The Glory of the Kings

The year is 1896. The European colonizing effort known as The Scramble For Africa is at its peak. Against the threat of invasion Ethiopian Emperor Menelik II King of Kings Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah issues a proclamation of war and rallies his troops to the defense of the Motherland. In the far south of Ethiopia in the small mountain town of Bekoji high on the Arusi Plateau two brothers-Bedane and Chala Negassa-answer the Emperors call to battle. Bedane leads a squadron of the fierce and feared Oromo cavalry north to join the Emperor. Too young to join the army Chala is assigned to guide Haile Mikael Tesfaye the Bishop of Bale Province and help him journey north to the battle to pray for the success of the troops. This then is the tale of the adventures of Bedane Chala and Father Haile as the Bishop likes to be called. The story takes place within the milieu of the campaigns waged by Emperor Menelik and the Italian General Oreste Baratieri which culminate in the terrifying Battle of Adua. At Adua Ethiopia valiantly defends its freedom and independence against the European invaders.