The ring of Ra

In the morning, at the palace of X'hikini. Queen Zulhi was talking with prince Ryanair in her room. Queen Mary overheard people talking as she was passing Queen Zulhi's room and decided to eavesdrop. "–how did it go?–" asked prince Ryanair. "–not as we planned–" answered queen Zulhi. "–that's not good–" said prince Ryanair. "–I know...–" she was distracted by the sound queen Mary made at the door. "–who's there?–" asked queen Zulhi to the person behind the door. Queen Mary heard queen Zulhi coming to the door to see the person eavesdropping on them. She then ran and hid behind the wall. Queen Zulhi opened the door and found no one. She then looked at each side of the corridor and still there was no one. "–I swear there was someone at the door–" said queen Zulhi closing the door. "–we should be more careful mother–" answered prince Ryanair. Queen Mary sighed with relief when she didn't get caught. She then left.

Queen Khalifa was having breakfast with princess Mya and princess Alaiza. Princess Mya and princess Alaiza were acting unusual compared to the other times. "–how was everything in my absentia?–" asked queen Khalifa. Princess Mya and princess Alaiza looked at each other suspiciously. "–nothing that would catch your attention mother–" answered princess Alaiza. "–what about you princess Mya?–" asked queen Khalifa "–what happened during my trip to the kingdom of Ethikha?–". Princess Mya pretended to not hear the question directed at her by the queen. "–am waiting–" persisted queen Khalifa. Princess Mya was desperate for a hole to hide as she can't lie, especially to her sister, the queen. "–what princess Alaiza said is true–" answered princess Mya. "–that's not what I asked princess Mya–" said the queen with suspicions. "–uhm...–" stuttered princess Mya. To her rescue, one of the royal guards came in. "–greetings my queen, princess Alaiza and princess Mya –" said the guard. Everyone respoended to the greeting. "–one of the guards from Baru came to drop this from king Barean–" said the guard giving queen Khalifa an envelope. The queen accepted the envelope "–thank you. You may be released–" she then opened the envelope and read the letter inside. "–that's a first–" exclaimed queen Khalifa. "–what is it mother?–" asked princess Alaiza. "– it's an invitation to the palace of Baru for the royal matrimony of king Barean and his queen, queen Leuhtaz. I've never heard of this name before–" answered the queen. Princess Alaiza was shocked after hearing these news. "–brother is getting married?–" cried princess Mya out of shock. "–it seems like it–" said queen Khalifa. "–I can't wait to go to the kingdom of Baru–" said princess Alaiza with excitement. Queen Khalifa summoned one of the royal servants "–please prepare for my trip to the palace of Baru this afternoon–" said queen Khalifa to one of the royal servants. She then continued eating.

King Barean was having breakfast with Leuhtaz and Osaka. "–you haven't touched your food Leuhtaz–" said king Barean to Leuhtaz. "–am full my king–" answered Leuhtaz. The king looked at her "–I've already sent out the invitations–" said king Barean. "–what invitation?–" asked Osaka. Leuhtaz just looked at him and didn't say anything. "–I see your sister hasn't told you yet–" said king Barean with a smug face "–your sister and I are becoming one. That means your sister is the future queen of Baru–". Osaka looked at Leuhtaz "–is it true?–" said Osaka. Leuhtaz couldn't even look at Osaka and confirm the news. King Barean looked at her waiting for her response. "–yes–" answered Leuhtaz with shame. "–how can you marry a man that killed our father sister Leuhtaz?–" lashed out Osaka. "–your father stole from me boy–" said king Barean. Osaka stood up and left, Leuhtaz tried going after him but king Barean told her to sit down. She then sat down to please the king.

Princess Alaiza went to her mother's room, queen Khalifa. "–mother–" said princess Alaiza. "–yes my angel–" answered queen Khalifa preparing for her trip to the kingdom of Baru. "–can I come with to the kingdom of Baru?–" begged princess Alaiza. "–not today my angel–" said queen Khalifa reminiscing about the last time she set foot to the kingdom of Baru "–I don't know what's to come–" said queen Khalifa with fear of the unknown. Princess Alaiza cried to the queen "–but mother...–" she was interrupted by queen Khalifa "–it's too risky princess and you can't rule a kingdom with a missing limb, can you?–". Princess Alaiza disclaimed in disbelief "–I'm sure it's not that bad mother–". Queen Khalifa replied with an aim of dismissing princess Alaiza "–it's not safe either princess Alaiza–" the queen took her things "–I'll see you when I come back–" touched princess Alaiza's cheek "–don't stress my sister Alaiza–" smiled and left. Princess Alaiza was left with an unhappy face.

Princess Alaiza took her horse and went out. Her horse noticed a familiar fragrance and astrayed beyond princess Alaiza's control. She tried coming the horse down but it continued speeding. The horse brought princess Alaiza to the woods where her and prince Khazima met up. It then started eating the apples on the floor. As she was realizing the environment, she heard a familiar voice "–princess Alaiza–". When she turned back she saw prince Khazima. "–hell no–" said princess Alaiza attempting to leave but her horse was still eating. "–please Alaiza, give me a chance to explain myself–" begged prince Khazima. "–there's nothing to explain Khazima–" said princess Alaiza trying to force her still horse to move. "–I swear Alaiza I didn't know my father planned the attack on king Rh'ani–" said prince Khazima. Princess Alaiza jumped off the horse with rage "–keep my father's name out of your dirty mouth, you liar–" screamed princess Alaiza to prince Khazima "–and stop using my horse for your selfish gain–" said princess Alaiza as she was climbing her horse and riding it home. Prince Khazima was left frustrated in the woods as he was aware that it may be the last time he sees princess Alaiza.

Queen Khalifa arrived at the kingdom of Baru. The people from the kingdom weren't so pleased to see her back, although some were delighted to see their princess back to her natal kingdom. As she was riding in her carriage, she saw Mrs Flake, her old nanny who was also a seer. She then summoned her guards to stop the carriage. She got out and yelled "–Mrs Flake–" to the old woman. The woman turned back and responded "–queen Khalifa–" and bowed before her. The queen stood her up and assured her it was okay. "–I never thought I'll ever see you in the kingdom of Baru again–" said the old woman touching the queen's cheeks. Both their eyes were filled with tears and happiness. "–come, join me for one last cup of tea–" said Mrs Flake. "–it doesn't have to be the last one Mrs Flake–" said the queen with a smile. The woman just looked at queen Khalifa and smiled. They then went to Mrs Flake's home.

Mrs Flake brought a tea pot with scones. "–I never thought I'll have these again–" said queen Khalifa feasting her cravings. "–I'm glad you still enjoy my cooking–" replied Mrs Flake. Mrs Flake left the room and came back with an old box. "–I knew this day would come–" said Mrs Flake putting the box infront of queen Khalifa. "–what's this?–" asked queen Khalifa with confusion. "–open it–" replied Mrs Flake. Queen Khalifa put her tea down and took the box, she then opened it and took a look inside. She found her late mother's ring, the ring of Ra. "–queen Esis gave it to me before she died. She told me to keep it safe for you, and give it to you when the time was right–" explained Mrs Flake. Queen Khalifa took the ring out of the box. "–I can't believe you've had this all those years–" she then put it on her finger "–this is the reason I was banned from the kingdom of Baru–" said queen Khalifa. "–and now, I have this in my possession–" said queen Khalifa looking at the ring on her finger. "–with that magnitude of power, comes huge responsibility, hard decisions and test of faith. Your mother chose you for a reason queen Khalifa, you need to prepare yourself–" said Mrs Flake. She then looked at the queen and said "–there's a war coming queen Khalifa. Blood will be spilt, tears will shower down your family and your kingdom will fall–". Queen Khalifa looked at Mrs Flake with fear. Mrs Flake carried on and said "–however, time is of essence. Above it all, the kingdom of Unthra shall rise to its greatest height in the hand of your seed. Only at the right time–". The queen was shaken by this message and you could see her pounding heart through her golden crafted corset. "–be careful who you let close–" said Mrs Flake. She then stood up and cleared the table "–the ones you trust, may be ones contemplating your downfall my child–". Queen Khalifa was left with so many unanswered questions and fear of what's to come.