NASILELE
She was up before the rooster crowed. Ready to begin her day before the rest of her escorts joined her. First, she made sure to check to see if he, the one who was the Head of the group was awake. His hippo like yawn made her freeze in her tracks. O, thanks be to Nyambe, he was just stretching in his sleep.
Nasilele quickly dashed out of the royal hut and scanned the palace grounds. The guards had not yet taken their guarding posts. Ah, things were looking up. She ran to the Luyana river and waited for the sun.
As the rays hit the water- & the sky started to change colour— Nasilele smiled, how she loved watching the sunrise. Seeing the earth wake up to a new dawn. Another bright morn’.
She placed one hand over her eyes and smiled. Taking in the orangey-reddish view of the sky.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Oh no! The drummers were up and letting the rest of the kingdom now that their King was up. Ready to lead his people.
Nasilele felt her heart skip beats. The King never liked it when one of his wives left the palace without his approval. She placed some mud over her face. Maybe if she disguised herself, she’d be safe from the King’s wrath.
She bent a bit lower as if she had broken her spine. Then proceeded to march over to the palace. The King squinted his eyes when he saw her approaching him.
King: What nonsense is this now?
Nasilele: (clears her throat & bows) My King. (quietly) I went to try a new morning wake up routine. I call it a facial mud bath.
One of the guards who was standing by the King’s side tried to hold his laugh. He shook his head and stared in shock at the Queen’s new morning scheme.
The King sighed. Then waved his hand, he let his darling wife go. Among all his wives, he loved Nasilele the most, she was the seventh and last wife (maybe for now). If she kept acting in such a way, and not bear any children, he might have to go to lucky wife number eight. Hmm, as he thought about this, a messenger came storming in and fell at the King’s feet.
Messenger: (panting) My King. (sobs) Things in the other nearby Leya tribes are not looking so good. They are sending troops here as we speak.
The King rose to his feet. He grabbed his spear and shield. Several of the guards sounded the battle cries. The horns cry was carried into the wind. It moved across the Kingdom for all its people to hear. Nasilele heard the battle cry and rushed to the King. He told her to gather the old women and children. They had to leave to a safer ground. Hide in the furthest hills that were beyond the Luyana river.
Nasilele moved with quick expertise. The King assigned a couple groups of the younger guards in training to follow their Queen. They did as told and fled from their home grounds.
The King watched his beloved wife lead the way to safety. His heart and soul would be with them as they fled to a safe spot.
While Nasilele led the group of women and children. The Leya tribe were right by the palace gates. They brought torches with them and shouted for everyone to surrender.
The King marched with his troops to the front of the gates and closed them behind him. This made the Leya Chief to act even crazier. He clapped his hands and stomped his feet.
Chief~ (laughs) You think you’re being clever. We can break these so called gates of yours. They are only made out of grass. So, I really don’t see how you can keep us out.
King~ (clicks his tongue) Wena! Be respectful. I am the leader and sole protector of my people. My troops and I are not afraid of you. We have fought creatures much wilder than you!! (grins)
Chief~ Uh! (smiles)
The Chief raised his spear and pointed it at the King. This made his troops all start to ululate.
Meanwhile, Nasilele had led the other group to safety. She could still pick up a faint sound of a cry from the battling troops. She clasped her hands, and asked Nyambe to protect her King, & to give him strength.
The Leya Chief leaped in the air and then fell on his knee. He was ready. After that entire act of his, he charged toward the King. The Leya troops followed suit.
Sand, dust rose in the air with the pounding of the feet into the dusty ground. Dark clouds gathered in the sky. And as the troops faced each other head-on, a rushing pour of rain fell on them. The King wiped the water from his face, and aimed his spear for ghe Leya Chief’s heart. He dodged the attack and spun around to the King’s left side. The King quickly moved away from the Leya Chief. The Chief kicked some dust into the King’s face. Then chuckled. Who said this was going to be a fair fight?
King: (spits) Seriously? Huh. That is not the way we fight.
Chief: Yeah. Quit whinnying. Pick up the pace. I need to get back home soon. I promised my sons that I’d be back before half-day.
The King rubbed his eyes and looked around. He still had some dust in his eyes. Well, he didn’t really need his eyes to see.
Chief: (applauds) Okay. You’re going to do this with your eyes shut.
The King placed a tighter hold on his spear and his shield, too. He listened to the Chief’s voice, then charged toward him. The Chief was startled. How did the King almost strike him?
Chief: Mmm.That was a close call.
The King looked at the Chief with one eye and smiled.
King: Are you going to retreat? It looks like my troops are pushing yours back and away from the gates.
The Leya Chief raised his spear and hit it on his shield. His troops stopped their attacks. And turned to their leader.
The King was shocked. He did not expect them to give up so easily. But then a spear came flying toward the Leya Chief. The King wondered who had thrown it. He looked aorund and saw it change to lightning.
The Leya Chief fell to the ground and a couple of his men picked him up. They carried their leader back home. The King felt that maybe he would make it. The Leya’s did have great healers after all.
The King instructed all his troops to play the drums. This was the signal that would inform Nasilele to head back home with the rest of the group. When she heard the drums playing, she leaped for joy.
**************************************
Later that night, the King informed Nasilele that she was free to go to see the sun rise. Maybe, he’d come along to see it with her as well. Nasilele laughed. Now she wondered how the King would react if she asked to get some training for battle done. She was familiar with the tools/weapons. She just needed someone to show her how to use them effectively. Who knows, they could use more new battle ideas in their training. And one thing that she knew she could easily come up with were creative maneuvers for the battle troops. The King looked at his wife, and wondered what she was planning and getting all happy about now. Only Nyambe knew!