THE CITY OF PANDORA

chapter 9

Zawadi quickly drank the last bottle of water.

They walked and walked in the scorching sun.They felt so week .Since there were no trees, Chaka kept asking zawadi to read his map and tell him how far they were from residences.Their feet left a huge footprint trail in the sand.

They walked and just when they were almost giving up .They saw one small house.

new task added

go to the house and find refreshments.

They immediately increased their pace.They looked like they were running from something.

"Hello ,anybody home,"zawadi called out as he pepped through the windows.

After a few minutes an old man answered the door.He opened it with an axe in his hands.The terror in his eyes could not be hidden.

"Who, are you and what do you want,"he asked as he looked at T'chala who was now holding his sword in his hands.

Zawadi had already noticed that Chaka's masculine body and sword made the old man feel insecure.So he quickly commented.

"Aah that's my friend he won't hurt you.We are headed to the ancient temple,we only need some refreshments from you.

"Okay come in,and tell your friend to keep his sword away,"the old man said.

After letting them in he looked outside keenly to see of their was anyone else and closed the door .The two had already found their way to the living and were comfortably sitting.

"what are you going to do in the temple,"the old man asked as he reached to some shelves to take glasses.He then handed the two glasses of water.

He then went back to the kitchen and brought two plates with roasted meat and placed them on the table.

"Sorry,but that's the only food i have left.Its not easy to find food around here."

"Its enough to bring back our strength,thank you,"zawadi said as he quickly grabbed his plate.

"We are going to the temple because its our path to the greenland,"Chaka said as he enjoyed his meal.

The old man had now stood ,he was gazing at an old potrait on the wall.It had an image of a small girl and him.

He seemed to be in great despair.He sobbed for a while until T'challa joimed him and broke the silence.

"who is she?"

"She is my little girl clara.One day the followers of the queen came to my home in Mulungu,they burnt down my home and took her from me.Some years later i had she had been tranformed into a manifestation of the queen and even if she came back she would not be the same,"he explained as he continued sobbing.

"I think we should be on our way now,"Zawadi said.

The two turned and looked at him.He had already gathered their belongings and heading for the door.

"Why don't you stay for the night,its not safe out there,"said the old man.

"I think we should stay zawadi,am really tired,"Chaka said as he looked at his friend for a reply.

"Okay,"zawadi replied reluctantly.

The three chatted for a while about the history of the place.The sky grew darker and being so tired,they decided .Chaka had a weird dream,in the dream the old man had shifted into a big python.He was standing next to their bed.Chaka and Zawadi screamed for help but no one came to rescue them.The serpent swallowed them alive.Chaka woke ul in fear.He touched his bed it was wet with his sweat.He pepped through the window and saw the old man chopping wood .Hs decided they would sneak out secretly without the old man knowing.

"Zawadi ,zawadi, wake up we need to be on our way.The shape shifters might have sensed our presence here," he said as he looked around restlessly.

"Agrrrh,just let me sleep for a little while," zawadi groaned as he turned to the other side. T'chala woke him up again and signalled zawadi to keep quiet.

"Okay ,you continue sleeping as for me am leaving," T'challa said as he grabbed his armor jacket and his sword holder.

He opened the bedroom door slowly and hurriedly tip toed to the main maindooor. He then closed the door and when he was a good distance from the house he started running.

When Zawadi realised Chaka was serious, he hurriedly woke up.He didn't even wear his shoes.In the hurry ,he almost forgot his bags so he quickly took them in one hand,his shoes in the other hand and ran as he called out Chaka who was now ahead.

Zawadi kept on running behind Chaka until he caught up with him .The two ran for a while but Chaka suddenly stopped.They were both tired and as they caught their breath,Chaka saw a treasure box in a bush and opened it.He found a map, an axe and 10 golden coins..He handed the map to Zawadi to interpret while he keenly analyzed the axe.

"The map says ,we need to turn to the north we will cross a river and after there we will continue to follow the marked trees."

Chaka took the map from him and studied for a while.

"It seems we will be in the desert for a while," he said as he lift his eyes to look ahead.

He then returned the map to Zawadi and started walking.

Zawadi put in his bag as he struggled to catch up with him.

His strides were small compared to T'chala's. He had to run once in a while to catch up with him.

While they were still walking in the scorching sun, T'challa pressed his bracelet.Sweat was dripping down his face ,he had to wipe it off once in a while.A screen popped up with his stats.After searching for a while zeddie's image popped up.

"T'chala how is the going?

Are you having a good time?"

"Yes i am,am just wondering why you haven't talked to me for a while now."

"Sorry,i only follow instructions."

"Okay."

"You must have realised your points have increased ,distribute them as you please and be aware of the shapeshifters."

At this point Zeddy dissapeared.This is how his stats looked like after distributing

Player:Chaka

Total points 80

STR :30

VIT :10

AGI:10

INT:20

L:5

C:5

Weapon:sword and axe

skills: a skilled warrior

Then he closed his screen and continued walking,zawadi behind him as always.

"Am tired,please Chaka let's rest for a while,"he said as he took out a bottle of water.

"How did you get the water?"

"I stole it from the old man last night,"zawadi replied as he handed Chaka the water.Chaka drank the water and as he was closing the bottle he saw two spie ravens.He took his arrow and bow slowly and shot them down.

3/60 spie ravens dead.

xp+100coins

"Can you teach me how to fight Chaka,i need to be ready for what's coming."

"Of course i can ,but we will need another sword."

"I have a small blade,atleast we can start with that before we find a sword."

"Okay,that will do,But we cannot train in this scortching sun.We have to get somwhere cool with enough water.

The sand underneath their feet was so hot.Their feet were burning inside their shoes.

They suddenly noticed a man coming far behind them riding on a carmel.They stopped and waited for him to see if he would help.

He came nearer and nearer and stopped where they were.

"Mwafanya nini kwenye hii nchi kavu peke yenu? Hamjui mfalme wa nchi hii anaweza akawaua."

The two looked at each other.Zawadi turned to the strange man and replied.

"Mbona wasema hivo kakangu."

"Chaka was impatient and confused he asked zawadi what the man was saying.

"He is speaking swahili and he has asked us what we are doing in this desert alone.He has also said that the king of this lands is brutal and he can kill us,"Zawadi explained.

"Ask him if there is a place around here where we can spend the night the sun is almost going down,"said Chaka.

"Kuna mahali tunaeza lala huku ili tuendelee na safari yetu asubuhi,"Zawadi asked.

"Kuna kijiji kidogo hapo mbele mtapata pahali pa kula na kulala,"the man replied.

Zawadi turned to his friend and explained."The man is saying there is a small village not far from here where we can lodge.

The two mounted the carmel.At least it was faster and comfortable than their feet..By far they saw a few houses enclosed with a wooden wall.The houses had roofs made of coconut leaves.They resembled those of the coast.They entered the gate which seemed to be always open.Chaka screen poppep up again.

New area discovered msambweni village.

xp + 250coins

As soon as they entered the gates guards came from all directions.They were holding sticks sharpened at the age which served as weapons.They sorrounded the thre and pointed the sticks at them.

On seeing that,Chaka also took out his sword and looked at them vigilantly .He was ready to start taking them down .One of the guards stepped forward.He seemed to be their leader as he was wearing alittle bit different.He asked the stranger who had brought them .

"Hawa ni kina nani sudi?

'Ni wageni wa mfalme,"the man answered as he slightly bowed his head.

"What is he saying zawadi,"Chaka asked as he held his sword firmly ready for anything.

"He is asking the man who we are,now put down your sword,"Zawadi whispered.

The commander of the guards then took them into a small tent which they later discovered was the kings chambers.Two guards were standing at both sides of the entrance.There was soft soothing music playing.Several young beautiful women were swaying their waists seductively.There was also a man sitted at a far corner keenly watching them as he smiled and took liquor.He wore a long fur coat.He sat on a bead with fur blankets.It was clear enough that they were standing before the king.When he noticed the two starngers,he signalled for the music to stop.The young women left the room.

The guards commander bowed his head and spoke. After negotiating with the king for a few seconds,the king adressed Chaka and zawadi directly.He already assumed they understood Swahili.

"Nyinyi ni kina nani,na mwatafuta nini huku,(who are you and what are you doing here),"the king said as he stood,walked up to them and looked keenly into their eyes.

Zawadi was so scared on the ltger hand,Chaka stood like a soldier ready for war.

The king became furious and asked them who they were again.

"Sisi ni wanahistoria tunaelekea hekaluni(we are historians headed to the temple) ,"he replied shakingly as his eyes stuck on the floor.

"Mmeniletea Zawadi gani,watu kama nyinyi hamwezi kosa fedha(What gift have you brought me,people like you can't lack money)."

Zawadi something whispered to Chaka.After their little talk T'chala checked in his bag and removed the ten golden coins and handed them to the king.The king was so happy he tapped on Zawadi's shoulder and laughed loudly.He commanded his chief soldier to ensure his new guests were given the best place to sleep.They were to join him for dinner after settling in their rooms.The chief soldier led the way and they followed.Every time they passed by other quards they bowed down.

He led them to a white tent.It had two beds both with fur blankets.It was so quiet inside.The guard showed them where they qould take a shower and left.Chaka and Zawadi didn't believe.They gave each other a high five and fell on the beds at the same time.Anyone seeing them would think they were two little boys in a candy store.After what seemed like five minutes two maidens walked in with royal clothes in their hands.