Land of No Return by N. K. Aning

Author:N. K. Aning
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Empire of Kitara, Bunyoro, Bacchwezi, Chwezi, Ugandan muth, Ugandan myth, Nyinamwiru, Bukuku, Issaza, Ruhanga, Folk tales
Publisher: N. K. Aning
Published: 2022-03-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

“You must remember your roots, Nyinamwiru.” Susan stared at her withered mother as she clasped her hand. “You must never forget who you are. One day your past will come calling and you must heed the call, my daughter.”

Memories assailed her as she stared upon the settlements before them.

“This is impossible,” Muku said beside her as they were herded by the warriors behind them. Around them, the strangers eyed them suspiciously.

Women with their faces painted, midriff bare hid their children behind them. Susan felt her heart thumping even as she held Chloe who was still whimpering from the death of Mark. This was a dream, her mind was telling her. Yet here they were, a whole civilization from the past was here. How was this possible? She had read Jules Verne as a kid and yet this was surreal. How could an entire civilization be sequestered away from the world like that? In front of her Jones was still in awe. He couldn’t help but make comments about the historical inaccuracies in the myths of the Bacchwesi. Beside the professor, Jack had gone quiet. Susan felt a foreboding in her gut. Jack’s demeanor had changed once they had come out of the cave. Everything about his body language was like a cheetah ready to spring upon its prey.

Directly in front of them was a huge wooden pavilion. Susan glanced back. Mount Elgon was behind them. She reached for the amulet around her neck and paused when she realized it wasn’t there. They were ushered into the pavilion where they came face to face with the king, a descendant it seemed.

Spears at their back prodded them to kneel. Warriors lined the way to the king who was dressed in his battle like regalia with a skull hanging around his neck. His face was painted, giving him the look of one who was perpetually awake.

One of the warriors stepped forward and said something to the king who stiffened slightly when a warrior pulled out Susan’s amulet.

“What are they saying?” Jones whispered.

Muku swallowed, looked around fearfully as his eyes met Susan, “they are looking for the owner of the amulet?”

Jack swore as his eyes met that of Susan.

“I knew Susan’s heritage had something to do with the Bacchwesi but I didn’t know it would be this big.” Jones whispered.

Jack hissed at the professor who arched an eyebrow as the warriors glanced at them at the mention of Bacchwesi. “Is that Bantu they are speaking?”

Muku nodded and glanced suspiciously at Jack. He kept glancing at Susan, a questioning look on his face. The warrior who had the amulet was still in deep conversation with the king. The king said a name ‘Nyinamwiru’ and there was a collective gasp.

Susan felt her ears pounding as her heart was thumping in her chest. Her throat felt dry as the king’s eyes settled on them.

“What’s happening?” Chloe asked, her voice hoarse from crying.

Professor Jones Harrison’s eyes widened as he glanced at Susan, shock on his face. “You are a descendant.

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