16– Sinful spirit

We sat around the wooden table and ate. Gamu cooked green beans today. I was now used to her food and enjoyed every one of the different food she cooked.

“Tomorrow morning there’s a ceremony.” The chief told Furah and I. He avoided my eyes as usual. “Before the sun rises. Furah tell your servant to get Rena ready in time. We can’t be late.”

“Who is it?” Furah asked the chief.

“Someone we wouldn’t have believed could do anything like that.”

I did not understand what they were talking about. I looked towards Gamu. She shook her head slowly and I understood her. This ceremony tomorrow was not something we would be happy about. There was trouble.

That morning we woke up before the cock crowed. Gamu and I hurried to the river.

“What do you think the ceremony is about?” I asked Gamu.

“There’s only one ceremony that takes place before the sun rises.”

“And what is that?”

“This is bad, Rena.” She said.

“Gamu, which ceremony is it?”

“It’s the beheading ceremony.”

I gasped. “What? Why? Wh