The following day there was a snap inspection by some elders of the Innaxzi. They came abruptly and all the slaves were lined up. They went through them one by one, selecting a few, who were pushed trembling aside. Kiama found himself among those pushed aside. He feared the worst. He told himself that should he escape the situation he was facing, he would escape no matter the consequences. The slaves pulled aside were pushed stumbling away from the main group towards the direction of the Innaxzi compound. They were whipped mercilessly as they were driven, there being none to argue their case. Kiama could not count the number of lashes he received. He felt faint, and at one point he collapsed and had to be dragged by one of the slaves at the order of a guard. They were assembled at one corner of the Innaxzi compound, closely guarded.
The room was well lit, with skins of many different animals decorating the walls and floor. As with all Nkolwane shelters, this one seemed set to be easily dismantled. The two old men in the centre of the room were dressed in even more animal skins, making them look like big crows, heavily feathered. One spoke. "The boy is weak physically but …..I sense he possesses a strong aura. He might be a runner.... He has not been tested for this…how do you read this matter high one"? He whispered, his skin grizzled and parched. He looked to be very old. But not as aged as the one he spoke to. The other looked at his compatriot considering. Then stared at the boy for a long time. "mmmmmh. He muttered as to himself. "You speak truly, second...exterminate him!" Having spoken, he turned abruptly in spite of his seeming age and left. The other looked at him as he left; face tightening in an unreadable expression. Then he turned his eye on the boy, huddled and curled up on the floor. Two warriors flanked him to left and right. "Spear him!" Then as one warrior lifted his spear, "not here Fool…take him down to the steppe and kill him. I don't want blood on my baboon skins." He turned away, the matter already dismissed from his mind. The two warriors held the boy, one to each arm, and dragged him out.
Down the encampment they walked, dragging the limp boy between them. The camp was filled with activity, warriors moving from place to place. They skirted the prisoner encampment and walked down to the valley a little ways. One of the warriors pointed his spear at the boy. "Is this not far enough? He asked his compatriot gruffly". The other surveyed the surrounding then dropped his hold on the boy, who collapsed on the ground, bonelessly. The warrior who had spoken lifted his spear, muscles bunching, hand lifted way back – the killing stroke.
"You will stop!"
The two looked up in surprise. The voice had come from the nearby bush. A few meters away, as if from behind a bush, a youth stood. He was well arrayed in rich clothing. A bronze snake curled around his neck. Another, similar in design around one arm, which was exposed to the shoulder. He did not look big of body, but an air of nobility was on him.
"You will stop" he said again. Instantly the two warriors bowed low, eyes lowered to the dusty earth. One spoke. "My Prince hlubi, we have been ordered by the high one with elder Nguema to summarily execute this one…" he said, eyes still on the ground.
The youth had not moved from where he stood. "And I say you will not. The Nkolwane are not in the habit of executing prisoners needlessly. See, he appears to be badly hurt and without strength, he may not survive as it is. You will leave him with me….and tell elder Nguema as much"
The two warriors looked at each other, apprehension on their faces. They were not eager to do that last. But one could not disobey the Prince and get away unscathed. "As the Prince has spoken, we shall obey," they said in unison. Then they left at a trot. The younger Prince, for him it was who had espied the warriors dragging away the young man and guessed their intent, came closer to inspect what manner of person he had rescued. Ah! It was just a boy slave. And unconscious too! The Prince weighed his options a moment. He was not strong for his age and often sickly. He did not lie to himself that he had the strength to carry the boy all the way back to the slave kraal. Turning he walked back to the more populated area and summoned two warriors. "Carry the boy to the slave kraal. But first have him washed and apply herbs for healing to his whip marks," he told them. They hastened to obey.
Thus it was that Kiama found himself among the slaves once more. Though weak, his resolve had not weakened. He recalled that the old woman had not even been given a decent burial, but had been left to the wild animals, as were all slaves who died. The wounds he suffered during the beating seemed to have been bound, and some herbal concoction applied. He did not know who had shown him that kindness. This place did not look like it was inhabited by such people. As the community moved off, he could feel the land rising. They were approaching the escarpment, and he could see the peaks in the distance. But it would take hard walking to go through the paths between the jagged rocks. This whole area was alien to him, having travelled mainly through jungle or savanna. His mind tried to throw away a thought that with high ground came cliffs. With cliffs came a chance for escape. Had not the old woman told him to seek such? But truth be told he did not entirely trust the old woman. He trusted his legs more. He looked around. The masses of slaves walked, hunched under their burdens. He himself was burdened with poles for constructing a travelling hut, and they were heavy. In his weakened condition, it was all he could do to lift his head to see the surrounding area. He reminded himself that he was a warrior of the peacock regiment. He would never give up. Thus emboldened, he begun to plan in his head. The first thing would be to look for a way to cut the bonds that always tied the slaves to posts. Along with that came a way to survive the night.
The many feet of the slaves and their handlers filled the air with dust. Whips cracked as a slave gave up the journey and slumped only to jump at the whip. Others refused to rise though whipped mercilessly. These were those on their death throes. They were speared and left to rot on the wayside. The journey continued, amongst shrill, cries and moans. Most kept quiet to conserve their strength. Only those sun-mad, or those too far gone screamed. Or those being whipped. As the day proceeded, clouds covered the sun and it became blessedly cooler. Kiama had feared he would lose his mind because of the heat, screams, moans and whips.to keep his sanity, he gave himself a purpose. To find and secure a stone sharp enough to cut his bonds later on. He walked always scanning the ground. This was shale country. Surely he must come to a sharp piece of flint?
The walk progressed. As he walked, he espied a rock that was wedged into the soil ahead and to his left. Deciding to explore he staggered in that direction. As he reached the stone he appeared to fall, and in the flurry of collecting himself he secreted a piece of flint into the load, not even checking if it was sharp. The people staggered on. As the gloom of the evening approached, they were stopped and organized into work gangs as usual. These gangs went to the various camps to erect the sleeping huts. The huts were merely broken down walls of thatch and grasses, tightly tied together. When needed, they were joined and placed over a concave cage of special twigs. It was the work of the slaves to put this together every evening and separate them in the morning. They also had to know which hut belonged to whom. Hardly an easy task. And it had become the source of many a thorough whipping. The hard lessons learned ensured that no mistakes were made. In his mind he told himself he'd have to make his move the following night. By then they would have moved high enough to facilitate hiding amongst the cliffs.
Uloziba bowed low before the Prince, remaining that way. "I have been sent to you highness, to fulfill my duty." Prince Kwaome looked at her idly, his other hand playing with his knobkerrie. Courtiers and close friends from his regiment were gathered to either side of him. They all stopped their business to stare at the girl. The Prince gestured for her to rise with a flick of his knobkerrie. "Rise girl, and come close....let us see you". Uloziba arose gracefully and ventured closer to the Prince. He stood and closed the gap, his hand going to her chin, which he moved from side to side. "mmmh, you are not bad lookin...mmh? Not like the other wench I was sent by Nguema, that old bag of bones?" He admired her some more, appreciatively. "Go and make yourself ready in the inner room," he gestured curtly, whereupon she passed him and his friends and into the inner hut, all the while followed by their eyes. If one could eat with eyes, surely she could have been swallowed whole. A few moments later, after he had dismissed his friends and made sure guards were alert, he joined her in the inner room. He did not waste time with preliminaries.
Long afterwards, he lay catching his breath. He had enjoyed himself, he mused, throwing the girl a sideways glance. She was indeed better than a few others. But he did not know her name and couldn't be bothered. He stood up and retrieved his loin cloth and skins which he put on. Thus clad, he strode to his reception area. Uloziba on the other hand felt used and misused. Yes it was the practice that the selected Innaxzi female was usually offered to the Prince after a successful mission, but she felt degraded. Not that she would do anything about it. Even showing her anger could easily be punishable with extermination. And really no one would care. She therefore schooled her face and went back to the Innaxzi compound.
Kiama and the other slaves were negotiating rocks by now. As the day drew to a close he knew his chance was upon him. He planned silently in his head for he was aware that soon the community must begin to go down the other side of the escarpment. The activities of the evening were done as usual, and they were soon tied to posts, for the night. Roll call was done. He knew the next roll was around midnight. He had to wait for it before making his move. He was frightened, he knew, yet he was determined that he must take advantage of this opportunity. It might never come his way again. He knew he must make his move at the latest part of the night, when slumber is deepest
As the night proceeded, he gathered his strength. Swarms of mosquitoes feasted on the slaves. Since most were scantily covered, they had a field day. . Near dawn he crawled to the stake his hands were tied to. Wedging the flinty stone he had collected earlier against the stake, he sawed the cords against it silently and patiently, knowing the reward for a failed escape attempt was thorough beating and impalement. The area was surrounded by night scouts, and to make matters worse there was a half moon out. The cords were difficult to cut but finally they snapped and he began crawling between the stakes and to the outside. From his position he could see the nearest guard warrior, leaning against his spear, head bent in drowsiness. He crawled softly on his belly in the direction of the bushes. As he crawled, a warrior materialized ahead of him. He was peeing into the bush. He finished, shook his penis then headed to the cattle pens. He could see the lethargy in the warriors walk. Good! He himself was full of fear and hope. A man whose life is on the line cannot know slack. He could not even feel the mosquitoes which no doubt were biting hard. He crawled some more, completely flat against the tall grass, always towards the cliffs. As the distance between him and the encampment increased, more and more hope swelled in his breast. He dared to hope. He dared to smell the night air. He dared to see his freedom.
He was now a reasonable distance from the encampment, but could still see the small shapes of the huts set up for the king, and his Prince. A bit further was the camp of the Innaxzi. He knew that it could not be too far to the cliffs proper. But now it was uphill so he dared to run on hands and legs, keeping low.
Then disaster happened. He heard a sudden commotion in the direction of the camp. He feared he could have been discovered. Had the third roll call been taken? He threw all caution to the winds and ran hard. Bushes pelted him, brambles cut at him but he couldn't feel the pain. He tripped and hit the ground hard. But was up in a flash winded but running doggedly. Was that the sound of pursuit he heard? Panic gripped him. He wasn't sure! Perhaps it was the sound of his painfully thudding heart. But surely that was a shout he'd just heard. Or maybe it was an owl's scream. Confusion hit him but he ran on. He was slower now, as he had arrived at a wicked looking cliff. He scrambled down some rocky outcrops to reach the edge. He stared out at blank space breathing hard. He knew he must calm himself. Then the words of the woman come to him, that he may look weak but was strong inside, and he had the heart of an eagle. He closed his eyes and took slower, deeper breaths. He banished all thought and focused on calm. He turned his mind to his mother's face, his father, sisters and finally his people. Calmness returned. Then he jumped hard, arms outstretched, uttering the words:
"Eim isfanib motunsagaracen onjasabo akelepila airegin arasah ubabam inewugnuf ngunnya eapukay inagnaaaa!!!"
The body of the boy started to change. Down, down, down he fell. The feet became claws, the arms, wings of a great bird. An eagle, king of the skies. The boy did still feel himself in his body, but his hands had become wings. He looked in wonder as his feathers caught the wind and soared in the dawn sky.
Uloziba and sechaba had been briefed. Their sole objective was to secure and return with the staff of light, currently in the possession of the people Uloziba had stayed with. Sechaba did not see this as much of a challenge, declaring that he would make as many kills as possible to weaken the opposing armies. The girl warned that such action could endanger the mission since the people would be suspicious. Sechaba scowled, seeing forbearance as weakness. He ran a few strides jumping high into the air chanting some unintelligible words and amazingly his body elongated and became small yet feathered. He transformed into a hawk and it flew off, wings flapping hard, squacking loudly. The girl similarly jumped and became a sparrow, also flying off in a burst of feathers.
Mukungu panted as he ran. On his back was slung a hide sack bearing the few belongings he had been able to gather in a rush. Shrubs whipped his face as he ran. With him were his cohorts Gitau and Kanyutu, carrying their spears and shields. It was kanyutu who had given the warning when the strange woman had been sighted together with Kui. Mukungu wiped the sweat off his head. What a shock that had been! To imagine that she could be alive! But the sight of her had also stirred him up. He regretted not taking her quickly. The events of that fateful night went through his head. He had to survive, he told himself. To remain in the village was sheer suicide. As they trotted, he thought, and he planned. Soon a cunning smile spread on his face. "We go south" he said. The men with him ran. It was sheer self-preservation that drove them. They knew it was they who would face the music if caught. The land was rapidly approaching forest. This part of Anyaga territory was sparsely populated. Thin shrubs could be seen here and there. The day was becoming hotter and hotter. Gitau wondered what they would do when their water gave out. They had managed to fill two waterskins in a hurry. There was little food available so they would have to hunt. And he prayed the warriors would not be sent after them. Particularly that warrior Mukwa Njugu. What a mess!
The elders had donated a hut to the old woman Wangari and her protégée Kui. It was close to the meeting place, where the council house was situated. The two were presently relaxed within it. It was in fact new, having been quickly constructed by the youth and women of the community. A cheerful fire was roaring between three stones. Kui reclined on a leather mat near it, nodding off. The old woman was a distance from the fire, in some form of trance. Her eyes were closed and she was completely still. Kui had earlier tried to start a conversation without success. Now she was bored and sleepy. Her mind was still dreaming about the experience she had gotten with Mukwa Njugu. It was actually her first time to indulge herself so wantonly, and she hoped he would not look down on her for that. She closed her eyes and saw the scene again. Suddenly the old woman gave a start, and opened her eyes. She turned her gaze on Kui. "The sleeper has awakened" she said, smiling.
"What are you talking about mother, which sleeper...i was just no --"
"Not you child....the third one of us has awakened."
She saw the question in Kui's eyes. "Soon you will meet, the two of you, so no questions. Sleep child. We arise early on the morrow."
Kui did not need to be told twice. She was exhausted by the activities of the day. She did not even dream.
In the meantime, Sechaba and Uloziba made their way high in the sky, towards Maarati territory. If anybody noticed a hawk and a sparrow flying together and found that odd, they never commented. On and on they flew, making good time. Forested land slowly gave way to large plains. As they flew, one of the birds saw a group of warriors resting in the bushes. Clearly they had just consumed a lot of meat. Various bones and skins could be seen scattered about. It looked like about thirty warriors, a raiding party. Most of the warriors were sleeping but a few had been left to stand guard. One was holding a big bone near his pelvic region and joking with his friend. "Surely if my prong was this big, Riontai would have married me ". The other laughed loudly.
Without hesitation the hawk swooped low and perched on a branch overlooking them, to be shortly joined by the sparrow. The two sat without movement watching the warriors keenly. If one of the warriors had been blessed with an ability to see into the astral plane, they would have seen a faint vapour-like cloud form just above two of the sleeping forms. One had the distinct shape of Sechaba, the other Uloziba. The vapours formed hands, which extracted claws. The claws elongated, and sharpened, looking like long knives. With a vicious slash, the hands jabbed the claws into the heads of the sleeping warriors. One warrior convulsed with a loud gasp, blood streaming from his nose and ears. He never even awoke. His gasp caused a warrior nearby to wake up. On seeing his neighbour bleeding profusely he screamed and other warriors came running. A short distance away, a sparrow and a hawk took off and resumed their flight without a backward glance. The Maarati were left screaming their frustrations and searching the nearby bushes. Two of their warriors were dead and no apparent assailant.
The boy in the shape of an eagle flew north towards his homeland. Exhilaration filled his heart. The sights and sounds around him were amazing. He soared high above, keeping his wings widely spread. Instinct told him to spare energy by gliding, making lazy turns and swoops. His eyes were so sharp; he could see small animals running along the ground, even from this distance. He glided into clouds, loving the feel as his beak and face hit the cold, misty vapour. Looking around, he realized he was in Maarati territory. Ahead, he could see what looked like a war party. They seemed to be arguing about something, making wild gestures, some leaping high into the air angrily. He could also see signs of a feast, animal skins with bits of meat still attached, bones in various sizes scattered about. All these things he noticed vaguely, feeling giddy with excitement, his mind on his home. The boy flew further and further, past Maarati territory and into Anyaga lands. Dusk was fast approaching when he first saw a thingira, the hut of his people. He was exhausted, but he pressed on. A thought told him that whereas he knew how to change to the eagle, he had no idea how to change back. He flapped his wings powerfully, descending and seeking out his home. His sense of direction took him unerringly to the small field just inside his father's land. He landed clumsily and passed out.
Uloziba and Sechaba had also arrived at Anyaga territory, though their landing had not been as undignified as Kiama's. They had not gone near any homestead, preferring to scout the area first. They wanted to know where the seer lived. After some discussion, they agreed it was urgent that they capture a prisoner. As luck would have it, a man appeared near where they were hidden in the shrubs. He led animals which did not seem to obey his prompting. They waited until the man was adjacent and then Sechaba leapt, impacting him with his right shoulder. The man who seemed to be in his middle years fell heavily, with a surprised yell of pain. Sechaba did not give him time to recover, but set upon him with strong punches. As the bleeding man tried to scream, Sechaba blocked his mouth with his palm and with the other locked his neck tight. He knew with a little move he could break that neck. Uloziba came close. "Where is the home of your seer old man? Tell us and you will live" she told him sternly. "If you shout, you're dead"
She watched to see the the man, eyes opened wide in surprise, nod. She signaled to sechaba who loosed his hold on the man's mouth.
"I heard that her hut was constructed near the council chambers high one's" the man squeeked, "please don't hurt me!" he moaned.
Sechaba looked at Uloziba, still holding the man securely. "Do you believe him?" he asked.
"Only one way to find out. Let's go" and she started off. Sechaba drew his dagger across the man's throat and jumped clear, running to keep up with Uloziba. The old man was left, suffocating in his own blood.
Uloziba could remember the way to the council chambers, she circled, staying low, not wanting the direct route to the place. She figured it would be wise to avoid meeting the inhabitants. "You could have knocked him unconscious instead of killing him, how much noise do you think a body found on the ground will arouse? She asked sechaba as they walked, keeping low. Sechaba turned to her sneering. "I swore to the eldest to cut as many throats as I can...and I haven't even started!" he spat on the ground, his features contorted in contempt. Uloziba paid him no attention, instead jogging lightly. She could see the council house looming in front in the gathering darkness. A solitary hut was to the right, looking lonely. She came to a halt, merging into the bushes. Sechaba, beside her muttered. "There is no light within"
She looked at him. " Sechaba, this is not a conflict we should face with a frontal attack, this seer is very strong."
"Are you afraid?" Sechaba said looking at her, his eyes glinting in the gloom.
She looked away, hating him. "One day your thoughtlessness will put you in the centre of a snare Sechaba. I counsel patience."
Sechaba spat again. "We wait for her and grab the scepter. I want to report success to the eldest by morning." he said vehemently
"And if you don't have the guts for it, you can explain your failure to him too!"
The girl shook her head in amazement. The two sank down among the bushes to wait.
Kiama awakened in his mother's hut. He could not tell how he had gotten there. He was lying on the bed, cured animal skins snugly covering him, a fire roaring merrily on one corner. His mother was not there but his two sisters were seated near him.
"Mother!, Kiama has woken up" Njambi shouted towards the entrance excitedly. His mother shortly entered allulating loudly.
"My son, what happened to you, how did you get here?" she asked
"We found you lying outside!"Njambi broke in.
"Tell us everything, your adventures, everything!"
The cacophony of noise brought his father. He stooped to get through the low entrance of the inner room where they were. Mzee warobi was not too old, but he had sufficient white hair to speak in the council. He was stout, with a protruding belly, though he did not drink much. He was soft spoken, and now had a thoughtful expression.
"Feed the boy first before badgering him with questions, mother of Kiama!" he said, not unkindly.
The girls kept quiet, but still giggled silently, covering their mouths with their hands. Mzee Warobi went to sit near his son, looking at him gravely. "Are you injured anywhere my son? Are you in pain?" he asked worriedly.
"No father, I'm just tired"
"mmmh", the old man murmured
"How was it that the girls found you stark naked outside on the grass unconscious? How did you get there? At this the girls giggled even more.
"It's a long story father__"
"Let the boy eat first father of Kiama" interrupted the mother, coming in with a steaming, overloaded calabash of "mukimo" and meat, the traditional food of Anyaga. His father smiled and moved aside to let the food reach Kiama.
The boy ate with surprising appetite, while his sisters fussed over him. Within no time the plate was empty. He was asked whether he wanted more, but he declined. Everybody then settled down to hear his story.
He started with his journey with the seven warriors and Uloziba, to the deaths, to the enslavement and his escape. He left out his transformation to an eagle and the flying. His narrative took him back to the tortures of his capture.
After his narrative, MzeeWarobi shook his head slowly in thought. "This matter needs to be taken to the village council.
At that moment there was a knock on the outer door. His mother and father looked at each other. "Were you expecting anyone father of Kiama?"She asked
Mzee Warobi shook his head.
"Open the door but ask who it is first." he indicated to one of the girls, who went to the door and put her head sideways against it. "Who is it?" she asked.
"It is I, Wangari, and my daughter Kui. It's cold out here". Njambi turned to look at her father, who nodded. She unlatched the door and pulled it back. The darkness was heavy outside. The Anyaga seer Wangari wa Mwega stooped to enter, followed by Kui. They went straight in and sat next to Kiama on the bed, which was by now crowded. "I salute you Mzee Warobi, father of Kiama, and you mother of Kiama" she said in greeting
"I salute you mother of the clan" he replied, sounding confused. "In what way can we help you mother of our clan? He asked moving from the bed to a nearby stool, where he could watch but not be next to the seer.
"We came because of him!" she said.
"The boy has suffered much and is tired, we have only now been told of his adventures in the lands of our enemies, he_
"I know" she broke in, with a knowing smile, and then turned her attention abruptly to Kiama.
"How are you feeling my son" she asked, smiling encouragingly.
"Im....okey, ....just exhausted" he replied unsure. Who was this strange woman who had come in? He asked himself. Kui he knew, but who was the woman. The boy looked to his father, nervous.. Mzee warobi smiled reassurance.
"Mother of our clan, this are troubled times as you yourself attested…my family in particular have had many upheavals of late, what with the arrival of a stranger who caused many fights here before she left.." the old man shook his head remembering the incidents. "And then the near disappearance of our son and the warriors of our clan for over a full moon, and now my son reappears outside this hut, naked!"
"Leave me alone with the boy for a short while...I must talk with him" the seer asked.
""everything will be explained, Mzee Warobi, have no fear." she said.
The two parents looked at each other uncertainly. He saw that his wife was about to object and hurried to respond. "So long as you do not keep him too much, he is very exhausted."
She nodded and the sisters trooped out, followed by the mother, who looked back suspiciously, her mouth a thin line of disapproval. The father closed the door gently after himself. "Do you think she will swallow him, mother of Kiama?" he murmured to his wife as they left
Alone now, Kui seated on the other side, the seer came closer, and locked her eyes on the boy.
"mhhh, yes you must indeed be tired.....seeing that you flew all the way here!"
The boy was in shock. His mouth flew open, eyes wide. How could she have known that? Kui also was not a little surprised.
"You are surprised that I know? Yes I do. I felt the strength and I knew when you awakened" she smiled brightly at the boy. Then looked at Kui.
"This is the third one that I spoke to you about."
Kui was still not recovered. She looked at the boy then at the woman, then at the boy again.
"But he is just a boy?!"
"Yes and you were just a girl when I found you". The woman replied. She looked at Kiama . Confusion was written all over his face.
"My name is Wangari wa Mwega, you may call me mother." she said.
"You already know my apprentice Kui...together we are the seers that stand for this community. You are the third one of us. Never worry Kiama. See I even know your name. There is alot to explain, and all will be made clear, but we cannot explain it all to you now. She looked around suspiciously as if expecting a snake to spring out of the walls. "There is evil about and we cannot stay too long, for you are still not initiated."
The boy couldn't take it anymore. "Initiated where? I just got here, and besides, im very tired!"
The old lady regarded him keenly for a few moments then sighed. She shook her head muttering to herself then fixed the boy with her gaze. "You are part of us, but you need training. And quickly, for there is much danger about. I cannot explain everything to you here, but I will as soon as we are somewhere safer".
The boy looked even more confused. "I do not know what you are talking about". He said.
The old lady told him to watch. She gathered her robes, and then walked casually to the centre of the room. "What you will see now is not to be carried beyond this room". She begun turning round, muttering some words, and as she did, an amazing transformation happened. Where she had been standing was a goat, looking at the both of them. The two opened their eyes wide, even Kui, who had once seen it before. She could never get used to that. The boy rose up from his bed in shock, staring at the goat. Seeing that she had their attention, the goat turned and the old woman was standing in its place once again.
"You can already do this, but there is much more to learn", she said to Kiama. Turning to Kui she asked her to call his parents. Kui hurried out. The boy rose weakly and put on some clothes. He did not understand fully but knew he could not ignore what he'd just seen. Kui came back with his parents. The old woman explained that she must leave with their son. They ground their teeth with frustration.
"Why?" asked the father.
"Yes tell us why?" the mother added from behind the safety of her husband.
The seer realized that she would have to explain briefly the ability that needed to be natured in Kiama.
"Your son has some exceptional abilities. He has always had these abilities but they lay latent within him. They were awakened during his capture, as he faced many trials. But he must be well trained before he can attain his full potential. I am able to offer him this training if he accepts of his own free will. There will be nothing dangerous to him, but there are those who will recognize this ability in him and this could be dangerous...the sooner he learns to fully use his skill, the better."
She hoped she hadn't said too much. Some things are better left unsaid.
"Who are these people dangerous to my son?" Mzee Warobi insisted.
"You were in the council chambers when i mentioned of the marauders to the south who will fill this land like locusts. They have some among them who are able to recognize this ability in the boy. We must have him ready before they arrive....there is little time...."
"But what exactly is this ability, mother of our clan? The old man insisted, "Is my son a seer? Is he a.....what?.....what is he"?.
"Father of Kiama, his abilities are not, cannot be demonstrated right now without training....I must_"
"But if we are to let him travel with you, should we not know what illness our son has?" interjected his mother, still behind her husband.
"Mother of Kiama", the seer said with patience, "it is not an illness, but an ability that has lain dormant in him until now"
The boy, listening to them stirred.
"Eim isfanib motunsagaracen onjasabo akelepila airegin arasah ubabam inewugnuf ngunnya eapukay inagnaaaa!!!"
The boy said as he leaped off his bed into the air, the transformation already happening. His fingers spread into feathers, wings, his head shrank, a beak appeared and his feet turned into claws and he landed on the floor, unfurling the great wings of an eagle and flapping them several times in force.
His father toppled over backwards from his stool in shock, his mother also on the ground, hand to mouth, stifling a scream. Not so with his sisters. Screams rent the air. The eagle flapped its wings at the disturbance. Chaos ensued.
"Be still everyone!" shouted the old woman. "And you! Stop that noise!" she said, pointing at the elder sister, who promptly shut up, hand covering mouth, eyes wide. Everyone stared at the eagle, as if hypnotized. It walked around the room, wings twitching as if it needed to be in the sky, but did not approach anyone too closely. The seer walked casually to it and begun stroking its neck feathers gently, cooing and murmuring softly to it. Surprisingly it allowed her to touch it, in fact leaning into the caress. Then a transformation begun to occur as the eagle relaxed. The body elongated, the beak disappeared and shortly the boy was lying on the floor as if dazed, again totally naked. The parent's eyes opened even wider. The seer signaled to Kui and she hurried over and together they carried him to the bed, and covered him again. Only after he was well settled did the seer now turn to the parents.
"I had hoped you would not have to see that. Clearly the boy has been given instruction in the first steps. He has not been taught control of his ability. That I will do". The seer paused. The parents and sisters had still not recovered from their shock. They listened as if in a dream. But the old man had reclaimed his seat, his wife by him, both arms covering her face, she wept softly. The father shook her gently trying to console her. The two sisters were now by the door, unaware of what next could occur. Perhaps a lion...or a hyena?
"If I have your permission to take him" she said looking at them questioningly. The old man nodded weakly, his wife also.
Meanwhile the boy stirred, moaning softly. Kui went to find a fabric and some water, pulling one of the sisters with her to consult. Shortly she came back with some water in a calabash and some fabric, which she dipped into the water, wrung out, and placed on Kiama's forehead, repeating the maneuver. He opened his eyes at the cold water, looking around. Recollection hit him.
The two Nkolwane warriors were freezing but too proud to say it. Uloziba crouched low in the bushes. The darkness was in its extreme. Beside her, sechaba never let his eyes wander far from the old womans hut. Suddenly he clicked his tongue in vexation. "She is not coming. Let's consider something else." he said crossly. Uloziba nodded in agreement. "let us seek her", she said, her face determined. Sechaba nodded and settled himself. The two closed their eyes, ignoring the cold.
There was need to hurry, the seer knew, yet the family of the boy insisted on fussing over him as his things were packed to a bundle that would be convenient to carry. She watched impatiently as his sisters moved from here to there picking various things that belonged to the boy. His mother watched like a hen that was being denied of its chick, casting furtive glances at the seer every now and then. In a way the seer felt sorry for her, after all, which mother would be happy to be denied the company of her son so soon.
The boy's father had made his way to his sleeping hut, and did not emerge again. The seer soon grew quickly impatient, and signaled to Kui. "Help the boy since he is exhausted, and let's get moving. The night is young yet".
The boy was now clothed, a small package of change of clothes slung on his back. He did not carry any weapons since the seer had insisted that they would not burden him with shields and spears. The night seemed to have grown darker when the three walked out of Mzee Warobi's compound and went towards the forest. They left Kiama's two sisters holding back tears and sniffles, hands clasped to their mouth. The seer had refused to say where exactly she was taking the boy, and Kui could not be persuaded to open her mouth and shed light on the matter.
Much later, they hurried through Anyaga territory towards the forest. It was very dark, so Kiama and kui stumbled often. The seer hurried them in the deep gloom, having little regard to the terrain, seeming to be driven by a desire to see them out of the village as soon as possible. As they walked, Kiama and kui talked in hushed tones, with kui narrating her experiences with the seer, at the prompting of Kiama. They went past the farthest inhabited area and now entered the forest proper. The road, if you could call it one, seemed to crest a small rise then go down into a deep valley. Forest was on every side, but not the thick forest that could only be found in the jungles of Africa. Here many had cut trees to use for firewood, so there were still many open places in the foliage. The din of night creatures was loud. Crickets screeched stridently as if with their last breath they intended to blow themselves up. The party made their way down the valley and joined a straight road that seemed to become rougher and rougher the farther they travelled. The forest also got deeper. In the distance they heard the cough of a hunting leopard, but it was faint.
The old woman picked up the pace. They move on and ahead could be seen a crossroads. This was a well-known crossroads, for one path led into the hunting grounds of the lower Anyaga, while the other led to the great river that traversed Anyaga territory. It was in fact at this river that kui had been kidnapped. As the troop came closer to the crossroads, the crickets went silent.
It has been said that if crickets go silent in the jungle, then danger is nearby. Kiama automatically began scanning the forest ahead keenly. With a start he realized there were two people standing at the center of the crossroads. He could not have seen them from that distance if it were not for their long dark shadows. Kui had seen them also, and so had the seer, who did not pause in her walking but instead hurried up. The two followed, all conversation stilled, their attention on the two who were ahead of them. "Who are those?" Kui whispered to Kiama, who shook his head. The strangers were dressed in strange garb even from this distance. In the gloom one could not make out the faces of the two people, but as they came closer, Kiama could tell that one was a woman and the other a man. The two parties observed each other as the distance between them lessened, but none said a word.
As they came to within about forty paces from each other, the seer asked them to stop. "Kui, walk with Kiama on your side of the path….and keep him with you" she said". "And do not get involved," she added as an afterthought. They then continued walking, Kiama moving off to walk beside kui. As they came even closer, the features of the two people ahead became clearer. To his shock, Kiama realized that the woman was Uloziba. Anger rose up within him, recalling all that had happened since they had travelled together. "You!" He screamed in rage. "You are the one who killed our warriors, I know you!" He said, striding boldly forward. The woman named seemed unmoved in the dusk. She answered nothing but the man at her side made a comment. They didn't understand what was said. The old woman went closer, holding her staff ahead of her and the two opposing parties drew near. The woman known as Uloziba spoke in broken Anyaga.
"Old woman, give the stick of light and pass you safely, you and them"
The old woman smiled, though the smile remained unseen in the gloom. Kui was trying to pull Kiama to her side of the road, away from the old seer as she had been instructed. But Kiama was not cooperating, instead walking with bold strides towards Uloziba, his face showing his hate and anger. "You had intended to kill us all from the beginning, hadn't you? All your friendship was an act to get close to us – EVIL SPY!" he shouted in anger, all the while moving nearer. The old woman spared a quick glance for the boy. She gestured to kui. "Keep him away from this, and hold him close" she said. Kui rushed forward and held Kiama's hand and pulled with all her strength to the other side of the road. Kiama staggered in her direction, thereby letting the old woman take the lead. Kui held Kiama firmly. "Let her handle this!" She hissed urgently. The two parties advanced even closer.
For the first time Uloziba and Sechaba moved, separating from each other. Uloziba moved to block off the path of Kiama and kui while Sechaba moved towards the old woman. The air was tense. The old seer stopped briefly and waved a hand at the top of her staff as she uttered a word. An eerie glow sparked to life on top of the staff, where the odd stone resided as if wedged within the gnarled root.
"Children of the southern enemy, you have a chance to leave now and let us pass in peace else I shall be forced to do that which I do not wish!" Said the seer. "You! Girl!" She continued pointing at Uloziba. "You seem to speak our tongue a little. Tell your friend that this can only end in grief. Tell him to move aside".
Uloziba who had by now effectively positioned herself to blockade Kui and Kiama glanced at the woman. "Give stick of light and go, old woman,.…you and children" she said gesturing to Kui and Kiama.
"Is this decided then, you will not relent? Asked the seer as the air suddenly became heavy. Sechaba seemed to lift his hands, claws extended, the ring around his fingers also glowed with a faint light. Uloziba did the same. The air keened as if an unearthly force had suddenly found release. The staff of light in the old womans hands blazed with sudden fire, and Sechaba was flung backwards, some six feet into the air to slam into the trunk of a nearby dead tree and then to the ground with a grunt. The old seer turned to Uloziba and as the struggle commenced, an amazing thing happened. Uloziba seemed to be struggling against an invisible force that was pushing her backwards, her face in a grimace of effort and concentration. At a point the stone flared again and the younger girl also hurtled back to fall within the bushes. The old woman's staff slowly quieted, the flame dying out. She gestured urgently to the two and they moved on hurriedly.
"What I have done will be felt a long way from here, she told them, and our enemies are listening. They are always listening. Come hurry. We must be far by daybreak". They moved off into the gloom.
It was still night, about two hours after the struggle. Uloziba stirred and opened an eye. She was, she realized, lying within a bush that had many small thorns and some of them had pricked her body in various places. Fortunately none of them was big enough to cause her undue concern. What did concern her was her body. She felt as if she had been battered by a huge ram. She tried to raise herself off the ground, groaning in pain at the effort. Slowly, painfully she got to her feet, staggering like a drunken monkey. Her head swarm, and she felt ill all of a sudden. She bent and put her head down beneath her knees for a moment to settle it, then touched herself gingerly. It appeared there were no broken bones, but plenty of lacerations. A burst of fury hit her for a moment then she suppressed it. This was not the time to be flummoxed by anger, but to be sober and reason logically. She moved away from the bush slowly, being careful to avoid the thorns. She made her way out to the path and then walked the short distance to where Sechaba's crumpled form lay. A hand to his nostrils showed her that he was not breathing and a short examination showed her that his back was broken. So much for him, she though unrepentantly. He deserved it for refusing to listen to her. Everything had to change. This seer was too powerful. The Innaxzi would have to fight her in force. Else the old crone could be a problem. The boy's appearance on the scene had startled her. How did he escape? She wondered. And him coming back home so fast. There was something strange about that. So many unknowns. Where was the old woman taking them in such a hurry? She determined to find out. But it had to be craftily done, she thought. It would not do to report failure to the elders. She must report a form of success. Yes. It would not do at all. Better to report a little success than outright, total failure. Suspicion being what it was, she might even be accused of murdering Sechaba, she thought miserably. Best to show success, then everything would be forgiven. She followed the path that the trio had taken ahead of her. It was still deep gloom, but knowing the old woman, she would travel to a secure location and rest to hide from the night predators, and then travel in the daytime.