I am Queen Asubuhi, Queen of the Mitzu. 

I took over the leadership when my (somewhat) mother, Queen Tanga, died. Most believed she ate poisonous berries since we were still figuring out our territory then. But many people (including me) believed she was poisoned. She was not very popular.

So that left me, Asubuhi, only 11, to take over the kingdom. Her sister, Nzuri, took over for a bit until I felt ready. Nzuri was an elder now, and never spoke to me unless needed to.

But that was fine. I was doing great. At least I think I am doing fine. Really, I'm just hoping I am doing better than my mother. Most of the Tribe liked me, at least I thought so. The less higher ranked talked to me, so that was a plus. (They never talked to Tanga.)

The good thing though, is that this forest always supplied. There were hardly any problems.

That being said though, sometimes the problems weren't being hungry, thirsty, or cold. 

I looked at PIli and Jumla whom were fighting in the clearing about patrols or something very dumb.

Pili was the Lead Helper and Jumla was the Lead Soldier. They were both very nice to me, but often had squabbles in between themselves.

I sighed, walking over to them. They both stopped mid-sentence, staring up at me. "What's wrong?" I asked, crossing my arms and glaring down at them.

"He won't let us Helpers go on patrols or even practice fighting!" Pili snapped while Jumla snorted, "I think that if Helpers wanted to do fighting and patrols they should be soldiers!"

I looked at both of them. "I agree, Jumla." I said slowly, seeing the anger burning in Pili's face. "But they're not called 'Helpers' for a reason." Pili looked at Jumla, eyes flashing in bitter glee.

"But I'll have to ask Mshauri." I said, frowning at them. Mshauri was the advisor, and usually it was customary to consult with your advisor before making decisions. 

"Fine." Pili snapped, storming off. 

"Yes, ma'am." Jumla said, glancing at Pili.

"Jumla, go practice battle moves with some soldiers and the rest of them should hunt and patrol." I told Jumla who nodded and slipped away.

I looked around, seeing the farmers farming quickly, the healer putting herbs in her storage, the Guardians of the Sacred Plants sitting and talking calmly, while keeping an eye on the entrance, the cooks making a feast for tonight, and the soldiers getting ready to head out.

I sighed, content. But after a moment, I felt the prickle of eyes on my back.

I could tell by the sound of scuffling behind me that it was Kivuli, my older brother. Kivuli used to talk to me, but once I was Queen, he avoided me, always volunteering for patrols or hunting expeditions as soon as I came into his eyesight.

"Asubuhi!" A voice called happily before I could turn to confront him.

Besides, my mind already was straight onto whose voice this was. It was Mpole, a Soldier.

My heart thumped wildly in my chest at the sound of her voice. I didn't know why, but whenever she talked to me, I got nervous and flustered. 

She was darker than me, as I was nearly completely white. She had darker freckles around her nose and beautiful chocolate brown  hair that was usually up in a ponytail. She wore the red of a Soldier, but had a splash of light purple in her hair from the flower I gave her. It somehow hadn't withered away in the few months ago when I gave it to her. 

I remembered the moment. It was sunset, and I was outside of camp, sitting on a huge rock watching the sunset splash colors all through the sky before it was taken over by the black blanket of night.

She had come up to me, sat down and we watched the sun set in silence. After a while, I had been fidgeting with this purple flower that was growing in a crack in the rock.

"That's a Bellflower." She had commented softly, touching the petal gently.

"Oh." I whispered. I had known, since I had always liked plants and herbs. But I wanted her to feel good about herself.

I picked it, my eyes savoring the beautiful look of the flower as the moonlight hit the petals. It looked like a tiny piece of a star that had fallen down.

After a second, I darted over to Mpole, placing the small flower gently into her ponytail.

Silence stretched through us and I looked away, dropping my hands quickly. My skin burned in embarrassment.  

"Thank you." Mpole had said calmly, gently running her fingers on the soft petals.

"You're welcome." I had said quickly, getting up and walking back to camp, feeling lighter than a feather.

I blinked, returning to the present. Only a second had passed. Mpole was standing in front of me, smiling calmly. 

"Greetings, Soldier Mpole." I responded. 

"Oh enough with the titles." She laughed. "Mpole is fine."

"As the queen, I should give everyone titles and address them to that person." I replied, remembering my lessons with Nzuri. 

"Well, what do you do when someone doesn't want a fancy title?" Mpole asked back, tilting her head.

I paused, thinking that over. I did not really have an answer for that.

After a moment, I replied, "They don't get to choose. I'm the queen."

"I guess." Mpole shrugged. "Anyways, Jumla told me to get a group to go collect water."

"I'll go." My traitorous mouth offered quickly. I looked back to see Nzuri glaring at me. Her eyes burned, saying, "That is not what a Queen should do. I would be better. Why wasn't I Queen?!"

I looked back to Mpole who grinned, "Okay cool! Anyone else?"

I glanced around, seeing Ndege, my best friend, staring at me patiently. She wanted to go. It would be nice if I asked her to go. But why couldn't I?

Because you want to be with Mpole. My thoughts whispered. You don't want someone else stealing your time with her.

"No one else." I replied, feeling pricks of guilt stab my stomach as Ndege blinked in sorrow.

"Oooh okay!" Mpole said picking up a container. "A special water-gathering mission with Queen Asubuhi herself!"

"I guess." I muttered , looking back to see Ndege was gone.

Mpole was already leaving and I had to sprint over to catch up with her. Kivuli was gone as well. Why did he suddenly want to talk after all this time? It was his own fault I had left.

I held the heavyish container close to myself just so I wouldn't drop it and break it. The Helpers had taken a long time to build them.

I waded into the lake, the cool waves splashing up to my knees as I went deeper in. 

I didn't go near the middle, however. The middle of the lake was the deepest and would probably swallow me whole, even if I was tall. 

Nzuri had told me too many stories of the depths. Way too many stories about her friends being dragged down by the ruthless lake. 

I looked at a piece of driftwood floating in the middle of the lake, only to be devoured by a wave. I leaped back, dropping the container into the water. Mpole looked over in surprise, holding her container close.

I scooped up my container. "Sorry." I muttered, turning my back to her sympathy covered face. I did not need sympathy.

It's just a story. I told myself, feeling very embarrassed. Just a story.

"It's okay. I'm scared of the middle as well." Mpole replied behind me. A few splashes were heard before I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"My brother told me so many stories about it." Mpole chuckled. I looked back at her and she smiled. "You worry too much about being embarassed. Just live your life, love."

I blinked, surprised and watched her slip back to fill up the container again. 

I felt warm and quickly decided to distract myself by filling up the container again.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I sighed, putting down the container. We had filled about 6 containers, all full to the brim with crystal clear water.

I sat down, dreading the walk back home in this heat. The sun beat down endlessly, making me sweat so much.

I grabbed a small container, balancing it on my head then grabbed two other containers, both big. Mpole did the same thing.

We slowly head back home, not wanting to let a drop of this precious water fall out. We needed three of the six for the farm so that our crops would grow so we could. Another one would be given to the cooks so they could provide our food well. And the last two would be used for what we all needed - to drink.

I waved to Mpole as she went to give the cooks their container of water. I heard they were making soup tonight, if the hunters had caught something big. I would have to go in to ask them later. I loved the smell of the kitchen.

Instead, I went to the small slope where the farmers... well... farmed. It was besides the execution pit, the prison, and the secret escape exit. Many people were farming, digging soil everywhere.

"Hi, cuz!" Mkulima greeted me, standing up, wiping the dirt off his brown clothes.

"Greetings, Mkulima." I responded, nodding at him. The wheat, corn, and soybeans were growing very well. "Seems like we will have a good harvest this year."

"Definitely!" He smiled, waving his hand at the crops. "We will have enough food for the summer, and enough seeds to plant two times more crops than this year!"

I heard what he implied as crystal clear as the water that Mpole and I collected. He was asking for more space. But I had already surrendered so much space to him and his farmers.

Instead of replying to the hidden comment, I said, "Here are your containers of water." I held out the two large containers that sloshed around, full of water.

"Thanks!" Mkulima replied, not seeming disappointed that I had ignored his comment. He took the containers, passing them to a dark farmer, who I think was named Giza. Giza took them and waddled over to the farm.

"Well cuz," Mkulima smiled slyly and I narrowed my eyes at him. "I seen you hanging around with Mpole hmmm?"

"Oh please." I snorted, crossing my arms and looking away, feeling warm. "It's not like you don't stare after that traveler when she comes. Mfuasi, was it?" I grinned at him.

He blushed and glared at me. "Ha fine!"

"I can always get you back, cousin." I replied, smiling smugly.

He rolled his eyes. "I would say worse but you're the queen or what-"

He paused as a shriek split through the camp. Everyone froze, even the people watering the plants. The corn stalk under it was basically drowning.

"Queen Asubuhi!" A voice yelped.

I suddenly saw my advisor, Mshauri, stumbling down the entrance, looking out of breath. "Quee-Queen Asu-Asubuhi!"

"What, Mshauri?" I snapped, angered by his stammering.

"He - I tried - Gone!" Mshauri stumbled through his words.

"Having a problem with your words, Mshauri?" Mkulima grinned at him, mocking him.

"Shut up, Mkulima!" Mshauri yelled, making Mkulima flinch back in surprise. Those two usually fought but this sounded urgent.

"Kivuli! Your brother! We-we went on a patrol to hunt! And I - I turned and he was gone! Asubuhi! I! I don't know where he went!" Mshauri stammered in anxiety.

I froze, finally understanding his mumbles and stammers of words.

END