MASSHIAHSAGA - THE RULING OF THE SHADOW QUEEN

THE UNCOVERING OF SECRETS

That day trip felt like a short one for Selena. How not? From that night the relationship became so beautiful and romantic that Havard tried to be mediocre.

Selena decided to ride the karkadan with Havard and let Champa crouch in the car with Sultan Yazid. This time, at Do Quo's suggestion, the number of horses pulling the carriage plus three more.

Armed with money given by Sultan Yazid, Do Quo managed to buy two horses. One is of the Chitu type, the other is of the Shabrang type.*)

*) Chitu is a local breed of horse cultivated in the Western Plains of Runehall. Its distinctive feature is that the horse's ears are long like donkeys and its skin is brownish red. The Shabrang is a breed of horse originally developed in the northern and southern parts of Runehall (regions controlled by the Moull and Norchburg Kingdoms). His skin was pitch-black like soot. If exposed to sunlight looks so shiny.

Do Quo remains the one driving the train. While Nagini and Havard and Selena watch and escort from the front and rear. Fortunately in the Goldie Plains, there was no more terror of the Xamrush herd. Chances are they are really hiding and have no intention of car riding Suktan Yazid.

Selena was cheerful again because Havard promised to reclaim the Rubihalcon necklace, as Selena called it because the pendant was an orihalcon plate fitted with ruby.

They arrived at the northern gate of Cappadonia. Sultan Yazid immediately ordered Do Quo to direct the train to Dang Dai Chan Palace. As a local, Do Quo knows the location of the palace that became the symbol of the Zhou Dynasty government.

Dang Dai Chan Palace is a large residence built on an area of five thousand hectares. The building was founded by Li Shie Min of the Tang (Dang) clan. That was why the residence used his name. The Zhou clan's ancestor, the Ikhalten of Wa-Guddharl (arid black square) then seized the residence after taking down the Tang clan's last heir, Dang Tan Khula. Subsequently, all the descendants of Ikhalten became the owners of the residence and made it the seat of his government.

The train stops at the gate. The gate was protected with a long wall surrounding the palace complex. There were some soldiers wearing armor and helmets fitted with cassowary tail ornaments. They carried machete-feathered spears fitted with colorful tassels on the weapons' protective plates.

Behind the gate appears towering palace roofs that tapered and sticking up like ivory.

Champa looked in admiration. "Waaah... Dang Dai Chan Palace!" he immediately opened the door of the carriage and without excuse the valiant pus stepped towards the gate.

Sultan Yazid himself could only pat his head looking at the girl's disrespect. Do Quo and Havard gawked as Selena growled in anger. The only thing on his face is Nagini.

"The woman really does not know the custom" Selena said furiously.

The silver-haired girl's steps came to a halt as the two gatekeepers directly crossed her machete spears. Their faces radiated with cruelty.

"Hey, can I come inside?" champa asked in a relaxed manner.

One of the guards shook his head firmly but did not speak. Sangar's gaze already represented their reluctance towards Champa's presence.

"Come on. I really admire this building." he told the second guard. "This time I can see the gate..."

"Hey boy, get out of here!!!" the guard shouted.

"Only interested can enter the palace!!!" the second guard.

The first guard violently pushed Champa to the surprise of a few steps back. The silver-haired girl did not accept it. He pointed his hammer at the two gatekeepers.

"You guys really want to taste my hammer, huh?!" threatened to.

Champa was about to break through when Sultan Yazid got off the train and called out to him. The girl turned her head and stepped back to see Sultan Yazid waving at her, asking her to come closer.

While grumbling, Champa again approached Sultan Yazid who stood up while folding his hands in the chest.

"What do you want there?" reprimand Sultan Yazid with a rather harsh tone.

"I just want to go in." stalk Champa and look at Selena who makes fun of him. The girl made fun of Selena. Sultan Yazid sighed.

"There is a time when we go there" said Sultan Yazid. "Do you think going in there is as easy as you entering a feeding slab?"

Champa just went back to scratching his silver-shiny hair that was braided on top of it and laughed grimly. Sultan Yazid shook his head.

"You should be taught Adab, right?" sultan Yazid Syndir.

"Didn't my master really want to go to the palace?" tangkis Champa again. "I'm just trying to help, really." she said again and laughed grimly.

Do Quo who accidentally circulated a glance, saw someone he knew. The thick-moustached man exclaimed.

"My lord! Look there!" exclaim Do Quo to Sultan Yazid while pointing in a direction.

Sultan Yazid followed Do Quo's index finger and found Kun Yang seen entering a grocery store. Sultan Yazid looked at his comrades.

"You wait here!" the thrill then rushed after Kun Yang who had entered the grocery store.

Kun Yang who was ordering some items, turned his head when he heard someone call his name. The face of the astronomer immediately spread a smile.

"Ah, Lord Commander!" he happily mixed with surprise. "Hows it? Have you found the hiding place of the Xamrush herd?"

Sultan Yazid smiled and approached the liturgical-robed man.

"We're talking about it in your house" replied Sultan Yazid. "I'm just asking for your help once again. Can't you?" ask the black-coated man.

Kun Yang turned his head again to the shop owner as he handed over his groceries to count. Kun Yang looked back at Sultan Yazid.

"What can I do for you, sir?" the astronomer asked, then turned to the seller again when he received his goods and handed him a few pieces of dinar money to pay.

Kun Yang then took Sultan Yazid out of the shop. The two walked down the road to the train.

"Help me to meet Emperor Pu Tuo." pinta Sultan Yazid.

Kun Yang smiled. "Oh, that's it." he muttered and met Sultan Yazid. "Can we go to the Observatory?"

Sultan Yazid nodded and invited Kun Yang on the train. When the three men were already in the carriage, Do Quo crushed the three horses to pull the carriage moving away from the palace.

...****************...

Kun Yang paced in front of his three guests who were sitting on the sofa. Havard was deep in his own thoughts on how to find Rubihalcon necklaces. Champa filled his time by enjoying the food presented in front of him. Only Sultan Yazid and Do Quo noticed the astronomer pacing back and forth while thinking hard.

"So... Han Houw is now held captive in Asgrad." he muttered as he nodded slowly. "And indeed, the access to it was only with the written blessing of Emperor Pu Tuo himself."

"That's why, you must help me." said Sultan Yazid.

"Of course I'll help you." replied the astronomer then gazed at the wall clock. "I think we still have time" he said. "Are you all going to the palace?"

Sultan Yazid shakes. "I'm enough" he replied. "My friends need to rest. They will be much needed when I will explore the Bolshoi Plain and Asgrad."

Kun Yang nodded. "Then we both rode to the palace" he said.

Sultan Yazid nodded then got up and looked at Do Quo. "Take off one of the two horses for us to ride into the palace."

Do Quo nodded and stepped out. Sultan Yazid turned to Havard. "I wish you could accompany the four of them in this house."

"I'll do it." replied Havard.

Sultan Yazid nodded then stepped out. In the night, there are two horses, rakhsh and chitu, each of which has been saddled. The two horses had been led by Do Quo.

"Thank you." said Sultan Yazid chose the type of rakhsh horse, his favorite type.

Do Quo nodded. Sultan Yazid set foot on the strut and jumped up into the saddle while Do Quo calmed the horse.

Soon, Kun Yang appeared wearing a high-collared black thaikam*) uniform adorned with elaborate embroidery on his chest. A necklace of prayer beads hanging on the neck. He wore a black peci whose dome was red and decorated with a peacock tail feather.

The official boarded the chitu and looked at Sultan Yazid, hinting him to leave immediately.

The two men left the horse-throwing observatory to run as fast as possible down the street towards the palace. They arrived in front of the gate and Kun Yang first went down and faced the two gate guards.

The two opened the way and the two men stepped into the long hallway that led them to the palace grounds.

"Finely, I first faced the palace protocol to convey the purpose of your arrival." said Kun Yang.

Sultan Yazid nodded his head and stood in front of the main porch of the palace. Kun Yang stepped in. Shortly thereafter, the sound of palace protocol echoed through the hall.

"The mouthpiece of Tel-Qahira, Abu Yazid al-Bustami is welcome to the Emperor's Majesty!!!"

Sultan Yazid stepped up the stairs and down the porch and down the hallways of the room until finally arrived at the Golden Dragon Hall where Emperor Zhou Pu Tuo sat on his throne.

The dignified man this time wore a faded red robe decorated with embroidery of a dragon snake. He was wearing the same colored peci. On the left sits Princess Mei Ling who looks at Sultan Yazid with a haughty look, while on the right sits Princess Cin Ling who looks flat at the man dressed in moss green.

Sultan Yazid stood firmly facing Emperor Pu Tuo. "I, Yazid of Tel-Qahira, come to you."

"Hey, please make your voice!" the snarled protocol of the palace stared ferociously. As for Kun Yang who stood not far from the position of Sultan Yazid standing looked anxious.

"I think, my degree is also the same as His Highness Emperor Pu Tuo himself." parried Sultan Yazid with a smile.

Emperor Pu Tuo's brows slightly interlocked hearing the description of the black-coated man before him. The court protocoler immediately muntab and have two Bosoe*) come forward and direct the machete to the neck of Sultan Yazid.

*) Bosoe is the personal bodyguard corps of the Zhou imperial family. They are equipped with bronze armor coated with gold. Their main weapon is a uniquely shaped and long-handled machete.

Sultan Yazid just smiled surrounded by the two soldiers. He calmly reached into something from behind his clothes and showed a plaque to all the audience present in the Golden Dragon Hall.

"Master Kun Yang, please pass this plaque to His Majesty Emperor Pu Tuo. Hopefully he can understand who I am." pinta Sultan Yazid.

Kun Yang took the plaque and went up to the stage where Emperor Pu Tuo sat on his throne and bowed, the official thrusting the plaque to his master.

Emperor Pu Tuo received the plaque and observed it. A moment later he was shocked and immediately stood up. The man exclaimed.

"All of you, leave this room! Now!!!" he shouted loudly.

Full of astonishment, the officials including Kun Yang then bowed and turned around leaving the Golden Dragon Hall. Emperor Pu Tuo also looked at his two daughters.

"No exception, son." he said slowly.

Princess Cin Ling swiftly got up and bowed respectfully to her father while Princess Mei Ling looked reluctant but was forced to rise and bow half-heartedly. The two princesses descended the stage and stepped out of the Golden Dragon Hall. When he passed by, Sultan Yazid could clearly see the gaze of Princess Mei Ling who was full of question marks directed at him.

Emperor Pu Tuo made sure that no one in the room except for two Bosoians kept their weapons on Sultan Yazid's neck.

Emperor Pu Tuo picked up his sword that was slung on a weapon rack near the throne. He got up slowly and went down the stairs with slow steps. As he stepped closer, Emperor Pu Tuo unsheathed his sword.

SRIINGGG....

JEREB!!! CRASSHH....

OH!!! AAKH...

Suddenly Emperor Pu Tuo slammed his sword at the closest bosoe making the soldier flinch in shock. One was shocked but could not dodge as Emperor Pu Tuo quickly drew his sword and slashed at the other soldier. Two of the guards were killed in the room.

Sultan Yazid just stood quietly staring at Emperor Pu Tuo who was casually taking off his sword on the floor.

CLONTANGGG...

Emperor Pu Tuo then advanced and developed a hand and hugged the black-coated man familiarly.

"Welcome to Cappadonia, my dear friend, Yazid al-Bustami from Tel-Qahira." he said with a smile. "I didn't think that a ruler of the Najd region would come directly to me, even without the accompaniment of a bodyguard." []