Chapter 151 - Silence before War
The truth had been exposed, but the roots of treachery were yet to be fully unearthed. Kabaka Nakibinge, ruler of Buganda, now knew the faces behind the rot in his court—three clan heads, once trusted allies, now revealed to be conspirators. But a deeper fear gripped him. What if there were more?
He needed help. Discreetly. Swiftly. And so, he summoned Musoke, his most loyal messenger, and whispered a task that had never been uttered in Buganda’s long, proud history:
"Go to Nuri. Speak only to Prince Khisa."
The weight of those words lingered as Musoke rode out, days weaving past as he crossed borders and terrains, the breath of diplomacy heavy on his neck.
In the lush valley of Lusimba, Khisa stood knee-deep in the earth, sleeves rolled, his hands coated in soil as he directed irrigation lines with the local farmers. The sun beat down from a cloudless sky. The air smelled of damp earth, sugarcane, and sweat. He loved this work—simple, honest, vital.
A rider approached fast. Hooves thundered down the slope, kicking dust in the golden morning light. Khisa squinted, shading his eyes.
"Musoke?" he said, surprised.
The man dismounted and bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Prince Khisa, for arriving without warning. But I carry an urgent message from Kabaka Nakibinge."
Khisa’s face tightened. Without a word, he gestured for Musoke to follow him to the small palace, a modest stone structure with wide verandas and open halls, still under quiet construction.
Inside his office, Khisa shut the door and turned.
Musoke’s voice dropped. "You were right. It was sabotage. We followed the trail from where you left off. Three clan heads are involved. They’re in contact with a noble from the Kongo Kingdom. He offered them support to overthrow Kabaka Nakibinge and divide Buganda among themselves."