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used to. The food in Palara is much blander than in Mirnee. To begin with, ask me first. You’ll soon learn how to smell the spices.”
    Artas just nodded his head, still unable to speak from the intense heat that raged in his mouth. Ludas laughed along with Ganry. Poor Artas, he just had his first lesson in Mirnee culture, hot spicy food.
    “I must speak in earnest with you, Ganry,” his uncle said, taking a large sip of wine to give him courage. “Strange things are happening in the capital of Mirnee. We cannot go out at night as there is a curfew, set by the army. Those who do are captured by strange beings and never seen again.”
    “Why is the Emperor allowing this, Ludas?” Ganry asked, puzzled. “This is not like him. He was always a benevolent leader.”
    “Indeed, young nephew, indeed. However, they say that the Emperor is possessed by some madness. No one can get to see him, so no one really knows.”
    “What of General Jeon? Has he not stepped up to protect the Emperor?” Ganry would have thought this the first course of action, so was the General also possessed?
    “The General is the one giving out the orders these days. He has been a changed man since he lost his son.”
    “The General cannot be trusted then?” Ganry asked, frustrated at such news.
    “I had discussed this very subject with our Emperor on many occasions, when it was still possible to be granted an audience with him. I even thought he was beginning to understand that General Jeon was perhaps not the most loyal of subjects. But, things changed some eight years ago, when the Emperor mysteriously had an heir.”
    Ganry was shocked at the revelation. “I had heard no such event.”
    “Not many outside of our borders have, Ganry. The news of the birth has been kept relatively secret. It was eventually announced publicly, and then the child disappeared.”
    Again Ganry was taken aback by this news. “How can a royal baby be kidnapped, and yet unheard of outside of Mirnee?”
    “Ganry, have you been away so long that you have forgotten? This is Mirnee, we keep secrets even from our own mothers. It is second nature! Besides, many believe that the Emperor himself arranged the kidnap to keep the child safe. Other rumors say the child is odd and has been purposely kept out of sight.”
    “Safe from who, and what do you mean by odd?”
    “No one is really sure what has happened up in the palace. The child may be an albino, but I also think that the Emperor finally suspected that General Jeon is a threat, both to him and his child. There are some that believe the Emperor instigated the kidnapping.”
    “Surely not? Jeon would not attempt a coup. The Emperor is far too popular for Jeon to be successful.”
    “Yes, at one time that was true. But the Emperor has been seen less and less in public. Rumors abound from the palace indicate he acts very secretive. All has not been well in Mirnee for many years, and now, I fear for the Emperor’s life. He has become virtually a recluse and never seen in public. It is the General who holds full authority over all matters in Mirnee.”
    “I knew Jeon was an ambitious man, but I would never have thought him capable of this,” Ganry said, incredulously.
    “I also knew the General well. It is only in recent years that he has become capable of treason. He is a changed man. I’m not sure what has corrupted him. Regardless, it is not safe now to be critical of the regime. Those who speak out go missing, their families too. These are important and wealthy people in the Kingdom who have just disappeared. They include high figures in politics, all gone. We are now left in fear. No one dares to question the General anymore.”
    “This is terrible news, uncle, terrible.”
    Ganry put down his food and picked up his drink. It was going to be a long night while he learned the history of the last ten years since he had left Mirnee.

9
    Ganry and Artas had agreed that they should patrol outside at night and try