QUEEN NJERI; DAUGHTER OF A WARRIOR

"Will you move those lazy feets of yours. since when did you become so weak, my princess" "Since the very day I started fighting like you. You know what, I'm done trying to fight like you. I'll beat you my one way." "Young lady you do know a daughter can never beat her father right, well I would let you beat me, if you really can". " Oh, trust me I can" We kept on tackling each other as we trained in the bushes. These were those moments I really loved my father. Rose moments I really appreciated him being there for me. To everyone else in the village, he was a very strict and serious minded man. But as his daughter and only family member left, I got to see his soft side everyday. Especially when he trained me to be a warrior, and a leader. Just like today. We spent a long while in the bushes training, he wanted me to be the greatest warrior there ever was. He wanted me to take over his place as The Great Panther. To rule my people indiscriminately, and to be ready for war at all times. My father was the greatest warrior and king that ever lived. I was gonna continue that legacy, when the right time came. But for now, I still had to find a way to beat him. He swung his spear around as he used his legs to sweep me off the ground. I was gonna stand up, then I saw the spear pointing towards my neck. And as always, he had won. "But Father, that's not fair. You know you are the only one in this kingdom I can't beat, just let me beat you for once what if there was someone out there as strong as you were. Aren't you going to teach me how to beat you. Even though I see your methods as too brutal and merciless". "Look princess, you don't learn how to fight, it comes from the soul. You have to discover that part of you that is really ready to do anything to survive. And besides, you can't just wake up one morning and beat The Great Panther". " Yeah, here comes his pride. You know what Mom always says about your pride........." I could see his expression change as I mentioned my Mom. He hadn't still gotten over her death. He was just a mouse when it came to my mother, she was the only person that could understand him, and control him. She was the only one that dared to step into his chamber when he was angry. "Princess, let's go to the palace. We need to prepare for the feast this evening" " Yes father" We walked silently back to the palace. I couldn't help myself from admiring the view at sunrise, as the light spread over our large farms, the green grasses were astonishing, and I could see as the flowers arose with the sun. Everything about this village was beautiful. We were very blessed with vegetation and green plants. Our soul was perfect for farming. And that was what made us one of the strongest villages around this region. We had both the soldiers, and the resources. Our soldiers are trained for years, before joining the army. And above all, we had the greatest warrior to lead us, my father. He had been on the throne for 22 years now, and has never lost a battle. The greatest thing about him, was that he never started a war, but always won those started by others. We walked into the palace and saw the council of elders waiting for my father. He dismissed me to my chambers. I really needed a cold bath. I was really stressed out from all the early morning trainings of late. "Welcome my princess" It was Mahil, my personal maid. She was only a child when she was brought to the palace as an orphan. We had grown together and we were really fond of each other. "Oh, Mahil, I really need a cold bath right now" " Yes my princess. How was your training with the your father, The Great Panther" " Ohh, Mahil!. Do you have to call him by that name. You know I hate it when you do that. Well you know how he is, he'll never give me a break, Such a grumpy old man" " My princess, you know you shouldn't speak of the king that way" " That's the problem, no one gets to see that, he is first my father, before he is the king. I need to go speak with him. Just get my bath ready" " My princess, he's in a meeting with the council" " Damn the council, he's my father" As I walked out, I heard Mahil mumble something about how stubborn I was. I just ignored her. "My princess, you can't go in there, the king is in a meeting" Mandela, my father's right hand man held me by my arm as I was about opening the door to the royal chambers. I gave him my stern look and released my self from his grip. I walked gracefully into the royal chambers. I could fell the seven pairs of eyes of the elders staring at me. My eyes met with Miguel's, the newest member of the council. He didn't deserve to be a part of them, he wasn't even an Elder yet. Nothing but a mere young man. But it was a favour my Father old him, owed his family for being by his side. And unfortunately he was the only male left in his family. I gave him the stern face, and walked towards my father. I knelt before him. "Please Father, pardon my interruption." "I forgive you. Speak on my princess" I stood up and leaned towards his ear. "Father, it's almost time, just about an hour left" He nodded his head. He understood what I was talking about. It was time for our annual visit to my mother's grave, before the festival. I walked out of the royal chambers, shutting the door behind me. "I told you not to go in there" Mandela yelled, as I closed the door. I smiled at him. "Well, I already did, and there's nothing you can do about it" "Young lady, you have to be very careful with me" " What did you just call me. You of all people should know that my father can slice your throat for disrespecting his daughter. And I am no ordinary young lady. I would personally slice your throat with or without my father's consent, if you ever did that again" I wallked back to my chambers. I flashed a smile as I walked past Rafiki, the closest friend I had and the leader of the palagna, a group of warriors sworn to protect royalty. I went to my chambers and had a bath. About an hour later, my Father came to fetch me. And we were off to our anscestral graveyard to pay my mother her yearly tribute. We spent the whole day there, then at evening we returned to the palace, for the feast.