“It is impossible, your majesty.” The spokeswoman interrupted.
She walked closer to the queen’s throne:
“It is impossible to let a disabled boy participate in this selection. It was the only criteria to respect. A king with no hand is simply unacceptable.”
The queen rose on her feet and the spokeswoman shivered in fear. Queen Aniya stopped right in front of her, a cold expression over her face:
“Who. Are. You?” She asked in a low tone.
The woman shook her head, unable to say a single word. She noticed how the queen’s female guards came closer, ready to draw their swords out and execute anyone that their queen would indicate.
“Who do you think you are to tell me what’s possible within my own kingdom? I make the rules here. Impossible is not a word that applies to me. I do not care what the criterias are, I want that boy to perform like everyone else now and if you value your life, you won’t say no to me ever again. Understood?”
“Y-yes. I-I apologize, your majesty….”
The queen returned to her seat.
Samba didn’t take his eyes off of her. Adrenaline was rushing through his veins and not because all spotlights were on him and that a thousand pairs of eyes were following his every gesture. It was because he was standing in front of the queen for the first time since their previous meeting and she looked even more beautiful than he remembered.
Just seeing her again was rewarding enough but he wanted to impress her more, he wanted to see her eyes sparkle and her hands clap with genuine appreciation. Of course, there were no griots to sing for him since he was a nobody but Samba didn’t let it phase him. Instead, he walked to one of the female guards and borrowed her sword.
Like every other seventeen years old in the kingdom, he’d been rehearsing too, just that he never thought he would get the opportunity to actually perform in front of the queen. His heart was beating fast. He prayed to not make a mistake and risk chopping his other hand off.
The first thing he did was to unbutton his coat. He didn’t want its length to bother him. He then removed his undershirt as well and handed both clothes to an awaiting guard.
Removing his undershirt wasn't quite necessary but it sure added a little something to his performance because the women in the crowd suddenly were more interested.
The queen held her breath. Her eyes traveled across Samba’s arms, glistening with sweat and moved to his exposed chest. She gripped on to her throne. No doubt, she could tell that he was a hard worker. The muscles under his skin flexed when he picked up the sword and swung it from one side to the other.
Samba didn’t need music to accompany his steps. His body swayed with ease and it was enough to captivate the attention of his audience. Yet, when the drummers recognized his movements, they started beating with each stroke of Samba's sword. The sound was mighty. People held their breath as their eyes followed the young boy.
His dance was both elegant and deadly. The queen imagined him on the battlefield. Though he still had much to improve, he knew how to control his sword and could have killed enemies if there were any in front of him. At the same time, he made it look lovely and almost innocent. Watching Samba’s sword dance felt like a breeze of fresh air but would not make you forget that danger lied ahead if you dared to get too close.
He could jump high and land back on his feet like a feline. It was as if his body didn’t weigh more than a feather. He had absolute control over himself. Queen Aniya was captivated, leaning forward and only sitting on the edge of her throne.
YOU ARE READING
SAMBA YACINE
Tarihi Kurgu(Featured in Grimm Retellings and Other Fairy tales in WATTPAD CLASSIC AUTHORS) Once upon a time, in a kingdom ruled and dominated by women, lived a boy named Samba Yacine. The boy was doomed to have a miserable life when his mother died and left hi...
