Chapter 1: Rumours

Four Years Later

"You know the rules Mhare...if the princess of the kingdom has caught your eye then all you have to do is tell the king," Princess Ruva said as she gently ran her hand through the top of the grass that was tall enough to brush against her waist.

They were walking side by side on a path leading to the kingdom's pasture lands. A smile spread across her face as the thought of getting married to the bravest man in the kingdom crossed her mind. The smile quickly faded when she remembered that she was the only princess in the Bantu kingdom and there were rules that governed her way of conduct...even her heart.

"I have been loyal to his majesty all the days of my life. Opening up about my feelings for you will cause doubts about me in his heart," Mhare, the brave one as his name suggested, responded to the Princess. His heart sank at the thought of the possibility of being denied access to the queen's heart. 'Only if it were simple,' he thought.

"Baba trusts you with his life, Mhare. You saved his life and you are the head of my father's troops. On top of that he made you his eyes and ears in the kingdom. It's better to tell him before he finds out on his own. And this is the last time I am seeing you in private. Baba will kill you if he finds out that we are doing this. I am sure fighting for the kingdom is harder than telling my father about us." The Princess said as she stopped as she placed her eyes on Mhare's muscular chest. She quickly shifted her focus from his chest to his handsome looking face.

Mhare stopped as well, his frame towering that of the Princess, as he scanned the Princess. Her beauty overshadowed the jewelry that clung to her body. He traced a finger on her chocolate skinned cheek and smiled. Her small nose, bright eyes, thin lips and milk-white teeth made him want her more. She was a sight to admire and his heart longed for her.

"Okay my Princess. Be patient with me. I promised to marry you when we first met. I know we were just children but I will never forget my promise to you," Mhare said as he dropped his right hand to his side.

His words took the Princess to a few years back when they had just met-before Mhare had become brave as his name suggested. The memories of their childhood were still fresh on their minds. They were childhood lovers but they had managed to keep their love inside their hearts.

The feeling of having something in front of him that he couldn't get easily was almost killing him. Princess Ruva nodded and left Mhare in his thoughts. She called her maids and Mhare watched as they disappeared into their kingdom. His heart skipped a bit when he remembered that he had an apointment with the king.

He took another path from the pasture lands and began to run.

There were four kingdoms in Shonaland and Mhare lived in the Bantu kingdom which was in the North. The kingdom was located inside a circle of mountains. There was no other way of getting into the kingdom except by climbing a mountain and descending into the kingdom. The mountains offered pockets for the warriors to hide and prevent enemies from reaching the kingdom.

Crop fields ran across the inner edges of the mountains. The following circle was that of villages and tribes of the kingdom which were protected by a wall of rocks built without mortar. The most inner circle was that of cattle belonging to the people of the kingdom. A route leading all cattle to the pasture lands extended from this inner circle and it was one of the most protected areas of the kingdom.

The king, Changamire Zama, lived in the Western mountains. From his palace, the whole kingdom could be seen. Beyond the circle of mountains were the pasturelands and thick forests that most men feared. When Mhare arrived at the palace he rushed to see the king.

He found Changamire Zama standing on the edge of his palace enjoying the look of his kingdom. "Your majesty, apologies for coming late," Mhare said as he bowed his head before the king.

As he bowed, he wondered how the king would react if he found out that the person he trusted with his life was the one seeking the Princess' heart. His heart was already beating as if he had been caught already.

Changamire Zama smiled at him and said, "I am sure you had serious matters concerning this kingdom that kept you busy. I hear rumours that the Karanga kingdom is facing troubles from animals of the savanna. Their livestock has been reduced in numbers. People say wild animals are attacking their livestock at night."

"Our cattle are well protected, your majesty. But I will look into the matter because the rumours are becoming more of a scare to the people of the kingdom. The people are asking questions and they need answers," Mhare responded.

"It is well. Go with your men to the Karanga kingdom. I need to know if this is a problem that needs preparation from our side," The king commanded as he adjusted the leopard skin which covered the top part of his bottom. The red robe which covered the lower parts of his body was well in place.

Before he left, Mhare bowed his head and said, "Your majesty."

After leaving the king's presence, Mhare went into the king's court and sat there to discuss the journey to the Karanga kingdom with the warriors under his command. His bravery in fighting to save the king's life four years before had earned him the king's favour, hence, he became the head of the king's warriors.

The king had been captured and was on the verge of death when Mhare suddenly appeared and killed all those who had set fire to burn the king alive. The king always remembered that occassion and vowed to keep Mhare as his right hand man until death.

As he sat, the Princess and her maids passed by with some fruits in their baskets. The Princess looked puzzled to see the man she had left behind in the pasture lands sitting in the court.

Mhare spotted her and quickly looked down as he continued to usher instructions to his fellow men. His soul was troubled because his instincts were telling him that this mission to the Karanga kingdom had more to be discovered. He was confident before his fellow warriors but his soul was in turmoil because he believed that his instincts were always right.

***

Glossary:

Baba-father

Changamire-Emperor/King