Malik watched him and felt sorry, now seeing the pain in his eyes. This young man had been blaming himself.
"If I had stayed back, if I had listened, I would have saved him," he whispered, his shoulders slumped, and Salam tightened his grip there.
"It's not your fault, Dede. Don't blame yourself," Malik said.
Dede shook his head, "I still feel guilty, I do."
They were silent for a while. "I will tell Safiya, but I'm very sure they would not blame you," Malik said, "But you have to tell Meka."
Dede's eyes widened, "I don't think I can," his voice small, too small for a warrior.
Malik stood up, and so did Salam. "I'm leaving the kingdom in your hands, Dede. I want you to forgive yourself," he sighed. "Did you see who killed him?"
"No, he had on a face mask, and we killed him before even getting anything out from him," said Dede.
