THE ART OF TRUST
Curiosity raises many heads, and the subject of Yieta, the Kayan Lady, had piqued many people's interest. Citizens and wilderness dwellers wanted to know more about Yieta, the woman who freed Kija from marriage. Questions arose like many whispers on the wind as to how long she had been around watching the numerous conflicts in Nagnang and why she had done nothing sooner.
Prince Kija wished to dispel the rumors and innuendo and thus invited Prince M'hul and Princess Lasahn to a lavish ceremony in the Nagnang Grand Hall. His goal was to make diplomatic overtures toward Koguryo & Buya, while at the same time introducing Yieta, his old friend and Kayan Ambassador.
Citizens came in great numbers on the day of the ceremony, filling the Grand Hall. Many wished to enjoy the company of the Royals as well as the festive dancing and wonderful appetizing dinner that night. Kija's was so charming all of the ladies were captivated including Princess Lasahn. Even Yieta of Kaya was caught under his spell. The Head of Buyan State mentioned the rumors of Yieta being Kija's real bride, but wondered at the lack of engagement rings.
Yieta was embarrassed by the whispers and innuendos. However, Prince Kija being gallant took ahold of the rumors and set everyone straight. He told everyone that Yieta was a good friend from times past. Lasahn was still curious however, as to their history, but Kija ever charming and diplomatic, managed to lead the conversation to another topic.
Although Prince M'hul of Koguryo was a bit left aside, that night was a memorable one for the citizens of all the kingdoms. However, it was still unknown as to what Yieta was really doing in Nagnang.
The next day dawned, and Yieta showed up again in the fields of Nagnang. Expressing her wish most eloquently, she advised she wanted to stay for a while so that she might study their ways and habits. As Minister of Culture in Kaya, she felt she should see how another Kingdom worked. Some citizens became confused by this title. It now seemed the newest question was whether Yieta was a Minister or an Ambassador! Prince Kija, a little dazed but being ever gracious nonetheless, agreed to let her stay and provided lodging for her.
Yieta decided that she needed to stroll around Koguryo and Nagnang, to continue her quest to better get to know more about the different Kingdoms. Musing about how she had never traveled so far from home, she longed for an escort. Prince Kija, however, stayed in his palace and ignored her request. Disquietly at Kija's strange behavior, she nevertheless continued her walk through the gates of Nagnang followed by an excited group of people.
Yieta was very polite with everyone she met and took the time to converse with each person who wanted to speak with her. The citizens all seemed to like her because of her caring and gracious manner. Stopping by a tree near the south gate, she began to sketch the scenery there until she finished it. To those who were watching, she mentioned being a well renowned artist in her own kingdom. Additionally she also let it be known that she was painting a portrait of Prince Kija, which she would have finished within a few days.
A new day brought Yieta to the throne room, where she appeared asking about Prince Kija's whereabouts. Apparently becoming disquieted with the attention he was receiving from Yieta, and not wanting to come fact to face wither, he had disappeared! Princess Lasahn, then welcomed the Kayan Lady to the Imperial Palace with open arms when she learned of the situation. Now at last she should ask Yieta about her past relationship with Prince Kija.
Blushing, the charming lady clarified that Kija and herself were once very close, and had even been engaged at one time. However, Kija had to make a decision after both his parents passed away. His choice was indeed difficult, would he stay and rule the Kingdom of Nagnang or would he move to Kaya to be with Yieta. Kija choice had been to rule Nagnang.
Past memories are indeed painful things, especially when the love has not died. In tears, Yieta announced that perhaps she should just go back to Kaya and forget about Kija and their past. However, Princess Lasahn felt the pain of the brokenhearted Yieta, and kindly invited Yieta to stay in her palace. Touched, the Kayan Lady offered to paint a portrait of the Head of Buyan state for the kindnesses Lasahn had shown her. The Princess readily agreed. The deal sealed, they took a stroll around Buya, and Lasahn showed Yieta places of interest in and bout Buya such as their library. Shortly thereafter, the Princess took off for the night.
Daylight evoked a beautiful morning and all seemed fair and right within the lands. That is until messenger Kabocha announced on Chronicles of the Winds that Prince Kija and Princess Lasahn were missing! The citizens of both kingdoms were shocked for their leaders had disappeared mysteriously without a trace.
Yieta responded to Kabocha's post, stating she had just seen the Princess the night before when painting her portrait, something she didn't get a chance to finish. Instead, the Kayan Ambassador informed everyone that the Princess has left the palace for some sort of nocturnal adventure. Lasahn's companion was cloaked but Yieta believed it to be Kija under the hooded visage. Their destination, she said, was in the direction of Dark Forest of Nagnang.
Prince M'hul of Koguryo, ever efficient and concerned, took over the search for the missing monarchs immediately upon hearing that they were missing. Search parties were sent out and forces organized. In the interim, he also invited Lady Yieta to stay safely with him in his palace. Concerned for Kija and Lasahn, she readily agreed.
Koguryo's Prince, having heard of her artistic talent, asked her if she'd honor him by painting a portrait of him. Together they both went to the Theatre where she had her paint jars and supplies all laid out as if she had known all along that she would be receiving such a commission. As he looked at her supplies, Prince M'hul noticed something strange about the paints - they were bubbling! The Prince having never seen anything of their like, asked what type of paints she used. Yieta blithely responded that they were a special mixture called Myihn, which provided beautiful contrasts and lifelike colors.
The ever curious Prince M'hul looked closely at the strange assortment before him including the canvasses. Strange things were apparently afoot here! For while the individual portraits of Princess Lasahn and Prince Kija were yet unfinished, there was a third canvass which was completed with both of the monarchs together! Apprehensive, the Kogurian Prince asked why and how this could be. Yieta in a fit of anxiety fled, taking her paints and portraits with her.
Royal Orders were issued, and the Kogurian Army's mission was to find out the whereabouts of the Kayan Ambassador. Prince M'hul also called Kiyuu to seek his counsel as he had vast knowledge about the perplexing lady of the south.
Kiyuu explained that once Prince Kija was engaged to a powerful sorceress who resided in Kaya. He had to choose between ruling Nagnang in honor of his deceased parents or whether he would live as a commoner in Kaya with the sorceress. Yieta was the sorceress!
No sooner had Yieta's true identity been uncovered, when a strange man showed up offering to help free the lost Royals from their flat canvassed prison. Wiyae was his name, and a colder person could not be found. Still he claimed knowledge of the sorceress and was offering to help free Prince Kija and Princess Lasahn from her trap.
M'hul was confused. How in the middle of a crisis situation such as this, could he even think to trust someone he didn't know? After weighing all the options, he found he really had not choice. Therefore, he brought everyone to his palace and once there accepted the offer of help from the Kayan Tutor. Inside the walls of Kogurian Royal Palace, the Tutor asked the Prince to step back. Obliging, M'hul did so and watched as Wiyae pulled out a paintbrush and a dark canvas. In no time at all, he began to sketch the likeness of Yieta. Suddenly he summoned the sorceress into the palace with his considerable skill and magic. It seems Wiyae was as great a sorcerer as Yieta!
Furious with Wiyae, Yieta immediately spat out a curse upon him. She revealed that although he was her mentor, he had betrayed their own kind. His punishment she prescribed was that she herself would mentor him unto death! Styling herself a sister of the forgotten night, she brought for the formidable powers of her sorcery impelling the doom of her tutor.
Victorious against her own master she turned back Prince M'hul eager to complete her nefarious machinations! However, Wiyae wasn't defeated yet. Against all odds, the elderly mage resurrected himself. In a surprise move, he took the completed portrait of the two Royals from the hands of his pupil and released them both from the portrait trap.
Frightened and shocked by the outcome of the betrayal, Yieta quickly fled from everyone's sight, warning that it was not the last time they would hear from her. When Wiyae had taken the portrait from his once time pupil, he had painted Prince M'hul together with them causing the instantaneous appearance of the Kija and Lasahn. His task completed, the sorcerer also vanished without any further word.
Prince M'hul explained to the other Royals what had happened. Prince Kija was baffled by their rescuer most of all. Quickly he told of the others the story of Wiyae, a murderer and traitor to Kaya, who was arrested for the murder of thousands. Why he had assisted them, was a complete and utter mystery to them all. Still, the three Royals were fine and back together again. Not only that, but they'd come through this bizarre adventure more close than ever before.
The mystery threatened to remain just that, but then King SuroKim of Kaya sent a Royal scroll to the three kingdoms explaining that neither Yieta or Wiyae were official representatives of the Kayan Government.
Why Yieta would attempt to unleash such an evil plot against the Kingdoms' beloved Royals, is still unknown. Yet, the greater mystery is why a murderer of thousands would help save the Royals of Buya and Nagnang and Koguryo from the evil plans of his own protege. It is a mystery we may never solve.
~ Yours in History ~
Qantao