Chapter 12: Tensions arise
Shuri yawned in exhaustion as she dismissed her class. It was day four of her lecture circuit and she could feel the homesickness settling in. She taught during the day and spent time with Oro and the other X-men at night. She made sure to stay within range of the Dora and communicate with her brother. But most of all she just wanted to go home. Home to Talokan, home to her husband.
As she closed her classroom door, she watched as the students dispersed in excitement. One thing about Shuri was that she hated lecturing. Instead, she taught hands-on. She had the students perform the things she would have lectured about. They loved it. It wasn't their usual sit-in-class and listen to someone talk.
She made her way outside to where the sun was setting and sat on the edge of a fountain.
Instead of her long braids, her hair was now back in its natural state. Curly in the front and shirt in the back. That was one of the great things about being Oro's company. She knew afro hair very well.
"You have seemed to do the impossible." A voice said behind her.
Shuri turned to see Professor Xavier rolling toward her. Oro and logan were beside him.
"Professor, hello. Oro, logan." She greeted. "What is it I have seemed to do?"
"Have the students fall in love with science and chemistry. Your presence and teaching style are all they talking about. Even some of my most difficult students will sit for you. We are grateful."
Shuri nodded shyly.
"It is no big deal. They are great students.."
"Indeed they are. Storm? Logan, can you excuse us?" Professor Xavier gestured as he looked at them.
The duo nodded and quickly left the professor and Shuri alone.
"I do not mean to pry but my curiosity has gotten the best of me. From the first time I met you and your people, I could not read your minds. I've never had anyone block me, not that I mind."
Shuri clicked her tongue and said "Ahhh, that is right your gift is telepathy. It is simple, the beads we wear block all invasive technology and telepathy. My people understand there are others out there who are stronger than us and have powers that we do not. It is just a measure of protection."
"Amazing." Professor Xavier complimented.
Shuri smiled awkwardly. What else did this man want?
Sensing her discomfort. He spoke.
"I'm sorry if am making this uncomfortable but I have to say even though I am not able to read your mind, I can sense a great power from you. Can you tell me what your gift is?"
Shuri's eyebrows furrowed.
"gift? I am sorry professor but I have no gift. I am just intelligent" she laughed.
The professor smiled but his eyes said he didn't believe her.
"Hmm. Very well then. I will leave you be then. I understand tomorrow is your last day. King T'challa and I have a meeting. I don't want to keep him waiting."
"You could for a few more minutes."
The professor laughed at her joke and then left her alone.
Shuri sighed and leaned over to look at the fountain. Absentmidnly, she pressed her fingertips unto the surface of the water.
To her surprise, the water glided over her hand and stuck there.
Shuri gasped. She tried to shake it off but it didn't work. Before she could figure out what to do Ayo came running into the garden.
" princess! We must leave now!"
Shuri put her hand in her pocket as she looked at Ayo in alarm.
"What's wrong!?"
" There are Invanders on our land. They arose from the sea! "
If Shuri could have, she would have paled
…
Shuri hit her back hard as Okoye pushed the ship to its limits.
"Who are these invaders? Have they attacked? How did they get past our defenses?" her brother asked the hologram of Eric.
Her cousin sighed in agitation.
"no that's the weird part. It was an old man, a woman, and a younger man. They came through the water near the river tribe. They were blue and two of them had spears. My king their spears were made of vibranium."
T'challa cursed.
"Did they say anything?"
Eric shook his head.
"The old man did. He spoke in broken English. To sum It up their leader wants to meet with you in five days."
"Five days?" T'challa questioned calmly
"Five days... They even gave a some kind of communication device, so that we could call them on the fifth day" Eric explained
T'challa nodded. He then went silent as he thought deeply.
After a few minutes, he spoke.
"Fortify the shield. Have all the tribes on high alert. Have the royal guard on the borders and have the Dora Miljae secure the city. We will be home soon."
"We await you, my king," Eric said solemnly.
Before anyone could say anything else, Shuri disappeared into a private part of the ship. She immediately tried to call ch'ah. However, he didn't answer. Nor did namora or Attuma. Worry etched her features as she played with her kimoyo beads.
What could her husband possibly want with Wakanda so soon? And why now? What was he thinking?
It was then a beeping of an incoming message that showed up on her beads. It was a new system she had updated on the beads to receive text notifications for when one couldn't speak.
Play your part and trust me…
Shuri stomped her foot in frustration.
"What does that even mean!" she groaned.
She groaned again before she held her breath and counted to five. She needed to calm down. Her husband was a 500-year-old mutant king. He knew what he was doing.
She had to trust him.
…..
Namor nodded in approval as Eleuia, Namora, and Attuma reported back to him. He was very pleased. Within five days he would approach Wakanda and ask for an alliance. He would gain their trust, When his Queen was ready She would present him as her intended.
"The Wakandians were shocked to see us, my king. Pointing and gawking at us. We talked to the head of security and the what do they call her namora?" Eleuia asked for clarification
"The queen mother." Namora corrected him.
"Ah yes, thank you. we appeared from the water, shocking them and then-"
Before Eleuia could finish his report, a guard swam into the throne room.
"Kukulkan! There is an American ship near us! They have thier people in the water! They are looking for vibranium! They shot at one of our orcas and Atzil was hurt!"
The room shook as namor swam off his throne.
One of his worst fears was coming to pass.
He swam out to the city square where healers were doing a rush job on atzil.
He was quick to be by her side.
"Kukulkan…" atzil cried. He held her hand and rested her head in his arm.
"In waal a nuupaj?" My child, who hurt you?
"The outsiders my king. I was on my orca doing one last errand. My king, can you save me?"
He never got to reply, because her heart stopped beating.
"Is she dead?" namora asked.
"Yes," he confirmed as he closed Atzil's eyes. he had known her since her birth. He had known her whole family.
Namor swam upwards as he looked at Atzil's lifeless body. He saw red. One look at namora was all it took for her to understand.
The foreigners would not survive.