The King's Assassin - J. Jones

Fifteen - Papa

JADE

Why does this happen? Every time I see him I feel tears threatening to brim over. I miss my papa so much but I have to try and use common sense in this. I sighed. Now that Papa is here we were allowed to begin eating. He moved to his seat beside Amon at the high table so he wasn't able to see me, not that I wanted him to see me at that moment. I watched him move there and saw how Mumm-ra tensed at the sight of me.

Perfect. Not letting Mumm-ra know about Papa's arrival has finally given us an advantage and made this plan worth it.

The servants brought carried the food in on silver platters and served everyone. The smell wafted up to my nostrils and my stomach reacted in kind, clearly accepting the food before it got into it. Traditional Yaznakan foods lay before us in their splendor, calling out my name. I would love to just dig in like I usually do but here, I was supposed to be a lady. I huffed out a breath, annoyed a little.

I picked the cutlery and began eating when I realized everyone had already begun. Soon I was halfway through my food. I looked up to the high table and our similar eyes met. My father was looking directly at me. I watched as his eyes widened then he blinked many times, The next thing I knew he was choking on something. My natural instincts prompted me to go and help him but I did my best to restrain myself.

He coughed then drank the glass of water that was handed to him by Amon. Amon said something to the guard Papa came in with, who was standing behind Papa. The guard nodded and led Papa somewhere. I stopped eating, waited for some minutes before excusing myself fro the table. I went out of the hall and down a hallway, I guessed they may have gone through. I walked through many hallways till I came to one that had a familiar-looking guard in front of a door.

As I walked to the door he looked at me but didn't say anything. I knocked at the door and opened it. I took in a deep breath and entered. The only source of light in the room were the dimly lit candles that did nothing to enhance seeing. A figure stood before one candle, staring into it, thinking.

"Papa?"

He spun around so fast the candle he was standing beside flickered repeatedly, threatening to go out. He stood there watching me, not moving.

"Iris?"

I couldn't keep it in anymore. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I rushed into his open arms.

"Papa, I have missed you so so much," I sobbed as he held me closer.

"I have also missed you, my little flower. Where have you been? What happened? Are you alright? What happened?," he said worriedly.

I chuckled a little and sniffed.

"I am fine, Papa. As for where I have been and what happened, it's a long story."

"I guess it is a good thing I have a lot of time."

_______________________________

"And that's how I ended up here in Amon's palace today."

"So you are telling me that all this happened because of Mumm-ra."

"Yes."

"And that because of that you became an assassin to have revenge by killing him?"

"Yes?"

"So how do I help?"

I stared at him for some moments before I stammered,

"Wh-what?"

"I said how do I help?"

"You....want....to....help...?"

"Yes but first we must do something."