Chapter 128: Abdul Submits

"Isra," Alfred called out gently to his wife. She turned around and flashed a smile towards him making him smile in return. "Forgive me for asking you this but I need you to do something for me." He got up and grabbed her hand, looking down at her, "It’s something only you can do for me."

"What." She could see he was being deadly serious about whatever he wanted to request.

"The reports from the conquered lands are annoying, to say the least. Many of the nobles are apprehensive interacting with us and it is slowing down a lot of work that is needed to be done to pacify the people and restore the lands." Taking a seat next to her, he pulled her onto his shoulder. "I know why they don’t trust me and it’s why I need you to host a banquet for them. Bridge the gap between the crown and them. They won’t trust me if I do it. But if a former Safrid did, there may be enough trust."

She sat in silence after hearing the request. To accept meant she had to return to her homeland and leave her son and husband. She wanted to say no instantly, but she knew she had her responsibilities. "Okay." It was something she couldn’t push off and knowing Alfred, the fact he asked her to do this meant that it was something that had to be done.

"Don’t worry." He could see her worry and slight nervousness. "I’ll send Chris and a significant amount of the Royal Guard with you. I’ll also write whilst you are there." He didn’t really understand why she was nervous but his saying that calmed her slightly.

"It’s fine. I’m just going to miss Edward." She spoke full of love and Alfred hugged her, giving her a gentle kiss before standing.

"Thank you. I would love to stay but I have more work to do. I could only stop by between my meetings." Isra understood, nodding.

"It’s fine." Standing up herself she took him by the arm. "If I must leave soon, I will go spend time with Edward."

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"Raven." Alfred took a seat on the sofa opposite Raven. "Sorry. I had to see Isra before I could come."

"It’s fine Your Majesty." Alfred gave a bitter smile that even now, Raven refused to call him his name. He knew it was just the way the man was, but he hoped that even in private he would ease a little. "I’ll cut to the chase. The situation in Nakhla has gotten worse."

Alfred frowned hearing this. "Why are you reporting this and not William or Esmond?"

"Because I asked to be the one to give the news. It is a matter that is heavily tied to the Church and you after all. The Followers have begun to implement your policy teaching the people using their own facilities.

"I’m guessing we can’t crack down on it."

Raven shook his head. "Not unless we wish to anger the populace." He could see Alfred’s agitation by the news and it made what he wanted to say next even harder. "That’s not all your Majesty." His words got Alfred’s full attention who hoped it wasn’t any worse. "Esmond found out yesterday. Someone tried to assassinate that woman. And blame has been thrown our way."

Staring at him blankly, Alfred rapidly blinked wondering if what he heard was correct. "Assassinate. In the open." His words got a nod from Raven. "Do we know who gave the order? Was it Esmond?"

"No," Raven answered quickly to take all the blame off his coworker. "Esmond had people watching. He tried to find out who the shooter was but, they escaped."

Alfred grabbed his eyes and groaned. "I’m assuming that is why those riots broke out then." With another nod, Alfred groaned even louder. "fuck." Quietly under his breath, he muttered trying to think. Not knowing who it was was worse than an incompetent subordinate. He didn’t doubt Esmond at all anymore, not believing he would make such a stupid mistake. "Have Esmond and Marcus investigate all the nobles within Nakhla. See if they are linked to this. I wish we could investigate the Commonwealth being behind this but all evidence will be gone by now if they were."

"Write to Esmond. I want all the information he can gather about this Woman. Her ideas. family, friends, supporters. It doesn’t matter how niche, I need a be able to understand her character. Also, tell him that silencing her is no longer an option." Raven gave a bow, receiving the orders. Alfred although knowing of Mother, had a superficial understanding. If he wanted to beat this enemy he had to know more.

Raven got up seeing Alfred was finished with him. "Wait," Alfred called out once more. "Investigate the Church in the city. See if a random clergy who was angry or something was behind it." Raven gave a nod. He understood that there existed some people within its ranks who would try something like that.

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In Almaris Adrian smiled seeing Abdul walk into his office. "Seeing as how you came to me, I assume you have come to a decision." Abdul gave a hesitant nod and Adrian offered the seat in front of him. "Tell me."

Abdul took a deep breath placing his book on the desk. "I will work with the Emporer. Under the condition that he leaves me in charge of all affairs related to the Followers."

"He won’t agree unless you include the Archbishop to oversee you," Adrian replied quickly, and Abdul bit his tongue, annoyed.

"Fine." Adrian nodded hearing his reluctant agreement. "That being said there is only one reason I am helping you. Mother." His words piqued Adrian’s interest. "That woman, she approached me before. Talking about creating a Theocracy. One she claims will be free, but no, I can’t agree with it."

"Oh." It was information he had a very shallow understanding of, only hearing about the riots in Nakhla and how ’Khors Utopia’ was chanted. The man before him however seemed to be privy to more information that maybe Esmond didn’t have. "Why not join her? I thought you valued the faith above all. I also thought you hated Sol. A bit hypocritical choosing us isn’t it."

Abdul smirked. For anyone who wasn’t a Follower, it definitely sounded it. "Because a Theocratic state for Khors goes against his teaching even more than working with you. Every human holds the will of Khors in them. Some reject it and others are plagued by Sol’s influence. To have a state that moves for him is a gateway to recreating the tyranny he opposed. Even if it’s built on noble intentions. Eventually, it will become the very thing it preaches against. But worst being practiced in his name."

Abdul looked down at the book on the table. "I thought about what you said. And as much as I hate the worldview, there is truth to it. Power is the only way to keep people safe. This is the only way I can keep his children safe." Abdul spoke with a heavy conviction and stared deep into Adrian’s eyes. He could see the power in his old eyes and knew that he wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

"Okay." Adrian had his own beliefs on the old man’s choice. He simply thought that he acted like this so his religion wouldn’t be proven hypocritical if a theocratic state failed, but he didn’t care to voice them. It didn’t matter at the end of the day why Abdul worked with the empire as long as he did his role. "This woman, Mother. Describe her."

Abdul took a deep breath. "Make no mistake. Whilst I don’t agree with her, she is a pious woman. Someone who truly believes in her goal. But that’s the issue. Her goal. Any slight deviation from what she wants to achieve she won’t accept. I had many religious arguments with her many times and she hardly changed her ways or beliefs. The last time I spoke to her, I told her to see the Sisters to see if their wisdom could help her free her from her ways but it looked like I failed."

Abdul shook his head in regret not trying more, but even then he knew that it didn’t matter. She was too obsessed with this vision after the conquest to think of anything else now. "The world she wants is impossible."

Adrian wrote down everything Abdul said. "Describe her personality." He needed anything that could give an accurate picture of her. Abdul had been the only person found who had some type of relationship with the woman who wasn’t on her side.

"Holy. Charismatic. Cunning. Self-Rightous. Only that really. She was arrogant at one point but I can’t say if she is anymore." Adrian wrote it down and nodded.

"Thank you. I will let His Majesty know your decision. For now, you can begin your work. Write up a draft of how you wish to implement the tax."