The Minister of State, Chuma, requested an urgent meeting with King Mwanga of Zambesi. As the day wore on, the royal palace was filled with a sense of urgency, and whispers of discontent circulated through the halls. Chuma's request had been sent directly to the king, bypassing the usual chain of command, signaling the seriousness of the situation.
In the grand hall, King Mwanga sat upon his throne, his expression weary from the weight of the escalating crisis. His eyes drifted over the assembled council as the doors opened, and Chuma, the Minister of State, entered, his face set with a grim expression. Without wasting a moment, he approached the king and bowed.
"Your Majesty," Chuma began, his voice low but firm. "There is a matter that requires your immediate attention. It concerns our recent alliance with Valoria."
King Mwanga raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "What is it, Chuma? Speak plainly."
Chuma glanced at the other advisors before stepping closer to the king, his voice lowering. "Valoria has sent us a demand. They are urging us to halt all operations against the Matalebe tribes. If we do not comply, they will reconsider their support for us."
The king's face hardened at the news, and he rose from his seat. "Valoria... is threatening to abandon us?" His voice was laced with frustration, and he began pacing slowly across the hall. "We are fighting to preserve our kingdom, Chuma. The Matalebe rebellion threatens to tear us apart. How can they expect us to simply stop?"
Chuma sighed, shaking his head. "It seems they are concerned with their international image, Your Majesty. The reports of the brutality against the Matalebe tribes have reached their leaders. They do not wish to be associated with what they see as an extermination campaign."
Mwanga stopped pacing and turned sharply to face Chuma. "Extermination? We are defending ourselves from insurgents! The Matalebe tribes have risen against us, and they are the ones slaughtering our people!"
"I refuse to be blackmailed by foreign powers," Mwanga finally said, his voice sharp. "We will not simply allow the Matalebe to continue their rebellion. They have committed atrocities against our people. How am I supposed to sit idly by and watch as they tear our kingdom apart?"
"So would that be a no, Your Majesty?" Chuma asked, seeking clarification.
"Yes, that would be a no," King Mwanga repeated with a firm nod. "Tell that Valorian diplomat we will not stop. This is our right to defend our land and people. If Valoria wishes to abandon us over this, then so be it. We cannot—no, we will not—bow to foreign pressure while our enemies slaughter us."
Chuma remained silent for a moment, weighing the king's words. He had expected this response, yet the stakes were higher than they had ever been. Without Valoria's support, Zambesi would be isolated, vulnerable to both the Matalebe rebellion and external powers eager to exploit their weakened state.
"Your Majesty, I understand your resolve," Chuma began cautiously, "but I must remind you of the precarious position we are in. Valoria's support is the cornerstone of our current stability. If they withdraw, the Matalebe may not be our only concern. Other nations, seeing us weakened, may move against us."
"I fully understand what's at stake. Remember that we once stood alone while the rest of the country in the Black Continent were being colonized by the Western powers. We can do things alone."
"As you command, Your Majesty," Chuma replied, his voice respectful but tinged with concern. "I will inform the Valorian diplomat of your decision immediately."
Mwanga stepped forward, his face hardening with determination. "Make sure they understand that Zambesi will not be bullied. We have stood our ground against greater threats before. This is no different."
Chuma bowed and turned to leave. At this point, he was worried what's going to happen in Zambesi's future. Find exclusive stories on m_v l|e-novelhall.net