CHAPTER 06

ACT 26

Reolita woke up and went outside her hut. She saw her Mother packing fruits in a basket and her Father was feeding the donkey with maize peels. She went to greet them and they hugged her. She held both their hands and was headed towards the farm. Everything looked peaceful. Suddenly everywhere turned red. Reolita looked up to her Mother who smiled at her. Suddenly her Mother let go and ran off. She had a bow and arrow and was firing into the Red mist. She was still holding her Papa's hand. Suddenly she heard a thud. She looked down and saw her Mother lifeless on the floor. A Blue Man holding a knife and walking towards her. The man grinned evilly at her. She tried to pull her Papa to run away but he wouldn't move. She looked up at him and saw a sword sticking out of his back. He fell to the floor and blood covered his back. She whimpered and started to shake. She started running back to the hut when the evil Blue man grabbed her hand tightly. He lifted his knife and she looked up at him with terror. She screamed.

She woke up still screaming and in tears. Her Father ran into her room holding a lamp and saw her shaking on the sleeping mat.

Ricktin - Its alright I'm here. Is it the nightmare again?

Reolita - Its worse. I'm scared Papa. This time I lost Mama and you. What if it happen for real? I don't wanna lose anyone again.

Ricktin - Shhh its fine. I'm not going anywhere.

Reolita - Promise?

Ricktin - I promise you.

Reolita - OK.

She hugged him tighter. He sang a song to her. A song his Mother used to sing to him when was little.

Ricktin - Shhh. Please don't be scared...

I'll be right here...

Just take my hand...

Hold it tight...

I will protect you...

From all those who wish you harm...

I will be here...

Please don't cry...

Cause you'll be in my arms...

Yes you'll be in my arms...

No matter what happens always...

Always...

Reolita was feeling a little better. And sleepy.

Reolita - Can I sleep with you tonight? Please?

Ricktin - Of course Darling. Let's go tuck you in.

Ricktin took her into his room. Her Brother was sleeping in his baby basket. He carried and tucked her into his mat. He slept on the other side. She stood up and snuggled near him and he put his hand around her. She finally slept peacefully that night.

ACT 27

1 week later...

The Grand Queen and her Chiefs were in the throne room having a serious discussion.

Chief 1 - My Queen now that our beloved King and Queen are dead. Who will rule us until the heir becomes of age?

Grand Queen Zanlynne - I will do so for the time being. Summon the town crier.

The town crier arrives almost immediately.

Grand Queen Zanlynne - Go to the people announce that I Grand Queen Zanlynne will take the position of Queen ruler of the kingdom until my Grandson, Prince Tefon... comes of age. Let it be so.

Chiefs and Town crier - So shall it be.

ACT 28

The town crier goes about the Village shouting the announcement. A lot of people came out to listen to him.

Town Crier - Listen one, listen all....

(The speech he says)

Town Crier - Pass the information.

Two lone Dark-skinned figures hear all this.

Figure 1 - Hmm. This is very useful news.

Figure 2 - We must report this back to our lord immediately.

Figure 1 - Indeed. It seems the trick we pulled with the Blue Empire army didn't do as much harm as we would have liked.

They both blend back into the Dark forest unnoticed.

ACT 29

The next morning...

Reolita woke up and saw her Papa wasn't in bed. It was time for breakfast. She went outside and saw her Father cooking and backing her Brother.

Reolita - Good morning Papa.

Ricktin - Good morning my Darling. How was your night?

Reolita - Good thanks to you.

Ricktin - I made your favourite today. Fried plantains and potatoes with dried fish stew.

Reolita - Thank you Papa.

Ricktin - When we are done I'll need your help. We are going to make a farm and we'll need to fence it too. Looks like we'll have to start growing our food darling.

Reolita - OK I'll help you. But what about apprenticeship?

Ricktin - For now I'll teach you what you need to know. I'm broke and you know it isn't free.

Reolita - What did you break?

Ricktin - No Darling I mean I don't have much money for anything.

Reolita - What do we do? Are we going to starve.

Ricktin - No honey we will grow our food and make our own stuff. Besides we have enough food for 4 months.

Reolita - OK. Can I eat now? I want a big bowl!

Ricktin - Of course. Here eat up.

As she ate hungrily her Father fed her baby Brother with boiled goat milk and was in deep thought.

Ricktin - (I'm glad she's eating well. I was getting worried. The loss of Alicia took a toll on all of us. Even Diablo has been uneasy. But no matter what I'll give them both all the love and nurturing they need. We will make it. My darling Alicia we all miss you.)

ACT 30

The next day ...

Tefon wakes up and his maid helps him get ready for the day. She is carrying his extra clothes, sponge and soap and both are headed for the stream. Tefon finds Kydin already awake, fully dressed and practicing his fighting tactics. He had a long stick he was using as a practice sword.

Prince Tefon - What are you doing?

Prince Kydin - What does it look like. I'm training.

Prince Tefon - For what?

Prince Kydin - Well unlike you I'm not going to be the king. I'm training to be a Warrior.

Prince Tefon - And you want to go to the battle field like our parents? And make me lose you too?

Prince Kydin - Well unlike our parents I'll be ready for anything and I'll make every single Red person pay.

Prince Tefon - I will be King so I will be in charge of the army.

Prince Kydin - That's the same thing our parents said before going to the battlefield. They may have been Royalty but they were not Warriors.

Prince Tefon - Well it's your choice but consider Grandmother and I before you go to war and get yourself killed.

Prince Kydin - I'll be fine.

Tefon and his maid continue on their way to the stream. When they arrived to guards had escorted everyone else away. A Village woman and her daughter saw people leaving the stream.

Village Woman - Come let's go back.

She pulled her daughter back.

Village Daughter - Why are we going back?

Village Woman - When Royalty use the stream nobody is permitted to use it until they are done.

Village Daughter - OK.

Tefon was relaxing in the water. And was deep in thought.

Prince Tefon - (I maybe first born but I think Kydin should be King. I don't think I have what it takes. Too many responsibilities that are very boring.)

Later that night...

Tefon was headed to his chambers to go and sleep when he saw Kydin was still training.

Prince Tefon - Kydin don't you think it's time to go to sleep?

Prince Kydin - Warriors don't need sleep.

Prince Tefon - Who told you that?

They didn't notice the Grand Queen was behind them. Until she spoke up.

Grand Queen Zanlynne - Kydin listen to your Brother. Go to your chambers and sleep. Both of you.

Prince Kydin and Prince Tefon - Yes Grandmother.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Please, I would really appreciate reviews and criticism.