Chapter Twelve

"Where is my sunshine?! Where have you taken her?" Bosede shouted at one of the black soldiers. She was devastated. Tohib checked around trying to see if he will see Afua. He saw children in cages chained to the door. He was notified. He knew most of them. Xander is truly a beast. He moved back to where Bosede was and tried to pull her away from the soldier who was irritate already. "I cannot find her anywhere. I dont think she is here" he said. Bosede loosened her hold on the soldier and fell on her butt to the ground. She has checked everywhere but has been unable to see her daughter. "What's her life all about then? She lost her husband and her daughter. What is there to live for? " She thought. She stood up and started walking back home. Tohib was surprised and even the soldiers were surprised. Tohib ran after her to check her. The look in her eyes confirmed what he had in mind. She was going to commit suicide. He held her and hugged her. Bosede started crying and rested her head on his shoulders. She has nothing to live for. Where will she start from? She kept crying on Tohib's shoulder.

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"Take her to Wentose. She will work in the temple over there" A slave trader told another as he locks another yellowboy in the wagon. Afua knew she was being taken to a foreign land but what caused her much pain was the thought of not seeing her mother ever again. She kept looking towards the direction they came from hoping to see her mother and some other yellow warriors charge in and rescue them. It's been hours and nothing has happened. The wagon she was in started moving and she looked at the other wagon which was moving in the other direction. She sat back in the wagon and tried to pull the chains holding her hands but she could not. She gave up after a while. The grumbling of her stomach was enough to let her know she needed food. She had not eaten since the day she was taken from her home. "Temple? What will she do there? She is just 8 years" Afua thought. She couldn't hear what the riders were saying so she knew nothing about what's going on. She prayed to the gods to save her or look after her whichever one pleases them.

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Emtor

"Old man! Why are you slacking?" A black guard said after kicking Afri. Afri looked tired. His beards were black and he looked gaunt. He had not eaten in days. Food supply was small because the guards feasted on it and gave small rations to the workers. Baptiste made sure there was enough for everyone but the guards didnt think like him. Afri gave his rations to younger men in the mines. His life was worthless. He lost his country, his home, his wife and he hasn't seen his son(who is a daughter). It's been eight(8) years. His son must be strong now. He stood up and continued with the work. The black guard sneered and mocked him. "Worthless commander" he shouted and left. Afri watched the young black boy who is probably around 20years. He had pity on his ignorance. He has seen so many reds being brought into the mines and he knew the reds waged war and lost repeatedly. "Aroon must have given up" he said.

He looked up and saw Baptiste lost in thoughts. He knew Baptiste's wife had twins and what happened to them were known by everyone. One was taken by Xander and the other died. He felt his pain. The loss of one's child is deep and painful. He kept looking at Baptiste who looked back at him. Baptise smiled at him and went back inside. "He is probably the only sane black man in the world" Afri thought. "Maybe all these will end someday" he said.

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Wentose

"Is this the Chief seer's house?" A black trader shouted at the white girl in front of a house. " Yes, it is. How can I help you?" The white girl asked. The black trader ignored her and dragged a cage into the house. He saw someone sitting on a big chair and said" i was told to bring her here. She will be serving you as from today" he said. Maggie looked up and saw a small yellow girl in a cage. She was angry. "You may leave" she said and watched the man leave in anger. She rushed to the cage and opened it. The smell coming from the girl was too much. She called one of her helpers and asked them to bath and feed the girl. Afua couldn't talk but she saw all what was happening. She didn't eat anything throughout the four days journey and she was very weak. She was washed with soap and sponge, given new clothes to wear and food to eat. She attacked the food and after a while fell asleep from drowsiness.

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"Are you awake now?" Maggie asked the girl on the bed. "Yes, ma'am. Where am I?" Afua asked. "You are safe dear. You were brought here. My name is Maggie and I am the chief Seer of Wentose" Maggie said. Afua drew back and started crying. Maggie hugged her. She felt her pain. "What's your name, girl?" Maggie asked. "I am Afua" Afua answered. "I see you were brought here from Yoovim" Maggie said. "You are not black. You are red. How's that possible? Are there blacks who are red?" Afua asked. " I am not a black woman. I am a red woman. I was taken as a young girl to the black capital to serve" Maggie explained whole patting the girl's head. " You are safe here. Feel free as you are not my slave." She added. Afua was able to calm down and she rested again. Maggie left her alone and went away.