It was here that the zazi and Ogglan servants cheered for her.
She wasn't sure what to say and almost felt like scolding him for such a trick, but let it slide when seeing how much he was beaming.
"That's quite sneaky of you," she nodded for him to lift. "I don't like unearned wins."
"I don't know what you mean. You won fairly. All while I honored my word to not bring you harm. I found that to be quite fun, didn't you?"
"Well, I don't know about the first part. But I do agree I had much fun. Come sit with us for dinner. You can also bring that commander, your cousin."
"Really?" this young zazi's eyes lit up, and he nodded so much his bouncy curls slapped his forehead.
Bazil wanted to refuse but didn't as Salīa sat beside him with a look telling him to be kind.
The table was set an on it they were served stew of little water flowers, spicy curry with potatoes, and a fragrant yellow rice with raisins paired with a tomato-onion sauce.
Dessert was pink coconut balls of dough they called snowballs, and hot, sweetened cacao.
Salīa wasted no time, digging into each crevice of her bowls and swallowing it all up. Upon seeing the leader of the land doing so, the young zazi too didn't spare much etiquette.
It was only Bazil who plucked at each bowl in a proper fashion, eyeing them as if they were monkeys who had just come out of a jungle.
The cousin had joined as well, and plucked at his food even more slowly, trying not to say anything at all.
This young zazi, who the cousin had almost been tempted to strangle several times in the night, was quite talkative when nibbling on his dessert.
He even kept talking to Bazil as if they were having a full conversation, despite Bazil not uttering a single response.
It was actually Salīa who was talking on his behalf, and so it went on like this until Bazil cleared his throat.
"You ask me what I thought of your skill?"
"Yes," the young zazi beamed. "Your thoughts would mean a lot."
"Let me ask you this, then. If an invader, like the ones who took to attacking our land recently, had charged forth at you, would you also stop them from falling, then bow to them, admitting defeat?"
The cousin, being quite the astute commander, had also noticed what happened. He wanted to defend his dear cousin, who seemed to have a penchant for slipping between two rocks. Though he couldn't quite find the words.
"Be easy on him," Salīa said. "You know, he only acted so because it was me. I'm sure you would've done the same."
"I'd never dare to give you false praises. It's an insult to your character."
The air became stiff. Both the commander and Salīa opened their mouths, yet the young zazi spoke up.
"You are correct, Commander Guardian Bazilani. It was an oversight on my part.
False praise is insulting, even if my intention wasn't such, for I truly do find her to be a great fighter.
While I took the match with Princess Salīa as a fun moment, I should've held to myself as a zazi and demonstrated the best of my abilities. It's highly insensitive of me to not do so, especially at such a troubling time. I truly apologize for offending you."
It was a heartfelt apology indeed, and he kept his head bowed until his cousin tapped on his shoulder to lift it. And so, they ate on.
Salīa soon got to know this young zazi and his cousin. And found they had quite a few stories to share of home and how they grew up in Sana, but they haven't been back for almost a year.
"I don't mind, though," the young zazi stretched back.
"You don't? Don't you have some family you'd miss?"
"Besides my cousin, I don't have family."
The cousin nodded.
"I see. Well, what about friends?"
"I have all the friends I could need over here," he said.
After the antic those supposed friends pulled on him earlier, Salīa wasn't sure that was entirely true.
"Hmm, what about a lover?"
The young zazi suddenly got flustered and shook his head.
"Never had one."
"Never? Not even someone you like…"
"It's never gone very far."
"Not even to a kiss?"
"Oh, I'm saving my first kiss," he said proudly. His cousin shook his head at his ridiculousness.
"Saving it? That's sweet. Who for?"
"Hopefully, one day I'll give it to…" he lowered his head. "Someone as beautiful as you."
"You forget yourself, zazi," warned Bazil, lifting his clenched fist.
The zazi's body instantly went stiff, and he nodded thoroughly.
"Apologize now," the commander said anxiously.
"Apologies, Commander Guardian Bazilani," he made an x. "To you, too, Princess Salīa."
His eyes flickered to Salīa, yet lowered as he made another x. The cousin tapped his shoulders, hoping he'd finally understand.
"Thank you for sparing some time with me. Also…I didn't mean I'd ever find myself worthy of her highness.
My words were just to say that I hope that I'd find someone I'm worthy of that reflects love in all that they are in the same way that—" his cousin tugged at him pleadingly. "Have a blessed night."
Bazil, who wasn't extremely fond of too many sweet things, was eating each snowball between the gritting of his teeth.
Salīa wanted to say that his scolding seemed harsh for such a gentle remark. But then she thought of how Chief Raino would've handled that remark by removing that zazi from his position, while Raki would've bashed the zazi's head in on a particularly bad day.
So, all in all, Bazil was reacting mildly, considering the murderous look on his face that he barely suppressed.
"He's just a kid, Bazil."
"Then he can go play around with the zazu back home."
Salīa knew it would do no good to defend the zazi further. Bazil had always been protective of her and prone to jealousy.
When they were children, it was just as clear, for his rival for her affections would be his brother, Raki. Both would playfully duel to win her hand in marriage, the same way Chief Raino did to win Nomusa.
Of course, they would never be able to marry her, yet they enjoyed the game, nonetheless.
Salīa, on the other hand, just enjoyed being able to join them in the duels as well.
Even as years passed, many still wondered who the true victor was when it came to combat.
Salīa even overheard someone whispering, "Who do you think would win between Commander Guardian Bazilani and Commander Guardian Rakire?"
Many didn't dare answer, but the rest debated as if their answer was the most obvious. Such conversations could have easily gotten them into trouble if any superiors had heard them, but luckily, it was just Salīa.
And without exposing who, she asked Bazil his thoughts, also curious as to why there has never been a victor after all these years.
"Ahh, so that's why you mentioned it," Bazil said, smiling plainly. "You planning to gift the winner something?"
Salīa blushed as his lashes fluttered her way.
"It's just…well, it seems you're still at a stalemate, isn't it? Either one or the other wins; it's never fully decided." That's how it's always been, even when they were young. They could never fully defeat the other. "Don't you want to know one day?"
"That doesn't matter. There's only one battle we ever cared for, and it's one neither will ever win."
His lips fell again.
The air was then filled with chattering Ogglan women who led them to the cave she'd be bathing in.
It had been fully lit with a crowd of candles and softened with steam that rose from a water-filled pocket within the cave.
"Do not be too long, as the water may cool," a pretty Ogglan girl suggested. The other women eyed between Bazil and Salīa as if they had their thoughts on the two together.
Perhaps too courageous from the gossip she indulged in or too naïve with her youth, she dared to say, "The bathing space is large enough. So, if you'd like to enjoy the hot water together, we could provide more towels and—"
"What are you suggesting?" Bazil said coldly, his eyes looming over her.
"Oh," the girl squeaked. "I just meant that we..."
"We often bathe together in the cave," an older Ogglan woman said calmly, the only one to seem still amongst them. "She probably thought it would've been preferred as you two have travelled quite the journey. Apologies for the offense."
"I see," Bazil responded, his voice much softer. He even managed a warm smile for the girl and offered a thanks that surprised them all. He even courteously refused, saying it is customarily inappropriate in Salazā.
To this, Salīa whispered, "Haven't we bathed together despite customs?"
"Līa," he hushed her. "That was when we were kids."
"And what are we now?"
He sighed.
"You have a penchant for making my head ache, you know that? Go bathe, I'll guard."
Salīa chuckled and took to doing so.
X