The sun was beginning to set over Zambura, casting an orange glow over the palace walls. After the tense meeting in the throne room, Zaria left with her mind swirling with questions. The House of Nafari was involved, but how deeply? And more importantly—who else was working with them?
She had no time to dwell on it before she heard a familiar voice behind her.
"Sister."
She turned to see her brothers approaching. Prince Malik, the eldest, walked with the confidence of a future king, his dark brown skin glowing in the fading sunlight, his royal robes embroidered with the crest of Zambura. Beside him was their younger brother, Prince Jahi, dressed in warrior's attire, his sword hanging at his hip.
Both men were tall, strong, and sharp-eyed—true sons of King Jalil.
Zaria let out a small sigh. "Malik. Jahi."
Jahi grinned, reaching to pull her into a quick embrace. "You return in silence, with no greetings? That is not like you."
Malik, ever the observer, studied her closely. "You've changed, Zaria. The way you walk, the way you carry yourself. This trip has made you different."
Zaria met his gaze. "War changes people."
Jahi's smile faded slightly. "Then tell us—how was your first battle?"
For a moment, she didn't answer. She thought of the village, the screams, the lifeless eyes of the people she couldn't save. She thought of the Song of the Fallen, of the burning bodies.
She looked at her brothers—two princes raised to rule, but who had never seen what she had seen. They were warriors, but warriors raised behind palace walls, protected by their rank.
So she gave them the only truth that mattered.
"It was nothing like training."
Jahi's face darkened, and even Malik's expression grew serious.
"Father told us of the attack," Malik said. "But he did not tell us the details. He only said that you returned with proof of betrayal."
Zaria's grip tightened at her side. "I returned with more questions than answers."
Jahi folded his arms. "And do you think Father will find those answers?"
Zaria hesitated. Their father was a great king, wise and strong, but there were forces at play in the palace that even he could not control.
"I think," she said carefully, "that I will need to find them myself."
Malik exhaled, nodding. "Then you are no longer just our sister. You are a warrior of Zambura."
Jahi smirked. "No, she's more than that. She is a hunter now."
Zaria allowed a small smile to form. "Then let the hunt begin."
Malik placed a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever happens, we are family first."
Jahi nodded. "And we will fight beside you when the time comes."
Zaria looked at her brothers—their loyalty, their strength. They were the only ones in the palace she could trust completely.
And she would need them.
Because war was coming.
And this time, the battlefield was not land or steel.
It was the very heart of Zambura.
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