It was a hard job, convincing Akata to go back to his room. The Fox king had to tuck him to bed, by himself and he had to secretly promise him that he and Akata would go down the Ancient
Well to look for his mother and uncle, together.
His old hands patted his chubby cheeks with reassurance.
After, he came to his own chamber, he asked everyone to leave, because he was feeling .
" Shall I call the doctors my King? "
" No, just leave. Let me be by myself for a little bit. Something is not right in my heart. "
His put his sheathed sword down just beside him and sat on the bed with his hands behind his , trying to stretch, trying to listen, trying to soothe the unknown aching in his heart.
Just then a brilliant flash of light filled the room and it reflected against the window glasses, that already shinning because of the moon's ethereal glow.
" Third son? What a present surprise? Come, sit here next to me. Could you not sleep tonight as ? "
The Fox king asked as the rogue prince came in his room. The poor father was oblivious to the his son was capable of.
He obediently followed his fathers command and went to sit beside him.
" Yes father. I could not sleep at all. "
" You know, these are dark days we are facing. I am sure it will all pass, real quick. Together, will see a new dawn. "
The rogue Fox prince took the King's hand in his own and smiled,
" I don't know about you father but the new dawn has already begun. We are in the middle of a renaissance. "
" What are you talking about... "
But he didn't get to complete his sentence.
The hands of the Fox prince had secretly grabbed his father's sword hilt as they talked and in a , he sliced through the old man's neck, making his head roll over from the other end.
" The new world order is here, father. This kingdom needs someone able in charge, not some feeble guy. You taught us to fight for our rights. I took that lesson very, very seriously. "
Without even and ounce of regret, he sprinkled, what looked like some kind of a perfume in the . And after that, he disaapeared from the crime scene as well.
As the morning light filtered through the grand windows and the scent of blood spread through door, the guards cautiously entered the Fox King's bedchamber. Gasps and horrified echoed through the ornate room as they laid eyes on the gruesome scene.The lifeless of their beloved ruler, sprawled upon the luxurious bedding, head severed from his .
"By the gods! What madness is this?" One of them fell on their knee as another ran to inform rest of the kingdom.
"It's a nightmare, surely... His Highness, gone in such a grisly manner." The third could barely his words properly.
"The kingdom... without a ruler at such a time. Chaos will surely follow." One of them observed their hands over their head.
"We must find out who did this. Guard! Secure the chamber, and call for the royal investigator!"
The atmosphere was of utter shock and disbelief, as fear crept into the hearts of the assembled . The guards quickly closed off the room, ensuring no one could tamper with the crime .
"But who could commit such an atrocity? And for what purpose?"
" The purpose will surely reveal itself when we catch the culprit. I swear on his blood, I will my father. "
It was the third prince. The rogue one.
He was the first to arrive as the guards bowed towards him.
"Regardless of the motive, we must ensure the stability of the kingdom. We need a swift and someone needs to take the helm of this country. It's a tough job but I am willing take that risk. "
The declared to everyone's astonishment but none questioned.
As the news spread, it gripped the country with grief and uncertainty.
Little Akata walked right past all the chaos and went straight towards where the lifeless head of Fox King was. His lifeless eyes stared helplessly back at Akata when he tried to touch his grandfather's face.
" Someone get the boy out of here. "
The first prince picked Akata up on his lap as he wiped his tears. He was a soft hearted person preferred to stay immersed in his art and music and hated court works.
Suddenly Akata's sharp senses picked up something.
" Mama... "
He slid down his uncle's lap and ran towards where the third prince had sprinkled something night.
" Mama... " He said again, sniffing the spots from where he picked that perfume that mimicked
Mia's scent.
" You can smell you mother here boy? "
The third prince asked, quite amused that his plan was working perfectly.
He pretended to sniff as well and nod his head.
" Indeed, I can smell Lin's wife. Why would her scent be here, isn't she missing? Is she? Or was here last night? Is it all part of a big game that she is planning? "
Nobody uttered a single word when the third prince was done sowing his seeds of discord and , inside the grieving hearts of all those, who were mourning.
A sinister plot thriving well, delighting the constricred bossom of the petty criminals as the world dreamed of ruling, was slowly coming to an end on the other side.
As the forces of the living, clashed with the ones that were already dead, the very balance of the was at threat.
The petty criminals back home rejoiced at their temporary achievement, completely unaware they were yet to face.
News of the barrier being broken, reached the Fox kingdom just then.
" They have called for back up. We need to send more troops. "
The messanger declared.
Before anybody else could say anything, the third prince stepped forward and said,
" We are not sending anyone. Our king has been murdered by a minion sent by those wolves.
We will focus on our own kingdom henceforth. Ask them to deal with what ever is happening at Western waters, by themselves. We are now in grieving. "
He announced.
" But brother, Lin is there at the forefront with our soldiers. We must replenish when he called...
"
" Keep your mouth shut big brother. You have no knowledge of the court or how politics works.
Lin conspired with his wife and the wolves and killed father. He is now a fugitive. Anybody who to disobey me will speak with my sword. "
The first prince backed off , pulling Akata behind him as the rogue third prince unsheathed his .