Fireflies in The Dark Continent. Chapter 6

• Prologue
• Chapter 1 & 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5

I was asleep, it was past midnight about a week after the white men had left Oride when a sudden ruckus broke out around town. 

I remember waking up intermittently and wondering what in the six high heavens was going on before I promptly returned to sleep.   My mind was at rest because there had been no raids or battles in Iju since the revolution. 

My peace of mind fleeting as my sleep was promptly cut short with the repeated sounds of loud knocking on our front door.  Ashti stirred in her dream and mumbled a few words. By now the ruckus had gotten much closer and I was wide awake.  

I got up from my beddings and promptly started for the door. 

“What could be so urgent at this time?” 

A hushed voice asked me. I turned round and saw Ashti; poor soul, she was drenched in sweat and hadn’t slept well in days.   

“Do not worry, go back to sleep”

I replied in a hushed tone. I continued to the door; yawning at length as I opened front door. Before me was Oluma, one of Omur Alamsi’s bushy bearded messengers. I repeated my wife’s previous enquiry to him. He boldly replied 

“Iju needs you; all men are to gather at the town hall immediately”. 

His reply startled me, he had left before I could ask any follow up questions. As I walked back toward the room. I wondered what Iju could need me for.  

Ashti seemed even more surprised and confused than I was, when I told her who was at the door and why he was there. I promised to be back before dawn. I wore my cleanest clothes and headed out.   

I lived on the northwestern edge of town, and even from there you could feel the town was agog with a buzz unlike any before. It was strange as the first rooster had not yet crowed. I picked up my pace and almost ran the whole way to the town hall.  

• Prologue
• Chapter 1 & 2
• Chapter 3
• Chapter 4
• Chapter 5