Themba and the Healing Gem Across the rolling golden savanna Themba raced, his breath shortening

and his muscles burning. Despite this discomfort, the Ugunbean could not stop, for the allosaur was hot on his heels. The thirty-foot-long predators muscular, bird-like legs propelled it closer and closer to its human prey until Themba could feel its steamy, fetid breath on his black-skinned back. He tried to pick up his pace, but this only worsened his aching and did not prevent the beast from drawing even nearer. That was when Themba realized he had no hope of evading the allosaur. He had to strike back. From a scabbard attached to his scaly loincloth, the Ugunbean tore out an iron sword, spun around, and swung it at his pursuer. The tip of his blade left a scarlet gash in the allosaurs throat, forcing a deafening screech out of the creature. Themba drew his weapon back for another attack, but before he could strike again, his opponent knocked him onto the grass with its wedge-shaped head. The allosaur then pressed a clawed foot onto his torso to pin him against the ground. So forceful was this pressure that Themba struggled to breathe and feared his ribs would snap. Desperately he pounded the monsters ankles with his fists until finally he struck the tendon at the back of the foot. Screeching again, the allosaur let go, allowing Themba to scramble back up. The Ugunbean then charged, his sword aimed at the allosaurs breast, but the animal swiftly escaped him by sidestepping. Next the predator slashed his preys chest with three long finger-claws. Searing pain made Themba flinch away from his adversary, groaning. Deciding to take advantage of the humans wincing by pressing its attack, the predator lunged at the Ugunbean with open jaws. The sight of the creatures salivating mouth lined with jagged teeth so terrified Themba that he urgently sprang back into action, swinging his blade and cleaving off the tongue. The allosaur recoiled its head and screeched for the third time, this time with a crimson cascade coming from its mouth. Before the carnivore had fully recovered from this agony, Themba drove his sword deep into its breast. For a moment the monster screeched and flailed its arms wildly. Then it fell over onto its side. That was an excellent display of martial skill! a raspy voice cried out, Do you need someone to tend to your wounds?

After pulling his sword out of the slain allosaur, the Ugunbean turned to see a scrawny, white-bearded man in scaly robes stagger towards him on a wooden cane, beaming. Who are you, and what in the name of the gods are you doing out here? Themba groaned, still feeling the pain of his scars. My name is Munashe, and I hail from the kingdom of Ghali to the west, the old man said, But I have escaped civilization to live a hermits life of meditation. And who are you in turn? I am Themba, from Ugunbe to the east, but as for my storywell He hesitated as memories he had tried to suppress came to the fore of his mind. What is the matter? Is the story a painful one for you to tell? The Ungunbean sighed. All right, here is the truth: I am an exile, and for good reason. In my village, there was this woman whom I desired, but she was already married to the village headmans brother. So consumed with lust and jealousy was I that I attacked this man. In the fight I managed to cut off his left arm, but the village guards intervened and captured me before I could kill him. The village headman was so infuriated by my assaulting his brother that he banished me, and I have roamed the wilds ever since. Were there only a way for me to atone for my crime! Munashe stroked his beard and then his face lit up. As a matter of fact, I happen to recall something that could redeem youif youre willing to shed more blood with that sword. Themba leaned towards the hermit and said, Tell me. Very well. In the jungles to the south lies an abandoned shrine to Chinwe, an old goddess of healing. This shrine protects a glowing gem that is claimed to possess enough healing power to bring men back from death. If you could somehow acquire this gem, bring it back to your village and restore the limb of the man you attacked, you would regain the respect you lost and redeem yourself. And whose blood must I shed to get that gem?

A pack of raptors has reportedly claimed the shrine as its den. Unless you can figure out a way to sneak past them, youll likely have to fight them. If I can kill a allosaur, a few raptors will be childs play for the comparison. Underestimate raptors at your own peril. They are much more intelligent and agile than allosaurs, and they work together. Not that you should be discouraged, mind you, but be prepared. I will be, I promise. Now do you know how to reach the shrine? Yes. I will lead you there, starting tomorrow. But first, I must take you to my hovel. I have some ointments for your wounds. Themba smiled. At last, the opportunity he had waited for had come to him, and he was going to take it.

Themba spent that night at Munashes stick-walled hovel, where the Ghalinese hermit applied his medicine to the Ugunbeans injuries. The ointment stung, but Themba did his best to act calm. When dawn returned, the two left the hovel and began their southward journey. Days passed, then weeks. As they continued, the grass gradually changed from yellow and short to green and tall, the trees and shrubs strewn around the plains grew denser, and the air thickened with moisture. Soon the savanna became bushy woodland, and the woodland in turn graded into a steamy rainforest, with towering trees cloaked with vines, moss, and epiphytes. Despite the heat and humidity, this new environment sent an icy hand to grip the Ugunbeans spine. He was used to the open grasslands, where danger could be seen a great distance away. Here, on the other hand, everything was hidden by undergrowth, trees, and shadows broken only by those narrow beams of sunlight that pierced the canopy. Dreadful images of what could be lurking in this black jungle consumed Thembas imagination. Tyrannosaurs. Raptors. Hostile natives. Only the gods knew what else.

A piercing scream interrupted the ambience rainforest sounds of birds and insects, freezing the Ugunbean exile in terror. What was that? he whispered. Another scream, this time louder. It sounded like a woman to me, Munashe said. She must be in peril! Wait here! Themba unsheathed his sword and sprinted through the jungle towards where he was sure the screaming was coming from. As he ran, he leapt over logs, dodged vegetation, and ducked under vines and branches. Running through rainforest required much more caution and awareness of ones surroundings than running across open savanna, the Ugunbean learned. Themba stopped upon seeing a young woman scrambling up a tree. Was this the woman who had screamed? He approached her to ask that question, but before he could say anything, he heard leaves rustle and indistinct male shouting. Then, bursting out of the undergrowth were three men in red loincloths, armed with spears. Get out of the way, stranger! one of these men yelled at the Ugunbean. Only if you tell me what in the gods name is going on! Themba replied. The red-clothed man just shoved him aside and drew his spear back for a throw. Looking in the direction in which the spear was pointed, Themba could tell that it was aimed at the woman---these men were out to kill her! Oh no, you dont! the Ugunbean roared as he swooped his sword down at the spearman. Avoiding this move with a quick sidestep, the red-clothed man then turned to jab his weapon towards Themba. The swordsman, jumping above this attack, swung his sword downward again. The blade traveled as fast as lightning through the spearmans skull. Blood and brains were spilled. After landing, Themba sneered at the remaining two redcloths and brandished his reddened tool. He hoped he had scared them out of a fight!

At first the two spearmen were wide-eyed with horror from seeing their companions fate, but their expressions shortly turned to enraged ones as they charged towards their enemy. The Ugunbean spun around and bolted away until he reached a tree. Up this tree he climbed by grabbing onto vines around its trunk. One of the redcloths chucked his shaft towards Themba, only for the swordsman to boost himself upward out of the way. Then, bounding off the trunk, Themba raised his sword and planned to attack his foes from above. Alas, the redcloths stepped back, so Themba crashed onto his chest. Though he broke no bones, agony still forced a groan out of him. As he struggled to push himself back onto his feet, one of his opponents raised his spear over the Ugunbeans back with the intention of sending it down. Themba could not see the spear, but he could see the redcloths feet to his right, so he predicted what was going to happen to him. Therefore he escaped the shafts point by rolling away. Gathering his sword and springing back up, Themba sent his iron through the neck of the man who had tried to kill him just earlier. The Ugunbean watched the now headless body fall to the ground with a smile. Only one redcloth left, then he would be--An arm wrapped around his neck and squeezed against his throat. With his other arm the last of Thembas enemies lowered a dagger towards the Ugunbeans head. Thembas legs flailed wildly, his hands trying to push the grappling arm off. It was to no avail. Themba felt air drain out of him and feared that his life would also leave his body. If he was to die, he wondered, what would the gods think of him? Would they reward him for trying to save a womans life, or would they punish him for his past crime? Were the gods merciful or did they hold grudges? Themba silently prayed that the former was the case The redcloths arm slid away from the Ugunbeans neck, and he heard a scream of death. After taking a moment to restore his breath, Themba turned around and saw, to his surprise, the woman he had tried to save pulling a spear out of his former grappler. Yousavedmethankyou, he panted. And you saved me in turn, she said back, For that I am indebted to you.

You are welcome. Now who are you, and who were those men? I am Ebele of the Iguba, and those brutes were from the Bloodspears, a tribe of bandits that terrorizes this part of the rainforest. They attacked my village and chased me here. Now who are you? Themba stated his name, and after some hesitation explained his story, then asked, Where is your village? It is southwest of here. Can you escort me back there? Themba nodded. I will, but first, let me get a companion of mine. He is a hermit named Munashe who has great medicinal knowledge. Themba brought Munashe to Ebele, then the three traveled southwestward until they found the Igubans villageor what was left of it. Smoke billowed from the thatched roofs of mud huts while blood and the corpses of men, women, and children paved what were once dirt paths. Pterosaurs and insects scavenged the abundant carrion. Other than these creatures, not a living thing was in sight. Thosedemons! Ebele exclaimed with tears pouring down her face. Themba laid a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. Rage, disgust, and sorrow mixed together in his mind. He wished he were invincible, so that he could track down the rest of those infernal Bloodspears and slay them one by one as retribution for their massacre. He also wished there was some way to bring the slaughtered Iguba back from the dead. Wait a moment You say the gem of Chinwe can bring back people from the deadcan it bring back a whole village? he asked Munashe. Munashe sighed and shook his head. One person it can bring back just fine, but its power is limited. It is with great regret that I admit that it cannot bring life back to a whole village. Themba cursed under his breath and then noticed Ebele crouching over the body of an older woman, her hands covering her face in mourning.

Who is that? he asked her. My mother, the village headwoman Akosua, she said, She governed this village and raised me with all the compassion and wisdom a woman can muster. No one was ever dearer to me than her. Maybe the gem can return her to life. Privately, though, Themba felt unsure of what he had just said. He had wanted to use the gem as a way of rejoining his own people by healing the wound he had inflicted. Did he really want to spend that power on someone elses loved one? He would sacrifice the chance to end his own exile. The Ugunbean still wrestled with this as they left the village.

They continued southward for another day until they reached a town by the name of Ogboja. A stone wall ten feet high encircled this settlement, with a wooden gate being its northern entrance. When the three travelers approached this gate, one of the local guards called out, Hey, you! Who goes there? I am Ebele, an Iguban like you, Ebele said, The young man is Themba the Ugunbean and the old man Munashe the Ghalinese. We request entry into this town so we can rest from a days traveling. And what business do an Ugunbean and a Ghalinese have in this country? We seek the old shrine of Chinwe, Themba said, We promise you no harm. You seek the shrine of Chinwe? Its just a days travel to the southeast. Good thing youre armed too, for they say raptors now reside there. Anyway, you may enter. And the guards pushed the gate open. Ogboja was a much larger town than Ebeles ruined village had been, and its houses were also bigger, with a few being two stories tall. Igubans composed most of the bustling population, though there were a few merchants who had come from afar. Still, Themba could see few if any Ugunbeans like himself, and passing natives often looked at him as if he had come from the stars.

A few blocks into the town and Themba and company entered a tavern to slake their thirst. The inside smelled of palm wine and was noisy with banter and laughter. A fat man with a beard approached the travelers and said, Welcome to Uzochis Lair, my humble tavern. Is there anything I can get for you? Please give us three palm wines, Themba replied. Actually, I would rather have water, Munashe said, Only a fool drinks that which can ruin his mind. Very well, Uzochi said, Take a seat over there as I prepare your drinks. They did as they told. Once in his seat, Themba glanced around the tavern. Capturing his eye for a moment was a pretty young woman with a plump derriere. A man passed by this woman and muttered something the Ugunbean couldnt make out. Just then, a younger man, who had been sitting next to the woman, glared at the other, his hands forming fists. Dont you dare talk to the woman I love like that! the youth shouted to the older man. I was merely complimenting her fine buttocks, the other man said. Do that again and I will crush you to a pulp! Themba quickly rose off his chair and said to the younger man, Why do you threaten him like that? A minor offense like that does not warrant violence. Mind your own affairs, foreigner, lest I kill you too! the youth said. You couldnt kill me even if you tried. In case you did not notice, I have a sword. Now answer me, why do you threaten to kill him for a mere compliment? The young man was silent for a moment. Finally he said, The woman is mine. I cannot stand other men making advances towards her.

He was not making an advance towards me, the young woman spoke, And even if he were, I would reject him in favor of you. You need not be so defensive. She is right, Themba said, Young man, you are consumed with such jealousy that you act with hatred towards anything you perceive as threatening your womans faithfulness. That behavior could get you into trouble. For your violence, you could be exiled from this town, if not put to death. And how do you know that, foreigner? the youth asked. I know, because the reason I am not with my own people is because I have been exiled for acting on jealousy similar to yours. Themba recited his story, and then continued, If you give in to your envy, you will suffer a fate similar to my own. Understand? The young man silently sat down. That was very compassionate of you, Ebele told Themba, I hope the boy learns from this. And thank you for preventing a fight in my tavern, Uzochi added as he laid clay cups of palm wine onto their table, Ive almost lost my wealth on repairing tables and chairs broken by drunken brawlers. Now have a drink. Themba poured palm wine down his throat, feeling soothed by the warm sensation inside of him. Nothing felt better than palm wine after resolving a conflict.

The three travelers spent the night in a local inn and left the town the next morning. After a day of more trekking through the jungle, they came upon a stone building draped with plant life. Two statues, each depicting a triceratops-headed woman holding a scepter, guarded the buildings front doorway. The Shrine of Chinwe, Munashe whispered with a smile, I will wait outside while you two go in. Good luck.

Themba stared at the shrines entrance and could see that the chamber inside was dimly lit as if with fire. He pulled out his weapon, but then hesitated. How many raptors would be inside the building? Three? Six? Nine? He hoped his lower estimates were closer to the fact, for fighting a swarm of raptors inside a dimly lit shrine would almost be suicide. Only looking at Ebele, who still had the spear she had taken from the bandits, made him feel relieved. The Ugunbean and the Iguban stole into the shrine on tiptoes. The putrid stink of raptor feces and rotting flesh filled the room, but Themba suppressed his impulse to groan with disgust. Sprawled all around the floor were five sleeping raptors as well as the skeletal remains of their meals. As they advanced across the shrines chamber, Themba and Ebele both carefully placed their feet so as not to step on or awaken the feathery predators. A short pillar rose from the center of the chamber, and on top of it rested a diamond-shaped gem that glowed like fire. Thembas eyes widened with awe at the illuminating jewel. Touching it, he felt its warmth, which was as if something burned inside of it. The Ugunbean wrapped his fingers around it and lifted it off the pillar. Ive got it! he whispered with a triumphant smile, Ive finally got it! Themba and Ebele snuck out of the shrine just as cautiously as they had entered it. When they returned to Munashe, he said, Bring the gem to me. How come? Ebele asked, Do you need it for something? Just do it! The old man sounded harsher than usual. Themba handed Munashe the glowing gem. The Ghalinese hermit clutched the jewel tightly, closed his eyes, and murmured something in an unintelligible language. Then, to Themba and Ebeles shock, the gems glowed dimmed to nothing. At the same time, Munashes muscles grew thicker, the wrinkles on his face faded away, and his beard changed from white to black. The powerI feel the power Munashe said with joyous laughter. He opened his eyes, which glowed yellow just as the gem had, horrifying Themba and Ebele.

What in the name of the gods is going on here? Ebele asked, Whats happened to you, Munashe? Munashe threw back his now youthful head and laughed evilly. My youth has been restored, as has my former magical power. Thank you for being brave enough to retrieve the gem for me. Now I can return to Ghali and use my regained power to take it over! You trickster! Themba roared, brandishing his sword, You deserve to have your head--- Look behind you, Ugunbean! Munashe said, Its my new pets! Themba twisted around to see that the raptors were exiting the shrine, their eyes glowing yellow just like Munashes. The sorcerer had taken control of their minds! Themba and Ebeles heart raced as they readied themselves for a new battle. One of the feathered creatures leapt into the air, but Themba ran out of the way, so the raptor landed on the ground. Then the Ugunbean drew back his blade with a plan to swing it at the beast. Before he could attack, another raptor clamped its jagged-toothed jaws onto his left arm. A loud cry, half roar and half scream, escaped Thembas mouth, and he dropped his weapon. The meat-eater tugged at his arm until Ebele thrust her spear through its skull, piercing its brains. Thembas arm was now free, but the pain of its wound was so severe that his mind was distracted from the fight. Taking advantage of his respite, a third raptor pounced onto him and pinned him to the ground. The creatures talons dug into his skin and drew blood. Only by repeatedly punching its ankle with his right fist was the Ugunbean finally able to get the predator off. Once he scrambled back up, Themba grabbed his sword and brandished it at the raptor. Off went its head. Two raptors dead, three still alive. The remaining three raptors all surrounded Ebele, but her agility and jumping kept her safe from their attacks---that is, until one of the raptors chomped onto her leg. Terrified that this might disable Ebele, Themba sprang towards the raptor and readied himself for another swing of his blade. Again he failed to deliver the blow. This time,

another of the three raptors had slashed his back. Roaring in pain again, the Ugunbean twisted around and struck back at his attacker. His blade cut across the beasts breast and killed it. Two raptors left, but now they had brought Ebele down onto her back and were tugging at her with their jaws as if she was a scrap of meat. The woman screamed piercingly. You better act quickly, or she will die! Munashe taunted Themba. I will act quickly---by killing you! And with that and a sideward stroke of his sword, Themba cut off the sorcerers head. The glow in the raptors eyes dimmed, and they released Ebele. Then, seeing their dead packmates, they screeched in terror and vanished into the jungle. Themba looked at the gem that no longer glowed and sighed. My hope of redeeming myself has gone to the pterosaurs, he said. No, it has not, Ebele said as she pushed herself back onto her feet, You have shown yourself to be a much wiser and more compassionate man than you once were. You have rescued me, you spoke reason to the boy in the tavern, and you even considered bringing back my mother. You have already redeemed yourself. The Ugunbean said nothing, but he smiled. They spent the rest of the day heading back to the town of Ogboja, which they decided would be their new home.