Aminah reclined deeper into her overstuffed leather pouf and tossed another dried date into her mouth.

“I think I feel sweat running down my back, why do I feel sweat running down my back?”

The girl wielding the peacock feather fan behind the princess yelped and put more energy into her efforts. Though also of royal blood, she had a more than passing acquaintance with the sting of her elder cousin’s displeasure. The Dabino that her older cousin munched on with so much relish had distracted her and almost earned her a flogging. Truth be told, she wasn’t sure she hadn’t earned a flogging already.

Aminah made a mental note to caution her little cousin on the merits of diligence before her mind moved on to more pressing issues.

The task of rounding up slaves was beneath her and she found the practice distasteful to boot. Definitely one of the things to change when she became Empress, ‘if’ she became Empress. The Kingmakers were starting to blow against her heirdom with the death of her grandfather. Her father’s silence did not help her case either.

Following the words of knowledge from the court oracle, she had used the excuse of leading troops on the slave gathering expedition to get out of the city without arousing undue interest. The oracle had interpreted her recurring dream of a cracked blade and claws both dripping with blood as they carved out an obsidian throne to be visions of companions that would be of aid in her journey to the throne.

Multiple fists of her Sa’idawa had failed to find any leads about the two, so she decided to take to the field herself in search of them.

She spat out a pit and flung three more dates into her mouth, there was an audible swallow behind her and she made another mental note to send her cousin for a flogging. She couldn’t have one of her retainers unable to retain their composure in the face of something as trivial as hunger.

Her train of thought was interrupted by the tinkling of the bell at her tent entrance.

“Come in.”

A fully armored but unarmed soldier strode into the tent and went down on one knee

“Peace be unto you, Gimbiya.”

“I highly doubt that is possible anymore but I appreciate the sentiment. Peace unto you Bawa; come, be easy, and give your report.”

“The missing scout troop was found, dead. Some looked to have fallen in battle with a lone attacker while the others looked to have been brutalized by a wild animal”

Aminah visibly perked up, “How far away were their bodies found?”

“They were within a 2-day ride of our main troop. Tracks of whoever or whatever attacked them are all gone”

“Very well, any news from Umoru?”

“Your hunch of being watched was correct, he found traces of two travelers in the trees outside the last village we took. Would you like him to track them?”

She waved a hand, “no need for that, I’ll take it from here…”

“Jamila, do you want me to get someone else to stir the air for me?”

The girl behind Aminah squeaked and put even more energy into swinging the fan, Aminah waited until there was a satisfactory current blowing through the tent before she turned her attention back to her kneeling commander.

“And what news of Zariah?”

“Your sister is well highness; she excels in her studies and she is watched by a fist of the Sa’idawa at all times.”

“Very well, you may retire for the night.”

There was no response from Bawa and he remained in the same position.

“Oh? You have more news for me?”

Bawa was instantly on both knees, forehead on the ground. “My deepest apologies daughter of war, this one may lose his life but must speak of your brother.”

Aminah sighed, knowing what was probably coming “What news of Yarima?”

“Her majesty the Queen wins more supporters for him daily. Although his campaign to win the support of all the noble houses has failed as you predicted it would; He did not come away empty handed.

He has been appointed Galadima, with full control of the Military. I hear his supporters pushed for the Sa’idawa to also be put under his watch but you still have those loyal to you in the court”

The words tumbled out of Bawa in a rush after which followed a deep ocean of silence during which he had begun to imagine his head being separated from his body. Aminah’s musical peal of laughter did nothing to put him at ease.

“I see Aljannu toy with your soul tonight! Leave my presence now Bawa, before you cause me pain. Take Jamila with you, sour her back, give her a plate of dates and send her to bed.”

Bawa maintained his prostrate position despite the dismissal.

“You have something else to report?”

“No Gimbiya, I understand your loyalty to family, but I urge you to reconsider...”

“I will reconsider nothing! You will not speak ill of my brother. Only your unwavering loyalty saves your life. Our Empire’s court advisers are wise and their decisions are for the best interests of Zazzau.”

Aminah rose in one fluid motion, “you can skip the flogging, let her have a round of sparring with you and then feed her some Dabino as she sulks over her wounds. I will see you both at morning drill.”

An exaggerated sigh of relief escaped Jamila before she clapped a hand over her mouth. She eyed her older cousin with apprehension at the show of ‘weakness’ much to Aminah’s amusement.

“Go practice your spear work with Bawa before I change my mind.”

Aminah waved her younger cousin off and there was a cacophony of wooden beads as she pushed through a dividing curtain, retreating deeper into her sleeping quarters without waiting for a response.

The temperature in the tent dropped sharply and goose bumps pickled all over Aminah’s skin, she was not alone, however the visitor was expected.

“Sarauniya.” a whisper floating on a river of darkness.

“First Fist.” Aminah’s reply was slightly louder than a whisper.

“We have found the site of the tomb city and await your arrival.”

“Good, your fist has served me well.”

“Service is all we know.”

The chill retreated from the tent abruptly as shadows bled out of the tent. Aminah let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding; being around her Sa’idawa at night was never comfortable.

Laying in her cot, Aminah considered her situation. The news Bawa brought wasn’t anything she wasn’t already aware of. Her Imperial father had offered her a deal; one she couldn’t refuse. The position of Magaji would go to her brother. She would keep control of the Sa’idawa and the position of Madawaki would be given to her as a consolation. Head of Intelligence and calvary commander though powerful posts were a poor exchange for heir to the Empire.

The excuse was that the Noble families were uncomfortable with the idea of a female Emperor. Where had their discomfort been when Grandfather gave her the crown of Magajiya? Too afraid to speak up in the face of his overwhelming strength. Strength that had steadily declined in the five years since his passing.

Aminah tossed and turned in her camp cot. Going back and forth between resignation and indignation. ‘Why should she have to surrender what had been given to her?’ Perhaps she might have accepted the loss if her brother showed competence that eclipsed hers. That was not the case though, he was a good child, but barely into his teens and highly impressionable, he had let their maternal family tie his future to theirs. He ran the risk of becoming a puppet ruler under the thumb of their royal mother’s eldest brother.

The betrayal she felt at the loss of her mother’s support stung the most. Sarauniya Bakwa Turunku had struggled for every bit of the influence she now held in the Empire’s court. Aminah had thought that she of all people would stand against the injustice of what was being done to her daughter.

Unable to fall asleep, Aminah turned to reciting the 36 strategies and 49 tactics in her mind. She cycled through the 15 languages she was most comfortable with, eventually lulling herself into restless sleep.