*
IYANA
*
Everything came back to me like a storm. I remembered why I ran away. I remembered what Ntsika did to me. I remember it all and that voice, that voice I heard in my head telling to remember who I am. It was a Lion, a Great White Lion. How does it know who I am? "I am his shield." Whose shield, was it talking about Qophelo? Is he my chosen? Oh God, what am I saying, of cause he is my chosen. The way I've always felt around him. The connection I feel. The safety that I feel, the fact that I just want to live under his skin and never leave.
I am sure my parents new from the day that I was born I have a chosen and I'm sure they it was not Ntsika. They knew but still made a deal with the Edwaleni Kingdom. They still sold me to the man that never cared about me except for the benefits he was getting from marrying me. Sometimes I wonder if my parents are my real parents considering the way have been treating me.
Themba: They are real parents.
"Then why are they treating me like this, like I am nothing, like I am not their child? Why can't they love me?
Themba: Greed. Greed can make people do a lot of unsavory things including hurting their own blood just to get what they want. They can easily turn their children to a means to an end just so they can reap the benefits. "I look at him realizing the truth of everything he is saying. I don't remember a day where my parents showed me affection. It has always felt like I am nothing but a possession to be exchanged for something they think has greater value than me. I am nothing but a porn in their games of power."
Now my dear tell me, can you use your powers, do you understand them. Do you know that you don't even have to transform to use them?
"I don't know Baba. When I got to the palace of Edwaleni Kingdom, I couldn't even sense my powers. I had just gotten them and I have never transformed fully. Two days after I arrived at the palace, my powers were dead. I couldn't sense anything until the day I ran away and found my way here."
Themba: Why did you run away? "Just as I was about to give him an answer the King walked in with a wild smile on his face. He walked straight to me and kissed my forehead. I am sure if I was any lighter my cheeks would be pink, no red right now."
Qophelo: Do you mind if I sit in. I would like to know what happened.
Themba: Look at you blushing Princess.
"I don't mind Your Highness. Ntsika and their Seer, Bab' Muzi, they did things to me. The seer used to cast a lot of spells on me to block my powers, to block everything about me. They never wanted me to use my powers and I don't know why since I also don't know how to use them.
Ntsika used to beat me if I didn't do what he wanted. He always said that he is going to break me, I will be what he wants me to be and that is being a woman, knowing my place as a woman and forget about any dreams I thought I would archive. He used to say that when we get married his word is law, hence he was "training" me to under the fact. He called it "training" me. I told my parents about and that was the biggest mistake I made at that moment. My dad was livid. What hurts is that he was not livid about how Ntsika was hurting, he was livid because it was my fault because I don't listen. I should be doing what I am told. He told me I should do as Ntsika says if I want to survive. What went through at the hands of my father and mother enabling him is beyond pain. I am just a means to an end for them. Ntsika's mother tried to be there, to be a comfort to me but I could see through all her fake attempts to console me and make it seem like she cares."
Qophelo: Did you know that your father's Kingdom is at the brink of bankruptcy? "He asks squeezing my hand. It feels like he is re assuring me, making sure to let me know I am safe her."
"I didn't know. Dad never discusses business with women. I don't even think my mother knows. I guess that's the reason I was sold, to get money to save the Kingdom. I wonder how much am I worth to them."
Qophelo: You were not the only thing your father gave up to save the Kingdom. Manzini Kingdom was part of the deal. It would be under Edwaleni Kingdom. Your father would no longer be the King but King Buthelezi would be.
Themba: None of that is happening now since you ran away. Back to your powers. I can sense 3 different types of powers from you. You have the shield power and telekinesis. You can move things with your mind and you seem to have a very powerful shield. I will help you unlock your powers. Now that there is no spell hanging over your head you can unlock your powers. Once you unlock your powers and start using, that only when you can completely morph.
Qophelo: Is it going to be safe for her?
Themba: Yes it will. Don't worry about it. I'll tell you when you are needed.
"When I was talking to that Princess, I saw a dark cloud around her and what looked like someone whispering things to her and before I collapsed I saw a White Lion and it whispered to me to remember who I am. It's same lion that I saw that led me hear."
Qophelo: Iyana what do you mean a white lion led you hear?
"When I drove out of the palace something told me to leave my car and everything in it start walking, in fact I was running towards the forest. I did exactly that as I was running I saw a white lion, it didn't even try to attack me. I could feel my adrenaline slowing, my tiredness catching up with me. My legs were giving in, as scared as I was, I was not running away from it. Instead I drawn to it. I had this need to follow I it and I did, until I couldn't. I don't know what happened but I found myself here.
Themba: Qophelo's father gave you access to the Kingdom. He knew who you and guided you here and gave you access to make sure you were safe.
"Wow! I don't know what to say.
Themba: You don't have to say anything. Today I want you to get some rest and tomorrow we'll begin with unlocking your powers. Qophelo come with me. "He says getting walking out. Qophelo looks at me and smiles. He walks out but not without kissing my forehead and telling me everything will be ok.
*
NTSIKA
*
"Who the hell does he think he is, to take my woman like that. Iyana is mine, she belongs with me and I am going to get her back no matter what."
Nkosinathi: You need to calm down Nstika. This it is exactly this behavior that lost you that girl and her Kingdom. You will need to find another way because your are not getting that girl back and it is obvious that their seer is very powerful. Look what he did to Muzi.
"There is not going to be another way Dad. I have to get Iyana back, that is the only way."
Nkosinathi: I don't know when you became obsessed with this girl but this obsession will get you killed if you are not careful.
"He says shaking his head and walks out leaving me in my thoughts. I need to find a way to get Iyana back. She needs to come back to me. Dad seems to forget that we actually need her. We have to have her Kingdom no matter what. What does he mean I am obsessed, I am not obsessed, I just know what I want. This was a good business deal, a deal that was going to set us up for life and be the richest Kingdom. King Menzi is not even aware of how rich his Kingdom is. I mean the Kingdom is headed for bankruptcy and yet their land is so rich in minerals, it could save the Kingdom and he doesn't even know. Now all those riches will fall under the Hidden Kingdom should Iyana marry the King. Well he is just going to have to find someone else or his ancestors will have to chose someone else for him because Iyana is mine."
Athandwa: Are you still brooding over Princess Iyana? "Why sister asks as she walk in." Brother I love you, you know that but this mission that you want to embark on will get you killed. You know that you have a bride chosen for you, maybe it's time you start embracing that before you lose your life. I understand why you want Iyana so much but let me tell you something, you were never going to be able to control Iyana, she was never going to submit to you because she is not yours to have in the first place. Her running away was inevitable. It was going to happen either way. Stop trying to force matters and start using your head. You have lost Manzini Kingdom, it will never be yours. Start focusing on Nompumelelo and stop trying to push her towards Qophelo because it will never happen. Bheki is not King, whatever deal you had with him will not come to pass.
"Bheki might not be King but he will get me what I want from that Kingdom and maybe I must just use him to get me Iyana. Yes, I think that is exactly what I'll do."
Athandwa: Don't say I didn't warn you. "She says and walks out. These people don't understand. I need both these Kingdoms. By the time I take over from my dad I need to have acquired Manzini and the secrets of the Hidden Kingdom.