Chapter 1.3

Chapter 4

That night, when the members of the group were sitting around the campfire where they prepared the dinner Alain looked absent and thoughtful, which contrasted with his usual attitude of sharing meal times with his men. The perceptive Djamba did not fail to note that state of mind and finally decided to speak.

“Bwana.” He had replaced the appellative of lieutenant by express instructions given by Garnier.

“When we're alone just call me Alain.”

“All right Alain. I appreciate that you have presented me as one of the heroes of the day, although I admit that by doing so you forced the Sheik to shake hands with a black man.”

“That´s the Sheikh´s problem.”

“We must recognize that the reception has been very good, especially coming from Arabs who have to welcome non Muslims.”

“On the contrary. Arabs have actually a reputation for being hospitable people.”

Djamba pondered his next sentence carefully and then snapped.

“The woman likes you.”

“Once again! Another African gossip! Save it for your village old wives.”

As he knew the Frenchman from many years Djamba did not flinch.

“Her name is Farrah.”

“How do you know that?” Garnier's interest was manifest in spite of his efforts to conceal it.

“ African gossip.” Djamba enjoyed responding keenly. He continued.

“But there is someone who was not happy.”

“And through the African gossip you surely you know who he is.”

“Not yet, but I will.”

Garnier burst out laughing.

“Who is your source? Do not tell me you've met a girl.”

“All right, if you don´t want to hear it I will not tell you.”

“Why do you say he was not happy?”

“For two reasons; the role of hero you have acquired in that clan and the way Farrah looks at you.”

“I see. A jealous wooer.”

“Jealousy and envy are a dangerous combination.”

“All right. I will keep that in mind. The next time you see that man you point at him.” Garnier could make jokes but never left unheeded a remark of his deputy.

“ Lieutenant, you are not going to give credit to African gossip.”

The result was that Alain threw a shoe he was pulling out on Djamba´s head although the Congolese avoided it quickly. The laughter of both men surprised the solemn manyemas located around the hearth.

Farrah, her cousin Leilah and Fadimah were alone in the tent destined exclusively for women at the Shamoun aduar. The doctor had healed Fadimah´s wounds, and explained that they were evolving satisfactorily. He also reported that Faisal had no longer fever and his wound was now not infected. The atmosphere was festive.

“Farrah, the Nasrani kept watching you every time he thought no one was looking at him. He only had eyes for you, and barely listened to what your father was telling him.” Leilah, who had been present at the reception ceremony headed by Abdullah was also a perceptive woman.

“Those are just fantasies.” Answered the aforementioned, who nevertheless was visibly flattered by the comment.

“But I was also looking at Ahmed. Hatred was coming out of his eyes. He believes he has rights over you.”

“ My father would never make a decision about my person without consulting me.”

“Well, it would be good to inform Ahmed about that. It´s obvious he thinks otherwise.”

After the reception given by Abdullah at the clan site Ahmed ben Assaff had saddled his horse and headed north to attend an appointment. The beautiful Arabian steed flew like the wind on the desolate savannah and the joy produced by the ride began to dissipate the anger accumulated by Ahmed by the time he spent at the meeting place and gave way to more pleasant emotions. In the background a fixed idea began to germinate in his twisted mind ... but he knew it was not yet time, his time.

After two hours of riding the horse and its rider began to delve into a wooded area with the vegetal closed canopy closing above their heads. Ahmed had to dismount and lead the horse by the bridle. He soon realized that he was being watched but went ahead anyhow; although he squeezed the handle of his dagger chose not to raise the rifle to not cause reactions. Finally, as he led the horse to a clearing in the forest he saw a group of five almost naked men armed with spears and javelins. By recognizing one of the wild natives Ahmed raised his hand in a gesture of peace.

“I greet you chief Walaka.”

The named chief, an elder and fat man who wore a feather headdress on his head and a leopard skin around his body, both of which probably denoted his rank, answered halfheartedly the greeting. The conversation took place in Swahili in which both men were fluent. Ahmed approached the chieftain overcoming the revulsion caused to him by the odors emanating from the mangy bodies of the warriors.

“Have you got any news for me?” Bluntly asked the Arab.

“I've fifty konongo captives, but my men are bringing from the West other three hundred men, women and children.”

“When will they get here?”

“ In four days.”

'I´ll wait for you in the aduar. It will take you two more days to bring the captives there.”

“I thought your Sheik no longer admitted more slave hunting and trade.”

“He himself has been a slaver in his youth. Anyway do not worry, convincing him will be my problem.”

“Until when will you accept to be a subject of that old toothless lion?”

Ahmed's mouth turned into a twisted smile. He patted the tribal chief on the shoulder and said.

“As I told you, it's my problem.”

The Arab took the bridle of his horse and started out.

“We´ll meet in six days.”

Walaka watched him go; one of his warriors wielded one javelin and looked questioningly at his boss. Walaka motioned with his hand indicating to let the Bedouin go, since his promises had excited his greed.

Until shortly before Walaka and his men ended their raids on neighboring villages with the killing of all the captives except certain beautiful women who were claimed by their principal subordinates as concubines. The purpose of these raids was to acquire land and cattle of the conquered villages and he had no use for the people, who were mercilessly massacred. Ethnic cleansing is undoubtedly one of the most insane ideas that the human mind can conceive, and occurs not only among primitive peoples.

Following his initial meeting time before with Ahmed ben Assaff and other Arab slave traders, Walaka decided that instead of coldly kill his captives he could redeem them for desirable things like necklaces and other trinkets, knives, clothes and cotton fabrics and even some gold.