The Colonial Heart ✓ (Editing)

Chapter 24

                               A M A

As the sun's golden rays danced across the village, casting a warm glow over the thatched roofs and bustling town square, a sense of unease stirred within me.

The air was alive with the sweet scent of ripe mangoes and the sound of merchants hawking their wares. But beneath the tranquil surface, a sense of tension simmered.

It began with a whispered rumor, a hint of strangers arriving under the cover of darkness, bearing an ominous message.

Yaa's hand found mine, her grip tight with worry, as we navigated the crowd. Her eyes, wide with fear, scanned the square as if searching for an escape route.

"Ama, what's happening?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.

I shook my head, my own heart racing with anticipation. "I do not know, but I fear we are about to find out."

And then, we saw him - a tall, imposing figure on horseback, his face stern and unyielding. The British crest on his carriage gleamed in the sunlight, a symbol of power and authority that seemed to command attention.

His piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on each face as if daring anyone to defy him. The way he carried himself, tall and proud, exuded an aura of power that was both captivating and terrifying.

"Verily, I say unto you all," he declared, his voice booming across the square like thunder. "Take your wives and children, and leave to the north side of the land. You are no longer eligible to reside in these lands."

The village erupted into chaos, with villagers shouting and crying in protest. Some threw stones and debris, their anger and frustration palpable.

A young boy, no more than ten years old, hurled a rock that narrowly missed the stranger's head. The stranger's gaze remained steady, his voice unwavering.

"The lands you walk on are no longer your ancestors, but are owned by the British monarchy. It would do you well to remember that."

The crowd grew more agitated, their anger and fear simmering just below the surface. I stared at Yaa, who looked as taken aback as I, and our gaze shifted back to the stranger, who stood tall on the horse's back, his eyes flashing with a hint of defiance.

His horse, a majestic black stallion, pawed the ground nervously, as if sensing the tension in the air.

And then, without warning, an arrow whistled out of nowhere, striking the British man's horse and sending it into a frenzy.

The man was thrown off the horse's back, landing with a loud thud on the ground. The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter, but I sensed a darker emotion brewing beneath the surface - a spark of violence that threatened to ignite into a full-blown riot.

"You pests!" He screamed, his face red with rage, as he struggled to his feet.

Before I could register what was happening, Yaa and I found ourselves getting tossed to and fro in the crowd of angry villagers. The clang of metal against metal sent my heart racing with fear, not just for myself, but for Yaa, whose pregnancy made her vulnerable in the chaos.

We pushed through the crowd, stumbling and bumping into others as we desperately sought escape. The air was filled with screams and cries as women rushed to carry their children to safety. Finally, we reached a safe distance and watched in horror as the violence unfolded before us.

But as suddenly as it began, the clash ended, and the British men retreated. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I watched them flee.

"They are leaving, we are safe," I exclaimed, trying to catch my breath as the adrenaline and exhaustion washed over me.

Yaa's eyes were wide with fear. "Is it true? Are we under the British monarchy now?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I shrugged, feeling my heart pound even harder at the thought. The uncertainty was suffocating, and I couldn't shake the feeling that our lives would never be the same.

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Tad bit short I do apologize for that but I do hope you enjoyed it and have a great day/ nighy