Chapter V

Kaka-ka, was the sound of reshaping bones, trying to take the form of another creature. The pains was unbearable as if the broken bones pierced through vital organs. Such kind of pain Agashi has never felt and prayed never to feel again. The worst feeling is the fact that he is a beast; that was just too difficult for him to handle, a beast that rampages anything on sight and set fear to everyone. No maid or witch dear come near his door except his sister, in fact, they had all ran to their rooms since the previous night that Agashi had transformed. His sister had carried him the previous night in the most unpleasant way, carrying him was not difficult for her, Dooshi just had to say a few magic words with her staff and sleeping-Agashi will float in the air to where she wants.

"How is your head?" Dooshi asked her brother who was just opening his eyes. "You should be asking about my body and bones." He replied with a face that looks like one that just did surgery. Agashi moved the blanket that covered him from feet to chest, and stood up to put on his clothes. Dooshi tried to look away. "whats that pretence? You have already seen me naked, there's nothing to hide anymore." "Such a wit" Dooshi replied with a shy smile while burying her face in her palms. "Am starving, I can finish a full chicken. Can we go for breakfast?" Agashi who was already on a loin clothe that has a rope around the waist and the cloth terminates half way between the knee and ankle has stood by the door gesturing the way out to Dooshi.

They made their way to the dining table where toshin and other senior witches were seated. "Good morning". They both greeted and postrated. Toshin said nothing for some seconds, and the the two witches that had been with her the other night at the dungeon, accompanied her silence with an evil look at Agashi. It was a kind of look that could tell one is not welcomed.

"How is your body?" toshin broke the silence. "You must still put your necklace on if you will stay in this temple, for security reason." Agashi and Dooshi the where still standing, yet no one seems to care. "You are strong but you are still naïve." Then gesturing to the empty wooden seats by her side, she asked them to sit down. In no time Agashi's plate was empty and he still looks hungry for more. After two more plates, he looked satisfied and withdrew to his room for another round of rest.

"How many had died for my sake? How many will die for my sake?" "Maybe I should end my miserable life and safe others." One mind spoke to him as the stupid questions flushed through his head. "What is at stake ia greater than you, if you don't kill him, he will kill you and more." The words of Toshin where opposing the words of his mind. Killing Malik now was the only thing that makes sense to him now. He has to leave tis castle unnoticed else Toshin won't let him, after all she has asked him to remain in the castle undergo some training before going to Oduduwah-his village. Toshin was right, he was no match for Malik, but this lad has no plans for patience. Little did he know it was suicide to fight Malik, else he wouldn't dare entertain the thought of leaving the castle that evening.

"Let him go, only then can he find rest of mind." Toshin told the witches who ran to her chamber to report Agashi's escape. "He might figure out what to do, if the gods are with him. Right now, his destiny is in his claws." Toshin talked and Dooshi remained silence struggling if to remain in the castle or go after her brother. Toshin looked at the confused face of Dooshi, but didn't say anything, she only turned her back at Dooshi who was already having tears in her fragile eyes. Dooshi quickly returned to room and helped the tears that she had been struggling with.

Agashi came to a river and stopped to give water to the beautiful black horse he had stolen from the witch's castle. He had travelled for hours and was tired, so he took a break and watered the lovely house that has aided his journey thus far. Not knowing if he is doing the right thing or not, but he just followed his instincts blindly moving towards the lion's den. Agashi has never been to Oduduwah, he only knows it was on the south of Hutseh, so he has been travelling south through forests and rivers. Galloping several miles, he came to the village of Arak, one that was set on a mountain and appeared to be peaceful. The villagers were mostly farmers and they farmed at the foot of the mountain. This was the village of the richest man among the eight clans. "How can I go to Oduduwad?" Agashi asked an elderly soldier who stood by the city gate. "Youths of these days have forgotten the etiquette of greetings", and with at a glance the soldier slapped Agashi's head. If only the soldier knew whom he was, he wouldn't dare slap him. "sorry sir, forgive my indiscipline." Agashi responded in the most humble way. "keep going south, after two villages and a river you will come to the forest of Achetu. The forest of Achetu opens its mouth to the village you seek. It will take you two days ride to reach your destination." Thank you sir." Agashi thanked the soldier and went through the village gate.

What a journey? If Agashi had known, he might have taken more food than what he had. He had food that could last him for only one more day at the best of his management. He has to depend on hunting while travelling through the forest, he taught to himself.

Agashi travelled through rivers and thick forest and came to the forest of Acheto which was at the outskirt of Oduduwah after two days ride. He camped there in the forest for the night. Suddenly when he was half way asleep, there was an unpleasant smell at the later hours of that night that pierced through his nostrils; it smelled supernatural. Standing up, he put off the fire that he set to warm him and hid himself behind a tree. Agashi traced the smell and it led him to a monster-looking creature; a curse. Toshin had told Agashi about curses, so he should recognize one now that he has seen one. He got a little closer to the curse, and transforming half way, he reached out to exorcise the curse. Agashi knew he needed just a bite or his claws to sink in to destroy the curse. It was easy for him, though the curse was strong, it was no match for an alpha.

In a flash and roar, Agashi rushed the monster and made it vanish into thin air as he sank his powerful claws into it. Agashi did not notice that he has been lured into a trap. Malik's soldiers were hidden on the trees and they fired arrows at him. Agashi dodged as much arrows as he could, but they were just too many arrows reaching towards him. He was wounded by one arrow on his left arm and the wound was deep. The alpha tried to move but he fell down and fainted. The arrow had been poisoned and it was working very fast and strong,he couldn't even heal. It is clear now to him that he had been followed ever since he left the village of Hutseh.