Because I was away I've decided to post two episodes today as a bonus.Enjoy..and please give feedback...
7."What is it" I asked.
He looked drained and worried. I knew him, he was one of the guards my aunt had said we could trust.
"What has happened? Why are you here?"
"My Queen...I don't know how to say it. Just after you left, Mother Superior went to the kraal to prepare for your return tomorrow. I accompanied her. She insisted that she would be alright and needed no guarding. She went into her room and then I heard the commotion outside. The palace guards were having it out with some warriors whom I did not recognise. Roughly clad men with spears that were poisoned. I went back and ordered that the palace be guarded at whatever cost for I knew Mother Superior was your priority since you were away. We fought them off as best we could but we lost some men. The assassins were very skilled and we lost some of our best men. But they retreated soon enough. Sometime later, the elder Mativenga came armed with the same men. He demanded that Chinoera hand over the throne or she would die and he would make sure that you would burn to death as well. Mother Superior sent me here as fast as I could get here. I suppose as we speak Chinoera is preparing an army for battle. I regret to have to tell you that you are needed back in your kingdom. You are the Rain Queen, you can entice the army to victory. Better yet, incinerate the lot.."
His voice was heated. I was shaking with rage. How dare this old man think he can attack my aunt while I was away! Someone would answer for this. I had no time for anger as I was worried about Chinoera. The Prince was already gathering his troops, members of his personal guard.
We reached the kraal and there was chaos all over. Huts were on fire and there was chanting everywhere. I had yet to see any dead bodies, therefore I was convinced the rebellion had been squelched for the mean time.
I was scared for Chinoera. I rushed to the fortress and into her room. She was nowhere to be found.
I was panicking when one of the guards told me that she was safe down at the old caverns. It would take a few hours to get to the cavern. They were royal tombs that none dared enter except for the royals. She would be safe for now. I issued command that every servant and any other person who resided on the kraal compound should be kept safe and moved to the palace.
It was getting darker, I could feel a storm rising within me. But however much I wanted to burn the elder and his cronies to dust for now my first priority was Chinoera and my people. I took a spear from the royal throne room to back up the blade under my cape.
"My Prince..I need you to stay here and command the armies. You are the only one I can trust at the moment… Please," I held my hand up as he started to protest, "..You are skilled and well versed in war. My kingdom is better off with you for now. I will be safe with the Royal guards. They will not harm me."
He nodded consentingly. He turned to Chinoera’s guard, " If she so much as scratches herself, you will be answerable ,my dear man."
The guard visibly shrunk at the glare but did not back away. Such courage gave me the hope I needed to leave the palace. I had no idea how the war would go. I was young and had never thought I would need to make such decisions in my life. It drizzled as we made our journey through the forest surrounding the kraal. It grew darker and windier. I tried to steady myself and took deep breaths to calm my nerves. The foreboding sense I had kept niggling at the back of my neck. As long as I was tense the rain would not cease. So much for Rain Queens having a reign on their feelings. We found the cavern soon enough. There were two giant stone pillars at each side of the entrance. A guard lit a torch but before I could enter, Chinoera’s guard pulled me by the arm.
"My Queen, there is something you must know." His eyes were grave. I only looked at him.
“Mother Superior was hurt. Stabbed before I could get to her. She is injured and has lost blood. There is a herbalist who is doing everything she can. Before you lash out at me, you must know I did as she asked. She wanted you here as soon as possible."
Thunder roared on the distance. I didn't have time to be angry. We walked in and there she was lying in a corner with the healer over her.
I ran to her, ‘What have they done to you Amai?'
She was sweating and wheezing.
“I should have stayed.”
'No my child.. You are queen now, you have a responsibility to your people..and a duty to your husband as well. We have no time to argue or regret. I have seen what is to come. You must get the people out. Get them back here and get out of the kingdom. There will be another time and in another age you will conquer... The time is not today.”
“ Amai slow down. You need your strength."
“ It is a matter of urgency,” she said, "...The only way to save a remnant."
She pointed to the writings on the walls. They had been there for centuries. No one could read or decipher them. All we knew was what they had told us; that it was a prophecy of things to come , the fate of the kingdom If she said she saw something it would change things..immensely..However, for now I had no choice but to leave her. I was queen, I had a duty first to my people. I didn’t understand what she meant by remnant, I would find out soon enough.