19 Jakony (2/2)
”As tired as I was, I tried following it to see what it could do. I was astonished when it dropped down dead. I realized the song died with the animal. I also felt energetic after the song. I was wondering what was happening when she landed on my shoulder.” At this point she pointed at the bird on the tree ahead of them. Ochieng' followed the direction she pointed and was slightly surprised to see the gray bird.
”I have seen her before.” He exclaimed.
”She's called Jakony(helper). After she landed on my shoulder, she asked me to give my story and I narrated to her. She promised she could help me and I trusted that at once. She helped me settle for a whole four seasons, killing any beast that meant harm for me through her skills. After the four seasons, it said it could help me look for a friend. It then started wandering in the forbidden land. For two seasons it never met a human being in this land. It seemed I was the only one.”
”One day she took me for a walk. I was on her back as it flew to the center of the forbidden land. It is then that I saw you resting near that lion friend of yours. Jakonyis skilled in mesmerizing everything. She can make anyone do what she wants by just singing. She can also deliver and obtain information from anyone through dreams.”
”She got all the information she wanted from you through a dream without you realizing. After it learnt that you're a Lu and a 'Mogwedhi', she taught me your language through her skills. She also told me everything about you. She started watching you since then and could give me information about your daily activities everyday. With time I started liking you, so we could just come, watch you cultivate, play and do everything. We concealed ourselves well so you couldn't notice us.”
”When I couldn't get satisfied by just watching you, I started sending her eight seasons ago to get you to me. I am glad you're beside me today.”
He was buried in the story that he didn't realize she had finished. She tapped his shoulder lightly and it was then that he stopped daydreaming. He looked at her eyes seriously and said, ”I am most excited to be here with you. ” He then turned to the bird, clenched his hands and continued, ”I thank you Jakony for helping Apeleka in here. ”
”It is nothing much, she is my sister, I had to protect her. I am happy she is with you now.” The bird replied.
”It is okay.” Seeing the bird not in need of appreciation, he said nothing much.
”When are we leaving?” The girl inquired.
”The day after tomorrow.” He responded.
The five then went to the lions tribe land where the three visitors were warmly welcomed. If it was any other day, they could have been eaten even before they entered the land. They only survived because they were acquainted with Ochieng'.