Sibuor Mang'weya was a lion beast whose special ability was to smell. Its presence was one of the reasons why the Lion beasts clan was a powerful one. If it did not know what it was to smell, one only had to give it the correct description of that thing and the beast would help in tracing it.
It's cave was not far from Mudho's, they only took not more than thirty seconds to get there. Inside the cave was a small diffidently looking lioness. It was as small as a fully grown rabbit. It was golden in color and was bolting down a large mouse beast when the upper echelons of its tribe arrived at its cave's entrance. It bowed respectfully before intromitting them.
"The day is good tribe head and his brother Mudho." After they all lay their furry bellies on different stone platforms, Mang'weya greeted his eyes showing respect.
"The day is indeed good Mang'weya." The two greeted back concurrently.
"What has brought you two to this lowly fellow?" Mang'weya asked softly.
"It is something of great importance. You will know very soon. Get on my back right now because we do not have time."
The tribe head answered in a hurried manner and before Mang'weya could process what was going on, he found itself on the tribe head's back and they were already past the fringe of the clan. The tribe head was moving at a breathtaking speed with Mudho following it closely like its shadow. Mang'weya was smothering from being swept by a deluge of strong winds but it did not utter a single word. It knew its plight could end in a little while.
It took them around two minutes to arrive before a large green nest in the southern parts of the centre of the forbidden land. This was the place the tribe head with the bird agreed to meet. The nest looked like it had just been woven.
"Lion boy, you are here."
Before the tribe head called out, a lofty voice came from the nest. The voice sent chills running down the lions' spines. They were dreaded such that even the 'ordained' Mudho quivered vehemently, sweating profusely. It tried releasing the aura it got from Ochieng' and after several attempts, the fact that he had been incapacitated sank in. Its veins bulged with blood flowing at a high speed in them. The veins cross linked forming a network looking like several small snakes over each other.
"So, someone is trying to harm me?"
A large bird walked out of the nest sneering coldly. It was covered with jade feathers. Its sharp beak was orange in color. It's dark eyes shone brightly though deep within them one could see coldness. It was as large as an adult lion and closely resembled an eagle. Seeing it appear petrified the lions. It then glared at Mudho its eyes filled with nightmarish killing intent.
"So, it is you." It then said nodding its head indifferently.
Mudho was rendered speechless. It tried opening its mouth but was incapable. The bird on seeing the lion in that state, it chuckled before turning its head to the tribe head. The tribe head lowered its head immediately in fear. It had seen clearly how this behemoth had just rendered its brother powerless. It could not afford to joke with it.
"You have brought your brother." The bird asked.
"Yes." The lion answered incoherently.
It knew the bird's question was rhetoric but could it just keep quiet? Definitely no.
"How are you little lion?" The bird asked the little lion smiling happily.
"I am good."
"I want you to help me in obtaining something with your smelling ability. Will you mind? Of course if you mind I will not force you, I am an upright fellow."
"I won't mind helping you." The timid lion answered immediately the bird finished.
"Hahaha! That is good of you little lion. I tell you you are going to reap a lot of treasures that may help your abilities soar beyond the skies."
"It is my pleasure to serve a powerhouse like you."
"You flatter me...what I need your help on is something of great significance." The bird began wearing a serious face, "Within this land there is a map leading to a great treasure vault left behind by blacksmith Rende Kabando four thousand seasons ago. Kabando was a 'Mogwedhi' from the northern lands who lived in the wilderness, since he was one thousand two hundred seasons old to his death four thousand seasons ago. He lived for two thousand seasons. Before he died, using expensive metals, he constructed a vault where he kept several treasures for the future generations."
"The key to that vault is a map that is alleged to have been dropped in this land when two powerful demons were fighting over it. The map also gives the exact location of the vault. It is currently in the hands of a powerful beast clan in this land of yours. I want you to help me obtain it. The map is made of..."
"There is no need for that sir" Mang'weya interrupted, "what you have said is just enough for me to smell it."
"Really?!" The bird asked its breathing becoming heavy for no good reason and its eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Yes, I can already smell its direction and according to what I can feel, the smell is coming from west." The little lion answered pointing its little paw to the west.
"Let us go."
The bird immediately after saying that, it spread its wings and when it flapped them, the three lions together with it were carried away.
...
Apeleka and Ochieng' had barely crossed the gate to Ong'am's compound when Jakony flew past them to block their way. They knew the bird had its reasons for doing so and instead of getting angry, they threw curious looks at the bird. The bird knowing that it did not have much time, it hurriedly said,
"He is here and I have to go and you two must follow me."
"Who?" Apeleka who always feared for her life asked worried.
"Are you afraid I may harm the two of you Apeleka?" Instead of answering, the bird asked Apeleka rolling its eyes.
"No, that is not what I really mean Jakony. I am only curious." Realizing that she had been seen through, Apeleka's face crimsoned in shame before shamelessly answering.
Knowing that asking the bird questions would not help, the two people climbed the beast's back and in a flash it disappeared. The time it took the bird to block the couple's path to the time it disappeared was too short for those within the compound to even notice.
Jakony was moving at a very high speed between the clouds. Ochieng' who had gained an understanding of his strength was now releasing a pale green energy to protect Apeleka from the powerful cold winds that were sweeping past them due to Jakony's fast speed. It did not take them long before they entered the forbidden land.