The next day was target practice with our spears. This was my favourite part of training and my best skill. I would kiss each spear with prayer and see it crash into the target with perfect aim. As I launched my next spear, I clung on to what I could remember of the stranger, trying to remember the conversation, but nothing came to mind. The loneliness over the past days gripped my chest tightly. I often felt that the world was losing oxygen.

“Thandolwethu, focus!” Master Kagiso shouted at me, frustrated.

“I’m focused!” I shouted back at Master Kagiso. My spear, having already left my grip when I shouted this statement, flew askew into the trees.

“Continue to daydream about whatever you want, Thando, but I will not watch you waste my time.” Master Kagiso sighed and retired towards his dwelling.

I went to collect my spears, only noticing then that many had missed the target. I really had been distracted by my thoughts. And so, beneath the starlit sky, I swung my spear towards the targets, daring myself not to think of the stranger. Because this journey was not just for vengeance but to reclaim the dreams that Drakariel had stolen from us all.

One day, Master Kagiso paused our training and told us to pack lightly and follow him. The journey to the elders’ enclave was a silent procession, each footfall echoing the gravity of the impending confrontation. The jumble of enclaves sat on the snow hill. In silence, we entered and sat inside the sanctuary. Covered head to toe in their animal-skin cloaks, only their hands, feet, and eyes were visible. My heart was beating out of my chest, and I could only stare at the floor. The elders represented humanity’s survival up until this point. They consulted various experts in every field and made informed decisions on how we were to survive. They chose Master Kagiso to train us, but we didn’t know they would call upon us so soon.

One of the elders began to speak.

His voice boomed, “Thandolwethu will be the one to slay the dragon. Alone.”

Silence. My eyes widened when I registered what had been said. I looked up and realised everyone was staring at me.

“Alone?” my voice broke.

“Thandolwethu has been chosen by the ancestors, and as their messengers, we declare that, God willing, she will succeed.”

“But she is not ready, she needs more time,” Master Kagiso argued.

“Time is not in excess. As you know, Drakariel continues to pour hellfire upon the land. He gains more land north and is approaching with newfound speed. His efforts before seemed more sporadic, making it difficult to understand his motives. But now he seems focused on moving north, towards civilisation. Hence the decision for Thandolwethu to embark on her journey as soon as possible.”

Master Kagiso opened his mouth in reply but seemingly decided against it.

“Thandolwethu, you shall find the local blacksmith for your shield and spears. Then you are to make your way towards your destiny,” the elder said finally.

I wasn’t ready, I still had months of training. There were my peers in the same enclave who were much stronger and faster than me. I struggled to understand why I was being chosen and why now.

My peers, my teammates, were being sent home; I didn’t believe it. I looked at their faces, vowing as I embraced each one of them that I would come back in victory. I had no other choice. They had also dedicated their lives to this and were now being told to go home and wait. But they understood that the elders’ words were final. They all made a final bow to me as they left.

Master Kagiso took my hand. “Thando, this is your destiny,” he said, with a heavy voice.

We left in silence, both of us lost in our own thoughts.

Tell us: Would you prefer to fight Drakariel alone or with your peers?