Red Thorn

Chapter 21

Early 2016

"Woah," Natasha breathed out as Red gently landed the Quinjet in front of the city's largest building, the Royal Palace. "It's–"

"Breathtaking," Steve finished.

Red flicked the switch to the rear door of the Quinjet and the team was greeted by a group of half a dozen women. They wore traditional clothing in neutral tones such as orange and brown, their heads were shaven, but most remarkably, they held long spears. It didn't take long for the team to guess that these were made of vibranium.

One stepped forward, crossing her arms over her chest as Red had earlier that day. "Your Highness." She turned to Red. "Taifa"

"Okoye," T'Challa greeted, mimicking her movements. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"The council has been summoned," she explained. "We are to escort yourself and your visitors to the throne room.

"This was to be expected, my son," T'Chaka said. "Do you wish to face them alone, or with me by your side? Though you must know that if you chose the latter, it will be made clear that I objected to your decision."

"I know, Baba," the King smiled softly at his elder, "But I stand by my decision. Our Taifa asked for a favour, and it is one we shall provide. I'll face them alone."

"Our Taifa?" Steve muttered, surprised by the spark of anger that lit inside him upon hearing the word 'our'.

"More importantly," Tony said, making sure to keep his voice quiet so as not to disturb the Wakandans, "What favour?"

"As you wish," T'Chaka agreed. "Your sister and I shall leave you to it."

"But–" Shuri began to protest.

"Shuri..."

"Yes, Baba." The princess turned to Red. "Make sure you come down to the lab later, there are some cool new things that I want to show you."

A curt nod in response and the Princess was off with her father.

"If you would like to follow me." T'Challa led the way into the palace, the speared women surrounding them.

"Who are you?" Tony asked one of the women as they all squeezed into the elevator.

"The Dora Milaje," she explained. "We are the King's Royal Guard."

"And your name?" Steve asked, feeling as though it was only polite to do so.

"Ayo and that's Okoye," she said, pointing to the woman who had earlier approached the King upon their arrival. "She is our General."

"Well it's a pleasure to meet you all," Natasha said with a smile. "And an even bigger one to see that Wakanda's Royal Guard is made entirely of women."

"It isn't only our technology that is far more advanced than the outside world," Ayo replied, a smirk playing on her lips.

The elevator dinged and the group piled out into a large hallway, decorated with a perfect blend of modern architecture and traditional Wakandan artefacts.

"Taifa, Okoye, fifty paces," T'Challa ordered and the two women instantly fell into step either side of him. Meanwhile the rest of the Dora Milaje slowed the remaining Avengers, leaving them at least fifty paces behind the King.

"Is everything okay?" Red signed. It was something she had taught him years ago, not wanting to use her voice. In fact, their conversation at the Avengers Campus was probably the longest one they had ever had.