Maribah

You know where you should be. I shouldn't have to repeat myself. I had Soma in my bed last night and tonight's your turn. Now get in before I whip you," Mayo barked at Zeep.

Hurriedly, Zeep climbed into bed, her heart racing at the ordeal ahead, wondering when the potion would take effect. Had Mayo drunk the wine she had spiked and instructed the maid to serve him? She swallowed hard, her mind racing as Mayo undressed.

As Mayo moved to push her onto the bed, his stomach began to rumble loudly, accompanied by uncontrollable, thunderous farts.

"Oh no! Not now!" He grabbed his stomach, his face wincing in discomfort. "What did that cook put in her food?" He groaned as more farts escaped from his anus. Zeep could barely control her laughter as Mayo held both his stomach and anus while they tumbled. She kept her mouth covered with her hands to avoid any sound escaping from it.

But when Mayo rushed into his private chambers in discomfort, she couldn't help but let out a small laugh, while Mayo's discomforting screams and loud farting noises followed. 

"I see your evil plans are working. Isn't it your plan to kill him?" Soma entered the room, drawn by the commotion inside the room. 

"You better watch you say. You can't go around accusing me of things you are not even sure of!" Zeep answered vehemently. She should have added some of the potion to Soma's food too, she thought angrily as Soma challenged her. 

"You know something about what happened to Mayo and my servant. Where's she? She's not been found since I sent her to…" she paused because she knew the next words will only expose her. 

"Sent her to what? Go ahead, reveal your true self, so I can tell the prince that you have your own spies watching everyone," Zeep continued

""Shut up about that! I just want you to know that whatever you are plotting won't work," Soma remarked, her eyes fixed on Zeep's.

Zeep pushed her down, and she landed awkwardly on the floor.

"Don't ever come to my face to threaten me! You don't want to see what I am capable of," Zeep threatened.

"Really? You remember what happened last time you threatened to knock out my teeth. Don't worry, I'll report to our husband," Soma retorted.

Zeep bit her lip, worried about being punished by Mayo again. But when he emerged from the inconvenience chambers, he was sweating profusely and panting. He collapsed onto the bed, brushing off Soma when she tried to report what had happened.

Zeep smirked, while Soma frowned. They were still exchanging mean looks when Mayo suddenly stood up and rushed to the toilet to empty his stomach.

"Oh, Nena, you're the best. This is my best night so far," Zeep chanted happily in her mind, while Soma watched her with menacing eyes.

——

The wealthy man had sent a young boy to invite Nemere and her protector into his home, in his usual manner. They sat in his room, awaiting his arrival after the boy had escorted them there.

"You're from Maribah. I know," the man acknowledged.

"Thank you for welcoming us into your home. we've been sent to meet you by the queen," Nemere added, studying the man's sad expression.

"The queen? And the king knows nothing of this?" he inquired.

"No!" Nemere shook her head. "This is a revolution against the king and his oppressive reign. The queen is fed up with his rule and so are the people of Maribah, so she has sent me to find the one destined to end the king's rule."

"Her son, Elim!"

"You know him, then, as she said," Nemere exclaimed with delight, while the man observed her.

"You remind me of my own daughter. Yes, I lost her because of the king's cruelty. The queen is right; it's time to put an end to his tyrannical reign. Maribah is my home, yet I'm forced to live here in the shadows."

"It's heartbreaking. I'm one of those who have endured his cruelty for years. I bear scars on my body," she sighed. "So, how do we contact Elim and execute this plan?" Nemere inquired.

Elim and Asha had waited in the inn for the rich man's summons, but hours passed without any invitation. Elim wondered why they continued to wait when he knew the way in. "Come, we have to reach him ourselves," he decided, standing up.

Asha followed swiftly, and soon they stood at the door of the rich man's house. Before they could even knock, the door swung open. They entered, and as Asha greeted the man, Elim casually took a seat, as if he owned the place. Suddenly, Asha's eyes fell upon a familiar face—Nemere—watching her with a mix of surprise and excitement.

"Asha, my friend! I finally meet you after so long. Your family, they miss—" Nemere began.

"What is she doing here? She's a spy for the king. She's the reason I am here!" Asha interjected sharply. Her eyes shot daggers at Nemere, who appeared defeated.

"You must calm down. She's been sent here by the queen to find her son, Elim," the wealthy man attempted to soothe Asha.

"My mother reached out? How can we be sure this isn't some plot by the king? Do you truly believe someone who has been by the king's side for years would want him dead? She's the reason I didn't succeed," Elim declared, drawing his knife and pressing it against Nemere's protector's neck.

"You can't do that here, Elim. Drop your knife and hear them out!" the man instructed, gently touching Elim's shoulders.

"Please, Asha. You must forgive me for betraying you. I was coerced by the prince and my mistress. It was either I lied against you or ended up in prison, or worse. You were the kindest person in Maribah. You treated me like a friend even though I was just a servant. I failed you, and since you left, I've been trying to make things right. Your sister Nena forgave me on your behalf!" Nemere pleaded, falling to Asha's feet.

"I don't know what to believe. Seeing you lie against me broke me. But rise and tell us why the queen suddenly wants to work against the king. Elim, we must listen to them. This may be the answer to our troubles… our way in!" Asha said, helping Nemere up despite her skepticism about the maid.

Without hesitation, Nemere recounted everything that had transpired since Asha fled from Maribah. Asha's heart shattered as she heard about her family's suffering. She realized that her foolish actions had destroyed their happiness, despite her father's warnings to act more responsibly.

"It's my fault. It's all my fault. My father was a respected man in Maribah, and now he's in prison while my sisters serve as servants where they once were nobles," she wept uncontrollably. Elim walked over to her and enveloped her in a warm embrace, gently wiping away her tears.

"It's not your fault. It's the king's fault, and that's why I must kill him this time," he declared with determination, his eyes narrowed.

"Then it's up to the four of you to devise the best plan to smuggle yourselves in and get the job done. But it's not just about killing the king; remember, his sons will assume authority once he's dead. Each one of them must be eliminated so that one of you can control Maribah's warriors and prevent them from coming after you!" the wealthy man instructed.

"Will Mother kill her own sons?" Elim pondered silently as he continued to hold Asha.

——

While Elim was thinking of a way to infiltrate Maribah, Odmudo was making his way there since he had had no luck finding Asha and Elim. He had followed their track up until the last place they visited and even though some people had spotted them, they couldn't tell when they had left or where they were at the moment. 

The only option was to return to Maribah and report his failure to the king. Perhaps the king would agree to add more warriors to his men, which would allow Odmudo to be more formidable. Then he would return to find Asha if she wasn't already at Maribah. 

"They couldn't have vanished into thin air! It's impossible!" he grumbled from atop his horse.

"What if they're already on their way to Maribah?" suggested one of his men.

"Shut up! I don't want to hear any more of your ideas. And when we reach our destination, keep your mouth shut!" Odmudo snapped, his frustration mounting as he envisioned facing the mighty king of Maribah and confessing his failure. He had never failed before!

But when he got to Maribah and the king's palace, the king wasn't on his seat. He waited impatiently for some time before a weak-looking man wobbled in. He was shocked that it was the king… yet he bowed to him.

"Odmodu, I hope you have good news to share..." the king began, but was interrupted by a sudden eruption from his stomach, followed by loud farting.

"Is there a problem? are you I'll great king?" Odmudo asked as a pungent smell filled the air but he didn't cover his nose out of respect for the king. 

"We'll talk later when... ohhh," the king hurriedly retreated into his chambers, clutching his stomach. Odmudo watched in disbelief as the king hurried away, while the men and guards around tried very hard to suppress laughter. Odmudo glared at each of them until they kept plain faces. 

Something didn't feel right in Maribah, and Odmudo could sense it.