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
UPRISING palace farther away from the rest of the family It was only a short distance but to T'Challa it felt like a thousand miles and gave him the little bit of freedom he craved Of course his younger sister Shuri thought this was unfair and campaigned for her own place as well but her father and Queen Ramonda didn't budge Maybe in a few years they said Shuri sulked for days and shot eye daggers at T'Challa every time she saw him T'Challa said good bye to M'Baku and headed to the AYL His ever present security force the Royal Guard kept watch as he walked Usually the Dora Milaje accompanied members of the royal family everywhere but T'Challa had argued that he couldn't be himself with them hovering over him at all hours Sometimes he thought their fierce gazes and no nonsense demeanor kept everyday Wakandans at a distance and more than anything he wanted to be treated like one of the people even though he knew that was far from the truth As a compromise his protection was divided between the Dora Milaje and the somewhat more staid but just as dangerous Royal Guard devoted loyalists who had served the family for generations It was another sweltering day in Wakanda and the streets were overflowing with vendors musicians and pedestrians Even though the capital city was a testament to futuristic futuristic design touchstones of traditional African culture were everywhere from the colorful clothing and headdresses to the open air food markets But mixed within the landscape 8
SMITH were technological marvels that would make American engineers and architects envious high speed maglev trains self driving vehicles shops with holographic storefronts and so much more T'Challa often wondered what it would be like for his friends Zeke and Sheila to see his home Then again he realized that was an opportunity they would probably probably never have T'Challa entered the building that housed the AYL and peered skyward Slanted rays of sunlight poured in through a massive glass ceiling ribbed by Vibranium beams bathing the whole place in a golden glow He paused a moment to take in the grand view It was spectacular After a moment he found the class and paused in front of the closed door One of his security guards knocked once and then entered T'Challa hated this part His Advance Team as his father called the Royal Guard had to first clear the way before T'Challa made an appearance in front of an unvetted group But they're just kids my age T'Challa thought What could I have to fear from them T'Challa heard murmuring through the closed door The guard came back out gave him a nod and then held the door for him to enter The class immediately stood to attention amidst a scuffling of shoes on the floor Professor Silumko a tall man with a gleaming bald head gave a brief nod Thank you for coming Prince T'Challa We are honored honored to have you as our guest T'Challa swallowed hard and waved to the students in 9
