We Must Leave

Despite the fact that he wasn't happy with Asha's decision to stay in Aku village and the way Nse behaved as if he was in control of her, Elim chose to honour her choice and return to the inn. Right outside he could see people rushing into their homes while the guards streamed out from different directions towards the gate. 

He knew it was Odumudo and his men at the gate. And he was glad Aku warriors were giving them no chance to overpower them. Perhaps this was truly a safe place for Asha to be. He stood in front of the inn and watched as soldiers trooped outside and he wished they would be the very end of Odumudo. With him out of the way, he and Asha can travel easily to Maribah without constantly looking over their backs. 

"You're not a trader, but a troublemaker, and your kind isn't welcome in our peaceful city. It's either you turn back now with your men or we'll unleash hell upon you!" the head guard barked at Odumudo, who sat on his horse with a disdainful look.

"I haven't come to cause trouble. I only seek safe passage to conduct my trades and depart," Odumudo answered through clenched teeth, wishing he could disarm the guard and teach him a lesson. But more guards emerged, surrounding them, and he knew any wrong move would mean his end.

"Your reputation precedes you. We know who you are, and I'm certain you're not here for peaceful transactions with our people. Leave now! Leave, or become our prisoner!"

"No need to argue. Let's go!" Odumudo replied, signaling his men to follow him. With anger etched on their faces, they galloped away.

"What now, Odumudo? I have a feeling she might be in there. But how do we find her if we can't get in?"

"We are not sure she's in there. Is she? Is this the village of the young man?" He shook the tired looking Ada and she wobbled, almost falling from the horse when her rider held her. 

"She's of no use to us now. I'll decide what to do with her later. But for now, we need to find a way into Aku village. There must be a back entrance. Let's go! Quickly!"

They remounted their horses and made their way towards the gateless rear side of Aku village. However, upon arrival, they found over ten guards stationed at the gate.

"They're not as numerous as the guards at the front gate. We can take them!" one of his men exclaimed.

Before Odmudo could assess the area, the number of soldiers and give his command, the overly ambitious assassin in his group was already charging towards the gate. They had no choice but to join him. But at the gate, the number of soldiers seems to multiply, taking them by surprise. The first assassin from Odmudo's camp was seriously injured while Odmudo and other men withdrew into the forest for safety. 

"There's no getting in for us. We can't get in! And we are not even certain she's here!" The giant panted heavily. For the first time he had faced a group of men who overpowered him and his men. It annoyed him greatly 

"It was all your fault! I could have lost more men without even accomplishing my mission because of you," he snarled, dragging the wounded man and hurling him violently to the ground.

""We need to leave now and search for Asha elsewhere. But I'll leave two of you on watch in case there's a chance to enter or if she happens to leave," he ordered, pointing at his men.

After giving that instruction, he began his search for Asha in another village. And the more he thought about her eluding him, the angrier he became . He will teach a lesson when he finally gets a hold of her. 

——

Asha stayed back in Aku village because she believed she was safe there. But as days dragged on, the urge to leave grew stronger. The longer she delayed, the more her family suffered, a worry that plagued her at night.

"I have to meet with Elim today to plan our mission to Maribah," she reminded herself, lost in thought as she paced. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Nse had been waiting at the door. 

"Where are you off to?" He asked, blocking her path and causing her to desperately find a way around him. 

"I don't understand.Am I a prisoner?"

"Of course not but there are people after you. You should stay here where you're safe."

"I know you care about me but it's not your responsibility to keep me safe. I can do that for myself. I need to leave this room!"

"You don't need to. I can get you whatever you want!" Elsa answered from behind her brother as she smuggled herself into the room. 

"But…"

"Do you want food? Berries? Beads! Wrappers? I can't get you anything you want" Elsa smiled as she slowly and innocently dragged Asha into the room while her brother locked the door. She knew they thought they were protecting her but they were acting like creeps and it scared her off her wits. 

"Asha... I've been thinking of ways to express... well, my feelings for you. And you could find a home here if you marry me," Nse said softly, his hand brushing against her hair.

"You don't know anything about me!" Asha retorted, pushing his hand away.

"So, does that mean you won't marry my brother? I think you two would be perfect together. Plus, we know you're a kind soul and a beautiful young lady. Once you're safe and the traveler who came for you is gone, we can wander around the market like old times!" Elsa exclaimed cheerfully.

"We'll make sure you're safe," Nse added. "Won't we Elsa?"

Elsa nodded eagerly as she playfully reached for Asha's hands. "You will be the sister I never had. And you don't have to go back to your ugly past ever again!"

Asha struggled to find the right words to convince them to let her go, feeling as though she was trapped in a nightmare. The very people she once considered normal and enjoyable company now seemed to have lost their sanity, desperately clinging to her presence. Though a part of her urged her to protest, she decided to rely on her own tricks to escape this imprisonment.

While Elim stayed at the inn waiting for Asha to come and meet him, Asha was trying her best to escape from the clutches of her kind but suffocating hosts. She had been in her room for days while they brought her food and fumbled over her. She finally got out one fateful night when Nse had forgotten to lock her door. Elsa was sleeping beside her when she slipped out of the house to meet with Elim. 

There was only one popular inn for visitors in Aku village and she found her way there. She had no idea how she would find Elim's own room but luckily for her he was outside, anxiously iscanning his surroundings. 

"Why did it take you so long to make up your mind?" he whispered as she ran into him.

"We need to leave now! Hurry!" she urged as he gathered a few things and hurried to find his hut.

"Your friends have no clue you're leaving. Is that why you're in such a rush?" Elim asked as he helped her onto her horse. Asha nodded.

"They kept me locked up, claiming it was for my safety! I have to leave without saying goodbye," she said, sounding unhappy.

"We'll have to use the back door since the front must be locked," Elim added.

They rode quietly towards the rear, surrounded by trees and shrubs.Just as they were about to leave completely, they saw Nse walking towards them, with two guards beside him. Asha was immediately crippled by fear.