for hours The whole tribe was out looking for you his father had said There are dangers in the forest T'Challa You must always be wary It was a lesson he took to heart but every now and then M'Baku egged him on daring him to break every rule the king laid out for him The forest around them was vast teeming with lush vegetation and towering trees that seemed to brush the very heavens In the distance a mountain range rose high above the clouds the midday sun glinting off its white peaks C'mon M'Baku said I'll race you to the river's edge T'Challa wiped sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand He was tired but he couldn't let M'Baku know that He crouched low ready to sprint Go M'Baku shouted Both boys dashed through the forest trampling broken broken branches and leaping over fallen tree stumps This was when T'Challa felt most alive in the woods with his best friend finding adventure and escaping his royal duties Out here he wasn't a prince He was just a kid M'Baku passed him kicking up dirt in his path T'Challa pushed himself as hard as he could He was gaining gaining on him But M'Baku had suddenly stopped on the path T'Challa swerved at the last minute missing him by inches He bent and rested his hands on his knees winded Why'd you stop
M'Baku slowly raised his hand and pointed Look A few feet ahead of them a man lay slumped against a tree He wore a military uniform but it was one T'Challa had never seen before Is he dead M'Baku whispered T'Challa didn't answer but took a few steps forward The man had a bandage around his leg where his pants had been ripped Blood soaked it red Help he croaked out Please Help me T'Challa took another wary step He didn't know who the man was but his father always said it was his duty to help those in trouble A rustling in the bushes made them both M'Baku started What was that pause T'Challa didn't have time to answer as four figures stepped through the trees
CHAPTER TWO They were tall And they were all women Tribal markings adorned their faces They were the Dora Milaje the king's private bodyguards and the fiercest warriors in the country Hints of gold and silver glinted from the bracelets and cuffs around their necks and arms Their spear points sparkled sparkled in the sun that filtered through the canopy of trees above them T'Challa had seen those spears before and knew that they also doubled as giant batons equipped with electrical charges T'Challa tensed My prince one of them said stepping forward with
a slight bow and placing her right hand on her heart The king has demanded your presence T'Challa was taken aback This man he started coming coming back to the moment He needs help He was mauled or We will take care of him the woman said without the slightest hint of sympathy The man tried to get up but one of the Dora Milaje thrust her spear just inches from his neck Don't leave me with them he pleaded his eyes going wide Please T'Challa didn't want to leave but he had to obey his father's command even if he did feel sorry for this strange man and whatever plight he had fallen into He turned to M'Baku I'll see you later I have to He is also summoned the woman interrupted him Both of you She cast a sidelong glance at M'Baku Now The young prince hesitated with each step he took What does he want with me M'Baku whispered a hint of fear in his voice I don't know T'Challa replied He was busy thinking thinking of what could have happened to the injured man He'd looked terrified Was it a wild animal A lion What was he doing in the forest The dense thicket of trees ahead of them thinned to reveal a sight that only a few from the outside world had ever seen Towering structures loomed up out of the forest
