“True, but having a singular woman reign as Mansa is a transgression worth revisiting that law,” Mateus replied.
“I still feel like that is an extreme resort. To have us send our sons or daughters to their deaths. This is madness,” Vishal replied excitedly.
“This will be perfect, Chukwuku will tear your children apart!” Assani began to laugh.
Rashid chuckled, “You must remember history differently. As I recall, the Nguvu have won all three of the Ukulwas. This will be an assured victory for our clan again.”
Assani snickered, “You live in the past Rashid. The other clans are more powerful now. Times are different and you shall falter due to your arrogance.”
“Our men begin training the day they can stand up to piss!” Lord Rashid replied.
“You can throw a hundred of those ‘men’ at Chukwuku, he will break them all!”
Habib joined, “Father, allow me to make quick work of these men right now!”
Chukwuku answered for Assani, “Do not overstep your bounds little man. A sword is useless if it will not cut what it hits!”
“Very well, let us find out shall we?” Habib replied.
“Enough, enough! No one will be killing anyone within this room. Now settle down!” Hatim shouted.
“Sorry, your Excellency,” they both replied.
“As for this Ukulwa, we shall vote. All in favor raise an arm.” Mateus Angola was the first to raise his arm. Assani Mali then quickly raised his, followed by Rashid Nguvu.
“Lord Vishal, you are against this?” the Mansa asked.
“I still stand behind my previous statement, this is madness. You three can fight. I shall not allow any of my men nor daughter to take part in this.”
Lord Assani boldly replied, “Good! One less clan to worry about. With Chukwuku, the throne is essentially ours.”
Lord Mateus ignored Assani and faced the Mansa, “With the Japreet clan stepping out, there is an odd number of combatants. How will the Ukulwa take place?”
“It will be a battle royale. They will all enter the ring and the last man standing shall be crowned Mansa.”
“Even better!” Lord Assani yelled.
He continued, “Chukwuku can take them both out in one fight.”
“Your boasts shall be your child’s demise,” Mateus replied.
“Neither of your sons pose a threat. I do not boast, I only speak the truth.”
Yannick began, “I assure you Lord Assani. I will ensure you regret your words.”
“We have an agreement then. Your sons will meet in the Royal Garden in a week’s time to settle this. Understood?”
“Yes, your Excellency!” they proclaimed in unison.
“Meeting adjourned.”
The men rose from their tables and pushed there chair back in place. The men and women proceeded to leave the room, with Lord Assani and Chukwuku the first out the door since they were the closest to it. Lord Vishal and Lady Lali followed behind them, then Lord Mateus and Yannick. Lord Rashid stood by the Nguvu table and spoke with Habib. As they talked, the Mansa and Nairomi sat at their table and began to talk as well.
“Father, what am I supposed to do now? I am no fighter,” Nairomi waned.
“You need not be a fighter, those three men will fight I suppose. The winner will take your hand in marriage,” Hatim replied.
“There is no guarantee they will wed me. The winner can choose a new wife,” suddenly, they heard a voice.
“Hatim, we can help you with that,” it was Lord Commander Rashid.
“Rashid, how are you?” asked Mansa Hatim.
“I have seen better days. Managing an entire clan and the Royal Army is not easy.”
“Imagine ruling an entire Empire,” they began to laugh.
“On a serious note, once Habib wins the royale he shall take your daughter’s hand. This will ensure the throne stays within our family. Commanding the army and the Empire keeps us in the forefront of the clans.”
“I see, I see. Ensure the boy is prepared.”
“He shall. How are the Hashish?”
“Great. They are an excellent addition,” the Mansa replied.
“If only they were there when Ijemma was taken. I cannot believe Aslam did such a thing!” Lord Rashid exclaimed.
“I know. Ijemma meant everything to me. Her beauty eclipsed the sun itself. I searched tirelessly for my beloved, until he returned her cursed. I will exact my revenge.”
Nairomi interjected, “What do you mean by cursed?” Both men stammered at her comment. The room fell silent for a brief moment.
Hatim ignored the question and continued, “Good seeing you brother. Come now Nairomi, we shall begin preparations for the Ukulwa.” They departed the Royal Council room.
Chapter 7: Sapphire Eyes
Sultan Khalil’s wagon has finally entered the South. He, his guards and his slaves now crossed the Death Valley to gain entry to the territory. Sultan Khalil’s territory is on the southwestern tip of Namib. With the South in constant conflict with one another over territory, water and various treasures, if you hail from another Sultan’s land and step foot into another, you would be killed instantaneously. Death Valley is the only way for most residents of the South to travel in and out by foot. The area sits between mountainous ranges which is too treacherous for any one Sultan to claim, so the valley is free land. With the soaring heat coupled with its vast rugged terrain, no Sultan dare fight for its control. The Valley runs from the Moto towards Tivoli and the Arai Sea; the southern tip of the continent.
“Are we almost there yet!?” Ida yelled as she laid on the cage floor.
“For the fiftieth time, no we are not!” Irabor barked.
“A wise man once told me, if you really want something you have to speak it into existence,” she replied.
“Well I want you to shut up. Did it work?”
“Sorry, I’m still talking,” she snickered.
Irabor sighed, “what a shame, I really thought that would work.”
Ida sat upright and looked at Tayo, “Hey, you’ve been pretty quiet since we left Zwela. What’s up?”
“Oh, no-no nothing,” he replied sheepishly.
“C’mon kid, there has to be a reason for you to be looking this glum.”
Irabor interrupted, “he’s a slave. I think that’s a valid enough reason.”
“Shut up Sapphire Eyes, I was talking to the kid,” Ida replied.
Irabor shouted, “Sapphires aren’t even red! A matter of fact they are the stark opposite of my red eyes, they are blue!”
Ida ignored Irabor’s rebuttal. Tayo began to laugh at Irabor’s retaliation, “Sapphire Eyes ha-ha I like that.” Tayo said as he continued laughing.
“You like it huh? Let’s call ol’ grumpy Sapphire Eyes from now on!” Ida stated.
“No!” Irabor shouted. Ida ignored him once again.
“I told you I will free you kid. Don’t be down about that. Smile for me,” Ida smiled.
Tayo began, “No it’s not the slavery. It’s just that Death Valley is not a safe place. My mother told me stories about all the bandits and murderers out here.”
“Oh so you’re scared you’re going to die?” Ida asked. He nodded timidly.
Ida began to laugh, “Tayo, you’re safe with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”
“Only fools make promises they can’t keep,” Irabor muttered.
“Oh shut up Sapphire Eyes! I intend on delivering the boy back home!”
“Why do you have such interest in him?” Irabor asked.
“Because I never knew my parents, I won’t let a child be separated from his family when I have the power to change that.”
Irabor began, “So are you going to free all the slave?”
Ida paused, then she faced Irabor, “the other slave mean nothing to me. Tayo sits in front of me, so I decided I want to help him.”
“So your seemingly righteous heart has a limit? You only help those you want?”
>
“Precisely,” she smirked.
“You are a strange one,” Irabor replied.
“Tayo, at Zwela they asked me how many rains I saw. They were asking my age correct?” Ida asked.
“Yes. We sometimes measure age by how many times you have seen the rains since they appear the same time annually and some people do not know what day they are born.”
“That makes sense. So you are eleven years old?” Ida replied.
“Mhmm! Well sorta, my parents don’t know what day I was born. With our poor farming life, such things meant little to us. But I will soon be present for my twelfth rain,” he replied.
“Sweet child. Well me and ol’ Sapphire Eyes will have a small celebration for you. All you slaves are welcomed!” Ida stated enthusiastically.
“Stop calling me that! Besides, we are slaves. Why do you promise the kid such outlandish things?” Irabor replied.
“Do you want to celebrate your twelfth rain?” she asked Tayo.
“Yes, I would really love that. I never celebrated any of them before, but-”
“Ah-Ah-Ah! No buts! Then it’s settled, we’re celebrating after I free you.”
Suddenly, the wagon began to shake more vigorously. They felt that they rapidly picked up the pace. The heard horse’s whinnies and gallops become increasingly audible. Ida heard men yodeling and screeching. The other slaves began to mutter amongst the commotion. Ida heard men scream and yell to go faster. Ida peered through one of the slits in the tarps that covered the cage, she saw a group of horsemen chasing after them and surrounding them.
“What’s going on!? I can’t see!” Tayo asked.
“I don’t like this,” Irabor stated calmly. He sat still, and closed his eyes as the ordeal took place.
They heard swords clattering and men releasing blood curdling cries. Ida peered through another hole in the tarps and saw the rogue horsemen battle Sultan Khalil’s guards. The wagon hit a rock and Ida tumbled back to the floor of the wagon. She saw the frightened look on Tayo’s face as she tried to roll back upright. His eyes were shut and he has a dismal facial expression. She attempted to comfort him, but the gyration of the wagon halted her. Suddenly, the Sultan’s voice was heard.
“Forget the slaves! Get me back to my Palace!” the wagon began to slow down. Abruptly, the wagon stopped, and the slaves stumbled in response.
“What the hell is going on!?” one of the slaves shouted in confusion.
The tarps over the cage were pulled off and the slaves were finally able to see. Men upon horsebacks encircled them. A few of the Sultan’s guards laid face first in the ground. Some had spears driven through them, and others were decapitated. Rogue horsemen also littered the ground, with some of the horses themselves being slain. There was a trail of blood, body parts and dead bodies behind the wagon.
“So these are the slaves he bought?” A slender dark skinned man proclaimed. He had many scars upon his face, as if a valley ran along it.
“There are quite a few. We can make a decent profit,” another horseman replied.
A third horseman began, “Our Sultan will be pleased. And this one right here is quite a sight,” his eyes fixated on Ida.
“You can look but you can’t touch,” Ida bit her lips as she peered into his eyes.
The scarred man replied, “Is that so? Why don’t we open that cage up and figure that out,” a few of the other horsemen began to laugh.
Ida appeared unamused as she began, “Don’t say I never warned you.”
“She has an attitude, I like that. Didi, open up the cage so we can have some fun with her before we turn her over to the Sultan.”
The scar faced man replied, “Very tempting. His highness doesn’t properly compensate us for all of our hard work. The Sultan got away but his slaves will make fine rewards. Let’s have some fun with this one before we turn them over.”
The men began hacking at the lock of the cage with their weapons. They took turns as they swung their assortment of weapons. From battle axes to short swords, the men lashed out at the lock. The other caged slaves began to retreat further back, but Ida, Irabor and Tayo sat still. Tayo was frightened stiff, but hid by Ida’s side. Ida stared Didi in the eyes and was unnerved. Irabor sat calmly with his back against the bars, he carefully assessed the situation. But as Didi reached for her, Tayo repressed his fears and leaped forward. Tayo clasped his jaws around Didi’s right hand and sunk his teeth in his flesh. His bite was so harsh that it instantly ripped Didi’s skin and blood began to run from the wound.
“Ahhhh! You fucking brat!” Didi screamed.
“Leave her alone! None of you lay a finger on her!” Tayo beckoned furiously.
“Tayo, please don’t interfere! Everything will be okay,” Ida barked.
Didi regained his composure, “not for him. Someone ought to teach you manners boy.”
He continued, “Grab the kid. I will teach him respect!”
Two of his men poured into the cage. Ida tried to interfere, but with both her arms and legs tied up, she was effortlessly shoved to the side. The men grabbed Tayo and exited the wagon. Once they were outside, the men threw Tayo unto the ground in front of Didi. Tayo released a faint cry as his fragile body was slammed against the hot dirt and pebbles. Didi stooped down and grab Tayo by his head and lifted it. He stared into his eyes as he began.
“How many rains have you seen boy?” Didi asked.
“Eleven,” he muffled, with some dirt in his mouth and Didi’s blood around his mouth.
“Poor boy, you went all this time without learning proper manners. Like respecting your elders!”
Didi dropped Tayo’s head and stood up. He proceeded to kick Tayo in the side of his abdomen with such force, Ida could hear his rib break from the cage. Ida began to scream as Tayo’s cries filled the air. Irabor remained quiet, his eyes still evaluating this encounter.
“Stop it! Stop it! Leave him alone!” Ida frenetically screamed.
“Make me!” Didi cackled.
Didi continued to kick Tayo in his abdomen. Each kick escalating Tayo’s screams. The volumes of the cries did not deter Didi, each kick was delivered with more and more ferocity. Didi’s men stood by and cheered him on as he distributed each blow. The slaves in the wagon sat quietly in fears as Ida broke down from within. Eventually, Tayo began to spit out blood.
Irabor finally spoke up, “This is inhumane! He is just a child! No need to torture him so! I will take his place.”
Didi ceased his onslaught and replied, “Of course you would. If I kicked you I’d probably do more damage to myself! I’m surprised anyone was even able to capture you to begin with! You Ahmar’s are known for your strength, and you’re the biggest I’ve ever seen. Anyways, the boy needs to be punished, not you!”
Tayo mumbled, “Please…stop…I’m…sorry…” as he gasped for air.
“What was that? I couldn’t quite hear you over your screams!”
Didi began to kick Tayo once more. Ida started to scream in horror as she watched this savagery take place. She felt completely useless. Irabor ceased his gaze and turned his head in disgust. The sight became too unbearable for even him to stomach. Ida was the only slave still watching Tayo’s fate unfold before her eyes. The other slaves quivered in the back. Eventually, Tayo’s screams finally stopped.
One of Didi’s men stated, “I think you gave him too much!” they all began to laugh.
“What!? I was just getting started! Come on kid don’t quit on me now!” he yelled as he kicked Tayo. But Tayo remained silent.
Ida sat motionless as she watched the whole ordeal take place. She was out of tears, out of screams, out of fight. Irabor noticed her defeated look and uttered, “Ida…?” but he got no response.
Didi ceased kicking Tayo and began, “Well I guess the boy really is dead. Well let’s get that girl now shall we,”
“No! Do not touch her or I will rip your head off!” Irabor roared. His voice berated across the valley.
“You’re all t
ied up, you can’t stop me,” Didi answered as he reached for Ida. Irabor tried to break free of his restraints but was unable to. Ida was still in shock and went with Didi without any complications. He threw her on the floor, her body flailed on impact.
“So who wants to go first?” he asked.
“Let me get a go at her first. That slice I took earlier still hurts. Maybe a woman’s touch can take the pain away,” one of his men stated as he babied an open gash on his chest.
“Very well then, I shall let you go first. I shall go second.”
The man proceeded to cut the ropes restricting Ida’s legs. He reached for her pants, but just before he could pull them down, Ida kicked him in his face. Ida’s kick was so powerful that a tooth flew and hit another man adjacent of him. The other men were startled and then charged Ida. She jumped up to her feet, then rolled to evade their grasp. As she rolled, she used her hands to pick up the knife which was used to cut the ropes on her feet. Quickly, she cut the ropes restraining her hands. A horseman then charged at her and she proceeded to charge back, but just before she was trampled, she leaped to the side and evaded the swing of his swords and the horse. She stood up and dodged the swings of one of the men’s swords. She kicked him in his private area which resulted in him leaning forward in discomfort. As the man leaned she slit his throat. The other men began gaining on her, so she took off to the cage.
Ida got to the cage and began cutting the ropes off Irabor’s arms and legs. As she successfully unbounded Irabor, three men entered the cage and rushed towards them. Irabor stood straight with his head nearly hitting the cage ceiling. His scarlet eyes nearly seemed as if they were on fire, his breath was hot and his fists were clenched so tight that they began to bleed. As the three men charged at them, Ida ducked and Irabor unleashed a grizzly lariat that took all three men down in one swing. Irabor jumped out of the cage and onto the ground, his immense stature made the earth tremble at his feet. Two horsemen then charged Irabor, he picked up an axe that laid on the ground beside him and threw it. The blade impaled the horse and it fell to the ground, rolling and crushing the rider. The other horseman, however, was upon Irabor. He swung his sword, so Irabor shielded himself with his left arm. The blade cut deep into his skin, sending blood and flesh flying, but not his spirit. Before the horseman could ride off, Irabor reached for him with his right arm and pulled him from his horse. The man fell to the ground and Irabor stomped on his neck, crushing his throat so severely that he beheaded him.
Pharaoh of Fire (Land of Fire Book 1) Page 8