The story begins in the twenty third year of the Dragon Emperor Suk Lam reign

That night, Fon Chu, the capital city of Varlann empire, the rain kept showering for hours, rain drops hitting the cobble stones of the streets, splattered sound like the sound of rice panning. Cool winds blowing through the quiet city blocks, the streets sank in the thick darkness of the night, there was nothing but the sound of rain falls. Sometime, echoing through the empty streets is the footstep of the city guards on night patrol and their lantern light. The time is late, and everyone in the city had snugged in their warm blanket and their night dreams. On one of the empty street of the city, after a night patrol party of the city guard has past, from the shadow of a small alley, a mysterious person emerges. That mysterious person pacing down the street under the showering raindrops, on the person is a raincoat made of palm leaf, but that raincoat is clearly too small for the towering statue of the person, making the lower haft of the person soak in rainwater. The person face is obscured behind a veil that attached to the conical rattan brimmed hat on that person head. Beneath that raincoat is a muddy long black cloak, covered the person from head to toes, only the toe cap of the leather boots is visible every time the person took a step. That mysterious person still pacing silently down the street, and nestles time to time in dark corners of the street, to avoid the eyes of the night patrols. After a while, that mysterious person stops in front of the gate of a large mansion, encircled with tiled roof fences, and a pair of stone dog statue guarding the gate. The mysterious person stood there in silent, staring at the panel hung above the gate to make sure that this is the right place. Moment later, the mysterious person pulled out a small dagger from the cloak and step closer to the gate of the mansion, and proceed to carve a symbol and beneath that symbol is the numeral "5" written in Downers script on the door. When the mysterious person is finishing off the final carves, from behind a night patrol party approaching. Seeing the mysterious person snooping around the mansion gate, a night patrol utters a warning, but the mysterious person pays no heed to his warning, the night patrol approach and grasp the mysterious person wrist. When the night patrol is about to arrest the mysterious person, with a fanning motion of the hand, the mysterious person sent the night patrol rolling on the ground. Witness the mysterious person resisting arrest, the night patrol party, blow their horn to alert other parties and quickly surround the mysterious person. The mysterious person finished the carving and turn around, stares at the night patrols for a few seconds. And with a leap, the mysterious person jumps over the night patrols head, and run off into the night with an unbelievable speed.

Hearing the ruckus in the middle of the night, the servants of that mansion came out to see what happened and quickly alert the owner of the mansion. But when the owner of the mansion set eyes upon the symbol and the number "5" on the gate, his face turn pale and say nothing, just staring at the symbol with eyes filled with anxious and worry. When the servants call him, the owner jolted from his thoughts, and simply told the servants to replace the door immediately, then go back to the mansion.

After the door had been replaced, morning of the day after tomorrow, the servants of the mansion woke up and found that symbol had been drawn on the inner side of the newly replace door, this time with the number "4" drawn beneath it. This mean someone had climbed over the tall roof fences and drawn the symbols in the night. The owner of the mansion become more anxious and worry, he order his servants quickly erase the symbol, then left the mansion without saying where's he going, and only return when the sky is dark.

Then the next night, the servants of the mansion found a towering intruder, likely 2 lias high, wearing a conical rattan brimmed hat with face covering veil, snooping around the guest house in the mansion. When they sound the alert, the intruder jump on to the rooftop with just one leap and disappeared in the night, leaved behind that strange symbol and the number "3" drawn on the guesthouse doorstep.

Those strange incidents quickly caught the ears of the public, and rumours flare up like amber drop in dry haystack. Some said maybe the owner of the mansion had caused some grudges with some gang and now they're threatening him. And other said, maybe the owner had get involve himself into some weird cult. Rumours quickly spread from mouth to mouth, ears to ears, morphing into countless forms and finally echoing to the palace and came to Emperor Lam's ears, caught his attention. If these rumours was talk about some random rich person in the capital, it wouldn't make Emperor Lam took interested in it, but the protagonist of these rumours is Prince Suk Nin, the step brother of Emperor Lam. So at morning of the third day, Emperor Lam had come to Prince Suk Nin's mansion to pay a visit, and to find out what is happening.

"to have Your Majesty came to visit, I am very honour." Prince Suk Nin with his two wives and four of his children, interlock their finger and kneeled down to greet Emperor Lam.

"Brother, don't said that. I am but your little brother, but all of the state affairs made me too busy and can't come to visit you regularly, I am at fault too. I'm hope you and your family still healthy." Emperor Lam said.

"thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, me and my family are still very healthy." Prince Suk Nin said.

"brother, I know you love of fine wine, so today I have brought with me several bottles of fine yellow wine, a gift of from Chihan's ambassador." Emperor Lam said, then call a servant bring forth a white ceramic bottle, with blue ink painting of landscape, flower and mountains, from the casket and give it to his brother.

"whoah, isn't this is the famous yellow wine of the Jar Nan region of Chihan. I am graceful of your fondness, Your Majesty." Prince Suk Nin staring at the bottle in his hand, then bow down in thankfulness.

"ey, don't do that, it's just a bottle of wine. We're brother, you shouldn't be too formal." Emperor Lam said, pulling his brother to stand up.

"Your Majesty, fine wine should not drink along. Why don't we go to the garden and open this bottle of wine, I'll tell the servants to prepare some dishes to accompany the wine." Prince Suk Nin said.

"great idea, thank you brother." Emperor Lam said. And so the two brothers heading to Prince Suk Nin mansion's garden to enjoy the wine, after a few toast and chatting. Emperor Lam mention the rumours that he had heard lately.

"brother, I... er... have a few things, I wish to ask you, hope you don't mind." Emperor Lam said.

"what do you want to know, Your Majesty?" Prince Suk Nin said.

"it's just... a couple days ago, I had heard rumours about some stranger, break into your mansion in the night, numerous times, and committed vandalize act. Is it true?" Emperor Lam asked.

"well... er, Your Majesty... that... did happened, but... eh... it was only one time, from three night ago, it's... just some random drunken thug, make some random carving on my mansion front gate's door. That's all, there was no numerous break in or anything like that, the rumours just blow thing out of proportion." Prince Suk Nin diffidently answer, his face slightly pale, his mouth corner gently twitched when Emperor Lam mention the intrusions, trying to hide his stress.

"brother, are you alright? Your face suddenly turn pale. Are you sick or something?" Emperor Lam asked

"oh, no, no, it's nothing. Come now, stop mention those unpleasant silly rumours anymore, drink up" Prince Suk Nin empty his glass and then changed the subject. Afternoon, Emperor Lam bit farewell to his brother and return to the palace, but he still felt strange about his brother reaction when he mentions the rumours.

The next day, rumour about a new break in spreading all over the capital, and this time some peoples got hurt when trying to apprehend the intruder. Curious about this, Emperor Lam sent his son, Crown Prince Suk Tua to visit Prince Suk Nin mansion. Until noon, Crown Prince Tua return and said he didn't meet Prince Suk Nin, then retold what he had heard from Prince Suk Nin's wives.

"what? Brother, had went somewhere from early morning without telling anyone in his family."

"yes, father. The two lady had told me that, after wakeup and know about another intrusion had occurred, uncle became very troubled and anxious. Then he locked himself in the study room for an hour or so, after that, he saddles the velelis and leave the mansion without saying where he going, he even doesn't bring any attendance with him, just a small sack. Moreover, I had heard weird things from uncle's two lady." Crown Prince Tua said

"tell me." Emperor Lam said

"from what I heard, the rumours about the numerous intrusion is true. About four day ago, a stranger carved a strange symbol on the front gate with a number "5" beneath it. After that, that strange symbol appeared again each night with the number "4" then the number "3". And yesterday night, an intruder was drawing the symbol with the number "2" on uncle bedroom then get caught by servants. After a struggling he injured some of the servants and escape through the rooftop." Crown Prince Tua said.

"that strange, yesterday when I came to visit, brother told me a difference story, and acting quite strange when I mention those intrusion rumours..." Emperor Lam stroking his beard thinking. "so Tua... do you learn how that strange symbol look like?"

"ah yes, I had drawn it from the servant description." Crown Prince Tua said, retreated a piece of paper from his inner sleeve pocket.

Staring at the drawing for a minute, Emperor Lam mumbling "hum... it's... look like a... spider or something, laying on its net." Then he turns to his son "hum... this is getting me curious. Tua, now you bring a company of Brocade Cloak Guard to patrolling brother's mansion, just in case the intruder return" he ordered his son then go to the seraglio to meet his wife asking for her knowledge about the drawing.

After take a look at the drawing, Empress Aucelen guess this maybe depict the symbol of an Old Gods worship only by the Orc, name Ochwesi the spider god of stories and wisdom in speech. Knowing this make Emperor Lam become more curious, he thinks and thinks but still can understand why would someone, risk their life and broke into the mansion of an Varlann noble numerous times just to drawn graffiti? And why is a symbol of a god who only being worship by other race of people? What is the meaning of the number drawn with the symbol? "5", "4", "3", "2"? is that some kind of countdown? Maybe the intruder was countdown to ship deadline? And the most importance is why would Prince Suk Nin hiding this? The mystery of this incident is making Emperor Lam's desire of solve it by his own hands grow more and more.

The next morning Crown Prince Tua, came and said Prince Suk Nin had gone for the whole night, and still haven't return to his mansion. And about past midnight of last night, a towering stranger, covered from head to toes, suddenly appeared at the front gate of the mansion, carrying a big log on his shoulder. Without a word, the person launches the log at the mansion's gate. The mysterious person throws the log with an unbelievable force, the 1 lia wooden log fly like a javelin toward the gate, slam in the thick gate and broke it off its hinges, and before anyone can understand what just happened, the mysterious person quickly turn around and run. Even the Brocade Cloak Guard had try their best to give chase but still cannot catch up the mysterious, the towering statue of that mysterious person was exceptionally fast, those Brocade Cloak Guards had given chase to the person said the mysterious person run as fast as a velelis. The person quickly leaved them behind and jump off to a nearby rooftop and vanished in the night. After the chase, the Brocade Cloak Guard discovered that the log launched to the gate have Ochwesi's symbol and the number "1" carved on it.

With that, Emperor Lam decided to solve this himself. He told his son to move Prince Suk Nin's family to the imperial palace for tonight. It's seem that Emperor Lam assumption was right, that stranger was countdown to a deadline. Last night was the number "1", that mean tonight is the deadline, the intruder will come again and he will be waiting for it and "asking for some clarity". When twilight felt upon the mansion, yet still no sight of Prince Nin. Emperor Lam still troubled by his brother whereabouts, but kept continue with his plan, only a small portion of Brocade Cloak Guards patrolling the outside, the rest waiting inside the mansion.

Nightfall the air inside the mansion feel like lead and eerily quiet, only the distance barking of dog echoing from the street. Inside each room, behind every door of the guess house area all have Brocade Cloak Guards lie and wait. Time move slowly, making those whose are waiting became impatience. Waiting like this does make people feel like somehow time just suddenly slow down to tease them. Midnight finally come, and still nothing happens inside the mansion, nothing but the sound of the cherry trees foliage rattling in the wind. Inside the living room of the middle compartment of the mansion with 20 other Brocade Cloak Guards, Emperor Lam is standing in the middle of the room, ears wide open to find the faintest of sound from the outside. Then something caught his ears, faint sounds of the roof tiles slightly shifting like someone is stepping on them, the Brocade Cloak Guards hear it too but Emperor Lam signal them to hold their position. If that was the intruder, he doesn't want to spook it too soon. Couples minutes late, a "thump" of something heavy landed on the lawn came from the garden. Emperor Lam came to a window open toward the garden to take a peek, and saw a tall figure wearing a conical brimmed hat with veil, striding through the garden toward Prince Nin bedroom. And now Emperor Lam order the Brocade Cloak Guards to stomp in and surround the intruder.

A horn was sounded, immediately from the main hall, the guess house, Brocade Cloak Guards pouring in the garden and the surrounding hallway weapon in hand. Seeing that the intruder still remains calm and stand there in silent. Emperor Lam come out from the middle compartment, walk toward the intruder, seeing him the intruder head slightly move, staring Emperor Lam through the hat's veil. Under the lantern light of the Brocade Cloak Guards, Emperor Lam still can't tell if the intruder is male or female due to the hat's veil and the long cloak, but the intruder is tall, taller than an Uppers, maybe slightly taller than his wife Empress Aucelen, with a high like that and what's happened in the intrusions, Emperor Lam guess maybe the intruder is an Orc.

"who are you? How dare you intruding in Varlan's high noble numerous time like this? What do you want?" Emperor Lam asked

The intruder's head slightly bows to Emperor Lam, then a croaking male voice came from behind the hat's veil.

"Emperor of Varlann, please do not interfering with our business?" the intruder spoke in the common tongue, with a foreign accent.

"our? So you have accomplices. Well, you had been surrounded, surrender, tell me your accomplices name, whereabouts and what are you up to." Emperor Lam spoke in the common tongue with him.

The intruder doesn't answer, he just standing there in silent, but suddenly Emperor Lam felt a strong aura of Qigun emitting from him. The intruder is using magic, Emperor Lam quickly evoke his magic in response and prepare to fight back. But no, the intruder don't have the intent to attack, instead he leaps to the nearest rooftop, and follow the rooftop to escape toward the tiled roof fences. Emperor Lam swiftly conjure his magic and closely chase after him, drawn his sword, Emperor Lam aim at the intruder leg and stab. But the intruder quickly evades and caused Emperor Lam's sword pierce through his cloak instead. Yet Emperor Lam still drive his sword through and plunge his sword down through the tiled roof, pinning the intruder cloak down. Stuck, the intruder quickly removes his cloak and throw it on Emperor Lam in hope to blind him and escape. But all Emperor Lam have to do is use his telekinesis and shove the cloak aside and continue give chase. The two of them use magic to enhance their speed, so when they're clear from the mansion's grounds the Brocade Cloak Guards was quickly left behind.

The intruder's stepping like the wind, flying through the street, with sudden sharp turns, jump over fences and tall walls of houses, then jump up the rooftops, leaping from roof to roof, or hidden in dark corner of the rooftop of large house, or jump down to dark alleyway trying to cut off his tail. But unlucky for him, that night the moon is quite bright, and his towering figure is hard to hide from Emperor Lam sharp dragon eyes, he still closely tailing the intruder, and slowly reduce the distain. Seeing Emperor Lam still stubbornly tailing him, the intruder using telekinesis to throw everything he can saw on the street toward Emperor Lam, hoping to slow him down, but his effort was forfeit, Emperor Lam just shove everything the intruder threw at him with his own telekinesis. Noises from the chase rouse nearby residents from their slumber, the chase went on for 15 minutes, go from the city streets to the surrounding agriculture areas. The intruder suddenly stopped in the middle of the rice field, staring Emperor Lam through his hat's veil. His tall figure sticking out from the field of rice swaying in the breeze, like someone just stole big statue from a temple and use it as a scarecrow.

"emperor of Varlann, please stop interfering in our business." The intruder spoke again.

"you continually harassing, intruded and vandalize Prince Suk Nin property, my brother, then assaulted the innocent servants in the mansion. And yet you still dare to tell me not to interfere? SPEAK, what's your intention?" Emperor Lam spoke, sword firmly in his hand.

"the injured servants were an accident. We do not want bystanders to get involved in this matter. If you're still kept interfering, then we afraid we can't tolerance this no more." The intruder said.

"what? Did you just threaten me?" Emperor Lam said, he charging in, sword aim at the intruder's shoulder. Emperor Lam wish not to kill him but to injured and incapacitated him and took him back for questioning.

The giant intruder agilely twisting his torso to the left, avoid the lunge. But Emperor Lam skillfully rotate his wrist, his sword tip turned a wide arch in the blink of an eyes and hit the intruder's hat, knock it out. The hat had been knocked out and reveal the intruder's face, his green skin, and his bright amber eyes of an Orc, his lips is thick and full, his noses is wide and short, with a low nose bridge. Chiseled square jaw and chin, like an ancient heroic statue.

"so you're an Orc." Emperor Lam said "speak! What're you up too? Want to start another war with Varlann? Then I'll happily applied." Emperor Lam pointing his sword toward him, the Orc just silently adjusting his hat.

Irritating by the Orc's silent, Emperor am about to charging in for a fight, then a low raucous voice came from a bamboos range about 10 lias from them.

"Emperor of Varlann, please restraint."

From the bamboos range, two tall shadow appeared, striding toward Emperor Lam. Both of them covered from head to toes and wearing a conical rattan hat with veil like the intruding Orc. The one in the front carry a walking stick about neck high, with carving and painting of geometric pattern. The one with the walking stick came before Emperor Lam, remove his hat and put his right palm lack of a middle finger on the middle of his chest with fingers speared out, bow with a politely smile. That person was also an Orc, he looks older than the intruder Orc, shortly trimmed Coily gray hair and beard. A wrinkled face of a person had passed his midlife, deep within that bright yellow eyes surrounded by the wrinkles of time, a wise gaze emitting. On his right cheek, a long scar run from the corner of his thick lips to his earlobe-less right ear, proof of the lifetime spent for the matters of war.

"wajam! Emperor of Varlann, I am Kwanjobo, I am apology for my brother-in-mind poor choice of word. We hold no ill intentions to you and your empire." The aged Orc spoke.

"then why are yours here? Why travel all the way to southern Varlaurea just to harass my brother?" Emperor Lam ask.

"that was no harassment, that was a reminder. A reminder to who had took what belong to us, to return them back to our possession." Kwanjobo answered.

"you accuse my brother of thievery?" Emperor Lam said

"we had already caught the thief, but found not what belong to us. After questioning the thief, he revealed that he was hired and had delivered what he has stolen to his employer, a Prince from Varlann. All we want is to retreat the stolen objects..." Kwanjobo interrupted by the sounds of dog barking, and the sounds of footstep echoing from in the distain. Emperor Lam can saw hundreds of lantern light from the city direction, approaching fast.

"look like your loyal servants had arrived. Emperor of Varlann, the things had been stolen are extremely dangerous artifacts, they can put all life on Varlaurea continent in great peril. If you can, we hope you'll aid us in the effort to retreat them, if not, then I urge you don't get in our way. I hope we'll met again and will have your help, wabonje!" Kwanjobo put his palm on his chest and bow again, then with his brothers, they speed through the rice field toward the bamboos range and disappeared in the night.

The next morning, Emperor Lam feel the encounter last night leaved him with more question than answer. Was what Kwanjobo said true? Prince Suk Nin really stole something from them? And what had been stolen really that dangerous? But wants it or not, with what is happening right now Emperor Lam have to believe him. Because now, Prince Suk Nin still nowhere to be find, and by his two wives words and his action, they're all reinforcing Emperor Lam's suspicion. Emperor Lam sitting there in his study room thinking for a while, then decide to pay his brother's mansion another visit. The last time, Prince Nin had been seen by his family is when he locks himself in his study room, maybe Emperor Lam will find some clue there.

After say hello to Prince Suk Nin wives, Emperor Lam go to the study room to look around. The room quite large, except for a desk in the middle of the room, the room filled with shelves and shelves containing books and small decorative statues and potteries, the room's walls hang all kind of landscape and calligraphy painting, especially the wall in front of the table hung a gigantic calligraphy painting with bronze frame and floral carving on the frame, the painting is 1.5 lias wide and nearly as high as the room. Emperor Lam skimming through all the books on the shelves but found nothing noticeable, the same for all the statues and potteries, nothing peculiar. Emperor Lam sigh, toing and froing in the room for a while then he noticed something about the big calligraphy painting in front of the desk. The painting had been hung there for a very long time and leaved a faint shadow on the wall, the shadow won't visible if the painting was neatly hung, but now it learned a little bit to the left revealing the shadow.

Emperor Lam take a closer look and recognized two bronze flower on each two lower corners of the frame is protrude out from the frame, and on the corner of the painting shadow, there's a tiny hole. Emperor Lam quickly realized those two small bronze flower carving is actually a pin, to keep the painting firmly in position and wouldn't swung side to side. And on the wall is small curved scratches nest to the tiny hole. Thus he pushes the painting to the left and it slowly move. He continues pushing and the painting revealing a niche behind it, the niche is about an arm length from the floor, high enough for a man to stand up right, 1lia wide and 1lia deep, step inside the niche, he saw a small wooden box, he took the wooden box put it on the desk and open it up, inside it just letters, standing there looking at those letters, Emperor Lam felt an uneasy feeling raising in his mind, a mixture of felling from the excitement of the discovery of some clues for a mystery, from a vague fear that if he read these letters, they'll broke his heart, and an anger of a treachery that may happen. Gave off a long sigh, he sits down and starting to read those letters.

About ten minutes late, Emperor Lam threw the last letter on the desk, he sitting there, his face rest on his palms, his nose turns red, after a snort he mumbling "damn it! Nin, why? I always treat you with love and respect, and yet you..." he spoke with a trembling and choking voice. All his suspicions had become true; Prince Suk Nin is planning for a coup. Sitting there for a while, then stroke his and wipe away the tears in his eyes by his sleeves. He still sitting there, in silent, thinking, touching his fingertips together, learning his nose on his hand, staring at the big calligraphy painting on the wall, a flame is slowly growing in his mind, the flame of anger, the anger of a man who has been betrayed, betrayed by his brother, his own kin. But there is one thing he still can understand, what role the Orcs had in his brother's treachery? Or more precisely, what role is the Orc's stolen objects playing in this treason conspiracy? It's seem the answer for this question, only can be found from Kwanjobo's mouth, but how do Emperor Lam contact him? He thinking for a few moments, then put all the letter into his sleeves pocket, and quietly return to the palace.

After back at the palace, he summons Crown Prince Tua, his wife Empress Aucelen, and a few of high ranking officials that he knows he can trust. Then inform them about his finding at Prince Nin's mansion and the meeting last night with Kwanjobo.

"Your Majesty, these letters didn't tell us anything about the scale of this conspiracy, how many there're in collude with Prince Nin. They're just a discussion of Prince Nin and a person named Hua Xia. Besides, what role does those Orcs have in this conspiracy haven't clear yet. I think we need investigate more into this." Lord Dun Xuan said "but for right now, we should let the Brocade Cloak Guard tighten the security at the mansion with the excuse or preventing future break in, but also is to "keep an eyes" on Prince Nin's family."

"father, according to the latest letter, right now Prince Nin may be at Mei Lin city, let me go to there to investigate more of his whereabouts, if he's really there I'll kept a close watch on him." Crown Prince Tua said.

"Your Majesty, I think you should contact with those Orcs again and asking them about the things they're looking for, I think those stolen objects will play an importance role in this conspiracy." Empress Aucelen said.

Thinking about their advices for a moment, Emperor Lam agreed, he also order Lord Dun Xuan look into Prince Nin's financial flow, to find any suspicious expenses, and further investigate from there to find any other accomplices identity. And with the Orcs, Emperor Lam order some Brocade Cloak Guards to disguise as farmer, and herding their buffalos on the field where he meet Kwanjobo last night. On the buffalo body painted with the symbol of Ochwesi and hope that the Orcs get the signal.

Emperor Lam's idea had worked, the next morning, a Brocade Cloak Guard came and inform him that Kwanjobo will meet him at a forest outskirt, 2 hour velelis ride from Fon Chu, to the south. As arranged, that night, Emperor Lam accompanied by 10 Brocade Cloak Guards roweling their velelis to the forest till midnight. Cold is the night breezes, next to the warm fire, Emperor Lam sat and watch the moon rose high above, "oh, how bitter the fate of an emperor" he thinks, the more power you held, the more carefully watch your back, you must. More caution, you must, with every shadow in the night. The elder brother, he had love and respect all his life, now conspiring to kill him, countless thoughts, countless dark visions flooded his mind. After Prince Suk Nin, who will be next? Who's dagger he must watch next? He wondering. In that melancholy, a poem came to his mind, he murmuring it, a poem of the loneliness of those who wear a crown.

When midnight come, from the bushes in the forest, a low croaking voice sounded "wajam! Emperor of Varlann." Amid those bushes Kwanjobo and his brothers appeared and striding toward Emperor Lam, stood before his majesty, they remove their hat, hand on their chest, politely bow.

"my heart rejoices because of this meeting, may I reintroduce myself, I'm Kwanjobo as you had known, my brothers-in-mind also called me "the Wise Elder"." The Kwanjobo turn to the Orc on his right, the one that Emperor Lam recognized is the intruder from before. "this is Ngbambe "the Few Word", you had meet him before." Ngbambe silently bow. Then Kwanjobo turn to the Orc on the left, an Orc with a rounded face, wide nose, a quite big afro, and the most muscular of the three "this is Olunwa "the Strong Arm"".

"wajam! Emperor of Varlann, it's an honour to meet you." Olunwa place his hand on his chest and bow. "sorry, about the door. At that time, I can't think of any way to give a strong message."

"we are the disciples of Ochwesi, the spider god of tales and wisdom in speech. It's an honour to meet you." Kwanjobo said, and the three of them bow again.

"likewise gentleman." Emperor Lam interlock his finger in greeting. "then, all of you crossed those treacherous lias to Varlann to retreat what were stolen by my brother, what were those objects are? what kind of danger does they pose? And how can I help?"

"this, I'm afraid is for you ears only, Your Majesty. These matter cannot be known by too many people" Kwanjobo said looking at the accompany Brocade Cloak Guards.

Thinking for a second, then Emperor Lam told the guards to stand away from them, when the guards had retreated, Kwanjobo lowed his voice enough for just the four of them to heard.

"those were stolen is a choker and a book." Kwanjobo said.

"that's all?" Emperor Lam said with a little confuse.

Kwanjobo smile, said "those were not just any normal book and choker. The choker was an ancient artifact, day back when the Old Gods still walk among mortals, it possessed the mystical power of the Old Gods. Those who obtain the choker, possess the ability to persuade anyone to follow one's ideology. And the book is many time more dangerous, it contains the ancient magic spells of the Old Gods, the secrets able to waken the "Abandoned Old Gods" from their slumber, and open a way for them to return to the mortal world. I am sure, that, like us, Emperor of Varlann, you had heard the tales of the "Abandoned Old Gods", tales of the disasters and atrocities caused by them, and what would happen if they're to return."

"the...the Abandoned Old Gods? were... they not just legend? folk tales?" Emperor Lam surprise, skeptically re-ask about what he just heard. Those words really stumped him, because everyone on Varlaurea continent known those are just legends and myths of the bygone age.

Hearing that Kwanjobo, smile again, reveals his marble white teeth "yes, they're real, they're real like you and me are real. The existence of them and those artifacts are the reason why I do not wish for too many people to know. The disciples of Ochwesi has safeguard those artifacts for hundreds and hundreds of years in secret, to keep those powerful objects from the eyes and ears of those who with dark intension. So then, do you have any lead about them?"

Thus so, Emperor Lam retold the current situation, and the coup d'état plot of Prince Suk Nin, hearing that Kwanjobo shake his head and sigh.

"the throne... oh, the throne, what a dreadful object it is, it can cause brothers to betray each other, to willingly soak their hand in the blood of their kin like this, my condolence, Emperor of Varlann. I think everything is clear, your brother wish to use the power of the choker of Ochwesi to convince others to join his coup d'état plot, and I afraid he will not content with just the throne of Varlann." Kwanjobo said "with such heavy heart, I must say, your brother must be stop."

"worry not, I already had leads on my brother whereabouts. And my son already investigating those leads" Emperor Lam said

"that's good, but lord Crown Prince have no idea know what is he facing with, it's would be best if we all go there and give him aid, if not, I afraid the consequence will be unimaginable." Kwanjobo said.

Emperor Lam agreed with Kwanjobo. Then they set up to meet each other again at the eastern gate of Fon Chu, in early dawn of tomorrow and then set out to Mei Lin. After return to the imperial palace, Emperor Lam retold his meeting with the Orcs but leaved out the part relate to the artifacts, and only roughly saying that Prince Nin believes the objects he stolen from the Orcs, will help him in his coup plot. Emperor Lam's words had convinced his officials but it's do not stand a chance before Empress Aucelen's ears. When the couple returned to the seraglio, Empress Aucelen ask her husband again about the meeting. Emperor Lam knows too well that he cannot lie or hide anything to his clever and witty wife, after order all the servants to leave, he retold in detail about the meeting, about the "Abandoned Old Gods", the choker of Ochwesi, and the mystic book. Beside, in matters like this, he thought is wouldn't be a problem to let his wife know, she's an Elvas after all, with her vast knowledge maybe she be able to help. Heard the story, Empress Aucelen became extremely worry, and she insist to follow him to Mei Lin.

"no, I want you to stay at the capital to run the state's affairs. Worry not, I'll be careful and keep Tua safe. And besides, if thing turn for the worst then it'll be best if there's still someone else in the back that I can count on." Emperor Lam said.

Yet Empress Aucelen still disagreed, said "no, I must go with you, dealing with the Old Gods artifacts is extremely dangerous, there must be a powerful mage accompany you..." but Emperor Lam raised his hand to stop his wife

"my will is set, and you don't have to worry about that, Kwanjobo and his brothers are all mage, moreover they had guarding those artifacts for hundreds of years, I'm sure they know how to deal with those artifacts." He holds his wife hand and stroke her cheek. "and I do not wish to reveal my trump card too soon, Mei Lin only 2 days velelis ride away, if after 5 days without hear anything from me, then you must make haste to Mei Lin to rescuer me and our boy, I counting on you, my love."

Reluctantly, Empress Aucelen accepted, that night she barely has any sleep, leaving her husband to face the artifact of the Old Gods makes her anxious, nightmares about the worst things may befell her husband and son haunting her sleep, kept disrupting her rest throughout the night. Her worry is not only stem from that fact but also from other deep secrets, that her and all other Elvas wish no one to know.

When the rooster's crow echoing throughout the capital city, is when Emperor Lam and 200 Brocade Cloak Guards meet Kwanjobo and his brothers at the eastern gate. Empress Aucelen followed to the gate to send her husband off. Given her husband a kiss, she whispering "promise me, you two will return in one piece". Emperor Lam smile and bid her goodbye, then climb on the velelis, when they roweling the velelis away, Empress Aucelen spoke "THE FIFTH DAY, DAWN OF THE FIFTH DAY, I WILL COME AND FIND YOU TWO."

To Mei Lin they roweling their velelis, their ride without break till nightfall and rest for the night. They set up camp and have diner, unlike what Emperor Lam had expect, the Brocade Cloak Guards is quite curious about their green skin company, sitting around the camp fire they quickly approach Kwanjobo and his brothers, then the chit chat soon follow suit. Of course, except for the captain, most of the guards is young and full of curiosity, all they know about the Orcs is from the Hundreds Years War's battlefield tales of the old soldier. Kwanjobo is happy to satisfy their curiosity, he even tells tales about the time he fought in the Hundreds Years War, and told them those weird rumours and myths about the Downers, that the Orc soldiers told each other, make the young guards can't help but laugh out loud.

When dawn, they continue on their way, until afternoon, Mei Lin is appeared on the horizon. When they enter the city, everything seems to be normal, the streets still filled with pedestrians, markets are still packed, after a short while they arrived to Mei Lin's mayor office. When they arrived, the mayor and Crown Prince Tua quickly greet their arrival. After that, Emperor Lam ask his son about the Prince Nin and the current situation, Crown Prince Tua said that he still have any concrete lead about Prince Nin whereabouts, but he does know that now Prince Nin is likely to be in Lord Xu Vu mansion in the city, an old retiled court official who also is Prince Nin father in law. Crown Prince has put surveillance on the mansion day and night, to confirm if Prince Nin is actually there. If it's confirmed, Crown Prince Tua will personally bring 200 Brocade Cloak Guards to apprehend the traitor or the crown.

And so they, take rest at the mayor mansion while waiting for confirmation from the surveyors. Everything in the rest of the day is normal, except for a few frightening maids when they saw the Orcs. Nightfall, when everyone else starting to snugging in their blanket. While on his way to his chamber, Emperor Lam saw Kwanjobo kneeling on the hallway, his face faced the moon, hands open and held in front of his chest, mouth murmuring somethings. Curious, Emperor Lam came near to have a chat, seeing him approaching Kwanjobo stand up and politely bow.

"wajam! Emperor of Varlann, the moon is beautiful tonight isn't it?"

"I didn't interrupt anything, am I? why're you still out here at this time?" Emperor Lam asked

"oh, no you didn't. I'm just expressing my admiration to Owayen's beauty, that all" Kwanjobo said

"Owayen? You mean the moon?" Emperor Lam ask

"yes, it is, many name she has, I think you Downers call her... "Chan Gee", if I my memory still serve me well." Kwanjobo said, look at the bright moon on the night sky.

"ah yes, Chan Gee lady of the moon, the moon is beautiful tonight." Emperor Lam said, look at the moon. "the Mid-autumn festival is also near, then does you people have any festival in honour of the moon?"

"ah, of course, in late august there is a festival to celebrate the end of harvesting time in Ubukdin, my firstborn son was born in that time." Kwanjobo said.

"really, so how are your son now? A fine warrior he must be?" Emperor Lam said.
Kwanjobo smile, his wise eyes suddenly filled with sorrow "yes, yes he was."

"was?" Emperor Lam ask

"he has returned to the underworld with Obebe Chwega and my ancestor, Your Majesty. I had buried him with my own hands in the frontline." Spoke Kwanjobo, his low croaking voice filled with sadness when his memory of his son return to his mind. "ambushed, by a lizardmen company of Varlann."

"oh... well... I..." Emperor Lam felt awkward, don't know what should he say next.

"that is war, that is the life of a soldier, you don't have to feel awkward about it, Emperor." Kwanjobo smile.

"my condolence for your lost... well then, I'll not bothering you anymore, get rest soon, alright." Emperor Lam said.

"thank for your concern, Emperor. Wabonje!" Kwanjobo bow.

Returned to his chamber, Emperor Lam about to go to bed then hear knocking at the door, and Crown Prince Tua voice calling him, saying there something he must council with his father. Emperor Lam opens the door, wonder what's his son want to talk about. But before Emperor Lam can utter a single sound with his son, he felt a sharp pain on his stomach and soon realized there is a dagger sunk deep in his flesh.

Emperor Lam still have yet to understand what just happened, Crown Prince Tua had kick his father fly back into the room. Sit up in the excruciating pain, still in shock of being stabbed. Emperor Lam saw his son strolling into the room with couples of the city's guard, and a bloody dagger in his hand.

"T...Tua... what... what are you doing?" Emperor Lam stuttering, even more shocking when he finally realized who just jabbed him.

"what am I doing? Killing you of course." Crown Prince Tua say, with a normal tone voice and a straight face, without any particularly expression, like what he doing right now is a complete normal and mundane activity for a person to do.

"wh...why..." Emperor Lam spoke through the pain.

"why? Because uncle Nin was right, he's more fit to the throne than you, father. We could have won the Hundreds Years War. And yet you and grandfather choose compromise and peace." Crown Prince Tua said. "imagine father, Varlann's territory stretched entire Varlaurea continent, a glorious vision isn't it." The Crown Prince wave his hand in the air, eyes look into nothingness envision some stupendously glorious vision of the empire.

"Uncle really know how to persuade other." Crown Prince smile, then crouch down next to his father "oh well, after you die, I'll help uncle's vision became reality." He raises his dagger, aim at his father heart, ready for the killing blow. But at the doorstep, a towering green figure suddenly appeared, with a right hook, a guard of the Crown Prince flew into the room and land on top of Crown Prince Tua. That was Olunwa "the Strong Arm", before the city guards react, Olunwa charged in with Ngbambe "the Few Word" right behind him, the two Orcs flung their lightning fast fists, and moment late, all the guards are unconscious on the floor. Crown Prince Tua shove the unconscious guard off him and turn to his father again, but Kwanjobo quickly stop him whacked the dagger off the Crown Prince's hand with his staff, then Olunwa "the Strong Arm" knocked him unconscious.

Kwanjobo came to Emperor Lam side "lie still, I'll heal the wound.". the old Orc, pull out Emperor Lam robe, checking the wound, and quickly perform healing magic. Few minutes late, the wound healed, Emperor Lam stand up looking at his unconscious son on the floor, his mind still spinning in shock, trying to make sense of what just happened.

"what I'm afraid has come true." Kwanjobo rest his chin on his staff, look at Crown Prince Tua and sigh. "your brother has use the power of Ochwesi's choker to convinced the lord Crown Prince to kill his father."

"Old Wise, what're we going to do now?" asked Olunwa.

"Prince Suk Nin, must be at his father-in-law place, thinking that he has won. If we go there now, we may catch him by surprise." Kwanjobo answered

"Kwanjobo, what about my son?" Emperor Lam asked, filled his voice with worry.

"just leave the Lord Crown Prince here, when we retreated the choker, we'll make the choker's influence on him wear off over time, after a few days, he'll come back to his normal self." Kwanjobo said.

But from the eastside of the mayor's mansion, came the noises of yelling, struggling, and fighting. "the Brocade Cloak Guards!" Emperor Lam said. Invoked their magic to lighten up their body weight, together they leap through the rooftop heading to the noise direction. When they arrived, in front of their eyes, the city guards are attacking the 200, barely armed Brocade Cloak Guards. Even with little to no weapon, the Brocade Cloak Guards still stubbornly resist, disarming their opponents, their fought back the attackers, causing the city guard having a tough time fighting them. Taken by surprise in the middle of night, a lot of them had suffered severe injuries, and several man had been slain while as sleep. Dropped from the rooftop amidst the chaos, with his telekinesis, Emperor Lam shove all the city guards within his sight to the surrounding walls. With the help of the three Orc and the Brocade Cloak Guards with revived moral, due to the present of their emperor, they quickly subdued the bewitched city guards.

"those who suffered minor injure, stay and take care of the severely wounded. Anyone of the rest that still can fight, follow me!" Emperor Lam spoke to the Brocade Cloak Guards, the flame of anger burning in his mind, his eyes glaring with ire "Suk Nin, this is outrageous, bewitch my own son to assassinate me, from now on we're brother no more."

With the three orcs, and about 50 Brocade Cloak Guards saddled the velelis and ride to lord Xu Vu's mansion. 30 minutes late, they arrived at the mansion gate.

"Emperor of Varlann, when we go in the mansion, if you saw the ancient script and the gem on the choker starting to glow, cover your ears do not listen to a single word from your brother mouth, otherwise you'll be enchanted to." Kwanjobo warned.

Emperor Lam nod, then blow the gate wide open with his telekinesis, and charging his velelis inside with his companions. Dozens of strangers, with weapon in hand, barging through the gate causing the servants running in fright. Emperor Lam order the guards to capture one of the panicking servants and ask about Prince Suk Nin whereabouts, the servant stuttering for a minutes then pointed at the northern building, and thus they heading toward it. The sound of men and velelis, rumbling through the hallway, and roused haft of the mansion. After a few minutes of searching, Emperor Lam finally caught Prince Suk Nin just poke his head out of his room's window to check on what happening. Saw his brother, Emperor Lam whipped his velelis to charge forward. Prince Suk Nin retreat back to his room one he saw Emperor Lam charging in and look for Ochwesi's choker to put on, but a fireball suddenly flew through the window, exploded and set haft of the room on fire. Choking by the smoke, Prince Suk Nin ran out of his room with Ochwesi's choker still in hand, but before he can put it on, Kwanjobo roweled his velelis close in and whacked his staff at Prince Suk Nin mouth, knocked out one of his front tooth, sent him rolling on the ground, then he quickly being apprehended by the Brocade Cloak Guards and the choker taken from him.

Emperor Lam jump off his velelis, eyes lit with ire and tear swelling at his eyes corner, yelled "SUK NIN!", then grasped his brother by the robe collard and unleashing his anger, punching Prince Nin in the face repeatedly, like he'll keep punching until his brother is death, and maybe that will happen if Kwanjobo had not intervened. With the choker in hand Kwanjobo came before Prince Nin and ask where's the old spell book, but Prince Nin remain silent.

"Suk Nin! Why? Why are you betraying me? And Tua, he's your nephew... my son, how can you bewitched him like that?" Emperor Lam spoke his voice raised like yelling.

"huh, I considerate myself is more suited to be emperor than you, we could have won the Hundreds Years War, Varlann territory could be so vast, not just a tiny corner in southern Varlaurea like this, father weakened by old age and gave the throne for you instead of me, his eldest son, but I still wouldn't mind that. Us, two brother could have conquered and split the entire continent in half to rule, but... oh no, oh how disappointed you are. You infatuated with that pointed-ear forest witch and squandered all out plan and preparation for the glory and prosperous of the empire, submitted to compromise. Are you still deserving to be emperor?"

"you..." Emperor Lam growled, agitated and charging again, but Kwanjobo quickly stop him

"lord Suk Nin, I'll ask you again, please considerate carefully, where is the book? Do not force us to use any unpleasant method." Kwajobo firmly said.

"I don't need that book, I already gave it to Hu Xia, he took the book and went on his merry way, two day ago." Prince Suk Nin said.

"who's Hu Xia?" Emperor Lam asked

With a smirk, Prince Nin said "the one who had attempted on your life at Qua Loh.". Anger by his tone, Emperor Lam flung a mighty punch at his brother face, knocked him unconscious.

After retreated the choker of Ochwesi and captured Prince Suk Nin, they leaved 20 Brocade Cloak Guards to keep watch of lord Xu Vu, because Kwanjobo said he also had been enchanted by the choker's magic, they return to the mayor mansion now under control of the Brocade Cloak Guard, the three Orcs quickly perform an ancient ritual to neutralized the effect of the choker on its victims, meanwhile Emperor Lam wrote a letter to send back to the capital. After the ritual is finished, the next day Kwanjobo and his brothers-in-mind bit farewell to Emperor Lam, early in morning, said the ancient book still missing, their quest had yet to finished. Bit farewell to the Orcs, Emperor Lam gave Kwanjobo a ring with his seal on it, said if Kwanjobo and his brothers ever in need of help on their quest, just send the word along with the ring to Fon Chu.

Emperor Lam, resting at Mei Lin for 2 days, and heading back to Fon Chu on the fourth day. On their way back, Crown Prince Tua finally came back to his normal self, the young man cried his eyes out begging his father for forgiveness and punishment. Although, Emperor Lam knew this whole ordeal was not his son fault but attempted assassination of the emperor is a serious offence, his imperial court won't take this lightly, even an emperor cannot stand above the law, his law. After returned to Fon Chu, and after the long, dreaded countless tiresome court sessions, interrogations, discussions, and the worst is debating with his wife. Emperor Lam finally put his seal on the verdict.

The imperial court had rule, Prince Suk Nin will be stripped of his tittle and be publicly executed, his head will be hung to rot over the city gate to deterrence other. Prince Suk Nin wives and children will be stripped all of their imperial privilege and demote to civilian status, all of their possession and belonging will be confiscated and they'll be banishing from the capital, send back to their mother-side family. Lord Xu Vu will be stripped haft of his retirement benefit, land and asset. Crown Prince Tua will be stripped of his title, and have to join the imperial army in other to redeem for his crime via military achievement. And all other the minor offenders will be punishing accordingly base on their level of involvement.

----------the end-----------

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