Pharaoh of Fire (Land of Fire Book 1)

by Chadwick Duncan

  “Ugh! I feel sick!” Nairomi began coughing vigorously and then heaved. She covered her mouth so nothing came spewing out.

  Awesi entered the room, rubbing her eyes, “Lady Nairomi, are you okay!? I heard your screams from down the hall.”

  Baaba also entered the room, standing by Awesi as she began, “Get out the way you oaf! Lady Nairomi, what is the matter?”

  Nairomi looked towards them, her face looking ill, “I feel like last night’s dinner is about to revisit,” she coughed once more then placed her hands over her mouth quell the up rise.

  Suddenly, Naki came bursting into the room, nudging Awesi and Baaba out her way, “Move you fools! Lady Nairomi, what is happening!?”

  Baaba pushed Naki in return and replied, “She is feeling ill! Now go fetch her some tea!”

  “I am not going all the way to the kitchen. Where are the Hashish!?” Naki replied.

  A Hashish tapped Naki on her shoulders, “You have a request for us?”

  The three maidens shrieked, then Naki began, “Oh! What the!? You all move as silent as the Tokoloshe!”

  “My apologies, my ladies,” the Hashish bowed.

  Awesi inquired, “Could you get a cup of tea for Lady Nairomi?”

  “Understood,” he left for the kitchen.

  Lady Nairomi, still struggling to keep her stomach in one piece, asked, “What is a Tokoloshe?”

  Naki giddily answered, “It is a tale my mommy used to tell me as a child to scare me when I misbehaved. She told me that the Tokoloshe were small evil spirits that caused mischief and would torment me if I never behaved.”

  Baaba added, “Seems like it never tormented you enough as a child, your manners are terrible,” Awesi and Baaba began to giggle.

  Naki kissed her teeth and replied, “Whatever.”

  Nairomi yelled, “Where is my tea! My head hurts!”

  Awesi went by her beside and gripped Nairomi’s hands, “Be patient my lady. The Hashish should be returning shortly.”

  Naki added, “He better bring some fried breadfruit as well. I smelled some on my way here.”

  The Hashish returned, with a platter of tea and four slices of fried breadfruit, “My ladies. Here you go.”

  Baaba grabbed the platter, “Thank you so much!” the Hashish exited.

  “Yes! I am starving!” Naki grabbed a slice and began eating.

  Awesi carefully grasped the cup of hot tea and slice of breadfruit and handed it to Nairomi, “Here you go my lady. The tea is very hot, please be careful.”

  “Thank you, Awesi.”

  Nairomi carefully grabbed the tea and snack. She scrupulously drank the tea after each bite of the breadfruit. Each crunchy bite echoed throughout the room as they all ate. The salty and buttery aroma complemented the scent of the orange peel tea Nairomi was drinking. The maidens laid by Nairomi’s bed while they nurtured her. As the afternoon neared, a visitor arrived at the Palace. It was a small wooden wagon, draped in white cloth. The cloth had a black sun stitched in. The carriage stopped at the staircase and the linen was pushed to the side. A dark skinned woman with greyish black braids stepped out the carriage.

  “Where is Assani!? He does not come to greet his own wife!? When I grab hold of that man his grandfather is going to feel it in his grave!”

  A Royal Guard approached her, “Lady Ebunoluwa, is it? We have been expecting you.”

  “Yes, now where is my husband!?” she responded excitedly.

  “He has instructed us to look out for you and escort you into the Palace.”

  Ebunoluwa kissed her teeth, “He told people to escort me? That man should be here himself! I will escort myself.”

  Lady Ebunoluwa stormed up the steps, mumbling to herself as she advanced. She thrusted the front doors wide opened, “Assani! Where are you!?

  A Hashish greeted her, “Lord Commander Assani awaits you in his chambers.”

  “He should have awaited me at the staircase! Now go tell him I am at the front door!”

  The Hashish regressed to grab Assani. After a few moments, Assani returned with the Hashish, “my beautiful wife, how are you?”

  “Do not ‘my beautiful wife’ me!”

  She continued, “I have not seen you since you left for Gibralta! You better not be entertaining any women while you are here!” she grabbed him by the collar.

  Assani began sweating and timidly replied, “No-no! I have been only working diligently for the Empire! I swear it! That is why I am Lord Commander now.”

  “Mhmm” she muttered as she loosened her grip on his collar but still held it within her clutches.

  Nairobi entered the room, “Aunty Ebunoluwa, it is glad to see you. It is true, Lord Assani has been working hard by my side.”

  “I will let it slide this time Assani, but next time you pull this stunt I will not be so kind,” she released him.

  She continued, “So what are you two discussing? Must be something of utmost importance for you to be neglecting me, Assani.”

  “Come with us to Mansa Nairobi’s library. We can all talk, away from curious ears.”

  Lord Assani placed his right arm around Lady Ebunoluwa’s waist and escorted her to the library, with Mansa Nairobi right behind them. A Hashish held the door open for them as they entered.

  Lord Assani began, “Mansa Nairobi has stripped Lord Rashid of his duties and deemed me Lord Commander of the Royal Army. With this power I have forged an alliance with the Angola clan. I still need to travel to Haathee and form an alliance with the Japreet. Anyways, with this power, I plan on punishing the Nguvu for the loss of my sister and their other transgressions. It is time they answered for their crimes.”

  Lady Ebunoluwa, bewildered, replied, “Are you mad!? You wish to go to war with the Nguvu! They will surely destroy you!”

  Assani chuckled, “With the amount of backing we shall get, the Nguvu will be begging us for mercy.”

  Ebunoluwa placed her hands on her hips and looked towards Mansa Nairobi, “Are you okay with this? The Nguvu are your people. What about your father and sister? They are Nguvu.”

  Nairobi remained silent for a moment, with a stern look on his face. He finally answered, “My father never showed me an ounce of love, only mother did. The Mali showed me love when I needed it most and put me in Selah Palace. I will do what is best for the Mali as I owe my ascension to you.”

  Ebunoluwa stared at Nairobi for a moment then returned her gaze at Assani, “I wish you the best of luck my husband. I hope this will finally quell the fire that rages within you.”

  Lord Assani smiled, “Of course my beloved. After heads begin rolling, I should be okay. I currently have men looking for Aslam. The monster that kidnapped Ijemma.”

  The door suddenly opened and Chukwuku stepped inside, “Mommy!” Chukwuku sprinted towards Ebunoluwa and embraced her. He lifted her off her feet as he hugged her. Nairobi looked away as Chukwuku reunited with his mother.

  “Mommy! I missed you so much!”

  “I am here now my sweet buffalo, I am going nowhere!” she replied with a smile and kissed him on the cheek.

  Assani walk towards Nairobi and asked, “Your Excellency, I have sent my message to Crocodile Bay a few days ago. Lord Mateus’s daughters should be arriving any day now.”

  Ebunoluwa called towards Nairobi, “Your Excellency, where is your sister? I have not seen her in quite some time.”

  “She is in her room, she has been feeling sick all morning, now might not be the best time to see her.”

  “Nonsense! I will whip her up a nice mountain remedy. She will feel good as new! Now where is the kitchen?”

  Assani answered, “Hashish, can one of you please take my wife to the kitchen then to Lady Nairomi’s quarters?”

  A Hashish entered the library, “Yes, my lord.”

  The Hashish took her to the kitchen. She grabbed some rum and mixed it with honey in a small wooden bowl. She then searched the kitchen counters and located some lime. She cut the lime in half and squeezed one hal
f into the concoction. She stirred in the lime and tasted it. She made up her face and reached back for the honey. She poured more honey into the mix and stir it once more. She sipped it once more.

  “Ahhh! This is perfect! She is sure to feel perfect after this! This will expel any nastiness.”

  She continued, “Hashish, can you take me to Lady Nairomi?”

  “Yes, my lady,” the Hashish escorted Ebunoluwa to Nairomi’s quarters. He knocked on the door.

  “Lady Nairomi. Lady Ebunoluwa is here to see you, may she come in?”

  “E-Ebu-Ebunoluwa? Yes, she may enter.”

  She eased the door open, peeping into the room first before she entered. Nairomi laid in her bed, with Naki, Awesi and Baaba sitting alongside her, “Welcome, Lady Ebunoluwa,” the maidens said in unison.

  “Lady Nairomi. My dear, how are you?” Ebunoluwa smiled as she approached.

  Nairomi’s voice was faint but audible, “I am good.” She then followed her answer with a few coughs.

  Lady Ebunoluwa eased past the maidens and sat on the bed, “From the looks of it, this flu is getting the better of you,” the two began chuckling.

  Ebunoluwa continued, “Be still my child, you shall soon recover. Here, drink this.”

  She handed Nairomi the remedy. She propped Nairomi’s head up as she drunk the beverage, “How is it?”

  Nairomi riled her face and nearly expelled the drink from her mouth, “Sour, really sour,” the maidens giggled at her response.

  “Well it will save your life so drink up! I will soon bring some more.”

  Ebunoluwa caressed Nairomi’s face. As she removed her hand, her arm skimmed across Nairomi’s left breast, “Ow!” Nairomi shouted.

  “Oh! Sorry! What did I do?”

  “My bosoms have been really tender lately, more than they usually are.”

  “Hmm I see. What are your other symptoms?” Ebunoluwa asked.

  “W-well, my head and back aches. My stomach hurts, and I have been feeling faint all morning.”

  “Interesting. When was the last time you bled my dear?” Ebunoluwa asked as she rubbed her chin.

  “Umm I do not know. It should have come by now, it is probably coming soon,” Nairomi sheepishly responded.

  Ebunoluwa looked at the other maidens, “Have any of you young women delivered a baby before?”

  Naki remarked, “Baby? No, why do you ask?”

  Awesi added, “I am afraid I have not delivered a baby either.”

  Baaba spoke as well, “Likewise.”

  “Well you women better be quick studies, because Nairomi is pregnant!”

  The entire room fell deathly quiet as they stared at one another. The maiden’s faces were perplexed as they continued to discern the information Ebunoluwa offered them. Nairomi laid there perfectly still, speechless and in awe, as if she swallowed her tongue.

  “No-no-no! This cannot be! I just have the f-flu! What are you going on about!?” Nairomi replied in a frenzy.

  “My sweet girl, I have seen plenty women pregnant and delivered a few little ones myself. I know when someone is bearing a child,” Ebunoluwa smirked.

  She continued as she looked at the maidens, “I am surprised your maidens did not know.”

  Awesi replied, “As we stated before, none of us have ever been pregnant nor witnessed child birth. This is completely knew to us.”

  Baaba added, “Indeed. But we are extremely happy for you ,Lady Nairomi!”

  Nairomi, lost for words, began, “I cannot believe this. I am going to be…a mother.”

  Ebunoluwa had a huge smile on her face as she replied, “Rejoice my sweet girl, rejoice! This is an important milestone in womanhood.”

  She continued, “Who is the father?”

  Nairomi was silent for a moment and began to cry. She covered her hands with her face as her tears flooded her face, Naki began, “Habib. The father is Habib Nguvu.”

  Ebunoluwa stared in disbelief, “H-Habib! Oh my. I am so sorry to hear that.”

  Nairomi gathered herself and replied, “It is okay. I knew the risks he faced and I am at ease with it.”

  “I am not only talking about Habib’s death, but also referring to your son. He is a Nadhil; a bastard.”

  “Oh. I did not even consider that,” Nairomi said defeated.

  She began slamming her arms on her bed, “This is not fair!”

  Ebunoluwa grabbed her arms, “Be steady my child! I will keep this a secret. We will need to inform Mansa Nairobi and Lord Assani however. We will keep this within the Palace walls. Last thing we need is for this information to get out.”

  She continued, “Then we shall dispose of that child.”

  Nairomi’s face lost all its color, “Dispose of what!? No! No one is killing this baby! It is all I have left of Habib!”

  Ebunoluwa, appalled, replied, “You will most definitely not! That thing will tarnish your brother and my husband’s name! I cannot allow that!”

  Naki stepped forth, “Pardon me Lady Ebunoluwa, but yes you will! If Lady Nairomi wants to keep her baby, then that is exactly what she shall do!” the other maidens nodded in agreeance.

  Ebunoluwa regressed, “Very well then. If that is what you wish, I will heed your decision. But I still insist that you keep the baby a secret as of now. I will figure out a way to unveil him without causing too much dishonor to you all.”

  Nairomi smiled, “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

  “So since you intend on keeping the child, you should name him.”

  Nairomi paused for a moment then began, “I want to name him Habib. In honor of his father.”

  Lady Ebunoluwa replied with a smile, “That is lovely. Well, I wish you the best on this pregnancy. I shall be present and care for you.”

  As Lady Ebunoluwa continued speaking with the ladies, Mansa Nairobi and Lord Assani were speaking in the throne room. It was still being repaired from The Creed’s attack. Men were diligently at work on scaffolds as they dealt with they replaced burnt and broken materials and structures.

  “I cannot believe Uncle Rashid would stoop this low,” Nairobi stated, as he sat on the throne rubbing the scruff on his chin.

  Lord Assani, standing before him, replied, “Well I am not. The Nguvu are ruthless, you should know this.”

  He continued, “Do not harp on it your Excellency. We shall get even, I assure you. And we shall also claim all of Namib.”

  Nairobi, star stricken, replied, “The entire of Namib!?”

  “Yes, your Excellency. Do you not want to go down in history as one of the Greats? Reconquer Namib for Gibralta. Nairobi Mali, the god who rejoined the North and South? It has a nice ring to it.”

  “I planned on doing that once I acquired the throne, but now that I think about it, that seems like an unfeasible task. The Moto is treacherous and vast,” Nairobi replied as he fidgeted with the golden scepter.

  “Nonsense! Follow through with that plan! You sought to overthrow your despicable father and succeeded. I am certain, with the correct allies, that you could conquer all of Namib. You can transcend being just the Mansa of the Gibraltari Empire. You can be the God of Namib!” Assani shouted as he raised his arms to the heavens.

  He continued, “We just need to make certain that we shed minimal bloodshed dealing with the Nguvu. In all honesty, we need to capture Lord Rashid and have him stand trial for sending those assassins. That way we can force the Nguvu into submission and avoid a rebellion.”

  Nairobi sat quietly entertaining the ideas presented by Lord Assani. Suddenly, the entrance to the throne room opened. It was a Hashish along with a young woman, she had short, curled black hair with elegant dark brown skin. Lord Mateus was also among them, hobbling on his cane.

  “Lord Mateus!? This is an unexpected visit, how are you?” Assani stated as he rushed to greet him.

  He continued, “And whom might this beautiful young lady be?” he grabbed her hand and kissed it.

  Mateus began, “She is one of my daughters, Ferrei
ra Angola. I decided to escort her to the capital. I needed to see and hear the proceedings myself, I cannot leave situations as important as this to anyone else.”

  Ferreira added, “Nice to meet you, Lord Assani,” she bowed.

  “No, it is nice to meet you, my lady. And I understand what you mean my Lord. That makes sense. Well, let us get them acquainted shall we?”

  Assani turned towards Nairobi, “Your Excellency, Lord Mateus and his daughter are here to speak to you.”

  “Step forth, my Lord and my Lady,” Nairobi commanded.

  Lord Mateus and Lady Ferreira stood before him as Mateus began, “Your Excellency, this my daughter, Lady Ferreira of the Angola clan. I would like to extend my daughter’s hand to you in marriage.”

  Mansa Nairobi sat steady as he rubbed his chin. He then stood up and walked towards her, “Lady Ferreira, is it?” he took her hand and kissed it.

  Blushing, she replied, “Yes, your Excellency. It would be my honor to sit in the Palace with you and bare your children.”

  Mansa Nairobi smiled, “I am sure you would. Who knew that old dog would have such a beautiful daughter.”

  Mateus ignored the insult and replied, “So, will you take her hand in marriage?”

  Before Nairobi could answer, the throne room doors opened once more. Lord Vishal and Lady Lali entered, escorted by a Hashish as well. Vishal yelled, “It seems I arrived to the party just in time.”

  Assani began, “Lord Vishal! I have been meaning to visit you, I need to discuss a few issues with you. To what do we owe this visit?”

  Vishal smiled, “I have come to extend Lali’s hand to Mansa Nairobi.”

  Mateus chimed in, “You are late. His Excellency has already accepted my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

  Mansa Nairobi replied, “No-no I have not. I did not answer yet,” he let go of Ferreira’s hands instantly and walked towards Lali.