[COMPLETE] African Pride

25. An Offering to the Gods

The ride was silent, during the drive to my Uncle's Village. When we arrived, there appeared to be nothing there. The sun was setting behind the mountain and Victoria, Albert and Lei all looked at me with an arched eyebrow of confusion.

"So... you brought us here to a barren wasteland?" Victoria asked. "I mean like there is nothing here..."

I shook my head, trying hard not to chuckle. A thick mist surrounded the mountain, hiding the city within. They were going to be the first Outsiders voluntarily invited to the village since the death of Mama, and I just hoped we didn't get separated as we hiked. If we did so, then they would be attacked.

"Just follow me," I said, walking into the mist. "Oh, and try and stay close. They aren't that welcoming to visitors. Last intruder lost his eyes."

"Wait what?!" Victoria cried as she Lei and Albert ran to me.

We all locked hands, Halima and I leading them up to the mountain. The terrain was rocky, a bit slippery. Victoria, Albert, and Lei weren't exactly quiet, as every time a rock fell, or an owl hooted, Victoria would scream in terror. To comfort her, Albert hugged her close, whispering in her ear.

Lei quickened her steps to fall into step with me. "Do you want to talk about what happened with your father?"

"No," I replied firmly.

Lei frowned slightly. "Are you sure? I've heard that speaking to others helps to unburden the soul."

"Lei, I said that I don't want to talk about it! So, drop it."

"Hey, guys..." Victoria whispered. "I have the feeling that we're being watched..."

"We are," I said, pointing in the distance. "By them."

The mist slowly began to clear, revealing half-a-dozen warriors all armed with bows, arrows, and spears. They were tense, their weapons all drawn and ready to attack, but one thing made them stop: me. When the warriors saw me standing among the group; however, they all dropped to their knees, bowing low to the ground.

"Whoa..." Victoria gasped. "What are you Kara, some princess?"

I grinned. "More or less."

"Mkubwa," one of the Warrior said, approaching me. "Forgive us."

"You were only protecting the tribe," I replied. "There is no need to apologize. Go, tell my Uncle of our arrival, I must talk to him."

He bowed his head and barked a command to his men. Three stayed with us for protection and to led us to the city, while the rest hurried off to talk to my uncle. I already knew that my grandmother was going to hit the back of my legs with her stick, angry that I had both left and arrived unexpectedly. If I were lucky, she wouldn't hit me too hard.

It wasn't long before we arrived in Ardhi ya Fuwele, and I smiled with pride as Victoria, Albert and Lei's eyes all widened with amazement. The pounding drums greeted us, women tossing flower petals in the air, little children singing songs of welcome. We were directed down a long road, and at which the end stood my Uncle and Grandmother.

Respectfully I bowed, dragging Victoria, Albert, and Lei down with me as I didn't want them to offend anyone. The children in the village all giggled as Albert almost fell on his face.

My Uncle loomed over us, his hand reaching out to gently rest on the back of my head as he said, "Simama, mpwa."

"Asante, Mjomba," I said, standing to my feet.

He wrapped his arms around me in a loving embrace, tenderly kissing my forehead. When my Uncle stepped aside, my Grandmother walked over to me and kissed my forehead...then struck me hard with her walking stick on the shoulder.