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Old man Ujiji sent a hunting party upriver. Many years had passed since he made a family with Tisane and the children were grown. He wanted to trade with the lake people. They had weapons and stone tools that he could not get and offered to trade women and colored powders with which to make paint. He would send Kamrasi, his younger son, of two. Kamrasi, though younger than Riangi, was much braver, and would probably be the successor to the chief position. Before they went, Ujiji sat his son down to discuss the trip.
It is late summer just in time for berries. Ujiji said to Kamrasi, these will help to feed you on your journey along the Zoë' River. There is very little game anymore so we cannot be too sure of even that. Remember also boy, the Basindi are very dangerous people, and it is well known that they eat people.
Ujiji paused thinking he should probably send Riangi. Almost as if Kamrasi could read his father's mind, he asked about his brother.
Where is he?
Pulled from his reverie, Ujiji took a second to answer.
He is down by the water helping the others in the group apply the river dust. It must be very dry to protect you from the night spirits.
Then I must go help and prepare myself too. He got up to leave but turned to speak, Does Tisane have the girls ready we will use to trade?
Ujiji rose and smiled, patting his son on the back,
Yes, your mother is preparing them also. Remember, these Basindi are vicious and often eat their captives. So, beware my boy not to anger these little people. I want you back.
Kamrasi could care less if the Basindi ate nothing but people. He was fearless. And he had many battle scars to prove it. His reputation as a great hunter went everywhere in the region though it was doubtful the Basindi had heard of him, and though they were terrible enemies, the Basindi loved trading goods as well.
I fear nothing, Dada.
He patted his chest, from which hung his charm, a great necklace made from an incisor of a long-toothed cat. The tooth was as long as a man's hand. Kamrasi had drilled a hole in it and laced it with a leather thong from the same animal. He touched this token often for luck.
Remember when I killed this cat?
You were very brave then. I was as proud of you then as when you killed your first rat. Do you remember?
I was angry. I wanted to kill again. I fear nothing.
Take this, Ujiji said and offered his son a white stone. I found years ago when my tribe lived on the Mane River. Ujiji had lied. He took it from Tisane without her knowledge.
Kamrasi admired the orb his father had given him, It is the color of this tooth, he said comparing it to his necklace.
I hold this when I need courage, Ujiji said.
Kamrasi took the shiny white orb from his father's hand and examined it. It was round and marked with little pits as though it had suffered many years of wear. On one side were some strange markings they could not explain. But to be sure, they held magic. It came from Simbabe, Tisane's mother.
Ujiji bent down and taking some soil in his hand, he pissed in it mixing it with his finger, and spreading the paste in a line from his finger to his heart finally making an imprint of his hand upon his breast.
They parted. Ujiji couldn't help but worry for his son's safety and uttered one more warning.
Still, beware. I see death, he said and spat to ward off evil. It came to me in a dream. Kamrasi walked on towards his camp hoping to see Tisane there and wish his mother well during his absence.
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