EPISODE 2

"Your lordship,how are you today?" A not so old man around the King's age said after bowing to him

"Marcus,you have finally heeded to my call,welcome and please sit."

"Your royal highness."a smaller voice said bowing low before the great King of Luyota.

"Beautiful Lady Tamera.Welcome to my palace my daughter."he said to the little girl who gave a wide grin before getting up and going on to sit next to her father

"So how is our little Miss doing today?"the king asked Tamera who smiled before responding

"I'm doing well your highness, and how is his royal magesty doing today?"

"I am very fine too,you look lovely."

"Thank you."she said head bowed gaze fixed on the floor as respect to the King.

"That is a well groomed little girl you have there Marcus."

"Thank you your highness.I do not see Xavier around,where is he?Tamera is eager to meet him."Marcus said looking around

"His mother said he went after Shamma.You know those two are quite inseperable." the king said to Marcus who gave a faint smile.Marcus was the King's childhood friend and chief advisor.His wish was to get Tamera married to Xavier some day,just so her life could be sealed as that would make her the next Queen of Luyota but Shamma seemed to be in the way whenever he tried to get Tamera close to Xavier.

"I still find it quite odd that Xavier had to get a female protector,i sometimes fear for Luyota my Lord.Is she as capable to take over from Zuri?Forgive me for my incompetence but it still buffles me my Lord." the king took a deep breath before responding

"I was shocked too Marcus.The last female protector Luyota had was Ariad,that was like two centuries ago and we all know the sad tale.I just hope history is not repeating itself."

"Well i do hope so too,and besides..."

"Hey Xavier give that back!Give it!" A small voice interrupted and Xavier came in through the wide open doors running towards the king and a second later Shamma emerged running after him

"Xavier wait that is my teddy give it back give it!" Xavier ran over to hide behind his father's throne before Shamma caught up with him.They chased after each other racing around the King's throne while the present trio watched with amusement.Tamera could not help laughing earning Shamma's attention

"Oh wow Tamera you are here?!"she said looking gracefully at her,"Xavier look lady Tamera is here!"she said to Xavier who stood a distance away from her.He turned to look at Tamera then frowned before looking back at Shamma

"Its lady Tamera Xavier she once came here to play.Dont you remember her look closely!" Shamma said with enthusiasm while Tamera's smile had long faded.She had been to the palace before and played with the both of them although Xavier always prefered Shamma in everything.She looked on in anticipation hoping Xavier would finally recognise her

"Sham,i dont know her...come chase me and catch me if you can!" He exclaimed running off

"Come Tamera,come on lets chase him!" Shamma grabbed Tamera and they ran after Xavier.Marcus got a glimpse of Shamma's hand entertwined with Tameras' as they ran off with great distaste.She was the reason why Xavier could not recognise his daughter

"Kids,are they not a lovely sight?"the king finally spoke

"Ofcourse they are your highness."

"Your young Miss looks quite intelligent Marcus.She is the reason i called you here."

"Speak my lord."

"Xavier is eight already,and your daughter might just be my choice for his betrothed.I wanted to discuss that."

"You did...?I mean...my lord,i feel hounored."

"Dont be.For old times sake,i would like to give your daughter that honour."

                                                      ****

A maid carefully walked down the corridor within the palace walls before entering one of the rooms.It was a large well decorated room with beautifully furnished walls.On the bed sat a well dressed figure,surrounded by about four maids adourning her.The girl went on to stand before the lady before removing the cloth covering the round platter she had in her hand revealing beads of differend sizes,shapes and colour

"My Queen,your beads."she said with a bow

"I will have the silver ones today."she said and the girl was quick to select them before going on to adourn her

"Where is Nathan?"

"He is playing outside my Queen."

"Outside?With whom?"

"With the crown Prince and Lady Tamera,Shamma too." At the sound of that a harsh slap landed of the girl evoking utmost silence within the room.The other girls continued with their work as if nothing had happened

"Leave those beads and go get my son this instant!"

"Yes my queen."the girl bowed before running out of the room.A slap from the queen was nolonger a shock to anybody in the palace because they had long become used to it.She would slap anyone at anytime and any place,well apart from the king ofcourse.The girl soon emerged with a little boy about eight years of age.Prince Nathan,the King's second and legitimate son,born three months after Xavier

"You may all leave,and close the door after you."The girls did just that and were out in a jiffy

"Nathan,what were you doing outside?"

"I was playing mommy,why did you call me i was having fun."

"Come sit next to me come." Nathan did just that

"Nathan,do you love your mother?"

"Yes mommy,i love you a whole lot!"

"Then will you do as mommy says?"

"Ofcourse mommy,ofcourse i will!"

"Then stay away from Xavier and Shamma."

"But why mommy,why cant i play with brother Xavier?"

"Oh shut up Nathan!" She snapped scaring the little kid

"I mean,Nathan,you should not play with any of them,they are bad.I will get you somee friends to play with okay?"

"But mommy,they are not bad.We play together really well."

"Nathan,they are bad and Shamma,she is a witch."

"Really mommy?"

"Yes and if you play with her she will eat you up and Xavier will not help you because he is friends with the witch.Stay away from them will you?"

"But can i play with lady Tamera?"

"Well okay,you can play with lady Tamera and soon,you will have a new friend to play with." She said rubbing her now clearly visible bump before letting Nathan rest his head on it.