The Quest For The Kujo Tree (fiction)

“I had just entered the forest. As per the High priest’s instruction, no one knew where I was. If I died there, no one would know. After walking for hours, I was tired and sat on the large roots of a tree. Somehow, I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I saw a figure in front of me.”

Gorog shook his head as he continued his tale. He had just migrated to this town and was eager to share his tale of how he went in search of the mysterious Kujo Tree whose sap was the only cure to his wife’s strange ailment.

“This figure stood before me in radiant white. I thought it was the ghost of Alkabar so I began to murmur the words under my breath. It was then the figure spoke and when he did, the forest shook. By the time we were done, I had lost the will to carry on.”

“What did he tell you sir?”

Gorog sighed. “He told me how cruel, ungrateful and deceitful humans can be. Anyway, it turned out to be a trance. What woke me up was the pressure I suddenly began to feel on my body. I opened my eyes to snakes all over me. It was just the figure had told me. There were so many and I almost panicked.”

“Why didn’t you just kill the snakes?” The local asked again but was quieted by the other listeners.

Gorog looked at him. “Because the snakes were not real. They called it Maradesa, The Snake In Many Bodies. It was trying to see if I was alive or not. If I had started killing, I would be distracted as I would just be chasing shadows while it watched in the distance, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

“So I lay still with my left hand firmly gripping the hilt of my sword. At this time, I was thinking about the priest and my wife. I had to stay alive by all means.

“Awwwm. True love.” A female amongst his audience cooed.

Gorog looked at her disinterestedly. “Just then I noticed the snake coming in its real form. Just as the figure had said, it had a small cut in the side. I noticed that as it approached me, the false snakes began to leave. I held my breath and waited. As the snake approached, I swung my sword but missed. The snake knew I was alive. It suddenly turned around and began to increase in size. I stood up at once and braced myself.

“By the time it was done, it had become as big as a female anaconda. My first instinct was to turn and run and I followed it. I thought it was best to run out of the forest. That was also my first mistake. In my fear, I turned to a wrong direction and began to enter deep into the forest. The snake chased after me with so much speed that I began to feel its breath on my back. Just about then, I tripped on a stump and fell. The snake swooped down on me at once. I lunged with sword and it withdrew. I picked up myself and began to run again.”

“This time, I was in for the shock of my life. Just as I turned into a bend, I saw the snake right in front of me. It was too sudden and I knew i turned my back I would be dead in seconds. I looked at the snake’s eyes and noticed it wasn’t starring at me. It could not see. I knew most snakes had poor eyesight but I didn’t remember until that time. However, each time I moved, the snake turned in my direction. I began to circle slowly, looking for the cut the figure talked about.”

“Sir,” The local interrupted again. “But I thought the figure was someone dangerous. Why does he seem like a nice guy.” The local asked again ignoring the irritated voices asking him to remain quiet.

“The figure was my dead father.” Came the short reply. Gorog noticed a carriage approaching from the distance, picked up his sword from the grass and decided to wrap up his story. “I located the cut as it was looking big this time. However, it was halfway along the snake’s body, at a point where the snake could easily reach and strike. I didn’t want to die. So I ran as quickly as I could up a tree. The snake charged at the tree. Just then, I jumped down and gave it a deep slash. It writhed in pain. Just as it tried to bite me, I dodged and buried my sword in its location of the cut I had noticed. The wound had not full healed so the skin there wasn’t tough. It began to bleed profusely. I then left it there to die. And now,” he announced as he stood up to face the road, “my wife and the high priest must die.”

“Sir? Why?” Several voices sprang, surprised.

“There was no Kujo Tree. My wife and the high priest were having an affair. All through the time of her illness, my wife was staying with the high priest. I had been blinded by love to notice They sent me on the adventure to die. When I arrived at the town, I learnt they had left. I have been tracking them for a year now. Well, today I will have my vengeance.” With that Gorog drew his sword.

This is my entry for the Adventure Writing Challange by @zulfikaraw

Thanks for reading

Blessings

[Image source: pixabay]