Pharaoh of Fire (Land of Fire Book 1)

by Chadwick Duncan

  Salma’s tears began to dry and she stared into Wasim’s eyes. She rose to her toes and slowly inched forward to his face. Wasim hesitated, but then began leaning in towards her as well. The two soon locked lips. Wasim let go of her hands and grasped her by the waist as he pressed her upon his body. The two vigorously kissed until Wasim lifted her up and carried her to his bed. She locked her legs around him. He fell to his bed with her still attached to him. Wasim began to pull her blouse off her shoulders and licked her neck. She then grabbed his head and resumed kissing him. He lifted up her blouse and lifted up his robes, then proceeded to climb on top of her. The whole bed frame shook as he delivered each blow. Salma tried her best to silence her moans but to no avail.

  The cries drew the attention of an unfortunate soul. Little Razana peered from the slight opening of the door and stared at the development. She stood there, quietly, perfectly still, examining the two. She watched her mother writhe in the bed, grip and scratch Wasim. She saw the determination on Wasim’s face, she saw his broad arms and shoulders overpowering her mother. Razana’s face bared no emotion, she was neither saddened nor angry by the sight. She stood there indifferently and watched the whole ordeal take place. It seemed she watched for an eternity, but eventually the two were finished. Razana realized this and quietly creeped off back into the shadows and returned to her bed.

  Chapter 20: Wilted Flower

  Lord Vishal stood on the balcony of Haathee as he stared at the rising sun. The vibrant azure of the sky complimented the bright yellow shine of the sun. He stood naked and held the rails of the balcony which overlooked the city. With the castle sitting on a hill, he was either confident no one would be able to see him, or did not care nonetheless. His face was filled with anxiety and indifference, he rubbed his beard and stared into the distance. Two arms reached from behind him and gently held him.

  “My beloved, what is bothering you this early in the day?” Mitali Lali stated. She pressed her bosoms against his back, while she kissed him on his neck. Her luscious black and grey curly hair flowed elegantly as the morning breeze flowed by. Her hazel eyes and light brown skin shimmered in the rising sun.

  Vishal kept staring into the distance and replied, “It is the current situation. I do not know what to do?”

  She squinted her eyes in confusion, “What do you mean?”

  He sighed and replied, “Because the plan was to have Lali marry Nairobi so we could get information on what partakes in the Palace and have an assailant on the inside, but with them imprisoning Rashid, Wasim has taken a different course of action.”

  He continued, “This greatly complicates things. Because, I already agreed upon this marriage which we will probably no longer need. Instead of destroying the Palace from the inside, Wasim wants to attack head on.”

  Mitali massaged Vishal’s shoulders in an attempt to set him at ease, “The marriage must still go on since it has been promised. Still use this in our favor. At the end of the day, the Nguvu are rebelling, not the Japreet’s. If they succeed, we are their allies and shall ascend with them. If they fail, we will deflect any claims we were linked together and use our position with Lali in our favor.”

  Vishal quickly turned around to face her, he was beside himself with her remark, “How could you say that!? We have had a long and healthy relationship with the Nguvu clan for as long as I can remember. I cannot just turn my back on them especially in their time of need.”

  Mitali lightly grabbed his head and leaned in, “But family is the most important thing. The safety of our people is always our primary focus. It has always been and that is why we have never taken such risks before.”

  She gave him a light peck on his lips and continued, “You need to ensure that whatever happens, Mansa Nairobi will still marry Lali and we have a plan for whether Lord Wasim succeeds, or fails.”

  He violently turned away from her and stared angrily into the distance, “But I have already pledged our men to him. Regardless of what action I take, some Japreet are going to die!”

  Mitali hugged Vishal from behind once more, “Have you attempted to persuade him from his current course of action?”

  “Yes! But you know how stubborn the Nguvu can be!” he shouted.

  She smiled and rubbed her moist lips against his neck, “Then he shall seal his own fate. Sure, we will lose a few Japreet soldiers, but we can protect the entirety of the clan.”

  Vishal remained silent so she continued, “So how is Wasim planning to attack?”

  “He has not fully notified me. But as far as I know, the Nguvu still have men within the ranks of the Royal Army so it seems he either has not called them home yet, or they are right where he needs them to be in Gibralta.”

  Bewildered, Mitali replied, “Lord Assani is a confident man but this seems absurd. He imprisoned the Nguvu clan’s Lord and still keeps them apart of the army? Especially when they make up such a huge portion.”

  Vishal began to walk away from Mitali but continued staring towards the horizon, “He probably knows of this threat. He could have the other soldiers keeping an eye on them. The old saying stands, ‘Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.’ It will be a lot easier for him to keep track of the Nguvu soldiers if they remain under his watchful eye.”

  Mitali began, “And even if they do up rise, they will be outnumbered and probably unequipped.”

  Lord Vishal rubbed his beard, “Precisely, Assani is not a fool. He theoretically has nearly all the Nguvu soldiers imprisoned along with their Lord. Unless Wasim has a hidden army in Alharamu, or can find a way to get weapons to the Nguvu in Gibralta, I honestly do not see how he can win this fight.”

  Mitali followed behind Vishal and crossed her arms, allowing her perky breasts to rest on her forearms, “So how does Wasim plan on winning this fight?”

  Vishal turned to face her, his eyes were full of confusion, “Like I said, I do not know. I will send a secret message to General Jahawar to instruct the Japreet soldiers in Gibralta to be ready for whatever form of attack Wasim plans. But the measly three thousand soldiers we have housed there will not stand the ten thousand other soldiers apart of the army.”

  “How can you help the Nguvu if they do not even tell you the plan?” she asked upsettingly.

  He shrugged, “I ask myself that very same question each waking morning. I just have faith that they will figure something out. They always do.”

  A few weeks rolled by. The daily routine in the capital continued, but today was a special day. It was a cool yet warm evening. The winds delicate touch rustled the leaves of the marula trees. Elephants began to mobilize and encircled their young as the sun began heading for the horizon. Leopards assumed their positions on tree branches and scoped out their next meal. Zebras finished their drink at a river and began heading back towards the grassland. Tonight was the night Mansa Nairobi and Lady Lali were to be courted.

  Within the Royal Courtyard of Selah Palace, Elephants carried Lady Lali and Lord Vishal inside alongside a band of the Japreet soldiers. Lali wore a beautiful turquoise bead necklace to compliment the vibrant yellow dress she donned. Her midnight hair’s sheen nearly outshone that of the torchieres in the courtyard. She wore a headdress with a singular turquoise bead as well in the center. Lord Vishal sported a vibrant yellow tunic and pants, with a crisply white turban. He too donned a turquoise jewelry but it was a bracelet on his left arm. As the Elephants made their way through the Palace’s front gates, Mansa Nairobi stood with Lord Commander Assani to his right.

  Assani and Nairobi both wore a deep violet robe, with one side draped over their left shoulder, so that their right shoulders were exposed. To their rear, were some Royal Guards, a few Hashish, Nairomi, and Lady Ebunoluwa. The Elephants began to kneel so Lali and Vishal could dismount. A priest stood in the middle of the courtyard draped in a white robe. He wore no shoes and his hands seemed like a man who skilled in craftsmanship. He had a brown wrinkled face with a very slim build. He held some braided grass in his hand
s as he awaited both Lali and Nairobi to approach him.

  Before Nairobi took his first step, he whispered over towards Assani, “Ever since that Hashish told me a man really casted fire in the throne room, I have been uneasy uncle.”

  Assani smirked, “I am too. Such magic, I thought, only existed in tall tales. But we cannot think of that right now my boy, you must focus on this union. We can deal with that later. Now go.”

  Lady Lali began advancing towards the priest. Nairobi ceased his conversation with Assani and began advancing as well. He smirked and waltzed forward, staring Lady Lali in the eyes with each step. She returned his confident gazes by rolling her eyes and chuckling. Even though she began walking first, Nairobi arrived to the priest first. While he stood there waiting for her, he had a smile as wide as the courtyard itself. Lali finally arrived before him and the priest, but before the priest could begin, Nairobi leaned in.

  “You ready to bear my children and subject yourself to my every whim?”

  Lali grinned and responded, “Bear your children? Well, if that little thing can get inside of me then yes.”

  The priest nearly busted out into laughter but caught himself very quickly. He began to smile awkwardly as Nairobi frowned and responded, “Get it all out now if you must, because once this is over, I own you.”

  She smiled, “Keep telling yourself that my dear, whatever keeps you at ease.”

  The priest sensed that the tension was starting to diffuse so he began, “Mansa Nairobi Mali, Lady Lali Vishal, you two have each gathered before me under the watchful eyes of the Sun god and Rain god to be joined in matrimony, is this correct?”

  Nairobi began with a smug look on his face, “Yes. That is correct.”

  Lali replied as she stared at the scar over his left eye, “Yes indeed.”

  As the priest continued his speak to the couple, a Hashish tapped Lord Assani on his shoulder, “The Nguvu soldiers are still at ease. They sit quietly within the barracks. And for Rashid Nguvu, he also sits quietly in his cell. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, my lord.”

  Assani grinned as he continued watching the ceremony, “This is perfect. It seems they are not foolish enough to make a move on the wedding after all. Now, I will need to find a way to ensure these soldiers will remain loyal to me and not Alharamu. Keep me informed but as of now, you are excused.” The Hashish bowed and retreated.

  Ebunoluwa walked over towards Assani after the Hashish left. As she made her way towards him, Nairomi watched her every movement from her short steps, to how high she held her head. She stood beside Assani and began, “How is everything?”

  Lord Assani kept a stern look as he replied, “The Nguvu seem to be nullified. Rashid has not made a move, their soldiers in Gibralta are still unequipped and have not made a move, and I have not heard reports of Lord Wasim approaching either with any other troops. It seems all the rumors about an Nguvu rebellion is just that, rumors.”

  She smiled as she gently held his left forearm, “I hope so indeed. I would like to not have another mess to clean up.”

  Assani turned his head to face her, “What do you mean?”

  She released a cold smile, “Nairomi carries a bastard and is still alive.”

  Assani’s face was struck with surprise, “That makes sense. She seemed like she was putting on a few pounds, I did not wish to say anything because I know that is a sensitive matter to women.”

  Ebunoluwa dug her long sharp nails into Assani’s skin, he began to scream but held in the pain to not draw attention, “Did you not hear what I said? She is carrying a bastard child. If this news spreads it will not only sully the Nguvu reputation, but our own. I cannot allow that.”

  His heart raced and he began to sweat as her fingers remained lodged in his flesh. He faced the ceremony once more and began, “So what do you plan on doing my beloved?”

  She smirked, “She does not want to get rid of the baby so I am left with only one option, to kill them both. Besides, she is not family, she is not a Mali. I am surprised you allowed her to stay in the Palace for so long.”

  Assani slightly turned his head to look at her. His heart raced as his eyes locked with hers, he could see the bloodlust and her sinister intent as he peered into her eyes. He smirked in return, “You truly are the woman of my dreams. To tell the truth, she remained on behalf of Nairobi’s wishes, but if something were to happen to her, that would be a different story.”

  She kissed him on the cheek and removed her nails from his forearm, “Anything for you my beloved.”

  Ebunoluwa made her way back to where she was standing, which was beside Chukwuku. As she headed back to her location, she crossed paths with Nairomi once more, but this time she did not look at her. When she walked passed Nairomi, she could feel a cold aura radiating from Ebunoluwa. Nairomi grew uneasy and a cold sweat consumed her entire being. Nairomi did not know why, but her heart began to race and her stomach churned. She attempted to shake off this feeling but to no avail. She stared at Ebunoluwa’s back once she passed her. Suddenly, Ebunoluwa looked back, causing Nairomi to quickly turn her head and return her focus on Lali and Nairobi.

  The ceremony was nearing its conclusion. The priest began to finalize his chants as Nairobi grabbed Lali’s hands. He gazed into her eyes and was nearly lost in their beauty. He examined her plump fuchsia lips. She liked them as he leaned in towards her, his heart nearly jumped out his chest.

  “Do you, Lali Vishal intend to assume the clan of the Mali and become the Empress of The Gibraltari Empire?” the priest asked.

  She stared into Nairobi’s eyes and responded, “I do.”

  “And do you, Nairobi Mali, plan on taking Lali Mali as your Empress, to love and to protect as you rule The Empire?”

  He continued to stare in her eyes as if he was under a trance, “Yes, I do.”

  “Very well, you may now ki-”

  Before the Priest could even finish his monologue, Nairobi grabbed Lali and kissed her. He felt a sudden rush of adrenaline as he locked lips with her. At first, Lali placed her hands on his chest as to push him away, but then held him in return. The crowd erupted as the two began the consummation of their marriage. Lali’s eyes began to roll behind her head and felt faint as they kissed, her knees buckled and Nairobi had to hold her up.

  He halted kissing her and responded, “How was that?”

  She regained her breathe and stared into his eyes, “I must admit, it was better than I expected.”

  They both smiled and Nairobi began to kiss her once more, but a disturbance was a foot. A man wearing a black tunic with two crossed golden scimitars upon his chest came racing through the Royal Courtyard gates on horseback. He rushed over towards Lord Assani. The man breathed heavy, his face was covered in sweat, blood and dirt.

  “My lord! My lord! The Nguvu, Japreet, and Angola forces have revolted in the barracks!”

  All the pigment in Assani’s skin nearly left him as he replied, “What!? The Japreet clan and Angola clan!? How did the Nguvu get weapons!?”

  The man breathed heavy as he responded, “It seems the Japreet soldiers and Angola soldiers have been smuggling weapons to them under the noses of the rest of the Royal Army soldiers, my lord!”

  He took a quick deep breath and continued, “We were outmatched my lord! I was sent to deliver this message. Lord Wasim and the remaining soldiers march towards the Palace as we speak!”

  Lord Assani stared at Lord Vishal and screamed furiously, “What is the meaning of this you swine!? You dare rebel against me during the joining of our clans!? I will have your head!”

  Vishal awkwardly replied, “I-I had nothing to do with this! Please, believe me! Do you think I would be so stupid to agree to this wedding and revolt on the same day!? I am within your Palace under your whim! I do not know but somehow Wasim was able to influence my soldiers!”

  Lord Assani looked away and stared at Ebunoluwa, his eyes were met with a deep cold gaze from hers. He recalled how the Angola were slighted when Nairobi refus
ed to wed Ferreira, then he rushed over towards his wife, “This must be Wasim’s and Mateus’s doing! Nairobi decided to not wed his daughter! He spites us!”

  She walked towards him and slapped him in across his face, “I told you, I did not wish to clean up another one of your messes!”

  She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “There is no way Vishal is not in on this, his soldiers would not just fight for Wasim and Mateus, especially when they were to be wed with the current rulers of the Empire. We must kill Vishal as well.”

  Assani turned away from her and screamed, “Close the gates! Close the gates! There is no telling how many men he has left. We need to protect ourselves!”

  Assani faced Vishal, “I will need these troops you brought with you to help guard the Palace, will you lend a hand?”

  Vishal replied instantly, “Of course! Of course! My men are yours to command, instruct them as you will.” Vishal could not refuse, he knew he had to comply to protect his life.

  Before Assani could give the orders, he heard Nairobi’s voice, “Uncle Assani! What is going on!?”

  Assani looked at Nairobi and saw him still holding Lali in his arms, “Lord Wasim Nguvu has staged a coup along with the help of Lord Mateus Angola. They are on their way here and we need to secure the Palace. Now can you two please retreat inside?”

  Nairobi released his embrace of Lali and walked towards Assani, “No. I will stand and fight with my men. Someone fetch me my longsword.”

  Assani snapped at him, “No! You are the Mansa and this is your wedding day! The very last thing you need to do is be out there fighting and risking your life. Take your wife and protect her in the Palace!”

  Nairobi was flabbergasted, “What did you just say!? Was that an order or a suggestion!? Because last time I checked, I am the Mansa, and I do not appreciate your tone uncle.”