Mighty Brahmuhn

‘Time is clearly not on our side. Mbada must be destroyed before he harms more people,’ he answered him.

‘Do you think you can stop him, Your Greatness?’ the distraught villager shot him with a question.

‘Little man; I have danced with death several times. I have bruised the heel of fate and I have brought demons to their knees! Mbada is no god. He may be powerful among men but he could never stand toe-to-toe with the god that is Brahmuhn.’ He stood up at once and Cheetah followed suit.

When they stepped outside the hut, they were met with chants and cheers from the villagers.

Brahmuhn was both impressed and shocked at how even though they were starved, the villagers still had the energy in them to chant his name so loudly. He waited for them to quiet down before he demanded their attention.

Brahmuhn said, ‘I understand that Chief Mbada has turned on his own people. I understand that the dog is willing to kill his own in order to gain his own. I understand that this dog has the power to take what he desires at the expense of who so much as coughs about it.’ He paused for a while and allowed the disgruntled villagers to murmur amongst themselves. ‘However…’ he continued, ‘I also understand that your need to live is greater than Mbada’s need for power.’ They beat their chests and murmured in pride at his words.

He raised his hand for them to quiet down. ‘The need to live will always be greater than the need for power! Mbada is an insatiable beast. A beast that has sixteen bellies that can never be filled. I, Tawana Masimba, shall strike the bellies of the beast and I will free my people from the dog known as Mbada!’

The villagers went berserk with excitement. Brahmuhn’s words had filled them with great hope in addition to the unexpected rains. They could not stop chanting his name: ‘Long live Brahmuhn, the greatest warrior who has ever lived!!!’

Cheetah, however, had to remind him of their quest and although the praises sparked his at most times flammable pride, he knew that Cheetah was right. They told the villagers that they had to resume their journey. Even though they tried incessantly to keep them a little while longer in their village, the two had to leave. The villagers managed to scrap up as much of the little food that they had and gave it to the two warriors for their journey.

‘I cannot believe the lengths Chief Mbada is willing to go to prolong his reign,’ Cheetah said to Brahmuhn as soon as they had walked a fair distance from the village.

The rains had brought with them a very cool and comfortable breeze. It was gentle and relaxing. The atmosphere was purely serene. Brahmuhn had his knobkerrie slung over his shoulder while Cheetah had the small bag of food slung over his undamaged one.

‘I guess no one is safe from the clutches of the leopard,’ Cheetah continued.

Brahmuhn looked to be lost in his own thoughts. He finally said, ‘To think that this is the man I looked up to as a child. A man who commanded respect and honor from his soldiers. The leader of the all-powerful Gorivas. A man who fought in the frontline of every battle, yet…’ He sighed gravely. ‘I guess every lion has its testicles. His are his need for power. That need shall bring about his downfall. Every man has his weakness, Cheetah. It is important that we overcome our weaknesses, if not, they shall consume us.’

‘Forgive me, Your Greatness, but…what is your weakness?’

He smiled, tilted his head uncaringly then shrugged.

After a walk of about two kilometers they noticed a figure approaching them from a distance. The figure had a very long spear in his right hand. Even from afar, Brahmuhn and Cheetah recognized the person.

They were both very pleased to meet with Shumba again. Hugs, laughs, grins and pats on the back were exchanged amongst the three.

‘My chief, I am glad I finally found you,’ said Shumba.

In that moment, it was hard for the two to discern Shumba’s expression. It was wavering between a frown and a scowl.

‘What is it?’ Brahmuhn asked him, his expression immediately matching Shumba’s as if it was contagious.

‘Dombo and Gumbo have not only gone insane but bitter with power. They have gained support from most of your soldiers.’

‘Most?’

‘Yes, Your Greatness. Very few are still on your side, including the villagers. The Elders continue to try to swerve them to their line of thinking, painting you, forgive me; as a tyrant! “An ignorant and uncultured infant”. ’

‘They should both be speared!’ Cheetah lashed out.

Brahmuhn raised his hand to calm him down before turning his attention back to Shumba. ‘Proceed.’

‘Fortunately, my chief, the diviner is also on your side.’

Brahmuhn squinted, ‘The diviner? How is that good news?’

He sighed and then scratched his head, ‘Well, my chief…the diviner has foreseen a royal seed within a foreign garden.’

He sighed in exasperation, ‘You know very well that I do not speak riddles, Shumba.’

‘Uh, yes…well…my chief, he, uh…’

Brahmuhn’s expression was becoming more and more impatient.

Noticing it, ‘Well, Your Greatness; the royal seed he was referring to is your child. The foreign garden is Buhlebenkosi.’

He still looked ignorant.

‘To say it plainly; Buhlebenkosi is carrying your child…my chief.’

He looked beyond stunned. His eyes were like an unstable and foggy mist. ‘Are you trying to tell me that I…Tawana Masimba, am a father?!’ His legs were losing balance, his knees wobbled and he collapsed buttocks first onto the bare soil. ‘Who else knows?’

‘Tortoise and I, my chief. The diviner swore that he would not let it slip to any other soul.’

He sighed in relief, ‘Good. If the Elders’ theory that Buhlebenkosi is with child ever becomes true in their eyes, she and the child will both be in grave danger.’ He finally mustered the strength to stand up. Placing his hand on Shumba’s shoulder, he said, ‘Buhlebenkosi is carrying the future chief. My blood, Shumba. Let no harm come her way.’

‘As sure as Mwari lives, I would die first before I let one hair fall from her head!’

He placed his other hand on his other shoulder. ‘I am counting on you Shumba. My son…and his mother are counting on you.’