When i first wrote this it was a homework assignment for Mythology. I kept going and going....and going as we all do. and I couldn't stop. so I thoguht you'd all like to read this. The first chapter is where our hero has to get ready to go on a quest, hence, "The great quest". She is no going to meet her escort. and future...well u get the picture. again i must remind my readers of previous stories that this is entirely seperate version where some of the characters are the same. Different name, defiantly different story but some how same bad guy but different name. (did anyone follow that cause I just lost myself)
Chapter 3
Nuku seemed to be full of stories. He told Kiji about his grandfather, Simba, who had lost his father and kingdom but returned and ruled the land in peace. He also told her a story about how his parents met. It was so touching and had a sort of Romeo and Juliet twist to it. She mentioned this to him and he gave her a strange look. She in turn, told him about how she came to learn stories from very cultured people from other countries in Africa. She told him the simple The Tortoise and The Hare, The Mouse and The Lion, and a story she always liked from her Techa, Rapunzel.
As they talked and exchanged stories she saw the simba start to open up so much more. She learned he was the youngest of two immediate siblings. He was only about seventeen moons old, as he put it. But as they kept much of their attention on each other, they couldn't see the stalking figures slowly surrounding them.
The predators seemed to be unphased by the simba's presence because they slowly closed in behind them staying down wind so as not to be detected. Once of the animal's cracked a branch as he passed a bush. Nuku's ears caught the sound but he didn't falter in step. Kiji saw the small movement surprisingly well. "What is it?"she whispered pulling the bow from her shoulder.
"I don't really..." the wind shifted and he stopped eyes wide, "Aim at everything but me and attack." he whispered.
Pulling a arrow from her quiver she watched as the simba listened intently for the sound to come again. Suddenly he leaped to his left and found his target. Whimpering sounds and growls sounded as the enemy was wounded. Nuku swiped at the animal's rump and chased after him.
A sound from her right made her tightened the string. A painted wolf was in flight at her! She let the arrow fly and it struck the dog's shoulder. She backed away to keep it from continuing its flight in her direction. She didn't need to shoot anymore than she wanted and saw a dog coming slowly, snarling angrily.
Pulling another arrow to her bow she hissed at the dog, "Don't come any closer or I'll shoot you too," she nodded her head to the other dog's wounded shoulder.
The wolf stopped followed by another dog. Where was Nuku? She thought. Did they hurt him? Did he get lost? But her questions were interrupted by the dog's gruff voice.
"What are you doing here, human?" he demandingly growled.
"Who wants to know?" she asked keeping the arrow loose so he wouldn't be the second to fall.
"Man isn't permitted in these woods," he said, "Especially not to hunt." he shifted his angered eyes to his wounded companion.
"I wasn't hunting," she said lowering her weapon, "I was trying to get out of these woods. I need to travel north."
"Well you're facing south right now," one of the painted wolves said.
The Alpha relaxed his stance. "You will still pay for the injuries you caused."
Kiji sighed but looked around again for the simba, "Where is he?" she asked aloud.
"Who?"the Alpha asked.
"Nuku,"she replied.
"Nuku?" the other dog's eyes widened, "I forgot!" he ran off into the trees and disappeared.
"What happened? Is he alright?" she asked worriedly.
"The prince is fine," the Alpha said irritatedly. He walked over to the wolf whom Kiji had shot and helped to lick his wound.
"I can help heal that," she said regretful of her action.
The Alpha considered this then nodded, "Come."
Kiji came over and looked at the arrow shaft. The arrow had gone through the dog's lean shoulder. She told the wolf to hold still and she swiftly broke off the arrow head. The dog yelped in pain as the shaft jerked. Just then the dog came back with Nuku, not as scraped or hurt as she had feared.
Taking the shaft in her hand and gently placing the other on the dog's shoulder she pulled out the arrow. The dog once again yowled in pain and bleeding came swiftly. Hurriedly untying the necklace she muttered the word and the glow took the dog's whole shoulder.
Once it faded the dog stood and walked away from the girl almost terrified.
"Now you know the way out," the Alpha said still rather grumpily, "Get out."
"Be nice, Kinih," Nuku said sternly, "We'll be out of your fur soon."
"So why are you traveling with a human, young prince?" the dog that went to look him asked.
"Kijebwa," Nuku laughed, "It's just Nuku. I'm not the next prince."
"Why not?" Kijebwa asked crestfallen.
Nuku shrugged, "I don't want to be king. I'd be too lazy and proud to be a king."
"But that's what lion's are," Kijebwa pointed out.
Nuku growled at him ignoring the dog, "The reason I'm with Kijanjwie, is because we're going to stop a threat to the Homelands."
The dog looked confused, "What threat?"
"A white man is coming with many dangers. He is going to kill everyone in his path." Kiji said gravely.
"We're supposed to stop him. He also has a secret weapon that will try to destroy us." Nuku said getting a strange look of fright from Kiji.
"Then let's get chatting then and send you on your way," Kijebwa said excitedly.
"If you ever need us good prince," the Alpha, Kinih, said, "Just roar. We won't be far."
Nuku nodded, "Definitely."
Kiji picked up her things and continued into the jungle in the direction the wolf had said was north. The walk seemed to take hours. They were still inside the jungle when they came to a small creek. The sunlight was starting to dim and Nuku finally stopped and announced, "We'll rest here for tonight. I definitely need it."
The ground was all slick from the light rains that had come down earlier that day. Putting her bag up on a tree branch she stretched and sat on a stone filling her water pouch from the creek. Nuku sat beside her, "So you mentioned you have a brathee?" he said striking up a conversation.
"Yeah," she smiled, "He's about 15 years old. His name is Nuru. My special light."
"Cool name," Nuku said smiling, "Do you have any friends?"
Kiji's eyes dimmed as the name came back to her, "Nyota."
The simba noticed her sad demeanor and asked, "What's wrong? Was it something I said?"
"Nyota was me only friend from my previous village. She died a long time ago," she said the painful memories coming back.
"Oh man," he sighed, "How long ago was it?"
"I was six. Almost twelve years ago." she said wiping old tears from her eyes.
"I'm sorry," Nuku said sympethetically.
She sighed brokenly, "I am too. My first tribe blamed me for what happened."
Nuku shook his head, "That's terrible."
"But it's in the past," she took a slow breath, "She didn't blame me."
"Of course she wouldn't." Nuku said, "Accidents happen."
"But why did it have to happen to her?!" she asked angrily standing and striking a tree with her fist.
Nuku stayed quiet this time but then he said, "Let's get some sleep."
Calming herself down, Kijanjwie climbed up into the tree and slowly slipped into slumber.
there you go be beu be beu be beu this is the critism i'm getting from my 18 month old cousin. if u think she's right review. lol