by Owen Oakley
“I neva’ thought I’d be fwee again. I ad come to ta’ms with dying in that ell. Amazing isn’t it?”
“What’s that?”
“Ow it is so easy to give up ope and welcome death in as if it wa’ an old fwiend,” Ashanti replied.
Taj clasped her shoulder and nodded.
“Awe you su’e we can twozt Chipo?”
“I undasstand yoa conca’ens, but I think we can twozt ha’.”
Ashanti shook her head, crossing her arms as she walked closer to peer over the edge.
“She made you wula’ without consulting anyone. All of this⸺ she gestured towards the city⸺ Awe, you weally weady to deny yoozself and pwetend to be someone else? Tu’n yoa bagk on yoa own people. So much deception, fo’ whose gain?”
The concern in her voice gnawed away at Taj’s heart. She had to remain strong and show the certainty of herself.
“Necessawy measa’s no matta’ ow extweme, ave to be taken. If that means playing a wole to infiltwate Lawk and the west then so be it.”
Taj’s mind wondered to the series of events that led to her current position. A part of her wanted to move forward and never turn back, but the other part realized she had to restore Lark back to its reputation.
“I don’t want you to lose yoozself along the way and fo’get what is impo’tant and who you twuly awe.”
Taj smiled.
“We awe battling monsta’s. Omawi, my bwotha⸺ she paused at the thought but choked out the words despite the difficulty⸺ my fatha and otha kingdoms who twy to conspe’ against us. Sometimes it takes a monsta’ to defeat a monsta’.”
Without another word or glance, Taj made her way back down the precipitous, rocky cliff side.
The energy that allured around her was indescribable; a fiery glow. She walked with a purpose. A phoenix that had risen from healing ashes and her fury she’d give those who hurt her had just begun.
Her father’s words replayed in her head. A queen without a king is dang’oozly mo powa’ful.
She walked into the city where the people had emerged from their homes and as she walked; the people fell to their knees with hope in their eyes, admiration, and respect.
She had always been a threat, but a contained threat. Things changed, she now had the full rights as a queen, and no one would see her coming.
Chapter Twelve
Imani was startled by the hard bangs against her door. She had been jumpy ever since Adanya’s removal from the palace.
She no longer served a purpose in Lark’s kingdom, it was only a matter of time before she too was thrown out with nothing to her name. Her existence centered on her best friend.
Her parents were not of importance and were very poor. Adanya made sure that Imani’s family wanted for nothing, but as of late, her family struggled.
If the new king dismissed her, she would have to move back home and start over. She hesitated before she opened the door, the knocks came again, more urgent than the last.
“I’m coming,” she said.
“The king wishes to speak to you,” a voice said.
She searched for excuses to prolong the inevitable.
“I’m not pwepawed to go befo’ the king. Please gwant me a moment.”
“Now,” the stern voice said.
With no other option, she stepped forward, and the guards escorted her down the hall.
As they walked, Bayo met them. He caught her eye in curiosity, but the guards remained close behind to assure she spoke with no one.
Bayo wasn’t the only wondering eye; regardless of the situation, people seemed to think the worst when someone was handled by guards.
When they arrived at the king’s quarters the door was ajar. She decided to give a light knock before she entered.
Against, her better judgment she slipped between the crack. As a timid and meek woman, her voice couldn’t be heard over the crackling sound of the fire.
“Ello,” she said.
She peeped around each of the room’s corners.
“I am a’ as you wequested my king.” An eerie silence filled the room.
The ambiance was strange, and her mind encouraged her to leave, but her human nature had to find out, what was going on.
Just as she rounded the corner, she saw a figure with his back to her on the couch. She placed her hand on her chest and sighed and continued forward.
“My king I was told you wequested my pwesence.”
There was no movement. Imani continued forward to speak again.
Once again she was met with silence; she took a deep breath and walked in front of him.
Her face paled, the hairs stood up on her arms, her skin was cold.
Horror filled her face, panic washed over her mind. King Muto was positioned on the couch with the front of his skull bashed.
She immediately turned to run but found herself face to face with Zola and two guards. They would blame her for his murder, now being cast out didn’t appear to be such a terrible thing.
⸞⸟⸞
There was no trial, no explanation to prove her innocence. Imani was held in the dungeon. It was the one thing that ceased the riots.
Mixed emotions ran throughout the kingdom, some did not believe Imani was capable of such a violent crime, while others trusted anything the king said out of fear.
The one shared emotion was sadness. Citizens would remember King Muto as a king that protected and loved his kingdom, despite what he did to Adanya.
Imani shifted in her small cell, uncomfortable, but untouched at the king’s order. Guilty of killing a king left her vulnerable to torture and other unspeakable violations.
She heard a noise from the corner of the dungeon and pushed herself against the wall. Bayo appeared into the light, and Imani rushed to the bars. He gripped her hand with a weak smile.
“Ow awe you holding up?”
She dropped her head to fight back the tears.
“As best I can.”
Bayo moved in closer to the bars and lowered his voice.
“Why wa’ you in the king’s quawta’s that night?”
Imani swallowed hard, a question she had asked herself.
“The guawds told me that the king wequested my presence. I thought King Kofi wequested me, but they took me to King Muto’s quawta’s. I assumed e wanted to tell me I ad to leave.”
Bayo took a moment to think but came up with nothing.
“None of this makes any sense. I’m sorry. I should ave did mo’ to pwotect you afta’ Adanya left.”
The guilt had eaten away at him. His eyes were puffy and dark, face contorted, worry consumed him since Muto’s death and now Imani.
“It isn’t yoa fault⸺ Imani rested her hand on his⸺ I should’ve neva’ gone in alone.”
Bayo gripped the bars so hard his hands went numb.
“Bayo.”
“Yes.”
“Will it be quick?” She asked with tears in her eyes.
Bayo was a hard man to break, but the look of an innocent woman he had known his whole life was hard.
He couldn’t stop his tears. For the first time, he looked, saw her and smiled. He wished he hadn’t, Imani’s face would haunt him more than any man he had ever killed.
“Yes, it will be swift. I pway that you ave peace with oa’ God,” he said.
“Tell my family I love them. How will they make it without me?”
“I will make sa’ that they awe taken ca’e of, you ave my wo’d.”
Imani felt some relief, to know her family would receive the care they needed. She trusted Bayo, he was a man of his word.
He couldn’t bring himself to stay a moment longer, with a kiss to her forehead through the bars, he left.
⸞⸟⸞
No one showed for the execution of Imani. Executions always gathered a crowd, but this time only a few confirmed. Kofi and Zola sat higher on their throne with a bird’s-eye view of the proceeding.
The executioner stood next to the guillotine, along with Bayo; he sus
pected Imani would need emotional support.
Three guards escorted Imani naked to the stage; another form of shame the person being executed had to bare. She didn’t drag her feet like some did; instead she took a stride forward with her chin up.
It relieved Bayo when he saw that Imani appeared to be calmer with strength. Her expression changed when she glimpsed the razor-sharp blade connected to the uprights but ultimately held it together.
There was no doubt in her mind where she’d spend eternity, and that alone gave her harmony.
The guard lowered Imani to her knees and placed her head in between the restraints. Kofi stood and stepped down the stairs leading to the balcony.
“Do you wish to say anything?”
Imani never opened her mouth to address the king or bother to look in his direction. Kofi sent a nod. The executioner held the trigger steady for a few seconds and then released it.
One clean cut, the blade fell on her neck, and Imani’s head tumbled in front of the guillotine, and her body dropped behind it.
Bayo stared at Kofi who chose to look away. A coward, couldn’t even stomach to watch an execution.
There was no pleasure to be taken watching someone die, but as a king, it was a duty to see it through.
Bayo’s only hope was to be present when Kofi took his fall.
Chapter Thirteen
Kofi sat across from King Omari in his chambers. The people of Lark despised Omari. Kofi’s stupid actions only further complicated things and made the rebellion worst.
“I say this invitation was unexpected but long ova’ due,” King Omari said.
“I can assa’ you it is only in the state of boziness,” replied Kofi.
The only decision left to make was an alliance with King Omari. Plipool would provide more protection, and their money troubles would go away; at least that was Kofi’s belief.
“Of coozse. Let me stawt by off’ing my condolences fo’ the late king and queen. I know it as been a lot,” King Omari said in a sympathetic tone.
A look of guilt flooded Kofi’s face.
“Thank you,” Kofi choked out.
An awkward silence fell upon them Kofi drummed his fingers on the side of his desk.
“Ow, can I be of elp to the fine kingdom of Lawk?”
“I was oping to make an alliance with Plipool.”
A broad smile spread across King Omari’s face. Kofi placed him a unique position; one he waited for, for many years.
“Done.” King Omari said without hesitation.
Relief filled Kofi’s smile as he rose to his feet, but King Omari remained in his seat.
“Tha awe a few details I think we need to so’t out fisst.”
Kofi looked baffled. He should have known nothing was ever that easy with Omari.
“What details?”
King Omari shrugged off the question.
“In exchange fo’ Plipool’s pledge of suppo’t to Lawk fo’ unlimited pwotection; fo’ whateva’ deep shit you’we obvioozly involved in; I weceive fo’ty pa’cent contwol and ownesship.”
Kofi’s vision went blurry. He took a moment to process what these conditions were.
“That’s an awful lot fo’ a simple alliance,” Kofi said.
“Essentially, you will ave access to all Plipool’s wesoa’ces and to oa’’ otha alliances and thee’ wesoa’ces. This is not a gift this is boziness as you alweady stated.”
Lark never had to ask for anyone’s help, not because of pride but because every king that ruled was able to handle its problems. Kofi was making history but not in the ways he’d hoped.
Doubt crept into his mind, he would be foolish to trust Omari, he only needed a little access before he took full control of the kingdom of Lark.
He was desperate; he didn’t know if Adanya was still alive or how to control the rebellion. He needed Plipool to help strengthen his odds.
Kofi looked King Omari in the eyes and stuck out his hand.
“You ave a deal,” Kofi said. King Omari smiled and shook Kofi’s hand.
“Excellent, I will ave the papa’s dwawn up fo’ signing until then this and shake is as good as a contwact,” King Omari said.
He released Kofi’s head and stared.
“One mo’ thing.”
Kofi took a deep sigh and braced himself for another stipulation.
“Tha’s a new woyal in oa’ midst, ave you eawd?” King Omari asked.
“No, I aven’t. Who is e’?” Kofi inquired. King Omari let out a small chuckle.
“She⸺ he paused⸺ Is a queen.”
“That’s impossible,” Kofi said.
“I’m afwaid so, my people aven’t found out specifics yet, but I don’t plan to invite ha’ to the annual meeting. I know all woyals, it’s obvioozly an oax,” King Omari said with a scowled look.
Kofi only heard bits and pieces of King Omari’s words; his mind was in overdrive with thoughts on the new queen.
“Keep me info’med wegawding the matta.” King Omari nodded and let himself out.
Kofi made himself comfortable behind his desk and massaged his temples. He couldn’t inform Zola, it would only be more for her to stress about and demand for him to handle. He had to let things play out however they would.
Bayo stood in the courtyard and observed King Omari as he walked down the halls talking. He overheard him tell his advisors about the many changes he would make to Lark. Bayo knew Kofi was in bed with Omari and Lark’s future was dimmer than ever.
⸞⸟⸞
Bayo’s horse along with two other soldiers galloped through the deserted sands toward the city of Tigray.
The only hope for Lark was to bring Adanya home and restore her as queen; any deal made with Omari would be void.
Bayo made it to Tigray in record time. To his astonishment, only the brick rubble and charred ash remnants of Tigray remained.
The fire scattered a group of wild-eyed individuals to the abandoned hell. Rogues who looked for easy prey on their expeditions through the land. Bayo and his two soldiers dismounted from their horses.
A young boy with a spear blocked Bayo’s path. He stepped around him, but the boy stepped in front of him again.
“Step aside,” commanded Bayo.
The boy remained silent. A group of men approached them from behind. They each held weapons, ready to act at any moment.
“Is tha a pwoblem?” An older man asked.
Bayo’s eyes remained locked on the young boy in front of him.
“If e’ continues to stand in my way, yes, tha’ will be,” Bayo responded.
“What do you want?”
“What appened a’?” Bayo questioned.
The men looked back at the destroyed foundation.
“It appeaws to ave bu’ned down.” The group of men laughed.
“I can see that,” Bayo snapped back.
The men cautiously circled them. One of the rogues recognized the imprinted royal crest on the horse’s satchel, he sent a quick nod to the young boy in front of Bayo.
The young boy lifted his spear to Bayo’s gut, Bayo predictable his move. He blocked the blow and sent a punch to his throat. The boy doubled over and fell to his knees as he gasped for air.
Bayo removed his daggers from his sleeves and threw one directly behind him, flying in-between Lark’s two soldiers, straight into the man’s eye who gave the signal.
The two soldiers sliced through the spears that the others threw in their direction. Bayo flipped his last dagger into the air, caught it as he was about to finish the boy in front of him.
The older man threw his hands up in mock surrender.
“Please! Don’t kill my son,” he begged.
“I don’t ave time fo’ games! Yoa awwogance and gweed jozt cost you the life of one man. Shall I make it anotha?”
The men dropped their weapons and held their arms in the air. Bayo continued to hold the dagger at the young boy’s neck.
“We wa’ told the pwisona’s of Tigway ad an upw
ising. Many people died but mostly guawds,” the man said.
Bayo released the boy who immediately ran towards his father.
“They said a woman led them and what wemains is what you see behind us.”
Bayo’s mind thought of Adanya, only she was capable and skilled enough to take down an entire city, especially one such as Tigray.
“Do you know of the woman?” Asked Bayo.
The man was reluctant to give any information even after his son’s elbow nudged him in the side.
“What?” Bayo looked back and forth between the two.
The young boy stepped forward.
“They sat towawds the city of Wam. The woman asked if we wanted to be apawt of the new kingdom, but we don’t do well with wules.”
Bayo collected his dagger from the dead man’s skull and mounted his horse, the soldiers followed suit.
“Wait! ⸺Bayo stopped and gave the man his attention⸺ Why awe you conca’ened about a pwisona’ and a kingdom not deemed woyal?”
“That woman is no o’dinawy pwisona’⸺ he looked back to the burned city ⸺This was a message.”
He gave his horse a gentle heel kick, and they set off back through the sand.
⸞⸟⸞
Taj sat among her essential militia. She made Ashanti their General and concentrated on being the Queen Waewood needed. The switch of position was not without difficulty, but ultimately she had to give it up to be the best for her people.
The conference room was spacious and reserved for special occasions and where they discussed strategy. They gathered around a map in the center of the table.
“Five mo’ days of constwuction left, and we will be complete,” Chipo said.
Everyone looked on with approval.
“My queen sev’al people still wefoze to be oozed inside the gates, what should we do?” Asked Oluchi.
Taj thought carefully and let out a deep sigh.
“We mozt be adamant about things. They will still sha’e the pwivileges and wights the kingdom as to offa’, but if tha’ was an attagk, we cannot pwotect them if they awen’t behind the gates.”
Chipo nodded. “I agwee. If they do not join us, they awe on thee’ own. We cannot offa’ elp.”
Ashanti shot both Taj and Chipo an incredulous look.