4 Chapter 4: A beggar's pride

"Long live Hai nu shen. Long Live Hai nu shen."

The chorus travelled hills and plains as the people stand tall with hands fastened and flags waving high. Drums of war echo around the golden temple in a face-off against the imperial army and the bulldozers awaiting. The dry mist combusted with tear gas and painful screams raised. Mountains of crowds held the forth, and the person standing between them and the bulldozers is the powerful Nafy Hassan. The bulldozers charged towards her and stopped a few inches from her as a golden dragon banner appeared on the horizon, signifying the imperial envoy.

"Announcing Elder Chongan Hao; the special adviser to his Majesty Emperor Dewei Li on conflicts and resolution."

Nafy took a step back as the man stepped out of the third vehicle and walked closer to her. She bowed to offer her greetings.

"What brings you here?"

"Nafy, I must commend you on your courage and bravery. His Majesty wants you to know that you and he are on the same side. He has no interest in destroying the temple and is not behind any efforts to do so. He wants an amicable resolution to this fight, and that is why he is forcing the demolition to a pause until a tentative resolution. In that faith, he is inviting you to prince Wang Ju-long Chun Wei Li Artem Borya's sixteenth birthday celebration at the palace in three days. We are also especially inviting your daughter, Amira, to deliver a special birthday performance for the second in line to the throne. We will pay all due fees for her appearance. His Majesty hopes you honour this invitation that would allow for a needed negotiation for peace and put a period to this bloodshed."

"I will think about it and deliberate with my people to decide if this is the right direction. I will send my reply by sunset."

"We will await word from you, and we hope it creates a positive path into the future. May Hai nu shen be with you and guide your decision."

"Thank you. May Hai nu shen guide your steps as you go home."

She watched the envoy depart, and the bulldozers and army retracted.

"Fellow warriors. I do not wish to honour this invite. But my will is not just my own. The voice of the people will be the only one that matters. Take these few hours to think and deliberate amongst yourselves, and we will put it to a vote at sunset. The will of the people and that of Hai nu shen shall prevail. Long live Hai nu shen."

"Long live Hai nu shen."

In groups, they discussed, and individually, they deliberated and as sunset approached, tension heightened above the hills and plains of the kingdom.

"I heard his Majesty is inviting you to the palace." Grandma Regina Odion said as she joined Nafy, where she stood staring into the horizon.

"Yes, Nana. He wants an avenue to discuss a resolution."

"Will you honour it?"

"Nana, you know my personal feelings about the imperial household. I do not want to honour that invitation. I fear their decision will hurt my feelings."

"Nafy, I have been seeing the same dream in recent days. In this dream, the ocean was dual. The dark part of the ocean and the white part had turbulent waves violently crashing against one another. Dividing them was a thin red line that was boiling with anger. But last night, the blood vanished, and the waves flowed together peacefully like two Koi fishes rolled around one another. Holding them together in a thin line is a line of fiery gold flame." She looked around, and Nafy's eyes followed her movement to the wreath of flowers laid before the temple in memory of those lost in the fight. "A few days ago, the blood of those fighting for Hai nu shen and peace in her land flowed on this mountain. More will flow if we do not resolve. We need to wash the blood away with the fire of Hai nu shen. I do not know what my dream means, but I believe the message from his Majesty may have something to do with it. Right now, our oceans are clashing. We must apply wisdom and allow Hai nu shen to calm the troubled waters."

"So you think I should honour the invitation."

"I think you should be a leader. A leader leads not only her people to war, but she also protects them." They heard a deeper voice behind them and turned around.

"Son? What are you doing here?" Asked Grandma Regina as he hugged her and hugged Nafy.

"Michael Odion. It has been a while. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I got an unexpected call from his Majesty. He mandated me to be the one to bring your reply to the palace."

"Why? I do not recall you being a member of the imperial council."

"I might not be but, Emperor Dewei is an old friend whom I cherish."

"You are friends?"

"We have been friends for some years. I first met him at my father's funeral. My father helped him when they schooled together in California. His father banished him from keeping in touch with my father, but once he became emperor, he kept to his promise and gave the large piece of land to our family to build Love Farm. I inherited the farm along with my father's talents and friendship with him. And that is why I think I know why he sent me here. I think he wants you to hear this story to assure you he is a man who keeps to his words."

"So you think I should honour the invite."

"I think you should do what you must do to protect this temple and those fighting for it. Our ancestors taught me that when an elder invites you to a party, never say no. Get behind the gun before you can steer it away from your people. You cannot do that if you do not belong with the people who own the guns. You start by sitting at their table and breaking bread with them. They have invited you to that table. Will you break bread? Or will you spit in their face? The choice is yours."

"This was not the will of Hai nu shen when she gave our ancestors this land. This land was supposed to be a Maidenhair tree where wandering birds come to nest. How did we get here?"

"The sun is setting, Nafy. I must return to the palace with your reply. And I hope it is positive."

She turned to her people and cleared her voice to garner their attention.

"Fellow warriors. You have had time to think and delivered on the path forward. All in favour of honouring the invitation, please say Yay."

The resound yay echoed down the mountains.

"All against, please, say nay."

Silence reigned over the hills.