Asha’s Winning Team

His very own wife was plotting his end? How could she? He must inform the king about it all and have her arrested while her comrades are also sought out and arrested too. Odumudo heaved heavily as his thunderous footsteps quickened towards the king's chambers. He was never allowed to step in before but the case was different now. He was doing a noble thing… he was doing a very important act that would prevent the end of the great king. He bounced on his way to report his findings to the king, keeping a serious face. But when he got to the door he found two guards mounted at the door.

He made a move to enter and they blocked him.

"You riffraffs, I must see the king! This is urgent! Get out of my way!"

"You cannot step your foot into the king's room. He's ill and the queen has requested that no one is to see him except for his sons and her! So, please, great warrior, turn back and leave!

Odmudo squared his fist, breathing heavily while his lips quivered in anger. He could push his way into the room and the guards can't be able to stop him. But he knew the palace was crawling with more guards and the queen would send them all against him for disobeying her. He turned abruptly to meet Prince Mayo. If the king couldn't speak to him, perhaps he could speak to Prince Mayo and they could both do something to stop the queen. 

With determination, he headed towards Mayo's chambers. However, when he knocked on the door, it wasn't Mayo who answered, but another royal wife.

 "I need to speak to your husband immediately. It's urgent," he insisted to Zeep. 

She gazed at him emotionlessly, remembering him as the man sent to capture Asha, and she hated him for it. "My husband is indisposed and cannot be disturbed," she replied, beginning to close the door as Odumudo peered inside.

 "Are you certain he cannot see me now? This is a matter of utmost urgency!"

"Whatever you have to say can be relayed to me, if it is that urgent!"

"No, thank you," Odumudo replied, leaving immediately, still unsure of his next move. As Zeep watched him depart, she couldn't help but wonder what could be so pressing that he needed to speak with her husband. Had he discovered Asha's whereabouts? Or was it related to their plot? Her mind raced as she paced the room, ignoring Mayo, who lay weak on the bed. 

——

"If I am to understand you, Odmudo, you believe my mother is plotting to destroy my father. You understand that it makes no sense. He's her husband and the king. And you learned about this, how?"

Denna asked Odmudo while he played with the berries he had dangling in his mouth. 

Odumudo inwardly groaned, frustrated that he had to justify himself to a young boy who didn't fully grasp the gravity of the situation.

"Listen, Prince Denna," he said, his expression turning serious. "Your father's throne is at risk. Your mother is working with the Dramidis to overthrow him, and if we don't act now, they'll succeed."

"And I ask, warrior, how did you learn of this? Or is it you whose plan is to…"

Before he could finish, Odumudo rose to his full height, his face contorted with fury,and Denna fell silent.

"Do you understand why your father has trusted me for so long?" Odumudo's voice boomed with authority. "It's because I hold him in the highest regard and have fought his battles countless times. And you, young man, should show respect to an elder like me, and to your father's trusted friend. Now, listen carefully. Your mother has a troubled history with your father. You must have heard the rumors about how their marriage came to be. Well, they're true—all of it! So, yes, she has motives to conspire against your father, just like the Dramidis. Now, stand up and work with me like a man to stop them!"

Denna, his face serious for the first time, trembled slightly in fear of Odumudo. "What do you need me to do?" he asked. 

"You must find a way to speak to your father and tell of this plot against him. Make sure your mother knows nothing about it! I will get to the root of everything and make sure gets his health back" He instructed before leaving while he hoped deeply that the boy would accomplish the plan without messing it up. 

After Odmudo had left, Denna planned to visit his father and tell him about everything. However, before he could do so, his mother appeared at the doorway, summoning him to discuss important matters.

"Mother, is this occasion really necessary right now? It seems rather sudden. Besides, father is unwell. Shouldn't we be more considerate of his health?" Denna questioned his mother, who had called him into the room to announce her plan for a grand festival celebrating Maribah's recent victories in battle against their enemies.

"Yes, and you have to approve it! Think about the merriment and happiness it will bring to Maribah. Even though the king is down, people won't feel our kingdom is dying!" She said

"Fine mother! Do what you must but I must see if father is fine! I need to speak to him"

"Speak with him? About what? It's time for you to step up and act like a ruler, something you'll never be! Don't concern yourself with your father, Denna. I'll check on him. Focus on becoming the ruler you've always wanted to be, my son," she said, affectionately touching his jaw. "You go and inform the servants that in two days' time, we'll throw open the palace doors for a grand feast!" She smiled, and it was the first time Denna had seen his mother smile so radiantly. Was she truly plotting against his father? He wondered, but he hesitated to believe Odumudo over his own mother.

The Queen watched him leave and silently she hoped all of her plans would work so that the king would finally no longer be a threat to anyone. She slipped into her bed, wondering why Nena hadn't returned yet. Odmudo must not uncover their plan or inform the king about it! She thought, recalling the guards' report that Odumudo had been attempting to gain access to the king's chambers.

——

Nemere had decided to wait at the riverbank. She wished to go back to the queen with some good news. She sat there, peering through the door of the abandoned house, scanning for any sign of Nemere, but each time, she saw no one. As darkness slowly descended, she reluctantly decided to return to Maribah. Then, she heard the rustling of leaves and the sound of hooves approaching. To her delight, Nemere appeared next to her.

She joyfully ran to greet Nemere as Nemere leaped down to embrace her in return.

"Asha sends her greetings."

"You saw her? You made contact? Oh! Is she well? Is she safe?"

"Yes, she's perfectly fine, and she'll be here soon! We need to prepare everything for their return," they chuckled as they gradually climbed down the cliff.

"The queen will be thrilled. I'm certain she has everything under control. While the festival is happening, the king will be murdered by Elim, and his sons captured."

"And then we'll all be free!" Nemere replied, as they walked back to Maribah, behaving casually to avoid attracting any suspicion. Nena's heart soared with delight, knowing that everything was falling into place. Soon, she would be reunited with Asha, and her family would finally find peace again.