The snake flicked its tongue. Ralph was as still as a statue, but he was starting to look nervous. A shot rang out. The momentum of the shot sent the snake hurtling a few feet away from Ralph. Stanley quickly rushed towards the snake, dismounted and pushed it even further away with the butt of his gun. He proceeded to cut off its head. Rose holstered her smoking gun and ran towards Ralph, Malcolm right behind her. There was a cry from Wola, but they paid him no mind as they quickly untied Ralph.

"Oh Ralph!" cried Rose as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Nice shot!" Ralph promptly kissed her.

"Are you alright, son?" asked Malcolm, coming in for a hug as well.

Ralph nodded as he returned the hug. "Thanks to Rose." He turned and beamed at her.

Malcolm chuckled and patted Rose's back. "A great many thanks."

A cheer went up. "The usurper Wola is dead!" The three turned and saw that the warriors were cheering. Kala had been captured, but apparently Simms had left before they could capture him.

"But it's not over yet," muttered Malcolm under his breath.

Rose turned and glanced at him, questioningly. Ralph sighed. "Looks like Simms got away and has gone to tell Ned Blythe what has happened."

Rose grabbed his arm. "What will they do to the villagers?"

Ralph smirked. "Nothing, a few warriors are always stationed at the village. And those who are there now are loyal to Monako and would turn upon them the instant Simms got back without Wola or Kala." His face fell. "No, I'm more worried about what Blythe will plan next. He may not have the backing of Wola and Kala and their warriors, but he knows this land better than we do and is sure to use it to his advantage."

Malcolm nodded. "As am I." He let out a breath of relief as he wrapped his arms around his son. "But for right now, I'm happy you're alright." There was another cheer as the rest of their group came forward to hug Ralph and congratulate Rose on a good shot. Even Dorcas hugged Ralph and gave him a peck on his forehead.

"I am so glad Rose learned how to shoot so well," said Dado with a catch to his voice. He grasped Ralph's hands. "I did not want to nearly lose another friend."

"It's unfortunately a risk that comes with the job, Dado," said Ralph as he patted him on the back. "And we've had some really close calls." Ralph shivered, no doubt thinking about how close the snake had been to him. "But we've been really lucky, and blessed."

Dado smiled. "That we have."

"Goodness gracious, what are they doing?" asked Dorcas. The others looked at what she was looking at. The warriors were crowding around the rhinoceros.

"I think they're attempting to skin the rhino so we can feast on that tonight," said Stanley. Helen let out a scream. He was approaching them with the head of the mamba.

"Be careful with that, Stanley," warned Malcolm, "there's still venom in its mouth."

"I know. Is there any chance any of you have an extra handkerchief? I'm going to tie its mouth shut so it doesn't hurt anyone, at least, not yet. His royal highness wants to keep it and use it as punishment on Kala should the need arise."

Malcolm raised an eyebrow. "I see. How interesting."

"Well, um, uh, I think I have an extra one," said Rose. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief. She handed it to Stanley, who quickly tied it around the snake's mouth.

"Thank you. Now it's time to skin it. Would you like any part in particular to commemorate your first kill?" Stanley asked Rose.

"I would recommend the skin. You could turn that into a purse or something," said Ralph.

Rose closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'd rather not, thank you."

Stanley patted her shoulder. "It's alright, it's customary to ask the hunter which parts they want first since they got the kill."

"And since you killed the snake that killed the rhino, you also have first picks on the rhino," said Monako with a smile.

Rose smiled nervously. "Oh, um, thanks, but you can make the first choice, Monako. I don't really want anything." She turned and smiled at Ralph. "I'm just glad Ralph's alright."

"Are you sure? Not a tooth or the horn?" asked Monako.

"Hey, how about the horn?" suggested Ralph. He turned to Rose. "You could turn it into an ornament of some kind."

Rose thought about it for a moment. "Well, I guess so. Maybe Helen could paint it for me."

Helen hugged her. "I'd be happy to."

Monako grinned. "Perfect!" He turned and shouted as he walked towards the warriors skinning the rhino, "The great hunter gets the horn!"

Rose flailed her hands. "Oh no no no! I'm no great hunter! I was just trying to save Ralph!"

Dado laughed. "That counts!" He kissed her cheek before walking off to help Stanely skin the snake.

Ralph chuckled as he put his arm around Rose. "He's got a point. Even saving someone would consider you a hunter." He pecked her cheek. "And I think you've officially graduated from the Edwards Academy for Handling Guns!"

Dorcas scoffed. "Well it looks like you're doing just fine."

Ralph grinned. "How can I be anything but happy when I didn't get bitten by a snake and Monako has returned to his rightful place as king of his people?" Dorcas grumbled.

Malcolm laughed. "He has a point, as I am too." He glanced at the group skinning the rhino. "Come on, let's give them a hand."

Bret and Jimmy grinned. "Right!" They dashed towards the rhino and eagerly began helping.

"I think I'd rather sit down for a moment, Dad," said Ralph. "I've been standing all day and my legs hurt."

Malcolm nodded as he patted his son's shoulder. "Understandable. Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on the horses."

Ralph grinned. "Righto!"

"I'd like to stay with him," said Rose, grasping his hand.

"I think I'll finish those paintings for Monako, now that he's king," said Helen.

"I'm definitely not going to skin any animal," said Margy bluntly.

Dorcas scoffed. "It's most certainly not a very lady-like thing to do."

Malcolm rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Miss Pepper. I agree with Rose and Helen, though, Ralph should not stay by himself and I'm sure Monako would like his art finished to hang in his house." He shot a glance at Margy before tipping his hat. "I'll see you in a few minutes." He walked towards the rhino to help in the work. Ralph and the women went to the horses. Helen got out her paints and set about finishing up the paintings for Monako while Rose and Ralph gathered the horses together and tethered them to a few of the trees. They checked to make sure there were no snakes in the tree or nearby, Ralph instructing Rose on the signs left by snakes. When they were positive there were none nearby, they tethered the horses before sitting down together, just holding hands. Dorcas also sat down, having pulled out her fan and was fanning herself. Margy tried to do the same, but found she didn't like it and was eventually bringing water to the men and fanning them off as best as she could.

It nearly took them all afternoon, but they finally had the rhino cut up into sections. The skin would dry out into leather, the meat had been separated into sections, and the horn was presented to Rose as a trophy for her first kill. Helen offered to paint it right then and there while the warriors marveled over her artwork for their king. Finally, they were moving towards the village with Kala sulking along between two guards. The warriors began chanting a victory song in celebration of their king's triumphant return. As they neared the village, the villagers came out, bursting with curiosity. When they saw that Monako was returning to take his place as king, they too joined in the chant. The chant soon gave way to the joyous song of partying. While the meat was carried away to various fires to cook and Kala was herded off to prison, a few warriors ceremoniously carried Helen's art into Monako's hut and hung it up.

"Ah, perfect!" cried out Umbelo. He turned to Helen. "Never has such a kingly present graced these halls!"

Helen was flustered by the praise. "Oh, but there are others who are much better than I am!"

"But those others paint for your people only, you have painted for us, and it will be treasured forever," said Monako with a smile.

"Well, I'm glad it pleases you, your majesty," said Helen with a little curtsy.

Monako gave her his arm. "Come! We feast tonight!" Dado offered his arm to Rose and Umbelo offered his arm to Margy. The girls graciously obliged. The group was given a grand tour of the village, led by Umbelo. Everyone welcomed their king with joyous cries and chants before continuing on to the preparation for the feast. They also saw that Kala was grumbling away in his prison, the guards saluting their king as he walked past.

"What will happen to Kala now?" asked Helen as they made their way to the center of the festivities.

"I will keep him locked away, for a time," said Monako. "But I think eventually I will have to banish him from my village. His lying tongue is not welcome here."

"Stanley said something about keeping the venom from that snake to use on him?" said Rose. "Were you going to use it?"

Monako shrugged. "Only if he does not comply or attempts to reenter the village. He has caused my people enough strife with his lies. I want no more of it."

"I can understand that, your majesty," said Margy. "You hope for change, but you have a plan should the change not occur."

Monako gave a curt nod. "Precisely, I'm glad you understand." A shout was heard from where the rhino meat was roasting over a roaring fire, followed by the people chanting the name of their king.

"The feast is ready. They await their king to begin," said Umbelo with a broad smile. He turned to Monako and bowed. "Your majesty?"

Monako smiled. "Let us not keep them waiting." Umbelo straightened up, saluted, grinned, and turned to lead the rest of the way to the festivities. A long table was set up near the fire. Monako was seated at the head of the table while his guests sat on either side. The rest of the villagers began filling up the rest of the seats while mounds of food were placed on the table. To go with the rhino were several varieties of native fruits and vegetables along with a type of bread made from the native sorghum plant.

"Ubaba!" A toddler waddled up to Umbelo, reaching her arms out to him. Umbelo scooped her up and planted several kisses on her face. The child giggled. Ralph let out a soft gasp as a woman also walked up to Umbelo and the two shared a kiss.

Umbelo turned to the group. "This is my wife Jabulile and our daughter, Nandi." Monako seemed to stiffen at the woman's name. The woman bowed her head as Umbelo introduced the group.

"Pleased to meet you," the group chorused.

"And I wanted to thank you for breakfast," spoke up Ralph. "I know you couldn't give me much so you wouldn't get caught, but it was good."

Jabulile smiled at him. "I'm glad you enjoyed it." Nandi giggled and waved at Ralph. Ralph grinned and waved back.

"Aww!" chorused the girls. Dorcas raised an eyebrow, somewhat impressed.

Monako turned towards them. "Jabulile? Did, did you not have a sister named Fanoula?"

Jabulile's smile broadened into a grin. "Yes, your majesty, she has not wavered in her belief in your return to us."

Dorcas blinked. "Wait, if you all knew that Wola wasn't the rightful king, why didn't you stop him earlier? You could have avoided this whole mess."

Umbelo sighed as he sat down. "Because Kala was very convincing with his lies. Many of us believed him and did not trust our true king." He bowed his head to Monako. "For which we are very sorry. But Monako has proven his wisdom. By staying away from us for seven years, he showed us that he was the rightful heir to the throne and that Wola and Kala were liars. Fanoula was one of the few, at first, who saw through Kala's lies. Then, one by one, so did the rest of us. We regret not seeing it sooner and putting our king through a banishment he did not deserve."

"I forgive you all, but, where is Fanoula? Is she alright?"

"I am alright, your majesty," said a woman. She approached the table and bowed her head. Monako rose and spoke in his language. She replied. They didn't know what had been said, but it must have been something good because Monako rushed towards her and kissed her. The two embraced. Rose glanced at Ralph, and he glanced at her. Their hands found each other and they squeezed.

Once the food was eaten and the table was cleared, dances were underway, Fanoula in particular danced a very lovely dance for Monako. It simply wowed everyone. This was quickly followed by tales swapped around the fire. The villagers were enraptured with Stanley's tales of the high seas, since many of them had never seen the sea before. Dado too was something of a celebrity for having seen it first hand the breathtaking wonder of waves crashing upon the beach.

The party finally ended late in the night, but everyone went to bed with a smile on their faces and a song in their hearts. The Edwards party in particular were hoping to start searching for the diamonds the next morning.

Everyone got up late in the morning, fully rested. The villagers were preparing for another party. But Malcolm and his party sought out Monako after breakfast.

"Your majesty, may we have a word?" asked Malcolm.

"Yes, please! I have something I must speak to you about as well." Monako indicated for them to sit on the floor. The group sat down in a circle. "Though the people do accept me as the Zuni, I still must claim the Light of the Zuni."

"Of course!" said Malcolm. "But why did you need to talk to us about it? We already know that you have to claim it."

"That part isn't the part I wanted to talk to you about." He paused and let out a breath. "Apparently, in my absence, Wola and Kala began a new ritual for our religion." He gulped. "A sacrifice, they . . . they fed people to a large snake in the valley."

The others gasped. "How horrid!" exclaimed Helen.

Monako nodded. "Yes. I found out from Fanoula and Umbelo it was how they got rid of many of the people they knew were against them. Many are still afraid to speak about it even though they know I will not feed them to the snake."

"And you would like for us to take care of the snake for you?" asked Malcolm.

Monako nodded. "If you don't mind doing this for me. I do not think our arrows will be enough to kill it."

Malcolm bowed his head. "We will be happy to rid your village of this threat."

"Thank you, my friend. And as payment, the Valley of Diamonds is all yours to do with as you wish."

"That is very generous of you, your majesty," said Malcolm. He held out his hand. "We are in agreement."

Monako gave him a firm handshake. "We are in agreement."

"Oh, and I have a favor to ask of Helen," said Monako, turning to the eldest Blythe.

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Will you paint a couple more pictures for me and teach my people how to paint?"

"Oh! I'm, I'm not exactly qualified to teach people . . ."

"You have done a very good job," said Monako, beaming. "I think you shall do well."

"Well, um, uh, thank you. I will do my best," siad Helen, feeling quite flustered.

Malcolm stood up. "Well then, we shall tend to the snake if you want to get the Light of the Zuni and the girls can teach painting."

Rose stood up. "I want to go too."

Malcolm smirked. "Of course you do. Well then, let's go."

(Author's Note: That's right, my rosy readers, I went ahead and got this one done, lol. So now there's only three left! Woohoo! But I do need to work on the others still. But this weekend was busy. Helped some friends move into their new house, and boy, the place used to be a Bed and Breakfast and the lady who owned it previously left everything. She basically took only her clothes and that was it. But man, there were a bunch of cute stuff! I took one of the chairs and am using it now as my desk chair. But really, a whole bunch of vintage pieces and art . . . and we took about an hour just to explore it all, lol. And there was a closet connecting two of the rooms, it was almost like finding a secret passage! A very short one, but a secret passage nonetheless, lol. It was a blast! So, yeah, hopefully I can get back on track for the rest of the week. Got a lot of work to do! Thanks so much for reading and I hope you're having a wonderful day! God bless!)