Her words sounded certain and reasonable when she said it, yet Salīa quickly learned that she spoke quite boisterously for someone who drained quickly around too many energies at once, especially when they all had such colossal expectations of her.
The attendants had quickly dressed her in the ceremonial black robes with golden tigers threading throughout as she sat in the throne room, which was also decorated in the ceremonial colors and with a lingering ylang-ylang scent.
It was hard not to faint, yet she was quickly served with fruits, biscuits, and cakes with cacao to drink, yet she refused anything more, not feeling deserving until she knew that her people were all eating.
She felt immensely fortunate that Chief Raino had chosen to guide her throughout her meetings, starting with a few witnesses. Yet most were sobbing or raging, unable to speak in more than stutters or untraceable words.
Those who could speak soberly all said much of the same of what they knew, yet it seemed that these black masks clearly studied the terrain and its people quite well as to go so unnoticed and attack so suddenly.
The last witness granted was called in alongside her aunt. She was meager and had large doe-like eyes, her little braids sealed with little colorful beads.
"What's your name, little one?" Salīa smiled.
"Mina," the little girl bowed her head.
Salīa's eyes stayed on this tiny soul as her own eyes shifted.
"What was it you saw?"
"I didn't see much," she admitted. "But I heard more. They spoke in baba."
"Baba tongue?" Chief Raino and Salīa repeated.
Other zazi seemed just as surprised. Salīa nodded and took Mina's hands.
"How do you know it was baba?" asked Chief Raino.
"My older brother was part of the Lahle Gang."
Her aunt tried to quiet her, but it was too late. She gulped, then looked at Salīa with wide eyes, trembling as she held Mina close.
What does she think I'll do?
"Thank you, Mina. You may go."
The aunt's brows squeezed together in shock, as if she expected more of a scolding interrogation or at least a scowl with some dismissive words. Yet Salīa just smiled at the little girl who waved and greeted them warmly.
"Baba tongue?" magi-mi Chamba asked. He had been sitting in the background, merely observing.
"It's a way of talking amongst those in unofficial factions, gangs of sorts," Chief Raino said. "Just as those in the zazi have a way of talking to help protect, so do those who try to destroy."
Salīa held her tongue on this. Many outlanders also sometimes spoke with this tongue, but not to destroy. It was simply because it was made through blending the languages of the outer lands so that all those who were from it could understand.
Yet she learned this from her time sneaking around to learn from the outlanders. And didn't think it right to bring it up, especially since her being with the outlanders is what many believe brought back demons.
She already felt her lids get heavy and several yawns escape, but stood up straight and made her way to the council chamber.
X