The approaching winter's winds had grown so cold and so harsh that frost began to form on the surfaces of the lakes and ponds that were near Kimbilio, something which had never happened since people settled there.

Mpole, who led a convoy of five hundred warriors, was carried into the coastal city within a wooden carriage as the morning sun’s light desperately tried to pierce through the thick clouds above.

Awaiting Mpole were Heziyn and Ed who only had a handful of guards by their sides. The rest of Kimbilio's guards stood watch on just about every corner in the city.

Something I found curious was that all of Kimbilio’s armed forces were either guards or patrolmen who kept the peace.

I assumed this was to avoid rousing Ua’s suspicion.

Mpole’s carriage, which required ten men to carry, was placed down in front of Ed's office and the curious citizens of Kimbilio peeked out of their windows to see a middle aged woman dressed in a gown made of the finest material they had ever seen. An ankle length, black gown which had the crest of the royal family embroidered onto its center. An upward facing spear at the center of a diamond. Covering her small shoulders was a fur jacket. However, contrary to her extravagant clothing, her face was dim and she had bags under her eyes.

“Hello, Heziyn.” She greeted making her friend’s face twist with concern.

“Hello-“ Heziyn silently gasped as a single raindrop landed on her cheek.

“Lets talk inside-“

“Unfortunately, we won’t be able to do that since the Queen has instructed that you return to Central Hatua immediately as she wants to personally thank you for your work here.”

Heziyn’s brows furrowed further.

“But who will govern Kimbilio once I leave?”

“She will.”

A distant thunder shook the air and it was born from the heart of a storm that had been brewing at my equator for a few weeks.

Heziyn eyes widened.

“Most of the men I came with will remain to ensure order is maintained while the Shangazi here handle government on behalf of the Queen. Also, General Akili will soon arrive with an additional two thousand men to further secure this place although they are still mobilizing in Central Hatua.”

“I-I see.” She said before turning to Ed who gave her a smile with trembling lips.

His eyes then widened further as Heziyn wrapped her arms around him.

“Goodbye.” Ed whispered as his eyes begun to fill with tears. He then gently hugged her back as it began to rain.

The two held each other for a moment.

Heziyn eventually let him go and, after looking into his eyes once more, walked up to Mpole’s carriage before joining her inside.

Mpole’s men then picked it up and carried it out of the city although only fifty of the original number of warriors followed them.

Heziyn and Mpole sat in silence with their gazes locked.

“I haven’t stopped crying since he left us.” Mpole said while trying her best to smile but her lips trembled far too greatly.

Tears began to well in her eyes and she allowed them to fall freely.

“The only things that kept me going, that keep me here, are Akili, Musa… and you.” She said although her voice was beyond hoarse at this point.

“I just wanted to tell you that.” Mpole said before finally wiping her tears and properly smiling.

“Anyway, I hope you enjoyed your stay in Kimbilio.”

“I did. I truly did.” Heziyn weakly smiled before recounting her experiences in the coastal city, much to Mpole’s weary delight.

.

..

A few days had passed since Heziyn and Mpole left Kimbilio and they had finally arrived in Central Hatua.

Their carriage was placed at the foot of Mt. Kupumzika and they promptly got off before turning to the capital city.

Heziyn’s eyes wondered upward and Mpole tried following her gaze but before she could even begin to look for what Heziyn was looking at, an adorable voice beckoned both of them.

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“Aunty Heziyn! Aunty Mpole! You’re back!” A thirteen year old Musa cried from atop the wall making both women smile as they turned to face him.

“Hello, Musa!” Heziyn greeted with a wave and it seemed, for a moment, that the boy was going to jump down from the five meter tall wall but the Fire Breaker behind him gently placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder, preventing him from doing anything stupid.

Heziyn and Mpole giggled while making their way onto the palace grounds as Musa ran down the wall.

He then practically tackled Heziyn and almost sent both himself and her falling backwards but Heziyn managed to stabilize herself in time.

“Oh my! Please, Musa, calm down!” Heziyn joyfully laughed while wrapping her arms around the boy.

“Never! Sav’ta knows when I’ll get to see you after this so I’m gonna hold on until you leave!” Musa yelled as Heziyn and Mpole exchanged worried smiles.

“A-alright. But I’ll need you to let go for a little bit so that I can bath and change. I’ve been traveling for hours and-“

“I DON’T CARE! I’LL BATH WITH YOU IF I HAVE TO- OUCH!” Musa cried after Modo knocked the top of his head once. This seemingly stunned the boy for a bit, allowing Heziyn to get free of his grasp.

She took the chance and ran up the stairs along with Mpole who was laughing deliriously.

“GRAAAH! Get back here!” Mpole yelled before dashing towards the fleeing woman.

Modo chuckled before running after the boy and watching all this, from a balcony above, was Ua who entered the palace just as Heziyn and the others did.

Musa was eventually subdued and carried to his own bathroom where he was forced to bath while Heziyn and Mpole did the same although they were still catching their breath.

“I swear… that boy is the spawn of Riy and all of Giza should come to take their kin.” Mpole wheezed as she dried herself off.

“Ha! If the realm of all bad things were to ever come to claim its own, then it’d just have to take all of Hatua!” Heziyn scoffed while changing into a new gown the maids had just brought.

“Aww… even me?” Mpole asked but this just made Heziyn scoff again.

“Especially you!” She yelled while opening the door.

However, she froze and her eyes widened upon seeing a most terrifying sight…

Standing in the hallway, with eyes that burnt with fury, was Musa only it looked like he had been shoved into a set of formal clothes which contrasted with his loose fitting training set.

He visibly gnashed his teeth but before he could even utter a word, Modo suddenly dashed into the hallway, grabbed the boy and dashed away without making a sound.

“Mmm? Why are you just standing there?” Mpole asked after finally getting changed.

“Err… nothing.” Heziyn said before leading Mpole to the dining room where Ua awaited them and as soon as they entered, their faces stiffened, as though the very blood from them had been drained.

“Hello, Heziyn. It’s nice to have you back.” Ua said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“It’s nice to be back.” Heziyn said as she and Mpole sat opposite Ua.

The three were eventually joined by Modo who dragged a pouting Musa into the room by his arms.

The Fire Breaker sat the boy down next to his mother and gently ruffled his hair before leaving the room.

Ua smiled at Musa before temporarily glancing up at the roof.

Mpole followed her gaze but Heziyn’s eyes remained as they were.

Ua then let out a sigh before turning to Musa who had seemingly gotten over his anger and had returned to grinning at Heziyn.

“Ahem! As you know, I wanted to personally thank you for your work in strengthening our hold on the south.”

“I humbly accept your kind words.” Heziyn bowed but Ua made a weird droning noise in response.

“N-no need to be so formal. We are family, after all so we should learn to be more comfortable with each other.” Ua smiled but Heziyn replied only with a half smile.

A moment of silence passed as Ua’s face switched through various expressions. A pleading face, one of confusion and eventually one of frustration but she hid her feelings behind a smile.

“So… now that you have returned home, I think we should do something special in celebration-“

“A picnic outside!” Musa yelled making Ua bite her teeth.

“Musa, my love, is that any way for a prince to be acting?” Ua smiled but Musa simply stuck his tongue out at her and this made all three women gasp.

“Come now, Musa. I know you’re excited but you must behave, alright?” Heziyn pleaded.

“Oh… alright.” Musa sighed as his shoulders drooped.

“And as for your suggestion, ma’am, I think, should the weather allow it, we should have an outdoor lunch, even if it’s within the palace grounds.”

Ua’s shocked eyes remained on Musa who looked away.

“Err… perhaps… a picnic outside would be fine. Maybe.” Ua winced and Musa tried really hard to hide his excitement.

“Alright, then we should all look forward to it.” Heziyn said as the maids entered the room with dinner.

While they ate, I turned to Y’shuah and saw that the Chofumah were in an uproar.

People were upset that Emunah named herself as the Queen and ruler of the people and although she specified that her rule would be temporary, they feared that she would become just like Ua and so there was a mass outcry.

There was also a lot of support for Kiynah, who the people thought should become leader but the warriors of Y’shuah had all sworn loyalty to Pele and his family so there was nothing the people could really do.

“Shits gonna hit the fan soon.” Pazia muttered as he leaned against the doorframe of the front door to Ayit’s house. The house sat on the northern end of the cavern which sat slightly higher, allowing Pazia to see almost every building in the underground city.

“It is… divine justice.” Ayit wheezed as he sat in chair.

Azar walked up to the aged chief and handed him a cup of Luke warm water.

“Come now. Don’t you two think you’re being overly negative? Our people are now finally free and somewhat prosperous. I think we’ve, as you would say, shed that disease. Peace will prevail.” Azar weakly smiled but this just made Pazia let out a low drone.

His face, however, relaxed as a young man named Chozek, Azar’s only son offered him a freshly baked piece or bread with a shy nod.

Pazia accepted it and watched as the young man gave bread to everyone in the house.

“Dammit… looks like I’m gonna have to teach you two Uyil Torsion.” Pazia sighed but this made Azar’s eyes widen.

“Wait, really?”

“Haa… yeah.” Pazia deflated while dragging his feet towards a nearby chair.

“Alright but why? Why now?” Azar asked as Pazia fell onto his chair, nearly breaking it.

“Because I feel like it! And I give you permission to teach anyone you feel like. Well… if you survive the training-“

“YOU STILL HAVEN’T TOLD ME WHY!” Azar cried but it was Ayit who answered him.

“Pazia, it seems to me, does not want doubt to take root in his fierce heart.” The old chief wheezed.

Azar turned to Pazia and saw that he rested his head on his hand and seemed to be deep and thought.

“Well, if that’s the case then I will do my best to learn everything you have to teach!” Azar smiled making Pazia narrow his sharp eyes.

“Hehe, alright.”