King Jelani sat upright, dropping his staff that was on his right hand as he looked at the big black-colored bag the guard opened.
Slowly, the man dipped his hand inside and began pulling out different luxury items, some of which they had only heard of and had never seen while others they had never even seen before.
The chieftains as well as the wives and concubines of the king who were perched on a different tree whipped their heads to the items as they whispered amongst themselves to what those were.
A couple of small, handheld weapons made of silver metal with a grip and barrel was dropped to the ground along with beads, trinkets, a wooden barrel containing Alcohol and even spices along with metals like iron, copper and brass.
"My son and I will be pleased to begin our future relationship with this token from the white people. I am sure you will be elated to try them." He said pointing at the gifts.
King Jelani fell silent for a moment, completely short of words as he tried to think of the appropriate words to say.
The elders sat still, stunned by the items that lay before them.
They didn't know what some of the things were but they knew these were very foreign items and weapons they had never lay eyes on and what was worse was that from what King Malawi said, these were the things they had exchanged with the white devils for humans— their own people to be sold like animals and treated inhumanely.
This revelation angered the chieftains.
Chief Balogun and Chief Okoro could be seen swelling in annoyance. King Jelani seemed taken aback by the information about how they got these things.
Not that he hadn't seen it coming.
What could he expect from people who were friends with the white devils?
However, he was bewildered seeing the 'token' that had been brought for him and his people.
He gaped at the iron and copper which they had been lacking lately as well as the pistol which he was just seeing for the first time.
Turning to King Malawi and Yovana, he looked back and forth between them, quivering as he tried to think of something reasonable to say, "These things...King Malawi..." He trailed as he briefly glanced at his elders before bringing his gaze to his wives, wanting to gauge their expression.
"We are very grateful for your thoughtfulness in doing this but don't you think these things are too much?" He asked as he shifted on his throne.
"Too much?" Malawi asked before bursting out laughing.
The laughter was not one of cheer but of mockery.
To the Azuran king, they were clearly all impoverished to think barely quarter of the things they got from the white devils was 'too much'.
Gesturing to the guard, the man came forward, picking one of the pistols and taking another metal along with it.
Quickly, he corked the gun and turned to the king who nodded for him to wait.
Yovana was watching the women of the palace the whole time, barely paying attention to the drama that was unfolding.
However, his attention was drawn when his father instructed the guard to cork the pistol and make use of it.
He didn't really like the sound of the object whenever it was shot because it was deafening so he sat up, brazing himself for the impact.
Turning to King Jelani again, Malawi smiled unsettlingly, and the others knew he was about to do something rash.
"If you do not mind, Jelani, we would like a volunteer to come forward so we can try out this weapon." He said so casually as thought he was speaking on an animal.
"What?" Jelani asked with furrowed brows, shifting uncomfortably in his throne as he tried to understand what that statement meant. "What do you mean?"
Malawi kept his unnerving smile as he explained, "I'm sure you'd be curious to know how to wield this weapon." He stood and collected the pistol from the guard, "I would like to show you. Just bring forth anyone you could dispose off and you'd be awed by the precision." He said, playing with the gun in his hand.
Jelani was taken aback by this statement. Not because he didn't know how the weapon was used or its effect after usage but because King Malawi had just asked for a human to take the hit, knowing fully well it would definitely kill them.
Not wanting to make situations awkward as he could hear faint murmurs already, Jelani cleared his throat and returned the smile using discretion.
"Oh, dear Malawi." He started. "Human life is priceless in Mandinga, my kingdom. Surely, we do not experiment with it." His expression was grim the whole time.
Deep down, he was very curious to know how a pistol was used and see for himself if the rumours of how it killed anything from a distance was true so he didn't stop there.
Instead, "However, we do not mind if you used one of our cattles to illustrate this great weapon." He waved his hand and briefly, he turned to stare at his elders to know how they felt of his judgement.
The elders pinched their brows, their face ridiculously set as they were totally displeased in what they were seeing.
Not wanting to drift attention as today was supposed to be a special day for his only daughter, he added, "We would only like that this be done right after my daughter's coronation. I am sure she would be very glad to see this." He explained to Malawi, knowing fully well what Moremi thought of such dishonored weapons.
Malawi quickly nodded in understanding, finding it more appealing to have the princess present when such weapon was put to use. "Definitely, Jelani. It would be a warm gift from my son and I to her." He said before putting the pistol down and walking back to his seat eagerly, wanting to see how the occasion would unfold.
By this time, the rituals for the ceremony had begun.
Drums rolled like thunder as Mother Agatha, the priestess of the Moon Goddess, stepped into the courtyard.
Her long, flowing robes were adorned with ancient symbols that told great stories. She chanted in a language older than the kingdom itself, her hands raised to the sky as smoke from sacred herbs curled into the heavens. The gathered guests—chieftains, villahers, and envoys—stood in silence as they watched Mandinagan's rich culture.
Even Malawi could not deny that Mandinga had impeccable taste when it came to showcasing culture.
King Jelani watched with pride from his carved wooden throne as few men danced round the fire continuously, some playing old tricks with it while the others humming a song that followed the beat.
Moremi placed a calabash on the seat that had specially been made for Moremi, allowing smoke to curl all over it before removing it.
Her eyes managed to scan the environment as she took note of the Azuran prince whose attention appeared to be elsewhere.
She knew it. Moremi would not like him.
Meanwhile, the young beauty was already dolled up.
"My princess, it is time." Ayanna's tight voice jolted her from her thoughts as she stood at the entrance of her chambers.
"Alright." She nodded, stapling out of her room.
Moremi was not one to get nervous and jittery over things like this. She always had her head high and her expression poised, it was almost as if she was born for such moments.
Today, however, as she sauntered through the corridors in her blue gown that flowed and glistened in the sunlight, nervousness watched clouded her, almost faltering her usual confidence.
It was not because she was about to be in the crowd of people but because she was not ready for any of this. It was like a responsibility shouldered too early for her and the possibilities of things to come after it especially now that she was about to be given in marriage to a rumoured rascal, it felt too much.
Suddenly, someone held her arms, startling her.
She turned around to find Ayanna gaping at her while soothing her hands that had tensed. "You'll be great, my princess. That I know." She said outrightly and a bit of relief washed over Moremi at that statement.
Nyala had gone forward, laying petals on the carpet for the princess to walk past while Ayanna stayed behind, following her.
When Moremi finally appeared in front of the people, led by Mother Agatha later on, a collective gasp rippled through the courtyard.
Everyone stood as they let her pass gracefully through the carpets to the throne prepared for her.