3 - The caretaker's return.

Chapter 3 (The caretaker’s return.)

Tsote helped carry the roast meat off while Sakitha completed stuffing the last skinned animal with onion and other spicing stuff…

“One who can’t listen to his father, would he listen to the queen Makita…”

I think I’ll need to carry Mama Erusa along to the palace; she seems to be the only person he ever hears.”

“She is a story teller and she follows no one but her dreams, blind as she is…”

“Shhh…” came one of the men she travels and hunts with. 

“They say she hears mockery no matter where or how far she follows her dream calls…?”

“I don’t believe that, she only tells lovely stories and…” came Tsote.

“Father says she reads everything you ever utter about her whenever she feels your palms…merely.” Makita told them escorting her talk with sign language. Renso watched her and smiled…

 “True. I heard of that,” She told them. “

She has been gone for around three weeks now…”

“Lower southward.” Makita said. “But I can’t wait to hear what new stories she returns with from the southern tribes.”

“When the Olko Owl hoots again…” Sakitha replied.

“I heard the owl’s hoot last night, yester…” Tsote uttered quickly “Anyone spotted her around today?”

“Patience…” came Sakitha cutting the roast meat. And serving the women and boy to take to their households. 

“I can’t wait to hear how the tale of Untu tree and Sura, the Wise tortoise.” Tsote told them excitedly.

“Everyone loved her stories but I hate when she told some halfway forgetting to complete them and starting another the next time she appeared…” Sakitha concluded.

There was more talk and talk until one of Thalko’s house maids brought Renso’s evening homestead share of food. Renso’s instructed the young lady to hand the food over to Tsote who carried it away to Renso’s shelter immediately. That’s when Makita’s mother called her as though Makita was on the banks of river Ulewo in the night close to midnight.

Tsote and Sakitha got other food replenishments from Renso’s provisions. Renso would eat and then leave once his daughter slept off to ensure the night’s watch were in position.

Renso’s shelter was long too. One third smaller than Thalko’s. He had half of the front section to himself but had his meals with us in the rare where the shelter had a circular open space above. This made the stars visible above and the moon light falling in on one side of the shelter. The gap had three pillars of wood engraved with Yakunko rune of protection against the sprits of the night.

And at the center of the room the fire burned. Closest to Tsote who had a spot at the inner back of the shelter. Sakitha normally slept off early while Tsote stayed awake until midnight watching the stars and the fire almost burnt out. Just then, he heard the hooting of the owl Elka spoke about in her most recent tale. Elka would be returning to Marakusha very soon… the stars glowed above the shelter. He could count a few but the counting made his dose off.

Most of the time, he hardly knew when he blacked out to sleep. He only remembers waking up at the new day’s training drum beat thundering from the training field far out. Renso was always up while the owl of The Olko hill hooted its last hoot.

Today, Tsote and his age mates’ would not be training because the newly recruited boys had to be introduced to the training system. Renso would be busy. And unlike other days, Sakitha would not leave for hunting. She would be the one to meet with all the new recruits. And so, by the time Tsote woke up, she was already gone. 

He hurried out only to see Thalko standing at the front of his shelter. He was back during the night. I heard sounds last night. Nevertheless, I was already dozing off. 

He stood up broad, large and tall with such a commanding stature about him. Beside him were three other warriors dressed like secondary commanders. There were three wildebeests tied to the side of the shelter. And two statues of his fore father stood high on either side of his shelter. They were already preparing to leave. This was so first. They had extended tents in the front with pins into the ground ahead. They were made of animal hide. 

And curved out to form something like a cow horn shade. At the center the last embers of fire burnt. There was a tree stamp around the entrance of the shelter and here he stood with his men. Someone was showing him what some sort of plan engraved I the flat surface of the tree stamp. 

He finally took his spear and dagger from one of the boys next to him and started past towards his wildebeest. He organized the seat followed by his three escort warrior guards. Renso started towards his from the training field where the training horn hadn’t ceased hooting. He approached Thalko with his hands held behind him. Meanwhile the new recruits crossed the homestead towards hooting horn.

He saw Thalko turning his attention to Renso. Immediately after, Renso started towards His shelter like they’d sent him to collect something… Tsote saw what happening and the moment Renso started towards him was, he stepped out to greet him. Renso reduced pace. Nevertheless, before he could even speak, Tsote saw M’boguku walking towards his father from the back. Increasing pace with his face slightly lowered like a bull charging at someone. His father sensed him all of a sudden.

M’boguku lifted his blade-like spear and yelled in motion. His father saw him attack and like the warrior everyone knew, he steps aside to avoid a blow at his back. M’boguku landed and sliced a side at his father’s legs. The father leaped slightly transforming midair but keeping his Kurota in., the Spear swept the earth under him. He dodged most of his son’s blows before he drew his spear, which was almost ivory from to the blade.  Thalko drew his spear and now charged towards his son. The struggle was paced and both as swift. Nevertheless, Thalko kept his blows light lest he wounded his son at such an early stage.

The struggle did not last longer than sixty second before Thalko shoved his son back with a move of his shoulder. M’boguku flew mid-air and landed back legs and arms wide into the dust. And before he could even get up again, Thalko swiftly placed his heavy foot his chest. And slicing his bladed spear from high over his head the way an enemies head would be parted from his lower body, M’boguku saw his second defeat.

His spear had fallen aside but not far from his fingers. He saw his father’s blade slice downwards his neck as though in a slow motion. But he wasn’t going to make it to his weapon. This was not the first time he had attacked his father in challenge but the thirtieth time or more. And on very few occasions did he never loose grip of his weapon because whenever he lost with the blade fallen from his grip, his father would warn him. This time they would say this together however… something new happened this time. 

An arrow whizzed through the air and hit his father’s spear close to its head where the wooden part began. This astounded everyone. Renso’s mouth fell blank at how perfect the shot was. All of a sudden, Thalko came to a pause, his blade an inch from his son’s neck and is son breathing so fast...

“Father…?” M’boguku yelled at his father just when he saw the arrow stack in his father’s spear vibrating! His eyes went wide open in shock. Everyone was quiet around them. The silence was too deep to reckon with! He expected his father to utter his usual warning;

“Never, ever part with your weapon...” -His foot often still pressing down on his back or chest. The son always looked embarrassed most especially his defeat came in the presence of Tsote. This is why, whenever he got to his feet from the usual defeats, he would glance this and that way just to make sure none of his mates laughed most especially Tsote. He was a bully and his mates feared him. They would hold back the laughter only to burst later. He glanced quickly in the direction the arrow had come and there was Makita still in a pause. Slowly a weird smile started to form on her face just before she broke the silence with a terrible and very hysterically laughter.

Following her laughter, the rest of the Kids laughed out loud! Thalko lifted his leg letting M’boguku sit upright. M’boguku frowns at everyone with such a fierce look ending on her… 

Thalko retrieved his leg but in great surprise!

"Where did you learn this from…?”

“Sakitha…” she stated with a smile.

“Sakitha…! Mmm,” He repeated the name with such Pride. He held out his arms. Took his foot from M’boguku. Makita ran into his arms. He held her for a while. 

“She made this too for me…” She showed him her bow, which was a special design unlike any other.

“Mozia O’mondo will be a great king with you on his side one day…”

“She is greedy with her bow…”

“A warrior’s weapon is their second companion… and must never part with this companion whatsoever.”

“M’boguku’s bows never last a week father. His Kurota no longer…” Makita started reporting just when M’boguku rushed up and sealed up her lips.

“It’s not fair father…”

“What not fair, she just saved your life with her skills…” He told his son signaling him to rub the dust off his shoulder and face. “-you must be you still got your head coz you may need her backup one day another time…” 

 “But everyone knows I’m best in our…”

“Pride comes before the fall. Moreover, the best just lost the fights. You in other words ow her your life because she saved you today.”

“Father…?”Came M’boguku with a frown sowing dissatisfaction followed by throwing glances back and forth between the two. “Yes?” 

‘Yes…” Makita said playfully. “You owe me your life your brother… “Makita repeated after her father just the moment M’boguku let go of her. Just when the youngest came and sunk his teeth into his leg which was wrapped into strange strands of bark cloth and other warrior material that went down to form sandals.. He picked the child up and snarled at the child just when he spotted Tsote… he placed the child down…

 A few seconds later, he would return to his ride. This is when Tsote realized Renso coming towards him. 

“Commander Thalko would like you to join him to the city.” Fetch your water satchel and sandals immediately. He is in a hurry.”

Tsote looked puzzled. He glanced back. Did Renso direct this to him or.

“Tsote…? Time” I have never left the compound with Thalko and this was like a dream come true. Wherever he was taking be it to the endos of the world very far away from this place, he would go. I took my water satchel and ran fast to catch up with Renso who was waiting for him. 

Thalko was waiting. And when he came out Renso was there waiting for him. He had his arms behind his back and they immediately turned towards the rest of Thalko’s caravan. Thalko glared at him without a word. He wondered what he had in mind but did not ask. Renso led me to his wildebeest and got up into the saddle. Then reached out his hand. This was the second time I was riding on a wildebeest. 

“What about training...”

“I briefed my sister and she will be handling everything until midday today.” Renso told him.

Before they could leave, M’boguku ran up to his father asking if he could come along. This sounded too bad an idea to Tsote. He prayed Thalko would let him come along. Of course, his father did not accept but changed his mind thereafter. He would travel along his side while Tsote with Renso. 

He rushed away to his mother and returned giving Tsote a quire glance, joining his father who was already leading the way out of the homestead.