As she stared at the patriarch, Old Chemua's expression were clear. Everyone could understand what she meant.
As she had put it, "another fate overlaying over the boy's, one that was more powerful." Given that the two of them had been in the same womb, the most likely suspect was the older boy. If that was the case, what could be done?
Realizing this, even the patriarch frowned. However, he gave a nod, allowing Chemua to do her thing. Happily, she reached for the other baby, and as she did her incarnations and chanting, everyone looked on.
"As I suspected, the boy has a powerful fate. So powerful that it is overshadowing that of his little brother, even consuming it." Chemua's words were not unexpected, but they still sent shockwaves to those listening.
"How could this be," the first to react was Keshi. As the mother of the boys, she was very concerned over her children. "What does that even mean?"
Her confusion was further exacerbated by the worry in her heart. She wished for both her sons to be successful, and powerful. The last thing she needed was one of her son's overshadowing the other.
"In a nutshell, the eldest son has a double potion talent. The extra potion belongs to the younger," Chemua said, summarizing her findings. Of course, it was not as simple as she put it, but this was the best way she could phrase it.
From her finding, she could see the younger's fate fighting to rise above the older. However, in terms of power and vasili talent, the elder remained victorious and powerful.
"Can the potion be transferred?" Jata, the father of the boys asked. He loved both his sons, and he wished the best for them. If there was a way both could be powerful, then something like that had to be tried.
"Unfortunately, no, lord," Old Chemua said. "This is the will of the heavens. The elder shall be far more powerful than the younger. Fear not my lords, the younger will still live to have a rich full life, although he will never have any powers or abilities."
That last bit was added when she saw how concerned everyone was. As a noble family, one full of vasilis, this was undoubtedly bad news, but it was also good news. The boy would live, albeit without powers.
Naturally, this did not go down well for the Ronos, but at least, they had a powerful vasili. Given his immense talent, it served as a consolation for most of the clan members, all except for the mother and father.
Since things had progressed thus far, they could only let it go.
With this episode passed, the ceremony could proceed. Receiving a signal from the patriarch, the butler proceeded to announce: "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Keita, of house Rono."
While the second son did not receive as much ululation as the first, he was still celebrated. A new life, and new member of the community, and the clan. Any way one looked at it, this was a joyous occasion.
The ceremony proceeded on, the celebratory mood coming back. Having just one vasili was still a great boost to the family influence. The various invited guests proceeded to offer their gifts, and the festive occasion went on.
No one noticed the old seer making her exit, or the furtive look on her face. Everything she had said was true, but there was a lot she had not said.
For one, while the elder had the double potion, the younger had the more powerful fate. Moreover, these two would get along like fire and water, but their fates were tangled together, unable to tear away from each other.
From what she could tell, both would eventually be on opposite sides, and it would be their conflict that would divide the world. However, all this was fate, and such forbidden information was not to be shared lightly. All she could do now was make a note of this.
Unfortunately, there was something that deeply disturbed her. She was a powerful seer, and her methods had hardly failed her. She existed as a watcher for her community and her kingdom. On her watch, no ill omen had gone unnoticed.
Yet despite all this, she felt that the boys were shrouded in mystery. As though there was a fog she could not see through. This worried her. The murkiness made her wonder what was concealed, and what ill tides it bore.
Therefore, after much thought, she decided to write down a prophetic warning, one that would be passed down to her disciples. It would serve as a warning to look out for the accomplishments, and woes, brought about by the two sons.
Meanwhile, deep in the clouds above Old Chemua, two figures were watching. Their gaze penetrated deep into the ground, and they could see each of Chemua's worried expressions.
"Seems like the seer is not convinced," One of the figures commented.
"It doesn't matter. She passed the message to the crowd, and that was what we needed." The other figure said, looking more composed. His gaze seemed more profound, as though everything was in his control.
"Do you think our plan will work?" The first figure said.
"It all depends on the boy now. We have done all we can, for now." The figure answered. "Don't worry, he will not disappoint."
"What about her prophesy?" The other asked.
"By the time it holds any relevance, everything will have been set into motion. There will be little anyone can do to prevent what is coming."
Hours later, a lone man was standing watching the two infant boys in their crib. His attention was on both, his thoughts remained to be anyone's guess.
From his expression, one could see pride when he looked at one of the boys, but disappointment would creep into his facial features when he turned to look at the other.
Jata, the boys' father, let out a sigh, wondering what he would do with this 'useless' son. At least, the heavens had granted him one 'worthwhile' son.