CHAPTER 204: CHAPTER 204 - THE COUNCIL OF VOICES

The palace hall in Lusimba was filled with voices, papers rustling, and the faint sound of quills scratching across parchment. The scent of burning frankincense floated through the air, a reminder that this was not only a place of politics, but of unity and belief.

King Lusweti sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his hands folded as he surveyed the ministers gathered before him. Behind him, the banners of Nuri hung proudly, the golden sunburst crest catching the dim light from the lanterns above.

It had been days since his return, and though the kingdom was still buzzing with anxiety over Khisa’s condition, the machinery of leadership could not stop. The time had come to decide Nuri’s next great step.

The Minister of Diplomacy, Juma Koome, stood first, his posture calm but firm. Beside him sat Achieng Lutaaya, Minister of Trade, and Dr. Amadi, the Minister of Health.

"Your Majesty," Juma began, bowing slightly, "our allies await our delegation. The success of the Kongo campaign has strengthened Nuri’s reputation. But diplomacy must follow swiftly, before rumor, pride, or fear fill the silence we’ve left behind."

Lusweti nodded. "Then let us begin."

Juma continued, "Negotiations will be my responsibility, alongside Minister Achieng. Our focus will be on trade and exchange of knowledge, particularly medicine, metallurgy, and navigation."

A murmur swept across the table before Minister Ayo, one of the younger advisors, spoke up. "Wouldn’t that put Nuri at a disadvantage? As far as I see it, we hold the upper hand. Shouldn’t we negotiate harder, press for stronger terms, especially after what we’ve done for Kongo?"

The hall fell silent for a heartbeat.

Juma looked directly at him. "That would only shake the trust we’ve barely managed to build. Remember, Minister Ayo, we infiltrated another kingdom, fought their war, and handed a saved kingdom back to their king. To them, that is as close to conquest as one can get. If we now act as overlords, our allies will see us as no better than the empires we oppose."

Achieng nodded, her tone steady and resolute. "Nuri has always stood for fairness and the acceptance of all people. Our strength lies not just in our armies, but in our reputation. If we begin manipulating our allies for gain, our empire will rot from the inside."

There were quiet hums of agreement, though not all were convinced.

The Defense Minister, General Simiyu, leaned forward, his scarred hands folded. "What about weapons? Are they to be included in these agreements? If so, we risk exposing our designs. Our superiority in arms, especially those firearms and naval cannons, is what kept pirates and the Portuguese at bay. Spreading that knowledge could weaken us later."

Achieng gave a thoughtful nod. "That might be true, General. But because we showed those weapons in battle, excluding them now will break trust. It sends a message that Nuri believes itself superior, unwilling to share its advancements. That’s not diplomacy, it’s dominance. And dominance breeds rebellion."

"Then perhaps we compromise," suggested Minister Sefu, who oversaw manufacturing. "We include weapons in trade, but not the production process. We sell the finished products, not the blueprints. In return, they supply us with the raw materials, iron, copper, and gunpowder components. It strengthens both economies but keeps our secrets safe."

Simiyu grunted approvingly. "A fair point. It keeps control in our hands while building dependency on our craftsmanship."

Juma tapped the table lightly. "It is a sustainable middle ground. Trade, not control. If we can manage that balance, Nuri will thrive without repeating the mistakes of the old empires."

From the far side of the table, Minister Njeri of Navigation and Infrastructure spoke next. "There’s another matter. Kongo’s coastline connects them to the Ocean, If we establish trade routes through their ports, we could open maritime routes for larger trade. It will be perilous, but the benefits could transform Nuri’s reach."

"That’s an excellent suggestion," Lusweti said. "Transporting materials over land slows us down. Sea trade will expand our influence across the region. And with freed slaves from Kongo and other lands, we can give them refuge here, train them, and integrate them into Nuri. Let us be a home to those abandoned by the world."

A round of murmurs followed, some in admiration, some in hesitation.

Minister Kato, a traditionalist, leaned forward. "Both Kongo and Abyssinia are Christian nations. Will that not complicate matters? Religion has a way of dividing even the closest of allies."

For a moment, the council fell quiet. The flickering lamps painted uneasy shadows on the walls.

Lusweti straightened his back, his voice deep and certain. "That is a valid concern. But Nuri’s strength lies in its diversity. We will not forsake our traditions or impose one belief over another. If our allies demand conformity, then their friendship was never real. We will trade, not kneel."

The conviction in his tone silenced the room.

Achieng added, "Our diversity is our shield. No nation can use faith as a chain against us if we do not allow it."

Juma folded his hands. "Then it is settled. We proceed with fairness and restraint. Diplomacy through transparency."

Lusweti nodded, standing. "This is the spirit of Nuri, strong, wise, and just. Let us make sure the world knows it."

The conversation had stretched well into the evening, the last rays of sunlight bleeding through the tall windows of the council hall. The room had grown heavy with heat and the scent of wax from the candles. Yet the debate pressed on, no one dared to end it without touching every possible concern.

Minister Okoth, an aging but sharp-tongued bureaucrat known for his blunt honesty, rose from his seat. "Your Majesty, before we finalize these trade and diplomatic routes, there is one matter we cannot ignore."

Lusweti gestured for him to continue. "Speak, Minister."

Okoth clasped his hands behind his back, his voice measured but concerned.

"You spoke of welcoming freed slaves and those without homes into Nuri, and while it is a noble vision, it may not come without cost. Too many new people, too fast, could create imbalance. We must remember, our own citizens still need land, homes, and food. If we’re not careful, compassion could turn into chaos."

A few ministers nodded slowly, murmuring among themselves.

"We have seen it before," Okoth added. "In the early days after the unification, when the Angwenyi and Abakhore merged, tensions flared. Fights broke out over territory and water rights. If the same happens again, only this time with outsiders, the damage could be far worse."

The room quieted. Even Achieng, who had been taking notes, paused.

It was not an unfounded fear. Nuri had grown at a staggering pace. Every day, more refugees, traders, and wanderers sought its promise of peace. But peace required balance.

King Lusweti leaned back, studying the faces before him. His gaze softened, not with uncertainty, but with understanding. He finally stood, his voice calm but resolute.

"You are right, Minister Okoth. Overexpansion without structure can undo us. But we must not forget that our nation was founded on unity, not exclusion. These people we speak of, they are victims of wars and greed, just as our ancestors once were."

He began pacing slowly before the table, his shadow stretching along the floor like a tall flame.

"Right now, Nuri is young. We are strong, yes, but still growing. We need builders, healers, farmers, minds and hands that can help shape this land into the vision we have dreamed of. If we close our gates, we risk becoming the very thing we sought to destroy."

"But," he added, pausing to look around, "you are not wrong. Unchecked growth breeds conflict. Which is why balance must be maintained."

He turned to Juma and Achieng.

"Here’s what we will do. We will coordinate with both Kongo and Buganda. Their nations, too, need rebuilding after war. Those freed slaves and displaced families can be trained here, in medicine, construction, agriculture, and governance. Once ready, they will return to help build their own nations with knowledge learned in Nuri."

Juma nodded slowly. "That would prevent overcrowding, strengthen our allies, and turn Nuri into the heart of learning and progress."

"Precisely," Lusweti said. "It will tie our kingdoms together, not through chains, but through shared purpose. If our neighbors thrive, Nuri’s peace will be protected. Prosperity is strongest when shared."

Minister Okoth bowed his head slightly, conceding. "Then I see wisdom in that, Your Majesty. If properly managed, it might not only prevent unrest, it could cement Nuri’s legacy."

Lusweti smiled faintly. "Legacy means nothing if it’s not shared, old friend."

A soft laugh rolled through the hall, breaking the heavy mood. The tension lifted just enough for everyone to breathe again.

From the side, Minister Njeri murmured, "So... a network of nations, trained and uplifted by Nuri. A world reborn through cooperation."

Lusweti nodded. "That is the dream our people bled for, a dream worth protecting."

He looked toward the open windows. Outside, the sky had turned a deep indigo, the first stars appearing one by one. "Let this be our foundation. A beacon of hope that does not just shine on Nuri, but lights the path for all of Africa."

Outside, the night sky over Lusimba was clear. The stars gleamed like the thousand dreams that Nuri carried on its shoulders.

And though the fate of Prince Khisa still hung in fragile balance, his vision was already shaping the kingdom’s destiny.