Once Upon A Lie - Episode 10

MBATA KINGDOM

“My King” the eldest chief said “I did not mean to insult you or my beloved kingdom. If it sounded like one, I am deeply sorry. I’m saying this because of how beloved this kingdom is to me”

“Go on” the King said.

“I have lived long enough to hear of better days than now, My King.”

The eldest chief continued. “I have heard of pure friendship between Quola and Mbata. Also, My King, I have seen days when the Quolan still extended a hand of friendship to us. We were better off then than now. Why not end this feud once and for all, My King?” the old man bowed his gray head to the ground.

“Hmm” the King said. “Great idea” He went back to sit on his throne.

“Thank you, My King” the chief said.

“You may stand” the King said.

MARITA

Where in the world did I drop it? I looked around the room, went outside and searched round, but I could not find it.

This is my only and best possession in the world. Where could I have dropped it? I put my hands on my waist and yelped.

“Damn injuries” I rested my back against the wall and limped towards the door. I put my hand on the knob and heard the steps of a horse.

I squinted my eyes and saw the silhouette of a man.
I quickly enter the house and lock the door

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. I think it must be Ahl. I don’t know why I don’t feel comfortable with him.

I sit on the mat and continue writing what the prince taught me. Mehn, it’s not easy to pretend to not know what you know. My father had taught me how to read and write from when I was young.

I smiled and continued writing. I wanted to put my feather in the ink when I heard a knock on the door. I moved towards the door.

“Who is it?” I said and put my ear towards the door.

“Me” I heard.

“You who?” I asked, trying to be sure.

“Ahl” he said, rather harshly.
I removed the lock on the door and open it.

“Please come in” I said and move out of the way.

“I was going to come in anyway” he said and entered. I shivered lightly.

“Uh-huh, this isn’t looking good” I thought to myself. He sat on the mat and I sat at the far end of it.
I cleared my throat. ”Fuole said…”

He interrupted me “The prince”

“Oh, I’m sorry. The prince told me to tell you to meet him in the palace at once when you get back”

He looked me in the face. “What are you looking for?” he asked me.

“How did he know I was looking for something?” I thought in my mind and struggled to maintain a neutral face.

“What do you mean?” I asked him.

He removed his sword from his side and started to clean it. “You know quite well what I mean” he said.

“You cannot threaten me with that” I thought in my mind, not removing my gaze from him.

“I do not know” I said “Will you please elucidate?”

“Really?” he asked as he opened his sword. It shone in the dark.

“The handle has a touch of gold” I thought.

“I do not” I answered.
He stood and walked round the room, checking round the place.

“Why are you here?” he asked, not looking at me. I stood too, put the whistle on my neck and walked towards the door.

“He won’t hurt me. The prince has a lot of goodwill towards me” I thought.

“I’m here because you and the prince saved me. Thank you…” he interrupted me.

“’No, you are here for something else.” he walked towards me “You want the prince. Because you have heard that he is nice and caring. You endangered your life.” He towered me.

Read " Let It Go " by the same author ( Gracious )

. “Why?”

“He’s smart” I thought to myself “but you can never get to know”

“I really do not know what you are talking about” I said as I stared at him, my eyes welling up.

One of the very good qualities my father always said is good is my ability to cry easily. It has always worked. I hope it does this time.

Ahl looked into my eyes. It seemed like hours. He finally moved to the door and strapped his sword to his side.

“I’m going to the palace. You take care of yourself.”

He said and left.
I breathed in and out sharply. What was that?

“I must avoid him” I thought to myself. ”That guy is mysterious”

I sat down and brought out a fresh paper from the many ones the prince gave me.

I heard the sound of horses and checked from the window. Three guards are here.

I sat back down and wrote.
DIASI.

***
Ahleera walked to the horse and climbed it.

“That girl is mysterious” he thought. “She is not very scared of a sword. She seems familiar with it”