24. The Pendant's Clue

Safiya's footsteps slowed as she approached the shining object, her curiosity growing with each step. As she took hold of it, her breath caught in her throat. It was a pendant crafted from pure, radiant gold - a remarkable find. Safiya examined it closely, marveling at its delicate craftsmanship. Attached to the pendant was a slender rope, indicating its purpose as a necklace.

Upon closer inspection, She discovered a faint yet intricately drawn image etched onto the pendant's surface. It revealed a tiny sword, its hilt intricately embellished with shimmering silver accents. The drawing seemed almost ethereal, emitting a subtle, silver glow that added an air of enchantment to the entire discovery.

Safiya gasped, realizing she had never seen her father wearing something like this before. Where did he get it from, and who owned it? She would have to start looking into the kingdom that mined gold. Did her father have a business connection with someone from another tribe?

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Safiya was seated under a large tree with her mother, helping her pick beans. "No, Safiya," her mother growled for possibly the hundredth time, "That is a stone, not beans."

"Oh," Safiya threw the stone away, feeling frustrated. "I think I'm bad at this."

Her mother laughed and shook her head. "I'm sure you will learn, so you will be able to cook for your husband."

"Mama, no, not again," Safiya pleaded. Her mother frowned, determined to make her point.

"You must get married, Safiya. You will."

Safiya let out a sigh, her mind too preoccupied to even argue with her mother. "Mama..."

"Hmm?" Her mother raised her head from the beans she was picking, looking at Safiya expectantly.

"Why did you let Meka marry someone from a far place? It was my first time hearing of Azu."

"It's not a well-known place," her mother said, going back to the beans. "Your papa and I went there once, and I could tell they are good people. That land is one of the richest I have seen; you would marvel at the place. I know they will take good care of Meka."

"But you hardly know them, Mama, and you let them take Meka," Safiya expressed her concern.

"It was Meka who wanted this," her mother explained. Safiya's eyes widened in surprise, urging her mother to continue.

"I wouldn't force any of you to marry anyone. I know how beautiful love is," her mother smiled warmly. "So, I want each and every one of you to experience it. All the memories I have left of your father are dear to me, and that's what keeps me strong."

Safiya pondered for a moment, processing her mother's words. "You mean, Meka was the one who wanted to marry Jelani?"

Her mother nodded. "She was the one who introduced him to me, and I can tell that they love each other. If Meka wanted this, then I can't stop her."

"Well," Safiya shrugged, "I hope she is doing well."

"I know she is the only sibling you have, and you care about her," her mother reassured Safiya. "But I want to assure you that Meka is alright. One of these days, we will go see her, but let her get to know her in-laws first."

Safiya nodded, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe she was worrying too much. Meka was married now and possibly happy. Perhaps she did indeed marry for love. It was better for Safiya to focus on her own goals.

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Two swords clashed against each other in the golden sunlight before quickly retreating and clashing again. Their blades engaged in a fierce battle.

"Come on," Safiya growled, her body glistening with sweat as she fiercely fought. She wore silky trousers with splits on both legs, paired with a matching top that covered her chest. With every jump, her hair bounced in rhythm with her movements.

"Ahmed, come on," she growled again, thrusting her sword forcefully towards him.

He blocked it, his chest heaving. "Safi-"

His words were cut off as her sword swiftly interrupted him. He quickly raised his sword to defend himself but proved no match for her.

Growling, his teeth clenched, Ahmed had been at home when Safiya called him, insisting that she needed to fight someone.

Something was clearly bothering her, but she had refused to share what it was. As the scorching sun beat down on his face, his dark eyes squinted in concentration.

"Hi'ya!" Safiya exclaimed, her sword rising and then swinging back at him. A smile tugged at her lips. "You need to work harder, Ahmed. I can't believe I can still defeat you!"

Ahmed rolled his eyes as he approached her, but she swiftly blocked his advance. "I was never a match for you, Safiya, and you know this," he admitted with a resigned sigh.

Safiya raised her sword, its weight causing it to sway back and forth as she slashed it towards him. With a swift movement, his sword flew from his hand and landed on the ground beside them. Ahmed raised his hands in defeat just as Safiya brought her sword to his throat.

"Alright, you got me there. Can we please stop now?" he pleaded, offering Safiya a playful smile.

Safiya retracted her sword and sheathed back to it's original place on her waist before taking a step back, her chest still heaving from the exertion.

She started heading towards the nearby stream with Ahmed trailing behind her. "Okay, tell me what's going on with you," he urged.

Safiya sighed, feeling the weight of everything she wanted to share with him. She wanted to tell him about her mother's pleas for her to get married and the golden pendant with the tiny sword drawn on it that she had recently discovered.

But what was the use? She hadn't even figured out where the pendant originated from, and it's not like she was listening to her mother anyway.

"It's nothing," Safiya managed to smile, reassuring him that everything was indeed okay. She reached the stream, squatted beside it, and drank, feeling the coolness of the water soothe her thirst. Ahmed stood a bit farther away with his arms crossed, observing silently.

As she remained squatted, Safiya let the cool breeze wash over her body. The sound of the water trickling by immersed her in a sense of tranquility, while the warm sun gently caressed her skin.

"I've called for Amara. She'll be here soon," She said, standing up after quenching her thirst.

Ahmed, curious, asked, "So what do we do now?

"Have you found anything about the king yet?"

He shook his head in response.

"Well, with Amara's help, we can infiltrate the palace and find some answers," she whispered with a note of caution. "But please, don't mention any of this to the her. She doesn't need to know, no matter what. After all, the king is still her father."

Ahmed nodded, his smile reassuring. "Don't worry, Safiya. You can trust me on that."

Safiya gazed at him, sighing softly as she nodded. Trust was hard to come by, but Ahmed had proven to be a loyal friend. He had even risked his life to protect her during a fight once. Initially, she had only relied on Dede, who may have known more about the situation.

However, since both Dede and the other warriors had refused to help her, she had chosen to work with Ahmed. For now, their only lead was the suspicion that the king was meeting someone, but they still didn't know who it could be.

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Princess Amara arrives shortly after, with two muscular guards trailing behind her. She is dressed in a white cotton skirt made with fine fabric and a light blue top.

Beads adorn her waist, and she wears jewelry around her neck along with matching earrings. Her hair is braided, reaching her back, and her round eyes beam upon seeing Safiya. The guards wait at a corner while she walks towards her.

"Safiya, how are you?" Amara exclaims, taking Safiya into a tight hug. She notices Ahmed sitting on a nearby rock and waves at him, receiving a wave back.

Then, Amara's attention returns to Safiya. Safiya holds her hand and guides her to a rock where trees create shadows, protecting them from the sun.

"I've been doing well. How are things in the palace?" Safiya asks.

Princess Amara gives a tight smile and replies, "Just living through, it's fine." She looks around her surroundings and then back at Safiya. "You've been fighting," she observes.

"Yes," Safiya admits.

"You know how hard it is for a girl to choose this path. I still wonder how you cope with all of this."

Safiya smiles and answers, "It's not easy, but it's something I love." There is no way she would tell Amara about her revenge.

Amara smiles and says, "And I admire that about you." Her gaze shifts towards Ahmed, who seems to be sharpening his sword, and then back to Safiya, but she doesn't say anything further.

"I need your help, Amara," Safiya begins.

Amara shifts where she sits, giving her full attention to Safiya. "Well, go ahead."

"How many days will the wrestling match last?" Safiya asked, as she hadn't for once attended it. The wrestling match only happens in the palace, and mostly men and invitees were present. She hadn't been given the opportunity to go; each time she tried, she failed woefully. She sighed inwardly. So many rules in Dakar.

"Possibly two days, when the final round will happen," Amara responds.

Safiya nods. Two days isn't enough, but she can still get something at least. She would have to make a plan, a good one.

"Why do you ask, though?" Amara inquires.

"I want to attend," Safiya says.

Amara's mouth flies open. "But Safiya, you know how hard it is to attend."

"That is why I called you," Safiya says as she holds Amara's hand and squeezes it lightly. "I want to go. I really want to see those warriors when they battle. It's what I love. Please..."

"It's not so easy, Safiya," Amara whispers.

"I know, but you can do it. You can help me get into the palace. I know you can."