The Knight's Princess

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“Mandla was sucked into the void, trapped for eternity. After being trapped, the skull mountain started to crumble down. The mountain was held up by Mandla’s powers. Hakim grabbed Namari while Sahar gathered what little strength she had left in her human form to hold the mountain together so her family could escape. Once they were safe, Sahar’s human shell cracked and then burst into pure energy that turned her back into her goddess form. She sparkled in the light. It was so majestic and beautiful. She said her final goodbyes for now and off to the vast space where the Gods of time and balance were waiting for her. Leaving behind a husband, a daughter, and the pearl stone amulet of Demenia.”

“Wow, that’s so sad,” Azaria’s face fell, but Queen Nova tipped her chin up as she pushed her hair behind her ear.

“A thousand years has passed and our people have not forgotten. We, the women and descendants of the Sahar Zahundai will protect the world’s balance from future events that will try to throw the lands out of balance.”

The queen remembered every part of that story as if she lived it herself. She guess a part of me felt connected to Sahar. Why wouldn’t she? They are her blood relatives after all. Azaria, was so young and full of curiosity about her lineage, but advanced in many things in the ten years she existed in this world. No matter how soon the queen wanted to train her, she could not break the rules of preparing at the age of ten. Azaria looked at her mother with curious eyes.

“So mom, how do we stop it from happening?” Queen Nova smiled at her as she grab a black silk case, wrapped with a gold tie. “With this,” she answered. “This amulet has been passed down from generations of our bloodline. Legend has it; Sahar will be reincarnated from the vessel of the strongest Amulet wielder for a final battle with Mandala.”

“Well we all know it's you, momma.” The confidence her daughter had in her was something she wished she had in herself. However, she needs to be prepared for what’s to come. “That’s sweet baby,” The queen leaned down and hugged her. She wanted to stay in the embrace forever. “That’s enough history talk for now. You need your rest because you start your training tomorrow.”

She poked her lip out. “Oookay.” She climbed into her bed as Queen Nova put the necklace back in its box. “Good night my little phoenix,” she kissed her cheek. “Good night, momma.”

The morning of Azaria’s first day of training arrived and she was so excited. The king walks in to surprise Azaria. “FATHER!” Azaria hurries to get out of bed to run and hug the king but remembering that he’s also a king and she a princess, she suddenly stops and bows to the king Hashu Medina. She smiles as she raises her head and then hugged him so tight that he could barely breathe. Azaria hasn’t seen her father in a long time for he just returned from the battlefield with a neighboring Kingdom called The Kingdom of Yorubaland.

“I missed you so much, my little phoenix.” He examined closely. “Have you gotten taller since I last saw you?”

Azaria giggles then replies, “No father.”

“Are you sure you haven’t grown up just a little bit” as he is tickling her to make her laugh and smile.

“Enough father; when did you get back?” “Today actually” he replied. The king made it home early to surprise Azaria, which made her happy.

They sat down next to the fireplace in the lounge area of Azaria’s room to have a father daughter talk about training and what to expect from it. “Are you ready for your first day of combat training?”

Azaria was stunned to see that her father knew about the training today. “How did you know about my training for today?”

“I’m the king I know everything plus your mother told me but shhh that secret stays between me and you ok”.

Azaria winked and giggled a little bit and told the king that his secret was safe with her. They continue their conversation about training and how she is ready to fight by her father’s side on the battlefield. “To answer your question yes father I’m ready to learn so I can fight by your side.”

“The battlefield is no place to rush off to my little phoenix. Just focus on studies and work hard”; but all Azaria wants to do is fight beside her father.

“Why can’t I just focus on fighting?”

“Because there’s more to life than fighting for your kingdom there’s ruling the people by caring for the people knowing the balance is between an iron fist and a loving hand.” Azaria looks at her father with confusion and disappointment on her face. As they were talking Azaria, notice a strange boy standing at her doorway like he was waiting for something or someone. “Who is that father?”

“This is Nkosi Heru his mother is the Golden Knight for your mother. Each generation of the Sahar Zahundai bloodline and welder of the Pearl Stone amulet comes with a golden knight to protect them. Each are bound to their welder until death. Once you have been crowned the official crown princess of Demenia at your 16th birthday we do what we call the bond of the phoenix feather. Meaning you will be bonded for life and he will be your protector your golden knight.”

“Did you know that Sahar Zahundai’s Husband the first King Hakim Mendina was her Golden Knight but back then life was simple their bond was through their daughter Namari.”

Azaria wasn’t convince that he had what it takes to be her golden knight. In her mind he was to short and skinny to be able to protect her. Little did she know that looks can be deceiving.

“Well he doesn’t look like much to me.”

The king just laughed and shook his head at Azaria statement and replied with “Maybe not now but he will train just like you and the day after your crowning ceremony we will commence with the bond of the phoenix feather.”

“Nkosi, it's a pleasure to meet you. to you as well, princess Azaria.”

Nkosi Heru realized at that moment that Azaria was not like the other princesses. She was different, but neither he nor she realized how different she truly was. Once introductions were done Azaria finished putting her recruit training outfit on. It was beige silk under armor, with same color silk genie like pants, and bark cloth patted armor to protect them from major damage during training. Once ready the two head off to training together. Where Azaria and Nkosi will learn about warrior traditions, tactics, and methods. They'll learn how to operate as part of a team to complete tasks during their training. After they complete basic training, they will go through two more phases of training known as Advanced Individual Training, during which they will master advanced combat skills. While in the middle of their first day of training the king and queen were on their way to an important conference when they caught a glimpse of Azaria's training. The queen boasted about how natural a fighter she is and how she can take a hit. The king agreed and then inquired about their workout regimen. Because the main instructor was too preoccupied with teaching the princess and her future knight, the assistant was tasked with answering all of the queen's queries.

“Combat in close quarters is the focus of today's training. This class will cover both lethal and non-lethal weapons and methods, depending on your majesty's constraints.”

“Great keep up the good work”.

Gail, the instructor, and Nubo, his helper, recently returned from a battle zone where they served the monarch. As a result, they were given a new job, which was to teach incoming recruits. The princess and her first warrior had to be trained initially. As the king and were leaving the queen reminded the instructors that Azaria had lessons with her after their meeting and her training.

“Oh and once the princess is finished for the day with your training please send her to me for her lesson with me.”

“Yes my queen; will do”. The king and queen left for their meeting with another neighboring kingdom. Once the king and queen were gone Azaria had a plan to sneak out of training and go explore the castle with Nkosi. “Want to sneak away?”

“I don’t think that such a good idea”

“Are you scared because if you are you cant be my golden knight.” He gets to thinking then finally decide to sneak away from training with Azaria.

“Fine but how do we slip away.”

“Watch and learn……sir I have to go to the bathroom.” Sir Gail agreed to Azaria request and allowed Nkosi to escort her to the bathroom. Azaria and Nkosi snuck away to explore the parts of the castle that were not permitted to be visited without the king and queen. To avoid the guards and maids, they would hide behind pillars, statues, and so on. Then there was nowhere to hide until Azaria noticed a large pearl-like door behind them and yanked Nkosi into the room with her.

“I swear princess I’ll die young from over induced stress like a heart attack before you become the crowned princess.” But Azaria just ignored his dramatic bantering because she in a amazement of what her eyes could not believe.

“I think we are standing in the pearl temple of Sahar Zahundai. My mom told me stories of her every night before tucking me into bed.”

“You mean to tell me that we are stand in the temple of Sahar Zahundai. The first goddess and queen from 1000 years ago. The one who banished the evil god Mandla?”

“The one in the same Nkosi”. The temple built for Sahar Zahundai's official worship. The temple walls were adorned with stone carvings of not only the great Sahar, but also all of the amulet wielders, including Azaria's mother. The temple was also adorned with pearl-like accents and gold warrior statues in all four corners, each with the four elements emanating from their weapons.

The two marvel as they go through the temple of Sahar Zahundai, looking around in awe. Azaria then heard a voice calling her. “Azaria……..Azaria….Azaria”

“Why are you yelling my name when I'm standing right next to you, Nkosi?” The princess was put into a trance while asking Nkosi.

She no longer had control over her body, as if it were being controlled by someone or something. The pearl stone amulet began to shine the next moment. The voice spoke to her once more. “Azaria!”

Azaria moves closer to the amulet, as if it were beckoning her. She reaches out to put her hand on it. Nkosi dashed to the rescue. Azaria threw him against the wall and held him there until she was done. Nkosi screamed at Azaria, "NO!" A flash of light erupted out of the amulet and poured inside her. Azaria's body wasn't ready to take the power of a wielder. As a result, the energy shot out of Azaria and through the temple's roof. This light almost completely fills the sky. The entire castle is witnessing this, so the king and queen dashed to the temple as quickly as they could. The king and queen arrived to the temple to where they see the chaos unfold right in front of them.

“Nkosi! Azaria! Where are you?”

“I’m up here my king.” They noticed he was trapped on the wall and utilized the queen's abilities to help him down, but it didn't work.

“My abilities aren't working against the enchantment that has him imprisoned. What caused this to happen?”

“It was Azaria and shes in that vortex of energy”

“No its to soon” The queen then began chanting a binding spell to bind Azaria Powers to basic level magic usage in order to save her from self-destruction. This spell required all of the queen's strength to cast because her magic is stronger than any wielder in history. When the light went out, she floated down after her magic was bound. The king scoops her up in his arms. The spell she cast on Nkosi to trap him wore off, and the guards got him down.

They looked at her with worry in their eyes for it was to soon for Azaria’s powers to mature in a way that it could pose a threat if not taken care of.