Original subtitles

(dramatic music)

(Thiyabezile) If the Queen had a hand in the death of the King,

upon drinking this, she will die.

-The Queen is innocent! -(crowd cheering)

(Zwide) We will raise our spears towards Zulu.

(Sanusi) Descendant of the great Ndaba.

From your bloodline, a cub will rise.

You must ensure your heir isn't part of the coming war.

-Where will you take the livestock? -Past eLangeni.

(all laughing)

(Piklile) There's a message from Prince Senzangakhona.

He wants to see you at your favourite spot.

When the sun rises tomorrow morning,

he wants to meet the sun from eLangeni.

(all chanting)

(tense music)

(birds chirping)

(melancholic music)

(Nandi) Menzi kaNdaba.

Nandi.

(Mkabayi) The rays of the sun illuminated what was already obvious.

The war was bigger than us.

The only thing left was for us to shout, "we surrender".

Our survivors fought on bravely.

But we were making no impact on Zwide's horde.

You're defeated, you dogs.

Surrender to us.

We'll dig out your eyes take your cattle

and sleep with your women.

Men, finish them!

(regiments yelling)

(Nandi) Is it true that there's a war...

because you saved me?

It's not your fault.

(Mkabayi) I was at a forked road.

Surrender our lives or surrender our dignity?

(Mbhobho) Retreat!

(Mkabayi) The head said, "It's enough".

The mouth said, "Let them taste steel".

The hero dies in heroism.

(horn sounding)

(dramatic music)

Who is that?

-(Man) Mthethwa! -(regiments) Nyambose!

(chanting continues)

It's the Mthethwa!

(regiments whistling)

(uplifting music)

Descend!

(regiments yelling)

(regiments chanting)

You Mthethwa b****rds, this isn't your war.

We've not come for war Zwide, son of Langa,

but if you don't retreat, we will fight.

Many Ndwandwe men will die.

(Zwide) We'll fight to the death.

Cowards!

(Zwide) Men, attack!

(Senzangakhona) A Sanusi came to our home.

He had a prophecy about a great King.

He is to be born from the Zulu bloodline,

who needs to be protected.

Is that why you were sent away?

My heart aches.

I'm worried about my fellow warriors who could die in battle.

I should die with them.

(grunting)

(dramatic music)

I can't.

I'll make you my Queen.

(Zwide) Come on!

(Nandi moaning passionately)

(Zwide yelling)

(Zwide breathing heavily)

(yelling)

-(Dlabehlezi gasping) -(tense music)

(dramatic music)

(sombre music)

(Man singing)

(reciting clan praises)

(music intensifying)

(Senzangakhona) What happened?

The Mthethwa army led by Prince Godongwana rescued us.

Sithuli sikaNdaba.

Dlabehlezi...

he didn't...

along with Mahole.

(sombre music)

-(regiments chanting) -(Zwide grunting)

(whispering) I'll get us out of here, my King.

We'll escape, I promise.

(Godongwana) Sons of Nyambose.

Eat.

Look at me carefully, Mthethwa.

I don't eat food meant for pigs.

And we'll never pledge loyalty to the Mthethwa.

(Zwide yelling)

(cows lowing)

(Sanusi) Ancestors, we humbly call on you.

Let the King wake up.

I acknowledge your presence in everything I do.

Because I trust in you.

Allow our King to rise.

He is our pillar of strength.

We humbly ask this of you, ancestors.

Great Zulu.

We chewed and spat out Zwide's army.

(Mkabayi) But our vulnerabilities were exposed.

We're alive today because of the Mthethwa army.

We need to change that.

-Senzangakhona. -(Senzangakhona) Mageba.

It's time you become a man.

You must be initiated, join a regiment,

get married and form alliances with neighbouring Kingdoms.

We can't wait for him to go through the whole initiation process.

(Senzangakhona) My elders are overreacting now.

The King is still alive.

I want to follow our custom properly.

Right now we need you to marry and form alliances.

The ancestors will understand--

(Mthaniya) If the Prince wishes to be initiated...

properly... let it be.

That doesn't stop us from identifying a Kingdom we can ally with.

There's King Sodubo's daughter,

from the Nzuza, Mkabi.

She's a perfect fit for Senzangakhona.

-Are we in agreement? -(all) Mageba.

(Mbengi) Daughter.

-(indistinct chatter) -(cows lowing)

I'm pleased to hear that the Zulu didn't fall.

We must send gifts to Prince Senzangakhona.

He's the one who saved our Princess.

A day will come when we'll need the Zulu's help.

(Mbengi) You're free to go, Princess.

The council seems to like Prince Senzangakhona.

Oh really, girl?

This means things are going well for you.

(cows lowing)

Queen...

We plead with the ancestors to keep him alive.

I came to ask for your blessing.

I leave tonight for my initiation.

Safe journey, my child.

You'll return a man.

Mother.

I understand the importance of marrying King Nzuza's daughter.

I accept that...

but the girl from eLangeni...

My wish is for the eLangeni girl to be my first wife.

The eLangeni can give us what the Nzuza will.

What can they give us?

-I promised her. -Promised her?

Who gave you the right to do that?

You're selfish.

You don't consider your father's people.

Do you think a kingdom is built on lust?

Is this the King you'll be?

-(women ululating) -(crowd singing)

(uplifting music)

(ambient sound faded)

(Zwide grunting)

Mthethwa.

What's this?

I brought you a gift, great Nyambose.

The Ndwandwe King, Zwide, son of Langa.

I don't remember asking for such a gift.

I prefer corn as a gift.

It doesn't bring a threat of war.

Word out there is...

you had a hand in your father's death.

Well...

the ancestors took him.

He was a weak old man whose time had come.

-What did you say? -(Zwide yelling)

(Jobe) Why should I respect your traditions when you don't respect me?

I should kill you for breaking our ancient treaties.

Send a messenger to the Ndwandwe now.

They must pledge their loyalty to us.

If not, we kill their King.

(Godongwana) Great Mthethwa,

I think we should make a customary change,

because the Ndwandwe won't submit without a fight.

(tense music)

(Jobe) You're telling me how to rule?

I take advice from you now?

If that's the case,

Baleka...

he must not die until I say so.

(Man) King Jobe wouldn't dare kill our King.

Yet we killed members of the Zulu delegation,

who came in peace.

-(Ntombazi) Ndwandwe people! -(all) Queen!

Enough about the Zulu.

We must send a delegation to Mthethwa.

(Zikode) A widow in mourning isn't allowed to address a council.

Your brother's life is in danger.

Worry about him, not me.

Honourable council,

we're ravaged by drought.

Our King is captured by the Mthethwa.

If the Mthethwa attack us now,

we will perish.

Zikode...

can't you speak directly?

Say what you mean.

We should consider pledging loyalty to the Mthethwa.

-No! -If we do...

our herds can go South and graze.

We can trade crops.

We'll never pledge loyalty to the Mthethwa.

It's not your decision, you're not King.

We wouldn't be in this mess if I was King.

(dramatic music)

Our King has been captured.

-He could die-- -What's your idea?

What should we do to get him released?

Start another war?

The ancestors will protect him...

if they see the need.

-(indistinct chatter) -(cows lowing)

(birds hooting)

(Godongwana grunting)

You survived the battle.

But will you survive your father's anger?

Everything I do or say angers the King.

Maybe I should stay away from the palace.

We can go north to Delagoa Bay.

That's where trade is happening.

I'd improve my healing skills there.

And we'd see each other more often.

Are you sure about going?

Aren't you?

I'm afraid.

And I'm worried about my children and my wives.

(Mkabayi) As Godongwana and Baleka found comfort in the shadows,

the sun of eLangeni was being warmed by the lustre of Senzangakhona.

But like beer that is spilt after it has been brewed,

Nandi's daydreaming would be shattered by her family's plans.

(men chanting)

-(Man) Greetings to eLangeni! -(men) Langeni!

(Man) Mhlongo!

Greetings from the Mzimela.

You're also here, Prince Ndabezimbi?

It's unusual for the groom to be part of negotiations.

My King.

In my defence I can say...

I enjoy the walk.

You were hoping that when you arrive,

you'd see the flower you came to pick.

-(all laughing) -True!

(light-hearted music)

The Mzimela have brought gifts.

They've proposed a day for marriage negotiations.

Look what they brought.

-Aren't they pretty? -Pretty indeed, Mother.

But not as pretty as the beads around your neck.

Where did you get them?

If they're from an admirer, return them.

Right now.

Your happiness, my child, comes from fulfilling your responsibilities.

Come...

help prepare the food.

Take that thing off your neck.

(dramatic music)

Let there be no obstacles...

on the journey I'm about to take.

No one should block my way.

How long have I been here?

Six days.

Light the way.

Am I getting better?

I'm the royal healer.

The King ordered me to heal you.

(indistinct chatter in distance)

(Piklile) May I speak to the Prince?

-(Ndabezimbi) Princess. -Prince of Mazimeleni.

I must tell you something.

You won't want anything to do with me after I tell you.

Nothing you say will change my mind.

-Nothing at all. -Very well.

Promise me you won't tell anyone.

Princess, your secrets are safe with me.

Promise and swear...

on your ancestors.

(stammering) I swear.

I'm not a virgin.

Oh, if that's all,

-that makes two of us. -Excuse me?

Me too, Princess, it won't be my first time.

-Come kiss me. -Not now.

Come back, Princess, relax.

I'll still marry you, I promise.

-Guards are coming! -(Ndabezimbi) Which guards?

We have to leave. Now.

Come on, Princess.

(Ndabezimbi sighing)

Oh my goodness.

(ominous music)

(Mkabayi) Ntombazi was not the type to place all her faith

in the will of the ancestors.

She decided to handle her son's future herself.

-(Man) Mthethwa! -(all) Mthethwa!

-(Man) Nyambose! -(all) Nyambose!

Queen of the Ndwandwe.

MaNdlangamandla, in the flesh.

Greetings, Nyambose.

It's been a while.

Shouldn't you be mourning?

(Ntombazi) What kind of a woman would I be to do nothing

whilst my son is held captive like an animal?

(Jobe) If that's why you're here why do I see no cattle for negotiations?

Do you think your tricks will untie that knot?

Are you here to pledge your loyalty,

or should I count my days like King Langa?

(Ntombazi) That's a spiteful rumour.

The King was everything to me and his people.

Great Nyambose.

Ndwandwe's trading post on the Mabhudu border,

-is an important asset for us. -Important?

Who are you?

Nyambose.

What's going on here?

Nyambose, we're visited by the Ndwandwe Queen.

She's here about her son, Zwide.

Nyambose.

-Something funny? -No, Nyambose.

(Jobe) You're laughing like the hyenas you breed.

Your son is a bully.

Both of you have betrayed our customs.

I don't want to negotiate. Pledge your loyalty or leave.

A traitor's punishment is death.

(tense music)

However, I'm not a cruel man.

Slaughter them a goat.

-Actually, make it three goats. -Nyambose.

Three goats to show them we're humane.

-We, the Mthethwa. -(crowd) Mthethwa.

(tense music)

I'm happy to see you alive.

Do you have a plan to get me out of this place?

It won't be easy,

but I'll find a way.

(ominous music)

Greetings.

All this is done...

just to please this witch.

(sighing) I don't know what to think of our husband.

(Tana) My brothers,

should we be worried about the King's state of mind?

Brother, everyone can see the trouble we're in.

Maybe the King should pass the throne down to one of us.

Be careful, Tana.

Some may see that kind of talk as treason.

No, listen...

I'm not talking about a coup.

I'm talking about following the tradition,

of the King handing the throne to one of us whilst he's alive.

Maybe we need a regent until the King is well again.

For now, let's stop talking about this.

We need to convince the King of the advantage we have,

with Zwide captive.

Mawewe, you're his favourite lately.

He might listen to you.

Enjoy, Queens.

(both) Thank you.

(Mabhamba) Your son...

he's Nyambose's favourite these days.

That's because he's not a delinquent.

He doesn't defy him.

Is this the Mthethwa King?

The future of the Mthethwa?

Please leave us.

What did you say?

I see your future.

Why would I listen to anything you say?

It's your choice to believe me or not.

The youngest of six brothers.

Isn't that you?

-What are you trying to say? -Do you want to be King, Mawewe?

-Do you want the throne? -The throne?

-That'll never happen. -I can help you get what's yours.

It's up to you.

I can show you.

(mysterious music)

Show me what you're talking about--

(sighing)

People of Mthethwa...

people of Ndwandwe...

should unite.

The Queen of Mthethwa...

King Mawewe...

pick the Ndwandwe flower.

Our families will unite.

We will unite as one.

Your future is in your hands.

(ominous music)

Your future is in your hands.

Mawewe.

(indistinct chatter)

(men singing)

(Man reciting clan praises)

-Mthethwa! -(all) Mthethwa!

-Nyambose! -(all) Nyambose!

Bring the one who calls himself the Ndwandwe King.

-(dramatic music) -(Zwide grunting)

Today is a day of reckoning.

The guilty have nowhere to run.

Betraying your father is a disgrace.

People who do such are punished.

Do you have anything to say?

My only crime is--

(Jobe) I'm not talking to you!

I'm talking to my sons.

Remove them.

My sons...

Get up!

Stand there.

Stand over there.

(Godongwana) Tana, what's going on?

(whispering) I don't know.

-Brother, what's going on? -(whispering) I don't know.

You all plotted to get rid of me.

Don't you dare deny it.

Remove that one. He's not part of the plot.

Nyambose.

On your knees.

Great Nyambose.

-I would like to ask-- -Shut up!

I'll release your son.

But, I'll teach you a lesson

and show you what I do to those who betray me.

If I can do this to my own blood,

imagine what I would do to yours.

Their blood has poison!

Feed them to the vultures!

-(men grunting) -(Mabhamba wailing)

Don't move.

-Nyambose! -(Mawewe) Let me go!

Nyambose...

Here's your favourite.

Lay a hand on Tana and I...

-I'll kill your favourite. -(Mawewe) Let me go!

Let's go, Tana!

(Tana grunting/gasping)

Tana!

Tana!

Do you see the blood of our brothers?

I swear on my Mthethwa ancestors...

I'll return, my boy.

I'm not a traitor!

I'm not guilty!

(dramatic music)

You finished him.

(Mabhamba sobbing)

(gasping)