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Joel woke up to the voices of men arguing. He slowly opened his eyes and his jaw dropped in disbelief what he saw. The king he saw in the picture was sitting right in front of him. The king, who had on his head a thin round orb with a very long feather protruding from the side of his forehead, was indeed sitting right in front of him. "What in the heavens is this?" He voiced his thoughts out loud, making everyone in the room jump.
"usephapheme". (He's awake)Someone from behind him said in an astonished vintage voice but because Joel was still tied all over, he couldn't figure who.
"yebo uvukile". (Yes, he's awake)Another man said, standing beside Joel. He looked up to see a light brown eyes looking down at him with calmness.
"Shaka". Joel whispered his name, but Shaka placed his finger on his lips telling Joel to keep quiet.
"Ubaba lokhu kungenzeka ukuthi isiprofetho sikhuluma ngani". (Father, this is probably what the prophecy is about)Shaka said, looking at his father the king, but he waved his hands, telling Shaka to be silent.
"Uma ngempela kunguye onkulunkulu abalethele ukuthi basisindise, mthukululeni, sibone ukuthi uzothini". (If he is indeed the god who brought them to our rescue, release him, and let us see what he will say.) The king boomed from his throne with a deep and powerful voice. "Bese ubiza umpristi engimbizile lapha manje". (Then summon the priest here now)He finished
Shaka slowly knelt down and began losing the ropes around Joel. "What is happening? ". Joel asked, gazing into Shaka's brown eyes, which held no harm in it. Shaka again gestured him to be silent.
After Shaka was done, he helped Joel to stand and went to stand behind him. Joel looked at his surrounding, the palace was indeed small andthe smallest he had ever seen. The floor was covered with a leopard skin but tanned, making it look more annihilated. In the room, small chairs were lined on both sides. They looked like small thrones but differs.
"Usungenile emazweni ethu yingakho usolwe ngokweqile".(You have ventured into our lands, therefore you have been accused of trespassing). The king studied Joel before he continued."kufanele uthini kulokho?"(What do you have to say to that?). The dominance in the king's voice made shivers round down Joel's spines, though he didn't understand what he said.
"My father is accusing you of trespassing and he's asking what you have to say about it. Don't worry, he understands your language, so speak freely and don't bolt because you'll vanquish," Shaka whispered behind Joel that he was the only one who could hear.
The thought of Joel bolting through the door, which was inches away from him, made his legs want to give out. Now that he has been kidnapped which there's no way he could escape, he would have to play along for now until he figures a way out. The nudging of Shaka pulled him out of these thoughts and he looked into the king's eyes.
"My name is Joel Sowah. I seriously don't know how I got here". He placed his hand on his waist and his face looked sullen, like he would explode. "Just so you know, I was kidnapped, drugged and brought here, yet you call this trespassing? What do you have to say about this also?" He folded his arms and looked at the king, satisfied that his voice held power, but it didn't match the king's.
There were gasps and mummers in the room and Joel realized maybe, just maybe, he had disrespected the king and displayed his temperaments.
The king's voice made the room again silent as he spoke. "manje unzima kangakanani". (What a tough one you are)He glared daggers at Joel, making him feel like his body was yet to desisipate."size sithole ukuthi uzokwenzenjani naye, simyise ezitokisini". (until we figure out what to do with him, take him to the cells).
The tension in the room was so thick it could be cut with a knife"ngithe ukumsusa". (I said take him away). The king roar making people tremble with fear. Even Shaka shivered behind Joel.
Immediately Joel was tied up with ropes by Shaka's brother, who he later got to know his name was Uluthando. This time, Joel was blindfolded and carried away. All he heard was people chanting and singing, but because he was blindfolded, he couldn't decipher what was happening.
After some minutes of walking, the chanting and singing were drawing away until nothing was heard. Joel felt himself hoisted and gently placed on the floor before he was sighted. He looked around, but the place was dark. The only light in the room was the moon's illumination. The surrounding figures disappeared through the small door making Joel draw in where he was.
"Hey, come back. Why am I here?" He stood up and hurried to the door, but before he could reach it, it was shut and locked." I need to go back to where I came from". He continued shouting, but to no avail. He looked for the doorknob but found none.
If only he had stayed home. Now how was he supposed to get out of this realm filled with strange beings and other things? He thought if only his father hadn't settled down in the country, he wouldn't have been to this place. If only he bolted out before his father could realize he was not at home to drag him to the gallery. If only, if only, if only.
He slowly stood up and scrutinized the room. Finding a piece of metal, he took it hurried to the door. He pushed it through the door's edge and pulled it sideway to the left. The door creaked and Joel's mood enlightened. Just as he was putting in much effort, he heard footsteps and quickly retrieved. He walked to the side of the door and gripped tightly on the metal, ready to attack anyone coming in. This, he thought, was his last chance.
Dangling of keys could be heard from the other side of the door and soon, the door open and a young lady about Joel's age entered, making him freeze. He couldn't see her face well because of the darkness, but when her eyes settled on him, her mouth dropped.
She quickly composed herself and addressed Joel." Are you really going to kill me with that?". Her accent was not strong, but she managed it.
"Don't worry. I mean you no harm. If you're wondering how I could speak your language, I'll help you out. My dad privately tutored us. Shaka who is my elder brother and I. But it is forbidden to speak the language in this land. However, the other land Tsonga could speak freely amongst themselves". She looked at him, trying to search for any sign of expression, but the dark won't permit.
Joel looked at her, trying to register everything she said, but before he could, a deep possessive voice interrupted him.
"Anele, I warned you about strangers. What are you doing here? ". The anger in his voice made the girl froze.
"I..... I- I only wanted to speak with him...". She trailed.
"It's okay, go back home. Father is really worried and pissed. Hurry." The man who is no other than Shaka said this time calmly.
Anele took a last glance at Joel before leaving the cell, giving more room for Shaka. Shaka walked in and closed the door. Again, the dark made it difficult to see, but his muscled features and 6'5 feet in height were silhouetted against the wall.
"Why am I being held a captive here? ". Joel sounded belligerent but Shaka remind silent.
"You understand me, so speak." Joel shouted this time. "You signaled me to follow you here and now this happens?" He trailed.
"I didn't intend to cause you harm, but I had no choice". Shaka remained calm, but his voice held in its authority.
"What was all the king and the people saying back in the palace?". Joel lowered his voice this time.
"It was written centuries ago that there's going to be someone who would make himself known on our land and fight for peace to unite the two lands." He paused, trying to catch his eyes, but Joel only looked at his feet, so he continued, "But honestly I didn't think he would be this young". He ended sounding sarcastic.
"Good. Since you know perfectly well that a young boy like me cannot unite two whatever, then it's best I leave". Joel made his way to the door but was stopped by Shaka.
"If you go out there, you won't spend even a minute alive".
"Why". Joel asked, totally stunned.
"Everyone out there wants to be a part of your skin and body for the upcoming ritual." He answered.
"Ritual?". Joel grimaced.
"Every year there is festival we celebrate. And everyone has to present fresh light skin or body parts being it animal or and since you differ from us, they don't regard you as a human but an unfamiliar creature." Shaka sighed.
"What about the prophecy you talked about?"
Joel couldn't fathom everything he said and what's happening. He has been snatched into this realm only for his life to be miserable. He wished he was dreaming; he wished he could close his eyes and dream about paradise; he wished the floor would open and swallow him. He so wished.
"Don't worry, have some rest. I'll speak with my father and we'll see what we can do about everything". He turned and opened the door, but stopped and looked back at Joel.
"What's your name again, boy?". He asked.
"Joel".
"Goodnight Joel". With that, he exited the cell and firmly locked it. Just then, Joel's stomach began grumbling. He remembered he hadn't taken anything and recalled the food he kept in his bag in case.....
After eating, he laid down on the small bed and replayed everything that had happened until he drifted to sleep.