Kohza's heart was pounding, drumming in his ears so loudly he felt it reverberate off the smooth pillars to his sides. The great audience hall of the palace was cool, completely removed from the sweltering oven of the open desert. A different world altogether.

Kohza could feel the heat in his body slowly seep out of him where his knees touched the marble floor, feel goose bumps rise on the back of his neck and his toes tingle.

Only one thought raced through his mind on repeat: The King will fix it, he'll fix everything.

And the gods help him he had never had so much conviction in anything else than he did now in that one man. That undying conviction quelled the storm in his heart, calmed the terror.

The King strode in, purposeful and quick, with none of the pomp that his position demanded. Kohza remembers how much he used to admire the King's walk, as though each firm, brisk step was taking him ever closer to some breathtaking goal that only he could see. How many times had he secretly practiced walking like that and never gotten it right?

Chaka and Pell trailed behind, their eyes darting in every possible direction, subconsciously scanning for any threats. Their eyes fell on Kohza and immediately became grim, as though they knew what he was going to say, knew the absurdity of it, the recklessness behind it.

He knelt there before the throne as the King took his seat and formally began the audience, knelt to display the faith he had in the man before him.

"Kohza, I know what brings you to my door. I know it and I understand it, but I wish to hear it from you," the King's voice seemed to boom and fill the whole room like thunder.

Kohza felt his heart sinking into his stomach as dread rose in him like a tide. He chose his next words as carefully as he could.

"I am here to ask you to help me," he licked his dry lips and swallowed hard, didn't meet Cobra's eyes.

"I shall do anything for you that is in my power and within reason, my son."

"Then I ask you to help me save your people."

His knees were numb now, and sharp pains were shooting up his shins but he couldn't give a damn if he tried. He took a deep breath and met Cobra's unfaltering gaze. The King did not seem fatherly and amused at his words as he would have been in any other situation, and Kohza found himself being grateful for the King's solemnity

"Kohza, I am proud of the man you have become. You are strong in mind and body, intelligent and you love this country as much as I do. I would trust you with my life without a seconds delay. So I hope that what you will say next will show all of those qualities that I find so remarkable in you."

He knew the reaction his request, no, his demand would have. Knew it painfully. But he had no choice.

The world seemed to stand still, each moment dragging by at its cruel leisure, his heartbeat fluidly, deafeningly pulsing…

He took a deep breath that somehow didn't make its way into his lungs.

And said it.