The morning air in Oracle City was thick with the scent of impending rain. Dark clouds gathered overhead, a fitting omen for what was to come. rashid amari stood atop the hill overlooking the city, his allies gathered around him. The ruins of the old aqueduct stretched out below, partially hidden by overgrown vines and debris.
"This is it," rashid said, his voice resolute. "Once we secure the aqueducts, there's no turning back."
The group nodded, their faces a mixture of determination and fear. Ibrahim stepped forward, placing a hand on rashid's shoulder. "We're with you, rashid. No matter what happens."
rashid took a deep breath, steeling himself. "Then let's move."
The entrance to the aqueducts was hidden behind an ancient stone wall at the edge of the city. Yusuf had worked tirelessly to forge tools to pry the heavy stones loose, and now, with Fatima's guidance, they began dismantling the barrier. The group worked in silence, the only sounds the scrape of metal against stone and the occasional grunt of effort.
After what felt like an eternity, the final stone was removed, revealing a dark, gaping tunnel that seemed to stretch endlessly into the earth.
"It's larger than I expected," Amina said, peering into the void. "Are we sure it's safe?"
"It's our best chance," Sule replied, holding up a crude map he had pieced together from old records. "According to this, the aqueducts will lead us directly beneath the palace. But we'll need to be careful. The tunnels are old and may have collapsed in places."
rashid lit a torch, the flickering flame casting eerie shadows on the tunnel walls. "Stay close. We move together.
The journey through the aqueducts was treacherous. The air was damp and heavy, and the ground was slick with moss. Water dripped from the ceiling in rhythmic patterns, echoing through the narrow passageways. Every step felt like a gamble, the group's progress slow but steady.
As they ventured deeper, they encountered the remnants of the aqueduct's former glory. Crumbling pillars and intricate carvings hinted at a time when the structure had been a marvel of engineering. Now, it was little more than a forgotten relic, its beauty swallowed by decay.
"Stop," rashid said suddenly, raising a hand. The group froze, their breaths held. He pointed ahead to where the tunnel narrowed, a faint light flickering beyond.
"Guards?" Fatima whispered.
rashid nodded. "Likely. They must be stationed here to prevent anyone from using the tunnels."
"What do we do?" Yusuf asked, gripping the hilt of a makeshift sword he had forged.
rashid's mind raced. They couldn't afford to turn back, but a direct confrontation could alert the entire palace to their presence. He turned to Amina. "Do you still have that sleeping powder?"
Amina nodded, pulling a small pouch from her satchel. "It's potent. If we can get close enough, it should do the trick."
"Good," rashid said. "Yusuf, Fatima, and I will distract them. Amina, you and Ibrahim take the powder and get as close as you can. Sule, stay back and keep an eye on the map."
The group moved into position, their movements deliberate and silent. rashid stepped into the light, drawing the guards' attention. There were two of them, their armor dull and their expressions bored.
"Hey!" one of the guards shouted, drawing his sword. "What are you doing down here?"
rashid raised his hands in mock surrender, stepping forward slowly. "Just a lost traveler. No need for violence."
The guards exchanged glances, suspicion flickering in their eyes. As they moved closer, Yusuf and Fatima appeared from the shadows, their weapons at the ready. The guards hesitated, realizing too late that they were outnumbered.
From behind, Amina and Ibrahim crept forward, sprinkling the sleeping powder into the air. Within moments, the guards staggered, their movements sluggish. One collapsed to the ground, followed quickly by the other.
"Quickly," rashid said, motioning for the group to move. "We don't have much time."
They pressed on, the palace drawing ever closer. The tension in the group was palpable, every sound magnified in the oppressive silence of the tunnels. Finally, they reached a massive iron grate, the last barrier between them and their goal.
"This is it," Sule said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Beyond this grate lies the palace."
rashid inspected the grate, noting the rusted hinges and corroded bolts. "Yusuf, can you get this open?"
Yusuf nodded, pulling out a set of tools. "Give me a moment."
As Yusuf worked, rashid turned to the group. "Once we're inside, we'll need to move quickly. Fatima, you and Amina secure the servants' quarters. Ibrahim and I will head for the armory. Sule, find a safe place to set up base."
The group nodded, their determination unwavering. The sound of metal grinding against metal filled the air as Yusuf pried the grate open. With a final groan, the barrier gave way, revealing a dimly lit passage beyond.
rashid stepped through, his heart pounding. The palace loomed ahead, its grandeur a stark contrast to the squalor of the city. This was the heart of Mansa Musa's power, and soon, it would become the cradle of rebellion.
"For freedom," rashid whispered, the words a silent vow.
The others echoed his sentiment, their voices low but resolute. Together, they moved forward, the spark of rebellion ready to ignite into a blazing inferno.