Chapter 43
Chapter 43
A little over an hour later, the chopper with James Jr., Elliott, Joshua, Teddi, Akande, James, Brian, and Douglas touched down in Emure. James Jr. had been in and out of consciousness, but once he received preliminary medical care in Asmere, he was more awake.
On the veranda, King Aswan, Prince Jabari, King Ahmed, Queen Nasheema, Prince LaVeré, and Princess ZsaZsa waited for the chopper blades to stop turning. The moment they did ZsaZsa ran to the door that was opening. She waited patiently as everyone stepped out and then, there he was. James was lying on a gurney in the back of the chopper.
As soon as he was completely out, she threw her body on top of his. “James,” she kissed his cheeks, his nose, his lips. The gurney buckled, but the men held it upright. “I’m so sorry.” Tears streamed down her face. “Where are you hurt?”
James Jr. looked at her dressed in her country attire and smiled. “You look like a princess.”
ZsaZsa smiled tearfully. “You look like my king.” She kissed him, dirty face, bad breath and all. Then chuckled. “You are rank, sir!!!” The two laughed as the men carried him inside.
Inside Phire, Calvin, and JC stood there waiting to greet them.
“Elliott,” Both Calvin, and JC called out as they walked over to him.
“I knew you two would be here,” Elliott gave both of them a pound.
“You good?” JC asked.
“I’m good. James not so much,” Elliott replied.
“Phire,” Teddi called out as she released her daddy’s hand and ran to her aunt.
“Teddi,” Phire held out her arms and hugged the child. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to help my friends.” Teddi answered.
Phire looked at her brother Joshua. The expression on his face indicated he was not in the mood to talk. The look on Akande’s face did not seem much better.
“Hello Phire.” Akande greeted.
“Akande,” Phire nodded, then hugged her brother. “Thank you for finding them.”
Elliott watched as the guards brought James into the palace. “Hold up,” Elliott stated. “We will take him from here.”
“My guards will carry him up to the room,” Aswan stated.
“No,” Elliott said. “We will carry him to the room.”
Phire released Teddi’s hand then joined her friends.
Phire, JC, Calvin, and Elliott each took a corner of the gurney. “Which way ZsaZsa?”
“This way, we will put him in my room.” She stated.
“That will not do,” Aswan responded.
King Ahmed put a hand on Aswan’s shoulder. “He can go into the room next to yours.” He said then looked at Aswan. “Compromise, Son.”
Aswan nodded. James, Brian, Douglas, and Joshua watched as the friends carried their injured brethren up the staircase.
Queen Nasheema and some of her staff directed the group to the room. “Prepare baths and meals for both men. Advise the medical team on the grounds we are in need of their assistance.”
“Our team provided what they could to clean the bite and reduce the fever,” Akande informed as she followed them to the room. “However, the bite is something we are not familiar with.”
“Hello Akande,” Queen Nasheema kissed her on both cheeks. “I am certain you did the best you could. Where is Raheem?”
“I sent a message to advise him of the situation. He should be here soon.”
“It is my understanding he is the one who put all of this in motion.” Queen Nasheema frowned. “I am not pleased with him at this moment.”
“Queen Nasheema, will you share with me what has occurred?” Akande asked.
“You do not know?” Queen Nasheema was surprised to hear this. She looked into the room where the boys were lifting James and placing him on the bed. “Sapphire, may I have a word with you.”
Akande hugged Phire then stepped back. “My you have changed. Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you and thank you for the gift.” Phire replied.
“It is a small world,” Queen Nasheema observed. “I was not aware you knew of ZsaZsa’s college roommate.”
Akande inhaled and smiled. “We met through Joshua.”
“Oh, yes, when you traveled to America.” Queen Nasheema smiled then turned to the Phire. “Sapphire, I need to speak with Akande. Will you instruct the staff to James’ needs?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Phire replied as she held Akande’s eyes while they walked away.
Within the hour, James and Elliott both had been bathed and fed.
James promptly fell asleep with ZsaZsa sitting next to his bed.
Elliott was in the sitting area of the room with eyes still on James as he slept. JC, Calvin, and Phire were there with him.
“So, what happened once you woke up?” Calvin asked.
“We assessed the situation as Luke instructed then planned our escape. The place we were in was in bad shape. I would not say it was in ruins, but it could sure use some repairs.”
“According to Prince Jabari, you were in his cellar.” JC advised.
“It was his brother who took us,” Elliott hissed.
“How was he able to do that? I mean, it’s you and James. It is not easy to take both of you down.” Calvin inquired.
“Gas,” Elliott stated. “He filled the back of the vehicle with sleeping gas. I don’t even remember leaving the parking lot of the airport.”
“So, how did James get hurt?” Phire asked.
Elliott shook his head. “After we escaped from the building, we ran through the trees. On the other side of the trees was a river. We walked to what we felt was a low point and came across it. When we got to the other side, I crawled out, James was behind me. Something grabbed him and looked like it was taking him underwater. I grabbed his hand and yanked him out.”
“It’s a good thing you were there.” JC said in a solemn tone.
“My actions may have caused him more damage,” Elliott sat up placing his elbow on his knees and wiping his hand down his face.
“We are placed in people’s lives at a time when our help is needed,” JC expounded, with wisdom beyond his years. “You were the one with him because at that time it was your purpose to see him through this journey. You were put on this path to save his life and that is what you did. Do not second guess your actions, because our friend—our brother is still here with us.”
They all glanced at JC.
“Sometimes you are just scary,” Phire said as she shook her head.
They all chuckled.
There was a knock at the door. They all stood. Phire answered the door.
One of finest men she had ever laid eyes on, except for her husband of course, was standing there dressed in a royal blue suit with gold trim. He was tall, well built, with a mustache that covered the area right above his thick lips. “I really need to go home to my husband,” she said.
He smiled and the charm oozed out. “I am Prince Jabari Abomba. I am here to speak with Princess ZsaZsa.”
ZsaZsa stood then walked over to the door. “I am Princess ZsaZsa.”
“I know. You are as beautiful as your brother stated. May I have a moment of your time?”
“You can speak to her right here,” Elliott said from behind the ladies.
“Are you one of the men who was taken?” Jabari asked.
“I am,” Elliott nodded.
Jabari gave them the two duffel bags he had on his shoulder. “These are your belongings,” Jabari began, turning his attention to Elliott. “Please accept my apology on my brother’s behalf. I do not excuse what he did, however, he is my brother, and I will protect him.” He pulled a container from one of the backpacks. “My country has been dealing with these types of bites for a few years now. They have developed this cream which has helped in the healing process and restoring the skin to its normal tone. If you will allow me to care for your friend, I am certain this will help the injury.”
“Hell no,” Elliott growled. “You are the man who is attempting to marry the woman he is in love with. How do we know that cream will not make him worse or possibly kill him.”
“Adam and Amber are on their way,” Phire interjected. “However, it will be hours before they arrive. We have to do something to ensure this infection does not spread.”
ZsaZsa took the cream from Jabari’s hand. “I will not stand by and watch James suffer. Come in Prince Jabari. How is this to be applied?”
Jabari walked into the room. JC and Calvin were standing at the foot of the bed where James was asleep.
“Would you all give us the room,” ZsaZsa asked. “I would like to speak with Prince Jabari in private.”
Phire looked at her. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she hugged her friend. “It must be done.”
Phire glanced at Jabari, looking him up and down. “I will be right outside the door. If I hear any distress in her voice, I will take you down. Are we clear?”
“I have received your direct message.” Jabari replied.
“Come on guys,” Phire instructed.
“I’m staying,” Elliot stood between the sleeping and sitting area with his legs braced apart as if ready to attack.
“You got this?” JC asked.
Elliott nodded. “I got this.”
JC and Calvin nodded then walked out the door with Phire.
ZsaZsa looked at Jabari. “I am blessed with friends who will protect me with their lives if necessary.”
“You are very fortunate.” He smiled. “If we had met at a different time or place, would there have been a chance for us?”
“No,” ZsaZsa smiled. “My destiny is with the man who is in slumber. I knew in my heart the moment our eyes met.” She tilted her head to the side. “I think you understand. You do not appear to be angry at the turn of events.”
“I am saddened that so much hurt had to come from it.” Jabari gravely expressed. “There are issues that impact my country that I must take into consideration. We are in desperate need of an infusion of capital to rebuild our economy. The dowry presented would do that and more.”
“You are welcome to the dowry,” ZsaZsa offered. “But you are not welcome to my heart.”
Jabari smiled. “That is very generous, however I believe I will be getting the shorter end of that deal. The man who has your heart is very fortunate to have a woman willing to give up so much for his love.”
“It is I who is fortunate, Prince Jabari. One cannot put a price on the love James and I have for each other.”
“He survived a dangerous journey to find you. He must love you very much, and I can see you love him equally.” Jabari said, with a sad smile on his lips. “I thank you for the offer, but I have to decline. I will not take without giving something in return.”
ZsaZsa stared at him thoughtfully, “Your country will pay the price for your rejection. Is there no way we can help with your situation?”
Jabari exhaled. “Shall we sit.” He pointed to the two chairs next to James’ bed. “The situation in Zyrier is infrastructure. When our economy was destroyed, the funds for building roads, new homes, and schools were no longer available. I find myself at a loss as to how to keep our young minds from fleeing for better opportunities.”
“Are those opportunities you seek open to all?” ZsaZsa asked.
“I am not certain I understand your question.”
“Are they open to men and women alike?”
Jabari smiled. “We have no choice but to treat everyone equally. Unlike Emure, we have to work together, both men and women to survive. As I explained to my father, we must abandon the superiority mindset that men are above all others. It is hard for him to accept the changes that must take place. I fear he is dismayed every time he sees me working in the fields next to our countryman. You will be King one day. You should not be doing menial work .” Jabari laughed as he imitated his father. “In order for us to survive we must work as one.”
“I am having that same struggle with my brother. I cannot understand why growth is so frightening to him. We grow from boys to men, from girls to women. While the change is difficult it is wondrous as well. There are plans I have for my country. I know my brother and some of my countrymen will fight me every step of the way. However, when I return from my graduation, James and I are determined to take steps to make these plans a reality.”
Jabari smiled. “I am certain, together, you two will be successful. Both of you have demonstrated the drive needed to handle whatever resistance comes your way.” He stood. “Would you mind sharing some of your plans while I apply this cream to his leg.”
Satisfied with what he was seeing, Elliott took a seat, stretched out his legs and watched.