THE SILENT WEAPON: Landslide Victory

Chapter 4

Captain Joseph did as was commanded by his king. Early the next morning, alongside a few other warriors, they set off on a journey to Lampa Kingdom. After they left, King Martin had his time alone in the palace. He took this time conversating with the sculpture and portraits of his late father.

He was promising to keep alive what he had started and, to accomplish what he, his father, had not a good chance to do when he was alive. This was to conquer Lampa Kingdom and take over the reign.

“Father, it is sad that you had to die without having accomplished what you had always dreamt of; being a King to both Kamu and Lampa Kingdoms. I promise to carry on your legacy and dream to rule both Kingdoms for the both of us. I will make sure to prove to you what a King you made me to be. The gods rest your soul in peace father,” Martin conversed to the sculpture of his late father.

Two days later, he was surprised by the return of his sister, Dorothy, from her tour. This was surely a surprise for him. He could not help to wonder how soon she had returned until he asked her about it. Without cause of suspicion to the sister, he had to act normal and happy for her early return safely. He welcomed her back to the palace as usual and thanked the gods for her safe return.

Since he knew that she would ask of the Captain’s whereabouts upon realization of his absence, he told her to have given him and a couple of warriors some time off for other duties. They were to tour several other Kingdoms and bring new findings.

“I salute you my sister. I hope you had a good trip to the Kingdom from which you come. Gratitude be to the gods for bringing you back to us safely,” said the King to the sister.

“I salute you too my King. Thank you for the welcome you have given me back to this land and for showing concern when I was away. Indeed, the gods have assuredly been with me and here I have returned safely,” replied the sister.

Martin needed to eliminate his sister suspecting anything. “Before you go to your chambers and have the maidens give you their best, something I would like you to know. As you can see… the Captain, including a few other warriors are not present. I sent them on reconnoiter at the other Kingdoms. The aim is to bring me news about what fellow Kings say about our rule as well as new techniques from them,” said the King to the sister.

“Very well then my lord. It is good to have sent the warriors to get these new insights. Meanwhile, I wish to retire to my chambers for relaxing. I have had a very long journey and I am exhausted,” concluded the sister as she left for her chambers.

After they parted, he summoned one other warrior to trail the Captain and his subordinates. He was to tell them of what to do and say upon return to the palace. The Princess was now with the maidens as they welcomed and pampered her as their lovely Princess.

As this was going on, Jessica, the Chief maiden, to whom Dorothy was close and open, was seated by her side. She was sharing the progress of the land to Dorothy while she was away. Jessica, having heard what the King had told the sister at the time of her arrival, she needed to tell her the true story but was afraid.

After a while of deep thoughts, Dorothy noted Jessica’s mood variation and decided to inquire about it. Jessica, in response with a shaky voice whispered to Dorothy, “My princess, I am sorry to say this but it bothers me as such to withhold no more. Your brother, the King, lied to you earlier about the captain’s whereabouts.”

That very minute, Dorothy relieved all the other maidens off their duties and shown them to the door. Only she and Jessica were left in the chambers, as she wanted. Jessica had begun to fear of what the Princess was about to do to her.

Instead, Dorothy meant no harm to Jessica. She just wanted to hear the truth from her. Jessica narrated the whole story to her and the main reason for sending them while she was away. She requested the Princess to plead with her brother about it.

After hearing the truth, Dorothy promised to look into the matter. She had to do it indirectly such that Martin would not suspect anything. If he did, Jessica or any of the maidens would be in trouble.

Dorothy did not seem so surprised after hearing this truth though. After they parted, Jessica was worried and left with lots of unanswered queries. She was wondering why the Princess did not have much of a reaction yet, she had been lied to by her blood brother, the King.

For many years, Jessica had served as a maiden in the palace. Dorothy’s calm reaction upon hearing the news was not amongst the many traits she had learnt from those before Dorothy. Certainly, Jessica knew something was wrong and Dorothy might have heard the news told to her before her return.

It could also mean that, she might have liked her brother's plan. After all, it explained her earlier return to the palace contrary to when she was expected. Jessica was left with two things to figure out. First, from whom Dorothy could have heard the truth beforehand, and second, whether Dorothy liked her brother’s idea.

Had she to find out that Dorothy knew of her brother’s agenda beforehand, she needed to know why the Princess would have someone tell her of such occurrences happening in her absence.