Chapitre 44: 44: The King's Challenge
The sun had barely risen over the horizon when the drums began to beat. Their deep, resonant sound echoed through the village of Kwame, rousing the villagers from their sleep. Ndagi stirred in his bed, the rhythmic thudding of the drums vibrating through the earth beneath him. He knew immediately what it meant—the King's Challenge had been issued.
The King's Challenge was an ancient tradition, one that had not been invoked in decades. It was a call to arms, a test of strength, courage, and leadership. The king, or in this case, the council of elders, would issue a challenge to the strongest warriors and leaders in the land. The winner of the challenge would not only gain immense respect but also the right to lead the people in times of war.
Ndagi sat up, the significance of the moment settling over him like a heavy cloak. The Shadow King's threat was growing by the day, and the village needed a leader who could unite them and guide them through the coming storm. But the King's Challenge was no simple task. It was a brutal contest, designed to push even the strongest warriors to their limits.
As Ndagi dressed and prepared to join the others, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. The village had many capable warriors, and the competition would be fierce. But Ndagi knew that this was more than just a contest of strength—it was a test of character, of wisdom, and of the ability to inspire others.
When he stepped outside, the village was already bustling with activity. Men and women hurried to and fro, gathering supplies and preparing for the day's events. Children, too young to understand the gravity of the situation, ran through the streets, their laughter a stark contrast to the tension in the air.
Ndagi made his way to the village square, where the challenge would take place. As he approached, he saw that a large crowd had already gathered, eager to witness the spectacle. At the center of the square, a wooden platform had been erected, and on it stood Chief Madu, the village elder who had called the challenge.
Chief Madu was a tall, imposing figure, his once-black hair now streaked with gray. His eyes, however, were as sharp as ever, and they scanned the crowd with a keen intensity. When he saw Ndagi, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment.
"Ndagi," the chief called out as he stepped onto the platform. "You are one of the village's strongest warriors. Will you accept the King's Challenge?"
Ndagi felt every eye in the square turn toward him. His heart pounded in his chest, but he kept his voice steady as he replied, "I will."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Ndagi wasn't the only one to step forward—several other warriors, each one skilled and battle-hardened, had also accepted the challenge. Among them were Kwame, his longtime friend and confidant, and Sade, whose quick thinking had saved Ndagi's life more than once.
The chief surveyed the assembled warriors, his expression unreadable. "The King's Challenge is not just a test of strength, but of leadership, wisdom, and the ability to protect and guide your people. It is a contest of many trials, each designed to push you to your limits."
As he spoke, a group of elders stepped forward, each holding a scroll that contained the details of the trials. "The first trial," Chief Madu continued, "will be a test of endurance. You will race to the top of the Fire Mountain, retrieve the sacred stone, and return. The first to return with the stone will gain an advantage in the next trial."
Ndagi exchanged a glance with Kwame, who grinned and cracked his knuckles. "Looks like we're in for a bit of a run," Kwame said, his voice laced with good-natured humor.
"It's more than just a race," Sade added, her expression serious. "The Fire Mountain is treacherous. The path is narrow, and the rocks are sharp. One wrong step, and you could fall."
Ndagi nodded, his mind already racing with strategies. He had climbed the Fire Mountain before, but never under these conditions. The mountain was known for its steep cliffs and sudden drop-offs, and the path was often littered with loose stones that could easily cause a misstep.
The warriors gathered at the base of the mountain, where the path began to wind its way upward. The sacred stone was hidden at the very peak, in a small shrine that was said to be guarded by the spirits of the ancestors. Retrieving the stone was no simple task—it required not only physical strength but also the ability to navigate the treacherous terrain and outsmart the other competitors.
As the chief signaled the start of the race, Ndagi took off at a steady pace. He knew that sprinting to the top would only exhaust him before he reached the peak. Instead, he focused on keeping a steady rhythm, his eyes scanning the path ahead for any obstacles.
Kwame was right behind him, his large frame moving with surprising agility. Sade, who was known for her speed and grace, had already taken the lead, her lithe form disappearing around a bend in the path.
The climb was grueling. The air grew thinner as they ascended, making it harder to breathe. The path narrowed, forcing the warriors to move single file. The sharp rocks bit into their hands as they pulled themselves up, and the sun beat down mercilessly from above.
Ndagi could feel his muscles burning, but he pushed the pain aside, focusing on the goal. As he reached the final stretch, he saw Sade ahead of him, her hand already reaching for the sacred stone. But just as she was about to grasp it, her foot slipped on a loose rock, and she stumbled.
In that split second, Ndagi surged forward, his hand closing around the stone. He could hear Sade curse under her breath as she regained her balance, but there was no time to dwell on it. The race wasn't over yet—they still had to make it back down the mountain.
The descent was even more perilous than the climb. The path was steeper, and the loose rocks made it easy to lose footing. But Ndagi's advantage was clear—he had the sacred stone, and he wasn't about to let it slip through his fingers.
He could hear the other warriors behind him, their footsteps growing louder as they tried to close the gap. But Ndagi was determined, his focus razor-sharp. He navigated the treacherous path with precision, his eyes locked on the village below.
As he neared the base of the mountain, the path widened, allowing him to pick up speed. The village square came into view, and he could see the crowd cheering, their voices a distant roar in his ears.
With a final burst of energy, Ndagi sprinted the last few yards and crossed the finish line, the sacred stone clutched tightly in his hand. The crowd erupted in cheers, but Ndagi barely heard them. His chest heaved with exertion, and his muscles ached, but a sense of triumph washed over him.
Kwame was the next to cross the line, followed closely by Sade. Both of them looked exhausted but determined. The other warriors soon followed, each one pushing themselves to the limit.
Chief Madu stepped forward, his expression one of approval. "Ndagi, you have won the first trial and gained an advantage in the next. But the challenge is far from over. There are still more trials to come, each one more difficult than the last."
Ndagi nodded, his mind already racing ahead to the next trial. The King's Challenge was only just beginning, and the stakes were higher than ever.
The Second Trial: Wisdom in the Field
After a brief rest, the warriors were summoned for the second trial. This one would test their wisdom and ability to lead. The trial took place in the fields surrounding the village, where they were tasked with organizing a successful harvest.
Each warrior was given a plot of land and a team of villagers to work with. The challenge was not just to harvest the most crops, but to do so efficiently and with the least amount of waste. It was a test of resourcefulness, leadership, and the ability to work well with others.
Ndagi's plot of land was filled with ripe yams, their leaves a deep green. He knew that harvesting yams required a careful hand—if the roots were damaged, the crop would be ruined. He gathered his team, a group of villagers who looked to him for guidance.
"Listen carefully," Ndagi began, his voice calm but authoritative. "We need to work together to harvest these yams without damaging them. We'll start by loosening the soil around the roots, then carefully lift them out. Move slowly and pay attention to what you're doing. This isn't a race—it's about doing the job right."
The villagers nodded, their confidence bolstered by Ndagi's clear instructions. They set to work, their hands moving with practiced ease as they followed his lead. Ndagi moved among them, offering guidance and encouragement, his keen eye catching any mistakes before they could become a problem.
Kwame, on the other hand, was taking a different approach. His booming voice could be heard across the field as he urged his team to work faster, their movements almost frantic as they tried to keep up with his demands. While they were making good progress, it was clear that some of the yams were being damaged in the process.
Sade's approach was somewhere in between. She worked alongside her team, her hands as dirty as theirs. Her voice was calm and steady, offering advice when needed but allowing her team to take the lead. They moved at a steady pace, their movements precise and coordinated.
As the sun began to set, the elders called an end to the trial. The fields were quiet as the warriors and their teams gathered to present their harvests. Chief Madu inspected each one carefully, his expression thoughtful.
"Ndagi," the chief said as he examined the yams, "your team has done well. The harvest is plentiful, and the crops are in excellent condition. You've shown great leadership and wisdom in this trial."
Kwame's harvest was next, and while it was larger, the chief noted that some of the yams were damaged. "You've worked hard, Kwame, but in your haste, you've sacrificed quality for quantity. Remember, a good leader knows when to slow down and focus on doing the job right."
Sade's harvest was also praised, though it was clear that Ndagi's careful approach had given him the edge in this trial as well.
The Final Trial: The Test of Courage
The third and final trial was the most dangerous of all. It was a test of courage and the ability to face one's deepest fears. The warriors were led to the edge of the village, where a thick, dark forest loomed. It was said that the forest was haunted by the spirits of those who had died in battle, and that only the bravest could pass through it unharmed.
The challenge was simple—each warrior would enter the forest alone and retrieve a token hidden deep within. But the forest was filled with dangers, both physical and spiritual. It was a test of not only physical bravery but also mental fortitude.
Ndagi stood at the edge of the forest, his heart pounding in his chest. He had faced many dangers in his life, but there was something about this place that unnerved him. The trees seemed to close in around him, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the ground.
Taking a deep breath, Ndagi stepped forward, the darkness swallowing him whole. The air was thick and heavy, the silence oppressive. He could feel the presence of the spirits, their unseen eyes watching his every move.
The path was narrow and winding, and it wasn't long before Ndagi lost all sense of direction. But he pressed on, his determination unwavering. He knew that this was a test of courage, and he refused to let fear control him.
Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the silence, and Ndagi froze, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. The sound grew louder, closer, until a figure emerged from the shadows—a spirit, its ghostly form pale and translucent.
Ndagi's heart skipped a beat, but he stood his ground, his eyes locked on the spirit. He had been taught that the spirits could not harm the living unless they allowed themselves to be consumed by fear. Ndagi took a deep breath, calming his racing heart.
"I do not fear you," he said, his voice steady.
The spirit paused, its eyes narrowing as if assessing Ndagi's resolve. Then, without a word, it dissipated into the air, leaving Ndagi alone once more.
He continued on, the darkness pressing in around him. The path grew steeper, the air colder. But Ndagi refused to turn back. He knew that the token was near—he could feel it.
Finally, after what felt like hours, Ndagi reached a clearing. In the center, on a pedestal made of stone, lay the token—a small, intricately carved figure made of bone. It was said to represent the courage of the warriors who had come before, and it was the prize that Ndagi sought.
As he reached for the token, a voice echoed through the clearing, cold and menacing. "You are not worthy."
Ndagi's hand paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the clearing. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"I have faced my fears," Ndagi replied, his voice strong. "I have proven my courage."
The voice laughed, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Ndagi's spine. "Courage is more than facing your fears, warrior. It is the willingness to sacrifice, to endure, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. Do you possess that kind of courage?"
Ndagi hesitated, the weight of the question pressing down on him. He thought of the villagers, of Kwame and Sade, of the people he had sworn to protect. He thought of the battles they had fought, and the battles still to come.
"Yes," he said finally, his voice firm. "I do."
The clearing fell silent, and for a moment, Ndagi wondered if he had failed the final test. But then the air shifted, and the token began to glow with a soft, ethereal light.
"You have proven yourself worthy," the voice said, its tone now one of approval. "Take the token, and with it, the right to lead your people."
Ndagi reached out, his hand closing around the token. As soon as he touched it, the clearing vanished, and he found himself back at the edge of the forest, the village square in sight.
He stepped forward, the token clutched tightly in his hand. The villagers, who had been waiting anxiously, erupted in cheers as they saw him emerge from the forest.
Chief Madu stepped forward, a proud smile on his face. "Ndagi, you have completed the King's Challenge and proven yourself to be a true leader. You possess the strength, wisdom, and courage to guide our people through the trials ahead."
Ndagi bowed his head, humbled by the chief's words. But even as the village celebrated, a sense of unease settled over him. The trials had been difficult, but they were nothing compared to the challenges that still lay ahead.
The Shadow King was still out there, and the war was far from over. Ndagi knew that he would need every ounce of strength, wisdom, and courage to lead his people to victory.
As the sun set over the village, casting long shadows over the land, Ndagi couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The true test was yet to come, and he could only hope that he was ready to face it.
The King's Challenge has been completed, and Ndagi has proven himself to be a true leader. But the journey is far from over. As the Shadow King's forces draw closer, the village of Kwame must prepare for the battle of their lives. Can Ndagi lead them to victory, or will the darkness consume them all? The answer lies in the trials yet to come.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone