The Wrath of the Unchained-Chapter 107 - The Pillars of Tomorrow

Following the proposal to restructure the government, Nuri was on the cusp of unprecedented transformation.

It took only a day for the letter to reach the western provinces.

As expected, the elders were incensed.

Just the other day, they had been a small village. Now here was yet another attempt—so they saw it—for the King to consolidate even more power. Many had fought for their status, clawed their way into positions of influence. Now, with the stroke of a quill, that influence could be diluted—dismantled.

A council meeting was swiftly summoned in the high chamber of the western assembly. Present were Queen Nanjala, Captain Shikuku of the Watchers, and several prominent elders—Namwamba, Naboka, Mwinji, Mumia, Wafula, Amisi, Mwanzu, Owino, and Jabari. Wairimu the priestess sat silently, fingers steepled in thought, while Sangolo the shaman muttered softly to himself, casting runes of ash on a small gourd.

A few seasoned warriors lined the walls, their expressions unreadable. The tension was palpable.

At the center of the long wooden table lay the letter.

Few dared to touch it.

"It is tyranny dressed in silk," Elder Mwanzu spat, his voice hoarse with age and fury. "This is not governance—it is domination."

"Once again, change comes wrapped in promises. Always promises," Owino added, shaking his head. "We built this system with our hands. And now it is to be torn down overnight?"

Queen Nanjala, weary but composed, rose to her feet. Her voice was calm, but there was steel beneath it.

"I understand your concerns, elders. But you must understand this—King Lusweti has the best intentions for Nuri. For our kingdom to thrive, we must evolve. Without order, there can be no progress."

She swept her gaze across the room. "You’ve all read the reports from the coast. Some of you stood on the charred sands and saw what Kilwa’s mercenaries did, you saw the scars that were left on its citizens. You read the dispatch on the pirate attacks that just happened, if they caught us off guard...

Tell me—would Nuri have survived without our decision to unify and adapt?"

There was silence, broken only by the shifting of cloaks and low grumbling.

"We admit," Elder Naboka began grudgingly, "that change has brought us security. But at what cost? Will we always surrender more of ourselves in the name of ’progress’?" fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

"King Lusweti has proven himself in both battle and governance," Amisi offered. "At the very least, we owe him a conversation before we leap to war in our minds."

Another elder spoke, tone more measured, "From what I understand, this new structure will allow for decentralized leadership. If implemented wisely, with the right people in charge, we could strengthen all corners of the kingdom."

"But what of this... Mkono wa Giza?" Mwanzu asked. "The Shadow Guard I understand—those are Khisa’s chosen. But this? Another covert force? What is to stop them from spying on us?"

"That is precisely why we must speak with King Lusweti," Namwamba said firmly. "We must ensure no single group becomes too powerful. There must be balance, and checks. We will not allow our hard-earned voices to be muted."

Nanjala nodded. "We can enshrine those principles in the constitution. The people will elect local leaders. We will have a legal council to enforce the laws—and even the royal family will be subject to them."

There was a murmur of surprise.

"You mean even the King can be judged?" Jabari asked.

"Yes," Nanjala said. "If a king betrays the law or the people, they will be removed or punished—fairly and justly."

That gave them pause. Finally, Wairimu spoke.

"That is fair," she said softly. "But it must be real. No veil. No sacred immunity. Let the law be the crown."

"Then let us begin drafting the new constitution," Namwamba said. "We present it to Lusweti, and once finalized, release it to the people."

The meeting ended not with complete satisfaction, but with a fragile sense of hope.

Nuri was changing. Adapting. Evolving.

Days Later

Queen Nanjala, accompanied by several elders, arrived at the coast. They couldn’t all leave their posts, so Captain Shikuku, Namwamba, and Mumia remained behind in the west to maintain order.

At the coast, King Lusweti greeted his wife with a wide, unguarded smile. He enveloped her in his arms, and there—tucked safely on her hip—was their daughter.

The one-year-old squealed with joy as her father kissed her forehead.

The people nearby paused to take in the sight: the warrior king transformed into a doting father. It brought them quiet joy. It made him feel human. Real.

That night, they shared a quiet family meal. Laughter mingled with plans, kisses with strategy.

The next morning, the council gathered.

"Let me begin by explaining Mkono wa Giza," Lusweti said. "Nalika and Ndengu arrived from the north with urgent news. As you know, they were sent to train in the north with Khisa and the others. What they found was a war—and within it, Prince Khisa risking everything for us."

Nanjala looked at Nalika and Ndengu with bright eyes. " Is he well?"

"He’s become a different person, Your Majesty," Ndengu said. "Still full of fire—but it’s focused. Disciplined. He’s... leading."

"He sent blueprints," Naliaka added. "For ships, weapons, and even signal systems. He’s already thinking three steps ahead."

Nanjala blinked tears from her eyes and smiled faintly. "My son..."

"I will make sure he knows you’re proud," Nalika said gently.

Lusweti continued. "They also told me something important: the Shadow Guard is powerful, but small. It can’t cover the entire kingdom. We need a broader organization for intelligence and covert protection. Mkono wa Giza will be our shield in the shadows."

"And what if you turn it inward?" Elder Wafula asked sharply. "What if you decide we’re the threat?"

"They will be bound by the constitution," Lusweti said. "No operation against civilians. No domestic enforcement unless legally sanctioned. If I violate that, I, too, will face judgment."

Sangolo leaned forward. "Then we must write that into the law clearly, and include a council of oversight."

"Agreed," Lusweti said. "We also need to rename this port city—to symbolize survival and prosperity. And give names to our territories and capitals. No empire stands without named foundations."

The Days That Followed

It took weeks. Laws were drafted. Revisions made. Arguments flared, but gradually gave way to consensus.

Word of the new constitution spread.

People gathered in public squares where scribes read the changes aloud. Town criers announced new posts for civil leaders, legal counselors, infrastructure directors, and more. Those interested in running were vetted by local councils.

Reactions were mixed.

"Finally! A chance to represent our village!" shouted one farmer in a dusty inland town.

But another muttered, "Politicians always serve themselves."

"The king said even he must obey the law. That gives me hope," said a merchant by the docks.

One Evening – Private Quarters

Nanjala sat under the moonlight, her daughter sleeping beside her. Naliaka and Ndengu joined her quietly.

"She looks just like him," Naliaka said, smiling at the baby.

"Fierce already," Nanjala replied. "She kicked an elder for touching her cheek too long."

They laughed.

"Thank you both—for watching over Khisa. I know he drives you mad sometimes, but I see the way you talk about him. You believe in him."

"We do," Ndengu said. "He’s becoming the kind of leader I’d follow into any fire."

Nanjala smiled softly, eyes distant. "I named her Ayuma. I want her to grow up in a kingdom that knows what peace is. That’s why we fight so hard—for a world where she won’t have to."

They sat in silence, listening to the waves crash along the coast. Somewhere beyond them, the boy they once knew was becoming the man the world would remember.