***By the time morning came, news of Lord Torgenn"s safe return to his capital countryside home had spread and calm returned. But the calm did not last, as news of Nanny Han"s death had taken it"s place. Silence was the tone of the capital. She may not have been Lady Wickshire"s mother, but she was a very important person.
Many were not sure how to respond. Do they send their condolence? Did they know Lady Wickshire and Nanny Han that well? Did it even matter at all who she was? This woman raised Lady Wickshire; they had to be careful, whatever they did.
Of course, the news that followed was of the headmistress and her father who still remained in prison. The academy was basically closed down now. Many rushed and retrieved their children. They moved so fast, the academy was almost empty before noon. This was mostly because, most did not want to be a.s.sociated with the headmistress now she had fallen. Letting their children stay at the academy was a big signboard, claiming to be on the side of the headmistress. Many foreign ladies and princesses who had been sent to attend school there, were withdrawn before noon by their kingdom"s representatives. They were all standing on dangerous grounds; Nanny Han was dead and Lucy was yet to respond, everyone had to be careful.
But of course, news did not end there; for it is said, "though good news comes in twos, bad news threes".
The capital was now aware that King Khur of Northern Lan was captured and held prisoner. Queen Raine had declared Northern Lan an enemy of the the Teel family and there for an enemy of Juhntt. This would have been all good, as no one liked Northern Lan, but it was declared that many are going to war. The first wave of soldiers would leave that very day and the rest will follow later. The first wave were always elites, their job was to go and lay siege and clear the path for the second wave. These consisted of ordinary soldiers who were commoners. They would first go out to camp to be trained for a while before they can go out into battle.
The peace had been disrupted and the people were not pleased. Most wondered why the king still had the heart to send out troupes, when Lady Wickshire was yet to respond to the Beaumont crimes?
The palace was not calm either. The king had been sitting on his desk all morning staring at a bunch of papers, but his mind had long since taken a walk.
"My king." he heard Queen Raine call to him from the door way. He looked up at her, wondering how long she had been standing there.
"The troupes have gathered. By noon, you have to go send them off." she said and the attendants bowed out.
"She has not responded. It"s been long since Nanny Han was reported dead." he said as though speaking to himself.
"Most think we are being too bold going out to war at a time like this; Mother thinks so too. But I have explained to her, Lady Wickshire wants this war as much as we do. Lord Steinhouse must be sent out to war today and no other day."
"What would happen if people ask why he is going? Most n.o.bility that don"t have military linage are staying back; worst case scenario, they will be sent off in the second wave." the king asked.
"That is not our problem; we but only do as asked. Usually I"m not one to follow orders, but I believe she saved mother for this purpose; so that we owe her. Besides, the Teel family wants this war." she explained.
"Still..." the king started.
"My king, you should not worry too much. I would say, go see her; this is your kingdom and you need to know what she has planned for it. But, she has just returned to the Torgenn capital countryside home without moving. We must not be too hasty." she said and he nodded solemnly.