Dealing for a Kiss

Osicoxi - West Africa

Xenia Madison Eze was born sixteenth day of January 1977. She is an only child and an heiress in her own right. When she turned fourteen, her mother died suddenly in suspicious circumstances. They claimed it was an accident. She grew up learning from many tutors, putting into practice some ancient knowledge passed down to her from her mother and the elders. Her people are isolationists, suspicious of outsiders. Spies from other countries have tried to infiltrate her nation for centuries but failed in every attempt. All citizens understand the importance of secrecy. The people remain pure because nobody from Osicoxi has ever betrayed their secrets.

Madison had just turned sixteen when a misunderstanding between father and daughter resulted in a challenge. Though they both did not know it, the challenge would lead to the fulfillment of one of the most ancient prophecies of the land, - 'A time of renewal'.

Only one old woman knew it would be so, The Haleeh (ancient one)- who lived up on the mountain. She is the 'keeper' of all things. Some say she is over five thousand years old. It is taboo to go up to her mountain without being summoned. Her mountain is virtually impossible to access. One story goes, that a few centuries before, a man whose young son was gravely ill tried to find the Haleeh to seek help for his son. He disappeared without a trace! Many more have tried to get to her mountain but none has ever returned. Leaving her mountain was very rare and unusual so that when the Haleeh suddenly appeared before the king, he was first startled before he acknowledged her presence with a bow.

"My king, the time has come for renewal. You have done well, even though Xenia doesn't know it. She is hurtling fast towards a destiny that will fulfill the creator's plans for us. I wasn't sure she was chosen until now."

"Ancient one, are you sure?" The king replied uncertainly. "She's a stubborn child, nothing at all like her gentle mother! How can she survive in the outside world?"

"She goes to fulfill her destiny and learn how to survive everywhere. She must walk this journey alone. She may be angry and feel abandoned now, but a time will come when the stubbornness you speak of will be her comfort and strength. We must not interfere but only observe and guide in quiet ways. She must learn to solve her own problems and determine her own life and from there, discover the true path for our people."

"Yes, ancient one," the king replied.

She bowed low and vanished just as swiftly as she appeared.

The king immediately summoned his emissary. "The prophecy has begun," he tells the emissary excitedly as soon as he arrived. "There's so much to prepare for".