Honey : The Empire's Treasure 97 Snakes

"Shall we go?

"En."

Joanos led everyone out of Mika's house to Lord Tasar's office.

Halfway there Saavi tugged on Mika's arm.

"What is it?"

"Young Miss, how can you know that Lord Tasar is not working with Lady Vanya?"

"If Lord Tasar was involved he wouldn't agree to a marriage between Joanos and I. Lady Vanya's plan is to marry Joanos and Miss Lixiss together so she can gain control of Joanos' clan's wealth. "

"Ah..and by Lord Tasar agreeing shows he never wanted Joanos' money." Mikaela nodded at Saavi conclusions.

Reaching Lord Tasar's office, they found multiple people running in and out of the room.

Extra guards were placed at the door, and they could hear shouts coming from inside.

Arriving first, Joanos informed the guard at the door that he and Miss Mikaela have important business to discuss with Lord Tasar.

When Mika reached Joanos' side, the guard was already returning from inside.

"Lord Tasar doesn't have that much time so you have to state your business quickly."

"Thank you."

Joanos and Mika entered as Kaze, Saavi, and Wyn followed closely behind.

Lord Tasar was behind his desk looking over paperwork and books when he saw Mika good health for himself. Tasar came from around his desk and gave her a hug.

"It's good to see you up and about, you had everyone worried...Ohh how are your powers? The healer told me that there should be no problems with their developments, have you tried them?..."

"Lord Tasar, hold on for a minute. I don't know what to answer first....hahaha." Feeling overloaded with Lord Tasar constant change in the subject, Mika giggled.

"Oh, sorry. I seem to be too excited. Come sit. You too Joanos." Tasar led everyone to seats in the room.

"Lord Tasar, do you remember the night you found me in the barn?" Joanos spoke before Lord Tasar could even get comfortable in his chair.

Shocked by this question, Tasar looked around the room before bring his eyes once again to Joanos.

"Yes, I remember the night...Joanos, though I'm happy you finally want to discuss this matter with me now is not the time..." Tasar softened his voice and looked at Mika's party. This issue was an inside matter that shouldn't be discussed out in the open.

"I've already told them about what happens to my clan...."

"Joanos!...why would you...?"

Mika signaled to Kaze to create a barrier to surround the six of them.

"Mikaela!... What is the meaning of this?" Tasar naturally felt Mika's guard putting a barrier to surround them.

"Lord Tasar, young master Joanos has something to tell you, it wouldn't be good if others were to intrude. I meant no harm.." Mika urged Joanos to get on with it.

"Lord Tasar, that night I saw the people who murdered my whole clan...and their faces are the faces I have seen every day since!"

Tasar kept silent as this information blew his mind. If Joanos has seen his family murders every day that could only mean that they are close to him.

"Joanos do you mean...no that's impossible, who in the Udava clan could do such a thing?... Joanos, you have to be sure, if you accuse someone like this.....Though you are my sister's son this is my clan! The people here have shared ups and down with me...You better be sure!" Tasar knew he would heartbroken if people from his clan murdered his own cousin and her family.

Joanos hesitated, would Lord Tasar ignore this crime to save the face of his clan. Did they make a mistake coming here?

Mika could see the hesitation in a Joanos' eyes, but this wasn't her story nor injustice. This was something Joanos and Lord Tasar have to sort out.

"Joanos...just tell me who?" Tasar didn't want to scared Joanos into silence, but this knowledge shook him to his core.

Looking Joanos straight in the eye, Tasar prayed it wasn't someone who he deeply trusts.

*Sigh* "Lady Vanya, Lixiss and her brother, clan leader of the Vlacca clan, Lord Kendel " Joanos let the names fall from his lips swiftly.

One could hear a pin drop before Lord Tasar released a great roar.

"WHO!?" Getting out of his seat Tasar paced back and forth.

"Lady Vanya, Lixiss and her Lady Vanya's brother..."

"Are you sure...?" Tasar grabbed Joanos' shoulders within his hands, asking Joanos for confirmation.

"Lady Vanya and Lixiss came over bringing with them Lord Kendel as a guard. When I found them mapping out the estate's layout, I knew something was wrong. But before I could tell my mother and father, Lixiss told Lady Vanya. They tied me up and placed me in the closet. By the time my mother found me, the attack was already happening. She helped me into the barn and told me to keep quiet. That was the last time I saw her...." At the end of Joanos' story he hung his head down low, afraid everyone would see his tears.

"Vanya!...Vanya!...I was too good to you." If Joanos had said anyone else's name he might have given a pause, but Vanya name was said. He knew how wicked this woman is first hand, which made Tasar believe Joanos without a doubt.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Tasar felt a low fire simmering in his stomach. All these years he didn't know he was taking care of the culprits responsible for his cousin's death.

"....I didn't know if I could trust you, or anyone else here for that matter..." Joanos picked up his head, facing Tasar questioning eyes. Tasar saw the all the torment Joanos has felt these past years with that one look.

"...I understand."

Thinking back to how well he treated Vanya and Lixiss, made his insides turn green. He has let snakes into his den.

"Miss Mikaela, I hope you won't spread what you have heard today. This is my clan's and Joanos' problems. Please keep this to yourself." Tasar spoke kindly to Mikaela, but she could feel the underline threat in his voice. It was the same as when he told her to behave herself traveling over here.

"Normally I would not spread others information around, but I can't do so this time around..."

"Miss Mikaela it would be wise of you to forget-"

"With all due respect Lord Tasar, I can't ignore what I heard. It would be unwise to forget when someone is plotting against you, correct?" Mika dropped her easy-going facade, as she faced Lord Tasar's outrage.

"Plotting against you...?"

"Yes, because young master Joanos has shown so much "love" towards me, Lady Vanya and Miss Lixiss feel I have become a horn in their sides...Tell me if this doesn't qualify me to be in the know than may I ask what does?"

Tasar looked Joanos way, "You made up wanting to marry Mikaela, to trick Vanya and Lixiss...Did you ever love Lixiss?",

"No, not since that night. All the hopes and dreams of us being together have vanished. Lixiss has tried to erase her guilt with drugs, it just makes me disgusted with her. There will never be any hope of Lixiss and I being together ever again, Lord Tasar." Joanos with this with absolute confidence.

"I see... that why she started using Serenity..." Lord Tasar had once wondered why Joanos didn't look at Lixiss the same way as he did before, but who would have guessed this would be the reason.

"If I could interrupt, I think it would be best if I left the Udava estate and go back home. With the truth out now, Lord Tasar I believe you and Joanos can't handle this without me needing to be here. Plus I think it will be safer for me as well."

"I would like to do that, but unfortunately I can't let you leave right now. War has broken out at the edge of the Steppes and it is moving towards this area. If I let you leave right now, I would not be able to secure your safety nor that of my clan members. You'll have to stay here and wait out this war with the Udava clan."

War!? Out of all things that could block her from leaving, it had to be war.

"However, you don't have to worry about Lady Vanya, I'll handle her right now."

"What about her brother, Lord Kendel? Won't he cause problems, I'm sure Lady Vanya has already given him the layout of the Udava clan." Mika reminded Lord Tasar of how Vanya had succeeded in massacring all of Joanos' family.

With the war at the front and Vanya's brother in the shadows, they would be doomed.

"I know more about my clan's estate than Vanya does, with the war happening I've up the number of guards at the perimeter. If Lord Kendel decides to follow through with what they have planned, the Udava clan will be prepared." Tasar's eyes shown with a rear viciousness as he spoke about Vanya and Lord Kendel.

Nodding her head, Mika knew Lord Tasar was pacifying her but she had no choice in this matter, this was the Udava clan. Lord Tasar held full authority over his members. All she could do is tell him of her concerns.

Kaze released his seal over the room, and Lord Tasar called for one of his guards posted outside.

"Bring Lady Vanya and Miss Lixiss to me immediately, they are to be escorted straight to my office. Also sent guards to put all their maids and stewards in our jailhouse."

The guard who let Joanos and Mika into the room was stunned by Lord Tasar orders. We're they preparing for war, why did the have to escort Lady Vanya and Miss Lixiss to Lord Tasar like they were criminals?

Standing there pondering, the guard didn't see Tasar's eyes when he realizing his guard was questioning his commands.

"Is there a problem with my orders!?" Snapping to attention, the guard left the room swiftly. Gathering a couple of guards they left for Lady Vanya's house, while another group left for Miss Lixiss' house.

Seeing as Lord Tasar was not going to listen to her advice, Mika bid him and Joanos goodbye and bought Saavi and Kaze away.

Chapter end