The meeting with the Elders of Mbanza takes place in the grand council hall, a vast chamber with stone walls adorned with ancient runes and frescoes depicting the city's history and the Ancients. The air is thick with tension, and the weight of the moment presses on every breath I take. Kimpa Vita stands tall and dignified, but I can see a flicker of doubt in her eyes. She knows that nothing here will be easy, despite her return as the rightful heir.
The Council, made up of five Elders, represents the supreme authority in Mbanza. Their wisdom, however, seems tainted, as if their loyalty has been eroded by fear or outside influences. As soon as Kimpa begins to speak, the atmosphere turns heavy, almost suffocating. Their reception is anything but welcoming.
The most influential among them, Elder Damba, a stern-faced man with piercing eyes, breaks the silence first. His voice rings out like a harsh judgment.
"Kimpa Vita, you fled Mbanza years ago, abandoning your people. And now, you return, not alone, but with foreigners and promises. Why should we trust you when forces far greater than you threaten our city?"
His tone is icy, almost accusatory. Though his question is direct, it carries an undercurrent of palpable hostility, a distrust I can't ignore.
Beside me, Kael furrows his brow. His sharp magical senses detect something foul in the air. With a simple glance, he lets me know he's ready to act if things escalate. I give a subtle nod, watching every movement in the room.
But it's Kimpa Vita who responds, her voice firm and steady despite the growing pressure around her.
"I fled Mbanza to save Luther, the man I love, but also to seek a solution to the division that plagues our land. We stand on the brink of great upheaval, and Mbanza is the key to restoring balance. You know that the Mpayas and their allies from Alokta have their eyes on our land and the ancestral resources it holds. If we do nothing, Mbanza will fall into their hands."
Murmurs rise softly throughout the hall. Some of the Elders seem receptive to her words, but others, like Damba, remain unmoved, arms crossed, their faces impassive.
I sense something deeper behind this opposition. This isn't just about politics. Something else is gnawing at Mbanza, and even Kimpa is aware of it. I feel the shadow of a more sinister force looming over the council itself, as if an outside power had infiltrated their decisions.
Suddenly, an incident breaks out. A messenger bursts into the room, breathless, the dust of the road still clinging to his clothes. He kneels before the Elders before speaking.
"Rebel factions have attacked a village south of Mbanza, aided by mercenaries... They were many, well-organized, and wore insignias we've never seen before. Their combat technique... it resembled that of Alokta."
The silence in the room grows heavier. Alokta, again. That name reverberates through every new threat that arises before us. Kimpa Vita, who had been calm until now, clenches her fists.
"Mercenaries?" she asks, her voice laced with suspicion.
"Yes, Princess," the messenger responds, bowing his head. "They struck hard and swiftly. The villagers are terrified."
I exchange a glance with Kael. Alokta. The name keeps surfacing like a malevolent shadow hovering over our fate. My thoughts drift to Kwame, to his own secrets tied to that mysterious country. What is the true nature of the connection between Kwame and Alokta? My mind is flooded with questions left unanswered.
Damba, observing the growing unease, speaks again in a sharp tone.
"If Alokta is involved, we can no longer hesitate. Kimpa Vita, you are leading us into chaos that even you cannot control."
Damba's voice rings through the hall like a hammer strike, attempting to shatter Kimpa's legitimacy. The murmurs intensify, but I can see a flame of unwavering determination in Kimpa's eyes.
The meeting ends in confusion. The Council is divided, just like the city. As we leave the council chamber, the weight of the guards' and citizens' watchful eyes follows us. I feel as if every step we take is being scrutinized, judged.
Outside, Kimpa turns to me. She looks exhausted, but her face remains resolute.
"Damba... I'm no longer sure if he's acting in Mbanza's interests or something else. There are days when I wonder if he's been corrupted."
I nod in silence, but my alertness sharpens. Alokta. Their influence seems to stretch its roots even into this once-sacred city, and even into the heart of its leaders. We are caught in a web of intrigue far deeper than I had imagined. And I fear what we have just faced is only the surface of something much darker and more dangerous.
Night Falls on Mbanza
We return to the inn, where the atmosphere is heavier than ever. Kimpa Vita sits beside Luther, who looks weakened but still attentive. I step out onto the balcony, gazing over the city below. Lights flicker through the windows, and for a brief moment, I recall the stories Kimpa had told me of Mbanza's former glory.
But the feeling of unease persists. Mbanza, once a city of light, is now shrouded in a mist of betrayal and despair.
The cold wind brushes against my face as I ponder our next move. Tomorrow's meeting with the Elders could decide the future of this city, its people, and the fight against Alokta. But for now, everything feels uncertain.
Lost in thought, I don't hear Kimpa approach. She gently places a hand on my shoulder.
"Tomorrow will be decisive. If the Elders refuse to support us, we may have to consider other options. I fear we have no choice but to retake Mbanza by force."
I turn to her, seeing the weight of duty in her eyes. The tension is strong, but I know we are at a crossroads. Kimpa Vita bears the fate of not only Mbanza but also her loved ones, of Luther... and perhaps even of Alaric, whose connection to this land becomes increasingly clear.
That night, I find no sleep. The faces of the Elders haunt my thoughts, as does the ever-present influence of Alokta, lurking in the shadows.