Explosive Tactics
"The explosion has obstructed our way. We need to pull back; we can't get to you. I'll attempt to melt the rocks using my staff. Hold on, we'll be there shortly," Zarda shouted.
His friend Purk remained silent. Zarda observed that the debris had pushed Purk and his group of tributes to find refuge deeper inside. In the chaos, Purk's companion failed to hear the urgent shouts of warning that followed him just before he lit the fuse. Zarda had been occupied directing everyone to move away from the hole. As he ignited the fuse and rushed off, he was oblivious to the warnings echoing from below. If only he had called out before setting off the explosion, they might have averted the disaster. Unfortunately, that was not how fate intended things to unfold. With their only route now rendered inaccessible, they concluded it would be wiser to return and devise an alternate route. The warthog King and his tributes had no choice but to remain on the hunt for Thyron. Zarda aimed the tip of his staff at the shattered rocks, channeling all his energy into the stones and surrounding them with swirling purple flames. He hoped his wand would melt the debris, but instead, he felt despair when it had the opposite effect. Witnessing his plan unravel was disheartening. Though he wasn't ready to throw in the towel, he realized he was wasting precious time without making any progress. As the sun began to set and the Kings grew increasingly restless, Zarda decided it was best to lead the group back home to devise a more effective strategy.
A full week had passed since Thyron vanished. Purk, along with his two tributes, Roz and Haze, opted to stay underground to continue the search for Thyron. Meanwhile, Zarda and the other kings had remained back home, planning to return frequently with supplies for Purk and tributes. The explosion had transformed the slide into a hard, rocky staircase. Amidst the chaos, the debris forced Purk and his company to the far side of Jungle-topia, distancing them from Thyron and the entrance. The small group was unaware of how near they had actually been just moments before, with Purk and his tributes only a few steps away. Thyron was also driven further into the jungle. Upon awakening from a deep slumber, he came to the unsettling realization that what he had experienced in his dreams was not merely a figment of his imagination; it had truly happened in real time. Filled with dread, he instinctively recoiled from the waterfall. Fortunately, his new companion, Horris, had the ability to navigate the underground water channels throughout the underground world. Wherever Thyron went, his whale friend wasn't far behind. He followed him as he traveled along the water's edge. They consistently reunited near any accessible body of water if they ran out of a local water channel.
Let's Vote
Zarda and his royal entourage had returned to the kingdom hall, where a sizable wooden table dominated the center of the thatched-mead hall. The atmosphere buzzed with lively discussions among the Kings present. Meanwhile, Zarda stood by the door, observing the scene alongside his Queen Natia.
"You need to go, my King. Purk and his family deserve this. They require someone like you to convene this meeting. The kings need guidance and structure. We must find Thyron without delay," Natia urged.
Zarda nodded in agreement as he gazed into his queen's eyes. Before heading inside, he pulled Natia into his firm embrace, enveloping her in his warmth. He pressed his lips to hers for a brief moment before stepping back and making his way to his seat. Queen felt a rush of heat at his touch. She attempted to prolong their time together, hoping he would remain captivated by her. However, she ultimately lost the struggle and had to release him over to the king's, who was eagerly awaiting his arrival. As he walked away, she couldn't help but admire his tight rear end, feeling a spark of excitement at the sight of her incredibly fierce and attractive king. As he took his seat, Zarda quickly commanded attention, striking his gavel sharply to silence the room. Conversations halted as everyone fell into quiet anticipation of their leader's speech. The chamber was filled to the brim with Zarda's esteemed board members and the kings from neighboring kingdoms. Natia joined her king shortly after his departure, settling into a comfortable spot between Zarda and King Mosiya. She sat quietly among the boisterous group.
"I've convened this meeting for several important reasons. First and foremost, we must unite to sustain our hope in the search for Thyron, the son of King Purk and Queen Hazel. I urge us all to protect the queen and princess as their father, the king, embarks on his quest to rescue his son. King Mapoza, I would like to start by requesting volunteers to help guard Rock Hill from potential threats. King Zawad, I also ask if your herdsmen would be able to assist in ensuring the supplies are provided for my friend and his tributes." He inquired pausing a brief moment before continuing.
"As for the second reason, we are gathered here. I've received word that the pale people are planning an invasion of our kingdoms. Ever since the flood, when we stood face to face with the natives of Africa, they have spread tales back to the pale people. Our enemies are scheming to bring about our downfall, and it is clear they fear us. It is true that all beings, from every walk of life, tend to fear what they do not understand. Mosiya was right all along; his dreams granted him wisdom that has greatly assisted us in crafting weapons. We now possess the means to protect what is ours. Let us not forget the gifts bestowed upon us by Elohim, which grant us powers as Kings. We will wield them to defend our kind, regardless of the cost. I am declaring war today. We will not retreat or hide. Our kingdom will rise to fight. I must do this for the safety of my unborn child, my kingdom, and for my friend Purk and his family." Zarda proclaimed, his body shaking with adrenaline.
Natia, was moved with empathy towards Zarda. She gently caressed the top of his hand. He turned to her loving face and looked down at her slowly swelling belly.
"Zarda is correct; the pale people have come to wage war, but their ignorance will lead to their downfall. We must unite as a single kingdom and adopt a new name. We can no longer identify ourselves as White mane, Mawombie, Azung, Zimbabwe, or any one kingdom. While we can still honor our individual tribes, we must be known by one name that the Savannah will recognize." declared King Mosiya.
Zarda attentively listened to the wise elephant king, eager to hear others' thoughts on the matter. "What do you propose we call ourselves?" Zarda inquired.
King Mosiya kept his silence, not having fully thought through the idea. In reply, he merely shrugged his shoulders.
"Let's jot down some name options and then hold a vote," Zarda suggested.
Everyone was enthusiastic about the idea and started brainstorming. Natia distributed parchment paper and charcoal sticks for writing, as she always kept them on hand for their pride meetings. Each king took one and then passed it along. Zarda waited patiently as everyone took their time to jot down their thoughts. For some, it felt like a lengthy wait. Those who had completed their notes earlier sat alongside Zarda, awaiting the others. Among them was King Shani, known for his deliberate pace. He took his time, deeply considering the unique significance of each name. At last, pleased with his selections, he returned the parchment to Natia. She subsequently passed the names to King Zarda, who examined them meticulously before reading them aloud.
"I'll start with a few of your options. I'll omit some that I think are unnecessary, so I hope you won't take offense," he said.
He looked over the names as he spoke aloud. "First, we have the names: Gifted Crown, Yellow Mouth, and High Arc; Harmony, Mergion, and Unison; Echad (ekh-awd'), Nexus, and Yoke; Marry, Oona, and Makena; Ayoka, Asabi, and Walta; Keoki, and finally Kiana. The last name is Makana. When I call out these names again, if you want them to stay in the running for the vote, please raise your hand so we can take note of it. After that, I'd like you to select your three favorite names, and then we'll proceed to vote to determine the top and final choice."
He shifted his focus to Queen Natia. "Could you please keep score for me?" he asked her.
With a warm gesture of agreement, she reached for a nearby piece of charcoal. Thus, the kingdoms engaged in discussions and voted amongst themselves. After many hours of careful consideration, three names emerged as the frontrunners. The first was Nexus, symbolizing a connection or a network of connections. The second was High Arc, reflecting the species' standing among all living beings. Finally, there was the name Makana (mah-kah-nah), which translates to "gift from Elohim." This was the special name that King Shani submitted for the vote. The assembly cast their votes yet again to determine the new name for the kingdom. Several participants presented their arguments, explaining why they believed certain names were more compelling than others. Some engaged in counterarguments, while others appeared to choose based merely on the phonetics of the names. For a brief moment, the ballots reflected a divided opinion. As the deadline approached, it became clear that a definitive decision needed to be reached, or King Zarda would make the choice himself. Ultimately, the final votes were collected, and Queen Natia delivered them to her king. After clearing his throat, Zarda prepared to announce the winner.
"The victor and the noble name for our united realm will be the Makana Kingdom," Zarda declared.
He was excited about the final decision. "I must say, this is my favorite. It truly reflects everything the master has done for us," he responded.
Zarda no longer wavered in his decision to bring the exhausting meeting to a close. He grabbed the gavel and brought it down sharply on the sound block, signaling the conclusion. The many kingdoms that once existed separately were now merged into one unified entity. King Zarda of the Makana kingdom would rule without opposition. He took the step of granting new titles to the former kings, who would now operate under his guidance while still maintaining control over their individual tribes and clans. Each king signed the scroll, marking their dedication to this new alliance. Every kingdom contributed unique strengths that enhanced the grandeur of the Makana kingdom. Zarda was a fair and formidable ruler, and his legacy would endure through the ages. His descendants and future generations would uphold it in honor of his esteemed father, King Ezekiel. His memory would endure, and Zarda, the lion chosen by Elohim, would now take his place as ruler.