The bridge between us

When you get to his palace, you will go through a level of security measures you have never seen before. Tell them your father sent you together with his guards to discuss a proposal. They will direct you to his son, he serves as the middle man in his father's transactions, especially when he is absent. As I said earlier, he is a dangerous man, and any dangerous man will take extreme precautions, especially while dealing with his rivals. They will make you wait in a small room. Offer you snacks and little biscuits; but do not eat anything! That's not why you're there.

After some time, you would finally get an audience with his son. Keep yourself calm, his hubris knows no bounds. He would speak to you like you are some pauper. Have your guards by your side at all times, just to show him that you aren't as defenseless as he thinks. Throw in a little show of the knife in your boots, let him know you're armed, and that you are not to be harmed. After enduring his meeting with you, you will finally get an audience with Kabi. Then you shall explain to him the terms of our deal. Understand? Good? I feel like this is going to take much longer than anticipated. ..................

So I did exactly that. I find it hard to believe that my first assignment is such a hard one. Makes me wonder the kind of parents I have. But at the same time, I understand why they want to send me so early into what I would eventually come to take over from. I'd heard stories about Kabi. A brute, a misogynist, a tyrant, the one who took over the entire south of our land with the fiercest war anyone had ever seen. His wife died a year before the war. Some say her death is what made him what he is today, others say it's the fact that she might have betrayed him, but I was told, that he had always been like that. We got there earlier than expected. Madare knew a shorter route so we made it here in less time. The path leading to Kabi's estate was rough, narrow, and hard to find to say the least. I guess being expected is better than being targeted. He cleared the path, and made it even easier to deal with the furor I saw earlier. I have to admit, it isn't nearly as horrible as I imagined it to be. There is a certain beauty about his estate, a certain calmness, I can't shake off the peace that comes with being here. I turn to Madare, she's looking out the window, but I think she can feel exactly what I feel, peace. "Can you see how beautiful the place is? It Can't just be me who feels it"

She smiles still looking out the window, then adjusting the scarf covering her bald scalp, she turns to me

"We aren't meant to find beauty in this place, we're only here for business, in and then out. Don't get too familiar." She warns

"I'm just admiring, this is my first time here, and I understand why it would tire you, seeing as you come here every month for your business."

She nods without responding, then turns away.

"Can I ask you something Madare?" "Anything"

"Remind me why we I'm supposed to hate this man" Her face morphs into a smile, "You're not supposed to".

The carriage stops, and I hear the men begin to load off our luggage. The door opens up, and I get a whiff of that natural scent mother spoke off. It's different and I like it. A man struggles to lift something out of the back, a couple others tidy the horses, and the rest prepare the walk way for me. I stand there sans Madare, she stays still at the feet of the mat waiting for me to make the first step. We wait for a guard from the other side to come up to us. He hands me a scroll while taking a small bow. I courtesy too.

"You may come in". We walk a long way before finally making it to a larger pastel building, complete with a garden a spring water fall, a fountain and a small fighting area. They search us several times before finally letting us through into the main house. It's even more beautiful on the inside. I first take note of the large crest on the floor of the main room, the room is filled with enormous paintings of Kabi, his Son and the girl I was told was his daughter . The ceiling is covered in battle art, composed of what I take as all his victories. His windows are arched just the right way above a beautiful ocean themed mural. I'd give him credit for his amazing taste. Nothing more. More guards and maids come in as we settle down. One takes my coat, the other Madare's.

"Please sit and enjoy the little feast we have prepared for you, Master Cecil will be with you..."

"No need to keep her waiting" a voice sounds from up the stairs, I look up to meet the eyes of a young man. He's wearing their royal colors, his dark skin is glowing under the dim light of the evening sky, he stands there confidently, his hands firmly grasped on the rail.

"Send the visitor up" he says again and walks away. The maid nods slowly and turns to look back at me. I smile at her and face Madare, she moves closer to my ears,

"He is almost never on time. This may be a trap, keep your knife close" I nod and follow the maid behind.

"What's, your name?" I ask when we get to the top of the stairs,

"Adana, my lady" she says without looking into my eyes, "Such a fine name, May I ask where you got such lovely trinkets to beautify your lovely hair?" She smiles at that, about to say something when a guard walks up to us. "He's waiting"

"Sorry. It was my fault." I turn to her

"It was lovely to meet you Adana"

"Likewise my lady".