Chapter 11 In the Village of the Pale Moon

The kraal warriors saw the two women first. They seemed to materialize out of the gloom like two ghouls. On the morning the women came, there had been a particularly misty night. Fog shrouded the huts in this morning, and hence, covered the approach of the two. The kraal warriors belonged to the Gathara Mwaki or peacock regiment. It was their turn to guard the kraals against intruders. And the unwritten code of these fearsome warriors was that no one and absolutely no one took you by surprise. And these warriors valued their code. It was therefore doubly embarrassing when these two women materialized out of the gloom and stood right next to the warriors who had not even heard them approach.

 Spears came up, sharp points at the ready. One warrior looked hard at the women. "Who are you and where do you come from? Speak up or my spears will caress your liver!" He thundered. The two women did not respond immediately. One did seem faintly familiar but the mass of cowrie shells and colobus skins she was wearing, not to mention the gloom, hid her face. "Where could one aged hag and a woman have appeared from? Or are you the witches we have heard about, terrorizing the people?" Another warrior asked, with sarcasm.

 "We are women of this community and no witches" the old woman said in an even voice. If she felt any fear by being surrounded by several spears, it never showed. "Rouse the council. We would have words with them."

 The warrior who had first spoken turned to look at his compatriots, disbelief written all over his face. Then he turned slowly to the two women. "Who do you think you are, ordering us to rouse the council as if you are our ruler? Have you no respect for the Gathara Mwaki regiment? Or do we need to make an example of you so that others can tread with care?"

 The woman fixed her eyes on the warrior, taking half a step forward. "I have little patience with such as you young man. Now step aside if you will not rouse the council --" the warrior did not even allow her to finish. He made a small gesture and the warrior to the right came in swinging his knobkerrie, clearly intending to use the knobbed end to teach her manners. At the same time another warrior moved in from the left, his spear held like a cane. Kui screamed. The old woman seemingly unperturbed flourished her hand. The spear and the knobkerrie left the hands of the warriors. She flourished her hand again and the weapons were thrown clattering several meters away. Once more she focused on the two warriors, pushing with her hands. They flew backwards, seven or eight feet to land in a tangle.

 She began walking towards the third man, hands raised threateningly in the air. "I said I have no patience with the likes of you. You can either rouse the council, or you can step aside." She whispered menacingly.

 The warrior did not wait to hear more. He ran for dear life. The two who were down wasted no time recovering their weapons. They joined their compatriot in the run. Kui whose hands had covered her mouth in shock relaxed.

 The two women walked further. Dawn was finally breaking properly. Cocks became enthusiastic in their crowing. Some wisps of smoke could be seen in the kraals they passed by. The woman walked in the direction of the council chambers. "Can I at least go to my parent's home first"? Kui asked.

"Not until we have addressed the council child" the lady answered. They walked on in silence.

 The Anyaga lands were well farmed. Here and there one could see strips of cultivated lands, with all manner of crops. The walk to the council chambers did not take long, but the wait at the chamber grounds for the elders to come was lengthy. Apparently news had gotten ahead about two women who had attacked warriors of the peacock regiment. This was unheard of. What sort of women could this be? Elders arrived later in clumps of twos and threes. They glanced curiously at the two women but none asked a thing. Elder Kago as usual took up the mantle of leading. After judging that sufficient elders were present, he stood up. Adjusting his blanket, he opened his mouth in salutation.

 "thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai" he uttered

"thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai" the elders responded.

"thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai"

"thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai" .

"thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai"

"thaaaaai thathaiya ngai thaaai" .

May our crops never fail…!

"thaaaaai" the elders responded

 May our women's wombs ever be fruitful…!

"thaaaaai" the elders responded

 May our warriors ever be successful in battle….!

"thaaaaai" the elders responded

 He paused dramatically to allow people to adjust their shoulder clothes Elders of our people. Peculiar things have happened today. We have been visited by two women who seek to speak to the council. Should they stand before this council or not?"

 The overwhelming majority agreed. Everyone was curious to listen to these women. A man was sent to call them, and in a few minutes they came in heads held high. The elders gave a collective gasp as they recognized Kui as one of the two. The other woman was a stranger, and it was she who addressed them.

 "Elders of Anyaga, my apprentice and I greet you" we have come to you today to speak of a matter of the outmost importance but first let me introduce myself and my apprentice. She paused for theatrical effect. Her eyes took on a distant look.

 "I am called Wangari wa Mwega, and I am a medicine woman as was my mother before me and her mother before her and her mother before her back to the 10th generation. My eyes see far and moreover I am sworn to the protection of these communities that inhabit these lands fearlessly, -- as were my ancestors before me. " She paused once again.

 "The woman with me is my apprentice by will of the ancestors. Her name is Wangui wa Kamau. You all may know her since she disappeared from this place several moons ago. Never fear. It was all in the bigger plan that it be so."

 "We come to you with dire news…. A people have arisen. A people have roused themselves from the south. A people are coming. And like locusts they will fill this land. They intend to annihilate any and all who resist them and take over. If allowed to succeed, this community and others in these lands shall cease to exist."

 "They must not be allowed to succeed. You the people of Anyaga must therefore rouse yourselves out of your heavy slumber and prepare to defend your very lives. For that is what is at stake."

 Immediately she went silent the hall rose up in a cacophony of voices. Everyone had something to say. This was indeed a surprising day.

"Quiet!" Roared elder Kago when the noise looked like it could reach a crescendo. He looked expectantly at the old woman know as Wangari wa Mwega. "Continue," he said.

 "I will allow my apprentice to say a few words in regard to how she found herself to be with me." Wangari said.

Kui had not expected to be asked to speak. She swallowed nervously. The hall was utterly quiet, every eye on her.

 "As you have been told I am Wangui wa Kamau. I was abducted by two warriors of the peacock regiment, Gitau and Kanyutu, at the orders of elder Mukungu!"

Pandemonium broke loose. Everyone started questioning what he was hearing.

"Quiet! Quiet! Let us listen to the child." Roared elder Kago once more. When some silence had come, Kui went on to tell them about the journey through the forest on the shoulders of Gitau and Kanyutu. She told of the time in the hut, and elder Mukungu's actions and words. She also told of the way she was saved from defilement by Wangari. The elders listened keenly to every word. When she had finished talking, elder Kago called a warrior who was guarding the entrance.

 "Take some warriors with you and bring elder Mukungu, Gitau and Kanyutu. Hurry!" The warrior loped off.

 He turned to the council. "Fellow elders, speak your mind". Immediately elder Wango sprung up as if there were springs beneath his buttocks. .

"Elders of my people I salute you."

"Thaaaai"…! They responded.

"An atrocity has been committed. I for one would not believe that an elder of Mukungu's reputation could do such a thing. However if it is indeed so, then I say let him be tried and banished from this society, and his accomplices with him on pain of death!"

Elder Ngunjiri did not wait for his fellow to seat before jumping up. He looked like the words in his mouth were too hot to handle, like a hot potato, which one chews sparingly, all the while blowing cold air to cool it.

"The matter of Mukungu is easily dealt with. He shall surely pay for his misdeeds. But what of the matter we have been warned about. This is the second time we are getting this information. And it seems from two different sources. I say we act quickly!"

Mzee Nyaga was the next to rise up. "My fellow elders let me also add my saliva to this debate."

"Esteemed elders are we not mixing two issues here. Let us not be seen to jump like the frog, which killed its in-laws through its jumping.

I say we bring forward the date for meeting with the Maa-rati elders by four days. Also we should be accompanied by our mother Wangari and the daughter of Kamau wa Njenga. They will give us useful advice. What say you elders?"

 Grunts from assenting elders filled the hall, most nodding their heads. mzee Kago stood up, beating mzee Wango, who had been shakily propping himself to stand.

"I salute you esteemed elders!"

"Thaaaai" they responded.

 "The words that mzee Nyaga has spoken are good words. But I will add to them. The matter of the abduction of the daughter of Kamau should be dealt with by 3 chosen elders. They can investigate and go to the root of the matter without diverting the attention of this council. The elders report to us in four days. The rest of us can select those who will visit the Maa-rati village. We need four elders to do this." He looked up at the elders. "Are my words good?"

The elders all grunted assent. The work of selecting the elders begun in earnest. Within an hour they had chosen elders Kago, Wango, Mwaki Runo, and Njenga to visit the Maa-rati . Also the responsibility to investigate the claims of Kui were given to elder Wachiuri, Kianangi and Wang'ombe.

 Kui left with her father to their kraal while Wangari wa Mwega went on her own business.

Mukwa Njugu was relaxing in his kraal, lying idly on a mat just outside the hut. It was five days after their arrival. He had just parted company with Kihiu Mwaki, and had then done a major assessment of his compound before coming to the mat to catch the sun. He looked up to see a woman approaching. On second look he realized it was Kui. He jumped to his feet and went to meet her.

 "Kui, I was told you had disappeared, where were you?" They held hands then embraced. "shhhhhh!" Whispered Kui, finger to lips. Is that how you welcome a visitor to your compound, with questions?"

Mukwa Njugu was chastened. "Forgive me my dear. Welcome to my thingira, welcome!" He led her to the hut and they stooped as they entered the low entrance. Inside the hut was sparsely populated. There was a central post, a bed made of logs and animal skins laid on top of grasses. Some rough hewn benches and stools were strewn here and there. This was obviously a room whose owner could not be troubled to be fussy.

Kui sat on the bed and Mukwa Njugu on a bench facing her. She began to tell him of what had transpired since she was abducted. She did not mention the part about the psychic well and what she could now do. But when she reached the part about Mukungu almost raping her, Mukwa Njugu leapt up as if the bench had stung him and started pacing like a man possessed. She quickly followed him and grasped his arm from behind, her other hand going round his waist. He paused feeling her closeness acutely. He turned and shyness made her drop her eyes. This close to him she could not get the courage to meet his gaze. He snaked one arm around her back and the other cupped her chin, bringing it up to look at him.

 Slowly he lowered his chin and their lips met. A fire broke out in suddenness in his chest, like the one that razes dry savanna. He grasped her roughly pulling her even closer, she gasped at the suddenness of his move as they squeezed close together, lips clasped. His hands moved up slowly, tracing her curves, reaching under the bulky material she was wearing to clasp an impudent nipple. She caught her breath. He lifted her and carried her to the bed, laying her gently, her thunder thighs parting in resignation, as he placed himself trembling tremulously between them.

 Uloziba had taken it upon herself to be the one to remove the chaff from the beans whenever they were being cooked, which was often. She was standing outside the Kiama compound, with two shallow sisal and reed containers. One had the beans, the other she was using to expose the beans to wind while pouring them into the first. That way the wind swept away the chaff. As she worked she saw an elder called Ngari coming her way. Kiama himself was in his hut, a few hundred yards away taking an afternoon nap. The cattle had left for the pasture fields with their minders. No one else seemed to be in the entire kraal, though she thought Kiamas father had not immerged from the central hut yet.

As elder Ngari approached she thought how it was strange that the elders of this village did not have enough of damsels that they still had to disturb her. She kept her gaze decisively on the beans.

"Daughter of Warobi, is your father home?" They had taken to calling her Warobi's daughter as if she was. It was still strange putting the words of this language together, so she nodded her head. "I call him?" She asked. The old man shuffled his feet, as if suddenly nervous. "Noo! No! It wasn't really him I needed to see" he looked at her appreciatively. "I have daughters of your age, why do you not visit them," he enquired as if that was the friendliest advice in the world. "My Njoki and Wambui would be quite glad to see you". He cocked his face at an anticipatory angle. "But I can understand…you are a shy child" he giggled anxiously. "Listen I want you to" — he cut off, gazing sternly at an angle to her. Uloziba turned her head to see what the elder was staring at.

 A warrior was coming at a rapid pace from the direction of the hedges behind the first wife's hut. He did not look to have his shield or spear but carried a knobkerrie and his sword strapped to his left thigh. She recognized him as Muiru wa Kiroto, a heavily muscled man who was known to be quite violent. He belonged to the Gathara Mwaki regiment. She shuddered. The man came and planted himself near Uloziba, all his attention on elder Ngari.

 "What are you doing here old man? Have the wives of your kraal collectively been unable to satisfy you?" He growled. The elder called Ngari glared at the warrior, trembling as if a fatal disease had suddenly struck him. He was himself not puny and you could not have called him a coward either.

"When did what I do with myself become any of your concern son of Kiroto?" Are you yourself not here to disturb peace loving people like this girl and myself?" The elder growled back heatedly. Uloziba was at a loss. She smelled trouble, from the heat in their voices and their expressions. However their words came too fast for her to follow.

 The warrior drew his knobkerrie and brandished it menacingly. "I'm going to give you up to the count of five after which you should have disappeared. If I still see you, my knobkerrie will taste your brains!"

 The elder looked at Muiru, mouth open, amazed then he started laughing loudly. His laughter died suddenly. "You think the likes of you can frighten me with that puny knobkerrie of yours son of Kiroto? Let us see if you can handle me!"

 Without warning the elder pounced, his bakora, walking stick raised high in the air. The bakora came down with a mighty crack against the upraised knobkerrie of Muiru, who had gathered himself to receive the blow. Uloziba screamed with all her might. The knobkerrie and the bakora communed, through two or three thunderous strokes. Warobi, Kiama's father came running from his thingira. Kiama also jumped out of his hut as if it was on fire. Each tried vainly to grab the fighting men. Battle rage filled Muiru and his knobkerrie split the air as it screamed towards elder Ngari's head. But all elders were first warriors and Ngari had not forgotten his technique. He blocked the fearsome blow, holding his bakora two handed. So forceful was the strength behind the blow that the bakora snapped in two. Before Muiru could press his advantage, Warobi dove for him and tackled him, both men falling with a loud thud. Kiama also got hold of elder Ngari and held him tightly lest more damage be done. The two fighters were held down until tempers had cooled sufficiently for them to sit and discuss issues.

 Later, much later, Uloziba and Kiama went to the fields outside the village. While there, she asked him to talk to his father. She wanted to return home. "I have caused of many fights. I go home." She said. Kiama disagreed. He tried to persuade her every way he knew how but she could hear none of it.

She begged him to request his father to organize a guard to escort her to look for her people. Defeated, he promised her he would try.

 They gave her an escort of 6 warriors to take her as far as three days journey from Anyaga territory. The boy begged to accompany them but he was refused by the elders on account he was too junior, and weak besides. The gal felt for him and asked that he accompany her. They agreed, even now unable to say no to her.

 They left very early in the morning. The seven warriors and a girl. They took the most direct route to the forest each burdened with a food bundle and a water skin on the back. There was Kihara, Muriuki, Njoroge, and Kiama. They were led by the more senior warriors Nyoike, Gatiti and Machangi. Gatiti had been given the command. They did not go through much forest preferring the plains. Walking was done with minimal conversation, everyone focusing on conserving their strength. The sky showed minimal cloud cover. It was going to be a good day. Much of the surrounding plains were empty of wildlife but noxious flies buzzed annoyingly everywhere. Some could even give a nasty bite.

 Gatiti led from the front followed by Nyoike. The others followed further back, in a relatively straight line. Kiama was as usual last, talking in low tones with Uloziba

The sun rose high in the sky. Sweat poured then matted. They did not slow down

The warriors and the girl reached a densely forested scrub area. They decided to bed there for the night. Gatiti gave duties. Machangi and kihara were on firewood duty. Muriuki and Njoroge would take care of the fire. Activities happened quickly and soon they had a roaring bonfire going. Soon meat pouches appeared and the warriors set themselves strategically around the fire. The meat was warmed on the fire speared by long sticks and the men and girl ate but sparingly. They had a long way to go yet and they didn't want to deplete their supplies too fast. Afterwards, when water had been drunk, they lolled lazily telling stories of their past exploits. Kiama was engrossed in his own thoughts. He didn't want to talk, but glanced at Uloziba every now and then. He was excited but since he could think of no heroic exploits of his own, he settled down to listen to the rest. Their talk went on for hours. Gatiti set two warriors Machangi and Kihara for the first watch. They were to be replaced by Muriuki and Njoroge. Everyone then settled for the night.

 A commotion woke Kiama in the depth of the night. Everyone else woke up in a rush. They also had heard the commotion. It seemed to be coming from the west of the camp. Everyone rushed to the place. Machangi, the warrior who had been on first watch was lying on his face. A couple of paces next to him was Kihara, on his side. The two warriors were not breathing. Gatiti and the others frantically tried to check for blood and injury. It was difficult in the darkness, but there seemed to be none. Panic threatened to overwhelm. Spears were retrieved and the warriors fanned out trying to check for footprints of assailants. Nothing was to be seen. Gatiti called them back after a while. The two dead warriors didn't seem to have any visible injury marks on them.

 There was no sleep for anyone for the rest of that night. The questions were too many and no answers. No investigation could be done because the night was too dark. They re-energized the fire and huddled for the rest of the night, their questions unanswered.

 As soon as there was enough light to see by, they examined the dead men. One thing was common to both. Their faces were set in a mask of horror and panic. There was no blood to be seen anywhere or a wound. The fear began.

 Gatiti did not let them linger. After burying the men in a shallow grave they set off. Their walk took them across plains of grassland, trees were sparse. They saw herds of buffalo, hartebeest and giraffe. Plains animals were in big numbers. They discussed the activities of the night and wondered what the two warriors saw. What could have killed them? They were afraid, but they didn't show it. As the evening drew near, silence stole into their conversation like a thief. The warrior's didn't say it but they feared the night.

 Even so they bedded down in a carefully selected spot. Gatiti made sure they had a good view of the terrain to all sides but the windward side. They ate sparingly from their pouches and stoked the fire. No one wanted to sleep quickly. Muriuki and Njoroge were given the first watch. They did not take this instruction with enthusiasm. But no one understood the danger that had caused the death of their comrades. The sleeping were as much at risk as the awake, perhaps more so. As time passed their fear gradually faded and they slumbered. Sometime before midnight, a scream rent the air. They all jump up, shock mixed with fogginess still clouding their mind. Spears which had been placed nearby were lifted menacingly. No one could see the warriors that had been given first watch. Gatiti gestured to Nyoike to check one way while he made off in the other direction. Kiama remained with Uloziba next to the embers of the dying fire. After a few minutes, Nyoike called out. Everyone ran to the approximate spot his voice had come. They found him standing over the bodies of Muriuki and Njoroge. Gatiti had made it there before them. The two dead men were placed one on top of the other, carelessly as if they had toppled like drunken men.

 Panic broke out. There were only two warriors and the boy left plus the girl. "don't touch them, said gatiti. "We shall examine them in the morning. "Now get back to sleep," he said as he strode back to the fireplace. As if sleep was now possible. Back at the fireplace they discussed the issue in low tones. Uloziba suggested that perhaps there was a haunting spirit there. The others did not know what to say.

 The next day they carefully examined the corpses. Again there was no wound of any sort on them, but they were stone dead. The rest sat to examine the way forward. Nyoike suggested that they go back. Uloziba loudly disagreed. They had come too far, she said, to turn back now. Besides they had taken her two days into the forest. There was the third day. After that they could go back. Gatiti and Nyoike felt ashamed. They knew in their heart that they wanted to go back. Matters had gone too far. Four warriors dead! And with no apparent assailant? This was too much. Gatiti was commander therefore he knew the last word lay with him.

On his last day on earth, Gatiti felt himself in low spirits. He just could not understand what was happening. What had seemed a simple command was turning out to be a fearful experience, one that could not be explained. He found it unbelievable that he had lost four warriors to something he could not see. Four! Yet honor decreed that they complete the mission. "We will take the girl for the third days as commanded, then we leave. Everyone must be alert. We don't know what is happening" he muttered gruffly. Swords were sharpened until they glimmered. Spear points were whetted till their points were like needles. The nervousness was obvious. The lack of sleep was taking its toll on them. Their walk was not as vibrant as before. Uloziba walked upfront with gatiti. She, of all of them seemed least affected. Her courage made the men take courage. They were determined to take her as far as three days journey as commanded. They walked on, encouraging each other. As evening approached for the third day the men got apprehensive. They broke their journey early and started to prepare.

 They ate from their pouches, then sat around the fire. Grogginess came after a while but they fought it off. They kept themselves awake by telling stories. Kiama was feeling the pain of loss. He couldn't understand how a journey that started so well could turn so terrible. He stared into the fire then at Uloziba. She was very brave he thought. She was not fazed by all the murdering. In fact she was now curled up next to the flames snoozing with not a care in the world. He switched his gaze to the fire once more and tried to focus. His eyelids were slowly trying to close. He wavered between sleep and wakefulness. He nodded himself awake and looked around. Nothing had changed. The two remaining warriors, Gatiti and Nyoike were both staring at the fire. They seemed wide awake. He looked out into the gloom. The darkness was overpowering, like a beast of air. The fire had stolen his night sight and he couldn't see a thing. The fire seemed to be going down so he added more firewood. It blazed up again, violently. Uloziba stirred and he looked towards her. She settled, muttering a few syllables in her native tongue. He couldn't understand what they meant so he stared into the fire. Slowly he began nodding off. He slept.

 The next morning, the sun was high in the sky when he woke with a start. He looked around, feeling disoriented. He couldn't believe he'd slept so much. It must have been the lack of sleep the previous day. Suddenly realization hit him. Uloziba! He looked to where she was supposed to be sleeping and saw no one. Shock! He looked to where the two warriors were and saw them in an attitude of sleep, leaning lazily against each other. He jumped to his feet and rushed to them, calling their names. They didn't answer. He shook them and they slowly toppled to the ground like a couple of sacks. They were stone dead! He screamed and screamed. Then suddenly stopped. Uloziba! New terror came. Could she have been killed and dragged away? There was a small hill around where they slept. He ran around it all the while calling her name. Suddenly he saw her hidden against a rock on the other side of the hill. She was sitting with her head between her legs in an attitude of grief, rocking to and fro. He rushed to her. He was so happy that she lived.

 "They're dead... They're dead they are completely dead..all dead ....", Uloziba moaned, rocking all the while. Seeing her, Kiama forgot himself and started comforting her. He was filed with terror of the unknown. He suddenly felt like vomiting. No I can't give in to such when Uloziba is in pain, he told himself. He continued patting her on the head and trying to soothe her as she moaned. Suddenly she stood up."We've got to get out of here Kiama. There is evil in this place", she said, looking at him sternly. She seemed to have obtained her usual nerve. Kiama turned and looked at their dead. "help me to bury th --." "We cannot even wait to bury them," she interupted. Here is danger and we must be far away." And fitting action to words she hurried off to collect her travelling pouch. Having no option, Kiama followed her, but first he forced himself to walk to the two corpses. Bowing his head low he whispered a few words in prayer then collected his food pack, spear and shield and ran off to catch up with Uloziba who was loping off with long strides. She seemed to have new confidence, but Kiama could not shake his fear. What if the specter that had killed the others came back, this time for Uloziba and himself? He grew dizzy with the thought. His heart beat fast. He decided to take his mind elsewhere. As always he pictured his parents in his mind, his beloved room up on the thingira, and his sisters and their cattle. Soon he was day dreaming away and his terror left him for a while.

 The way was rough. This section of forest had sparse trees, but many thorns. Such greenery that could be seen consisted of short clumps of very prickly grasses and thorn bushes. They were entering the plains. The sun was very hot on his back and he wished there was some semblance of shade that could be had in this wilderness. Uloziba maintained a swift pace through the brush, barely pausing at midday for a drink from their water skins. He noticed she carried the skins and pouches of the dead men in addition to her own. chewing on the tough travel meat was hard but he was hungry and he bore it. A few drops of water only, because as Uloziba put it, they were still far from the lands of her people and no knowing when water was to be had. By this time he had forgotten he was not to be going all the way to Uloziba's people. He told himself that it was preferable to traveling back 2 days through the forest by himself, while pursued by a specter that was killing people. Thus having soothed and convinced himself, he fought the thorns and the spiny grasses and tried to keep up.

 As evening came creeping slowly, the old dread came back. Try as he might, he couldn't get the thought of what the night held for him out of his head. All sorts of imaginations went through him. He glanced sideways at Uloziba, who had barely said two words all day, choosing to conserve her strength for walking. She seemed to be in good spirits, and if she was apprehensive at the looming night, it didn't show on her face. He chided himself for showing such cowardice compared to Uloziba. Was this how a warrior of the peacock regiment should behave? Such awful cowardice? What if Uloziba could see what was going on in his head. He glanced at her guiltily. Should he not be taking the lead in showing bravery? He asked himself. He puffed his chest out to show his masculinity and held his spear and shield stoutly. But barely a mile from that point, he was musing on the dark terrors again, his imagination conjuring up many evil beings.

 Night came on almost abruptly, and the two picked a campsite on a small rise, protected from the wind. They lit a small fire and sat around it to warm their dry meat. None wanted to speak of their common fear. Kiama simply could not keep the fear from his mind. His voice croaked when he spoke, and even Uloziba seemed much subdued. Or perhaps it was the weariness. Looking at her, one could not tell. They huddled together around the fire, and chewed on stubborn strings of warm meat. "Tomorrow we must try and find water, our skins are running low" she said, not looking at him. He grunted in assent, his mind on the night ahead.

 He did not want to slumber. Try as he might, his drooping eyelids were slowly winning the battle. He shook himself awake the tenth time. Stood and went to the small collection of firewoods nearby. Before picking up the wood, he took the opportunity to take a piss. Putting a thumb into the side of his loincloth, he pried it aside to expose his penis, now shriveled from the cold. The long string of urine fled away into the darkness as he let loose. He let out a subdued sigh of relief. His bladder had been full. He picked some wood and made his way back to the fire. Pushing a stout branch into the blaze he stabbed at the embers vigorously and then piled on some more brush. A blaze sprung up. Uloziba had already curled up on the other side of the fire and was sleeping peacefully. He stared at the fire and his eyes started drooping. He slept.

 Kiama woke with a start. Someone's sandled foot was pushing him. Looking up, he saw it was Ulozibas foot. "Wake up we must make good time today" she said. He looked around and realized it was early dawn and he was alive. Uloziba was alive! He jumped up for joy, giving a whoop. Uloziba looked at him astonished. "We're alive, nothing bad has happened to us in the night, we're alive" he screamed joyously. Uloziba did not seem excited by the fact. "Did you expect something to happen?" she asked crossly, then turned away to pick up her pouches. He felt an anticlimax. And some confusion. He had expected her happiness to be more than his. He turned to pick up his belongings. It was going to be a long day.