Chapter 105 - Crimson Skies
The Kingdom of Nuri had grown in ways few could have imagined. What was once a cluster of loosely allied villages had become a thriving realm. Roads now wove through the kingdom like veins, connecting towns, markets, and newly formed settlements. Communication posts, built every ten kilometers, ensured that no message ever took more than a few hours to reach its destination—a marvel that impressed even the elders.
Trade thrived under the strength of the Nuru coin, which was now widely accepted even beyond their borders. Sickness, once a grim reaper that swept through villages, had become rare thanks to improved hygiene and better medical understanding. Schools dotted the towns, and each day children recited proverbs, practiced language, and learned business ethics—preparing not just for survival, but for prosperity.
And now, with the rise of the elite forces like the Shadow Guard, the youth of Nuri had more choices than ever. One could serve in the internal army under General Simiyu, protect the seas with General Malik, patrol and gather intelligence with the Watchers under Captain Shikuku, or now, join Mkono wa Giza—Naliaka and Ndengu’s newly rising force.
Excitement buzzed through training camps, and many saw enlistment not just as a duty, but a chance to be part of something greater.
But peace was never guaranteed.
Far to the coast, under a cloudy sky, red smoke billowed on the horizon.
Panic followed.
Children screamed. Women dropped baskets of wares. Merchants scrambled to shut their stalls, and the streets near the shoreline became a chaotic river of people. The signal was unmistakable: the pirates were here.
"Everyone to the shelters!" Watchers shouted, their uniforms catching the light as they guided the masses with urgency. Over the past few months, the Watchers expanded their operations to the coast as well to help with internal security.
A woman clutched her daughter close. "Where’s your father?" she cried.
The little girl sobbed, "He’s out at sea!"