Everyone was surprised to hear Ashanti's decision because they thought she was going to decline the offer of going to Lalania. Mr. Freeman was okay with it if his daughter wanted to leave with Mrs. Rodman to Lalania.
"I have a request to make before you could leave for Lalania because I know that you will be leaving in a few days time, " Mr. Freeman said.
" And what request is it dad?" Ashanti asked her father.
"I am very ready to do it for you dad," she added on.
" I would lihke you to prepare a feast for dinner tomorrow because I am expecting the governor of Osborne," Mr. Freeman answered.
" Do you mean Governor Santos Del Castillo will be joining us for dinner tomorrow?" Ashanti asked very surprisingly.
"That's it but let's talk about it tomorrow morning for now let's go have some rest because I know that everyone is tired for now and good night to you guys," he said then walked upstairs straight to his room.
Ashanti, Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman also walked to their rooms to rest because the following day was going to be a long one.
It was Ashanti's chance to meet the governor of Osborne. She made sure that she was up at dawn so that she would commence with the preparations of hosting the governor. She walked up and down throughout the house to make sure that everything was was set perfectly. Mr. Oliver was sent out to go fishing so that fish would be a supplement dish of the meal. Hens were crowing loudly with displeasure because some of them were being slaughtered for the feast. Ashanti made bread while Mrs. Rodman was helping her out with the cooking and the other servants were cleaning the carpets, shining the silverware and wiping the glasses.
Ashanti bathed, washed her hair very well and within thirty minutes, all clothes she possessed had been displayed on her bed for her to choose the best garment for the feast. Ashanti had all the fashionable clothes because her father made sure that she wore clothes at least not one year from the current trend she chose to wear a dress and then styled her hair in a very attractive way. Erasmus and his mother Mrs. Rodman also had to prepare for the feast when they were done with the activities assigned to them at that moment. Governor Santos Del Castillo was t handsome man. All the young ladies in Osborne sighed over him because of his model walking and elegance. Time was running so fast that after some time, Ashanti was still in her room dressing up for the feast when she heard noise down stairs. She quickly picked up a leather jacket that was on her bed and she put it on as ran down stairs to find out what was going on. As Ashanti was walking down stairs, she heard horses being ridden and something came up in her mind telling her that it might be the governor of Osborne.
When Ashanti reached down stairs, he eyes reached on to Governor Santos Del Castillo who was standing at the front door with Mr. Freeman. She over got excited that she ran and hugged the Governor. Ashanti's father looked at her and she knew she had made a mistake. Governor Santos Del Castillo wasn't even dressed in his official wear as a governor but instead he had put on checked shirts and trousers with a hat and looked like a village farmer from Osborne for the matter. Ashanti then knew that she was the only one who was overdressed for the feast yet even the dress she was putting on was giving her discomfort that she made commotions in the room but this seemed to amuse Governor Santos.
The governor's assistant shook Ashanti's hand and dropped it without a word. Ashanti did not dare to look at her father but instead apologized and led the delegation into the dinning room which at least looked decent in the eyes of the governor and the delegation. The dinning was perfectly polished and everything that was on the dinning table including the glassware and silverware glowed with a great shine. Ashanti on the chair opposite her father's while Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman sat on the either sides with Governor Santos Del Castillo and his assistant and the dinner was served. Ashanti and Erasmus were having their meal silently while the adults were chatting and even almost forgot that it was dinner time.
Suddenly, Governor Santos Del Castillo finally had his first bite of the food. He started with the fish because only it's aroma was starving him.
"Wow! this fish tastes delicious, don't tell me that it was prepared by Ashanti," the governor said.
"Yes it was prepared by Ashanti," Mrs. Rodman replied.
Governor Santos Del Castillo complimented Ashanti for the dish admitting bravely that he hadn't tasted such a well prepared dish of fish in a while not because there wasn't fish but it was because nobody prepared it the way he likes it till he came to the Freeman Mansion. Ashanti sat straight, helplessly charmed, and then she stood up, pushing back her seat and bowed before the governor thanking him for the compliment and the praises he had made about her and she then took her seat and continued with her dinner.
Governor Santos Del Castillo and Mr. Freeman continued with their own conversation as they were having dinner.
"What is this?" the governor shouted.
The food had chocked him because he was speaking while eating. He then pick out a handkerchief from his pants to clean himself. The handkerchief seemed to be a Lalanian flag. Ashanti turned eyes on her father as she wondered where Governor Santos Del Castillo had gotten it from.
Mr. Freeman had already turned speechless and he was now getting pale. Ashanti went on and served herself with the salads as she watched closely for what was to happen next while Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman had seized eating to watch the air.
Ashanti failed to eat her salads because of the fright the governor had given her father. She knew that her father had given those little flags to the local chiefs and out of fear, Ashanti sensed that her father was in some sort of danger.
Governor Santos Del Castillo's smile disappeared slowly as he got furious.
"Are you wondering how I got this? hmm?" Governor Santos Del Castillo finally broke his silence and said something.
Mr. Freeman was speechless as the governor continued "I remember getting it from one of my local chiefs. He said that you are the one that gave it to him Mr. Freeman."
"Even told me on how you preached to him on the way of Lalanian revolution and how you gave the same flag to the other chiefs which I consider as an invasion to Osborne by the Lalanians," the Governor clarified.
" Santos please! let's go and discuss this in the study," Mr. Freeman finally broke his silence.
He then led Governor Santos Del Castillo to the study leaving Ashanti, Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman at the dinning.
"Surely, do you preach seige to the natives?" Governor Santos Del Castillo asked smoothly.
To Mr. Freeman's horror, Governor Santos Del Castillo seemed to be enjoying himself like a cat that had caught a rat.
"Why insight locals to rebellion against the Osborne government?" the governor murmured.
" And it's through your talks that a rebel group has arose from the south trying to fight the government," he said.
"Do you know that this has never happened ever since Osborne gained independence in 1900? Do you even know the results of what is going on in the south?" he added on.
"I just told the local people how it feels to be free from anything and I didn't advise them to rebel against the government," finally Mr. Freeman broke his silence.
"But they were your words and thoughts that gave them the mind of rebelling to my leadership," Governor Santos Del Castillo shouted.
" And it's you that's going to help me bring down this rebellion," he added on.
"I have no authority and ability to help you in this, Governor!" said Mr. Freeman.
"Then request for reinforcements from Lalania or else," the governor said as he instantly shut up.
"Or else what?" Mr. Freeman asked.
"Lalania and Osborne will break the diplomatic ties and you will be held accountable for whatever going on in the south," replied Governor Santos Del Castillo.
" Are you trying to threaten me or what?" Mr. Freeman asked again.
"Take it as you wish but you are only left with three days to decide or else Osborne decides," Governor Santos Del Castillo replied to Mr. Freeman's question as he was leaving the study and shortly, he left the Freeman Mansion.
Mr. Freeman moved out of the study all broken and very worried about what the governor had said and couldn't imagine Governor Santos Del Castillo's next move.
"Ashanti, Erasmus, Mrs. Rodman, you all go pack up because you are leaving for Lalania tomorrow morning," he roared.
"Mr. Freeman what happened? what did the governor tell you that has frightened you?" Mrs. Rodman asked.
"All of you first go and pack up. I will explain everything later but for go do the packing of your belongings," he replied. They all went upstairs to their rooms to pack up their belongings as Mr. Freeman had told them to do.
An hour later, Mr. Freeman called them to the living room.
"Ashanti my daughter, I want you to behave well and take care of yourself while in Lalania," he said.
" I will dad," Ashanti replied as tears where on he cheeks.
"Mrs. Rodman, I kindly request you to take good care of my daughter before she reaches my sister Marianah," he told Mrs. Rodman.
"Your Wish is my command," Mrs. Rodman replied.
" I don't want my daughter to experience the catastrophy and scandals going on in Osborne currently. Good night guys, you have a train to catch tomorrow so you need to go to bed a bit earlier," Mr. Freeman concluded as he moved upstairs to his room.
However, Ashanti did not go to her room but ran outside because of what was going on and the fact that she was going to leave her father all stressed up and in bad terms with Governor Santos Del Castillo. The words she over heard the Governor tell her father were pounding in her head.
She was still sharing tears to console her or even say a goodbye to her.
"Look! my big girl who said that she is as strong as a tigress is finally tearing up," Mr. Oliver said as he moved closer and hugged her.
"I am not crying though! it's just that what's paining me is that I'm traveling and leaving my father all alone moreover in trouble of which I'm not sure when and how everything will end," Ashanti said.
"That's nothing to worry about. Mr. Freeman has got us around and he isn't alone," Mr. Oliver told Ashanti.
"I pray that everything gets solved as soon as possible so that when you come back, you will find everything set and you will leave happily again," he added on.
"I hope so," Ashanti replied.
"You at least have to rest because you have to travel very early in the morning," Mr Oliver said.
"It's ok let me go and rest. Thanks for your time Mr. Oliver, good night," said Ashanti and she matched back to the house and straight upstairs to her room.
Despite of all her efforts, Ashanti couldn't sleep. She was still thinking about everything that had happened that night which made her even more sleepless. Thinking of leaving her father wasn't an easy thing for Ashanti to bear because she was used to her father since she had been with him alone since the age of 3. She later forced herself and closed the eyes so that she could get some sleep after a very long and hectic day. She put her head on her soft pillow and so she was taken up by sleep.
Mr. Freeman later came to check on Ashanti to see if she was sleeping. Yes, he found her sleeping but she had not covered herself. Mr. Freeman picked up her blanket and covered so that she wouldn't feel the night coldness. He spent some time in Ashanti's room watching her as she slept. He walked around in Ashanti's room full of memories in his head from Ashanti's childhood till now. Mr. Freeman even started shading tears he wasn't sure if he would see his daughter again or it was the last time he was seeing her because things seemed to have gotten out of hand this time around.
Very early in the morning, Erasmus and his mother Mrs. Rodman were already up and getting ready for the journey but Ashanti was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Freeman ordered that they go and check out for Ashanti in her room. Mr. Oliver found her still laying asleep on her bed. He woke her up because she had to prepare for the journey to Lalania. Ashanti found Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman already set because to them, they were heading back home and it seemed that it was her they were waiting for before they could set off. Ashanti quickly rushed back to her room to freshen up and get ready for the long journey.
It was now time to set off for the journey. Ashanti went saying goodbye to all the labourers she had been with in the Freeman Mansion since her childhood and most importantly Mr. Oliver because she was going to miss the playful moments they spent together and finally to her father.
"Don't you put shame on the Freemans as you are in Lalania," he said.
"I won't dad, you very well know that I can behave myself," Ashanti replied with tears rolling on her face.
"I know you can behave yourself, and please take care," he said.
But before doing anything else, he brought a small box and said "Daughter, take this box and keep it very carefully because your destiny relies on on that box."
Ashanti got the box and put it in his small bag he was carrying and she together with her father set out to meet Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman who had already sat in the chariot and they set off to the train station because it was only 30 minutes to their departure time.
On reaching the train station, Fabio Freeman decided to give his daughter, Ashanti a last farewell message before she went onboard. Mr. Freeman said strictly, "I have to send you to Lalania and you know it," his cheeks were staggering as he said.
"You will be a great one if you have the sense to keep your discipline good. Control yourself and you will find Lalania acceptable and welcoming," he added on.
Ashanti knew without any doubt that the wind always blew NNE in Lalania and that the roofs of the houses were filled with coldness. Lalania was a place where feet and hearts were always frozen, and in Lalania laughter was indecent and was regarded as an embarrassment. Two drops rolled down her cheeks and sparkled briefly on the floor before she angrily wiped them away.
"And it's not forever," Mr. Freeman said. His voice sounded awkward and his eyes tried hard to be reassuring.
"You will come back, as soon as, as soon as....." He broke off and pulled out a handkerchief and loudly blew his nose.
"Ashanti, I promise that I will be writing to you," she heard him take a deep breath and he said, "you have to go but remember that your destiny relies on the box I gave you earlier," he reminded her.
"Write back to me immediately you reach Lalania," he added on as he sent her aboard the train.
Ashanti could see her father trembling. She quickly ran back and hugged her father for the last time and then went back on the train, and soon the train engines were started. Mr. Freeman waved to Ashanti wishing her a safe journey to Lalania. Ashanti couldn't believe the fact that she was leaving her father, home, her birth place and everything of hers as she was going to a new place where she had never been before.
The train finally set off for the journey to the adventurous Lalania. Mrs. Rodman and Erasmus had already comfortably taken their seats. Ashanti moved awkwardly knowing she should feel comfortable but she was relactant because she had left her father behind. At home, she would be enjoying playing with Mr. Oliver and even riding her horse and taking care of the home which seemed to be fun to her. She felt abandoned and miserably lonely. Ashanti could see the groomed environment of Foden her birth town through the window. Instead of joining Mrs. Rodman and Erasmus, she turned her head and stood near the window staring blindly at the hills and the scenery of Osborne. The early morning sunlight bounced off the far off windows of the shops and buildings on the streets of Foden town.
When the town of Foden was out of sight, Ashanti calmed down and accepted the truth that she had left Osborne for a new adventure and life in Lalania. She picked herself up and moved gently to where Mrs. Rodman and Erasmus were seated is where she also sat and decided to take a rest after a long morning of heartbreak and loneliness.
The journey was to last for five days. This meant that they were to spend the five days on train. This was Ashanti's first time to travel such a long journey. Ashanti was still moody and upset because she had left her father alone in Osborne. Mrs. Rodman adviced her to take a nap and then try to free up her mind and let everything go.
After sometime, Ashanti was still sleeping when Erasmus woke her up, "Come on Ashanti, let's go and refresh ourselves." The train to Lalania usually made stop overs on the way so that the travellers would freshen up, do some tourism in the towns they had stop over and maybe buy some necessities they needed on their way as they travelled.
They had reached a town called Vomiya where they were to have lunch, rest a bit as some toured the area before they could proceed with the journey. Mrs. Rodman took Erasmus and Ashanti out into a restaurant so that they would have lunch and even rest a bit from the journey. Everyone was told to request what they wished to have for lunch. Ashanti was seated but lost in thoughts and she had not made her order yet.
"Ashanti, what do you want to have for lunch," Mrs. Rodman.
"Ooh, what were you saying, Mrs. Rodman?" she asked.
"What do you wish to have for lunch?" she was asked again.
"Let the waitress get me potatoes and rabbit stew," she replied, everyone was served with what they wanted to eat and they began eating.
But for Ashanti's case, she was not eating.
"Ashanti! can you please have your food," Mrs. Rodman said.
"I don't have the appetite for food now," Ashanti replied.
"Ok you atleast take the stew and get energy because we still have a long journey ahead," Mrs. Rodman told her then she accepted and atleast ate something.
After the meal, they decided to take a walk around town and see how the town was socially, politically and economically. They even got time to know how the natives associated with the others and foreigners.
Mrs. Rodman took Ashanti and Erasmus and showed them the hot springs because it was the major tourist attraction in this town. She showed them how the spring boils eggs and atleast Ashanti was happy for the first time since they left Osborne. She even showed them some of the important places in town like the market, church, town hall and others. They even bought some things that they were to go with to Lalania.
After some hours of refreshment and relaxation, a horn was sounded. This meant that the time for departing the town and continue with the journey had reached. This one was going to be a long one because it was going to be a trans night journey. They rushed back to the train and everyone to their positions.
"Has everyone taken their seats," the train manager asked.
"Check if your neighbor is with you," he added on.
A role call was taken and they confirmed that everyone was on board before they resumed with the journey.
On their way, Mrs. Rodman had a thought that she should atleast provide some counseling to Ashanti.
"Ashanti! we have to talk," she called her.
"I know that you are going through a lot because of what happened and how you left home, but you to be strong for you and your father. He is trying hard to solve everything and get you home after your visit to Lalania," Mrs. Rodman said.
"You have to be happy, smile and even have your food because I don't want you to fall sick on the journey because we don't have a specialised hospital on this train. Let me rest but Ashanti think about it and reform yourself," Mrs. Rodman added on.
It was finally night and most of the travellers were resting while a few of them were in the bar onboard enjoying themselves. But for Ashanti's case, it was something different because she was thinking about everything that Mrs. Rodman had told her earlier. Every word that Mrs. Rodman had told her was revolving in her head.
"I think I should let everything go because I'm as strong as a tigress, I should just fight and also pray that everything goes well back home so that I'm recalled from Lalania," she said to herself. She then looked around and saw Erasmus and his mother, Mrs. Rodman already asleep then she also decided that she should rest a bit.
In the morning, Mrs. Rodman woke up and found Ashanti already up but this time she looked happy, and she could sense a change from the Ashanti of the past days to the Ashanti of today.
"Wait! did you stay awake the whole of last night?" Mrs. Rodman asked.
"No, Mrs. Rodman, I took some time and had enough rest. And perhaps your counseling impacted very much on me and it made me very strong," She said.
"I just realized that I should let the past go and focus on my future in Lalania while praying for my dad to settle everything with Governor Santos Del Castillo peacefully," Ashanti added on.
"That's my girl," Mrs. Rodman said as she hugged Ashanti.
"Come on kids, let's go and have breakfast," Mrs. Rodman called Erasmus and Ashanti.
They headed for the dinning on the train where they were to have their breakfast as they continued with their journey to Lalania. As they were having breakfast, Mrs. Rodman said, "Our next stop is near and this one is going to be an interesting one because we shall be visiting the Zoo."
"What?! Zoo?" Ashanti was over whelmed because she had never been to a zoo before.
"Yes, we shall be at the zoo," Erasmus confirmed.
"Can't wait to be there," Ashanti said.
After two hours, they finally reached a town called Osofia which was there next stop. Quickly, Ashanti, Erasmus and Mrs. Rodman moved out of the train to the streets of Osofia into a restaurant where they were to have lunch. Ashanti requested for hard bread and fish stew while Mrs. Rodman and Erasmus requested for mashed potatoes and meat. They enjoyed their lunch as a family and then headed for the Zoo. They walked through the busy streets of the town to the zoo. When they reached the zoo, Ashanti was very much amazed to see new kinds of animals she had never seen before. Ashanti had never seen a lion, panda, Gorillas, elephants and some species of snakes that were not available in Osborne and this made her even more and more happy hence forgetting some of the problems she had gone through a few days earlier.
At six in the evening, the train horn was sounded meaning that they had to depart Osofia. Mrs. Rodman led Ashanti and Erasmus through the market before they headed to the train. As they were walking through the market, Ashanti saw some bangles which interested her and she decided to buy them. They then walked towards the train very much happy this time. They entered the train and the usual protocols were followed. They then continued with the journey. The second day was finally done but atleast it was interesting andnd very different from the past days.
Mrs. Rodman decided to have a chat with the kids and everyone was to tell their experience of the day.
"My day has been a pleasing one because Ashanti has switched from her moody ways to a happy young woman," Mrs. Rodman said as she praised Ashanti.
"Everything was cool about the day, food, zoo and everything else," that's what Erasmus just said.
"The day was very very great and amazing because I got chance to be in Osofia where I had never been and also visited the Zoo and saw animal species that are not in Osborne," Ashanti said while praising the greatness of Osofia. They then went for dinner then to a rest because the following day was another long one.
In the morning, the third day of the journey, Mrs. Rodman woke up and found that Ashanti and Erasmus were still sleeping. This was because they had a very long and fun day the previous day. She went ahead and freshened up and then woke them up and they also freshened up and went to have breakfast as their next stop was close. As they were having breakfast, Ashanti asked, "what is our next stop?"
"Our next stop will be Bonnyville. And trust me it's gonna be another adventurous one also," said Mrs. Rodman.
It was noon when they reached the town of Bonnyville.
"Kids! I hope you are hungry?" Mrs. Rodman asked.
"Yes we are," Ashanti and Erasmus both answered.
She took to one of the best restaurants in town where they were to have their lunch. They were to spend more than four hours in Bonnyville. Mrs. Rodman to them to the park where they were to feel the fresh air in Bonnyville as she was reading them a book titled "THE BATTLE OF THE BLOOD BROTHERS" by Vialbanks ug.
" I'm taking you to a nice place, it's quite interesting," Mrs. Rodman said after they had spent two hours at the Bonnyville park. The place was a few blocks away from the park. After a five minutes walk, they had finally reached the place. It was an ice skating center. Mrs. Rodman paid some money for the ice skating shoes.
'' I have never gone ice skating before," Ashanti lamented.
" Don't worry Ashanti, I will teach you how they do it because back home in Lalania it's the adventure that we do in winter," Erasmus assured Ashanti.
He held her hand and slowly pulled her as he showed her how to do it. It was another fun day since Ashanti was getting to learn new things she had never done before.
It had just clocked 6 in the evening, when the train recall horn was sounded which meant that they had to hurry and go back to the train. They quickly packed up their stuff that they had come with at the ice skating center and walked back to the train.
They took their seats and a rolecall was taken to know if every traveller was on board then the train set off.
"This day was really fantabulous," Ashanti was now interested in the journey to Lalania and we could possibly say that she had somehow forgotten about her father and the trouble back home in Osborne. They went for dinner and had to take a rest.
The fourth day of the journey had finally come. They woke up, showered and then headed for breakfast where they were to discuss about their next stop and the adventures that would take place there.
"So! Mrs. Rodman, what's our next stop," Ashanti asked.
"Our next stop will be El paraiso," Mrs. Rodman replied.
"Hope El paraiso will be a great adventure also," Ashanti replied and then continued with her breakfast.
Erasmus wasn't very curious because he had travelled in these towns before and knew almost everything about them.
An alert was sounded and this meant that they had reached the town of El paraiso. They quickly rushed and picked up the necessities they were to use that day and then set out for the beach since this town had a bay. They took their time to sun bathe and maybe do some swimming which was Ashanti's greatest activity since her childhood. They then ate some fish at the beach and then prepared to leave the place and take a walk around the streets of El paraiso.
The horn was as usual which was a sign that they had to leave the town and continue with their journey to Lalania. The official procedures i.e rolecaling and checking for the number of passengers and then continued with their journey. This meant that the fourth day of the journey was done.
Each of them shared their experiences in the day. Ashanti was very excited because she had eaten roasted fish for the first time since she was born. They then went and had dinner. Mrs. Rodman headed to the bar to get herself a drink, leaving Ashanti and Erasmus behind playing chess. They then took a nap as they had been tired from the long journey they had experienced earlier.
Mrs. Rodman came from the bar and found the kids already asleep since they waited for her and got tired and in so decided to sleep. She also joined them and also slept off.
The last day of the journey had finally come. They were to stop over in a town called Packholm. Mrs. Rodman woke them up and they freshened up then went for breakfast. At breakfast, Ashanti asked for place what they were going to visit in Packholm.
"We shall go on a boat ride and then later visit an aquarium," Mrs. Rodman answered.
"I hear that this town has the world's largest Aquarium," Ashanti said.
"Yes it is," Erasmus replied.
They were still having breakfast when they were notified that they were almost reaching Packholm. They hurried up with the breakfast and then went and packed what they needed to use in the day And shortly, they had reached another busiest town and one of the towns with most tourist attractions in the world as it was rumored.
They got off the train as Mrs. Rodman led Ashanti and Erasmus to the coast where taught more about the coast and how they handle the cargo that is imported and exported. Mrs. Rodman and the kids went ahead and boarded a boat which rode them till the middle of the sea and then brought them back to the shores and then they decided to go for lunch as they were hungry.
Mrs. Rodman took Ashanti and Erasmus to the restaurant for lunch. This time it was sea foods restaurant. Ashanti ordered for a whole fish and rice as her lunch while Mrs. Rodman and Erasmus also made their orders each and they went ahead with their lunch. Mrs. Rodman then took the kids to the aquarium where Ashanti saw different fish species she had never came across like the dolphins, star fish and the electric fish. She only knew the Tilapia because it's what she used to catch whenever she went fishing with Mr. Oliver.
Later that day, they then went back on the train and the protocols were followed and the train set off.
"Kids, as you know our next stop will be home," Mrs. Rodman expressed. They then went for dinner as each shared their experiences on how they had enjoyed the day and Ashanti promised to tell her dad about the journey in the letter she was to write to him once she reached Lalania. They then took a nap after a long day.
Very early in the morning, Ashanti heard people shouting, "Oh hail Lalania, Oh hail Lalania," which woke her up. She then woke Erasmus.
"Finally, were are home," Erasmus shouted.
"Welcome to Lalania, Ashanti," Mrs. Rodman said.