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“Your Highness, you’re still by the river?”

A small voice rose from behind, piercing through the music of the sea waves.

“Yes, Amsah, I feel like staying here to gaze at the river forever,” Shanmala replied.

“But your highness, you know the tradition. You should be resting in your chamber now,” Amsah added.

“Forget the tradition, come, sit with me,” Shanmala requested. Amsah obliged and sat beside Shanmala.

“The traditions do not matter to me, I’m a good for nothing princess”.

“Come on Shanmala, don’t say that, your powers will come to you soon,” Amsah replied patting her shoulders.

They became quiet, staring at the river as it flowed forward. Two young women, sitting by the sea side admiring the quiet torrents of Mata river. Shanmala all dressed up in a flowery garment heavily laced with glittery attachments. And Amsah was wearing a simple blue gown that had endings like heavy eye bags.

Santala Kingdom has always been known as a reservoir of nature’s gifts. Bounded by tall purple headed mountains, mangroves and calming waters. The people had more than enough to keep their body and soul together. They had abundant grapes, dates, crops and silk. Every pair of animal lived in Santala.

It’s been ten years since King Meldin ascended the throne. After the loss of Reewa – his father, he took the full responsibility of the kingdom on his shoulders. King Meldin’s reign has been successful and joyful except for the death of Elvia – the late queen. He was depressed for years after Elvia passed away. Everyone in the kingdom felt her demise. She was such an inspiration to Santala. King Meldin never executed any move without consulting Elvia.

Her death was a strange one, no one could understand the circumstances that led to her death. Several stories filled the village and deciding which to believe was an endless road. Some said she was eaten by wild animals, others said she got drowned in Lake Tanla. Every household in the kingdom had its own version of the story.

Each time Shanmala asked her Father about what killed her Mother, he would say, “her lifetime elapsed so she had to leave us.” Then, his eyes would get heavy and form balls of tears that eventually dropped one after the other. Shanmala was only a month old when Elvia passed away. King Meldin could not give her a satisfactory answer nor could the Royal workers. Like everyone else in the kingdom, she decided to make peace with her mother’s death. Yet, she could not bring herself to take her mind off the mystery of everyone’s silence.

“Your Highness, the sun is not having plans of resting,” said Amsah. ”Uhh, it must be one of those seasons when the day is longer than the nights,” Shanmala said still gazing at the sea. “I don’t think so, your highness,” Amsah added. “Relax Amsah, the sun will set. By the way, I’m getting tired. I want to go see father.” Shanmala said ending the conversation.