Necropolis (Book One of Book One), Penn Fawn [e book reader android .TXT] 📗

to learn what are the plans for defending the village.”

“And, of course, we’re to meet with those organizing the evacuation,” Aswad replied.

“So, do that,” Akua said. “You won’t have far to go. A representative for this constituency will address you as a group right here in your immediate area. For you, that would be Dalia.”

“Good,” Aswad said.

“If you step outside, you’ll see the people have already begun to assemble,” Akua said, and they did so.

“I’ve stayed as long as I can. I really must go now.”

“Thank you for everything,” Ossouna said.

The others bid him farewell and watched him disappear between the gathering crowd.

Dalia waited until she felt it thickened to near one hundred percent capacity before she began speaking.

“Okay,” she said. “l know, even for an occasion such as this, there are those who will be late. We can’t afford to wait for them. Let’s begin.”

The assembled anxiously waited for her to continue.

“We are to start the evacuation in two hours,” she said.

A collective sigh came from the crowd.

“That’s right,” she added.

“If you thought we had time to get another night’s rest in, think again.”

A fellow near her raised his arm.

“There is no time to make this into a question-and-answer forum,” she said.

The fellow meekly returned his arm to his side.

“I will be clear, and to the point so we can begin getting out of here. Take every bit of weaponry you believe won’t slow you down or overburden you. Bows, arrows, daggers, swords. Whatever you’re skilled at using, take it. I don’t have to tell you what’s out there and whether or not there is the probability of running into any of it. The point is you have to be prepared. Prepared to take action if it comes down to that. We will be the lead party. I was assigned to take the lead because I’m among those who know the trade route well. That’s it. Pretty simple and straightforward. Get your things together. Say a final word to your loved ones. We leave in just under two hours.”

A groan came from the crowd.

“Disperse, I said,” Dalia ordered. “Prepare yourselves so we can depart.”

The time when she and the others were to leave rapidly approached.

She held her arms open, and Oluso embraced her.

He then held her jaw in the cusp of his hand.

“We traversed the trader’s route many a time together. Are you confident in your memory of it?” he asked.

“I know or recall it like I do the back of my hand,” she replied. “And, many if not most of the main merchants have sworn to go. Should I fall, there is no shortage among us of those who know the way.”

“Very well,” he said. “In your haste, proceed with all caution. We will hold them off here for as long as we can.”

She shook her head in an upward and downward manner then tears streamed down her face.

“Be strong,” he said. “We won’t suffer the devils to be upon us without giving them the fight of their lives. If they come across the plains, we will march and meet them out in the open, and all are sworn to fight to the last man to prevent their arrival here, inevitable though that may be.

“If they come through the forest, again we will fight to the last man, and in the meantime, we will be more vigilant. The lookouts and sentinels will be on high alert, hoping to ward off any surprises.”

“It was always a suicide mission, and you knew it,” she said.

“There is always hope,” he replied.

She shook her head from side to side.

“Believe it!” he demanded. “Go now,” he added. “We have your back. By the grace of the gods, may our stalling them be enough for you to safely reach your destination.”

“Stalling?” she said.

“There is no time,” he replied.

She did not reply.

“Go. The people are depending on you,” he said, and she did as was told.

Chapter VII – The Elephant Graveyard

ALTHOUGH CROWSPEAK had a limited vocabulary, it was sufficient for those fluent in that tongue to state whether he could see movement and from where, while perched from above, or surveying an area.

As such, Akua learned their most trusted messenger crows were dispatched to keep an eye on any movement coming from the southern front. They were to return to the base to report to them, and this reconnaissance mission would be ongoing.

Jogoo, their most trusted and faithful messenger, was not among those sent south. He was instructed to head west to Yagan to alert Thoroughmann and the others that a party was on its way.

The note around his leg read, “Fifteen thousand coming to you.”

Some twenty to twenty-five thousand of those who stayed behind were to march well beyond the village.

They were to advance as far out onto the plains as they could to meet Nyeusi’s men head-on, upon a moment’s notice of any advancement.

A day passed, then two, then three since Dalia and the others’ departure.

“Provided nothing has happened, they must be well on their way toward Yagan by now,” Mjumbe said.

It was during the early evening, the time was well after those who stayed behind had completed the day’s training and drills, and he and his friend Akua had returned home.

“That’s right,” Akua replied.

“I hope they’re safe,” Mjumbe said.

“They are,” Akua replied.

“How do you know?”

“I have a feeling,” Akua said.

“I didn’t know you could feel these things,” Mjumbe said.

Akua smiled. “I don’t care to say I do, but I do trust my feelings,” he remarked.

“Given how many of them left, I understand it should take about a week to get such a large contingent to their intended destination,” he said.

“A week, give or take. Yes,” Akua said.

“I see,” Mjumbe replied, and Akua became lost in thought.

“Still nothing from the messengers, eh?” the latter asked.

“Nothing,” Mjumbe said, “which worries me a bit.”

“Why?” Akua asked.

“Putting so much trust in animals,” he replied. “Trusting we can understand them.”

“You still feel this way?” Akua asked. “The Shetani trust them, and as far