Several miles from where Ochieng' and his companions had been captured, there stood a large hut in the midst of rocks and tall pine trees. The trees were slowly swaying due to the serenity of the atmosphere. White smoke was emitted from the hut's roof, a sign that there was serious cooking taking place inside.
"The One from above is indeed merciful; he decided to bring you when I had lost everything I held dear in heart."
From inside the hut, an excited woman's voice reverberated.
"I don't want to be here anymore, you said I came here to learn but since you brought me, you have taught me nothing!"
A younger but beautiful voice retorted.
"You know I cannot do that my dear. What you have to do here is far greater than following your man when you are this ordinary, patience my dear, patience."
The first woman's voice responded softly.
"You say he is destined to defeat the Lord of darkness, how do you expect him to do that with the thinking that his woman was killed by some creature?"
"That is where you miss the point my daughter. Come to think of it this way; until now, I am pretty sure he is already aware such creatures are the exact enemies he is fighting against. If his beautiful woman was killed by these enemies, don't you think he will finish his quest faster if he is to fight not only for mankind but also for revenge?"
"But when it is over mama, he will still think I am dead, what kind of life will he lead after that?"
"His quest is more important my daughter, if it is over, what will be the need of keeping you here? I'll definitely take you to him."
"I think you two are missing a point." This time, it was a melodic voice that filled the air interrupting the other two.
"And what exactly is that?" the first woman asked in bewilderment.
"You will know soon enough." The melodic voice answered proudly.
The two women were unquestionably Apeleka and a beautiful woman. The one with the melodic voice was the grey feathered bird with white wings-Jakony. From their tones, it was apparent that they were all good friends.
Two months ago, Apeleka was captured from Lu land by a certain mysterious creature. The creature even devoured Jakony before disappearing under the watch of Odindi clan people. After it flew far from the clan, the creature turned into a stunning fifty-year old woman and Jakony was blotched out immediately. Then a flying ship appeared from nowhere. It is this ship that transported them to this lonely land. When they were first captured, Apeleka thought the woman had captured them for magical purposes until she told them her story.
According to her story, she was born an ordinary woman just like Apeleka until she lost everyone she loved. Her father was a humble blacksmith in Turka tribe and her mother was a hardworking crop cultivator. She was their only child and just like any other tribe in Keniya, a man was not expected to lack a son even if he had a hundred daughters, needless to say one. But since the husband and wife loved each other so much, the man never married another woman to give sons. This was the dawning of his problems.
First of all, as his brothers inherited land from their wealthy father, he did not receive a piece as that was considered wastage of chattels. He was the youngest amongst his brothers therefore making him powerless before them. Too weak to fight for his rights, he took his family of three and went to live on the borders of Turka and Sambu. This place was widely known to be the driest in Keniya.
Having nothing to trade for food, the family almost died out of hunger in the desert. Unable to take it, the mother decided to walk back to the clan to claim the crops she had previously cultivated. She only came back the skin she wore sodden with blood. She had been defiled and then beaten before being sent back to where she popped out from. The husband cried like a newborn baby when he saw his beloved wife's condition. Suddenly, there was a strange wind that washed him giving him strength that had never been there before. Filled with rage, he went back home and killed all his seven brothers with their families. When he went back for his family, he was received by what led to his sudden demise.
On his twelve year old daughter's tiny arms was his beloved dead wife. The young girl only stared at him in a daze tears flowing ceaselessly from her beautiful eyes. The strength left in the man dissipated before he collapsed and died as well. Before he died, he asked his young daughter to try hard and live for the sake of their bloodline. She was only a hungry and weak twelve year old girl. Where could she get strength after what she saw? She only saw a blackout before waking up in the hut they were currently in. On a three legged stool, a nineteen year old young man was smiling at her gently. He was a medicine man and for ten years he took care of the child while teaching her the way of medicine.
When it was only two months for their marriage, he was killed by Sambu people in a battle between the Sambu and the Turka people. Left alone in this world, the twenty two year old woman decided to commit suicide when she met an old woman. With old woman's help, she became a witch. The old woman died two years after they met. Alone and hopeless, the lady decided to leave her life to fate when she met the One from above in a dream. He decided to help her use her skills in serving him.
"Just tell us Jakony, you know I can't wait." Apeleka pleaded with an impatient voice.
"I know you can't wait Apeleka but grandma Labosa asked you to be patient…" the bird replied with a laugh but was cut short by an indignant Labosa.
"How many times do you want me to tell you not to call me grandma? Can't you tell I am still a young beautiful woman with tits still pointed like they are jumping out of my chest? If you call me grandma again, I will pluck your feathers one by one and sell them to a certain sorcerer. Do you undersrtand?!" The so called Labosa yelled.
"Alright" Jakony rolled its eyes with a bitter expression when it heard the woman's words.