Nahoda shook her head and frowned at the columns of numbers on the scroll in front of her. “Sorry, Wajanja, there is no way we are going to be able to deliver 500 planks by the next moon. Our axes are worn down to nubs, and replacements have been on backorder for the past three moons. At this rate, we will be making our cutting tools out of obsidian.”
The Fundi chief shrugged. “Well then, there is nothing for it. We will apologize to Mshauri, and tell her that the scaffolding for the Nafasi is just going to have to wait. But I am not going to be the one to tell her.”
Nahoda paled slightly. “Who then?”
“You do it, Nahoda. She will ask me many questions that I do not know the answers to, and I will look foolish. I would just have to ask you for the answers anyway, so let us save time. And who knows, perhaps you two can work something out. She reminds me a bit of you; you two should get along.” Wajanja smiled, sipping from a bag of divai, a sweet wine made from Muscadine grapes that could be grown on the cool, sunny and dry north slope of the mountain.
“How does she remind you of me, Chief?”
“You both ask too many questions. Besides, it is high time you got out of the workshop and took a look at the treeship.It is a sight to see, almost forty yards long, and with those green puffballs at the top, it is nearly as high as it is long. It towers over the House buildings. It is as tall as any of the trees outside of the old forest in the north.” Wajanja offered her the wine bag.
Nahoda didn’t particularly care for the sweetness, but it would be rude to refuse. “Thank you, Chief.” She tipped her head back and took a small swallow, then smiled and nodded before passing the bag back. “Could I delegate this? Naibu could do it.”
“I do not doubt Naibu could do it, but he does not have the same knowledge you have. You would be better. I want you to wrap up whatever you must, and go down to the House before noon.” There was a tinge of annoyance in his voice.
Nahoda noticed it and knew that further protests would be pointless. “Yes, Chief.” She bowed her head in resignation, then turned and went back to her desk and started writing instructions for her subordinates. Wajanja grunted his satisfaction, stood up from the low table, and left the office. Nahoda certainly hates leaving the forest!
Later that day, Nahoda arrived at the House, but before she was close enough to see the building, she saw the green mounding tops of the gigantic kuruka uyoga puffballs straining against the vine nets that held them against the trunk of the body. As she got closer, the House itself rose up against the bizarre backdrop, and she was astonished to see that the looming chimeric plant was nearly two hundred yards behind the hilltop on which the House building had been erected. And it is only a third the size it will become!
Shaking her head in wonder, she trotted up the path to the main building. She was surprised that nobody was there to greet her when she arrived at the entranceway. This place is deserted! Where is everyone? She walked around the lower level, where a portico had been built that circumscribed the structure. Then she saw; there was a mass of zebras milling about down at the treeship.
This is going to take forever! Nahoda trotted down the hill, following a path that led to the ship. It continued to grow until it filled her vision. She could not keep her eyes from it. Truly a giant of the forest, like the first zebras must have seen! She was not watching where she was going and ran straight into the well-padded hindquarters of an Amu mare. Being rather full-bodied herself, the impact sent both of them sprawling, and the scroll case that had been slung around her neck went rolling away under the hooves of the crowd. Curse it!
“Ow! Ay, what was that? Who are you?!” The angry cries of felled mare rose above the hubbub of the crowd as Nahoda struggled back to her feet and looked around for the wooden case.
“Sorry! I was not watching my path! Are you alright?” She bent to give the matron a leg to support her up.
The Amu managed to get back on her hooves. “Well, be more careful!”
“Did you happen to see my scroll case? It got away from me.” Nahoda looked around, starting to feel anxious. She prided herself on her organization, and losing track of important documents would be a black mark.
“All I saw was blue sky and zebra bellies. Good luck finding it in this mess.” The mare went back to chatting with her neighbor.
Nahoda bent down, hoping she could see the case through the forest of legs before her, but it was no use. She sighed. I need some help.
“Excuse me!” she spoke, but nobody seemed to notice, the crowd’s attention being directed towards the ship and some goings on in front of it.
“Excuse me, please!” This time, she projected, and her voice cut through the background noise, clear as a bell. Conversation stopped and all eyes in the crowd turned towards her. I hate when this happens.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I dropped a scroll case, and it has rolled underhoof. Could you all please look down and see if it is underhoof?”
Almost as one, all the heads in the crowd dropped, then a voice cried out, “Got it!” from about ten yards away. A Vumba stallion, long and lean, pulled the wooden cylinder up by its cloth carrying strap, then passed it to the zebra next to him, who passed it to her neighbor. After three more passes, the matron she had barreled into got it and passed it to her, smiling. “That is quite a voice you have there, hon.”
“Um, yes. Thank you. Thank you all!” The crowd continued to look at her, almost expectantly. “Uh, please go on with, ah, whatever you were doing.” Her voice started to dwindle. “Before I started barking orders at you. Thanks. Sorry.”
After an awkward few moments of silence, the hubbub started up again, but then was quickly hushed as a path started to part at the front of the crowd. Zebras were backing up into each other to make way for some procession that appeared to be headed straight for Nahoda.
The Amu mare looked back at Nahoda in surprise then turned and backed away, bowing her head as she did, revealing the Prophetess and Mshauri. “Here we are, my dear. What do we see?” The Prophetess smiled benevolently, and Mshuari cocked an eyebrow.
“We see a mature Fundi mare with a scroll case hanging around her neck. We have not seen her before. She appears nervous.” The Eye of the Prophetess started to walk around, studying Nahoda. “She is heavyset, good looking and in good health. And she bears an alama. Adinkrahene.”
“Be not be nervous, my child. What is your name?” The Prophetess closed the distance between them.
She took a deep breath to steady herself. “Nahoda, Prophetess. Forgive me, if I interrupted something important.”
“Nothing planned. Apparently, a rumor started that we were looking for volunteers for the crew, and all these zebras showed up. They are quite in the way, actually. Nafasi Nyingine chooses the crew in its own way, from what we can tell, and the is crowd disrupting construction work on the scaffolding.” She tilted her head. “You seem to have a way with them. Could you thank them for their enthusiasm and ask them to go home?”
Nahoda blushed. “Prophetess, will they not listen to you?”
“Someone has put it in their heads that it would be a test of their faithfulness to stay here until the treeship chooses them. And I am not in charge of anything, I just make suggestions that zebras usually choose to follow. Usually. You are someone who gives commands. Please, as a favor to me.” The Prophetess smiled warmly.
“Well, I usually only give orders to my loggers, Prophetess. I really do not like telling others what to do. But I suppose I could try.” Nahoda swallowed, then took a deep breath. “Friends! The Prophetess thanks you for your faithfulness!” Her voice rolled over the crowd.
All eyes were fixed on her. It was quiet enough to hear the chirping of birds that were nesting in the branches growing out of the upper part of the treepship’s trunk-hull. “There is no truth to the rumor that Nafasi Nyingine is choosing members of the crew now! By staying here, you are preventing important work from being done! The Prophetess asks you to return to your jobs and homes and to contribute to this great project through performing your work as well as you can! Thank you all for showing your support! But please go home!”
Silence hung over the construction site, then the crowd started to break up, zebras closest to the gate of the palisade turning and walking away, entering into conversation with their neighbors as they did so, many shaking their heads about how silly they had been to believe a rumor. The mare she had run into bowed to the Prophetess, then turned and inclined her head to Nahoda before following the others. Within a few minutes, the mob had dispersed, leaving only a few guards and servants, and a dozen workers who started to pick up poles for the scaffolding, putting them in place and tying them together with hemp cords.
Mshuari stared at Nahoda. “That was incredible.”
“Adinkrahene.” The Prophetess reached up with a hoof and traced Nahoda’s features with it. “A powerful alama, the mark of charisma and leadership. You were born to be obeyed, child.”
Nahoda made a sour face. “It does not feel right, zebras doing what I tell them when I speak like that. What if I am wrong about something, Prophetess?”
“That is the risk all leaders take. Now, tell us why you are here, Nahoda.”
“Oh, yes! I am in charge of logging operations and I need to speak to Mshuari about the timber order for next week.”
Mshauri raised her eyebrows. “Prophetess?”
“Yes, please handle it. Why do we not go up to the House and get some refreshments?”
Mshauri went to the Prophetess’ side to guide her and they started up the hill.
“Hey!” Nahoda was standing in the same place, staring at her left rear hoof in shock. Mshauri started to giggle.
“What is it now?” The Prophetess sighed.
Mshauri spoke. “We see a root or tendril has come up through the ground and wrapped itself around Nahoda’s hoof. She is stuck fast.”
The Prophetess laughed as well. “What is happening and why is it so funny?” Nahoda frowned as she pulled, but to no avail.
“It appears that Nafasi Nyingine was looking for a crewmember today, after all!” Mshauri sniggered, trying to stop herself from laughing.
The Prophetess tried to catch her breath. “Just not a volunteer!” The two of them continued to laugh while Nahoda stared at them, open mouthed. “Very well, we will explain up in the House. Mshauri, please go fetch Jelani and Kichaka. She must free our newest crewmember.”
“Who, me?” Nahoda reared, trying to free herself. “I cannot be on the crew! I have responsibilities! I am in charge of all the logging operations, remember? And I am old! Well, oldish.”
The Prophetess walked to the sound of Nahoda’s voice. “Calm down, child. You are not old. I am old. You are just experienced, and that is just the thing this crew needs, an experienced leader.”
“What? The leader? Me? Prophetess, I do not know anything about flying a treeship!”
“Good, nobody else knows anything about flying a treeship either. You all have something in common!” The Prophetess grinned.
“But we cannot even deliver the boards for the scaffolding! I have to come up with something! How will you get the scaffolding built without the lumber you ordered?”
The Prophetess shrugged. “It sounds like something the Commander will have to figure out.”
Nahoda tried to speak, but no sound could come out. She just gaped at the Prophetess in utter astonishment.
Mshauri came running up, with Kichaka close behind. “Jelani was off on a run! Kichaka, could you please free Nahoda?”
The petite Amu mare smiled and covered her mouth with her hoof. “I think I see the root of the problem.”
“Everybody is laughing, but nothing is funny!” Nahoda frowned. “Are you going to cut it off?”
Kichaka gasped. “Cut a root? On my Nafasi? The very idea! I would cut off your hoof first.” Nahoda flinched in alarm, but Kichaka did not pull out her pruning hook as she knelt, instead stroking the root gently. “Now, now, she did not mean it. She does not know. Could you let her go please? She will stay with us.”
“You are talking to a root.”
“Shush.” Kichaka continued to run her hoof along the root. “Just relax, Nafasi.”
Nahoda gasped as the root unwound itself from her ankle, then stepped away as Kichaka cooed sweetly until the root buried itself back in the ground. The pretty alchemist stood up and smiled at Nahoda. “Welcome to the crew. My name is Kichaka.”
“How did you — oh, never mind. I am Nahoda, but I cannot be a member of the crew. I have important responsibilities.”
The Prophetess tsked and cleared her throat. “Yes, you do have important responsibilities. More important than logging operations. You are going to lead an expedition to save all of zebrakind.”
“But Wajanja —“
Mshauri interrupted “ — will be honored beyond words that Nafasi Nyingine chose a Fundi to command the crew.”
“At least you can still speak to your parents!” Kichaka frowned angrily. “I am dead to them now, as is Jelani to his! Nafasi picked you! What are you afraid of? Dying? Failure? If we fail, we are all going to die; is that not right, Prophetess?” Nahoda stared at her, baffled.
“Kichaka my dear, even if you succeed and deliver us to paradise, we are all going to die. It is just a question of how and when.”
Mshauri was growing cross as well. “I would prefer to die of old age, in bed, with a full belly, and that is not going to happen if this expedition fails.”
Nahoda shouted, “Enough!”
The three mares backed off a step and the workers up in the scaffolding stopped what they were doing, turning their heads to pay attention.
“I want this expedition to succeed. I truly do. I will work my tail off to get you the materials you have contracted for. I will pray for your success with every fiber of my being. But I will not climb aboard a tree and fly off the edge of the island! I will not!” She shuddered. “Over the ocean! Those things down there! I — I cannot!” She fell down on her belly, shaking, and pale. “Please!”
The Prophetess knelt in the dust next to Nahoda and took her head in her forelegs, stroking her mane and whispering to her. Mshauri was silent, and looked down at her hooves, shamefaced. Kichaka turned back to the workers who were staring and glared at them. They returned to their labors, quietly, while Nahoda sobbed softly.
Jelani came running up, lathered from his morning exercise. “Hey Kichaka! I heard we have a new crew member! Where —” She punched him in the shoulder with a hoof, then put it to her lips, shushing his protests.
The Prophetess stood, reaching her hoof to raise Nahoda up. “You must be strong, my daughter. It will be many moons before the ship will fly. You will learn to master your fears.” They walked along slowly, the others following. Nahoda’s eyes were red from crying and she was sniffling. “There is no shame in fearing the edge. One zebra in four has this fear. It is likely that you will not be the only crew member who cannot bear to look over the edge of the island.”
“Why me though? Why did the tree wrap a root around me?” Nahoda wasn’t whining; she sounded more bewildered than anything. “And why does that mean I, of all zebras, should be the Commander?”
The Prophetess shrugged as she trudged up the hill. “It appears the treeship is picking favorites, and all three favorites chosen so far have been vipawa, yourself included. I do not think that coincidental. And as to why you have been chosen to be the Commander, let us just say that the spirits spoke to me.”
The reached the portico that surrounded the building. “Do they truly speak to you?” Nahoda sounded skeptical.
The ancient blind mare smiled broadly at some private joke. “That is a question I have often asked myself, but who is to say? It is what I think would be wise, and I do have a reputation for wisdom.” She patted the alama on her flank. “Perhaps that wisdom comes from the spirits.”
Nahoda nodded. “Ntontan. Better not get too close, Prophetess, or the ship will snare you as well.” Maoni the Prophetess stopped, her mouth hanging open. Nahoda felt her heart in her throat; she had gone too far. “I am so sorry, Proph—”
“Ha ha ha! Yes! Indeed!” Maoni laughed, her cheeks bright as cherries. “Imagine me trying to get up the side of a treeship on a vine! Ha!” She reached out and thumped Nahoda on the back. “You are right! I will keep my distance!”
Nahoda exhaled in relief. “But you know, Prophetess, it may be a good idea for us to ask for the tribes to send their vipawa, walk them by Nafasi and see if the ship picks any of them as well.”
Now it was Mshauri’s turn to stop and gape at her. “That is brilliant! Why did I not think of that?” Her hoof shot to her forehead. “We can have a ceremony of some kind, call it a— a—”
“A kuchagua; a choosing.” Maoni nodded. “Yes, yes. No doubt, many hundreds who do not bear an alama would also like to take part, given the crowd that showed up based on just a rumor. And who knows? Maybe Nafasi would choose from them as well, though it has shown no interest in any of the other guards or workers.”
“She, Prophetess.” All faces turned toward Kichaka as they entered the great hall. “Nafasi is a she, remember?”
Jelani looked skeptical. “How do you know this? Did you peek under her leaves?”
All the zebras chuckled as Kichaka swatted the stallion good naturedly. “No, silly. But she is patient, quiet, and discerning. What else could she be but a female? If Nafasi was impulsive, loud, and foolish, I would have a different opinion.” The chuckles turned into belly laughs. Jelani attempted to frown, but in the end, could not stifle his own laughter, and joined in.
“Please, let us sit, have refreshments, and make introductions.” Prophetess Maoni sat upon the largest pile of cushions of those around the table in the middle of the hall, and motioned for Nahoda to sit at her right hand. Kiburudisho, one of the servants, popped his head in from the kitchen, having heard voices, and Mshauri gestured with her hoof. He nodded and in a few minutes came out with a platter balanced on his back, upon which sat fruit drinks in wooden mugs, and several bowls of nuts and dried fruit.
Mshauri took the platter and thanked him, then set about distributing the food and drink while the others took turns greeting Nahoda as they were introduced by the Prophetess.
“Kichaka was the first one selected. She was from the Amu tribe, and trained to be an alchemist. Kichaka has been tending Nafasi since she was little more than a shrub!” The alchemist smiled and nodded.
Nahoda leaned forward, interested. “Why would the treeship need to be tended by an alchemist?”
“Nafasi is a chimera, an agglomerate of tree, vine, perennial and fungus, and her nutritional requirements have to be carefully balanced. Too much acidity would harm the puffballs, too much nitrogen would burn the vines, and too much potash would stunt overall growth. But she would look really pretty with all the clematis in bloom.” Kichaka grinned as everyone chuckled.
Nahoda pursed her lips. “Can you not treat each element of the treeship with separate fertilizers?”
The little Amu shook her head, her braid whipping about. “Nope, all the plants appear to branch off the main trunk. They share a common root system. They did all come from the same seed, after all.”
The older mare shook her head in astonishment. “How is this possible? A thousand year old seed sprouting? It is like something out of a breezy tale.”
The prophetess shrugged. “Who knows? Perhaps you will find actual breezies on your journey.” The others laughed in response. “Believe me, nobody was more skeptical than me at first, but now I would not be surprised if we woke up tomorrow to find Nafasi’s branches festooned with breezies, all playing their little bags of pipes.”
Jelani stared at her, dumbfounded. The rest of the table was silent.
“Alright, I would be surprised.” Prophetess Maoni shrugged and smiled. “But you must admit, we live in an age of wonders.”
“Very well, Prophetess, I accept that.” Nahoda pursed her lips. “And this, of course, is Jelani. Who would not know the champion of the Amu?”
Jelani bowed his head, sadly. “No more. Now I am just Jelani.”
Kichaka gave him a small smile. “There is nothing wrong with that,” she said quietly.
His cheeks colored slightly and he looked down. “You see, Nahoda, we have to leave our tribe to serve on the crew.”
Nahoda looked confused, then Kichaka spoke up. “It is my fault. I overreacted to something and as a result, I was cast out. My parents had to bury me.”
“It was not your fault.” Jelani’s tone was insistent. “You only stopped that fool Tamaa from damaging Nafasi. He could even have killed her in his ignorance and arrogance.” He glowered in the direction of the ship.
“What do you mean, your parents had to bury you?” Nahoda was taken aback.
Mshauri chimed in, “It is the Amu custom. If an Amu were to leave the tribe for any reason, almost always to marry outside the tribe, they are considered dead. They receive funeral rites and no Amu will speak to or recognize them again.” She frowned. “It seems to me a cruel custom.”
“All customs serve a purpose, my child, though it may be that this one’s purpose is past its time.” Prophetess Maoni rubbed at her neck in irritation. “I am truly sorry that this happened to you. And perhaps I should not have suggested that all crew members to join House of Punda, but it seemed the only way to protect Kichaka at the time.”
Nahoda looked thoughtful. “It was wise, Prophetess, if harder on the Amu. If I am to lead this expedition, I do not want there to be any old tribal rivalries brought along. It will be hard enough dealing with personal relationships that might lead to difficulties among the crew.” She looked meaningfully and Kichaka and Jeleani. The mare blushed, but the stallion just looked confused. Mshauri hid a grin behind her hoof.
After they finished eating, Nahoda stood. “Prophetess, shall I return to Wajanja and inform him of the situation?”
“No, Nahoda, I think you should stay here. We will send a messenger to your chief, and ask for your belongings to be sent. You only have one job from now on: you are the Commander. In fact, I think you should send the messenger yourself. Kick things off on the right hoof.”
“What are you saying, Prophetess?” Nahoda looked at her in confusion.
“What I am saying, Commander, is that you are in charge.” Maoni pursed her lips thoughtfully. “You are the leader now. We will help you, and advise you, and until Nafasi launches on her expedition, all the resources of the House of Punda are at your disposal. It is your responsibility to see to it that the ship is ready, the crew is trained, and that the voyage is successful. We have no more important duty than to support you.” She paused, and it was silent around the table. “It is your responsibility to save us, Commander Nahoda. Every zebra alive, and those not yet born.”
The older, slightly pudgy mare with ink stains on her hooves shrank back into the cushions, pale, as she began to truly appreciate the enormity of the power and necessity of the task that had been thrust upon her.
Maoni stood, and the others at the table joined her, looking alarmed and confused, but none more so than Nahoda. “Mshauri, will you summon the House and have them assemble in the courtyard at sunset? Commander, I think it may be good for you to address the House as a body, as you will be leading our coordinated efforts for some time. But if you prefer, I could speak.”
Nahoda looked around at the others. Jelani nodded seriously, Kichaka smiled cautiously, and Mshauri just looked wide eyed and frightened. “Mshauri. It will be alright. I understand why the Prophetess wants this, or at least I think I do. Will the others of the House be as worried as you? Because they cannot possibly be as worried as me right now.” She forced herself to smile. “But it will all work out. It has to. Is that not right, Prophetess?”
“Yes, Commander. It has to. The alternative is unthinkable.” She turned to smile reassuringly at Mshauri. “You shall always be my Eye, but you shall also be the Commander’s eyes, and ears. Keep her informed of what is going on in the House and elsewhere. Everything she needs to know.”
“Everything?” Mshauri managed to look even more uncomfortable. “Yes, Prophetess.”
The Prophetess turned her attention back to Nahoda. “So, would you prefer to address the House, or would you rather I do it?”
“Prophetess, I think it is best if we both did. Introduce me, and I will speak. Though I am not sure quite what I will say.”
Maoni chuckled. “We shall work that out together. I may have some suggestions. And if I may, I also suggest sending Kichaka and Jelani to deliver the news to the Fundi. Their words will carry more impact than another messenger might, and they will be back in time for the announcement.”
It was nearly sundown, and torches were burning around the courtyard. Nearly a hundred zebras stood on the packed earth, shadows flickering across their striped faces and bodies as they whispered to one another. In front of them was the dias from which the Prophetess made formal addresses. Upon it stood Maoni, Mshura beside her, and off to the side were Nahoda, Kichaka, and Jelani.
The sound of hooves were heard from the north, and all eyes turned to the track that ran past the House central building. A dozen zebras came trotting into the square; Chief Wajanja, his wife Mti Wakijani, and his advisors. The muttering in the crowd increased when the Prophetess, after consulting with her Eye, motioned for the chief and his wife to join them on the dias.
Wjanja nodded and helped his wife climb the steps while his advisors joined the crowd. He spoke briefly with Nahoda, then Mti Wakinani have her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The Prophetess was guided to the front of the platform, and the crowd fell silent.
“My friends, I have been your Prophetess from before most of you have been born. And I still am, I am not here to announce a blind foundling has come to take my place, but I do have a very important announcement. Nafasi has chosen a Commander for her crew.” At this the hubbub rose again, but was hushed by a look from Mshura.
“I have communed with the spirits,” the ancient continued, “and have determined that all of the House of Punda shall be at the disposal of Commander Nahoda. We have put all of our resources into the treeship for months now, but the time has come for me to step away from the project and let Nafasi choose she and her crew grow together.”
The Prophetess motioned, and Nahoda walked to the front to stand next to her, the black collar of the House on her neck and a black headdress of short feathers gracing her head and neck. Maoni kissed her on her cheek, then turned to address the crowd again. “I have always made suggestions, and been gratified that you have chosen to follow them. But now I make a very strong recommendation. Until such time as the treeship is launched, I believe it would be best if you all obeyed Commander Nahoda as though she were your chief.” Exclamations of surprise and protest could be heard above the muttering. “Nafasi’s growth and the training of her crew are now the reason for the existence of the House. And as far as the spirits have revealed to me, they always have been. This is the most important event since the First Flight, and we must confront it together. Listen to the Commander, I beg of you!” With that, she backed up and Nahoda stepped forward.
The Fundi mare cleared her throat nervously. There were a lot of zebras out there, but not as many as had been in the crowd at the treeship. “House of Punda!” Her clear voice silenced all the muttering. “I am Nahoda, formerly of the Fundi, but now Commander of the Treeship Nafasi Nyingine.” She paused and took a breath. “I am humbled by the faith that the Prophetess has shown in me! I did not ask for this honor, or this responsibility, but I have been chosen, and I will serve as best I can!”
The crowd was silent, not so much as the whisking of a tail at a fly to disturb it. “I only hope that I prove worthy, though I am certain that with your support, your dedication, and your maximum effort,” she emphasized those last words, “we will be able to launch Nafasi safely. And I believe that her crew will be able to guide her to our new home, where we, and our foals, and their foal’s foals for a hundred generations, will be able to live in peace, and in plenty!”
The crowd was quiet for one heart-stopping instant, then a collective cheer rang out as the zebras drew hope and inspiration from the charismatic vipawa, the cadence of her speaking, her word choice, tone of voice, body position, facial expression, everything conspired to set hearts to racing and hooves to clapping and stomping.
Mshauri watched, amazed, as Nahoda was transformed from a slightly overweight, nervous, middle-aged logging manager, into a tower of strength and confidence. The Commander waited until the cheering had just started to die down before she continued. “I see in your faces a new hope for the future! A dream of a better tomorrow! A proud race of zebras, ready to seek their place in the world for the next thousand years!” Zebras reared and whinnied with approval and excitement. Even Wajanja’s advisers reacted with unbridled enthusiasm. “And I promise you this! Nafasi will find our new home!” She waited until the roar died down to continue. “We will find our new home, or we will die in the attempt! This I vow!”
She has them in the frog of her hoof! Mshauri realized her mouth was hanging open as a hush fell over the crowd at that solemn pronouncement. “But our crew is not yet complete. We need volunteers. Over the next month we will be holding a kuchagua. Any who choose to, may approach during the choosing, and if you are accepted by Nafasi, you will become a member of the crew. And subject to my orders. Spread the word throughout the island that beginning from the next moon, every day at noon, for three hours, any who wish may approach.”
She turned to Wajanja who was looking at her like she was a potentially dangerous, but fascinating animal, rather than someone who had worked for him for years. “Chief, it is important that all vipawa from all the tribes attend the choosing. Would you and the other chiefs agree to send all those with alama to Nafasi?”
He looked at his wife, who nudged him gently. “Um, well. Yes, as far as the Fundi go, I will ensure all vipawa come to the ship in the next moon. I cannot speak for the others, of course. But I will ask them, if that would help.”
Nahoda bowed her head. “Thank you for your aid, Chief. And thank you for being my friend all the time I have known you.” At that, Wajanja brightened and smiled.
She turned back to the crowd. “Tomorrow will be very busy, as will every day until launch! But tonight, be at ease, eat, drink, laugh, and talk. If any wish to approach me with any ideas they have about the voyage or the preparations for it, I will always listen. But tomorrow. For tonight, please, just wish us all well and allow us to enjoy one another’s company. Thank you!”
The crowd applauded and cheered as she backed up and hugged the Prophetess, then she walked down with Mshauri and the crew into the crowd as the younger members of the House brought out plates of food and drinks that had been prepared.
Wajanja leaned over to the Prophetess, and whispered, “What have you done?”
“Me?” The Prophetess smiled. “I noticed potential, and I applied the right pressure to it.”
“When will the ship be ready to launch?” He smiled nervously.
“I know not. Six moons? A year?”
“The sooner the better. I will bend all efforts to ensuring a successful and speedy launch. And I will encourage the other chiefs to do the same.”
The Prophetess looked puzzled. “Well, thank you, but why the hurry all of a sudden?”
He grunted. “We need her off the island before she is named mkuu mkuu.”
The Prophetess laughed. “She would be an excellent Great Chief, would she not?”
“Yes, obviously, but I am not sure that is a good thing, to be quite honest.”
“Think of it, the honor of a Fundi being the first mkuu mkuu in a thousand years!”
“A singularly uncomfortable honor.” Wajanja grimaced.
“And when they return and carry us to our new home? What if we are not alone there?”
The chief was quiet and thoughtful. “Well then, perhaps we would need a mkuu mkuu after all.”
Maoni nodded and put her hoof to his shoulder. “She is not ambitious. You have nothing to fear. Leading is in her nature, but she never usurped your authority, did she?”
“There are good reasons that she was in charge of logging operations, but I never heard her give a speech before.”
“Is she a good zebra?” the Prophetess asked mildly.
“She is intelligent, direct, efficient, and very hard working, but she is also kind and forgiving. So I would say yes, very much so.”
“Then what is there to fear, chief?”
“Nothing, not really. But I know her. The others do not, and that could make for trouble.”
Now it was Maoni’s turn to be quiet and thoughtful. “Perhaps I will suggest that she limit her public speaking until the ship is close to launch.”
“Perhaps that is a good suggestion.”
“I have another suggestion, chief.”
“Yes Prophetess?”
“Let us stop scheming and go get something to eat.”
He laughed. “Now that is a suggestion I will follow gladly, oh wise one!”