Mir Pacifica

Published: 30 Apr 2018

When Thomas awoke most of the day had passed and the first evening sounds of the wild were starting to be heard outside the kraal. Immediately outside his house there was a steady murmur of voices with only the occasional loud shout from what could only have been Nkoma’s father’s voice.

A heavy smell of cooking meat also hung in the air and for the first time that day his own stomach gave a soft gurgling sound. He had not realised just how hungry he had become. At the door to his new home stood two of his new guards. Their spears and shields at the ready, and inside the doorway with his head leaning against the wall was his number one guard Ncinane. It appeared that the young teen warrior had taken his duty seriously and rather than totally trust the life of his Nkokheli to any of his young warriors, had decided to stay inside the doorway even though his own turn at guard was over.

Thomas eased his legs off the low bed and looked around for the stick he used to aid in his movements. He was not aware he had made any sounds and yet Ncinane jerked awake as Thomas’s feet hit the floor of the house. Ncinane jumped to his feet immediately and spun around to look outside the door to make sure all was safe and well for his Nkokheli before turning back and kneeling with his head lowered as he spoke to Thomas.

“Ndiyakubona Nkokheli…I-Kraal Yakho Iphephili.”

It took Thomas few seconds to translate the words while Ncinane stayed kneeling with his spear and shield on the floor at his left and waited for his Nkokheli to reply. After making sure he had the words right, Thomas replied as best he could.

“Kulungile… it is good. Where is Ubuti Nkoma… uhm… Iphi I Ubuti Nkoma?”

“Nkokheli Nkoma Limi Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo.”

“Kulungile… uhm… I go… uhm… Ndiyahamba Ubuti Nkoma.”

“Ewe Nkokheli.”

Thomas watched as Ncinane backed out of the doorway before standing up and then yelling out loudly, “Kuza konke, Nkokheli Ingwe Uhamba Kumntakwabo.”

From two of the smaller huts just behind the main house the rest of the guards suddenly appeared with their spears and shields as they then lined up to each side of Thomas’s doorway with Ncinane standing at their head and waiting for his Nkokheli to take the lead. Before Thomas could join Ncinane outside the door he saw all the guards suddenly bow their heads and the tall figure of Khanda appeared and walked through the door with what appeared to be a bundle of animal skins in his hands.

“Ndiyakubona Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa. Kufuneka Ugqoke Njenge.”

Thomas noted that Khanda had spoken slowly and for the first time with what seemed to be a little deference to Thomas’s new position. While Thomas was not too sure about what Khanda meant by changing his clothes he had to have a little trust in the man he had himself said would watch over the lands given in his name when he continued his journey to the east. Thomas turned back inside and waited while Khanda laid out what would be his new clothes.

One look at the skins being laid out had Thomas wondering if he had made the right choice this time. There was a thin leather kirtle and what could only be described as a belt of spotted tails, there were also a number of spotted skin bands and a pair of solid looking open sandals. Looking at the bare minimum of clothing, Thomas could only look up into the smiling face of Khanda with a questioning look to the older buqili.

“Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa Yi Nkokheli… Lo Ngumqondiso We Nkokheli.”

There was little Thomas could now do. If this strange dress was what a leader had to wear then he would have to put his bravest face on and follow their traditions… as much as the thought of being partially naked in front of others was against his thoughts on morality.

It was a very embarrassed Thomas, red faced and all, as he stripped off his English clothes and stood in his where withal as Khanda showed him how to fix the brown leather kirtle in place, before he then began to add all the little extras. First was the belt of spotted tails that now made the kirtle a little more decent, next were the arm and leg bands also in the spotted skin. Once everything was in place, Khanda then knelt down and helped Thomas to tie on the open sandals which he found were made from a very thick and sturdy hide.

There was now only a spotted band that Khanda fixed firmly around his forehead and tied it tightly behind his head. The last item was a string of thick brown beads that had more of the look of heavy seeds than handmade beads. The necklace was tied around his neck and fit him with just a little space so they were not too tight around his neck. Khanda stood back and gave a small nod of satisfaction as he then turned to the wall of the house and took two items that Thomas had not noticed hanging on the thatched walls of the house.

Thomas had little trouble recognising the first item, it was the claws set on the wooden handle he had used to mark the young men outside his door. This he had to take in his right hand. The second item was a newly carved club he now knew was called an Iqela; a club that marked him as a leader, this was given to him and carried in his left hand. Thomas tried to stand straight and not blush too much as Khanda stepped back and looked him over before saying, “Ewe Nkokheli… Ngoku Ukona Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa… Indyalandela.”

Khanda pointed to the waiting guards as he stepped aside for Thomas to lead the way outside and then followed a few steps behind. Once outside and past the young guards, Thomas could see where Nkoma and his Father sat in the centre of the outer kraal with a huge fire now burning brightly in the darkening daylight. The sun was only minutes from sinking below the horizon to mark another day done. Thomas’ newly carved chair was placed beside that of Nkoma’s father.

In the air was the smell of freshly cooking meat and all around the kraal was filled with seated warriors. All had placed their spears and shields on the ground beside them as they sat waiting for their Kumkani to direct them. As Thomas tried his best to stride towards where the others waited and not blush at his semi naked state, Nkoma’s father turned his head and watched Thomas’ approach.

The first surprise Thomas got was what appeared to be a smile of the huge man’s face. It was almost incongruous after Thomas had seen only a very stern and determined look from the big man before. Did he really look so unusual with his glaringly white skin and half naked like any savage? Thomas was not quite sure if he could really face the mass of warriors now the time had come, especially as he was now half naked.

With a new determination to do the right thing, Thomas straightened his shoulders and forced himself to stride forward towards where the others waited. Even if the use of his cane made his determined steps a little unsteady and the fact Nkoma had a huge smile on his face, did not really help Thomas feel that much better.

When he arrived before the big man he lowered his head as his guards went to their knees behind him and said, “Ndiyakubona Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo.”

Thomas saw the man’s smile widen even further as he replied, “Ndiyakubona Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa, Khulala Kunye Nam.” The large man pointed to the chair Thomas had been given and then turned to Nkoma and spoke almost too fast for Thomas to understand all of it but fortunately Nkoma had the translation ready once Thomas was seated.

“Father say, Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa now looks like a Nkokheli of the Ldongo even though he wears the ghost skin of the outsiders. Father his happy that Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa will protect his south lands. Father now asks how long you will leave before returning to his people of the Ldongo.”

Thomas had gathered some of the conversation but not all so he was glad that Nkoma was still close by as his needed interpreter when the conversation was too rapid for him to keep up with. Thomas turned his head so he was looking directly at the big man who was still smiling at him.

“Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo; I go for three dry seasons… uhm… Ndiyahamba Ntathu Maxesha.”

The Kumkani nodded his head and then spoke to Nkoma once again although this time Thomas caught most of what was said. It appeared his ear was becoming more attuned to the language now that he only heard it except for when Nkoma was close by and used his broken Portuguese as translation. Nkoma soon had the full translation for Thomas.

“Father say it is good for the young warrior to see new things. He asks what is to happen if we do not see the Nkokheli Ingwe after three seasons.”

Thomas thought long and hard over this one. What if he met his demise way to the east, his new friends would never know and would continue to wait in vain for his return. Thomas had to make a decision on what they should do if he did not return and how long they should wait for him. With a silent nod to himself, Thomas turned to the Kumkani.

“Yindlovu Enkulu Yenkomo, should four seasons pass and I do not return, then Khanda should speak with the spirits as they will know where I sleep for the last time.”

Nkoma translated for his Father and Thomas watched the Kumkani look at him with something akin to a new respect. A single nod of his head was all the indication the King gave that he understood Thomas’s thoughts. The matter was then dropped as the King turned to the waiting mass of warriors and called loudly, “Ngunyama!”

Thomas watched as, from the back of the seated warriors a young boy who looked to be on the cusp of his teenage years worked his way through the thong of warriors. Thomas saw he wore a black leather like roll around his forehead and his clothing was of the barest nature, being a thin woven belt around his waist. From that hung a small square of not more than six inches by six inches of spotted skin to cover his boyhood. Also around the young boy’s neck was one of the brown seed necklaces and in the boy’s hand he carried a thin wooden stick.

Nkoma leant over to Thomas and said, “Ngunyama is the third son of my father’s fourth wife. He will be given the task of head herder for your cattle and will watch over the other herd boys while you are away.”

Thomas nodded his head to let Nkoma know he understood and then settled back into the chair to see what was going to happen next, it also eased the slight numbness in his injured thigh. Thomas still marvelled at how effective the strange treatment had been after such a short time. While the four scars were still quite a livid colour, they had healed enough so that the wounds were past being in danger of re-opening. Although the leg was still stiff and he knew he would not be running on it for some time yet to come.

The young boy, Ngunyama had finally made his way through the mass of men sitting before the King and was now down on one knee before the King; from his angle Thomas was surprised to see that the boy had nothing covering his rear and only the small square of spotted skin gave him any sense of decorum. Nkoma’s Father stood up with a thin whip-like cane in his hand although Thomas could see it was made of some type of black leather.

As the King began to speak to the kneeling boy, Thomas noticed that the King first looked at Thomas and then spoke slower than he normally did. It was apparent that he wanted Thomas to be able to follow his words which made it a little easier for Thomas and only required an occasional word from Nkoma to clarify.

Thomas listened closely as he translated as best he could in his own head.

“Ngunyama, you are my third son of my fourth wife. Soon you will be a man so I give you this task. For four dry seasons you will watch over the cattle of Nkokheli Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa. All the herd boys will answer only to you. Should you fail in your task then I will be the one to correct your ways. Ngunyama! Do you give the word of one of my blood to take this task and pay the price for failure?”

“Ewe Wam Kumkani.”

Thomas watched as the King just nodded his head and then, much to Thomas horror; the King brought the vicious looking cane whip down with what appeared to his full and prodigious strength so it struck the boy squarely across his bare buttocks. Almost immediately Thomas saw a thick and quickly rising welt rise on the bare black skin of the boy. He almost missed the King’s next words as the large man threw down the strange whip beside the boy.

Thomas could not believe his eyes when he saw the brutal swipe at the boy and yet the young boy barely flinched at the stroke even though Thomas could only imagine how much it must have hurt.

“Ngunyama, go to the Nkokheli Toma and give him your trust, if you fail him I will give you more of the same until you are no longer a man of the Ldongo.”

Thomas watched as the boy turned himself but stayed on his knees as he half crawled to below Thomas’s chair. It was not really a surprise for Thomas to see the semblance of a tear on the boys young cheek but he kept his young face immobile as he lifted the strange whip like cane in two hands for Thomas to take. From his place on the chair Thomas reached forward and took hold of the strange whip. Once it was in his hand, Nkoma leant over so he could whisper softly to Thomas. “Ubuti you too must give one stroke so he will always remember his task for you.”

Thomas was almost taken aback by the suggestion and was almost ready to refuse until Nkoma continued.

“You must do it so that Ngunyama knows you care for him and it will give him the authority over the other herd boys.”

Thomas sat for a little while longer as he looked at the raised rump of the thin boy; with a gulp he stood up just a little unsteadily and stepped down onto the ground below the short platform the chairs had been on. In front of him he could see the now well raised welt on the boys rear, trying not to look to distasteful he quickly lifted the whip and quickly brought it down on the waiting buttocks of the boy.

Thomas knew he had not hit as hard as he would have been capable of but it was just not in him to hurt the boy more than was required. With the stroke having been administered he dropped the black whip and sat back in his chair as he saw the beginnings of a far smaller welt start to appear on the black skin. Once Thomas was back in his chair he saw the King nod his head in approval as the boy regained his feet and took up the black whip-like cane.

Thomas was almost shocked to see the broad smile on the boy’s face as he turned around and with the whip in hand strode proudly through the seated warriors. His two raised welts being proudly displayed for all to see. While Thomas did not fully hear all the warrior’s comments he did gather they were also proud of the boy being given the task of protecting Thomas’s new herd of cattle and also not murmuring a single sound during his short ordeal.

There was definitely a new spring in the boy’s steps as he went to where the other herd boys stood waiting for him and they all even had looks of awe on their young faces. Ngunyama was the only one with any form of clothing, as miniscule as it was. Thomas almost broke into laughter as all the young herders tried to gather around to look more closely at the two welts Ngunyama was now sporting like a badge of honour.

Thomas’s attention was brought back to the King as the large man stood once again and began to talk rapidly to the mass of warriors. Thomas found he could follow more of the language but it was still too fast for him to understand everything. Fortunately, Nkoma kept him up to date as the King spoke for some little time with the mass of warriors only occasionally saying “Ewe Wam Kumkani” as the King spoke to them all.

Thomas leant over so he could speak with Nkoma. “What does the Kumkani say Ubuti?”

“Father say to the warriors that all must be ready at the rise of the sun to escort you back to the ghost skins that await you. Father’s gifts have already gone ahead as they are slower to move. We shall catch up with them before the great seas. Father also say, Ncinane must watch over your home until your return and Father will now select the two who will guard your back while you travel to far places.”

“More guards? Why?”

“Yes Ubuti Toma but these two will be special as they must stand at your back at all times. Should they fail in their duty their families will pay a full price.”

“Uhm…I don’t think I like the sound of that. Who will they be?”

“They will be my Father’s sons. One from his third wife and one from his second wife, they are the only two who are old enough for such an important duty.”

“What are these gifts he speaks of? I would have thought he has done far more for me than I deserve already.”

“What Father has done is little. The gifts are so you can trade with honour when next you meet with the ghost skin traders. They are a few small things the ghost skins seem to value and ask for often when they are searching for trade at the edges of Father’s lands.”

“Then I should thank the Kumkani for his generosity as I do not feel I am worthy of such good fortune.”

“No thanks are needed Ubuti Toma. Are you not guarding the southern lands of the Ldongo for Father? It would not be right for you to not show wealth before the ghost skins as you sit at the left hand of the Kumkani.”

Before more could be discussed, the King once again stood to his full impressive height, raised his Iqela and called for the food to be served. It did not really surprise Thomas when six women appeared with almost a quarter of a beast carried on a thick wide wooden platter, and laid before the King and his guests. It was quickly followed by many unknown vegetables and fruits as the feast began.

From the rear of the mass of warriors, drums began to beat and voices were raised as the main part of the feast got fully underway. Within an hour there were long lines of warriors dancing in a huge phalanx as young girls danced separately in a tight circle just behind the men, but staying in front of the three men sitting in front of Thomas’s new inner kraal. If Thomas thought it was going to be a dry meal he was far wrong as very young females appeared carrying large oval gourds that he soon found out were filled with a very potent liquid.

By late that night Thomas was feeling the effects of the strange drink and his belly was filled to bursting from the copious amount of food he had taken. Each time he had thought he was full, either Nkoma or the King would insist he eat more until his skin was sweating from the shear amount of food he had forced himself to eat… the strange drink had not helped either.

It was a very unsteady Thomas that was helped by his young guards back into his new house late in the evening. Thomas had little to no idea what hour it was but his unsteady legs and blurred vision told him it was time to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day as he began his return to those waiting for him on the beach.

The next morning dawned just like every other day in this huge land. On the outside of the main kraal Thomas could hear the sound of cattle lowing in the early morning as they were moved by the many herd boys out to their daytime pasture. Many of the warriors from the night before seemed to have disappeared although even through the fog in his head Thomas could hear the sounds of many more men getting ready to move.

Thomas spent a good ten minutes trying to clear his foggy brain with the cold water supplied in a large wooden bowl for his use but it only had a small effect as he heard footsteps come into the round house. Thomas looked up into the smiling face of Khanda as he lifted his head from the cool water and tried to shake off some of the fog so he could see clearly.

“Ndiyakubona Nkokheli, Konke Kulungile, Yakho Yokubuya.”

“Ewe Khanda; I am ready to return.”

“Ewe Nkokheli; Abafana Bayalinda.”

“Where do they wait Khanda?”

“Ngaphandle Nkokheli.”

“Good then we go now.”

“Ewe Nkokheli.”

Khanda led the way outside where the two new guards stood waiting. Both of the young men looked to be much the same age as Nkoma and stood stoically with spear and shield in hand. Even for Thomas’s unskilled eyes he could see some similarities in their appearance to Nkoma. That all three were brothers, was not hard to believe.

Just behind the two patiently waiting guards stood eight warriors with a modified litter which now looked more like a wicker chair than the litter of before. Thomas would be able to sit in comfort as he was carried back to the beach. Even he had to admit his wounded leg would not stand up to the rigors of the two day fast trip back. Khanda pointed to the first teen and said, “Eli Libizwa Ngokuba yiMamba. Eli Libizwa Ngokuba Libona Kube.”

Thomas interpreted that the names meant Mamba which he knew was a type of dangerous snake as he had been told about them by Nkoma when still at the beach. His translation of the other boy’s name was a little confusing unless he had heard it wrong but it seemed the teens name was something like Far Sight or Far Seeing which seemed strange although he could only nod his head as he stepped forward to take a seat in the wicker chair that sat ready for him.

No sooner had he sat down than Nkoma appeared with all his weapons and shield ready for the long trek back to where the others waited them; he also gave Thomas his new Iqela while the two new guards took up a position on each side of the chair and very close at hand. It seemed they took their work very seriously and gave only the faintest of nods to their older brother as he waited for the eight warriors to lift Thomas onto their shoulders and began the long march.

On the return journey Thomas saw much the same animals as he had seen when he first came through the vast lands but this time he was situated better to be able to observe them more closely. Even then it was still a wonder for his eyes to see the variety once again and his position up higher gave him a better view of where they were going. Thomas had to agree with Lorenco’s assessment that this land was indeed vast and yet, even with the number of warriors around him it still felt empty even though he knew for a fact that it held great numbers of natives in its vastness.

The huge mass of humanity travelled quickly and when the time came to stop for the night, Nkoma said they would catch up to the other column the next day just before arriving at the beach. That night there was once again fresh meat but there were no women in this column as it was travelling far too fast for women and their loads to keep up. They had been sent ahead with the gift column.

It was near midday the next day when Thomas thought he could faintly smell the saltiness of the ocean in the hot air rising from the parched land. In the distance he could just make out a cloud of dust as it rose from the gift column in front of them. Within an hour they would also become a part of that same column and then it would be only a matter of a few hours before they arrived at the beach and he hoped the waiting ships.

Thomas had no idea what the men waiting for him would make of his strange dress as he had not thought to change into his English clothes that morning. There was little he could do about it now, but he did brace himself for some choice comments from Fairley if the young batman saw him before he could change back into his other clothes.

As Thomas’s column caught up with, and then began to pass the rear of the gift column, Thomas started to take notice of what was being carried. The many older women at the rear of the long line were carrying wicker baskets on their heads which they seemed to have little trouble balancing with ease as in their hands they also carried what looked like cooking and sleeping articles.

Mixed in with the women were also others who were a little younger and each carried a large earthen container much like an oversized water jug but with two handles attached near the top while others seemed to be carrying what appeared to be folded hides and skins on their head in small bundles of four or five.

The young females with the strange jugs seemed to have the heavier loads and held one hand on them to steady them as they walked. They were not carrying any of the other items like those with the wicker baskets or skins. It was as Thomas’s column moved past the women that he saw what was ahead. In two long lines there were a mass of warriors. All were carrying their spears and shield in their left hand at their sides, but it was what was balanced on their right shoulders that caught Thomas’s attention the most.

Each pair of warriors had a huge white tusk balanced on their shoulders. Even at a glance, Thomas could see that some of the enormous tusks were longer than he was tall, and some were also larger in diameter than his thigh. Thomas could not count how many there were as the twin lines disappeared head of them but he guessed their number had to be in the hundreds. Slowly Thomas’s column moved forward until they were finally at the head of the column where Nkoma took the lead with Thomas sitting in his woven chair with his two close guards by his side.

Most of the warrior guard was now spread out on each side as they all moved at a slightly slower pace so the gift column could keep up the pace. The salty smell of the sea was now almost dominating the air as they closed quickly on the beach where Thomas hoped his men were still waiting for his return. It was not much longer before he sighed with relief as he could faintly hear the sound of raised voices not far away and the light swishing of waves on the beach meant they were almost back.

It was only minutes later when Nkoma led his hugely long column onto the white sand of the beach. A little further along from where they made their appearance, Thomas saw a large number of the ships crews cavorting in the warm water, while others sat around in relaxed poses under the shade of the large trees that bordered the beach.

With the appearance of Thomas and the long columns, a loud shout went up and all the men stopped what they were doing as they turned to watch the arrival of hundreds of natives with the lone figure of Thomas sitting in his chair as he was carried forward. Thomas called for Nkoma to stop the column so he could now leave the chair and walk towards where his many friends waited. From shade under the trees Thomas was surprised to see the three Captains appear and begin to stride towards him with large smiles on their faces.

As the two parties drew closer to each other Thomas could hear a few comments about the way he was dressed, or as he heard one seaman state “undressed”. He ignored their comments and directed his steps towards the three approaching Captains. As the four men met just short of where the Captains had been sheltering under the shade of the trees, Thomas let out a small groan as he spied a young man he would rather have evaded until later. He had a feeling he knew what was coming as the slim figure set his steps directly at where Thomas stood.

Fairley started talking while still ten yards away and Thomas almost had to smile as he saw the three Captains raise their eyebrows to the heavens as Fairley got into full stride. “Bloody hell General, what you been doing walking around all naked and such?”

Fairley was now only about three yards away when his steps came to a complete and sudden halt, as his jaw dropped and his tanned face turned white. Thomas quickly had to step in and order his two young guards to lower their pears as they were now only inches from Fairley’s bare chest and the dark eyes that were boring into him made him shiver.

“Yeka! Ngu…uhm…Mncini.”

When Thomas told his two guards that Fairley was his small brother it was the only way he could think of saying the boy was harmless before the two spears went any further. While it was a small lie, for Thomas it was the only way to make sure his young batman and perpetual pain in the arse was made safe. When the two guards heard Thomas they immediately lowered their spears, turned towards him and knelt down with their heads bowed to indicate they now knew they had made a mistake. Thomas looked up at Fairley as some of the colour began to return to his pallid features.

“Well Fairley; see what happens when you let your mouth go before thinking?”

“Bloody hell General, who is those savages and where’s your clothes at?”

“My clothes are here I just haven’t had a chance to change since last night. Now if you will shut up for a minute I can do something about it once I’ve talked with the Captains.”

Thomas turned just in time to see Nkoma looking at him with a wide smile on his face. Thomas said nothing, as it was, Nkoma would not have understood the English language used between him and Fairley but the situation really spoke for itself.

As the rest of the long column began to appear, Thomas saw the shocked looks on the faces of the men assembled on the beach as the first of the gifts started to appear. The sun glinting off the huge tusks were the first to be seen by the waiting Captains and it was Roger Scully that let his breath go in a gasp as he realised what he was seeing.

“Thomas what’s all this? Do you know what you’ve got there?”

“It’s just some gifts Nkoma’s Father gave me for trade. Unfortunately there is quite a lot of it so we will have to divide it up amongst the three ships.”

Roger looked back along the beach to see more warriors carrying tusks on their shoulders. There seemed to be no end to the line of half naked men and their burdens. Roger looked back at Thomas as he shook his head in wonder.

“That’s a fortune in Ivory Thomas. I have read in a science paper about it but I have never heard of it being is such a quantity before. The most I have read about it is that it is usually just in small pieces and used in carving or inlays. I don’t have a clue what you’re going to do with this much?”

Roger turned back towards where the men were still appearing with their burdens and could only shake his head at what he was seeing. In his estimation the ivory alone would not only cover the cost of this voyage but show a huge profit as well. Especially if all he had heard about the east lands using it in great quantities.

“Well Thomas I suppose the next problem will be how to get it all aboard. We will have to use every small boat we have and even then it will take a couple of days to load it all.”

As the last of the huge tusks were carried down onto the beach, Thomas heard Roger give another loud sigh as he saw the first of the women appear with the loads on their heads. Roger looked at Thomas and asked, “Bloody hell how much more is there?”

“Sorry to say but it’s a bit more yet. I don’t know what the women have in those jugs and baskets but I do know that there a lot of them carrying skins and hides for us as well.”

“Perhaps we should have brought along a couple of your other ships to carry all this. So what do we do now?”

“Well first I have to change so if you could return to the shade and wait for me I will ask Nkoma where my other clothes are before Fairley has a blue fit.”

Roger nodded and asked his two captains to join him back under the trees and in the shade to discuss how they were going to get all of Thomas’s new gifts aboard without delay. Thomas turned to Nkoma and asked him in a mixture of Ldongo and Portuguese.

“Ubuti, I must change my clothes before I go to the ship.”

“Ewe Ubuti… they are here. We will make a wall with our shields so the women do not see the greatness of Ingwe Engakwazi Ukufa.”

Thomas almost frowned at the broad smile on his friends face until he also joined in letting a small chuckle out as he saw the funny side of the situation. Thomas was still watching the long line of tusk carrying warriors as they stacked the huge number of tusks under the trees above the high water mark. Thomas was not surprised to see that, even these tough warriors were showing signs of weariness after carrying their burdens so far but Nkoma did not pause as he called for a number of them to surround Thomas and lock shields to protect his modesty.

From among the other warrior guards came two who had been tasked with watching over Thomas’s English clothes. Thomas was by now a lot less uncomfortable about changing his clothes even though it was out in the open but the warriors had all turned their backs and locked shields to form a very effective wall for him to undress behind. Nkoma helped Thomas as he removed his native clothes, such as they were, and it was not long before he was once again dressed in his normal manner. There remained now only to remove the various arm and leg bands.

As Thomas finally reached up to remove the head band so he could place his normal black hat on his head, Nkoma spoke.

“Ubuti. wait I will change that thing for you.”

Nkoma then took Thomas’s hat and after removing Thomas’s spotted head band from around his forehead, Nkoma began to find a way to set it around the crown of the hat and tie it off so that now Thomas had a hat band made from the spotted skin.

“Ubuti, now they will all see that you are Nkokheli. Your necklace must never leave your neck as that to will show all that you are held in high esteem by the Kumkani.”

Thomas smiled as he took back his black hat and looked at the new addition. Even he had to admit it did give the plain old black hat a certain style although having to always wear the thick seed necklace under his normal shirt did not sound to comfortable but he was sure he could manage it over time.

With Thomas now fully dressed and looking more decent to the eyes of the ship’s crew and his friends, it was time to look at sorting things to get the ships loaded and continue with their planned journey. When Thomas was able to finally rejoin his friends under the trees, his two guards stood just behind him and watching for any danger. It was then that Thomas saw that most of the women were now making their way along the beach with their loads and were setting them down with the tusks.

It was apparent to Thomas that in some small way the women looked relieved to finally dispose of the cargo and all of them quickly made for a place behind the warriors in the shade and out of the hot sun. When Thomas looked at what had been sent to him as gifts he could only marvel at the sheer quantity even though he did not know what most of it was or how it could be used later in their travels.

As Thomas joined his friends he almost smiled as he saw the three captains look inquiringly at the two partially dressed and fully armed guards just behind Thomas; in time they would not have to worry about the persistent guard with Thomas but as yet all this was still new to them and they had no idea what it was all about until Thomas decided to tell them the story.

Thomas sighed as he joined his friends after Nkoma had told him he would have to leave immediately with most of the warriors and women as he now had duties for his Father who was waiting for him. Nkoma told Thomas he would leave one hundred warriors here on the beach to protect him and his friends until they left for their travels. Once this was said, Thomas and Nkoma took each other’s forearm and placed the other hand on each other’s shoulder. From there it was just a silent understanding between two young men that did not need words to explain although Nkoma did whisper, “Ntathu Maxesha”

“Ewe.” Thomas replied

After a few seconds and with the slightest of nods by both parties, Nkoma raised his voice and called out loudly for the bulk of the natives to follow him. He then turned from the group under the tree and began his walk back along the beach with the mass of warriors and women close on his heels. Around Thomas’s men there were now only a hundred warriors and they quickly spread out and took up guarding positions inside the trees and looking inland for any dangers.

Thomas turned to the three Captains and they began to plan how they were going to load the cargo. As Roger Skully had surmised it was going to take at least three days to take it all to the three ships even using every small boat they had. It would then be another day to settle the cargo into the holds and make it safe, so it did not upset the trim of the ships and they could still sail at their optimum.

At the start of the loading, Thomas stood with the three Captains and watched as each item was carried down to the waiting boats to be taken out to the ships. When it came time for the clay jugs and wicker baskets on the third day, Thomas was surprised when the men loading the clay jugs complained of their weight. But he could not see what was inside as they were all sealed with a plug of clay in their tops. It did take two men to lift each large jug. Thomas was then amazed that a single young women was able to carry one on her head without help.

It was on the morning of the fifth day that saw the ships finally unfurl sails to catch the early morning off-shore breeze and return to their planned journey. On the beach behind them the last of the warriors of the Ldongo stood watching. They drummed loudly on the shields with their spears as the ships began to lean into the wind and the bows started to part the waters as the masts creaked under the full load of white sails.

By midday the distant coast was now only a smudge on the retreating horizon, even through his spy glass Thomas could not make out any sharp features. Deep inside he could feel a sudden loss which for some reason brought a sense of longing and a desire to be back with Nkoma and his people. Thomas did not see the quick glance between the two brothers as they also watched the only home they had ever known disappear over the horizon.

Mamba and Libona Kube suddenly straightened up as they realised their Father had given them a far more important task than any of their own thoughts of home could allow. The Nkokheli Ingwe was to be kept safe at all times and returned to the Kumkani within four seasons or it would be best the two brothers did not show their faces again on the lands of the Ldongo.

The first day back on the ocean for Thomas was like he had never been there before and it took his stomach a little time to adjust to the pitch and roll of the ship. For his two guards, it was another matter entirely, and he had to feel a little sorry for them as they tried to stay close enough to protect Thomas. At the same time they had a need to lean over the solid gunnel and leave behind all they had eaten in the last two days.

Thomas felt sorry for them and at times even had to frown in no uncertain terms at some of the less than flattering comments from the sailors. All thought it was great fun to watch these two strange black warriors reduced to sweating and shaking dolls by the roll of the ship and the vagaries of the sea. Fortunately for the two young warriors, by the next morning and after a solid nights sleep at the doorway of Thomas’s cabin, they had little difficulty with their stomachs once they were again up in the fresh air of the ocean.

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