Chapter 22

The woman with white hair talked more. 'You're welcome. My name is Diane and I'm glad to welcome you here." She bowed. 'We have waited for so long." 'Waited? Who have you waited for?" 'They have been waiting for the person whom they were foretold. Someone who would bring back the dignity of the calm." 'Is that me?" I asked. The guys stared at me, likely wondering why I didn't get the idea of what was happening. 'Please sit down." Diane offered a seat to me. 'Let's bring you some food." We were ushered in. The environment wasn't the most beautiful place but it was still suitable for people to live. 'This must be your husband and your son." I received stares from the women there. Diane was asking me. 'No, no. They're my friends." I chuckled, not sure if I could refer to the strange boy whom I didn't even now his name as my friend. 'Oh wow. You all are welcomed." She bowed as she greeted again. It made me wonder how respectful they were taught to be. She looked old but she was insightful and knew exactly what to do and when to do it. 'Naomi." She suddenly announced and I was puzzled. 'You know my name?" The shock in my voice was clearly obvious. 'Of course, when your father was the the king, he loved you so much and made sure your name stuck to everyone's memory. It seemed like he knew that one day, doom would visit us and you'll be our last hope." She continued. 'Was that right?" I wondered. How was I the hope of a clan when I couldn't even save myself from a dangerous loon few days ago. It was funny thinking about it but I went with the flow. 'At that time, he thought you lots of sword fights and you went for several trainings with the other members of the clan. Its truly sad that everything ended the way it did." Diane expressed with her face, downwards. I wanted to know what happened that exact day. I wanted to know who it was that killed my father, I wanted to know who it was that cut my childhood short and forced me to become an adult in such a short period of time. 'Where is it?" I asked. 'My father's chambers?" 'I'll take you there." Diane answered, as she stood up but then abruptly stopped when she saw how we all stood up to go with her. 'You are the only one allowed to go into the throne room." She said with a nod. Mascot and the little boy seemed to understand what she meant and so didn't move any further. They sat back down enjoying the meal set before them. I followed Diane into the throne room, where my father had stayed. It was dark but Daine lighted some candles which lightened up the place. It wasn't like I remembered. It looked much older and unfurnished from the time I remember. 'Nothing much has really been done about this place since your father's death. We only hoped and prayed that someone like you would come." 'Who killed my father?" I turned fully now facing Diane with all the courage I could muster. 'I don't.. that's.. ' she stuttered. 'What do you mean?" I asked, not getting satisfied with her answer. 'Talk to me." I need to know." 'Well, our clan was the most successful at that time so your father had many enemies, he fought different Alphas and always defeated them which made him more hated." I was scared that Diane didn't really want to tell me what happened that fateful night. I remembered sleeping but was woken up by noise of people running and screaming at the top of their voice. I was just 8 years old at that time so I didn't know the calm was in the danger. I cane out of my chambers to see that the moon had disappeared and from the little knowledge I had, I knew something bad was about to happen. I ran to my father's chamber to tell him what I had seen bit I couldn't find him in his throne room but then I heard voices in the other room, so I tiptoed and listened. 'You deserve to die." The first man chuckled. 'I made a deal with you but you refused me. Who dares to refuse me?" The second man asked. He looked like the leader because he was dressed in black while the other two didn't cover their upper body. He commanded much authority too." 'What do you want?" My father was on his knees. He asked them with shaky voice, hoping for an answer. I wanted to barge into there and kill them all but what could an 8 year old girl do and the fact that I had to be smart too. My father had thought me that in any danger, you had to stop and analyse the situation before taking action and that was what I was doing. 'Your inheritance. Everything that you own." The second man repeated. 'I can't give you that. I have a child too.." My father was still speaking when he received a painful punch on his cheek. I heard him cry out but still I couldn't move, even when I knew I had to go find help, still I didn't. 'Who cares about your dumb child?" The first man asked and I got really upset that he had called me dumb. I was still engrossed in my anger when I heard a gun shot. It was so loud that I had to turn to be sure it came from outside and not my father's chambers. 'Take his corpse away." The second man said. I still wasn't sure he was speaking of my dad, until I watched my dad being carried away in a pool of his own blood. That day, I regretted that I couldn't do anything. I regretted that I couldn't even fight for my own father. It was a horrible thought. I had noticed something about the man who was on black all through. He had a tattoo on his feet, I couldn't really place what it was but it was a little tattoo that stood out. I would never forget it. I was so sure I was going to find my father's killers even when I was taken to the Palace, I still couldn't get it out of my head.