Golden Purple

The Conspiracy

The brown horse galloped from the distance leaving a small cloud of dust behind it. As it got closer, the rider could be seen holding on to the reins of the harness, bouncing in rhythm to the horse's movement.

About three horses also emerged in the distance, riding behind the one in front. They rode together till they got to the palace of the queen of Bulcha. The riders then alighted from the horses and began to head to the queen but were stopped by the guards.

They demanded to know who they were and what they had come for.

'We are messengers sent to the queen,' they chorused.

'Where did you come from?' they asked again.

'We are a mixed company, we represent Raoldia, Arizona and Laodia.' They answered again.

Upon hearing that, one of the guards went to the queen and after he had done obeisance began to tell her about the messengers who had come from the three kingdoms.

'Let them in!' she commanded.

'Your excellency,' he responded and proceeded to inform others.

'You may go in,' one of the guards informed the men.

They went in the company of some of the guards and once in, they knelt on one knee and did obeisance to the queen.

'What brings you to my palace?' She asked the men who were still kneeling.

'Your highness, you single-handedly destroyed Uzibel, brought an end to the pride of Uluska, and proclaimed freedom to Bulcha as well as the neighbouring nations, for this we are grateful but one thing remains.

The nations of Raoldia, Arizona, and Laodia lie porous and we fear that one of these days, a distant nation will rise against us and defeat us and bring us again, into captivity just like the Uzibel of Uluska did and…?'

'So what do you want me to do?' the queen interrupted.

'Your highness, the elders of these kingdoms have sent us to tell you that they would willingly submit to you if only you would deploy some of your soldiers to help secure our land.

'Did you spy out any possible threat coming your way?'

'Not yet your highness.' The men answered.

'Tell those who sent you that I have heard your plea but I will have my people deliberate on it. I will make my decision known to you after three days.' the queen replied.

'Thank you, your highness.' They stood up and began to take their leave. They mounted on the horses and rode back to where they came from.

The queen turned to Xana as soon as they were gone.

'What do you think of this?'

'It's a trap, they're not sincere,' she said bluntly.

'Why? What made you say that?' The queen asked.

'These nations can never be trusted. They are all leeches. They have hatched a plan against you. You may not understand what I am saying but you surely will after you have gone down to Raoldia to consolidate the league and there, you will see it happening before your eyes.'

'Are saying that there are plans underway to get me off the throne?' The queen asked in total incredulity. 'Who would be bold enough to dare?' She bragged.

'Someone not so far away,' Xana whispered into her ears.

The queen stared blankly on the walls of the palace. She probably knows better than to listen to old Xana. 'Is it not a good thing for the nations to submit to her rulership? She soliloquized. She turned, looking at Xana who was also staring at her. She sat beside the queen but on a less magnificent throne.

******

'Your highness, you sent for me?' Cabala enquired as he stood before the queen.

'Yes, I did. You may take a seat.'

Cabala proceeded to a seat adjacent to the throne. He sat and waited to know why the queen had sent for him. The queen waited until he had finished sitting, then she began.

'The neighbouring nations have informed me that they need my support in securing their borders and for that, they are both willing and ready to do whatever I would require of them. What do you think of this?'

'Oh, that's a good thing.' Cabala replied excitedly. He nodded repeatedly and then continued.

'They have definitely come to the realisation that you are greater than what they had thought. It's a good thing. I think you should grant me permission to send the soldiers immediately, in that way your dominion will extend to all the nations and we will rule over them.'

'Don't you think that might be a trap?'

'A trap?' Cabala asked, surprised that the queen would even think of that.

'What if they ambush our men like they did years ago, thereby, helping to conquer Bulcha.'

'You are right, your highness, but you know, the times have changed and we should be open to forgiveness.'

'Forgiveness You said?' The queen shrieked and stood on her feet, 'forgiveness is weakness!' She declared.

'Your highness, you are looking at it from a wrong point of view. You need to understand that presently, you are unconquerable and I, your captain, will never wane as to fall in an ambush.'

'Thank you, I have had enough. You may leave now.' The queen said to Cabala who stood up, though hesitantly but surely, and walked out of the palace.

*****

Cabala emptied the contents of the mug into his mouth. He dropped it on the table and refilled it to the brim. He seemed determined to drink himself to stupor. His dull eyes peered on the man sitting on the opposite side of the table. The man had taken a gulp or two from his half filled mug.

'Are you saying that the queen turned down the offer?' He asked again. He had asked that question two times earlier and Cabala answered yes. But at this time, Cavala appeared angry at the man's repetition and so kept mute.

'What do we do now?' the man continued. He appears to be more concerned about the queen's rejection of the offer made by the three neighbouring nations than Cavala's silence.

'Nothing, just drink with me.'

'You're tipsy, you've drunk too much. I should let you be, he said.' Then he stood up, walked to his horse, climbed it and rode away in the dark forest.

Immediately he got out of sight, Cabala had been dizzy or pretending to be dizzy smiled broadly, pleased with himself. He also climbed his horse and began to ride to his house.

*****

Xana jumped out of her sleep, her heart was panting heavily that she could hardly breathe.

'Another nightmare, she whispered to herself.' She pulled the blanket off her body and tiptoed around the palace. She saw no one except palace guards standing at their duty posts. She was careful enough to not be noticed.

She observed the doors leading to where the queen was sleeping and was satisfied to find their locks on them. She tiptoed back to her room unsure of what to make of the sense of danger that clouds her mind.

'Maybe it's just a dream, maybe it could be not just a dream.' She kept thinking all through the night.