Chapter One hundred and eighteen: A Walk Through the Forest
“Keep close to me,” said Ogjeno. He led the way, pausing occasionally to cut at tangled, thorny branches that blocked the path. “Plants grow quickly here. It is one of the duties of those who enter the forest to keep the path clear.”
Yidini tried to help, but the slender blade of his sword slipped dangerously on the branches.
“Stop!” cried Ogjeno, “I will lend you my machete.”
He handed the heavy, curved-edged knife to Yidini, who slashed at the undergrowth with surprising skill.
As the journey progressed, Kiya looked around in wonder at the jungle. The canopy of branches overhead was so thick that the sun only penetrated in thin shafts. Sometimes a ray of sunlight lit upon an orchid or fern that made her catch her breath at its beauty.
There were constant sounds of rustling and twittering but living creatures remained hidden. Occasionally Kiya heard a distant howl or the sound of heavy body crashing away through the undergrowth. Animals or monsters? She shivered at the thought of what beings might be watching them from the darkness.
Yidini said something. “Yidini is thirsty,” said Ana. “Indeed, I too would like a drink. Alas we have no water containers, we lost all our equipment in the boat wreck.”
“I will show you how to find water,” said Ogjeno. He stopped at a tree upon which grew many plants with tight spirals of large, green leaves. Ogjeno carefully cut down one of these plants and handed it to Ana. “There is a tiny pool of water enclosed within the leaves,” he said.
Ana was about to drink, but he stopped her and plucked a hollow grass stem. “Use this as a straw,” he said. “There are often little fogs in the water that you would not wish to swallow.”
Kiya was less than enthusiastic about drinking frog water but she was thirsty and accepted gratefully another plant that Ogjeno offered her.
It was difficult to calculate the passage of time without sight of the sun, but Kiya began to feel tired and hungry and was pleased when Ogjeno announced that it was time to prepare for the night.
“We must not sleep on the ground,” said Ogjeno, “Huge spotted cats and laughing dogs come out at night to seek their prey. We must make a sleeping platform as high in a tree as we can.” He pointed to a tree with wide, spreading limbs. “This will do.”
He cut three thick branches from neighbouring trees and, with Yidini’s help, wedged them across two of the limbs to form the basis of the platform. “Now, fill in the gaps with smaller branches and stems. Avoid anything prickly. I will go to find us some food.”
Kiya and Ana climbed the tree, while Yidini supplied them with foliage. They wedged larger twigs across the branches and wove in vines to keep them firm. By the time Ogjeno returned with a full food bag the platform had taken shape.
“You have done well,” he said. “I suggest we retire up there now, it will not be long before the night creatures emerge.”
Kiya climbed the tree and the others followed. When they were all on the platform, Kiya realised that, despite all their hard work, it was scarcely large enough. They sat squashed together and watched Ogjeno open his bag and take out some strange, lumpy fruits.
“Is that all there is for our supper?” said Ana.
“You will find them filling enough,” said Ogjeno. He cut them into sections and handed them round.
Kiya tasted hers. It was not unpleasant and had a thick bready texture, which eased her hunger. “Thank you,” she said.
The Nubian smiled at her. “It is a pleasure to be of service to you, Kiya.”
“Without your help we would never have managed to come so far,” she said.
“I hope it was a fortunate meeting for us all.” He turned to the others. “We must get some sleep. I suggest the women lie in the centre of the platform, while Yidini and I lie on the edges.”
Yidini shook his head and said something.
“Yidini says he will not sleep,” said Ana. “He will stay on guard all night long.”
“Good man,” said Ogjeno.
“He has not forgiven himself for allowing our capture by The Devourer,” said Ana.
Kiya spent an uncomfortable night crushed between Ana and Ogjeno. She slept fitfully, waking at every noise and staring into the night, wondering what strange creatures might be prowling close by. She woke at first light and found the others already sitting up and sharing the remains of last night’s meal.
Yidini said something with great earnestness and Ana bowed in acknowledgement. “He stayed awake all night,” she said.
“I was awake most of the night,” said Kiya. “But it was due to the discomfort of this platform.”
Ana laughed and handed her a piece of fruit. “Some watches are easier to keep than others.”
Kiya glanced at the soldier and saw that, although he could not speak Egyptian, he must understand some of what was being said for he looked mortified. She smiled at him, but he turned away without responding.
Ogjeno climbed higher up the tree and called down to them, “The mine you search for is over there. It is easy to see, for above it circle all the rain clouds of Nubia.”
“Are we looking for Kiya’s mine?” said Ana with a frown. “I thought we had come to find metal feathers.”
“The nearer the mine, the more likely we are to find feathers,” said Ogjeno. “But it is a place of terror. No man has ever seen inside.”
They climbed down from the tree and headed in the direction indicated by Ogjeno.
The density of the forest kept the mine hidden but Kiya could smell the monsters. Hideous scents of decay and acidity wafted through the trees.
“Can you smell those disgusting scents,” she asked the others. But they shook their heads, unable to detect the kas of the immortals.
At last they reached their destination and peered out from the cover of the forest. Kiya saw a huge hill of earth in front of her. No trees grew upon the sides, but the undergrowth had started to encroach upon the lower slopes. A few straggly bushes grew higher up and some had even reached the top.
The hill was lit by an eerie, flickering light as thick clouds circled above it. As fast as new clouds were being sucked into the aerial whirlpool, a river of cloud streamed away in a southerly direction, taking water away from Egypt. Kiya looked at the swirling vortex, which had its epicentre above the mine. The controller of the winds was there, deep in the heart of the hill.
“I must speak to him,” she cried.
“To whom?” asked Ogjeno.
“She thinks her father is within that mountain of earth,” said Ana.
“Is she mad?” said Ogjeno. “No man could live in such a place.”
“He is there, I know it,” said Kiya and started to run towards the hill.
“Stop, Kiya!” cried Ogjeno. “Come back. It is too dangerous!”
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 118