“Step aside little girl let grownups take care of this.” He said and pushed Akosua aside retrieved the machete and walked up to the woman.
“Savages!” the woman screamed, her blue eyes sparkled behind the locks of blond hair that hung down in front of her face. The leader walked up to her until his face was directly in front of her,
“We are the savages, we are the savages. Have your walked down to the beach and watched your reflection in the waves. It was your people who brought us here, it is your people who keep us captive, and it is your people who are inflecting pain on my people!” he shouted. The woman whimpered tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Enough!” Akosua shouted, “Vengeance will not be your salvation.” The Leader turned to her and even with the paint covering his face, the expression of anger and hatred was still pronounced. He raised his arm as if he was going to strike Akosua, but his arm stopped in midair. The Borkors watched, as their leader stood helpless. Akosua turned to them,
“I promise you we can defeat the Ligaroos. All we need is faith and Yemaya and the Radas will help us,” she said,
“Why should we follow you, you are just a girl,” One of the Bokors asked. Before Akosua could respond another Bokor stepped forward,
“Because, she is the chosen one that the Loas have promised us,” he said as he walked up and stood next to Akosua. He was a giant of a man that towered over everyone.
“What does that have to do with anything?” the first Bokor asked. Akosua turned to him.
“There is a spear on Nkyene Mountain; it is the only thing that will kill the Ligaroo King. I need to retrieve it and we need your help to get there.” The first Bokor that spoke shook his head,
“Well why do we need you, we can go get it ourselves.” He said, the giant Bokor looked down at his fellow villager,
“Because she is the only one that can use it,” He said,
“I knew your mother; she was a good person, the best Obeah woman I ever knew. I was with her when she hid the spear. I know how to get to Nkyene Mountain. We trusted your mother and thus we can trust her daughter.” He said Akosua smiled. The man stood seven feet tall, his large hands gesturing as he spoke The Bokor leader still stood motionless, the giant Bokor looked over at him,
“Our leader was blinded by his hatred and quest for vengeance. The captain, before he became the Ligaroo king, had whipped the leader’s wife in front the whole village because she had ran away. She never recovered, and died from infections” He said. Red and blus paint striped across his bald head from side to side and down his face. He turned to the congregation of Bokors,
“We have freedom in this jungle, now; we want to live in peace.” He shouted, they all mumbled their agreement. Akosua stepped closer to him and peered into his face.
“Oh yes, I remember you now, your name is Donkor, my mother called you the gentle giant.” Akosua said. Donkor smiled flashing two perfect rows of white teeth. Akosua reached out and touched his shoulder,
“Help us and together we will free our people. Yemaya said that they are all still alive on the Jumbie Island. The Ligaroo king has turned them into Jumbies.” Donkor smiled at her then turned to the congregation.
“I think we should listen to her, she is the chosen one, the one we have heard stories about. Far too long we have tried the dark side, now we must go back to the ways of our Ancestors, be Hougans again.” He said his deep voice booming above the popping fire. The congregation erupted with cheers, the drummers’ began playing. Donkor raised his arm.
“We will join forces with the young Obeah woman’s village and together we will destroy the Ligaroo king. Freedom from tyranny will soon come.” He said. The Bokors danced, their bodies twisting with joy and relief. Akosua motioned for Kwao to cut the women down; he was less than gentle with her. The woman fell to the ground at Akosua’s feet,
“Thank you, thank you.” She sobbed. Akosua reached down, took her arm and helped her up. The woman threw her arms around Akosua sobbing uncontrollably.
“Take her to our hut,” Akosua said, Kwao hesitated, but followed Akosua’s instructions. Donkor turned to Akosua.
“What about him.” He asked and pointed to the leader. Akosua reached over and touched the man and he crumbled to the ground. Donkor motioned for two of the Bokors, and they stepped forward, picked the leader up, and carried him past the dancing crowd.
A world of Peace 