60 The Rainless Dark Clouds And The Smiling of Winds (1/2)

In Odindi clan, things were going on unremarkably. Everyone was oblivious to the war that had taken place a few days ago. This was the same with all the clans in Lu tribe.

It was better that they did not know. People tend to do unnatural things when they are in their state of fear. Who knew what the members of the Lu community could do? Even if they knew about the war, what help could they give? It was better to be safe than sorry. Everything concerning the war was only known by the upper echelons of the various clans and all of them were in the Lu tribe training camp if not in their own clan training fields.

This afternoon, many from Ong'am's family had already known about the war that took place a few days ago because of Ochieng' and Jakony.

Many had taken their afternoon meals and were currently involved in various activities. Most women were under trees telling stories. Young men had taken their animals from water and were grazing them not far from home. Old men were gathered in different places busy smoking cigarette from their old pipes while discussing clan issues. Young women who had not gone to their own homes were together learning a few things here and there and children were playing as usual.

Suddenly, the ambiance around and within Odindi clan specifically changed. Things tranquilized everywhere. That was strange. Nimbus appeared on the sky but there was no rain. The winds were blowing gently making the atmosphere comfortable. Maybe something unexpected was yet to happen.

”Ong'am, this is a a bad sign. It is all your fault. See what you have brought to our clan just because of that filthy son of yo...”

PAA!

A resounding slap landed on Mboya Ogwang's left cheek. The slap was accompanied by him spouting blood and a few of his teeth landed on the ground as he staggered a little before finally stabilising.

”Did you just slap me?” He inquired his stomach burning with anger.

”So you are also too dumb to realize what I did. You insult anyone you want in my family but dare not insult my son Ochieng'!” Ong'am warned with all seriousness.

”Fine, you just have to prove that you have the capability to stop me from insulting him.”

Mboya dashed towards Ong'am with great force as soon as he finished saying so. His right fist was already ahead of him piercing the air ferociously as he moved. The fist carried great might such that if it landed, Ong'am could lose his life.

Faced with the enraged Mboya, Ong'am remained calm. He did not fear anything happening to him. After all, even if he was injured by that fist, he had the regenerative ability. Notwithstanding, he hated feeling pain, he could not just allow that punch to land on him.

”Stop!”

When the punch was just an inch away from Ong'am, an angry voice echoed in the air. Mboya stopped and turned to the direction of the voice, to see who was audacious enough to poke his nose where it was not needed only to see a group of warriors clad in leopard skins led by two men. One of the two men was middle aged and the other one was a young man in his late thirties.

The majestic air around the middle aged man indicated his standing. The killing intent in his eyes also showed the number of battles he had gone through. He was the one who had called out.

”Tribe head.”

Upon seeing the middle aged man and feeling the authoritative air around him, the two who were involved in a fight bowed respectfully simultaneously.

”You were left here to train your warriors for a coming battle and here you are, fighting. What if the enemy attacked?” Censured the tribe head.

”It was all because of him here.” Mboya pointed at Ong'am.

”What did he do?” The tribe head asked with a deep scowl between his brows.

”His son arrived here with two Lang women a month ago. A week ago, when we were discussing the coming of the battle, he disappeared. He is over eighty seasons old and capable of fighting but chose to leave us during the meeting. Ong'am over here is busy defending him.”

Even though Mboya was an outsider in Odindi clan, as the saying goes, 'walls and leaves have ears', it was not impossible for the commander to know a thing or two about Ochieng's arrival.

”Okoth, is he the one from the other day?” The tribe head turned to Okoth Ang'wen, Odindi Clan's Chief.