Chapter 12 Part1 (1/2)

CHAPTER 12 (Part one)

The next day, they travelled to Governor Sedric's home. It was more grand then the King's home that they were currently staying in while in Bena, but something was missing from the house as Mahnu looked around. Sullen, quiet, soulless guards and workers looked at her and she heard their thoughts on their master. Mahnu looked around but stayed silent as the governor welcomed his Majesty.

Having a robe with a hood, on Richard's commands, was to help keep attention away from her but she already knew that it hadn't worked.

”And who is your companion, Your Majesty?” Sedric came to stand in front of her.

William stepped forward from Mahnu's right side, stating, ”She is his Majesty's consort.”

Sedric looked at William, then back to Mahnu. ”Why is a consort here and not in the palace?”

”That isn't of your...”

The King interrupted William, ”Sedric! Please, let us enjoy some of your fine tea.”

Looking to the King, Sedric smiled, ”Of course. I am much obliged!”

Before he went to lead the way, he looked at Mahnu once more. I dare say, she is prettier then the Queen. His thoughts didn't betray on Mahnu's face and she could tell straight away that she didn't like this man.

They were seated and Sedric was having a happy talk with the King, when the subject turned to her once again.

”Your Majesty, I didn't think you were going to have more wife's. I'm glad I am wrong. There is way too many pretty flowers, to ignore them all would be quite rude.”

Mahnu took off the hood, getting everybody's attention and stared at Sedric for a moment. Mahnu had enough of his silent snide comments at the King. He was such a nasty person beneath his exterior that she wanted to move on with her plan.

”Tablet.” Everyone was quiet after her one word and she could see that Sedric thought about what she was talking about.

”Is there something wrong? Your Highness?” His words seemed unconcerned.

Mahnu got up and without a word walked away, William following after her. She knew exactly where she was going and what she was looking for.

”Ah!...Sedric when...when will we expect the next trade of rice?”

The King inwardly sighed at Mahnu's ways but he knew what she was doing.

”Mahnu...Normally we do things more politely.” William continued to follow her into a room that resembled a bedroom. It seemed like the master's bedroom as some expensive items were around. The walls had not only tapestry but artwork and some ornaments were near the bed head and also on the dresser.

”If thoughts could be heard, the one who isn't being polite would have been Sedric.”

William stopped, astonished, ”What did he think?”

”He only acts like a normal gentleman...but beneath...”

William watched as she got the tablet, from a hiding spot in the wall, and turned back towards him. ”Valtac and Sedric, Gregory...They don't do what governors are suppose to do.”

”Valtac?” William was a bit worried. Gregory was trying to a.s.sa.s.sinate the King, was he like that too?

”No...he uses the people for his own gain and Sedric ignores the people. That is why I say they shouldn't be governors.”

”Why don't you tell the King?”

”Is reading minds a common thing?”

William followed her out of the room, a bit baffled to her change of subject. ”No, I've never met anyone besides you that can read minds.”

”Exactly.”

William was confused. ”I don't understand”

Mahnu stopped before they reached the corridor that led back to the King. ”Humans.” Was all she said.

Standing there with her, William thought that she should help because she knew about it.

”And?”

William replied, ”And what?”

”If I wasn't here? What then? I can only do so much William. Other previous governors also...They started okay but did the same thing. Others before them...”

”So the governors became corrupt, after...?”

”Precisely. Evidence plays a part...Gregory never intended to follow and help in the first place but he wasn't the first nor will he be the last. Governors hold a lot of power...My word is all I have.”

William stared at her. He hadn't thought much beyond his own time. How many governors were corrupt, how many became corrupt?...

”I tried twice...Knowing that those governors were bad for the people.”

William waited for her to continued.

”One governor buried me alive, the other got me exiled from the capital, in the process it shock up the whole lot of them and even the King. It took Kralaide a year to get back to normal.”

He saw that Mahnu was looking far away, perhaps to a time well before he was born.

”Greed is a human's downfall.”

She suddenly moved again and William couldn't continue their conversation as they were already seen by the others waiting for them. His and Mahnu's worlds were completely different. Hers was full of the real humans, G.o.d's and a lot of bad things in this world. And William felt like he didn't know anything at all.

”Wait! That's mine!” Sedric pointed to the tablet that Mahnu was holding.

Mahnu ignored him and went to the corridor, that led to the exit.

”Sedric! Please...”

Sedric interrupted the King, ”Give it back!”

Mahnu stood her ground and watched as William stood in front of her.

”Sedric!” The King's words finally got through to him and he turned to the King.

”I'm sorry, Your Majesty. But that...”

The King interrupted his governor, ”No, I apologize. I will pay double with the next trade of rice...Marcus make sure I remember.”

With the King's demand, all Sedric could do was go silent and nod.

”Again, my apologizes but Mahnu seems to be tired and I must leave.”

”Mahnu?” Sedric asked. Mahnu? It seems familiar. Where have I heard that before?

”Yes, please. I would like to return.” Mahnu said in haste. There was only one Mahnu, she was sure, and he didn't know my name before now. It was clear that Sedric has read the tablet.

The King got up and stood beside her, looking at Sedric. ”I am glad we had a chance to meet. I look forward to reuniting again in Conrella.”

A chance to met me. You just wanted my tablet!...Mahnu? Mahnu...That's right! Mahnu the G.o.d!

Mahnu took a breath in and Sedric saw it. They were silent because of her reaction and she heard his next thoughts. My dear, you are definitely worthy of me. You are even better then the tablet!

As the King turned her and walked her out of Sedric's home, Mahnu breathed out. ”He knows who I used to be and will try to take me.”

The King stared at her and he continued, while walking out. ”Mahnu?” He asked.

She could feel his uneasiness. ”He wasn't sure about what was written on the tablet...Until he heard my name and remembered it.”

Mahnu looked back, ”He will pursue the tablet further from what he remembers. He may, even now, look for The Chest of the G.o.d's.”

”It would be stupid for him to even consider taking you, Mahnu.” King Richard said. It is well known that it is death to hurt or take a consort of the King.

Mahnu looked at him, ”Nonetheless, that is what he's thinking.”

***

In the rush back to where they were staying, nothing was said. The King gave commands to Marcus that he alone should destroy the tablet and he looked back at Mahnu in worry.