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Chapter 26 - Rain
Metheus
I had to let Luella and Rowali leave. Fortunately, they were still safe. I would not have forgiven myself if something had happened to them just because I froze. I had become stuck. Indecisive and mourning. My father was murdered while I was in the same room. While many other people were there. Yet, nobody noticed anything out of the ordinary except for the magical dart.
Whoever killed my father could be biding their time to strike again. They could be preparing another dart to target anyone specifically. Surely the darts would not cross the sea to Mogochislenia? It chilled me to the bone, thinking about my wife and my sister being in danger. They were all I had left. My family.
What was the purpose of my father’s death? I was the one who profited the most, according to many. If this were another royal house, I could have been the culprit.
Enemies. The word was strange. I had always thought of my father as charismatic. He was not the sort who goes on wars. There were no wars. We trained to fight because we had been used to it, honing the body and preparing the soul. Arrowspear primarily geared up for invasions and threats from other continents. The people of this arid continent were more interested in finding water and keeping flora and fauna alive.
My father’s position had been passed on through generations, just like in the case of most of the other kings of Arrowspear. Despite the Mogochislenian view that Arrowspear citizens were barbaric, we were primarily peaceful people.
Until now, it seemed.
Could some kingdoms have been jealous of Prozeus’ ability to gather moisture? Then, the threats should have started almost three decades ago when I was born. Why would it begin now? Would it have been a protest against my marriage with a Mogochislenian?
Revolutions had rocked Mogochislenia, but we continued to stay the way we were. Each king or queen was proud enough to hold on to what they owned without coveting anyone else’s.
The men and women of Arrowspear prided themselves in their ability to defend themselves from predators. We could wrestle with leopards and other big cats. I could attest to it, having fought one when I was younger and dumber. I was fortunate to have survived without scratches. Still, it was something I would not put myself through again, especially now that Prozeus needed me.
Now, I was being guarded closely by two of my best men. They had to guard the front of my room in shifts. Men would have to follow me around everywhere. It was not how I liked it, but it had to be the way it was.
In the throne room, I met with Zarina, Aruna, Sora, Femina, and Zegarot. Their usual serene faces were grave. Three witches' covens were found in and close to Prozeus: the Coven, the Seers, and the Touch. The latter had never shown any interest in being friends with Prozeus, but they had promised to send someone at some point this week.
Aruna of the Seers and Sora of the Coven had wanted to be there. They had volunteered to assist in finding the assassin.
“Have you found anything, Aruna? What did you see?” I asked the Head Seer.
“I saw darkness and hatred. Whoever did it knows some form of magic or has ties to Rama.”
“Rama?” I asked, wondering what my mother’s birthplace had anything to do with it.
“We cannot read who and where the assassins are. Something of this scale could not have been planned by one person alone. Only witches or the offspring of demigods could have done something like this,” Aruna explained. “Rama is known for such offspring.”
“Mm,” I grunted. My mother was a medium from Rama. She had not spoken much about what it was like in her kingdom. One thing was sure, though. She had gladly left it and had not visited after she married my father. Some siblings came to visit her when she was still alive, but she had never reciprocated. “So, we have no way of knowing who the assassins were?”
“I did not say that, Your Majesty. It will just take time. We will find a way to break through the shield that they have placed over themselves.”
“And what about you, Sora?” I asked the Coven Head.
“We are working together with the Seers, Your Majesty. We may even send a raven to the mediums of Rama to seek help.”
“How do we know these mediums are innocent?”
“Your Majesty, have you thought of finding your mother’s people? How did they see your father? Did they hate him, love him, or somewhere in between?”
“My mother’s people were glad that she had been married off. That is what my father told me several times over. She seems to have frightened suitors away.”
“A beautiful and intelligent woman like your mother was?” murmured Aruna. “There must be a more significant reason for her having had trouble getting married. However, it also means that your mother’s family could possibly have nothing against your father. We may need their help.”
“My mother’s sister is a medium, but how is that different from you, the Seers?”
“They are not only of the spirit, but they also have spirit familiars. Some even have connections with the gods. We need all the help we can get before these assassins strike again.”
“Do you think they will be able to reach Mogochislenia?” I asked. I had longed to ask this question before I had spent sleepless nights after Luella and Rowali had set off. They took some of the crops, precious metals, and fabric I had promised to bring them. She would bring some of Mogochislenia’s animal skins, leather, and perfumes upon her return.
If she got the chance to return, my mind corrected the thought for me. It was a frightening thought – recognizing the possibility that we would never see each other again.
