Keevah couldn't believe his eyes as he entered the southern lands. This place was formerly shreds and was home to the outlaws.
'How and when did all this happen?' He thought.
As he looked around, one thing impressed him more than everything he had discovered. The peaceful co-existence of all gifts and the giftless, there was no doubt those knights were from here. His curiosity took him to the palace and it was more than he had expected, though not as glamorous as theirs, it was beautiful and well structured.
"Who is behind all of this?" He muttered.
Becoming invisible, he sneaked into the palace and inspected the security system.
This was wrong, it could be considered a declaration of war but he couldn't help it. Suddenly he felt a strong presence and without further thought, he wished himself out.
Getting caught was never an option.
Velaine strolled with Irina and Leo by his side, he was going for the coronation of the new knights which he had approved only a day before. Their walk was quiet until Irina asked.
"Your highness, how long do you think we will have to wait for her?"
"As long as she takes, I am not in a hurry." He replied.
"What if she never comes?" She asked again, this time not as confident as before.
Velaine didn't answer her till they reached the coronation ground, as they were about to enter the hall, he looked at her then at Leo.
"Leo, what do you think would happen if she never comes?"
"Your highness, then we will go to her." He replied with a strong conviction making Velaine laugh a bit as he walked inside the coronation hall leaving the question unanswered.
"Your highness." Keevah bowed.
He was in the middle of the court room in the middle of the daily court session, he had arrived late and he doubt he would go unpunished. As he waited for judgement to be passed on him, he could see the prime minister throwing dirty glances at him.
'The old fool.' He thought
The man has a strong aversion for Aveedah, the reason was still unknown but seeing how shallow the man can be, it may be simply because she was a girl. Keevah almost chuckled as he thought about it.
Aveedah is more than a congregation of 50 men, he had watched her protect her father even before she had attained puberty. The day she sought to head the special security, her father had asked her to battle all of them for the position. It was a sight worth the heat. They had to cut the fight off to avoid her killing anybody as she lost control due to how much pressure was on her. It was still the most talked about fight and till today, nobody except him, the king and the special security knew why the fight began.
"Minister of foreign affairs, how close is the congregation of Kings?" Aveedah asked.
"Your highness, it is in a fortnight." He replied bowing.
"May I know why I am not seeing any preparations or am I missing something?" She asked calmly.
Keevah watched as the man timidly glanced at the prime minister who cleared his throat and rose from his chair.
"Your highness." He greeted.
"Prime minister, to my knowledge I wasn't In a conversation with you." She cut him off without looking in his direction.
She already could tell what happened. The prime minister had given orders behind her back yet again. She was tired of contending with the man, today she would set an example.
Keevah was having a blast even though he knew he was awaiting punishment, the prime minister would get a reaction equalling his actions.
"Minister of foreign affairs, I believe I asked you a question." Aveedah asked again, she sounded angry, her tone was daring.
The minister was visibly shaking, The queen is not somebody to toy with, he hadn't agreed to cancel the gathering until the prime minister had promised to deal with her and now this!
"Your highness, the prime minister had asked me to cancel the gathering as he said you were not fit at this particular moment." He without so much thought sold the prime minister out.
Murmurs could be heard as the court members glanced at each other.
Aveedah looked at Keevah and said.
"Keevah, take your seat." She ordered and murmurs instantly died off.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your highness."
"Present the scroll he gave those orders on." She asked as she relaxed back on her seat.
Of course she knew there was nothing like that since she had given no such order. She was beginning to enjoy herself.
The minister was confused for a while before he replied, his voice shaking.
"Your highness." He called, this time his bow was deeper and his voice pleading.
"It was a verbal order, he had said he was only thinking of your welfare. Forgive my ignorance your highness." He explained.
Aveedah smiled at him but it just made him tremble more.
"Prime minister, what do you have to say?" She asked.
The prime minister stood up and bowed.
"Your highness."
"Like he said, I was only looking out for your well being, as it is you have hardly finished mourning your late father and a lot of chaos is also going on outside the kingdom." He explained.
"What chaos prime minister?" She asked nonchalantly. If it was what she was thinking he would say, then he had sold himself out. Maybe she didn't need to be violent, she would just make a fool out of him. She was on edge but she made sure she looked relaxed from the outside.
"Your majesty, my informants told me the conflux was attacked yesterday." He replied.
"The conflux?" She asked, barely able to contain her happiness.
"So the man is not only foolish, he is also a snake."
"Yes, your majesty." He replied, thrilled he was getting her attention.
"And when was that?" She asked feigning cluelessness.
"Last night." He said before he realized his blunder.
"Wow, you should introduce me to your informants, Keevah here is no where as efficient as them." She replied sarcastically. She had finally hit the nail on the head and she could see him paling and the court members giving side glances at each other.
'The foolish old man.' She thought.
'He is a two faced snake and she made sure the court members understood what she was driving at.'
It was a clear warning only the smart ones would understand.
"Ministers, the prime minister is only second in command, I am the ultimate law."
"Any order that doesn't have my stamp is null and void. I am in a good mood today, the prime minister gave me a good laugh so I will overlook all your mistakes." She finished, throwing a short glance at the furious prime minister.
"In 3 days time, I expect a progress in the preparation for the congregation, send the invitations as soon as possible and prime minister, I look forward to meeting your informants." She mocked making the old man making the old man go red.
"Your highness." Keevah called rising from his chair.
"I know a way to bite the bait harder." He started confusing all the other people present. Aveedah stared at him wondering why he couldn't wait till they were alone before telling her.
"There's a kingdom we have been foolishly ignoring in the congregation of Kings, your highness, I implore you to send them an invitation." He finished, his head still in a bow.
Aveedah didn't need an explanation anymore, she understood his meaning and gave the command to add one more country in the list of invitees much to everybody's surprise.
'Where is this unknown place and what qualifies it to be invited to the most dignified event of the year?'
"Your majesty, you have a guest from Vedarah." A guard Informed Velaine.
He could hear Irina's sharp intake of breath and he could see Leo's eagerness. The remaining were just murmuing in confusion.
"Let him in." He ordered.
The man walked in dressed in expensive silk to signify he was a high dignitary, he was obviously stunned by what he saw as he kept surveying the environment. But on seeing the king, his eyes widened unable to his surprise.
'How is he this young?' He thought. Unwilling to embarrass himself or cause any trouble, he snapped out of his reverie and said.
"Your majesty." He greeted, giving a bow.
Velaine smiled at him and ordered Leo to give him a seat close to the podium.
As he sat down, he handed Leo the invitation scroll.
"Your majesty." Leo said before he bowed, presenting the scroll.
Velaine looked at the man on the seat and looked at Leo before he ordered.
"Read it out."
"As you wish your majesty." Leo replied and opened the scroll.
"An invitation to the congregation of Kings." Leo read.