Erisa and Mama Kuko went out for a walk after breakfast, to explore the town. They had, since the previous evening, suddenly become very chummy indeed, and as they almost seemed to be sisters,as they wandered the streets together.
As the days passed, Erisa would drop by at Loona's home amd spend time with her parents. She was sympathetic, and solicitious in her demeanour. Nothing seemed to suggest that she may have deeper motves behind these visits. She would talk to them of Loona, listening deeply, suggesting gently that, maybe, Loona needed some stronger treatment. As the days went by, she slowly suggested that maybe, just maybe, Loona would benefit from a change of scene.
"What do you mean?", asked Deem.
"Loona has been in this environment for a long time, and her health has not improved", replied Erisa. "Would you think that, if one of her aunts took her for a trip, maybe to a sea resort, or to the wonderful hills you have, that the sounds of nature would soothe her, and hasten her recovery? I think we should do what is best for her..."
Erisa's voice trailed off quietly, and she looked down at the floor.
"Parting from your child would be so very difficult", she murmured quietly. "I understand.... But maybe, a change would bring your daughter back to you....."
Soon, it was decided, and Loona left for the hills, never to return....
Erisa's conversations with Regus and Regina continued, and soon the conversations at tea time became a fixture in the daily routine of the Royal Couple. Regus would sometimes reschedule his meetings, in order to talk with Erisa, despite her gentle protests. Her protests were never too strong, however, and the conversations continued.
The topics ranged from the deeply philosophical, to the mundane; from governance, to economics; from the banal to the mystical; from pacific to militaristic.
As the days went by, Erisa gently insinuated that Regus would benefit from a stronger defence, and that he would benefit from alliances with strong kingdoms. Regus had never considered this for one moment in the past. He and his kingdom had been so happy and content with their lot that they had never seriously considered the world outside.
Now, he began to think. How would it be, if he could extend the boundaries of his kingdom, if he could benefit other peoples by his method of governance. Happiness and peace would spread throughout the world, and he would be revered.
However, he had never gone beyond his boundaries before, and had no idea what he would do if he ever went beyond his own kingdom. He would need a strong alliance.
One day he called a meeting of his chief ministers, and discussed his thought with them.
Some of them were intrigued, and many were appalled. There was a division in the ranks, and some of his ministers came outopenly against him.
"His mind has been poisoned by that lady"
"He has gone mad"
"Power? What will we do with power over other people? No, this is not the way to go.."
These were some of the milder thoughts that occupied the minds of some of his more outspoken ministers. Soon the dissension spread, and the differences were irreconcilable.
Regus was stunned. This had never happened before. Then, he was angered, and became stubborn and rigid in his approach. He summoned the council before him one morning.
"We will start the process of building our army, and of building alliances. All those who do not wish to join me, can leave..."
Soon afterwards, in the dead of night, a ship sailed out of the Valley, carrying the rebellious ministers, and their supporters. The families of these people, the families that stayed behind were imprisoned.
The mood in the Valley had changed. It appeared as if a dark and heavy cloud had fallen on the land. The colours were muted, and the Valley seemed to turn grey.
Mama Kuko watched this, and was dismayed. She was disappointed in the change that had come over Regus. This was not something that she expected, and she spent many days talking to people, to see how she could bring peace back to the Valley, but somehow the fissures had run very deep, very quickly.
She came to Erisa, troubled. Erisa spoke to her, and her countance mirrored the sadness in Mama Kuko's eyes. She spoke about how she had tried her best to council Regus.
"The Queen, Regina, has also left", she moaned. "I never expected this to happen".
Tears ran down Erisa's face as she spoke, and she turned away from Mama Kuko, saying "The people blame me, and all I ever wanted, was a place to stay for a few days before I was to continue my journey..."
Mama Kuko started in surprise. "Are you leaving?", she asked.
"No, no", replied Erisa. "How can I leave the King alone in his hour of mystery? Come sister, let's go and council him.."
The two women left, and went to Mama Kuko. Erisa spent more and more time with Regus, even staying in his apartments until late at night. The King was slowly becoming more and more militant as the days went by, and the gleam of war had entered his eyes.
One day, Erisa spoke to him of Threye...
Mama Kuko spent more and more of her days alone. She became more dependent on Erisa, and yet seemed to be angered by events that were taking place around her. Her voice was no longer honoured the way that it used to be, and the anger grew deeply inside her.
The sun was setting one day, and as she climbed a hill to find a quiet place to think, she came upon Erisa, who was sitting alone, looking into the setting sun. She seemed to be talking to herself. Mam Kuko crept up quietly, and heard Erisa whispering.
"The Medicine Woman brews. The Medicine Woman brews the potent medicines. The Medicine Woman...."
Suddenly she stopped and started. She turned around and saw Mama Kuko standing beside her.
She smiled, a strange smile. "Mama Kuko, you startled me. I was looking into the sun, and I suddenly had a vision of you as the Medicine Woman.."
"Who is this Medicine Woman?", asked Mama Kuko
"You woule be her..", replied Erisa.
"And, what potions does she brew?"
"This is something, I think you know", replied Erisa, her mouth twisting strangely. "The answer is deep inside you. Perhaps, you need to meditate upon this."
"Very well", answered Mama Kuko. "I will, now, retire to the Grey Caves, behind this hill and meditate. When I have the answer, and only then, will I emerge from the Grey Caves."
Saying this, she left.
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