ISILO The Fourth

*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 01*
*TWENTY YEARS AGO*
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The king looks at the healer
And he takes a deep breath
Just looking at him
He can just figure out , what his

answer is going to be
It’s been almost two years
And nothing good has been said

He sighs defeated , as the
healer looks at him
Healer : I am afraid , there’s

nothing that can be done . The
queen’s womb cannot carry an
heir to this throne
His heart breaks just looking

into the king’s eyes
His pain is written all over his
eyes
And it cannot be missed
King : excuse us , and keep this

to yourself
The healer nods
Healer : my loyalty is to this

throne
He takes a bow
And walks out of the hut
The king looks at his wife
She cannot bare to look into his

broken eyes
He has lost hope

And it breaks her
He doesn’t believe , she’ll ever

conceive him a child
He is lost in his own thoughts
His ancestors wanted this wife
They blessed their marriage

He doesn’t understand why
they’re not giving them kids
He has run out of words to

comfort her
She is always hopeful
And holding on to faith
That the good Lord will never

forsake her
But , he is getting weary
Holding on to her hope
When there’s no hope
Queen : when I was young ,

people in my village used to tell
my mother I will never live long
enough . Sesotho sere “sejana
se setle ha se jelle” (a Sotho
totem says , a beautiful plate is
not used to dish) . But I lived ,
because my mother did not take
their saying to heart . As I grew ,
and I became a maiden their
tone changed . They said , I will
never bare kids . Mosadi a
motle , o tshwana le lehwatata .
(A beautiful woman , is like a
dessert) . Unfortunately for me ,
I was old enough to hear their
words . And they planted a seed
in my heart , I deemed myself
barren . I never saw myself
worthy to be a woman , to be a
wife . Never mind to be a queen
The king smiles
Remembering the day she ran

away
When his father had sent

people to ask for her hand in
marriage
She looks at him
And finds him smiling
And it brings sorrow to her eyes
She doesn’t understand why he

is smiling
Especially at a time like this

When the council is threatening
to dethrone him
Queen : I am permitting you to

take a concubine , so she can
bare you kids
With a heavy heart she says
He quickly looks at her

And he cannot seem to find the
words
But her words have raised

something in him
And emotion of anger
He gets up and walks out of the

hut
The queen breaks down in tears

Have the God’s maybe turned
their back on her ?
Why can she not bare a child ?
The one thing , that will make

sure her husband stays on his
throne ?
If there’s one thing , she knows

he loves more than anything
It’s this kingdom
And it’s people
That he swore he will serve

them
Until his last breath
And his linage will continue to

rule the land of his forefathers
But now , all that is a dream
One that’s just nothing but a

dream
Queen : Lord , you knew me

before I was in my mother’s
womb . And you have me a
name , Masechaba (mother of
nation’s) . And I know , it’s not
just a name . I know you have
great plans for me , plans to
prosper and not to harm me .
Let your will be done with me ,
and not that of a human being
She closes her eyes , taking a

deep breath
That she feels a heavy weight

lifted off her shoulders
And lightening strikes outside

That a great thunder rumbles
There’s rattling of teeth
And doors shutting
With loud noises
While she closes her eyes , and

letting sleep take over her
peacefully
Meanwhile , the king ignores his
feelings
Of what she said to him
And runs back to the hut
He walks in , and closes the

door locking it with the chain
He looks at her
And takes a deep breath
He takes off his shoes
And lays down on the mat next

to her
Taking her hand into his
He places a kiss on her forehead

, cuddling her
Nothing can ever take his love
for her
Whether she can bare him an

heir or not
She matters more than a throne
As much as it means so much
But she means more

And he doesn’t want to even
begin , what life will be like
without her
She’s an amazing queen
Loved by all throughout his

kingdom
But she’s an even more amazing

wife
And what more can a husband
ask for in a woman ?
She’s his best friend
He relies more on her for

anything
More than he does his own

advisor
And the kingdom’s council
Be advice about the kingdom
She’s always there for him
She’s not just a beautiful

woman
But she has brains as well
He is actually blessed
There’s no way , he will betray
her
Even in death
He vowed to himself
And he shall remain loyal to his

vows to her
No matter what
There’s no other woman who
will come in his life
Even with her permission
She’s all that he wants
And he wishes she can see that
He will not betray her like that

And strip her of her dignity
By having another woman bars

his heir
If it’s not with her
Then he will rather not have any

heir
Maybe the ruling of his linage

ends with him
As much as it hurts , it’s okay
If it’s not the will of his

ancestors , that she bare him a
child
Then there’s nothing he can do
There’s nothing he can
He cannot change their doing

If it pleases them , that he has
no one to succeed him
Then let it be
Some people they come into

your life
That they matter so much
More than anything

Anything that you possess and
have
And that’s how much important

she is to him
Some people are worth loosing

some things
And it’s okay

To him , he is keeping the real
prize
And that’s his queen , not the

throne
It is just a duty , and a birth right

that can always be passed
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 02*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
King Hawu looks at his wife
He can see the strain that’s on

her shoulders
Just how much ruling over this

kingdom
Has taken a toll on her
She is no longer the woman he

married
Over the years , so much has
changed
That even she barely recognises

herself
Being a royal feels like a curse to

her
She feels the failure of the

kingdom on her
What a way to take a bow out.
Ruining every single thing , that

her great grandfather , and her
grandfather
Along with her father and

brother built
The kingdom is in shambles

The council has lost faith in her
The people are loosing hope in

their queen
All that she has is her husband

by her side
She wonders for how long
Clearly , he has gotten to a point

He might not say it
But she sees it
Her kids are scattered all over

the world
And none of them want the

responsibility of ruling a
kingdom
Being queen or king

Their last born daughter , was
very happy
To take upon King Hawu’s

ancestral gift
And it hurt her so much
At how none of them , wanted

to continue the legacy of this
kingdom
While King Hawu , cannot wait
for the day the queen leaves all
of this
She wanted to entrust

Thongalethu with this legacy
But he is not fully embodied of

Isilo
He simply cannot be king here

And he is okay , actually more
than just being okay with his
role as the healer
And that leaves this throne ,

with no heir
With no one to succeed her
She wonders if this is the end of

this great legacy
A legacy that her family , has
kept for generations
That it fails at her hands
King Hawu : it’s going to be okay
She looks at him
Queen Nomhle : when ?

King Hawu : I may not know
when , but I know it’s going to
be okay
She takes a deep breath
Queen Nomhle : it was okay , as

things were . Women are not
made to be leaders
King Hawu walks to her

And he takes her hand into his
King Hawu : no , that it’s not

true . You have been a great
queen , to Isilo and it’s people .
You have served them well , and
they should be grateful for that
Queen Nomhle : then why do I

feel like such a failure ?
Tears blur her eyes

Queen Nomhle : Hawu ….I can
literally feel the land of my
forefathers crumble in my hands
, and there’s nothing I can do
about that
King Hawu : you did all that you

can do
Queen Nomhle : it doesn’t feel

enough
She heaves a heavy sigh
Queen Nomhle : if I’ve done

everything , why do I feel like
such a failure ?
King Hawu : you’re anything but

a failure
Queen Nomhle : I give it to you

right now , that the council is
busy planning my dethrone .
From my own birth right , they
think I am not good enough
He wants to tell her how he

feels
That yes , maybe it’s time they

step aside
And let the council do what

they feel is right
Even if it’s to take the throne
away from her
But he knows how she feels
And doesn’t want to hurt her

feelings
It’s not failure when you have

put your blood , sweat and tears
into something
And it doesn’t work out
Sometimes that’s just life , and

that’s how it goes
You accept your losses and

move on
.
.
.
.
Thongalethu looks at the king as
he walks towards him
He can just feel from his aura
That his heart is heavy
They exchange greetings
King Hawu : I always thought ,

when the time comes to give
the reigns in …it wouldn’t be
this hard . That maybe one of
our kids , will gladly step in . But
they want nothing to do with
this , they don’t even want to
try . Why didn’t any of them ,
get any of the gifts their uncles
have ?
Thonga : we will never

understand the ways of the
Gods , they do what’s right for
us . Even if we don’t get it
King Hawu : my wife feels like a
failure , that she has failed this
kingdom and it’s people along
with her ancestors . Who
entrusted her with this land
Thonga : nothing is definite ,

and everything comes to an end
. Like every chapter in a book , it
doesn’t start and end with the
same tune . The story is one line
in the beginning , and another
in the middle . And it ends
differently , to how it started
and continued
King Hawu : how I wish I can

make her understand that
Thonga : it’s pain more than

anything
King Hawu : the reign of the

queen of Isilo , was never
envisioned to end in this
manner
Thonga : there is always a way

my king , and the God’s never
make mistakes like you and I .
Let’s trust and believe in them
The king nods
Not seeing how they’ll be able

to salvage , all that’s left of Isilo
But somewhere in him , he
hopes they won’t turn their
back on their queen
It had never been heard of , a

woman reigning over Isilo
But it happened because they

chose her
He hopes and prays

That this is definitely not the
end of what all the great kings ,
before the queen built
He’s not of royal blood
There wasn’t much he can do
Except being by his queens side
Supporting her
And holding her hand
throughout her reign
Even he knows , the council will

not stand with her anymore
It breaks him more , that he

can’t do anything
He is just a seer , and that’s all

he knows
He became king through
marriage
It was not his portion
Nor what he was given through

birth
.
.
.
.
Queen Nomhle walks in the
throne room
And the royal council , is talking

amongst themselves
They don’t stop talking
Amidst her presence
She takes a seat

And recalls her thoughts
Hearing the conversation

between Thong and the King
Maybe it is the end of the

chapter
Queen Nomhle : I will step

down as queen , and let the
council decide what to do with
the throne . I have run my
course , and served this land
and it’s people to the best of my
abilities . More than this , I
could have never done . What I
know , is that Isilo is great . And
this is definitely not the end of
him and his people
She gets up , and walks out

without another word
While the council is still shocked

She did not put a fight
Nor give them a chance to say

their piece
They wonder if she knew , they

wanted to dethrone her
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*PRESENT*
*INSERT 03*
*MAPULA*
The sun is out
The birds are chirping
It really is a bright day
And I couldn’t bare being inside
I just had to explore this land
And I stumbled upon a group of

maidens by the river
I joined them
I am helping them draw water

from the stream
Pulane : you know , if o was you

I wouldn’t be seen near a
stream like this drawing water
We laugh
I hand her the clay pot
And grab another one
Me : I just love being out here
Pulane : but you’re a princess ,

and one day you will be married
to a prince of some rich
kingdom . And live like a queen
Me : you like dreaming and it’s
okay
Dipuo : but isn’t that true ?
Me : maybe
Dipuo : you don’t want to ?
Me : maybe I do
Pulane : that is not convincing ,
you know arranged marriages
are a thing of the past ? But not
when it comes to royalty
Me : I wouldn’t know , I don’t

talk so much with my parents
about that
Dipuo : but say it happens ,

what will you do ?
I get up and look at them
Me : well , I hope by then

Mohau would have taken away
my innocence and be forced to
marry me . When my father
finds out he deflowered me
They pop their eyes with jaw

dropping looks
I let out a side smile

And they burst out laughing
Pulane : that herd boy has

gotten into your head
Dipuo takes the clay pot from

me
And I slowly get out of the

water
Me : I want no one but Mohau
to have me first
Dipuo : I’ll die to be deflowered

in a kingdom , a whole palace .
In a chamber with roses and all ,
soft music playing in the
background
Pulane : now that , I’ll take any

day . Over being deflowered in
the veld , over the grass
We laugh
Me : he will be done with his

hut soon , so it definitely won’t
be in the veld
Pulane : for a princess , you

have settled far worse . For your
sake , I wish some prince from a
far away kingdom comes for you
I shake my head
They take their clay pots , filled

with water
And we walk back to the village ,

in slow paces because we’re
enjoying our conversation
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
And to this day , twenty two

years later in marriage
She still is the most beautiful

woman he has ever laid eyes on
His love for her , has always

grew everyday
Everyday , he finds himself
growing found of her even more
They’re no longer in their prime

anymore
But he doesn’t cease to love her
She catches a glimpse of him

staring at her and smiles
She smiles and looks at him

Queen : what ?
King : to this day , I am still the

most lucky man ever
They laugh
Queen : you’re being silly
King : silly in love us

She shakes her head in
amusement
Queen : have you replied any of

the letters were received from
the other kingdoms ?
If he could …he would roll his

eyes
King : not yet

She sighs
Queen : did you even read them

?
He coughs
And she knows he didn’t even

bother to open them
Queen : you cannot keep

ignoring this , she will be …
King : not now , she’s still young
Queen : no , at 16 I was married
King : let’s not project our

beliefs on a child
Queen : you treat her like a

child , she’s a young maiden
now . Growing into an adult
woman , and she needs to know
she has responsibilities . You
have done great , and evolved
this kingdom . Today it is one of
the best in the land of Lesotho ,
and the whole of Africa knows
us . You’re a respected king
amongst all the other kings ,
you need to build relations to
strengthen this kingdom
King : I know
This is the one conversation he
never wants to find himself in
But he cannot keep avoiding the

queen
So he doesn’t have to talk about

it
He misses spending time with

her
And she always brings this up
Queen : then , please just try
King : I will
Queen : and I mean that
He laughs
King : I don’t think any of these

kingdoms are worthy
She sighs
Queen : that is not you trying
King : fine !
Anything , to avoid talking about

this further
But in his heart , he knows it

He hasn’t found the one that’s
suitable for his jewel
A blessing from the water God’s

themselves
And he is not about to ship her

off to just anyone
But of course , he cannot tell his

wife that
They feel different about this
She has her own point of view
Of how a princess should

behave and all
All to prepare her for marriage
But he doesn’t believe in that
Things have changed

As much as these kingdoms
don’t want to accept the
changes
And to live by them
But he embraces the changes

.
.
.
.
*ISILO KINGDOM*
The boy looks around
His eyes scanning the whole

palace
Well , what’s of view to him
And what he passed on his way
He doesn’t think this is the right

place
Even though his heart tell him it
is
But it seems like he is lost
Because this does not look like

the same Isilo kingdom
The one his father used to tell

him about
What’s in front of him …

It looks abounded
Not a kingdom
The place looks rather like a

shelter for the homeless
He takes a deep breath debating

whether to enter
Or to turn back
He didn’t come here to inherit
problems
And this just seems like one big

problem
Something he did not anticipate

.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 04*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
In one of the far end houses
Where the queen and king have

been residing
Ever since she gave in her reign
And moved out of the palace
The king walks in the bedroom
Holding a bowl of soft porridge

That one of the maids , who
devoted their loyalty to the
queen made
Only a few of them left the

palace
While most of them remained

behind
Along with the guards and
drivers
They devoted and vowed their

loyalty to the throne
And whoever sits on it
Despite being royal blood or not
Thongalethu being one of those

, who stayed behind
As the healer of the kingdom
And the only man living , who

still hold an imprint of Isilo
He couldn’t leave the palace
It became duty before

everything else
And the King and Queen
understood that
King Hawu looks at his wife
In the most pale form he has

ever seen her
In the last five years
When sickness caught up with

her
And even he couldn’t heal her
Even though he is known as the

most powerful healer
To even arise , from the Bangani

clan
It pains him everyday
To see her like this

Knowing there’s nothing he can
do
That not even Thongalethu , can

tell what’s eating away at her
Bones show nothing
The gods are quite

And ancestors are not saying
anything
It’s a mystery as it stands
As to what is wrong with her
Not even western doctors can

tell
There’s no specialist they

haven’t went to
But no one is able to help
She has decided to stop seeing

any doctor or specialist
It is said , when ones time has

come
Most can tell that their time is

about to come to an end
And the queen is at that stage
on her death bed
King Hawu : here is some soft

porridge , try and have some
He is trying to get her to eat

everyday
That’s a struggle they go

through
Because she doesn’t want to eat
And he thinks it is what’s

making her more sick
And not to get better
Because she is not eating
But it’s a mission to force

anything down her throat
Queen Nomhle : thank you
She says with a smooth faint

voice
She feels at her weakest today
That she doesn’t have the

strength in her to argue with
him a
He smiles and sits down next to
her on the bed
Picking the bowl from the night

stand
And she knows he’s about to

feed her
She doesn’t contest that
As he helps her sit well

And start feeding her , in small
portions
And she feels like throwing up
But she gathers the strength to

keep everything down
Queen Nomhle : you know , I

had always hoped and prayed .
That by some miracle , Isilo will
rescue us from this sham . Not
even a single kingdom respects
is anymore , my forefathers land
is in shambles . It’s people have
lost their way , and on their
throne sits a chief that’s of a
foreign land
The king looks at her
It’s been years since she’s ever

spoken about the throne
Or any of the things she’s
mentioned
He thought she had made

peace with everything
It’s been so many years
He wouldn’t think it still affects

her
Queen Nomhle : what
happened to us ?
King Hawu : what do you mean

?
Lost and a bit confused he asks
Queen Nomhle : we used to be

a worthy kingdom , a force to be
reckoned with . With a whole
Jaguar as our great ancestor ,
our prince’s and princesses born
with gifts out of this world . My
brother’s , they were the most
powerful spirit animals ever .
And my sister , she was the
queen of the waters . And now ,
what are we ? What have we
become ? What …what is this ?
And Isilo , where he is what is
he saying ? I didn’t fail anyone ,
they failed me . My ancestors
failed me , and Isilo failed me .
They chose me to be queen ,
yet they couldn’t bestow me
with any gifts . No one in the
history of Isilo has ever ruled ,
without being special in my way
. And me ? Absolutely no gift ,
no powers . Nothing !
The king sighs
Where is this talk coming from ?
He asks himself
King Hawu : you’re special in
your own way
Queen Nomhle : no ! They

chose me , to make a mockery
out of me . My reign was
doomed , from the beginning . I
was never going to achieve
anything , I have always felt like
an outsider when it came to this
. I am nothing like my parents ,
my siblings . My uncles and
aunts , they held great power .
And we’re feared and respected
, because of what they were .
What about me ?
Tears stream down her face
Queen Nomhle : I curse the day

, I was told that I’ll ascend that
throne
King Hawu : you don’t mean
that
He has never heard her speak in

this manner
She’s hurt
But it’s not just hurt
It’s also hate

King Hawu : we will never
understand the ways of the
ancestors or the God’s , the
same way we don’t understand
the ways of God
Queen Nomhle : I hope we all

perish and die , I was never
anything to them . Just a
princess born of pity , turned a
criminal and queen
The king pops his eyes in shock

The queen slowly lay down and
give him her back
His mouth has suddenly gone

dry
He doesn’t know what to say
Because these are not the

words , that his own wife would
say
No matter how hard things got
She always saw light at the end

of the tunnel
Maybe she just needs a

moment
He gets up and walks out of the

bedroom
Her words still ringing in his ear
And he cannot make sense of it

all , after so many years
Why is she bringing this up ? He

asks himself , but only she has
the answer
.
.
.
.
*AT THE PALACE*
The young man takes a deep
breath
And he doesn’t know what to

make of his emotions
He knows this is not what he

was told growing up
Yes things change
And it’s been years

Since he was told about this
place
Probably fifteen to sixteen years

ago
But what could have happened

to this place ?
He looks around
And stops on his tracks
As he sees one of the guards

approaching him
He walks over to the gate
And the guard looks at him
Just from just looking at him
He staggers back a bit

The young man squints his eyes
in confusion
Him : I need to see your queen

and king …or your healer
The guards swallows hard
And his mouth has run out of

his saliva
Guard : who …who are you ?
That you come here , and
demand to see the queen
He is asking , because it is just

protocol
Him : call me someone with a

status around here
The guard looks at him

He wants to answer him
But there’s just something

unsettling
And it tells him to keep quite if

he knows better
And that’s exactly what he does
He turns around
And runs to the throne room
Where the chief is at along with

some of the council members
The young man’s leans against

his car , awaits to see someone
or be called in
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 05*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
Rain looks at the queen
And her heart breaks at her

sight
This woman is slowly fading

away
She’s just a former shadow of

herself
Whatever is eating at her

Is taking away her
The queen realises , the tears in

Rain’s eyes
She lets out a fade smile
Queen Nomhle : to be honest

with you , I wish my husband
can mourn for me already . It’s
been way too long
Rain looks into her eyes
Confused by her statement
Rain : you’re still very much

alive
She says
Queen Nomhle : no , I am not .

But no one sees it , not even
Hawu . They cannot help me ,
no one can . And no one will
ever find out what’s wrong with
me , because nothing is wrong
with me . My time on this world
is up , It has been for the last
five years . I am just a vessel ,
carrying a soul that refuses to
leave this corpse of a body .
Because it cries day in and out ,
for the salvation of this kingdom
Rain wipes the tear that streams
down her cheek
Queen Nomhle : my people

have been stripped of me , and
my husband doesn’t have me
anymore . What hurts is that he
doesn’t even realise it , because
he’s holding on to faith . And he
keeps on blaming himself , as to
why he can’t help me . But he is
not God now is he ? He cannot
raise the dead
Rain frowns
They always say , when one is

about to pass away they always
know
Could this be it , for the queen ?
Why would she speak like this ?
And not even make sense

Queen Nomhle : if this land is
saved , from the hands of
commoners who deem
themselves worth to rule and sit
on the throne of my forefathers
. My soul will finally be at peace
Rain : should I make you tea ?
She asks
As this whole conversation is
not sitting well with her
Queen Nomhle smiles and

closes her eyes
Nomhle feels the faint breathing
And she relaxes
Knowing there’s still life in this

person
.
.
.
.
*IN THE THRONE ROOM*
The young man walks in
With the guard who let him in

And he looks around the men
seated down
Old men
Old enough they should be

home , playing with great
grandkids
Not sitting in a royal throne

room
Taking decions for the kingdom
Supporting another old man
Who should have long taken

social grant
With a few young man
He deems his own age mates

He shakes his head displeased
But he doesn’t know any of

them
And they don’t know him
He doesn’t want to come across

as disrespectful
So he keeps his disregard to

himself
Everyone is staring at him in
shock
Seeing the resemblance to that

of the greats of Isilo who have
passed
But they cannot place him to

who
Yet , he doesn’t need no
introduction
One member of the council

stands up
And he introduces himself as

Ngidi to the young man
As the advisor of the chief

Whom they regard as king of
this kingdom
Ngidi : who may you be ?
The young man looks at them

all
While their eyes are gazed on

him
Waiting in eager to hear who he
is
And what brings him here

.
.
.
.
*OUTSIDE THE PALACE*
Thongalethu shakes hands king
And can see the sorrow that’s

clearly plastered on his face
Even he doesn’t know what to
say to him
How to comfort him
When he is watching his wife ,

fade away day by day
For so many years
That there’s nothing they can do

to help him
King Hawu : I have helped so
many people , to this day I am
still helping people . Some have
lost hope in me , others ask
themselves how is it I help
people so much . Yet I cannot
help my own wife
Thonga : sometimes the way of

the ancestors are not
understandable
King Hawu : I feel so useless and
like a failure , they should just
strip me off my powers
Thonga : no , that’s not how

things are done . And as much
as we don’t understand , how
they think and do things . We
don’t lose hope , because we
don’t know their purpose
King Hawu : I wish I knew , it

breaks me to see her like that .
And they say a man shouldn’t
cry
He heaves a sigh
King Hawu : if it’s not western ,

and it’s traditional then what is
it ?
Thonga : I wish I had answers

for you
King Hawu : I don’t mean to
burden you
Thonga : no , you can never

burden me . I just wish I had
something better to tell you , or
how we can help . But I also feel
just as useless , that I am just
clueless . When I first came here
, I was welcomed with open
arms . I was not treated as an
outsider , who invaded the
great ancestor of this kingdom .
And found himself a seat on the
throne somehow and …
His eyes quickly change
King Hawu realises just how he

has popped his eyes wide open
King Hawu : Thonga ….
He seems to have been frozen

somehow
That he cannot even move an
inch
King Hawu shakes him a bit
But he doesn’t snap out of

whatever has got his attention
He growls , and it keeps getting

louder and louder
That he feels like his bones are
snapping
King Hawu moves back a bit
Because he doesn’t know

what’s happening
And it’s scaring him a bit
But it could be anything from

the ancestors
Maybe they’re trying to
communicate , and he knows
better to let him be
.
.
.
.
The young man looks at this
Ngidi
And darts his eyes to the old
man sitting on the throne
That he just feels anger fuelling

him
Him : I am Isilo Xaluva , son of

Luthando Xaluva . And I have
come to the land of my
ancestors , and my forefathers .
To reclaim what is mine
Shock is plastered on their faces
And it’s nothing but just silence

in the room
While their tongue feel heavy ,

that they can’t speak . To utter a
single word
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 06*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
Laughter erupts
Some shaking their heads
Ngidi looks at them
Ngidi : did this boy just waltz in

here , and call himself with the
great God Isilo’s name ?
He motions to the whole of Isilo

Ngidi : boy , who do you think
you are ? This is the royals
throne , you cannot come in
here and spit such nonsense
The chief stands up
Chief : guard ! Throw this boy

out of my kingdom
The others nod

Showing agreement with the
chiefs decion
Chief : you chose the wrong

time , to come and claim and
throne that’s not yours . And
you’re disrespectful to us , and
our gods and ancestors . How
dare you use Isilo’s name in vain
like that ? You may be a prince
yes , but Luthando was never
known to have a son . And nor
was he married , nor did he
even have the mark out Isilo .
He was far from it , he never
even tasted the throne . Now
you think you ….his seed , will
have so much power ? You’re
here to anger us I see
The guard touches Isilo
Isilo : do not touch me !
He says calmly as ever

Guard : please leave
Isilo : I walked in here respectful

, I said what I said to answer a
question . Now please , lets not
get on each other’s bad side .
We don’t know each other
Chief : drag him out , I will not

listen to this nonsense any
longer
The guard grabs Isilo’s arm
His eyes change to a light green
And they glisten
Isilo : do not even try it , I will

rip your heart out …
The guard swallows hard

And looks around
Ngidi : just take him out …
Within a split seconds
Isilo turns into his true form
And a black jaguar is in their

midst
With green light eyes glistening

With Ngidi down on the floor
Blood splattering everywhere
His throat ripped off
Thunder rumbles
And lightning strikes

While the commotion dies
down
And everyone stands still on

their tracks
Fear stroked into them
Their hearts pounding hard
Fearing for their lives

It has been years , ever since
Isilo was seen in his true form
And now here he is in their

midst
With one of theirs dead , right

in front of their eyes
.
.
.
.
*IN THE HEALERS HUT*
King Hawu looks at Thongalethu
, grunting on the floor with his
eyes turning
He is a bit scared
Because he doesn’t know

what’s happening with him
As much as he believes , that

maybe the ancestors are at
work
He has never seen anything like
this either
It looks like something is coming

out of Thongalethu
And his bones keep on snapping
Like they’re breaking
While still puzzled and shocked

Not knowing what to do
Thongalethu opens his eyes
And he quickly gets up
King Hawu : are you …
Without even finishing his

sentence
Thongalethu runs outside
King Hawu is left puzzled
But he doesn’t let that get to

him
He runs after Thongalethu
Scared that he might run

outside the palace
And maybe he is not in his right
mind
Or maybe he’s been shown

something
And he is rushing there
To his surprise , he heads to the

throne room
And the rain starts pouring

He runs faster , heading to the
throne room
Hoping that something bad

hasn’t happened
As he walks in
He pops his eyes

Seeing the Isilo in his true
jaguar form
And Thongalethu laying down in

a pool of blood
He rushes to him
But sees it’s not his blood
But that of an elder

He crouches down , and
touches his pulse
It’s there , but faint
He gets up
And comes eye to eye with Isilo
He takes his eyes down

And Isilo walks past him walking
out of the throne room
King Hawu turns and looks at

him
As he runs off into the pouring

rains
He directs his eyes back to the

elders
And the royal council
No one is saying anything
He has so many questions
That he doesn’t have answers to
Could it be Isilo has possessed

someone else ?
But who ?
Because as far as they know ,
there’s no one else in the Xaluva
clan
Who has been given that power
And none of the brothers held it
It’s impossible for a spirit animal

, to come back in form
And roam this world
It can’t be
No matter how powerful Isilo

has been deemed
It doesn’t make sense that could

be him
But if he has possessed

someone else
Who is it ?
And could it have anything , to

do with the state that
Thongalethu is in right now ?
He shakes his head
His mind still running wild with

thoughts
And so many questions
He looks at the elders
King Hawu : what was that ?
They just look at him
Without saying anything
He thinks of his wife

What will she say , when she
hears about this ?
She’s not in good health
Hearing that her family greatest

ancestor , and spirit animal
Was in true form , and has killed

one of the elders
He doesn’t know how she will
take that
But there’s also Thongalethu

here
Who he doesn’t know what’s

happening with him
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 07*
He is puzzled on what to do
He doesn’t know
Or how to help Thongalethu
Quickly , he takes out his phone
And dials Rain
Who answers in seconds

Like the phone rang in her hand
Rain : my king
There’s something unsettling in

how she answered the phone
Something in her tone and voice
And he is scared to ask , if

something happened
It could be , that he is a
widower at this moment
And the thought alone , drains

him
He hates watching his wife

suffer
But he knows she’s in pain

And not getting better
So death , also seems like a

peaceful option
One , that he hates to think

about
But also seems like the only

option best for her
For her pain to end

King Hawu : are you still with my
wife ?
With a low voice he asks
Rain : and there is a man here , I

think you should hurry back
He drops the call
And rushes towards the door

But he looks at Thongalethu
And his heart , doesn’t allow

him to leave him here
He walks back , and picks him

up
Staining himself with the blood

he was laying in
And he walks out heading to his
car
That he places him inside , at

the back seat
And he gets on his seat , and

drives out of the palace heading
to his house
Who is the man that’s at his

house ?
With questions pounding his
head …he increases the speed
he is driving with
Within no time , he arrives at

his house
And battles to walk inside

carrying Thongalethu in his
arms
But that might startle Rain
And he doesn’t want to scare

the poor woman
He knows how much this man

means to her
And he is drenched in blood
Either way , he will spook them

As soon as he walks inside
And he also can’t leave a very

unconscious man in his car
That would just look careless of

him
Against his thoughts , he picks

Thongalethu into his arms
And he walks with him in the
house
To his surprise , his wife is up
And out of bed
Looking as sick as ever
But she’s out of bed

Rain quickly gets up and walks
to him
Rain : what happened to him ?
She asks with fear
And he understands , just how

much the possibility of loosing a
loved one
Strikes fear into one

King Hawu : it’s not his blood ,
he is just unconscious . Ngidi is
dead that’s his blood , he had
jaguar claws on his chest
Rain pops his eyes
While King Hawu places

Thongalethu on the couch
Not minding that the blood will
leave stains on his wife’s
couches
He looks at this young man
Who somehow looks familiar
But he just can’t place him

where
He walks over to his wife

And the scent of the jaguar
graces his nostrils
He sits down , next to his wife
While Rain sits next to

Thongalethu
Placing her hand on his arm

King Hawu and Isilo look at each
other
King Hawu : I will not ask you ,

how or why you went to the
palace . Killed an elder , and
turned into Isilo’s true form .
Because that would just be
disrespectful , but who are you
?
Queen Nomhle : Isilo ?

She asks with a low voice
Her breathing not so good
It sounds like she is struggling
Isilo : with all due respect , I

didn’t mean any harm
King Hawu : I just asked who

you are ?
Isilo takes a deep breath
Isilo : I am prince Isilo the forth ,

son of prince Luthando Xaluva
Queen Nomhle takes a deep

breath
As tears stream down her face
And she looks at Isilo

Her brother never said anything
about having a son
Out of the four , he was never

married
And never mentioned a child to

anyone
So how is this possible ?

Could it have all been the work
of the ancestors ?
Isilo : may I please speak ?
King Hawu : I did not ask you to

explain yourself
Isilo : please allow me to my

king , I think I owe you and my
queen that much .
He looks at Rain
Isilo : rain queen , I am sorry

about your husband . But he will
be okay , he is strained because
the power of Isilo was leaving
his body
Rain nods her head slowly
Isilo : my father didn’t know

about me , my mother was
pregnant when he died . And
uncle Luxolo made sure to
name me , and tell me of who I
am and where I come from . My
king , and you my queen . I
know this is a lot to take in , and
you have a lot of questions . Of
which , I say will answer if I have
answers to . But knowing I am
different , and understanding
who and what I am isolated me
a lot and I am not the best
when it comes to being social . I
turn into an animal , I always
regarded myself as one. And
maybe I do act like one , but not
deliberately . I swear , I tried to
talk to those old men . But they
didn’t want to listen to me ,
instead they wanted to chase
me out . I don’t take well , to
being treated like an outcast .
Especially not on the land of my
forefathers . I came here to look
for my aunt , and not to fight
anyone . But upon my arrival , I
heard of what has happened .
And the ancestor in me , just
took over . There’ll be no
commoner sitting on my great
grandfather’s throne , and
ruling the land of my forefathers
. I am reclaiming that throne ,
and claiming back this kingdom
. Unfortunately , it happened
this way . Even though it was
not my intention , I did not
appreciate being spoken to like
that . We could have talked ,
and resolved this matter in an
amicable manner . But I was
clearly not welcomed , and Isilo
acted . I take full responsibility
of my actions, he is me and I am
him . I didn’t do anything to
stop him , when he came out I
let him be . So what he does
implicates me , and I accept that
King Hawu : I am not

questioning you
He takes a deep breath
King Hawu : are you saying , Isilo

has imparted a descendant of
Luthando ? I mean , I don’t
understand . Because from what
I know , none of the brothers
were worthy . Even Lumkile was
stripped of his power , and of
his position as the heir to the
throne . And he lost the Isilo in
him
Isilo : I don’t know what to tell
you , ever since I was five years .
I knew to have been one with
the jaguar , and besides that me
there’s no other me I know . He
is me , and I am him
Queen Nomhle : the God’s have

heard my plea , I thank you .
And now I can finally rest
They look at her

She smiles looking at Isilo
Who’s light green eyes glisten

with tears
King Hawu : what ….
He holds his wife arm
As she takes her last breath with

a smile on her face
He looks down
And Rain rushes over to the

queen
Rain : my queen ….
She tries shaking her
But even she knows , she’s no

more
Isilo : I am sorry for your loss
He gets up and walks out
As the door shuts a loud

thunder rumbles
And heavy footsteps are heard

outside the door
Thongalethu opens his eyes

And sits up
He looks at King Hawu
And feels his breaking heart

emotion
Thonga : I am sorry my king
Rain looks at her husband

He looks like himself
And he looks well
She runs to him and breaks

down in a cry , while he cradles
her into her arms . Her
emotions overwhelming him
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 08*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
The news of the death of the
queen
Has gone as far as neighbouring

kingdoms
The villagers are mourning her

death
Thongalethu has been by the

king’s side
Even though he seems to be
holding strong
The kingdom feels and seems to

be in shambles
The arrival of Isilo
Who claims to be heir to the

throne
And carries the greatest
ancestor of the Xaluva bloodline
The death that occurred in the

kingdom’s throne room
The death of the queen who

held this kingdom
And it’s people down at their

lowest
But the king seems to be taking
everything well
Thonga : it’s okay to be hurting
The king looks at him
King Hawu : it hurts , I cannot

deny that . And I will not
pretend either , but I also
cannot ignore the fact that she
was in pain . She was hurting ,
and now she’s at peace . I
couldn’t even help her , no one
could
He lets out a fade smile
King Hawu : so it’s okay , as

much as I am hurt . But I also
know she’s okay now
Thonga : you’re a stronger man

than I ever could be , Rain is my
whole world . I don’t know what
I would become without her
King Hawu : I loved my wife ,

and I still love her . We have
been through so much together
, and have seen enough . I don’t
want to hold her spirit back , I
want her to rest . Be with her
ancestors , and find peace . I
don’t want her , to linger
around because I am hurting
and crying . I will always love
her , and no woman will ever
come close to her . But our time
together in flesh , has come to
pass . I am letting her spirit rest
, so she can continue to watch
over our kids . And be their
angel , and guide them . I lost a
wife in flesh , but gained a guide
in spirit . But if I hold on to the
pain , I will hold her back . She
will not move past this life , she
will not find her family kraal .
And shd will be a roaming spirit
, I don’t want that for her . She
suffered enough on this world ,
at least she deserves some
peace in the next . I want her to
look back , and see us trying this
life thing without her . And
trying to find meaning again ,
not struggling and calling on her
to help us move on
Thonga : I applaud you for this ,

indeed you’re a great king
King Hawu smiles with a chuckle
King Hawu : you forget , I am no

longer king
Thonga : in my eyes , you will

forever be my king
They laugh
Thonga : it’s good to see you

laugh , and I am sorry to bring
this . But what do you think
about this Isilo ?
King Hawu : you would know

better than me
Thonga : I won’t say he is a liar ,

I feel empty and alone . I know ,
Isilo’s powers have left me and
I’m just a mundane now . And
he is the cause of it all
King Hawu : then , we let things
be . And we be with him if need
be , and support him . This guy’s
arrival here , feels like the
miracle my wife had been
waiting for . And she left us
knowing , that this land will be
taken care of
Thongalethu nods , just as Isilo

walks to them
He excuses himself , leaving
King Hawu with Isilo
Isilo : I am sorry for your loss ,

once again
King Hawu : you would have

loved your aunt , she was not
just an amazing queen but she
was one special human being
Isilo : I don’t doubt that , and I
am sorry that my arrival brought
upon her departure
King Hawu : it was ought to be ,

at least she left in peace and it’s
all because of you
Isilo : I will make her proud , and

I will serve her people and this
kingdom . I will put everyone
before me , and do what’s best
for this land and not me
King Hawu : that’s what a great
king does
King Hawu heaves a sigh
He came into this throne

through marriage
And he doesn’t hold that much

power
Especially because his wife dies
And they were already not in

power for many years
He doesn’t know how to go

about this
King Hawu : with this funeral

lingering over us , I don’t know
how we crown you
Isilo : do not worry , all is taken
care of
The king decides to keep quite
And not question further
As he does not know what Isilo

speaks of
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
Queen : what has happened is
very painful , I cannot imagine
the pain King Hawu is in

King : Hawu was no longer king ,
and now I don’t know what
becomes of that kingdom
Queen : but he will always be

king to everyone who deemed
him one
King : we will have to pay our

respects
Queen : you have been
speaking about Mapula taking
more responsibilities , I think
this is the time. Let her go and
represent us
King : is she ready for such ?
Queen : it’s just a funeral of the

queen , this is how we know she
is ready for more
responsibilities by giving her
one
The king nods
But at the back of his mind , not

certain
Queen : she will leave tomorrow

morning , and I think one
maiden will be enough
King : shouldn’t we give her a

few days to digest this ?
The queen smiles
Queen : I swear , it sounds like

you’re backing out of your own
words . You wanted her to grow
up and show it , this is it . Don’t
go all soft now , the opportunity
has presented itself . This is how
we will get to build relations
with other kingdoms , and build
alliances . We need to get her
out there
The king chuckles
Maybe deep in the deepest of

his hearts
He knows he is not ready to let

go of his princess
He just doesn’t want to admit

the soft spot he has for her
He has her father’s daughter
and exposing her out there ,
means letting other kingdoms
see her
And that could lead to them

asking for her hand in marriage ,
he is not ready for that
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I had my helper take a day off
So I can clean my own hut
I want my parents to see , I can

be responsible
I have to see Mohau later on
So I have to be done , before

the sun goes down
My mother walks in
While I am still busy cleaning
She greets , I greet her back
And she looks around the hut
I don’t know if she is impressed

or not , because she doesn’t say
anything
Mom : please , come take a seat
I take a deep breath and sit

down
Mom : the queen of Isilo

kingdom has fallen , and you’re
going there tomorrow to
represent the Mapulana
kingdom
I look at her in shock

Because why would they send
me ?
It doesn’t make sense at all
Isilo is a very respected kingdom

, all of our lands know of it
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 09*
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
*MAPULA*
I look at my mother
Clearly still in shock
Me : why send me ?
Mom : you’re our princess
Me : yes , but wouldn’t you

want to go there yourselves ?
Mom : we’re sending you

I want to say more
But it’s clear , she wasn’t asking
But rather informing me
And I am scared
I have never left our kingdom ,

to other kingdoms
Even if to represent us
anywhere
What do I do or say when I get

there ?
And from what I have heard ,

about that kingdom
I really don’t think I desire to go

there
I am scared more than anything
I heard they have creatures ,

that possess people’s bodies
In Lesotho , we have never seen

nor heard of such
Unless it is done through

witchcraft
Or family rituals
Where they strengthen boy
children
So they don’t get easily

bewitched by women
What if I stumble upon a

creature there ?
What do I do ?
I don’t think this is safe
But I don’t want to say anything

more
Nothing I say will change my

parents minds
Clearly they spoke and agreed

on this
So who am I ?
Mom : you leave tomorrow ,
maid and a guard will
accompany you
The fear in me , doesn’t allow

me to say anything else
Or to ask anything
Mom : you’re growing now , and

this is also a way to build
relations with other kingdoms .
And have alliances , one day you
will be queen . And you start
now , to do your duties
I don’t want to be queen
Yes , I love my kingdom
And I love my people
But being queen …

I don’t want that kind of heavy ,
responsibility on my shoulders
ever
Having to have people depend

on you for their livelihood
I do not have the strength for

that
Nor do I think I’m capable

I should just say , being royalty
it’s not all glamorous
About having maid and guards
Having people run after you
Sometimes I do wish , I was like

any other normal person
No royal blood in me
Just a normal girl with no duties
and responsibilities
That need you to compromise

yourself , for the greater good
Of the people and the kingdom

.
.
.
.
*ISILO KINGDOM*
Isilo looks at the elders
And the fear in their eyes is

evident
And only a few of them came
Clearly , most are scared to be

in his presence
Isilo : I came here with respect ,

and with no intent to disrespect
anyone . In an amicable manner
, and with no intentions
whatsoever . Now the person I
came here for is gone , and that
leaves this thrown vacant . I am
of Isilo , and a Xaluva . And with
that being said , I will sit on this
throne . And reclaim back my
forefathers land
The silence is too loud

For one to hear their own
heartbeat beating
Isilo : I guess with no objection ,

the crowning will go ahead .
And we shall lay the queen to
rest in a few days , after the
crowning . The royals will arrive
tonight , and tomorrow morning
Isilo shall grace them
He gets up
Isilo : that will be all thank you
He walks out of the throne

room
Elder 1 : are we really going to

let this happen ?
Elder 3 : what’s has one ever

heard of a king crowning itself ?
Without the council and elders
deciding on it
Elder 2 : this is ridiculous , and I

will not be a part of this
Elder 1 : but we’re also here ,

because we don’t want to feel
the wrath of this boy
Elder 3 : yes , but do we stand

for this ?
Elder 1 : I shall go with whatever
goes
Elder 2 : the Xaluva’s have had

their time , and they are no
good to this land . Why do we
allow one of them again to rule
us ?
Elder 1 : how do you go against

a jaguar ? You saw that yourself
, that boy is not human he is an
animal . I still have a family to
live for , and I do not want to
die like Ngidi did
He gets up and walks out , while

the two follow behind him .
Shaking their heads
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
*MAPULA*
After telling Mohau what my
mother said
He doesn’t seem happy
He has been quite all along
And I don’t know why
Me : are you okay ?
I ask him , a bit concerned

Mohau : you’re a princess , I
think the reality that you and I
will never be has come to pass
Me : what ?
I ask him with shock
Mohau : you’re visiting another

kingdom , there will be other
royals there . And you’re a
beautiful woman without a
doubt , someone will be
attracted to you there
Me : are you breaking up with

me ?
Mohau : I am just saying , that

maybe it’s time to accept our
fate together . It’s not like your
parents would ever accept our
relationship
Me : do you love me ?
He looks at me
Me : do you love me ?
He heaves a sigh
And I see the hesitation in his

eyes
Something that has never
happened before
I don’t want to lie
It leaves a bitter feeling in my

mouth
Mohau : I love you , but ..
Me : the but erases everything

else you said before it
Mohau : please understand
I get up
Me : there is absolutely nothing

to understand , you’re clearly
confused right now . And maybe
your commoner insecurities are
fooling with you , and you’re
giving them power . I will not
help you in this dilemma of
yours , now I am going home
and pack for my trip . When I
come back , tell me that you still
feel the same . And I’ll leave you
alone
I turn and walk out
Is this how breakups really work

?
I just feel like he is scared

He thinks some snob of a prince
will swoop me off my feet
And I do not see that happening
I am coming back , and I will still

be his
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 10*
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The queen looks at the king
He seems to be down for some

reason
And she knows it’s about the

princess
One thing she knows is that

they cannot shield her forever
At some point she will have to
leave this kingdom
Build her own
And she cannot live here for the

rest of their lives
As much as she’s their gift from

the gods
They know at some point , they
have to let her go
And maybe this is that point
Queen : what seems to be

weighing down your thoughts ?
She takes a seat down on the

mat next to him
King : do you really think she is
ready for this ?
She lets out a smile
Seeing how much he is not

ready to let go
But she knows it has to be done
Queen : she will never know

how to stand up for herself , if
at every chance we take duties
for her
King : but what if she is not

ready ?
Queen : then she will learn on

the way , and it’s not like we’re
asking her to go seal a deal . It’s
just attending the funeral
King : word says , there’s a new
king to be crowned
Queen : then she’s going on our

behalf , no one will task her to
do anything there
The king nods with a sigh
Maybe his wife is right

But when it comes to his
daughter
He thinks as a father
And not as king
He finds it hard to do that

.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I am all packed and ready to
leave
It’s sad , that I will leave without

seeing Mohau
Or even talking to him
But he needs this space
So he can think clearly

I don’t know what I’m hoping to
achieve
I can just accept this break up

and move on
But I’m hoping he will be okay
As soon as he sees me back
And I am not bethroed to

anyone
I am certainly not looking for
prince charming
Royals are nothing but weak
And just spoilt brats
Who have been spoon-fed their

whole lives
Living lavish
At the expense of their parents
Given tittles from birth
Not knowing anything about the

real world
Cooped in their palaces
Who wants a weak husband ?

Just because he is a prince
And if it were to happen
That he is stripped away of that

title
He will be absolutely lost
Not knowing who he is without

being a prince
That is definitely not my kind of
man
Just a few days away from home
That surely won’t be so bad
As much as I’ve never had much

interaction with royals
Except when we have

something in our kingdom
But surely I will be fine
My mother walks in
I haven’t seen my father all

morning
Mom : all seems well
I flash her a smile

Me : yes , we are ready to leave
Mom : represent us well
I don’t even know what’s

expected of me there
Me : I will
Mom : your father wanted to

see you off , but he had a case
of cow theft he had to attend to
I nod
I bet he could have just sent

someone on his behalf
Knowing my father , his heart is

weary of letting me off on my
own
That man is after my own heart

He cares for me like no other
Me : we will be on our way then
I bid my mother goodbye , as

we leave
I am nervous , I won’t lie
I don’t know what awaits me

there
I don’t have much experience
And I don’t think , I have been

properly introduced
On how to hold myself in the

midst of other royals
All my life , it has been different
In my kingdom , I am the royal

And everyone knows how to act
in front of me
And that’s because they are not

royals
Now this is a first
And things are done differently

in every kingdom
There’s rules and regulations

Every kingdom is different to
another
And how they conduct

themselves isn’t the same
I am not very much clued on

Isilo Kingdom
Except what we hear or TV and

what we read on papers
But I know for certain , it’s one
of a kingdom
One that holds totems and spirit

animals
Something I don’t think my

kingdom has
Or maybe I am just not aware

We’re just people of the rain
That’s just us
And well , there’s nothing much

to say about us that can shock
anyone
I hear the Isilo healer is not just

your ordinary healer
Like the one we have

Who just minds the royal house
And passes messages from

ancestors
Also healing our people
But it is said that the Isilo healer

, also holds the great animal
spirit of their ancestral . Their
great ancestor
And as if that’s not enough
He is also married to a rain

queen
And I only thought we had

those only here in Lesotho
And by that I mean , in the

olden days of our forefathers
Not now
I have heard things not humanly

possible about that place
So maybe royals are overlooked

there
Just because it’s a powerful

nation
And so we ought to bow

I don’t know
I shall see , when we get there
Hopefully , I make my parents

proud . And instil their trust in
me
.
.
.
.
*ISILO KINGDOM*
As maids run around inside the
palace walls
Preparing for the coronation of

the new king
And the arrival of royals , who

some of have already arrived
While some are arriving
And others are still yet to come

Outside the palace gate
Villagers pour in numbers
As they bring all sorts of gifts
Paying their respect to the fallen

queen
And showing love

It is clear they’re mourning their
loss
Despite what occurred in this

kingdom
Some of her people , they still

adored queen Nomhle
And clearly , she was still their

queen . And took her fall as one
, as they pay their respects
Isilo has requested that King
Hawu graces him with his
presence
And as his car , parks by the

palace gates
Stunned by what he sees , the

people bow their heads in
respect
The gates open for him
And he drives through
Not knowing what to make of

what he just saw
Should he rejoice?
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 11*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
Isilo : I am very sorry , about
what’s happening there at the
gate . Maybe I should have
asked you how you feel about
that , but I also didn’t know
what to say . I don’t think I was
asked , but rather told by the
people
Isilo says to King Hawu
King Hawu : I see

Isilo : I can always have that
removed
King Hawu : no , no there’s no

need . They may have denied
her , when she needed her
people the most . But at least
now , they honour her . Even
though it’s in death
Isilo looks down

He has never come across
He doesn’t know what to say ,

to a man who seems to have
lost his whole life
A man who seems like his whole

existence is none
Isilo : I …we can let them be ,

maybe it’s what she would like
King Hawu : you can speak of
her in the past , I need to
understand that she’s gone .
More than I need to accept , I
need to understand
Isilo nods
In his heart , he doesn’t help

but blame himself for the death
of the queen
If he had not come here
Then maybe the queen would

still be alive
Of course , he can’t say all of

that to anyone
He hopes , he can be able to

accept this death
And trust that , in whatever we
do
And no matter what happens
The ways of the Gods are for

our greater good , at all times
even if we don’t always know
.
.
.
.
*IN THE PALACE*
Royals arrive in their most
And by now , almost everyone

that is expected is here
And the evening of the

coronation is getting nearby
It’s nearly afternoon now
Preparations are almost done

King Hawu walks in the throne
room
And finds Isilo on his own
King Hawu : do you have a

minute ?
Isilo looks at him
Isilo : my king …
King Hawu : you can actually
stop addressing me as king , I
haven’t been a king in almost
twenty years
Isilo smiles
Isilo : until I sit on this throne ,

and I am declared King . You will
always be king , you did not
appoint yourself as one . You
were appointed by Isilo himself ,
I am not king yet . And that
makes you one still , that hasn’t
changed
He walks over to him
Isilo : everything is almost done

here , and everyone is almost
here . Tomorrow , we will lay
the queen to rest in the manner
in which she deserves
King Hawu : thank you

Isilo : is there a matter ?
King Hawu : no , I do not want

to stand in your way anyhow .
So I …
Isilo : no , no please stay . My

aunt is not here , I’ll rather I
have you
King Hawu looks at him

For the first time really , ever
since Isilo arrived here
He is seeing a humanly side to

him
That he never thought he had
And that touches him
As hard and cold as he is

He is still a young boy on his
way
And no man is an island
King Hawu : because you insist
Isilo : please , I do
He heaves a sigh
King Hawu : what’s wrong ?
Isilo : all this is making me see

how alone I am , and coming
here I really thought I will find a
home . Have a family , people
that are my own
King Hawu : I ….don’t you have

any siblings ?
Isilo : no , I don’t
He turns his eyes away from
King Hawu
King Hawu : Isilo is your home ,

and your aunt might not be
here anymore . But I am here ,
and so are your cousin’s
He walks over slightly to him ,

and taps his shoulders in a
comforting manner
Isilo :thank you my king I will
see you tonight , I still need to
see Thongalethu . So he can
prepare for Isilo
King Hawu : alright
King Hawu walks out
Leaving Isilo alone

He walks around the throne
room
This is the day that he has been

patiently anticipating
For as long as he can remember

, it has finally come
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
It’s one thing to read about this
place
And hear about it , from people
Yet it’s another to see it
With your own eyes
Wow ! I am out of words to be

honest
I don’t even think words can
describe this place
It’s majestic
It feels magical and it’s a

something I’ve never seen
before
Like it’s beauty cannot be

overshadowed by what is of
present
One with an eye and can see
They’ll say nothing but sing

praises of this place
I am gawked !!
I thought my country was

beautiful
I hadn’t seen anything

I never thought there’s such
places on this earth
Maybe in a storytelling book yes
But not real
I’m one of the few royals to

arrive
And we are welcomed well

The palace is beautiful
And so is everything about this

place
We are led to the throne room
Where I believe the ceremony

will be taking place
I only heard about it

I have never seen a king being
ordained
Especially one from a place as

this
I am sure , I am yet to be
amazed
I am escorted to my table
My nerves are all over the place
I hope I get through this night

and the queen’s funeral
tomorrow
I take a seat as a lady sits next to

me
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 12*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
*MAPULA*
What do I do ?
Do I greet her or say nothing ?
Her : your majesty
She bows her head a bit with a

smile
What do I do ?
I smile back with a slight smile

Her : I am Rain
Could it be ?
Me : queen Rain of …
She slightly laughs
Rain : please just call me Rain

,it’s okay really
Me : well then , just Mapula will
do
We laugh
Rain : royalties and formalities

put of the way
Me : definitely
I take a deep breath , feeling a

bit of relief
At least it wasn’t a bad start
And it isn’t as awkward as I

thought it would be
Hopefully this evening goes well
And tomorrow , after the

queen’s funeral I will be on my
way
I don’t understand any of this
How is it a king is crowned
Before the funeral of a queen ?
Shouldn’t there have been a

funeral first ?
Then the coronation
But hey …
What can we say ?
We don’t all do things the same
So maybe this is how they’re

done here , we just have to wait
and see
.
.
.
.
Rain is really just a nice person
She has been keeping me

company
While we await the new king
I have seen King Hawu a bit
He is still addressed as king , but

there’s a new king
I don’t get anything happening
here
Silence follows as the royal

healer walks in
Chanting his incantations
With smoke coming from a

small clay dish
Everyone is watching
I am just waiting in anticipation
I have heard things about this

kingdom
And I am eager to see what’s

going to happen here
He goes around the throne ,

and sprinkle something
The doors open
And I see the change of weather

outside
I look at Rain
Me : it was literally hot when we

arrived , I didn’t even bring
anything warm
She smiles
Rain : it will pass , I believe .
Strange things happen here ,
and I thought I knew them all .
Considering who I am and
where I come from
Oh yes , she is the rain queen
That’s something else to be , in

this day and age
Thunder rumbles
I have never heard of this much

rumble
And what follows , a howl of

wild animals
Roaring and groaning
I am scared , I want to run out

of here
But everyone is just seated
Like what is happening is

normal
Rain : it’s okay , don’t fear
She takes my hand
I take a deep breath

And what walks through the
door , wasn’t what I expected
A whole Jaguar walks in
I literally move back from my

chair
But Rain holds me
Rain : it’s okay

I am shaking everywhere
The royal healer approaches it
And I turn away
I cannot look anymore
I do not want to see people

playing with danger
And die
What if this animal kills him ?
And why is there an animal here

?
In the midst of so many people
I lift my head up when I hear

ululations
And praises
The man is clothed in jaguar
print
Is it ?
Or that is printed on his flesh ?
Me : is that a …
Rain : the imprint of Isilo

Me : Isilo as in the jaguar ?
Rain : yes
Wow !
I am astonished
As he is led to the throne
And is crowned by the healer

Praises go around the throne
room
And I am still looking around for

that jaguar
But it’s nowhere in sight
I don’t even know when it

walked out
Or when the new king walked in
I am only human
And it’s only right , to have fear
Rain : he is Isilo , the new king
Me : Isilo the jaguar or that’s his

name ?
Rain : both
I pop my eyes in shock
Me : you mean he is …
Rain : yes
In what sense does this make

sense ?
Or even humanly possible ?

And we are just in the presence
of someone who can turn into a
dangerous animal
And people are cheering like

everything is normal
And it’s a day like any
Rain : come , let me go

introduce you
I look at her like she’s insane
She laughs
Rain : come , he won’t eat you .

Unless you let him
I frown and get what she says
Me : euwww !.
We laugh
She takes my hand and we walk
over to where this King Isilo is at
I don’t think I want to be in his

presence
Never mind being near him
And why are we even going to

him ?
What do I say to him ?
Congratulations to being a king

?
Or do I just keep my mouth shut

and say absolutely nothing , as I
have nothing to say
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I look at Rain and the Mapulana
Princess approach
I excuse myself from Hawu
Rain greets , and I greet her

back
Rain : I …we just wanted to

congratulate you
She looks at the princess

Who is clearly very scared
And just want to be very far

from me
Her fear is very much evident
Me : thank you
I look at her
Me : thank you for honouring
the invite on your kingdoms
behalf
She shyly smiles
Me : Isilo Xaluva , I don’t believe

we have properly met
I hold my hand out
Reluctantly she takes it

Her : Mapula Rapulana
Me : the pleasure is all mine , I

hope to see you when we lay
our fallen queen tomorrow
Mapula : that is why I am here
Me : great
I look at Rain
Me : my queen , please excuse
me
She slightly bows , I walk away

from them with a chuckle .
Stealing a glance at the princess
, and she quickly drops her eyes
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 13*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
It is a very dull morning for the
kingdom
Hawu is in his sorrows
That he doesn’t know what will

happen to him now
How does he move on without

her ?
How his life will be

Will there even be any life
without the woman who kept
him , for so many years
She was his sanity in moments

of madness
And now she is gone
He is left all alone , without her

He doesn’t know where to from
here
Or what he is meant to do
He cannot even face his children
He doesn’t know what to say to

them
He doesn’t know how to

comfort them
Should he tell them that
everything will be okay ?
Even when he himself , needs to

hear those words
Without Nomhle he is weak
And he doesn’t have his

strength
The kingdom is filled with
people
That he shouldn’t be feeling this

way
But he knows , when all is said

and done
He will be on his own
No one will be here

Everyone will go on with their
lives
While he is left to navigate his

own
He looks around and sees how

much his wife was loved
That even in death , her people

still mourn her
And they came to pay their last
respects
Watching as the coffin goes

down
It feels like the final

confirmation that his dear wife
is gone
She is gone …
And she’s never coming back
again
Reality hits him so hard
That for the first time since her

passing
He finds himself so emotional
That tears are burning his eyes

And if he could , he would fall
down and weep like a small
child
He is feeling the pain now with

a heavy heart , yet it feels so
empty
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I don’t think I’ve ever been to a
funeral all my life
Not even back at home
Even if a villager dies
My parents are always there
And I have to say , for the first

funeral I have attended
It is the most saddest thing a
person can ever attend
I am aware people are not

happy
And there’s nothing to rejoice

about
It’s a funeral after all
But damn !!
I don’t think there’s a single
person I saw
Who wasn’t sad somehow
It felt like we all knew Queen

Nomhle
Like we spent time with her

And the way her people spoke
so nicely about her
I swear , she was an angel

walking on earth
It broke me seeing her husband

looking lost
He was just so out of place

And I couldn’t even look at her
kids
The way the last born wept
It was so heartbreaking
I found myself crying
And I couldn’t stand it anymore
So I left and came to my car

I am just waiting for them to be
done
And head back to the palace
The day already feels like it’s

been a long one
I am startled by a knock on the

window
I lift my eyes and it’s King Isilo
Me : my king…
Isilo : Isilo will do just fine
What is it with people not

wanting to be addressed with
their tittles ?
Isilo : are you okay ? I saw you
leaving , and thought I should
come check on you
How nice of him
Me : I am okay , just that

funerals are sad
Isilo : indeed
Me : I am truly sorry for your
loss , it seems and sounded like
your aunt was truly a great
person
Isilo : yeah , I hear . I so wish I

knew her , had enough time to
meet her under different
circumstances
I frown in confusion
He notices that and chuckles
Isilo : I will tell you all about it

someday
Oh , so there is something to
tell there
Me : we will meet … again ?
He chuckles
And I notice he does that a lot
Instead of showing a smile
He just chuckles
Isilo : definitely , I shall hope so
I find myself smiling at that
And quickly reprimands myself

What am I smiling about ?
Just yesterday I was scared of

this man
And now here I am , smiling

with him
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Everyone has left the royal
burial place
I decided to stay behind
And I am looking at all these

graves
Sorrow fills my heart
How it seems like I am left alone

All of my linage is laying on this
ground
I am standing by her grave
And for some reason
I find myself hurting
Even though I didn’t know her

much
That I met her on her last day
on earth
I guess what hurts the most , is

that she’s the reason I came
here
She’s the reason I came looking

for this place
Because I wanted to meet her

I wanted to have a family
And now she’s gone
Without even having a single

conversation with her
And now I will never have that

moment ever again
I kneel down taking a deep

breath
Me : I wish I had come sooner ,
and I didn’t wait for this long .
Only to find out , I came too late
. You didn’t wait , as soon as you
saw me you saw a way out . I
am angry because I still needed
you , and I came here because
of you . Because I wanted you , I
wanted to know you . I wanted
to have you in my life , to be a
part of your life . I didn’t come
here for the throne or anything
else , I came for you and now
you’re gone . You see how
everyone has ended here , and
I’m left with cousins that I don’t
even know . I am but a child ,
and I still need guidance . So
don’t sleep and sleep forever ,
always turn back and remember
that I’m still behind . Give me
strength and guidance , to make
you all proud . And raise the
land of our forefathers again , to
continue where you left off with
greatness . I don’t know
anything about this life , I am
about to fill shoes I have never
stepped on . So I ask this from
you , to tell everyone to stand
with me and guide me
Closing my eyes briefly
I slowly get up
And I walk over to my father’s
grave
Me : I am back home , I hope

you can see that . And you’re
proud of me , for finding home .
I always said , I am not angry at
you . And I still say that , even
after so many years . I believe
you had a hand , in guiding me
home . Uncle Lumkile always
said , Isilo is a place that exists
and yet cannot be pointed or
directed where it is . One can
only be led to it . So thank you
for leading me back home
Xaluva
I move back slowly , and turn

walking out of the burial site
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 14*
*MAPULA*
I don’t even have an appetite to
eat anything
I am tired
Or maybe I am just feeling sad
This wasn’t a good day
I just want to sleep
Or just be left alone

A knock comes at the door
Rain let me use one of the

chamber’s
I will leave later on
Even though some of the royals

are already leaving
I open the door

She smiles , holding a plate in
hand
Rain : for you to have strength ,

you do need to eat
Me : I am not hungry
Rain : maybe now , but later .

There’s a food warmer in here ,
put it to good use
I laugh
Me : thank you
I take the plate from her
Rain : let me leave you to rest
She walks out , I close the door

locking it
I place the plate on the small
cupboard
And take my shoes off
I should shower first
But I am tired
I need to sleep first
Even if it’s for an hour or so

I get on the bed
And lay down closing my eyes
Hopefully sleep catches on with

me
I still need to call home
But I’ll do that later

Even if I call before we leave
Or after we have left it’s fine
Shocking how my parent’s still

haven’t called me even now
Aren’t they worried about me ?
Like if I am okay ?
Or I still live
After they sent me to the
Jaguars jungle
What kind of parents do I have ?
I shake my head , feeling the

sleep creeping in
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Hawu : do you have a minute ?
I look at him
Me : of course
He takes a seat next to me
Hawu : thank you for the decent

send off my wife received , she
was laid in respect
Me : no need to thank me , she
is family …was I mean
Hawu : it’s alright , I also used

the present tense until I
understood she is really gone
Me : this palace will always be

home to you , and your kids
Hawu : you’re too kind my king ,

and I thank you
Hawu : I am tired , and would

just like to head home and sleep
. It’s been quite a day
Me : I understand , I’ll have a

driver take you home
Hawu : no …no , I would like to

take a walk
Me : well then , I’ll walk with
you
He chuckles
Hawu : Isilo I am okay, you don’t

need to worry about me
Me : I’ll just put you half way

He sighs shaking his head
Hawu : fine
We both get up and walk out of

the palace
I tell security to turn back
It’s silence all the way

With neither of us saying
anything
To a point that he doesn’t even

tell me I’m half way
And I just keep on going
Until we reach his house
I walk him through the gate

Until we reach the door
Hawu : I am home now , you

saw I’m safe . So go back
I laugh shaking my head
Me : take care
Hawu : you too
I turn back
And walk to the palace
I wish he can move back to the

palace
The palace will be nothing but

empty
Once everyone has gone back

to their kingdom’s
I don’t know anyone around
here , someone who is close
enough to be a friend . Or
spend random time with
I’ll just have to put all of my

energy into working for the
people
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I wake up from my nap
And by the way the lights have

lit up the room
I can tell it’s late
I sure dozed off
I must have been really tired , to

sleep for so long
And now I am famished
I can literally finish the plate

Rain brought me
I should get up and warm it
Oh snap !!
I should be on my way back

home by now
Where is my guard and the
maiden ?
I quickly get up and rush to the

bathroom
I wash my face with cold water

to wake myself up
I dry my face with a face wash
And walk back to the bedroom

I put on my shoes and walk out
Bumping into someone …
And his masculine cologne

engulfs my nostrils
Me : I’m ….
I lift my eyes and it’s King Isilo

Me : I am sorry , I was rushing
out
Isilo : I see that , but where to ?
Me : Uhm …I was tired and fell

asleep , just woke up now and I
see it’s way too late . At this
hour , we should have long
been on our way back
Isilo : but your guard and
maiden are asleep
Me : what ?
Isilo : they wanted to wake you

up , but I asked that you be left
to rest
Me : why would you do that ?

Isilo : come on , you can still
leave tomorrow or in a few days
Me : Uhm ….all I came here for

was the queen’s funeral , it is
done
Isilo : and tomorrow , you will

leave . You can go back and rest
Going back and forth about this

won’t help anything
I turn back into the chamber
And turn looking at him
Me : you were coming in here

why ?
Isilo : just to check up on you
Me : mhm
That’s quite strange
I get inside and lock the door
I guess I should warm the food

and eat
Then retire for bed

.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 15*
*MAPULA*
It’s morning , a new day
And I honestly feel so much

better than yesterday afternoon
I am ready to head back home
And bid this place goodbye
I grab my phone and make a call
It’s been days now

Without calling home.
And worse , they haven’t called

me either
Makes me wonder what kind of

parents I have
Are they not bothered that I

haven’t been home
Or just to hear how I am doing
here
If all is well with me
The call gets answered
And it’s my mother who

answers the phone
Mom : how are you doing ?

Me : well , even though I feel
abounded
She laughs
Mom : and why is that ?
Me : Why is it that you and dad

haven’t called to check on me ?
Mom : is something wrong ?

Me : no , but you should at least
check on me
Mom : sweetheart , we didn’t

send you off on your own . And
if anything was wrong , your
guard or maiden would have
called . Like they called last
night , to say you’re tired and
won’t be making a trip back
home
Oh wow !
Me : fine !
Mom : don’t be grumpy , its way

too early for that you’re a
princess
Me : mother , I will see you

today
Mom : or you can stay for a few

day’s , see Isilo and …
Me : I came here for a funeral !
And it is done
What is wrong with my mother

?
For what reason would I want to

stay here more days
What exactly is she trying to say

?
Mom : well , I was just saying .
It’s not like you have a job or a
man back here waiting for you .
You can take your time there
Me : just wow !
Mom : anyways , I think it would

do you good to be away for a
while
Me : are you tired of me already
? That you had so much peace
without me there
Mom : don’t put words into my

mouth
Me : mother bye
I drop the call
Now my mood has dropped

I am not eager and excited to go
back home
So I can tell them about what

occurred here
It doesn’t sound like I am

missed
If it wasn’t going to sound and

look insane
For staying here more days
I would definitely do it
But why would I do that ?
I don’t even know these people

here
To want to act like a tourist

I should get up
And see what to do
Before we leave
I don’t think I want to leave this

early
Maybe midday will do
Or later on
After all , it’s not like anyone is
in a hurry for me
And then there’s Mohau back

home
Who broke up with me
And I don’t even know what his

mind is at right now
Is he still adamant that we break
up ?
Or maybe he has had a change

of heart
And that also makes me want to

avoid going back home
If I will still hear the words he

was on
And get up from the bed
It won’t do me any good to stay

in bed the whole morning
Just wrecking my mind

.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
*ISILO*
Thongalethu walks in
I down the glass of water
And look at him
We pass greetings
Me : you can take a seat
He sits down opposite me

And rubs his hands together
Thonga : my king , apologies to

disturb you this early
Me : what’s wrong ?
Thonga : nothing per se , I am

just asking for the morning off if
there’s nothing that needs or
requires my attention
Me : I don’t think there’s
anything
Thonga : thank you
Me : I don’t mean to be forward

, I know I am new here and I
don’t know much about anyone
here . But can you please check
on Hawu , if you get a chance or
happen to pass by his home
Thonga : I am actually going to
see him
Me : oh …
Thonga : I am not saying there’s

anything wrong with him , or
anything to be worried about .
But I just want to check on him ,
I know he is not at his best right
now
Me : understandable
Thonga : I will tell you how it

went , when I get back
Me : alright thanks , and please

let me know if he needs
anything
Thonga : I will
That man worries me
I am just hoping he is strong

enough to pull through
And find himself again
I know pain and loss

And no one can say , they’re
always the same after such
Everything changes about you ,

and how you view things
You lose a part of yourself
When you lose someone close

to your heart
Nothing is ever the same ever
again
You live with questions of why ,

and ask yourself if you could
have done anything
Its just a painful experience
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone to

be honest
If only death could be averted
But unfortunately , no one has

power over death
Except God
If he says it’s not your time yet
Then it’s not , and you

definitely won’t die
But when it’s his time and his
will
Then it surely comes to pass
And the unfortunate thing is

that
At most times , his will is

definitely painful
And we can’t change that

A helper walks in
And snaps me out of my

thoughts
Me : is the Mapulana Princess

awake ?
Her : her maiden has gone to

attend to her my king
Me : alright , please ask for her
to join me for breakfast in the
garden
Her : I will set up and ask for her
Me : thank you
I get up from the chair and walk

outside
Just looking around

And I see that not all is lost
I can still get this kingdom to its

former glory
And even more and better
I have to work hard for this land

to prosper
That means no time for self

I should make a mental note of
that , so that it doesn’t ever
leave my mind
And I keep up to my promise

and fulfil it , the way I intend to .
Hopefully it all works out
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 16*
*MAPULA*
I am shocked to hear that the
king has asked for me
To join him for breakfast
And in the garden at that
Like why is that ?
Maybe he wants to ask me

when I’m leaving
But yesterday he himself said ,
why am I in a hurry to leave
So it would be a shock for him it

ask me that
Especially if I am right
I don’t even know what to wear
As I didn’t bring a change of

clothes , for more than two days
Right now I am sitting on the
bed
Not knowing what to wear
I can’t rock up wearing pants
Because that’s what I have

packed
For when I return back home

And I was going to change along
the way
Not that I was going to leave the

palace dressed like that
I can’t wear any of the formal

dresses I have either
I don’t know what to do

This feels like a predicament
honestly
I don’t even know why the king

wants to have breakfast with
me
A knock comes at the door
Me : come in
Rain walks in
And she graces me with her
smile
Rain : good morning
Me : what is so good about it ?
Rain : come on , why are you

grumpy ? You’re having
breakfast with the king
Me : what ?
I pop my eyes in shock
Rain : did I ruin a surprise ?
Me : no , does the whole palace

know ?
She laughs
Rain : well …
She shrugs
Me : great , I don’t know what

to wear
Rain : that’s what making you

have a dull morning ? Come on.,
stop being silly . You could walk
out with a refusal bag , and Isilo
would still look at you with
grace
I shake my head with a smile
Rain : come on , I am sure we

can find you something in my
closet
I tie a robe and she takes my

hand
We walk over to her chamber

I hold her back and we stop
As we get close
Me : where is your husband ?
She smiles
Rain : he is out , don’t worry
That’s a relief
Where I am from healers are
respected
And you don’t just get friendly

with them
So I don’t want to waltz into his

chamber
Just because his wife has been

nice to me
I still hold what I know from
back home
Even if things are different

around here
I will treat the man with respect
And not get too friendly with

him
We walk inside their chamber
And it’s beautiful
Looks so big inside , that it is

specious . And even has a
kitchen
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I had my head down
But as soon as I could smell her

scent
I lifted my eyes up
And I have never seen anything

as stunning as she is
She looks breath taking

Definitely has taken my breath
away
I get up and pull a chair for her
As she greets and I greet her

back
Not taking my eyes off of her
We sit down
I clear throat
Listening to the beat of my

heart
I better grab a hold on myself
Me : you look very beautiful
She smiles
Mapula : thank you

Me : and thank you for
honouring my invite , I didn’t
think you would
Mapula : curiosity got the better

of me , and I couldn’t exactly
say no to the king
I let out a slight chuckle
Me : you could , it was a request

Mapula : yes , but like I said I
got curious . As to why
Me : well , maybe I just want to

spend time with you . Because
you seem to be in a hurry , to
be out of here . I figured maybe
this is the only chance , I’ll have
with you
She shyly looks down

Me : we can eat , before the
food gets cold . If you would
allow me , before you leave . I
would like to take a tour of this
land of my forefathers with you
She looks up
Her eyes lightening with a smile
Mapula : really ?
Me : yes , if you’re keen of
course
Mapula : I would love to
If only she wasn’t in such a

hurry to leave
Then I would get to have more

mornings
And maybe lunch times like this
Mapula : can I dish up for you ?
Me : please
I am capable
But it’s a sight seeing her do it
So much with precision

I am just admiring the sight in
front of me
And she keeps on stealing

glances at me
As she goes on to dish , small

portions of almost everything
on the table
Mapula : I hope it’s enough

She places the plate in front of
me
Me : more than enough , thank

you
She smiles taking a seat
Me : what ?
I ask with a chuckle

Mapula : you scare me to be
honest , but you’re so polite
Me : I’m what ?
I slightly let out a laugh
Mapula : polite
Me : what makes you say that ?

Mapula : you may be scary yes ,
but you’re not rude nor mean.
You always say please and thank
you , that’s always being polite
Me : mhm , and why do I scare

you ?
Mapula : you walked in the

throne room as a jaguar , and
well …you just don’t have a
friendly face
Me : I see , but here you are
having breakfast with me .
Clearly I’m not all bad
She smiles
Mapula : no , you’re not

.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
It’s been quite a morning
After breakfast , he asked that

we go for a tour
And it’s just been an amazing

walk
With no guards around us
Just us taking a walk around the

village
Seeing the kingdom
Meeting a few people around

the village
I understand now , why he

wanted to do this
He doesn’t know much about

this place either
He wasn’t raised here , so he
doesn’t know this place
He is new around here
So he wants to get to know his

people
And see his land
Get to know his kingdom

He is so fascinated by
everything we come across
And it’s actually cute to see
I am glad he asked me to come

with him , so I can have this
experience with him
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 17*
*MAPULA*
The walk with Isilo was exactly
what I needed
I am refreshed
As much as I am tired
And wish I can just nap
But I am hungry
I am just lazy to walk to the
palace
And grab something to eat
As for leaving , I should be

getting ready to leave right now
But I am so conflicted
I don’t know if I should leave

Or stay for a few days
Maybe it’s just me
But there’s just a certain way , I

find Isilo
And the way he just indulges me
I swear , I am feeling things

And I hope it’s not just me alone
I am hoping we both feel this
But I can’t outright ask him
He hasn’t said anything
And well , it’s not like we have

known each other for a while
It’s only been a few days

Spending time with him today
It felt like I am getting closer to

him
And I loved every second of it
Oh that man !
Not even Mohau has ever had

me feeling this way
But I know nothing about Isilo’s
love life
What if he has someone ?
He is a handsome man , that

much I cannot deny
And it’s highly rare that he is

single
Maybe he doesn’t even see me
that way
I am just thinking ahead
How silly of me !!
But I can’t help it
I snap out of my thoughts
By a knock on the door

Me : come in
Rain walks in
And she laughs
Me : what ?
Rain : word has it , you and the

king were seen roaming around
the village
I laugh
She walks in and sit down on

the couch
Rain : so ?
Me : what ?
Rain : I thought it was just

breakfast , what happened ?
Me : we just went for a walk ,
that’s all
Rain : oh say whatever you want

to believe
Me : and what do you believe ?
Rain : come on , our king is

taken
I pop my eyes
Me : like he is married ?
She laughs
Rain : no , by you
I laugh
Me : come on , he is a king
Rain : and you’re a princess
Me : don’t fill my head with

ideas , I am sure he doesn’t
even look at me like that
Rain : we will see , when are you

leaving ?
Me : Uhm …
I clear my throat
Me : maybe later
She laughs clapping her hands
I swear , it doesn’t feel like I am

talking to a queen
Rain : okay , I’ll see you

tomorrow morning
Me : I won’t …
I shake my head
She gets up
Rain : maybe you could ask our

beloved king to join you for
dinner
She winks and walks out

Me : what the fuck !!!
Mhm !
I pinch myself and lay down on

the bed
What the fuck is going on with

me ?
This is not good

I really need to get out of this
kingdom
And just go back home
Before I spiral out of control

here , over a man who’s way
above my league
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
And by the looks of things
He doesn’t look too good
It’s way late at night
And I would think he is asleep

by now
I don’t know what’s wrong

He takes a seat
And I can literally just sense his

energy
Me : what is wrong ?
Thonga : I am sorry to bother

you at this time my king
Me : there must be a reason

Thonga : it’s about uJola
I raise my brow
Me : is he okay ?
He shakes his head
And now I am getting worried , I

hope nothing happened to him
Thonga : not entirely
Me : just tell me what’s going

on
Thonga : I went to see him , like

I said I was
Me : yes
Thonga : when I got there , his

state wasn’t the best
Me : understandable , the man
just lost his wife . We cannot
expect him to be his best
Thonga : his kids are saying they

cannot stay in this place , this
kingdom holds nothing but bad
memories for them . From the
time their mother was
dethroned , and stripped away
of her throne tittle
Me : oh
I am a bit saddened by this
I thought they will want to stay
For the sake of their father
And that I would get to know

then
And just get to have family

The thought of having cousins
Thought I would have my own

brothers and sisters
Thonga : now , Bangani doesn’t

think he wants to stay here .
While his kids leave
Me : what ?
I did not expect this
Me : he wants to leave ?
Thonga : yes
I heave a heavy sigh
Thonga : by the look of things ,

it looks like he has made up his
mind . I tried to talk to him , but
he was adamant
I don’t know whether to say I

am disappointed or hurt
I don’t know how I’m feeling

right now
It just feels like what I came

here for is nothing , just
absolutely nothing
My aunt is gone
Her husband wants to leave
And her kids want nothing to do

with this place
So exactly what did I come here

for ?
If I’ll still be left all alone

With no one by my side
With no family
Just me alone , in the midst of

strangers
Who could change their backs

on me at any given time
What was the point ?

Thonga : I couldn’t sleep
without telling you
I nod
Me : thank you
I am left pounding on my
thoughts
Hawu owes me nothing
The man doesn’t even know me
So he can leave whenever he

wants to leave , nothing holds
him to this place
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 18*
*ISILO*
I barely even slept last night
I couldn’t sleep
No matter how much I tried
I just kept tossing and turning
That I ended up taking a walk in

the garden
Mind you , at midnight

My mind was just running
around
Filled with all sorts of thoughts
And I was doubting so many of

my decisions
That maybe I should have come

here
Maybe I shouldn’t have taken
this throne
That way , I would leave and

return back to where I come
from
Seeing that the person I came

here for is gone
And now her family wants
nothing to do with this place as
well
They’re leaving
I came here to not be alone
Thinking I’ll have a family
But boy …was I wrong

And now here I am
King to this kingdom
The people of this land are

looking at me
They want to see what I’ll do for

them
What change I will bring to this

place
Yet I’m in an inner battle with
myself
How do I even begin to rule

people
And be their leader
When my own life is sin such

shambles
To be honest , I am a mess
And so is my life
It feels like I have bit more than

I can chew
And now there’s no getting out

of this one
I can’t just walk away

Now I wish I didn’t know
anything
That Thongalethu didn’t tell me

what Hawu said
If he is adamant that , then who

am I to convince him otherwise
.
.
.
.
*RAPULANA KINGDOM*
The king walks in his hut
And finds the queen beading
He takes a seat on the bench
And she lifts her eyes looking at

him
Queen : what’s bothering you ?
King : it’s been days now

She sighs
Queen : she is fine , and she will

come back home
King : this is not how a princess

behaves
Queen : and you would know ?
She quickly regrets her words

And lowers her eyes
Queen : what I mean is , she is

okay . And she is taking time , to
learn about Isilo . When she is
ready to come back she will
King : she doesn’t know anyone

there , for what reason would
she even be interested in
learning about that kingdom ?
Queen : maybe she has made
friends
King : you are just happy for

your own reason , and that’s
okay . But I want my daughter
back home
Queen : we have to let her

spread her wings , so she can
find her place
He gets up from the bench
And stands on his feet
King : his place is right here with

her people , there’s no other . I
want my daughter back home
He walks out of the hut
The queen sighs

Taking a deep breath
If only her and the king were

seeing eye to eye about this
But he is so overprotective ,
that he can’t see beyond
Mapula being a child
She’s a young woman now

Who needs to go out there and
find her own home
They can’t keep her here

forever
If only the king understood , but

he has spoken
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I look at him
He is sitting near the garden
And seems to be lost in thought
He looks at me for a while in

silence
Isilo : you may take a seat
I want to decline
But I decide against that
And I sit down next to him
Isilo : it is a beautiful day today ,

and I just wanted to be out here
I nod with a smile
But my heart is heavy

And I look at him
I see sadness on his face
And maybe I will make it worse
That’s if he feels the same way
But then , I have to tell him
I just have to
Even though I don’t know how
to say it
Me : my mother called this

morning , my father is …
Isilo : I know you have to go

back home , even though I wish
you didn’t have to
I want to say , then let me not

But I can’t say that
I cannot disobey my father’s

orders
My mother might have been

the one to tell me
But I know it’s from him
Because she doesn’t care

whether I come back or not
Isilo : I hope this is not the last
day I see you
Me : no
And I wish he can smile more
Because I would love to see his

smile
Me : you seem very down today
, you mind talking about it ? I
would hate to leave you like this
He chuckles
Isilo : I don’t want to bother you

with my problems
Me : please , if you don’t mind

to talk . Then talk to me
Isilo : are you sure ?
Me : yes
Isilo : maybe it’s just nonsense
Me : but it’s not to you , and

you cannot look this dull over
nonsense
He sighs
Me : I will respect your decision
if you don’t want to talk
Isilo : I don’t care much to talk ,

but if it means I get to spend
the last few hours you have
here in my kingdom with you .
Then I will talk
I let out a slight laugh

Isilo : I want to take you
somewhere
Me : where ?
Isilo : you’ll see , I promise I

won’t delay you
Me : really ?
I don’t know if I trust him or not

Isilo : by the time you have to
leave , you will be back
Me : if your promise
He gets up
Isilo : a king’s word is his

promise
I let out a smile

He holds out his hand
I take it , and he stares into my

eyes as I stare into his
He clears his throat in that lost

moment , and we snap out of it
taking the walk
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 19*
*ISILO KINGDOM*
*ISILO*
I am holding her hand
I know this is safe
As much as I haven’t come here

physically
But I’ve been to this river , many

times
In so many ways and many

forms
I know no harm will come to her
Because she’s with me
And well , if what I feel for her

really is true
Then I know for certain she is

safe
She looks so astonished by the
beauty of this forest
As we walk through it
She looks around
And the smile on her face is just

heart capturing
She turns her head and looks at

me
Mapula : what is this place ?
Me : you’ll see
She doesn’t force it out of me
And we keep on walking
Until we get through the open

And I walk in first , taking her
hand after me
She gasps and pops her eyes in

shock and amazement
Mapula : wow !!
She lets go of my hand
And walks towards the river

She looks at me
Me : go on
Mapula : it’s safe ?
I nod
And she walks over slowly

And watch her , indulging in this
majestic place
Mapula : wow ! I have never

seen anything like this , is this
the Isilo river ?
Me : yes
Mapula : it’s amazing Isilo

I chuckle
I never thought I’ll see anyone ,

amazed by a place like this . It’s
quite a sight to see
I take off my shoes , and sit

down by the river shore
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
Wow !
I am lost for words
I have never seen anything like

this
I never even imagined that a

place like this exists
It’s beyond words

And it looks out of this world
It feels magical
And yet very sacred
And I ask myself if I am allowed

to even be in here ?
I mean , won’t it anger the

guardians or something ?
Isilo : come here
I turn and look at him
He looks so peaceful where he’s

sitting
I walk over to him
And sit down next to him
Me : am I allowed in here ?
Isilo : yeah
Me : okay , I just want to be sure
He chuckles
Isilo : if it makes you feel better ,

Isilo used to hate this river .
Until he and the Guardian made
a way , for each to be in each
other’s spaces
Me : that’s better
Isilo : I have been here before ,

but not in human form . And it’s
been quite a while
Yhoh !
Me : so …how does it feel ?

Isilo : it’s just water , I’m a
jaguar . I hate water really ,
unless if it’s to drink
I laugh at how he just casually

says he’s a jaguar
Me : I meant , when you

transform
Isilo : oh that !
Me : it’s okay , if you don’t want
to talk about it
Isilo : when you ask me

something , ask away . Don’t try
to spare my feelings , or think
that maybe I’ll be offended .
Maybe that’s your only and one
chance to ask me anything
Me : okay
Isilo : at first it was painful , I
always felt like my bones are
breaking . It was quite a painful
experience , and I didn’t
understand anything .
Sometimes I would wake up
middle of the night , and find
myself in the deep woods . It
was scary honestly , until I
understood what was
happening . But it took me quite
a few years , to be able to
control how he comes out
Me : you mean Isilo …the
ancestor ?
Isilo : yes , it is different with me

. Because I am him , and he is
me . We are one , there’s no
differenciating us . Unlike with
the others before me , who had
his powers and yes could
transform into him . But it came
in visitation , and he wasn’t one
with them . They could still be in
their human form , and Isilo
come to them in his form . With
me , I can’t separate him from
me . He can’t waltz in here now
, and you still see me here
Me : so you’re saying you’re the

jaguar and he is you like literally
?
Isilo : yes
Me : how did that happen ?
Isilo : our linage has fallen , this

kingdom had fallen into the
hands of just people . Who
doesn’t even know where it
comes from , or how it got to
where it is . And well , I guess I
was the sacrificial lamb to save
it . And he thought it best , to
come walk the earth in human
form. To fix things
Its how he talks about this
Like it’s something so

fascinating
And just something so normal
That is a norm to everyone
Like humans are used to , and

it’s all part of humanity
Like it’s not meant to be
something that’s scary
And something that’s very

unusual
Because it’s not everyday you

hear of such
Like , it makes one ask

themselves so many questions
about life
And just human nature in
general
Like how is it such things are

even possible ?
That we even walk the earth

with such beings
That this is their lives , and how

they were created
Does it not even contradict the
manner in which life is meant to
be , or supposed to be in
What God had created
And maybe what we humans

perceive as the creation of God
Its just a lot to be honest

I don’t even want to lie
Or act like it’s something so

usual
That we know , see or hear

about
Or something that we’re

familiar with
It’s somehow insane

That’s just how I see all of this
Had I not seen it with my own

eyes
I wouldn’t even believe half of it
Yes people are created and born

differently
People have gifts and all

But not to be an animal and a
human at the same time
This one is just unheard of
No matter how it can be said
Me : wow , I should be scared of

you
He chuckles
Isilo : don’t be , apart from
Thongalethu and his wife . And
well Hawu , you’re the only
person ever since I got here .
Who has been kind enough to
me , you offer me your time .
And I must say , I enjoy every
minute I spend with you . That I
wish it can last longer
I let out a smile

Maybe I am reading things
ahead
And it makes me feel

comfortable being around him
Despite knowing what I know

about him
And him being so open about it
Without holding back

Or even denying it
Or not admitting to it
Clearly he has accepted himself

and his differences
And he is okay with that
So who am I to even say

anything ?
Me : well , I ….I also enjoy
spending time with you
Isilo : I guess now I am sad , that

you’ll be leaving
Me : yeah well , the feeling is

mutual
There’s a moment of silence ,

it’s not awkward either
I just don’t know what he’s
thinking
Isilo : promise me that you will

be back , because it’ll get lonely
here . And I hear Hawu wants to
leave
Me : what ?
Isilo : yeah
He heaves a heavy sigh
I now understand why his spirit

is so down
He feels alone , like he has no

one
Isilo : his kids don’t want to stay

here , they want nothing to do
with this place
Me : I am sorry to hear that
The fade smiles , that he wears

carries a lot
Me : I promise I’ll be back
Isilo : that’s all I ask
Hopefully I keep up to my
promise
I know it wouldn’t hurt to see
him again
And spend time with him , like

this or more
I am hoping for that

.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 20*
*A FEW DAYS LATER*
*ISILO*
I have been delaying to see
Hawu
Thonga has gone to see him a

few times
And well , it seems like he is still

adamant on his decision
Two of his kids have already left
Without even seeing me

I swear , I am not crazy
His kids don’t like me
They don’t even want to know

me
Never mind to have a

relationship with me at all
That’s just evident

And I am sceptical to even make
means , to get close to then
Because I see where this water

is flowing
But today I decided to come see

him
I have been keeping myself busy

Trying to balance everything
here
Checking books and all
Also trying to see what can be

done to uplift the people of this
land
What can be done to create

more jobs for them
So they can be able to elevate
themselves and their lives
More so , as much as it’s my job

as a king
I just didn’t want to face Hawu
But now , I can’t keep avoiding it
Because he will leave

And that’s just that
Considering how busy I will be
I might just as well do it
I have organised meetings with

other kingdoms
To see how I can form relations

and alliances
Also on how I can be able to
make a living for my people
After checking the royal books
I can’t exactly say Isilo is rich at

the moment
The money alone is not even

enough to sustain me as king
Or half the royal staff

It’s a lot all at once
And Mapula is not even here to

keep me sane
I have been missing her
And I’ve only been able to talk

to her a few times
Only when it’s at night

And it’s never even for long
Her absence is definitely felt
How I wish , she was here
But yeah , it is what it is
Hawu : it’s nice to see you , I

have been meaning to come see
you
Me : mhm , I thought I’ll come
see you
Hawu : it’s nice of you
Me : how have you been ?
He sighs
Hawu : Thonga told me , that he

told you
Me : yes , he did
Hawu : I am sorry to do this ,

but without my wife and kids
here . I have nothing keeping
me at Isilo
I nod slowly
Hawu : I hope you understand ,

you’ll always have family with us
I wish I felt like that
But I don’t
Hawu : and don’t ever hesitate

to ask for anything , I will always
be here for you Isilo . No matter
how far I’ll be , it’s what your
aunt would have wanted
I wish she was here

Because she wouldn’t be
turning her back on me
And leaving me alone
In a kingdom with strangers
And leaving me to figure things

out on my own
But she’s not here

And I can’t say anything about
that to him
He owes me absolutely nothing
And is only family to me by her
Me : I understand , and I just

wish you all the best . As for me
, I will be fine . I’ll find my way
around everything
Hawu : I am not abandoning
you , and I hope you know that
Me : I understand
I don’t know what else to say
Maybe he also blames me for

his wife’s death
Its not like I am ignorant

I know if I didn’t come here ,
she would still be alive
Because she was holding on
And didn’t want to leave this

place in shambles
Me coming here , just made it

easy for her to give in and allow
death to take her
Knowing I’ll be here
And I will not sit in idle while

this place dies
So who knows what he thinks
I just have to accept things as

they are
And move on with my life

Even if it means I’ll be all alone
Maybe that’s just how life was

scripted down for me
I can’t change what is meant to

be
.
.
.
.
*THONGALETHU’S HUT*
Rain walks in
And sits down on the mat
Her husband looks at her
Thonga : is everything okay ?
She heaves a sigh
Rain : I should get back

He knew this would come
She has a kingdom to care for
And people that depend on

their queen
She was never going to stay

here for long
Thonga : when ?
Rain : tomorrow
Thonga : I understand , I wish I

can go with you . But I am
worried about Isilo
Rain : you can’t leave him alone

, I am also noticing how he is
isolating himself . I know he has
work , but I think he is
overdoing it . And that surely
can’t be good , not even for a
king . No matter how many
responsibilities he has
Thonga : no it’s not , and now

it’s worse that Hawu wants to
leave
Rain : stay my love , I

understand . Once he settles in ,
then you’ll come see us . I know
the kids miss you , but they also
understand the responsibilities
that you have towards this
kingdom
Thonga : I just have to find a

way to get closer to him , so he
doesn’t feel like he is alone . A
king is never alone , when he
has his people behind him. He
thinks we are strangers , and we
won’t care much for him . But
what’s a kingdom without a king
or his people ?
Rain : he is new at this , and he
is used to being alone . Right
now he feels abounded , but he
will be okay
Thonga : he is willing and eager

to work for these people , the
least we can do is be with him
Rain smiles
Thonga : what ?
Rain : I appreciate you , and
most importantly the person
you are
He laughs
Rain : you’re not princess

Mapula , but you will do
They laugh
Thonga : he better wife her
Rain : they’re in denial
Thonga : but it is …
He is disturbed by a knock on
the door
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 21*
*MAPULA*
Been a few days at home
And I feel sick to be honest
But not literally
I just miss Isilo
And that’s just that
Like , I miss his presence

I miss being next to him
Just hearing him talk
I even miss his hoarse voice
That literally annoyed me at

times
And I would ask myself

Like why he doesn’t speak like a
normal person ?
But then hearing his voice ,

would always evoke something
in me
And talking on the phone , it’s

not the same as being there
with him
If anything …
It just makes me miss him more
I just miss walking around with

him
Sharing a meal together
It was for a short while yes
But I sure do miss all of that

And seeing his so not friendly
face
Hearing his chuckle
Like ….yeah , I feel sick cause of

that
I haven’t left my hut much
Nor have I spoken to anyone

Not even going with the
maidens by the river
Or seen Mohau
He knows I am back
But we haven’t talked
Like , I don’t know where is his

state of mind
Or if he still says we are done
Or maybe he has had a change

of heart
Seeing that I am back home ,

and there’s no talks of marriage
whatsoever
Or that some royal people are

coming here for whatever , that
has to do with me
I didn’t speak much with my
parents either
I just told them , the trip was

well
The queen was laid to rest

respectfully
And the new king sits on his

throne
And that was just it
I am glad they didn’t also ask

me anything
About maybe anyone having an

interest in me
I swear , sometimes it feels like

my mother wants me gone and
married
I was certain before
That Mohau is the man for me
As much as he is a commoner
But I thought I loved him
Now , I am not so certain

anyone
There’s just something about
Isilo
That makes me feel like I

haven’t lived
And I wish I can explore that
But obviously I cannot do that

all by myself
It can’t be
If he doesn’t let me in
There’s not much I can say or do
I am interrupted by a knock
I get up and open the door
And it’s my father , I sigh in

relief letting him in
I’ll rather it’s him than my
mother
Yes , I am a daddy’s princess
And that’s fine , because he

allows me to be
Dad : good morning my princess
Me : good morning my king

He slightly slaps my shoulder
Dad : it’s dad to you
I laugh
He takes a seat by the small

couch
I sit down on my small single

bed
Me : I just woke up , don’t mind
my mess please . I’ll clean my
room
Dad : you do that a lot these

days
Me : yeah well , I believe I was

born with hands for a reason. I
hate having a helper clean my
room , almost everyday for me .
When I am perfectly capable
He smiles
Dad : that’s my girl
His silence tells me , he didn’t

just come into my room for no
reason
Me : are you okay ?
Dad : hey …
He chuckles shaking his head
Dad : who is the parent here ?
Me : I am still allowed to ask
Dad : yes you are , but I am

worried about you . So I can’t
exactly say I am fine
Me : worried about me ….why ?

Dad : you haven’t been yourself
, ever since you got back from
Isilo
Mhm !
Trust him to notice such
Me : I am fine
Dad : I didn’t say you’re not

Me : so then why are you
worried ?
Dad : because you’re always in

your room , if you’re not on
your phone half the time . We
don’t see you as much
Me : oh yeah …
I clear my throat
Me : maybe it’s just fatigue , it’ll
wear off surely in a few days
Dad : you promise , that there’s

nothing else ?
I nod
Dad : I am not convinced by a

nod
I laugh
Me : dad
Dad : yes I am not , but I’ll not

pressure you . If there’s
anything , and you feel like you
want to talk . You know I am
here for you , always and you
can tell me anything
Me : if there’s anything I will talk

Dad : it doesn’t have to be right
now , or tomorrow or even the
next day . Not even next week ,
or next month . It’s okay , take
your time and I’ll wait
He gets up
Dad : come eat
Me : yes
He walks out
And I ask myself if he maybe

knows something
Or is he hoping to hear
something
That maybe something

happened at Isilo , that he’s
ought to know about
Or maybe there’s nothing
He could just be a genuinely

concerned father
Or maybe my mother sent him

to fish
With that woman one would

never know
Her mind works in her own
world
I better leave this room and

stop with the sulking
It won’t bring Isilo here
And I have to see Mohau
I can’t leave things hanging like

this
I need to know what is what
So I can move on if it gets to

that
Or it has gotten to that
I can’t keep this false hope
Because even my own feelings

are no longer the same now
Something has changed
And I know things will never be

the same again , between us
Unless I keep on lying to myself ,

of which I don’t intend on
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 22*
*MAPULA*
I sit down on the rock
And wait for him to come
I asked to see him
It’s no use delaying this
The way I am feeling
I don’t even know what I’ll do or

say
If he were to say we should
continue dating
I mean , I am not certain I want

this anymore
I seem to be thinking more

about another man
More than I think about my own

boyfriend
I miss another man
And I would be lying if I said , I

have missed Mohau ever since
I’ve left
Or even when I came back
There was no void whatsoever
I look at him as he walks by

Looks like he wasn’t at work
today
He works by the crops field
I guess he didn’t go today
It was raining last night
That must be the reason

He walks over
And sits down on the rock
Mohau : my princess
I smile looking at him
Me : hey
Mohau : you look good

Me : thanks
There’s silence
Like he doesn’t know what to

say
I don’t know how to break the

ice either
This feels like we’re strangers

Maybe he feels exactly the
same way I feel
Me : so …how have you been ?
Mohau : good , I can’t complain
I nod slowly
Me : that’s good
Mohau : and you …how was
your trip ?
Me : nice , very nice . I didn’t

know it was that nice , to just
get out and see other places
Mohau : ah , all that matters is

that you were not bored
Me : no , I wasn’t
Mohau : that’s good
Me : yeah
The silence again
We should get this over and

done with
It’s no use being quite

Me : so …you meant what you
said ?
Mohau : I love you , but I also

know I have nothing to offer a
princess
Me : I was a princess when you

started dating me Mohau , so I
don’t know what you’re trying
to say
Mohau : I was delusional to
think I can build anything with
you , your father would never
approve of our relationship
Me : so , it is done
Mohau : it’s for the best
Me : okay , I wish you all the

best
I get off the rock
Me : bye
I walk away from him
Mohau : so just like that , you’ll

walk away ?

Me : you have made your
decision , I gave you time to
think . I can’t keep on forcing
you , to be with me when you
don’t see a future
Mohau : did you even love me ?
Me : I loved you , but I also

won’t force you to be in this
relationship . You think it’s best
we part ways , let’s do that .
And not make things hard
Mohau : you’re just walking
away way too easily
Me : what do you want me to

do ? Get on the ground and beg
you ? Well , I am sorry but I
can’t
I turn and walk way
At least this is done

And if anything happens
I will not feel bad , like maybe I

am betraying him
He will move on , and find

someone else
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The queen takes a seat down on
the grass mat
Next to the king
Queen : do you think she met

someone ?
King : what makes you think

that ?
The queen looks at him

Queen : the way she has been
acting
King : the child is just tired
Queen : tired for days ? No ways

, I hope she knows she’s a
princess . And she has to uphold
herself a certain way , hopefully
no one has entered your kraal
King : enough of this !
He raises his voice a bit
He cannot even begin to

imagine
That someone has slept with

her daughter
He just can’t think something

like that
He is having a hard time just
accepting that , someday she
will leave
King : we shouldn’t even be

talking about our daughter like
this
Queen : but we can’t deny that

she’s growing up
King : yes she is , and if there’s
something happening she will
tell us. And a prince wouldn’t
dare degrade my child like that
Queen : yes , but then she’s …
King : please , can we just stop

talking about this ?
Queen : okay , I am sorry . I

didn’t mean to upset you
King : let us let her be , when
she’s ready she won’t shut us
out
Queen : okay
She keeps quite , knowing this

weighs heavy on him
It doesn’t help , to push the

talks
Best she give them both time
And see how things unfold
But she can she the difference

in her daughter , something
definitely happened at Isilo
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I sit down
And Thongalethu walks in
He takes a seat next to one of

the elders
I would have wanted Hawu to

be here
But with how things are

I think it’s best I just leave him
out of things , that have to do
with this kingdom
I don’t believe he wants

anything to do with them either
Considering that he is leaving
Even a position as chief
He wouldn’t want that

I don’t think he would even
want to take it
So I didn’t inform him about this

council meeting
It’s just for the best to be

honest
It’s no use to even try and get

him involved in these things
Its time I take upon my duties
now
I wasn’t crowned king
To just wear the crown
Sit on the throne
And yet do nothing for the

people
Me : thank you all for coming
Some nod while others just

stare at me
I know they don’t like me much
Because of what happened ,

when I first got here
So it’s fine
Me : the reason for this meeting
, is because I want to start
working . And I have given
myself enough time , to check
how things have been handled
in the past years . Ever since the
fallen queen , was stripped off
the throne . And to say , I am
disappointed would be an
understatement . This kingdom
doesn’t have money , the funds
of the kingdom have been
misused . In such a way that ,
millions of Rand’s cannot be
accounted for . I will not dwell
on that , nor even seek to know
who is responsible . Because
then , I would make people pay .
I just want to move forward
swiftly , and see how I can
salvage what’s left of Isilo . Now
I am going to change this
council …
The whispers
Me : I am still talking
They quite down
Yet I can see they’re burning to

talk , and clearly they’re not
happy about my decision
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 23*
*ISILO*
Me : unfortunately , as much as
I respect all of you here . I don’t
care what you think , whether
you like what I say or not
Elder 1 : my king , no king has

ever ruled without a council
Me : I know that , I may be new

at this . But trust me , I know
enough . And I am releasing you
all , of your council duties . I will
assemble a new council , of you
and fresh minded people .
People who have plans , and
ideas to help elevate this
kingdom and it’s people .
Honestly , you’re all old . You
should be home , raising your
grandkids . And spending your
last days with your families , bit
making rules and decisions for a
whole kingdom
Elder 3 : we were appointed for

this
Me : true , by whoever needed
you . I don’t need you , and
thereof I am letting you go . Our
healer here , will be my advisor
and chief . He is not just a man ,
but he was chosen by the gods
and ancestors . He walks with
the spirit of the greats within
him , he is led . He is definitely
the right person , to hold these
positions . And he will be able to
guide us , and show us the way
I look at Thongalethu
I know I should have asked him

first
Maybe he doesn’t even want

this as well
Maybe he wants to leave
I don’t know
Because I have never asked him
If he still wants to hold his

position here
Me : you’re free to decline , if

maybe you ….
Thonga : my king , I will gladly

accept . It would be an honour
to serve besides you
That gives me some relief
Because right now , I don’t

know who’s for me and who is
not
So giving him a position without

talking to him first
Somehow kind of seemed

insane
Me : thank you
He gives a nod
And now I think I have him on

my side , that’s if he only said
yes not to embarrass me
.
.
.
.
The meetings is done
As much as we didn’t agree on

what I was saying
My word goes
And I will choose a better

council
Because these old people had

their time
And it’s over and done now
It’s time for new blood
For young people with ideas
Not old men who are stuck in

the past
Yet stealing money from the

people , they do so perfectly
It just annoys me
I head over to Thongalethu’s

chamber
I knock
He opens the door
Thonga : my king
Me : I hope I am not disturbing
Thonga : not at all , come in
I walk in
And he lets me have a seat
Me : I came to see , because I

felt we needed to talk
Thonga : okay
Me : about what happened with
the council
Thonga : they will get over your

decision
Me : I am not concerned about

that , it’s about me giving you
the chief and advisor positions
Thonga : yes
Me : I am sorry , I should have
talked to you first . And asked
you if you’re okay with that ,
before I just announced it to
everyone
Thonga : it must have been a

spur of the moment thing , and
if it ever comes that you change
your mind . I would completely
understand that , without any
bad blood . But also I meant
what I said , it would be an hour
to serve besides you .
Me : I hear you , now does this

mean you will stay ?
He smiles
Thonga : of course , I am here to

serve this kingdom and it’s
people . And well , my loyalty
lies on the throne , and
whoever sits on it . I came here
to stay , and I believe I was
chosen for a reason . So I
cannot and will not abounded
this kingdom and it’s people
Me : thank you , it …I don’t have

the words to thank you . To be
honest , I feel alone that I’m
about to tackle this all by myself
Thonga : I am here , whatever

you need . I know you just got
here , and you doing know
anyone . And it’s okay to feel
somehow , but just know you’re
not alone
I feel like I needed to hear this ,

and to know this . From
someone else , not assuming it
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
Tonight I have gathered some
courage
I feel like I am missing him more
And I just want to hear his voice
So I call him , for the first time
He’s always been the one who

calls
It rings only once , and he
answers
Isilo : my princess
Usually I get annoyed slightly
When I’m addressed in this

manner
Makes me feel like that’s all I am

But not when he does
I mean , he says it in a way
That just sets me feeling

somehow
Me : my king
Isilo : I am shocked you called
I slightly laugh
Me : well , I couldn’t wait
forever for you to call
He chuckles
And I can just picture him in my

mind
Isilo : I have been busy
Me : I can only imagine

Isilo : if things were simple , I’d
say come and see for yourself
I let out a smile
And relax , facing up laying on

the bed
Me : yeah , I wouldn’t hesitate
Isilo : that’s good to know

I let myself way too easy with
him
Isilo : how are you ?
Me : well , I am good
Isilo : but …
Should I even tell him or not

Me : mother’s what else
He chuckles
Isilo : tell me , wait …I’ll video

call in a second
Me : oh …
He drops the call
I jump off the bed

Fixing myself a bit
And adjusting my light
And his call comes through
I lay back down and answer
The moment of silence follows ,

and he is just staring at me
Like he is calculating his next
words comes
But it’s never an awkward one
Isilo : you’re so beautiful
Damn !
My cheeks cannot hurt for

nothing
Mapula you need to get a grip
on yourself
Because if this doesn’t go

anywhere
It just means heartbreak for me

most definitely
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 24*
*MAPULA*
Me : not too bad for a king
He chuckles
Isilo : so tell me , what did our

beloved queen do to the
princess
I laugh
Me : I swear at times , it just

feels like she wants me to get
hitched and leave her kingdom.
The woman is always in my
business , she just doesn’t know
when to stop
Isilo : aren’t all mother’s ?
Me : no , I doubt
Isilo : are you telling me , that as

beautiful as you are . No prince
has come there already ?
I chuckle shaking my head
Me : Ohhh , don’t mock me . It’s

not like I even go out much .
They know I exist maybe , but
you cannot have an interest into
someone you don’t even know
Isilo : and I thought royalty

marries for relations and
alliances
Me : oh yes , they do . But that’s
not what I want . Yes the
kingdom I marry into , can have
relations with mine . But I don’t
want that to be the reason I get
married
Isilo : then what do you want ?
I take a deep breath , this is not

just a simple question
As much as it may sound as one
Also my answer could make or

break this
Whatever it is
Me : I want more than that , I

want something that’s true and
real . I want love , I want
friendship . To be free around
you , and not feel like I’m a wife
and here for a duty
Isilo : I hear you
Me : times have changed , and

it’s okay to embrace change .
Because not all change is bad ,
some is good . And that’s what I
want for myself , someone who
wants to be with me . Not feel
obliged to , because they gain
something
Isilo : okay , and do your parents
know this ?
Me : no , of course not . They’ll

probably think , I am just crazy .
More especially my mother , I
can excuse my father on some
things . Because I think he
makes an effort to understand
me , unlike his wife . She just
wants me to be a woman , and
all of that …
Isilo : a daddy’s girl
I let out a smile
Me : well
Isilo : I feel for the prince who

will come , and ask for your
hand in marriage
I let out a laugh

Me : my father is just
overprotective of me , which is
something I think also makes
my mother to be the way she is
Isilo : don’t settle , unless it’s

something you want . Don’t be
with someone , just for the sake
of anyone . Be selfish in life ,
and always put yourself first . Be
happy before you make the next
person happy
I wish that was easy as he says
But it’s not
Especially when you’re born of

royalty
Where everything has to be in

order
Where you’re told what is what

You don’t have control over
your life whatsoever
Me : growing up , with certain

things instilled in you . Because
there’s no other life one knows ,
besides this one . It’s just hard
Isilo : I can imagine , I didn’t

grow up in a place . And I can’t
exactly say I have been taught
many things , I learn everything
along the way as I go on . And I
tell myself I can’t be clueless on
who I am
Me : sometimes you can be

grateful for that , because you
know life beyond palace walls.
You can think , and make
decisions for yourself . Unlike
being told what to wear , how
to eat . How to greet , and how
to uphold yourself
Isilo : sometimes I think royal
people , they just make up
these rules as they go along
He could be right about that
Me : hence I will never dictate

to my kids , blue blood or not
Isilo : so you want kids ?

There’s a slight spark in his eyes
And it warms my heart
Me : yes , I do want to have kids

one day
Isilo : mhm , I’m sure you’ll

make such a great mother
Me : mhm , and how about you

?
Isilo : I am all alone in this great
world , I will definitely have kids
. Have my own family , and grow
my family name
I can just imagine Isilo as a

family man
Some things don’t just make

sense when you picture them
Me : and love ? What’s your
take on this royal ways
Isilo : I want to be with

someone I love for no reason
Me : what ?
Now I am confused
Isilo : what I mean is …if I love

you because you’re beautiful ,
and kind . Smart , and loving .
Then what happens on days you
don’t look beautiful , and you’re
not kind ? When you’re not so
smart , because maybe you
don’t know or understand
something . What happens on
days , when you just shut down
. And you're not loving anymore
? Like , I want to be with
someone I love without a
reason , because once the
reason fades . The love will also
fade
Wow !
I take a moment to just absorb

what he’s just said
And I don’t think I’ve ever

thought of that
Not even once

Me : can I tell you something ,
and you don’t laugh ?
His fade smile graces his face
Isilo : I will not laugh
Me : so there’s this guy …
He shakes his head

Isilo : I am not your friend ,
don’t tell me about guys you
like . I swear , I will get angry
I laugh
Me : come on , no ! There was

something happening , just
because I thought I was smart
enough . So when my parents
want to marry me off , I’ll use
him as an excuse to get away
from that . Even though , it was
just a slim chance . And
probably it was never going to
work , but either way . So when
I was about to leave for your
kingdom , he broke things off . I
guess his insecurities , got the
better of him . And he felt he
cannot compare with royals ,
men who are above him . In his
mind , that I’ll leave Isilo with a
man . So I said , I’ll give him
time to think things through .
And when I come back , with no
prince claiming me . Then he
can tell me where he stands ,
and if he remains to his words
then I’ll leave him alone . So
that happened , I left with no
communication whatsoever
from him . So when I came back
, I delayed to see him . Because I
felt something has changed ,
and I didn’t want to hurt his
feelings . But it finally happened
today , and we walked away
from each other
He is just staring at me
I can’t read anything from his

facial expression
Isilo : and how do you feel ?
Me : light , because I feel like

deep down I always knew it was
never going to work . Despite
differences in who we are
Isilo : you can’t say you loved
him , maybe you liked him yes.
But it was not love , because he
was a gateway to you . And you
would have fought for him , if it
meant something . You came
back , and what changed ?
Hell no !
This is not happening

I am not about to embarrass
myself
And tell him , he is the reason
I detached from Mohau
Because of these feelings I have

for Isilo
That I don’t even know what am
I supposed to do with them
Me : I …I think , I felt somehow

about someone else
Isilo : see ? I told you I am not

your friend , you can’t even
come out say what you would
tell your friend . Because it’s me
I frown and quickly gather
myself
Me : what do you mean it’s you

?
Isilo : because you’re talking to

me
Okay , I almost choked to death

right there !
That’s some relief
Isilo : anyways , you’re still you .

And you lost nothing , a little
experience doesn’t hurt
Oh what experience ?
Because I took nothing from

that relationship , that I can say
I have learnt
I am still me
The same way I went into the

relationship
Me : there isn’t much , actually

there’s nothing
Isilo : now you know what you

want , and you understand that
to get it is not to divert
Okay , that is true
Me : yeah , true …very true
Isilo : and I hope you make

better choices
I laugh
Me : oh wow !!
Isilo : yes , don’t lose sight
I wish I understood what that

meant
Me : you’re such a man , I think

…no I know your people are
blessed to have you
Isilo : this is about you , because

I just want to understand you
better . And know you better ,
not things like what’s your
favourite food . But things like
what do you value in life ,
besides just being a princess
what do you aspire
Mhm , this gets me thinking

because I haven’t thought much
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*TWO MONTHS LATER*
*INSERT 25*
*ISILO*
One of the guards walks in
Him : my king
He bows his head a bit
Him : Uhm ….uJola is here and

asking to see you
Okay
That’s a surprise
Me : okay , let him in
I haven’t seen him much
Even though I go to see him

from time to time
Even though , I am keeping busy
I just go to see him

Just to check on him
Just like anyone would
To someone who has lost

someone close to them
I am not holding my breath any

longer
For anything between us

I have accepted things as they
are
He walks in and greets
I greet him back
And offer him a seat
Hawu : my king
Me : Jola
Hawu : I said let me come see
you today
Me : I see that , I hope nothing

is wrong
Hawu : no , I don’t know how

this will sound . But I have
stayed enough
Oh …
So that’s why he is here
Hawu : it’s time I leave
Well , all his kids have left now
I wondered why he hasn’t left
Because I never thought he

changed his mind
And clearly he hasn’t
Me : okay , I understand . Well ,

travel safe , and I wish you all
the best . To where you are
going
Hawu : I am going to Joburg , I

will still come here and see you .
You’re a great king Isilo , and
you have your people behind
you . Thongalethu is doing great
things with you , and your
council is definitely useful to
this land and it’s people . Look
at how you have changed this
place , you’re capable of great
things . And your capabilities
are definitely showing
Me : well , thank you . I try
Hawu : this is not goodbye , but

I think being away from here
will be good for me . This place
has good and bad memories ,
and the bad ones just seem to
overshadow the good ones .
They hurt do bad , and I am just
reminded of how much I have
lost here
Me : I will not claim to

understand , what you’re going
through . But do what’s best for
you , I would have loved for you
to stay here . And work with me
, but it’s okay
I will not force him to stay
He has already stayed more

than I thought he would
So this doesn’t come as a shock

, it was bound to happen either
way cause he had already said
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I haven’t talked to Isilo since
morning
And it feels awkward in a way
I mean , we are always

communicating
Even if it’s just for a few minutes
No matter how busy he is

He always makes time for us to
talk
I am guessing today , he is really

held up
I sent him a message
And he said he will call later
He hasn’t called
And I keep checking my phone
I swear , it feels like he is

anything of mine
We have been talking
But he hasn’t said anything

about feelings to me
And well , I haven’t said

anything either
I still believe in old love
The kind of love , where a man

takes control
And a man is first to voice his

feelings first
I believe , you should fall for a

man who loves you more than
you love them
Because then he will show you
what you mean to him
More than he says
But he is not saying anything
And maybe I am just reading

things that aren’t there
I know what I feel

And everyday I spend talking to
him
The more I fall for him harder

and harder
I don’t know how long this will

prolong for
I hope it has an outcome

And we don’t spend the rest of
our lives like this
Without giving it a shot
Maybe I should ask him
Hopefully it won’t backfire on

me
Because that would be

embarrassing
And leave my phone on the

night stand
I walk out of my hut and walk in

the main house
I don’t know where my mother

is
I know my father is having a
council meeting
It sucks not having friends
Because I am stuck here

everyday all day
The only break I get
Is when I talk to Isilo

I don’t even have friends to talk
to
I am just bored to be honest
I don’t even know what to do ,

to keep myself busy . Just so I
don’t think much
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I grab my phone
And there’s no text
Or missed call
I am guessing she didn’t even

try to call
I chuckle , dialling her number

And one the first ring she
answers
Mapula : hey
Me : hi
I sit down on the bed
Me : you didn’t call me
Silence
I am sure she’s smitten
Me : did you not miss me ?
Mapula : I thought you were

busy , since you didn’t call
Me : did you not miss me ?
I feel the smile , that’s plastered

on her face right now
Mapula : I missed you , are you
happy now ?
I chuckle
Me : yes , but you should have

called
Mapula : well …
Me : how was your day ?

Mapula : dull and boring
Me : when are you visiting ?
Mapula : don’t do that to me
Me : mhm , I know . I am busy

here , wish I had time
Mapula : I wish I was there , so I
can see all the amazing work
you’re doing
Me : you have seen it
Mapula : on pictures and viy

you send , I wish I can see it
myself
Me : I wish I can see you

Mapula : I know
I let out a fade smile
I love how she calms me
And how it’s just so easy to talk

to her
Me : anyways , I have a meeting

with a few kings
Mapula : why ?
Me : I want to form relations ,

and have their buy in on the
plans the council’s and I have
come up with
Mapula : you’re really on this

king thing
I chuckle
Mapula : I am proud of you
Me : what the fuck !
She burst out laughing
And she says she’s proud of me ,

like she’s mother bear
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 26*
*ISILO*
I would be lying if I said , I am
not nervous
All these men in here
Just to hear what I have to say
I don’t know what they’ll think

of me
Or if they’ll even be interested

But I have to do this
As much as we’ve established

businesses in the kingdom
We can’t say we have enough

capital for everything we want
to do
What is needed in the kingdom
For the interest of the people

I dial her number , and she
answers
Mapula : my king
Me : I am a nervous wreck
Mapula : come on , I know you

can do this . You’re capable ,
and those old douches would
be insane not to listen to you .
And buy in on your plans , you
have nothing to be worried
about
Me : mhm …I do wish you were

here , because you would hype
me up . Even if I speak nonsense
She laughs
I let out a slight chuckle ,

shaking my head
Me : let me go , before you start
treating me like your child
She laughs
Mapula : you don’t need my

help
Me : you can be crazy at times
I let out a fade smile

Mapula : and you love me ,
crazy as I am …. Shit
She curses under her breath
Mapula : I didn’t mean that ,

good luck today . Bye
And she drops the call on me
I call her back

But she doesn’t answer
Now I know she is deliberately

ignoring my call
And walk inside the throne

room
My mind is not even here

I just want to talk to her now
But it’ll be useless to call back
She won’t answer
I’ll let her have some space
While I focus on this , and

making sure these kings hear
me out
They’ve already agreed to give
me their time
And that counts for something
So I better make it count , and

get something out of it
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
What the fuck is wrong with me
?
Damn !!!
Why did I say that ?
Like really ?
“you love me as crazy as I am”
What the hell is that ?

I am so stupid!
I don’t even know why I said

that
What was I even thinking ?
Mhm …I wasn’t thinking at all
Now what will I say to him ?

Will I even be able to speak to
him ever again ?
I am so embarrassed right now
I don’t think I will ever be able

to do that
What will I even say ?
I don’t know what got into me

What is he thinking of me right
now
Argh !
I just had to ruin a good thing

we had
Whatever it was
Even though it wasn’t labelled

as anything
But it meant something
Because we talked a lot ,

everyday
I would hear his voice
Or even video call , seeing his

face
It meant something
And now , I’ve ruined all of that
I feel tears burning my eyes
I can’t even call to apologize

right now
Because he is in his meeting
And I cannot disturb him with a

call
I just want to apologize
For what I’ve said , and ignoring

his call
I wouldn’t be surprised if he
cuts me off
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Two hours later
My council and I , are done
We have addressed all these

men
And now we just await to hear

what they have to say
I appreciate the time they’ve

given me
And also letting me speak ,
without interrupting me
anyhow
Now it’s their time to speak
Ask questions and voice out

their concerns
King Sibanda : Isilo , I mean no

disrespect to you great ancestor
and you my king . We have
honoured this invitation , out of
respect . As much as you’re king
to this great nation , we still
don’t know you . You’re new to
us , and we don’t know what
you are about . How do we trust
any of this ?
Me : it’s okay , to have concerns

. And I completely understand , I
can respect that . I am new to
this yes , I know nothing about
being a king never mind being
royalty . As much as I was born
as one , and have been
fortunate enough to have Isilo
in me . But I am tackling
whatever problem I found in
this kingdom , as a human being
. A man who cares for the land
of his forefathers , more than I
am as a king . I am putting the
needs of the people before
mine , because they make Isilo
what it is
I look at him
Me : our schools , are in no

condition to say our children
can be taught and given the
best education they deserve .
Our kids , are roaming the
streets instead of attending
crèche and gathering education
at a young age . My people
cannot afford to take their
children to the city , so they can
get an education . Because they
do not have jobs , and that’s on
my kingdom . Hence I know I
will create more jobs for them ,
if I can be able to build a crèche
. Build a school , that will carry
out kids from the lowest grade
to the highest . And not only
that , but also a collage that will
offer then higher education . I
want my people to have a mall
of their own , I want them to
have the best clinic and hospital
. They deserve that much ,
health care is a necessity . And
with all of that , the men of this
land will be able to care for their
households . I have tons and
tons of land , enough to create
farms . That will be able to
employ , and feed this nation . I
may be asking for a lot from you
all , to see this vision and invest
in it . But as a king , my people
come first . And I have to
swallow my pride , and ask if I
have to . Especially because the
lives of these people , and their
stability depends on me . I am
merely asking , and whoever
can see the vision I have to
prosper this kingdom is
welcome to walk on this journey
with us . But if you also don’t
get it , it is also okay . I will take
my losses , and try other means
I see a few nods

Thongalethu flashes a fade
smile
Like he has the hope , that I

don’t believe I have right now
Anything still can happen , so I

am not certain of anything
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 27*
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The king walks in the main royal
house
The queen looks at him
As he takes a seat
And she walks over to him
And takes a seat next to him ,

down on the floor tile
King : why are you sitting on the
tile ? You’ll get sick , rather ask
for a grass mat
The queen smiles
Queen : it’s okay , it is hot today.

I won’t pick up any cold from
the tile
King : I wish you can just listen ,

it really wouldn’t hurt you
Queen : I know something is
bothering you , rather tell me
what’s going on
He heaves a sigh
King : I hear , King Isilo held a

king’s council meeting at his
kingdom . And all of his
neighbouring kings , were there
at that meeting
This gets the queen’s attention
And she gazes her eyes on him
Queen : what was the meeting

about ?
King : I have no idea
Queen : wait ….
She looks around and lowers
her voice
Queen : do you think , that

maybe he is building relations .
And asking for courtship from
them , for their daughters ?
King : why would he call all of

them ?
Queen : to state his matter

The king shakes his head
King : I don’t know
Queen : that is possible , and if

that’s the case ….then it means
we have lost out on that one
kingdom
The shakes his head

And heaves a sigh
Clearly disappointed
Queen : all I am saying is this ,

he may be young yes . But that
makes him very much suitable ,
might I say . But not only that ,
he has visions . You have heard
of how he has renovated that
palace , in the short space of
time he has been king . He is
not after the riches , but after
the people’s hearts . Now that’s
the kind of a king you wanted ,
wedded to your princess
King : not everything , has to be

about this . I am worried here ,
that if he called them for
anything else . Especially if it’s
anything promising , we will lose
out . And I hope whatever it is ,
he doesn’t end up taking our
aliases
Queen : oh , I see
She says a bit disappointed as

well
How she wishes her husband ,

can see things the way she sees
them
Maybe they should be worried
This is not something to ignore

She says in her heart
Mapula doesn’t even seem

interested in dating
Or even getting close to any

prince
She thought maybe , after her

Isilo trip
And how she was acting up for
days
That maybe they will hear

something
But it’s been quite
No kingdom has come
And no prince either

Meaning it’ll be a while before
any man walks in here
And asks for her hand in

marriage
Because she seems way too

comfortable, so does her dad
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Thongalethu laughs
I chuckle shaking my head
Me : I was nervous man , and I

didn’t think that all of them will
buy in
Thonga : told you to trust

yourself
I nod
It feels good to have this win
Also to have someone by my

side
Me : yeah , I can’t believe we

pulled this off . This is but , the
beginning of great things for
Isilo
Thonga : that is true

Me : we may have gotten the
money my chief , but now the
real work starts . That we keep
on our promises to the people ,
and we don’t fail them
Thonga : we are ready , and we

won’t let you down . We know
how much this means to you ,
the last thing we will do is to
disappoint you
Me : thank you so much , I know
many people would go crazy
seeing the amount of money we
will be getting
He laughs
Thonga : it’s a good thing , we

are servants . And we are here
to serve , so that is exactly what
we will do . Knowing the money
goes to the people
I never thought that one day
This might be me
I pray for wisdom and strength
To keep me going at all times
And for guidance , along this

journey
Every king I had invited
They saw the need of what I

was talking about
And knowing they will get their

returns back
As much as they’re pumping

money on this
Its also a gain to them

I knew , I would have to offer
them something
Because no one does anything

for anyone , without getting
anything back
Especially where money is

concerned
And it’s quite a lot of money

Needing at least 50 000 000
(million)
From each and one of them
But they seemed to not mind
That they’ll be coughing so

much money
Their pockets are full

I made sure , they understand
That it won’t go to waste
This is the start of many great

things in this land , I hope all of
my ancestors can see my efforts
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I have been beating myself
And nothing is helping
I can’t bring myself to call him
Or even text
I am so ashamed
That I just want to die !!

I want to know how his meeting
went
But who will tell me ?
Because I can’t ask him
I just can’t bring myself to
I am avoiding to talk to him

And this won’t take me
anywhere
Already that much I know
I don’t want to drive myself

crazy
I thought to speak to Queen

Rain
But I can’t
Her husband is at Isilo
And the both of them , are a bit

close now
From his own words
So what if I talk to her , and she

tells him ?
Then obviously Isilo will know

I am such a fuck up
And I don’t know what to do to

fix this
Maybe talking to him would be

a start , but I am ashamed to
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I heave a sigh , pushing my
phone away
I dialled her number , and

dropped the call before it rang
Maybe she needs space
And I should give that to her
As much as I miss her right now

And I so badly want to tell her
about how my meeting went
like
I know she is avoiding me
Calling her won’t help , so

something else will have to do
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 28*
*A WEEK LATER*
Thonga : thought I should come

check on you
Me : I am here
Thonga : thought you’ll be on

sight
Me : mhm , I just got caught up

Thonga : the materials will
arrive today , I hear they’re
done checking the land
Me : yeah , they said it’s good to

build on
Thonga : with all the work that

you’re doing here , I think you
deserve some credit
I chuckle
Me : what credit ? I am just
doing my job
Thonga : yeah , but you’re a

whole king . You need to look
the part
Me : man , what are you talking

about ?
Thonga : spoil yourself

What the hell ?
Me : spoil myself ?
Thonga : yes , buy a car . Get

new clothes , you look like a 2K
king
I chuckle
And look at him

Me : call me whatever , I am
definitely okay with the way I
dress . I don’t need a suit , to
tell me that I’m a king
Thonga : okay , fair enough . I

hate suits too . But get new 2K’s
clothes . Just look the part , and
you sure do need a car
Me : we have cars here

Thonga : 3 , of which you
bought for the palace errands.
You need a personal car , also
can you make use of your
protection detail
Me : I am fine
Thonga : yeah
Me : tell me …
He laughs shaking his head
Me : just listen
Thonga : okay
Me : why do I need someone

driving me around , when I can
drive ?
He smiles
Thonga : well it’s simple , you’re
a king . And you cannot drive
yourself
Me : that doesn’t make sense
Thonga : it’s just convenient for

you
Me : whatever , also why do I

need a car ?
Thonga : you still have personal
business , that you’ll need to
attend all by yourself
Me : fine , but still . I don’t need

to live like a king , to be
validated as one
Thonga : you sure don’t
Me : well , I’ll think about it

Thonga : you need to use your
protection detail , on that I
stand
Me : I don’t need protection
Thonga : you turn into a jaguar ,

and yes you can protect yourself
. But just make them feel useful
that’s all , after all you’re paying
them
Me : I have a trip this evening ,

so can I please leave you in
charge of everything?
Thonga : that’s my job
Me : thanks
Thonga : don’t leave alone

Thonga : I’ll tell the guys to be

ready
He walks out
Thongalethu can be something

else
I don’t want to go back and
forth with him
I’ll just do what he says I should

do
After all he is my advisor

.
.
.
.
So I took his advice
And definitely took some of the

royal house money
Not what was invested by the

king’s
But the money in the royal

account
There wasn’t much of it

So I decided to use that money
I will definitely not wear suits
That’s just not me
So I kept to my look
Just casual clothes , and

sneakers
I am young
And I won’t subject myself to

the king status
By wearing like I am an old man
I am a king yes
But I am still young
I am fine with that

I have also decided to use the
protection detail
So they’ll be leaving with me
On my trip this afternoon
I will arrive tomorrow morning
So we’ll be on the road the

whole night
It would cold in handy
To have someone who will be

driving me
Because I know I will get tired
Having to drive all those hours
Especially at night
I can’t risk dozing off
And causing an accident
So I’ll go with them , hopefully I

don’t get annoyed
Because then I would definitely

regret my decision
I don’t want them to get used to

me
Not even a bit
People tend to have

attachments
And cause a scene , when you

don’t give the same energy
Look at what happened with

Mapula
That was just insane
And I’ve decided to let her be
As much as it was hard
Getting through a whole week
Without talking to her
Actually being busy helped

With the preparations for the
building of the school
And the clinic
We’re starting with those
And we’ll follow with the mall

and the hospital
Because they’re still inspecting

We can’t just pick land and build
on
Without proper examination

being done on the land
So as soon as that is done
We will get working
So all this is keeping me busy

And I don’t tend to think much
about her
As much as I miss her
And I wish I can talk to her
But she’s the cause of this
She couldn’t hold herself

And she said what she has
always wanted to say
And when it hit her
She decided to ghost me
Women are some creatures
I swear , a man who will

understand them
Is still yet to be born
Because I don’t think there’s any

who exists
He would feel for the rest of us
And definitely give us some

advice
Because they’re a lot

Now she can’t even bring
herself to talk to me
Which is insane
Why can’t she stand for her own

words , it’s not she didn’t mean
that
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I open the door
And my mother stands on my

doorstep
I rub my eyes and look at her
Me : good morning mother
Mom : at this time ? We have

visitors , go take a bath and look
decent
She turns and walks away
I am just dumbfounded
What does she mean we have

visitors ?
And what has that got to do

with me ?
I turn back
And get ready
Because I don’t want to get into

it with her
Its still too early for this
I pick a decent long dress and

put it on
After my bath
I put on sandals and walk out
Heading to the main house
I pop my eyes out
As I lay my eyes on him , I am in

shock
What is he doing here ?

No ways !
It can’t be
This has to be a dream , it just

can’t be
Why would he be here ?

.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 29*
*ISILO*
I look at her
And she looks as beautiful as

ever
One thing I cannot deny
Despite everything else
Is just how beautiful she is
That is a fact
And any man with eyes can see
that
I am amused to see this way
She clearly didn’t expect me

here
How would she ?
And her expression says it all

King Leruo : my princess , please
sit down and greet our guest . I
believe you have met King Isilo
Xaluva , of Isilo kingdom
She bows her head
And sits down on the grass mat
Next to the queen

Mapula : my king , greetings to
you
I let out a fade smile , making

sure her parents don’t catch a
glimpse of that
Me : greetings my princess
King Leruo : this is my only

daughter my king , the apple of
my eye
Me : I see , we have met . And
you have such a lovely young
maiden
King Leruo : ah , thank you my

king
Me : thanks to you , for

welcoming me and my people
into your kingdom
King Leruo : for whatever the
purpose of your visit to my land
is , it’s an honour to have you in
our midst
Me : the honour is all mine
King Leruo : I’ll say , let’s get

some refreshments before
anything
Me : thank you , my king

He looks at his wife
And she gets up with a huge

smile plastered on her face
I think now , I understand what

Mapula meant
Her mother is something else
I have seen that

Just my being here
Has gone way too far to her
And she can’t even hide it
I am sure she is crossing her

fingers
She hopes this visit means

something
And that it’s not just a mere visit
She holds her hand to Mapula ,

and she takes it
They both get up and walk out ,

I turn my gaze to the king
I must say , I didn’t think this

clearly as well
But what’s done is done
I am here
And I need a reason why
I can’t just rock up in his

kingdom
For no reason whatsoever
That would just be stupid

I need to wreck my brains
Because I came here for her
I needed to see her
Because she was busy playing

hide and seek with me
I am not about that

This is what we both need
To talk face to face
Although , I should have

thought about this first
And came up with a reason

.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I was going crazy
Listening to my mother , going

on and on
About what this could mean
Without a doubt , I know what

she’s thinking already
And it’s crazy

There’s no way Isilo is here
about me
Or to even ask for my hand in

marriage
That’s not happening
He would never
I mean , he was only all week

Without hearing from me or
even calling
Yes , I would have not answered

his call
Because I am still ashamed
But still , he didn’t call
And he didn’t know , that I

would have not answered
So why would he just rock up
here ?
My mother is just so blinded
She doesn’t know anything
All she’s thinking about is

shipping me off
Imagine !!
I am sure she’s already planning
my wedding day
The outfit she’ll be wearing
Mother to the queen
Well , in her mind
That is what’s about to happen

She can already picture me as
queen of Isilo kingdom
I had to get away from her
Because I just couldn’t
And I couldn’t go where he is

with my father
I mean , I had to give them

space
He is surely here for his own
reasons
I don’t know what though
Because in all honesty , there’s

nothing that my kingdom can
offer Isilo
Like , we are just a developing

kingdom
We have nothing to offer
another
Except our knowledge of land
Because that’s what we know

best
Farming crops is our thing
Other than that there’s nothing

And he’s already met with kings
from other kingdoms
Whom I am sure , they have

offered him what he needs
Nothing has changed
I still feel the same way

If not more
When I saw him , I just couldn’t

comprehend it
Voice : hey ….
I am startled by his voice

Damn !!!
He looks fresh and just all kinds

of yummy
Me : h ….he….
I find myself just throwing

myself on him
Forgetting where I am
Even though I am behind the
house
This place has eyes everywhere
But I’ve just wanted to throw

myself into his arms
From the moment I saw him
Me : I am so …..…
He leans down and shuts me up
with a kiss
I freeze on the spot
As he takes my lips softly into

his
And he just takes ownership of

my mouth
My body gets hot flushes

I just hold tight on him
Returning the kiss , with his

pace
As he deepens the kiss , and I

get lost it in . Feeling
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 30*
*MAPULA*
My body betrays me
As I feel liquid down there
And I get the urge to press my

thighs together
He trails his hand down my back
And his hand lands on my ass
He grabs my ass cheek

Into his palm
I let out a soft moan into his

mouth
Feeling his member down there

, throbbing hard against my
lower waist
He slowly pulls out of the kiss

I just want to grab him
So he doesn’t get away
Me : don’t ….
Isilo : say you’ll get away with

me , I’ll bring you back I promise
Fuck !
But it’s okay

As long as I’ll get to spend time
with him
I guess it’s fine
Isilo : mhm ?
He plays with my chin
Staring into my eyes

As I stare into his
I nod
He smiles for a second
And what a damn sight !
Me : I missed you so bad
Isilo : you’re crazy

I smile
Remembering what happened

the last time , he said that
And I responded
It led to us not speaking for a

whole week
With me beating myself up

Isilo : but I love you , as crazy as
you are
Oh my word !!
Somebody pinch me right now
Me : this is not a dream , it can’t

be Xaluva
He smiles again
I swear it lasted longer than a
second
Isilo : I am here
Shit !
He is here
And did he just say he loves me

?
Oh he did !!
He did
No one can convince me

otherwise
Me : I feel like slapping you for

taking so long
He chuckles
I let out a smile
As he takes my hand into his
And he intertwines our fingers

together
Brushing his thumb on the back

of my hand
Staring into my eyes

Isilo : you can punish me all you
like
Me : what are you doing here ?
Me : you look good

He raises his brow
Isilo : I thought handsome is the

way to go
Me : you’re too handsome , you

know it
He chuckles
Isilo : let me go , I can’t have

your father suspicious of me
I laugh
Me : promise me I’ll see you

again ?
Isilo : I am leaving with you to

Maseru
I blush like hell
Isilo : just don’t ditch me

Me : I won’t , you’ll pick me by
the road . That way my parents
won’t suspect anything
Isilo : I’ll have Ntjilo leave with

you , the one with the fade
Me : okay
He pecks my lips
Isilo : ndiya’kthanda mamazi (I
love you money)
Ohhh , I don’t even know what

is mamazi
But it sounds so sweet
And the way he just said it
My heart is doing backflips

Me : le nna ke ya o rata (I love
you too)
He pops his eyes
I laugh at him
Isilo : you’re not being fair
Me : go , we’ll talk about this

later
He pecks my lips again
And he walks away
I feel like screaming
And just jumping up and down
That just happened
Whoa !
I better not be dreaming for real
The man just said he loves me
Heh …I have to go take another

bath
So I can be ready for when he

says we’re leaving
I am so excited
I don’t even know why we’re
going to Maseru
But I didn’t even ask
Argh !! It doesn’t matter , I’ll be

with him
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
While the king is left with his
advisor
The queen walks in
And she looks at her husband
He excuses himself
And walks out
King : what now ?

He asks
Because she knows he doesn’t

like being interrupted
So this better be important
But she’s so excited
She just can’t hold it in anymore

Queen : why is King Isilo here ?
King : really , you …this is what

you want to talk about ?
Queen : my husband , I am just

asking . Is that a bad thing ?
He heaves a heavy sigh
King : I haven’t asked him

She frowns
Queen : so he hasn’t told you ?
King : no , if he did I would know

why he is here
Queen : then ask him , what are

you waiting for ?
King : okay , please know your

place . This is not your business
She swallows hard
Queen : I …I am sorry , but

maybe he is here to ask for
relations through Mapula . I
mean , wouldn’t that be
amazing ? He is doing great
things at his kingdom , and if he
marries our daughter . She will
be queen , we will have
relations with Isilo
The king shakes his head
He wonders if there anything his

wife ever thinks of
Or if anything is always about

marrying their daughter off
King : I so hope I never become

like you , and be so eager to get
rid of my child . It wasn’t easy to
have this child , she’s my gift
from the water God’s . Hence I
named her Mapula , and she’s
heir to this kingdom . I am
telling you this now , whether
she marries or not I don’t care .
She will be queen to this
kingdom one day , so I am not
desperate to ship her off
The queen catches a glimpse of

Isilo
Walking towards them

She forces a smile
And looks at him
King : this conversation is done ,

don’t ever bring it again please
Queen : of course
She nods as Isilo gets to them

And the two kings leave her
Walking back to the council hut

together
She shakes her head and walks

towards Mapula’s hut
She knocks once and walks in
And she finds Mapula taking a

bath
Queen : don’t tell me , you
didn’t bath when I asked you to
Mapula : of course I did
Queen : so ?
Mapula : I slaved away , and I

was sweating .
The queen laughs

Queen : slaved away ? You need
to learn duties really , because
you can’t say such things to
your in-laws
Mapula : good thing , I don’t

have them yet
Queen : you need to grow up
She turns to the door

Mapula : I am going to take a
walk , just to clear my mind . I’ll
probably call it a night when I
come back
Queen : don’t go far , maybe

King Isilo is staying for a few
days . Be on your best
behaviour
She walks out

Mapula smiles shaking her head
This won’t get them to look for

her around
Hopefully Isilo meant he will

bring her back today
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 31*
*ISILO*
I look at the time
And we should get getting
I can’t leave in the afternoon

with her
Because by then , she has to be

coming back
Me : my king , thank you for

welcoming me into your home .
I will be back tomorrow , to see
your land better . And we can
have our talk , because I didn’t
come all this way for nothing.
You really have a beautiful land ,
and I believe we can have some
kind of work together
He smiles
King Leruo : my king , I am glad

to hear that . And I am happy ,
that you came here for us to see
what we can do together . Many
people come here , just to
admire our land and leave
Me : it is beautiful I cannot deny

that , but I also think there’s
something we can do together
as men to grow each other and
out kingdoms . For the sake of
these people , who depend
their lives on us
King Leruo : most definitely , but
are you sure you want to leave ?
You can always stay here ,
there’s many rooms . You’re our
guest , we can accommodate
you
Me : I appreciate the offer , but

there’s business I need to
attend to . And therefore I’ll be
back late , I don’t want to cause
disturbance
King Leruo : I understand
Me : let me bid my farewells ,

until tomorrow
King Leruo : it’s alright , we’ll

see you tomorrow
Me : thank you
I get up
And he walks me out heading to
the car
I look at Ntjilo , he is not here
We shake hands
I get in the car
My driver drives out of the

palace
I call Mapula
On the second ring she answers
Mapula : Xaluva
Damn !
I love it when she calls me like

this
I should have just taken her
sooner
Me : I’m out of the palace
Mapula : we’re down the road
Me : okay , we’re coming
Mapula : okay
I drop the call , and lean back

Hopefully , I don’t get her in
trouble for this
I just want to be with her

.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
They picked us , by the side of
the road
And the drive to Maseru , is
filling with nothing but silence
Not awkward silence or

anything like that
But it’s peaceful to say the least
I am happy
And I feel so content

I knew I missed him
I just didn’t know this much
Just having him here
Being in his embrace , in his

arms
It’s the best feeling ever
I am laying my head on his chest

He has his one hand behind my
back
His one hand intertwined with

mine
It’s peace
And he keeps pecking my

forehead , from time to time
Right now nothing else matters
Except this moment , being with

him . It’s soothing , and just
peaceful
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The king walks in their hut
The queen is busy , untying her

hair
He sits down and looks at her
She lifts her eyes and looks at

him as well
He takes a deep breath
Queen : King Isilo should have

spent the night here , he is our
guest after all
King : he has business , he will
be back tomorrow
Queen : oh
King : yes , and can you please

just stop with this madness of
yours
She raises her brow

King : not every king or prince
that comes here , wants to
marry our daughter . Stop being
so desperate , to have her gone
. If marriage comes to her , then
it will . If not , then it’s fine .
Stay out of my meetings from
now on , and let the maidens do
what we actually pay them to
do . Just stay in your place , I
love and respect you . But I
need to be firm with you ,
especially because now this is
getting out of control
Queen : I understand
That’s all she can say
Because she doesn’t know what

else to say , he has never used
this firm tone with her
They clearly don’t see eye to
eye
And best she lets him be
Before this causes trouble

between them
Its clear where he stands
Best she let him be

Queen : I am sorry
King : it’s okay , let’s just not

have this conversation again
She nods her head , and

continues untying her head
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
We have arrived in Maseru
And we’ve left the guard and
driver in the car
I don’t know where we are

going
But it’s fine
I am just going
I have been to Maseru

Quite a few times
But it’s amazing how , being

with someone you love
Can make you see something

differently
Like how I am finding this place

I am just happy to be here with
him
Isilo : can we just go have lunch

?
I am not hungry
But I am definitely going to eat
Me : yes
Isilo : where do you want to go?
I assume you do know the place
Me : I do , but anywhere with

you it’s fine
He chuckles
Me : what ?
Isilo : I just love you , that’s all

I blush like hell
Me : and I love you too
He leans over and pecks my lips
Taking my hand into his
One thing I am noticing
He is very affectionate
Maybe that’s his love language
And that’s how he expresses

himself
We had into one restaurant
I see a few stares
Maybe from people who know

me
Or maybe they know him
I mean , his coronation was all

over the papers
I am a princess in this country
So maybe some know me
Even though , I don’t expect

anyone to know me
We get a table and sit down
Isilo : do you drink ?
I shake my head no , with a

smile
Isilo : okay
I let him order for us

And we share a platter
He has a glass of Scottish

whiskey
So he drinks
And he ordered a virgin cocktail

for me
Said it’s none alcoholic

More than anything
I am happy to be here with him
I don’t even mind the stares ,

I’ve shut these people out . No
one matters , it’s like they’re not
even here
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 32*
*ISILO*
We arrive at the hotel
Mapula : you booked a whole

presidential suite ?
Me : mhm , I think I will be here

for a few days
Mapula : why didn’t you say ,

you were coming ?
Me : you weren’t talking to me

She laughs
Mapula : you know why
Me : no , I don’t know . You just

went AWOL on me
Mapula : I felt rejected …
I pop my eyes with a fade smile

Me : come on , you didn’t even
wait to give me a chance to say
anything
Mapula : I have been feeling

crazy about you , for a while
now . Well , even before I left
Isilo . And not once did you say
anything
I pick her up , into my arms .

She screams a bit laughing
Mapula : don’t drop me
Me : trust me
I walk to the bedroom
And place her on the bed
She slides her sandals off ,

moving back on the bed
I take my sneakers off
And lay down next to her
Me : why couldn’t you just tell

me that you love me ?
Mapula : I believe a man has to

court a woman
Me : that’s old ways

Mapula : imagine the
embarrassment , if a guy rejects
you . After pouring your heart to
them
Me : wait so you’ll rather lose a

man you love so much , like you
love me . That you can’t even
help yourself , over an ego ?
Don’t do that
She laughs
Mapula : I don’t have an ego ,
that’s a man’s thing
Me : mhm , silence doesn’t help

either
I lean over , slightly getting on

top of her
She places her hands on my

back
I lean down taking her lips into
mine
She closes her eyes slowly ,

kissing me back
I pull back slowly , laying down

on my back
Flipping her over me

I trail my hands down to her
lower waist
Slightly grabbing her ass cheek
She deepens the kiss , letting

out a slight moan into my
mouth
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
He lightly lifts my dress
And slowly pulls it off
I look into his eyes
And he leans down planting

kisses all over my body
Moving up , he sucks on my
neck
I part my legs
And let him position himself
Feeling his hard member ,

pressing on my coochie
He looks into my eyes
I slowly take his t-shirt , while he

pulls down his pants
I feel his bare skin against mine
Breathing high
Isilo : having seconds thoughts ?
I brush my hands on his head
Me : I’ll have regrets later
He chuckles
Pulling down my panty , sliding
it down my legs
I let out a moan , as his bare

dick touches my bare skin
He lets out a deep groan
Sending shivers down my spine
I am dripping down there

He lowers himself
And buries his head between

my thighs
I let him work his magic with his

tongue
Parting my coochie lips
Nibbling on my clit
While his hand , rubs on my
nipples
I curl my toes , as I feel pleasure

building up
And something urging to coke

out
I try to move my legs

But he holds me down
Gripping his hands on my thighs
I relax my muscles , and letting

pleasure rush through me
He lifts his head and comes up
With a slight stare , his eyes

turning hazel green
I remember these are Isilo the
jaguars eyes
Isilo : don’t think so hard about

it
I push the thought out of my

mind
As he smashes his lips on mine
And I lock my legs over him

I flinch , as I feel the head of his
dick poking through my open
I want to push him off
But I am longing for him
I have an urge to have him

inside of me
I open my legs wider

As he pushes through
I flinch at the pain
Holding myself from letting out

a scream
I hold tight on his back
As he pushes through ,and he

deep grunts
Thrusting slowly
And I try by all means , to avoid

the pain
The more he thrusts
The more I feel the pleasure

overcoming the pain
And I let out moans of pleasure

He picks his pace , lifting his
body slightly
So I don’t feel his weight in me
Slowly I move beneath him
Meeting his thrusts
Isilo : fuck …..

I feel the pleasure now enjoying
what he’s doing
Trailing my hands all over his

body
Down to his ass cheeks
And pressing down deeper
Isilo : look at me
I slightly open my eyes
He lifts his eyes
And we stare into each other’s

eyes
I feel his dick throbbing inside of

me
I lock my legs behind him

Isilo : I fucking love you
I smile
He pecks my lips
Me : I love you more …
I bite my lower lip , my whole

body trembles
He groans hard
His eyes completely changing
I shut mine , as pleasure takes

over and I scream in pleasure
Digging my nails on his back ,

holding tight on him
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 33*
*ISILO*
I pin her hands against the wall
And she aches her back
I part her ass cheeks
Mapula : Ohhh baby …..
She throws her head back
I slide my hand
Grabbing her neck
I tilt my head , capturing my lips

into hers
Pumping harder into her
Filling her up with my seed
She’s pants hard

Lowering her body
I grab her , and pick her into my

arms
Walking over to the bed
I lay her down
And grab the phone
Ordering food and snacks

With drinks
I walk over to the bed , and lay

down next to her
Cuddling her
I plant a kiss on her forehead
She wraps her arms around me

Me : are you okay ?
She nods against my chest
Me : look at me
She lifts her eyes and looks at

me
Me : are you having any regrets

now ?
She shakes her head with a
smile
Me : I have committed a crime

against your father now
She laughs
Mapula : what are we going to

do ?
Me : I will accept my fault

Mapula : really ?
Me : yes , are you ready to start

this life thing with me now ?
Mapula : more than ready
Me : I can’t wait to make you

my queen
She laughs
Mapula : are you proposing to
me my king ?
Me : you’ll never know , I have

to make things right now . So
maybe my trip might be short ,
because I have to come back
again . And pay from my crime
Mapula : I understand , as long

as you promise to be back
Me : then let’s make this time
we have count
She leans over , pecking my lips
Me : I ordered food
Mapula : I need a nap , I’ll eat

before I leave
Me : okay
She lays her head on my chest
Caressing my chest with her

hand
Now maybe I am the one with

regrets
There’s no way , that this will go

unpunished
I took her pride away
Now I have to make sure , I keep

her dignity
Her father won’t be happy

about this , that much I already
know
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
Yeah , this was one crazy
decision
As much as I want to have

regrets
I am happy , that he is the one

who took my virginity
As much as I know , my parents

won’t be happy about this . Not
even a bit
No one forced me
I did what makes me happy
Me : so what did you tell my

father ?
We’ve just ate
And now we’re cuddling on the

bed
I should be taking a shower
So he can take me back
But I don’t want to leave him
Especially now that he says , he

can’t say a bit longer
Like he had initially intended

I don’t know when I’ll see him
again
Isilo : I made some stupid talk , I

don’t even know what I’ll say to
him tomorrow
Mapula : why don’t you reel him

on a deal ? One that he can buy
into
Isilo : on what ?
Me : farming , we can supply
Isilo with crops they don’t have
Isilo : mhm , and you do have a

great land with great crops
Me : that could work
Isilo : you’re not just beautiful ,

but you got brains too
Me : well , I have to help you
out on this one
Isilo : I have already messed up ,

let me take one for the road .
While we shower
He chuckles
I burst out laughing
He gets up
And picks me up from the bed
Walking to the bathroom , into

the shower
He opens the water , to the

right temperature
While he pins me to the wall
Leaning down to my chest

Nibbling on my nipples
I throw my head back
As he lifts my leg up , balancing

it with his arm
He trails down , getting on his

knees
And parts my thighs

Getting in between them , his
tongue playing on my coochie
I grab on his head , pulling him

towards me
Feeling his tongue inside of me
Me : Ahhhh …..
I let out moans of pleasure

And he lifts up
Rubbing his dick on my coochie

open
Sliding through my walls
And he thrusts in
Taking over control

Pounding hard inside of me
Sending all kinds of feelings ,

through my whole body
My walls close in on his dick
As I feel the wave of pleasure

coming through
And I relax my body

Screaming his name
And he pounds harder , I feel his

thick seed rolling down my
thighs
He holds me tight
While we catch our breath’s
And we take our shower

Isilo : spend the night
Shit !
Why am I doing this ?
Isilo : please …I’ll pay more than

a fine if I have to
I can’t have a whole king

begging me
I have already given me all of
me
What’s the harm that can be

done ?
I hope my mother doesn’t go to

my hut
Me : okay
Isilo : you’ll spend the night ?

Me : yes
Isilo : thank you
Me : I just want to be with you
Honestly , I can’t even explain

what I feel
It feels like we are one

It’s like we have connected
On another level that I cannot

explain
I just want to be with him , even

if it means risking being caught
by my parents
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The maiden that realised that
Mapula left , with one of the
men that arrived with king Isilo
She looks around her hut
And catches on what’s

happening
She shakes her head , and

closes the hut locking it
She makes a mental note , to be
up early morning
So she can come in here
And see what to do about this

situation
The last thing she wants , is the

queen on her case
She doesn’t need that

It’s her job to look after the
princess , and she doesn’t want
to answer for things she doesn’t
know about
The little princess has grown up

, who would have thought ?
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 34*
*MAPULA*
I wonder if this man doesn’t tire
out
I am drained
I can sleep for days on end
He has be on my knees
My ass up , cheeks all exposed

to him
I grab hard on the sheets
Biting my lower lip
Suppressing my moans
I feel him going in deeper and

deeper
His hand grabbing hard on my

wait
My ass cheeks bouncing on his
lower waist
He slaps my ass cheek
I wince in pain and pleasure
And lay down completely flat on

my stomach
As he goes on to pound in hard

Tears stream down at the bridge
of my eyes
From all the pleasure
And I feel the urge to pee
He goes in slow and harder
I let go
But he doesn’t get off of me

I bury my face down on the
sheets
With nothing but

embarrassment washing on my
face
I just peed
Couldn’t I wait until he is done

?
I am so embarrassed
What is this man going to think

of me ?
I didn’t take long
To make him have doubts about

me
He deep grunts and gets off me

He lays down next to me
Isilo : come
I shake my head
Isilo : it’s wet there , come
I don’t move an inch , he

chuckles and brings me up to
him
Isilo : I am sorry I worn you out
Why does he not care that I just

peed ?
While he was still inside of me
I am ashamed to even look at

him
He pecks my cheeks
Isilo : what’s wrong ? Did I hurt
you ?
I burst into tears
And the way he holds me
There’s panic
Isilo : let me see

He slides down
And parts my legs
Isilo : I don’t see any tear
He looks at me
Isilo : I am sorry
He wipes my tears
Isilo : please tell me , what did I
do ?
Me : I am sorry …
Isilo : sorry for what ?
Me : I peed
I hide my face
And does he not burst into a
laughter
And that just makes me to cry

worse
Isilo : don’t cry , you didn’t pee
I look at him
Isilo : you were just squirting

I frown
He wipes my tears
Isilo : it’s part of sex my love ,

you didn’t pee . But even if you
did , I wouldn’t mind
Mxm !
Isilo : come , see …

He grabs his phone on the night
stand
Isilo : it’s normal , come see
I move over to him
And my eyes almost pop out
When I see what he’s searching
He clicks on a video
And moves it forward , to
almost the end
And he presses play
Isilo : you see
I watch as the lady , does the

squirting thing
Me : okay
I turn my eyes away
He closes his phone
Isilo : I just wanted you to see

that’s normal
Me : okay
Isilo : don’t ever cry again

Mhm !!
Now that I think about it
I was kind of stupid
I burst out laughing
Isilo : you’re such an idiot
Me : your idiot
Isilo : it’s perfectly fine
He winks at me
I lay back down , shaking my

head . Just feeling really stupid ,
of how I acted
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The maiden looks around the
palace
And walks over to Mapula’s hut
Making sure she is not seen
She quickly unlocks and walks in
And moves over to the bed
She messes the bed

Making them look like someone
was sleeping there
And she walks out , leaving the

room unlocked
She walks over to the gate
And sees that the small gate is

opened
She quickly walks back to the
room
Just as the queen walks out of

her hut
She walks over to Mapula’s hut
And walks in finding the maiden
She greets and looks around

The maiden greets her back
Queen : where is the princess
Quickly on top of her head
The maiden thinks of something

to say
Her : she went out for a

morning walk
The queen frowns surprised
Since when is Mapula a morning

person ?
But she just lets it slide
Queen : oh , what time did she

get back yesterday from her
walk . She didn’t join us for
supper
Her : a bit late , she said she
wasn’t hungry when I offered
her good
Queen : alright , please when

you finish cleaning her room .
Come to the main house , the
king of Isilo will be back today .
So I need you in the kitchen , so
you can cater for them
Her : yes my queen

The queen walks out of the hut
And goes back to her hut
The maiden takes a deep breath
And hopes to see the princess

when she gets back
So they can get their stories

together
They cannot risk being found
out
Hopefully the queen bought her

story
And believes her

.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
I had to bring her early
And make sure that she’ll make

it inside the palace
Without any suspicions
I cannot afford to get her into

trouble
As much as I don’t mind

I can stand up for myself
But I have to protect her
Me : I will see you before I leave

the palace okay ?
Mapula : okay
I lean over , capturing her lips

into mine
We kiss , and she moves over to
my side . I let out a slight
chuckle
Mapula : just to get you through

the day
I push her panty to the side
While she unbuckles my pants
I take out my dick

Rubbing it against her coochie I
slide it inside , taking fast deep
thrusts
Enjoying her warmth , and the

pleasure from her walls griping
on my dick
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 35*
*MAPULA*
I am startled by the hand that
touches me
I almost jump up
Thinking that I have been

caught out
Only to find out it’s Lesedi
The maiden that takes care of

me
Me : you scared me
Lesedi : I am sorry , my princess
Me : I …I am just …I …
Without a doubt , she can see I

am only coming in now
I am even using the back gate
Because I know it’s not as busy
Lesedi : quick , you have to put

these on . Tell the queen , you
went for a morning walk .
Yesterday , you came back from
your walk . And you refused to
eat
She hands me the plastic

And gives me the clothes
I quickly change , and put on

the leggings and t-shirt along
with the sneakers
She takes the clothes I’ve taken

off
And puts them inside the plastic

Lesedi : let’s go
As we walk inside the palace
And I walk over to the maim

house
I have to show face
To avoid many talks

I walk in the house , and greet
my parents
Me : mother , I hear Lesedi said

you were looking for me
Mom : I was just checking on

you
Me : oh , okay . Let me go bath

before breakfast
If she doesn’t ask
I won’t say anything
Because it’ll look like I am

covering up something
Queen : since when do you walk

in the morning ?
I shrug
Me : I couldn’t sleep any longer
Queen : that is strange
I say nothing and walk out

heading to my hut
I get in , and sit down on the

bed
I grab my phone
And call Isilo
On the first ring he answers
Isilo : mamazi (mommy)
Me : I am home
Isilo : you got in fine ? You didn’t

get caught
Me : my maiden came through
for me , we’re covered
Isilo : okay , I miss you already .

But I’ll see you when I come
Me : okay , let me sleep for a bit
He chuckles
Me : I am tired my king
Isilo : I understand my princess
Me : we’ll talk later , I love you
Isilo : and I love you
I drop the call , laying down

.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
The meeting with the king went
well
And he has agreed to be on

partnership with Isilo
To supply us year long , with

crops that we don’t have
Also to impart farming skills to

my people
So when our farms start
operating
They will be informed
And have knowledge of what

they’re doing
I am glad that is done
And the king bought what I said

Believed that’s why I came here
Now that all this is done
I can leave
Have a talk with my chief
And hear what he says about

this
Because I am scared
At the back of my head
I cannot help but be worried
I’ve slept with this woman
And now I don’t know what’s

happening there
I mean , she could be pregnant

As we speak
And if that’s what has happened

, then I am in deep shit
I need to make things right
Before all this escalates
And I put her life in danger ,

risking with her health
I grab my phone and text her to
meet me down the road
I just need to see her before I

leave
I can’t just leave without seeing

her
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I am a bit sad
That he is leaving today
So I took a walk
Just to clear my head
And think straight
I don’t know when I’ll see him

again
Even though he said he will
come back
I am still a bit sad
Because I don’t know when he’ll

come back
I get up from the rock
As his message pops

As much as I am sad
I do still want to see him before

he leaves
I thought I’ll have more days

with him
But clearly , that won’t happen

now
I am startled by footsteps
behind me
I quick turn
And it’s Mohau
I touch my chest , taking a deep

breath
Me : what the hell ? You scared

me , how long have you been
watching me here ? In fact ,
what do you want ? Why are
you following me ?
Mohau : you couldn’t wait , to

dump me and parade your lover
all over Lesotho
Me : what ?
I frown
Me : what are you talking about
? You’re the one who dumped
me , because you couldn’t deal
with your insecurities . And you
thought , you’re not good
enough for a princess . That’s
not my business
Mohau : and so fast , you have

moved on to a king ?
I am annoyed
I don’t even want to know how
he knows about Isilo and I
Also the fact that we went to

Maseru
Someone must have told him
Mohau would have never gone

there
Me : I have moved on , make
peace with it
Mohau : this is not over
He turns and walks away , that

sure felt like a threat . And I
don’t know what he will do
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 36*
*ISILO*
I hold her hand
Me : are you okay ?
She nods
Yet I can see clearly , that

something is wrong with her
She is not okay
It could be that I am leaving

Or maybe it’s something else
Hopefully , it’s nothing that has

to do with her parents
Or me taking her away for a

night
I just hope I am not the cause
Me : no , talk to me
Mapula : remember the guy I
told you about ?
I nod slowly
Me : the ex ?
She laughs
Mapula : he is not even that ,

but yeah
I try by all means , not to get my
emotions high
Without hearing first what this

is about
Me : what about him ?
Mapula : I saw him today
Me : oh
I keep my cool
Mapula : not that I went to see

him , or anything like that
Me : so …you bumped into him

?
Mapula : something like that
Me : okay
Mapula : I am telling you this ,
because I don’t want lies
between us . He kind of was
upset about us
Me : us being you and him or us

?
Mapula : us , I don’t know how

he know about us . He knew we
were together in Maseru , and
that pissed him off . Because he
was clearly angry about that
Me : he is still in love
Mapula : I don’t love him , but

he was angry . And he said , this
is not done . I don’t know what
he meant by that , but it felt like
a threat
Me : mhm
Mapula : I just thought I should
tell you , because I don’t want
to keep things from you
Me : he won’t do anything to
you
Mapula : I know , he won’t hurt

me . He knows I have a guard
Maybe I am wrong
Me : how young is this guy ?
Mapula : a bit older than me
Me : mhm …
I get lost in thought
She taps me on my shoulder , I

look at her
Mapula : what’s going on ?
Me : leaving the palace ,

someone threw a burning tire in
front of my car
She pops her eyes
Mapula : what ?
Me : yeah but …maybe I am just

thinking too much
Mapula : if it’s him then …
Me : baby please listen to me , I

need you to calm down
Mapula : what ?
Me : me and you are one now ,

when we had sex we connected
in a more deeper way than I can
even explain . And , I am scared
right now . That I might have
not just taken your virginity ,
but gotten you pregnant …
Mapula : what ….
Me : there’s a lot I need to tell

you , but the important thing is
that if you are pregnant . You’re
not carrying a normal human
being , and that child will grow
at a speed that’s not normal .
You will not carry that baby for
9 months , it will be born way
much earlier than that . I am
telling you this , because I need
you to be prepared for anything
. Hence I am leaving today , so I
can speak to Thongalethu and
see how do we come back and
make things right
The silence is a lot
And I don’t know if she heard

me
Or it’s just shock
Me : when things are like this , i

am coming back to marry you
and make you queen of Isilo
She heaves a sigh , taking a

deep breath
Me : I just need you go calm

down , and not stress about
anything . Because that will not
be in your best interest
I place a kiss on her lips
Me : I love you , and I will make

all this right . Please , just take
this time I am away and think
I bring her into my arms , and

embrace her
I don’t know what she is
thinking right now
Or what she’s making of this
But I had to tell her , so she

knows what we are faced with
should it be she’s pregnant
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I feel like I am going crazy
Literally loosing my mind
I don’t understand how this is

possible
But then again , Isilo is anything

but a normal human being
And I slept with him

Without even thinking about
pregnancy
Or anything beyond what we

were doing
I don’t even know what to think

right now
I am not in the right state
It was just a lot

I couldn’t even say anything to
him
Or respond to what he said
I don’t know what to think
What is going to happen , if I am

really pregnant ?
Am I ready for that ?

To be a mother , and to a baby
that will not even be normal ?
How crazy is all this ?
I grab my phone and send him a

text
“I love you , despite everything I

love you”
Within seconds , he calls
Me : Xaluva
Isilo : I love you too mama , I

love you so much . I promise , I
will be here . And I will make
sure , I don’t degrade your
dignity . I promise you
Me : I know , I know you will .

Go home , and I’ll wait for you
Isilo : okay , I have an incoming
call . It’s Thongalethu , I’ll call
you
Me : okay
I drop the call
Somehow I find myself , smiling

at all this . And my hand trailing
Timmy tummy
Me : if you’re in there , I am
scared . But mommy will
definitely love you , and protect
you
I let out a slight laugh , taking a

deep breath
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Me : Thonga
Thonga : what are you doing ?
Okay …
He is upset
I can just tell from his tone
He is angry
Thonga : this is not how things
are done , and now you’re
leaving her there . Putting her at
risk , with an Isilo seed
Shit !
Me : I said I will …
Thonga : you should have called

me to come there , why did you
even sleep with her before you
make her a wife ? Knowing she
will be far away, and they will
not know how to deal with a
creature that’s not theirs
Okay !
I shake my head
Me : you’re angry right now ,

and kind of forgetting yourself . I
fucked up , and I will rectify this
. So please , just …
Thonga : I am coming there ,

don’t even bother making it
here
He drops the call
I shake my head heaving a sigh
I dial Mapula back

She answers
Mapula : baby
Me : I’m not l …..I’m not leaving

anymore
Mapula : why what happened ?
Me : Thongalethu ….listen we’ll

head to Maseru now , and book
at the hotel . I’ll call you , and
we’ll talk better
Mapula : but are you okay ?
Me : yes , I’m okay
Not really though
Just then a burning tire is

thrown in front of the car
The driver abruptly stops the
car , hitting something very hard
Mapula : Isilo what’s that ?
She screams on the other side ,

and my phone slips dropping
down
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 37*
*MAPULA*
I hear glass shattering
Like something has been

thrown against the car window
Me : Isilo …
I shout his name
But nothing
I hear voices
Loud voices , of men
Isilo : this is nonsense …
I hear his faint , angry voice
Me : baby ….
I call him out , but he doesn’t

respond back
I hear screams of pain
The call gets dropped
I call him , it just rings
Tears are streaming down my

cheeks
I heard that commotion
I know what I heard

The call got dropped
And now he is not answering,

it’s just ringing without any
answer
I run inside the main house in

high speed
Mom : what’s going on with you

?
Me : something happened to Isi
…king Isilo , please you have to
send a driver
Mom : send a driver …
Me : dad please , I beg of you
He gets up and walks to me
I am a crying mess
King : where is he ?
Me : on his way , to the boarder

please hurry
My father runs outside
And something snaps inside of

me
Mom : wait ….
I run after him
But one of the guards holds me
As two royal cars drive out of

the kingdom
Me : let me go
Him : princess , I’m afraid I can’t

let you leave
My mother holds me
Mom : come …
Me : I have to …
Mom : your father has gone ,

just come inside the house
I feel like screaming my lungs

out
We walk back inside the house
Mom : what’s going on between

you and Isilo ?
I say nothing
Mom : how do you know

something happened to him ?
Again , I say nothing
Mom : I am talking to you , why
are you even crying ?
Me : I’m ….
I shake my head
Mom : talk , what’s going on ?
I wipe my tears off , but they

just keep on falling
Me : I’ll be in hut , waiting for
dad to come back
Mom : you are not walking away

from me
I say nothing and walk out
Heading to my hut
I get in and lock the door

I don’t want her just walking in
here
I don’t have answers to her

questions right now
Isilo is my worry right now
I am so scared
I can’t lose him

I just can’t
Not when he could possibly be

leaving me with a baby
No ways ! He has to be alive , he

just has to live . He can’t leave
me alone
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA KINGDOM*
The king’s driver stops the car
abruptly
And they get out of the car
His guard pushes him back
As a black jaguar emerges in

front of Isilo’s car
Jumping on the boy , pulling his

head off with its mouth
Blood just dripping everywhere
King : what the …..
He quickly gets back in the car
And taps his driver to drive

away
The drives doesn’t waste time

taking a U-turn
And driving back to the palace
in high speed
Isilo slowly looks around
And the ground is filled with

blood
He sees the bodies of the boys

laying on the ground
He moves back towards his
ruined car
And transforms back to his

human form
The guards of the king , move

back
Isilo looks at them , and over to

his guard
Looking at his driver that’s
laying dead on the ground
He clicks his tongue
And walks over to the king’s

guards
Isilo : I …I need your car , I’ll

bring it back
Without saying anything

One of them hands him the car
keys
He takes them and notions to

his guard
Who walks over
And the two get in the car
Driving away headed to Maseru

The king’s guards look around
the scene
And one of them holds his

stomach and throws up
He has never seen anything like

this
He knows war , and has seen

war
But this ….this jaguar ripped
these boys apart
Like they were nothing
Their legs are scattered all over
Their arms are ripped off
And this one who’s head is

ripped off
And they saw all that with their
own eyes
He moves back
While the other guard , sits

down on the ground
Not knowing what to do
What do they do now ?

Who will clean this mess ?
Pick up these boys ?
How do they explain this to

their parents ? As to what
happened to their kids
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I rush in the main house
Following after my father and

his driver
I stop on my tracks hearing his

shaken voice
My knees get weak
Thinking maybe something has

happened to Isilo
Dad : he ripped them apart , like
they were animals
Mom : what are you saying ?
Dad : I saw that jaguar , those

boys didn’t stand a chance
Mom : he killed them ? Why

would he come here , and kill
our people ?
Oh my goodness
Dad : from what I saw there , his

car is in ruins . Maybe these
boys are the same ones who
threw that tire in front of his car
, and they were waiting for him.
There were stones everywhere ,
his car windows shattered …
Oh my God
I quickly walk back to my room
I call him , but his phone

doesn’t go through
Me : damn Isilo !
I call Rain , within seconds she

answers
Rain : my princess
Since when do we call each
other like this ?
Anyways …
Me : please , I need to get a

hold of Isilo . He left here , I
think he has been hurt
Rain : calm down , he is okay .

We’re on our way there
Me : I need to speak to him
Rain : don’t worry …
Me : don’t tell me that !!
Rain : okay , I’ll call his guard or

driver . Calm down
She drops the call

I tap my foot down
Just waiting , for a call or

anything
I just need to hear that he’s

okay , and from his own mouth
not from someone else
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 38*
*ISILO*
I walk out of the shower
My guard walks in with his

phone
Me : what ?
Philo : my king , it’s the princess
Fuck !
I take the phone

He walks out
I won’t even ask how she has

his number
Me : mamazi (mommy)
She lets out a cry that pierces

my heart
Me : don’t cry , I am okay

Me : I am sorry , it’s that boy
Mapula : and you killed him
Me : are you crying because I

killed your lover or what ? They
killed my driver , what did you
want me to do ? They ruined my
car
Mapula : he is not my lover ,
what is going to happen to me
now ? You killed my people , in
my land ….
Me : I am not going to do this

with you , I don’t have a phone
at the moment . Can you just
stay out of this
Mapula : don’t tell me that

Me : okay , I am not doing this
with you . I love you
I drop the call
This has just become a mess
Way more than I thought I had

created
Now this
How do we even sweep thin, so
no one gets hold of it ?
I know king Leruo is not pleased

right now
Mapula can wait with her

tantrums
Because she’s causing herself

unnecessary stress
That boy knew what he was
doing
I don’t know who told him he

can disrespect me like that
And there’ll be no
consequences to that
He must have thought I am just

an idiot
I was not going to let them
destroy my car
Kill my driver
And I do nothing to them , that

was never going to happen
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
He dropped the call on me
Like he did that
Wow !
After going to such lengths to

be able to talk to him
He drops the call on me
I am pissed right now

I can’t even go in the house
How will I look my parents in

the eyes ?
What a whole mess
What gotten into Mohau ?
This was so stupid

Such a stupid idea , to think he
can hurt a whole king like Isilo
I don’t know what he was

thinking
He was probably not thinking at

all
I don’t even want to think what

my father is feeling right now
He is probably so angry
Probably just fuming
I can’t face him
Somehow I feel like this is all my

fault
Isilo came here because of me
Mohau was angry

And all that because of me
And now what’s done is done
I don’t even know how do we

begin to rectify any of this ,
what will we do ?
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
Thonga : this is a mess
Me : tell me something I don’t

know
Thonga : we have to go back , fix

all this . See how we can make
amends with the king
Me : I know
Thonga : eish …
He shakes his head
Thonga : how is the princess ?
Me : I don’t know
Thonga : why are you not

talking to her ?
Me : her emotions are just all

over the place
Thonga : she needs you now
more than ever
Me : can we just go talk to

Leruo , and see what we can do
about this
Thonga : alright , I am bringing

my wife with
Me : that’s fine
Thonga : hopefully , he can just
fine us
Me : he should , they did attack

me
Thonga : these boys !
Me : and now Ntjilo is dead ,

they killed him . That boy aimed
that steel pipe to his head , that
was the intent . So I don’t feel
bad for what I did
We get up and walk outside to

the parking lot
Rain comes with their driver

and guard
.
.
.
.
*MAPULANA*
King : he took my car , when will
he bring it back ? Because he
still has to answer for this , I
need answers . I need to know
what happened
His wife looks at him
Queen : I am scared of this man

, I think he should just be
banished from our land . So he
never comes back
King : then what ?
Queen : we will have to keep

what happened here , no one
can know about this
King : it will not only ruin him ,

but us as well
Queen : I know , hence I say this

King : but he still needs to come
back , and answer to this
Queen : how is that going to

help ?
King : at least , I will know why

he did what he did
The queen shakes her head
Queen : I don’t know

She looks at him
Queen : I think this man just

needs to leave our land , and
leave our country . And he must
never come back here again
King : didn’t you want him to

marry our daughter , just a few
days ago
Queen : don’t go there , that
was because I knew what an
animal he is . I cannot trust my
daughter’s life , in the hands of
a man who’s like that
The king chuckles
King : you knew Isilo wasn’t

normal , don’t start acting up
right now . I believe he was
provoked
Queen : there was a way , to
deal with this . He didn’t have to
kill them , like that
Mapula moves away from the

door
Walking to her room , her

stomach growling
She is hungry
And feels like she can eat a
whole cow alone , but she is
hesitant to go to the main
house
Especially because Isilo is all

they’re talking about
.
.
.
.
*ISILO THE FOURTH*
*INSERT 39*
*MAPULA*
I am sceptical to go in that room
My father has called me in
I don’t know what has been said

about me
Why would my father call me in

?
Isilo brought me food

And gave them go Lesedi to give
to me
I am happy , that he thought of

me
Even though when we last

spoke on call it didn’t end well
But he still bought me food
As if he knew I was hungry

I appreciated that
Now I have to go into that room
And face them
With whatever they’re talking

about
I need strength for this

I change into a comfortable
dress
And put on sandals
And walk over heading over to

the hut , all I can hear us manly
voices
.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
She walks in and takes a seat
Next to Rain on the grass mat
I look at her , she lowers her

head looking down
I heave a sigh looking
King Leruo : that’s too many

faults Xaluva , I am sure even
you can agree with me
Thongalethu looks at me
Thonga : please , let me handle

this
I lean back on the wooden stool
Thonga : we understand my king

, but we are also willing to make
things right . Even if it’s to pay a
fine , and also compensate the
families of the boys . Of course ,
with the agreement that , they
never know what really
happened to them . We can
always come up with a story , to
cover all this up . As for the
princess , we would like to pay
what’s due and take her with us
Mapula quickly looks at us
I avoid her gaze

We have already told her father
everything
It was of no use to keep quite
Thonga : because I assure you

right now , you will not be able
to handle any of this . For her
sake and well being , she is
better off with us back at Isilo .
Because we will know how to
care for her , and to keep her
alive
King Leruo : alive ?
Thonga : yes , you most

definitely cannot expect her to
be carrying a normal being like
me and you . When the father is
a jaguar , that will fight to
survive . And that means harm
to her and her health
King : what you Isilo people
have done to my kingdom , it’ll
take a miracle for me to forget .
And now you want to take my
daughter , why can’t you make
things the right way ?
Thonga : we don’t have time for

that , because in three days she
could wake up with a belly she’s
three months . We need her to
come with us , it’ll take us time
to gather our elders and uncles .
Please let us pay the fine , and
damages and also pay bride
price . You have your council , I
am sure we can reach some
kind of an agreement . We are
willing to do everything right
now
King Leruo : give me room and

my people
I look at him
We get up and walk out
With how Mapula was looking

at us
I know she is not happy , but I

trust Thongalethu
.
.
.
.
*MAPULA*
I am screwed
Dad : how true is this ?
I have my head bowed down
Tears are streaming down my

face
Me : it’s …it’s true
The silence
I know my elders are defeated
And clearly they didn’t expect

this of me
Me : I am sorry my king
I can’t even bare to look at him
Dad : go pack your bags

I feel my heart tearing apart
It feels like I have disappointed

him to the core
That he cannot even stand my

sight
I get up , with blurry eyes
Tears burning my eyes

I head over to my hut , passing
them
And my mother budges in
Mom : couldn’t you close your

legs , that at the slight chance
you got . You opened them to
this animal of a man , that
you’re even carrying his seed ?
I want to respond to her

But I keep quite
Mom : I am more than

disappointed , look at the things
you’re making us do . No wife
ever leaves home in this
manner
She walks out

Breaking down
I feel warm arms embracing me
I know it’s Rain
I can tell from her scent
Rain : it’s okay , it’ll be okay . I’ll

be at Isilo , I’ll take care of you .
Your parents are just shocked
right now , but they’ll be okay
with time . They love you
Me : this is not how I wanted to

leave home
Rain : I know , but that man

needs you . And if we leave you
here , this baby will kill you and
live . We don’t want that , so if it
means doing things this way.
Then so be it , when the time is
right we’ll come back
I feel like I have gotten myself
into a mess
Something I don’t even

understand
And it’s just a disaster

.
.
.
.
*ISILO*
King Leruo : Xaluva , not only …
Me : I know I have wronged..
Thonga : don’t …
Me : no , I still respect you my

king . Despite what has
happened , and I don’t deny
anything . And I say I am taking
punishment , and accountability
for my actions . The same
respect I still give you , please
give it back . My man is also
dead , but you don’t see me
pointing fingers . My car is
damaged , but I am not even
making that an issue . So please
, respect me I am a king as
much as you are
Thonga heaves a sigh
Me : you can go on
King Leruo : that is nothing but
disrespect , and yet toy still
want my daughter
Me : I can leave her and she will

die , then do you know what will
happen ? I will come back , and
rain terror on this whole
kingdom . Just try me , I dare
you . If she dies here , you will
pay for her life with your blood
Thonga pats my shoulder
King Leruo : enough of you

people , you will pay a 100
thousand to each family of
those boys . And you will pay 5
cows to cleanse my kingdom , of
the blood you spilled . And I
want 21 cows , with a house for
my daughter . You’ll pay 1 cow
for taking her pride , and pay 2
cows for getting her pregnant .
My cow goes ag R17 000 each , I
am sure you’re capable of
counting . So make the math ,
and leave my kingdom . Don’t
ever come back , unless I say
otherwise . And that deal you
came here for , forget about it .
I want nothing to do with you ,
it’s a pity that my daughter is
tied to you
Me : it was never even about

that deal
Thonga : stop …
King Leruo gets up and walks

out
Thonga : what is wrong with you

?
Me : he must not act all mighty

with me , because I am actually
being nice to him . Who the
fuck does he think he is ?
Thonga : you’re in the wrong
here
Me : yeah so what ? Does he

want me to kiss his feet ?
Gather his money so we can
leave
Mapula walks in with Rain
And she’s red

From all the crying
I know she is sad right now
But we will talk all this out , it

was no use to leave her here
.
.
.
.
*THE END*

ISILO The Fourth

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ISILO The Fourth

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*ISILO THE FOURTH*

And he takes a deep breath

Just looking at him

He can just figure out , what his

It’s been almost two years

And nothing good has been said

Healer : I am afraid , there’s

His heart breaks just looking

And it cannot be missed

King : excuse us , and keep this

The healer nods

Healer : my loyalty is to this

And walks out of the hut

The king looks at his wife

She cannot bare to look into his

He has lost hope

He doesn’t believe , she’ll ever

He is lost in his own thoughts

His ancestors wanted this wife

They blessed their marriage

He has run out of words to

She is always hopeful

And holding on to faith

That the good Lord will never

Holding on to her hope

When there’s no hope

Queen : when I was young ,

The king smiles

Remembering the day she ran

When his father had sent

And finds him smiling

And it brings sorrow to her eyes

She doesn’t understand why he

Especially at a time like this

Queen : I am permitting you to

With a heavy heart she says

He quickly looks at her

But her words have raised

And emotion of anger

He gets up and walks out of the

The queen breaks down in tears

Why can she not bare a child ?

The one thing , that will make

If there’s one thing , she knows

And it’s people

That he swore he will serve

Until his last breath

And his linage will continue to

One that’s just nothing but a

Queen : Lord , you knew me

She closes her eyes , taking a

That she feels a heavy weight

And lightening strikes outside

There’s rattling of teeth

And doors shutting

With loud noises

While she closes her eyes , and

Of what she said to him

ISILO THE FOURTH