Now was not the time to speak to Medrek. I did not have time. I had to go down to mourn my father, as was the tradition of Palistia, and continue to do so for seven days after his funeral. I had five more days.
"Leave me alone," I muttered and continued on, my servants following me. He seemed to hesitate, then followed us at a distance.
I remembered mourning my mother and her baby son many years ago. The occasion had not been so grand as a king's death, but she had meant much to me. My sandaled feet clicked on the cold stone as I descended another flight of stairs. I would go to the little garden temple to mourn my father today. The garden temple was my favourite place to mourn and be alone. It was so comforting down there.
I continued up another corridor before reaching a half-room opening out onto a garden. This was my little garden. I wandered through the garden, the gentle evening breeze caressing my honeyed skin. A fountain, a serene pool, some birds singing in nearby trees, and a stone path leading to a temple. The great golden pillars were not as big as those in the palace, but they were nonetheless grand. I walked up the stairs and a priest advanced to meet me. Along either side of the room were statues of different precious metals and woods, and at the end an alter. A sacred silence hung respectfully over the whole building.
I exchanged some words with the priest and advanced slowly to the alter. My servants and the priest remained behind me, the women kneeling on the ground in traditional lamenting, and the priest stood, his eyes closed, waving his hands over the scene and murmuring - I knew he was praying to the gods for my father's soul.
I knelt before the alter and bowed my head. Oh, Samika, beautiful goddess, be with the spirits of my parents. Watch over us and bring peace on the palace and the whole realm. Do not deny your blessing on my and my brother's head. Please be -
There was a shriek and I spun around. Ten guards, armed with swords and spears, had burst into the temple and were advancing on me. I knew they had come to kill me.
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