Chapter 12

Ife, Northwest Africa

As Kwento hurried through the woods, he looked back momentarily, “Move quicker. Your mother must be worried,” he urged.

Max paused. He wondered if Aminata and the rest could keep up with the quick pace. “Just wait for a moment,” insisted Max.

Kwento stopped. He turned to Max, “We are close. Why should we stop now?” he asked suspiciously.

Max gulped. He moved his head left and right. Kwento walked over to him, “What are you up to?”

There was a sound. Kwento’s knees bent. His hand instinctively touched the handle of his sword, “Someone is following us.”

Max didn’t reach for his blade. He was certain that Aminata wasn’t going to harm him. Suddenly three men crept from the shadows, and their glares made Max reach for his blade. Kwento developed a troubled look on his face, “Enofe? What is this?”

Enofe had a fire in his eyes. He pointed his sword at Kwento, “You and that witch bitch had my entire family slain.”

“That was not of my doing. I had—”

“Shut up, you liar. I know she had plans to insert you into my family’s place of leadership in the village. You have been lying to me since the very beginning.”

“Kwento, what is this man talking about? Who is this witch?”

Kwento had his sword ready, “Young Max, now is not the time for explanations.”

“Oh, so you won’t tell your son about how your woman, Nneka, the witch had my family killed.”

Max’s jaw nearly hit the floor, “What nonsense is this?”

“Maybe I should take this boy’s life. You know my son Mahammadu was about his age. I think it is only fair.”

Kwento swung. The two men danced around each other. Their blades glided collided, and clanked.

Kwento was a skilled fighter. He was getting the better of Enofe. That is when one of Enofe’s men sent an arrow through Kwento’s right shoulder.

Enofe’s foot hit Kwento’s chest and sent him flying back. He fell to the ground. Max screamed and swung his sword, but two men subdued him. He fought in the men’s grasp but was unable to get free.

Enofe sent a blade just above his belly. Kwento was frozen. Enofe spat on him, “That is for my family.” He turned to the men holding Max.

“What shall we do with the boy?” one man asked.

“Maybe I should cut off his cock and balls and send them to his mother. That should be fun.”

They laughed. Max cringed at the thought.

“Better yet, I think I will cut out his heart and leave his dead body in the forest for her to find.” He walked over to Max. There was blood still on his sword. Just as he was about to strike Max, Aminata appeared, “Put down your weapon,” she demanded. Her stance was that of a lioness. There was a fire in her eyes as well.

“This boy is the son of Nneka. Nneka is responsible for my family’s deaths.”

She shook her head, “No. You are responsible for your family’s death. I will not let you harm this boy. Let him go.”

He laughed, “Sister, you were once a warrior to be feared here in Ife but you have been a noblewoman in Portugal with servants bowing to your every whim. You do not wish to take on a fight with me, eh.”

She smiled and drew her weapon. He shrugged. They began fighting. Joaquin had just arrived with the others. They watched as Aminata battled her brother. Enofe was surprised to see that Aminata had not lost her touch.

He swung. She rolled on the ground and cut the back of his ankles. He dropped in pain. His face was in the dirt and leaves. He turned his head, “Sister. Why do you do this? I am only seeking revenge for my family.”

Aminta used her foot to roll him over. She looked into his sorrowful eyes. She felt his pain, but she was also dealing with immense pain, “You let those men kill our father. You let those men take my daughter, ahhhhhhh!” she screamed as tears fell from her eyes.

The two men that were holding Max fled. Max hurried over to aid Kwento. Adesanya held his hand as she spoke comforting words to him as Olamide wrapped his wounds.