Lily sighed for the nth time listening to the elders speak about the history of the Kayaan Kingdom. It was something she had heard over and over again and her ears were definitely getting bored of sending the information to her brain. All she wanted to do was explore her new position and power as the commander of the Kayaans. It came with more respect than she thought.

Her lips curved upwards when she saw Baba Mbari saunter into the secret room. The secret room was where the elders, priestess and commander were to meet. It was the only place they could get privacy to speak about weighty things.

Baba Mbari sat on a stool listening to the other elders speak about the Kingdom. His eyes flickered from Lily to the priestess every now and then. He wanted to cut off Sarandi who was speaking but he knew just like the others that some stories are better left untold. The elder couldn't be more proud of Lily. Ever since she arrived at the Kayaan Kingdom, she was entrusted with him. He was to care for her and prepare her for the future. At least, he had done half of the job. It was left to the new commander to prepare for what the world was going to bring her way.

"You have a lot ahead of you my dear commander. Sharpen your edges and get ready for what the world has in store for you." Mama Sarandi ended her long talk. "It's safe to say, a lot has been done today. We shall meet here tomorrow to carry on with matters of the Kingdom."

A loud groan slipped past the new commander's lips causing all eyes to rest in her. The elders shook the thief 's head except Baba Mbari who had a smirk dancing on the corner of his lips. He knew the girl too well. Her butt couldn't stay put, she wanted to be everywhere flexing her great fighting skills.

With a frown, the priestess announced, "you won't go far with that attitude."

Lily's eyes did a three sixty in their sockets. They moved as though they wanted to pop out and their tongues were itching to respond to the old woman who in Lily's opinion should be in her grave. She was just lucky to be living this long. 

One by one, the elders started to leave till Lily was left with Baba Mbari. The new Commander smiled behind her mask seeing her guardian. She moved closer to him and bowed before him. Baba Mbari placed his right palm on her, blessing her like he would always do. 

"You're the commander now, it should be the other way round." Baba Mbari told Lily as she engulfed the old man into a hug. "You missed my feast." Lily whispered then pulled out of the hug. "You promised you weren't going to miss it."

"I'm sorry, child." He gave a sigh. "You know I wouldn't miss such an important occasion. I had to be at the healer's shine."

"Why?" A frown marred Lily's features. "Are you okay, Baba?" Her eyes started to skim the old man's body searching for a form of injury.

Baba Mbari chuckled. "I'm fine, child." He proceeded to ruffle her hair with his hands. "There were just some things I needed to settle with the Healer. I could push them over. And I see you are doing fine without me."

"Of course not. You know I can't live without you baba." 

The brightness in the eyes of the old man dimmed but he mustered a smile. "You can and you'll have to soon." He gave a cough.

"What are you talking about?" 

"I just need you to get ready to live this world without me. One day, sooner than you think, you'll have to take on all the problems that come your way alone."

It hurt Baba Mbari to tell her those words when she just ascended the throne as the new Commander. The old man always pictured he would be by her side whenever she became the new Commander so he would guide and protect her especially from what was to come but it seemed the young commander was going to have to get ready to take on the world on her own. Its only source of strength was that he had trained her well and she was equipped with skills to take on whatever would come her way. Lily was witty too, it was something she had picked up from him and he was sure she would use it to her advantage.

"You're going on another journey." Lily stated; He nodded.

Baba Mbari was always out. He was either at war defending the kingdom or he had to go on a journey. Most times he went alone, leaving Lily with one of the elders. Other times , he took Lily. It was in most of these journeys she learnt how to fight. The training only made her manifest what she had learnt. The only thing she couldn't comprehend was why the old man had to leave. It had been years since his last journey.

"When?" 

"Soon."

"How long?"

"It will take a long while before I return."

"I'm the new Commander, I can tell someone else to go instead."

Baba Mbari put a hand on her shoulder. "You see my child, there are some journeys only you can go. No one else can help you but yourself." 

Shrugging, Lily took Baba Mbarr's finger as they made their way out of the secret room."You need to see my new cave. It's massive!" 

"How big?"

"Three times the size of my previous cave."

"Wow!" The old man feigned excitement. "I can't wait to see it."

"Commander." 

A voice echoed causing the pair to turn around. One of the guards was standing behind. He had come with important news. The perplexed look on Lily's face prompted him to speak further.

"Two Kayaans were found dead by the river."

Lily's jaw hung open while Bab Mbari managed to keep his cool despite the heart wrenching news. His grip on Lily's hand tightened while he also tried to process the news. 

"There's a protest before the palace. The elders demand to see you in the throne room." With this, the guard disappeared. 

Lily couldn't believe her ears. She was barely commander for a whole day and the kingdom was crumbling .  How was it possible that two Kayaans were dead when everyone had just dispersed to celebrate her feast. It was difficult to wrap her head around this new piece of information. 

The squeeze Baba Mbari gave Lily's hand brought her out of her reverie. She fell into the chest of the old man snobbing while he stroked her back. "Receive strength, my child." 

She didn't think of the other guards around having to watch the commander of the Kayaan Kingdom in tears. It was her first day as commander and blood had spilled. What kind of leader was she?

"We need to see the other  elders." Baba Mbari pulled Lily towards the throne room. Just like Lily, the old man was confused. He had been around for long to know that the only time Kayaans were found dead was during a disease outbreak which the Healer found a remedy to.

"What's going on?" Baba Mbari announced when they arrived at the throne room. The elders wore a sullen look on their faces. "How did this happen?" He pointed at the lifeless bodies laying on the floor.

"It looks like they were killed." One of the elders said.

"What?" Lily's eyes widened.

"A dagger was found in their stomach. They were stabbed." Sarandi explained.

Achio, another elder stated. "Someone is calling war on us."

"King Alok is back." Sarandi said, a worried look on her face. "The bear shifters are back."

"Fiercer than before." Achio added. 

Lily looked from each elder as they vaguely explained the current state of the kingdom. How was it possible they had just finished telling her the history of the kingdom and she didn't get to hear this part. 

Baba Mbari announced. "This is war!".