“Err…” Pazia sounded.

“As it stands, the people are fearful and whether or not their doubts about me and a woman being their leader are justified, they are there. So, to avoid any unnecessary issues, I would like your hand in marriage, young man.”

Pazia turned to Chozek who’s face grew a little paler.

He then turned to Ayit who simply closed his eyes.

Pazia nodded, took a deep breath and turned to Emunah.

“Unfortunately-“

“Declining my kind request will result in your immediate exile. That counts for all of you.” Emunah said with narrowed eyes.

“You know… I’ve yet to hear a good reason why Kiynah shouldn’t be named Chief, although I suppose I don’t really have a say in all this but you could maintain power by staying on the advisory council-“

“That man does not care about the Chofumah. He simply wants to take the throne to further his own goals and I cannot imagine what lies in store for the people in a future where he rules. My marriage to Chozek will bring certainty, stability and peace.” Emunah nodded to herself after interrupting Pazia who turned to Ayit but the old chief’s eyes remained closed.

Pazia clicked his tongue before turning to Chozek and shrugging.

“Sorry, buddy but it looks like you’re gonna have to make this decision yourself.” He said while stepping to the side.

Chozek found himself staring at Emunah who smiled at him warmly making the young man’s face redden.

He swallowed and looked at his father who now had one eye opened.

“I will accept your proposal if… you allow me to build a monument for those who were lost during the war.”

Ayit opened both of his eyes.

“Silly boy. As Chief, you will be able to do anything you like. Now… I must remind you that this is merely going to be a written marriage. I hope you don’t expect me to give you any children.” Emunah laughed with a nervous expression but a flustered Chozek frantically shook his head while waving his hands.

“Of course not! I would never imagine asking you for children!” He cried but this made Emunah’s brow lower a little.

“I imagine there was a gentler way you could have said that but, regardless, you and I will be wed in the coming weeks although it would be best if you moved into the Chieftain’s house as soon as possible. And yes, your family can come as well-“

“I’m not going anywhere.” Ayit grunted making Pazia scoff.

Chozek glanced at Pazia who rolled his eyes.

“Hey, you’re the one who’s getting married. I don’t see why I have to tag along.” Pazia said while crossing his arms.

“And don’t worry, if you can find it in your royal schedule, we can still train.” The Fire Breaker smiled.

“Good. Now, would you please follow me, Chozek. We have much to discuss.”

“Err… but I just got back from training. I have to-“

“Don’t worry. I’ll help you with that.”

Chozek’s eyes widened and it’s here that Pazia and Azar abandoned him by sneaking into their rooms while Emunah stood up alongside Kukiyah.

She then gently took the young man’s hand and led him out of the house.

I returned my focus to Hatua just in time to catch Makaa and Heziyn as they discussed his Blood Magic.

The Ilem was out hunting and Musa was sleeping so they chose to speak softly.

Makaa had just recounted the genocide of his people, his first use of Blood Magic and his journey across what he called the Badili desert to the Mjumbe Mountains.

“My goodness.” Heziyn commented while gently resting her right hand on Musa’s shoulder as he slept with his head on her lap.

“Yes but let us not dwell on the past for too long. You said that Glass is the well from which we draw when we use magic?”

Heziyn nodded before picking up a small rock.

“Glass is made from the very same energy that birthed all things. I’ve already told you about the Six Laws of Uyil but, as you can probably tell, Blood Manipulation isn’t one of them.”

“So maybe it’s a Lesser Law or a branch of an existing law.” Makaa supposed.

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“Most likely and I have a feeling it’s a branch of Life Magic.”

Makaa nodded while raising his right hand.

“Mmm… perhaps, to aid our efforts, I should teach your silent companion Blood Magic.”

“That would definitely help.” Heziyn yawned.

“Mmm... go ahead and rest. I know what it’s like to face that woman’s wrath.” Makaa said while Heziyn dozed off.

“You mean… your past life?” She whispered.

“Yes.” Makaa smiled.

The rain-soaked Ilem eventually returned to the cave with a rabbit in hand.

This made Makaa’s eyes widen a little but he didn’t question her as she sat down and he helped her in butchering her catch.

The two then roasted the rabbit meat waking up Musa who in turn awoke a Heziyn who still looked tired.

The group then had dinner in silence.

However, once everyone was done, Musa turned to Heziyn who struggled to keep her eyes open.

He gently tugged at her gown prompting her to lay down but she took the boy with her as she did, wrapping him in her arms.

Makaa rested his back on the nearest wall and the Ilem did the same.

The small fire between them kept the cold at bay.

A few moments passed and Musa eventually spoke to Heziyn, who’s eyes were closed.

“I often heard the maids whisper terrible things about mom. They called her a murderer… a monster. Is it true?” He whimpered making Heziyn hold him a little tighter.

“Ua wasn’t always like that. She just… changed somewhere along the way. I’m sure you know very well that it was she, Jua and Mlezi who received Divine Knowledge from Our Lady and it was they who made Hatua what it is today. But, while I can acknowledge that we would all probably have been burnt to death by pangolins without them, I can no longer deny their nightmarish acts of cruelty.” Heziyn said through gnashed teeth.

She then explained the true history of Hatua to Musa who nodded upon hearing the whole truth.

It seemed as though he wanted to ask Heziyn more questions but at this point she had fallen asleep and so he closed his eyes as well and eventually fell asleep.

I turned to the far south and witnessed a meeting between Akili, Jicho, Kuhani and Ed in his office in Kimbilio.

“So… it has finally begun.” Ed asked with wide eyes and a cross armed Akili nodded.

Ed deflated with a sigh.

“These words of mine may sound… ill placed, especially now but before we do anything, we need a leader. If not to directly lead the people of this… brave effort of resistance, then to lead them in spirit. We need someone who will counter all of Ua’s ideals and we need to make that decision now.” Jicho said before locking his gaze on Ed who’s slowly sat upright as Akili and Kuhani looked at him as well.

“Wait… you can’t all be thinking…” He began with a panicked expression.

However, after a moment passed, he took a deep breath and composed himself.

“I can see the meaning in your words and I accept the role of leader.” He said although I could tell his stomach was in knots.

“Good and, as for our first action, we need every warrior to form a barrier at the halfway point of the Northern Path between Kimbilio and Central Hatua.” Jicho said making Akili nod once.

“Yes although we won’t get very far by playing defensively. We must prepare a means to dethrone that woman-“

“Without sacrificing our humanity.” Kuhani said without meeting either Jicho or Akili’s eyes.

“Y-yes. Regardless of the means, she holds in her hands the power to wipe us all out so, apart from setting up a barricade, we should look for a way to defeat her.”

Everyone nodded.

“Do you have any suggestions, Ed? I’m asking this before we talk about the more mundane things we’ll have to do to keep our people fed.”

Ed’s brows furrowed.

“During her stay here, Heziyn created a team of elite but specialized warriors known as Ilem. Their master is still here and, although she cannot speak, I think she’ll be able to train more of Heziyn’s silent warriors. We may just, by using our own methods, come up with a viable counter. The true problem, I believe, will be Glass.”

Everyone’s eyes narrowed.

“We get a majority of our Glass from the Crystal Lands and I don’t think I need to remind you that they are firmly in her territory and are heavily guarded.” Ed said while resting his back on his seat.

“We have a few mines here and there but it’s nothing that can compete.”

Silence befell the dim office as Ed’s words were digested.

“The mountains to the west.” Jicho droned thoughtfully.

“We’ll gouge holes into them if we have to-“

“No, no, no. All of this will be decided by the person holds the Crystal Lands and Ua is currently that person.” Akili interrupted.

“So what do you suggest we do?” Ed asked with a raised brow.

“We strike while the irons hot. The last thing Ua is expecting is for us to attack her and I actually regret not thinking of this sooner. I wish we had sent a sizable army over there before coming here but let’s focus on the present.” Akili suggested.

Ed turned to Jicho who nodded.

“You have my support. But lets shift our attention to more domestic matters. Fifty thousand people are currently camping just beyond your walls and many more are on their way. They need to be accommodated but we don’t have the luxury of the resource rich Forest Afor so we’ll have to put more people to work.” Jicho said making Ed’s brows lower but Jicho raised a single hand in response.

“Don’t worry. I’ve heard of your policies and they won’t be changing any time soon. However, I need you to understand that, as they are now, our people are vulnerable.”

Ed bit his teeth.

“Alright. Fortunately, we already have a few quarries up and running. We can use the stone from those to build homes while opening a few more mines in the process.”

Jicho nodded before tapping his chin.

“Mmm… what exactly lies to the east?” He asked.

“A lot of sand.” Ed said.

“Mmm… we should send a small team there and to the mountains just so that we can find our own sources of Glass just so they we can have wells to draw from should the worst come to pass.” Jicho said making everyone nod.

“Alright.” Ed said before standing up.

“I think we can end things here for today. You’ve all travelled a long way. The Shangazi will show tell you everything you need to know and I look forward to working with all of you.”

Jicho and company nodded before leaving and it’s here, as the sun set above the storm clouds, that Ed’s legs gave in.

He fell into his chair and gasped for breath as sweat began to form on his head.

He clutched his chest as his heart raced within and let out pained whimpers as his office grew darker.

His eyes then widened as someone knocked his door.

“Papa?” A young man called from the other side.

“C-come in.” Ed said while trying his best to compose himself.

His son, a lanky man with neck long hair, entered the office and his face twisted upon seeing his father’s face.

“Is something wrong?”

Ed opened his mouth to speak but found himself unable and so his son walked up to him.

“Papa?”

“Please… Chibuk, may I hold you… for but a moment?”

Chibuk tilted his head a bit in confusion before signing and smiling while spreading his arms.

He then gently hugged his father as the sun finally set.