Chapter 6 Ambushed

Lerionka's warriors were met with much ululation and feasting. He had much booty and he saw to it that portions were sent to the battle leader, Muguto Ole Nkuruon and a portion kept for the seer, Samut.

 The people welcomed him with screams and whoops of happiness. But his sister Nelaisa capped it all by bringing him sour milk to drink. He took two very huge gulps to more screams and laughter as some dribbled onto his chin. Afterwards he retired to his hut to rest. He intended to sleep a little and then go to pay his respects to the chief and battle leader. But even in his hut, warriors and prominent women came to hear the stories of the adventures his men had been up to.

 Nelaisa laughed as she saw the people stream into her brother's hut until it was bursting at the seams and everyone had to come out and sit in a rough circle on three legged stools. Kiptagich, his chief warrior told the story more than Lerionka although he interjected now and then. When he reached the part about the warriors they met in the forest and shared meat with, one of the Maa-rati interrupted to state that they had prisoners that had come raiding. This news surprised Lerionka and they were silent as the warrior narrated how a group of unknown warriors came and even managed to secure eight of the women before being overpowered. Fortunately, the warrior said, Lengoibon's regiment returning from a nearby raid had been able to quell the attack.

 At the mention of Lengoibon's name, Lerionka's face went grim. He recalled that neither Lengoibon, nor any members of his regiment had turned up to welcome him home. He knew that Lengoibon hated him and he did not care. A sudden smile split his face. Lengoibon was jealous that Ntalei, the chief's daughter preferred Lerionka rather than him, though he was senior. The thought almost caused a chuckle from his lips. He brought his mind back to the present.

 "When do I get to see these raiders? Ntaramei? Kiptagich? Join me, let's go and see these raiders". The named warriors sprang to the feet as did the rest of the people and they all headed towards the trampling ground. Members of Lerionka's regiment came at a quick trot and surrounded them, spears gleaming, shields up, blades and knobkerries thrust into rawhide thongs at the waist.

 Within just a few minutes they came to the mud trampling area. Lerionka could see men spattered with mud from head to toe, some carrying water others trampling the mud. Whips whistled with a will as the warriors guarding the men saw themselves observed.

 Lerionka looked more closely. Something about these men looked familiar. "Stop whipping them" he shouted at a warrior. Aah yes…very familiar. Ntaramei and Kiptagich paused too. Lerionka looked sideways at his two warriors and saw what he suspected confirmed in their faces.

"Where is your commander?"

 Muniu stood up from where he was, bent with exhaustion, sweat streaming, whip lashes raw and bleeding on his bare back, and looked at the warrior proudly. Their eyes met and held. Lerionka looked at kinyua and gestured for him to translate. "How did you come to this great warrior?" he asked. "We raided the wrong village", the other replied, after which he broke down with uproarious laughter. Lerionka laughed as hard, holding his ribs. The two commanders exchanged experiences for some time.

Lerionka ordered that the prisoners were to be allowed to bathe, to be fed properly and not to be worked like pigs until the seer came.

 He was just about to leave when in the distance Ntaramei raised everyone's attention to the fact that Lengoibon's regiment was coming. Indeed the huge warrior's regiment could be seen trotting up. He himself was flanked by about fifty warriors, fully armed. They stopped five paces from Lerionka's men. Lengoibon came on unperturbed.

 "Who said that these vermin could stop working" he roared, pointing at the prisoners. Lerionka turned to face him with a smile. "I did", and what is more, from now on they will be fed like any other, they will have regular baths and will be treated with respect, as warriors!" This last was said with cold force.

 Lengoibon's face went black with fury. He looked like he was going to explode. Suddenly he seemed to let out a breath and calm returned to his face. "You are baiting me but I will not rise to the bait son of lotodo. Know this however, that before long, my spear will taste your blood." Lerionka smiled even more broadly. He knew what ailed Lengoibon. "And you think after you've done it Ntalei will be yours", he said quietly. Lengoibons face took on its usual furious look. He turned and trotted off followed by his warriors.

 After seeing his instructions regarding the prisoners were carried out, Lerionka and his men also left.

 The next day he woke up early. He felt giddily excited. Today he was going to take a gift to Ntalei. The thought of seeing a smile on her pretty face filled him with excitement. The gift itself had been plundered from one of the mountain tribes. It was a cotton shawl, richly embroidered. He wrapped it securely and slung it on his back. He took up his shield and spear and left. A few minutes later found him near loshorua's manyatta. He hastened his steps. The chief's manyatta was on the other side of ol lolua hill. As he passed through the bushy area near the hill, a feeling came to him that he was being watched. He glanced back but saw no one. Just before he rounded the hill, Lesenge, a warrior of Lengoibon's regiment stepped out of the deep grass fully armed. Two other warriors of his regiment flanked him. They did not look like they had come to chat over some tobacco.

 "So! Lesenge, Lolkiek and Mataiya, you have become the hatchet men of your commander Lengoibon?" He asked, a small smile playing around his lips. It did not reach his eyes. The warrior known as Lesenge approached at a quick walk. He spat. "Too long you have become a thorn in the foot of our commander. Scream for help now, shout! We shall wait" he said contemptuously, "or run…!"

 Blood boiled in Lerionka. The killing rage was on him. He knew it was wrong to enter combat in a rage, especially one in which he could not escape unharmed, but he did not care. He transferred his spear to the hand that held his shield and drew his sword. Always use the unexpected technique, his mind thought grimly. Then he approached the warriors at a run.

 Lesenge and his companions were surprised that Lerionka did not run away in spite of the odds against him. Lesenge cast his spear powerfully at a distance of less than six paces, but Lerionka deflected the sharp point with his shield. Lesenge then drew his knobkerry and waited to counter Lerionka's attack. The two other warriors moved to each side intending to flank Lerionka.

 Lerionka saw their move knowing the only way to escape death was to destabilize them and keep them in one line like hooked fish. He pounced on Lesenge starting a wicked slash on the man's neck. Lesenge's knobkerrie rose up to block, but at the last moment. Lerionka reversed the stroke and brought it across lesenge's thigh. A shriek of pain burst from Lesenge's mouth as his leg gave way below him. Lerionka did not pause. A wild thrust from Mataiya he took on the shield, but Lolkiek 's spear thrust got him on the left, just below his waist. He felt the blade go in, and realization came to him that he would have to finish this battle quickly or bleed to death.

 Mataiya feinted to the left and then thrust to the right. Beside him, Lolkiek came in for the killing blow. Lerionka pretended to be hurt more seriously than he was, hence leading Lolkiek deeper than he would have gone. Lerionka exploded upwards with a slash that took lolkiek's arm at the elbow. A scream of pain and rage came from Lolkiek as he cradled his sliced arm. In the same instant, Mataiya thrust his spear in. Lerionka took it on his shield, pushing the other man a few steps backwards. Dust rose, spattered with blood as the men panted and groaned. Lerionka knew he was bleeding profusely. He knew he could not last much longer. Yet he emptied his mind and gathered his strength. Pain he pushed to the distance. Fatigue he banished from his mind.

 Only he and Mataiya were standing now and he with a grievous wound, spilling his life's blood on the thirsty soil. Lerionka's shield seemed to weigh a tonne so he cast it aside. Mataiya saw his opportunity and went in, shield held high, spear ready to cast. Mataiya went down suddenly, leg level, his blade lashing out. The edge came into contact with the ankle, sawed through bone, sinew and tendon and out the other side. Mataiya gave a startled squawk then a prolonged scream as he tumbled up and over Lerionka.

 Lerionka lay where he had fallen, too weary to stand. He could feel himself bleeding, could feel himself losing consciousness. He struggled to keep his eyes open. He sensed movement. Yes they must be carrying him somewhere. He wondered idly whether he would get to see Ntalei today. He missed her. He wanted to see Ntalei. He raised his head to ask if he could see Ntalei. Then darkness took him.

 Lerionka opened his eyes. His side was on fire. He could see his sister Nelaisa's worried face off to the right. Ntaramei and Kiptagich wore grim faces to his left. He could see a few more warriors of his regiment at the door, eyes wild, scanning the outside, as if they expected a spear to come flying into the manyatta any moment.

"Oh Lerionka I was so worried!" said Nelaisa when she saw he was awake. She moved forward to cup his face with a hand. "We were so worried."

"I will survive, it was just a scratch" he muttered, sorely.

Kiptagich scowled. "We thought you had chosen to desert the regiment and visit our ancestors early". Ntaremei nodded agreement, his mouth smiling crookedly.

 "And miss the opportunity to cross swords with Lengoibon?" Lerionka shook his head weakly. Some voices outside the manyatta took his attention.

 Muguto the battle leader and chief bent low and entered the manyatta. The two warriors stood respectfully, but Muguto gestured them to sit. He squatted next to Lerionka. "You had given us a real scare son of Lotodo" he murmured. But I should know that you're made of sterner stuff, just like your late father."

 His face took on a serious expression. "I have summoned Lengoibon to explain this matter. It cannot pass". "My liege, I will survive", Lerionka said. "He did try to kill me but my forefathers did not allow him to succeed."

 Nelaisa could not leave it at that. She seemed to be bursting. "My liege, Lengoibon has been after my brother's blood for a long time, and yesterday he almost succeeded. Had we not been informed by Kimincho's son that Lerionka was in a fight, he could easily have bled to death!" She closed her mouth, breasts heaving in silent fury.

 Muguto shook his head slowly. "Eldest daughter of lotodo, I am aware of what has happened. These are evil times, and the elders will pass judgment." He stood. "Get well quickly, we need you" he said as he left.

 Regiment commander Lengoibon ole Sakuda was summoned before the Maa-rati council of elders at dawn the following day. He arrived promptly flanked by two of his assistants, all unarmed but for their knobkerries. He was accused of sending members of his regiment to waylay and do foul murder of Lerionka, a son of lotodo, a regiment commander. Predictably he denied the charges, saying that the affected warriors had acted of their own accord. Since the culprits were conveniently dead, the elders had no choice but to release him. But Muguto gave him a thorough tongue lashing. If such a thing happened again, he would hold Lengoibon personally responsible. Lengoibon left, a smile on his face.

 Days passed. Lerionka healed slowly. The prisoners had recovered their strength after being fed regularly according to Lerionkas instructions. The diet of the Maa-rati was mainly meat and milk, and this added flesh to the warriors. Of particular note was Mukwa Njugu. He had fully recovered from his injury and was back to his old self. The swelling was no longer evident, but a small scar remained where he had been struck. The warriors were no longer whipped as they worked but they were still guarded. Five and ten days after Lerionka's fight, scouts reported that the seer had been seen returning. He was in fact mere hours from the village. Everyone turned out to welcome him home. The prisoners had been told that the seer was even more importance than the chief, and was held in very high regard by the Maa-rati. No important decision was made by the Maa-rati without his say so. He was called Samut, and his father, and his father's father had all been seers. It was an inherited position, they were told.

 The delegation welcoming the seer home returned at around noon. The people were so many that they filled the cattle paths and manyattas. Warriors had slaughtered five bulls and the meat was being roasted on open spits. The women had boiled and stewed and otherwise prepared so much meat and milk that even the dogs seemed bloated.

 The seer did not waste time on arrival. He immediately summoned the regiment commanders, the chief and important elders, and surprising everyone - the prisoners. No one had told him about them and everyone was confused.

The prisoners were herded to the meeting and made to sit facing the elders. The seer, Samut for that was his name, stood. He was not young. White hair filled his head, but the strength in his wiry frame told of years of living rough and eating healthy.

 He scanned his audience carefully, letting his eyes stop briefly at Lengoibon and Lerionka, then at the chief, Muguto and finally one by one, on the elders.

 His eyes were steel. He looked far out, into the horizon. "Revered elders, warriors of the maa, sword brothers and sisters, I have not much to say, but what I have to say weights heavily upon me." He scanned the people again. "The people of maa are about to be faced by a bitter war. Warriors…nay enemies from the lands of the south are coming in the hundreds of thousands, all bent on one thing. To destroy us." He paused. "We must be ready, but more importantly; we must ally ourselves with other peoples who share our domain. Together, we must defend shoulder to shoulder, or perish!"

 Exclamations broke out; everyone seemed to be talking at the same time. The seer held up his hands for silence. He waited till there was complete quiet and then continued. "The warriors you captured shall be set free. They will carry this message to their elders. That the Maa will welcome all those who would stand with them. We must all defend these territories of our forefathers or cease to exist as a people. I have spoken." Pandemonium broke loose!

 The Maa-rati divided into small groups discussing hotly the words that had just been uttered. Some seemed in agreement, others, especially warriors of Lengoibon's regiment were furious. The seer had taken his ease to the side. Now the chief, Muguto stood, raising his spear for silence.

 "Revered seer of the people of Maa-rati, elders, lion hearted warriors, I salute you all".

 "The Maa-rati people are not fools to die because of insolence and lack of attending to the will of our ancestors".

 He paused and turned to the seer. "Revered Seer Samut, the people of Maa-rati will do as you say!"