45 Meeting Rende Kabando (2/2)

Ochieng' opened his mouth to ask a question when his vision turned dark. When he resuscitated, he was lying on a skin inside a cave, his left hand holding the map, his right hand in Apeleka's, the three lions and the two birds stood by his side looking at him with all smiles.

”Where am I?”

He asked because he realized where he was currently was not the place his consciousness got into the map.

”Just look well, you will realize.” Mudho said, laughing maniacally.

Ochieng' widened his eyes to see. He started by smiling as he did so. His smile changed into laughter, his laughter changed to something else. This was a cave he was extremely familiar with. The cave he had been living in since he was eight years old. He was currently twenty two, he had left this cave only a month ago. He had longed to be here again.

”Welcome back brother. We missed you a lot.” Mudho said in a jocund manner.

”We truly missed you Ochieng', welcome back home.” The tribe head added.

”I am very pleased. I missed you too but let us settle after everything to do with this map is over.” Ochieng' said coolly smiling mischievously.

”What happened Ochieng'?” Apeleka asked wearing a disquieted face.

”I was being given instructions on how to use this map.”

He then spread the map on top of a stone platform at the center of the room. Suddenly, a painting appeared on the surface. The painting was definitely the map to the Turka land he was told about.

The others came closer after seeing Ochieng's eyes glow only to see the skin clear. They could not see anything. Helpless, Apeleka asked, her eyes widened in confusion,

”Why am I not seeing anything?”

”Me too!” The five animals said almost the same time.

”Only a 'Mogwedhi' can read the map.” Ochieng' said kinda proudly.

”Then tell us what you see.” Jade Eagle said its eyes glowing with anticipation.

”I see the path leading to Turka land found in the north.”

”That is where the treasure vault is found, lead us there please.” Jade Eagle said excitedly.

”You know of the treasure vault?” Ochieng' asked with a frown on his face.

”Why would I be here if not for that?” The eagle asked rolling itseyes impishly.

”I see... ” Ochieng' nodded his eyes and continued, ”The journey to the vault will take us at least two weeks if we move at our maximal speed without stopping, what is quite impossible. Why don't Apeleka and I go back home and prepare food and other things for both of us during our journey as you prepare yours then we set off at sunup of the day after tomorrow? After all, we still have time?”

”I won't stop you then. I will also take my leave, let us all meet here at that time then...Oh, will our lion friends go too?” The eagle said like it was the leader of the group before it remembered something and asked. Before the lions responded, Ochieng' had already answered that the lions had to go with them. The eagle knew it was powerless before the young man. It immediately disappeared after agreeing on a few things.

Apeleka and Ochieng' climbed Jakony's back and they flew away. The three beasts dispersed to their caves.