Zaila was a master with short blades because she preferred the lightweight knives to the heavier blade of her sword. She favored close combat because Amina taught her how to use it to her advantage no matter the skill level of her opponent. As she approached prince Zaaire he took a few steps toward her and began unleashing a mixed combination of punches, quick jabs with slices of his blade. Swiftly following his lead, Zaila fluidly glided past his punches dodging each jab and blocking each swipe of his short blade with her own. She could feel the wind swooshing past her with each movement.
Both royals fought each other aggressively. Tribal members in the crowd watched in amazement at the power and agility that came from the princess. Most stood with their mouths wide open as she held her ground against her brother. This type of presentation during the coming of age ceremony had never happened before. Within tradition of this tribal practice, young girls that reached womanhood at age 17 were blessed by a tribal matcher. Then presented to their tribe as eligible women for marriage. Princess Zaila was making a statement that could not be ignored. And today would forever change this tradition.
Watching from the raised platform, Queen Zulwa's eyes held a look of surprise as King Amir's anxious expression began to deepen into frustration. "Why must they continue to play games with me?" He had not anticipated watching his daughter the princess fighting against the crown prince as the presentation during today's ceremony. King Amir also couldn't believe Zaaire was making a fool of himself by allowing this. Preferring not to see his son be misrepresented, the wise king quickly thought of a diversion and called for one of his guards to bring the tribal matcher to him.
Coming towards the end of their fight, Zaila and Zaaire gave each other a nodded gesture signaling to one another to begin the rehearsed ending of their planned fight. Following the signal, each sibling spun away from each other while dropping their weapons then jumping into back flips. Before either of them could complete the next few moves, they abruptly halted upon hearing an unexpected interruption.
"Prince Zaaire!", Fatima the tribal matcher exclaimed in forced excitement as she clapped her hands together encouraging the tribe to do the same as she began walking forward. "Thank you, your highness...for supporting our beloved princess during her ceremonial performance!" her words filled the air while the tribe began clapping as she made her way to the front of the arena. A few of the king's guards came forward preparing to escort the prince to the royal palace. Fatima continued to speak to the crowd and gave them instructions on how to exit the tribal arena to make their way to the ceremonious banquet being held in the royal palace.
"Yes, thank you for your humble participation, little brother." Princess Zaila gave a bow and smiled towards prince Zaaire. Her brother paused and looked back at her to meet her gaze with furrowed brows. He then quickly looked past her as if someone had suddenly caught his attention which made him hurriedly turn back and continue walking to the palace. This made Zaila turn around to see who he was looking at. Following his gaze, she met the king's fiery glare piercing into her own.
While looking into the eyes of her father, Zaila deeply bowed before him. "I see I'll have to do some damage control." she thought to herself as she began to straighten. As King Amir broke eye contact with his daughter, he joined hands with Queen Zulwa and left the tribal arena, their guards following close behind. Picking up her knife, she secured it in the holster on her left thigh. Then walking over Zaila picked up her sword that was laying on the ground from when she had changed weapons while fighting Zaaire. Preparing to return to the palace the princess paused for a moment. She could not help but feel like she was being watched.