***
Mahntra’ Bhu was wandering around the streets of the city, thinking. He noticed he still had his shadows, but now it didn’t matter. He was trying to decide what to do. It had been a while since the nobles had started acting, telling friends and neighbors their concerns, but there had continued to be more pressure, and some not so subtle threats by some of Tranthra’ Joh’s men. They’d been told that something definitely would happen to their missing family members if they didn’t stop what they were doing.
Some continued to persist. Others were dropping out, not having the stomach for what needed to be done. Mahntra was also concerned about his daughter. She was missing too, but none of the guard had come to visit him. He wondered about that. Maybe Tranthra’ Joh didn’t consider him a threat. After all, he’d stopped shouting his subversion from the street corners, and he didn’t have any official capacity any more.
That was another thing. Mahntra knew Tranthra’ Joh. Not personally, because he never could stand the man, but by reputation and by observation. He was not a subtle man, and what he was doing smacked of a very subtle plan to take power. Could it be there was someone behind the scenes telling Tranthra’ Joh what to do? If so, who?
This is all pointless debate. If I’m going to do something, I must do it! Then he caught himself. But I also need to know who my enemy really is if I’m to fight. The trouble was how could he find out? The chamberlain still hadn’t been able to access the dungeons. They were still heavily guarded. The occupant of the tower was also a mystery, but Mahntra could about guess who was being held. The Princess. Otherwise Tranthra’ Joh wouldn’t be enacting the measures he was. That’s why Dierni’ Lah had been sent for: To further control succession to the throne. Yes, this was all much too subtle for the likes of Tranthra’ Joh.
Now, should I continue with what I’ve been thinking?
Mahntra had come to the conclusion that he needed to press things again. With some of the nobles dropping out of the plan and the other going slow, he needed to do something. It had to come to a head before the Princess’ sister was brought back to the city. If she got in, and Tranthra did indeed have control over the princess and her sister, as well as the guard in the palace, he might be too well intrenched to stop without serious bloodshed.
I’ve got to stop this if I can.
Mahntra stopped at the location he’d chosen. It wasn’t a busy street corner, but still full of people. He was just outside the palace grounds below the balcony window of the audience chamber where he knew Tranthra’ Joh was holding court. He looked around, and noted his shadows had removed a safe distance away, thinking they hadn’t been noticed. Guards were located around the grounds, still far enough away that he could say what he needed to say before they reached him. And his path through to the building behind was unobstructed. He could make use of that escape route and get to his planned hiding place.
He wished he’d been able to talk this through with someone, even the chamberlain then realized he’d jeopardize not only himself, but whomever he’d confided in. It was something he had to do on his own and not have it tied with any of the nobles for the same reason. Doing so would prompt Tranthra’ Joh to begin using more force, and endanger those Mahntra knew he was holding.
He took a deep breath, once again looking around. His words had to be just right to make the points needed, but also short enough to allow him to say it, and get away.
“People of Putra’ Fi Sorro!” Pedestrians stopped in their tracks. The guard’s heads popped up down the way. “Where is the Princess? She who should rightfully rule? Why does Tranthra’ Joh supersede his authority, which he clearly has done? And why does he not tell us where the Princess is? Her people have a right to know!”
Mahntra noticed the guards starting to move in his direction. But he also noticed that people had stopped to listen.
“I’ll tell you why,” he continued. “It’s because Tranthra’ Joh doesn’t want the Princess to return. He likes things the way they are, with him in power. A power he doesn’t mean to let loose!”
The guards were moving faster now, getting closer. His shadows were also moving towards him.
“Tranthra’ Joh means to set himself up as our city’s first King! You all can see the signs yourself.”
The guards were almost too close now.
“You all have to decide. Do you want Tranthra’ Joh as a king? No?” Mahntra turned his face to the open window above. “Then tell us where our rightful ruler is!” He shook his fist at the window. “Give us the answers. We demand the Princess now!”
The guards were blocked by people intentionally moving into their path. So others are getting this too! Mahntra had just enough time to duck through that same crowd, and run in a most undignified manner for a former Keeper, through the building entrance to the secret way.
He’d made it. Mahntra hoped he’d be as lucky the next time. It was only a beginning.