“So this is Nathaniel’s temple?” Kovu stood before the stunning sight of the thirty foot ivory and marble statue. The female angel wielded a fire sword which pointed to the sky with a shield strapped to her other arm. Her dress appeared to blow in the wind though it stayed perfectly still as a phoenix flew up behind her.

The temple which enshrined her image made from rich wood polished to shine. Crimson pillars on either side held up the second floor with plenty of windows on both levels to have the room filled with light. A fire pit burned on each side of the angel for offerings.

Kovu continued to stare at the brilliant image in wonderment. “This is my first time seeing one of the four guardian angels.” Nathaniel was the guardian angel of good fortune and fire. Kovu grabbed a hold of his necklace and bowed his head in prayer. After he had finished he pulled a coin from his purse and tossed it into the fire on his right as an offering.

He turned around to face Bakari. “I am glad to see this place has been properly taken care of.”

“My family serves Nathaniel with all we have. It is thanks to her kindness that we have our power.” Bakari looked at the statue as if to always remember that. The noble then returned his attention back to the prince. “Why is it that you really wish to see the city, your highness?”

“Do not ask questions to answers you wish not to hear, Bakari. Now please continue the tour.” Kovu headed for the door.

“As you wish.”

*

Dayo and Neema sat on the veranda of the main hall. The shade of the roof covered their forms. Dayo sat with his legs crossed and his spear leaned against the deck behind him. Neema let one of his legs daggle off the raise platform. “Why don’t we start with what you already know about graces,” Neema said.

Dayo rested his cheek on his fist. “What I know is I have had no proper instruction in the art. I do not want to go off my own guess work. Just teach me how you use it.”

“Um, is something wrong, Prince Dayo?”

Dayo looked out at the courtyard. “I have no desire to be foolishly led around by the nose anymore. I want the truth and I want to use my power. So I expect you to give that much to me.” Dayo turned his head back toward Neema. His eyes were sharper than an alpha wolf.

Neema swallowed. “Right. Let us get started then. Graces are our gifts from the angels, they vary between the grand noble clans as I am sure you are aware. Your family is the most unique however, as each member can be given a different grace.

“Graces rely on two things in order to work: the user’s stamina and their ability to visualize their own attack which we refer to as using our mind’s eye. Though sometimes one’s abilities can be awakened in stressful situation like yours did in our battle it is not ideal however.”

“But the grand clans use more than the natural graces they are born with,” Dayo replied. “You also use other means and so does the army. What about that?”

“Huh?” Neema straightened his back before he leaned forward. “But you already know about that?”

“I thought I did.” Dayo shut his right eye. “Then again I also thought my country was in better condition and all my ancestors were great kings even those without graces. So you can understand the questioning it now.”

Neema sighed. “Yes.” He lifted his head and looked straight at the prince. “The weapons of the grand clans and Chieftain’s of Eden were all blessed by one of your ancestors. Just by holding the weapons we can tap into the grace just as if it were our own. The soldiers of Eden use king stones in their weapons to-”

Dayo stuck out his hand. “All right I got it. Let us just move onto you training me to release my lightning at will.” Dayo draped his hand onto his knee.

“Very well.”

*

Rukiya handed over a painting to Busara. “Here.”

Busara took the scroll painting that showed her sitting on a hill, looking up to the moon that was to the right of her. Busara shined lovely in the moonlight. The characters written on the right side read: ‘Lady of the moon.’ “It’s beautiful.”

Both Fujo and Sisi looked over Busara’s shoulders at the painting. “It is not bad, however, Rukiya you pressed down to hard in certain spots,” Fujo said.

“Yes, the colors did not blend in perfectly,” Sisi said.

“What are you talking about? It looks perfect to me,” Busara said.

Lady Taaliah sat in her throne of the meeting room then spoke. “That is because you do not possess the excellent eyesight of my children. Each possesses the Phoenix-sight.”

Busara looked over to the lady of the city. “What sort of grace is that?”

“Eyes so sharp they can see the smallest of flaws and details. That was why Neema could read all of the prince’s moves. Normal eyes like yours and mine do not compare,” Lady Taaliah said.

“Still there is no need to use a grace while looking at something like this,” Busara responded.

Fujo took a step back, resting her hands on the front of her dress. “I believe it is. As nobles we must strive for perfection, most especially in the arts.”

Busara turned her head back toward the oldest of the sisters. “But no one can be perfect.”

“Yes, but if you do not strive for perfection you can never be great,” Fujo said.

“I suppose so.” Busara looked at the painting. “You all must be as skilled fighters as your brothers then.”

All of the Phoenix-angel girls covered their mouths and giggled at Busara’s words. Busara looked around at all of them in confusion. “Oh, Busara. You have such a sense of humor. My girls are not warriors like their brothers, certainly they know some techniques, but they would never go to war or anything.”

“I do not understand. They have the same graces as their brothers. Why would they not be expected to fight if needed,” Busara said.

“They are ladies. Meant to marry and bear sons not go through the horrors of war,” Lady Taaliah responded.

“From what Prince Kovu has told me all of your children are talented warriors.” Busara’s eyes grew sharp.

“Indeed, their father would accept nothing less,” Lady Taaliah said.

“At the same time as daughters we must be like flowers, beautiful to look at, pretty things do not attack.” Sisi casted her gaze down as if she hated the fact.

“Busara, you should very well know a lady does not fight,” Lady Taaliah said.

Busara stood up. “What about the Princesses of Eden. They fought in all the great wars of the past.”

“That was back when Eden was small and did not have enough men. A sad time really when men had to rely on women for such things,” Lady Taaliah said.

“Sad? It was an inspiring time.”

“Seriously, Busara. You sound almost as bad as that Black Shield Maiden,” Fujo responded.

“And who is that?”

Lady Taaliah shut her eyes in annoyance. “That uncultured woman from those barbaric nobles in the north, it is an absolute disgrace they are considered among the four grand clans.” She clapped her hands together a few times. “Now enough of this silly talk, time for tea.”

*

“Sisi.” Said girl who had been walking through the hall stopped and turned around to face Busara. “You don’t believe the same things your mother and sisters do.”

“What are you talking about? Of course I do,” Sisi said.

“I may not have your family’s sight, but even I could see your sadness at such thoughts,” Busara said.

Sisi lightly shook her head. Her gaze stayed low as if to not admit to it. “I understand my place as a woman. I can never be like my brothers.” She grabbed locks of her hair as if she were ready to rip it out.

Busara took a step forward. “That should be your choice, no one else.”

“Better to live as a proper woman than die a free one.” Rukiya walked up from behind Busara with her hands perfectly folded in her sleeves. “Please refrain from filling my big sister’s head with your nonsense. I would not like to see her hurt.”

Rukiya stopped in front of her sister and took her hand. “Come on, big sister. You can help me with my paintings.” Rukiya guided Sisi down the hall. Sisi looked back to Busara as if to think of what she wished she could be.

*

Small sparks radiated off Dayo’s palm. Dayo held his hand in front of himself with his other hand wrapped around his wrist.

“That’s it. You are starting to get it,” Neema said with excitement.

Dayo lowered both his arms down. “This is not something I can use in battle.”

“It takes time. You are further along than the brats when they first started,” Neema said.

“Except they are not beginners anymore. I need to catch up,” Dayo said.

“You know more than your brother at least.”

Dayo rested his cheek on his fist. “Well that certainly is no good for either of us. If we are going to be exploring this dangerous country of ours we need to know how to use our powers.”

“Yeah, you are right about that though I don’t think it’s just monsters you need to worry about,” Neema said.

“Something you neglected to tell me?” Dayo spoke.

Neema rested his heads on his knees with his legs crossed. “That girl you are traveling with who you called your brother’s companion. You should keep a close eye on her.”

“And why is that? Did you use your second sight to spy on us?”

Neema looked away ashamed. “I meant no offense. It is just from the moment I met her she seemed a bit off.”

“That power of yours only allows you to read a person’s emotional pain. It can’t tell you everything there is to know about her.”

“I disagree. You can learn a lot about a person from their pain. You can understand what really drives them.”

Dayo shut his eyes. “Oh, and what have you learned from her pain? I will admit I have been worried for my brother since we met her.”

*

Kovu entered Busara’s room after his bath that night. He was fully dress ready for their departure. He saw Busara sitting on the bed with her slowly steaming in her own anger. Her arms folded underneath her breasts. “What is the matter?”

Busara glared up at the prince. “Women should have just as much say in their lives as men do.”

Kovu rested his fists on his waist and sighed. “This again.”

“Being forced to be inferior to men is just wrong.”

“What happened now?”

“That girl, Sisi I can tell she wishes to be a warrior like her brothers.”

“That is simply the way things are.”

“Aren’t you trying to change that?”

“I can only change so much at a time. More importantly we have someone to save.”

“Is Sisi not worth saving? She should have a life out of this too and be free to make her own choices.”

“Did she say she wanted that?”

“It was clear.”

“In other words no. You making her choices for her is the same thing you do not like men doing, correct?”

Busara shut her eyes in irritation. “Why exactly are you here. Shouldn’t you be scouting out the estate?”

“I already have and packed up my things. I now need you to play your song so I can get to him.”

Busara stood up. “Very well. I suggest you cover your ears and block out the sound as much as you can, Prince Kovu.”

“Understood.”

*

In Dayo’s guest quarters the prince sat on the floor to mediate as Neema had instructed him early. His cape and sandals put away as he had already dressed himself for the night. Suddenly he heard the soft sounds of a flute playing in the distance.