Chapter 56 - (4)

***

King Khor of Northern Lan had arrived Juhntt in secret. Many variables that presented themselves, told him he needed to stay low and gauge the situation. He had heard that his sister is being held at the lower prisons, not even in the palace dungeon in the main castle. Though it was still in the palace grounds, it was still a place for those awaiting execution. He couldn't care less if that sister of his died. As long as she did not spoil his plans. Staying in the Juhntt capital, he found himself listening to all the rumours that has beheld the city as of late.

Lady Steinhouse; he thought of the princess of Juhntt, he had seen only before as a child. He knew that if he guessed right, she would be a beauty by now. A widowed princess, he had never considered her a variable in anything that concerns him. He had once considered her one of his queen candidates, but was refused by King Larken. Soon, she was married to Lord Steinhouse, only to become a widow. News that she had a lover was the talk of the capital at the moment. Imprisoning her mother-in-law and sister-in-law for two days, was another. If anything, it made people think of her as a love struck girl. King Khor processed the information before him.

His thoughts moved to Lady Wickshire, who was rumoured to be a Thraine. This was a person he had never met before. He had not had a chance to meet even her late mother, whose identity was one that had made his own father shiver. He was curious about the Thraine Household and had thought he would hear more about Lady Wickshire in the capital, but heard nothing. She was not in rumours, as though there was nothing interesting about her. But, when he received information from the spies he had placed in the Juhntt, his curiosity heightened.

The nobles of society in the capital dreaded to talk about her. His spies could not get them to stand against her. Even his sister, who had a amassed a lot of power before her fall, was stuck. Her supporters would not go near Lady Wickshire's matter. This made him more curious about her. He had heard that she had a head full of while hair and was as pale as one near their death bed, but nothing else.

He had heard that the Mclears, who were a wealthy trade family in the capital were openly against her. Soon, the entire family was executed, except the wife and her sons; who were never found. He wondered if she had a hand in their demise. But if she did, didn't that mean she had a hand in his sisters fall too? The situation was getting dangerous. He knew that the only people he feared was the Jade Hand; because, he had their mistress in his custody and had their heir placed in the palace of Juhntt with his sister. He feared that they would find out his involvement in their leader going missing. This was a risky gamble. He knew the Teel family elders were here in Juhntt; as he had heard they were invited to the royal wedding and he had received information when they had arrived.

Thinking that he was here with their family head unconscious in the next room, chilled his entire being. His mind wandered to the heir, Lady Raine. He had not been able to get people into the palace to see if she was still there. If she attends the wedding, everything is over. He still yet to find the token to the Jade Hand; her presence would spoil everything. Many years ago, when he had her come here to hand his sister to King Larken to marry, he kept her mother hostage. he did it to guarantee that she will not make a move to save her mother. As long as her mother was in his hands and the antidote for her poison is unknown, she would not move.

He had once thought she would be with the token, but never found it on her. As long as she remained lost, he could infiltrate the Teel family and search till he found it. The holder of that token could command the Jade Hand. With that token, he had no need to fear the Mercenary Alliance or the Teel family. With the Jade Hand, he can take over Juhntt in a swift move, absorbing them into his kingdom; there by making Northern Lan a first rate kingdom.