Part 2 (3)
The morning had just started and a lot was already going on in the imperial palace. Following the chaotic events of last night, Batang V, the Emperor, summoned the twenty honorable wise men of the empire to attend an extraordinary congress by sunrise. Their chariots raced as fast as they could toward the main entrance of the castle. Before the first gloom of the day, they were all seated around His Majesty.
They manifested to him their regrets as Edimo, the god of ruin, did not spare the imperial family. The back fence of the supreme residence was destroyed. The statue of the Emperor's late father, The Great Batang IV in the center of Ekule did not escape from the wreckage either. It was dismembered.
The meeting's purpose was to adopt a set of measures to prevent the land from any further misfortune.
"Prominent congressmen, as you all know, the empire last night endured the ruthlessness of the god of destruction." Batang V said as an opening statement to the council of wise men.
"Great damages have been accounted for across the land. A lot of villagers are now facing the hardship of a painful wake-up. So are you and the imperial household." He pursued.
"However there is a far greater concern. A reverberating howl was heard right after the earthquake. The palace's Oracles are categorical. It came from the forbidden mountain and for them, a new Monster was born. That's why the moon turned grey." The Emperor announced to the congressmen who were mystified and invaded by a sudden fear.
"Save us, my Lord!" The youngest of the wise men cried out while running to bow before His Majesty.
"Rise, Duda! Rise!" The Emperor ordained him. Which he did, and stood on the left side of the Ruler.
"I called you here today so we can anticipate any attack of this bird of ill omen." He stated.
"My Lord, we should send by tomorrow our bravest warriors to the forbidden mountain. We should strike it first and on its territory so we could preserve our properties from more demolition and our loved ones from an ugly death." The Senior member of the assembly advised.
"Brilliant idea, Honorable Buba! But we will not wait until tomorrow. We will do it now." The Emperor proclaimed emphatically while getting off his chair, his scepter in his right hand.
"Scribe!" He shouted and a man came up to him in a hurry, holding in his hands a papyrus, a feather, and a calabash of ink.
"By Imperial Order of His Majesty, Batang V, the Fifth Ruler of the Batang dynasty. All men aged sixteen years and above, and whose qualifications to wield with dexterity a sword or any lethal weapon can not be doubted, are hereby instructed to join a military expedition to the forbidden mountain. The goal of the imperial mission is to slay the head of the newborn Monster and bring it to His Majesty on a silver platter. The victor will receive as a reward the medal of the highest honor and merit along with a thousand Batangi." The Sovereign decreed.
