Chapter 5: Pressure from the Crown
A knock came at the door.
Not loud.
But firm.
James looked up.
"That'll be him."
He moved toward the door and opened it.
An older man stepped inside.
Strong posture.
Calm presence.
Eyes that had seen more than most.
"Grandfather!" Mia ran first.
He smiled immediately, bending slightly to greet her.
"Well, look at you," he said warmly. "Getting bigger every time I see you."
Ayesha stepped forward next.
"Father," she said, smiling as she embraced him.
James followed with a nod of respect.
"Chief."
The old man waved it off lightly.
"Not in here," he said. "I'm just family."
His eyes moved around the room—
Then landed on Avon.
A brief pause.
"…You're quiet," he said.
Avon didn't answer right away.
Just watched.
"Always thinking," James added.
The chief gave a small nod.
"Good trait to have."
He stepped further inside.
But the warmth in the room didn't last long.
Something shifted.
Ayesha noticed it first.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
The chief exhaled slowly.
"The king plans to raise taxes."
Silence.
James frowned immediately.
"Again?"
His tone carried more frustration than surprise.
"That king just raised taxes."
He shook his head slightly.
"Ever since his father died and he took the throne…"
A pause.
"…it's always something."
The chief didn't argue.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "And this time won't be the last."
Ayesha crossed her arms slightly.
"For what?"
The chief's expression hardened just a bit.
"Preparation for the coming season."
James let out a short breath.
"Preparation for what? We barely got through the last one."
No one answered right away.
Because they all knew—
Whatever the reason was…
It wasn't their choice.
Ayesha spoke again.
"Is there anyone we can talk to?"
Her voice carried concern now.
"Anyone the king will listen to?"
The chief was quiet for a moment.
Then—
"I used to have the ear of one of the dukes," he said.
The room stilled slightly.
"Back when the old king ruled."
A pause.
"But after his death…"
He shook his head.
"Everything changed."
James leaned back slightly.
"How bad?"
The chief gave a faint, humorless smile.
"Bad enough that loyalty doesn't mean much anymore."
Ayesha's expression tightened.
"So what now?"
The chief looked between them.
"Now… people are trying to get close to the new king."
A short pause.
"Not to advise him."
His voice lowered slightly.
"To secure their own position."
The room fell quiet again.
No one liked what that meant.
Because when power shifts—
People change with it.
Avon stood there, listening.
Not speaking.
Just taking it in.
Taxes.
Pressure from above.
A village with limited resources.
And leaders trying to adapt.
He glanced at his grandfather.
Then at his father.
Then back toward the door.
The world outside this house—
Was already moving.
And it wasn't slowing down.