Let my people go

(c) Kooskia (art)
(c) Naomi Novik (characters and story)

After listening some random amv on youtube with "Let my people go " of Egypt's Prince, i had a strong inspiration to draw this art about the Fourth Book of Temeraire, the Empire of Ivory.

Here there is Mokhachane, probably the "villain" that i love more... and it's impossible to not hoping for their victory in this book <.<

I think that Novik created an amazing African culture for her story... thanks the sort-of imprinting received by the unborn dragons in the eggs, the Africans speak to the egg and convince the baby dragon of being the reincarnation of an elder or a died renowned warrior.
The most amazing aspect is that BOTH dragons and humans believe it deeply.... so a dragon feels responsable for his human-relatives and fellow tribesmen and humans believe that dragons are their deceased leaders and/or parents and grandparents

Differently from "our" history, in Temeraire's world the ongoing raiding of slavers helped the Tswana Kingdom to enlarge and became a confederation of multiple african people and tribes that seeked mutual protection, until the day when Mokhachane (that despite being a female dragon, she "know" of being the previous dead male king) decided to start her war. A war to chase away the Europeans from Africa and to search and save the deported african people

The attack was unexpected and powerful thansk the Europeans' underestimation of the danger:

Here we see Mokhachane in front of the Good Hope's Castle in Cape Town, after this first victory and the destruction of the British Colony despite the efforts of Temeraire and the entire Lily's formation.
You can see also the red heavyweight dragon Kefentse roaring (his entire village and his human family and relatives were all kidnapped and forced in slavery)

I wanted to draw Mokhachane thinking about the future plans she/he has... sort of "that's only the beginning", because the destruction of the European Colonies is only the first step for this new war...
Comments and opinions are extremely welcome ^^