I am awakened by the sound of water pattering on the thatch roof of the hut, the scent of rain on the sand pulls me from my slumber. A gloomy morning to herald last night’s events. I look to my side and find Tau still next to me. He snores softly, almost peacefully, but monsters are just as sweet when they are asleep. I slowly make my way out of bed, stretching. I need to find Andiswa.

“Up already?” Tau says, sleep still clinging to his voice.

“I’m an early bird, but I’m only going for a walk.”

“In this rain? Come back to bed, it is the perfect weather to stay in bed with your new husband. Your chief demands it!” he jests, but the look in his eyes assures me that he is serious.

I walk over to him and plant a kiss on his cheek. I feel disgusted with what I have done and still do to gain favour with him. “It’s just a walk, I will be back soon enough.”

He already seems different. Is this truly the man who plans on burning down the entire kingdom to prove his point? I take my leave and walk through the village to Andiswa’s hut. It is only few feet from my own.

I find Andiswa standing outside their hut, silently sobbing in the rain.

“Andiswa, are you okay?”

Stunned that I am at her hut, she quickly bows and wipes her face. “My queen,” she says, correct in her approach. Quite unbecoming between us.

“There is no need for such formalities, Andi. You and I are like sisters. Tell me, what’s the matter?”

Andiswa stammers before she speaks, as if something or someone is watching us. I turn my head to scan the area. She moves closer to me.

“My mother is sending me away on the orders of our new chief. There can only be a single diviner in the tribe and I am close to coming into my power. My mother is too young for me to succeed her, and as you know, we do not see eye to eye” she says, apprehension in her voice.

Her news does not shock me; I knew Tau would plan to get rid of her eventually. She is my only loyal friend and ally.

“Don’t worry too much, Andiswa,” I say, placing my hand on her shoulder. “I have a plan and I am going to need your help. Perhaps we should get out of this rain first.”

Andiswa leads me into their hut and I proceed to tell her my plan.

*****

The sky is like a velvet painting by the time I reach our hut, stars speckled across the horizon. This was father’s favourite time of the day. I remember how we would lie on the grass and night would stalk us. “Never fear the dark, my child,” he would say, “for the dark is a promise of a new dawn.” Ever since father died my life has felt like an unending night. A night that promises nothing but dread and horror. One where light may never enter.

A loud bang interrupts my thought. A sound coming from the hut. I enter the hut and find Tau slamming his fist against the wall.

“My love, what’s the matter?” I ask, my eyes carefully blank.

“Where have you been all day,” he roars. “Some fool thought he could challenge me. I nearly killed him where he stood, but the elders of your impudent people were with him.”

Our plan is in motion.

“I am sure you will defeat him, Tau. After all, you are the strongest man in the village. No-one can oppose you.”

Tau paces back and forth in our hut, brooding as he walks.

“The tournament will take place in a week’s time. Even if I could get the diviner to mysteriously make this fool disappear, the people will know and I will look weak,” he says, his voice perilously close to apprehension.

“You have nothing to fear, Tau,” I assure him.

***

Tell us: What do you think is Nkanyezi planning to do?