2. Journey for Survival

They had gotten enough rest and had to set out for the rest of the journey. It was noon and the sun was  fully awake but the big trees of the forest provided shade for the sojourners. Kuka and his people had to  keep moving, they had leftovers from the barely well cooked meat and some fruits. That should be  enough for them to get on by. The little boy, Kili who had been bitten by the snake was being carried  on the back by one of the men, he was fast asleep and had been running a fever. He was still breathing,  that was enough to keep hope alive that he would get better. Kuka continued to lead his people in front,  they were going deeper into the forest. And this time, they could see everything before them. It was  noon after all. 

The journey continued for sometime and by the time the evening was beginning to creep in, they were  all a pack of thirsty people threading the forest path. Kuka himself was beginning to feel the weakness  creeping in, his eyes were heavy and his tongue dry. He no longer had any saliva to swallow on, worst of  all, there were no water patches. The little boy on the back was muttering for his want of water and the  girl would constantly cry out loud. There were grumblings here and there as the people were beginning  to get frustrated. Some even muttered that Kuka had brought them out on a fool’s journey to get them  killed. He no longer had words of encouragement to give and he dared not look his wife in the face lest  he saw her own exhaustion and grow weaker. His soul was weary and his mind full of unrest as he was  gradually dragging his feet. But he suddenly remembered that he had to keep Mon and keep his people  moving. He forced his eyes open and saw something familiar up ahead. He just hoped it was what he  thought it was.

Turning to face his people he said, “Listen up everyone, I know we are all tired. I am tired and thirsty as  well but if we can get to that point over yonder, then we might rest for the day and continue our  journey tomorrow.” he said. 

The place he pointed was far off and had this rocky surface. The people could not take it any longer and  began grumbling out loud. He discovered that he should have left them to wallow in their silence. Now,  his act of reassurance had given them the opportunity they needed to say whatever they deemed fit.  No, he was not going to tolerate it, he became angry as his anger clouded his vision. 

“Listen to me, if you do not want to follow me, you can either sit here or go back, it is not too late.” he  yelled. 

“I told you he brought us out here to die, let us turn back before it’s too late and…” one guy said when  Orau cut him off. 

“Turn back and what next, huddle together and die? Go back to the dying ones we left behind? How  pathetic. At least, Kuka has given us an opportunity to live, an opportunity to survive and if you would  not follow him, then stay here. As for me, I would rather fight death than accept him willingly.” she said  angrily and moved over to support Nulaa in moving. 

Kuka thanked her with his eyes and turned away to continue. Her words did bring life and impact to the  rest as they all followed. Kuka had done for them what no one could, he gave them another  chance at living. They continued trailing after him, even with their great thirst, failing eyes and wounded  feets. They were not going to die out there like people without a choice at living. Someone carried the  girl on his neck as they moved with new zeal and vigour. The king had a goal, he probably saw that  which they could not see and they had to follow. Nulaa was weak but she too struggled with the help  from Orau, she prevailed. 

He had seen right, just as the sun was setting, they got to the rocky path. It was the cactus plant and one  thing Kuka had been taught about it was that it held water in its body. That should be enough to help  them. But they had to eat first, lest they had diarrhea or vomiting from it. They finally would be resting  here for the night as the journey would continue the next morning. The remnant of the people of Wuwa  sat down weary and began licking their wounds. Kuka and the men would begin extracting water from  the plant and they would take in little quantities of it. They started eating some of the leftovers from their  earlier meal and drank water off the plants. A few drops was enough for them, after all it was not  normal water and did have a bit of the plant's bitterness in it. By nightfall, with the help of the stones  and dry twigs lying around, they made a big fire and sat around it for warmth. Everyone was huddled  around it, talking about everything and those they missed.

“I wonder how Raga and the others would be faring.” one of them said sadly. 

“The gods would do their best for them.” Kuka said and they all clapped and bowed as was tradition  when making a wish for their loved ones. 

“Tell us about this place where you speak of Kuka.” Orsami, one of the young men asked. He was two years  younger than Kuka. 

Kuka closed his eyes as the memories from his dreams filled his soul. He began telling them of the little  he knew about that place by the river. It was really beautiful and there would be enough animals to eat.  A waterfall and the surrounding mountains. There was a place where they all could be safe once again  as they would gradually begin to rebuild Wuwa. His people could see his vision from his eyes. It was  promising enough and the best of what they could wager against the odds. 

Nulaa laid on his lap as she listened to her husband speak. He did have greater intentions for  everyone and she could feel her time for birth coming closer. Her hands went to her belly, soon my  loved one, soon you would be here, she thought.