CHAPTER 11

The appointed time for the coronation of the new seer dawned on Zamunda as the King of Zamunda's health worsened further and his son could do nothing but worry more. Sacrifices were offered to appease the gods but all went futile.

Lucas made sure to array his Sister in beautiful apparel with the help of some other maidens as she would be stepping into a new phase.

"Long live our great seer. " He greeted, bowing before her as soon as she was set.

"I'm yet to be appointed, brother." She smiled, helping him up to stop the formalities.

"I wish Mother was here to witness her only princess become the next seer tonight" He dropped, staring at the hut where she lay.

"Long live the soon-to-be seer of Zamunda" Markus greeted, giving her a full hug.

"Thanks, big brother."

"Father will be proud of you" Ramsey chipped in with a grin.

"I thought you guys won't show up. " She spilled, gaining a chuckle from Kim.

"You got Lucas to look after you baby Sis so we know that you will be okay with him by your side but mind you, it won't be so for too long." Kim let out.

"That was too direct brother" Ramsey laughed out.

"I know how well my brothers are but mind you too, the ones behind him are much more than the ones for you so I'm afraid, you'll be disappointed," Gem said, eyeing him.

"Well, Lucas, you would have been more useful to yourself than dressing the maiden. You would have gone to the farm to commune with the grass there than do this which is an insult to our identity." Kim dropped.

"It was her request and it would have been ill of me not to grant it to her." He replied.

"Weldone. Now, as the first son of this household, I will have to lead her through the remaining process so stay back and watch" Markus smirked.

"Lucas can come along for the ceremony." Gem released.

"Only the blood of this household are meant to participate in this ritual if not, a gruesome calamity will befall us. I'm not supposed to be telling you this as you should have known this by now" He dropped, grabbing her hand and heading for the exit with his brothers following behind.

"You are a good man, my lord. Let not the words of your brothers weaken you" Leah, one of the maidens who dressed Gem said.

"I feel so downcast. I'm alone." He lamented.

Leah stared at the young lad and only felt pity for him. Since her village was raided by the Zamundas, she was taken as a slave with other maidens from her village and so was made to serve.

"I'm so sorry my lord but why do you think your brothers call you an outcast?"

"Because I am not a Zamunda blood."

Leah scrutinized him, earning a bewildered look from him.

"You just came into Zamunda so you won't know the full story but you see, I was dumped here and the owner of this household picked me up and trained me as a son"

"Oh, I see where the hatred rose from. He must have showered you with so much love as to make his sons loathe everything that you are made up of"

"Maiden, don't put it that way, and mind what you say around here if you don't want your head off your shoulder." He warned.

"I'm Leah, my lord. I will heed your warning but you can also count on me to share whatever bothers you."

"You may leave now."

********

"I congratulate you". Prince Zay affirmed.

"Thank you my Prince" She replied, not failing to notice the sad expression on his face.

"You call me that when my father is still ill."

Immediately he said so, the palace guard in charge of the King rushed in.

"What brings you here urgently when you should be by the King's side?" He asked, rising.

"The King is no more, my prince" He dropped.

He rushed out in haste heading for his Father's Chambers only to meet the maidens hovering outside his hut crying with sad expressions evident on the faces of the guards.

Gem strode in and demanded that the Chiefs be summoned for a quick burial of the King.

********

"The King is dead?" Markus asked.

"Yes, brother. You know a new seer has been appointed so he should go and rest with the previous seer." Kim replied.

"So what becomes of our plans?" Ramsey questioned.

"Let the weak Prince mourn his father first then we kick in" Kim spilled, laughing out his lungs as the others joined him.

"Good day, my Lords. Your mother just awoke and would like to have a word" one of the maidens sent to serve in the seer's household said.

"Mother is finally awake!" They chorused, rising to meet her.

Stepping into her hut, they met her beaming with all smiles as she opened her hands wide for them to embrace.

"I've missed my boys!" She cried amidst the joy.

"Thank the gods that you are okay, Mother. We thought you would leave us like your husband did."

" Your father's death shook me to the core. I never knew I was this attached to him too."

"You are back mother." Ramsey cried.

"What about your Sister?"

"Your daughter is now the seer of Zamunda," Markus answered.

"Let me see her."

"The King just died so she has been in the palace lately," Ramsey said.

"My poor child" She released sadly.