Chapter 9: Invader

The Manyika kingdom had been decimated when Mutapa attacked the people hiding in the mountains. The kingdom had fallen because the people had decided to burn down some of their homes.

Messengers from the Karanga kingdom approached the king concerning a royal visit to the Bantu kingdom. "We destroyed our homes thinking that maybe we will catch this Mutapa man, but we couldn't. He escaped and killed my people. Right now I can't leave the people behind because they need their king. We have to rebuild our kingdom to its former glory," the king responded to the messengers.

On the other hand, the Zezuru king had the same issue at hand. However, he only managed to send some representatives to the Bantu kingdom on his behalf. Only the Karanga king managed to leave his state for the meeting.

They all gathered before Changamire Zama's presence to discuss a way out of their tragedy. The Bantu kingdom was the strongest among the kingdoms because it had never been attacked. So all those who came needed more assistance in protecting their states than trying to find Mutapa and war with him.

"Do we know why this man is attacking our people?" Changamire Zama asked during their meeting.

"I believe he's just a bloodthirsty wizzard who wants to terrorize our people using his animals. He's powerful and he wants to demonstrate that to us by destroying our lands." Mambo Tenda of the Karanga kingdom said.

"I don't think it's a coincidence that he is destroying our land. He's after something. Maybe he wants to rule everyone," Mukono, a representative of the Zezuru king, said.

"In your land, he was after the people. Yet, in my land, he is after my cattle. I fail to understand his motives," Changamire Zama said.

"The man seems to believe that we are stubborn. He gave a speech to the Manyika people. We have to figure out what he really meant..," Mukono said.

"The man lurks in the shadows seeking someone to devour. He is evil and I believe he enjoys shading the blood of innocent people. What do you expect from a wizzard?" Mambo Tenda said.

"Hence, we need to draw him out of the shadows. We need to provoke him somehow to the light. He has never confronted anyone. A man like him fears exposure-a coward who will avoid confrontation at all cost," Changamire Zama said.

"Perhaps there's a way to draw him out of the shadows," one of Changamire Zama's elders said. Everyone looked at him and he continued by saying, "The man wanted cattle from our land, let's give him cattle. He will expose himself."

"Won't he get suspcious if he sees our cattle back in the pasturelands? We have hidden our cattle for long and seeing them back on the pasturelands will give him reasons not to go after our cattle," Mhare chipped in.

"I agree with you. You can't risk your wealth or the lives of the herders. The problem is we know little about this man. For all we know is that he has attacked three kingdoms now and he has never returned," Mukono said.

"We believe that he will be coming for us anytime now. If he attacked you then we are no exception to him. Our chance to catch him will be available when he penetrates this kingdom," Changamire Zama said.

Their discussion went on for a while but no solid solution was given. However, Changamire Zama agreed to help the other kingdoms with warriors who would assist in protecting the people in case Mutapa attacked again.

After the meeting, the king invited his guests to a feast. They sat down and ate the finest of the food in the kingdom. As they ate, the drums began pounding as young women formed a line and began dancing to the rythm of the drums.

The crowd inside the king's compound began cheering and clapping. The women formed a circle and ululated each time one of them danced inside the circle.

Calabashes of beer circulated among the guests. The king had decided to have a feast afterwards because he didn't not want to focus more on the problem at hand.

Mhare sat there, his eye following princess Ruva all the time. For a moment she watched the women dance and then she joined the dance with her servants. Mhare watched as she thrusted her hips from left to right causing her colourful skirt to swirl. Her glass beads and bangles began chattering against each other.

The drum beat intensified as princess Ruva danced. Mhare got lost in the moment and all he could see was the princess. He watched her every move which seemed to steal his heart again and again.

The guests clapped their hands as the princess and her servants danced their way out of the circle. The rythmic clapping, ulalation and pounding of drums continued as the songs changed. Princess Ruva stood aside with her servants as the clapped their hands and looked on the others.

Her eyes then met those of the man who was secretly admiring her. She quickly looked back into the dance afraid that her father would notice. When she raised her eyes again, Mhare was still looking at her.

The sun was already going down and the ceremony intensified each moment. Princess Ruva disappeared from the crowd and walked towards her hut. She felt the someone's presence behind but she kept walking until she was covered by a few bushes.

"You can't do this," Princess Ruva said as she turned to face Mhare.

"I had to see you. You know my heart longs for you. It's hard to avoid you," Mhare said.

"Be brave and tell my father how you feel about me. If he finds out on his own it won't be good for us. How many times do I have to tell you this?" Ruva whispered as she looked around to see if anyone was watching them.

"You know your father is preoccupied with protecting his people from our enemy. I can't tell him about us until this is over," Mhare said.

"We have loved each other in the shadows Mhare. Let's keep it that way until this war is over," Ruva responded.

"I had to tell you that I am leaving tomorrow before day break. I have to find this man and put an end to his life. That's the only way I can guarantee our future," Mhare said.

For a moment, Princess Ruva remained silent as she looked into his eyes to see if he was telling the truth. When she found the truth in his eyes she said, "Are you going alone?"

Mhare shook his head and said, "But your father doesn't know. I organized to go with a few of my men. I promise I will come back for you."

"What if you don't come back? Don't do this. The man might kill you, Mhare. It's wise to fight him as a kingdom, not as an ambitious warrior," Ruva said.

Mhare took Ruva's hands and cupped them in his own. He kissed her hands and said, "Maybe it will be easier for me to have you as my wife after I bring Mutapa's head to your father."

Ruva looked at Mhare as she listened to her heart pounding in her chest because of the contact they had made. Her eyes were begging him not to go but he had made his decision. Mhare dropped her hands and looked at her for a moment.

He touched her cheek and he began caressing it with his thumb. Princess Ruva closed her eyes for a moment as she felt his thumb. She opened her eyes and said, "Keep your promise."

She then disappeared back to the cheering crowds. Mhare stood there for a moment before he returned back to where the guests sat. After the ceremony, everyone went to their huts to sleep.

The guests slept in separate huts according to their kingdoms. Most of the people in the king's compound were drunk and they slept like the dead.

At midnight, Changamire Zama heard a movement. He woke up and listened for a moment but there was silence. When he was about to go back to sleep, he heard another movement outside. He reached for his spear as he footsteps began to be heard. The fire in the room was almost gone so he placed a few logs into the fire to have more light.

Changamire Zama's heart began racing as the footsteps became closer to his hut. He tightened the grip on his spear when he the footsteps stopped on his doorstep.