Arika: The legend of the lost jewel

chapter 8

Kyle asked Mr. Robert if he could see her. The healer nodded, guiding him to the small room where she lay. The air inside was cool, the light dim, and there she was—still unconscious, her dark hair spilling over the pillow, her face peaceful yet troubled.
Kyle sat by her side, taking a moment to absorb the weight of it all.  His mind raced with questions, but no answers came. He gently touched her hand. After a few minutes of silent contemplation, he rose and left the room.
Later that evening, as the sun sank into the horizon, Kyle and Eva sat on her favourite cliff, overlooking the sea. The water shimmered under the fading light, casting a golden glow across the landscape. The waves moved gracefully, their rhythm steady, as if they held secrets beneath their surface.
“Brother,” Eva began, breaking the comfortable silence, “I’ve been meaning to ask you… have you heard the rumors around the village?”
Kyle turned to her, his heart skipping a beat. “What rumor?”
“Well,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “I heard that a few days ago, a girl was found washed up at the shore. People are saying it’s a miracle she survived. I mean, it sounds so unlikely, don’t you think.
Kyle tensed, trying to keep his composure. His mind raced. Eva had heard about the girl, but she didn’t know the truth—at least, not yet. He couldn’t tell her. Not now. “Huh… I’m actually hearing that for the first time,” he lied, keeping his voice steady.
Eva raised an eyebrow, but her lips curled into a smile. “Umm… I guess it isn’t true then. If it were, I’d have known about it by now, right?”
Kyle forced a laugh, the tension still coiled tight within him. “Yeah, totally. Nothing to worry about,” he replied, nervously glancing at the waves below.
But as Eva gazed out at the sea, her smile faded, and Kyle wondered if, deep down, she knew more than she was letting on.
As the sun rose over the kingdom of Eris, the air was filled with anticipation. The people buzzed with excitement—Prince William returning after a long journey. By late afternoon, the prince and his men rode through the gates of the capital, greeted by warm smiles, cheers, and songs from the people who had gathered to welcome him home.
William waved at the crowd, his heart swelling with pride. “It’s good to be back,” he said quietly to one of his men who nodded with a knowing smile.
Inside the palace, preparations were in full swing. A grand feast awaited, with tables adorned with rich foods, vibrant flowers, and goblets of the finest wine. The whole palace gleamed in celebration.
As soon as William entered the palace, he was summoned to the royal chamber, where his parents awaited him. The king sat with a regal air, while the queen’s kind eyes sparkled with joy at the sight of her son.
“Welcome home, my son,” the king said, his voice deep and commanding. “Your return brings us great joy. But I sense there is something you wish to share.”
Williams face lit up. “Father, Mother,” he began, “on my journey, I met someone. A woman from the kaljina tribe—a woman I wish to marry.”
The queen’s smile widened. “Tell us about her, son.”
“She’s remarkable,” he continued with enthusiasm. “Her name is Amina. She’s strong, wise, and unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She has a way of seeing the world that challenges me, makes me better. I know in my heart she’s the one I want by my side.”
The king’s expression shifted from joy to concern. “Amina? A woman from another tribe? This is a serious matter, William. It could ruin our plans.”
“I understand, Father, however I swear that shall not happen.” He replied earnestly.
Queen Elara touched her son’s arm. “As long as you happy I don’t see any reason to object.”
The king was silent for a moment, weighing his son’s words. Finally, he nodded. “If you are certain but if this get in the way of our mission, you know what is to happen.” He said with seriousness on his face.
“I well aware, Father.”
Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the grand celebration began. The palace doors opened wide, and the people of Eris flooded in, eager to join the festivities. Music filled the air—lively drums, flutes, and the sounds of laughter—and the feast stretched before them like a banquet for the gods.
The following morning, the royal family gathered for breakfast, but the mood was far from casual. William sat with a serious expression, his hands gripping a cup of coffee as if the weight of his thoughts pressed upon him.
“Our journey yielded no tangible results,” he began, breaking the silence. “We were unable to locate the stone. However, we’ve uncovered valuable information. Someone within our land may know the stone’s location, which is why we returned earlier than expected.”
The king leaned back, a sly smirk curling on his lips. “Intriguing… We must find this person without delay.”
“I intend to,” William replied, setting his cup down. “But there’s a complication. The informant revealed that this individual is not part of our elite society but belongs to… the unfortunate.”
The king’s smirk widened. “You mean slaves.”
“Precisely,” William confirmed, his tone steady.
The queen, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke. “And who is this informant, William?”
“One of the palace guards,” he explained. “He overheard one of my men discussing our failure to retrieve the stone. The guard mentioned he once worked for a slave owner and learned that one of the slaves possessed a map to the stone’s location. He even attempted to steal it himself but failed.”
The king’s eyes gleamed with anticipation. “A map, you say? Even better.”
William nodded. “The guard has offered to join the search, but I seek your guidance on how to proceed.”
With a broad grin, the king answered, “Summon him this afternoon. He shall be rewarded for his loyalty… and then, we’ll see how useful he can be.”