IN THE SHADOWS OF TRADITION

CHAPTER ONE: Part one: MEET THE SOLDIERS

Early in the morning as the orange sky is rising and sunrays appearing from the east, the birds singing, women milking and hunters out to deep forests. A couple of arrows on fire are seen appearing from the east towards the village of chamwenze.no sooner had the arrows reached the ground had the women of the village started ululating and singing songs of war. From a far you can see a herd of cattle approaching the village followed by soldiers. Some on the soldiers backs with injuries. The soldiers of chamwenze village had gone to fight the Masai for their cattle. The chief and the council of elders are ready to welcome the soldiers back to the village after the fortnight war. “I want Kyalo arrested as soon as he reaches the chiefs gate” the chief commanded “he took a hasty move but he was sure of his actions. i don’t think he should be arrested.” Chama a council member commented. “The soldiers where to be led into battle after my blessing and command” the chief added “your son was also with them. Did you fear that he…..” “My word is final”
There is a bit of commotion at the chief’s gate as they take Kyalo. “Let the celebrations go on” Kama the chiefs’ son says in a commanding voice. Villagers start dispersing one by one
****** ******* ************* ******** ******* ******* ******** ****** ****** ***** ***
“Ni kiitene na mwiitu ni mikalile…ukai tusunge,tune ngu na tuyivundisya kuua..” mwende singing a folk song before she’s interrupted by mutua the chiefs last born. Mwende is one of the few actually the only lady who participated in the long distance trade before she her pregnancy barred her from participating in the long distance trade. “how are you guys.” “we are fine, thanks again for helping me with my situation” mwende to mutua. “what happened to you was not your fault and I’d give my life to save you from the shame.
****** ******* ************* ******** ******* ******* ******** ****** ****** ***** ***
It’s very early in the morning and the chief is going to pass a verdict on Kyalo. Kyalo is accused of leading the soldiers into the battlefield without the chiefs blessings and allegedly defying kama. The chief on his high set chair, Kama on his left, mutanu his wife on his right and his children behind him. The council of elders on the left ,the soldiers on the right standing according to their merit and the villagers in front of the chief forming a circle chamber for Kyalo. “Go get the culprit” says Kama in a very satisfying tone.
“Your highness Kyalo is missing from his cell that too with the royal guards.” “what that can’t be. Go check again” the chief commands. “you and you go check at his residence. The rest of you spread to the east, west, south and north. Bring those four to me alive or dead.” Kama. The villagers look relieved with some council of elders smiling too.
“Chama your son is a royal guard. Are you aware of his current location? Where you aware of this escape?” questions the chiefs wife, mutanu. “NONO.NOT ALL “as all the eyes turn to Chama. “ “Put chama in the same cell his son used to guard. If your son does not show up before dawn you will be executed and fed to dogs.” “loud screams are heard from mutua’s cottage.” Mutua ”go get the midwives mwende is about to give birth” The chief is relieved that there has been good news for once since the soldiers returned from war. Everyone is anxiously waiting to know the gender of the baby and wondering what’s taking so long. The midwives get out of the cottage screaming with the main midwife in silence somehow managed to scream her whole body. Eyes wide in horror, the mouth rigid and open, and her face gaunt and immobile “its white as the sand on river Kyale.”