HEIRESS OF NYANZA

CHAPTER 1

THE DISGUISED PRINCESS

In the tranquil village of Ajani, the cool night air rushed in, bringing with it the smell of moist soil and the faint sound of cooking fires. The heavens formed a boundless expanse of profound black, speckled with shining stars. Having grown weary from their daily labors, the villagers had long since retired to their huts made of mud bricks. However, in a tiny hut illuminated by candles at the village's edge, a young woman stayed awake.

Mit gekreuzten Beinen saß Sapphire auf einer geflochtenen Matte und verstieß Kräuter in einer kleinen Holzschale. She had been performing the routine of rhythmically grinding dried leaves with a pestle since childhood, and it was soothing. She donned a plain brown tunic made of rough yet comfortable material, and her dark, curly hair was secured at the back with a piece of cloth. Beside her, a lone candle flickered, creating elongated shadows on the walls.

Nearby sat Mama Zubaida, the elderly healer who had raised her, watching with sharp, knowing eyes. "My child, you have become quite skilled," she said softly, her voice imbued with warmth. "Eventually, you will be sought after by the people just as I am."

Sapphire smiled, but a small pang of sadness settled in her chest. Since she had been discovered as an infant, left by the river with no recollection of her identity or origin, she had always known that she was different from the other villagers. The only indication of her past was the golden crescent-moon-shaped birthmark on her right shoulder. It would shimmer whenever she experienced intense emotions, but she had never comprehended the reason.

"Mama", begann Sapphire zögerlich und stellte die Schüssel mit den zerstoßenen Kräutern ab. "Do you sometimes think about who I actually am?" "

Zubaida's mother sighed, her expression softening. "In every way that counts, you are my daughter Sapphire ."

"But-"

The elderly woman gently interrupted, saying, "No more questions tonight." "Rest is a must. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.

Mit einem Nicken atmete Sapphire aus. It was wise of her not to try and get Mama Zubaida to provide answers. Sapphire had learned to stop asking the woman, who had always kept secret the night she found her, about it. However, at her core, she had a yearning to learn the truth.

The Nocturnal Assault

When Sapphire at last reclined on her mattress stuffed with straw, the village was quiet. However, she found it difficult to sleep. She gazed at the wooden ceiling, her thoughts in turmoil. Just as her eyelids became heavy, a distant noise jolted her back to consciousness-a horse's whinny, accompanied by the muffled impact of hooves on the ground.

She shot up straight. This time of day, the noise was out of the ordinary. With her heart racing, she approached the tiny window and looked out. What she saw caused her to catch her breath.

Mounted dark silhouettes sped through the village, their armor shining in the moonlight. In their hands, torches flickered, lighting up the faces of villagers who had been awakened from their slumber and were filled with terror. Soldiers. And they were on the lookout for something-or someone.

Sapphire felt a tightening in her stomach. Her expression grim, she turned just as Mama Zubaida came into the room. The elderly woman said in a low voice, "You have to conceal yourself."

Sapphire 's heartbeat thundered in her ears. "What's going on?"

„Sie suchen den Markierten Erben." Mamas Zubaidas Stimme klang drängend. "You have to leave immediately!"

Before Sapphire could pose any further questions, the front door flew open and a soldier charged in. His dark eyes fixed on Sapphire , narrowing in focus. "You!" he shouted. „Komm mit mir."

Sapphire paused. The golden mark on her shoulder burned and heated up with an unknown energy. The soldier's gaze momentarily shifted toward it, and his face contorted in disbelief.

"She's the one!" he yelled.

With agility, Mama Zubaida tossed a handful of powder into the soldier's face. As he stumbled back while coughing, she took hold of Sapphire 's hand. „Lauf!"

Sapphire zögerte nicht. She rushed in through the back door, her bare feet slapping against the ground. Shouts erupted behind her as more soldiers pursued. The village was in turmoil-fire licked at the thatched roofs, smoke spiral upwards, and villagers screamed as they ran into the night.

Sapphire 's lungs burned as she ran. She knew she had to get out, but she didn't know where she was heading. However, something heavy hit her from behind as she got closer to the edge of the trees. The world twisted as pain blasted through her skull.

A tall man standing above her, his steel armor shining in the firelight, was the last thing she saw before darkness engulfed her.