The summer sunset could be seen over the mountain range behind Partea's hut. "Oh what a beautiful day", he thought, "the sun makes the clouds look like they're on fire!" Selena he cries, "look at the beautiful sky"! Selena gets up and comes to the opening in the hut. "Wow, I've never seen it so beautiful! As the two looked up at the sky Partea's breaks the silence, "remember what father always say about the sun." "Remember, how can I forget ever forget, he always saying it! The Sun is a fire sometimes we feel it's flames and sometimes we don't." "He's right about that you know", Partea's shouts, I don't feel it now! "I know" Selena replies," it's getting cold".
"Just think Selena, at the setting of the next moon I'll be fifteen!" Don't you think I know that", she snaps! "Then you'll be able to stand next to father at the council meeting and set with him at the feast!"
Why are you talking this way sister you know our customs? "I don't care" she shouts, it's not fair, it's not fair at all!" "Fair or not my sister one day I will be King", and before Partea could get another word out an owl hoots, and Partea jumps! "Ha, Ha, Ha," laughs Selena, "look at our future King, he's afraid of an old owl!" She laughs and laughs and then screams out, "I'm older than you. If only I'd been born a boy, then I would be King!"
"Sister, it's not me, but destiny who has chosen me to be the next King of our people". "But I have all the things needed to be a King, she shouts! "All but one, I'm not a boy! You've heard father say before that a King must be proud, brave and strong, but most of all he must be fair and just! I'm all those things but I can never be King! "
Wow , for the first time Partea see's his sister pain. He reaches out to her but she turns away and cries. "Please don't cry sister, you are smarter, stronger, faster and braver than I. If I could change the way things were I would make you our King, but I can't! But under this beautiful night's sky, I proclaim to you, that all those things are in you. Selena turns slowly, "you know I hate it when you talk like a real King!" They hug each other and begin to laugh out loud. "I love you my sister he said, and I love you my King." Wow Partea thought, father was right about that too, being fair and just really works!
"Good night Partea sweet dreams and long life. Partea smiles and looks back up at the mountains and the night sky. He reaches over and grabs his blanket and mat and moves his bed to the opening in the hut. As he looks at the sky, his mind thinks of all the things his father has taught him. "One day like my father and his father before him, I too will be called on to take the Walk Of Faith!"
As the sun falls behind the mountain the young King falls off into a deep , wonderful, sleep. Never realizing that the sunrise would bring forth heartache and trials, for his life was about to be changed forever!...........................................
Early the next morning Selena and Parta are awakened sudden by Augustus. "Wake up, wake up," he screams! We are under attack and your lives are in danger, you must come with me now, he orders!" "Please Augustus tell us what's happening", Partea cries! Your father has ordered me to protect you and lead you to safety, or die trying! "We must leave now or we all die," he says. Partea turns to Selena, "come sister we must leave!" Selena looks deep into her brothers eyes and he sees a look he had never seen before. "No brother, my destiny is here and now. "Remember our talk last night, this is not your destiny, now go, she shouts!'
Selena turn to Augustus, "You have the King's orders, follow them!" She grabs her spears and runs out of the hut!
Augustus grabs Partea's hand and leads him out of the hut. "Follow me , stay behind me, and don't look back!" What young Partea sees as he is lead from the hut will change his life forever. "Why are we fighting against one another and who are those pale faced people?" Augustus turns quickly and throws Partea to the ground as two spears fly over head. "Sorry" he shouts, as he continues to fight his way across the courtyard. Partea looks over his shoulder and sees two warriors running up behind Augustus. Partea grabs the two spears that narrowly missed him and throw them at the two warriors. The first hit it's mark striking one warrior in the neck, the second missed it's mark but surprised the warrior just long enough for Augustus to finish him off.
As they made their way across the courtyard Partea sees his father, King Stitt, fighting off warriors who are trying to make their way over to where he and Augustus are. Standing to the right of his father stood the Queen and standing to the left of the King, Selena. Partea stops and tries to run to his father but the King waves him off and shouts "go"! The Queen blows a kiss to Partea as a spear hits her in the back. She falls, but is helped up to her feet by Selena who cries out to Partea, "Brother, don't forget me!" "Never, never, I will never forget you, he cries. Augustus grabs Partea, "this is our only chance, we must go now!
The King and Selena fought off the attackers just long enough to give Augustus and Partea time to make their escape into to jungle. With Augustus leading the way and Partea on his heels, the two escaped into the darkness of the jungle!"
