*
QOPHELO
*
Mxolisi: Something doesn't add up with dad's death. Dad made sure all is affairs are in order before he died. He made arrangement changed things in his will, he did it all before he died like someone who knew they were about to leave this world. I know the postmortem doesn't show much but what dad poisoned, untraceable poison?
I hear what he is saying but dad was under survaillance the whole time he was sick, I mean he was never alone. Is it possible that someone slipped but that would mean someone we trust knew what was going on.
"That would mean someone we trust was in on it. Who could that person be?"
Mxolisi: That person is part of security team. The from the day that dad started getting sick was tempered. When you look at, you could never tell. Every Wednesday since then up until dad died, there exactly 10 minutes missing from the camera outside and the one inside the that room.
"Ok that means we are dealing with a professional here or we are dealing with more than one person."
Mxolisi: More likely to be more that one person and they are smart but not that smart because I will find them. Before I leave, we'll have all the answers we need.
"Good, because I want the head of whoever killed our father."
Queen Lona: I can make that easy for you.
"Mother what do you mean?"
Queen Lona: When your father suddenly got sick, I had my suspicions, I knew something was wrong. If you remember correctly, Themba told us that your father's sickness is not normal. Remember how he couldn't help and told us is to be the way it is. Well, my sons, he was right. Your father was meant to die. I have accepted that. Themba could have help, he could found a way but the ancestors blinded him and his family and told not to do anything. His time had come, it came early but it came. I know he is with us and always will be. Now back to business. I have something you need to complete your puzzle. "I try to same something but she puts her hand up to stop me." I had a nanny cam installed in that room. I also had a few in our bedroom since my small pieces of jewelry started missing.
Mxolisi: Why did you have a nanny cam in the sick room?
Queen Lona: After what the Seer told us, I figured whoever was killing him would want to make sure that he is actually dead and I was right. Here, have a look at this but don't do it here. Do it in the secure office. You will be surprised. After all this we are going to new staff member because we trusted rotten people. Now I am going to pay Busi a visit. Sphamandla and Sipho are coming dinner tomorrow night. They called earlier. They will be welcomed distraction and, don't breathe a word to them about their father. Don't worry how I know, just know that I know you have him. "She says it smiling and walks out."
"Your mother is very sneaky. How did she know we have Bheki?"
Mxolisi: She is your mother too, you know. Anyway, let's watch this and end this once and for all. Where is the future Queen?
"She is with Baba Themba. She has improved. She can even sense me now and right now she sense that I am not telling her something. Her father has responded to my offer. He is taking his time and I don't like it. The longer he takes, the longer it gives the Buthelezi's a chance to come up with something to get the Manzini kingdom for it's precious stones. I'll be dammed if they do. That is her home and it will remain so until her brother is of age."
Mxolisi: What are you going to do to the parents? I know you know, I guess I am just wondering why you haven't done anything about it.
"It is not for me to do anything. She will decide what to with her parents once she has all strength back. She knows she is not alone anymore. Come let's go watch this after that I want to see our uncle."
*
MENZI
*
"You are my lawyer. Is there a way out of this?"
Lawyer: This is the best deal you have for the Kingdom. Your daughter is not attached to it. He is just helping and you are not giving him anything in return. Take this deal if you want to save the Kingdom this Kingdom. I told you from the word go that if you cut a deal with Edwaleni you are going to be screwed. Those people are after something. Since they don't have Iyana and you don't have her, the deal in null and void. The whole deal was structured around her being Ntsika's wife. This is your chance to save her.
"That means, if we wanted to, we can keep Iyana here. She can come home and stay with right?"
Lawyer: According to this yes. There is no clause that suggests otherwise. I can't help but wonder though, why are you so obsessed with your daughter?
"That is none of your business. Give me that contract, I'll sign it."
Lawyer: Best decision you've made in while, at least now you are trying to sell your daughter to the highest bidder. "He says that and leaves."
She is not giving me what I want from her, so she can serve me in other ways. But now there is a chance of me keeping her here but that boy made it clear that she won't be staying here. After the lobola celebration he is taking her with him to his Kingdom and I can't have that. She is supposed to be here forever. I take out my phone and send a text to King Qophelo.
"I've signed the contract. When is my daughter coming home."
Qophelo: Good. I'll send someone to collect. I'll send you a copy once I have signed. Your daughter is part of this contract. If you read it properly you would know. She will come home when she is good and ready.
"F**K!!!!"
Guard: Is everything My King?
"Yeah, I am fine. Take me to Sibonelo, is he here?"
Guard: Yes my King, he is around. We can go.
Sonelo: You don't listen My King. "He says before I even step inside his hut."
"What are you talking about?"
Sbonelo: What is the point of me being a seer in this palace if you are not going to listen to me when I tell you things? What is my purpose here My King if you and your wife are not going listen and choose to do as you please? I might as well pack my bags and live and find a place that will appreciate my services. Does your behavior have anything to do with my refusal? If that is the case then My King, please release from my duties because I will not continue to serve a stubborn King. If you want to die because of stubbornness then I'd rather not be here when that happens.
"What has gotten into Sbonelo. I am your King, you may not under any circumstance speak to me in that manner."
Sbonelo: You are here because you refuse to listen. Didn't I tell you to let your daughter be. Didn't I tell you to leave that child alone. What you are doing is going to kill this Kingdom. You are going to lose your home if you carry on with this. Even if you manage to keep her here which will never because she is where she needs to be, you lose this Kingdom if yo carry on with your ways. Your son is not ready to be King.
"I can't help it Sbonelo. It just happens."
Sbonelo: Then you need to listen to and do as I tell you or you will lose it all. Leave and come back when you are ready to listen. "He doesn't pay me a second a glance and continues mixing whatever he was mixing when I arrived here. He doesn't understand what happens to me when Iyana is around, no one does. It feels like walking on fire, if feels like swallowing a hot coal. It does n't matter how much want I drink it doesn't cool down instead it burns more. My eyes are always hungry for her site. Her eyes, her smile. My ears are hungry for her sweet melodic voice, her soft laughter. My fingers want to feel her skin, the burning sensation of her skin on my finger tips…."
*
BUSI
*
"My Queen, I wasn't expecting to see you." God what is she doing here? The only time she ever comes here is the boys are around and she's coming to see them but right my children are not here and she know this. Does she ever go anywhere without Sthembiso, that man scares me.
Queen Lona: I thought I might pay you a visit. I just need to have a word with you. I hope I didn't come at a bad especially since I didn't even call before coming here.
"It's alright Lona. I was not busy with anything."
Queen Lona: What did I ever do to you Busi? I mean I have always been nice and kind towards you. I have never mistreated you or your family. I love your kids as if they were my own. Make me understand what it is that I ever did to you to make you hate me so much.
"You lost me now Lona, what are you talking about?" I can barely get the words out of my mouth. Please don't tell me she knows, if she knows then I am trouble.
Queen Lona: I am not one beat around the bush. I mean you tried to make me barren, which I think almost worked because it took time for us to have kids. You've tried to kill me more than once. You tried to kill my children more than once. Just to mention a few transgression.
"I really don't know what you are talking about. Do you even have proof of your accusations?" I can see the anger in her eyes and they quickly change grey, her fangs are coming out as well. I don't know what happened but all of sudden she transforms and charges towards me, just as she was about to slap me with her paw, she stops upon hearing Sthembiso's voice."
Sthembiso: Lona! NO! NO! You will kill her.
She stops breathing heaving right on top me, just I let the water out feeling it run down between my legs. She takes a few steps back and looks at me. She is beautiful and huge. Dark Brown with a white ring around her neck that looks like a necklace. White is her husband's color. Sthembiso's voice brings me out of my thoughts and back to reality telling to calm down and gently brushing her back. Her eyes are still grey, meaning she is still angry. I don't dare move. I would have transformed as well but she would have killed mid transformation and she is bigger and strong, even in my lioness form, I don't stand a chance against her. She turns and looks at Sthembiso and gives him a nod. She gives me a once and walks out. Even as a lion she is still graceful. What is that? What does that mean?
Sthembiso: Get up, you are coming with me.
"Where are you taking me, I didn't do anything.?
Sthembiso: This is not open for discussion. Now get your ass up and walk to the car.