Ascendancy

Chapter IX

Chapter 9

T'Kia
2041

"T'Kia, have a look at this." Baba holds a thick document up to me.

"Baba, I can't. I still haven't read the other document." I say as I try to finish reading a document from the Mining Tribe that was given to me three days ago.

"T'Kia, it is from the Avengers. They need an update on this." Baba sets the document on my desk. Next to the throne room is the office of the ruler. I've been holed up in this office since the day after the party a week ago.

"Baba," I push everything away from me. "I can't." I let my head fall into my hands as I try to take deep breaths.

"T'Kia," he walks around the desk to wrap me in a hug. "No one said this would be easy. It is what you want so you must take the good with the bad, the hard with the easy."

"But Baba," I lift my head to look at him. "You never seemed to struggle. You always seemed to have everything under control. How?"

He smiles. "I had your mother at my side and W'Kabi...once his priorities were straightened. You must trust your Council, second-in-command, and— when the time comes— your life partner."

I shake my head at his time to tease me. "I haven't seen Aviwe in several days. If he has any interest in me, it has fled." I return to reading and looking at the different documents in front of me.

And your mind automatically turns toward Aviwe when Baba talks about a life partner? Interesting. T'Chilla teases me.

Oh, shut up.

"Is that so?" Baba's face is full of amusement. He goes to the door and opens it to reveal Aviwe.

"You called for me, Nkosazana yam?" Aviwe enters with a smile. (My princess)

"No, I did not, Aviwe. This is my father's doing. As you can see, I am up to my neck in work." I try my hardest to not give in and spend time with him.

Good. Focus is important. You must push certain things to the side for the throne. T'Chaka says.

Nah. Take a break. N'Jadaka says. The other ancestors let their opinions be heard but it comes out as mostly shouts.

I take a deep breath. "Andikwazi ukumelana nomntu ondixelela ukuba ndenzeni. Hlukana nam!" I snap at no one in particular but at everyone. (I cannot stand everyone telling me what to do. Leave me alone!)

Baba and Aviwe are left speechless as well as the ancestors. "Hamba, nceda." I wave them away.  (Leave, please.)

Baba gets Aviwe to leave with him as I continue to work. When the door closes behind them, I lean back and let out a sigh. I call Khethiwe and she comes into my office.

"Khethiwe, can you read these documents? Give me a break?" I ask, desperate for a break.

"Of course. Why did you not call me sooner?" Khethiwe shakes her head and grabs all of the documents from my desk.

"Because you have been busy training to be a Dora. I cannot bother you while you go through such important things." I wave my hand as I can finally breathe without feeling stressed.

"Take a break, T'Kia. A stressed ruler is not a good one." Khethiwe says before leaving.

My girl is so smart. N'Jadaka smiles.

"Please stop talking. Everyone," I rub my head as it begins to pain me. "I can't have all you shouting in my head. I cannot hear my own thoughts when you all talk at once. I appreciate your advice but I must also figure this out on my own. I am not any of you so your advice is valued but I must be my own ruler."