This particular place was an encampment in the bushes that the Ogglans made for the Salazāhns due to their union.
There were other camp spots for the rest of the realm and even some for other royals, yet this place was particularly reserved.
Many of the zazi here had been stationed before Salīa even went to the Faraway Forest and had long formed friendships with the caretakers and servants of Oggl sent here to help guide them.
All the zazi kneeled and made an x to their Queen Regnant and then gave her a lifted seat, made by mounding earth and dressing it in a folding of linen. Though she felt shy sitting on it, as she was the only one to be as elevated.
A zazi whistled to the tigers. And once Salīa kissed them on their foreheads, they prowled with the zazi to eat.
Some Ogglan women arrived with wafting baskets and scented, steaming kettles. They set it neatly around the fire pit that the zazi had made by digging a deep pocket of earth.
The Ogglan women tasted and sipped before offering to Salīa first, and once she had begun, the zazi followed.
They feasted on banana bread and swallowed it down with black spice tea infused with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, anise, and nutmeg. All while more braziers were lit and the Ogglan women cooked on with the help of some of the zazi.
The rest were either setting up tents, cleaning themselves, sparring, or joking about. It was the joking about that had a vein lifting from Bazil's brow.
In the tribal tongue of zākra, or lion tongue, distinct with its clicks and emphasis on free-flowing letters, Bazil addressed them, quickly being greeted by the second-in-command leaders.
It turned out these were extra zazi that his eldest brothers, Sibusiso and Tau, had to spare for this independent mission.
While zazi were stony and stoic in appearance and as ruthless on a mission as they were called to be, they were not void of humanity.
Each army demonstrated their nuances based on the guidance of their Commander Guardians. And this was why Bazil let out a deep sigh.
It was easy to tell who Sibusiso's zazi were, because since they were free from duty, they were making the loudest jokes, passing flasks of spirits, and dancing around as if they were trying to shake a snake out of their pants.
No different from how Sibusiso could be, always chuckling about life when he wasn't as serious.
The rest were like Tau, organized, well-dressed, and proper on ceremony when left to their own devices – but unable to escape laughing at these jokes, sipping some of these spirits, and shaking a little to the rhythm.
While Tau looked the most like Chief Raino and was as disciplined, he never turned down a moment to play around in the world of his older brother, too.
Though Raki and Bazil were not as amiable with each other as the two older brothers were with themselves, their styles of leading were the most similar.
Both Raki and Bazil's zazi were quite competitive and focused, yet one was more aggressive and the other more kind.
Even now, Salīa couldn't help but observe the way Bazil spoke with different zazi.
How his shoulders were so neatly tucked back, and how he towered over most. And the way his coils gleamed outside of his headband as the skies grounded deeper into the start of night, and his lips pursed and brows arched while in deep thought.
Even how the veins in his arms tensed when accepting letters and his fingers curled up when summoning one over.
Now with less covering, she easily traced over the muscles in his shoulder as he flexed to reach for ink. And she followed over how smooth his skin was as his hand traced over and tapped on his earrings.
It seems the Ogglan women were noticing the same thing, having Salīa smile.
She was well aware that Bazil had admirers; almost every child of Chief Raino and Nomusa did. Yet it was almost comical how oblivious Bazil seemed to be to it all.
"Līa," he called, shooting a trenchant glance at her from afar.
The Ogglan women followed his eyes, then blushed at the sight of Salīa before whispering to themselves as if agreeing about something. They then peeked back at Bazil as if they couldn't help it.
Salīa chuckled at the adorable women, who giggled politely when they met her eyes.
Bazil only noticed them then, then scratched his head as if confused, but waved at the women who waved to him.
"Here," Bazil patted down a pillow for her next to a brazier and trestle table.
He lit a candle too for her to see better and presented a flask of tea in case she was cold.
"I've just come to realize how grown you are."
"Just?" Bazil almost laughed. "I've been taller than you for many years now."
"It's not that…"
He leaned and asked, "Then what is it?"
His eyes centered on her, their faces only a breath apart. She looked down at his lips and licked her own. Then looked up to him again. It was strange.
Usually, he'd be the first to pull away when the air got like this. Though it was now her getting flustered.
Both had forgotten that some of the young Ogglan women were watching, and instantly they pulled back.
Bazil lifted her letter and explained, "Your uncle brought several enumerators with him; one for the zazi census, a few for each village, and the rest for…well, it doesn't say."
"Enumerators?" Salīa knitted her brows together. "We've already had magi for census stones. Why do…never mind. He's always been to the mark about everything." She gave a resigned sigh. "Anything else?"
Bazil sucked through his teeth.
"He'd like to meet with you."
Salīa said nothing.
Her uncle didn't know exactly why she left, but no doubt Chief Raino gave him enough reason to not question it.
Why would he ask this? Unless…
"Did he give a reason?"
If he knows something about his sister, niece, and nephew, it would be worth turning back right away, she thought. Yet Bazil only shook his head.
Salīa sighed again and fingered the links on her neck, letting her heart ease to the rhythm pulse she felt.
"Could you write for me as I'm a bit tired?"
Bazil had already pulled out some paper and ink.
"Mention that I'm currently indisposed and will make good on my promise when we return. Yet for now, I hope he can forgive my discourtesy during this tumultuous time.
I intend to fully fulfil my filial duties and be as devoted as he is to the land and its people.
I thank him for understanding and appreciate his support."
It was hard for Bazil to tell whether she was speaking formally or blandly, yet he captured each word without question and only offered her the paper to sign. Yet he still swept glances over at her.
He recalled how close she used to be with her uncle until he officially moved to Uh Isle and wed the prettiest princess there, known as Princess Subi.
X