Warrior

Mbopa's interpreter said that she wished to greet them, and that Shaka, despite saying nothing directly to them, was much pleased by their arrival.

Somervile bowed, saying that he perfectly understood the king's greeting, that it was most gracious of him to leave his ndlunkulu to come to them at this hour, when affairs of state must be pressing (he presumed the visit of the brothers to be such), and that they waited on his pleasure with complete ease.

Pampata turned and spoke to Mbopa in a way that denied them hearing. His face betrayed disquiet. He spoke some words by return, but Pampata was insistent.

He stepped back, gave her a long and searching look, and then withdrew, followed by the interpreter and the serving-girls.

Hervey moved to Somervile's left side, allowing himself a free hand to draw his sabre. Somervile merely smiled encouragingly.

Pampata looked each of them in the eye, searching perhaps a little longer in Fairbrother's, and then addressed Somervile directly. How she knew that any of them would understand, Hervey could not suppose, save perhaps that she had been observing them discreetly.

'Shaka is a great man and a great king,' she began, almost defiantly. 'You are, I know, repelled by the sights of death all about.'

Fairbrother made sure that Somervile and Hervey had understood.

Hervey had, but again he wondered how she knew their minds. Perhaps, though, she too was repelled by the sights of death.

'But let not your unknowing of our ways deceive you: without Shaka there is no nation, and with no nation there is no peace. When Shaka accomplishes his purpose, which will be soon, there will be peace throughout all the land.Without Shaka there will only be war.'

This took longer for Fairbrother to translate, and he was not sure that he did so entirely faithfully, but the essence of it at least was clear – as much by the speaker's inflection.

Somervile felt able to reply, if in a distinctly unpolished mix of Xhosa and Zulu. 'Madam, why do you say 'without Shaka'? By what means would the nation be without its king?'

'I do not fear the white man.'

Somervile narrowed his eyes, and looked at her intently. 'I would not have you fear us, madam. Who is it that you do fear?' He glanced at the door to suggest what he meant, his voice lowered.

Pampata stood proud, despite the peril in her words. 'I fear Shaka's brothers. They are not his true brothers but only the sons of his father. And I fear Mbopa. None of this I fear for myself but for Shaka and his people.'

'Why do you speak with such . . .?'He could not find the word, and turned to Fairbrother: 'Urgency?'

Fairbrother looked at Pampata, shaking his head. 'Sheshile?'

She nodded. 'Because the people are tired, they do not understand why they must mourn for Nandi so much, and Shaka's brothers would take advantage of that. Even now, as we speak.'

Somervile realized that here was a course he had not considered. What was His Majesty's interest in such an eventuality as Pampata was suggesting? His India instinct was to see advantage in the overthrow of a ruler who did not wholeheartedly support the Company. 'What do you wish me to do, madam?'

'Shaka sends his guards away, believing himself to be in no danger, as if tempting a hand to move against him, so that he himself might stay it. While his brothers are here he is in the greatest danger. You have warriors enough to protect him from harm.'

Hervey struggled to understand the exchanges, needing Fairbrother's whispered translations, but he caught the essence of what Pampata wanted, and he reeled at the thought of it. 'Somervile, I must counsel—'

His old friend shook his head; he had understood her well, and would have her reveal more. 'Who is Shaka's legitimate heir?' he asked, his voice lowered almost to nothing.

Fairbrother had to try several constructions before he was certain she understood.

Pampata glanced at the entrance, and then turned back to Somervile. 'There is a child, a boy-child,' she replied, almost inaudibly. 'Nandi has called him 'Little Bull-Calf'.'

'Your child?' whispered Somervile.

She shook her head, seemingly with a most intense disappointment. 'I cannot say more now.'

Somervile nodded. 'But if Shaka will not have his own warriors guard him, he will surely not permit us to?'

'You are here in the ikhanda, already.'

'But—'

Mbopa returned. They fell silent.

He eyed them warily. 'Lady, Si-gi-di, He who is equal to a thousand warriors, commands your presence.'

Hervey wondered how much he had overheard. Did he use that praise-name to warn them that their own little force was ineffectual?

Pampata ignored him for as long as she dare, her eyes on Somervile still, almost beseeching.

Somervile held her gaze for as long as he dared, rapidly turning over in his mind this new intelligence. At length he bowed. 'Madam, we are your servants.'

XVI