Chapter 2

They all became afraid and stood still. Had the Zuluh warriors arrived already? They thought as they breathed heavily and were scared. According to the news they heard, the Zuluh warriors were very heartless even to old ones and the young children. They killed without mercy and never spared anyone.

"Check through the window if it's free." Lathabo quietly instructed his wife. She obeyed slowly and nodded that it is free. Lethado then whispered to them to throw their things out of the window, as they attempt to do so, the door swung open. To their relief, it wasn't the Zuluh warriors. It was their village's chief warriors.

"Lethabo, we came for you and your two sons. We are short of warriors to battle the Zuluh warriors so you and your twins have been enlisted with the warriors." The chief warrior of Ifakoko said. Lathabo became confused and short of words. His two sons were still very young. They shouldn't face such a fate now. He knew how dangerous it was to be a warrior of the land. Their fate was always hung in the balance, especially during a period like this. 

Disheartened, lethabo together with his wife went to their knees pleading for their children. Gift was short of words, just weeping profusely. 

"My lord, if my plea may have any meaning to you, please consider my wife who has no one left except these two children. If I go with them to the war they may not come back as they are still young to understand the meaning of war. Please spare them. I am willing to go with you only to save my twins. They are the only joy my wife and I have left. Please release them for the sake of my wife". lethabo pleaded.

"Please my lord, they are too young to go to war, they don't know what war doesn't even know how to handle matchet not to talk of a gun, they are young to face war." Gift added with tears-filled eyes. The chief warrior went silent for some moments, he was confused and don't want to do what won't please his conscience. He didn't know what to do or say, he had a kind heart. He looked around at the faces of those he and his warriors had picked to join them. They were many but not up to the number he really to combat the Zuluh Zuluors. 

They were very strong, so he needed plenty of warriors on his side if he wanted to win the war. Then he looked at the faces of the twins. They like it, it would take only those close to them to be able to differentiate them.

"He called the deputy chief warriors to join him in one corner of the room to deliberate on what to do, whether to insist on the kids joining his warriors or yield to the plea by lethabo and his wife on behalf of the kids. After a few seconds with his deputy then he spoke.

"Okay Lethabo, you may come with us while your children stay with their mother." The chief warrior finally said. Lethabo and his wife became relieved. They thanked him very well.

"Thank you, my lord, I am really for this. If I am not asking too much, my lord, I need some time to spend with my family alone", Lethabo requested. 

"You can do as you wish. We will be waiting for you outside because we can't afford to lose you", the chief warrior replied. Lethabo quickly shut the door of his hut and was alone with his wife and two children.

"Gift, you have to leave without me. Make sure the twins stay alive. I won't forgive myself if any harm should come to them. Take good care of them for me, my younger brother, Siyabong will be expecting you. Once you get to his place help me deliver this letter to him. It contains all the details and locations of where I kept all the family valuable materials and documents," Lethabo said to his wife.

My husband, I will miss you, we will, I will make sure I take good care of jack and Jacquard for you. No evil will come towards them till you return. Take good care of yourself when we are gone, we hope to meet again", Gift said soberly. They held onto each other lovingly.

Gift stood morosely and started chanting these words, "You are a soldier, your heart is in the land, you fight for life and freedom, as you walk upon the sand. You don't walk unworthy, you will not stand alone, the angle angel alongside with you because you fight for land and home."  

"You are a soldier, a husband, a father, and a friend. A comrade and a brother, a warrior to the end. You don't walk unknowing, the risk upon the way, for God travels with you, each day and every day." Gift added with tears-filled eyes

"Father, we will miss you very much, make sure you are safe and come back to us," Jacquard added joining the embrace. Jack was not left out in the display of emotion. They all began to weep while still holding one another.

"Do as I said. Go to my younger brothebrother'se East and stay with him. I will do my best to stay alive for you all. Farewell. We shall see again," Lethabo added. Just then a knock was heard at the door.

"Your time is up, let's get going. We don't have all the day." The chief warrior said aloud. After a minute the door swung open. Lethabo came out fully dressed. Soon they were off. Gift gathered her children and took all their belongings. They left as soon as Lethabo left with the warriors.