C3 Chapter Three

Another day had dawned, conveying fresh expectancies and aspirations. The day was crisp and clear.

Andrew was up so early before anyone else. He needed to meet with Josiah to secure his safe passage to the Oshine kingdom. Hurriedly, Andrew had a cool bathe and equipped his firearms for protection should anyone stand in their way. He reached out for his phone and called Josiah, “Meet me at that bush path that leads to the river boundary. We depart in a few minutes,” he instructed Josiah, and rode on a horse tied up at the palace. He rode so fast to ensure he arrived right on time. Josiah was getting old, and it'll be dangerous to leave him deserted considering how precarious the bush path was.

Just like Andrew longed for, he arrived in a few minutes ride and found Josiah standing beside the river holding a small bag. The large Otta River was what detached Nyria from other neighboring villages.

"Good thing you're right on time.” Andrew grinned as he moved toward Josiah. Nonchalance spreads over Josiah's face. It wasn't difficult for Andrew to discern. Quite unfortunately, Josiah was selected for this crucial journey which left him with no choice.

"Put up a smile on that rigorous face of yours. I know it's really hard for you to accept, but do you have a choice? Of course, not. You are not doing this for the Alpha alone but for our people! How do you feel when our land gets plagued by foreigners? Would you fold your arms and watch your wives and daughters forcefully taken away? We have to attack and draw the first blood,” Andrew encouraged Josiah and strengthened him. For a very long time, Josiah felt important and loved. Andrew might not be the ruler of Nyria but he appeared more passionate and considerate than Alpha Gideon.

"I'm ready for this challenge, even if it means sacrificing my life for our people.” Josiah finally got the balls and uttered with full confidence.

"Yes! Now that's what I'm talking about,” Josiah exclaimed with a smile coating his face. He rarely smiles, but this time he just couldn't help it.

"Hurry and get inside the boat. Go! The kingdom awaits your triumph,” Andrew buttressed and watched Josiah get into the boat heading to Oshine kingdom.

“Good luck,” Andrew waved at the boat until it went out of sight.

Alpha George of the Oshine kingdom was a manifestation of compassion. He was a loving king who salvaged his people from the claws of poverty. Just like Alpha Gideon, he made Oshine peaceful and resourceful, which drew foreign investors. His dream was to make his kingdom become the most powerful country in Africa. Alongside his beautiful Luna, Arindia governed the people with integrity and gained the people's trust. They considered him the best ruler Oshine ever had. In their next world, they would want to have a king like him.

“Father, did you see that old man drawing near the palace gate? He looks pale.” 7-year-old Ariel whispered to his father, Alpha George, after sighting Josiah approaching the palace gate. Ariel was the only daughter of Alpha George and the crown princess of the Oshine kingdom. Despite not having a male child, Alpha George and his Luna, were never dismayed. They already acknowledged their fate and that the goddess shouldn't be challenged. Even though it's taboo for a woman to rule the nation, George was still hoping that his daughter would someday rule the Oshine kingdom.

"Whom do you seek? Exit from these environs immediately,” the guards warned Josiah and halted him from entering the palace.

"Please, I wish to see the Alpha. I beg of you,” Josiah pleaded and feigned to be sober. The guards at the palace gate pitied Josiah and took him to the Alpha, who was having a conversation with his pretty little daughter, Ariel. Immediately, Aries sighted Josiah, and she pointed. “Dad, that's the man I talked about. He looks tense…”

"Let's wait for his arrival before we conclude,” George said, patting his daughter's shoulder.

Josiah finally arrived at the palace in the company of three hefty guards. “My Lord, we found this man at the entrance. He seeks you,” one of them explained to the king, and faced the ground. King George was mute for a minute as he stood up from his throne, examining Josiah to be certain he wasn't armed. After his assessment, he instructed the guards to leave while he oversees the situation.

"Please, sit. Stranger, What brings you to my palace this morning? I am not sure if I've seen this face anywhere before. Introduce yourself before the alpha now.” Alpha George ordered Josiah and scared him. Josiah shivered a bit and had difficulty speaking, but when he recalled the words from Andrew, he recovers his moment and lied to Alpha George that he was stranded and needed a roof over his head before he continued his journey the next morning. Alpha George developed cold feet. Oshine Kingdom might be a peace-loving nation, but they don't accept strangers due to experiences. But somehow Josiah seemed different and a bit special. There's a unique trait about him that Alpha George can't decipher. To be certain his instincts were quite accurate, he turned to his beloved Luna and daughter to solicit their opinion, “What do you both think about this? Should we allow the stranger to come live with us tonight while he continues his journey tomorrow morning?”

"Yes, Daddy. He seems like a good man already. Let him stay for the night,” Ariel jumped in before her mother could say anything. The Luna's silence already convinced Alpha George that Josiah was welcomed to the Palace.

"Count yourself, lucky, man. My daughter has accepted you. She's my most precious Jewel. The guards will take you to your abode immediately. By tomorrow morning, they will accompany you to the bush path to continue your journey. We are having a coronation by tomorrow. I would have loved to have you around, but too bad you're leaving early,” Alpha George revealed and ordered his guards to lead Josiah to his hut.

"Coronation tomorrow" those words of the Alpha keeps echoing in Josiah's head. He smiled because he knows That was the perfect time to attack the Kingdom and take them unawares.