Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

The general atmosphere in the Butita kingdom was heavy with commotion. Rumors continued spreading like bushfire in the famous Kyulu hills. Word filtered throughout the land such that atleast every ridge had some blame to lay on Eddy. Ofcourse majority of the population had solid trust on her, especially young girls and boys who worshipped her gospel of transformation through knowledge. They believed there lay a big city at some other kingdom which had buildings as tall as the shrine's baobab tree, kids who spoke in a hundred tongues, vehicles which could move at the speed of light just by the press of a single button and great of all ladies who offered their bodies for afew coins. Boys especially took key interest in the 'service' for money narrative such that they felt more willing to ask about it as an opportunity. Such ignorant little kings!

The few who believed in the rumors the rebel groups were spreading covered it all under their breath and greeted Eddy with great respect, addressing her with the title 'mwalimu' for teacher. They talk of the fox in a sheep's cloak but anyway, that's not even the point. Young girls were already constructing beautiful Swahili songs which they could not understand much of their meaning, they were sweet anyway and that's what mattered. Afew others could make atleast an headscarf with their own hands and that remained a magic, one or two boys could construct simple pet houses and that was progress. Eddy was already a figure of great importance and whether whoever liked it or not, her powers were clearly posted in each homestead.

"Look, who are those people?" Baraka asked fearfully pointing to the path that headed to the bridge.

"I think they are warriors from some other kingdom, auntie said there is a whole lot of warriors out there", Bahati put in starting towards their hut.

"Daddy, big warriors are coming. We saw them, they're in monster clothes". Baraka said all that in one breath.

"Okay buddy, I'll take care of this. Now take your time and have your milk, your sweet mother says it's ready", Fache covered his shock as much as he could, took his club, double edged spear and made to the door. He was in a perfect military regalia, atleast according to the levels of Butita land.

About a hundred yards from their gate, three men who were impeccably dressed advanced with measured steps. There movement seemed to be mocking every bit of confidence Fache had mastered all his life. As they advanced, Fache noticed the heavy metals that were daggling on their sides and mumbled afew magical words. The end was surely near.

Thinking about it quickly, Fache sprang back into the hut and fetched his horn which was trumpet shaped, yes, help would be the most appropriate option . Sometimes it's good to die with your people around your deathbed, it doesn't take away the pain but atleast one dies in good company. Not like those who die with some arrogant, sleep-starved nurses who could as well stick a fork into your head. He applied all the air he could fetch and luckily his makeshift flute obeyed, which is one in a million chance under such circumstances. The nature is never so cool when we're cornered by some evil malice.

Soon the homestead was full to capacity with men strong enough than the Biblical Samson, no comparison but anyways. The three men were all calm and collected. Two of them wore matching clothes with black and green stripes and heavy boots, probably heavier than all the spears the village morans had, as it seemed. The other man wore khaki shots and a matching shirt, some cowboy hat and flat black shoes. He looked as black as most men in the crowd, not much dark but half as dark as the night. Atleast there was a little familiarity.

"So who are you, 'ageni', we could do well with a little explanation", Shaka inquired. He was the lead warrior and the most fearless human Butita had seen in history . According to him, he had squared a lion single handedly in one of his usual walks to the neighboring Igembe forest. No lion had ever been spotted but that was not very important. He even argued that in his young days, he had killed a female crocodile in the neighboring lake. All that lacked physical evidence but yes, he was great in communication and physical.

"Maybe they could start by why they are here, and how they got here". Jeff, another young warrior cheered.

"Or maybe they could make their way back and save us our time, I guess we're more concerned with the fields. The rains are surely near".

That came from Pauli, a young man who found much comfort in the brew shed than his own dilapidated rackshackle by the river path.

"Take it easy my lords, I greet you in Nyasaye's high name".

The khaki man who happened to be the leader started with record composure.

There was a great air of relief as he poured smooth Kamba, which was their very language. You could have seen the peace that ensued.

"I am the district commissioner and my friends here are the askaris. Our main aim is to ensure peace and development reaches our people down here in the villages".

"I like it when people introduce themselves, it's a mark of honor and manhood". Jeff was at it again.

"Unfortunately they don't copy from our language, they only communicate in Swahili but anyway, Joho", he said motioning one of the guys in striped clothes.

"Habari zenu", He was tough and his tone contained much ego.

"Enough of it, young man", Fache interrupted for the first time. "I think you can just explain it all, elder", he said gesturing the khaki fellow.

"We needed to talk to the king about afew things, maybe we could..."

"You talk of the king as your inlaw, and that could as well afford you fare back to god-knows where", Shaka was already catching some heat.

"I am sorry, elder, I have tremendous respect for our King Daudi".

They were all surprised by the fact that he already knew their king. The two groups exchanged alot and soon some brew was found, after afew rounds. It was agreed that the three spend the night in one of the moran camps from where they could visit the king the following day.

The following day started with light flashes followed by shiny sun which seemed to mock any moisture which might have started comforting the dry land. It was the dry season and afew trees were already shedding leaves to reduce responsibilities. It doesn't happen in men only, trees too evade responsibilities. The only difference is that trees shed off leaves while men reject their very own kin. The three men in uniform straightened up and headed to the palace in company of old Arafat and afew other elders. Their head was a man gifted with the art of speech and that created all the rapport which was needed.

King Daudi the first sat comfortably in his magnificent chair drinking in the beautiful warm rays which filtered into the boardroom. He was a man of few words but much respect to his subjects. He scratched his occiput vigorously, the guy had got so accustomed to this behavior such that most of his head remained almost void of hair.

The meeting went on as had been planned and the district commissioner introduced himself before promising free seeds to the farmers before the planting season approached. The guy also promised the king afew grade cattle which by what the Butita people termed as miracle, could produce twenty guards of milk each day.

"We shall only believe you if you live your end of the deal. Otherwise you're our brother and forever welcome in your motherland". The king said in a friendly tone parting with the diisii, for D.C, lightly at his back.

Eddy found the favor of spearheading the sharing of seeds, some of which were strange to them and teaching the farmers on better ways of tilling their land for better yields. Ofcourse the folks in the comfort ignorance could not find any benefit in the new methods, had they not being tilling land and harvesting great since the days of their forefathers?

It was now official that the government had started filtering in the dark depths of Butita land. The rumors about Eddy's success blossomed even more with her use as a tool for the mysterious visitors. Children became more interested in her classes, their zeal to learn and trust in her fueled her entire. It was time she ignored all the negative energy and focus on shaping the minds of her young fellows.