He lunged at me with his serrated spear pointed directly at me. I sidestepped and whacked him down with the underside of my calf. The second attack was dealt with a pair of mahogany towers of muscles. I shook them off and caught them by their necks and forcefully merged their skulls.

"Is that it? Come on, you have to have someone more endurable. What's the point of a fight if I'm too afraid to hurt them?" I asked impatiently.

I almost couldn't believe that the ancestors were using these Tokoloshes to test me. They were all trick without skill and I was growing bored with their failed attacks.

Their idea of a grand finale was an ensemble of slightly less fragile sculptures to help me prove myself to the elders. I took the time to smirk at the double-sided blade in my hand, running my thumb over the obsidian brand on the handle of the sleek weapon.

Ẹlo

The ancestors were surely smiling down on me with every new design they gift me in my dreams. The holy orisha of weapons was my biggest inspiration these days. His shrine was never neglected by.

I waited with bated breath as they charged at me from all sides and smothered me with their attack. I smiled at them and send a silent prey of gratitude to my father before lifting my blade towards the clouds and allowing it to be kissed by a passion bolt of lightning. This was the crux of my objection to fighting fragile men. They fall too quickly at a touch of pain.

I walked towards each man that I had planted in the soil and raised them to stand amongst men again. Each bowed their head and shared a smile at their defeat. There is no shame in a defeat by a god. Only honour. Only gratitude.

I made a show of galloping towards my brother. The moment called for a victory dance. I had finally proved myself worthy.

"Having fun, I see," the blonde-haired dope smiled down at me. I hooked my arm around his neck and dragged him towards the ceremony.

"A lot is riding on tonight. I might as well make a show of it," I said in a dramatically smooth voice. He only chuckled under his breath. I stopped just short of the hut and looked at Sam.

"Nervous?" He asked. I shook my head slowly with my feet cemented over the mud underfoot.

"It's alright, Nikky. You're ready. Trust me," he said softly and placed his hands on my shoulders gently, squeezing them. He sighed and nudged me over the threshold to the hut. I looked at him and smirked.

"Tonight is 5 years in the making." I took a breath and then a step. Showtime.

--

"You showed true strength today. It was a tribute to your father and our ancestors," The Sangoma applauded.

"Thank you. That is my only goal. To make them proud," I spoke in a voice that beat its chest and raised me from my knees to meet the eyes of the rest of the elders.

With one look towards Sam, seated silently behind me, I squared my shoulder and summoned all of my pride and courage.

"What have the ancestors chosen as my divine task. What good deed will buy their love and forgiveness for me?"

No one spoke. Two men left. Three people returned.

The men flanked an awe-inspiring woman. Her think braids shone as like a deep chocolate ocean under the candlelight. The light painted her sculpted cheeks and fell delicately on her etched-out collar bones. Her rich skin looked softer than my silk sheets and far more inviting. I was lost in the sight of her.

"Do you accept?" The deep voice of the Sangoma found my ear. I nodded without thought and the painted elder clapped his hand in celebration.

"Huh?" I asked absentmindedly. Sam's misty chuckled sounded behind me. My eyes tried to leave their sockets as I realised the tone, I used on the holy man in front of me.

"Uxolo, Sangoma. I did not mean to be so rude. What did you say?" I spoke frantically; willing myself to remove my eyes from the mysterious beauty before me.

"You have just agreed to become the sacred protector of Princess Riley Mpande until she is her sacred duty is fulfilled," he said proudly.

Riley Mpande?

"No," I said with bile climbing my throat.

Not her. Not again.

At the sound of my rejection, she finally raised her head. The familiar hazel orbs shone into my own and I was once again lost. Now not in wonder but disgust.

"This is your sacred task! You must not insult the ancestors with disobedience! If you want them to smile on you once more, you will do what is asked of you!" His eyes unearthed my soul.

I stood my ground and managed to seethe out, "I can't defend someone I want to kill"

Samuel walked towards me and held me firmly. He knew better than anyone my anger was not to be left unchecked. The rest of the elders were starting to gather their belongings. I needed to stop them.

"This is your last chance to earn your father's forgiveness. The ancestors don't offer redemption to those who spit at their gifts."

I searched Riley's eyes and buried my bottom lip behind my teeth. This was my last chance.

"I will do it! I will put myself in harm's way to keep the princess safe for until she completes her task," I decided to pledge.

Riley looked hollow as she looked at me.

Good, I thought. I spoilt her with pity last time - I wouldn't repeat that mistake.

She would survive and that is as far as my life will touch hers.