::Everything contained in this story is the writer's own imagination.:
::::
The message have reached the bloodthirsty king. You could see servants and soldiers running up and down as his voice roars, shouting ' get her here'.
Not the queen, the witch.
The eater of souls. She was believed to be one of those human like creatures who sneak up on people stealing souls during the night and feed the flesh to the wild dogs.
Wild dogs that no one has seen. Not even hunters. A frightening story it was. However it was good to narrate during winter.
Every room and every chamber was awoken to listen to what the master have to say. People were put in queues for questioning.
Who was in contact with the queen?
Who helped her?
Who reported it and how did they find out about the queen's disappearance?
There was no resting. The whole kingdom knew it.
The first person, a middle aged man who was looking obese either from an uncontrolled eating habit or genetic was put on the podium facing the king. A look of reproach directed to him.
Lord Lawrence, the Commander in charge of patrolmen.
"Your monthly payment is 7 Panocrre of gold. Enlighten me what your people were doing when she escaped the palace ground." His Majesty boomed like thunder.
People flinched but he didn't care. His motives were set.
When no answer was heard. His eyes narrowed more, making him looks like a walking corpse.
"Lawrence, I will not tolerate silence and never will I..... repeat myself again."
From deep within his heart, Lord Lawrence knew it was worth a risk pondering over his answer than giving an answer that might cost him his position.
"Your Majesty, my people have done everything they can but no one has seen the queen anywhere."
"Next"
"You are insulting me, you pathetic of a king." An unexpected, squeaky voice was heard, followed by people moving away quickly, creating a way. A thin looking, old woman emerged from the corridor, a mist of magical powers following her to the front. Her small body was covered in what looked like a kimono. Threads hang loosely from its edges. There was a possibility you could mistake it as a decoration. But it was an indication of an unfinished needle work. Part of her uncovered hand were looking dirty from going days unwashed.
"King Manuel, the Second have never disturbed his ancestors but you little boy have a nerve to stick your nose in things you can't smell."
The whole room was dead silence. Even the king seemed to be in a deactivated mode.
"You are not the best.... The heaviness of this kingdom will ruin you. Let go of the throne if you want to live... The poor need alms and the helpless, strength."
It was an insult to the king and his dogs. No one would go to such an extend to tell him how to rule and how much to give to those who fall under a category that doesn't even exist.
They were good as dead.
Soldiers tried to catch her but she removed herself from their hands like a slippery fish. She then started sniffing on the only flower beside the chair where the queen was supposed to sit making signs that appeared unnatural and difficult to comprehend.
Her eccentric behavior didn't go unnoticed.
"Esmeralda has crossed the liver into the Land of Caves. Do not look for her."
" The Land of Caves?" The king's spokesperson asked.
"No one can enter the Land of Caves unless permitted by the Shawan.... Khumalo, do not let these children dive into the wrong. They will not like the aftermath."
She was out of the palace in a blink of an eye, with the queen's flower.
On the other side of the forest, as soldier walked deeper into the mouth of the unknown, they saw no wild animals, no birds and heard no foreign sounds. Only their own and the laboured breaths of the horses. It was like no soul existed in the forest.
The moon has started peeking from behind patches of clouds providing enough illumination to see a field of tall grass few metres ahead of them.
Upon close observation, the field looked well taken care of and irrigated. However as they followed it, they noticed that it was not divided. Maybe it was a border of another kingdom keeping out strangers like them from trespassing.
Or some illegal farmers who are keen for money while their animals are dying of hunger.
A mixed aroma of flowers reached their nostrils immediately after.
"Carnations."
"If we tell this to the king we can get a lot of coins." Baldman suggested.
"God forbid. Even if it cost my breath." The leader said.
"So am I. If we continue exploiting the land for our selfish reasons like that, I'm afraid our grandchildren will find nothing to survive on." Added another.
"It will be their time not ours. We learned how to fight for survival, so will they." Baldman jumped in.
" You have seven children living under your roof. I wonder if that is what you tell them."
" You are questioning my parenting skills?" Baldman asked in fury.
'Quiet"
" You will not question me again."
It was getting darker, all colors fading away into a huge cover of darkness and rustling of leaves under their feet got more frightening. It was time to get a rest so that they can continue the next day.
Finding the perfect place to light a fire wasn't that hard, however most of the woods were wet.
And after a few attempts, a dim light of fire appeared. They spent a long time warming themselves near the fire, unbeknownst of Baldman who was long gone.
"What's going on?" The leader asked confused why suddenly everyone was coughing up blood.
A wet fluid ran down from his nose onto the ground. Followed by a sharp waves of pain in his stomach.
Poison.
Baldman.
The water they finished drinking few minutes ago was poisoned.
That traitor. His words echoed in his heavy ears.
You will not question me again before he fell to the ground.
Above the tree sits a young boy watching in silence as the king's men fell one by one.
He then walked up to the leader.
"Father, you made a mistake coming here."
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Joanna
