BRING SWORDS AND FLOWERS

The Plan

When her car entered Raul's mansion, some of his servants and subordinates were seen staring at the Voda family crest on her car.

Tyde  followed Gaga who showed her the way inside.

After she was seated opposite Raul Adara in his visitor's room,Gaga poured her a drink.

"That is a medicinal drink for your wounds." said Raul.

Tyde quietly took in the drink. It was bitter and she hated it. But she still took it. As she was drinking it she thought how her life was exactly  like this right now. She did not  have the choice to reject a drink even if it was bitter, even if it had the chance to be poisoned. In all the matters till now, she did not seem to be having a choice. She was simply doing everything she can to help her family survive.

Raul had failed Helios in nabbing Demetero with evidence. In his fit of rage  he had thought of using the Vodas or eliminating them in the process. But as Raul watched Tyde gulping down  the drink, he felt a sort of  pity towards this brat who was supposedly his enemy.

"The Demeteros have moved to the southern county and they desperately need financial backing right now as they have a  debt to the Tordens." Said Raul.

Tyde gathered from this that the Demeteros were earlier being financed by the Tordens. So ultimately the Tordens were the ones behind this.

" Ask Ares to get in touch with Lady Demetero and inform her that he is interested in their business and shall serve as the intermediary." said Raul

"Tell them you are selling your business and the buyer is indirectly investing in the drug trade.The southern county has many water clan families.So it will be easier to convince him that you have backing from one of them. After the Demeteros take the bait, the Adaras would take care of the rest. "concluded Raul.

Tyde thought it through and thought it was not a bad idea.

" If the Demeteros suspect something or cannot be convinced then abandon the plan. " said Raul getting up. This was the most he could do.

" But where shall we find Lady Demetero?"asked Tyde

" There is Estelle Torden's wedding in a few days. The Demeteros are sure to attend. I shall arrange one invitation  for Lord Voda. "

Gaga looked at Raul. Lord Adara did not seem to want involve Lady Tyde in it.

Tyde thought she had heard the name Estelle Torden before. Was it  the famous actress Estelle Torden? Ares would be delighted.

" Should we arrange the people who would act as the financial backers or.."spoke Tyde

" That would be unnecessary. They should think it is some family of the water clan who are interested in secretly investing in drugs. "

Tyde wondered whether the Demeteros would catch the bait. But if they are that desperate for money, it would be possible.

"Even if the Demeteros suspect something they might think it is easy to take down you Vodas. They do not know that we are backing you in this."said Raul.

"I understand." said Tyde getting up to take her leave.

"Also," Raul said just when she was leaving, "You need not involve yourself in this. Just convince your cousin."

Then why bring her here to dicuss, thought Tyde. Tyde could not say what Lord Adara was thinking but she was sure of one thing,that this was indeed a very dangerous business. But if this could clear her family of suspicion she did not mind doing what she can.

++++++++++

"You are going to the southern County with me?" Ares asked Tyde. "You know it will be dangerous."

Tyde and Ares were  sitting in the later's house discussing the plan.

"We have a rich acquaintance in the southern county. I think I should go pay him a visit." said Tyde deep in thought.

"Why should you do this Tyde? I think you have involved yourself enough." said Ares

"I have thought it through. It will be hard to convince them that we have financial backers if you go there alone. . But we can allow them to make a guess that the family I'm staying with might be the one interested in their drug trade."

"That is a good idea Tyde. This family you speak of is the    Orbelo family?"

"Yes. Lord Orbelo is an old cousin of my mother's and they are a very rich water clan family."replied Tyde.

"If that is the case then Demetero has the chance to be convinced."

"But I'm more worried about you Ares. You should not lose cool and wait patiently to trap the Demeteros."said Tyde

"Do you also think I'm a fool, Tyde?"

"What I mean to say is, you should not slip up. You were already seduced and fooled by Lady Demetero once."

Ares frowned.

"Act like as if you are love sick and also eager to make money. Tell them you will get 10 percent.It should not be too hard for you to act like an impulsive fellow."  continued Tyde

"Ever when did you start looking down on me?" Ares snapped at Tyde.

"You are the one who got us into this state."  muttered Tyde.

"I asked you not to get involved." said Ares

"If you weren't such a weak family head, I would not have.."

"You think you are all that because you are a little better than me with swords? Do you think violence will solve all our problems? "

"Do you really think I had a choice?Why did you have to start a fight with an Adara? "

"You are the one who made it a big deal by fighting their family head. It's a wonder that you are still alive."

Just then Lady Regina came in and put an end to their bickering.She looked sad and worn out, so they obeyed her and did not talk further about the topic.

Finally Ares got up and said,
" Look at me Tyde. I'm the family head. I will save our family."

Tyde looked at Ares and sighed."Whatever. I am coming with you to the southern County. Let's just put an end to all this."

+++++++++++++++

When she got back home, she asked Paul to get her the train ticket that will take her to HY district of the southern county.

She turned to Agatha,"I shall leave tonight to the southern county."

"Yes my Lady." Agatha was about to leave but Tyde stopped her.

"Also, nicely wrap up my mother's gold brooch and place it with my luggage."

Agatha looked at Tyde. "Are you sure my lady?"

"I cannot visit old Orbelo without a present for his daughter." said Tyde

Agatha sighed and nodded her head.

That night Tyde took  the train to HY district. She was not sure what would happen in the southern county. . She stopped herself from thinking about her family's future, about the Adaras and Demeteros. She tried to think about the good things of the southern county, like the beautiful canals, fancy old buildings and the fashionable people...