The Beasts within

Episode2

The Decisions

The next Morning, the air is cool and still, carrying the subtle scent of dew-covered grass or blooming flowers. Birds sing gently in the distance, their songs blending with the faint rustling of leaves in a light breeze. The world seems to move slower, with fewer sounds perhaps just the occasional hum of nature or the quiet footsteps of an early riser. It’s a peaceful moment where everything feels fresh, quiet, and full of potential for the day ahead.

Flora came out from the house and greeted her father with a hug, his reciprocation to the hug was slightly fainted as he found himself not responsive. She wondered what the matter was and allowed him to calm and settle down.

As he was about speaking to her, his friend Ben came in hastily into his compound and sat with him, Flora left them and went inside, Ben asked him “Have you told her yet? What was her response? The head chief sent me here as well to check the reaction of your daughter after telling her the decision”.

Oti said to his friend “Ben, I haven't been a coward all my life, there is nothing I cannot say to anyone so long it's for the good of others, I speak for the house in the council of leaders, the same reason I was made the spoke man of the leaders” he said beating his chest with his words.

“But at this very moment, I don't know where to start from, it is like I am learning how to talk again, I can't seem to find the right words to tell her, I am scared of her response, having knowing that she never liked the idea of me involving Bokor” he said as bitterness took over his eyes.

Ben with a sigh of relief tried to look for the right words to use on his friend as he stared at him for a while, Finally he got something,

Ben Said “For all we may know, Bokor never said she will not return, he said she will return with the solution, she will be the one to bring us our long awaited wish, why don't you just tell her maybe she will be willing to embark on such a journey being that she looks avengerous in nature.”

Oti took in a deep breath, as he called Flora, “Flora! Flora!!” he called out. She came out looking as a baby in his eyes again and he stood up and hugged her again. Flora was confused why emotions were surrounding the atmosphere, so she sat and waited for them to tell her the reason why she was called.

“Flora, we had a meeting with Bokor this morning as you earlier know, the meeting turned out fine for others but as for me it didn't agor well for me as you were involved” he said. Flora was surprised and wanted to know what part she has to play in such a discussion.

He continued “Bokor has asked for the purest of hearts and virgin to join him to Nightveil Wood to bring out the solutions to our problems and the only one worthy for this assignment is you my daughter” he said as he paused to check her reaction,

Flora with shock and contemplation stood up and found herself looking for the appropriate words to use on her father and his friend, she said “Father have I done anything wrong to you and the villagers that out of the great men and fearless women we have in the village you chose me to go to Nightveil Wood with Bokor?” she said as tears dropping down her chick.

Oti stood up and held her strongly and said “I believe you that you can do this though I am scared, but if you don't want to do it then I will send a message to the Tribal head chief that my daughter will not go to Nightveil Wood, as your father I will support in whatever you take as you decision Flora”

She removed herself from him and ran inside the house, he called her but she refused to answer as she was filled with emotions and fear.

“Oti, now I understand how you feel, this is very difficult I must say, but I will take my leave now and please whatever the outcome is, just take it easy on yourself, see you soon old friend” Ben said as he tapped his shoulders and left.

Oti sat outside for hours thinking of the predicament before him, he couldn't say a word to himself, he started looking pale all of a sudden and wondered what he has done to the gods that they hate him so much.

He said in his heart “First my wife and now my daughter will be sent out to Nightveil Wood” Finally he went inside his house and couldn't sleep till the next morning.

The next morning, Flora was doing the chores when he came out from his house, she greeted him with her face down and continue her chores, he went straight to his chair outside and continued beaming at the morning sun.

Flora went to him in a slow manner and said “Father, I have thought about what you told me yesterday, and this is my decision, I will go with him to Nightveil Wood so long as it will bring lasting solutions to our problems then I am willing to do it. If I don't go there I will end up bringing shame to you and our family, if anything goes wrong again the blame will come to us, I don't want you to go through all these just for me” she said as look into his eyes.

“You will never bring shame to me with your decision my daughter” he told her as he held one of her hands and stroked her hairs backwards. “Not going to Nightveil Wood will not change anything about you for me, I will always see you as my brave and perfect daughter, please think this through”

“I have thought about it father and my mind is made up” she said. She asked him when are they suppose to embark on the journey, he told her tomorrow morning, “But first we need to go and see the Tribal head chief upon your agreement on going with the witch doctor.” he said to her in a fainting voice hoping she will reconsider.

Flora being avengerous in nature, has decided that she will make the journey and tries to see it as a sacrifice that she has to make if she truly wants solutions to their problems

They both went in and prepared themselves to go and meet the Tribal head chief to tell him about their decision. They got dressed and came quickly and went to the Tribal head chief.

When they got there he welcomed them and waited for their decision and they told him that she will be leaving tomorrow. The tribal head chief stood up and hugged her then thanked her for such a brave decision. He told her that upon her arrival there would be a celebration and her family would be greatly rewarded for accepting such a Task.

At dawn the next day, Bokor the witch doctor has already come out to the town square waiting for Flora and she came out with her father with her little bag that contains drinking water, fruits of all kinds and some wound healing herbs. Her father was already in tears as he watched his only daughter prepares to leave him.

Reaching the town square, he gave her a hug and cried a little and pleaded with her to come back to him no matter what. She made a promise that she will come back to him no matter the circumstances. So she left with Bokor for Nightveil Wood. As she turned back she saw all the villagers looking at her in anticipation and wondered if she would make it back alive, she saw her father from a distance as his heartbeat was beating faster than normal.

Flora told herself to be strong and focus on the journey as she has determined to bring back the solutions to their problems no matter the cost, she cannot stand to see another brutal raiden and killings of her friends and family by the neighbouring villages.

Bokor looked into her eyes and said “No matter what happens be strong and be courageous those are what will keep you alive on this journey” then she pondered on these words as they went deeper into the journey of Nightveil Wood, she continued to ask herself what the solutions could be? Why will the gods choose a virgin instead of a male? What will happen to her virginity in Nightveil Wood? She Kept on asking herself for two days before getting to Nightveil Wood.