Chapter 5 One: Chronicles

"They've tried to do it six times. How sure are you that it will work this time," the chocolate-colored woman with the skin-cut hair asked Kyla. Kyla didn't give a response, she continued walking ahead and fast without giving regards to the woman. They walked in a narrow hallway, which only a few were permitted; it was sacred.

"I need you to reply," the woman said, "We are taking a serious risk here." Kyla's eyes still struck ahead when she replied, "Why don't you shut up, Zidudi."

Zidudi held Kyla stop and looked her in the eye as though she might slap her. "Have you given this ridiculous idea of yours a second thought?" Zidudi asked with so much annoyance, "You can't remember that we lost a handful of colleagues at the last fire outbreak?" she added looking around to check if someone was eavesdropping. "The fusion was not a success. It caused a fire the last time, think about that again." Zidudi said, as though she were almost giving up on advice.

"We've got the staff now, Zidudi," she said with a walking resumption.

"When did you get it?" Zidudi asked. The look on Kyla's face confirmed that she wasn't willing to give her an answer. "That doesn't tell it all," Zidudi said.

"What else could?"

"The Kadi chronicles. We don't have those."

"Maybe we'll have to find that out."

The Kadi chronicles kept intricate information about the lifestyle of the past and present Kadi Kyxhitus in the land. There were many chronicles of the land, but the Kadi Kyxhitu chronicle was the most powerful of all – often used to cast spells on culprits or suspects, and for passing a sentence. The chronicles were: the chronicles of forgiveness, the Kadi chronicles and the chronicles of messages. The Kadi chronicle was kept and protected by each Kadi. Nobody dared to enter the Liuo (the room where the chronicles were kept). A sentence of death perhaps was given to the person who did that. The chronicles were well documented and represented literarily in the Kyxhitu language.

They walked to the edge of the hallway and surreptitiously peeped to check whether anyone was around before opening the hidden door. They met Ido, Halopa, and Baat. Baat was the most senior and most respected among them all. He sat on a large chair while Kyla and Zidudi bent their foreheads to the large red rug as a symbol of loyalty to him. He nodded and tapped the floor with his foot, indicating that they should rise. Baat was well-known for his sternness and authority as the person next to the Kadi Kyxhitu. Unlike the Kadi Kyxhitu authority that is passed down, Hadi Kyxhitu is fought for: the strongest men in the community start up an open fight before the people, and the Gaga Kadi Kyxhitu (Kadi Kyxhitu's father or predecessor). The Gaga Kadi Kyxhitu had to pick the Hadi. The Kadi Kyxhitu and Hadi Kyxhitu got to sleep with any woman of their choice even though she was already married, but for Baat, that wasn't the case. Women most times fled each time they saw him approaching: they worried his physical features could affect their unconceived babies.

Baat held a long black metallic rod with the head having a crocodile mouth. He held it with so much courage and authority as he was on the seat. "The crocodile must be hungry," Baat said while his eyes took glimpses at everyone in the room.

"We must feed it, Sir," Ido said. "What shall we do for you, Hadi?" Ido asked in loyalty. Hadi was a word used as a symbol of respect to an elderly person, or the person next to the Kadi Kyxhitu. Hadi in the Kyxhitu language also meant "Lord" in English.

"The pieces are buried deep – deep, somewhere, where no one expects," Baat said as he caressed the rod, "And I hope this staff helps us find it." Baat stood up and walked in the direction of Zidudi. Zidudi's face was dull; she kept thinking about the decision the group was going to make which she didn't support. Her face stiffened as he walked closer, gently, but steadily towards her. "We must keep this a secret. Nobody knows about the staff," Baat said, looking particularly at Zidudi. "Also, we have the chronicles of messages," he added. Zidudi raised her face as if she wanted to be sure of what she had just heard, only to catch Baat's eyes on her face. She whispered a 'yes' alongside the others and put her face down again.

"Is there a problem, Zidudi?" Baat asked.

"No… No, Hadi, Sir?" She replied.

"You have a big mouth," he said as he walked even closer to Zidudi, "You are a mole."

"No, Sir," Zidudi said. The words just escaped from her mouth.

"You call me a liar," Baat said, followed by a continuous tongue clicking, "I don't like you very much." Zidudi was shocked at what he said. "Your breast isn't milky enough," he said as he touched her breasts. He walked behind her to check the size of her buttocks. She was wearing a flowing skirt that covered up to her foot so, the size of her buttocks wasn't displayed properly for compliments or criticism, but that didn't escape Baat's thoughts. He made mention of how invisible it was and even touched it. Zidudi was furious, but she couldn't slap his hands off because he was no ordinary man. If she did, she would probably be put in Kadi's palace for any man passing by to make use of her. She started crying.

"Why do you cry?" Baat asked Zidudi, "You are a mole." Halopa laughed. Baat turned to Halopa with a stare on his face, asking, 'Why are you laughing?'

"The girl should give the Hadi what he desires," Halopa said in an exasperating high-pitch. Baat began cackling as he gradually turned to look at Zidudi.

"The mole must leave us before it is too late," Hadi said as he turned back to the seat. Zidudi began pleading. She said that she was not a mole and would do anything to keep the secret safe, which increased Baat's bellicosity. She feared that he might frame her and her darkest imaginations would eventually become a living nightmare. Her chance of freeing herself and her children from the misfortunes of the land had been thrown to the ground. She sentimentally left the room and shut the door tightly.

Everyone in the room stood expressionlessly, including Kyla. Baat most times referred to moodiness as a sign of weakness. He taught the military style without regard to the people he taught might crumble. Although their gathering wasn't for a military purpose, the reflection was too visible to be ignored. "We might be safe from now on. The mole is out," Baat said. The people responded to the positive by exclaiming, 'ey'. "We don't have the chronicles of message, but we have something even spicier," Baat walked behind his seat while the people looked at each other in astonishment, "We have the Kadi chronicles."

Kyla wanted to shout out in happiness, but kept calm. "Kyla, go to the door. Check whether the mole is hiding there," Baat ordered, almost whispering. Kyla went to the door and looked around properly, but did not find anybody. She returned and delivered what she saw.

"You must swear never to tell anybody what you've heard about this book," Baat said. They all placed their hands on the book while Baat did the swearing. He made some incantations and sprinkled their hands with blood.

"This staff must find us the pieces. It must be found at all costs," Baat told them.

"You must kill those who have to be killed."