Chapter 8

Ife, Northwest Africa

The calm after the storm. Things were somewhat settled. However, Enofe’s wife grunted throughout the meal. She was visibly upset that her husband had not been home all day. And even more annoyed that Grandfather Mobo was asking questions about Enofe’s actions while he was ill. She accused everyone of turning against her family. She left the table huffing and puffing.

After dinner, Yande was outside with her mother. She sat between her legs as her mother braided her long thick black hair away from her face in several braids that showed off her amazing high cheekbones and dazzling eyes. Her mother sang sweetly as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

Yande smiled. Yet something was troubling her. Yande’s eyes were fast on Oluwa as he stood behind Chidi helping her with her archer skills.

Aminata kissed her head, “Are you all right?”

Yande stood, “Yes, I am fine.”

Her mother stood and looked her eye-to-eye. She touched the sides of her face, “are you sure?”

She nodded, “Yes.”

“I’ll be inside if you want to talk.”

She smiled.

Deep in the woods is where his journey took him. He had to see the witch doctor who provided the root work on his father. He knocked on the door. No one answered. Slowly he pushed in the door and stepped inside.

There were spears of various sizes, knives, swords, and shields. There was also the stuff that made Enofe uneasy. Such as seeing weird body parts of animals ... maybe even humans, suspended in a jar of clear liquid. The odor wasn’t the most pleasant either.

In several cages were chickens. They clucked and flapped their wings. Then there was a glass with lizards and other bugs.

“Enofe,” the strong voice called to him.

He turned with wide eyes and saw him, Kwento. He had a towering stance. His brown eyes looked upon Enofe with curiosity, “So, did it work? Is he dead?” he asked as if he already knew the answer.

Enofe huffed, “It did not. I want my coin back.”

He let out a boisterous laugh, “Now, now Enofe, I do not give refunds. You owe me.”

Enofe folded his arms, “Why would I pay you anything else when the very thing I paid you to do, did not work?”

Kwento kissed his teeth and rubbed the stubble on his chin, “I do not know what to say, my friend. All I know is you have to pay more. I handled a disastrous situation for you today, or have you not learned of what happened today when your father had a meeting in the village?”

“I have been traveling all day to get here.” He paced, “So, you already know my father is alive and well.”

He nodded, “Of course. I have my spies as you should,” he shook his head, “many men will seek power. Some will find it. But not all that find it deserve it.”

Enofe grumbled angrily, “Listen, you fake witch doctor or whatever you call yourself,” he hissed as he drew his sword, “You will do the work on my father as I paid you, and I will not pay you anything else. You would be wise to recognize that I will soon have power.”

Kwento smiled, “There is but one simple problem.”

“And what is that?”

Three men barged into the room with arrows at the ready, “You are not in control. And if you don’t do as I command ... you will never breathe another breath.”

He gulped and sheathed his sword, “I am sorry. I am just—”

“I know. Look,” he said as he walked toward Enofe, “my sources told me there was a girl. She was a beautiful young thing ... ripe. Her skin was fair, yet her features were every bit of an African goddess. Eyes were like shiny green crystals.”

Enofe scoffed, “Are you speaking of my sister’s daughter?”

“I don’t know who she is. She was with your father. If she is your father’s granddaughter. Then she is your niece.”

“What do you want with the pale-faced girl?”

He shrugged, “I want to meet her. Talk to her. She interests me. There was some intense energy around her. One of my men said that she nearly killed a man as he stood in his shop by merely looking into his eyes. No witch has possessed that kind of power since your grandmother. You remember her?”

He remained silent.

“Well, Enofe? Your life and power for a simple conversation with the girl.”

“The girl hates me. And her parents would never allow me to leave the village with her. They leave here in two days. What could you possibly want to ask her?”

“As I stated before. I am simply interested in meeting her. Once I speak with her and learn of her gifts. I’ll send her back safe and sound.”

“Are you sure? Because my sister—”

“Yes. I am sure. Now go. Bring her to me. I’ll handle your father and you can lead in his place.”

Scandinavia

Days had passed. Revna was home alone. She had no children to care for. Her mind was idle and that was never good for her. She looked out her window and saw the beautiful Ida strolling toward the great hall.

The people loved Ida. She was proven in battle, she was wise, and she was easy on the eyes. She grumbled as she saw her pass by, if only she would disappear, she thought. I want her gone! She screamed.

There was a knock at her door. She pulled herself together and answered, “Lady Yana, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

She looked inside waiting to be invited in, “I heard wailing or a terrifying scream as I was leaving the docks, are you all right?”

“Yes, just the frustrations of a lonely woman. I’m sure you can understand.”

She touched her belly, “Yes,” she smiled.

“Come inside, I forgot my manners.”

Yana walked inside and stood surveying the modest home.

“Lady, are you with child?”

“Yes, I know it’s too early to tell, but ever since the seer told me, I haven’t been able to stop touching my belly.”

“Congratulations. May I offer you a drink?”

“Oh, I’m fine.” She sighed, “I only wish I could have told Sigurd before he sailed off. I hope the Gods return him home safely.”

“They will. Him and Sven.”

“Yes, all of our warriors. A safe voyage and a safe return.”

She gave an uneasy smile, “Question.”

“Sure.”

“How are things with you and Lady Ida.”

She shrugged, “Fine, I suppose. She is my sister-in-law, after all. Why do you ask?”

“It’s just ... I don’t know if you’re aware ... my husband Sven has had this thing with Ida for years.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing. You are the wife. What does it matter?”

Her eyes watered a little, “I haven’t been able to give him a child. We have tried many times. If that woman gives my husband a son before I do—”

Yana’s eyes widened as she waited for her declaration. But Revna held back, “I just don’t think I could live. I couldn’t.”

She sighed, “I understand.”

After speaking freely with Lady Yana, Revna went for a walk. She needed to clear her mind. She spotted the Seer Astrid packing things onto a cart, “You are The Seer, Astrid,” Revna called out to her.

She turned and saw Revna walking toward her, “Yes. I am Astrid, The Seer.”

“Where are you going?”

“For many nights, since Jarl Sigurd left, I have had the most troubling visions ... chaos ... bloodshed, death.”

Her face morphed to confusion, “Here? But why ... how?”

“You have to pass the message to the shield maiden Ida to get as many people to flee as soon as possible, or there will be chaos and many people will die. And the child she carries may not even take its first breath.”

Astrid mounted her horse and carriage, “You must pass the message.”

Revna nodded.

“You will pass the message?”

“Yes of course. I’ll do it right away.”

Astrid’s smile was solemn. She hated to leave her home but she was confident if they fled in advance, there would be a chance for Jarl Sigurd to reclaim what was rightly his.

Ife, Northwest Africa

The crazy day was behind her; Yande stood outside under constellations enjoying the sounds of the night. Her brother walked up behind her, “Sister, how are you?” he asked.

She smiled, “I am well.”

“Are you sure? I know you.”

Smiled, “You do, don’t you.”

He nodded, “I saw you watching Oluwa help Chidi earlier. Does it hurt you to know you will not have him?”

She sighed, “I do not know. I am sad, perhaps, just because I am. People have those moments.”

“Ah, yes, but usually those moments are triggered by things. I say, if you want Oluwa, then don’t give up. Who cares what the vision says.”