Gipiir and Labongo #11

By Ashley

With eyes downcast and slumped shoulders, Gipiir made his way into the forest. His past glory had made him forget himself for a while. And now that he was back to zero. Bead in hand, trembling like a leaf, Gipiir stared forward, his face blank of expression. 

“What are we going to do? What are we going to tell him?” Achola’s  shaky voice echoed in Gipiir’s memory. She had shaken him, hoping for a solution to the anger they all foresaw was to befall them. If she had been wishing for the return of her beloved Labongo, she now wished that night would not fall because every day that drew by meant that the warriors were closer to home. 

Gipiir didn’t feel any better as he dreaded looking into his brother’s eyes. That spear was the symbol of Labongo’s mighty leadership and his power. Now it was gone with the beast that had attacked the village. 

Gipiir threw his body to the ground, his brows furrowed. He reached into his pocket; getting a hold of  his beads. Surely, he had turned back to his old ways. 

In the depths of the forest’s shadow, Katabani watched in awe.Giving a slight snicker, he cautiously approached the fool. The mysterious stranger frowned as he watched Gipiir’s hand playing with the bead. The coward had somehow returned. This wasn’t the warrior he had seen from before. “Why the long face , mighty slayer of beasts?” mocked Katabani, his eyes dancing upon anticipation of good news that Gipiir was still as miserable as he had been the very first time he set his eyes on him. 

“Yes, yes. Never wipe that look of misery off your face because a smile edging to the corners of your mouth makes my insides cringe with fury and disgust.” Katabani thought to himself

“Who are you?” Gipiir stammered as he rushed away from him in an awkward crawl.

“Me? I am the spirit of vengeance that roams about in the forest,” Katabani slyly replied, drawing closer to Gipiir, his eyes danced with anticipation.

They were colder than the midnight breeze and his hands clenched; were rough as stone.  “I have watched you for a while,” Katabani continued, “How much longer do you wish to be the weak link?”

“What do you mean?” Gipiir asked, “How long have you been watching us?” Gipiir stuttered, taking a step back.

The mysterious man merely glared at him, his presence demanding an answer at once. 

“That stupid spear. I lost that stupid spear.” stammered Gipiir, still hiding his pitiful face in grief.

“A spear eh.” said the mysterious stranger, promoting Gipiir to elaborate more

“The spear that represents my brother’s  leadership. It has been in our tribe for ages and has been passed down to all the leaders. On our father’s  deathbed, he handed it to Labongo, making him the leader of our tribe. Now the spear is gone with the beast that attacked the village,”

“Pff.. All this distress over a worthless spear?” asked the mysterious stranger.

Gipiir’s  eyes suddenly shot up, burrowing into the mysterious stranger’s eyes. His lips quivered as he  tried to find the right response.

“You wouldn’t understand. How will I face my brother?”

“If that spear is what makes your brother a leader, then that must be a weak leader you have there.” The mysterious stranger spat.

Gipiir quickly shot up, raising his body to his full height

“what are you saying?” he asked

“What makes you a warrior?” asked Katabani

“well…” Gipiir began, raising his shoulders, trying to come up with a meaningful answer, “ Strong will, courage, détermination I guess.” He said

“See? Even your answer didn’t include a spear “ said Katabani

Gipiir clearly understood what the mysterious stranger was trying to tell him. 

He knew how to face Labongo now, well, at least he had an idea. 

“I know what to do.” Gipiir danced from one leg to another.

“You do?” Katabani sounded genuinely surprised

“I will make my brother see that he doesn’t need the Spear to be a true leader. We have all been so wrong this entire time.” Said Gipiir, beaming. 

As Gipiir turned his back on the mysterious stranger to embark on his journey back home, he was filled with a new hope, having received a solution from one who knows it all. 

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK ON WEDNESDAY