Chapter 4: Wars are inevitable

To the place where nobody was anybody until one knows somebody. The two women found their heaven in the forest.

It was cruel sunny season. So with the plants being dead, water being drained and animal moving from there? It seemed like food was not in their line of sight which was true to everyone in the village except those women family.

Kirri was always an acute observant and when she did see this coming they stocked up dry food and water which for fear of being noticed, they decided to bury the thousands pots of water underground.

Rena was so proud and impressed to the point she made a flute and when night reached, she decided to gave Kirri and their children a show around the fire.

"You dance beautifully" Praised Kirri sincerely with their babies giggling by Kirris laughs here and there.

Rena was so happy. She never knew that feeling prior to living with Kirri. She gets to decide, she gets to laze around and then again love openly and freely. It seemed like the only time she was ever free was when they were together.

"How did I do?" Asked Rena breathlessly, smiling so wide that it hurt after dancing around.

"Ask Ekele for he were all excited in my arms"

"This boy is crazy! You can't hum without him moving his limbs about. He'd be good for rituals unlike my crazy calm before the storm daughter"

"She's so calm that it's terrifying sometimes"

"She will grow up to so strong and principled. Someone who only do what needs to be done"

"Look at you being a hen of a mother"

"She resembles you so much, you know?"

"I'm not my son"

"I know that. And I wouldn't wish you were anybody but yourself"

"You smooth talker girl!"

"I see you are happy over here" Came Muso's dry old voice chilling Kirri's spine. That wasn't what was supposed to be happening. Muso should never see what makes her happy.

She was panicking on the inside but, remained stoic as a front. Lucky for her Muso was blinded by his anger and envy. He was blaming Kirri for making him run from home to that village.

That she was the very reason that at the moment he was supposed to lead twenty seven families even under harsh conditions that they were in. But, he knew who to ask for favors when it comes to leadership. Kirri.

"You are one risk too far from home, Muso"

"And you dare to call me by my name?"

"Don't you dare or you'll learn to regret" Said Kirri threateningly before throwing away Muso's walking stick, "You stopped being my sun and moon the day you left me for the dead"

"That was_"

"The past. That's where I left us and that's where you should have made your explanations" Said Kirri seriously walking towards him a step after a step making Muso scared. He blamed himself for coming there alone. Kirri was always terrifying when she was that calmly angry.

"I came in peace"

"But I can still smell blood on you"

"The villagers..." Started Muso before swallowing his pride, "There's a rumour that Ekele has blessed these parts of the forest with food and water"

"And you believed that? Something even our wiser can't see?" Questioned Kirri sarcastically, "You must give me their names"

"Kirri" Called Muso warningly before he went silent from her glare.

"Why are you here?" Questioned Kirri seriously eyeing Muso dead in the eye making Muso wish he had come with people once again.

"I need Ekele for our ritual the day after tomorrow"

"You can't appease them with your spirits? You're not enough to save the village, then you think this small child with no knowledge can?" Asked Kirri incredulously. What was Muso thinking nowadays. First her marriage with Rena, now this. What would it take?

"It's either that or they kill him for bringing back this disaster"

"This is a natural occurrence! I tell it in my stories, I say this on every harvesting celebrations... How can an innocent child bring disaster? What did you do? What did you say?" Asked Kirri with her voice rising with every word scaring Muso. If he didn't know better, he'd believe that she was possessed by spirits.

"You announced yourself that he is God in the flesh!" Said Muso equally angry

"Like you'd have let them live if I didn't" Said Kirri so calmly that she even felt the hairs on her rise.

"So, If you want them to live that badly then you should give them to me"

"You are tying my hands here don't blame me making desperate decisions"

"Kirri you don't want me to be your enemy"

"Trust me after my bond with Rena. You'll regret being mine" Said Kirri dismissing him with a wave of her hand gesturing where he came from.

"Woman. I could do anything I want to you if I could then!" Warned Muso

"Having eyes doesn't mean a person has got vision but, an open mind. You don't see just how replaceable you just got" Mocked Kirri looking at Muso's face twist I anger and disgust.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Muso visibly shaken to his core

"Why are you here, the wise?" Asked Kirri, taunting him when she saw the realization down on him she laughed quite devilish, "I told you once. Fear and respect the person who feeds you for they can starve you if they wished to"

"You... you planned for this!"

"I wish I could for it would have been perfect and not us relying on twisted truths"

"What do you want? Name it"

"Oh, Muso. You can't give me what I want" Said Kirri thoughtfully. She was surprising feeling sorry for him. Even at that point he still thought he held some power to people and her in particular.

"What is it?" Asked Muso again this time desperately.

"Peace" Replied Kirri sadly before she went inside the hut, "Go back Muso. They need you for hope"

"Don't you feel peace here with me?" Asked Rena when she saw Kirri's silhouette in that darkness.

"Wars are inevitable. Whether with your neghbour or inside your mind. We better get ready for I feel one coming and this time I don't want to hold a dead body in my hands"

"You won't. We are here" Said Rena squeezing Kirri's hand for assurance.