The blue skies, and chattering of birds welcoming the warmth of the summer sun, pleasantly complementing the sounds of children cheerfully playing. Another peaceful day at the Mal kingdom. 

While sitting on one of the six chairs below the king's throne which is three steps higher. The king stay rested on the gold-plated throne, a standout feature in the spacious and tall room. 

The short and bulky figure of the Kulu the king's assistant busts through the tall doors which are a couple of meters further from the throne. Navigating this way through the exquisitely carved lions' statues paving the way from the entrance to the throne. Struggling to catch his breath as he approaches the king and Daister who are more than eager to find out what prompted such an unpolite entrance by Kulu. 

"My...my apologies my king... but... it's urgent."

"what is it?" asks Tate.

The king's assistant takes a deep breath. "Tumo and Buko were attacked and are seriously injured." 

Daister shouts "What?!!"

Tate stands from his throne. "what!!? who did that?...did someone infiltrate the kingdom?" Kulu replies "We don't know yet, my king." with great frustration Tate asks 

"Where are they now?"

"They are getting treated at Kganyapa's." replies Kulu. 

"You are dismissed," says Tate to his assistant. Kulu walks out, and Tate turns to Daister without a change of mood, "I 

thought you had put capable warriors as sentries." 

A worried look holding tightly on Daister's face, he replies "My king they were amongst the best... whoever took them out must be skilled, I wonder where could they be from?"

"No point wondering let's go see them at once," says Tate who doesn't seem to calm down.

Meanwhile, deep in the streets of the Mal kingdom, Tsai hands Lefa a bag. "Stay here... I'm coming."

"Where are you going?" asks Lefa.

"Don't worry I won't be long," replies Tsai.

"Are we going to live here? where will we stay?" asks Lefa.

"I'm going to get everything ready...remember don't talk to anyone," replies Tsai as he moves away.

"I guess I didn't need to tell him that but there's treasure in silence..." says Tsai to himself.

Tsai looks around as he walks off.

"...let's see... the big black tree southward of the kingdom, 

that's where it should be."

At the infirmary of the Mal kingdom; Kganyapa's, named after the legendary healer of the kingdom, an old man well in his hundreds renowned for his medical skills. A circular structure large enough to house over a hundred patient beds, a maximum of eight per room. Located near the Palace for easy access for the royal family. 

About Seventy percent of the rooms are always empty because patients never stay long here. Two medics standing over the injured Tumo who is laying injured on the bed. "Man this is bad, do you think he'll recover?" asks Pheo one of the medics. 

Hopefull Madi says, "What are you talking about, you 

don't believe in Kganyapa?"

"I do... but man look at the shape he is in," replies Pheo

Madi Looks deeply at the unconscious Tumo "Obviously you don't know Kganyapa, I've seen people in worse shape than this come here, and leave like they never had injuries in the first place."

Tate and Daister enter the room and find the two Medics amid their conversation "Where are they?" Tate asks with haste. Shortly after a bow Pheo replies, "My king, Tumo is in here, but he is unconscious, 

Buko is in there..." points and continues "he is not that bad, somehow the sword missed all his vital organs."

Madi goes to Buko and opens the curtain that separates the two injured warriors' beds. Tate rushes to Buko who is sitting on the bed.

"What happened out there?" he asks.

Heavily bandaged Buko stands from the bed and slowly says, 

"I'm sorry my king... they were just too strong. if it weren't for him we could've been killed."

"Where are these intruders?" asks Tate.

Buko replies "They are all... dead my king."

"Dead?..." asks Tate. 

Daisters come closer and asks. "Who are you referring to when you say 'If weren't for him we could've been killed'?"

Buko closes his eyes, reliving the scene, and says, "There was a man with a boy, he saved us and killed the intruders. I don't know his name, it was my first time seeing him. I think he must be someone who just came to the kingdom recently."

Daister takes a quick thought and says, "We've got three new arrivals, he must be from one of those families. 

"Summon them at once," says Tate and leaves. "My king," replies Daister in obedience. 

Daister turns to Buko "Can you walk? I need you to identify that man." 

Trying not to disappoint Daister Buko replies "Yes, I can sir."

Pheo quickly says, "Sir, he needs to rest." 

Daister sharply replies "I have no concerns about that, Buko is a warrior isn't he?" Madi restrains Pheo from talking any further.

"I'll get you two warriors to assist you. I want this done with 

haste." says Daister to Buko.