"Hear this! Hear this! By order of the King of Amari!"
The drums began before sunrise.
They rolled across Amari like distant thunder, the news made people pause mid step and listen.
Doors opened. Heads turned. Women paused at cooking fires, men straightened from their fields, children clustered near their mothers.
"The Sacred Ritual of Cleansing shall be observed!"
Murmurs spread immediately.
"Seven days of preparation are granted!"
An elder near the well froze.
"Seven days…?"
"On the seventh day, all citizens shall journey to the Mountain Shrine within the sacred forest of igbèrú! "
Now the fear deepened.
"The King summons all people of Amari to gather at the palace hall by sunset! He shall address the kingdom!"
The criers moved on, repeating the message as they went, their voices echoing between clay walls and across open farmland.
The reactions followed them.
"What does this mean?"
"It hasn't been done in years…"
"Is the forest truly broken?"
"My grandmother spoke of this…"
"They wouldn't call it unless—"
No one finished the thought.
The drums continued.
Zaina woke abruptly.
"What is that?" she murmured, pushing herself upright.
Imani was already sitting, listening.
"Drums."
"And shouting."
They heard the town crier's voice pass outside the palace walls, muffled but clear enough.
"The Sacred Ritual of Cleansing—"
Zaina swung her legs off the bed.
"What?"
Imani stood quickly.
"Something serious is happening."
"Obviously."
Zaina moved toward the door.
"They wouldn't announce a ritual for nothing."
"They said the King is gathering everyone."
Zaina's eyes sharpened.
"Then I'm going to him."
"Are we still grounded?"
Zaina was already opening the door.
"I'm not sure I care"
The guards outside straightened in surprise, but neither moved to stop her. She strode past them, Imani hurrying behind.
The palace corridors were already alive with movement. Servants whispered. Guards walked with urgency.
They found the King and Queen near the inner hall, standing close in quiet conversation.
Zaina approached without ceremony.
"What ritual?"
Both turned.
The Queen's brows drew together slightly.
"You move quickly."
"I heard the announcement," Zaina said.
"What's happening?"
The King exchanged a glance with the Queen, then spoke.
"The boundary stones have been broken. The forest is unsettled. We will perform the cleansing ritual to restore balance."
Zaina blinked. "Cleansing ritual? "
"Yes."
She folded her arms.
"How come I don't know about this?"
The King tilted his head.
"Perhaps if you paid closer attention during your history lessons."
Zaina shot him a look.
"I do pay attention."
"Selectively," he replied calmly.
The Queen hid a faint smile before continuing.
"The ritual is old. It is only done when the land itself is disturbed. It calls for unity, offerings, and cleansing. The entire kingdom must take part."
Zaina absorbed this, surprised.
"And the gathering?"
"I will address the people," the King said.
"They deserve to understand what lies ahead."
Zaina stood firmly, her thoughts already racing.
Near the edge of the village, a group of teenagers gathered beneath a wide acacia tree, their voices overlapping.
"You heard it too?"
one boy asked, wide eyed.
"The cleansing ritual," another replied.
"My grandmother said it hasn't happened since she was a child."
A girl hugged her arms.
"That means something is really wrong."
A taller boy leaned against the tree trunk.
"The Princess was right afterall."
They all looked at him.
"You heard what they said about her," he continued.
"She said it wasn't hunters."
Another boy nodded.
"She did. Everyone laughed."
"Well, no one's laughing now."
One of the girls spoke softly.
"I admire her, you know. She doesn't just sit quietly like other royals."
"She walks the forest," someone added.
"And argues with the elders," another said, half impressed.
The cautious boy shifted.
"If the ritual is happening… we'll all have to go to the mountain."
"Seven days," the taller one said.
"We should hear what the King says first."
They all nodded.
"Come on," one of them said.
"We don't want to miss it."
They began moving toward the palace, joining the growing crowd of villagers heading the same direction.
By sunset, the palace grounds were full.
Farmers, elders, hunters, traders, mothers with children tied to their backs. The air was filled with tension and speculation.
Guards directed the crowd, keeping pathways clear while drums beat slowly in the background.
Inside the palace hall, the council had gathered.
The Queen stood beside the King, calm but watchful. Zaina lingered behind them, eyes scanning the growing crowd through the open entrance.
A guard approached and bowed.
"Your Majesty," he said.
"The people are gathered."
The King inhaled slowly.
Then he stepped forward.
And the hall fell silent.