Kitanna
Chapter 199: CALL TO THE MOUNTAINS

Chapter 199: CALL TO THE MOUNTAINS

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: NUNKKOT ~ BTS V]

Nix stood in front of Almaria’s grave, his eyes watching as the guards dug up the body parts that were buried round the tomb. He had asked Kitanna to stay back because of her morning sickness; he didn’t want her to see what would irritate her even more.

"Who could have done this?" Hieron asked rhetorically, as he wasn’t looking for anyone to answer.

Nix observed the pattern in which the parts were buried; it was as if the culprit was gathering important parts to fix up Almaria.

This used to be a legend to bring back to life people who had gone to the underworld. It was initiated by a group of women who had peculiar beliefs, but after a long time, such a ritual was abolished because of unnecessary bloodshed. Seeing that someone actually did it only meant that it was not properly eradicated in Morado.

Nix turned to the high priestess, who was also standing at the scene. And he asked, "What is your take on this, Mubera?"

"Like I said, it’s the ritual of resurrection. This is exactly how it is in the book," Mubera replied, checking out how the body parts were lined around Almaria’s headstone.

Nix tilted his head, "There’s a book? If it was abolished, why didn’t they burn the book with it? Why keep it?" The king asked. If someone wanted to stop something, it was only right to erase every possible trace of it, but a book was left. To guide what and who exactly? Nix couldn’t help but muse in his mind.

Mubera pressed her lips, "Some of the things written in the book guided priestesses in their ritual, but we never gave it out, so anyone who knows about this must be as old as the book itself or stole the book," the elderly woman remarked.

"Nothing is ever done right around here," Hieron sighed. And he said this because everything that was supposed to be abolished found its way back to the surface, just like the Black rose; now, the book of resurrection. All this bothered the old man; it only meant his grandson had a lot of work to do in balancing the kingdom.

Nix raked his fingers through his hair; it was no longer Deonisia they were looking for but someone who was attempting to bring Almaria back to life. "So this means the book is not in the shrine?" Nix asked the obvious question.

Mubera nodded, "That was what I was on my way to report. Someone infiltrated the shrine," the high priestess replied.

Nix inhaled, "if someone can infiltrate the shrine and kill two palace servants without being caught, it means the royal family is not safe. There is no need for guards!" Nix’s voice got a little harder at the end as anger was now boiling in his blood. Each bad news scared him, especially now that he was going to be a father. The only instinct he had was protection; he needed to make sure Kitanna and their child were safe and in a safe palace.

Chantal, who was helping other guards to survey the graveside, picked up something that was buried in the ground, and he rushed to give it to Nix.

Nix raised the old piece of clothes; it was faded but on a closer look, it was a silk material only worn by noblemen. "Burnt incense," Nix muttered while looking at the first found lead to whoever the killer was.

Nix was occupied with the attempt to figure out who was playing such tricks on them in a brutal manner when a guard arrived with a letter.

"Your Majesty, this letter was sent from the mountains," the guard bowed, handing over the parchment to Nix.

Hieron, who heard the word ’mountain,’ went to stand beside Nix as they read the contents of the letter.

"Nix, seems like my presence is needed there," Hieron replied after reading the letter.

Nix sighed, "This could be a trap for all we know. Look at the sequence of all the happenings; I can’t let you go there alone." A worried grandson replied.

Hieron patted his grandson reassuringly, "Don’t worry, nobody knows the mountains the way I do. I’ll be fine let me go and prepare to head out." The elder white Lord walked away while going to prepare for his departure to the mountains.

Nix stood where he was, so many thoughts running in his mind at the same time. He walked away from the graveyard, going back inside the palace where he met Kitanna.

"Nix! I just saw Lord Hieron; he said he is going to the mountains." Kitanna walked to stand in front of her husband.

Nix nodded, rubbing his hand on his temple. "We received a letter that his presence was needed back there. I would have followed him, but I need to catch whoever it is that is making Morado uneasy." He replied, worry marred on his forehead.

Kitanna pressed her lips; she was also worried. She had thought that after she got married to Nix, they wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore. Especially with Almaria dead, but it was as if things weren’t getting easier for them. And she blamed herself, because it was as if she was associated with bad luck.

Kitanna felt the warm hands of Nix on her face and she heard him say, "Don’t make that face, you don’t have to blame yourself for anything. Life is not always perfect, and you should know that. Just like other times, this cup would pass us by. Nothing we can’t handle." Nix assured his wife, leaning forward to peck her lips.

Kitanna nodded her head in agreement, when Nix moved back. She said to him, "Larel is here, she is settling in her room."

"That’s alright; let’s go and see Lord Hieron off before he leaves." Nix replied.

Hieron was already done packing, ready to leave the kingdom. It’s been long he left the mountains and he had wanted to go back sometime and make sure things were going well. Maybe this was not a bad idea after all he thought walking towards his carriage.

Before he left, Hieron went to hug his grandson. "Don’t worry Nix, maybe you’re over worrying things. I would just go to the mountains and return especially to be with my granddaughter-in-law; I need to stay around to watch my great-grandchildren can grow healthily." The man chuckled, reaching out to hold Kitanna’s hand.

"Please stay safe out there," Kitanna hugged the man tightly. She knew very well what the man meant to Nix.

Hieron smiled, "I’m okay, you both should stop worrying so much. I will go and come back, you’ll see." He assured them.

Nix ordered guards who would be going with his grandfather, "Chantal, join them." He called out his most trusted guard, but Hieron refused.

"No, no, not Chantal. You need him here; taking him with me means I agree there is trouble. Let the young lad stay here; his energy is needed. Nix, boy. I’ll come back soon okay?" Saying this Hieron stepped inside the carriage, waving to them through the window.

Nix held Kitanna’s hand, as he watched the departing figure of the carriage.

"He will come back," Kitanna reassured him.

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