Painted Flowers

Chapter 4 - Cursed

Time seemed to stand still as the last petal of the final African violet fell, sticking to the ooze of blood that caked Mosi's neck. Zola had ripped Layali's crown to shreds, and was using the soft flowers to decorate her mate's fur. With the help of the rest of the Pack of Bright Meadows, they worked together to bring Mosi back home, and he now lay right in the center for every pack member to see. They had closed his eyes and curled his tail around his body, as if making him appear asleep made his state less dreadful.

The lump in Layali's throat never disappeared, and her paws shook with apprehension. She herself had also been dragged back to the camp, with rougher treatment than Mosi had been given. Two adult dogs, Rudo and Rangi, sat on either side of her, glaring at her her warily and baring their teeth at any movement, preventing any potential attempt of escape. Layali had once been their superior. Older dogs had once regarded her with respect.

She finally tore her amber eyes, full of tears, off of the dirt in front of her and now looked up at her uncle. Duna was standing on the largest of the sunning rocks, to make himself seen and heard for the circle of dogs. Layali would not realize this until later, but there were only nine dogs including herself in the Pack of Bright Meadows at that time, a small number compared to what was considered average. Layali was among the latest litter to be born, and she was told by practically everyone that it was a miracle she pulled through after Zola's tragic miscarriages. Duna had yet to find a mate of his own, which meant that any pups would have had to have been born to a common member, one outside the royal family.

Zola was now sitting in the shadows at the base of the rocks beside Mosi's body, holding the string which had been woven into Layali's crown. She was not crying anymore, and wore a dark expression that Layali could not recognize. What was Zola thinking now? How did she and Duna plan to handle this mystery?

Did Duna believe Zola's nonsense accusations?

Mosi's brother took a small step forward until he stood at the very edge of the rock, closed his eyes and inhaled sharply to begin the eulogy. His voice rang sorrowfully and hauntingly across the field.

"Dogs of the Pack of Bright Meadows. We are gathered here to bear witness to a tragic event that took place this morning." Duna looked down at the face of each individual briefly, as if reluctant to continue, before closing his eyes again. "Our Mambo, King Mosi...has been brutally murdered."

Layali was very well aware of what had taken place that morning, but flinched at his words. What were her packmates thinking? Did they also suspect her? How was nobody able to detect the scent of the murderer as well

"There were no witnesses," Duna went on. "No trace of a struggle outside of his shredded throat. And Layali has been found alone at the scene."

Layali glanced around timidly as every pair of eyes turned to stare at her; a mixture of confusion, sorrow, anger. Among them, she met the shocked faces of Imani and Mahiri. Her dear friends.

"And Zola," Duna continued, now looking directly down at her from the rocks. "You are thoroughly convinced that there is no other possible explanation? You're sure that Layali, Mosi's and your only daughter, our future queen, is the one responsible for this tragedy? Simply because she carried the only scent at the scene?"

By the sound of his voice, hope fluttered inside Layali. Perhaps Duna realized how ridiculous that would be as well. Perhaps he didn't believe Zola. Perhaps the pack was on her side after all.

"Check the river for yourself," Zola replied in defeat. "There's nothing there. My daughter has murdered her father to rank up. She has always wanted to be like me." Her eyes were fixated on the ground.