Chapter Two
"Later, my father forgave me and took me into his inner chamber. It was a secluded place where he usually went alone to consult our gods. He beckoned to me to sit on a stool close to him. I kept wondering what he was so eager to tell me about, but somehow I caught the drift of what it might be. As you know, our house is next to the palace. The previous night, something strange woke me up from sleep. I heard strange noises coming from the palace. From my window, I peered at the palace and saw some men in military attire communicating with the chiefs of our village. They carried a long torch. Yet in the bright light, their heads were covered in a hood. I knew who they were. They had to be emissaries from Emperor Zule.
"I was afraid to go to the palace, which was surrounded by many strong, young warriors and chiefs. My father was present there, too. They discussed things with our king, but I did not understand them from my position. The light from the torches that night showed the countenance of our people, which revealed their anxiety.
"Also, two nights before this incident, I was almost drifting off to sleep when I leaped up suddenly due to a sudden, loud noise. As my body regained full consciousness, I saw people running. Some fell upon their belongings, picked them up, and continued running, while others, out of great fear, left their belongings and fled. That was the night the warnings first appeared on the walls, proclaiming a declaration of war against us.
By this time, Murai was on his feet, while his friends listened attentively to him.
"I was greatly alarmed at what I had seen, so I ran to my mother's hut to inquire about what was happening, but she refused to tell me the truth. After seeing those men in the palace, I knew my father was going to tell me the truth, so I waited eagerly as I sat beside him.
Murai told them a summary of all his father had said. The name 'Banabella' rang in their ears.
"Son," his father started, "I named you Murai for this reason: the night you were born, I fought and killed a leopard. That same night, I had good dreams about you. The day of your birth signifies strength and power. I feel you will become powerful on earth if you listen to the voice of the gods, for I knew and prayed for your strength before I fought the leopard. My defeat against the leopard remains a mystery to the people of my clan. I tell you, many would have died if I had not killed it. Because of this glorious victory, I was honoured by my clansmen with the title of the Fifth Chief of the Guchi clan. I have no interest in such an honour. This is why you are called Murai—the power of the gods. I use the sword like a tool I mastered from birth. I taught you several ways you can use it, and you have mastered the ways of the sword with ease.
"Therefore, I beseech you to hearken to my words. For you are but youth and
need to be coached. The gods know that it is my greatest desire to build the foundations of your life and see you become great. You are like a brick that must break into other parts to form a strong foundation for my name. Pay attention to my words. Allow wisdom to flow into you without obstruction.
"I will explain to you about the envoys that arrived here from the nation of Suramy two weeks ago. I had felt reluctant to talk to you because it wasn't the right time to reveal certain things to you. I needed to commune with you at the right time.
Now, my last days are near. Several times, I said to you, 'tremble not when you see me die'. Death comes like rain—unpredictable. One day, you'll grow to be a man. I foresee our gods using you to wipe out our foes. I give glory to Zoe, our god, for showing me all these in my dreams. Murai, fear neither man nor beast. You are a great one. I urge you to take advantage of this inborn power. Carry it along with you till the end comes. Muzagah is your motherland, and I foresee it will be no more. I'll tell you more about the men who entered into our kingdom.
"Those men were from the Empire of Suramy. This kingdom has stretched its influence into the south, east, and northern parts of this continent. It has taken the hillsides of our territory. Now, so that you will understand how we came under their control, let me tell you this:
"I was told by my grandparents that we originated from the descendants of Muozugah, who was the youngest of the five brothers who came from above to earth to replenish it with humans on the African continent. They have now become mythical ancestors to both the Suramites and the Acharians. I only know that we were part of the great kingdom of Achar many years ago. We seceded from the great kingdom of Achar and settled here in this hilly region. This secession, as I learned, sprang up from ethnic discrepancies among the three major tribes that comprised the Acharians. We, the Muzagahites, who were the minority tribe, were marginalised by the Acharians, who controlled the dynasty of the kingdom of Achar. Then there came a revolutionist among us. He instigated our tribal people against the ruling government. During the tribal war, Humazi, a strong leader of the Muzagahite tribe, led us into battle, and we fought against the Acharians. Though we could not defeat them, we agitated for secession and succeeded. Then we migrated to these hilly regions. After the secession, we became united in the brotherhood of trust, honesty, and sound administration. For decades, we lived in peace. Change, which is constant, moved us slowly from the place of peace to the war front.
"We fought wars with the Hugarians, the Adotheses, the Egolites, and other small neighbouring kingdoms. We won all our battles as I led our strong force to the war front. I do not claim that we are undefeatable, for we have not been attacked by great forces like those of the Suramites or the radical, infamous marauders—the Zaliphates or Da Morones. I dreamt of changing our motherland into an empire. I dreamt of enlarging our territories through victories. In life, you cannot tell what tomorrow brings.
"Some years ago, Muzagah was besieged by the armies of the Suramites. King
Helal, our first king, pleaded with the Emperor to allow him to rule his kingdom, but
pledged to pay taxes to the treasury of Suramy. The Emperor conceded to this term of the agreement, and we became a vassal kingdom that is subject to the imperial authority of the Empire.
"Oh! Zoe! We failed to heed his warnings. After the Suramy soldiers besieged this land, pitting their army against ours, by a truce, we accepted defeat and agreed passively to their terms. Briah, the priest of Zoe, had to inquire from the gods why such a thing could befall us: because the Suramites carried our treasures away, leaving us with only lands to till and nothing to trade with other kingdoms. They carried most of our young men and conscripted them into their army. As a result, our priest made his findings, and the gods gave him answers. Later, Briah, the priest, assembled the king, chiefs, and elders of all the clans together for a meeting. The root of the case came to light. He disclosed to us that we were punished by the gods. Lots were cast. Umai, the chief of the Ucha clan, fell down while standing alongside four elders, whom the lot fell upon. He died slowly after he confessed his sins to us. You may wonder what sinful deed could not calm our gods. It was terrible. Really terrible! What Umai did was taboo. A punishment worse than death would have served him better.