Okeyo did not even waste a second when invited to the meal. He sat at the table which was at the courtyard and within no minute, he was stuffing large chunks of meat in his mouth. His eyes were all brightened with delight as he did so. He nodded his head continuously in approval as he licked his fingers from time to time. Before even fifteen minutes elapsed, his lips were glistering and he was trying hard not to hold his belly which was now bulging out like an inflated balloon.
"That was a nice meal there."
Licking his lips and trying to remove strands of meat between his teeth annoyingly, Okeyo rolled his eyes disregarding the husband and wife duo who were looking at him with mouths open.
"It has been a long time since food entered my mouth let alone a delicious one like the one I've just had." He then confessed.
"We are all men of our tribe. Brotherhood is what we warriors preach, just be free here."
The man before them was their elder. It was a taboo to be disrespectful before one. Had the old man not appeared like he did, Oyamo would not have cared even if everything he had on the table was cleared up. Elders were to be respected no matter what. Soon enough, they were all done with the eating and they took some time to know each other.
Okeyo learned that Oyamo's wife was called Awuor Nyaduse. He came to know that she was not only a spectacular cook but also a woman who knew the laws of the land at finger tips, pouring them from her mouth like they were just stored there. Considering her age, she had to be among the few young people who possessed intelligence far above their peers.
"Oyamo, I'm here upon you being recommended to me by one of your people called Mboya Ogwang'. do you know him?" After making stories for quite some time, Okeyo asked.
"Yes, he is our division's war adviser and one of the tribe vice commanders." Oyamo admitted.
"He said that about two months ago you were transformed to a man of great capabilities by Ochieng's wish."
"Yes my elder."
"That is the reason why I am here. As you know, Lu is just a tribe among several dozens in the great Keniya. Ochieng' has been made to be the protecter of the entire Keniya by our gods. The greatest enemy he is to fight are creatures called Black Fiends. These creatures enjoy human flesh and blood. In the past, a few of them found their way into our land but about a week ago, they found a way of infiltrating Keniya in large numbers. As we speak now, there is already an invasion from east and several people have already lost their lives. I am a wizard but I cannot kill them because only Ochieng' has the power to do so. However, even him has been captured by them and right now, he is in their hands. I really do not know what they will do to him..."
"Ochieng' is in danger? Please take me to the place, we can find a way of saving him." Upon hearing that Ochieng's life was likely in danger, Oyamo almost leaped from his seat as he interrupted the old man.
"Relax Oyamo, if even he cannot save himself, not even a thousand wizards can, let alone you."
Okeyo calmed Oyamo down with a frown. The young man heaved heavily before looking at Okeyo agitatedly. He really wanted to be where Ochieng' was and save him. He had been ordained, and that had made him have a special bond with Ochieng'.
"What do I need to do then?" Oyamo asked
"Even though we may find it hard to kill those creatures, as one blessed by Ochieng' himself, you are likely to do so easily. Furthermore, you will meet five animals that has walked by him side by side who can help you a great. Two of them are also blessed by him. I am therefore asking you to follow me to go and help us eradicate the Black Fiends as other wizards try to take the rest of mankind to safety." Okeyo said with confidence.
"But what about Ochieng'?" Oyamo asked worriedly.
"He can escape from his enemies easily when he's alone. Let us focus on saving our fellow men first."
Kuru had told him about Ochieng' and how the young man had helped them out of the Crimson land. They knew they could not waste their time thinking about the Ordainer when humans were in danger. Furthermore, only a day had gone by since they were informed of an incoming invasion, they did not know how many Black Fiends were already in Keniya and for how long they had stayed.
With that, Oyamo asked Okeyo to cast a protection spell on his home so that nothing would happen to his wife and the child who was a few days old in the womb. After every preparations were made, Okeyo brought Oyamo to an island where Jade Eagle, Mang'weya, Mudho, Lion's tribe head, Ratong' and Kuru were. It had been agreed that they would go and fight while Apeleka, Jakony, Mboya, Okeyo, Mwiga and Labosa would take humans to the desert they were told about. Before they parted yesterday, Mboya informed the group about Oyamo. Okeyo decided to bring Okeyo to Kuru and the others before joining Apeleka's group.
Upon seeing Oyamo, Ratong flew towards him in a flash.
"You are here, Oyamo?" Ratong' smiled.
"I am." Oyamo smiled back. He was scared when he saw the beast coming towards him but when their eyes met, he felt that there was a strong connection between them, and that brought comfort to him washing away the fear he had completely.
After a few pleasantries, Okeyo bid them goodbye. Only Kuru, Oyamo and the five beasts were left behind.
"Now that our team is complete, we are to head to Ndia Ocean very early in the morning tomorrow. Today, you can have a good rest as you wait for a very serious battle ahead of us." Kuru instructed.
He knew that the Black Fiends were probably in several places along the coast of Ndia ocean now consideration that the message of their invasion had been relayed to the chosen ones the night before yesterday. He also knew the limit of their capabilities, he wouldn't take Ochieng's companions to a battle they would be killed in. Proper preparations was really necessary. If he knew that Ochieng' had dealt with the Black Fiends that were already in Keniya earlier, Kuru would have fed and trained his crew to prepare for another invasion.
The ceremony to welcome Ochieng' to the dark world was done the previous day in the morning. After they had been sent to Keniya, they met Okeyo and the others who informed them of the invasion. They had joined Okeyo and his group to take humans to the desert they were told about. It was not an easy task since it involved a lot of spells and for a wizard like Kuru, it would be a huge lie if he said he was not tired. It is during the night that it was agreed that Okeyo would bring Oyamo today to help them in killing the Black Fiends instead of spending time taking humans to safety. After all, if nothing was done about those creatures, it was only a matter of time before they reached where humans were hidden. Having a good rest would make them strong to fight the next day.