CHAPTER 12

Zamunda knew no joy as their King would be appointed in four moons after the burial of their late King. Prince Zay waited earnestly for that day and has been making earnest preparations for that day as all in the palace have been on their toes trying to prepare for the day the Prince brings home his bride.

Gem stared into the sky as her mind went back to what she saw the last night. She had never been this confused till last night as the vision shown to her bore an ambiguous meaning. Lucas who came back from the farm met his sister lost in her world the moment his presence graced the compound.

"Greetings, my seer" He greeted.

"Welcome, brother." She smiled, hiding her confusion.

"You look more like father now. You barely have time for your brother these days and have been keeping a lot to yourself lately. Gem what bothers you?"

"It is not something you should be concerned about. Your sister just has a lot to do these days besides your maiden friend would be getting married to the Prince next moon but you don't seem bothered about that "

"My seer told me not to bother about that. The Prince is a good person just like his father." He smiled.

Gem sighed. She wondered why the gods wouldn't want the Prince as the King of Zamunda, why on Earth would Lucas' life be in danger, and who killed Kaye.

"Find time to rest sister. Don't get old early due to worry" He patted her shoulder before heading for his hut.

Immediately after he left, her mother walked up to her with a sinister smile smeared on her face. Gem stared at her mother for a while as the hairs on her body stood. She wondered what the feeling meant.

"My angel, you've been sitting on this spot for long. Gem, what bothers you?"

She dropped to the ground as soon as her mother's words flew out of her mouth. Panic entered her as she began to call for help.

********

"The seer collapsed?" Prince Zay asked.

"Yes, my Prince." The messenger replied.

"Long live the King of Zamunda" Markus and Kim greeted interrupting the conversation of the Prince.

"I'm not the King yet so don't say that."

"Pardon our manners, our Prince. We bring you words"

"About your sister's condition or what?"

"About the one who desires to take the throne away from you."

He gazed at them intently as rage filled his eyes.

"Who dares?" He roared.

*********

"My Prince, calm down." Jose, the prince's childhood friend said.

"You see things yet you refused to tell me this. Jose, I thought we were friends though you came from another village but you couldn't even care for me."

"Pardon me. I don't know how to tell you that the throne your Father sits on rightfully belongs to another. The gods kept this away only for them to reveal it now. I was opportune to see this because we are close."

"I won't let him take what belongs to me. I will make sure his life ends."

"I'm afraid I won't be joining you in this quest."

"Jose. You have to help me. We are friends."

"I can't go against the will of the gods. If you tread on that path, you will lose everything. This person you wish to go against is guarded by them. I plead that you withdraw."

The words from Jose pained him.

************

"My Prince, we are ready to help you. Just give the orders." Kim dropped.

"Markus and Kim, I would be honored if Lucas would take over the throne instead of me." He replied, gaining a disapproving look from them.

"You are behaving like a coward, my prince" Kim flamed up out of nowhere.

"How dare you?"

"Please forgive us, Your Highness. We won't dare to call you names" Markus pleaded, eyeing his brother.

"Leave my presence right now."

*********

"That was too harsh, Kim. You would've gotten your head cut off." Markus said.

"The Prince is a coward. How could he allow that wrecked person to rule us?"

"Let's carry out our plan besides Mother is for us."

************

"I know it's late but you have to move out now. You can't stay here for now brother. Your identity has been revealed. You have to move." She urged as tears dripped down her eyes.

"Who would look after you if I'm gone?"

"Bother not. The gods are with me. You must leave here now."

Lucas embraced his sister before dashing into the bush. Gem cleaned her tears as her mother approached.

"I went to Lucas' hut but he was not there. Where is he?" She questioned.

"I let him off."

"Gem, what do you mean?" She asked with a frown.

"I won't watch you kill him the way you did to Kaye." She revealed.

"Oh, I see. I forgot someone is now a seer. Your father couldn't tell but how did you know?" She inquired, trying to hide the rage building inside her.

"You are an evil person. You were so consumed with the title of becoming the Queen's mother that you had to go as far as taking an innocent person's life. I loved Kaye so much but you stole him away from me yet you still acted cool. How could a murderer like you still exist?" She screamed.

"How dare you blaspheme your mother? I gave birth to you."

"You are a beast. I no more see a mother's face but that of a monster" She dropped and a hand landed on her cheek heavily.

"You are the stupid one here."

Gem could hear the words from a distance before passing out.

"Since the death of the seer would lead to the death of the King, how about we kill the seer so that the King would also disappear?" She smirked.

"Mother, Gem is still my sister. I know we don't get along well but please don't harm her. Brothers are already on Lucas' tail." Ramsey pleaded immediately he joined the duo and watched as his mother tied Gem.

"I don't give birth to weaklings. If you won't do it, step aside then."

"Mother, please."

"I will take it from here. I did it before and I can still do it again."