There's war in the kingdom of the Omatikaya. King Jake therefore decides to send his children to King Tonowari's castle where they would be safe. Jake's eldest son Prince Neteyam soon finds interest in Prince Ao'nung, which is of course, highly forb...
The carriage ride that took place for three days was exhausting for everyone. Neteyam had to calm down his little sister all the time and Atokirina tried to contribute helping him. When they paused for a little break, Lo'ak always wandered off and Sir Miles always had to collect him again. He didn't want to leave the well known woods either. For the first time in their lives, the four children went on a boat with their carriage. Atokirina and Neteyam both got sick and the waves were as high as a house. They had little food aboard but it didn't stay in their stomachs for long. The storm was just too strong. For days, they were surrounded by darkness, fear and thunderstorms. Not to forget, when they passed the seaway along the country of Kekunan, the ship was being attacked. The Omatikaya's allies — the Tayrangi— came to help and a sea battle was fought over the first four days at sea. They had to hide in the middle of the ship, where they stored all the food and other supplies. Firing could be heard for hours and Neteyam was scared. He was so scared, that he pulled Tuktirey and Lo'ak so close to his chest sometimes that it hurt. Tuktirey whimpered as quiet as possible. Her skin around the eyes was super swollen and from all the crying, she couldn't speak anymore. Atokirina just sat there most of the time, praying quietly or trying to calm Tuktirey down. Lo'ak was sort of interested in what was going on outside and lurked through a porthole but Neteyam could feel how scared he was deep inside. Lo'ak distanced himself from others when he was scared and he sat behind a tun of potatoes. Anything was better than realizing the war outside.
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After a week, the storms had finally stopped and the water slowly turned from dark to light blue, almost turquoise. The young princes climbed up a mast to lay their eyes on far away land. After days in the bottom of the ship, the children finally breathed fresh air again and Neteyam could smell much more salt than at the beginning of their route. And the climate in this area was way warmer than at home. "Land ahead!", Neteyam yelled down to the captain of the ship who stood behind a large wheel to steer the boat. As he looked down, he saw his younger brother smile up to him in excitement and they exchanged a clap of their flat hands. Soon, palm trees and wide beaches laid ahead.
After eight days of traveling, the royal ship laid down in the Harbour of the land of Metkayina. According to the maps that Neteyam had to study with his personal teacher a while ago, Metkayina consisted of one main land that was connected to the country of Ta'unui and a small island in the south. There, king Tonowari's castle was supposed to be. Everyone was already exhausted but Neteyam tried to remain as professional as possible. For another two days, they had to travel the country by carriage until they reached another smaller Harbour. From there, they could see the King's island, where they would be living for who knows how long.
"Wow, this looks amazing....", Lo'ak astounded as they were heading to the island in a small boat. "It's a whole new technique in building a castle. It fits better to their climate.", Sir Miles explained. "Have you been here already?", Neteyam asked his guard, who shook his head. "No but I've been to Ta'unui before. The countries share the same climate. I'm sure they will give you some new clothes to cope with the heat.", he added as he noticed Lo'ak and the girls that were sweating and breathing heavily. Neteyam felt hot as well and thirst rose in his throat. But as usual, he tried to remain calm and didn't complain.
As the small boat finally reached the island, servants and maids already hustled around the boat. "Welcome Prince Neteyam and Lo'ak. Princess Tuktirey. This is Metkayina. I'm Dorothee, your personal guide. I will be there if you need anything. These are your personal servants.", the grey haired tiny woman moved her hand around the crowd of maids and servants. She was wearing a beige plain dress and sandals. Neteyam figured this was what Sir Miles had meant with climate appropriate clothing. "I will guide you to the thrown hall, where his Royal highness awaits you.", she continued and asked Neteyam and his siblings to follow her. Tuk ran back to hold Atokirina's hand, as they walked up way to the castle's entrance. It was made of sand stone and the windows contained some dark coloring Neteyam had never seen before. Inside, a cold breeze greeted them and the siblings were clearly relieved. "Finally normal cool air around here. I felt like I was bursting into flames.", Lo'ak whispered into Neteyam's ear, who couldn't resist to chuckle a little.
The castle was smaller than theirs but it was astonishing in every way. Together, they followed Dorothee up to the throne room. Great brown doors were opened. "King Tonowari, Queen Ronal. May I present to you the children of King Jake.", she walked down and explained before she moved her hand into Neteyam's direction to show the royal children. The king sat down on his throne, his legs crossed. Behind that throne, the silhouette of a female could be seen. "We're pleased to make your acquaintance my king and queen. Thank you for giving us sanctuary.", Neteyam bowed down and his siblings copied him. Atokirina was way in the back and wasn't allowed to step forward as she tried. The guards held her back.
"Welcome in our kingdom, children of King Jake and Queen Neytiri of Omatikaya.", Tonowari spoke loudly. He was a tall man with a dark tan and dark hair. The beard on his face made him even more intimidating. The king was also wearing loose gowns in white with golden ornaments dangling from it. As the queen stepped out of the shadows, Neteyam had to swallow. She was beautiful. Extremely beautiful. She had shiny, dark brown curls and ice blue eyes. But her eyes weren't greeting his pair in a friendly way. On the contrary, they pierced angrily through the royal children. "Prince Neteyam, you will start training and learning with my son prince Ao'nung. Make your father proud.", he explained and crossed his fingers. "The others will follow royal duties alongside my daughter princess Tsireya.", King Tonowari added and was about to send the children away. "Let me go, these are my siblings.", Neteyam heard Atokirina complain and tried to escape the guard's grip.
"What is wrong with your maid?", Tonowari stood up from his throne to get a better glance at what was happening behind the newcomers. "She belongs to us! She's our sister, let her go!", Lo'ak yelled and tried to get Atokirina out. "None sense!", Tonowari yelled and stumped his foot onto the floor. Everyone winced at the king's reaction. All of sudden, it was silent and nobody dared to move. "Excuse me, my king.", Neteyam stepped forward. The king grunted. "The girl is Atokirina. She grew up with us as our sister, not a maid. She belongs to us.", he explained as confident as he could. Tonowari just shook his head and Ronal panted loudly. "Dorothee, show them their sleeping quarters.", he looked down and waved them away.
