The Queen of Egypt Page 3

  And what about Ramses? I refused to believe that my brother had turned against me. We would still be married. What would happen to my relationships with Zakai, Oringo, and Saleem then? Ramses was a prideful young man. Even if I married him and did my duty by him, if he knew I had other lovers, he would be devastated. Ramses did not see marrying me as simply a requirement for a pharaoh—he loved me.

  But I had to ignore the concerns over my personal relationships for now. First, I had to save Egypt. I had to defeat Keket. I had to save Ramses. Love could wait.

  Finally, I could no longer feint interest in Baka’s party. I bowed to him appreciatively and took my leave. Oringo followed at my heels, and Saleem slinked out some distance behind.

  “We need to start planning to leave Zululand,” I said to both of them as we stood outside Oringo’s room. Baka had assigned rooms for each of us, but I was more comfortable if we stayed together. “Oringo, the army will answer to you now. Are you up for it?”

  “I was my father’s top general before I found out I was his son,” Oringo said. “I can do this as soon as I get some rest.”

  I nodded. “Good. Saleem, will you join us?” I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted from him. I knew we all needed to talk—together—about the nature of our relationship and the alliance. But Saleem’s dark countenance worried me. I was afraid he thought he might have made a mistake in pledging himself to me. Could he ever truly forgive Oringo—even temporarily? Even for the good of all of Africa? I wasn’t sure. And I had a feeling he didn’t know the answer to those questions either.

  “I…will retire to my own room,” Saleem finally said. “I wish to write to First Mother and inform her about the situation with Janissa. She is not Janissa’s mother, but as the head of the harem, she is the guardian of all of the women in the family. She will have to inform and prepare Janissa for her marriage. I would not keep her in the dark for a moment and value her counsel.”

  “Of course,” I said. “I will come to you at first light. Do try to get some rest.”

  He nodded and started to turn away, but then he stopped and turned back to me. He reached out and caressed my cheek in a gentle touch of reassurance. Then he turned and continued to his own room.

  Oringo scoffed once Saleem was out of earshot. “He’s going to write a letter to his mama?” he asked. “Some king.”

  I opened the door to the room and went in. “He values her wisdom regardless of her sex. You should take note.”

  “You are the only woman I ever met worthy of such deference,” Oringo said as he walked in and laid on the bed, rubbing his eyes.

  “I doubt that,” I said, pouring us each a cup of wine and mixing it with water. I needed something to help me relax but would not dull my senses. Baka was our ally now, but I still needed to remain vigilant at all times. Keket had appeared to me as scarabs and smoke. She could attack at any moment and in any form. “From the limited time I spent in Dakari, the women I met were strong and capable. Sagunda was exceptionally brilliant. Your village will suffer the loss of her greatly.”

  “Sagunda was unique among women,” he said wistfully. “If I hadn’t met you…”

  He didn’t need to continue. We both knew that Sagunda would have been an excellent wife. A woman worthy of being the queen of the Dakari. I only wish we’d had time to mourn her properly.

  I handed Oringo the cup of watered-down wine. He sipped at it and then placed it aside.

  “How are you feeling?” I asked him. “No jokes. You are my general now. I need to know the truth of your condition.”

  “I can do the job,” he said, sitting up and looking at me with steely eyes. He grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. He grabbed my neck and kissed my lips. I placed my goblet aside so I would not spill it and then ran my hands over his muscular shoulders and arms. I felt tears prick my eyes. I had been so scared of losing him, but he was here, safe, and mine.

  “I know you can,” I said. “But what you suffered at Baka’s hands…The loss of so many people. Your village. Your ability to shift—”

  Oringo sighed and leaned back. “What do you want me to say?” he asked. “That I was scared? Sad? Having all kinds of emotions? That’s not me. Yeah, I thought I was going to die. I was preparing to meet the great Lion Queen in the sky. But I didn’t. You showed up. You and Saleem. Everything worked out. And tomorrow, we march. We get Zakai, then we kill Keket. This what you want, right?”

  Of course it was. So what was missing? Why was I hesitant? I looked toward the door and realized that I was missing Saleem. But I was with Oringo. I shook my head. Without all of them, I felt incomplete.

  “Saleem pledged his loyalty to me in blood,” I said.

  “Fine,” Oringo said, reaching for a dagger of his own. I grabbed his hand.

  “No,” I said. “That’s not what I mean. True, you have not officially pledged to the alliance. But more importantly, you have not apologized to Saleem.”

  Oringo looked away, so I couldn’t tell if he was angry at me for bringing it up or ashamed. “What does it matter?” he asked after a moment. “It’s in the past, but we are coming together now. And after you are queen, we can just go our separate ways again.”

  “I don’t know that you can,” I said. “This war will change everything. And Saleem and I found another cave with old drawings, very similar to the one I found near Dakari.”

  “You making this one up too?” he asked.

  “No,” I said. “Saleem was there. He was able to read some of the ancient characters that I could not. The drawings said that the three lion kings would come together under an earthly lion queen.”

  “You?” Oringo asked.

  I nodded. “I have to think so,” I said. “But I do not think it meant that you would all come together only for the war against Keket. There was no mention of Keket or an evil sorceress at all. It only said that there was a great rift between the lion kings and much suffering. But after they were united by a lion queen, there was peace again.”

  “So, you think that even after all this is over,” Oringo said, “we will be united once again? All one tribe?”

  I shook my head. “I don’t know about that. Your people have been separated for centuries. You have developed your own cultures, your own languages, your own homelands. And if Janissa’s marriage to Baka’s son is successful, there could be another lion king on the horizon. But even if you are not united under one banner, you will be at peace. But only if Saleem can forgive the great harm you did to him.”

  “But how can Saleem ever forgive me?” Oringo asked, perhaps being truly sincere for the first time since I met him. “Even if I do apologize, I can’t bring his family back.”

  “Don’t worry about Saleem’s reaction,” I said, taking his hand in mine. “You can’t control that. All you can do is offer your sincere repentance. Humble yourself before him. Take responsibility and vow to do better in the future.” We both went quiet for a moment and I saw worry etched in Oringo’s brow. “You are sorry, aren’t you?” As I said the words, I realized I was afraid of the answer. Oringo was a hard man who did what he thought was right for his own people. It was possible he didn’t regret that decision at all.

  “I regret my whole life,” Oringo said, surprising me. “I regret not knowing my father. I regret killing my half-brother. And, yes, I do regret killing Saleem’s kin. I guess when it comes to seeking forgiveness, he’s as good a place to start as anywhere.”

  “Actually,” I said, “I think you might need to start by forgiving yourself. You didn’t ask for this life, and you weren’t prepared for it. Your father did you a great wrong in not claiming you and training you to be his heir. That was his fault, not yours. And killing your brother was an accident. Again, more your father’s fault than yours since he didn’t teach you how to wield your power.”

  Oringo sighed and nodded. “I suppose you are right.”

  “And as for Saleem’s father and brothers,” I went on, “you were trying to prove to yourself a
nd your people that you were meant to rule. It was the wrong choice, but your motives were understandable.”

  “But can Saleem—” he started to ask, but I cut him off.

  “Don’t worry about Saleem,” I said. “You need to do the right thing, regardless of the outcome.”

  Oringo chuckled. “I was going to ask if you think Saleem would come here so we can get this over with. I think we should try to sort this out before we leave tomorrow.”

  “Oh,” I said with a laugh of my own. “I can see if he would be willing to speak with you. But don’t expect forgiveness right away. He is still hurting. It will take time.”

  “I understand,” he said, and I turned to leave. But as I did, he gripped my wrist and turned me back to him. “Sanura, I love you.”

  I took his face in my hands and kissed him lightly on the lips. “And I you, Oringo.”

  He exhaled, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. I gave him a small smile and then left the room, closing the door behind me. I leaned against it for a moment, wondering just what I was going to say to Saleem, if he was even still awake. It had been a grueling week, and tomorrow we would march. We all needed our rest. But there was just too much to do.

  I went down the hall and lightly tapped at the door. I didn’t want to disturb him if he had already fallen asleep. But only a moment later, the door cracked open. When Saleem saw it was me, he pulled the door wide open.

  “Sanura!” he said, a smile crossing his face. “You are early.”

  “I need to speak to you,” I said.

  “Of course,” he said, motioning me inside. “Anything.”

  “Actually, I should say, Oringo needs to speak to you,” I said. “We need to clear some things up between us before we march tomorrow as a unified force.”

  “Oh,” Saleem said, the smile falling. “I…see. Sanura, I…I have come to terms with the fact that he and I must both support your claim to Egypt’s throne and fight together. But anything more than that…It would be too much…”

  “Please,” I said. “Just listen to what he has to say.”

  Saleem hesitated. I knew this was difficult for him and that I was asking a lot, but as Oringo had said, it was better to get this over with—or at least get started on making amends—now. Pretending to be a unified force and actually being one were two different things. Chike taught me that. Knowing a fellow soldier was behind you and hoping there was one completely changed the way a soldier fought. Before we faced an enemy again, there could be no ambiguity about how all of us felt about each other.

  “Fine,” he finally said, stepping into the hallway and closing the door behind him. When we went back to Oringo’s room, he was standing, waiting for us.

  “First of all,” Oringo said, holding up a dagger and then slicing it across his palm, “I pledge my unwavering loyalty to Queen Sanura of Egypt.” He stepped forward and squeezed his hand into a fist, the blood dripping at my feet. I took his fist in both of my hands.

  “I accept,” I said.

  He stepped back and wiped the dagger on a cloth, then he wrapped his hand with a bandage. “I just wanted you both to know that no matter whatever happens between Saleem and me, I will always remain loyal to Sanura and her cause.”

  “Thank you,” I said. I then looked from Oringo to Saleem and waited for…something to happen. I wasn’t sure exactly how to proceed. Oringo then stepped up to Saleem and got down on one knee.

  “King Saleem of Nuru,” Oringo said, lowering his head. “I have greatly wronged you and your people. I can never take back the murder of your father and brothers, but I will spend the rest of my life being a brother to you. If you are in need, I will provide for you. If you are in danger, I will protect you. If you are joyful, I will celebrate with you. From now until the end of my days, Nuru and Dakari are equal in the eyes of all.”

  I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t expect anything more than a quick apology from him. But this pledge of brotherhood was beyond anything I could have imagined. It was something normally reserved for alliances sealed by marriage, where two tribes would become extended family. I knew that Oringo was sincere to use such words.

  Saleem seemed to be equally shocked. His eyes were wide and he did not respond. He looked at me as though to inquire if this was some elaborate joke. I said nothing. Even though I wanted to encourage him to accept, I did not want to influence his decision. Saleem then looked back at Oringo and cleared his throat as though to speak. I waited anxiously for his reply. But then he said nothing. He turned around and left the room, closing the door behind him.

  I looked at Oringo in shock as he got to his feet. He shrugged.

  “I guess women aren’t the only people I leave speechless,” he said, then he went over and flopped onto the bed, covering his eyes.

  “So…what do we do now?” I asked.

  “Either come over here and sit on my lap or shut up so I can sleep,” he said. “I have an army to lead in a few hours.”

  I sighed in frustration and left the room. I considered going to see Saleem, but I had a feeling he needed to process what he had just heard. So, reluctantly, I went to my own room and slept.

  4

  As soon as the sun started rising over the horizon, the city was in an uproar. I dressed quickly and went to the front gate. The army was amassing—and it was huge. Much larger than I had anticipated. There were thousands of soldiers, and they were all gathering supplies and weapons, saying goodbye to their families, and receiving blessings from the high priest.

  People were dancing and beating drums. Merchants were hawking their wares. Women and children were crying. Chickens and goats were being offered in sacrifice.

  When Baka Mara saw me, he waved me forward to stand beside him on a platform. When I did, the people broke out in cheers and threw flowers and other small gifts at me. I waved to the people and tried to smile, but I was overwhelmed. And I did not see Saleem or Oringo.

  “The people support you, Queen Sanura,” Baka said. “Word of Keket’s villainy has traveled far and wide. The people believe you will bring peace to the world again.”

  “But they are not my people,” I said. “They are yours.”

  “We are all connected,” he said. “As you pointed out, far too many Zulu have died since Keket took power. Peace in Egypt will bring peace—and hopefully prosperity—to us as well.”

  “That is all I desire,” I said. “Peace and prosperity for all of Africa.”

  “The peace is waiting for you, Queen Sanura,” Baka said. But then he turned to his people and raised his fist. “But it is on the other side of war!”

  The people cheered louder, beat their drums harder, and ululated in celebration. A horn was blown and the gates to the city opened. Oringo rode out atop a black horse, a contingent of cavalry behind him. The soldiers who were gathering supplies and saying goodbye to their families soon fell into line with their respective commanders and waited for orders.

  My heart beat fast in my chest at seeing him. He stood tall and proud and looked every bit the majestic war general I knew he was. He was young, yes, but he was ready. He was in command, and the men followed him proudly.

  He pulled toward the platform and tossed me the reins to a beautiful sand colored horse with a pale mane. I climbed onto the horse and we sat side by side as equals.

  “You’ll be riding in the front,” he said. “This is your army.”

  I blushed a little at that. “You’re the general,” I said.

  “But they fight for you,” he said. “We are all here for you.”

  I nodded and took a deep breath. When I was queen again, the situation would be similar. Chike would be my commander, but he would answer to me.

  I looked around for Saleem, but did not see him. Oringo must have known what I was doing.

  “I haven’t seen him,” Oringo said.

  The horses for the cavalry behind us were growing anxious, stomping their feet and whinnying. The foot soldiers were wa
iting for my command to march. Even Baka Mara seemed confused as to why we had not left yet. I was about to ask Oringo if I should go inside and look for him when I heard a trumpet yet again.

  Upon a white horse, Saleem rode out of the city, hundreds of Nuru soldiers at his back. In his white robe and headscarf, he looked like a floating angel. The women waved at him and blew kisses, and he smiled back with a friendly wave. He came up beside me.

  “Queen Sanura,” he said to me. “King Oringo,” he then said with less civility.

  “I knew you would come,” I said. “Have you thought about—”

  “Later,” he said, cutting me off. His sharp words hurt, but he was entitled to them. He did not want to discuss such a sensitive topic right now, when we were about to lead an army to war. But the fact that he was here, standing by my side said volumes. His vow to me had nothing to do with his quarrel with Oringo. I could always depend on him.

  I forced a smile to my face and focused on the job at hand. I nodded to Oringo, Baka, and Saleem. They all motioned to their commanders, who blew into the war horns to signal our departure. I kicked my horse in the side to move her forward and she leapt up with a jolt, excited to finally be moving. Oringo and Saleem were side by side behind me. Behind them, I could hear the footsteps of hundreds of horses and thousands of men.

  When I first decided that I would need to march on Egypt to depose Keket, I never imagined having a full army at my back. I knew I would have Zakai, Oringo, and Saleem and their limited forces. I had to depend on the grace of Sekhmet to lead me to victory. But now, Sekhmet was showing her blessings in a much more visible manner. Keket would see me coming, and she would tremble.

  I had never realized how slow moving an army was. But since the majority of our force was on foot, it made sense. I rode my horse at a leisurely pace compared to the pace I usually set when traveling. At this rate, it would take weeks to reach Zakai, and even longer to reach Egypt. Would anything be left of Luxor by the time I arrived?