The Wrath of the Unchained-Chapter 135 - Home, at Last

After an entire month at sea, the salty winds finally began to change. The air grew warmer, scented with the mingling spices of the coast—clove, cardamom, dried fish, and the distant hint of burning sandalwood. As the ship creaked through the glittering waters of the eastern shore, the skyline of Malindi unfurled like a grand tapestry—gleaming towers of brick, tall watchtowers, and sails of docked ships swaying in the breeze like flags of unity.

Ahead of them, sleek navy patrol boats closed in, their hulls painted in Nuri’s deep indigo and sun-gold. Soldiers with polished spears and finely cut tunics hailed the approaching vessel, signaling the inspection protocol.

As the ships drew close, the lead patrol officer peered across the rail with narrowed eyes. But when Khisa stepped forward, his cloak fluttering behind him and the royal pendant glinting on his chest, the officer’s expression changed instantly.

"That ship is one of ours, I will go greet them." he whispered to his comrades. Murmurs spread among the patrol. Some stared in awe.

The patrol ships surged forward, they quickly boarded the ship.

Ndengu stepped forward, his posture calm but firm. "I am Ndengu wa Mwana. I served in the royal campaigns and I am also part of the shadow guard. We carry Prince Khisa Lusweti and the rest of the Shadows from Assab. We request docking permission and escort to the central palace."

The navy officer blinked. "Prince Khisa?" he repeated uncertainly. "We’ve... we’ve heard whispers from the coastal towns. That he built these ships. That he sent messages through the freed clans. We thought he was a myth—some visionary ghost."

Khisa stepped forward then, his cloak swirling in the sea breeze, the royal pendant gleaming against his chest. He met the soldier’s gaze with quiet confidence.

"I am no ghost," he said. "Just a son returning home."

There was a stunned silence before the soldier saluted quickly. "Forgive us, Your Highness. We didn’t expect— Please, we’ll escort you in."

Others nudged each other as if to confirm what their eyes showed them.

"The prince?" one said. "I thought he was just... a tale the elders spun to keep us inspired."

Khisa raised a hand in greeting, a modest smile forming on his lips. "No tale," he said. "Just a man who missed home." fгeewebnovёl.com

That single line disarmed the officers. They saluted quickly, straightening their posture. "Prince Khisa, the king has been expecting your return. We’ll escort you to the docks."

As the flotilla glided toward the busy harbor, Khisa took it all in—the rhythmic clang of blacksmiths forging tools, the chatter of merchants haggling in multiple dialects, the distant laughter of children playing by the warehouses. The people walked freely, without fear, and the soldiers standing guard wore their armor lightly, even joking with passersby.

A breeze carried the scent of roasting maize and sweet tamarind as Khisa inhaled deeply. It felt like inhaling memory.

[This is something only you could have made possible right now.]

Ayaan’s voice echoed gently in his mind. It made him pause, his smile softening, eyes briefly distant.

Ndengu, walking slightly ahead with practiced ease, turned back with a grin. "Feels good to be back, doesn’t it?" he said.

Khisa nodded. "Better than I imagined."

They wove their way through familiar alleys and newly paved roads, past homes adorned with woven fabrics and stone statues depicting heroes of Nuri’s past. Birds sang from terracotta rooftops. Water trickled through stone aqueducts, drawing curious children who splashed barefoot in the shallow streams.

The palace loomed into view—a majestic blend of coral limestone and red clay, its high towers shadowed by flowering baobab trees. Two guards at the gates bowed low as they pushed open the intricately carved doors.

And standing there, framed by sunlight and royal banners, was King Lusweti.

He looked older—silver now threading through his beard, but his eyes, still sharp and full of fire, lit up the moment he saw his son.

"Welcome home, son," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Khisa stepped forward and embraced him, tightly. For a moment, words failed them both. The weight of everything unspoken hung in the air—the time lost, the battles fought, the sacrifices made.

"You look... different," Lusweti said as they pulled apart.

"I’ve lived a dozen lifetimes in just a few years," Khisa replied. "But the moment I stepped onto this soil... I felt whole again."

"You’ve been gone too long," Lusweti said, gesturing to the seat beside him. "The letters you sent... they gave me hope, Khisa. But it’s different hearing it from your own mouth."

Khisa sat, nodding. "It’s been a journey. But the alliance is holding strong. The Assab port has grown. The freed slaves are working, building, integrating. We established a governance council, and we’ve built a secure perimeter along the coast. I trust you took care of those I sent your way?"

"Of course, I will show you where they’re are once you rest. They should know who saved them."

Lusweti smiled, clasping his son’s shoulder. "You’ve done more than we ever dared dream, Khisa. You gave us not just strength, but vision. And that vision is now flesh and stone."

Khisa glanced over his shoulder at his Shadows—battle-hardened, weary, but proud. "I didn’t do it alone. And there’s still more to build."

The king’s eyes flicked to Ndengu, Ayaan, and the others. "Then let’s make sure Nuri welcomes her heroes as they deserve. Come. You have stories to tell."

As they passed through the palace gates, drums began to echo across the courtyard, signaling the return of a legend. Children dropped what they were doing to chase after them. Flowers rained down from the upper balconies.

Khisa looked up at the sky, the colors of home bleeding into the clouds.

He had returned.

Inside the palace, after refreshments were served and the guests welcomed properly, Lusweti led Khisa into the private strategy chamber—walls lined with maps, blueprints, and architectural sketches.

"Tell me about your journey. I haven’t seen you for years, I have my own stories." Lusweti laughed.

"Let’s speak about the alliance first. I sent the treaty with the last navy ship headed here. I am sure it already arrived." Khisa begun.

Lusweti nodded.

"It is just as you read, we will need to begin building a mint, we already have banks, but we have 5 years to fully transition into the new currency. It will definitely help us in the future."

Lusweti’s brow rose. "And the mint?"

"We’re ready to start," Khisa said, unrolling a scroll and pointing to key structures. "But security is crucial. It must be built inland, hidden. Guarded by those we trust with our future. The coins will carry symbols of unity from both Nuri and Assab."

"What kind of security are we thinking?"

"Since it’s going go be the backbone of the economy for two kingdoms we need to do it right. We should give it priority. We will hire blacksmiths only the best, they will not be allowed to disclose any information on the mint. We will need to also build a secure route to transport the coins to Abyssinia, that means roads. More than one route. We also need to ensure there will be no counterfeiting so we will have people trained to confirm the value of our coins. Of course bandits will be rampant especially if they know about the transport route. So we will train a separate group to oversee that."

"Already looking at things years ahead aren’t you? Get some rest first son. You need it. We will go visit your mother soon."

Lusweti leaned over, his eyes scanning the documents. "I never thought I’d live to see this."

Khisa smiled. "There’s more."

Lusweti raised a brow.

"There’s a woman," Khisa began, then caught his father’s amused grin. "A princess. Azenet. She arrived at Assab port months ago to help with integrating the freed. She wasn’t like the others—no entitlement, no demands. Just... compassion. She worked in the heat, day and night, listening, solving, uniting."

Lusweti crossed his arms, trying to hide his growing grin. "Let me guess. You proposed."

Khisa chuckled. "Yes. I did."

The king slapped the table, laughing heartily. "So, that’s why you are glowing. I knew something was off!"

Khisa shook his head, smiling. "The marriage also serves as a seal to the alliance. If Assab and Nuri are to endure, we must be bound by more than trade. Our union makes it unbreakable."

Lusweti stood and paced, still smiling. "I see what you’re doing, son. And I approve. Azenet... she’s the daughter of kings, and you, you are my legacy." He paused, then added warmly, "And you deserve joy, not just strategy and war."

Khisa’s gaze fell to the map on the table. "Thank you, Father."

"We will prepare," Lusweti said. "The wedding must be grand. Let the world know that Nuri and Abyssinia are one."

As the king walked out, already calling for the palace scribes, Khisa sat back for a moment, letting it all wash over him.

Home. Love. Purpose. Unity.

And it was only the beginning.