SOLOMON'S BRIDGE {Part I}

THE CLAY POT *21*

1891: Ufot Akaan

Ten hooded figures stood in a circle deep inside the ancient cave of Ufot Akaan. It is their norm, to not only be hooded, but to be totally masked from recognition, and it is a true saying, that before this long awaited meeting on this very dark night, the worshippers of Itu and the servants of the Talking Tree, did not know each other outside of this circle, for their masks were spiritual veils, and the tones of their real voices were all altered from the drinking of the unholy alliance; a potion too revolting to be described. The leader began the sacred chant, and it is none other than Solomon Effiong of Etoi. The Shadows of Mist were there too, partially shrouded in a cold fog, prepared with their instructions...

When it was time for them to speak, they were very angry, "The Talking Tree has shown us a miscalculation! In the great mirror of days, we see only in parts, we know only in parts, but in the waters of the Talking Tree, a man has come from the gentile nation wielding the power of lights, a strange sight, a mystery, it is the advent of Unwannah's prophecy! The Owner's seal is upon him, he will be used to free the Tribe Custodian!"

Solomon assures them, "I am going to pull them apart, that is not a problem."

"The Order of The Talking Tree has no doubt in your loyalty, Leader. But more is to be done to ensure there is continuity of a Custodial line, in the event she resists the turning."

Again, Solomon assures them, "I have prepared the secret things which shall be hidden; and a clay pot, to be used every generation for the renewal of the contract of terms. This clay pot will have portions of the secret things, and the blood of the Tribe Custodian."

"Leader, your efforts are truly commendable. But we demand you select, initiate and assign another shield maiden, to follow up closely."

"Of course. I will select from among the fourteen shield maidens left, the one who is her most faithful and most trusted confidante."

"And now! For the highlight of tonight's convention! The general has revealed there is a traitor in our midst. Yessss, patrons, right here as we are standing, one of us is not one of us, but a very clever spy."

A deathly silence echoes all through the cave depths. The leader, that is, Solomon of Etoi, is flabbergasted, but as usual, quick to act. He raises his hand, and a thick stone wall rises up from the rocky ground around them, with incredible speed, encircling their circle, immediately. It is a soundless feat, a marvel trick that takes them all by surprise. He laughs.

"Tonight's meeting is going to end in a hunt. We will each of us, remove our hoods, and then, our veils. Because the power to veil is here in Ufot Akaan, for we are veiled as soon as we step upon sacred ground. But we, the original ten of the ten, we know how to veil, and unveil. The one left standing with a veil, is the imposter. The matter is decided! We will hunt for blood! No exit! No mercy!"

Solomon shouts, "Begin to disrobe, begin to unveil!" As he steps forward, his hood falls back, revealing his long, fat dreadlocks, and then his face mask peels slowly away. The Shadows of Mist follow suit, five exposed, five to go... and soon, there were eight exposed, two to go...

The last veiled participant stands, trembling, amidst the loud cacophony of their wild laughter.

†***†***†****†***†***†

-PRESENT DAY-

IDARA

You stand still on the gold coloured, carpeted steps, holding a dirty pair of white canvas in your left hand, and a sand splattered spade in the other. You have no idea how you came to be standing here, with these items. You dimly recollect shutting the door to your room, running away from mother's questions, but nothing else. Looking down at yourself, noting the caked mud around your gray leather pumps, the black workman's raincoat hanging loosely on your body, and the black leather gloves, covering your hands, well, intuitively, you know you've done something horribly wrong. But you can't remember what. You try to think, to grab that unsettling feeling and force it to reveal what is hidden, but the voices won't let you.