Chapter 1
The rain-soaked streets glistened like polished onyx, reflecting the faint glow of lanterns that lined the walkways. Queen Mara navigated the deserted thoroughfares with purpose, her long strides devouring the distance. The black coat enveloped her like a shroud, its hood pulled up to shield her face from the relentless downpour. Raindrops clung to the fabric, weighing it down, but she didn't seem to notice, her eyes fixed intently on some point ahead.
She had slipped out of the palace unnoticed, evading the curious glances of her guards and servants. The freedom to move unseen was exhilarating, but it was tempered by the weight of her mission. Queen Mara's footsteps echoed off the buildings, a rhythmic beat that harmonized with the patter of the rain. As she turned a corner, a carriage rattled into view, its lanterns casting a warm glow on the wet pavement.
The driver, a slender man with a thick beard that seemed to absorb the light around him, eyed her warily as she climbed aboard. His gaze lingered on the black coat, the hood pulled up over her head, and Queen Mara sensed a flicker of curiosity. But she remained impassive, her voice low and mysterious as she gave him the direction.
"Stop along the bush path," she instructed, her words barely audible above the drumming of the rain.
The driver's eyebrow arched in response, his expression a mixture of suspicion and intrigue. Who was this enigmatic woman, and what business did she have in the depths of the bush? The thought flashed across his face, but he said nothing, merely nodding as he urged the horses forward.
As the carriage rattled along the muddy path, Queen Mara sat in silence, her eyes fixed on the window. The rain-soaked landscape blurred together, a kaleidoscope of greens and browns that seemed to melt into one another. Her mind was consumed by her own thoughts, the desperation that had driven her to seek out the witch doctor's counsel.
The driver was suspicious, his expression a blend of curiosity and wariness. But Queen Mara didn't notice; she was lost in her own world, her thoughts a maelstrom of hope and fear. The carriage finally came to a stop, the driver's voice a low murmur as he called out, "We're here, ma'am."
Queen Mara's gaze snapped back to the present, her eyes locking onto the dense foliage that seemed to swallow the carriage whole. She took a deep breath, the cool air filling her lungs, and stepped out into the rain. The driver's eyes followed her, his expression still etched with curiosity, her black coat glistening with raindrops. She turned to the driver, her voice clear and firm. "Wait here. I'll be back."
The driver nodded, his expression unreadable, but his eyes betrayed a hint of curiosity. He watched as Queen Mara turned away, her figure disappearing into the dense underbrush.
The bush was unforgiving, the branches tangling around her like skeletal fingers. Queen Mara pushed through the foliage, her hands brushing aside wet leaves and thorny stems. The rain-soaked plants clung to her coat, weighing her down, but she pressed on, her determination driving her forward.
The walk seemed interminable, the silence broken only by the sound of dripping water and the soft rustle of leaves. Queen Mara's breathing grew heavier, her footsteps slowing as the terrain grew more treacherous. She stumbled, her foot catching on a hidden root, but she regained her balance, her eyes fixed on some point ahead.
The trees seemed to close in around her, the canopy overhead filtering the faint light, casting the forest floor in a dim, emerald green hue. Queen Mara's heart pounded in her chest, her senses heightened as she navigated the unforgiving landscape. And still, she walked on, driven by a desperate hope that she would find what she was searching for.
As she emerged from the dense foliage, the small house came into view, its thatched roof and weathered walls seeming to blend seamlessly into the surroundings. Despite its abandoned appearance, Queen Mara knew that this was the dwelling of the witch doctor, a woman rumored to possess knowledge and powers beyond the understanding of ordinary mortals. A wave of relief washed over Queen Mara as she gazed upon the house, her exhaustion and tension momentarily forgotten. She made her way forward, her footsteps quiet on the damp earth. As she approached the door, she raised her hand and knocked, the sound echoing through the stillness.
The door creaked and groaned, and after a moment, it swung open, revealing a bent old woman with a face etched with deep lines and wrinkles. Her eyes, cloudy with age, peered out at Queen Mara, and for a moment, they simply regarded each other, the only sound the gentle patter of rain on the roof. The old woman's gaze seemed to bore into Queen Mara's very soul, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. And then, in a voice that was barely above a whisper, she spoke, "Welcome, Queen Mara. Please, Your Highness, come in." Queen Mara stepped into the hut, her eyes adjusting slowly to the dim light that danced across the thatched walls. The air was thick with the scent of herbs and something else, something pungent and earthy. She tried to compose herself, despite the overwhelming smell, and took a seat offered by the witch doctor.
The witch doctor's eyes seemed to gleam with a deep understanding as she asked, "What brings you to my humble abode, Your Highness?" Queen Mara took a deep breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm desperate for a child," she confessed. "I've tried everything, but I just can't seem to conceive. The royal physician says there's nothing wrong with me, but I know that something is amiss. I need a child, a prince to inherit the throne."
The witch doctor's face creased into a knowing smile, and she laughed, a low, husky sound that seemed to rumble deep within her chest. "Ah, Your Highness," she said, her eyes glinting with a mischievous light. "It seems that fate has other plans. As we speak, the king's concubine is expecting a prince."
Queen Mara's eyes widened in shock, and she felt like she'd been punched in the gut. "What? How?" she demanded, her voice rising in anger and hurt. The witch doctor's smile seemed to grow wider, and she leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with a knowing light. "The king's concubine, has been seen by the palace physicians, and they confirm that she is with child. A prince, they say."
She felt a surge of determination, and her eyes locked onto the witch doctor's. "I need your help," she said, her voice firm and resolute. "I need a child, Can you help me?"