10 The Scarlet Furred Beas (1/2)

At the fourth cock crowin the morning on the first day of Ochieng's eighty first season, he carried his sword and wine gourd and left for the northern part of the forbidden land on the back of Mudho. He was going to explore the other parts land and temper himself.

They covered the first a hundred kilometers without coming across any mischance. If they did, it was something infinitesimal that Mudho casually dealt with. However, at the verge of the a hundred kilometers mark, they chanced upon something strange.

Just three metres beside them, there was an area of around three metres squared, shrouded with a pallid scarlet light. Out of curiosity, the duomade up their minds to go take a look. Immediately they got closer, Mudho extended its left forelimb to touch the light only to be blasted off.

With Ochieng' on its to back, Mudho was sent flying to a tree about fifteen feet away. The tree together with the beast fell on the spot. The one who got the largest share was Ochieng' who fell another ten feet away. He wasn't injured maybe because he fell on the buns or he was was just brawny.

”What the hell is that Mudho? ”

He could not help but ask once he got up. Mudho didn't answer him. He repeated his question louder and the response was still the same. He realized Mudho was even more flabbergasted judging from the deep frown on its face. Ochieng' only shook his head and walked to Mudho who even at this moment was still glued to where it fell, staring at the light as if it was a spectre.

”Wha...

Ochieng lightly touched the animal on the back and was just about to say something when the animal hopped to a nearby bush horrified to its core. It lay in the bush for around ten seconds before lifting it's large head that was filled with perspiration, only to find the young man grinning.

”You really scared me... ”

”What is there to be scared about? ” He chortled.

The animal walked out of the bush in an unkempt state. It's mane and fur had dry leaves attached to them. Ochieng' wanted to laugh but after seeing Mudho's warning gaze, he covered his mouth lest he suffered the wrath of the lion. Of course the best it could do was to chide him for being an unreliable friend.

”Have you seen such a thing before? ” Ochieng asked

”Never in my life. Just like you, I have never been to this sides of the forbidden land, everything I know I heard from stories. ” the beast answered, its dark face showing terror that came from the bottom of its heart.

They wanted to walk away when a large figure egressed from the light. It was an ape that resembled gorilla except for its tremendous size, scarlet fur and blue round eyes. It looked gorgeous but the glower on its face made thefella and the lion look at it apprehensively.

”What are you two ugly creatures doing in my land? ” after a long silence, the beast asked.

”Your land?” The twosome couldn't help but wonder.