86 The Death of Nalianya

In a large dimly lit cave lay four men, seven women and five beasts all bound in chains. Some of them had their bodies covered with blood. Some had swollen faces, others had looks of despondency and their faces had patches of black, red and brown. On a stone platform not far away, a large brown scaled serpent coiled. Its long neck stood straight above its body, its small head pointing directly towards the humans and the beasts. It was looking at these poor things with eyes full of disdain. It was as if they were some dirt or something.

"Why on earth are we here?" Ratong' asked in indignation. It had never been this helpless in its entire life.

"Unless you are spoken to, you are not allowed to utter a single word!" The serpent roared with an icy voice sending chills running down everyone's spine. The captured kept quiet immediately and no one dared to open his mouth.

"What do we do Ochieng'?"

Nalianya hissed on Ochieng's ear but before the latter answered, he heard a fast and a short-lived swish sound from Nalianya's direction. Turning his head over, what hit his eyes ossified him making him shudder in dread. Nalianya who had spoken to him not more than ten seconds ago had turned into a meat paste in a puddle of blood. What shocked him even more was the fact that he did not even see how that happened. The others were horrified beyond explanation. The women and two men even regurgitated upon seeing what Ochieng's companion had been reduced to.

"Like I said, unless you are spoken to, no one is to open his lips. Do you understand?!" Everyone was brought back to reality by the serpent's cold voice. The cave became silent except for the chattering of teeth and heavy breaths. "Good." The serpent nodded upon seeing this.

'One from above, I do not know whether you live or not but if you do, you must be very powerful. If it were not for the heavy responsibility you put on my shoulder, I could be eating sorghum and millet porridge back at home with a certain woman beside me, far from this creature. If these are my last days on earth, just keep Apeleka safe and give her a man who can take care of her better than I can do'.

Seeing no hope, Ochieng' mattered under his breath. He had known Nalianya for less than two days but that fellow had proved to be a friend, he felt really sad. Furthermore, he knew the old man would be indispensable in this mission but to die just like that, was that not too far-fetched?

'Nalianya, couldn't you divine our fate and see that we would be in danger? Are you not a prophet?'

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Ochieng's mind was in turmoil. He did not even realize that at this time, tears were streaming down his cheeks. He was not at all aware that he could no longer see his surrounding because of those tears.

'Sometimes life is more fragile than I know it is. We had barely known this old prophet'. The tribe head cried.

Even though the others were quiet, they could not help feeling poignant. Only one person was happy about the prophet's death. It was none other than the other fellow who had joined the group before they left Nalianya's home. He was Chempokulu, the warlock who was working with people from the dark world. Right now, he was disguising himself as Mboya, who was from the same clan with Ochieng'. At the moment though, his tears were flowing more than anyone. It was as if someone had deliberately poured water on his face to deceive others.

"You are going to spend this night in this cave. You will all follow me at first daylight to the end of the valley you found me in and to the foot of the other mountain. Meanwhile, you can enjoy your last times on this darn world." The serpent disappeared immediately it finished issuing those instructions. With it, the little light in the cave went and what was left was pitch black darkness. Long and loud heaves followed. Everyone had been feeling the pressure the creature exuded.

"What are we going to do Ochieng'? This creature may kill us here."

Ochieng' heard Jade Eagle's voice entering his ears. This was probably the most quiet of his companions. About two months ago, he had seen this friend of his turn into a creature he didn't understand and saving itself from a perilous situation. He was thinking that after coming out of the Spiritual dimension, Jade Eagle could be the group's trump card considering the fact that they had powered up there. He was worried but deep inside he believed the bird would transmogrify in time of scourge and save them all but when he heard its question, it was like cold water was poured on his face.

"Jade Eagle," he knew there was no hope but he wanted clarifications, so he asked, "We were from the Spiritual Dimension not long ago, can't you transform and defeat that snake?"

"Brother Ochieng' I told you, I can only recover within a minimum period of three weeks, so even if I was strong enough to fight it after transforming, I have not recovered yet."

"But we were in that realm for two months and we were all helped to grow stronger..."

"I know what you are thinking brother but the powers we possess are gifts that we are given by someone who is even more powerful than the lady we met in that dimension. It is understandable that there are a lot of things we are yet to decipher the essence of their nature. From this world's perspective, we were out for two months but only two weeks had passed up there. My recovery was based on the time flow of that dimension."

"Furthermore, I tried summoning those powers the moment we were shackled here but they could not just come. I am helpless Ochieng'. You are the Ordainer, find a way and help us out of this place." The Eagle patiently explained.

"Who is an Ordainer?" A tired woman's voice suddenly filled the cave but no one gave her an answer. The woman asked the question again and again until Ratong' decided to talk,

"Just call yourself lucky for being fettered here together with him. One day you will learn that that was the greatest thing that ever happened to your life." Its voice was laced with pride and arrogance.

"But that does not provide an answer to our question." An impatient voice asked. It was a man's voice this time.

"So, the answer was needed by a thousand people... I also do not know exactly who the Ordainers are." Ratong' laughed making the injured fellows click their tongues angrily. Ratong' however ignored them and concentrated on his injuries.

"Friends, Ordainers are difficult people to understand. One day when it is right, you will know who they really are. Until then, I ask you to not talk about them. Maybe you can land in trouble just because of that."

Ochieng' decided to help the curious humans. Things to do with Ordainers and the Black Fiends were sensitive. He could not just tell them to these people who were on the brink of death at the moment. They could be scared to death. At the very least he had to find a way to save them. They were not satisfied with his answer but decided not to probe further.

In no time, Ochieng' fell asleep.