Amina's pride 14

AMINA'S PRIDE

Episode 14

“I cannot give you what you ask.” The woman released her daughter’s hands immediately, sensing a dark force from Nabila.
Nabila raised a brow, “but I haven’t asked yet.”
“Ukrdran is a serpent deity, but her powers are for good and revenge, to only those who hurt you. The woman you seek to destroy is harmless. She hasn’t committed any crime against you.”
Nabila’s heart sank, “she is with the man I love. I cannot live without Abdul. I have waited all these years to be his wife. To stand by his side is great honor. The Shuwawoman, has taken my prize.”
“Ukdran is with her. You cannot harm her…” The woman closed her eyes and parted her lips. The air had called her. The sun had whispered. The goddess had come to her.
Nabila moved away from her mother, seeing that her spirit had left her.
“You can help me mother. I will do whatever it takes to pay back the goddess. I need you to activate my powers.” Nabila begged.
Shortly, Ummi’s eyes cracked open, and were consumed by total darkness.
“Ukdran has a price and you must pay it.”
“What price is this?” Nabila could feel the deity speaking to her through her mother. She lowered her knees to the rocky ground and spread her palms wide.
“If the serpent fails to kill this woman, you shall fall in her place.” Ummi spoke the will of Ukdran.
Nabila smiled; she couldn’t believe the price would be this easy.
“The serpent would definitely kill her. I know where she stays. I will drop it there and charm is against her.”
“So shall it be, rise and let me activate the snake charmer in you.” Ummi’s eyes slowly changed back to their light grey. The darkness had gone, and she was back.
“I will forever be grateful mother.” Nabila couldn’t wait to own the powers, which she needed to destroy Amina Tukur and Keerna, for betraying her.

Keerna was lost in her own thoughts. She wondered when Hazim would have the courage to tell her of his feelings. From the way they had stared at each other from the meeting, they shared an attraction.
She wasn’t happy that Nabila was snubbing her. Usually, she normally shared her thoughts with her friend whenever she was confused. But now, she had no one to talk to.
“Why do you look so solemn?” Amina strolled into the kitchen. She had stood at the entrance the whole time, watching Keerna knead the dough she would bake by the fire.
Keerna’s heart jumped. She hadn’t known someone else was in the kitchen.
“Mistress…” she bowed her head and smiled.
“You may call me by name.” Amina smiled at the woman.
“I will never show you such disrespect, lest the master would have my head on a pyre.” Keerna bowed again.
Amina shrugged, “suit yourself then.” She was drawn to the basket of fruits next to Keerna. Amina dug a hand into the basket and pulled out a bush apple.
“I haven’t had these in a long while,” Amina smiled and circled the fruit in her palms.
“They are tasty fruits. Nabila is the one who collects all the fruits from the ranch farm.” Keerna responded with a smile.
There, Amina had her. She had come to talk about Nabila, without making it look like she was gossiping.
“Speaking of your friend, where is she?” Amina asked.
Keerna bit her lip confusedly. She wasn’t comfortable discussing Nabila with the mistress. If Nabila ever found out, it would make her more furious. And this would cause them to drift further from each other.
“I…I don’t know Mistress. She never told me.” Keerna replied.
“I thought you two were friends.” Amina was surprised to hear this.
“We have some problems, but we will reconcile soon enough.” Keerna hoped Amina wouldn’t pry further. She didn’t want to lie to her mistress, neither did she want to snitch on her friend.
Amina sensed that Keerna was hiding something from her, but she wasn’t sure.
“Continue with your cooking,” Amina waved her goodbye and strolled out of the kitchen. She was about moving towards her husband’s chambers, when she noticed a black bird, perching on a juniper tree that sprouted at the entrance of the ranch.
The feeling of despair and sorrow she had felt earlier, returned. And Amina sensed something evil had happened to someone close to her, or was about to. She threw the apple to the ground and rushed towards her room. She had to pray to God. He needed to avert the evil happening.

            
Now the palace had been locked, and the search had begun. Hazim had gathered food supplies and a map that would lead him towards the west. He would disguise himself as an old man and sneak into Idris’ camp. He wasn’t afraid of dying. He was ready to lay down his life for Keerna, and everyone else.
The whitish clouds disappeared, and gave way to the black ones. Evening had fallen upon Kanem Dazau. The sky resembled a thick black blanket, with tiny drops of silvery pebbles. Hazim knew that Keerna always rose up at dawn to pray. He couldn’t let her know he was leaving!
“I must leave at nightfall,” he whispered.
He grabbed his back and rushed out of his room towards the master’s special barn. He would take the strongest horse and begin his ride. For the night, he could sleep in an open space or the outskirt of the city. He just couldn’t stand Keerna witnessing his departure. That would hurt her beyond what he could ever imagine.
As he stepped out of his room, and towards the barn, he failed to see the figure cloaked in black. He bumped into the stranger and moved backwards.
“Keerna?”
He felt the softness of her body, and knew at once that she was a woman. The figure said nothing, she continued to move.
“Show your face or I plunge my sword through you!” Hazim quickly released his sword from his scabbard.
These were treacherous times, and a killer was hiding in Kanem Dazau. He had to be careful, because he knew how much Idris hated Abdul.
“It is I, Nabila, put your sword down.” Nabila spoke softly. The magic that welled within her was powerful. Her eyes glowed like stars at night. This was the reason she had veiled her face. If the master found out she had involved herself in paganism, he could send her out of his ranch. She had to be careful.
At the sound of her voice, he felt relaxed.
He returned the sword to the scabbard, “Greet Keerna for me. Tell her that I love her.”
“Where are you going?” Nabila sensed the urgency in his voice.
“I shall return soon. Tell her I went to Tudu to see my mother.”
Before Nabila could answer any question, he dissolved into the darkness and scurried off.