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ChapteroneThewindblewinfourdirectionswherewestopped.Wewerehighuponahill.Mybody

feltstickyandgummy,Ihadnthadabathforthelastthreedaysbecausewehadbeen

marchingnonstop.Suddenlymydriftingthoughtswereinterruptedbytheclearsilkharsh

voiceofwarriorprinceAkpoti,`wehavegottentothefinalstop,hesaid,hisvoiceringinglikeabellinmyears.`theplainsarewhatliebetweenusandthemenofxendu.Themenofxendu,whohadntheardofthem?Noneamongstushadseenthembuttheirdeeds

surpasswords.Villageaftervillageandkingdomafterkingdomhadfallenbytheedgeof

theirblade.`washyourselvesandrestfortomorrowwegobeforethemenofxenduasmen,strongwilledmenpreparedtodieforhonour,menreadytolaydowntheirlivestoprotectallthatwelove,ourwives,ourmothers,ourchildrenourlandsandaboveallpreserveourkingdom.Wehavebeenpreparedforthisallourlivesandtomorrowweshallcarryoutourdutytotheking.Weexterminateorgetexterminated!`Remembertobeawarriorisnotaneasytask.

Tobeawarriorisnotaneasytask,thosewordskeptringinginmyears,keptrepeatingthemselvesliketheyhadamindoftheirown.DidIactuallyknowwhatIsignedupforwhen

Idecidedtobecomeone?DidIactuallyopenmyeyestochoosethisprofession?WasI

blind?NO!Idontthinkso.Itwouldseemratherthattheprofessionchoseme.Dontgetme

wrong,Imnotacoward,hadneverbeenoneandwouldneverbeone.Headingtowardsmytentforthenight

IdiscoveredthatIreallyneededtherest,threedayswithoutsleephadtoldonmeseriously,

mymovementsweresluggishandmyreactionsslow.Thiswasnotgoodespeciallyfora

warrior.AsIsettleddownthatnightonthegrasstosleep,Ireflectedonmythirtyoneyears

ofexistenceinthisworld.

ImDimpkaDiopa,secondsonofAlabathefarmer,hehimselfthelastbornsonofKiwiwi

Hawkeye,Huntershuntsman,sonoftheneedle.Myfatherwasanaveragefarmerwhilemy

grandfatherwasagreathuntsmanwellrenownedinsideandoutsideLeog.Fromchildhood

itwasclearthatIinheritedthekeeneyeofmygrandfather.ManythoughtIwouldtake

afterhim

but

upon

attaining

puberty,

Iexhibited

traits

of

my

mothers

tribesmen;

light

footedness.Afewyearsafter,anincidentconfirmedmeasthetruesonofmyfather.To

preventaforestfirefromreachingourfarmlandandultimatelydestroyingit,Idugamile

longtrenchwithoutpausingforrest.IcollapsedthereassoonasIfinishedunabletomove.I

wasdiscoveredfewhourslaterwheninthefracascausedbythediscoveryofthefire,my

absencewasnoted.Mysingulareffortsavedquiteanumberoffarmlandsandsurpassed

anythingmyfatherdidasayouth.

SoonafterthatIstumbledintothesportofwrestling.Withmyspeed,agility,stamina,

keeneye

and

quick

reactions/reflexes,

Itriumphed,

winnings

coming

one

after

the

other.

Thethingwasthough;Iwasntthestrongest,Iwasverysmartandskilledandthesealong

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withacombinationofotherfactorsmademeaforcetobereckonedwithinthewrestling

circles.Itwasoneofthosedays,afteragoodwrestlingmatchthatIwasaskedbyaroyal

scouttobecomeawarrior,tojointhenewlyformedelitecasteofwarriorsthatoperated

handinhandwiththecrown.Itookachancethen,riskeditandIhaveneverlookedback

since,that

is

until

today.

HowfarhadIriseninthecaste?Iaskedmyself.LookingbackIsawthatmytrackrecord

wasntimpressive.Iwasjustanormalman,amongstthedregsofthewarriorcaste,butI

dontblamemyself.Uponarrivalintothewarriorcasteitdawnedonmethatstrengthwas

neededinallthings.Notjustnormalstrengthbutbrutestrength.Howwouldyouuseskills

againstsomeoneasskilledasyouarewhomisevenstronger?Impossible!SoIhadtobe

contentwiththelowlypositionsassignedtome,consolingmyselfthateverypositionmust

befilled.Onthewholeitwasntthatbad...atleastthepaywasgoodandbeinganelite

warrior

from

Leog

definitely

boosted

my

sex

appeal

as

I

got

married

to

a

most

beautiful

and

caringgirlinLeog.AsofnowIhavetwosonsbothaged13and11respectivelyandin

everythingIdonow,Ialwaysconsiderthem,placingthemfirst,orhowelsewoulditsound

tothemlaterinlifethattheirfatherwasacoward?Thinkingthesethoughtsandmyface

filledwithbeautifulimagesofmyfamily,myonlyconsolationinlife,Ifellasleep.

....................................................................................................................................................

Iwasrelaxed,refreshedandreadytokill.Myarmourwasshiningandthesunreflectedoff

mybreastplatelikeamirror.`MENOFLEOG!!ITSTIMETOFACEOURDESTINYASWARRIORS!!!PrinceAkpotiswordspiercedthroughmythoughtslikeaknifethroughsour

milk.`THEMENOFXENDUHAVEPILLAGEDTHROUGHAFRICALIKEANTSANDNOWTHEYWANTTOTRESPASSONTHENORTHERNKINGDOM!!SOLDIERSOFTHENORTHWEAREANDWESHALLNOTRELENTINOUREFFORTTOSTOPTHEM!!Atthismomentmythoughtswenttomybeautifulwife,mytwosonsandimagesofthetimeswehadtogetherasone

familyflashedthroughmymind.Sothisistheendof...`EVENINDEATHITSHALLBEREMEMBEREDTHATWETHEMENOFLEOG!SOLDIERSOFTHENORTH!WARRIORSOFTHEELITE!!STOODUPAGAINSTTHETYRANNYOFTHEXENDUEMPIRE!Onceagaintheprinceswordsinterruptedmythoughts.Allthewarriorslookedfirmandtautwithgraveexpressions

ontheirfaces.IlookedtomyrightandsawmychildhoodfriendandplaymateOro.How

doesitfeelliketodie?Imurmuredtohim.`Dontworry;weshallsoonknowheanswered

andthensmiledhischaracteristicweaksmile.Chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarge!!!!ThecommandwassosuddenthatIhadtojerkmyselfforward.Asweranswordsandspearsinhandwith

ourmindsetondeath,thegrassbenttothewillofourfeetandwemadethenoiseTHUMP!

STUMP!!STOMP!!!

CLANK!Thatwasthesoundasmetalmetmetalandstrengthmetstrengthaswegazed

uponthefacesofourfoesforthefirstandlasttime.Theirskinwasyellowandthey

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appearedmonstrouslystrongandskilled.Theymovedlikeonewiththewindandkepton

pouringlikeants.WHAM!Wefellonthemlikeamachetefallingongrass,theyrecoiledas

THWACK!Theycounterattackedlikestubborngrassrefusingtobecut.

Ikeptrunningandpiercedmyswordintothechestofthefirstsoldierinmyway;I

removedit,duckedtododgeablowfromanenemyandcounteredslicinghisheadoff.This

waswar.Everywherearoundmewasgory.TCHWANG!Ihadturnedjustintimetoblock

anotherblowfromanenemy.Myquickreflexeswereworkingformethistimearound.I

pushedwithallmystrengthandbeforehecouldrecoverenoughtoregainhiscomposure,

myswordhadlodgedinandcheckedoutofhischestinamatterofseconds.Hefelldown,

andbeforehisheadhitthegroundIhadengagedanotherfoe.Thefightingwasintenseand

IwasalreadysweatinglikeaChristmasgoatbutmysensesweresharperthanever.

InthisstateIturnedonlytofaceanotherwarrior.Theywerestrongbutnotfast.Ina

matterof

seconds

his

insides

were

on

the

ground.

With

this

speed

Iturned

only

to

discover

myweaponhookedbyanother,Ilookeduptoseeanuglymonsterlookingdownatme.He

lookedlikearedbullandheldmystareforafewseconds.Hrmppfh!Hegroanedandtooka

move.WithmyweapontrappedIwasatalossforwhattodo.SuddenlyImadeamove,he

wasbigandheavyandso....slow...tospeak,Iremovedtheflashpowderwewarriors

carriedalongwithuseverywherewewentandaimeditstraightintohiseyes.Hewas

momentarilystunnedandinthatmomentIfreedmyswordandconcentratingallmy

strength,struckavitalblowlodgingmyswordbetweenhisribs.Panting,Ipusheditsome

more.SureofthepotencyofmyweaponImovedclosertohimashefellonhiskneesto

dislodgethesword,butasmyhandstouchedthehilt,Ifeltanothersetofhandscloseover

mine.InstinctivelyIlookeduponlytoseehiseyesopenandbrownjaggedteethsmilingat

me.ThatwasthelastthingIsawbeforeIfeltsomethingterriblybigandhuge(hishead)hit

myface.Thepainwassointensethatitrusheddownfromthepointofcontact,washing

throughmywholebody.Imovedbackmomentarilydazedforafewsecondsandupon

seeingthroughthestarsthatdazedme,snapped.Throwingallcautiontothewind,I

broughtouttwodaggersfrommybackwantingtohurthimasmuchasIcouldandinmy

blindfuryIattackedtheuglysonofamonsterinfrontofme.Hewasntdumbandsopulled

outanaxetofacemesquarely.Iusedthedaggersonhimtilltheirbladeswerebent.And

thentheybrokeyethekeptoncominglikeabull.Myfurywasspentandmybodyweakand

yethewasstillcoming.Thistimearound,Iknewtherewasnowayaroundit,mybodywas

alreadybathedinmyownbloodandIhaddeepcutsandbruisesalloverme.Iwasfeeling

faint.Ilookedaroundme;weweresurelylosingthebattle.ForeverynorthernwarriorIsaw

standing,IsawtwoofXendu.Hewasclose,soIsteeledmyselfforthefinalblow,pickingup

thedeadsoldiersswordlyingonthefloornexttome.Aeeeaaaarrrrhhhh!Iranforward,

swordraisedtomeethimmidcharge.Justwhentheswordsweresupposedtoimpactand

metalsupposedtoscratchmetal,hedidafeintandwithspeedIthoughthimnotcapableof,

rushedback

and

struck

me

avital

blow

on

my

shoulder.

Imust

admit,

Inever

saw

it

coming.

MyscreamjoinedthemarketofscreamsofdeathbeingtradedbetweenbothsidesasI

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clutchedmyshoulderinadesperatebidtostopthespontaneousflowofblood.Thepain

rackedmybodybutitdidn'tendatthat,heturnedtoservetheblowthatwouldseveremy

headoffitssupport.Weakfromtherapidlossofblood,Ifelltomyknees.Mybloodwas

gushingdownmyhandsandmyvisionwasgettingblurred.HeraisedtheaxeandIclosed

myeyes,

but

it

never

came

down.

Iopenedmyeyesandsawmywarriorprinceathisback,themonstershandholdingthe

axehavingbeencutoff,rollinginthedustashisbloodmingledwithsand.Hekickedme

forward,outofthewayandIfellintoapond.Asthewaterslowlysubmergedme,Itookin

everythingthatwashappeningaroundforperhapsthelasttimewithmybloodblurred

vision.Mywarriorprincematchedthenowonehandedmonsterskillforskill,strengthfor

strengthbutloandbeholditwasalostcauseforasthatmonsterfell,twomorecameand

tookhisplace.ItindeedwasalostcauseforLeogasourforceswerefaroutnumberedand

dwindling

fast.

The

water

touched

my

beard

and

I

smiled.

`you

have

done

well

I

told

myself.

IhadpaidwithmylifefortheheroshonourlikeKpeti,Njovoandothersbeforeme.Icould

considermyselfafulfilledman,onewhodiedtoprotecthismotherland.

Asmyheadhitthebottomofthepond,theencumberingdarknesstookovercompletely.I

sawsomethingthenheardnothingandsawnothing. Iwasdead.

....................................................................................................................................................

Thebattlewasover,theycouldprogressatlast.Theyweretheadvanceregimentof

GenghiskhanofXendu,unstoppableandunbeatable.Kingdomshadsurrenderedattheir

approachandkingsinrespect,hadfallenofftheirthronesforthem,butthisonetheywere

headedtowereinsolentandstubborn.Theyhadkilledtheirpeaceambassadorsthatthey

hadsenttothemtonegotiateandhadthegutstosendbacktheirheads. Hewasgoingto

overruntheirkingdomruthlessly,hewasgoingtoembarkonamassacreunlikeanyother

everseeninthehistoryoftheworld.Maybethen,hisfatherwouldlookuponhimwiththe

favourhedeserved.

`Commander!Thatsthelastoneofthemthatwepickedup.Asoldierreported,

interruptinghisthoughts.`Areyousure?heinquired.Yessir!TheXendusoldierreplied.

Packthemintoheapsandsetthemablaze,heordered.`Thosedeadmonkeys,theycertainly

hadgutscomingagainstuslikethatbutImustgiveittothem,theywerestrongand

impressive,forustosufferlossesofthismagnitudehethoughtsilentlytohimself.`They

weresuchawasteofvaluablefightingmaterialthatwouldhavebeengoodenoughforhis

fathersempire.Theymighthavedonewellbutdamnthoseanimals,theydidnthave

brains,theyhadonlybrutehethoughttohimselfagainasthesoldiermovedtocarryout

hisorders.

`WheresRen?heaskedshakingofftheidlethoughtsinhishead.`Hesaidhewantedto

checkoutsome

nefarious

disturbance

coming

from

the

pond

sir!

another

soldier

replied.

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`Whatwasit?heenquired.`Hesaidhesawwatersplashingaroundsir,morelikesomeone

wastrashingaroundinsidethepondsir!thesamesoldieradded.`Andheisntback?The

commanderaskedgettingquicklyirritatedbyinternalsuspicions.`NoSir!Thesoldier

replied.Renwashisgaycompanion;thingswouldntberosyifhecouldnthavehimto

himselfthat

night.

`EVERYONE

MOVE

TO

THE

POND

NOW...WE

MAY

HAVE

A

SITUATION

ON

OURHANDSthecommandershoutedtotheidlesoldierslyingaround.Thosedead

monkeys,theyresortedtotheuseofblackmagicgrrrrr.....Illshowthem,hethoughtto

himself,asheheadedtowardsthepondwithhismen.

Hegottothepondandsawnothing;itwaslikeascenefromhischildhood.Thenhesaw

thewoodensignfloatinginthewater.ItwasabannerofXendu.Ashisfingersclaspedover

it,anotherhandclaspedoverhisandpulledhimin.Screamsfilledtheplaceasthecreature

ascendedoutofthewaterunleashingterroronthemenofXenduwhosurvivedthebattle,

not

stopping

until

every

single

one

of

them

lay

down

on

the

ground...

stone

dead.

....................................................................................................................................................

ElsewhereinLeog,theterriblenewsoftheelitesdefeatonthebattlefieldwasabouttobe

deliveredtothefatheroftheheadelite,thekingofthenorthernkingdom.Theroyalscout

rushedin,damningeveryoneinhispathasherushedstraightuptothepalacewithout

pausingtogreetanyone.Hegottothepalaceandwasntstopped,hewasexpected.He

keptrunningtillhegottothekingschambers.There,hepausedforabreatherbefore

enteringintothechamber.Hewalkedstraightuptothekingsthroneandkneltbeforehim,

panting.`Im

sorry

your

majesty

he

reported,

`but

we

lost

all

our

elite

on

the

battlefield,

theydiedvaliantlyandsucceededinpreventingthemenofXendufromgettingthroughthe

Fulonpass.`Andmyson?theking,fearingtheveryworstinquired.`He...he...diedalong...

withthemyourmajestythescoutstuttered.`Allthebodiesweresetablazeandarecharred

beyondrecognitionand...`andwhat?thekingaskedinaboomingvoicefilledwithanger.

`Thebattlefieldyourmajesty,itwasabnormallikeanavalanchehitit,everythinglookedso

outof...`Itsabnormal!Thekingcutsin.`Isthatwhatyouretellingme?Myson!Myonly

son!! TheheirtothethroneofLeog,isdeadandallyouhavetotellmeisthatwherehe

diedisabnormal??`Imsorryyourmajestythescoutmuttered.`GETOUT!GETOUT!Let

mebe!

`IknowIshouldnthavelethimgothekingmutteredtohimselfassoonasthescoutwas

outofearshot,`itsjustthathelookedsostrong,socapable.

`NOOOoooooooooooooooooooo!hewailed,breakingdowncompletely,losinghis

composureandgivingintotears,`andnowhesgonetoo,oOOh!Akpoti,mybelovedson

hewept,`thisisnothowIwantedittobe...`Yourmajesty,areyoualright?Aguard,

sensitivetothestrangemuffledsoundscomingoutofthekingsprivatechamberaskedin

alarm.`Im...Imfine,justletmebehereplied,inavoicethicklylacedwithsorrow.

....................................................................................................................................................

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Asoldiergoesintothegeneralsquarters;hewasarmedwithnewsoftheadvancesquad

senttoinfiltrateAfricaviathenorthernpass.Thecommanderofthatsquadwasasonof

Genghiskhan,soitwassensitiveinformationthatthesoldierheld.Heenteredintothe

quartersandsaluted.`Theinfiltrationwasunsuccessfulgeneralsir!Thesoldierreported.

`WHAT!The

general

exclaimed.

`We

lost

all

our

men

on

the

battle

field

he

added,

leaving

thegeneralwithaheadacheonhowtoreporttheincidenttothegreatkhan.

....................................................................................................................................................

DROP!DROP!DRIP!

Fromwithin,

inside

the

swirling

blackness,

Ifelt

the

wetness

from

above

against

my

skin.

I

felteverysingledropasitlandedonme.Iopenedmyeyesandsawthatmywholebodywas

bathedinblood.MymusclesandbonesfeltweakandIfelttiredlikeamanwhohadbeen

runningnonstopformiles.

Ilookedaround;itwasrainingandIwassurroundedbyluxuriouslushgreenundergrowth

andtalltrees,butcouldntrememberadamnthing,hardthough,Itried.HowIgotthere?

WhoIwas?Itwasliketryingtoreadthroughablankbook.

Thensuddenlyasashcaughtmyeye,itwasdirty,brown,wornandtorn,probablyusedto

bewhite.OnitwaswrittenLE.Isearchedeverywhereinvainfortheotherpartandwas

givinguponthesearchwhenIfoundithangingonmywaist;itwasalsostainedwithblood

andread`OG.Ijoinedbothpiecesandtogetheranditread`LEOG.`Whatdidthatmean?I

wondered.Whowasit?Wasitaplace? Icarrieditalongwithme,hopingtofindsome

answersafterIfoundmywayoutoftheforest.

ThefirstwomanIencounteredlookedatmefunnyasifIwasaghostorsomething,but

atleastshetoldmewhatLeogwasandgavemedirectionstogetthere.Its...Idont

understand...howIcantseemtorememberanythingaboutmyself,whathappened,howI

cameto

be

in

aforest,

who

Iam,

my

name

or

anything

else

for

that

matter.

Ifelt

so

confused,butinthemidstofthatconfusion,onethingwassure;alltheanswersIneeded

layinLeog.

Wearyandtiredafterdaysofwalkingandlivingonfruits,IgottotheplacecalledLeogat

thedeadofnight.Thesymboloftheeyeonmywornanddirtysashcorrespondedwiththe

symbolonthegates.AsIgotcloserIsawthatthecityhadgonetosleep.Notasinglelight

couldbeseenbyme.Seeingthatthegateswerelocked,Igotonthefloor,pickingupa

stonetorestmyheadupon,softeningthehardnessbywrappingmysasharounditand

restingthere

for

the

night.

Ihad

gotten

to

my

destination;

everything

was

going

to

be

all

right.

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Iwokeupthenextdayandthesunwasalreadyhighupinthesky.Ifeltthepangsof

hungergnawingatmystomachandfightingit,Istooduptoenterthecity.Itwasabeautiful

daybutnobodyseemedtobearound.Ienteredintothecityandthestreetsweredeserted.

Allthebuildingsweregoodandwellmaintainedbuttherewerenotracesofhumanlife.I

keptwalking,

everything,

everywhere

was

closed.

Iwalked

for

the

next

fifteen

minutes

and

stillnothing.TheplacefeltfamiliarinavaguesortofwaythatIcouldntexplain.Ikept

walking,passingcorners,turningfromthiscornerintothenextalleyandstillnobody.Itfelt

strangetome.Thepangsofhungerwerealreadygettingtome,Ididntknowwhattodo

aboutitanymore.Ifellonthefloor,gruntingfromtheweaknessofmybody.ThenIheard

humanvoices.Itwasmanyofthem,theysaidsomethingincorrigibleinunisonatonceand

thatwasit.Itwasntmuchbutitwasenoughtogetmemovingintherightdirection.Ikept

walkingtillIstumbledintosomewherefilledwithsomanypeoplethatIcouldntcount.It

waslikethewholecitywasgatheredthere.SomeonewastalkingbutIcouldntseehim.I

wasntinterested

in

what

he

was

saying,

Iwas

hungry.

FOOD!

Iscreamed

from

where

I

stood.Allofthemturnedatoncetolookatme.Thepersontalkingmusthavebeenpretty

importantformyinterruptiontohavecausedthatmuchofastir.Morethanhalfamillion

eyesturnedtoglareatme.Food!Imumbledinamuchquietervoice.Thenthevoiceofa

childscreamed`motherHesnaked!.ThenextthingIheardwas;`THEgodsSAVEUS

ALL!.....DIMPKA!!! SEIZEHIM!SEIZEHIM!!Itwasthemanwhohadbeentalking.Hewas

dressedregallyinblackandworeacrown.Hewastheirking.ItwasthenInoticedevery

otherpersonwasalsodressedinblack.Mumblingsofathousandvoicesfilledtheairas

aboutahundredguardsmovedforwardtoobeyhisorder.Theycameforwardforminga

semicircle

as

they

moved,

pointing

their

spears

at

me.

Food!

Iwhispered,

as

Icollapsed.

`DidnttheyknowIwasharmlessIwondered,asIlayonthefloorexhausted,`Iwasjusta

hungrymanwhohadstumbledupontheminasearchforfoodandanswers.

....................................................................................................................................................

Severaldayslater,Iwasintheprison,labelledatreacherouswarriorwhobetrayed

LeogforXenduandcameback,hiredtokilltheking,hencecausinginstabilitythatwill

bringaboutthedownfallandultimateconquestofthenorthernkingdom.Ididnteven

knowwhatthatmeant.Allmyprotestsandpleasfellondeafears.Onlymysons

believedme.Evenmywifedoubtedme;theythoughtIwaspathetic,lyingthroughmy

teethaboutmemorylosstoescapejudgement.Theyalsorefusedtobelieveitwasa

merecoincidencethatIreturnedonthedaymycomradeswerebeingburied.

Atlastjudgementwaspassed;deathbyhangingforhightreason.Icouldremember

thescenevividly;

youreguiltyfordesertion,betrayingthenorthernkingdomandconspiringwith

enemiestoassassinatetheking,whichequalshightreasontheKingbarked.My

judgementisdeathbyhangingonthelastdayofthefifthmonthandbeforethat,he

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mustbetorturedtoreleaseallinformationhehasconcerninghisallies.Useofabsolute

force,ifnecessaryispermitted.

Imtellingthetruth!Idontremember!Iamnotatraitor!Iscreamedinthehopethat

thekingwouldreconsider.

Bequiet! Youveforgottenwhathonourisallabout.Formerematerialcomfortsyou

betrayedyourprincestrust,allthathebelievedanddiedfor,youselfishlydealtwith

theenemytoensurethepreservationofyourlife.Yourenothingbutapatheticcoward.

Youdontdeservetobecalledanortherner.

Yourmajesty!Believeme!Idontevenremembertheprince,whywouldIlie?!Please

believeme.Ihaveno...

Takehimaway,thekingcalmlyorderedasherosefromhisthrone,indicatingtheend

ofmytrial.

Myjudgementhadbeenpassed;deathbyhangingforhightreason.IcriedasIwas

takenaway cowardlytearstheycalleditmanlytearsIconsideredit.Acryofmy

innocence,innocencethatnoonebelievedin,butliketheadagesays;thegodsseeall.

..............................................................................................................................................

Thatmorning

felt

nostalgic,

Idont

know

whats

so

special

about

ones

death

day

but

thosewordsdescribedexactlyhowIfelt.Iwasabouttobekilledinthemostdisgraceful

wayanorthernercouldeverdie,thesamewaymurdererswerekilled.Evenahardened

criminalwasntkilledthisway,wasnttreatedthisway.Iwasafallenwarrior,equalling

afailedhumanbeingandbecauseofthatIwasbeatenmercilessly,andtreatedlikean

animal.ThoughIcouldntrememberathingaboutmylife,allmypleasfellondeafears.

IinsistednowandagainthatIdidntknowhowIsurvivedbutnobodywouldlisten,they

allagreedthattheylastsawmerideoutwiththeprinceandtheelitewarriorshe

commanded,butbeyondthat,noneknewathingandsoIwasjudgedbasedon

assumptions.Ifelt

very

bad.

I'm

sure

Inever

would

have

wanted

to

end

up

like

this.

I

didntthinkIwasacoward.Ifeltlikescreamingoutbutliketheguardtoldmeearlier

on,Ihaddoneenoughalready,Ishouldconsidermyfamilybeforedoinganymore.He

evenwentasfarastellingmethatheusedtorespectme,hadwantedhissontobelike

me,butnotanymore;hehadlostalliotaofrespectheusedtohaveforme.Everyone

haddonethesame...exceptmysons,theystillbelievedinme.

IwasbroughtbacktothesameplaceIhadhadbeentakencaptive,theplacewherethe

memoryofmycomradeshadbeenhonoured,tobekilled.ItwastheCenterofthe

kingdom,the

citys

square.

8/9/2019 Unstable (1)

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`Doyouhaveanylastwords?theexecutioneraskedmeasIstoodunderneaththe

hangmansnoose.

`YesIdo...

`Thenbe

fast

about

it!

The

executioner

barked.

Turningtofacethecrowdwhichturnedoutenmassetowatchmyexecution,Ibegan;`I

believeIminnocent,Isaidand...GBAM!Myspeechwasinterruptedbyaslapfromthe

executioner...`areyouinsultinghismajestysjudgement?theleadexecutionerwho

slappedmeunderfullpublicglareasked.`Now!MakegooduseofthisopportunityorI

shalltakeitaway,headded.Iturnedbacktothecrowd,hisfingerprintsonmyface

visiblefromalmostamileaway.Lookingstraightatmysonswithinthecrowd,Ihastily

concluded`OkegbenleandOgedemgbe,Takecareofyourmotherforme.

Asthenoosewasputaroundmyneck,sadnessbecloudedmyheartandeventhe

shiningsunsmilingintheskycouldntbrightenmymood.Afamiliarfeelingcameover

measthestonewaspushedaway.AlltheairrushedoutofmylungsasItriedtoinhale,

myribcagestartedtovibrate,thecellsinmybodycalledoutforairandseeingnone

startedtostiffen,mybodystiffened,becomingrigidasmylifewasbeingsnuffedoutof

me.Atthatmomentthesecondbetweenlifeanddeath,IrealizedIwantedtostayalive,

provethemwrong,proveallofthemwrong.JustbeforeIchokedcompletelyIfelt

darknessdescendinguponmeandthoughtjustasittookover;`deathwassudden.

Thenallwasquiet.

..............................................................................................................................................

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10/86

Chapter2Soyoufinallybreakoutofyourreverie...

Whoareyou?Iaskedinfright,sittingupandtakinginmysurroundingsatthesame

time.

`Amessengerfromthegods,thevoicecarriedthroughtomeagainbutIcouldn'ttrace

itssource.

`Andwhatmessagedoyoubring?Iscreamed,frightenedbythevoicethatsounded

fromallaroundmeatonce.ThiswascoupledwiththefactthatIwasinadarkforest

withlowvisibilityandshadowseverywhere.Irecognizedthisplacetobetheevilforest

mygrandfatheremphasizedsomuchaboutinhisstoriesabouthishuntingadventures

tomeandmybrothers,backinthedayswhenwewereyoung.Backthenthisforestwas

feared,thebodiesofthosewhodiedabominablywerethrownheretodecayandtheir

spiritsneverfoundrest,rumourhaditthattheyhoveredaround,lookingforwhomto

devour.

`Death!The

voice

carried

back

to

me.

`Im

dead

already

Ithought,

vividly

remembering

howIwaskilled,hangedbytheneck,tillIdied.

`YOUCANTKILLME!Iscreamed`IMDEADALREADY!

`ThedeaddonotfeelfearthevoicecarriedbacktomeasIwasthrownbackwardsand

hitmyheadagainstatree`orpainthevoiceconcluded.

`Youhavesomethingthatisntyourswithyouand...thevoiceturnsnormalasaman

dressedingreyswathingrobesstepsoutofthemistsurroundingtheareatomyfront,

`Imhere

to

take

it

back.

Icrawledbackwards,myheadstilloozingfromthepain,thinking;perhapsIwasntdead

buttherewasnologicalexplanationforthat,trulythedeadcantfeelpain.Maybethis

wasit,thelastthingIrememberedwasbeinghangedanddead,nowImnot.Itcanonly

beamiracle,yes!Thiswasit!IsurvivedbecauseIdied;Idiedlikeeveryotherwarrior,

andthenwokeupfromthedead,justlikebefore.Coulditbeamiraclefromthegodsor

wasitagravemistakeontheirpartthatIdidntdie?WhereIcomefrom,miraclesdont

occurtwice.Infact,itcantbeamiracle,theresnothingspecialaboutme.IfIcould

survivethis

forest,

maybe

Icould

go

back

and

explain,

go

back

and

tell

them,

ask

the

chiefpriesttoconferwiththegodsandconfirmmywords,thenafterwardspleadwith

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11/86

themtoletmedietherightway,thewaythatbefittedmystatusasawarrior;todie

fightingforLeog,butwhatusewasitwithwhatthisevilpresencejustsaid,hehadcome

tocorrectitandwoulddosonowunless...

Waittellmewhatitis?Imuttered,youknow...we...wecantalkthingsover.

`Youresupposedtobedead,Imjustheretoensurethathecountered.

SLAM!Iwashitagainstanothertree.IfIdidntdosomethingfast,Iwasdonefor.He

wassurelyusingblackmagic,Ithoughttomyself.Levitatingmewithouttouchingme,

thiswasadvanced.SuddenlythebasictrainingIreceivedforthatcametomind.Iclosed

myeyesandconcentratedashardasIcouldonclosingmymind.Itwasdifficultbutas

soonasIopenedthem,Iwasinstealthmode.

Isawhim;hewasstanding,probablystillsearchingformewithblackmagic.I

chuckledsoftlytomyselfasIsnuckupfrombehindhimandquietlyputmyhands

aroundhisnecklikeIwantedtostranglehim.`Ishouldkillyounow,Iwhisperedintohis

ears.

`Doit...fromallaroundmeIfelttheairstiffen`...ifyoucan...anditstartedtocome

inwardstowardsme,likeitwastryingtocompressmeintosomethingsmaller...THIS

WASNTBLACKMAGIC,mymindscreamed,Thiswasonanotherscaleentirely!Frommy

intensepain,Ithrewawaymyprideandbeggedhimtostop.Hewasstillintenton

compressingmeintonothingness,soIturnedtoscreaming.`Letsdothislikemen,at

leastlet

me

have

the

privilege

to

die

like

one!

Dont

hide

behind

the

cover

of

black

magic!Iscreamed.Ialsoscreamedmanyotherincoherentwords,usingallthefoul

languageinmyrepertoire.Surprisinglyhesuddenlystopped.IbentoverdoubleasI

triedtoinhaleagain.

`LikemenIheardhimwhisperasPLOM!Hispunchconnectedwithmyface.Itfeltlikea

logofwoodwasusedtohitmeontheface.Theformerpainorthis,Idefinitelydidnt

knowwhichwasbetter.

Threemoretimesherepeatedthis.Iwasnomatchforthismonsterclothedlikea

manandIknewit.Hewasgoingtokillmeandhavewhateveritwashewanted.He

didntevenwanttodialogue,didnttellmewhathewanted,buttherewasnodoubt

aboutit,withthewayhewasgoing, itwasclearthathecouldonlywantonething;my

life.Therewasnoendtohispummelling.TheonlychoiceIhadwasto...

Idecidedtoplaydead,Ifellonthegrassafterhisfifthpunchandrefusedtomoveas

hecamecloserandkickedme,hedidsoacouplemoretimesandthenthinkingIwas

unconscious,turnedhisbackonmeandbenttoremoveadaggerhetiedaroundhisleg.

ThiswasmychanceandIseizeditquietly.Ashefiddledwiththeclothheusedtotiethe

dagger,Ipicked

up

alog

of

wood

lying

next

to

me

and

WHAM!

Hit

him

on

the

head

with

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12/86

it.Ididntbothertowaittofindoutwhathappenednextasthosepreciousfewseconds

werewhatIneededtogetaway.

Iranreallyfast,asfastasmypainabusedbodywouldletme,windingbetweentrees

andleavesthatgotinmywaynotmindingevenasmyborrowedclothesgottornhere

andtherebythornsasIstruggledtokeepabreastofwhoeverthatwas,justincasehe

wasfollowingme.Grandfathernevermentionedanythinglikethisinhisstories,I

thoughtasIran,eveninhismostlifethreateningsituationsitalwaysinvolvedan

animal,whywasIsounlucky?Evenanencounterwithatwoheadedlionwouldhave

beenbetterthanthis.AsIranblindly,notknowingwhereIwasgoing,Istumbledintoa

littleclearingandsurprisingly!Therehewas;hangingbetweenspaceandair.Iturned

backscreaminginfrightasIranbackthewayIcamebuthewasafewstepsaheadof

meagain,floatingabovetheearth.IknewthegamewasupasIlookedintotheblack,

slim,

tall,

and

completely

bald

mans

eyes.

It

wasnt

also

the

normal

colour

for

a

man

as

itwasgrey.Iwasntsurprisedasnothingaboutthismansofarwasnormal.Iwasnt

sure...maybehewasntevenaman.Whatareyou?Iwhisperedinfright.

SuddenlytheairaroundmethickenedagainandIfeltthepressurebeginningtowash

overme.

`Whydoyoufightsohardtokeepalifeyoualreadylost?Heaskedashedescendedto

theearthinmyfront.`I...Ijustwanttoprovemyinnocenceandprovethemallwrong,I

managedtoanswerfromtheslowlyradiatingpainIwasgoingthrough.`Goaheadand

doit,

Iwhispered

`at

least

its

what

the

gods

want,

isnt

it?

At

least

its...its

better

than...than...a...cowardly...death,Imanagedtosaywithmucheffortasmyeyes

wateredandIclutchedmythroat,fallingdownandthenrollingonthegrasspowerless

asImoanedmydeathmoans.

Andsuddenlyitstopped.

`Yourejustavictimhesaidwithpityinhiseyes.

Whatdoyoumean?Iaskednotbelievingwhatjusthappened,next,hestretchedouthis

handtowards

me

and

said,

`all

that

has

been

happening

is

not

your

fault,

come

with

me,

Icanhelpyou.Istoodup,bewildered,asthequestionIwasafraidtoaskescapedmy

lips;`whatcameoveryou?

..............................................................................................................................................

`Wetheimmortalsaretheservantsofthegods,weremainineverlastingcontinuous

debttothemhestarted.

Why?Iaskedaspausingforrest,heexplainedtomewhohewas.

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13/86

Weoweourgiftofimmortalitytothem.Likethesayinggoes;withimmortalgiftscome

immortalpowersandimmortalburdens.

Thatstilldoesntexplainwhyyouwereafterme.

Oncein

ahundred

years,

he

said,

the

strongest,

the

smartest,

the

best

of

the

best

amongstmortalsaregatheredtogetherbothmaleandfemaleandengageeachother

competitivelyuntilthegodsconveneandmakeachoice.Anewimmortalthusfromthe

worldofmortalsismade.Overtheyears,mostofthosenotselected,notwantingtogo

backtotheirrespectivehomelandssettleddowntogetherandborechildren.Their

childrencomingfromthebestofhumanstockavailable,wereexceptional,noneonthe

faceoftheearthcouldstandthem.Eventhegodsnoticedandacknowledgedtheir

strengthandjointlydecidednottolookoutsidethisnewlyforgedclanfornew

immortals.Afterawhilesomeofthosewhobecameimmortalsfromthatclancame

backand

had

illicit

affairs

with

women

from

the

clan.

The

gods

knew

about

it

but

decidedtolooktheotherway.Thisresultedinmortalsexhibitingtraitsofimmortals.

Todaytheclanisfilledwithmanyofthem.Thistimearound,themortaltobebestowed

hadbeenchosen.Hewastobebestowedwiththegiftofimmortality,tobecomethe

latestweaponofthegods,thenewestpawnintheirhands.Butsomethingwentwrong.

Theprocesswasinterferedwith.Therewasinterferenceonaverylargescale.

Interferencehadntoccurredinthousandsofyears,therewaswidespreadfear.Asthe

princeoftheimmortalscoupledwiththefactthatImthestrongesttheyhave,theysent

metocleanyouup.

Me???itsnotpossible!Ivealwayslivedanormallife!Iasked,commentedand

requestedallatonce,shockedatthewaythiswasunfolding.

Itsbecausetheinterferencewastracedbacktoyou.Wewerentsureifyoudiditon

yourownorifyouhadoutsidehelp,understand!Understandthattheywerefears,fears

thatyourinterferencewiththeprocesswastheworkofafallengod,andsoIcamehere

preparedtofightsomeonethathadperfectornearperfectcontrolofhiselement,

someonewhowouldhaveadozenorsoformidabletechniquesinhisarsenalbutIcome

hereand

what

do

Isee?

A

mere

mortal

who

cant

even

protect

himself,

who

never

knew

oftheexistenceofimmortalityinhimorwhatitawakenswithin.AmeremortalthatI

couldsubduewithmyeyesclosed.

`Sothatmeans...Igasped!Thetruthfinallydawnedonme.HowIsurvivedthebattle,

howIsurvivedthehanging,hmmmn..itwouldbesomucheasiertoprove,Ithought.I

wouldjustgobackandaskthemtokillmeagainandseewhathappensfewhours

afterwards.Iwouldbegreat,Iwouldbeacelebratedhero,amantobefeared,my

namewouldringabellalongthelengthandbreadthofAfrica,theindestructible

DimpkaDiopaofLeog,Iwouldneverdie...

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14/86

Werebothmortalnow...hesaid,hiswordsbringingmebackfrommyvisionsof

grandeurtoharshreality.Yoursgoneassoonastheerrorwasdiscoveredandmine

whentheydiscoverthatIvefailedtokillyou.Iwasonlysentherebecauseevenwithout

immortality,theeffects,whatitawakenswithincouldstillmakeyouadangerousman,

dangerousto

the

will

of

the

gods,

albeit

short

lived.

Theonlyeffectithashadisstealingawaymymemory!Imumbledindisappointment.

ItwaseitherIrectifiedtheerrororforfeitmineaswell,hecontinuedignoringmy

comment.

`Sowhatdoyouintendwedonow?CantheeffectsbetakenawaysothatIcangetback

mymemories?Iasked,eagertogetthisconversationoverwith,leavethisdangerous

manspresenceandreturntoLeog.

No!Youlljusthavetolearntolivewithoutthem.Also,youcantdowithoutmenow,he

answered.

Sayswho?Ithrewbackathim,mymindgoingthroughahundredthingsatonce,not

wantingtounderstandwhathewassaying,hopingagainsthopethathiswordshad

morethanonemeaning,asecondmeaningsuitabletomyends.

`Theywillbeafteryou,hecontinued,ignoringmycommentoncemore,`my

overzealousyoungerbrother,themortalwhosehopeofattainingimmortalityyou

thwartedand

in

aworst

case

scenario

the

gods

themselves,

although

they

wouldnt

needtodothat.

Why?Iasked,seethingwithangeratbeingroundlyignoredandalsoatthestrangeway

thingswereunravelling.

`Ithasneverhappenedbefore.Thatiswhytheyhaveusastheirpawns;todoallthe

dirtyjobsthatgodhoodwouldntpermitthemtodo.BesidesevenIsubduedyouquite

easily.Thebestwecandonowistrytolivenormallives,gotoadifferentplace,start

newlives,getnewidentitiesandneveraccessthosepowerssleepingwithinus.That

waythey

would

never

find

us

and

we

could

live

happily

ever

after,

at

least

until

death

comescalling.

Hedidntunderstandmyquestion,didntknowImeant`why?ReferringtowhyI

couldntgobackhometoLeog?ButIwasdonewithbeingignored.Wait!Wait!Icutin

loudenoughtointerrupthim,`butIstilldontrememberanythingandIdont

understandwhatpowersyoukeepreferringto.

Thatmakesitawholeloteasierthen.Hefinallyansweredsmiling.Youdontneed

to...thelessyouknow,thebetteroffyouare.

`ButIwantto...

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15/86

`Itsnotaboutwhatyouwanthecutsin,`itsaboutwhatyouneed.

Listenandstopignoringme!Iscreamed,tiredofthewayhewasskirtingaroundmy

questions,apparentlyenjoyingitanddoingitwithsomuchease.

Youreally

want

to

know

what

Ineed?

Ispat

at

him

in

avoice

loud

enough

to

cause

shudders,`IneedtogetawayfromyoubecauseIdonttrustyou!Youcouldalways

wantyourimmortalitybackandusemetobarterforit.IthinkIdrathertakemy

chancesalonethanwithyouandImnotinterestedinyourideasofanewlife,Iblasted,

surprisedthatIcoulddothat,knowinghowdangeroushewas.

`Youcanwalkoutnowifyouwantto,Imnotgoingtoholdyoubackheanswered

calmlyinavoicethatshowedhewasntmoved.

Iwassurprised,washeserious?Ididntwaittofindoutasthefearofhimand

everythinghejusttoldmetookovermecompletelyandIranawaylikeapursued

antelope.AfterrunningforawhileIstoppedandlookedovermybacktoensureIwasnt

beingfollowed.Animmortal!Toputinbetterwordsanundyingman.Thatsounded

moredangerousthananythingIhadeverheardofbefore,Ithought,asIresumed

running.

..............................................................................................................................................

Thisforestwasreallybig,Ihadbeenwalkingforhoursonendandwasnocloserto

gettingoutofitthanwhenIstarted.Isatdowntorestforafewminuteshaving

convincedmyselfafewhoursbackthattheweirdmanwasseriousaboutlettingmego.

AsIstoodup,IthoughtIsawsomethingtomyright,Ilookedandtherewasnothing.I

continuedwalkingandsoonIsawtheoutlineofgrassinthefardistancethoughIwas

stillsurroundedbytrees.Iran,renewedenergyatfinallyfindingtheforestsexitflowing

throughmyveins.Igotoutoftheforestandwasonthegrass,running,raisingmyhands

andfeelinghappytofeelthetouchofthesunonmyskin.Strange!Thesunwasshining

brightly,highupintheskyandthewarmthwasntreachingme.Isquinted,Ilookedup

intothesunbutstrangelyenoughIwasunaffectedbyitsbrightnessandtheneverything

begantofadeaway,likeIwaswakingupfromadream,everythingpeeledaway.Ifound

myselfbackinathickdenseportionoftheforestastwopeopledroppedfromatreein

frontofme;amanandawoman.`Lookingforawayoutofthehere?Asultryvoice

emanatingfromaverybeautiful,darkcomplexioned,spotlessandsupplewomanasked

me.`Theonlywayoutisyourdeath,themanwholookedrugged,completewitha

squareheadwhichhadadepressioninthemiddlelikepunchedfufuanswered.Hehad

thatlookofonewhohadbeeninmanybattles.`IthoughtIhadexperiencedenough

abnormalities

in

one

day,

I

thought

softly,

`was

today

really

my

death

day?

I

also

wondered.EveryoneIhadmetsofarhadbeenaftermylifeinonewayortheotherand

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16/86

nowthis.Myeyesdartedthruandfro,hereandtherelookingforagoodescaperoute.I

wasntsurewhattheywerecapableofdoing.Tryingtoputupaboldfront,Iformeda

fistandshoutedtothem,`Ivedonenothingwrongtobothofyou!

`YOUSTOLESOMETHINGFROMME!Heshouted,hisvoiceseethingwithrage.Assoon

ashesaidthat,IknewhewasthemortalwhosehopesofimmortalityIthwarted.My

mindtimetravelledbacktowhatthatbaldmantoldme,hehadsaidIwouldneedhim,

butforwhat?Iwondered.IcouldntseewhatitwasaboutthesetwopeoplethatI

couldnthandleonmyown.Thensuddenlymyeyeswidenedinshockashishands

caughtfirebeforemyveryeyes.DifferentthingsracedthroughmymindasIplayed

throughmyoptions.Maybe...perhaps,Ishouldhavestayedwithhimafterall.He

mightvebeenrightwhenhesaidIwouldneedhim,howelsecouldIfightthesepeople?

WouldIkeeprunningawayfrompeoplelikethisfortherestofmylife?Thegodswould

certainly

discover

that

he

had

failed

to

kill

me

and

might

send

something

more

powerful

afterme,thesewerethethoughtsthatracedthroughmymindasfearingtheveryworst

Iasked;`AreyoualsomakingmedreamthisevenwhileIamawake,standingherewith

you?

SWOOOOSH!Ifelttheheatoffireasitburntme,mygarmentcaughtfireandI

screamedCHEI!CHEI!CHAI!Andfellonthefloorrollinginabidtoputoutthefire.

FinallyIstoppedandgotuptoasquattingpositionasmymindprocessedthe

informationthatthefirewasrealandwasntanillusion.Ilookedupandthoughtof

nothingbutescapingknowingtherewasnowayIcouldfightagainstthemandtriumph,

consolingmyselfwiththewords`theresnoharmintrying.Ijumpedbehindatreeas

morefirefollowedmeandIranlikeadogwithitstailbetweenitslegs.Thisforestwas

reallylivinguptoitsname,Ithought.ThoughIdidntknowitthen,myrunningwasfolly

asIcouldntdifferentiatebetweenillusionandrealityandbeforeIknewitIwas

surroundedbyfireanditsblindingsmoke.Hecameforth,daggerinhandandSTAB!He

piercedmyshoulderscreaming`DIE!YOUTHIEVINGRAT!

`Notyet...thevoicethatsoundedasifitcamefromallaroundatonce,Irecognizedit,it

wasthatbaldweirdothattriedtokillmeearlieron.Iturnedmyhead,tryingtolocate

wherehis

voice

was

coming

from,

but

the

pain

from

the

stab

wound

in

my

shoulder

joltedme,remindingmethatIwaswoundedandshouldntmovetoomuch.Ifelldown

coughing,myeyesstungandwateredfromtheeffectsofthefireandsmokewhichwas

rapidlyspreading,itwaschokingmeslowly.Thesquareheadedmanmeanwhilejust

stoodfrozenatmybacklikeoneimmobilized,seemingunaffectedbytheragingfire.I

reachedouttryingtograbsomething,anythingtolendmesupporttogetbackonmy

feet,atthesametimetakingthosesamehandsbacktomyeyestorubatthemasthey

hurt;wateringandpepperingatthesametime.Iwasinthispatheticcondition,myeyes

wateringuncontrollablywhenIspottedhissilhouette,withaflickofhiswrists,boththe

manandwomandisappearedcompletely.Ifeltapairofhandsaroundmeashecarried

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17/86

meup,justbeforethefastencumberingflamescaughtmyalreadyblackenedclothes.

ThelastthingIrememberbeforepassingoutwashimhoistingmeuponhisshoulders

andrunningthroughthefastcatchingflamessurroundingus.

..............................................................................................................................................

`Iheardthatfirewasburningintheevilforesttoday,thefirstwomansaid,balancing

herwaterpotproperlyonherhead.

`Itwastrueo!InfactIevensawthesmokecomingoutofit.Thesecondwoman

added.`TheysaidthatitoccurredaroundtheareaDimpkasdeadbodywasthrown,

sheconcluded,balancingherownpotonherhead,withsuchskillthatitsobviousthat

shesexperiencedinsucharts.

`Itprovesthathehadablackenedheartaseventhegodspassedjudgementonhim

instantly,thefirstwomansaidagain,turningassheusedherfreehandtosteadythe

potofwateronherheadasshemovedtowardsthefootpath.

`Thegodsforbidthatanysonofmineturnoutlikehim,thesecondwomanadded

again,asshetookrapidstepstokeepuppacewithherfriendonthebushpath.

`Hush!Hush!Keepquiet,therehiswifecomes,thefirstwomanwarnedquickly.

Theybothkeptquietandgreetedherjovially.Theydidntknowhowmuchoftheir

conversationshehadoverheard,butalasshefeelsitsnottheirfault,tohertheone

whoistobeblamedisthecowardshemarried.Assheedgesclosertothestream,she

startscursing;`Ha!Dimpkawhereveryouarenow,maythewrathofthegodsnever

leaveyouforbringingthismuchdisgraceuponourfamily.Youshallneverknowpeace

shecursedviolentlyasherpotbrokethesurfaceofthewatercoveredwithripples,

causedbythewomenwhojustfetched.`Lookatusnow?Thevillageslaughingstock.

Maythatfirethatburnedyourbodyinthatevilforestburnyoursoulalongit,Icursethe

dayImetyouandsadbethedaythatIagreedtomarryyou.ButIwontgiveup.Illfind

anothermantomarrythatwillbeafathertomysonsandbringasmiletomyfaceonce

again,sheconsoledherself,tearsstreamingdownherfaceasshebalancedthepoton

herheadandheadedtowardsthefootpaththatleadawayfromthestream.

.............................................................................................................................................

Iregainedconsciousnessondryground,dryleavessurroundingmeandthetasteof

sootandsmokeinmymouth.Itriedtostandupandendedupinarapidcoughingfit.

`Hereletmehelpyou,hesaidandhelpedmetoasittingposition;Ileanedmybackon

atreetryingtoinhalefreshairintomylungs.

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18/86

`Thatwasthemortalwhoseimmortalityprocessyouinterferedwith.Hesaidlikeone

whowaspassinganordinarycomment.

`HishandscaughtfireanddidntburnIwhisperedback.

`Sowould

you

reconsider

now

and

take

your

chances

with

me?

This

people

are

not

averagenormalpeopleyoucanfightorhidefromherespondedfromwherehesat

crosslegged,lookingstraightintomyeyes.

`IvegotnochoicenowordoI?Iwheezed,turningmyfaceawayfromhisicycoldstare,

`butIstilldonttrustyouandassoonasImfit,Ihopeyougetoutofmylifeandstay

out.

`Well...well,yourequiteacharacterarentyou?Hesaidandsmiled.

`Youdont

know

me,

you

just

wait

till...`youre

bleeding

he

cuts

in,

as

he

hurriedly

stoodupfromwherehesatoppositeme,andwithtwostrideswaswhereIsat,rested

againstthetreestrunk,`youvelostalotofblood.Keepstill!HeorderedjustasIwas

abouttosaysomething.Iobeyedasheexaminedmyshoulder.Ihavetotendtoyour

woundnowhesaidbendingdownasheputhishandsonmyshoulder,separatingthe

threadsofclothesmattedwithbloodfromthewoundwithhisfingers,ashetriedto

exposeitandcleanitup.Aaaaaaaaaarrgh!Iscreamedashepouredsomeliquidhe

broughtoutofhisrobesonitandsoonafterIpassedoutagain.

..............................................................................................................................................

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19/86

Chapter3

Ifeltthewetnessonmybackastheraindropspeltedtheground.Itwasamoonlessnight,

mybodyfeltexhaustedandmyshouldersore,fromallthewalkingwehadbeendoingin

thelasteightdays.Webypassedthesoldieronnightwatchbutnotwithoutthorough

scrutiny.Icouldhaveswornthatoneofthemsqueezedmymanhoodinhissocalled

scrutiny,butIwastootiredtocare.Welodgedthatnightinaninnthatreekedofginand

liquor,drunkmenlitteredeverywhere.Assoonweenteredourhutforthenight,Ifellon

thebed

and

blacked

out,

not

even

caring

to

make

room

for

my

travelling

companion.

ThenextmorningIwokeuptothesmelloffriedfishwaftingthroughmynose,Iopened

myeyesandstarted,scareduntilIrememberedwhereIwasandhowIgottherefew

secondslater.AsIstooduptostretchmylegsandarms,Bebe(Ilearnthisnameduringthe

threedayswetravelledtogether,surprisinglyhealreadyknewmine)enteredtheroomand

handedmeachewingstick.IwentouttocleanmyselfafterwardsandassoonasIgotback,

hehadhotsteamingkokoandcosiewaitingforme.Itfeltsogoodtotastesomething

familiarandhotagainafteraboutoneweekoflivinginthewild,feedingonfruitsandbush

meat.He

asked

me

to

eat

up

fast

and

get

dressed

for

we

had

along

day

ahead.

Fresh

clotheswereneatlylaidoutformeonthebamboobedandsurprised;Iaskedhimwherehe

gotthemfrom.HetoldmethelessIknew,thebetteroffIwas,tellingmethatwhenIwas

withhim,Ishouldlearnnottoaskirrelevantquestions.YoumeanunscrupulousquestionsI

hadaddedsarcasticallytoexpressmydispleasurewithhisattitude.

Ifinishedupquicklyandassoonaswesteppedoutsidetheinncompound,noisefrom

everywhereattackedmyears.EverywhereIlookedwasbusy.BUYGROUNDNUT! HORSE

MANURE! APPLES!SWEETRIPEAPPLESFORSALE!Weresomeofthedifferentshoutsthat

rent

the

air.

Different

people

kept

performing

various

daredevil

acts

trying

to

earn

some

money.Elsewhereablindmanwassinginganddancingtothebeatsofhisluluentertaining

asmallcrowd.Thesoundofdifferentmusicalinstrumentslikethebata,kora,mbira,

marimbaandshekerelitteredtheairformingintoonebigmusicaldinthatmadeyourhead

gobuzz.Hundredsofpeoplelitteredthestreetsshovingandpushingtogettonowherein

particular.WewereinReogafterallandwehadlodgedinthebusiestpartofthesouthern

kingdom,Aswani.Itwasthetradenervecentreofthesouthernkingdom.Filledwithpeople;

dayin,dayout.WeheadedtowardsthefamousAswanimarketsupposedlyrumouredtobe

filledwiththousandsofstalls.Weshovedandpushedourwaythroughtoanemptystall

withathatched

roof.

A

dead

antelope

was

placed

on

the

table

underneath

it.

As

soon

as

we

gotthere,IheardBebetellaman`thanksforkeepinganeyeonitandhereplied`anytime

8/9/2019 Unstable (1)

20/86

myman.Thisyournewapprentice?`Apprenticeforwhat?Iwonderedasmybraintriedto

processthatstartlingpieceofinformationbutbeforeitcouldfindananswer,Bebehad

replied`yes,yes,heis.Wellhedoeslookabitroughontheedgesbuthelllearntodojust

fine,themansaidagain.`Attaboi!Whatsyourname?Heturnedtomeandasked,beforeI

couldanswer

or

make

asmart

comment,

bebe

had

put

ahand

on

my

shoulder

and

squeezedmystillsoreinjurysomuchthatitwasallIcoulddotokeepfromcryingoutloud.

`Diopa,heansweredonmybehalf,`actuallyhedoesnttalkmuch,headded.

`CanIhavebushmeatfortencowries?Athirdvoice,thatofawomansuddenly

interrupted.BebefreedmyshoulderandIinhaleddeeply,gladtoberidofhistouch.Ibit

mytonguetopreventmyselffromsayingwhatwasonmymindtohim.Suddenlyhepassed

agrimy,blooddrippingportionofmeatthatlookeddownrightirritatingtotheeyeandsaid

`Diopa,takethisportionofmeat,cutitintosmallerpiecesandpackitwiththispointingto

some

broad

leaves

lying

on

the

table.

Throughoutthewholeday,Icontinuedwiththisdebasingformofwork,inthemidstof

hundredsofvoiceschatteringatonce,tryingmybesttokeepmyselffrompuking.Iwasina

verybusymarketplace,inastrangelandIhadneversetfoottobefore,withastrangemanI

stillcouldntbringmyselftotrust.ThisIsuppose,wasmynewlife.

....................................................................................................................................................

Asthe

days

ticked,

the

months

wore

away

and

the

years

rolled

by

and

day

by

day

Igrew

tolikeandbecomeapartofmynewlife.Ibecamequitetheprofessionalbutcher,thebush

meatspecialist,Iwascalledandverysuccessful,Ihadbecome.Bebe,hewasagreatguy,

thoseanimalswebutchered,heneverletmeinonhowhecaughtthembutbythenIhad

learntnottoaskquestionsandIkeptmute.ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIfeltfulfilledandI

wasntgoingtoletanythinggetinthewayofthathappinessIderivedfrombeingfulfilled,

noteventhefactthatIlostmymemoryonceandhadoncelivedadifferentlife.Igaveup

tryingtorecalloldmemoriesandwouldconvincemyselfthatIwashappythewayIwas.I

andBebelivedquitecomfortably.Sincemovingoutoftheinn,weboughtastonehutwith

itsownbeautifullittlegardenandhadlivedthereeversince.Henevertalkedabouthis

immortallifeandIneverbotheredtoask.Imadeadecisiontoletthesleepingdogslie.

DespitethiswejivedtogetheroneveryothernormalthingandsayoooedtogetherandI

foundhimquiteapleasantcompanionandagoodbusinesspartner.Astimeworeonwe

becameratherclose.Wewerehappymen,takinginandenjoyingalittlebitofeverything.

Wewerelivingoutourliveshappilyfulfilledandcomfortablelikegoodcitizensofthesouth

oughttodo.

....................................................................................................................................................

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21/86

AboutthreeyearshadpassedsincewesettledinReog,meandBebe.Newshadbeen

tricklingintitbitsconcerninganongoingwarbeingwagedbythekingdomtoprotectits

sovereignty.Itriedtokeepabreastofthelittleinformationavailableconcerningthewar

thoughIhadleftmypastunknownlifebehind.FromthelittlegossipIheard,theenemy

werefrom

astrange

place

called

Xendu

and

they

were

yellow

skinned

men

unlike

us

who

wereblackskinned.Somesaidtheyfoughtagainstusbecauseofourcolour,otherssaidthe

sightoflifeirritatedthembutallagreedononething;theyweredeadlyanddevastatingin

theirattacksandmethodsleavingnothingbuthopelessness,despairanddestructionintheir

trail.`Dontworry!Oursoldiersarestrongmenwhocannotfailus.Weremainsafe,aman

saidonedayasmenwerethrowingtheargumentbackandforth.Iwantedtobelievehis

words,Iwantedthemtobetruebutsomewhereinmyheart,doubtexistedandthrived,

becauseIremembered;theywerethesamepeopleIwassupposedtohavediedfighting,

theoneswhodefeatedLeogselitecasteofwarriors,Shiveringfromthesecoldthoughts,I

offeredasilent

prayer

to

the

gods

that

the

fight

end

in

the

plains

where

the

soldiers

had

beensenttoconfrontthemheadon.Lifewassweetjustthewayitwas,Iwantedno

unnecessaryhindrancetomynewlife.

Andthenthebadnewsstartedtofilterin,themenofXenduwereheadedthisway,the

soldierssenttoconfrontthemhadfallenandtheouteredgesofthesouthernkingdom

includingthevassalshadfallenaswell.Weallprayedandofferedsacrificestothegodsona

dailybasisthattheyneverreachAswaniandthensuddenlyforweeksonendnothingwas

heardaboutthem.Rumoursflewthattheyhadretreated,havingsufferedseverelossesdue

tothe

terrain

and

weather.

Some

said

they

had

no

business

with

Reog,

it

was

worthless

to

them,whilemostheldtheopinionthatthegodshadintervenedatthelastminute,in

answertothenumerousprayersofferedbythesoutherners,beseechingthemtostopthe

invaders.Ididntcarewhichwasrightbuteitherway,Iwasjustthankful.

....................................................................................................................................................

Cutitintosevenparts...NoproblemIanswered.CHA!SHA!CLAMP!CHA!Werethe

soundsmy

knife

made

as

the

meat

was

being

cut

to

suit

the

ladys

request...SHA!

my

knife

hadlandedthefifthtimeandhadgoneupandwasmakingaslowdescentbackdown,

gatheringspeedasitfellwhensuddenlyamanalmostnaked,bloodrunningalloverhim

renttheairwithhisscream,itwassoloudthatitwaspickedbymyeardrumeventhoughI

wastired.RUN!!THEYELLOWMENOFXENDUAREHERE!!!Myearsperkedatthissudden

pieceofinformationandmyheartjumpedintomymouthforcover.IMPOSSIBLE!Howdid

theydoit?Thosegatesareforgedwiththestrongeststeeltobefoundinthispartofthe

world,itshardtobelieve,whatarethosemen?Beasts?Demons?AndthenIheardit,the

shouts,thescreams,thecriesforblood,Iabandonedeverything;money,meat,customer

andall,

grabbed

my

butchers

knife

and

turned,

my

mindset

on

getting

to

my

hut.

Ihad

almostforgottenBebe,butalashewasnottobefound,tryasmuchasIcould,perhapshe

8/9/2019 Unstable (1)

22/86

hadgonetowhereveritwasheusedtogetthoseanimalsofhis.Anyway,Ihadnotime,I

couldntwaitfortheyellowmentocomeandfalluponmeandsoImoved,joiningthe

shouting,pushingandshovinguntilIfelldown.Iwastrampleduponbymany,onlysheer

willkeptmefrombendingtodeathswill.Thatswhenitcame,therainofarrows,itwasso

sudden.People

trampling

upon

me

began

to

fall

by

my

left

and

right.

Some

even

fell

right

on

topofme.SeizingthisopportunityIshovedthedeadbodiesaroundmetillImanagedto

squeezethroughandgottomyfeet.Peoplewereallaroundmedeadwitharrowssticking

outoftheirgarmentsformingvariouscrimsonpatches.Despitethis,somestillrefusedto

die,thestubbornonesrunningthroughthestallsevenasarrowsstuckoutoftheirchests,

theyrantilltheycouldrunnomore.Unharmed,buttrampleduponandtryingtogulpinair

tofillinmylungsagain,Iranlikeablindmadmaninthemiddleofathinningcrowdofdying

men,butIdidntcare,Iranleftandrightinbetweendeadvillagers,dyingmengroaning,

twistingandturningonthebloodsoakedground,asmyeyessharpenedandthemost

powerfulinstinct

in

man

took

over

me

completely;

The

survival

instinct.

As

Iran,

Imoved

westwardstillIclearedpastthecrowdofscattereddeadbodiesandthemarketstalls. I

keptrunningandsoonIcaughtmyfirstglimpseofamanofXendu. Hewasyellow,

wearingarmourandstandinginmyway.Ishovedhimoutofmywayensuringwithinthose

fewsecondsthatmybutchersknifegavehimapartingkiss.Icontinuedrunning,panting,

gaspingforbreath,changingdirectionsinceitwasobvioustheareaIlivedmusthavebeen

overrunbythem.InowaimedtogetintotheforestwhereIcouldhideunderthecoverof

trees.Ifeltsuddenpaininmyleftlegjustthen;ittoppledmeandsentmerollingoverthe

moistdarkearth.Irolledtoastopandtriedgettingonmyfeetbutthatinstant,thepain

thatradiated

from

my

heel

upwards

prevented

me

from

doing

so.

Ishifted

backwards

trying

tobeaman,fightingtheslowlyengulfingpainbutalasmybodycouldntjustrespond

favourably.IwashelplessandhopelesslywatchedthemanIshovedattachaquivertohis

bow,aimingitstraightatmyheart.MyspiritrefusedtodieandIstruggledmovingmybody

inchbyinchuntilIatleastfoundasupportinformofatreestump.Hereleasedthequiver

andIknewitwashopeless,itwasover,butmyspiritdidntacceptthat,ratherpreferringto

fighttotheveryend.Therigoroustrainingmybodyhadgonethroughinmypastlifehadnt

fadedcompletelyintooblivioneitherasmybodyreactedvoluntarilyandmyhandshot

forward,asifithadamindofitsown,todeflectthearrowshot.

Aaargh!Iscreamedasthepaincoursedthroughmybody.Ithadsurelybecomeweaker

sinceIsettledinReog.Iclutchedmyinjuredhandwithmygoodoneandtriedtowillthe

paintogoaway,butitdidnt,itwaspersistent.Stillbentoverdoublewithpain,Ididntsee

himattachthenextquivertohisbow,aimitatmyheadandreleaseit.

Swoosh!Iheardsomethingmoveathighspeedgrazemyleftear,compoundingthepainI

felt.Iitchedtotouchitbutcouldnt,despitethefactthatIknewitwasbleeding.Ilookedup

frommyintensepainandcouldreadtheshockedlookofsurpriseonhisface.Hecouldnt

havemissed

by

that

far.

He

quickly

reattached

another

quiver

to

take

one

more

shot

at

me

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buthenevergotitoffsuccessfully,forhewassuddenlylevitatedoffthegroundandthrown

backwards,slammingheadfirstintoatreeandfelldownwithathump,dead.

IlookedandIsawhim,hewasstandingthere,calmasifnothingjusthappened.Hewalked

uptothebloodstainedtree,checkedthemantoensurehewasdeadandcutoffasmall

branch,whichhecarriedalongwithhimashewalkeduptome.Heremovedthequivers,

snappingtheirheadscutandpullingitoutofmybodyoneattimecausingmesuddenbursts

ofpain.Throughclenchedteethandgaspingforbreathafterbotharrowshadbeen

extractedfrommyhandandleg,Isawhimtearapartofhisgarment.Heusedittohelpme

tieupmywoundsandstoppedthebleeding.Isufferedunexplainablepainasthisprocess

tookplace.Satisfiedwithwhathehaddone,hehelpedmeuptomyfeet,givingmethe

branchtorestonanduseasasupport.Bebethenspokehisfirstwordstomesincehe

came.`doyouthinkyoucanyouwalk?hehadasked.`Ithinkso,Imumbledinreply.`then

lets

get

out

of

here

fast

he

added,

assisting

me

to

lean

on

him

for

support

as

we

both

walkedhurriedlyintotheforest.

....................................................................................................................................................

Afterafewhours,wefinallypausedtocatchourbreathandIthoughtaboutwhat

happenedandrealisedtheyellowarchercouldnthavemissedbythatfar.Itdawnedonme,

hehadsavedmylifethesecondtime.HebroughtoutaskinofwaterasIthankedhimfor

savingmylife.Helookedatmeoddlyandreplied`drinkup;westillhavealongwaytogo

theywillbehereanymomentfromnow.

`Whoarethey?Iasked,butasusualgotnoreply.Heonlyhelpedmeupandinsistedwe

continue.Wehadntwalkedmorethanfiveminuteswhendozensofdarkformswithwings

flewoverus.Heimmediatelypulledmedownwithhim,hushingmeaswehidunderthe

coverofthelushgreenery,untiltheypassed.`Whatarethose?Iasked,`justkeepon

walkinghehissed. IlookedbackandtheonlythingIsawwasblacksmokefromReog

waftingintotheair.Suddenlyitwasspreadingeverywherelikemist.Itkeptcomingcloser

andhekeptpushingmefurthertoincreasemypace,uncaringaboutthepainIwasgoing

through.Somefewminutesafter,mybodycouldnttakeitanymore;Iwasinjuredplus

hadntexercisedmybodylikethisinyears.GroaningloudlyIfellandcollapsed,mysweat

stainedfacekissingthesand.Ilaythereunabletomove,helpless,breathingheavily.Icould

feeltheheatofthesmokegettingcloser, standup!Heshouted,`noway!Idratherdie

thanstandupandcontinue,Ithoughttomyself.ThereandthenseeingthatIhadreached

mylimithecameandpickedmeup,doingtheunbelievable.Hepickedmeupandascended

intotheskywithmeinhisarmsandweflew...noratherweglidedonair,outpacingthe

smoke.Hismovementswerequickandsuave;remindingmeofthefirsttimeImethim.We

didntcomethisfartodiebynjoli,hesaid.Whatisthat?Iaskedweakly,myheadclearing

upalittle.Blackflamesheanswered.ForthefirsttimesinceIknewhim,heanswereda

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questionfromme,butIwastooweaktonotice.`Itconsumesallinitspath,immobilizing

onlytheliving.Theyarebutthedregsofherpower.Hecontinued.Pushingmy

extraordinaryluckwithhimthatmoment,Ithirstedformoreanswers.`Whoisshe?Iasked

inaddition.Heopenedhismouthandwasabouttosaysomethingwhensuddenlythunder

andlightning

struck

simultaneously,

buzzing,

coursing

through

our

bodies.

Weakness

was

forgotteninthemeantimeasIflailedandtrashedintheairandthejoltcoursedthroughmy

body.Webothfelldownfromhighupinthesky.Thump!Ihitthegroundlandingonmy

rightarmandrolledforalittledistancebeforeIwasstoppedbyatree.Ifeltoverbearing

painasItriedtoshiftmyself.IrememberedhearingacrackasIhitthetree.Ifeltmyright

armanddiscovereditwasbroken. Besidesthat,Iwasterriblybruisedwithsmalland

mediumsizedredpatchesofmybloodscatteredallovermyrobe.

`ItsbeenawhileIheardavoicesneeringlysay.WithmygoodarmImanagedtocrawl

towards

the

sound

having

heard

Bebe

reply

`yes

Timi,

it

has

been

a

while.

As

soon

as

I

got

closerwhatIsawmademestopdeadinmytracks.Itwasaman,ayoungerversionofBebe,

broadshoulderedandbroadchested,tall...verytallwearingashiningsilverarmourmadeof

materialunlikenoneIhadeverseenbefore,andthelookinhiseyes.Hehadthelookofone

whowasntafraidtokillplustheywereanunnaturalcolour.Also,withinmyscopeofvision

stoodhe.Itwashimandyetitwasnthim.GonewasthemanIsayooedwith,gonewasthe

manIjivedwith,gonewasthemanIlivedwith,gonewasthemanIknew,fortherehe

stood,theexactreplicaofthedayImethim.Hestoodandstaredbackattheothermanlike

onewhoknewwhatdeathwasallabout,asgreymistswirledallaroundhimandhelda

presenceso

mysterious

unlike

any

Ihad

ever

seen

before.

Even

Iwas

scared

of

him

now.

`Yourestillassoftandstupidasever...elderbrotherthemanbebereferredtoasTimi

commented.

`IwonttakeinsultsfromyouTimikuku!Hethundered.

`Well!Illjuststatemybusinessfast.Idonthavetimetowasteeither.Imheretocleanup

yourmessandcleanyouupaswell,themancalledTimisaidwithachuckle.SoIlljustget

startedalready.Lighteningwasbeginningtocackleinhisfingertipsandtheatmospherewas

tensed.Ifelt

fear

welling

up

within

me.

Fear

of

what

this

people

were

and

what

they

could

wreakuponabeingasinsignificantasme.IstartedcrawlingbackthewayIcamequickly

findingrenewedstrengthfromthefearwithinme.

CRACK!CRACK!CRACK!IheardasIcrawledandglancingsidewaysIsawthesilhouetteof

BebebeingguardedbytwotreeswhichitseemedwithinthefewmomentsIhadusedto

crawlbackonestephadshiftedplacestodeflectthelightening.Suddenlyhisbrotherwasat

hisback;heturnedandwasjustintimetocounterthedeadlylighteninginfusedblow,mid

airwithhishands;makinguseofsomeofthatgreymistthatsurroundedit.Thenusingit

likeaforcefield,heblastedthelighteningcacklingaroundhisbrothersfistbackwards.Just

thenhisbrotherTimireleasedhisclenchedupfistandturnedthelighteninghemusthave

8/9/2019 Unstable (1)

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keptinitforthatverypurpose,atthenickofthesecond,intoadeadlyblastwhichpushed

Bebebackwards.Istoppedcrawlingandwatchedinwondermentasthetwobeingsnotof

thisworldrackeditout.`Haslivingamongmortalsturnedyouintoasissy?Hesneered,

walkingtowardsbebewholaywrithingonthefloor,moaning,hishandsonhisface.

Withunbelievableragecomparableonlytothatofafemalelion,Bebegotup,followingthe

gestureofhishands,thegreymistpushedhisbrotherbackwards,notpausinguntilhe

smashedheadfirstintoatree.Eventhenhecontinuedgesturing,ensuringTimismashed

throughseventrees.Timifelldown,crumpledbutstoodupalmostimmediatelytwistinghis

headsideways,leftandright,hisbonesmakingaloudcrackingnoiseashedidso.`Thatwas

anoldwomanstouch,hesaidandSWOOSH!Withaflourishhewasgone.Isawlightening

comefromthreedirections,headedstraightatbebebutthreetreesweretherewaiting,

theirrootsstilldrippingwithdarkloamysoilfilledwithmoisture,whathappenednext

happened

so

fast

that

I

couldnt

see

it.

I

just

heard

a

loud

crack,

saw

wood

splinters

flying

everywherethenanexplosionfollowedhalfasecondlater.Iduckedandmarriedthe

groundaswoodsplintersandtreesfleweverywhereandalltheleaveswithinthatradius

turnedtodust.Iraisedmyheadupagainasthedustsmokecleared.Ilookedaroundme;I

wastremblinginmyskinnow,howfarcouldIpossiblyrunevenifItriedto?Itried

calculating,atthesametimeprocessingtheinformationthatIjustnarrowlyescapedbeing

killed.Icouldhavebeencrushedastreetrunkslaystrewn,everywherearoundme.

Eveninthisstateyouprioritizetheratslife?Icanseeaparticularareathatseemsnot

touched.AsthedustclearedIsawhim,themanBebecalledTimi,hisbrother,ontopof

him,hishandsonhisthroat.Bebelookedroughandhaggardunderneathhim,likeahelpless

oldman.Hecoughedblood,closedhiseyesandthenrasped`youleavemenochoice.

Suddenlyeverythingaroundthemstartedtovibrate,eventhegroundonwhichIlay

vibratedtoo.Iwatchedtheairaroundthebothofthemcondense,theparticlesaround

themswirledslowly,movingupwardsasifthelawsofgravityhadchanged.Thevibrations

stoppedtheinstantheopenedhiseyes.FromwhereIcoweredIcouldseetheircolour,it

blinkedlikeatorchandyetitwasdull,itwasgrey.Thenhewasthere,underTimisgrasp

andhewasnt.Timidisappearstooandtheyreappearmetresawayfromthespotthey

werebefore,

this

time

with

the

situations

reversed.

Ibreathed

asigh

of

relief.

Bebe

was

on

topthistimearoundandTimitrashedbeneathhim.AndthenIheardavoicewhisperinmy

ear,`Escape.Whywouldhetellmethatwhenitwasobvioushewaswinning?Iwondered.

Toolate,asthatexactmoment,thunderstruckandthewholegroundshook.Ilookedup

andbeholdtheirpositionshadchangedagain.Timistood,lighteningenergycacklingall

aroundhim,hisskinhadturnedwhiteandallthehaironhisbodyincludingtheoneonhis

headstoodup,onend,andhiseyes,theywereblazingwhitehot.Bebestoodagood

distanceaway,havingjumpedbackwardssuddenly,staringathishandsasiftheyhadbeen

scorched.

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Ivehadenough...Itoldmyselfandstruggled.Withthehelpofafallentreetrunkcloseto

me,Igottomyfeet,mybrokenarmhanginglimply.WHATDOYOUTHINKBEBE?heroared,

THATIWILLCOMEAFTERTHEIMMORTALSPIRITWITHOUTBEINGPREPEARED?NoMORTAL

SEESMYTRUEFORMANDLIVES AFTERIT...justlikebefore,hewhistledsoftly,whennone

whofelt

your

touch...The

immortal

spirits

touch,

feels

anything

afterwards.

Istruggled,

limpingbetweenintertwiningplantswithoutleavesbuthisvoicestillcarried.`EVENWITH

YOURIMMORTALITYTAKEN,THEREAREFEWWHOCANSTANDUPTOYOU!Hethundered,

BUTI...Iwhohasgonefartherthananyotheronthisplaneofexistenceinthequestfor

power,I,soontobethefourthprince,bringthejudgementofthegodsuponyou;the

strongest.Hisvoicewentlowagain.`Eventhegodsadmittedthatmuchbutyouwerenever

strongerthanthefirstprince.Nowbeholdwhatmadehimeclipseeveryotherimmortal!

Handeddownbythegodsthemselvestome,foruseincarryingouttheirjudgementupon

you.Iwasrunningnowevenwithmybadleg.IwasntevenwatchingwhereIwasgoing,I

justwanted

to

get

as

far

away

as

possible

from

them.

His

voice

was

getting

louder

and

I

knewwhateverwascoming,itwasntgoingtobegood.ELEMENTALTAKEOVER!!!HE

SCREAMED,althoughIwasntfarenough,mycuriositygotthebetterofmeandIturned,

whatIsawpushedmeharderthanthewindhowlingatitspeak.Hewaslightningand

thunderfusedtogether,alargemassofwhitecacklingcurrentwithhumaneyes.

`YouremortalnowBebeIheardhimsaybeforehescreamed`ARASAAAAAN!!!Evenfrom

whereIstood,Ifelttheeffect,forIwentsoaringintotheairlikeahundredfeet,feelingthe

brashnessofthecurrentonmyskinjustthewayonefeelsheatfromfire.Thewholemass

musthave

enveloped

Bebe

for

he

was

screaming,

screaming

out

in

serious

pain

and

agony.

Thesoundwaspainfultotheears,itwaslikeathousandsquirrelsgnashingatathousand

nuts.Ithoughtmyearswouldburst,andthenitstopped.Iturnedaroundjustintimetosee

hisbodyfallingfromtheskyacharredrumpledheap.Beforeitreachedthetreesit

scatteredintoashes.Atthatinstantallthegreeneryinaradiusoftenmilesincludingthe

treescrackedintodust.TearsstreakedmycheeksasIranfordearlife,Bebehadpaidthe

ultimatepriceformyfreedom.AsIranIsawasingleboltdropfromthesky,itdroppedright

infrontofmeandmaterializedintoTimi.AveryweakTimi,hecouldbarelystand.He

blockedmypathandwalkedtowardsmeasIedgedbackwardsunknowingly,towardsthe

cliffsedge.

Icould

hear

the

river

flowing

underneath

as

he

said

with

apainfully

forced

laugh

`Soyourguardianspiritfinallydissipateseh?Icanfinallygetaroundtoswattingyouand

claimwhatisrightfullymine.Myeyesdartedbackandforthlookingforthequickestescape

route.You'retrappedlikeafly,andnomatterwhereyourunto,you'reinmyweb.Iknew

therewasnowayoutofthis,butIdrathertakemychancesanddieeatenupbypiranhasin

theriverbelowthangranthimthejoyofkillingme.`Bebewasafoolhesaid,`whodidnt...

IdidntallowhimcompletethestatementasthatmomentIjumpedoffthecliff,ignoring

protestationsfrommybeatupbody,hearingthewindwhistleinmyear,lettingadrenaline

pumpmeintofreedom,freedomfromthecaresofthisworld.2secondslaterIbroke

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surfaceaspowerfulsurgescoursedthroughmybodyandIwasenvelopedbyawet

blackness.

CHAPTER4HUSH!

Hush!

HUSH!

Hes

awake!

MywholebodyfeltnumbandithurtsomuchthatIwantedtoscreambutonlyamoan

escapedmythroat.Itriedtositupandtakeinmysurroundingsbutmybodyrefusedto

budge.AllIcouldseewasdarknessandalittlelightedportionwhereanoillamp

illuminatedtheroom.

Suddenlythekindfaceofanoldmanleanedoverme,blockingmyentirescopeof

vision.`Youhaventfullyhealedyet,youneedtorestsomemore,hesaidandslowlyI

slippedbackintounconsciousness.

WhenIopenedmyeyesagainitwasassaultedbybrightlight.Itwasdaytime.Ilooked

tomyleftandsawthesamekindoldfacesittingonastool.

`Soyou'refinallyawake,hecommented.`Yououghttohavewokenuptwodaysearlier.

Doyoufeelhungry?Healsoasked.

Who...are...u?Imanagedtostutter.Tell...me...now...o...r...or...else.

`Youlldowhat?Hesneered.`Killme?You'reinnoconditiontomakethreats,he

added.

SuddenlyIrememberedwhathappened,meandbebefleeing,thefight,bebesdeath,

andmyownselfsupposedchosendeathatthehandsofpiranhasandIaskedina

whisper`sowhydidyousaveme?

`Patience,hereplied,`allinduetime,getwellfirst.Hethenstoodupandtookhis

leaveasIslippedbackintoanotherdeepsleep.

Afterthatday,henevercameback,ratheranoldnursecameinhissteadtogiveme

medicationand

food,

three

times

daily.

Iwas

also

occasionally

taken

out

for

walks,

the

walksgettingmorefrequentasIgotbetter.Shewasfriendlybutrefusedtoanswerany

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ofthequestionsIthrewather,soIgaveuptryingtocoaxanswersoutofher.Ialsosaw

thekindoldmansometimessittingunderatreemeditating;mosttimeswhenIpassed

hewouldnodatme.Icontemplatedrunningaway,notonce,nottwice,notthricebut

abandonedtheideabecausetheprospectlookedbleakandafterall,theysavedmylife.

Asthedayspassedandtheweeksrolledby,Igrewtiredofjustwaking,eating,

sleepingandtakingoccasionalwalkswithinthecompoundtoexercisemylimbs.Iwas

beginningtogetimpatientwiththispeople,whoevertheywere,Ididntcareanymore.

Theycouldntjustkeepmeindoorslikeadomesticanimal,thingswerentdonethatway

andtheirattitude...itwasseriouslypissing.Theywaytheylookedatme;theyalllooked

atmelikeIwassomesortoflesserbeingmakingitobvioustheyknewsomethingthatI

didnt.ThingssurelycouldntcontinuelikethisandsoImadearesolutionthatthenext

timeIsawtheoldman,Ihadtotellhimsomething,shakehimandroughhimupalittle.

I

needed

to

know

what

he

knew,

what

he

took

so

much

pains

to

hide

from

me

by

caging

meuplikehispet,Iwantedtoknowmore.

MychancecamesoonerthanIexpected.OnoneofthosedaysIwasallowedoutto

stretchmylegs,Isawtheoldmanunderthetree,meditatingagain.Iletmystrolling

takemetowardshiszonesandhenoddedatmeasusualfromafar,butthistimeIdidnt

continueonthenormalroute,ratherIdivergedtowardshimincreasingmypace.Then

suddenlytwodogsIhadnevernoticedbeforebutwhoobviouslyhungaroundguarding

himstoodupandstartedheadingtowardsmeasIgotcloser.FromatrotIbrokeintoa

jog,thedogsimitatedmestillheadingtowardsmydirection.ThenIstartedrunningand

theystartedrunningtoo.Itwasaraceofwitsthistimearound.AsIran,theyranand

stillrunning,wegotclosertoeachother.Astheiroutlinebecameclear,theygnarled

andfearstruckmyheart,butpullingonareserveIknewnotexisted,Ignarledbackat

them,alsoshowingthemmyteeth.ThenstillmovingatthatspeedImadeadecisionat

thespurofthemoment.AsIgotcloser;5meters,4meters,3meters,2meters,1metre

andIjumped,butitwasntarealjump,itwasafeintandIduckedimmediatelyafter.

Alastheycopiedmetooandjumpedbutratherthantheheadoncollisionthatwas

meanttohappenintheair,theysailedrightoverme,implementingthefeintafew

secondslate,duckingastheysailed,whimperinglikepuppiesastheirspeedcarried

themafewhundredfeetintheairbeforetheylanded.Astheysailedovermethey

lookedstrangelytranslucentandetherealandthatcoldfearIfeltwhentheygnarled

struckmyheartagain,butnotimeforreminiscingasIseizedmyopeningandcontinued

towardstheoldmaninfullspeed.AssoonasIgottohim,Ijackedhimupbyhisclothes.

`Whatwasthat?Whoareyou?Whyareyoukeepingmelockeduplikeadog?Where

amI?whereafewofthequestionsIthrewathiminquicksuccession.

Fool...IheardhimmutterunderhisbreathandsuddenlythatcoldfearIfeltwhenthe

dogsgnarledcamebackstronger,itfilledmywholebodyandoverwhelmedme,and

thenmyownfearsjoinedit.Allthefearscamealive,playingrightbeforemyeyes.It

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filledmymindtotheburstingpoint.Instantlymyshakinghandsfreedhisclothes

immediatelytoclutchmypainfullythrobbinghead,asovercomebyfearIclosedmy

eyeswideshut,tryingunsuccessfullytocloseoutmymindfromallofit.Ifelltothe

groundscreamingandrollingandjustbeforeIpassedout,Iheardhimmurmur`Inever

shouldhave

brought

you

here

if

he

hadnt

asked

me

to...

Iwokeupinthatsamehut,onthatsamebedbutwithadifferentfeeling.Iwokeup

feelingdrowsybutshookmyheadtocleartheeffects.ItriedtosituponlytodiscoverI

wasstrappeddown.Breathein...breatheout...Itoldmyselfforcingmyselftocalm

downenoughtothink.Findingnootherplausiblesolution,Idecidedtoforcemyselffree

oftheropeswhichstrappedmedowntothebed.Hurtingmyselfintheprocess,I

screamedoutfromthepainIwascausingmyself.

`Takeiteasy,theoldwomansaid.Ilookedupandsawhersilhouetteilluminated

againstthe

door.

`The

more

you

struggle

the

tighter

it

becomes.

She

added.

`Whatareyoudoingwithme?Whatdoyouwantwithme?Iscreamed,shakingthebed

violentlyastheropestoredeeperintomyskin.

You'resonoisy!Shesaid.Shedidntturnback,justignoredmymuffledshoutsand

walkedrightoutoftheroom.Aftersheleft,Ikeptshoutingandthenrealisingthefutility

ofmyposition,Icalmeddownenoughtofallasleep.

Iwasrudelyinterruptedfrommysleepastheropesusedtobindmewereroughly

removed.

Getup!Themanwhoremoveditordered,andassoonasIdid,thepainhitmelikea

galewind,mywholebodywassorefromwheretheropeshadtornintomyflesh.The

masterwantstoseeyou,followme,hesaid.Ifollowedhimandwegotoutsidethehut

andwalkedforaboutfiveminutestillwegottothemastershut.Hethenstoodoutside

andmotionedmetogoin.IdidandwhenIentered,therewasafireburningbrightlyin

themiddleofthehut.Themasterwassittingontheothersideofthefire.`Sithesaid

andobediently,likeatraineddog,Isatontheflooroppositehimcrosslegged.

`SoIseeyouwerestubbornandrefusedtolistentoNadiahesaid.

Ikeptmute,havingrecognizedhimasthemanfrommyearlierencounterthatsame

day.Themansurroundedbyfears.

`Iheardyouvebeenclamouringforanswerssinceourlittleencounter.Ithoughtyou

werejoking,perhapsplayingalittleboysprank.

Hewasanoldman,soIguesshewasallowedtocallmeakid,IthoughttomyselfasIbit

mylipstopreventmyselffromretortingwithasmartcomment.

`Well,IthinkIhavesomethingforyou.

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`Idontwantanythingfromyoubutanswers,Iansweredthroughclenchedteeth.

`whateveranswersyouseekarebeyondme,hesaid,`youalonecanfindthem.Icant

helpyoubutIcanpointyouintherightdirectiontowardstheanswersthatyouseek.

Headded.

Sowhydidyousayyouhadsomethingformethen?Iasked,tryingmybesttohidethe

angerandfrustrationinmyvoice.

`Enough!Heordered.`YoushallsaynothingmoreunlesswhatIaskofyou.Youretoo

smallformetotakerubbishfrom.WhatIhaveforyouisapackagefromBebe(myears

perkedupimmediatelyatthementionofhisname).Apackageyoumusttaketo

Immortaliatogetalltheanswersyouseek.Willyoutakeitornot?

AndwhathappensifIdontgo?Iasked

`Youforfeitthepackagehesaidasheglaredatme,`andbytomorrowlatestyoullbe

escortedoutofheretothenearesthumansettlement.Fromthere,youreonyour

own.

Iwillgo!Isaid,aringofdeterminationinmyvoice,havingweighedmyoptionsand

decidingthatsinceIdidntknowwhatphantomlurkedintheshadows,awaitingnewsof

myreturntospringtoaction,Iwouldbebetteroffknowingthetruthofthematter...the

rootofthematter.ThatwayIfiguredIwouldbeproperlyarmedtoprotectmyself,

knowingwhy

it

was

that

they

wanted

my

life

and

what

happened

to

me,

knowing

what

secretBebehadtakenpainfulpainstohidefromme,upuntilnow.

`Youmaytakeyourleave,hesaid.`Tomorrowyoushalldepartwithcompanionsto

Immortalia,andbeware!YoumustntopenthepackageuntilyougetthereHeadded

standinguptowithdrawintohisinnerhut. Pleasewait!Ishoutedafterhimand

surprisinglyhehalted.`Thejourneyofathousandmilesbeginswithonestep,Ibegan.

Allthiswhile,alltheseyears,Ivebeenkeptinthedarkfollowingthefootstepsofthe

onewhoknewtheway.NowthathesgoneIfeellikeanystepItakewillbethewrong

step.IdontevenknowwhereIam,whoIamorwhoyouare.Icantdifferentiate

betweenfriendsorenemies.Idontknowwhatsrealorunrealagainand...

Youfeellikeapuppet?Hecutsin.

`YesIsaidconfirmingwhathesaid,whatIwasabouttosay.

Hekeptquietforafewsecondswhichfeltlikehourstomebeforehesaid;`makeno

mistakes,considermenotafriend(myeyeballswidened)`ImonlydoingwhatIm

doingbecauseBebeaskedmeto.Andthenhewasgone.

AsIstepped

outside

the

hut,

it

suddenly

started

making

sense

to

me,

everything

he

said,itstartedpiecingtogetherinmybrain,theonlythingIneverfathomedwasBebes

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relationshipwiththatoldman.ButtothinkthatBebewouldplanforasituationlikethis

evenafterhisdeath,itmeanshemusthaveplannedtodie...no...No.Hemusthave

knownhewasgoingtodie.TearsstreakeddownmycheeksasIrememberedhim.I

must...I...mustgettoImmortaliaanddecipherwhatBebewantedmeto.Itwastheleast

Icould

do

to

honour

his

memory,

the

memory

of

one

who

died

in

my

stead.

Iwas

escortedbacktomyroomandthatnight,thatverynightIsleptlikeanewbornbabe.

Thenextmorning,mysleepwasrudelyinterruptedbythecoldfeelofwatersplashed

onmyface.`Wakeup!Theguardshouted,`themasterwantsyou.Theguardshere

werentintheleastabitfriendly,Iforgot.IwokeupandwithmyhandswipedoffwhatI

couldofthewaterdrippingfrommyface.Idressed,tyingaloinclotharoundmyselfand

wentouttomeetthemaster.ThenextpersonIsawalmostshockedmerightoutofmy

skin.Thereshewas,standingrightnexttothemaster,theevilbeautythatcolludedwith

the

fireman

years

ago

to

take

my

life.

As

I

arrived

I

could

see

her

eyeballs

looking

like

theywantedtojumpoutoftheirsockets,sheclearlyhadnotexpectedtoseemehere

either.`Theseareyourcompanionsthemastersaid,pointingtoherandanotherman

withstrangepiercingsinbothhisears.Theyshallbegoingallthewaywithyouto

Immortalia.`Ithinkitsbetterwegetstartedmastertheguywiththestrangepiercings

inhisearssaid,`itsstillalongjourneyfromhere.Sosaying,hebowedtothemaster

andIfollowedsuit.Heturned,walkingintothedarkness,Ifollowedkeepinginhiswake

andshefollowedmebehindmyback,carefultokeepasafedistancebetweenus.

Itwasntuntiltwohoursintothejourneywhenwepausedforabriefbreakinthe

forestthatanyonesaidaword.EventhenitwasmeandwhatIaskedforwaswaterto

quenchmythirst.Theearpiercingsguybroughtoutananimalskinflaskfromasache

carriedonhisbackandgaveittome.Itookalongandsatisfyingdrinkfromitandgave

itbacktohim.ThenIturnedandlookedatthewoman,shewaseyeballingme,infact

shehadbeeneyeballingmethroughoutthewholejourney.Evennowshesaid`what?

inaveryhostilevoice.Iturnedtothepiercingsguyandtoldhim`ifweretravelling

togetherIwouldfeelsaferifwekneweachothersnamesconsideringthefactthat

shestriedtokillmebefore.`ImmediatelyIsawyou,Iknewitwasyousheburstout,

`theonewhostoleTafasimmortality.Youdeservenothingbetterthandeath!Shesaid

andspatatme.Icleanedoffthespitwiththebackofmyhandsandtoldher`woman,

watchyourtongue.Clenchingmyfists,Icontinued`anymorewordfromyouandIll

beatyoutopulp.`Whatcanyoudo?sheshoutedplacingherarmsakimbo.`Canyou

evenprotectyourself?Sheaddedinsultively.Thiswastoomuch,Icouldnttakeitany

longer.Ihadtoteachheralessonortwo.Istoodupimpulsivelyandheadedforher,

givinghertwohotslapsinquicksuccession.

Bothofyoustopit!Iblinkedagainandopenedmyeyes.Insteadofholdingthe

offensive,insultivewoman,Iwasclutchingnothing.Iturnedaroundinstantly

rememberinghowshemanipulatedrealityandsawthepiercingsguyholdingthe

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womanshandinwhichsheheldabiglogofwoodthatwouldhavehitmehaditnot

beenforhewhowasholdingherback.`Nooneisgoingtohitorbreakanyoneshead,

hesaid,`atleastnotuntilIsayso.`Justwhodoyouthinkyouare?Shehissed,still

strugglingagainsthisvicelikegriptogetatme.`ImGboks,anordainedguidebythe

master.Its

useless,

he

said

to

her.

`I

know

what

youre

thinking.

It

will

be

good

for

you

toknowthatIvebeeninstructedbythemastertokillifyourefusetocooperatewith

meorifhediesduetoyournegligence.Itllbebetterifyouplayyourpartwell.He

releasedherfromhisfirmholdandshedroppedthelogofwood,hissedagainand

walkedoffonherown.`Wontyougoafterher?Iaskedhim.`Dontworry,shellcome

back,sheknowsthemasterisnotamantobetakenlightlyherepliedme.

Inthedaysthatfollowed,Ilearntmoreaboutmycompanionsatanalarmingrateand

themoreIgrewtoliketheguardGboksforhisprotectiveattitudeoverme,themoreI

grew

to

hate

that

woman

Tripoli

for

her

brash

and

sassy

attitude

towards

me

and

him.

Sometimes,Iwonderedwhyshehadtocomealong;Gbokswouldhavebeenenoughto

protectme.IevenaskedGbokswhatherrelevancewasand