests. Thank you to all those who helped distribute food supplies. We are most appreciative, and we look forward to seeing more of you during your visit.”
As he signaled the guards, most of the Royal Court left the platform and entered the halls of the palace.
The crowd retreated, although Aisling noticed a number of people still staring in their direction. As she eyed the group, she locked eyes with the queen, whose arms were crossed. Aisling could see her glare, even at such a distance. She was pondering what that might mean when the prince moved closer.
“That went well,” he said in a low voice.
She nodded. “What should we do now?”
“Let’s get you settled.You should get some sleep. We’ll meet for dinner in a few hours. Then I want to show you the palace.”
“The Secret Garden too?”
“How do you know about that?”
“My father told me.”
“I’m surprised he knew of its existence. Not many people do. And yes, I’ll show you anything you’d like to see. Come, I’ll take you to the guest quarters,” he said, reaching for her hand. “We can walk from here.”
After a brief word to his officers, he escorted her through the grounds, across a small stone bridge and along a winding path. Something about this layout seems familiar, she thought. They stopped in front of a house with a pagoda-style roof, positioned between the mountains and a flowing river.
She could hear the sounds of running water, as the rapids skidded around the rocks in the embankment. They made their way up the stone steps, to the veranda.
“I thought you’d like it here. It’s peaceful and you’ll have your crew in quarters nearby.”
“It’s wonderful.”
“Your clothes will be delivered, and Hanu and Maehwa will be arriving soon to help you.”
He wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ll come by for you, before dinner.”
“Thank you for bringing me along.”
“It was important for you to meet the king, and I wanted you to see where I live.”
“It’s a beautiful place. You must be happy here.”
It appears that way, Drayaen thought. But beneath the splendor and glittering façade, there lies intrigue, mistrust, and a constant struggle for power.
He looked into Aisling’s deep green eyes. She had a pure heart, and a willingness to help people, no matter the circumstances.
As they said goodbye, he hesitated before he let go of her hand. After recent events, he hoped she would be safe.
Drayaen made his way through the back entrance of the palace toward the Throne Room. At his approach, the guards flung open the door and announced his arrival.
King Yi was seated on the dais. The Crown Prince, Tae, stood in front of the platform. They both glanced up as he entered.
“Come,” motioned the sovereign.
“Father.”
“I’m pleased with your work to ensure our people have food.”
“Thank you.”
“I received your message. Who’s behind the attacks?”
Drayaen had been thinking about the implications of any disclosure. No matter how I position the news, it will be devastating, he realized, but his father needed to know the truth. “The queen’s brother, Snyde,” he said. “He’s mobilized an army. His forces include General Neo, along with some lieutenants and platoon commanders. I suspect several ministers may be involved.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve observed them in the field. They’ve launched several attacks already.”
“What was the purpose of the grain thefts?”
“If there’s no food, there’s bound to be unrest. I believe they’re trying to turn the people against us. Once that happens, they’ll overthrow the crown and rule the kingdom.”
“How many men?”
“Several hundred at least.”
“We can deal with that.”
“There’s a complication. We’ve been infiltrated. I recognized some of the palace guards at the gate. They’ve been working with the enemy.”
“That is a problem.”
The Crown Prince faced his brother. “We’ve had investigators trail General Neo. It seems he and his people were responsible for the attacks on you, Zo, and our visitors from the fleet.”
Drayaen seethed. The extent of the betrayal was wounding.
His thoughts were interrupted by the king, who turned to both his sons. “We’ll need to plan for battle. We must surprise the enemy. Secure the weapons and mobilize the officers you trust.” He looked at Drayaen. “What about the warrior monks?”
“My forces are prepared. I met with them before our arrival. They’re waiting for my instructions.”
The king nodded. “We’ll need to protect our guests.”
“I have that covered, and my soldiers are watching the bay.” He needed to have the conversation with his father about Aisling, but this was not the right time. The stability of the royal family was at stake.
The king motioned to both his sons. “Act as if it’s business as usual. I want everyone to attend the dinner. While you’re there, observe. See if anyone is missing. Look for any unusual interactions.”
“What time should we be ready?”
The king clasped his hands together. “My guess is they’ll attack before dawn.”
The princes bowed to their father. “We will fulfill your command.” They were already discussing tactics and strategies as they left the chamber through the secret door. The next twelve hours could determine their fates.
Aisling walked down the hill to the gazebo at the edge of the river. From her elevated view, she could see the water flowing downstream, winding its way past rock formations and fallen branches. Ever since the incident in the valley, she had been worried about the fleet. Now, listening to the sounds of the rapids, she could feel her tension ease.
She’d talk with Drayaen about sending Maológ a message as soon as possible, she decided
.
Although she had confidence in her uncle’s ability to manage in her absence, she didn’t want him to hear anything alarming about their trip. If he thought she was in danger, his first instinct would be to leave the ship. She was relieved that Drayaen assigned men to watch her fleet. If anything happened, they would send her a message.
She thought about the recent journey, and smiled. The villagers had been so sincere. Then her smile faded as she remembered the change in tenor as they rode into the palace. A number of people had not been pleased with their appearance, and she wasn’t sure why.
Footsteps on the wooden walkway interrupted her thoughts, and she glanced around to see Hanu and Maehwa approaching.
“Commander, we’ve come to help you dress for the banquet.”
“Is it that time already?”
“Prince Drayaen will be here in an hour.”
As they left the gazebo and walked up the hill, Aisling realized that this was her first royal dinner. That should be exciting, she thought. One I won’t soon forget.
In the guest quarters, there were more boxes and bags laid out on the table.
“We have a surprise for you, Commander. The prince had us make you a special outfit for this evening.”
Even with all of his responsibilities, he still thought of her. “I’m excited to see it.”
“We hope you’ll be pleased. First, we’ll fix your hair.”
“All right, tell me what I need to do.”
Maehwa arranged some of Aisling’s tresses into an elaborate topknot, fastening the design with pearl and green jadeite hairpins.Her hair cascaded down into long waves of yellow and white. “I think I’ve grown taller,” she said with a laugh, admiring the intricate arrangement.
“You may want to close your eyes until we arrange your outfit, so that you can see everything at once.”
“I’ll do that.”
Aisling could feel the satin fabric of the gown as it slid over her skin. Hanu stood behind her, adjusting the back of her dress. The material of the jacket felt different than the one she had worn in the morning.
“Can I open my eyes now?”
“One more minute, commander. We’re almost done.”
Hanu moved to the front and adjusted the tie closure. A wave of silence permeated the room.
Aisling waited. “Is anything wrong?”
“All right, ready.”
She looked down at her dress in amazement. A green satin skirt with a long matching train fell to the ground. Small beads in the overskirt shimmered in the light. The jacket was an azure-blue velvet with an emerald collar and cuffs. She smiled and turned to the girls. “This is a beautiful outfit.”
“You look like a princess. Now, is there anything else you need?”
Aisling shook her head. “You’ve worked marvels. Thank you.”
“Oh, we’re just happy that you like it. Enjoy the dinner, and we’ll see you later tonight.”
After they left the guest quarters, she spent several moments admiring the workmanship and details of the exquisite gown, then her thoughts moved to the upcoming dinner. Perhaps this will give me some insights into life in the palace. Drayaen has been quiet about it, but I’d like to know more about his time here. Her reflections were interrupted by a knock at the door.
Her heart made a disturbing skip when the prince entered, and her breath caught in her throat. As a rule, he dressed in a warrior’s outfit and carried a sword. Tonight, however, he was in long, black royal robes that bore a gold insignia on the front, and his wild hair had been pulled back into an organized queue. She looked into his eyes, which held an expression she couldn’t quite decipher.
He walked closer and clasped her hand. “You look beautiful.” He touched her hair, running his hand down one of the waves cascading down her back. He seemed to be intrigued by something in her eyes too.
“Thank you for having this dress made for me,” Aisling found the breath to say. “With everything you have on your mind, I’m surprised you had time to think of it.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
He took her arm and they began their walk to the banquet hall, which was on the river, connected to the palace compound by a long wooden bridge. As they crossed the water, Aisling admired the luminaries and colored lanterns that lined the pathway. Their brilliance cast shadows against the floating island, highlighting the surrounding trees and gardens.
As they moved closer to the pagoda, the prince stopped. He turned and faced her.
“What is it?” she asked.
He sighed. “It’s fair to tell you that right now, we are entering the lion’s den.”
“I know that. I sensed it as soon as we rode in this morning.”
“What do you mean?”
“I observed the crowd. There were many officials who were not happy to see us, or your army.”
“Who was most threatened?”
“The queen.”
“You never cease to amaze me. We’ve been in the palace for less than a day and you’ve grasped some of the dynamics here.”
“I’ve learned that keen observation can mean the difference between life and death. In our travels, we need to identify our friends and foes.”
He paused for a moment, as he gazed at the water. “Can you help me tonight?”
“Of course.”
“Observe your surroundings.You’ll be sitting next to me, so tell me what you see.”
“All right. Can I whisper that you look very noble?”
He laughed and took her arm again. “Of course, feel free to send any compliments my way.”
When the prince escorted Aisling into dinner, the chatter of other guests ceased. With all eyes upon them, they navigated their way across the room, to see the Crown Prince.
“Brother,” said Prince Drayaen, “I’d like to introduce you to the commander. Aisling, this is the Heir Apparent.”
Aisling curtseyed. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, commander. I understand you’ve had some adventures with the Fifth Prince.”
“Yes, we traveled together to the interior. You must be proud of your kingdom. It’s stunning, and the people are so kind.”
“Thank you for your sincere words. We’re delighted to have you here.” He glanced at the sudden commotion. “Ah, the king has arrived. Our dinner is about to start. I look forward to seeing more of you during your visit.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Drayaen showed Aisling to her seat at the end of the royal table. Her eyes widened as she surveyed the cuisine. There were all kinds of colors and textures. In front of each person were three trays holding more than twenty dishes. Some food she’d never seen before. One looked like crushed radish and vegetables in a pickled fish brine. She recognized the seaweed and thick beef soups. There were carrots and cucumbers, green onions and mushrooms.
Each guest was served braised ribs with rice cakes, fish, mixed noodles, and a hot pot in simmering broth. Another tray included a mixed grill, stew, and a variety of teas. She had never seen such an elaborate presentation of culinary delights. The air was filled with spices and exotic scents.
Drayaen leaned over from time to time to explain the various dishes. She listened to him while scanning the room. “Your Highness, where is the queen?”
“I don’t know. But that’s the Seventh Prince, Quell. As you know, my father remarried after my mother died. He is their son.”
“How old is he?”
“About the same age as Prince Zo.”
“How many princes are there?”
“The titles are assigned based on birth order. The Crown Prince is the heir to the throne. Then there’s the Fourth, me, Prince Zo, the Seventh, Eighth, and Tenth.”
“What happened to the Third?”
“He was killed in an accident.”
“And the Ninth?”
“Attacked on the road.”
“I’m so sorry. Is that why you’re pro
tective of Zo?”
“Being a member of the royal family is a dangerous occupation.”
She leaned in to whisper.
He noticed her frown and moved closer. “What is it?”
“You asked me to observe. Prince Quell has been watching which dishes we are eating.”
The Fifth Prince blanched. “Wave your chopsticks around but don’t touch anything.” He motioned to the servant standing on the sidelines.
“Has our food been tested?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“By whom?”
“One of the court ladies who works for the queen.”
“Where is she?”
“Over there, Your Highness.”
“Bring her to me.”
He turned to Aisling. “If you were to poison our meal, which dish would you choose?”
“Not a main course, because it would get noticed too soon. There’s a possibility it’s in a liquid.” She paused for a moment. “That would disguise the taste.” He nodded and smiled, keeping up the appearance of a normal conversation.
The servant approached, casting furtive glances at the prince.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Our guest would like to learn the proper way to drink tea. Please show her.”
She hesitated, her eyes casting covert glances at the surrounding tables.
“Do it now,” he demanded, as he made a mental note of who else was observing them.
She picked up the cup and consumed the hot liquid. “It’s fine, Your Highness.” She bowed and backed away from the table.
“Perhaps we’re being too cautious,” whispered the prince.
Aisling watched as the woman steadied herself on the edge of the dining table. There was the sound of smashing dishes as she clutched a nearby tablecloth and collapsed, writhing in pain.
“I believe we had cause to be concerned,” she breathed.
Drayaen was infuriated as he regarded the turmoil. His father gestured for him to leave. It was time to prepare for battle.
The lines have been drawn, he thought. Any prince who was not a son of the current queen is fair game. At least, that was his hypothesis. Now he needed proof. What incenses me the most, he thought, is that they’ve targeted Aisling, again.
Princess of Sky, Earth, Fire and Water Page 11
