ATOOR’S POV
I looked at the Chamlu in front of me, she is still very soft and there is so much that she needs to know. Leading the Pixies is no job of the ordinary.
“Come have a seat, Chamlu” I said.
She hesitated as she stared at the empty seat by my side, and then at the rest with her.
“And they?” she said referring to her companions.
Being soft is a quality that should be completely alien to our queen
So many people come hoping that with our size they will be able to trample on us and that is why our queen must be strong in mind, and to a great extent, heartless.
Our queen must also possess powers, the kind that would draw people from far and near into Pixolands. She must be strong, clever, and ambitious. Making the land grow and spread beyond its borders should be an insatiable hunger that would continue to ravage her soul.
“They should leave us” I replied.
They were about to leave before she said. “These two must remain”
The two that she was referring to, a man and a woman remained while the rest left.
“You can seat now,” I said.
“And where would they seat?” she asked.
“They stand” I replied.
She glared at them and then made for the seat while they came and stood by her side.
This is the first night of the ritual and I am here with Moorso and Tensa. The main purpose of tonight is to work on the Chamlu’s mind and make her see things as we do. She has a very good heart, but it is not needed for the position that she was about to occupy.
“Thanks for honouring our Invitation, Chamlu” Moorso greeted.
She sighed and said nothing.
Moorso continued. “You are the only one qualified to lead us, but then there is a little hindrance and that is one of our purposes for tonight”
“Yes, Chamlu, it is about your heart, it is too soft to lead. You need to be fierce, fearsome, and fearless. See, you maintain your nice look, but the inside should not be nice” Tensa added.
“You can come out clear” Chamlu said.
“You need to be wicked and extremely greedy inside, especially in matters of the land. You should be biased in favour of Pixolands, and so far it is in favour of Pixolands, then it is fair” Tensa explained.
“This is a rule that cannot be broken” Moorso added.
“Chamlu, we the Pixies are very hospitable people, that you are a witness of, and we do good business. But a thing is only fair if Pixolands is the major beneficiary” I said.
“But then, you did good for them without any reward” the lady companion whispered into her ears.
“Slap her now” I ordered the Chamlu and without giving it a second thought, the Chamlu raised her hands and hit her companion hard on the face.
“No one talks to the Chamlu without being asked to,” Tensa said.
“Excuse me, all of you should give me one minute” the Chamlu requested in heavy breathing.
We nodded, and she left with her companions.
SCARLET’S POV
“Slap her now”
I heard the order as soon as Lara finished whispering to me. before I knew what I was doing, my hand was already on Lara’s face, and as I pulled away, the mark of my fingers appeared boldly on her face.
She stood, her eyes away from me, perplexed. I did not know what had come over me and what I had done but then, I was so sure that I had to do it.
“No one talks to the Chamlu without being asked to,” Tensa said.
He looked at the others, and they all agreed with him.
But then, Lara was standing by my side, transfixed to a spot.
“Excuse me, all of you should give me one minute” I requested, trying to conceal my anxiety.
Immediately they agreed, I stood up and walked out of the hall, and Lara and Rich followed behind.
“You know better than to speak in there, Lara” I yelled as soon as we arrived outside.
“Is that what they have turned you into?” Lara inquired with her hand now glued to the spot where my hand had landed.
She looked at me as though she was staring at a ghost, a stranger she had never met. Rich held her shoulder and tried to soothe her without saying anything.
I was furious, I don’t know if I was furious at Lara for interrupting or at myself for not controlling myself but I was furious for whatever there is to be furious at.
“I know what I am doing, Lara, and I am not a dumb ass… believe me” I murmured.
“I am sorry, luna,” she said, this time looking directly into my eyes.
Yes, I know the Chamlu was not supposed to be sorry to anyone, but I said the words anyway. “I am sorry, Lara” and without waiting for even an extra second, I walked back into the hall.
*
SCARLET’S POV
It was almost midnight, the last day of the ritual, and the entire cabinet was gathered, the elders in council, the noblemen, and the Chamlee. All waiting to see the successful completion of the ritual. And with me were Lara and Rich.
If they are satisfied with me today, then I will be crowned the queen of the pixies. But then, what happened, how did they successfully turn it all around, and now I am doing their bidding just so as to get the iron throne? I do have a great deal to learn from them.
The entire process of the ritual has not been an easy one with each step aiming at making me harder than the first.
“My Chamlu, today brings us to the last day of the ritual, and so far, we are greatly impressed with your resolve to lead the great Pixolands to a greater height. To seal the day, and proceed to be bathed in the ocean of immortality, you are required to name your slaves. As a rule, our queen is entitled to at least seventy-five slaves and the number must never fall short no matter the situation.” Atoor instructed me in the presence of everyone.
Hearing this, my blood went cold. Slaves. We were never allowed slaves in Diamond Cut. Werewolves don’t engage in slavery and even then Gina almost got into trouble for referring to me as a slave. And then I knew how it felt and I would not wish the same fate for another.
Noticing my displeasure, Atoor said. “Or wait”
I was instantly relaxed. At least now there would be no need to make another feel like less human. Werewolves consider everyone as equals, not in the strict sense though, but at least there exists the dignity of the human person.
“We can pause the slave thing” she added.
I exhaled and discreetly reached for Lara’s hand in gratitude.
“You will have to pick a person from everyone here, Chamlu” she instructed.
“A person” I murmured, confused.
I have made up my mind to pick either of my friends or maybe the Chamlee when she added. “We have noticed that you are not as hard as you should, and you will need to sacrifice one of us here today for your reign”
I withdrew immediately and almost ran out of the hall. How am I to make a human sacrifice? No, she must be joking. I think she is joking. And who would agree to be chosen for such a purpose anyways? I thought.
I looked around, hoping to be met with terrified faces, but to my surprise, they were all staring at me, each hoping and eager to be picked.
I glared at the iron throne, and the glorious diamond crown seated next to it. What more can I do to have that? I thought.