The Courier’s Collection

Chapter 9

9

AFTER PRACTICE, RASHA GATHERED her team to explain the situation. She trusted them much more than the council.

“In spite of my repeated requests to the council, it doesn’t look like we’re getting the help we need. I pushed my parents to send more from Chilali, and we’ve asked the mermen send more. Both have been slow about providing fighters. I’ll be honest, it still won’t be enough. There’s one place, however, we haven’t tried.”

“I thought we’d contacted Chiza’s father,” Jak said.

“Not the tenth kingdom. I’m talking about the Wilds.”

Ebere remained silent, as was his way. Ladi looked to Jak. It was Jak whose expression changed. He laughed.

“They’ll never join us in this fight,” he said.

“Why shouldn’t they? Aren’t their lands in just as much danger as ours? There’s much more for them to lose.”

“I can promise you they won’t join us. It doesn’t matter to them how many royals are lost.”

“I want to send messengers to the Wilds. My hope is to gain their support. I can’t follow your gut this time, Jak. We need help from the Wilds to win this thing. We are badly outnumbered by the beasts. This is the only way. Unless you can give us a better idea.”

“I’m not disagreeing with you to be obstinate. I grew up there. They’re not likely to let your messengers live, much less listen to them,” Jak said. “The wilds are lawless, Rasha.”

“What could I offer them to get them to listen?” Rasha asked.

“I don’t think it matters. Joining the kingdoms of Bolaji is the last thing they’ll agree to.”

“They wouldn’t have to. We’d be working together as allies on this. I wouldn’t demand they take the oath and become a kingdom or anything.” Rasha said.

“Maybe you should,” Aunt Sochi said.

“What? No, bad idea,” Jak said.

Aunt Sochi replied, “The Wilds are independent because they don’t believe they’d be happy living under our rule. But you should understand that people want to live in peace. We don’t threaten their freedom, and together we can end the threat to both of our homes.”

“Yes, exactly,” Rasha exclaimed. “Then if they choose to, they could be recognized as the eleventh kingdom.”

Jak shook his head.

“You don’t understand. They won’t agree to help, no matter what you’re offering. They don’t trust the ten kingdoms.”

“There was a time when there were no kingdoms at all, just feuding tribes that feared each other. That changed because of some innovative young people who saw that coming together, the inclusion of all people, would make their lives better. They created the First kingdom and named it Adalu. A new nation made up of many nations. Who’s saying the same thing won’t be true in this case?” Aunt Sochi said.

“An autonomous nation under the banner of the first kingdom. It’s not unheard of.” Rasha said.

“How do I make you understand? They don’t want you, and they won’t help you. They’ve spent centuries ignoring, avoiding, or robbing the ten kingdoms,” Jak said.

“It might work,” Ebere disagreed. “We should do some scouting. If we find something they want, we can offer it to them. Make them our ally, based on mutual benefits.”

Jak was shaking his head.

“We should look at other options first,” Ladi offered. “Jak’s right, you can’t force the Wilds into civilization.”

Rasha bit back a retort. Ladi always sided with Jak. She tried to remember that the girl was just fifteen and had a lot to learn about boys and life. No wonder her family had such a hard time keeping her in line. It was times like this when she wished Lu were there to roll his eyes with her. She pushed the nostalgia away.

“I appreciate all of your input. I considered all of these points before I sent the messengers. They left a week ago. I expect to hear from them today or tomorrow. That information doesn’t leave this room. There’s still a spy, and we need to move with caution.”

“What?” Jak said with disbelief. “You contacted them without consulting me?”

Ebere inched away from the circle. Ladi followed his lead.

“Headstrong girl,” Aunt Sochi said in Chilalian, shaking her head. She stood up and found her way to the door with Ebere and Ladi on her heels.

“How could you?” he asked angrily.

“I did it for the sake of our kingdom. We need fighters, and there are none in the kingdom even half as good as you. So, I figured why not go right to the source?”

Jak pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I’m not upset you had the idea, or that you acted on it. I’m just wondering what I’m doing here. I’m just here to keep up appearances?”

“No, of course not.” Rasha said. She realized her mistake. She’d been thinking he would disagree with her. Instead of facing him she’d gone behind his back and informed him after she’d already acted.

“Not only did you do this behind my back, you waited an entire week to tell me.” Jak stormed to the and almost collided with a guard hurrying in with two others behind him.

“Your Highness,” the guard panted, “the messengers have arrived from the Wilds.” He flapped a hand at them.

Jak turned away, but one of the messengers called him back.

“Wait, Your Grace, this concerns you too.”