11

TEARS OF A ROYAL BLOOD 11 Unedited 

 

At the royal house. 

 

Everyone was still in shock by Ndlovu just mysteriously dying. No one knew what could be the cause of his death. His family came at the wee hours of the morning and took his body. They said they would bury him.  Qhawe was torn apart, Ndlovu was more than just the royal seer. He was his advisor, he gave him unsolicited advices and he always had the best interest for the kingdom in his heart.  Now he regrets not putting cameras around his hut, because they could have seen who was the last one to go to his hut! It’s quite clear that someone killed him! But who? And why? 

Kholo:The person who saw him last knows who killed Ndlovu or he’s the one who killed him.  She said looking at Solwazi. 

Sindiswa:What are you trying to say about my son,Kholo? 

Kholo:All I’m saying is, he’s the one who last saw him. So he knows what happened to Ndlovu. 

Solwazi:What reason would I have to kill Ndlovu? 

Kholo:We don’t know what goes on in your mind. You were starting to get jealous of Mkhonto being the heir, so no one knows what you are capable of. 

Solwazi chuckled. Sindiswa looked at Qhawe hoping he would reprimand Kholo, but as always he’s just standing there like a statue. Useless!  She clicks her tongue and drags Solwazi away with her. 

Kholo:Those two know what happened. Why are they getting defensive and ready to attack?  Qhawe:Makhumalo is not that type of person. Please just keep quiet. 

 

He walked away.  Khethi and Thembeka were quiet and watching the awkwardness.  Khethi couldn’t care less about the seer dying. He was going to cause trouble for her eventually so it’s a good thing whoever killed him did. She’s not royalty, and she wonders how Qhawe still doesn’t see through her. She guesses Kholo was right when he said this man does not care about anything else other than the throne.  She wants to save every cent, so that even when she’s caught and banished. She can start a new life somewhere.

 

SINDISWA

She arrives at her house and she feels sweat coming from all the holes in her body.

Sindiswa:How dare she accuses us of something like this!? What would we benefit from killing Ndlovu?

Solwazi kept quiet. Mam’Kholo sounded like someone who was so badly trying to shift the blame from her or someone else. He wouldn’t be surprised if she knows what happened to Ndlovu.

Solwazi:Let them be mom. You know she doesn’t like us, so she’ll do anything to get on your nerves. Don’t stoop to her level. You are more classy than she could ever be. Sindiswa:Rumors like these tend to cause so much damage. Kholo has a loud mouth, I’m afraid that she’ll gossip about us to everyone and we will be painted as bad people.

Solwazi:She knows royal affairs don’t go beyond these walls.

Sindiswa sighed and sat down. Solwazi:Let me make you tea so that you can calm down.

 

THEMBEKA 

If there’s anything she regrets at this point, is making an impulsive decision. A decision that almost cost her her life and womb. She was so stupid that she didn’t even think. An abortion? Really? That is like creating a doorway for bad luck. Her family is a traditional family and they believe so much in what many call “myths”. She really wishes she could change her ways and keep the baby. Solanda is not rich she knows, but he would have taken care of his baby. He’s not a lazy man, he is a hustler and he refuses to complain and whine about how life is hard for him. He works hard! He’s a good man, and he really loved her. She loved him too. But she’s royalty and he’s not. Maybe it wouldn’t have worked out between them. Her father wouldn’t have allowed her to date a boy who is a commoner. Speaking of her father, not once has he come to check on her. She knows her mother told him that she was sick, but he didn’t come. Not that she was expecting him to come anyway, just another wave of disappointment.  She is contemplating on whether to call Solanda or not.  She calls him and it goes to voice mail. He must be busy. She sends a message asking to see him. 

 

QHAWE

He is in his office just thinking. He’s not sure what just happened! Just yesterday Ndlovu was warning him that his house is falling apart and now he’s dead!? Ndlovu was not showing any signs of being sick, and with the way his eyes were gauged out; shows that someone killed him. It means there is a killer in the royal house and that’s not something he will take lightly. He will call another seer to come tomorrow and check everyone.  His door opens and Mkhonto walks in.  Qhawe:Son. Sit down.

 

He closes the door. 

Mkhonto:So this is where you are? I’ve been looking for you. 

Qhawe:I just came here to think.  Mkhonto:What happened is sad. His wife was shattered. 

Qhawe:As she should. She wasn’t expecting this. 

Mkhonto:When will his burial be?  Qhawe:They said over the weekend. They are burying him near his mother.  Mkhonto:We will be there. He was a loyal servant to us. 

QHAWE nodded. 

Mkhonto:So what do we do about the killer? It looks like someone killed him.  Qhawe:Exactly what I was thinking. I will call a seer from Elangeni Kingdom. 

Mkhonto:Elangeni kingdom? The one with a Queen with sun powers?  Qhawe:Yes. I will ask their seer to come tomorrow and check everyone. I have a feeling the killer is roaming around us freely. 

Mkhonto:That’s a good idea. Don’t tell anyone incase the killer runs away.  Qhawe:Yes we will catch them off guard. Now you are thinking like a king that you are. 

Mkhonto:I am ready to take over father. 

Qhawe:It makes me happy to hear you saying that son. I was worried when you didn’t want anything to do with the throne, I almost picked Solwazi and I can’t do that. 

Mkhonto:Worry not father. I am Ready to take on my responsibilities now.  .  .

 

  .  .  Outside, Solwazi was listening to their conversation and his heart is beating so fast.  Things are about to get messy. He doesn’t know what’s going on with Mkhonto but he is different. The way he walks and talks is different. That’s not his brother.  He rushes to his mother’s house.  Solwazi:Ma can you go to Durban for a while? 

Sindiswa:Durban? Why?

She asked frowning. 

Solwazi:I don’t think this house is good for you for now. Go for a bit to clear your head and to get away from everyone. 

Sindiswa:Well it would be nice to get fresh air and I miss my daughter.  Solwazi:Great I will drive you tomorrow morning.  .  .  .  . 

 

OUTSIDE

Mkhonto is standing near the wall just looking at the yard.  His mother comes to him and calls him to her house. He follows her.  She locks the door and look outside the window if no one was coming. 

Mkhonto:What’s going on?

Kholo:I know what you did.  Mkhonto:What I did? What do you mean? 

Kholo:I know you killed Ndlovu, I just don’t know why. 

He became tongue tied. 

Kholo:I will not judge you because I’ve done worse. Was killing him beneficial? 

Mkhonto:He was busy convincing dad to make Solwazi the king, and I couldn’t allow that to happen. I want to be king and I don’t mind killing anyone who gets in my way. The throne belongs to me, Mkhonto Zondo. 

He said with a cold voice. She was shocked, she has never heard her son speaking like this. 

Kholo:What if they suspect that it’s you? 

Mkhonto:Don’t worry. They won’t. A seer from another kingdom is coming tomorrow to check if no one is the killer here in the royal house.  Kholo:You will get caught! 

Mkhonto:I won’t. I don’t know mom, but ever since I sat on that chair I have been feeling different and more powerful. I’m more confident than I have ever been. 

Kholo smiled. Now everything was coming along just fine. 

Kholo:I trust you my son. I know you will make me proud.

Mkhonto:I won’t disappoint you mother.  He said smirking and looking  at Sindiswa’s house.