CHAPTER 15

ACT 71

The next day...

Yabiny went to the kitchen and lied that the Princes asked her to bring their food. She quickly sprayed the powder into the food when no one was looking. She brought Prince Tefon his food. She fed him his food.

Yabiny - My Prince I want to thank you for all you've done for me. After I lost my family I'm glad you have given me a place to stay.

Prince Tefon - Of course. You're welcome.

Yabiny - I'll be right back my Prince I need to clean the plates.

Prince Tefon - Of course.

Yabiny left.

Yabiny - (I have to hurry up before the poison starts to have effect.)

She carried food to Prince Kydin.

Yabiny - My Prince I brought your food. Prince Tefon asked me to bring it for you.

Prince Kydin - I don't want it. I didn't ask for it. Take it away.

Yabiny - But my Prince it is a special delicacy I promise you will enjoy it.

Prince Kydin - Are you deaf? I don't want it. Now leave.

Yabiny - I'm sorry my lord.

Kydin glared at her.

Prince Kydin - That girl has to go.

Yabiny - (He didn't eat the food. What do I do? Maybe it is because I served it and he doesn't trust me. I have to get someone else to give it to him.)

She saw one of the maids who she hated.

Yabiny - Listen I'm not here to argue. This is Prince Kydin's food. I can't give it to him because I have been summoned by Prince Tefon to go on an errand. Here.

Maid 1 - That's good for you. You won't be going near Prince Kydin too. You rat. I will go.

Yabiny - That is your problem. You are just jealous you are not Prince Tefon's personal maid.

Maid 2 - Oh please. Let's go.

They left. Yabiny quickly snuck out of the palace and into the Dark forest. The maids looked for Prince Kydin but he was nowhere to be found.

Maid 1 - Prince Kydin must be very busy. He has probably gone for his training. Sometimes he doesn't even eat his food and it wastes.

Maid 2 - But what about the food?

Maid 1 - Don't worry it won't waste. I will eat it. I mean look at the 4 big pieces of meat.

Maid 2 - You are stingy. We are sharing. Let's quickly finish it.

ACT 72

Meanwhile in the Dark Underground Empire...

Dejjo was headed to his father's room again. He hoped his father would speak to him this time. He entered and saw his father and his 3 older brothers having a discussion. They didn't seem to notice him.

Prince Dejjo - Father?

King Zanji - Faejjo Dejjo what do you want?

Prince Dejjo - Please I would like to speak with you alone.

King Zanji - Later.

Prince Dejjo - What time can I come back?

King Zanji - I said later.

Prince Abalin - Go Dejjo. He'll talk to you later.

Dejjo glared at him.

Prince Dejjo - Yes father.

He left the room.

ACT 73

Dejjo was in tears and was headed to his room when he bumped into Yabiny. They were very close friends.

Yabiny - Dejjo what's the matter? Why are you crying?

Prince Dejjo - Yabiny! You are back I missed you! I haven't seen you in 3 weeks!

Yabiny - I just finished my assignment. I am supposed to meet your older brother, Prince Lebid. What is the matter?

Prince Dejjo - It's Father. He hates me.

Yabiny - He yelled at you again?

Prince Dejjo - Yes.

He sniffed.

Prince Dejjo - It's okay. I know it's hard but you're going to have to get used to it. Things are tough here underground and people are frustrated. But that doesn't mean he had to yell at you. I Just came back from my mission but I know what will make you feel better. Follow me.

Prince Dejjo - I can't. I'm expected to be training.

Yabiny - And failing. Anyway when you're ready you know where to find me. I have to go.

Prince Dejjo - Thank you. I will think about it.

ACT 74

Meanwhile at Khana Village...

Reolita had finished all her chores and headed to the inn for her training. She met with Deebia her teacher. Reolita knelt down and greeted her.

Reolita - Good morning sister Deebia.

Deebia - How are you my dear? I see you came early for your lesson. Good. Change into your inn garments and pick up a basket and meet me at the sitting area. You can change at my hut over there.

Reolita - Ok Ma.

Deebia - Call me aunty or Sister not ma. Please I'm not an old woman.

Reolita - OK Sister. I will.

Deebia - Good. I'll be waiting.

Reolita quickly ran into the hut and changed her clothes into a long White wrapper. She picked up a small basket.

She met with Deebia and they both left the inn. Deebia was holding a basket as well with pieces of scrolls and a small bag with some pieces of thread.

Reolita - Sister Deebia, where are we going to?

Deebia - Today I'm going to teach you types of herbs and where to pick them up.

Reolita - OK.

They walked over to a pawpaw tree. Deebia and Reolita plucked a few leaves and put them in a basket.

Deebia - Do you know this leaf?

Reolita - It's a pawpaw leaf.

Deebia - Good. Now this leaf is used for heartburn, indigestion and fever. When grounded it makes nice tea. And it's paste is good for hair.

They went to more trees.

Deebia - Mango leaf is used for breathing problems, dysentery and Red spots.

Reolita - Wow. What of banana leafs?

Deebia - That is for animal treatments.

Reolita - OK. Please teach me more.

Deebia - Your not like my other students they all ran off to learn bead making and other skills. I can tell you'll be great at this. Now see here this is called Neem.

Reolita - Neem? What does it do?

Deebia - It's very good for malaria.

Reolita - Oh. Is it the one that you gave me when I was sick?

Deebia - Yes, you remembered I'm impressed. I would have added a little mango juice but I didn't have any.

Reolita - Unnn. I like mangoes.

Reolita - But it's not only malaria it's good for. It's also good for the body to cure other ailments. The oil is used for dry skin, itching, lice and hair loss.

Reolita - Like bald men?

Deebia laughs.

Deebia - Not baldness, but damaged hair. But slows down grey hair.

Reolita - OK.

Deebia - But pregnant women should not take too much of it. It can make them lose the baby.

Reolita - Oh. OK.

Deebia - The water is good for other plants too. They flourish because insects hate it. But too much shouldn't be used.

Reolita - OK. Why?

Deebia - It makes the food taste very bitter.

Reolita - OK.

Deebia - Now Ewuro herb helps with bad appetite, cough, sleeplessness and the oil is used for sore throat and infected wounds that aren't healing properly.

Reolita - OK. How do we prepare all this herbs?

Deebia - I'll teach you how to gather herbs first and what to prepare them with and how to use later.

Reolita - OK.

Deebia - Now pay attention. I'll ask questions. Here is Asunrun herb it's used to treat running stomach.

Reolita picked it and put it in her basket. They walked to another greenish pasture.

Deebia - Smell this leaf.

Reolita smelled it.

Reolita - It smell very nice and yummy.

She took a bite.

Reolita - It's tasteless.

Deebia - That is scent leaf. It's used for ear infection, ear aches and the stick is good for chewing stick. It's also used in seasoning dishes for food.

Reolita - Wow.

Deebia - This is Moringa. It's very good for our bodies, it's used for a lot of ailments, even ones that don't have names. It's used as a paste to cover wounds, for tiredness and for poor eye sight.

Reolita - Wow. Is it just the leaves.

Deebia - All parts of the trees are useful.

Reolita - Wow.

Deebia - OK. I hope you have been picking the herbs I've explained to you.

Reolita - Yes.

Deebia - OK. This one is bitter leaf. I'm sure you know this one. It's used to make bitter leaf soup.

Reolita - Yes. But I don't like bitter leaf soup.

Deebia - This is also used for stomach ache, sleeplessness and it's very good for pregnant women. It helps with sharp minds and quick thinking.

Reolita - OK. But I still don't like it.

Deebia - Now this one is very dangerous if used wrongly.

Reolita - What is it used for?

Deebia - This is wild lettuce. It's used for itching on the skin. It is also a sleeping herb. When grounded into powder and added to a food or drink, the person falls asleep. If too much is used continuously it can kill.

Reolita - Oh. Then why use it if it can kill?

Deebia - Just a little mixed with honey helps people who can't sleep well. And if you pluck it always wash your hands before you eat.

Reolita - OK.

Lady - This is Etin Erin.

The lady cuts a piece of the aleo vera and rubs it on Reolita finger.

Reolita - It feels good.

Deebia - Yes it's used for skin lotion, constipation, worms and it's applied on wounds and burns. This one is Irawo ile. It helps with ringworm, toothaches and general body pain. This one is Ewe Asunrun herb it's used for rash(Craw craw), skin problems and chest pains. This one is zobo leaf.

Reolita - I know it's used to make Red wine.

Deebia - Good. This one here is Efirin. It's used for swollen stomach, bad breath, digestion and it's used to preserve other foods and medicine.

Reolita - OK.

Deebia - OK. I think this is enough or do you want to learn more?

Reolita - Yes.

Deebia - OK. This is Minti. Very good for White teeth and stops sneezing. This is Gbure. It's used In soups, good for losing weight, constipation and indigestion. It's used with other herbs and spices to cure madness.

Reolita - Ah. OK.

Deebia - Don't worry it's healthy. And this is Soyunyun tree. It's used for curing snake and ants bites. It makes people sweat a lot of the poison out of their system.

Reolita - What of this one?

Deebia - No don't touch that it poisonous. That is Jalanpa. And this one is devil beans. It will make your body itch you seriously. But Palm oil will reduce the itching. Just avoid those plants.

Reolita - OK sister.

Deebia - OK that's enough for today. Let's get back to the inn.

Reolita - Wow. I've learned so much. You are a great teacher. Thank you.

Deebia - Your welcome. My Grandfather taught me all I know before he died. He said plants and animals are a gift from the goddess and it's true. And I picked up a few tricks of my own. He travelled from town to learning about herbs and eventually settled in this Village after he healed the King and was given plenty rewards.

Reolita - Wow. He was a great man.

Deebia - Lets hurry back it looks like the rain is about to fall.

They quickly hurried back to the inn.

ACT 75

They soon reached the Inns.

Deebia - OK. Come back tomorrow to learn how to grind the herbs. We are supposed to dry them but it seems the rain may likely fall so I'll dry it after.

Reolita - OK.

Deebia noticed that she was looking at her a lot.

Deebia - Why are you looking at me like that?

Reolita quickly turned her face.

Reolita - It's nothing.

Deebia - It's okay. Just tell me.

Reolita - It's just that you look like my Mama.

Deebia - Oh. Where is your mother? I haven't seen her.

Reolita - She's dead.

She started to cry. She hugged her.

Deebia - Oh my dear. It's alright. It's okay. Everything will be fine.

Reolita - I miss her.

Deebia - I know. See when I was small my older brother died. He was terribly sick but no matter what we tried he couldn't make it. And we were very close. So I know how you feel. It's okay. The goddess won't let such happen again, OK?

Reolita - OK.

Deebia - Let's quickly get you home before the rain starts.