18.
In the wild, the chimpanzees are known to
catch on to the scent of the predators from afar, and they will warn the others
by their callings. It is an instinct built by the primates. Another preference
of the chimpanzees is the high elevation to see the predator before it gets
nearby.
Lord Greystoke saw the migration of the
birds at the forest. It was an unusual event for the Waziri warriors even in
their hunt to blend in with the animals there and create less commotion.
“Thirun, take the warriors to the house. I
will scout ahead.” Lord Greystokes had stripped to his loincloth over his
pelvis and had on the dagger made by him from the bone of the lion. Thirun
signalled to the warriors and then grabbed his shield and spear. Lord
Greystokes was seen then running towards the forest treelines.
The Lord knew that the trees there had no
vines to swing with but improvised with these thick ropes that he strung on the
thick branches. He grabbed one of them and propelled himself forward. His
momentum allowed him to reach the upper branch, and from there, he then took
his run across the branches, familiarizing himself from his daily runs there.
He improvised the trails with ropes that are strung across from tree to tree or
a fallen log to act as a bridge to cross. He does miss the dark continent jungle,
but the forest was equally as challenging.
Lord Greystokes made the run across one
hectare in the short burst and then climbed to the top to check his prey, which
he saw then at the distance: a group of three dressed in the dark green garbs
and wielding the bow with the arrows. He took no delay and intercepted the trio
at the clearing.
“Yield now, intruders!" Lord
Greystokes called out. The trio stopped in their tracks and then notched the
arrow onto the bow.
“I am Lord Greystoke, and on this ground,
I am the king. Yield now, and leave.” Lord Greystokes looked at them. He had
not seen such warriors, but their body stance displayed their training.
“We come for the lady.” The leader of the
trio spoke up. “Give her and we leave.”
It was then Thirun arrived with eight
warriors.
“You are outnumbered.” Lord Greystokes
cautioned them.
“Outnumbered but not outfoxed." The
leader said. Lord Greystokes heard the caution and knew the trap was set for
his house. He turned to look at the house. He heard gunshots, and it was then
he ran. Thirun knew the concern, but he was to subdue the intruders there.
“Fool!” The trio released their arrows at
the Waziri leaders. Thirun had his shield up to block the arrows while his
warriors had thrown their arrows at the intruders. One of the intruders went
down with the spear piercing his groin, but the other two had drawn their
swords, the ninjatō (忍者刀), often referred
to as a ninjaken or shinobi gatana. It is characterized by a
short, straight katana blade, distinguishing it from the curved samurai katana
and a square guard (tsuba), typically designed for concealment, utility, and
close-quarters combat.
The one on the left charged at the
Waziri’s warriors with the sword held at the mid-level on the left side to
perform a right swing at the warriors. Orunga, the warrior, stepped up to meet
the intruder and used his shield on his left arm to deflect the sword while his
right hand, holding a foot-long rungu, swung from the side and impacted the
intruder on the left shoulder. The intruder fell to the right, and Orunga
followed up with the blow with the rungu at the right knee. That blow impaired
the intruder from escaping.
The other intruder retreated while the
Waziri warriors gathered around the fallen one.
Meanwhile at the house, Kimbel had
gathered the warriors at the house facing the five intruders dressed in green
garb.
“No one gets past us," Kimbel
cautioned the intruder. He then saw the intruders had produced guns to level at
the warriors: Colt revolvers. Their shields may not stop all the projectiles,
but they will stand to defend their bwana’s lady.
"A true warrior is invincible because
he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of
contention." Kimbel reminded the warriors of Mugumbi’s words, who was
their departed leader.
Two shots rang out, and Kimbel was shot in
the left side of the chest and right shin. He went down on his knees with the
shield holding him up. It was then more shots rang out, not from the intruders
but from the house.
“Never bring a revolver to the play when
you have a rifle.” The five shots rang out in succession, and the intruders
were brought down face up to the rear. Kimbel turned and saw the ladies of the
house had formed a firing line at the left. They lowered the rifles and then
attended to the lady.
“Have not felt that kick for a long time.”
Lady Greystokes gave her rifle to the other ladies. “Thank you for the double
shot too, Imani.”
“I like the long barrel.” Imani, the lady
of the house, smiled. She was a fine marksman with the Sharps rifle.
Lady Greystokes was helped to the nearby
seat. She saw the lover of hers running like an antelope across the field.
“Tend to Kimbel. Bring the healer.” Lady
Greystokes told the ladies. “I will be fine.”
“Jane, are you okay?” Lord Greystokes
reached her.
“We should go back to Africa. It is safer
there.” Lady Greystokes smiled.
It did not take long for the Waziri’s
warriors to get the surviving intruder to speak the truth. Lieutenant Gavin
McLeod had joined in when he was told of the gunshots. The healer was called in
and treated Kimbel.
“He said the sensei sent them. They were
to find Ms. Kewala and bring her back.”
“Who is the……. Sensei?” Lord Greystokes
asked.
“Their bwana, the master. He……"
Thirun explained.
“Name?” Lord Greystokes asked.
“Ogata.”
“I need to tell Mycroft.” Lieutenant
McLeod said and then asked. “Where is Mindy?”
“Ms. Kewala is safe. She is away.” Lord
Greystoke looked at the Lieutenant. “Are you close to her?”
“We ……. I have been assigned to her ever
since she landed in London. I am her personal aide.” Lieutenant Gavin McLeod
then turned to leave. “Sir, may I know where she is?”
Back in the proper London city, to be
exact, at Baker Street, Watson had just washed his hands again after his tasks
at the mortuary. He stepped up to the late lunch spread at the table, where
Sherlock was seated.
“Bacons and eggs? I am sure Mrs. Hudson
does not serve that for lunch even though we are late at it.” Watson sat down.
“I asked for it, Watson. After our
fascinating conversation about bacon tests, I had a sudden craving for it.”
Sherlock used his fork to punch holes at the bacon. “Bacon is primarily made
from pork belly or back cuts, cured with a mixture of salt, sugar, and
nitrites, and often smoked for flavour. It consists of roughly fifty-six
percent fat, which renders during cooking, along with lean muscle meat,
creating a crispy texture. It is a processed, salty meat preserved for
longevity.”
“And it originated from China. I was told
that from my butcher whose father and his father before then told him from his
grandfather then……" Watson looked at the serving.
“Elementary, my dear Watson. The news of
such is derived from their past generations, but who cares? We are to eat bacon
now.” Sherlock’s eyes perked up. “Mycroft is here.”
“Hello, everyone. I am back. Is that
bacon? The greasy strips? I loved them.” Mycroft took himself a seat and the
plate. “Not eating, Watson?”
“Not anymore. I will have a sandwich
instead.” Watson stood up.
“And you will make Earl of Sandwich proud
of you.” Mycroft grabbed a slice of the bacon and stuffed it into his mouth.
“Do tell Mrs. Hudson, I would like one sandwich too. Cheerio, lad. We are to
have the whole afternoon to ourselves.”
“Spare me the details.” Watson turned to
leave and then stopped. “Will the sandwiches come with the playing cards? The
Earl then had his while playing cards.”
“Poker? It is a new game I heard played on
the steamships on the Mississippi.” Mycroft smiled. “Beats the game while
(prelude to bridge) anytime.”
Watson was past listening and went to look
for Mrs. Hudson.
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