Chapter 24 - The False Alarm

The joyous atmosphere at the palace is beginning to fade away as the news brought before the king has everything to do with the peace and sanctity of the kingdom. The king's audience was summoned by the sub-kings and queens, as well as their chief, in other for the report in regard to the necessary investigation to be made about the plotted coupe is to be said before the king. Anxiety and fear have begun taking a toll on the elders in the kingdom, because this is something least expected to happen which might jeopardize with the peace of the dwellers in the land.

The king quickly left his plate of food and made his way to the kingdom's parliament together with his ambitious sister, Amanirenas. As the exits the table, Akinidad on the hand, has been left with a million chaotic thoughts in his mind of why his uncle, the king, and his mother are rushing so quickly with nervousness all over them, to the kingdom's parliament. He tried holding back his mother with the intention of knowing what is actually going on, but the ambitious queen, Amanirenas, swiftly dodged and told her son not to worry, and that is an issue of urgency and with due time, he will assume such responsibility.

Emissary Boating took the lead walking in front of the king, together with the palace guards, straight to the parliament sited in the middle of the palace.

Upon their arrival, a minute of silence is observed in showing obedience and loyalty to the king, as he takes his seat on the stool in front of them all.

King: You may all take your seats.

Emissary Boating: The king request you take your seats.

1st Elder: My king, may your reign surpass our fathers. The assignments ordered by your supremacy have been concluded and the report is ready for your hearing.

King: Where are the delegates assigned for the task. They may step forward.

Emissary Boateng: (Calls on the guards to send in the delegates) Tel the delegates the king is ready for them.

The guards came in with eight persons, and they all kneeled before the king upon entering the chamber.

King: You may rise, my humble servants.

There are four kingdoms surrounding the Ptolemaic Kingdom, which are equally ruled by their own designated Kings and queen, as well as the custom and tradition which serves as a constitution, but Ptolemaic emerges to be the largest with mist resources, which makes them much more superior compared to the rest of the Kingdoms. The market square at Ptolemaic Kingdom serves as the centre stream of trade for all Kingdoms, which makes the dwellers of the other kingdoms travel miles to sell and buy goods at the market square.

This being a factor why Ptolemaic being the biggest and richest amongst them, there have been several speculations and rumours about attempted coupes, even when the queen mother was reigning as ruler of them all. They believe there haven't been any equality and thus making Ptolemaic the ruler of them all.

King: I was told your reports are ready in regard to the matter at hand. And I trust you al know how important and urgent this is to the Kingdom.

Leader of the Delegate: Yes, my King. We tried our best to gather all necessary information and made sure nothing was left unturned beneath the rocks.

King: Alright then. I'm all ears.

Leader of the Delegate: My King, we started from the Mapungubwe Kingdom, since they are closer to us compared to the others. We then moved to the Kush Kingdom, the Land of Punt, and our final visit ended in the Kitara Kingdom.

King: So, what was the content of your reports.

Leader of the Delegate: I'm afraid our reports are void because there was no sign of any of them organizing any coupe. They all lamented on how they pay much homage and respect to the Kingdom that ensures not only the sanctity and peace of its dweller, but the sanctity and peace of all other Kingdoms.

King: (Ask angrily) Are you sure of your investigation because it does not seem to make any sense to me. Upon all the days given, you come with an empty envelope saying there's nothing as such.

Leader of the Delegate: Yes, my King. We did all our investigations with due diligence but they all praise and reassured us of their alliance with our Kingdom.

The Kingdom is buried beneath it rich natural resources and minerals. Its serves as the main chain of development since the development of other kingdoms relies on them.

Amanirenas: So, you are saying to all of us, that Temi or whatever his name is, lied to raise tension in the Kingdom? And was he aware of the punishment that awaits a dweller who make false statements to the throne? (She says angrily)

There is a chaos in the chamber as to if Temi brought false information to the King or not. And the consequences that awaits him is to be banished from the kingdom, if his story happens to be false.

King: I cannot believe someone will just come to the palace and raise false alarm in the presence of the King.

Emissary Boateng: My Lord, I remember asking if he was sure of what he was saying and he insisted it was true, and that he overheard them talking and all that.

King: Emissary Boateng, I need you to send someone to go fetch Temi right this minute.

Emissary Boateng: As you command, my Lord.

Emissary Boateng immediately sent some guards to go fetch Temi and bring him before the king so as to face the consequences of his own actions.

As the guards left the palace to go fetch Temi, Amanirenas, his sister, raise an important question in respect to the matter at hand. She quickly interrupted the King that, an enemy will never make it known to you his plans, regardless of their alliance and loyalty to you. what if they are preparing to take the kingdom by surprise.

The king tried to make sense from her suggestion and realized it might be true. There is no way an enemy will come clean and open if you directly ask if they are planning anything against you or not. It has never happened in history and not expected to happen either.

As the conversation was taking place, the guards entered the palace with Temi being drag by to the king. Upon his arrival, he immediately tried apologizing to the king if what he said was a false alarm but he king sharply interrupted.

Temi: My Lord, please forgive your servant and slave, for I had no intentions of getting the kingdom on its knees.

King: Temi, do you have any idea what you speculation has caused me for the past few days. I barely had a sleep due to the fear of the kingdom losing its peace and blessedness.

Temi: My King, I am not trying to justify my offense, but I was sure of what I heard. I really heard them saying they will find ways in taking over the whole kingdom and to enslave its dwellers, because we have been in charge since time in memorial.

King: I have heard your appeal, Temi. But I hope you know the upshot that awaits a person that summons the king with falsehood. Its banishment.

Temi: (Starts to sob) My king, I have lived all my life in this kingdom under the rule of our great forefather till your turn y king. Please forgive me and never will I ever repeat such atrocity.

King: No need to be sobber now. We are still taking cautious measures in regard to your claims. We will see to it till the very end and hopefully nothing comes on. We will deal with your issue later. You are dismissed.

The king and his subordinate kings and queens discussed the issue a bit more and all came to the conclusion of having more and deeper investigations, in other not to be taken by surprise at the least expected moment.

Akinidad on the other hand, wondered for long and decided to pay his cousin a visit. And he went in to the chamber, he realized she was sitting all by her self in the far corner of the room, looking pale and thinking to herself. He thought to himself on why the princess is all quiet and all by herself. He then decided to confront her to know what her problem was.

At this point, this are beginning to get more worse for the princess as she did not know what was actually happening to her. She kept wondering if what the king, her father, have observed about her were true and coming under the light of the sun or not. Its beginning to get darker and darker for her, and what would happen to the man responsible for the pregnancy. She has to come up with a plan that will not jeopardize with her life neither to the life of her lover, Hakeemi.