The sun had barely climbed over the horizon when Teleu and Reloua finally stepped out of Botankeu Forest. Three days of walking, sleeping in tree hollows, and eating whatever they could forage had left them both exhausted but relieved. The border checkpoint to Gold Land stood before them—a modest wooden structure with two guards who looked more bored than alert.
Reloua approached with confidence, pulling out a small leather pouch from her robes. She dropped several coins into the guard's outstretched palm without a word. The man glanced at the coins, then at her face, then waved them through without asking questions.
"That's it?" Teleu muttered as they passed. "No interrogation? No documentation?"
"Gold Land welcomes gold," Reloua replied simply. "Questions are for people who can't afford answers."
They entered Ruandera—the border city nestled between Botankeu and the rest of Gold Land. Teleu had expected grandeur, wealth dripping from every corner. Instead, what greeted him was… noise. Chaos. And anger.
The main plaza was packed with people, but not in celebration. A man stood on an overturned crate, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"People of Ruandera, stand and rebel against the greedy king who neglects his people! Fight for your freedom! Fight for your health! Fight for your sovereignty!"
The crowd roared in response. Some raised fists. Others chanted along. The air was thick with rage, the kind that comes from desperation, not theatrics.
Teleu stopped walking. He'd seen protests before—small ones, controlled ones—but never this. Never citizens openly calling for their king's head in broad daylight.
"Are your royals so poor at ruling?" he asked, glancing at Reloua. Her face had gone stiff, jaw clenched. "What happened to make the people so enraged? I've never seen such fury against a royal family. The people of Ankh respect and adore the royals."
Reloua didn't answer immediately. She stood there, watching the protester scream himself hoarse, watching the crowd feed on his anger like starving dogs. Her expression flickered between sorrow and something darker—guilt, maybe.
"The kingdom's prosperity is on a decline," she finally said, her voice tight. "Gold Land was gifted with resources by the heavens. Gold, crystal, copper, cotton, iron—everything abundantly blessed. And for generations, the king operated according to our ancestors' will—the Ashantis. He donated part of the resources to the people. The comfort in these lands was immense. No tribe, no commoner ever lacked food or wealth."
She paused, eyes distant.
"The goodwill shown by the royals earned the support of the people. The bond between citizens and the royal family was unbreakable."
Teleu crossed his arms, intrigued despite himself. "What curse broke it?"
Reloua's expression twisted with bitterness. "It all started six years ago. On a diplomatic trip to the Ace Kingdom, the king fell under the charm of an elegant lady of unknown origin. Against all ministers' advice, he took her in as a concubine and lodged her in the royal palace. No man could predict what would ensue."
She sighed heavily before continuing. "The lady started as an insignificant concubine—one of many the king possessed. But she transformed herself into one of the key political players. Her influence is no less than that of the first minister, and the unconditional support she receives from the king makes her words absolute law."
Her eyes shut, unwilling to continue for a moment.
Teleu frowned, his analytical mind already piecing things together. "For you to mention that lady with such venom, she must be the reason for this negative atmosphere in the kingdom. What about the queen? Even with all his concubines, King Sichom was wed. Gold Land operates under a matriarchal regime where the queen's words have more value than the king's. Hasn't she opposed this unknown lady? Hmm… unless…"
"Unless she died," Reloua interrupted, her voice heavy and rusty as an anvil, clearly enraged by the queen's fate.
Teleu's eyes sharpened. She speaks of the queen with such personal fury. The way her hands tremble, the way her voice cracks… she's not just some concerned citizen. This dead queen—she has to be her mother. Which means…
His gaze swept over Reloua again—the way she carried herself, the ease with which she paid the border guards, her intimate knowledge of royal politics, the protective fury in her voice.
She's a princess.
But he said nothing, simply waiting for her to continue.
"The queen was of great importance to Gold Land," Reloua said, her fingers twisting against her palm. "With her by the king's side, the land functioned wholly. However, she met her end for reasons unknown. The crack experienced in the administrative sector arose from her sudden death and the concubine's ridiculous politics. The combination of both destroyed our lands."
Her voice rose with contained rage. "All ministers who once served the people are now corrupted. All resources are monopolized by the upper class and businessmen. The people are left to starve, and shady businesses like human trafficking are conducted openly across the kingdom. Ministers and divine envoys who stand against these vile acts disappear one after another."
Her beautiful black Atti hair swayed gently as she shook her head in disappointment. "How will the citizens not be enraged?"
Silence settled between them, broken only by the distant chanting: "Beheading for freedom! Beheading for freedom!"
"Let's head to the marketplace," Reloua said abruptly, turning away from the plaza.
.......
The marketplace was chaos of a different kind—vibrant, alive, overwhelming. The sweet scent of roasted potatoes mixed with the sharp spiciness of chili and the pungent stink of durian. Merchants proudly stood in front of their merchandise laid out on tables made of the cleanest wood. Sideways were stunning, hefty huts where more affluent merchants presented their articles.
Spit and drool flew through the air as merchants actively bargained with clients of different statuses. Goods presented were mostly common foods, sweet fruits, beautiful and attractive tapestry, and alluring, colorful, eye-blinding textiles.
Sunlight shone across the wide streets, illuminating the already shiny jewelry worn by most people. Despite the troubles they faced with administration, Gold Land remained the richest kingdom in Nubia. The population was vastly attracted to fashion and jewelry, collecting precious accessories made of pure gold. They wore these priceless articles whenever out in the marketplace or at festivals.
The textile—kente—and jewelry were special to the Gold Kingdom, making it easy to distinguish people of different origins. Reloua knew this well, which was precisely why she'd brought Teleu to the marketplace. She had plans for him. To achieve those plans, Teleu needed to blend in like a chameleon with the people of Gold Land. What better way than dressing him in kente and adorning him with gleaming ornaments?
She led him to a large merchant's hut where a massive, round man greeted them. Sir Jangi—the most popular merchant in Ruandera. Gemstones of different designs glittered on every finger, matching his sparkling dark teeth.
"Sir, that is too much. Two silver coins is all I have," Reloua said firmly, holding up a set of kente robes and a pair of ordinary-looking bracelets.
"Aso, I can't give that to you at such a price. I will be at a loss if I do," Jangi protested, his voice squeaky as fat jiggled under his garment with every gesture. "Add another item, madame, and I will let you have these at the price of two silver coins."
Reloua held her ground, bargaining with the stubbornness of someone who'd done this a thousand times.
"Let us go to another shop," Teleu said, annoyed. He'd stood there for half an hour to no avail. Coming from a different kingdom, he wasn't used to the commercial tendencies of Gold Land. In his opinion, the crafty Sir Jangi wasn't going to accept a loss. There was no point wasting time.
Reloua nodded in agreement, preparing to leave.
"Wait, wait!" Jangi called out, unable to bear losing clients. "You've finally changed your mind, yes?"
Reloua turned back, a victorious smile spreading across her delicate face.
"I'm just protecting you from buying fake articles in other commercial huts. That's all," Jangi announced haughtily, presenting her with two sets of articles—one kente outfit and a pair of simple bracelets.
"Thank you, sir!" Reloua presented two silver coins and departed with Teleu.
.....
Outside, Teleu changed into the kente attire. The fabric was surprisingly comfortable, and the kaleidoscope of colors and patterns highlighted his refined physique perfectly. He looked like he belonged here now—just another well-dressed citizen of Gold Land.
As they walked through the streets, Teleu finally voiced what had been on his mind. "You still haven't told me what you want me by your side for. I don't even know your background."
Reloua glanced at him, her expression measured. She'd been thinking about this since the forest—since watching him dispatch those mercenaries with such efficiency. The plan had formed in her mind during their journey: she needed protection, and he needed shelter.
"I want you as a personal guard," she said directly. "You'll protect me and my younger brother."
Teleu raised an eyebrow. "Just like that?"
"I saw what you did in Botankeu Forest," Reloua continued. "The way you fought, the way you think. You're capable. More than capable. And I need someone like that."
She studied his reaction carefully before continuing. "You're new to this land. You have no shelter, no gold, no connections. You're running from something—I don't know what, and I won't ask. But you need a place to hide, resources to survive. I'm offering both. An opportunity you can't pass."
Teleu walked in silence, knowing she was right. He was completely exposed here, with enemies potentially hunting him and no safe harbor in sight.
"And what makes you think you can offer me all that?" he asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.
Reloua stopped walking and turned to face him fully. Her expression shifted from careful negotiation to quiet pride.
"Because I am Sichom Reloua. Princess of Gold Land. Daughter of the late Queen Aissatou Sichom."
Teleu met her gaze without a flicker of surprise. His expression remained calm, almost bored.
"I know," he said simply.
Reloua blinked. "You… knew?"
"I deduced it in the forest, confirmed it when you spoke of the queen just now." Teleu crossed his arms. "The way you carry yourself, your knowledge of court politics, the personal fury when speaking of the queen's death, how easily you paid those border guards. It wasn't difficult to piece together."
A small smile tugged at Reloua's lips. "And you said nothing?"
"Your identity is your business. I only care if it affects mine." He paused, then added, "But now that it's confirmed—yes, Princess. I'll take your offer. For now."
Reloua's smile widened slightly. "Good. Then we have an agreement."
"For now," Teleu repeated, making it clear this arrangement had limits.
"We'll see," Reloua said, turning to continue walking.
Behind her, Teleu followed, his mind already calculating his next moves. A princess fleeing assassination, a corrupt concubine ruling from shadows, a kingdom on the brink of collapse.
He'd wanted to stay out of other people's problems.
Instead, he'd walked straight into the center of one.