Blood Legacy – Episode 1

This is a sequel to the story titled BLOOD LIVES HERE

Blood Legacy – Episode 1

© Brian Ngoma

A dark orange ford ranger 2016 was parked outside the Chief’s palace in Chisoti village. Opposite it was a white Corolla Altis. The surrounding was deserted despite being eight in the morning. Indistinct voices could be heard from outside the small respected palace but what was more apparent were the voices coming from the Chief’s office further away from the main house. Hearing the voices, one could agree that where men talked, it sounded like a fight would start.

“I still stand by my decision,” Chief Chovu said looking at the two men sited in front of him. “That land is sacred, i cannot sell it, my people won’t let me.”

The two men looked at each other. One of them sat upright and broke the silence, “Chief Chovu we respect that you respect the land more than anything. I love that in a man,” he paused, “We have been coming here for the last six months and your stance on the issue has been amazing but…..”

“What my colleague Ben here is trying to say is that,” the other man interrupted them. “We have raised the offer.”

“Devi, i got this!” Ben interrupted raising his voice.

Over the last six months, the chief had gotten used to these men quarrelling and arguing every time they came. Ben was the more diplomatic one while Devi preferred getting to the point without hesitation. Chovu looked at them argue while his mind pondered on what Devi had said about raising the offer. The offer currently on the table was K500, 000 for the so called sacred land. He didn’t know why these strange men wanted the land so much.

“So chief we are talking about K1 Million,” Ben relaxed in the chair proud of himself.

The chief was speechless.

“So what’s it going to be Chief?” Devi inquired.

“Give me a minute,” Chovu stood up and left the office.

As he slowly walked to the main house, he looked at the Ford ranger which the two men had been using and admired it like everyone else in the village. He got into the house finding his Eldest son and Wife waiting for him in the kitchen. He had five children. Four boys and one girl who had been married off to another chief in the neighbouring village. Two of his sons died. His first born, Junior Chovu was like him in anyway and was a true heir to the throne. The same couldn’t be said for the last born, Walutanga.

“What happened?” His wife asked concerned.

Chovu nodded sitting down, “K1 Million.”

“Eh!” The wife exclaimed.

“They are willing to pay that much,” Junior cut in.

“Imagine,” he sighed.

“That land cannot be sold father,” Junior continued.

“It’s K1 people,” his wife added. “Let that sink in for a minute. That money will change our lives, wake up!”

“We are talking about a sacred land that’s been there for generations and you just want to give it to strangers who cannot even say why they want it for. That’s where the traditional ceremonies are held from, do you want to be known as the Chief who sold the sacred land to strangers?” Junior asked.

“You’re right Junior,” The chief agreed with his son. He stood up ignoring his wifes stare. As he was about to get back to the door, it opened and it was Devi. “What are you doing here?” He asked startled.

“We are running out of time,” Devi answered seeming impatient. “K2 Million now, take it or leave it, we are waiting for you.” With that, he left.

The Chiefs eyes almost popped out. He couldn’t catch his breathe. He turned around and he could see his face on his son and wife.

“Sell it,” Junior said.

“Yes, let’s take the money,” his wife added.

“Our land is vast, I’m sure the others will understand,” the Chief said thoughtful. “We are on the same page, aren’t we?”

“Yes,” they both answered.

The Chief breathed in deeply and let out a long breath before turning his back on his wife and son. Immediately he did, he bumped into his youngest son Walutanga.

“Aren’t we forgetting one person,” Walutanga asked to their dismay.

“Who?”

“Me, don’t have i say?”

“Not in this matter Walutanga,” the Chief said.

“You know you cannot sell that land,” Walutanga coughed.

“Walu go and play,” his mother tried to dismiss him.

“No mother, you know my friend and i are building a school on that land,” Walu looked at his mother.

“Say what?” The chief asked and went on. “What school?”

“A school me and my friend are building,” he responded.

“With whose permission?”

“Mine of course, am i not a prince?”

“And you knew about this?” The Chief looked at his wife.

She stared at the floor.

“I’ll deal with you later,” The Chief pointed at Walu. “Right now i have pressing issues.”

“How about Uncle Mapulanga? Your brother?” Walutanga looked at all of them. “My uncle?”

Silence dawned in the room. The chief’s wife and Junior looked at the chief who had become uncomfortable. The last time Mapulanga was mentioned, it was Walu again. Ever since he learned about his uncle, he became curious as to what happened to him. All he knew was that his uncle’s name was forbidden to be mentioned not only in the chief’s house but the whole village.

“Mention him again and you will regret the day you were born!” the Chief angrily yelled at Walutanga.

“That land is sold Walu,” Junior said relaxing himself thinking of what he will do with his share.

“That friend of yours, he’s not indigenous to this village, we don’t even know where he came from,” his mother gave him a quick pat. “And whatever He’s building on that land, he should have asked for permission from the Chief.”

“He’s my teacher and friend,” Walu walked to the door. “And I’m not letting you sell it,” he ran out of the room.

Walutanga was known as the rebel among Chovu’s children. He loved to do what pleased him and that set him apart from all the kids in the village. Thinking about how his friend would react to the News of the land been sold, he ran as fast as he could to the site where he found the workers resting.

“Where is he?” He asked one of the workers.

“There,” the worker pointed at an unfinished room with a tented roof. “You know he doesn’t like to be disturbed.”

Walu ignored the worker and ran to the room. He found him sleeping with a fleece blanket on his upper body. He walked to him and before he could shake him up, he woke up and stared at him.

“Hey Hunter,” he avoided his eyes.

*****

Amidst the paperwork was Ludo almost crying in her small office somewhere in Rhodes Park. She checked her watch and it was almost lunch time. She was hungry and was tired with all the work. Being a paralegal to one of the most notable lawyers and associates was not an easy thing. She filed the papers properly and stood up.

“Where to?” A husky voice asked.

She knew he was standing at the door. “I’m going out for lunch boss.”

“How many times will we talk about efficiency Ludo?” He walked into the office, bent down and checked the papers on her table. “I thought you said you would be done by lunch time,” he continued.

“Mr. Lance,” she shakily said. “I tried to……..”

He interrupted her, “You know how busy this firm is, i cannot work with trial and error, how will you be a good lawyer like this? You might as well just leave and become a Vet.”

“I’ll finish up sir,” she gulped.

Ludo had been working for Lance & Associates for almost two years and everyday seemed like going through hell. Her boss was ever rude and tough on her. At one point, she had the courage to ask him why and his response was that, some day she will understand. Till then, she had to put up with him or forget about being a lawyer. She needed his guidance to pass the exam at ZIALE. She had failed twice already.

As soon as he left her office, her phone rang. It was Melanie now bana Zeus. “Hello bana Zeus,” she answered.

“You know why I’m calling, right?” Melanie let out a breath.

“Don’t tell me he’s in trouble again.”

“Unfortunately, yes. You know he has no one.”

“Me and him have been apart for a year now Melanie, i don’t want anything to do with him. He has both his parent’s and a sister somewhere, he should let me live my life.”

“You and i both know that’s not true, he has us.”

“I’m tired Melanie, what’s he done this time?”

“He’s in the hospital.”

“Evan!” She angrily yelled. “Okay I’m on my way,” she hang up the phone and grabbed her handbag and left the office.

Lance came across one document Ludo didn’t fill up as needed. He got up and walked to her office door, opened it and called, “Ludo!”

There was no response but some pieces of papers flying and scattering on the floor.

*******

Two years ago, Inmates at Mwembeshi Prison were wrapping up their day’s Activities and everyone was busy moving up and down. Despite everyone being occupied with their works, two people were sited on a bench and not minding whatever was happening around them. These two were regarded as the most dangerous in the prison; No one dared to mess with them lest losing their life. One was an old man while the other one was a young well-built man of about 29 years. The young man moved closer to the old man and whispered, “It’s time, I’m ready.”

The old man proudly looked at him. “I knew i made a right choice with you.”

The young man with his shoulders high smiled, “When do we start?”

“Young man, we started already.”

“You never cease to amaze me Mr. Hamuumbu.”

“You haven’t seen the best of me my boy. Now go out there, find my daughter; she has more guts than my son. I will give you the address, she’s back in the country.”

“How about the girl and that man?” He paused. ”

Mr. Hamuumbu nodded and chuckled, “I’m dying soon. I really need to sort out a lot of things and those people you are worried about aren’t nothing to me. If i ever cross paths with them, be rest assured that i will ki*ll them. I’m only worried about the Legacy that i was supposed to live behind. Everything is in a mess but I’m making things straight now.!

“Then let’s begin.”

To be continued

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