LOVE ME AGAIN PRIM

CHAPTER EIGHT

Six beautiful maidens stood before the nobles and monarchs. From Cudan there was Fayra- daughter of the finance minister, Nuta- daughter of the prime minister of and Peka- daughter of the general of the northern army. From Ravia stood Daba- daughter of the agricultural minister, Gepari- daughter of the interior minister and Prem- daughter of the commander of the armed forces.

A servant came forward declaring the rules of the competition.

'The competition would be in three stages. In the first stage the six maidens will play a musical instrument of their choice for a stipulated period of time. In the second stage, the contestants from one kingdom must replicate a short tune played by the other. In the final stage, the contestants must sing a over any tune of their choice on the title picked by the queens. The winner of the competition will be determined by the royal Majesties, King Dyrai and King Ceryes.'

The crowd applauded and a stage was created for the competition to begin. The six contestants played different tunes using various kinds of wind and string instruments. Gepari clearly bested the rest of her competitors with her flute with Peka coming second and Prem, third. The crowd cheered at the results.

In the next stage of the competition, the six ladies formed two groups and sat facing each other. It wad decided that the Cudanians would go first with Peka leading the troupe. The musical composition they played was a complicated tune that few people attempted and even fewer had ever heard, but Peka had mastered to wow her lover who was hard to please. Peka played her strings like a demoness till the very end and even her team mates found it difficult to keep up at some points but when they finished, the room gave a loud applause at their rendition and Razan smiled at her with pride. Peka smiled back and looked defiantly at Prem and her team mates but was surprised to find Prem clapping and smiling back at her. Prem whispered into the ears of a servant who carried away her clarinet. Prem turned to her team mates and explained to them the tune and after a few minutes they agreed on what and how play.

While they spoke a zither was brought in and placed before Prem and while she was tuning it, Daba also changed her instrument from a flute to a ravian ruda which was a two string instrument with a bow while Gepari ordered for a longer flute. Gepari started the tune , blowing softly and Daba followed shortly after creating a peaceful ambience but when Prem started to work her strings, the entire room was enchanted by mastery of her fingers. Razan closed his eyes following the temptation her song with his heart, the vibrations of her strings echoing into his soul. Whereas Peka played her song with strong passion, Prem played with gentle finesse, giving a gentler, captivating rendition of the song. The Ravians replicated the Cudanian tune to perfection and ended to a standing ovation by the entire crowd . Gepari, unable to hide her joy ran to Prem and hugged her causing Prem to laugh while Daba smiled looking at the maternal cousins. Prem's laughter sounded like chiming bells in Razan's ears, echoing into his soul and slowly cracking the stone walls of his heart. The second stage was declared a tie and all six girls bowed to the crowd and came down from the stage in preparation for the final stage.

After a several minutes, a servant rang the gong and everyone looked to the royals. The queens came out and everyone bowed as they walked towards their husbands. They guests are asked to rise and the queens were asked what topic they had chosen.

Queen Elona replied, 'My lords we have both agreed that the contestants will sing about greatness.'

The contestants are called once again and each is asked to choose a stick. The sticks reveal the order in which they will perform and Peka comes fifth with Prem performing last.

The first contestant is called and sings about the greatness of Cudan, its wealth and the strength of its armies. Its people and the fertility of the land. The second sings about the greatness of King Dyrai, his conquests and achievements as king. His devotion to the welfare of the people and his uphold of justice. The third sings of the greatness of King Ceryes, his family, prince Razan, his wealth, his wives and his achievements while the fourth sings of the glory of Ravia, its people, the diversity of its cultures and the strength of its army. Peka is called and she sings about the greatness of prince Razan in the battle field, she sings about his exploits and his power, she sings about the many enemies that have fallen to his spear. Everyone applauds her voice and her song and she strides off the stage feeling victorious.

Prem walks upon the stage and is joined by Fusha who sits with a flute in her hands. Fusha plays a sad tune and everyone looks at themselves curious about what Prem wishes to sing about.

'Great is the hope of a parent whose child is arriving.

Eternal is the love of a parent who's expecting their child to arrive.

From the moment it is conceived to the moment it arrives.

The woman transforms into the ravian river that it runs to for relief and the man transforms into the solid rock of the ravian plateau that it runs to for safety.'

Fusha continues playing the tune and Yukon with Sharfa look at their daughters tenderly, who are sitting with the King and queen of Cudan and Razans daughter, listening to Prem sing while Ranbe places her hand on her belly and is joined by Kultar who places his hand over hers.

'Great is the worry of the parent whose child is not home.

Great is the fear of the parent when the child is not near

Whether it be the daughter whom they are placing in a strangers arms.

Or the son far from home, not knowing if he's come to any harm.'

Fusha plays her flute again and the mood of the entire room becomes sober, listening to Prem.

'Great is the sorrow of the parent who's child is lost.

Whether it be in a marketplace or on the battlefield.

It leaves a wound that never allows the parent to live or die.

Knowing that the child is lost never to be seen again.

No parent deserves to bury their own child.'

Sobbing and sniffling could be heard across the room, and women cleaned tears from their faces.

'I hope that my children will run to me for comfort.

I pray that in my strangers arms they will find safety.

I pray that they bless me for I one choose.

Like I bless my mother everyday.'

Prem looked at her parents and bows to them, who looked back at her at her with pride

'If you want to measure the greatness of wealth, offer it to the woman looking for her a son in the market place.'

If you want to measure the greatness of power, offer it to the man who has just buried his child.'

If you want to measure the greatness of loyalty, offer death to a child in front of its parents.

I pray that your children will live to understand the greatness of your love.

For there is nothing greater than the love of a parent.

It shines eternally like the Ravian sun.'

The entire room was silent when she finished but soon a thunderous applause could be heard across the entire palace. Every person in the room chanted her name. The queen of Cudan got up and walked towards Prem, her eyes flowing with tears. She kissed Prems cheek and thanked her for such a wonderful song.

Razan for the first time in his life felt ashamed of lives he had taken. He sat, watching Prem as her words continued to drill holes into his heart. He looked to his father and saw him carrying a solemn expression.

'Father?' he said

His father looked at him and said, ' A girl like that, you may never find again Razan. Make a move while there is still time.'