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“Wake up, daughter. My husband is waiting.”
Amber opened her eyes to Nana’s smiling visage. Rubbing her eyes as she sat up, she accepted the bowl of sorghum given to her by Solonke. The girl winked then left the room.
Amber ate quickly, ignoring the strange taste of the local cereal. Nana nodded as she finished.
“You are better now. Amadou will take you to the central market.”
Amber handed the bowl to Nana.
“Thank you, aunt,” she said. “You have been most gracious.”
A bright smile came to Nana’s face.
“You’ve learned some manners!”
Amber smiled. There was a strict hierarchy among these folks and parents were highly respected. Amber imagined how much calmer her school would be if her classmates did the same.
Amadou entered the room.
“Come, we must go. It is a long journey.”
“Will you come back today?” Nana asked.
“I hope so. It all depends on our guest,” Amadou answered.
“Jele Jakada will be happy to see me,” Amber answered.
“I hope so,” Amadou said. His expression was not optimistic.
Amber grinned. “He will, uncle. I promise.”
She was leaving the room when Solonke appeared.
“Here, this is for you.” She stuck out her hand. In it was a leather band strung with beads the same color as Amber’s necklace.
“When did you do this?” Amber asked. “Where did you get the beads?”
“I did it last night,” Solonke replied. “Where I got the beads is my secret.”
“Thank you,” Amber said. She hugged Solonke tight.
“I hope you get what you want,” Solonke said.
“I hope you do too,” Amber replied.
The sun rested low on the horizon as Amber and Amadou left the compound, their destination the Central city. They traveled a wide avenue busy with citizens, some heading for the numerous markets and others carrying out their various crafts. Amber was amazed at how much time was spent on things she took for granted. Life in Marai was so different than home, or anywhere else she knew. The Maraibu lived in another time, cut off from the world because of her great grandfather’s barrier. But why were they hidden? What was it that caused her great grandfather to do such a thing? It was the first question she would ask him when they finally met and things settled down.
“Amber!”
Amber jerked her head to the direction from where her name was shouted. Aisha ran toward her, a bolt of fabric balanced on her shoulder. An old man ran behind her, trying his best to keep up.
Amber was happy yet cautious. Aisha had helped her, but she also hunted her. Her necklace warming about her neck didn’t help either.
“Aisha! Where are the others?”
“Bagule has trapped them,” Aisha replied. She ran up to Amber then hugged her. Amber’s arms stayed at her side.
“You know this girl?” Amadou said.
“Yes,” Amber replied. “She came with me from...the Central City.”
Aisha tossed the fabric bolt from her shoulder then pulled at her arm. The older weaver lifted onto his shoulder, a scowl on his face.
“Ungrateful goat!” he shouted as he hurried away.
Aisha ignored his insult. “Come Amber! We must rescue them now!”
Amber pulled back, her suspicion growing. “I think we should get my great grandfather’s help.”
“We don’t have time!” Aisha came closer and Amber took a step back.
“Bagule restored my powers so I could find you. I tricked him into believing I would help him. Now that I have we must return to help the others. We don’t have much time.”
Amber took another step back. The necklace was practically glowing.
“You’re lying,” Amber said.
Amadou stood before Amber.
“I don’t think this woman is your friend,” he said.
“She’s not,” Amber agreed.
Aisha kicked Amadou’s shin. The man winced then bent over; Aisha struck him across the chin with her fist and he crumpled to the ground. She glared at Amber.
“Why must you make things so...”
Amber kicked Aisha in the stomach then punched her hard in the face. Aisha fell back on her butt, her nose bleeding. Amber turned to run but was enveloped by a wall of sand and dust. The swirling particles separated into eight columns. Aisha jumped to her feet.
“Get behind me!” Aisha shouted.
“So now you’re helping me?”
Aisha smiled. “Against these, yes. No one is taking my bounty!”
Amber didn’t heed Aisha’s words. Instead she stood back to back with Aisha, crouching low then raising her fists high like Grandma taught her long ago. The columns solidified into men wearing sand-hued robes, each with their faces covered. Four of the men held swords, the others ropes.
“I never thought Bagule would go this far,” Aisha whispered. “This is no game, Amber. Make every strike count!”
Aisha let out a scream then attacked. Amber stood frozen, caught between confidence and fear. Her necklace urged her forward, but her emotions kept her in check. Something bumped the back of her leg and she looked down. One of the men lay unconscious, his eyes bruised. Aisha was a whirlwind of punches, blocks and kicks surrounded by her determined attackers. A rope fell over Amber; she tossed it away before the second rope reached her. The rope throwers lunged at her but she rolled between them, coming to her feet before another man with his arms outstretched.
Instinct took over. Her foot flashed between his legs then her fist crashed against his jaw as he crouched in pain. She slipped away from another man, kicking his feet from under him. Arms grabbed her then held her tight; she threw her head back, smashing it into her captor’s face. The pain almost made her black out but the man lost his grip and let her free.
“It’s too many!” Aisha shouted. She kicked another man in the shins then ran at Amber.
“Grab my hand!” she shouted.
Amber tripped up another man as she dodged his rope.
“What?”
“Grab my hand!”
Amber met Aisha then they joined hands. The world twisted then she was looking down on the gathering crowd.
“Follow me,” Aisha said.
Amber looked in the direction of Aisha’s voice and saw some kind of hawk.
“Follow me!” the hawk said.
“Aisha? You’re a hawk!”
“You are too,” Aisha replied. “I didn’t think I could do it, but that necklace of yours helped.”
Amber looked at herself. There were wings beating where her arms should have been.
“This is not real,” she whispered.
“Come on,” Aisha insisted.
“Where are we going?” Amber asked.
“To Bagule’s compound!” Aisha said.
Together they flew toward the Central City, soaring over the mud brick compounds to a tower looming over an expansive compound. They settled on an iron railing outside a large shuttered window.
Aisha jumped off the railing, transforming as she landed on the balcony. Amber looked at her astonished then felt herself falling backwards.
Aisha grabbed her flailing hand then pulled her onto the balcony. Amber tumbled into her then both of them rolled into the room.
Grandma sat in the corner of the room, Bissau’s head cradled in her lap.
“Grandma!”
Grandma looked up and a wide smile broke across her face.
“Amber!”
Bissau stirred, his eyes opening to slits.
“Amber?”
He struggled to sit up as Amber ran to them then hugged them both. She turned to see Aisha walking toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Amber asked.
Aisha grinned. “To claim my reward.”
Amber thrust out her hands like she did in the restroom at the pizza joint. Aisha lifted from her feet then slammed into the wall. Amber kept her hands extended, pinning her to the wall.
Aisha glared at her. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with!”
Amber glared back. “I think I do.”
She released Aisha as she reached her. No sooner did Aisha’s feet touch the ground did Amber deliver a right cross that sent Aisha to the floor unconscious.
Grandma and Bissau looked at her, their mouths open wide as she strode back to them.
“How are you, Bissau?” she asked.
Bissau stood. He swayed a little. Amber grasped his shoulders to steady him.
“I feel good,” he said.
“Good enough to fight?” Amber asked.
Bissau nodded.
Amber looked at her Grandma. Her face seemed less wrinkled, her eyes bright and expectant.
“I am ready too,” Grandma said.
Amber went to the door.
“No,” Grandma said. “You are coming into your own, but you are not strong enough to confront Bagule.”
“Bagule is not here,” Amber said.
“How do you know this?” Bissau asked.
“I’m not sure,” she answered. “I just...feel like he’s not here.”
“Don’t just feel it, Amber,” Grandma said. “Be sure.”
Amber closed her eyes, concentrating on the compound.
“There are four people on the other side of this door. Bagule is not one of them.”
“Nieleni may be,” Bissau said.
“Who is that?” Amber asked.
“Don’t worry,” Grandma said. “I’ll handle her.”
Grandma strode to the door then banged on it with her fist.
“Help us! Help us!”
She stepped away as keys jangled around the lock. As the door opened Grandma grabbed the hands of the key holder, jerking him into the room. She twisted, throwing him hard to the floor.
Bissau met the second man, deflecting his spear thrust with his wrist then delivering a swift combination of punches and kicks that sent the man reeling to the floor.
The third man and fourth man charged in swinging their swords. Amber pressed against the wall then stuck out her foot, tripping the first one through. The second man turned toward her then swung his blade. Amber ducked, the blade cutting into the wall as she drove her fist into her attacker’s stomach. She rose on the balls of her feet as she delivered an uppercut to the man’s falling chin. Bissau followed him to the floor, striking him hard on the temple to make sure he didn’t rise again.
“Let’s go!” Amber shouted. “Bissau, lead the way.”
Bissau nodded then went into the next room. Nieleni stood in the center of the room, her arms folded across her chest, a scowl on her face.
“I didn’t sense her!” Amber said before flying into the wall. She blacked out for a moment; when she opened her eyes Grandma and Bissau were fighting the skilled woman. The necklace warmed against her skin and she knew what to do.
She thrust out her hands and Nieleni stumbled. Nieleni’s head jerked toward Amber.
“You!” she shouted. Nieleni raised her glowing hands. She clapped them together just as Grandma jumped before her. Amber screamed as blinding light engulfed Grandma. She fell to the floor, smoke rising from her body.
Amber crossed the distance between her Nieleni with amazing speed, punching the woman with all her might. Nieleni staggered backwards across the room then slammed into the wall. Amber was upon her before she could stand, kicking the woman in the face. Someone pulled her away after the third kick.
“Amber no.” It was Bissau’s voice. Amber kept kicking at Nieleni, tears running down her face.
“Stop Amber! Alake is not dead!”
Amber jerked about to see Grandma stirring. She broke away from Bissau then ran to her.
She helped Grandma sit up. Grandma shook her head then shared a weak smile with Amber.
“I’m okay,” she said. “We must leave before they awaken.”
“Are you strong enough?” Amber asked.
“I have to be.”
The trio crept through Bagule’s house then into the compound. Bissau led the way, his eyes darting back and forth as they ran across the open courtyard. They were almost to the gate when sand began swirling around them.
“Not again!” Amber said.
“I know how to deal with them,” Bissau said. He reached into his pocket, extracting a handful of powder. He flung the powder into the sand as the assassins took shape then stepped away. When they finally materialized they were frozen like statues, surprised looks on their faces.
Bissau kept running. Amber and Grandma followed, Amber stumbling as she glanced back at Bissau’s work. She turned away then caught up Grandma and Bissau as they melded into the street traffic.
Bissau pointed at a distant tower flying a red and white flag.
“That is Jele Jakada’s tower,” he said. “We will be safe there.”
Amber shuddered. She grabbed Bissau to keep from falling. He grasped her tight.
“Amber?”
“Feeling weak,” she managed to say.
“She did too much,” Grandma said. “I’ll get a cart.”
Amber’s legs gave way and Bissau lowered her to the ground. A crowd gathered around them.
“Don’t worry,” Bissau said. “You’re safe. I promise.”
Amber smiled. “I know.”
She passed out.