Chapter 6

“Ra..are...aaa...re..ata...ba..re..iti..yu...po,” Dyl chanted, moving sideways as if swayed by the wind. She continued, whimpering and shouting, her movements frenzied and seeming possessed.

The king watched, his chin on his hand as he watched the shaman, feeling scared as the clock ticked by. He looked at the full moon smiling brightly down at them like it was pregnant with secrets only he knew of and wouldn’t want to share with them.

An owl screeched, and he jumped in fear, reminding himself of how late in the night it was. He hoped the reason he was past his bedtime and sitting out in the cold, watching a shaman dance, was worth it. He hoped the ritual worked.

Dyl stopped chanting and turned to the king. She smiled and spoke, her words coming out in short pants. 

“It worked.”

King Gusha breathed out in relief, thanking his ancestors. Finally, he was about to find peace in his land. 

“Those bastards,” he sighed.

Dyl continued, he