//------------------------------// // Chapter 65 Kurutu // Story: Spike the Knight // by vadram //------------------------------// Kurutu Imamu and Spike just finished their dinner conversation about the fight the just witness when Spike asked whether Zecora or Kirabo won the engagement. “Zecora did.” Imamu replied to Spikes question. “Okay, but why? I mean you had to put them both to sleep and lock them in cages. So why did she won?” “As far as I’m concerned Zecora managed to knock Kirabo out, and because of that she is the winner.” “That simple?” “Yes. So congratulation are in order.,. Congratulations you are now a Kurutu.” “A what? I swear Adanna, Kurutu. Are you just making these names up?” “There are not names, they are titles, like captain or private...” “So what do they mean?” “Let’s start from the top. I am a Imamu, it means leader or father.” “So Imamu is not your name.” “Correct. My name is Sagoma, but everyone calls me Imamu and I don’t mind, it’s like a child calls his father dad instead of his name.” “I see... Wait, you said you are a imamu, meaning there are more of you?” “There... were... I myself had the honor of meeting five others.” “What happened to them?” Imamu did not respond and Spike knew that he should drop the subject. “So what comes after imamu?” “Each imamu has one successor who replaces him when he dies, or, becomes one when the rest think he is ready. That person is the maned adanna if she is a female or ikenna if he is a male. It roughly translated as successor and as father’s daughter or father’s son.” “So... Zecora Adanna means she is your daughter?” Spike skeptically asked. “With Zecora is complicated, but yes. If something would to happen to me she should take over.” “Should?” “It’s complicated.” “So what comes next?” “Next comes jelani. It means soldier but also mighty. Then kurutu or chuo.” “You called me kurutu.” “Yes it means recruit or trainee, you are a kurutu before you become a jelani.” “And chuo?” “Chuo means student. It refers to anybody who is trained not to become a soldier... think of a person doing any other job that does not involve direct fighting, like medics, blacksmiths, alchemists, builders any auxiliary personnel is first a chuo.” “That sound a lot like Zecora.” “She was a chuo when she was a filly, but also learned how to fight.” “So imamu, then adanna, jelani, then kurutu and chuo?” “Yes.” “Then what about Kirabo? When we meet you told me to greet him with some long title. Or was that his name?” “Aaa... You mean Jelani Kirabo chipo Otieno... well chipo means gifted, while otieno means born at night.” “So he calls himself The mighty Kirabo, he who was gifted to be born at night? Or something like that?” “That... that is surprisingly correct, and well phrased. I am impressed.” “Thanks.” Spike said with a wide grin on his face.” “So I guess from now Kirabo will be my trainer or something?” “Yes.” “So when do I start?” Spike said barely managing to contain his excitement. “Well it will be a couple of days until I can let them go.” “Speaking of witch how long have I been here anyways?” “Well since the incident at Zecora’s almost three days have passed.” “Aha... Well I’m dead.” Spike said bluntly. Imamu was confused by his statement. “Dead? Why?” “Well I was supposed to be back two days ago... She is so going to kill me. Say...” He said turning towards Imamu, “can I live here for the rest of my life?” “Well I honestly have no problems with that. It’s not like there is not enough space, but, who is going to kill you?” “Twilight.” “Care to elaborate? Like who she is? And why is she going to kill you?” “She is the princess of Ponyville, and I am... was... was her assistant, and I kind of let her down.” “But if she is a princess can’t she just tell someone else to help her? Or is you job something nobody else can do?” “Well I guess she could... It’s not like anything I do is so important... except sending the letters to the princess... That... that could be a problem.” “Hmm...” Imamu took a moment to think about something. “You wouldn’t be using green fire to send those letters?” “Yes, how did you...” “Show me.” “Huh? Why?” “I have an ideea, but first I must see how your fire works.” “Well I just hold the letter in my arm, then blow fire, then the letter burns and I guess it appears in front of Celestia or in some office in Canterlot or something.” “Yes, I know how green fireworks. I need to know the frequency of the flames.” “The what?” “The frequency of your fire.” “What is that?” “Uh.” Imamu grunted.