Tales of Love and Power

Prologue

It began as the perfect day.

I could hear the sound of the Red Turaco singing its morning song. Outside of my window, I could see the shadows of the two birds flying around each other before landing on a tree branch. I sat up from the bed my hands stretching above my head as a yawn left my lips. I was awoken not by the birds singing but by the sweet aroma of my mother's cooking. I slowly stood from the floor mattress and carefully navigated around the beds of my sisters. Having shared a bedroom with them for several years I knew that the slightest sound would have made woken them up. I sighed with relief when I finally managed to slip out of the room and close the door behind me.

I made my way to the front yard and followed the scent of my mother's cooking. As I reached the frame of the front door, I saw my mother crouching down at the small stove. "Blessed morning Mother," I said as I walked to the opposite side of the stove. I knelt on the ground and bowed my head greeting her. "Hope you had a night of good rest."

"I did my sweet Mahaila," My mother responded. "Rise quickly, these stones are not good for kneeling." She urged me.

I quickly stood and walked around to her side of the stove. "I'm making your favorite. Fresh Fruit and Sweet Cassava porridge." She said continuing to whisk the boiling cassava.

My mouth watered as I looked at the contents of the pot. I reached forward to wipe a small amount of the porridge from the side of the pot when my mother struck my hand with hers. "You'll have porridge for breakfast, but not before. It won't be ready for several minutes so go wake your siblings and I'll call you all when your breakfast is ready." My mother said in a light manner. "As you wish Mother," I replied before placing a kiss on her cheek and walking back inside the house.

I first went to my sister's room to find that all four of my sisters had already woken up. "Good morning big sister" They all shouted as they got out of their beds and ran to me. "Good morning little sisters. How'd you all sleep?" I asked placing a kiss on their temples.

"I had a dream" My eight-year-old sister Adisa spoke up excitedly. "What did you dream about?" I questioned.

"I dreamt that I was eating cake and sweets but then I woke up and I had no candy."

"Well that sounds disappointing," I said picking her up. "We shall have to get you some sweets to satisfy your dream's cravings. And what about you Shaani, did you sleep well last night?" I asked my youngest sister while placing Adisa back on her feet.

Shaani didn't speak often, instead, she nodded her head with a smile. Though she had turned four several months ago, Shaani hadn't taken a liking to talking. She communicated mainly by pointing, nodding, shaking her head, and at times some two-worded sentences. When she first arrived she did not speak then either. We quickly became accustomed to her lack of speech and learned to communicate without the use of words.

The eldest of my little sisters Rehema, who was twelve was the last to speak up. "I had a bad dream that three spiders were chasing me," Rehema said. "The dream seer says that spiders are a bad omen. It means that something bad will happen."I could hear the fear and apprehension in her voice.

"Now all bad dreams don't always mean that," I said kneeling to her level. "Sometimes a bad dream just means you had too much to eat before you slept," I said tickling her plump stomach. She responded with a laugh that made me smile.

"Everything is well little sister. No harm will come to us." I reassured her before kissing her on her temple.

"Now go to the eating room my little sisters," I said standing and addressing all of them. "Mother is waiting for you all and I must wake our brothers." I watched them leave before proceeding to walk to my brother's room across the hall. As I walked through their door I could see their six sleeping forms were in different stages of disarray. I tapped the wall closest to the entrance to wake them.