Nazura

Chapter 3

Nazura waited silently in her hut as she heard the cries and wails of sadness pouring from Chief's tent. Of course she was sad too, but she had at least a chance to speak to the old man last. She had already shed her tears for the old man and promised herself she would not shed anymore for respect to Chief. She had made her decision almost immediately after he passed on to leave her tribe in search of where that woman came from. Her kin.

Suddenly she heard a grunting coming from outside her hut. She got up from her bed and looked out the small hole she made in the pelt covering the entrance. It was Mincah. What was he here for? She wondered as she walked out. She cocked her head to the side as she looked at him as if in questioning him why he was here.

Mincah held out his hand for her to place her forehead to. She walked up to it and accepted his hand.

“How can I help you Mincah?” She asked staring into his green eyes.

“You can help by leaving Nazura. You know the only reason you were here for so long was because my father had allowed you to stay. He was a brilliant and courageous man, but was foolish when it came to you.” He looked away from her.

“I know. I had already planned to leave here Mincah, and I did not need you coming here to express your dying wish to see me gone! I will leave and do not expect me to come back. That is what you wanted anyways right?” She stepped away from him and stormed back into her hut to gather her things. She heard more grunting and her name outside of her hut, but paid no mind to it for it was only Mincah probably trying to tell her he was now chief and he expected her to call him as such. He is such a pigheaded man. She was amazed so many of the women in her tribe and the neighboring tribes wanted him so. Yes he was handsome, and a good warrior, but he was so full of himself and most of his hunts were from Nazura. Not his arrogant self.

Nazura gathered her things and was going to leave right then, but she wanted to visit her father’s grave and Hahaya while she still had the chance.

She walked to her father’s grave right outside the of the tribe village and stood there just staring. She had so many things she wanted to ask. Like why this was happening to her? Why couldn’t her mother love her? Why did she have to leave? Why did Chief have to die? None of the answers came to her though. She knew that they would not. Not this easily anyway. She felt a bit betrayed. She had been with this tribe since her birth, and her people were trying to be rid of here. She did not understand. She was only in her 16th year. She had not had been married yet, had children, or even gotten to feel love. Not with the people who were around here, and yet she had some of her best memories here and she was still being forced to leave. To leave her home, her tribe, and her family all she wanted was a place to belong and now she has to go and find it.

With her mind made up she walked away from her father’s grave and walked to where Hahaya would be; at Chief’s side.

When she walked into his hut, for the last time this time, and she saw Hahaya sitting besides him petting his head and crying silently she felt she had disturbed her and was going to walk back out when her name reached her.

        “Nazura” Hahaya grunted some more and motioned for her to sit beside her. Nazura obeyed and sat down. Hahaya placed her hand on her head.

        “Nazura I am so sorry this had to happen to you.” Confused Nazura shook her head.

        “I do not understand it is I who should say sorry. Your husband has died.” Hahaya smiled at her and closed her eyes.

       “Yes he is dead, but he is not gone. Not from me. But you? You have lost a dear friend and a father. I can never be sorry enough. Do you know how much you meant to him? You were his child even if you were not blood related. That was why he wanted you and Mincah to marry. He really wanted you to lead this tribe by Mincah’s side.”

        “I am not the only one who did not want to marry. Mincah himself does not want to marry. Neither me nor anybody else in this tribe will he marry. He is a free and selfish spirit. I will not force him. He can die alone.” Nazura stated bluntly.

         “Nazura yes my son is a bit odd and I will agree he is a free spirit, but do not hate him. He is not selfish. He cares for you. That is why he is honoring your wish to leave.”

         “My wish! I do not wish to leave! He is forcing me to leave. Mincah and Chief! They both want me to leave. Sure for different reasons, but my decision to leave was a forced one.” After her last words Nazura stood up, gathered her things and walk out of the hut. Not listening to whatever Hahaya was trying to say behind her.

Nazura ran into the forest then. Running away. From her tribe, her family, and her own self. She could no longer stand to stay there. She had already promised herself she would leave and never return. She would go and look for a new tribe. Her tribe.

She ran and ran until the sun of the new day had come up. She did not stop until she knew for sure she was out of her tribe’s territory. Now all she had to do was get to the plains. That was unclaimed land and she could travel that way by the stream. She would not cross the desert. That was a fool’s decision. Only a fool would dare to cross that and think of surviving. No she would follow stream until she cam upon the great lake then she would travel across to new lands. To new places she had never been before.

Upon that thought she heard a noise from her right side. She stopped and listened. An enemy? An ally? She would never know because right then a tree branch hit the backside of her head and her vision went dark.

        “My new home.” Was her last thought before complete darkness.