Empress Dosha

Chapter 51

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"We are finally going home." Musa repeated while steadying the hand of a boy who held an arrow in a wrong manner.

"You've been saying that since morning. Won't you get tired?" Hamza said in irritation, resting his back on a tree.

Tahir scoffed, giving him an irksome look, "You should've just ignored him. He is doing this on purpose."

"Good job," Musa applauded the boy, giving him a pat on the head. The boy screamed in joy and dashed off to the other boys who were with Haruna. He turned to them, sighing, "I am not doing anything on purpose. It has been like what, four months since we left home and you will be lying if you say you aren't missing home. Let me keep saying it like a verse."

"No one is opposing you here, your constant repitition is getting on everyone's nerves," Hamza hissed slightly, closing his eyes and smiled, "Honestly, I really missed everyone at home and everything. Being home gives you this sense of peace. Seeing your family is very healing."

"Just come right out and say it, Hamza. You can't wait to get home and have your marriage ceremony." Saleh, who has been quiet, laughed the moment he spoke.

Musa and Tahir agreed with him, making a few jests. "I can't deny what Saleh said. Well at least I have a surety. What you should focus on is how to build a future, it is high time."

"You got lucky, Hamza," Tahir sighed, humming a laugh, "I imagine my mother bringing up this topic the moment I arrive home."

"Isn't it a coincidence that we are all first born sons?" Musa said rhetorically, watching as Haruna demonstrated to the boys.

"Speak for yourselves, I am lucky to be the youngest one in the crew." Saleh chirped in happily.

"In your point of view, you are." Musa added, laughing lightly, "I find it amazing how Haruna is relating well with those boys. He is surprisingly calm."

"You have been with this man in every year of his life. You should know better. He is only calm with women and children. Sometimes with us or people he knows." Saleh looked in their direction, seeing Haruna giving them accolades at a job well done.

"As we are finally going back home, this mission is a complete success."

"It is."

"What of his highness?"

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"I'll be heading out now. Please think about what I said." Sa'eed gave Rashid a slight wave, exiting the tent, leaving no room for a reply.

Rashid heaved a sigh, turning over on the bed. It was one thing for Sa'eed to barge in when he was having a peaceful time, the man was starting to become more like Ali. And the advice, well, "Gaddo would have given me a much better advice." He sat upright, feeling the energy rush the entire part of his body.

After getting his clear vision back, he headed out of the tent. He saw the Jarawa King and his entourage approaching their camp from a distance, then his men who were engrossed in teaching the boys tricks in fighting. The other warriors were on a task with Garba and Shehi, and the other heads of different states. Everyone had a thing they were doing.

The Jarawa King coming to meet him for the fourth time in a day was really troubling. The man was pestering, which was understandable given the precarious state of his Kingdom. He ought to be careful.

His men left their tasks to be by his side, awaiting the entourage who approached them.

'Now they've disturbed my sleep.' Rashid thought.