The sun's rays stretched across the endless expanse of the savanna. A cool breeze, carrying the scent of grass, brushed against Chinakah's face as she revved the engine of Gethii's rugged motorcycle. The vehicle, a sturdy contraption of polished metal and worn leather, rumbled beneath her, eager to chew through the miles of dirt path ahead. She'd spent a restless night after the harrowing events at Leonotis's home—Sadia's sacrifice, the terrifying escape of Oko Egan, and the lingering questions about Leander. Sleep had offered little solace, and now, the urgent need for information propelled her forward.
The savanna stretched out, a vibrant tapestry of life awakening with the sun. Majestic giraffes browsed lazily on the highest acacia leaves, their long necks silhouetted against the brightening sky. A herd of zebras grazed nearby, their stripes a dizzying shimmer in the morning light, while a solitary lioness, tawny and muscular, stalked through the tall grass, her gaze fixed on her prey. Distant trumpeting signaled the presence of elephants, their massive forms barely visible through the shimmering heat haze.
The air hummed with the symphony of chirping insects and early morning bird calls, a stark contrast to the grim purpose that drove Chinakah. Her destination was the nearest town, Negah, where she could access the ancient communication network and send a report to the higher echelons of her order. She tightened her grip on the handlebars, her eyes scanning the horizon, searching not for beauty, but for any sign of disturbance, any hint of the darkness that had shattered the peace of the previous night.
Chinakah sped down the dirt path. She spotted an antelope limping on the roadside and slowed to assess the situation. A tree branch protruded from the animal's left leg. Stopping a few feet away, Chinakah regarded it coldly.
"No funny business, or I'll kill you," she warned. The antelope tilted its head and stared blankly. "I need information. Tell me the truth, and I'll heal you. Anything else..."
Before she could finish, the antelope contorted into a demonic being and lunged. "You're mine!" it snarled, only to collapse, bisected by a swift strike of water. The demon screamed in pain as more water sickles materialized around its head.
"Now, what did I just say?" Chinakah said, her voice flat.
"Please," the demon pleaded, "What... what do you want to know?"
"The direction the tree demon, Oko Egan, went after it impaled you."
The dying demon, choking on its own blood, gestured weakly to the north, relaying everything it could. Chinakah started her motorcycle and turned to leave.
"Don't leave me like this!" the demon cried, still held down by the water sickles.
Chinakah flicked her wrist. A **water sickle** severed the demon's head. The demon shuddered, then realized it was... fine. The branch in its leg fell away, and it stared after the departing healer, utterly bewildered.
---
The town of Negah rose from the sun-drenched savanna like a scattered handful of emeralds, its vibrant heart beating amidst the vast, golden plains. Here, the round, mud-brick huts, with their intricately thatched roofs, clustered together like a protective embrace, each one painted with swirling patterns of ochre, indigo, and charcoal that told ancient stories. The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke, roasting grains, and exotic spices. Negah hummed with the rhythmic sounds of daily life: the distant pounding of pestles, the melodic calls of street vendors, and the joyful shouts of children playing in the dusty lanes. Towering baobab trees, their massive trunks guardians of forgotten lore, dotted the perimeter, their branches reaching skyward as if in silent prayer, while the central market square buzzed with a kaleidoscope of activity, a vibrant hub where traders from distant lands exchanged goods and whispered tales of adventure.
Chinakah reached the town. The gate guard recognized her immediately. "Afternoon, Miss Chinakah. I thought you picked up your monthly supplies last week?"
Chinakah showed her identification paperwork. "Yes, but I forgot a few things. Is Will in today?"
"Oh, yes. He's setting up a new town square message fountain. We'll be getting messages straight from the king now."
"Good. I'll be off then."
Chinakah drove to the market in the town square. A short man was writing runes around a large pond. He looked up, surprised to see her, "Chinakah? Back already?"
"No time to talk, Will. I need to send a message right now."
---
Chinakah entered a room containing a stone cauldron. She spoke a few words, gesturing with her hands, then splashed the water. A holographic image of a man appeared, wearing a green robe similar to Gethii's. Chinakah stood at attention.
"Chinakah? You just submitted your report last week. What's happened?" the man asked.
Chinakah explained the previous night's events. " The tree demon escaped captivity. Sadia is dead, and the scientist has been kidnapped," she reported.
"It escaped? How? I thought it was under the same imprisonment spell we use in our own prisons," the man said, shaking his head. "And Sadia is dead... The king will not take that news lightly." He scribbled notes. "Put the black mage's body on ice," he instructed.
"Already done, sir. Also, the **tree spirit** is heading North West, towards—"
"The Dark Enchanted Forest, Zizi la Lufu, of course. It would seek its home there," the man said. "Good work, Chinakah. It seems your assignment to that godforsaken village may be coming to an end."
"Sir?"
"I'll have someone collect the doctor's research, along with the black mage's body. Keep the body preserved until someone arrives. I want radio silence and stay put until you receive further orders," the man said. He glanced off-screen. "What are you doing here?" The feed cut out.
Chinakah stared, surprised. She tried to restart the transmission, but received no response. Odd, she thought. She said goodbye to Will, mounted her motorcycle, and rode home, pondering why she hadn't mentioned Leonotis in her report. No matter, she reasoned, the king has no use for an amnesiac. And with any luck, she'd receive new orders within the month.
Will, having finished setting up the message pond, was startled when the feed flickered to life. A teenaged boy appeared on top of the water. "You may not know me," he said, "but I am Prince Rega. My father, King Rega the Third, has just died, and I have inherited the throne. I am now King Rega Liptus the Fourth, and my rule is going to be very different."