Kiya swallowed hard, trying to hide her fear. “They are,” she said. “That is why we must go to your father now.”
Essien, two years younger than Addax, was nonetheless already as tall as his older brother. He had long arms and strong legs for his age, something Amare was quite proud of. He pointed in the distance, to the fire, and made slashing gestures.
“I will fight them,” he declared. “When they come here, I will stab them and beat them!”
Kiya put her hand on his shaved head. “You are very brave,” she told him. “Your father will be very proud of you. Shall we go and find him?”
She didn’t give him a chance to answer. She swung Adanya into her arms and took Essien by the hand, leading them away from the edge of the balcony. She called softly to Addax, who was reluctant to tear himself away from the view. Even at his young age, he could sense his mother’s fear.
Something evil was happening.
When they reached the large corridor that led to the throne room, Kiya handed Adanya over to one of her ladies and continued on to where her husband was. The boys were still with her, tagging along behind her, as she rushed into the room where Amare was watching the collapse of his kingdom.
“My love!” Kiya gasped. “What are you doing here? The caravan is ready to take us by river out to the sea. We must hurry!”
Amare turned to look at his wife. God, he was glad to see her. Kiya was such a lovely creature, so graceful and beautiful and kind. She had been an arranged marriage, a princess of her people in the land of the pharaohs known as Kemet, but the moment Amare set eyes on her was the moment he fell in love with her. Before he could answer, Addax and Essien ran up behind her, throwing themselves at their father. Amare laughed softly as he collected his sons. He was a warm and loving father, but tonight, he was perhaps a little more loving and warm.
He knew it would be the last time he ever held his children.
“Addax,” he said, giving the boys a squeeze before he set them on their feet. “Essien, look at me. I have something very important to ask you.”
Essien and Addax obeyed, at least at first. But a few seconds of obedience deteriorated into both boys trying to climb back into his arms, so his next request to them was more of an order.
“Es, stop climbing,” he commanded softly. “Stand still. That’s good. Something very important is happening tonight, and you must be part of it.”
Addax, the less squirmy of the two, was watching his father seriously. “An army is coming, Abba,” he said. “We have come to help you fight.”
Abba. That meant father. It would be the last time he ever heard it from his sons, and Amare smiled at his brave boy. “And you are very courageous,” he said. “I am honored to have you by my side. But I have an even more important task for you.”
Addax cocked his head curiously. “What, Abba?”
Amare wasn’t sure he could keep his composure knowing it would be the last time he was addressed as father. But time was not his friend on this night—it was passing more quickly than usual—so he pulled his boys against him one last time, hugging them fiercely.
But his heart was breaking.
“You must get your mother to safety,” he said, indicating Kiya as she stood behind the boys and tried not to weep. “You must go with her and protect her. Will you do this for me?”
Addax and Essien looked at their mother before Addax returned his attention to his father. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who will help you fight?”
Amare forced a smile. “I have the entire army to help me fight,” he said, making it sound as if it were nothing at all. “But your mother does not command an army. She has a few servants, but you two are her very best warriors. Will you please do this for me?”
Essien nodded solemnly, but Addax was still hesitant. “She has Bobo and Rani to help her,” he said. “But you need me.”
He was referring to the old women who served his mother, but Amare nodded sincerely. “Indeed, I do need you,” he said. “I will always need you, Addax, and right now I need you to take care of your mother. Promise me.”
Addax sighed heavily before finally nodding. Essien, who had the attention span of a mosquito at this age, stuck his finger up his nose and began to turn around, looking for his mother, looking at the people who were hovering on the fringe of the room. Men who had served his father for many years. He recognized them. As his father spoke to Addax about a dragon-headed dagger, Essien reached a small hand out to his mother, tugging on her gossamer skirt.
“Maman?” he said. “Maman, I am hungry. Can I have cheese?”
Kiya, who had been listening to Amare explain the significance of the dragon-headed dagger carried by every Kitara king back to the beginning, knelt down to speak quietly to her youngest son.
“Not now,” she said, tightening up the little belt he wore to secure his trousers. “We must leave, and then I shall find you some cheese.”
Essien watched her as she fussed with his clothing. “Maman?”
“What is it?”
“Why do you weep?”
