Chapter 41 - A Kingdom’s Unity or its Doom
The war room was dimly lit, the flickering oil lamps casting long shadows against the walls. Lusweti stood at the head of the table, his hands pressed firmly against its surface, staring at the map of Nuri and its surrounding lands. His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his thoughts was clear.
General Simiyu stood across from him, his arms folded, waiting for his king to speak.
Lusweti finally exhaled, his voice calm but laced with quiet fury. "Matenje must be dealt with."
Simiyu gave a slight nod, unsurprised. "He grows bolder by the day. If we allow this to fester any longer, he will become a real threat."
Lusweti clenched his jaw. "Nuri is expanding too fast. If we secure victory against Kilwa, more challenges will follow. We cannot afford internal strife—not when we stand on the edge of greatness."
Simiyu studied Lusweti’s face. "What do you have in mind?"
A slow smirk curled at Lusweti’s lips. "We lure him into a trap of his own making."
By the time the rumors began to spread, they had taken on a life of their own.
It started as whispers among the merchants—half-truths twisted into enticing stories.
"The foreigners came with riches beyond imagination."
"Their army waits to march to our aid against Kilwa, but our arrogant king refuses."