RICH’S POV
I could see the fear when she turned and hurriedly walked out of the hall with me and Lara tagging behind her.
“They did not just do that, Right? That is crazy” she said pointing at the hall and pacing around.
“I think they just did, but how crazy can they get?” Lara replied breathing fearfully.
“See, I don’t know what you are thinking, but we are walking out of here and leaving this God-forsaken land this very minute,” I said.
All that has happened these past few days since we arrived on this land flashed through my mind. There were terrible things but this is the height of it. Killing someone for her reign? And to think that they are all willing to be the sacrificial lamb is ridiculous. And what will she be needing slaves for? I sighed. Never for once did I imagine that it would get to this.
“We are going to leave, and we will leave them to their misery,” Lara said in spite.
“Does a life even matter to them?” I asked.
“It is apparent that even their lives mean nothing to them” Lara responded.
We stopped talking and looked at Scarlet. She has not been paying any attention to either of us but has been in deep thought all along. I hope she is not having the thought of going back in there.
“We are right, right?” I walked closer to Scarlet. “We would not heed to their whims and caprices. We don’t have to oblige them”
She heaved heavily and looked into my eyes and then looked away again.
“This is a difficult one” she admitted after some period of silence. “What they ask of me is difficult” she placed her hands on her forehead and shook her head.
“It is impossible, luna,” I said.
“Obviously” she murmured.
“My Chamlu, it is almost midnight” the Chamlee announced as he came to us.
He looked at Scarlet with a little grin that was barely noticeable. “You have not decided yet? Remember you are not required to give up anything that is already yours?” saying this he walked back inside.
“He is even more ridiculous than the rest” I muttered and cursed him under my breath.
“He will be your king soon, Rich” Scarlet cautioned.
Lara and I were taken aback by Scarlet’s utterances. Has she made up her mind yet? Will she spill the blood of someone even when it is with permission? I doubt if I know the lady in front of me anymore.
SCARLET’S POV
“My Chamlu, it is almost midnight”
I looked up and saw the Chamlee by my side.
“You have not decided yet?” he asked tenderly. “Remember you are not required to give up anything that is already yours?” he looked at me again as if to warn me against making the wrong choice and he walked back inside.
“He is even more ridiculous than the rest” I heard Rich grumble.
“He will be your king soon, Rich” I warned.
I could see the displeasure mixed with fear all over their faces, but Chamlee was right. I was not required to give them what is mine.
I have to make up my mind fast. The final ritual starts by midnight and even a second delay would make it futile.
“Are you sure about this, luna?” Rich inquired. He does not need to be told my resolution.
I nodded and threw my face away.
“This is not you, my luna, these people are crazy, don’t listen to them” Lara begged.
“Who am I, Lara?” I waited but got no response.
“You more than anyone else know where I came from. You know how I started and how it has always been. What do I get for my good heart, Lara? See, I know my power and that I can destroy every one of them in there in the twinkle of an eye. But you heard Nana, it is my destiny to lead these great people, and I will not rule them in shambles, I must rule them as one and that would include adhering to their unique customs…”
Lara cuts in. “Killing and slavery, unique?”
“When I speak, Lara, listen” I cautioned.
“I am so sorry, my luna, please pardon me” she curtsied.
“You know my story, Lara and you will agree with me that I don’t have so many choices right now” I stopped and pierced deep into her eyes.
“And you will stoop to their whims and caprices, luna” Rich gnashed his teeth furiously.
I have already had a discussion on this with Stake, and we have agreed on what could be done.
“That means you have decided to accept it, luna” Lara murmured.
I sighed in exhaustion. “Don’t worry, I will walk right through this door and go talk some sense into them” I replied.
“Hopefully they agree with us” Lara added.
Rich placed his hand on my shoulder, looked into my eyes for a while and then said. “We are by you, Luna, we will be by your side through it all”
In response to him, I smiled weakly and we all walked back in.
*
“And what is your decision, Chamlu?” Moorso asked.
Chamlee sat on his seat, surrounded by his warriors while his eyes focused on me all through the time.
“We can go through this over again. As for the slaves, I accept” I announced while they waited anxiously for my decision on the sacrifice.
The slaves will remain with me, and it is left for me to give them decent treatment. But as regards the sacrifice…
“In respect of the sacrifice, can’t we find a way around it? There must be another way, right? We must not kill one of us just to make me hard…”
Atoor cuts in. “We have passed through much and a life is nothing to us” she paused and took a step closer. “Some must have to go so as to save the rest”
“Take me instead” a young man forced himself out of the crowd.
I looked at the young man, a man in his prime, wallowing in youthful exuberance. He stood at exactly 5 feet, making him among the tallest in the land. He was huge and looked like someone with warrior skills.
In a bid to impress me further, he tore off his shirt and lets out a war scream. No, Pixolands cannot afford to lose him, I will have to make a decision as regards him.
“No” I shouted. “You are too young for this, Pixolands need you”
I turned around, the faces were terrified, and they all stared at me with a look of utmost surprise.
I ignored them and went on. “I, the Chamlu of Pixolands, this day and now, set you free”