Chapter 1

Jacquard and his twin brother, Jack, with their mother, left Carea Town in the Western region and embark on the long journey to the Eastern region just to escape the inter-tribal war that broke out between the Zuluh tribe, the largest tribe in the region, with millions of members and Nguni tribes with just thousands of members.

The dispute which began with two families over land ownership some months ago had gradually grown into a bloodshed dispute. Hmm..! War is not something pleasant and something to  pray for. It turned out to involve the most populous tribes during that period. Killing and vandalization of properties worth a huge amount of money were destroyed. Men, women and children were running for their lives. No where is safe. "Run for your life!" That what is on the lips of everyone in the region, both young and old.

The land of about ten hectares was known to be owned by two different families from different tribes, Adedansu Family from the Zuluh tribe and the Sifahuh family from the Nguni tribe. The sole owner of the land was not well defined because the two families proclaimed themselves as the sole owner of the land. Who is the rightful owner of this land? 

Adedansu family is one of the most powerful, influential, and richest families in the western part of the nation. Adedansu family is known for their political ambitions and involvement in public services. While Sifahuh family is known for their beverage and cereal processing and manufacturing company that has the highest number of employees and controls the economic activities of the western and part of the northern part of the county.

The land had been discovered and proved to be endowed with numerous mineral resources. Resources  such as; gold, coal, tin and the like that can sustain a whole nation. The discovery ignited the dispute.

The land, located on the outskirts of the westerm region of the nation, has been in use for farming for thousands of years by the two families ancestors. The land was well known by every single person in the nation because of its huge returns and magnanimous size of the crops after every farming period. 

The history of the land, particularly the sole ownership of the land was not cleared to everyone. The Ancestors of both families, the Adedansu family, and the Sifahuh family were believed to be friends, in which they both used the land for their farming activities without any dispute. But history also has it that the Adedansu family is the right sole owner of the land because they are the ones who farmed on the land during the early days. 

After a short raining period, when the farming period ended, the Sifahuh family's farmland went barren, no significant yield of crop harvested was recorded from their side which resulted in the famine which almost led to cannibalism among them. 

 The rain caesed to fall for years, maybe two or more in the nation. Every regions of the nations all adopted various means to ensure availability of food for their people. Westerm region was indifferent. They also tried to look for means to survive at all cost. To their surprise, the land, believed to be owned by Adedansu family never stopped yielding. The return increased during the drought season. It soll was wet. 

Different Kingdoms from different regions of the nation, Abasia Kingdom from the western region, Daila kingdom from the northern region, do buy from Adedansu family' land. The only hope of the great nation. The land was a blessing to the nation during that period. The drought during that period was so intensed that all the major water bodies in the nation went dried. How the land get its water that get it moisten always remained mysterious. 

The period was always referred to as," The End Period." Because everyone present then thought the end of the nation has arrived. 

Adedansu family felt concerned with these people's welfare, and the alleviation of suffering. Out of sympathy, the leader of Adedansu family granted some portion of the land to Sifahuh family to carry out their farming activities to save them from perishing because one third of them had already perished. 

As a result of that humanitarian act, strong friendship was initiated between those families and also strengthen their relationship. The friendship meant a lot to both families and it stood for inter-ethnic interaction which has never happened before. The  two families from different tribes compete for every necessities of life  in the nation-  water, market, and other resources. With a healthy relationship, inter-tribal marriage was promoted and more benefits were derived.

However, no rigid proof or evidence or documents to affirm that. All that remained abstract. All these  Only live in the memories of those who knows the history of the land. 

The dispute started with an argument that was later accompanied by various forms of threats, the killing of members, and the vandalization of owned properties by the two families: Adedansu and Sifahuh families. 

During this dispute, the head of the Adedansu family was stabbed by one member of the Sifahuh family during a meeting organized by both parties to put an end to the conflict, because they both knew the possible outcome if they failed to do so. 

At the meeting, many people were killed, including the heir of Sifahuh's family. That only added salt to the surface of the open wound. The conflict became more intensed and proliferated like a wide fire. Run for your life! On the lips of everyone.

The number of people killed was so high that it caused the conflict-resolution council of the nation  to intervene in the matter. Every attempts made by the council to put and end to the war and to settle the matter amicably was unfruitful. Several dialogues were organized, the last one took place in the Abasia Kingdom in the eastern region and everything ended unfruitfully.

Every region in the nation is autonomous. Every region is being governed by the monarchs present in the respective regions. 

The case was then presented to the higher council in the nation. The council referred to as "The Lord," comprises all the King's of every Kingdom in the nation hoping they would be able to  stop the killing between the two parties. Instead, the numbers of people injured, killed and property vandalized increased every single day. 

The conflict viewed to be between two major families in the western region by the conflict-resolution councils had turned to inter-tribal conflict because it has been hijacked by extremists present in both parties involved. 

After numerous delibration and dialogue organized by "The lord," noting significant came out. An agreement was reached which was also agreed upon by the leader of the two tribes.

The major term was that the conflict must not go beyond the western region borders. Failure to keep to this will result to war between the western region and all other regions in the nation. This agreement protected other regions from the war. And their borders will always be opened for anyone who wish to migrate to their regions.

Western region was known to be the weakest among other regions in terms of power, economy and other affairs of a nation. It dare not go beyond the agreed terms. 

The killings continued which elaborated from inter-family conflict to inter-ethnic conflict because of the pessimistic impacts the fight had on the security, the economic, and financial status of the region. Lives are not safe anymore, no one to come to their rescue.  Everyone is scared to move freely. To go to the market and farm became so risky and deadly act to perpetuate. Several cases were reported that people were killed on their farmland, some in the market. Some parts of nations even recorded that people were killed in their homes.

"The lords" came to the juncture after numerous adjournments, judgments serve which declared the Sifahuh family as the thoughtful and lawful sole owner of the land regarding the documents produced by both families.

The judgement created grudges among king's of the body,"The Lords." More than half of the Kingdoms provided the evidence of transactions that had taken place  between Sifahuh family and their respective kingdoms. While other kingdoms including Abasia Kingdom who was believed to be the oddest kingdom in the nation also provided some documents which signified that Adedansu family has sold some of the farm produced from the land to their ancestors as dated back to the period, "The end period." 

Vote was casted, which went in favour of the Sifahuh family. The family was declared the sole owner of the land which was later refuted by Abasia Kingdom and some other kingdoms.

That almost resulted in fight between the panel. To prevent that from happening, they all agreed to stay out of the conflict and allow the gods to do that themselves. That was what resulted to the agreement. 

Adedansu family which belongs to Zulu tribes, being the most populous tribe in the nation with millions of members were unhappy and never agreed to every judgements served by "The Lord," claiming they are all being biased with the view that the documents and evidences presented by those kingdoms in support of the Sifahuh family of the Nguni tribe were all fabricated and also they were all suspected to have engaged in some illegal acts, bribery being the head. 

Adedansu family maintained the stand that it is their family, only their family who were able  to produce more than enough farm products during the period of that intensive dryness. "How could  those people whom almost perished due to hunger produce farm products that would be sufficient for them, not to talk of farming in large scale and sell to other Kingdoms during that period. After all the portion allocate to them was just little. That is not possible. You have to fetch for yourself before thinking of other." 

After numerous unfruitful dialogues and mediation to prevent the occurrence of war between the two major tribes in the country. Zuluh tribe leader, Malam Zugeri, declared war and commanded all his warriors to fight with all resources they have in their possession to gain sole ownership of the tremendously enriched land. "The land must be ours, we won't let them have it even if the only thing required of us is the need to wipe them out. I am ready to do that with my last breath. We won't surcome to the biased judgments passed by the corrupt system. Never! ...Never!! ...Never!!!" Malam Zuageri declared.

This agitated the Nguni tribe to also prepared so hard to defend their lives, homes, and properties. But their was only one  problem faced by them: Lack of able, strong, and skilled number of warriors to fight back Zuluh tribes." We will fight back and defend our lives and we not scared of anybody" the chief warrior of Nguni tribe lamented.

"Their fathers and husbands"  as well as their brothers had been enlisted among the warriors that would fight for their tribes. The fighting continued to spread like wildfire even after government intervention. Many families who couldn’t see their children killed sent them far away.

Lethabo, the father of jacquard and jack, a well-respected farmer in the village, belongs to Nguni's tribe and lived on the outskirts of lfakoko village with his two sons. Before the journey, Lethabo called his wife and his children for a family discussion.

“The little conflict that began some few months ago with few people has suddenly become a widespread infection it has become a big fight between our tribe and Zulu tribe. We are not safe anymore, people are leaving the land for safety, we can't go to our farmland to carry out farming operations, and we are all scared of being attacked because the enemy is ready to kill us all without sparing a single person”, Lethabo said.

They were sad. They had hoped to remain as one family in this village forever. The war between the two tribes was us. Now people had to move away from their town to seek refuge in another town without thinking twice.

“The killing is becoming too much. The Zuluh tribe seems too strong for our warriors. Soon, they will invade the whole land and kill us all. Before this happens, I think we have to leave the land. I can’t watch my family destroyed, not when am still alive, even if it will take my last breath. Your mother and I are still deliberating on what to do. Whether to send you guys far away or ”. Lethabo added while his wife, Gift, interrupted.

"Or what? that you not coming with us because of your acquisitions and things kept under your watch. Life is what we are talking about, once you die, the very next second, everything is gone. You need to decide on what to do so quickly because I am not going to accept you staying back while your children and I leave for uncle Siyabong place in the eastern part of the nation." Gift, lethabo wife, lamented. 

"We can still come back to have all our lands, houses, and other acquisitions when this tribal war ended. Pls, my husband, I need you, your children need you. I don't have the strength, whatever requires ed to face all this alone because no one knows what will happen when you stay back." Gift pleaded to her husband weeping profusely.

The children couldn't hold their tears also, they were all weeping. Instead of him saying anything in response to what his wife has said, he remembered the poem his father thought of him about war: 

Avoid any war at all costs for if we don't, life will be lost. The casualties of war, is far too great, reducing some nation, to people of hate. 

The economic cost, but the nation in debt, a drain on resources, that we'll all regret, and families of soldiers worry themselves sick. The horrors of civilians, caught in the thick.

The instigators of war, are out of the fire. Away from the fronts, in their business attires. Sending armed troops, with a stroke of a pen, to holes of hells, to fight other men. Noting is better than peace.

Everyone was silent for a very long period.  “But father, where are we moving to? We can't just sit here, and wait until the enemies are close or we are all being killed in this house. Pls, dad, decide fast ” Jacquard persuaded his father and broke the silence that has lasted for a while.

                                                                                   "I think we have to go far as we could from here. Maybe to the East to live with my younger brother, Siyabong,  until everything become calm again.” Their father, lethabo, replied. The two of them looked at each other and shook their heads. They knew uncle Siyabong very well. He once lived with them during his youthful days before he traveled to the  East to learn skills and also settle down and set up his family. Siyabong has made it known to every member of the family since he was young that he can't live in the village. 

"I can't stay in this village where every member of this family has lived their entire life. Someone needs to break that and I am the person to do that." Siyabong told all the family members in one meeting organized by all the heads of their familyfamilieser several years of savings and assistance from Lathabo, his elder brother, Siyabong did as he had said earlier. Though some members of the family were against the idea, they had no choice but to allow him to leave because the head of the family together with Lethabo has nothing against his idea of migrating to the east.

They have to go on a long journey to the East to live with him because they are left with no options. Siyabong is now working in a brewery in the Abasia Kingdom in the eastern region.

“I sent a message to him some days ago. I have explained everything to him, about the war and killing, He told me the east is peaceful and that the war doesn't affect them in the east, so he is expecting us any moment from now. We have to leave by dawn tomorrow.” Their father informed further. 

"That is true, all the affairs of every are not interconnected in any way, which means the inter-tribal war can never extend to the east. It will only remain in this region. An EaAnrn region is a perfect option for us where we can be safe, then after a while, we come back.  My children, you don't need to panic at all. We will always be one family, no matter the  circumstances." Their mother added and assured them of the safety of every member of the family.

"I want you all to start packing foods, drinks, fruits, and every single thing that will be needed for this long journey, including your clothes and belongings that are not heavy. Pack your belongings that are light in weight that will aid our pace, not things that will slow us down." Lethabo instructed his family.

"I want you all to painstakingly arrange the foods" he emphasized.

"let me quickly visit my farm to get the foods and fruit that we will be needed. I will be back in a jiffy" Lethabo added. 

"Please, don't stay long and dimt forget to take your gun along with you, or should I follow you to watch your back?" Gift asked her husband.

"No, my darling, things haven't got to that extent, I just want to get those little things. I will be back in a short time. Carrying a gun around at this hour of the day will look weird, I might look scary to others. I will go with my sword in case of anything unplanned. Don't bother yourself. I will be safe." Lethabo said to his wife. 

"Continue with whatever you are doing, dad won't stay long out there." He said that to his children, jack, and Jacquard as he dress up to leave for the farm.

On his way to the farm, He tried to check on the other members of the extended family. Moving from one doorstep to the other, he didn't meet a single person in all the houses, which signifies that his family is the only one left in the whole compound.

"They all left without saying goodbye, they are all scared. Where can they all go? because my younger brother, Siyabong, is the only relative living outside the village. Father is right about the war, war brings a moment where every member of a family doesn't think of anything, anyone irrespective of the closeness or lineage except his/her safety." 

"I pray the gods to help us to end this bloodshed inter-tribal war and keep everyone safe," Lethabo said as he faced the sky to pray to the gods of the land. Then he moved straight to the farm to get those things he intended to.

On getting to the farm, he harvested six tubers of yams and Irish potato, he then tried to pluck some pawpaw with a stick but failed. After several attempts he de, cited to climb the tree. On getting to the top, he plucked all the ripped at the same time as on the tree and started coming sliding down gradually. On get to halfway, he got stung by ants on different part parts body, he was left with no choice but to bump down, which he did. He fell hard with his face twistitwistinggrimace of pain as he thudedthuddede ground. He had  brui s on part of his body.

As a man, he stood up, dusted his clothes and s, started packing the harvested fruits in a sack and h, and headed home.

That night, they couldn’t sleep at all nor did all the inhabitants of their village. News had earlier reached Ifakoko that Zulu warriors were approaching. They had already captured the Zenodeba area which was the next village to theirs. Everyone was filled with panic. Some had already left the land for safety elsewhere.

“What should we do, my husband? The war songs of Zuluh warriors are getting nearer, and some of our neighbors have left their homes. Don’t you think waiting till dawn will be a better idea? I don’t want anything to happen to my children. I think we have to set out now that we still can.” Gift, the mother of those children, advised her husband.

“I think you are right, let's put together the few things left, the earlier the better,” Lethabo added. They began to prepare for the trip at once. When they were done, they carried their belongings and were about to step out into the darkness but a knock on the door alarmed them.