The coldness of the night brought forth a thick mist in the woods. In the deepest part of the woods were many caves in a canyon. The caves were lit ever so brightly. In them were men and women. Music lit up the moods of the people as they drank and danced to their content. Women danced seductively for the men and they were rewarded with money thrown at their feet.
Jemi and his team of robbers arrived at the caves. They walked past a group of men, shooting their guns up in the air as they drank their beer. One knocked out the other and he fell at Jemi’s feet. Jemi kicked the unconscious man away, and he rolled to a table. He scowled darkly at the other man and then faced away, uninterested.
Jemi made his way up to the highest cave. He found a good number of half dressed belly dancing women with snakes hanging on their necks. Jemi’s eyes searched for Lord Diavinx and he soon saw him lying down on a couch with his head resting on a young woman’s lap. She seductively fed him grapes while stroking his messy blonde hair.
Lord Diavinx was the leader of the notorious gang of robbers known as the Midnight Crawlers that attacked villages and travellers. They looted them of their food, money, jewelry and women.
Lord Diavinx loved nothing more than beautiful and attractive women. His men would have competitions to see who would kidnap the most beautiful women for him. The winner would get a sack of money. As soon as the women entertained Diavinx and his men, they were released back to their village.
Often the women and affected villages would report Lord Diavinx to King Raglan. The women would even take the military troops to where they believed the Midnight Crawlers’ hideout was, but they found nothing and no one when they returned.
The secret why Lord Diavinx evaded capture was his loyal gamarax manipulator who went by the alias Boo. She concealed the hideout so well that other gamarax manipulators couldn’t track it down. This was further done by teleporting the whole hideout from place to place all over Dark Star.
No one but Diavinx knew who Boo was, and none dared to ask her. This was because she was extremely short-tempered. She was the type to shoot first and ask questions later. Boo sat alone in a corner with a lit cigarette in her mouth. Her skin was chocolate brown and her hair was dark and short. Her V birthmark was on her chest. Boo’s large breasts shook as she counted the stacks of money on the table. Her long slender legs were exposed due to her black bum shorts. On each of her thighs hang powerful revolvers.
Jemi cleared the women dancing for Lord Diavinx and knelt down before him. While Lord Diavinx was the leader of the Midnight Crawlers, he was also Jemi’s master. He made a pact with Jemi years ago during his trip on Earth.
“Master...” Jemi began. “I have come to report that we have lost two of our men.” Jemi said, his voice low and full of respect.
Lord Diavinx sat upright. He rubbed his hand in his hair. “What happened, were they arrested?” He asked.
“No, master, a kremis killed them. Had I left with the first class, none of this would have happened.” Jemi explained. “I have something more to tell you.”
“Go on.” Lord Diavinx gave him permission.
“We came across a female third class. I tried to capture her but two fools took her instead.” Jemi said with his anger, manifesting on the word fools.
Lord Diavinx sighed. “How could you let go of such a rare breed? Most of the seers are male. You know it has always been my fantasy to see a female seer but alas they always conceal their identities.”
Boo let out a sarcastic laugh. “Why wouldn’t they? Society is harsh on them and treats them like outcasts. All this because when their powers mature, they age.”
“I would have loved to see that one though.” Lord Diavinx laughed and turned his attention back to Jemi. “Tell me, was she beautiful?”
Jemi grinned mischievously. “Yes, she was beautiful despite not having a full chest.”
****
Emelinia snugged into the blankets. She had a full stomach, and she was feeling warm. The next afternoon she was going to be in Gemhules. The last time she was three was five years ago with her mother. Her mother was sending her off to Cherilisia where she had secured her a job as a maid at the royal castle.
She remembered how she emotionally waved goodbye to her mother and never saw her again after that. She wrote to her many times, but she never wrote back. This had Emelinia fearing about the well-being of her mother.
“Mama, I will be home soon. I just hope that you are okay.” She whispered to herself and drifted away in her sleep.
Sharumez and Jenu were still awake by the fire. They were finishing up the tasty tuko. Emelinia had a bit before excusing herself. Both Sharumez and Jenu assumed she was exhausted. Sharumez drank some water and looked at Jenu with a serious facial expression that alarmed him.
“What is it?” Jenu asked Sharumez, concerned.
“I think the girl is in some sort of trouble.” Sharumez answered.
Jenu took a bite of his meat and asked with a mouthful. “What makes you say so?”
“She has no luggage, no money, and she is wearing the uniform for royal maids. I know this because I saw maids with her exact uniform inside the castle. To top it off, she said she is heading to Vanimaq but what I can’t understand is why she was on a cart going in the exact opposite direction.” Sharumez explained his argument, and Jenu stopped eating.
Jenu looked behind as if to check if Emelinia was listening to their conversation. “Do you think she sneaked into that cart?” He asked, tensely.
“That’s a possibility. We shouldn’t ask her anything until it is absolutely necessary to do so.” Sharumez suggested.
Jenu nodded his head. “Okay my friend.”
****
Happiness filled the Sharumez household as Akirexer prepared for her husband’s return. It had been almost six days since he left and finally the time had come for him to return.
Akirexer sang happily as she cooked his favorite meals. It excited Alainara that Sharumez was returning. She merrily joined Akirexer singing, and Naian smiled happily at them. He had little to do at the shop, so he got off early, just so he could be home when Sharumez arrived.
“Your family is happy that your father is coming home today. I don’t think I have ever seen so much joy because of someone’s return home.” Light said to Sharaina.
He and Sharaina sat on the carpet in her room. Sharaina had Light’s guitar in her arms, and Light was teaching her how to play. Despite knowing his growing feelings for her, he couldn’t stop himself from visiting her because he assured her he would. Light had always been a man of his word. That’s how his parents raised him.
“What do you mean you have never seen so much joy because of someone’s return home?” Sharaina asked him in disbelief. His comment visibly surprised her.
“Well my family members, including myself, move around a lot so it’s not really a big deal when one of us returns.” Light explained. “Do you know what time your father is likely to be home?” He asked.
“He will be here anytime from now.” Sharaina slowly replied without taking her eyes off the guitar strings.
****
Sharumez sighed in relief when they finally rode into Gemhules. Both he and Jenu couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces. They were home, and it felt great. The villagers they met on the way exchanged greetings with them. Emelinia looked out the window and smiled to herself. Gemhules had changed little since the last time she was there.
“Sharumez, I think I should go with Emelinia home and then tomorrow we can see about getting her to Vanimaq.” Jenu suggested and Sharumez cracked up laughing. “What is it?” He hit Sharumez’s hand.
“Are you out of your mind? Do you want Naliya to kill you? Perhaps you have forgotten that beating you got for flirting with a dancer at Bayin’s bar.” Sharumez said in between his laughs.
“Oh, shut up. Let us not forget that I am the man in that house.” Jenu folded his arms and faced the other way dramatically.
Sharumez wiped his tears of laughter. “Look, why doesn’t she just come with me instead?” Sharumez nudged at Jenu.
Jenu smirked at him. “Won’t Akirexer be upset with you?” He stretched his lips mockingly.
“No, she will not. She trusts me a lot.” Sharumez tilted his hat triumphantly at Jenu, who folded his arms again and faced away with his nose in the air.
“My house is also big enough to accommodate Emelinia. There’s a spare room that we haven’t used in a long time after that accident with my parents-in-law.”
Jenu sighed in defeat. “Okay, she will go with you now shush, here comes my wife.” Jenu whispered, and Sharumez laughed again.
Naliya ran out of the house with her hands open wide. She hugged Jenu as soon as he got off the carriage. Jenu twirled her around and kissed her cheek. His daughters went running to him and embraced him after Naliya let go. Naliya and the twins greeted Sharumez. As soon as Jenu’s luggage and horse were off the carriage, Sharumez bid farewell to them and happily headed home.
Sharumez arrived home a few minutes later. Naian was in the garden when he saw him approach their home. Naian rushed to the gate, smiling, and opened it for him. Sharumez gave him a hug and a pat on the back as soon as he was off the wagon. Alainara ran out of the house and gave Sharumez a big hug. He lifted her up, threw her into the air, and caught her as she chuckled. He threw her up and down three more times before setting her feet back on the ground. Akirexer went over to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Alainara exclaimed in excitement when she got a glimpse of the carriage. She and Naian marveled at it. Naian opted to unload it but when he opened the side door, his eyes set on nervous Emelinia. She clutched onto her dress and anxiously kept her gaze down. Naian was completely caught off guard, with his mouth agape. He turned to Sharumez, confused. Sharumez face palmed.
“Goodness, I had forgotten about Emelinia.”
Sharumez let go of Akirexer and walked over to the carriage. Naian stepped back and gave him way. Sharumez extended his hand to Emelinia, and she reluctantly took it. He helped her out of the carriage. Emelinia took one look at the family and faced down in discomfort.
“Family, this is Emelinia. We met her on our way out of Cherilisia. She is going to Vanimaq and until then, she will be our guest.” Sharumez quickly introduced Emelinia.
He turned to Emelinia. “This is my wife, Akirexer. The young man is my son Naian and the little girl is Alainara.” He introduced them and Emelinia silently nodded her head with a small smile.
Alainara walked up to her and extended her hand in greeting. “It’s nice to meet you Emelinia.” She said with a wide smile.
Emelinia lightly shook her hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Alainara.”
“I have another daughter who is slightly younger than you. Her name is Sharaina. Knowing her, she is probably out there doing something she’s not supposed to.” Sharumez said to Emelinia.
Akirexer and Naian burst out laughing.
“She is in her room.” Akirexer said to Sharumez.
“Sharaina is in her room this time of the day?” He asked with his eyes wide open. A thought occurred to him, and he relaxed his face with a grin. “She is nursing a hangover, isn’t she?”
Akirexer and Naian laughed even more.
“She hasn’t drunk in four days.” Naian told Sharumez.
Sharumez gasped. “I don’t believe you. I must see this for myself.” Sharumez dashed into the house.
Akirexer walked up to Emelinia and said, “You are most welcome to our home, dear. Please, come with me.”
Akirexer’s warm eyes made Emelinia feel comfortable enough to go into their house.