HOUR OF DEATH

CHAPTER 2: WHISPERS

Shortly after dusk, visitors who were dressed in gold coated robes started filtering. On a close look you could have observed their dark eyes, a protruding mustache and about a million and ten hairs that covered their bony heads. They all entered in a straight line and circled the queen, she bowed to them in extreme confusion and showed them to the seats. A sudden lightning struck followed by a deafening thunder, a fox was howling continously from a close range. Sherry drank all this in shock, never had she seen the queen mother bow to anyone. Was the fox in the compound? That remained a mistery still not on offer and she could not afford the fantasy of digging into all mistery. The prince now entered abit tense, he knelt down then saluted the men in dazzling gowns. Well, maybe there were women but from the physical outlook, you could not tell the head and the tail.

"I greet you my superiors, as you all know this is your home and everything in it your very proportions. Feel at home great ones". Prince Deenario said carefully shaking abit.

"The old town of our fathers is on the verge of collapse, the king fox is dying and you've not found any favorable ally". Despite being a mere whisper, Sherry grasped every detail from the kitchen. The whole building shook at every word while the fox continued consistently, now making sorrowful sounds like a baby.

"I've taken every pain to ensure we get our lord the very best gene we can get in the city, very soon he will be able to sire a whole generation". Deenario explained in a composed posture.

"And besides, our lord wolf has grown such an appetite for human liver that we're almost sweeping villages".

Sherry was at loss, what was all this. The killings, wolf at a close range, liver, cats... The dots were now slowly connecting. She could not believe her ears.

"We shall deal with that, but all souls belong to him and even if we had to clear the whole city, there would be no offence as long as the master is content". One of the guests replied carelessly. His voice was something far from worldly, there was an echo at every word he uttered, slight tremors and afew cats making patterned sounds as if to sooth his hell bound voice.

"We will try our best, your word is the rule as always".

A rat that came rushing into the kitchen knocked Sherry back to her senses. It was being chased by a black cat, it had close to human eyes and shiny nails like those of the mother queen. It paused and looked at Sherry in careful scrutiny then turned to the rat. Instead of pouncing at the rat, it kissed its forehead then the two creatures vanished like great friends. This was alot of juju for Sherry.

"Hello, my lords. I've already prepared everything. I am just leaving". Sherry interrupted eyes on her toes.

"You mean you've been here all that long?" The prince was breathing fire.

"You good for nothing daughter of nobody, collect your sick body out of my premises". Deenario was shaking. Never had Sherry seen him in such a loss before.

One of the men in cloak stood silently realizing what an impostors presence would mean. He looked at Sherry the way a judge looks at a subject convicted with murder. Taking a card from his pocket, he made a cross sign in the air and sprinkled some cognant before Sherry.

She saw about a million stars, all dancing to some strange tune. She saw eagles, cats, a big fox advancing towards her in blood wet skin, a big blue lizard and an owl. They were all dancing around her and threatening at every available chance. There were flashes that hit her head softly and a strong smell of incense burning from a distance.

By the time all this was over, she opened her eyes and found herself at their block's gate, she tried remembering a thing but no. The magic had worked perfectly, spirits and authority.

"What happened mommy, you look beat". Phil was still awake, she was working on a drawing.

"Work was really tight today, I'm very tired".

"Are you sure you've not met any cats around, you look really frightened".

"I meet them everyday, it's only that.. Er... I tripped at the gate and almost fell".Sherry lied.

"I'm so sorry mom, you'll be fine. Will you get some rest now", it was much of a request than a question.

"Yeah, ofcourse".

She took the powder and made the usual charm protection. On top of that she burnt a small pitch of incense such that the whole room had a sweet smell. Phil had got used to this kind of routine and she never questioned a thing.

Phil was walking in a water thirst desert, she could not find any human settlement anywhere but she continued walking. Tired and hungry, she tore the land mass hoping to see someone or something that could give her hope. She then saw two kangaroos running towards her direction. She tried running but her legs never yielded, tried shouting by her lips remained glue. By the time the two creatures reached her position, she saw about ten others coming in all directions. The end was near, she mumbled afew prayers and said a charm ready to meet his creator. Just as all this was happening, a very big, ugly fox appeared mysteriously from nowhere. She felt the earth tremble abit as the fox squealed scaring all the kangaroos. Afew black cats appeared and surrounded her, the fox advanced towards her with its daring eyes fixed on her. She screamed and this time her lips yielded.

"Child, what is it with you. It's hardly half past midnight and you're screaming like your life dependent on it", Sherry shook her back to senses.

"A bad dream mommy", she replied terrified. Her heart was pounding like the famous maasai drums in some initiation ceremony.

"Okay, have some sleep. We will talk about it tomorrow". Sherry put in, still sleepy.

"But I can't sleep"

Sherry woke and lit the oil lantern, she put afew pellets of incense in a metal tin and lit it. That would surely frighten the spirits.

The following day was a Saturday. Given that most of the population were not working on weekends, the city was flooded with people of all cultural diverse. Different goods were displayed on shops, groceries added color into the otherwise dark city while afew beggars stood at the mosque area. Phil and her mother walked clumped together in the crowded streets looking at this and that, at one time one of the merchants shouted at them to get closer and sample his goods but their pockets were not in for a deal. They passed the ancient Oman palace which had worn out over decades but still retained its original design. They were headed to the market of miujiza where they sold incense, charm and other magic related goods. It was a large open air market where magicians sold witchcraft, this was the place where one could find half human-half animal beings selling magic at the very light of the day. Magicians performed their abracadabra on unsuspecting clients who would become enchanted. Alchemy was in the air and only the city inhabitants could tell which route was safe.

"We need a new dose, the one you slapped us with the other Saturday isn't working". Sherry complained.

"My products are the most pure in the vast Caribbean, you can't blame the hand that has been feeding you since your sunrise days", the old lady said looking thoughtfully at the two ladies.

"It's either the spirits were too powerful or you applied it the wrong way".

"She had to apply it twice for the devil to shy, I think your magic is getting weaker granny". Phil put in.

"Oh sweet puto-refering to someone dear, I'm so sorry. Maybe you need a new dose" She looked sympathetic.

"Please make it abit cheaper, Rosanna, times are bad and getting a silver coin isn't that easy nowadays". Sherry pleaded.

"I'll give it to you for free, as a sign of goodwill for our business relationship over years".

"You're so sweet grandma", Phil hugged her tightly.

"Say hi to Laura", Rosanna told the ladies as they departed with a new dosage.

The following day was a Sunday, Sherry planned on visiting the sacred hills off the city, it was about twenty minute drive and an uncle of hers who had an old truck would surely be of help. Phil was sceptical about the idea.

Thahu hills stood like many lions which were ready to pounce anytime. Almost every tree was marked by an owl and a black eagle. Bats flew at the sound of the two walking ladies who were starting their journey to the f*******n hill. The adventure had just began!