Kovu and Dayo stood before the large crimson and gold wooden doors of the Grand Chieftain estate in Kalaziel. A large wall surrounded the complex with clay tile rooftops.

Kovu shifted his eyes over to his brother. “Is this truly necessary?”

“I told you before, this was part of the agreement I made with father. Besides we are meeting with old friends,” Dayo said.

“Old friends do not lie to each other,” Kovu said.

“What are you two speaking of?” Busara asked.

The double doors opened that got all of their attention. Two guards stood at the gates with their spears in hand. They dropped to a single knee and bowed their heads. “The Phoenix-angels are ready to see you, your highnesses.”

The princes steered their steeds into the compound.

*

The doors to the meeting room slid open. The princes entered the living room bare foot with Busara to be greeted by the children of the Phoenix-angel all respectfully bowing to them along with their mother who sat on top of her wooden throne made for two. “Welcome, your highnesses.” The esteemed and graceful noble family wore beautiful garments of red, pink, black and gold.

Kovu coldly looked over the room which held a few lovely paintings on the walls in beautiful gold, red, black and green colors. The wooden floors polished to the point of shinning in the sunlight that entered from the windows.

He then gazed at the seven people who bowed before him. “Rise.”

The six children, half male and the others girls got back on their feet, separating based on age. The three oldest lined up on the empty side of the throne. The three youngest sided up on their mother’s side. Their mother sat properly upon her throne that completed a paint-worthy scene.

“It is an honor to have the two of you come to our hall,” Lady Taaliah said.

“Where is your husband?” Kovu asked.

“I am afraid my dear husband has gone to Chayyliel on business, but I am sure he would return right away upon request.”

Kovu and Dayo looked at one another, a drip of sweat falling from their faces. They both faced forward with Dayo waving off the thought. “There is no need for that? We are sure he is very busy. It is nice to see all of you again, Lady Taaliah.”

Dayo walked up to the throne, pulling out a scroll. “Our father wished for us to give this to you upon our arrival.” He handed the scroll over to the graceful woman. He took a step back. “By the way, since we traveled such a long way we greatly appreciate lodging for the night.”

“Certainly.” Lady Taaliah blinked as she looked over the prince’s shoulder. “And who is that woman you bought along?”

Dayo twisted his body halfway back, looking at who Lady Taaliah spoke of. He smiled in amusement. “That is my brother’s companion, Busara. So please treat her well.”

“I see. Then we will treat her with the utmost respect.”

*

That night, the members of the Phoenix-angel, the princes and Busara all sat around the long table of the dining hall. Bald monk like men served them beautiful full course meals of sweet and sour pork, Sichuan hotpot, Fire Meat, salad, dumplings, bread and rice.

The room well lit by paper lanterns that showed off the room in its rich splendor. Screen doors stood on every wall along with the stone walls painted an intense red that made one feel they dined in a fire pit of beauty. The women sat on one side as the men sat on the other.

“Really?” Sisi asked. Sisi was the second youngest of the children at the age of thirteen. Her soft features like a flower ready to bloom, her red hair cascaded down her back and over her shoulders as part of it tied into a braided bun held into place by a decorative pin. Her red, pink and gold robes wrapped around her fragile form.

“Indeed.” Dayo laughed. “I thought I was going to die.”

“Luckily he had me.” Kovu took a bite of the Fire Meat. He quickly fanned his tongue.

Dayo lightly punched his brother’s arm. “After I saved you first.”

Kovu held up his ring finger. “And yet I am the one with the prize.”

Yafeu slammed his hands on the table and got up in excitement. “Did that really belong to your ancestor?” Yafeu was the youngest of the boys at the age of fifteen. His excitement beamed in his orange eyes. His face youthfully energetic as his fiery red hair swayed down between his eyes. His small fighter build was well hidden under his knotted button up shirt.

“Yafeu, manners,” Lady Taaliah said.

Yafeu sat down, slumping his shoulders and closing his eyes. “Sorry.”

Dayo looked around at the servants who removed the empty dishes from the table as they added new ones. “I must say I am surprise you have so many men in your service with such beautiful daughters. I thought Grand Chieftain Hondo would be a more careful man.”

Both princes took a sip of their wine.

Lady Taaliah cut into her pork meat which had been layered in spices. “There is no need to worry. They are all eunuchs.”

Both princes spit up their drinks. The princes coughed, trying to catch their breath. Kovu wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “I thought that practice had been outlawed.”

Dayo grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth.

“Not in Kalaziel,” Lady Taaliah answered.

Busara looked to Fujo. “Are the men fine with that?”

“Yes. In exchange for serving us they have a place to sleep and eat as well as clothes,” Fujo responded. Fujo was the eldest daughter of the children at the age of twenty-two. She was a refine young woman with a well curved body and posture to her that rose above her siblings. Her elegant pink hair curved up in three loops behind her head before the rest flowed down to her shoulders. Her dress was a mixture of various pinks, reds and gold trimmings which hid most of her form while showing off her status of luxury with her family’s symbol even sown on the skirt of her garment.

“As Prince Dayo pointed out we cannot have men lusting after my daughters,” Lady Taaliah responded.

Both princes closed their legs more and sunk into their chairs. Dayo leaned in toward Bakari who sat beside him. “Should we be worry about staying here?”

“Nothing will happen to you. They all volunteered,” Bakari said. Bakari was the oldest of the siblings being twenty-four. His crimson locks tied up in a ponytail that fell over his shoulder with bangs that covered the forehead of his sharp face. His orange eyes beamed and his slender figure was that of a warrior. He wore golden gauntlets and dressed in red, black and gold robes that were held in place by two styles of belts. He appeared as a true embodiment of a phoenix.

“A man should not have to choose between their manhood and if they can eat.” Kovu eyed Lady Taaliah from across the table in anger. “Ever since I left the castle, I find myself ever more annoyed at how the avenge citizen is treated. Outside of each city’s noble district the people are suffering in all sorts of ways.”

“I think what my brother means to say is that as nobles, it is our duty to help the little people,” Dayo inserted.

“And those who cannot should not have their position.” Kovu scuffed as he stood up. “Pardon me.” He exited the room.

Bakari looked to the head of the table. “Mother.”

Lady Taaliah simply gestured her hand toward the door.

Bakari got up from the table and headed after the prince.

“So how have the rest of you been fairing?” Dayo asked.

Lady Taaliah smiled politely. “Just fine, thank you for asking.”

*

Kovu walked into the outer courtyard from the main hall. The darkness of the night washed over his features. A burning light from the grand estate pressed against his back where all the beauty of the city was held.

“Prince Kovu.”

The prince’s entire body stiffened at his name. His brow winkled and his teeth barred themselves. His feet pressed onto the expose earth. He shot his head back in the direction of the hall. “What do you desire of me, Bakari?”

The older man’s eyes gazed down at the prince from the doorway. “Your conduct here has been very rude. We offered ourselves fully to your comfort.”

Kovu turned around fully. “What of the people of Kalaziel? Do you offer yourselves to their needs or do you simply take from them so you can live in luxury?” Kovu held out his hand before he balled it up. “I thought the role of the four grand clans was to protect Eden and its people, but that isn’t true either is it?”

“The four grand clans are to protect and serve the royal family. However the king sees to use us we must follow. That is order and despite the many differences between the four that is one thing we all agree on.”

Kovu dropped his fists. His eyes grew sharper as he narrowed them. “So you are no better than him. All of you are selfish and greedy.”

“There are worst things than being poor, your highness.”

Kovu pointed his finger at the man. “How would you know? What suffering have you been through?”

“My brother suffers more than you can image.”

“Neema and Yafeu are fine. They suffered nothing compare to the people.”

“Yes, those two are indeed safe. I was referring to my other brother.”

“Other brother?”

“After Neema, but before Yafeu. I had another brother. What he went through was completely unfair.”

“Is that why I never heard of him?”

“Yes, to my father he had been considered a bad omen due to the oracle’s prophecy. As a result my father saw fit to do something about him.”

“Are you saying your father killed him then?” Kovu took a few steps closer to the veranda.

Bakari shut his eyes. “No, I begged him not to, to do anything else. After taking his rage out on me he locked my brother away. I have no idea if my brother is still even alive, I have not been allowed once to go to that part of the estate.”

A laugh broke out that had Bakari opened his eyes. “What is so funny?”

Kovu halted his laughter, looking up at the noble. A smirk rested on his lips. “I almost believed you for a moment. As horrible as your father is, Bakari, do you honestly expect me to believe such a tale? Those acting lessons have paid off I will say.”

Every part of Bakari flared up with his teeth grinding together. Fire burned in his eyes. “It is not a joke! I live with the knowledge that one of my siblings is suffering and dying every day if he is not gone already. I cannot even protect the ones who are not in cages against my father’s cruelty. Do you know how that feels?”

Bakari let out a breath. His body slightly trembled from his behavior. The flames left his eyes. He shut his eyes and bowed his head. “My apologizes. It was wrong of me to yell like that.”

“Why are you telling me all this?” Kovu bit down on his teeth with his eyes as hard as steel. “If anything it just makes me hate the nobles further especially your clan.”

“I know.”

“Then…”

“Because you claimed you want to save this country.” Bakari lowered himself on one knee and bowed his head. “Then I ask you if he is still alive to save my brother before my father’s return.”

Kovu stayed silent for a moment. “When will the Grand Chieftain return?”

“In three days.”

Kovu walked up onto the wooden veranda beside Bakari. He looked directly into the house. “I will save him. Until then I will act as a proper guest.” Kovu entered the house without another word.

*

Yafeu splashed his face with the warm water. He gazed across the bath at the princes with wide eyes. “Going on an adventure around the entire kingdom sounds amazing. I want to go.”

Neema who sat between Bakari and Yaefu looked over at his younger brother. “Why would they want a brat like you to tag along?” Neema was the third oldest of the set of siblings at the age of eighteen like Kovu. His flaming red hair that usually spiked up like fire and draped on one side had completely fallen from the steam of the bath. His facial features were sharp although not as much as his elder brothers though dashing with his alluring orange eyes. His body well built and lean from his years of training had his back pressed against the wall of the bath.

“I can help out. I can protect them with my grace.”

“A sad case like you? You haven’t even mastered your grace.”

“I am not a sad case.”