The moment they entered the walls of the Mtetezi compound, they were set upon by concerned family, friends, brothers, sisters, nearly everyone who had been waiting with baited breath for the two warriors to return. They had been gone much longer than Jelani had expected and the look of relief that washed over anxious faces was so intense it could have set the very air on fire. Their mounts were taken, though Pyla insisted on doing everything herself, and people followed behind to make the process as easy as possible.
No one asked questions. They knew better than to accost newly returned Mtetezi. No. Protocol insisted that rest was needed to receive the most accurate accounts and a full tribunal would be summoned with the Elders for the next day. Nothing would be rushed, especially not with the state of Pyla. They knew something bad had happened, that much was abundantly clear, but their sisters had returned – their leader had returned!
"Jelani..." a quiet word in her ear brought her back from the bustle, "You gave us all a fright."
"I know, Kaz." She muttered to the man who stood by her side, his hand taking the reins from her fingers. He didn't say anything else, but she knew he wanted to ask what had happened and his concern was palpable against the waning desert sun. She was so tired....she wanted to melt into him as they did on occasion, but now was not the time for creature comforts and they both understood that. Perhaps one day they would marry, or at the very least decide to have children, but for now....
For now she was the leader of the Mtetezi and she had a duty to others, not to herself.
"Check on Pyla, please?" she asked him instead, taking a step back as the camel shifted closer to him. Already others were coming in to unload the saddle bags and beg the grooming process.
"I will." He bowed with one hand against his chest.
And then she left him. There was too much to do. Jelani did not exist, only her position. Jelani couldn't exist anymore, not while her sisters were being kidnapped and traded for sport. Not while the dreams of impending doom continued to plague her....
"Yasmina," she caught the arm of one of the Mtetezi warriors who was standing guard. The woman quickly pressed her fist to her chest and bowed.
"Jelani."
"The crypt is sealed?"
"Yes. No movement."
Jelani nodded and let out the tiniest sighs.
Then she went back to her room and began cross-referencing the names on the list she had acquired and the list of her missing sisters.
Kaz put away the camel and then made his way to the barracks where the Mtetezi warriors were housed. It didn't take him long to find Pyla's room though he paused when he heard the shouting. He understood how she must be feeling and shifted uncomfortably on his prosthetic leg before rapping smartly against her door and waiting for it to open.
