UPRISING for a prince but if one were to look more closely a marvelous marvelous blend of nature and technology would be revealed The floor was woven bamboo reeds covered by soft fabrics Vivid watercolors depicted scenes of the Wakandan landscape A flat panel monitor where T'Challa watched American movies when he got the chance took up most of one wall Earthy brown wood carved into intricate shapes made up the furniture The beauty and craftsmanship of Wakanda was reflected in every object from simple knives and forks to the straw baskets that held fresh fruit So what are you up to today M'Baku asked I have to spend a little time at the Academy T'Challa replied Father says I'm a good role model for the students so he wants me to make an appearance at least three times a week M'Baku scoffed I'm sure they'd rather be racing around on hover bikes than listening to you drone on about being a prince T'Challa shot his friend a sardonic grin He was used to M'Baku's barbs and wasn't offended in the slightest Well it's important for them to learn about Wakanda and its history history too right M'Baku shrugged The students at the Academy for Young Leaders more commonly known as the AYL were the best and brightest Wakanda had to offer In a few years they would be applying applying for roles in the government as assistants hoping to one 4
SMITH day land a prime job in the Wakandan cabinet T'Challa was glad to be a mentor to them Well M'Baku said the Festival of the Ancestors is coming up in a few days That should give you a break All of Wakanda's gonna be partying T'Challa bit his lip He had almost forgotten about the Wakandan holiday which made him feel a little guilty It was a day of celebration and remembrance a tribute to Wakanda's noble ancestors ending in a ceremonial display honoring Bashenga the first Black Panther All of Wakanda was awaiting the day But not all for the same reasons 5
CHAPTER TWO T'Challa and his family lived in the Royal Palace in Birnin Zana the capital of Wakanda The private compound was a sprawling complex with rooms for the royal family and their close advisors This was the seat of power and where T'Challa's father T'Chaka the ruling Black Panther and King of Wakanda led tribal council meetings and listened to the concerns of the other Wakandan tribes His security force the Dora Milaje a group of fierce women warriors trained in weaponry and martial arts kept close watch on the comings and goings twenty four hours a day T'Challa always felt a bit smothered in the palace like he couldn't really be himself The halls were quiet and solemn 6
SMITH and the highly polished black onyx floors gave a sense of power to those who walked them Security was everywhere T'Challa felt like he couldn't even go to the kitchens for a midnight snack without an entourage at his heels But we're at home he had complained to his stepmother Queen Ramonda several times I would think we'd at least be safe here without security following us around Sometimes there are threats even from within T'Challa she told him T'Challa took his stepmother's words to heart She was a wise woman and the only mother he had ever known His birthmother N'Yami had died bringing T'Challa into the world He thought of her often and wondered what his life would have been like if she had survived childbirth Then again he told himself Ramonda was the best mother a child could ever hope for strong of heart and mind and a fierce protector of her children and her nation including T'Challa's little sister Shuri born to Queen Ramonda and his father T'Chaka T'Challa thought back on her comment about his father having enemies Who in Wakanda would want to harm his father Life in the capital was peaceful and people had all the comforts they could ever ask for After turning thirteen T'Challa felt he needed his own space and decided to do something about it But it wasn't as easy as he might have thought It took a little convincing for his father to finally allow him to move into an area of the 7
