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Previous Chronicle: Nyako and Zag are traveling to an unknown destination and Zag dreams about the Koah Koah bird, who almost tells him three important things.
Here we go. So you’re a man of your word Nyako? You brought him. I didn’t think you would have the courage to face your wife again. Well done!
Thank you, sir. Nyako said.
Your father almost became a great man but failed us right at the end. Too good! Too unscrupulous. You could say your father was too honorable for his own good. Maybe you can be more of a man than he was.
Yes sir! I believe I can
We’re all honorable men here, but even honor bows to a higher law. Courage is what makes the man. A courageous thief is better than a cowardly saint. In fact, I doubt one can become a saint without courage, but what do I know?
He paused to laugh to himself and looked around at his audience, all men, who were all transfixed on him, but not laughing with him.
Honor without courage is just conformity. You’ve come a long way Nyako. Remember, nothing else is sacred, except the spirits of the ancestors. We pay no regard to institutions that are less than thousands of years old, that have not yet stood the test of time. That’s why we need courageous men. Courageous men dare to go against the Zeitgeist. Zeitgeist with a capital “Z”. It’s a living organism that grows unless it is starved of nutrition. That’s why we need the Innocents. The Innocents have not been tainted by the spirit of the age. Nyako, you have shown that you are willing to be courageous and that you are able to bring your share of Innocents to the table. But I still have to ask. Are you ready for the next stage?
Nyako’s interrogator was a tall dark man dressed in a white tailored suit. Black tee shirt under the suit, and white sneakers that looked like they had gone through an hour-long cleaning routine that morning, and the morning before. He was completely bald and clean-shaven except for a small triangular patch of beard under his lip, clearly left there on purpose. He sat on an empty wooden crate turned on its long edge. There was no furniture in this large warehouse. Just lots of crates and some kind of machine in the far right corner. The dusty air filtered the sun’s rays that peaked in through the slats in the corrugated metal roof and walls, giving the space just enough light to see everyone, but not everything. The man wore no socks. Just above his left ankle was a tattoo - perhaps the reason for the absence of socks. Everybody else was standing even though there were enough crates that they could all have been sitting. Nyako was standing closest to the man with Zag by his side.
Yes, sir. Yes I am. Nyako responded.
No need to keep calling me sir. You’ve been here long enough.
The man stood up and walked towards Zag. He got down to Zag’s eye level and looked at him from head to toe and back up to his head.
Is he untouched? He asked Nyako.
Nyako nodded. Yes.
Good. Then our work starts tomorrow. Make sure he gets a good night’s sleep and some good food. He will need it.
Young man. He was addressed Zag.
Welcome. I want you to feel at home here, OK?
Zag nodded and turned to search his father’s face for a signal. His father simply nodded.
The man continued, addressing Nyako: Tomorrow, I would like you to be at the lodge at 18:30 hours sharp. No earlier, because I have guests before that. And certainly no later. Bring the boy with you, and make sure that he has had enough sleep and food.
Yes sir.
By the way, your older son, Mukalo, how is he?
He’s doing ok sir, I haven’t seen him for a while since he’s in the boarding school.
I know. I know you haven’t seen him. I also know he’s doing ok. I sent my men to check in on him. You will have to excuse my not telling you in advance. The nature of our work sometimes requires discretion. Just know that he is doing ok.
Nyako was silent.
This just brings back memories, Nyako. We got so close the last time. We can’t afford to mess this one up.
No, sir. Nyako said.
Like I said. No need to call me sir. If you’re uncomfortable with Alfred, you can just call me Mr. Damba. Or Damba the Almost Great. He laughed at himself. No one else did.
Yes Mr. Damba.
With that, Mr. Damba motioned to one of the men who was standing by. The man approached with a wooden box that had a green felt lining on the inside, and gave it to Mr. Damba. He reached inside and brought out a small pair of silver handcuffs.
He said to Zag: Give me your hands.
Zag looked at his father. Searching. His father was motionless, not making eye contact and showing no sign of emotion.
Zag held out his left arm first, and then his right. Mr. Damba put the handcuffs on. The metallic clang as the cuffs locked around his wrists reverberated through the empty warehouse, in a series of high-pitched waves and then there was silence.
Mr. Damba stood up, straightened his suit, and addressed everyone.
As long as we all follow the plan, everyone will be ok. Remember, courage and honor, in that order.
He walked out of the warehouse and was followed by three of the men who walked with him to a car waiting outside with the engine running.
As soon as they had left, Nyako knelt down to speak to Zag.
I will see you tomorrow, he said. I need you to do two things for me. I need you to be brave. OK? And I need you to go with Mr. Nko here. He’s a good man. If you need anything let him know and he will tell me.
Nyako didn’t wait to hear Zag start to sob. He couldn’t. He walked out of the warehouse, followed by three other men who went with him to the truck they had traveled on earlier.
Mr. Nko reached into his pocket and brought out a packet of roasted, shelled peanuts and offered them to Zag and said
Let’s go young man. You’re safe with me.