Spirit King: Return of the Crown

by Dashiel Douglas

  “As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t tell Milpisi that Dimka was really looking for me. We hugged him and said we would be back in a few days. It broke my heart that we would never see each other again, and I couldn’t even tell him why.

  “Your mother arranged for Chipo to smuggle us over the Hasira Bridge. We were to meet her there in twenty minutes. We weren’t far up Amanzi Mountain before the soldiers reached our rondeval. We had only a few minutes lead on them.

  “As we neared the bridge, the border patrol officers were scurrying about. They must have been alerted because they were securing the border with extra barriers. And, if that wasn’t bad enough, we also noticed that Chipo hadn’t yet arrived at the bridge and we could see the Malungan soldiers at the summit of Amanzi Mountain. We were trapped. Our only hope was to get over that bridge, but we wouldn’t be able to with the recording. So we buried the box with the cassette on the mountain.

  “When we reached the border, the officers peppered us with questions. With each question, I became more restive. I knew it wouldn’t be long before the Malungan soldiers on the mountain would see us on the bridge.

  “I explained that I was traveling to America for a medical conference and we had decided to turn it into a family vacation. Just as they were about to let us pass, a phone rang. An officer dashed to the patrol booth. He returned with his gun drawn. ‘So, you’re Dr. Jakanda. Yes?’ D’Melo—it is hard to tell you all of this at once, but Jakanda was our family name before we changed it to Bantu.

  “Before I could even answer his question, the border officer started searching our bags, but came up empty.

  “‘Where is it?’ he grunted.

  “‘Where is what?’ I said, playing dumb.

  “He pointed his gun at your head and said that he would only ask one more time. ‘Where is it?’ We stood in silence. His face tensed as his finger tightened on the trigger.

  “I couldn’t just stand there and let him kill you. So I started to tell him, ‘It’s—’ Just then there was a pop. Then another, and another. The officer buckled, then collapsed before me. The other officers turned and fired into the brush on the Nanjier side. Chipo and some rebels were hiding in the jungle. Three of the six border officers were killed instantly. The other three ran for cover in the patrol booth. A gun battle ensued.

  “We ducked behind one of the concrete barriers. Bullets were ricocheting off the metal railings of the bridge and sparking on the concrete. The Malungan soldiers scrambled down the mountain. Our time was running out. We needed to get across the bridge. But we were in the middle of a fierce firefight. It was the scariest moment of my life.

  “The Malungan soldiers had now made their way to the Kipaji end of the bridge, a hundred yards behind us. Your mother said we had to go, but it would mean running through the crossfire between the border officers and the rebels.

  “When I stood up, a bullet clanked off the barrier just next to my head. The Malungan soldiers had positioned a sniper on the mountainside, waiting for us to come out from behind the barrier. The soldiers were now bearing down on us, fighting their way across the bridge. So we had no choice but to take our chances. I grabbed you and your mother snatched Kavu. We stayed low to the ground and as close to the edge of the bridge, as possible.

  “But the sniper wasn’t the only problem. There was no way we would make it past the officers in the booth; we would have to come directly into their line of sight. But then the Great Spirit showered his grace upon us. Just as we approached the booth, there was a flash in the Nanjier jungle. Then a missile screamed out. I yelled, ‘GET DOWN!’ Your mother and I dived flat to the ground, shielding the two of you with our bodies. There was a tremendous explosion. The bridge shook and debris crashed down around us. My left ear was ringing so savagely that I thought my head was going to crack and just crumble off my neck. I was half wishing it would, so I could be rid of the pain. While the smoke and confusion from the explosion were still providing cover, we darted toward Nanjier. It was like the most horrifying dream I could imagine. I wanted to run fast, but I couldn’t. I was too dizzy from my ruptured eardrum.

  “Just when I thought we might make it to Nanjier, the sniper’s bullet clipped your mother’s leg. She dropped Kavu and stumbled forward several feet before floundering to the ground. I turned to see Kavu frozen with terror, crying. Your mother started crawling back to him. But then, a bullet ripped through Kavu’s back and out of his chest.”

  D’Melo winced, clutching his heart. Zara laid a consoling hand over his, clearly struggling with the pain she felt in her own chest.

  “A rebel soldier scooped up your mother before she could reach Kavu. He flung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She flailed her legs and punched his back, screaming for him to take her to Kavu. But the rebel carried her away. I will never forget his words as he shot past me. He said, ‘There’s nothing you can do for him. He’s gone.’ I can still hear his voice. It was calm, as if his words weren’t a knife slicing the desire to live out of our hearts.

  “As we carved our way through the jungle, bullets from the Malungan soldiers tore bark from the trees around us. But the deeper we got into the forest, the more the rebels’ tension eased. They knew the Malungan soldiers wouldn’t dare to enter Nanjier.

  “Chipo led us to a military compound in the jungle. A medic attended to my bloody ear while another bandaged your mother’s leg. At that moment, I realized that I hadn’t just lost a son, but I had also lost my wife. Her eyes were vacant, as if no one was inside her. One of the things I loved most about your mother was how full of life she was. Unfortunately, you never got to see her that way. She never recovered from that night.

  “Nanjieri soldiers then whisked me away to Ushindi. Military security officers met me inside the gate of the presidential compound. They were very intimidating, brandishing machine guns and wearing full body armor. The head officer flung the car door open and commanded me to follow him. The other officers surrounded us as we practically ran toward the presidential headquarters.

  “They ushered me into President Okoye’s office. Moments later, Okoye entered, flanked by a pair of guards. A career’s worth of medals dangled from his chest. Although he had a slender and nonthreatening frame, he held an unmistakable aura of power and authority.

  “The guards swept the office for threats, then stood at attention inside the doorway. Instead of taking his place behind the presidential desk, Okoye sat beside me on the couch. I had no idea what this was all about. I was only hoping that he wasn’t going to send us back to Malunga.

  “He scrutinized me shrewdly, his eyes intense. He conveyed how sorry he was to hear about Kavu. He, too, had lost a son. His son died fighting for the rebels against the Malungan government. Time clearly hadn’t quelled the agony weighing his heart.

  “Okoye then informed me of the reason for my presence. He had received a call from President Dimka. My heart raced until he said, ‘Do you know that that man had the nerve to threaten me?’ Okoye pretended to spit his disgust on the floor. ‘Dimka said Nanjieri rebels killed some of his soldiers and he considered that an act of war. I told him he could consider it whatever he wanted. He knows he’s in no position to threaten Nanjier. I told him that he should be more concerned about saving his own filthy Borutu skin.’

  “Just then, there was a tap on the door. A soldier marched in and whispered in Okoye’s ear. Okoye left abruptly, then returned with a piece of paper. He said, ‘It appears that you have escaped the fate that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. Dimka said he saved the life of your son.’

  “Okoye handed me the paper. It was an image of Kavu sitting up in bed. Dimka was at his side with an empty smile on his devious lips.

  “I barely had a moment to process that Kavu was still alive, when Okoye cautioned me. ‘You know,’ he said, ‘there is a chance that this evening’s event will lead to a war between our countries. So you b
etter have a good reason to have caused this international incident.’

  “I wanted to tell him about the recording. He surely would have been able to retrieve it and bring Dimka to justice. But if he did, Dimka would have no reason not to kill Kavu. It was obvious that he only saved Kavu to ensure that I wouldn’t release the recording to the public. So I searched my mind quickly for anything that would keep Okoye on my side. I knew that Chipo was wanted by the Malungan government for her smuggling activities. So I told Okoye that Dimka had found out that your mother was friends with Chipo. He sent his soldiers to capture us and force us to give her up. So we ran.

  “‘I know Chipo very well,’ Okoye said. ‘She’s one of the rebel’s greatest assets. Without her, I don’t think the rebels would have a chance.’

  “President Okoye then clapped me on the back. ‘You and your wife are courageous and admirable. I’m sure I can find a place for both of you in my military,’ he joked. ‘Anyone who is an enemy of Dimka is a friend of mine!’ As he rose to leave, he said, ‘As soon as your wife is able, my men will take you anywhere you want to go. After that,’ he said, ‘it’s probably best if you never come back here. Good luck to you, comrade.’ The following morning, we were on a plane to Washington, D.C.

  “When things settled down, I returned to Kipaji. Through Ameka, I made an arrangement with Dimka. I agreed to turn over the evidence and myself in exchange for Kavu. But when I arrived at the Nanjier airport, Chipo sent me back. She had discovered that Dimka wasn’t going to hold up his end of the bargain. He was never going to release Kavu. Kavu had become too important to his political aspirations. When Dimka became president, he wasn’t popular like Amani. So he used Kavu to gain the admiration of the Malungan people. He had made it widely known that he had saved, then adopted, the son of a traitor. Many touted him as the most magnanimous leader of the century.

  “Please understand that this has never been easy for me. Over the years, there have been times when I’ve questioned my decision to take the recording instead of handing it over to Dimka. But, although I lost a son, a wife, and my own life, I would do it again. I have to believe that all the suffering this has brought upon our family is for a greater good that will eventually win out.

  “If you choose to pursue this, you will need to find the recording and make it public, while ensuring your brother’s safety. It will be no simple task, and terribly dangerous. I’m so sorry that you have inherited this. No one will blame you if you choose to walk away. You still have a chance to return to America and patch a life together—well, the best you can while staying hidden. Just know that, no matter what decision you make, I love you beyond words.”

  The audio went silent.

  “Baba, Baba,” D’Melo said in a panic, as if his father could hear him. “You didn’t say where it is! Where’s the recording?” D’Melo threw his hands up in exasperation. Then suddenly the audio sprang back to life, with Baba laughing.

  “You’re probably wondering where the recording is. I didn’t forget to tell you. I can’t risk saying it, in case this drive falls into the wrong hands. The recording is the only thing keeping Kavu alive—and, let’s not forget, the future of the Shujas, Malunga, and even Kipaji depends on getting the recording in front of the world.

  “What I can tell you about its location is that you, and only you, have everything necessary to find it.” He laughed again, “I knew you would make this choice. I’ll see you soon, son.”

  Chapter Twelve

  The Zodiac

  As D’Melo slouched through the rondeval doorway, he halted abruptly. “Zar, we can’t tell the boyz about this,” he realized. “It’s too dangerous. It’s bad enough that I got you involved.”

  “Agreed. But, for me, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  When they went inside, the boyz were busy devouring brunch and clowning with each other. D’Melo and Zara slipped into the living room to avoid questions about where they had been.

  “What did Baba mean when he said I have everything I need to find the recording?” D’Melo sighed, painfully frustrated. “I have no idea where it is.”

  “Well,” Zara said. “Did he mention anything before he died?”

  D’Melo scratched his head. For the first time, he allowed himself to relive his final moments with Baba. “Most of what he said sounded like the ramblings of a dying man.”

  “He had to have said something. That was his last chance to pass information to you. Think,” Zara urged. “Did he say anything that seemed out context?”

  D’Melo shut his eyes to visualize every detail. Suddenly, he shifted to the edge of the couch. “Baba started talking about how smart my mom was.” D’Melo swept his hand over his hair. “How did I miss this?”

  “Miss what?”

  “Baba laughed and said, ‘They didn’t know what they were looking for.’ Then his eyes shot upward along the wall behind the TV.”

  D’Melo and Zara scanned that wall in their minds, trying to figure out what Baba could have been looking at. Then they spun toward each other, eyes wide. Together, they turned their gazes to the drawing in front of them on the coffee table, lying in silent anticipation.

  Just then, Marley came in. He flopped onto the couch across from them. “Ah man, too many vegan pancakes,” he lamented. After a few very still moments, he shot D’Melo and Zara a suspicious glare. “Hey, what’s up with you guys? You’re being way too quiet.”

  They shrugged, then murmured simultaneously, “Nothing.”

  A skeptical crease appeared between Marley’s brows. He rested an arm over his drooping eyes. “You know, your mom was a dope artist,” he yawned. “It’s amazing how she was able to create drawings within drawings. That ain’t easy.”

  “What are you talking about?” D’Melo said, piqued.

  Marley peeped out from under his forearm. “Are you serious? You didn’t know?” He pushed himself up with a grunt. “When I got out of the mineral pool this morning, the drawing was on your dresser, upside down. I had never seen it from a perspective other than how it was hanging in your living room. It’s fascinating. I’ve been studying it all morning.” Marley centered the drawing for D’Melo. “This was how it was in your house.” D’Melo nodded breathlessly, wondering whether Marley had unwittingly uncovered the location of the recording. Marley rotated the drawing ninety degrees. “What do you see now?”

  “It’s a map of Kipaji,” D’Melo mumbled, disappointed. “I already knew that.”

  “Okay, but did you know this?” Marley turned the drawing another ninety degrees. “It’s funny,” he said, “I’ve seen it in your house a thousand times, but I never noticed this.” D’Melo and Zara leaned in for a better view but had no clue what they were looking at. “Come on, y’all,” Marley grumbled impatiently. “Look!” His finger traced several dots on the drawing. “This is Aries . . . and here’s Gemini.” D’Melo and Zara remained bewildered. “The constellations!” Marley said. “Don’t you guys know nothin’!”

  Marley went to his room and returned with an astronomy book. He flipped to the Aries and Gemini constellations.

  “You brought an astronomy book with you?” D’Melo realized that Marley’s nerdiness truly knew no bounds. He examined the images against the drawing. “Oh, my God,” he said gawking at the pages. “Marls is right!”

  “It has to mean something. But what?” Zara said. D’Melo flashed her a silencing stare.

  “What do you mean, ‘It has to mean something’?” Marley said.

  Zara cringed, clearly realizing that her slip could put Marley in danger.

  “Of course it means something,” Marley said. “Aries and Gemini are two of the twelve constellations of the zodiac.” Zara let out a relieved sigh. Marley didn’t catch on to her faux pas.

  Marley explained that in Greek mythology, Aries is the ram. Its golden fleece is a symbol of kingship and gives its wearer confidence
and fierceness. “Jason—”

  D’Melo and Zara exchanged blank looks.

  “You know, Jason, from Jason and the Argonauts?” Marley clarified, still receiving vacant stares. “Well anyway,” he proceeded. “Jason set out to find the fleece. With the help of his future wife, Medea, he recovered it and rightfully claimed the throne.

  “As for Gemini, it represents the twins Pollux and Castor. They had the same mother but different fathers. Pollux’s father was Zeus, which made Pollux immortal. But Castor was the son of a mortal man, the king of Sparta. So when Castor was killed, Pollux begged Zeus to let him share his immortality with Castor, to keep them together forever. Zeus granted the request by placing the twins in the night sky for all time.”

  D’Melo glanced at Zara and shrugged. He didn’t know what any of this had to do with the recording. D’Melo rotated the map another ninety degrees, hoping for more clues. “It looks like another constellation.”

  “Yeah, it looks like that—to an astronomical fool,” Marley said, clearly amused with his play on words. “But it’s not.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Marley flipped his palms upward, I’m the president of the astronomy club. Of course I’m sure.

  D’Melo wordlessly snatched up the drawing and book from the table and bounded for the door. Zara followed.

  “Where you guys going?” Marley called after them. “There are ten other constellations of the zodiac. They’re just as interesting!”

  D’Melo and Zara hurried out and descended into the valley. They knew that if there was anyone who could help them make sense of this, it was Milpisi.