Back to Kumandra

Part 9

Pengu said, "Would your pet mind if I carry him? We'd reach in no time by flying."

"I think he'll enjoy it." said Raya.

Pengu carried Tuk Tuk and Sisu, Raya. In just about 2 minutes, they arrived. The dragons, however went in a clear lot at the back of the palace to not attract too much attention. The guards bowed to the dragons and Raya rushed in and went to Namaari, who was nervously but aggressively walking around. 

"Namaari..." said Raya gently.

She gasped then said, "Where are they?"

"Outside... How is the chief?"

"The doctors say her pulse keeps getting weaker and so far there has been no evidence of anything in the palace."

Namaari went to where the dragons were and bowed before saying "Can you help her?"

"We will try. But we have to figure out what caused this." said Pengu.

"Thank you so much." said Namaari gratefully. 

"Princess Namaari!" yelled a servant.

"What's wrong?"

"Your mother...her pulse is almost completely gone!"

"Oh No!" said Raya. 

Just as they turned to enter, a dragon with wild hair in blue, red and orange flew down. She was much smaller than normal dragons. Without a word, she slowly entered the palace, staring at Namaari as she passed. Somehow, she knew exactly where chief Virana was. 

"Follow her" said Pengu.

Raya and Namaari followed behind this mysterious dragon.

She glowed brightly as she entered Virana's room. She then made a magical orb which Virana's body absorbed. The dragon, with a soothing look on her face said to Namaari, "She'll be okay."

"Wait...please..." said Namaari while bowing.

"Oh...did I not introduce myself? My name is Emdiu. Be careful."

After Emdiu gave a simple introduction, she flew away.

Namaari then rushed to see if her mother was okay. Fortunately, the chief was healed. She embraced her mother and Virana said, "My morning mist...w-what happened?"

"That's what I want to know too" mumbled Namaari as she suspected foul play in the attempted murder of her mother. "Mother, what exactly happened to you that you remember?"

"I just felt this...pain...and someone saying something..." said Virana as she tried to recall what happened to her.

The doctors returned same time and one of them, Laari couldn't contain her excitement. She went to embrace Virana and said, "Chief, you're okay!"

"Yes Laari" replied Virana, smiling at her.

Namaari said, "Mother, Pengu and Sisu are outside."

"Delightful." said Virana. 

She went to see the dragons and said, "Thank you so much."

"It wasn't us. It was all Emdiu. Her special talent is healing those in need but she rarely appears." Explained Pengu.

"Where is she?" asked Virana

"She flew back home after healing you."

"Please thank her when you see her. Please..." expressed Virana.

"Most definitely." said Sisu.

Raya hugged Sisu and Pengu as she expressed gratitude. Namaari, however, didn't see the dragons as friends, but her superiors which she should greatly respect and be formal with at all times. She bowed to them and they smiled at her as they departed.

"Mother, someone among the servants is responsible for such actions. It isn't safe."

"Don't worry, we'll find who's responsible. But don't worry so much dear."

"I could have lost you mother! I'm not leaving this palace until we catch the culprit!" exclaimed Namaari.

"Dear, you got your vacation to enjoy. Please don't stay worrying about me."

"As long as there's a threat, I'm not leaving." said Namaari firmly. "Also mother, you need to rest. I'll be closeby."

"Hmm okay mist." said the chief as she departed.

Namaari sat on a rock in the garden at the back of the palace. The thought of losing her mother haunts her like nothing else. She was uneasy throughout the day and didn't even talk much with Raya. Raya gave her space and went in the lobby to read some books. She was, however, being vigilant and that is when she saw Laari looking around as though she was hiding someone and didn't want anyone to see her. After Raya saw this, she felt convinced that Laari may have something to do with the harming of the chief.

Laari then noticed Raya but their eyes didn't meet.

"Hello princess Raya. How are you?" she asked casually.

"Fine thanks. And you?"

"Just fantastic that the chief is healed." she exclaimed but it was obvious that that expression was a fake one.

"Hmm...me too. Namaari has been so anxious and stressed all day." Raya was talking as she was oblivious to the fact that Laari was acting suspicious.

"Poor princess. But she needs to know that as the closest friend to the chief and doctor, I'll always be with her, keeping her from outsiders." said Laari soothingly but in a mysterious tone.

"Yeah. I'll go and check on her." said Raya.

Raya was playing naïve and was actually planning on spying on the next move Laari would make.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please leave a vote and stay tuned for more! Are Raya's suspicions correct? Let's find out!