"You're wrestling?" Safiya's mouth hung open as she stared at Dede, who was packing his things into his bag. She had come to inform him that she needed an arrow, but found him in the midst of packing.
"The king sent an invitation, and besides, I need this. I need to pick myself back up," Dede explained, his voice heavy with determination.
Safiya shook her head in disbelief and sat down on his bed. "You never wrestle, Dede. What's going on?"
Dede let out a sigh and joined her on the bed. His large frame seemed imposing, but Safiya remained unfazed. "I need this for myself, Safiya," he admitted, his shoulders slumping.
It was the first time she had seen him so vulnerable. "If I don't keep myself busy, I'm afraid I might end up hurting myself."
Safiya's eyes widened , and she quickly rose from the bed. . "What are you saying, Dede? You don't mean that, do you?"
Dede stood up from his seat and stated firmly, "If I win this, there's a chance I might return as a warrior for the kingdom."
Safiya shook her head in disbelief and took a step back, horror etched on her face. "No, Dede, please. Don't do this. Remember what happened to papa under the king's rule."
He let out a heavy sigh. "I know, but I feel like I have to. Look around you, Safiya. Look at all the warriors who have resigned. None of us are truly happy because we should be out there protecting this land from any harm, from troubled kingdoms seeking to exploit our weaknesses. If we don't fight for our land, we'll be in danger
Dede attempted to reach out and hold Safiya's shoulder, but she instinctively shifted away.
"I'm not siding with the king," she protested. "But is this place even worth fighting for? A place that fails to honor its warriors, a place that neglects their sacrifices?"
"It's not just about the king or the kingdom," Dede said earnestly. "It's about everyone's safety. There is real danger out there, Safiya. If we don't fight for our land, who will?"
"I don't care. There are possible ways to fight against danger without working for the king. He won't care about your well-being; he doesn't care about any of us," Safiya gritted her teeth.
"Safiya. I-
Safiya interrupted him before he could continue. "If you truly cared about papa, you wouldn't be considering this," she said with a mixture of disappointment and frustration evident in her voice.
Dede tried to reach out to her again, but she pulled away. She turned towards the door, ready to leave, but then paused and looked back at him. Her gaze was filled with hurt and sadness. "The least you could have done was to help me avenge his death, but instead, you choose to fight for the one who sent him out there to die."
Dede's voice trembled as he whispered, "I'm not fighting for him, Safiya. I'm fighting for the kingdom." He carefully chose his words, hoping to convey his true intentions. "I'm sorry."
Safiya shook her head in disbelief, her eyes welling up with tears. Without saying another word, she ran off.
============================
The drums reverberated with a dundun sound, setting the rhythm for the young maidens who began to sing, their voices enchanting like sirens.
Safiya watched in awe as she walked deeper into the expansive palace compound. A round circle had been formed, with warriors predominantly encircling it. In the center, she caught sight of the young maidens gracefully swaying their hips to the captivating beat.
She marveled at the mesmerizing sight, the dancers' skin glistening under the sun as their voices resonated with every emotion, sending shivers down her spine.
It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She couldn't help but wonder why the king didn't hold this match in the village square where everyone could witness it, instead of within the palace walls where surly guards secured.
"It's beautiful," the princess remarked as she came beside Safiya. She was adorned in a long, exquisite red skirt and a top that covered her chest.
She wore beads around her waist, wrists, and neck. Her eyes gleamed as she watched the young maidens dance.
If it weren't for the princess, She was certain that the guards would have thrown her out, as she had not been invited to the event.
Safiya wore a wrapper fashioned into split trousers, with another wrapped around her chest and draped over both shoulders, crossing at the back. Despite the princess's pleas for her not to dress this way, Safiya had done so nonetheless.
"It is indeed beautiful," she said, but then frowned. "If only everyone had the opportunity to see it." She wasn't the one who made the rules, but she was sure that everyone in Dakar would have loved it.
The drumbeats grew fiercer and the rhythm faster as the women stamped their feet in time, turning back and forth and swaying their waists, while their hands moved up and down.
Safiya looked around and noticed that the royal family's seats were placed on a raised platform made of sticks with chairs on it.
The structure was high enough so that the royals could observe the fight from a vantage point. The rest of the crowd was seated around the other side of the circle, while most warriors stood, and the drummers sat on the ground.
"How many warriors are set to wrestle?" Safiya asked curiously as they walked further, her gaze fixed on the intense dancers.
"It's usually ten, but this time they will be wrestling with another kingdom, Azu," Princess Amara said.
"Oh," Safiya's eyes widened slightly.
Amara nodded and spoke in a hushed voice, "This year, they have formed an alliance with Azu, and the winners will join forces with the strongest warriors to protect both lands. War is looming, and I heard it's nothing like we have seen before."
Safiya processed the information slowly. Yes, wars did occur with other kingdoms, which was why she always ended up fighting when she visited them. Once they recognized that she was from Dakar, it had always been that way.
She still hadn't visited most kingdoms, and if it wasn't for her sister's wedding, she wouldn't have known Azu at all. At least it was a good thing they were allies of Dakar. But it seemed like Amara meant a different kind of war—something dangerous. Were the kingdoms in some kind of danger?
"I heard the other kingdoms are planning to enter our kingdom, kill, and steal properties," Amara said. "My father said it has happened before but this time it might be worst, which is why they are trying to avoid such a thing."
Safiya nodded. Now she understood why Dede wanted to join but work alongside the king. She clenched her fist. It was fine; he could do his thing.
Her reaction was childish—she shouldn't have talked to him that way. At least he was beginning to come out of his shell, which was something good.
As they walked a bit farther away from the crowd, she caught sight of a familiar face walking towards her. Because of the sun, she needed to squint her eyes to see who it was.
"Uncle Zurak!" She exclaimed, her hand raising to her mouth as she looked surprisingly at him.
He wore a cloth draped around his shoulders that reached his knees, with another one wrapped around his waist. His face lit up when he noticed her.
"Safiya, you are here," he said, sounding a bit surprised as if he wasn't expecting to see her there. After all, the king had only sent special invitations.
"Yes," she smiled. She saw his attention shift towards Amara, and his head nodded as if he understood how she had managed to come in. Uncle Zurak must have been invited due to his previous role as a guard at the palace.
"Greetings, my princess," he greeted with a slight bow.
Amara returned the gesture. "Greetings, sir. I hope you are doing well."
"Certainly, living as a farmer. Though tough, it's surprisingly peaceful," he replied. She gave him a smile and turned her gaze to Safiya.
Safiya nodded at her uncle. "See you, Uncle."
"Well, enjoy the match, my dear," he said and walked away.
"I didn't think he would come," Safiya started as they continued walking.
"Well, he still visits the palace occasionally. Being a former guard, I'm sure he was going to receive an invite," Amara explained.
Safiya nodded, realizing that it would be rude to deny the king when he extended an invitation. She was certain Uncle Zurak harbored the same dislike for the king as she did.