"We have found a lead," Abiri reported to the emperor and her father.
They met frequently under the pretext of reviewing the security arrangements for the upcoming coronation. Both men remained silent, waiting for her to elaborate.
"Our scouts observed a sharp decline in escort services in Khaamsha. This is highly unusual, considering escort work is the most profitable business in the region. I asked Rya to investigate."
She placed a few folded documents on the table between them.
"It turns out that the majority of escort services are being employed by two companies—Kholstone Jewellery and Sach Textiles. Both are sending shipments to Yuj, consisting of jewels and clothing, supposedly as part of the coronation tribute."
Her father raised an eyebrow. The emperor's expression remained unreadable.
"These two businesses are well-known and influential, so it makes sense that they were selected to offer tribute. However, I have instructed my people to monitor every caravan linked to them."
Later that day, back in her chambers, Abiri sat at her desk, reviewing the coronation security logs. She tried to suppress a yawn.
"You need sleep," Rya said gently.
"I cannot rest yet. I promised Aziza that I would join her and Adeer for tea," Abiri replied.
She stood and stretched. "Let's go."
"I do not understand why you push yourself so hard," Rya muttered. "You could live a peaceful life surrounded by wealth and privilege. Sometimes I wish you were just an ordinary woman."
Abiri did not respond immediately. As they approached the garden pavilion, they saw Conall, Aziza, and young Adeer seated around a table, surrounded by vibrant flowers. The sun was setting behind them, casting a golden glow over the scene. Aziza and Conall were laughing quietly while Adeer darted around them in playful circles.
"Do you see that?" Abiri said softly, nodding toward the group. "This is why I do what I do—so they can smile like this."
Adeer spotted her first.
"Abiri! Over here!" he called out, waving.
"I did not expect to see you here," she said to Conall.
He smirked. "I could say the same to you. But for family, I will always make time."
"So will I," Abiri said with a smile.
"We must all find time for moments like this, no matter how busy we are," Aziza added warmly.
They spent the next hour chatting about trivial matters while enjoying tea and snacks. Adeer complained animatedly about his teachers, and the conversation drifted easily. As twilight settled in, Abiri, exhausted, dozed off on the stone bench.
"Abiri is asleep," Adeer whispered, pointing at her.
"Let her rest," Conall said softly. "She has been overworking herself."
"The coronation preparations must be weighing on her," Aziza said, concerned.
"Indeed," Conall replied quietly.
That night, Rya returned with troubling news.
"Escort traffic has dropped across the region—except for the caravans linked to Kholstone and Sach. But there is something odd. These caravans are taking indirect, remote routes into Yuj, allegedly to avoid bandits. And they are returning fully loaded, rather than empty, which makes no economic sense."
Abiri leaned forward.
"That suggests they are smuggling something into Yuj. But what exactly?"
She stood up. "We need our agents inside the warehouses immediately."
A few days later, Rya rushed into the room with an urgent update.
"One of our Whisperers, disguised as a night guard at the Kholstone warehouse, caught another guard trying to flee. The man was panicked. After a bit of pressure, he confessed."
Rya handed over a written statement.
"He said they are not smuggling weapons, but men—armed men—hidden in false compartments beneath the tribute crates."
Abiri stood up abruptly.
"Armed men? This is not mere smuggling. This is a full-scale infiltration."
She began pacing.
"This information is still circumstantial. We need solid evidence. Cross-check the customs logs with the tribute records. Identify the exact cargo being transported and all caravan destinations."
Two weeks before the coronation, Rya returned with a breakthrough.
"Your suspicions were correct. The quantity of goods listed in the customs logs far exceeds what is declared in the tribute records. Furthermore, the size of the caravans matches the troop numbers required for a coordinated attack."
She handed Abiri a gold necklace.
"What is this?" Abiri asked.
"Look at the back of the pendant."
Abiri examined it. On the reverse side, there was a small engraved symbol: a square, three long lines, and one short one.
"Is this a code? A time or location reference?" she asked.
"It might be any of those," Rya said. "Our agents found similar carvings on other pieces of jewellery and textiles sent by Kholstone. We believe the rebel forces are coordinating through these codes embedded in the tribute."
"I can give you two more days to decipher the code," Abiri said firmly. "No more."
As Rya turned to leave, Abiri stopped her.
"Wait. Bring me the files on Sir Whir and Idris again. There has to be some connection between them. I believe we may have overlooked something."
Several hours passed. Abiri read and reread the files, her eyes scanning every detail. Still, nothing conclusive appeared. Frustrated, she rubbed her temples.
"Why would Sir Whir poison the emperor and still collaborate with armed rebels? What is the connection between him and Idris?"
A knock interrupted her thoughts. A maid announced Princess Aziza's arrival.
Abiri quickly tucked the documents under a pile of notes.
"I saw your lanterns were still lit," Aziza said, entering the room with a bowl in hand. "No wonder you've looked so tired lately. I brought your favourite—tapioca pudding, with cashews."
Abiri smiled warmly. "You always know what I need."
Aziza watched as her sister ate in silence.
"I know something is going on. You and Father are hiding something from me."
Abiri stopped mid-bite.
"You don't need to explain it to me now," Aziza continued. "But I don't like seeing you shoulder everything alone. I'm here for you."
Abiri reached out and hugged her.
"I know. And I promise, you'll understand everything soon. Just wait a little longer."
After Aziza left, Abiri returned to her desk. Her eyes landed on a page jutting out from beneath her notes.
It read: "Idris worked security at one of Adan Osvaldo's estates five years ago."
Abiri's breath caught. A connection.
She pulled Sir Whir's file and scanned it again. The link was clearer now. She called for Rya to confirm several details.
By dawn, her report was ready.
Abiri stormed into the Emperor's Court with Conall at her side. Her maids struggled to keep pace behind her. The emperor entered moments later, still groggy.
"Skip the formalities," he said. "What has happened?"
Abiri handed him the report.
"I believe I have identified the mastermind behind the poisoning. It is Governor Adan Osvaldo. He is the only known connection between Idris and Sir Whir. Sir Whir's promotion was arranged through Adan. Idris previously worked as an accountant on one of Adan's estates. His business was funded by an anonymous investor—whom we traced back to Adan. Additionally, we found evidence that Idris's late son, Alden, was personally close to Adan."
She let that sink in before continuing.
"The tribute caravans are being used to smuggle rebel soldiers into the capital. The jewellery and fabrics contain encoded messages. We believe Adan plans to launch an assault during the coronation."
The Emperor stood silent for a moment, then issued immediate orders.
"Summon the Guards. Arrest Sir Whir at once—but discreetly. From this moment forward, Abiri Arlo shall serve as Head of the Royal Guard. But only the Royal Guards will know her identity. Other palace attendants shall not know about this change until the coronation. Whoever reveals it will be treated as a rebel and immediately executed!"
The emperor's personal court attendant stepped forward and presented a token of command—an eagle carved in red stone. Abiri bowed and accepted it.
Abiri took command with quiet precision. Conall's troops already respected her. The others were wary, but none dared disobey a royal decree. Some expressed sympathy for Sir Whir; others watched Abiri with suspicion. She rearranged the deployed guards in such a way that every royal guard is always partnered with a soldier from Conall's troop.
She soon won the respect of all the guards not with titles, but with actions—clear orders, efficient planning, and care for the wellbeing of every guard under her command.
Sir Whir, however, remained silent. He admitted to poisoning the emperor but refused to speak of motives or co-conspirators. No threats moved him. And one day he committed suicide. His death was kept a secret so that his followers or other guards would not lose morale. But time was running out. And Abiri knew it.