"Halt here, sir!" Reloua instructed the coachman.
"Whoa!" At the coachman's utterance, the galloping donkeys halted. "Shouldn't I at least enter the city?" The coachman faced Reloua, confused by her request.
"I have other plans. Thanks for your concern, sir." Her lithe figure gracefully dismounted the carriage. Teleu stood like a ghost at her side, following her every step. "Danke, sir!" Her slender ebony hand handed the coachman five gold coins—enough to water his eyes.
"Gratitude! Gratitude!" he cried with joy, gazing at the veiled figure with eyes full of adoration. His sturdy arms tucked the coins into a well-secured purse. After uttering his thanks repeatedly, the coachman departed, leaving behind Reloua and Teleu.
"Why dismount at the outskirts of the city?" Teleu questioned, puzzled by her conduct.
He isn't all-knowing after all, Reloua smirked inwardly. "You're not familiar with these lands. You need a proper introduction to your new home." She paused. "Moreover, I need information on what transpired in the palace during my absence." She slowly walked toward the city gates.
Teleu quietly followed.
---
"You little shit! Pay before running!" a merchant shouted, abandoning his bamboo shop to pursue a child. "Thief! Thief! Bring back my goods!" His incessant shouting alerted the nearby crowd.
The kid hijacked him. Let's catch him. Reaching an unspoken consensus, people dashed after the boy, hoping to catch him.
Draped in tattered, soiled red clothes, the kid kept his composure, used to such scenes. He nimbly floated between bamboo shops, evading everyone at his tail. The boy smiled at the sight of the massive crowd—joining the stream would disrupt his pursuers.
"Make way!" someone shouted from within the crowd. "I'll catch you, little shit!"
Those were the last words the boy heard before being snatched off the ground by a man clad in somber robes.
"You little brat. Causing trouble in the outskirts every single time." The man's grip tightened around the kid's shoulder. "I'll lock you up today."
"Huff! Huff!" The shopkeeper caught up. "Thanks, monsieur. This kid's been a headache." He retrieved his stolen goods and bowed in gratitude.
"Be more careful next time. There aren't many city guards in this area," the city guard warned. "You're coming with me," he added, dragging the kid away, leaving behind a stunned but relieved shopkeeper.
"Are we really in Nkap? The capital city of Gold Land?" a perturbed Teleu asked from a distance. "Isn't Nkap the richest metropolis in all Nubia? Why are such scenes common here? It doesn't make sense." He glanced at Reloua, confused.
Teleu had grown up hearing glorious tales of Nkap's prosperous, well-mannered people. According to Nubians, Nkapites were refined, polite, and educated. Teleu believed thievery and embezzlement were rare here.
Much to his disappointment, he had stumbled upon two such incidents within twenty minutes of strolling around the city's outskirts. Perplexed, he confronted Reloua.
"I disclosed the reason before, didn't I? Things worsened over the past five years. Families lost jobs due to nepotism. The rich get richer and the poor, poorer." An indignant light flickered in her eyes as she slowed her steps. "That kid surely comes from poverty. Stealing food is all he can do to survive—or feed his family. It's not his fault but the government's fault." She complained bitterly.
"As a princess, shouldn't you act decisively?" Teleu asked.
"If it were that easy, wouldn't I have done it already?" She glared at him. "Move on! There's more to see." She paced forward, leaving Teleu behind.
And so, both headed toward the city.
The city wall, built of beautiful steel, towered three hundred feet above the ground. Golden patterns shone across its dark, rough surface, captivating every visitor's gaze. Streams of people flowed in and out of the gates; some hurried, others calm.
As they neared the gates, the crowd grew more diverse. Some were taller, buffer, darker, or gaunter—people from various origins dressed in expensive fabrics.
Ten men cloaked in somber uniforms stood atop the giant iron gates, overseeing the crowd for any felonies. Another group of ten guards mingled below, questioning suspicious individuals. Crime had no chance here—not under their strict watch.
Teleu and Reloua passed through the city gate and were greeted by soaring towers. Pagodas, pavilions, and skyscrapers decorated the city like chessboard pieces. Broad streets brimmed with businesses, merchants, and customers.
Finally, Nkap lived up to its name. Teleu's gaze danced right and left, absorbing everything. Reloua, used to the sight, showed no emotion and continued her stroll.
"Finally, the city lives up to its name," Teleu said, narrowly dodging a tall, buff, shiny brown man. The sight made Teleu's pupils contract. "He's not from Gold Land, is he?" he muttered.
"He's from Mura," Reloua replied, catching his words. "Nkap's full of tourists seeking adventure, precious gems, or a better life. Crossing paths with people from Ankh, Mura, or Fairyland isn't uncommon."
Teleu nodded, pushing away his doubts. "Fair enough. Nkap is, after all, the economic giant of Nubia. They lend funds to foreign kingdoms and states. Diversity here is the norm." He smiled, watching the bustling crowd.
Animosity raged among Nubia's kingdoms. The line between peace and war was thin. Darkness loomed, great families grew greedy, and treaties were ignored. Diversity, therefore, was rare elsewhere—but not here.
Reloua gave Teleu a tour of the city: government offices, historical monuments, museums, and educational complexes. Amazed, Teleu absorbed every word she said. Without her as a guide, he wouldn't have learned half as much.
"Why the frown?" Reloua noticed his expression.
"It's just…" He paused. "Nkap is massive, diverse, and filled with monuments… Yet, I haven't seen a single shrine or temple during our walk."
Ankh was known for its spiritual strength. They worshipped a monotheist, polymorphic divinity believed to bring grace to their people. Shrines and temples were everywhere back home.
"Temples won't boost our economy, will they?" she asked. "People of Nkap are rational and contemporary. We prioritize grandeur and wealth over cults, sects, and religions. The former gives power and a better life; the latter is for people living in fantasies. Shrines and gods won't feed my people. Their hard work does."
Teleu's frown deepened, surprised by her stance. "A kingdom, state, or empire with no spiritual or metaphysical foundation is bound to collapse. Spiritual science guides people—you know where you come from and where you're going. No wonder the great legacy left by the Ashantis has fallen to such a state." He rolled his eyes.
"Tssuiip! As if you know my ancestors better than I do. People from Ankh may be spiritual, but they still borrow wealth from us. That's the Ashanti legacy—a high standing." Her chest puffed with pride.
Teleu offered no reply, his expression deadpan.
---
Tip! Tap! Tap! Tip!
Redu rhythmically tapped on a bamboo table, reading papyrus scriptures. He'd sat here a while, away from the noise. Rest was essential, he thought. Managing a tavern and brewing wine were his passion. No qualms about doing it every day.
However, a recent event had overstrained him, making it hard to concentrate. Clients complained that the palm wine lacked quality—a first-time issue.
As days passed, his reputation suffered. Conscious of this, Redu temporarily shut down. The news shocked many.
"How could the most significant wine merchant in Nkap close shop? Is he an idiot?" gossips spread.
Redu paid no heed. His mind was full of questions needing answers.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Redu turned toward the sweaty young knave running his way.
"Sir! Sir! Strangers are asking for you!" the boy reported, panting.
"Shoo them away! You know I'm not in the mood." Redu scolded, eyes glued to his papyrus.
"They mentioned a vow and said it's important." The knave insisted.
Swish! Surprisingly, Redu threw aside his scripture and dashed toward the door. Hope crept into his heart. Would he finally get answers?
Reaching the room where the strangers waited, Redu's eyes widened at the alluring figure standing there.
Kneeling, he sobbed in relief. "I pay respect to the princess," he said proudly.
Reloua rushed to his side and hurriedly lifted him. They embraced deeply, as if there would be no next dawn.
Redu had been her mother's childhood friend. They grew up together. After her mother's coronation, he served her loyally—trusted with both vital information and her life. At Reloua's birth, he swore an oath to protect her.
"I ought to perform my duty, young lady. I promised to care for you. I won't be able to face her in the astral world if you encounter harm." He spoke solemnly. "What happened? Why did you disappear?"
"Let's sit first, uncle." They sat opposite each other as the knave served them tea.
Reloua narrated everything from Botankeu. As she spoke, Redu's expression cycled through shock, spite, rage, and relief.
"Sorry for being useless, young lady." He bowed, ashamed. "It won't happen again. I promise to give my all. Just say the word."
"I don't need much, uncle. What happened during my absence?"
"Okay. After the King learned of your disappearance, he raged at the guards and threatened Ankh with war. People thought you'd been kidnapped there for ransom, hence his anger. Also… two ministers loyal to your cause switched sides and slandered your name…"
Redu relayed every detail, holding nothing back.
"Someone's scheming against me. Keep tabs on my stepmother. She's most likely behind this. Her thirst for power blinds her."
"Consider it done, Princess."
"Also, rally the patriotic ministers and merchants. We need political and economic allies. Organize a conference when possible."
"Consider it done, Princess." Redu nodded firmly.
His wine business had earned him deep political and economic ties. He knew who was who in the kingdom—exactly the kind of man Reloua needed.
In the corner of the room, Teleu listened quietly, taking it all in. He had heard her complain during their journey, but hearing the full story… it changed something.
Though he never showed it, Teleu deeply respected Reloua. A young girl standing firm against an entire system—that was the pride only a true princess could have.
"Provide us with two rooms, uncle. I won't head directly to the palace."
Redu nodded and fulfilled her request, offering the most luxurious rooms in his tavern. The young knave accompanied Teleu, leaving behind a high-spirited Reloua as she caught up with Redu.