"An alliance with the Azurans? Your Highness, that is impossible!" One of the chiefs on his chair, bursted out in weary and his fellow men hummed in unison.
The grand hall of the palace was filled with a tense energy.
At the center of the hall, King Jelani sat on his ornate throne, a regal figure of authority and determination.
Around him, seated in a semicircle, were the chieftains of Mandinga—men of wisdom, power, and pride.
A heavy scent of frankincense mixed with the discontent murmurs from the gathered men suffused the room.
All of them were astounded hearing the news concerning King Jelani's decision to give Moremi in marriage to the prince of Azura- the same kingdom known for supporting the white devils.
The kingdom had sent word of their intention to unite their kingdoms through marriage. Their prince, Yovana had expressed his interest in Moremi.
What was worse, the king had accepted such alliance without a second thought!
The chieftains were not happy about this.
Why would their king who despised the white devils and their atrocities ally with a kingdom that not only tolerated these atrocities but also took part in it?
They knew how great of a dignified man King Jelani was.
They also knew how much he hated slavery and oppression.
He wouldn't stoop so low to reduce his standards by accepting a marriage alliance of his only daughter to a person as miscreant as Yovana, the Azuran Prince.
..
King Jelani raised his hand for silence, and the chieftains obeyed, though their faces were marred with unease,
"Of course, I am aware of the implications of my actions." He started, placing his left hand on the armrest of his throne, his staff held in his right hand.
He looked at Chief Balogun, the man who had spoken earlier, a grim expression plastered on his face,
"The Azurans have multiplied in power since the last few months they accommodated the white people. Their resources have increased and I hear they now possess a weapon that can kill, anything even from a distance with just a loud noise." He explained, a hint of awe tinged his voice.
His chieftains held each other's gaze, one turning to the other while narrowing their eyes.
They were confused for a moment before slowly, the realization began to dawn on them as their faces twisted.
Their king was drawn by Azura's possessions and newly found wealth which resulted from their 'friendship' with the whites.
"Your Highness," Chief Okoro was the next to speak up, "With all due respect, the Azurans are not to be trusted. Their ties to the white men are well-known, and those men bring ruin wherever they go,"
Several other chieftains nodded in agreement, their expressions grim. "The white men are a plague," Chief Akpan added, his voice sharp with indignation. "Their so-called wealth is built on the backs of our stolen kin. To ally with the Azurans is to invite poison into our veins."
"You do not intend to be taken by these material things to the extent that you have to forfeit your morals and integrity for it, do you?" He tried to speak in a low tone, not wanting to anger Jelani with his slightly unabashed statement.
The king's eyes, however, narrowed, his patience visibly thinning. "The white men may have their faults, but they also possess knowledge and resources that we cannot ignore. The Azurans have benefited greatly from their partnership. They now wield weapons that can kill a man from a distance—without sword or spear. Imagine such power in our hands."
"Power obtained through immoral means is a curse, not a blessing. What will this alliance cost us, Your Majesty? Our dignity? Our people's freedom?" Chief Okoro said again.
The king's jaw tightened. "You speak as if I have not considered these things, Okoro. But Mandinga cannot remain isolated while the world changes around us. The Azurans have thrived while others falter. Do you wish for our children to live in a kingdom that struggles to feed its people when opportunities lie before us?"
Chief Balogun stood, his voice rising with emotion. "Opportunities that come at what price? The Azurans have turned a blind eye to the white men's atrocities. They've allowed our brothers and sisters to be taken—sold like cattle! And you would have us tie our bloodline to theirs?"
King Jelani's gaze turned cold. "Do not mistake sensibility for betrayal, Balogun. I have always acted in Mandinga's best interest. This marriage is not about sentiment—it is about survival."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of the king's words hanging heavy in the air. It was Chief Balogun who finally broke the silence, his tone cautious but resolute.
"Your Majesty, no one questions your dedication to Mandinga. But have you considered what this will mean for Moremi?" He asked, pressing his hand on his cap before continuing,
"She is no ordinary woman; she carries the spirit of our ancestors. She is a gift from the Moon goddess. To bind her to a man connected to such atrocities… is not just a political decision. It is a spiritual one. Notwithstanding, she is also one to not yield easily."
They all knew how stubborn the princess was. Would she ever agree to even be with such a person?
To make matters worse, though they were not aware, Moremi had seen the Azuran man sell his brothers off to foreign people.
She would never agree to bathe in the same river with any Azuran.
At the mention of Moremi, a flicker of uncertainty crossed the king's face, but he quickly masked it. "Moremi is my daughter, and she will do as her duty requires. The Azuran prince is strong, capable, and willing to honour our traditions. What more could I ask for in a son-in-law?"
Chief Okoro shook his head slowly. "Honor cannot coexist with corruption, Your Highness. You may bind her to Yovana, but you cannot force the people to see this union as anything but a betrayal of our values—"
"Enough."
King Jelani's hand clenched the armrest of his throne.
The chiefs immediately closed their mouths, seeing his expression.
They knew when their king was beginning to take offence.
"And what would you have me do? Reject this alliance and watch our enemies grow stronger while we grow weaker?! You speak of values, but values do not build armies. They do not protect borders or fill bellies." He spoke, signalling with the staff he held in his right hand.
All of them kept mute for a moment and only Chief Okoro gathered the courage to plead with the king,
"We understand the need for strength, Your Majesty. But there are other paths to prosperity. Paths that do not require us to compromise our souls. Give us time to find them."
The king rose from his throne, his tall figure casting a commanding shadow over the chieftains.
"Time is a luxury we do not have. The world moves forward, and Mandinga must move with it. This alliance will happen, and Moremi will wed Prince Yovana. That is my final decision."
The room erupted in protests, the chieftains speaking over one another in a cacophony of anger and despair.
But King Jelani raised his hand once more, silencing them with a look that brooked no argument.
"The decision is made," he repeated, his tone final. "You are dismissed."
...