Chapter 6

Ronu and his mother sat in their hut, discussing their plan to remove Loye from the picture. Ronu listened intently as his mother outlined her ideas.

"We can't let Loye become a threat to your position as the next clan chief," she said. "We need to take action before he returns from his journey to the old hunter."

Ronu nodded in agreement, but he was unsure of how they could achieve their goal without attracting suspicion. He spoke up, "But how can we do that without anyone knowing?"

Becoming the clan chief was a highly coveted position. It came with great responsibility and power, but it also brought with it many benefits. The clan chief was the leader and decision-maker of the entire clan, responsible for its welfare, safety, and prosperity. The clan chief was the ultimate authority in disputes and conflicts, and their word was final. But perhaps the greatest benefit of being the clan chief was the respect and admiration that came with the position. The chief was a figurehead of the clan, representing its strength, courage, and wisdom to other tribes and outsiders. For those who coveted power and prestige, becoming the clan chief was the ultimate achievement.

"I've already thought about that," his mother replied with a sly smile. "We can use someone who is not from our clan to do the job."

Ronu looked at her questioningly. "Who do you have in mind?"

"A distant relative of mine, from my old clan," his mother replied. "He owes me a favor, and I'm sure he'll be happy to help. He's a skilled warrior and knows the Kiji forest well. He can track down Loye and take care of him."

Ronu hesitated for a moment, unsure if he wanted to involve an outsider in their plan, but he knew that his mother was determined to see it through. He finally gave in and agreed to go along with her plan.

Over the next few days, Ronu's mother made contact with her relative, who agreed to carry out the task for a price. They made arrangements for him to meet them at a secret location near the forest. Ronu and his mother would provide him with Loye's location and any other necessary information.

For Ronu's mother, having her son become the next clan chief is the ultimate validation of her worth as a mother and wife. It would mean that she had successfully raised a son who was not only strong and intelligent but also respected and admired by their community. It would also secure her future and guarantee her place at the top of the clan hierarchy. She knew that it won't be easy, but she was determined to do everything in her power to help Ronu succeed and make the dream a reality.

As the day of the meeting approached, Ronu grew increasingly nervous. He knew that what they were doing was wrong, but he couldn't back out now. He tried to push the doubts out of his mind and focus on the goal: securing his position as the next clan chief. The night before the meeting, Ronu and his mother stayed up late, going over the plan one last time. They made sure that they had all the details worked out and that they were both on the same page.

The next morning, they set off for the secret meeting location. As they walked, Ronu's mother couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She was so close to achieving her goal, and nothing could stop her now.

When they arrived at the location, they saw the distant relative waiting for them. He was a tall, muscular man with a serious expression on his face. He greeted them curtly and asked for the information they had promised.

Ronu's mother gave him the details of Loye's journey and his location in the forest. The man nodded and listened carefully, taking mental notes of everything he was told. Once he had all the information, he turned to leave, promising to take care of Loye. As they watched him disappear into the forest, Ronu's mother turned to her son and smiled. "We've done it," she said. "Loye will no longer be a threat to our position in the clan."

Ronu forced a smile, but he couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at his insides. He knew that what they had done was wrong, but it was too late to turn back now.