*
COUNCIL MEETING
*
Qophelo walks into the throne room and the council members are already seated. He walks in with his mother, Queen Lona and both their personal guards by his side as they take their dedicated seats. The room goes quiet as soon as they take their seats and respectfully greet.
One of the elders stands to speak.
Elder Luthuli: My Queen, My Prince, welcome and thank you for gracing us with your presence in this meeting.
Queen Lona: It is only our pleasure Elder Luthuli.
Elder Luthuli: We are here today to discuss the crowning of the King. My Queen, My Prince, again, my condolences for your loss. King Zweli was a great King, and he will never be forgotten. With that said, it's been two months and now we believe it is time to crown Prince Qophelo as King.
Queen Lona: Thank you elder for your kind words. Yes, this has been a difficult time for us, and we would not want to delay the proceedings any further. We have mourned my husband and now it is time we celebrate and honor his name and the ones before him the way he wanted.
Qophelo: I agree with the Queen. We cannot delay the proceedings any further and greatly appreciate the time we were given to mourn our father, our King and now it's time to carry on.
Musa: My Prince, My Queen, we were thinking that the crowning be in the next two weeks, that will give enough time to prepare and send out invites to relevant delegates that you would like to present at the crowning ceremony.
Qophelo: I don't see a problem with that time frame; it is perfect for me.
"He looks at his mother, who simply nods in agreement. It seems like most council members agree but as expected there are disagreements."
Bheki: I don't that is enough time for preparation as Prince would not be married by then. I think that before he is crowned King, he should take a wife if he has no potential then one must be arranged for him.
Elder Luthuli: That has never been a requirement, and I don't believe it will change anytime soon. Kings in this Kingdom have ruled without wives and ruled perfectly. What is so different now?
Elder Sibiya: There is a first time for everything. Rules are there to be changed.
Musa: Not when they have been working for this Kingdom.
Bheki: We will not be ruled by a child who doesn't know anything about ruling this, Kingdom.
Temba: And you know all there is to know about the ruling of this Kingdom?
Elder Sibiya: Yes, he does, and he would be the perfect man to rule this Kingdom, not a child fresh out of dippers. This Kingdom needs a firm hand to rule not a child that still clings to his mother.
Temba: You seem to forget that...….. "He is cut off by Qophelo before he could finish what he wanted to say."
Qophelo: Elder Luthuli and Musa have spoken, and we are to continue as suggested by them and if anyone has a problem with that, they can find themselves a home in another Kingdom since it is obvious that they are not happy with the way things are done here. Now if that is all, may we be excused as we have other commitments. Musa, please make sure that all arrangements and preparation go through the Queen Mother for approval and I would like to see you later with Elder Luthuli. There is something that I would like to discuss with both of you. Thank you, we'll take our leave now. Mother, are you ready?
Queen Lona: Yes child, we can go. Bheki, you need to remember that when you turn against family it never ends well. Let's go, my Prince.
"They both walk out of the council followed by their personal guards leaving the council member stunned with the way the prince handled the situation. Leaving most of them proud and other sulking. Now it is time to see how swiftly the preparations will go with Bheki on his high horse trying to get himself on the Throne.
Musa and Luthuli together with Temba, are going to make sure that Bheki is exposed for whatever it is that he has planned. They believe that this is more than just him wanting to sit on the Throne. Musa has been suspecting that he made some kind deal with some unsavory people and that deal requires him to be crowned King. Temba has confirmed that there is storm coming but he has not been shown where it is coming from.
*
QUEEN LONA
*
"I miss my husband so much, I wish he was here because all this would be so smooth with him being here. I know he is watching over us and guiding us and we will get through this. We just need to be strong. I don't know what Bheki is up to, but it can't be good. He is too desperate to be crowned King. Yes, he has always wanted the crown but this time, he desperate and desperate men make mistakes. I wonder what he has gotten himself into that needs to be King. He will faulter and ….. My thoughts are interrupted by personal guard."
Sithembiso: My Queen, are you ready to go, the car is out front.
"Yes, I am Sithembiso. Before we go, I need you to do something for me."
Sithembiso: What do you need my Queen?
"Bheki, I need him watched. I need to know everything that he is doing, even when he farts, I need to know. He is up to no good."
Sithembiso: Your son has asked Lwazi to do the same thing. It is amazing how the two of you think alike. I think the King knew what he was doing when he said that Qophelo should rule with you by his side until he finds his chosen Queen.
"Sometimes I feel like he knew his time was near, the way he did things in the end and the instructions he left behind make me think that Zweli knew what his brother was up to but couldn't get enough proof. Still, even though my son has eyes on Bheki, I want my own eyes on him."
Sithembiso: Of cause my Queen. I'll get someone on him ASAP.
"Thank you Sithembiso. We can go now. There's a new energy in the Kingdom."
Sithembiso: Yes, there is, it's like there is someone new.
"He says as we move towards the car and I can feel my son's eyes on me and when I look to his side of the Palace, I see him standing on the balcony with his brother watching. I wave as Sithembiso opens the door for me. He might not say it a lot, but he misses his father, and he longs for her, wondering if he'll ever meet her. I think he will meet her soon. I can feel it. A mother always knows.
*
QOPHELO
*
Zwelakhe: Mxolisi is on his way here. We are going out for a few drinks, and you are coming with us.
"When was this decided? Besides I don't feel like going out."
Mxolisi: Well, you are going, whether you want to or not. Look man, I know things are hard right. I am your right-hand man for crying out loud and I hate seeing you like this. We've been friends forever and right now I say you need the night out. So, gear up and let's get going. The car is ready and waiting.
He just walked and he said a mouthful. He has always been there for me, that I cannot deny, in as much as he jokes around and troublemaker at times, he knows when it's time to be serious and as my personal guard, he doesn't play with my safety, he is always making sure that everything is above board and this man right here doesn't trust anyone. Only a hand full have made it to his list of trusted beings.
"Ok fine. I know I'm not going to win this with talking like that, so, let's get going."
Zwelakhe: Now, that's more like it. First round is on me.
Luckily, when we arrived, the place was not packed. We find ourselves a nice table in a quiet corner while Zwelakhe goes to the bar to order our drinks.
Mxolisi: Now this is nice. Just relax enjoy yourself man. I know you miss your father. I cannot say I know how you feel because my father is still alive. I can only understand what you guys are going through and just be there for there you.
"Thak you man, I really appreciate that."
Zwelakhe: There we go gentlemen. Drink and let's have fun.
Mxolisi: Most definitely my brother and in the process, I need to find myself someone to take home. It's been a while; I need to release all this tension.
"Better you than me. That is the last thing on my mind."
Zwelakhe: Oh well, your loss brother.
I just look at them laugh. They are crazy but great to have around especially in times of need. I know that my brother is hurting as well but he doesn't show it. We were all close to our father, he loved us, and we loved him. He taught us everything we needed to know about the Kingdom and how to rule it. Our Kingdom is one of the most advanced Kingdoms and we have our father to thank for that. He never shied away from new ideas that could make the Kingdom a better place for the next generations to come. Our Kingdom is one of the few hidden Kingdoms in this world.
Mxolisi: You are thinking too much again. Just relax and we'll get to business tomorrow morning.
"Ok, I try to have fun."
And that is exactly what I did.