THE SUNS OF SHIIMA

TRAGEDY

Water fell as liquid silver, embracing rocks and boulders as it descended. I watched as it met the ground and encircled my ankles. Hypnotised by the rhythmic dance of the waterfall, I was immune to my surroundings.

"Ah, so it is here you are hiding." A familiar voice punctuated from beside me. I jumped, startled by the sudden appearance of a person so close to me. "Goddess! I told you not to go into stealth mode when you're around me, Yan. My soul nearly jumped out of my body." I said.
"It is my job to protect the Zahirah at all times, my lady. Therefore, I must always remain in stealth mode." He replied, amusement lacing his words.
"You really are rather boring when you're on duty, aren't you?" I teased, a wide smile pulling at my cheeks.
"Well, I have been entrusted with the task of keeping a wayward Kyro out of trouble. A level head is key, you see." He said, allowing his features to relax into a broad, captivating smile. Before I could fully revel in the moment, the mood darkened and Yan stiffened.

"My lady, you should be more wary of your surroundings. Just now, if I were a bandit or some misguided vigilante, I would have been able to creep to your side with ease - I hate to imagine what would become of you if that were the case." He said with solemnity.

"Well, you weren't a bandit and I'm fine - clearly." I said, gesturing to my body. "Anyway, you must have sought me out for a reason, what may that be?"
"Yes, my lady, there's something rather important I wish to ask you about. I wondered if you-". His words trailed into silence. His brows drawing together to form a perplexed expression. I didn't want to make a sound to interrupt his concentration. Whatever he noticed must have raised a serious concern.

His sudden hesitation made sense when I heard a noise in the distance. It was a muffled ringing; heard this deep in the West Garden only if all else was quiet, and ears were paying special attention. It was a ringing every resident of the Zahirah dreaded hearing and prayed would never sound. Yet in the distance, the shrill wail of the Bala bell was unmistakable.

"That cannot be so, Yan. What is that noise? Is there a special performance on at the festival that I was not briefed on?" I demanded, refusing to believe what was glaringly true.
"My lady, I wish that were so, but the Bala bell was made especially so it could not be ignored or mistaken. Tragedy has befallen the Zahirah and I must get you to safety immediately. Come, let us return to the Golden hall and find your mother."

I stood apprehensively and followed his lead. Heading towards the piercing wail of the bell, Yan took a defensive stance as he walked. To be very honest, I hated being protected; becoming a hindrance to Yan was not something I ever wished for. In fact, I wished for him to see me as his equal in both fortitude and status - to no longer be addressed as 'my lady'. But his duty was to protect and mine was to take my place on the throne, as the next Empress of Shiima and there was nothing I could do to change that.

When we reached the Golden Hall, an audience had already gathered. Their attention on a character who tried to speak with a hardened voice, but soft cracks of grief still crept through. My mother appeared to be the perfect image of calm and collected, but every few words her voice wavered - something was wrong.

"What's going on, mama?" I asked.
"I have grave news my dear." Her face tightening as she replied.
"Because of the festival, you see, I didn't want to tell you about any of this. But none of that matters anymore. It's your aunt. She went missing early this morning, I- I thought she had gone to town for a walk or something of the sort. I thought she would come back but she-" stopping abruptly, my mother sobbed, and I realised what it was she struggled to say.

"No. It can't be. She's probably just in town taking her time like she normally does. It's not the first time, Auntie Simi has gone 'missing', is it?" I say, the desperation evident in my voice.
"No, darling, you don't understand. It was those Kodai bastards." She broke off as her voice cracked.

"What did they do?" I implored.
"I've told Simi time and time again it's no longer safe for a Kyro to roam around the citadel - your auntie wouldn't listen! They got to her. I-I don't know how, but they did." She said with a pause.
"Go on." I probed.
"The gateman brought in a box addressed to you and I." She said, breaking off again with a sob.

"Mother, please!" I demanded. Silent, my mother looked at me with a pained expression etched onto her features.
"What was in the box?" I asked with dread.
Silence. "Mothe-"
"Her head."