4 Chapter Three

Burspor

The black army was welcomed by a large crowd of people as they paraded through the common part of the capital city. Some people threw flowers on them, some, especially the women, displayed their bodies to the young black soldiers in appreciation. Amidst this, some children threw stones and rotten fruits at Afri in the wooden cage.

Even though he was hurt, Afri waved at the children with a smile and watched as their parents shielded them from him. "Don't look at the weirdo" one woman said to her daughter and took her away.

This sight brought thoughts to Afri's mind. "Will he ever see his family again? His pregnant wife, who in the face of the gods, should have put to bed by now". He knew he might not see them again.

At a point in the city, many people began to boo him. Some black ladies removed their tops and displayed their breasts shouting " Have you tasted a black tit before, you cunt?". Afri was disgusted with their way of life. He looked around and saw things that were almost heavenly to him. He saw tall buildings, wagons and large markets big enough to take a town in yellow country. "Truly, the Blacks are way ahead of us" he thought.

At the upper section of the city, he saw what disgusted him the most. People in chains!! Reds, whites were chained like animals. Some were naked while others were almost naked. The slaves could not look up as they were scared and ashamed. Most of them were women and children. He watched a man shouting prices and he knew it was a slave auction he was witnessing. Some blacks gathered there and haggled the price with the man. A red boy was sold for the price of a cup of grain (10Octis). He was angry but he couldn't do anything. Freedom is lost in this country.

Commander Adelmo waved at everybody. He winked at a pretty black lady and laughed with one of his generals. He has won the greatest war. A war his eldest brother lost and made him lose the throne. He was sure Xander would honor him.

He led the army to the elite part of the city and went into the palace with his generals and Afri in a wooden cage. He shouted when he saw the king, his brother.

"Hail Xander!! King of the world. My superior brother who defeated the gods themselves. I, Adelmo, your brother has won the war for you and brought you a gift". Xander smiled and corrected him " I won the war". Adelmo smiled and asked the slaves to bring the cage forward. After they had done this, the opened the cage and they dragged Afri out of the cage in chains. "This is Afri, commander of the Yellow country" Adelmo said.

Afri could not look up. He was devastated by the treatment of the other humans by the Blacks. It was horrible. After a while, he looked up and saw the so called Xander. "So you are the one who calls himself a god? You are just a young man with no knowledge about life and war" Afri said. Adelmo looked at him and slapped him hard. "How dare you?" He said to Afri.

Xander waved at Adelmo to stop. He stood up from his throne and moved closer to Afri. "Such defiance! Such courage and coming from a yellow" Xander said. " I like courageous men. I had plans to kill you but I will not. Take him to the mines in Emtor" Xander commanded and the soldiers took Afri away.

"Good work Adelmo. There will be a feast to honor this victory In the evening" Xander said patting his younger brother. "Yes, your grace" Adelmo said. "What about Baptiste?" Adelmo asked. " I can't see him anywhere " he added. Xander looked at his brother and walked towards the throne. "He is in charge of the mines in Emtor" he replied. "Mines? Emtor? Why?" Adelmo asked. " I asked him to take charge of a slave business here and he refused. It was in front of the officials and so I banished him to the mines" Xander explained. "Why? Father would not want this. We are family" Adelmo said trying to persuade his brother. "Father is not here and my word is the law. You are dismissed" Xander said angrily.

Adelmo left his brother alone. He knew what he could do when he is angry. Even though he did not like Baptiste, he did not like his punishment. "Well, I need to relieve myself of this war stress. I hope she has my gifts ready for me" Adelmo said and headed to the city's most popular brothel.