Bound by Blood & Parted by Fate

Chapter 20 – Taku Tan Sané Part 02

Chapter 20 – Taku Tan Sané Part 02

Adisa continued the story of Semou and the king, her voice carrying over the quiet desert as they walked. "And so, after they were married, Semou bore the king a son. They named him Taku Tan Sané, and he was a strong and healthy child. But as he grew older, they discovered that he had a special gift.”

Adisa continued her tale, "Taku Tan was strong, smart and wise beyond his years." Nae was intrigued and asked, "How did he become so wise and powerful?"

Adisa smiled and replied, "It was said that Semou, his mother, had a special gift of her own. She was a healer and filled with knowledge, and she passed on her knowledge to her son., and they taught him many things as well. He learned about the history of his people, the secrets of the land, and the ways of the spirits. He also learned the art of war and the importance of justice."

Taku Tan Sané – Part 02 : The dragon rider

Taku Tan quickly became his father's favorite, which made his siblings quite envious. But instead of letting it get to him, Taku Tan saw it as an opportunity to prove that he deserved his father's love. He made sure to follow all of his father's orders and tried his best at everything he did. Taku Tan also stood up for his mother, protecting her from the jealousy and ill-will of her co-wife.

He obeyed his father without a word until that one day. Taku Tan was yet to be the dragon rider his mother promised to the king. The cunning co-wives of Semou had been filling the king’s head with doubts. So he decided to punish Semou as her words hadn’t come true yet. But Taku Tan stepped forward and placed himself between them, begging his father to spare his mother's life and said "Father, please don't take my mother's life tonight. Give me three months, and I'll find a dragon to ride, I'll prove my mother's truth, I’ll prove that she told no lie."

Semou prayed for her son, Taku Tan, before his departure. She asked the gods to guide him and protect him from harm.

She then gave him advice, telling him to be brave and to always listen to his heart. She reminded him that he was destined for greatness and that he had the strength and wisdom to become a great dragon rider.

Semou also told Taku Tan to be careful and to trust no one but himself. She warned him of the dangers that lay ahead and urged him to stay true to himself and to his beliefs.

With tears in her eyes, Semou hugged her son and wished him well on his journey. She knew that he had a difficult task ahead of him, but she had faith in his abilities and in the gods who watched over him.

Taku Tan left the village determined to find a Ninki Nanka. He walked for days in the scorching heat of the sun, his feet blistered and his throat parched. But he didn't give up. He knew that he had to keep going.

As he walked, he came across vast stretches of barren land, dotted with occasional shrubs and rocks. The only sound that could be heard was the howling of the wind. Taku Tan kept on, fueled by his determination and his love for his mother.

The days turned into weeks, and Taku Tan's resolve began to fade away. He wondered if he would ever find a Ninki Nanka. He sat down under a tree, exhausted and dehydrated. As he closed his eyes, he saw a vision of his mother praying for him. Her words echoed in his mind, giving him the strength to get up and continue his search.

Taku Tan stumbled upon a stream, and his heart leapt with joy. He followed the stream to a cave, and there he found the Ninki Nanka he had been searching for. The creature was sleeping, and Taku Tan approached it cautiously.

Taku Tan cautiously approached the slumbering Ninki Nanka and gently touched its scales. The dragon awoke with a start and glared at him with its piercing red eyes.

"How dare you touch me, human," the Ninki Nanka growled.

Taku Tan quickly dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness. "I am sorry, mighty dragon. I meant no disrespect. I am in great need of your help."

The dragon eyed him suspiciously. "What kind of help could a human possibly need from a dragon?"

Taku Tan took a deep breath and explained his situation. He told the dragon about his mother, Semou, and how she had been accused of lying about her pregnancy. He explained that he needed to find a dragon to prove her innocence and save her life.

The Ninki Nanka listened intently, its eyes softening slightly. "I see," it said. "And why should I help you, human?"

Taku Tan looked the dragon straight in the eye. "My mother is innocent, and I will do whatever it takes to prove it. "

The Ninki Nanka considered his request for a moment before finally nodding its massive head. "Very well, human. I will help you. But be warned, the journey ahead will not be easy. Are you prepared?"

Taku Tan nodded resolutely. "I am ready, mighty dragon. This is my destiny."

Taku Tan listened to the dragon and asked him what tasks he needed to complete to prove himself worthy.

The dragon replied, "First, you must show your strength by lifting a boulder as big as your own body."

Taku Tan was determined to complete the tasks and prove himself worthy of riding the dragon. He thanked the dragon for his guidance and set off to complete the three challenges.

Taku Tan nodded, understanding the dragon's words. He set off to find a boulder that was as big as his own body. It took him several hours, but eventually, he found one. It was rough and heavy, but Taku Tan did not give up.

He took a deep breath, bent his knees, and grabbed the boulder with both hands. With a grunt, he lifted the boulder off the ground and held it above his head. It was heavy, but Taku Tan refused to let it defeat him.

After a few minutes, Taku Tan slowly lowered the boulder back down to the ground. He felt a rush of pride as he realized he had completed the first task.

Taku Tan listened intently to the Ninki Nanka’s words, determined to prove his worthiness as a dragon rider. He asked the dragon what the second task was, and the dragon replied, "Second, you must demonstrate your wisdom by solving a riddle I will give you."

Taku Tan felt a little nervous, but he was ready for the challenge. The dragon posed the riddle to him: "I am not alive, but I grow; I don't have lungs, but I need air; I don't have a mouth, but water kills me. What am I?"

Taku Tan thought hard, trying to come up with an answer. He considered different things that grow, things that need air, and things that water can harm, but he couldn't think of anything that fit all the clues. Finally, after much contemplation, he said, "The answer is fire."

The dragon was impressed. "Very good," he said. "You have demonstrated your wisdom, but there is still one more task you must complete."

The dragon's voice echoed through the forest as he explained the third task. "And finally, you must prove your courage by facing and defeating Kwami the Water Spirit, a fearsome sea serpent that lurks in the deep waters of the nearby river."

Taku Tan's heart raced at the mention of the creature. He had heard stories of the deadly Kwami the Water Spirit and knew that it was not an opponent to be taken lightly.

Without hesitation, Taku Tan set out towards the river, determined to face the serpent and prove himself worthy of riding the dragon.

As he approached the riverbank, he saw the shimmering scales of the serpent just beneath the surface of the water. Taku Tan took a deep breath and plunged in.

The water was cold and murky, and Taku Tan had to swim deep to reach the serpent. He was almost out of breath when he finally caught a glimpse of the Kwami’s menacing eyes.

With all his might, Taku Tan lunged forward, his spear in hand. The Kwami’s writhed and thrashed, but Taku Tan held on tight, determined not to let go.

After a long and grueling battle, Taku Tan emerged victorious. But instead of slaying the serpent, he gently released it back into the river, showing mercy and respect for the creature.

Proud and victorious, Taku Tan returned to the dragon, ready to claim his rightful place as the last dragon rider.

***

Adisa continued her story, "And that's how Taku Tan became known as thedragon rider. He returned home on his dragon and proved to his father that his mother was not a liar. A few years later, the king passed away and Taku Tan became the new king, protecting his kingdom from every threat that came its way."

Nae was amazed and asked, "And what happened to Taku Tan and his dragon?”

Nae was curious to know what happened to Taku Tan and his dragon. Adisa responded, "Some say he still rides his dragon on occasion, while others claim that the dragon has gone extinct. Which is why we call him the last dragon rider"

As they entered the city, they could see a palace looming in the distance, with towering walls and grand gates, colorful markets, tall buildings, and wide streets. The architecture was grand and impressive, with beautiful carvings and patterns on the walls of the buildings. The air was filled with the sounds of people haggling over goods and the smell of spices and meat. The palace was surrounded by beautiful gardens with fountains and trees, and it seemed to sparkle in the sun.

The people of the kingdom were diverse, with different languages and cultures represented. They were dressed in vibrant colors and adorned with jewelry and fine fabrics. Despite their differences, they all seemed to share a sense of pride and unity in their kingdom.

As they walked through the streets, anyone could see that the kingdom was thriving. There were schools and universities, libraries and hospitals, and a bustling trade with neighboring kingdoms. The people seemed content and happy, and it was clear that the kingdom was ruled with wisdom and fairness.

Overall, the kingdom was a marvel to behold, a testament to the greatness of the people and the leadership of their king.

They asked around, seeking to meet Taku Tan. A woman pointed out that he was a couple of miles away, playing with children.

Adisa and Nae approached the group of children playing with Taku Tan. He was tossing a ball back and forth with them, his face beaming with joy. As they drew closer, Taku Tan noticed them and paused the game.

"Greetings, travelers. Welcome to my kingdom" Taku Tan said, smiling warmly at them.

Adisa and Nae introduced themselves and explained that they had heard stories of his kingdom's greatness and wanted to see it for themselves.

"Well, you have certainly come to the right place," Taku Tan replied. "This kingdom has prospered under my rule, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished."

As they talked, Adisa and Nae couldn't help but notice the energy and vitality that radiated from Taku Tan. Despite his age, he seemed as strong and lively as a man half his age.

After their conversation, Taku Tan offered to give them a tour of the kingdom and show them all that it had to offer. Excitedly, Adisa and Nae accepted, eager to explore the wondrous land that Taku Tan had built.

Nae finally explained her situation to Taku Tan, with tears in her eyes as she spoke of her sister's plight. She begged him to help her rescue her, but instead of offering to go with her, Taku Tan had another idea.

"Instead of relying on someone else to save your sister," he said, "Why don't I teach you to ride your own dragon? That way, you'll have the power to rescue her yourself."

Nae was taken aback by his offer, but also intrigued. She had always dreamed of riding a dragon, but had never thought it was possible. Taku Tan explained that he had a special bond with dragons, and that he could teach her the skills she needed to become a rider.

“I have been waiting for you, Nae”

“Me…? How do you know me” Nae was confused

Taku Tan only smiled and asked for the two women to follow him.