Mir Pacifica

Published: 16 Apr 2018

When Thomas awoke the next morning, it was to find that the old Buqili was tending his wound. Instead of having Thomas carried down to the water’s edge he had a bowl of salt water carried up to where Thomas lay and washed out the wound there. Thomas decided it was time to finally take a look at the damage the cat had inflicted. As there seemed to be little pain he thought it was probably not as bad as he had first thought.

Thomas moved to sit up on the litter and the old Buqili stopped his ministrations and looked at him with understanding eyes. Thomas moved the old Buqili’s hand aside and looked at the damage. He was surprised to see how far along the healing was even though the four gouges seemed to be worse than he thought they would be.

The two outer gouges were less deep than the two in the centre but they were still about a half inch into the flesh. All four gouges were slightly off colour but Thomas put that down to the strange, foul smelling green gunk the old Buqili had been using. Thomas could not understand how the wound could be so well healed in such a short time. It was only a few days ago that the cat had attacked him, and yet he was sure he would be able to get back on his feet as long as he was careful not to re-open the wounds. Thomas was sure that had he been back in England, or even on the peninsular, he may have had to say in bed for weeks longer before he healed enough to move.

When Thomas had lain back on the litter the old Buqili went back to work and soon had the leg rebound, he then turned around and left as silently as he had arrived and left Thomas to his own thoughts. Around Thomas, the camp that was now almost as large as a small town, began to awaken. The first up were the women, as they set about relighting the cooking fires while some went off to the far end of the beach to gather fresh water.

Within a half hour, everyone was up and looking at the new day as the clear sky showed it would be another hot and dry day. Nkoma approached Thomas with his usual open and welcoming smile, squatting beside the litter he said, “Nkokheli Ingwe you are well?”

“Ewe Nkoma, I am well, the Buqili is very skilled.”

“It was not the skill of the Buqili, it was the strong spirit of Ingwe. Now we must move to meet my father, he has much to gifts to offer you.”

“Where is your father Nkoma?”

“At the kraal. He waits for us.”

“Is it far?”

“No not far, mbini usuku.”

“Two days? I will need to tell my friends on the ships so they will wait here for four days… ne usuku.”

“No Ingwe. It will be ntanduthu usuku, six day. Mbini we go, mbini we stay, mbini return.”

“Oh well then, I had better tell them before we leave. Six more days is longer than we planned.”

“It is good. First we eat then warriors carry you to new kraal.”

“I would like to try to walk today.”

“Not good, stay for carry then walk at kraal much better.”

“Well alright but I feel lazy… uhm… uvila.”

“Ha Ingwe uvila hayi… no… Ingwe not hayi… strong for kill Ingwe spirit… not uvila.”

Thomas could only chuckle as Nkoma made his broad assertions about his prowess as a hunter but thought it better to leave well enough alone for now. It was not long after when some of the women arrived with their first meal for the day but they gave it first to one of the guards who then gave it to Nkoma to give to Thomas.

Once he was eating, Thomas called for one of the sailors to carry a message back to Roger Scully and advise him they were to be at anchor for another six days while Thomas went inland to see something. He would then return and they could once more be on their way. The sailor left with the men in the small dory which had been kept at the beach for Thomas’ use. The longboats being used by the three ships to ferry the crew back and forth, as they took the opportunity to rest in the idyllic conditions where fresh meat and warm to hot days helped to rejuvenate them before the trials of the great Mir Pacifica.

By mid morning everything was ready for the move inland. The warriors lined up in their formations with eight of them set to carry Thomas on his litter while one of the youngest Warriors was given the task to use a plaited fan to keep the insects off Thomas as well as keep him a little cool in the torrid sunlight.

The many women were to bring up the rear with all the bits and pieces that made up the camp. None of the men carried anything but their weapons. Those who had been given the knives by Thomas had them on display for all the others to see, while still carrying their own shields and spears which had been supplied by Nkoma’s father.

Thomas had his newly cleaned musket lying on the littler, at his side, and his pair of Manton’s laying across his chest for ease of use if needed. There were almost five hundred warriors and they were soon spread along the column that was now on their way inland to meet with Nkoma’s father at the new kraal.

Thomas’ litter had been modified a little so that he could sit up and watch the land around him as he travelled. The back rest was, like the rest of the litter, made from a thin cane and he found was also quite comfortable.

The procession wound its way through the long grass of the hinterland on a track that Thomas assumed only the warriors could see. The column stretched out over five hundred yards, and far at the rear Thomas could hear the many women singing some sort of chant as they moved along with their large loads balanced on their heads. Some even had small children strapped to their backs in a cloth but it did not stop them from still carrying their load.

The column had been travelling at a good pace for more than two hours when Thomas spied the first of the wild animals of this huge land. While he had seen the animals shot for meat the ones he now saw were nothing like them. The first glimpse he got was of a small looking horse with black and white stripes that were in a huge heard and were soon galloping away from the noise made by the chanting column.

The next animal was almost unbelievable even though he saw it with his own eyes and had to shake his head just to make sure his vision was not impaired in some way. Although the strange animal was far off, Thomas only had to look at the size of the tree to make a guess at its size, and what he came up with was just not possible.

The animal was a strange tawny colour that was almost yellow and had large black markings but this was not what had made Thomas disbelieve his own eyes. The animal was taller than some boats masts; its legs were long and looked to be too thin to hold the bulk of the animal upright. While all this was strange, it was the length of the animal’s neck that had Thomas not quite believing in what he saw.

The neck stretched far up and the smaller head at the top had two large bumps much like horns. The animal seemed to be eating the leaves of the tree high above the ground. As the noise of the procession carried over the land, the animal turned its head and then took off with a strange and almost ungainly gait and yet it disappeared into the landscape in no time at all which for Thomas proved the elongated animal was faster than he would have thought.

Thomas looked over to Nkoma where his new friend was trotting along close by his litter.

“Nkoma?”

“Ewe Ubuti Toma!”

“What was that animal?”

“Ani…mall? I do not know this word Ubuti.”

Thomas thought for a few seconds and then used his hands to describe the ungainly beast he had seen in the distance.

“Ah yes Ubuti… he is the one we call isirafu, the long neck one.”

“Isirafu.”

“Ewe Ubuti.”

Thomas could only lay back in silence and try to digest what he had seen; striped horses had been strange enough but the Isirafu was something else entirely. Thomas rested his head back and let his eyes close for a short while as the eight warriors carried him seemingly effortlessly across the huge grassy plain. This land was so different from anything he knew that his mind at times found it difficult to comprehend.

As Thomas lay in comfort he was suddenly alerted by Nkoma’s voice close by his side. Lifting himself back to a more comfortable sitting position, Thomas looked up at Nkoma.

“Ubuti, you see ngonyama… many bafazi.”

Thomas looked in the direction Nkoma was pointing and saw that, under a large shady tree was a group of huge yellow cats. The largest of which had a huge main of black and yellow hair. Even at the distance they were Thomas could easily get a feeling of the cats size and ferociousness. There was something primeval about the group of large cats and even as they all stood looking at the long column they seemed to exude a sense of danger and power.

Thomas almost shivered at the sight of the large group of tawny cats. He was now thankful the one that had attacked him was not of the same species. Thomas looked back at Nkoma.

“Ngonyama… what is bafazi?”

“Hmm… like father, many bafazi… uhm.”

Nkoma looked around and then pointed to the rear of the column where the women were still moving with ease. Nkoma pointed to some of them and said, “Three ibinqa belong father… same, same bafazi… uhm join for make umntwana… uhm… small children.”

Finally Thomas understood what Nkoma was trying to say, the large cat with the yellow and black main was the male and the others were females or much like the large cats wives. Thomas nodded his head that he now understood and lay back again. There was just so much about this new land that mystified him and yet also intrigued his natural curiosity.

The day was coming to an end when the column stopped for the night. Many of the warriors left to scour the countryside for large thorn bushes to surround the temporary campsite. Nkoma had explained during the trip that they would need protection from certain animals during the night time hours as it was at this time that most hunted for their next meal.

Thomas was surprised at how fast and efficient the tribesmen were at setting up their night camp considering how many people were in the column. Thomas was placed at the centre of the camp site and had ten of the largest warriors around him for protection. It seemed that they must have thought he needed it as none of the others was allowed near him without Nkoma’s personal permission. A small grass cover had been quickly made and set atop some sticks to cover Thomas while he lay on his litter while around him small cooking fires were soon alight and the sounds of the women working over them and the general hubbub and whispers of the warriors gave the camp a homely feeling.

Thomas awoke during the night by some very close roars and other yipping and yapping sounds he did not understand. At times it was as though the wild animals of the vast land had all come to this one spot just to keep Thomas awake at night.

The next morning after a fast meal of something much like the porridge he would have had back in England, the column quickly formed up and they were once again on their way to their destination… one that Thomas had no real idea about. Thomas knew the word ‘kraal’ meant something much like ‘village’ or perhaps ‘house’ but he was not completely sure. He was after all, still learning the new language so sometimes he had to make a wild guess at the interpretation.

It was while they were moving along the edge of a wide and deep river that Thomas got his next shock. He had been day dreaming when he heard what could only be loud grunts but nothing like he had ever heard before. The grunts were soon followed by the sound of large splashing as whatever the animals were dived into the river.

The new noise was immediately followed by Nkoma shouting orders to the warriors and Thomas watched as a large number of them spread out with their spear and shields at the ready. Thomas now had to assume that whatever the animals were they were considered dangerous by Nkoma and his people. Thomas needed to find out why his strong friends were so nervous.

“Nkoma, what is it?”

“Imvubu… very bad… very… uhm… danger.”

“Uhm, what are they look like?”

“Ubuti I can show but very danger… must Cwaka… uhm.” Thomas watched as Nkoma put a finger to his lips in a universal sign for silence and Thomas nodded his head that he understood Nkoma’s meaning.

With a large guard of warriors, Thomas was helped down close to the wide river. What he saw in the water was something well past his understanding. The animal was huge and what he could see of their bodies was round like large hogs head barrels. Their skin was brown but with strange pink splotches and the head was huge and was adorned with what appeared to be huge yellowing tusks. The ears of the animal looked to be too small for their large size and as they sank below the water many let out a strange snorting sound from the over sized nostrils.

The party stood for a few minutes to watch before Nkoma told Thomas it was better they moved away and back to the main column as these imvubu would take the lives of men with little ease and it was best not to stay too long near their watering place.

On their return to the waiting column, Thomas was once again placed in the centre where he could be guarded and the long line of warriors and women turned inland. Later that afternoon the long column came to a place on the wide open plains where a large number of the warriors set about gathering a tough looking thorny bush to make an outer fence for their protection from the night animals while the many women set about starting cooking fires and getting the camp in order.

Thomas was placed in a position where he could look out over the huge vastness of the grassy plains. Apart from the distant mountains that still looked blue with the distance, the plains seemed to go on forever with only small patches of green to indicate the few trees around a water hole or river. For Thomas it was the first time he felt so insignificant. The rolling plains of Andalucia now seemed small compared to the vista that was now open before his eyes.

As the sun lowered and the warriors worked faster to complete their barricade of thorns, Thomas began to hear new and strange sounds far off as new beasts made themselves known to the column. Had the warriors and women with him not been showing a sense of security, Thomas was not sure he would have felt safe alone in this vast land.

A good number of the warriors were placed around the camp on guard for the night as Nkoma had explained that, even with the thick thorn fence, there were still large animals that could try to attack the men inside and they did not want to take any chances with Thomas’ safety. As Nkoma had said, his father would not have been happy if anything happened to Thomas because his men failed in their duties.

While he was comfortable on his litter and thought he could sleep well, the many strange sounds of the night kept him awake until his body was too tired to keep his eyes open any longer. Even then he was still startled awake during the dark hours when an unusually loud roar sounded closer than he thought was safe. As the women set about preparing the morning meal, Thomas could feel the grittiness of his eyes from lack of solid sleep. He hoped that wherever they were going was not too far now, all he could think of was a softer bed and the safety of solid walls around him.

The grassy plains rolled on for what seem an eternity as Thomas was carried along. With the added height of his litter he was able to see all around if he chose to. Everywhere he looked there seemed to be new experiences. Great herds of wild beasts roamed freely and at times he was amazed at how close the long column came to some of them before they would scatter and then suddenly stop to crop grass, or amble away at their own pace.

It was mid-afternoon when he saw an animal that he thought was impossible to be alive even though he could see it with his own eyes. It was a large herd of grey coloured beasts, with ears so large they would have made a tent half for a man to sleep under. Had that been all, he would have put it down to some quirk of nature, but this beast was also the size of a small cottage with legs that looked like small tree trunks. Had this too been all, it would have given Thomas pause for thought. But the strangeness did not stop there. The animal’s nose appeared to reach the ground and out of the front of its jaws were two large white tusks. He now had his answer to the strange teeth he had seen on Nkoma’s father’s chair.

Some of the tusks were so large they would have towered over a standing man while others were smaller but all looked to be dangerous weapons if the beast wished to use them as such. Nkoma saw where Thomas’ interest was and smiled as he pointed to the huge beasts and said, “Yenkomo… my father name for him.”

Thomas heard Nkoma, but the sheer size and strangeness of the animals had his full attention. They were just close enough for him to see that the thick looking skin on the grey beasts appeared to be wrinkled like an old man, yet they moved with a certain grace and confidence as they walked with a purpose. While some of the smaller ones appeared to be herding the very young at the centre of the herd for protection. How the small ones were able to walk among the great tree trunk legs without being trampled, he could not guess.

It was later in the afternoon when Thomas saw many small tendrils of smoke in the distance. He hoped this was where they were headed as he had now had enough of being carried along on the litter, and wanted to stand on his own two feet and feel the solid ground below his boots. In another half hour, as the head of the column came up over a rise in the rolling grasslands, and Thomas could finally see ahead, that he first heard the sound of drums and the strange ululations that seemed to be a form of greeting in this strange land.

Below them was what appeared to be a newly constructed small township of round, grass roofed huts, surrounded by a high fence of thick stakes. There were many cooking fires sending tendrils of smoke high into the still air as what seemed like hundreds of dark figures ran from the gates and also began the unearthly ululations in greeting of the arriving column. Thomas was left almost breathless at the sight before him as his eight carriers hefted the litter one more time, and moved towards the waiting masses.

From his vantage point, Thomas could see that the newly built township was not a single circle of huts, but in fact was two. One inside another with the largest hut at the centre of the second ring with its own private fence. Inside the inner circle there were also other huts, which were placed just behind the large one. There was also a large open covered area with a small platform underneath so that it was well shaded from the hot sun.

As they drew closer, Thomas saw that the many warriors had now made a lane from the gate to almost a hundred yards out and they stood three deep as the drums grew even louder. The many women were placed well behind the warriors and were the main cause of the ululations that echoed out over the open plains. While there was an undercurrent of whispering among the huge crowd, Thomas was too busy looking all around and trying to take in all he saw to notice that he was the centre of attention.

Out to one side of the first fence was a herd of cattle guarded by what appeared to be very young and naked black boys who could not have been more than nine or ten years old. All they carried to protect the cattle in this wild land was a single stick. It did not seem like much of a weapon if one of the many wild animals attacked them or their herd.

Thomas turned back to the open gateway, even if he tried to count the people assembled he would have been far wrong. There had to be thousands of men and women standing around the entrance, and all of the men were well armed with their favourite weapons and shields.

As Thomas was carried through the crowd leading to the gate, all the women stopped their ululations and stood with their heads lowered as the huge mass of warriors then took up the chant, “Mbuliso Nkokeli Ingwe. Mbuliso Nkokeli Ingwe.”

The chant was then taken up by more warriors inside the outer fence as Thomas was carried deeper inside. Thomas turned to Nkoma for an explanation. The words he understood but the reason for them completely baffled him. Nkoma soon put his mind at rest although Thomas was not sure he fully understood what or why things were going as they were.

“Ubuti, they welcome the new leader of Kraal Ingwe. This is your new home and father has given you rule over the land in this area under his control. More will be explained after the ceremony but for now we will need to take you to your Indlu Enkulu… uhm… great house… your home.”

Thomas saw that inside the main fence the ground had been cleared until there was only red dust left. The gap between the outer and inner fence was about fifty yards and it was once again packed with feathered warriors who were now rattling their shields as he was carried forward. Waiting at the gate of the inner fence stood the massive figure of Nkoma’s father, his thick tree trunk legs spread apart and his huge muscular arms akimbo as he watched the approaching column. There was not even the blink of an eye on the large warriors face as Thomas was carried to within a few feet of where the giant man stood impassively until Thomas was set down before the large man.

Thomas looked up at the huge man and then placed his elbows on the litter and began to push himself to his feet, once standing, he dropped his head a little as he said in his best Xhosa language skill.

“Mbuliso Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo.”

“Mbuliso Nkokeli Ingwe… Lakho Ikaya.”

Thomas looked to Nkoma for the new translation.

“Father say… welcome Nkokeli Ingwe, this is new home for you.”

Thomas staggered slightly, not from any pain or lack of the use of his legs but from the sheer surprise of finally understanding that this large man that many would have called a savage had in fact built what amounted to a small town just for Thomas. He was left wondering why the man with the power of life or death would do such a thing for a complete stranger, not only a stranger, but one who could easily have been associated with the very men who had enslaved his son.

Thomas was just now starting to wonder what strange bed fellows seemed to appear in his life, and could not for the life of himself work out why he had been singled out for such honour in this savage land. Thomas was given little time to think more on the subject as Nkoma’s father turned his head and called out to someone hidden behind the inner fence. It did not take long for Thomas to see movement behind the fence as suddenly a team of warriors appeared carrying two carved chairs and one beautifully carved stool in the local style.

The first chair was the same large one Thomas had seen on the beach when Nkoma’s father had first appeared; the second one looked as though it had just be made as the wood was fresh and still showed the marks of the carvers skill. The second chair was a little smaller than the other one and Thomas was surprised to see that it also had a pair of the white tusks mounted on the back but they were smaller than those on Nkoma’s father’s chair. The seat of the chair was covered with the spotted skin of the cat he had fought with and Thomas could still smell the slightly musty odour of the wild cat.

The stool looked to be older and was a bit larger than any of the others he had seen in his short time in the country but it was obvious that it was meant for Nkoma as the eldest son of the king as it was placed carefully to the right of the large chair. Thomas was directed to the smaller chair while the king took his own larger chair and waited for Thomas to sit while Nkoma took the carved stool on the man’s right hand side.

The big man stood up and raised his short spear high above his head and the massive crowd both inside and outside the fence suddenly became silent. With total silence now over the new kraal, the big man began to speak. While Thomas could pick up some of the words there was a large part of the speech which passed him by, but fortunately his friend Nkoma was able to translate well enough for him to understand what was going on.

The speech was accompanied by many gestures and what almost sounded like admonitions and Thomas could see many warriors nodding as the man talked on. Thomas listened to Nkoma’s translation which only confused Thomas all the more, as he still did not understand why this was all being done in his name.

“Father says, this is the home of Nkokeli Ingwe… he shall rule this land from the great sea to the river of the white water, and from the eastern sun rise to the western sun set. Nkokeli Ingwe will be my eyes and ears in this southern lands and all who walk these lands will pay homage to him. This day I will call on the mkhosini of the Ldongo to form a new umkosi to protect this new kraal and Nkokeli Ingwe. For this duty I will give to the Kraal Ingwe, five hundred cattle and one thousand mkhosini with their families. Nkokeli Ingwe will now select his Umcebisi who will look over this land when Nkokeli Ingwe is not here. The Nkokeli Ingwe will also select one hundred mkhosini to be his special guard. All who are selected must give their blood to the Nkokeli Ingwe, for any who fail in their duty will have their heads hung on the fence of my own kraal and their families will be flung into the river of white water as food for the ingwenya.”

It seemed to Thomas that even the far off cattle had stopped the mooing as the big man was speaking. The man had paused and then turned to Thomas as he spoke once again.

“Nkokeli Ingwe, I ask you to name your Umcebisi so you can have a good advisor and one who will watch over your name when you are not here.”

Thomas waited for Nkoma’s translation and then looked at the ten or so older men that were standing close to where he and the other two sat. Spying the man he thought would be a good advisor and one who knew the workings of this land. Thomas turned back to the king as he stood waiting. “Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo, I would ask that Khanda, uncle to my brother Nkoma be called to take his place as my advisor and stand in my place when it is needed.”

Nkoma’s father looked at Thomas for a few seconds and then turned to Khanda and spoke quickly before turning back to face Thomas as Khanda left his place among the other older men and instead stood just behind Thomas’ chair. Once again the big man turned back to Thomas while Nkoma translated as best he could.

“Father says you are wise in many ways for one who is so young and of the ghost skin men, but he agrees that Khanda is a good and wise choice. He will keep order in your lands when you are not here and he is a strong buqili who can speak with the spirits to keep you safe. Father now asks who you would call to stand at your back and sleep at your door when you rest.”

Thomas paused in thought as he was not sure who he should call for. There was one he liked, but would his age be thought too young for such a task among the older and more experienced warriors? Thomas decided to at least try, he had an underlying feeling it would be the right thing to do.

“I would ask Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo for the young warrior that carries my knives.”

“What is Knives?”

Thomas pointed down to his empty boot tops and then made a cutting and stabbing movement. Nkoma’s eyes lit up as he understood and then said to Thomas, “Yes I know these. We call them the amazinyo ingwe… the teeth of Ingwe. Are you sure he is the one? As yet he is but a boy and has only seen a few moons as a warrior.”

“Yes he is the one I trust as he has watched over my… amazinyo ingwe with care and protected them well, even though he is yet to return them to my hand.”

“Then I shall talk father.”

Nkoma turned to his patiently waiting father and related what Thomas had asked. At first Thomas thought he had somehow insulted the large man as he looked at Thomas with piercing eyes. Seconds later he called out loudly enough for all of the warriors to hear. Thomas was surprised at how much he could already understand of the new language although there was still a lot he missed but was able to put together in his own mind.

The booming voice of Nkoma’s father reached to the furtherest parts of the new kraal.

“Ncinane… Kuza.”

Thomas watched as far to the rear of the mass of warriors there came a movement. A narrow passage opened to let the young teen through which was also accompanied by a few ribald remarks and the occasional push. The youth seemed to be looking at his King in fear and trying to work out why he had been singled out. Was it because he had not yet had the chance to return the amazinyo ingwe to their rightful owner? Was this to be his last day on the lands of Ldongo and he had not yet even seen one full season as a warrior.

Ncinane felt his legs tremble as he pushed his way through the mass of warriors. He knew that to keep his Kumkani waiting was not the way to keep breathing in this land. Ncinane still had the two sharp and very clean amazinyo ingwe, which were still wrapped tightly in the tanned animal skin and clasped in his hand for fear of losing them.

Ncinane finally pushed his way through the mass of warriors and was soon standing before his Kumkani. Without a word he dropped on all fours and placed his head on the ground as was befitting when before the Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo; his shield and spear were laid on the ground at his left so there could be no doubt he intended no harm to the Kumkani.

Thomas was almost able to follow the conversation with only a few words translated by Nkoma.

“Ncinane, do you yet protect the Amazinyo Ingwe?”

“Ewe Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo.”

The youth stayed with his head firmly planted in the red dust of the kraal as his Kumkani asked questions of him.

“Then it is good that he has asked for you to guard his door.”

At this revelation Ncinane almost lifted his head in surprise but caught himself before it was taken note of. Why would one who is so important ask for him to guard his door? He was not even an experienced warrior and had done nothing but be the lowest of the guards for the Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa. True he had been given the task of protecting the great teeth of the important Nkokheli but he had never thought the young ghost skin would ask for him to watch over his person during the night.

“Ncinane you may go to the Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa and return his teeth. Should you fail to watch over him, then you and your whole family, and all those who claim blood ties to you, will be fed to the white waters and those who live within.”

It was a stern and very valid promise from the Kumkani. If he failed there would not be any of his friends or family that would evade the wrath of the man who ruled over them. Ncinane stayed on his knees and kept his head bent down as he shuffled over to where the great Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa sat on his newly carved chair, his new Umcebisi standing just behind him and watching every move the youth made.

Once he was positioned before the ghost skin Nkokheli, Ncinane dropped his head back onto the red dust and then lifted his hands up with the precious amazinyo ingwe still wrapped in the tanned skin so that the great Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa could easily reach for them without too much effort.

Thomas looked at the offered package and then reached for it. As soon as he touched it he realised it was his two knives being returned to him, the youth had been protecting them all the time. It was one of those moment that Thomas seemed to just understand without having to give it any thought as he spoke to the youth as best he could and only occasionally looking to Nkoma for the correct words which were given immediately.

“Ncinane I thank you for the protection of my… amazinyo. I would ask you to stand guard at my door as the first guard. I would also ask you to find…” Thomas stopped and looked at Nkoma before asking his friend, “How many should I have to guard my door?”

“Ten is a good number Ubuti.”

Thomas nodded his understanding and as he did so he saw that Nkoma was still wearing rather proudly the arm knife he had given him all those days ago, another thought jumped unasked into his head as he saw it. Turning back to Ncinane he said.

“Ncinane…” Thomas had to turn to Nkoma and ask him in Portuguese how to say what he wanted. Wwhen he received the answer, he tried as best he could to say it as well as possible to Ncinane, “Ncinane… you will stand. Uhm… Uya Kuma.”

Ncinane was surprised to be asked to stand when before such an important person but an order was an order. Ncinane stood and faced the great Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa. He was just in time to see the great ghost skin place the two amazinyo ingwe into the top of his black foot coverings, but what happened next surprised him even more than what had happened so far.

Thomas looked at the youth and then turned to Nkoma for help with his next order for the youth. Once he had the words right he turned back to Ncinane.

“Ncinane… give me your arm… Kunika Ingalo.”

Thomas pointed to the youths left arm as he spoke. With a certain trepidation the youth stretched out his arm for the Nkokheli, did this strange ghost skin wish to eat of his flesh?

Thomas reached over and unbuttoned his left sleeve and proceeded to remove his last arm knife. With the knife free he reached out and strapped it to the youths forearm before saying, with the help of Nkoma, “Ncinane you are the first guard, this tooth has only one brother and that is worn by my brother Nkoma. All who see this will know you are my first guard and now it is you who will select nine more to guard my Indlu. All those who stand with you, will answer to you. Should any not do their duty, it will be you who must bring order. Take up your shield and go and find those who you would have stand guard on my house.”

“Ewe Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa, it shall be done.”

Ncinane retrieved his shield and spear and turned back to the mass of warriors. There was definitely a new spring in his step as he went in search of those he knew he could trust and would follow his orders without delay. This time there was no pushing or ribald remarks as he strode with pride through the mass of warriors looking for the ones he wanted.

Thomas turned to Nkoma as his friend spoke. “That was a wise decision Nkokheli. Even without my father’s orders Ncinane will guard you to the death. The giving of the last tooth will make all pause before making small of him again. Tell me Ubuti, why did you select one so young?”

Thomas noted that the King was also listening, and he had the feeling that the older man’s eyes had never left him during the whole time he had been speaking with Ncinane. Thomas wondered if the man could also speak Portuguese, it would not really surprise him in the least.

“When I was at war I found it better to have younger men with me. They fought because they wanted to win and free their country not for the payment of gold or position. I thought that older soldiers… warriors… were already set in their way, the young ones wanted to learn new things and new ways. It was better for our fighting style and worked well. Ncinane is young and is not yet set in his ways. He will be able to learn new things more easily than the older warriors.”

“Again Ubuti you are wise beyond your seasons. Now there is only one more thing that must be done before you can go to your house and rest.”

“What would that be Ubuti?”

“You must have your house guard marked so all will know who they are even though my father’s warriors have seen it with their own eyes. It is the way of the Ldongo warrior.”

“How shall I do that?”

“Just tell your Umcebisi, he will know what is to be done.”

Thomas nodded his head and turned to look at Khanda who stood at his right shoulder where he once again had to turn back to Nkoma for the right words. Again he felt the penetrating stare of the King as he asked Nkoma for the right words to say. Once he understood he turned back to Khanda. “Khanda bring the hand of Ingwe… Ukuzisa Isandla Seengwe.”

Khanda nodded and said, “Ewe Nkokheli.”

Khanda disappeared back into the newly built house and a few moments later returned carrying what to Thomas looked like one of the paws of the Ingwe he had fought with. It had been somehow preserved and was fitted to a short handle with the four claws prominently displayed. Khanda walked back to his place to the right of Thomas and stood waiting for the next order while holding the dangerous looking claws in his hand.

Thomas turned back to Nkoma to ask, “What do I do now Ubuti?”

“We wait for the ten warriors to arrive then you must mark them each on the shoulder with the Ngesandla Ingwe. You must make it deep so the scar will stand out so all can see they belong to Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa.”

“You mean I have to slash them with those claws?”

“It is expected of the great Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa. If they are willing to take your pain, then they are worthy of being your guards. You will see Ubuti, none will refuse and all will stand with honour to receive your mark.”

“I bloody hope so.” Thomas whispered under his breath.

It was a further ten minutes before Ncinane returned with nine young men who were all about the same age or just a year or so older. All of them lined up before Thomas with their heads bowed as Ncinane took a place in the front of the line and spoke to Thomas. Nkoma took up the translation for Thomas to make sure he understood every word from the newly promoted head guard.

“Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa, these are the ones I have chosen to guard your house. If any displease you, then I will find those who you would welcome into your home. Nkokheli Ingwe, we stand for the mark of the great Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa and all have sworn their blood to you.”

Thomas had little option but to reach out for handle of the clawed paw and with a little puff he pushed himself upright and limped his way off the small dais to stand in front of the ten young warriors. He did not miss the point that all of them, including Ncinane were almost a half a head taller than he was.

Thomas took a good solid hold on the handle of the paw, and as he walked up to Ncinane the youth, turned his body to expose his right shoulder. When Thomas struck he was surprised not only by how sharp the claws were but the very small reaction he got from Ncinane although he thought it probably hurt far more than the youth was prepared to admit. The four claw marks were deep enough to draw blood and would leave a very definite scar on the young man’s shoulder.

With the first strike over Thomas moved to the line behind the Ncinane and as he approached each young man, they would turn their right shoulder to Thomas and stand as still as a statue as he raked the claws over the upper right arm. Not a single one gave any indication they had been hurt even though the gouges were quite deep and bleeding freely. With the last youth marked Thomas limped his way back to his chair and sat as the ten guards dropped to the ground and rested their heads in the dust.

Without lifting his head from the ground, Ncinane asked Thomas, “Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa, we your guards wait for your commands.”

After Nkoma had translated for Thomas and explained what he should say in return, Thomas spoke to Ncinane and the waiting youths. “Ncinane set my guards… bamisela abalindi.”

“Ewe Nkokheli.”

Ncinane immediately stood up and spoke to the others in a rather more adult voice than he had previously used. Immediately the nine youths took a station around Thomas with four kneeling along the front just below Thomas and the other five divided on each side. Ncinane stood to Thomas’ left just beside his chair. All of them stood solidly with their shields and spears at the ready should anyone try to approach without Thomas command.

It had been a long day and Thomas was ready for some rest. Somehow the King must have seen the weariness on Thomas’ face as he suddenly stood which brought an immediate silence to the masses around the kraal who had been chattering about the placing of such young ones as house guards. The King’s voice put paid to any voices as he began to give orders for Thomas to be allowed to retire to his new house and rest, as there was to be a large celebration that night and already the cattle were being slaughtered in readiness for the occasion.

As the centre circle of the kraal was emptying, Nkoma helped Thomas limp back to the new house where he would find a freshly made bed of soft skins along with a large bowl of fresh water waiting for him. Ncinane and three others took station at the door while the others went to one of the small huts that were just to the side of the main house. Khanda showed up shortly after with fresh dressing and more of the green gunk to clean his leg while Nkoma took a seat on the stool that had been made for Thomas’ use when inside the house.

There was a long night ahead and even Thomas had to admit to himself he needed some rest if he was not to collapse during the festivities. Thomas laid back as Khanda went to work on his fast healing wound. He only hoped his new guards would heal as quickly from the deep gouges he had made in their young skin.

TBC

You are reading Book 3 of Thomas Markings incredible journey. Let Arthur know what you think of this latest chapter. Arthur at CastleRoland dot Net