Way of The Pride

19| The Climax

¤♧¤

The sound of moving feet joined with the faint smell of burning lamps roused him from his slumber. At first he could not recognize where he was. His bed felt different - harder with less fur. Herbs and strange plants hung on walls in place where his weapons and shield should have been.

He laid there for a while, unmoving, lost in the haze of a memory.

Where was he?

Familiar scents drifted into his nose bringing him back from the memories of his past. He was in the healing hut where he slept every night. The persistent sound of the cock's crow cleared the last of his sleep as he stood up. The bones in his back and knees made a cracking sound as he stretched his body.

"You are awake."

He found the healer neck-deep inside a large earthen pot. He looked to be searching intently for something.

"Ututu oma." He greeted in between yawns.

"Good morning." The distracted response echoed back from somewhere inside the pot.

He looked up, awed by the soft shades that brightened the morning sky. Dawn had arrived with a cool air taking away the warmth of the night. The goats were bleating hungrily, the birds chirping happily in the air. It was indeed a nice sight to start the day.

Aniweta got distracted by the loud grumbling behind him. The healer hissed with dissatisfaction, as he placed the cover back on the pot. The fire from the lamp showed his pinched face. It did not take much to know that he was frustrated.

"Are you looking for something?"

The healer looked up in surprise like he did not know he had company. "I can not seem to find the wild flowers I left out to dry. I thought I kept them in this pot but it is not here."

"Oh." He remembered finding it on his roof days ago, strange yet colourful flowers spread out to dry on a basket tray. It was windy that day so he had brought it inside the hut.

He went to bring it from the corner of the hut where he safely kept it. The healer dropped the oil lamp and took the pouch from him as he opened it to confirm the flowers.

Tension vanished from his face as he sighed in relief. "I suppose I have you to thank for keeping this safe."

Aniweta shook his head.

The elder man stood hesitantly as if he was unsure of what to do with himself. His eyes were cast down, eyebrows furrowed in deep thought, as he fiddled with the pouch.

"You do not seem to be angry with me."

He frowned, "Angry?"

"The fact that I deceived you knowing you were a symbol of my son's destiny. The fact that it was the reason why I opened my home to you. Are you not angry?"

To be honest, he had no idea how to feel about the situation. Besides, how could he fault the healer knowing he had been under an oath? From his banishment till now, he realized that everything that happened was because the gods willed it so. He may not like being the feeling of being used but he understood why the healer did what he did.

"How can I be angry at the person who saved my life and gave me shelter? I bear no ill will towards you."

His words dispelled the guilt from his eyes as he chuckled heartily.

"Really, I am grateful. I see you for all that you do and your assistance. Thank you for yesterday too."

He must be referring to his visit to the market.