The Slave Princess

Authors Notes:
Welcome to chapter one. This story is a bit slow moving, but after the first chapter, there will be a lot happening so hang in there. I don't have a storyboard for this story so if there are any major plot gaps, I'm sorry. This is mostly for fun and for practice while I work on my novel. Also, it hasn't been edited or beta'd so again, sorry for any typos. I'm not putting too much effort into this so far, but that could change. ;)

You're bound to have some questions about the story so please leave a review and I'll try to explain things for you without giving too much away. Feel free to look at my profile because your questions might be answered there.

I hope you enjoy my story :)

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At last, the celebrations were drawing to an end. The food had all been eaten, the drinks had all been drank and all of the women were making their way back to their homes. Nyrobi had to stay until the last guest had gone before she could head to her bed. She was exhausted, but the weeklong celebration was in honour of her birthday. As she was to be their next leader, it was her duty to lead the celebration and let her people have a bit of fun. As well, it was good experience. Next year would be her Coming of Age ceremony and she would become the next Mother.

The current Mother, Toluka, was dutifully sitting next to her. Her reign was coming to an end, but she was looking forward to becoming another Sister. She would at last be able to relax and let her daughter lead the Sisterhood. Nyrobi was envious of her mother, but could never tell her that. She had not wished to be a princess. She’d been born that way. Not only that, but the high goddess had chosen her to be the next Mother. Her fiery red hair and piercing green eyes were evidence of that. All other Nyruans had black hair and eyes. She couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of the others, too. But the high goddess Bafia had chosen her and she could not anger their guardian goddess. She would have to fulfill her duties whether she wanted to or not.

The last group of sisters had stayed only to help clean up and she was finally free to find her own bed and drift into blessed sleep. Nyrobi stood with her mother and walked back to the fortress. The air was still thick with humidity and held the heat well. It was going to be a hot night and a hot day to follow, but Nyrobi was looking forward to the rains that would be coming soon. The jungle was always calmer when it was raining, and no one ever sought her out unless there was some sort of emergency.

At last, she found her room and pushed the curtains aside to enter. Her grand four-post bed was before her and she was more than ready to be consumed by her many thick blankets and disappear into her many soft pillows. It had been a long week so far and the last day of the celebration, and her actual day of birth was tomorrow.

She slipped out of her formal white and gold skirt and bra-like top and put on her loose-fitting pants and sleeping top. A gentle breeze cooled her skin as it blew in from her open balcony. She pulled her covers aside and slipped beneath them, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

***

Morning came too early for her. The sun had not even fully risen before Nyrobi’s covers were pulled off of her. She groaned in protest and tried to bury her face into her pillow but her mother was adamant about getting her up.

“You lazy child, the day is upon us and there is much to prepare for.” Toluka pulled the covers right off of the bed and walked over to Nyrobi’s massive clothing selection. “Get up, you must prepare. Today is your birthing day and it won’t do for the guest of honour not to show up!”

Nyrobi sighed and said a silent good bye to her dreams before propping herself up on one elbow and rubbing the sleep from her eyes with her free hand. Toluka had already chosen an outfit for her to wear today. More formal clothing, this time a royal blue skirt slit all the way up the sides to her hips and a matching halter-style bra-top. There was no nudity taboo in Nyru. There were only women here and the heat made it so that nudity was too practical to make it immoral. Nyrobi sat up and began to undress. She took the clothing her mother handed to her and put it on. Usually, she wouldn’t bother with footwear, but her mother had also handed her a pair of sandals to put on.

Once dressed, she walked over to her dresser and picked up her hairbrush. The tangles came out of her hair easily and she opted for a simple ponytail today. Next, she applied a light coat of greys around her eyes to give them a smouldering effect before turning to her mother for inspection.

Toluka frowned but nodded her head in acceptance and quickly herded her down the great stairwells and into the feast hall. She was handed a cup of coffee to wake her up, and headed to her seat at the head of the room. Many other Nyruans had come to eat breakfast with the Mother and Daughters. Breakfast was quickly put in front of her and she began to eat. Soon enough, mango juice was put in front of her as well and she drank it quickly. When she’d eaten her fill, the food was taken away and Nyrobi had to sit and listen to her mother tell her everything that was to happen today.

Soon enough, though, she’d stopped paying attention. She’d heard it a million times before and really, Nyrobi just wanted to go to the Temple and see Nevi, her yana. After Toluka had finished the list of what was to be done today, Nyrobi was at last excused from the hall and she made her way to the great Temple of Bafia.

The massive sandstone temple was one of the two great buildings in Nyru. The fortress was grand in that it was nearly impenetrable from an invasion, but the Temple was grand in its design. A great stairwell led to the Temple’s grand hall where the priestesses studied and prayed to the goddess. All of the tigers of Nyru could come and go as they pleased and fresh offerings were laid out to them every day. A Nyruan tiger would never harm a woman but they were fierce protectors of the temple and Ankara, the fortress city. Nyrobi walked through the temple and to the next set of twin stairwells leading up to the Chamber of Bafia where she would find Nevi and the High Priestess of Nyru.

As she passed, a few tigers shot looks her way but lost interest quickly when they realized she was not here for them. Nyrobi paid them little heed and walked purposely up the stairs. The majestic doorway reached nearly two stories high and the doors themselves depicted images of the war between the gods and goddesses. She passed through the door way and the statue of Bafia loomed before her. Bafia’s sacred blades, Luciendar and Kaliendar, Protection and Destruction, were crossed before her. Toluka was currently in possession of the sacred blades, but Nyrobi was the next to wield them.

A quiet prayer left Nyrobi’s lips as she bowed to the goddess then spotted Nevi with the High Priestess. They both looked worried so Nyrobi rushed over to see what had upset them.

Nevi spotted her lover approaching and a bright smile crossed her face as she reached out to embrace Nyrobi. “Happy birthing day, yana!”

Nyrobi moved eagerly into Nevi’s arms, “Thank you, love. This day shall be too long, I’m afraid.” She and Nevi had planned for a night together after the celebrations had ended and Nyrobi was greatly looking forward for some time alone with her lover.

Nevi grinned knowing exactly what she was referring to but it quickly faded as the High Priestess cleared her throat.

The girls both turned to the woman before them and Nyrobi knew instantly that something had happened.

“The Oracle has spoken to me this morning.” The High Priestess announced. Her tone implied that it was, indeed, not a good vision. Nyrobi remained silent to allow the woman to continue. “Tonight does not bode well for you, Daughter.”

Nyrobi’s brows furrowed in confusion at this news. What could possibly happen tonight? Everyone was looking forward to it. Even her younger, bitter sister, Zacati seemed to be excited for tonight.

“What do you mean?” Nyrobi asked, trying to gain a clue from the High Priestess. The Oracle tended to be vague in her visions at times, but it was never wise to dismiss them completely.

The High Priestess matched Nyrobi’s frown in thought, “I’m not sure. Her vision did not sound like a good one though. She said that there would be a massive disruption in the celebration tonight. She described fear and blackness when I asked what she saw. Seeing as the celebration is for you, I would assume that means something will happen to you tonight.” Concern was heavy on the woman’s features, “Just be careful tonight. Send scouts out today to see what can be found.”

Nyrobi nodded, “Yes, of course. Thank you. I shall do so immediately.” She turned to Nevi who took her hand and squeezed it gently. Her eyes held a worried look that said all that was needed. Nyrobi did her best to look reassuring before she left.

***

The scouts had come back empty handed. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary but Toluka insisted on setting up extra defences around the fortress anyway. Nyrobi had a sick feeling in her stomach but was beginning to think that perhaps the Oracle had been wrong. That old woman was said to have been a messenger for Bafia, but sometimes Nyrobi found it hard to believe she was anything more than a crazy lady.

The Sisters had all assembled outside near the platform of the Fortress which was home of most of the events Ankara held. There was to be food, dancing, drinking, music and all sorts of entertainment tonight. The younglings had prepared a dance for this evening and it was right about to start when a low warning horn was heard.

Nyrobi and Toluka were on their feet instantly and the younglings looked on in confusion. Someone was attacking the fortress! The younglings were quickly herded into the fortress and all able women were quick to find their spears, arrows and blades to do battle.

Nyrobi found her troop and led them toward the jungle. It wasn’t long before she spotted one of her guards lying lifeless in a pool of her own blood. A knife had been embedded in her chest. Nyrobi drew her blades and held them ready as she continued into the jungle.

At first, she saw nothing in the thick jungle before them but that did not mean there was nothing there. She split up her troop and ventured forward with two of her women. They had moved far into the jungle but she knew exactly where she was. A cold feeling began to form in her gut. Something wasn’t right here. Before she had a chance to react, though, a net had been flung over herself and the other two women. Nyrobi was pinned under the net. Her two blades were useless, trapped sideways against her fallen body. She opened her mouth to shout out a warning but something hard hit her head making her see stars. She was dizzy and disoriented, but managed to see a man walking toward her before blackness overtook her.

A/N: How's that for an intro chapter? Please leave a review, even if you hated it. I like to know what people think of my work. It also lets me know what you want. I don't plan to make this a happy story, but since I don't have a storyboard, nothing is set in stone ;) I could be pursuaded to turn this into a romance or something if enough people want it. Thanks a ton!