Karmagha

The Chosen One

“Push, my Lady, you can do it.” The royal midwife who is in charge said to the Queen.

“I cannot feel myself, I don’t think I can continue.”

“Don’t say so my Lady, the great goddess is with you, for this is the hope of the people of Karmagha.” Carrita reassured the Queen.

“The baby’s head is coming out my Lady,” the midwife said and then turned to other midwives there with her; “Make ready the water to wash the child.”

One of them went to get it done while the other two were close by assisting. Carrita was standing by the left side of the bed close to where the Queen’s head was, cheering her up while the maid that ministered to the Queen was by her right hand. The Queen shouted in pain and with that force pushed out the baby; the cry of the child was heard. Shammah who was standing outside heard the cry and went to inform the king after proper inquiry.

Carrita took the child from the midwife in charge, raised him up and said “This is the chosen one.”

Then she handed him back to the midwife in charge who gave him to those that should wash him. At this point, the Queen has fallen asleep not able to see the child she gave birth to. So, from that day, he was called Forgus which is interpreted in the language of the neighbouring kingdom as 'The Chosen One.'

The King was in the palace walking from pillar to post with his right hand on his jaw and the other placed at his back; not able to sit down and concentrate.

Shammah ran towards him and said “A man child has been born to the royal family your Highness.”

“Hail the great goddess!” He was so overwhelmed with joy that he didn’t know when he laughed uncontrollably and began to dance in the palace singing praises to Saramandra.

“Is the Queen okay?”

“Yes, she’s sleeping now.”

The King continued his song, then paused and said to him “Take some men with you to the house of Chief Manda’Uke, inform him of the arrival of the child and bring him along with you.”

Shammah took two guards along with him on horse and a cart to carry Chief Manda’Uke. As they sped off along the way, the beast they were upon became weary and they strolled to the stream nearby.

“The stream had dried up; we must find water for the beasts” Shammah said to the men with him.

A woman with her daughter of about ten years of age walking along that path in search of sticks saw them and recognized them as people from the palace. The girl’s face was pale, her hair tattered seems like some parts have been chopped off; legs tiny as her hand but her head took the better part of her body. The woman was not any better, she staggered on the way as one who have not eaten for days and whose only hope is death.

“You are from the palace” the little girl said as she grabbed Shammah’s hand.

“Yes, we are in search of water for our horses.”

“There is a well close by which has almost dried up, you will get some water there.”

“Thanks,” he turned to the men with him and said, “Give them bread to eat.”

The men gave them some bread and a bottle of water which they received at their hand.

“Thanks, we appreciate” she sobs, “tell the King of the suffering of his people.”

They quickly located the well, drew water and gave to the beasts, then continued their journey. Chief Manda’Uke’s residence is not very close to the palace, the King always send to bring him to the palace whenever he wants to inquire something at his hand. Shammah hurried them which made them arrived to his residence before the expected time.

Chief Manda’Uke was on a wooden chair that had where to relax his back; some of the people came to him to hear words of wisdom from him. They were sitting on mats around him asking questions and getting replies that definitely cleared their doubt. Many wondered how could a man have such great wisdom, some even asked if he fell from the sky; others wished there would be someone to replace him if he goes the way of all mortals. “When the full moon becomes red, you know…”

Shammah interrupted him and said, “The King sent for you sir.”

“Is it that urgent?”

“Yes.”

He dismissed the people, went in and changed then came out and followed them to the palace in the cart they brought along which was joined to the beast they carried along.

“I’m glad you’re here Chief Manda’Uke, the Queen have given birth to a male child so I thought it wise to let you know.”

“It’s a thing of joy that hope has been restored to Karmagha.”

“Is there any advice you will leave?”

“That’s good thought my King. I would suggest that a sorcerer or sorceress whoever the King may choose be assigned to the child so as to protect him from any danger.”

“How thoughtful of you my wise friend,” he pats him and continued, “that is why I sent for you.”

“I will go to see the chosen one now before I take my leave my King.” He stood up, grabbed his walking stick, about to go.

“The maidens will guide you to where the baby is.”

***

Carrita took baby Forgus to her sacred altar and made ready the blue bead, copal incense, white candle, bowls of salt and water, safety pin to cast a protection spell on him. She lights the candle and the incense then, she passed the bead and the pin through the candle flame, the smoke, the salt and the water.

After this, she repeatedly said “Great Mother, I ask protection for Forgus that he may not come to harm from forces of evil on this or any other plane.”

She put the bead on the safety pin and said, “Through this gift I thee implore keep him safe for evermore.”

Then, she passed the bead and safety pin three times through the incense smoke, being aware of the available power to protect the new arrival. After that, she pinned it safely to the baby’s shawl; then she let the candle burn out.