The beast of miko

the ground, and my

ll you what to d

hat you will be d

and risk the anger

o act firm, but the pain

my leg from th

to the cave, and I foll

ves she had cut from the garden."Now that you have s

I pro

alenje!" Sh

not me

following m

nd I could see the g

and cold sweat filled my

se I wanted to. I need

l her." confidently realizin

think that

urely you already kn

ut into a h

ou were anxious," she said

feet, knowing she did not lie. it is not the way of men in my tribe to run." Welcome, my dears',' she says, like a grandmother welcoming her grandchildren home. You are both welcome to stay with the gods until he can build and hunt for you, she says, looking at me. I raise my head to look at her, and then she says aloud,d "You are the head of Mubaila now, and anyone that survives is your responsibility." I nod in acceptance. She continues."Once you can, you will retrieve the totem of Miko and never lose it." I nod once more, and then she says, "You will escort them to go and get water," She points to some pots by the side, and the two girls hurry and get one each. You will protect them, Kalenje, she says as I look at my wound and then back at her. She still is not looking at me; she watches the girls pick the pots and head out for water. I follow behind them, limping as we go out into the forests. The two girls kept talking and giggling whil

I held the advantage as it cracked when my legs touched the earth. I

ack. Gara was our warrior chief, and I wonder what has happened to him now."Show off," I heard L

illage; they go to the stream and fetch water. And when I reach o

r wares have been taken by intruders. I

he girls go back to Borankama. They did not a

ies into the earth. Te

ound were my family and extended fami