southern A

beginning, time hadn't passed enough for it to si

the cliffs platform, he stared into the distance seeking the edge of the horizon. He had an all-round view unhindered by any of natures many forms, but his interest was strictly on the directio

gentle facade appeared as a replacement. He took a deep breath in and touched the large scar on his face, and what was almost a smile, vanished. He suddenly felt saddened by a me

of his mothers lineage, people he did no

the doubt decrease within him. He was now sure that he could see in the

tain to its peak and when you reach the top, look in the direction of the river facing south. Th

the flesh was torn from his left cheek. He sighed, "if only I had been more aware, I

sly for its life, he respected that, but the anger at seeing his

him outright, but the wounds inflicted were far too s

k to the lands of your mo

e held onto his father's weak

ken between father and son. Papa Fentse died immedia

by the many pools and dams, one heading south and the other flowing east. He looked back over his shoulder hoping to see the lush grasslands and the buffalo, but all he saw was mountains

Ofentse had no affiliation with. He was a nomad who had roamed a region with two weather patterns a

uscularly built man took up a large hooded coat from a nearby rock; as well as a big haversack with s

meted guineafowl. It showed no signs of life and seemed to have simply fallen from the sky. He looked up and spotted nothing unusual. The trees about him were tall so he didn't get much of a view, as well the glare of the sun and their reflections o

g and an unfeathered meal on the roast. He

and playing. Birds chirped and whistled tunes and melodies together and alone. There were a few ferns and accacias sporadically dispersed in between tall Henkel Yellowwood. The ground was littered with twigs, dead l

spots arrayed alongside white, making it look like stripes. This colouring began on powerful legs, up along the wings beyond the chest where it was arrested by bright chestnut feathers. The bird qui

uge smile appeared on his face, he w

d at the back of her neck and between the wings. At times she would want some physical attention, and if Ofentse couldn't for some reason or other provide for this need, Ayu would then peck him with her sharp beak

because Ofentse obligingly began to gentl

for th

ee

metimes I think you unde

-ke-k

ee

tions, as if she were stretching. Of

f the stick on which the now almost burned guineafowl ha

ood as if she didn't like the smell. Ayu then opened her wings and flapped them so that she lifted off the ground and flew backwards far enough for her nostrils to breathe fresh air. Ofentse laughed. He knew Ayu di

he decided to open a small compartment that held a small draw-string b

it many times before and yet it held a mysterious hold on him. He decided that it was because he did

about one hundred and fifty, and Papa Fentse owned eight. The other book was owned by a man who couldn't read, and refuse

d open on its own. He couldn't understand how this obviously inert object could suddenly decide that now the time is right. It was what his father had told him, and nothing his father had ever told him

u landed easily on his shoulder, and th

y populated, the soil was darker and seemed richer in nutrients because the flora had increased dramatically. Mahogany, Mimosa's, mangroves, and yellowwood were in abundance; slugs, b

listers, bruisers and many other minor injuries. The unseen injuries he kept to himself, mental strain was his secret. He had left lifelong friends, family and people he had known since a toddler; to face harsh conditions on a journey that would obviously lead to many challenges amongst a civilization he couldn't remember. With only a short way to go, he felt good. Relief, he would be

er to the waterfall, when