"Something is off."
Sitting in a cross-legged position on the floor, N'jobu absentmindedly skimmed through the manuscript in his hands with a deep frown on his face. "Kayin… That guy is hiding something, I can feel it in my guts."
"Ugh… Not again." N'jobu threw a glare at the person laying peacefully next to him.
Sazayi yawned, then proceeded to cover his head with his arms as he turned to the other side to take a more comfortable position. "You just had to disturb my nap—I had such a sweet dream too—I knew I shouldn't have let you in…"
N'jobu rolled his eyes at the comment.
"Come on, don't you think it is suspicious… He goes on an expedition—and in less than six months—He, oh so, coincidentally finds a Nchāren lexis. You must agree that the convenience of it all is just too suspicious."
"His report clearly mentioned having found it in one those ancient transportation vehicles, no?" Sazayi turned again, but it seemed that slumber was evading him, and he inevitably gave up.
"Yes but is it just this one book he found? What was it even doing in there? Most of the Nchāren texts were found in secured spaces—securely warded spaces—never before, had they been found in those vehicles, and he just happen to stumble on one?"
"Kayin could have been lucky; it happens at times." He added unhelpfully.
"That's one hell of a luck—"
"—I also heard from a colleague in the Conservation department that the lexis seems legit, though the original was destroyed." He said with some scepticism.
"See?" N'jobu kicked his friend's leg and he groaned. "How convenient for him that the original manuscript was 'unfortunately' lost to a pack of Junjus. That's just a load of shit!"
"I won't deny that things are not as transparent as they seem to be, but you need to calm down… No need to take it out on me. Anyway, all these are just conjectures, so don't jump to conclusions."
N'jobu repeatedly tapped his foot against the carpeted floor. As much as it maddened him to admit, the lexis truly seemed legit. There is no way on earth that Kayin could have had it forged.
He had discreetly investigated what Kayin might be hiding, but the only oddity he found was some woman he came back with. He first suspected she might have been involved with whatever secrete Kayin was keeping but to no avail. There was nothing special about her too. A friend of his among the guards said she is not a sorceress as well—he witnessed her being tested himself. But then who is she and why is he keeping her around? It wasn't like him, Kayin was not exactly known for his popularity among women, it was the opposite even.
"Damn it…" N'jobu clenches his fists so hard, the book in it twists. "Could it be that Kayin was simply infatuated with her?"
Sazayi opens his eyes widely, and slowly turns to look at his friend, his expression a mix of surprise, disappointment and disgust. "You really are that jealous? Man, that's pathetic."
"Shut it."
"Fine, be a pouty brat if you want." He says as he stands up. "I, on the other hand, am going to nap, in my comfortable bed, while you stay here and drown in jealousy."
A moment later the door slams shut leaving N'jobu staring bitterly at the it.
He couldn't believe it; at the moment no one could see the bigger picture. They are all being blinded. Especially because it had been a few years since any texts from Nchāre had been found, and with the lexis in particular, it will become easier to decipher Nchāren glyphs, which opens a whole new window of opportunity.
But there was more to it. Kayin's account, while plausible, did not add up. And whatever Kayin was hiding, he will uncover it… It was just a matter of time.
~~~~~~~~~~~
"When do you plan to come visit home?"
"As soon as I am able to."
"I see… and how long is that?"
"When I am done with my work in Asso." The reflection on the other side of the mirror narrows her eyes at me.
"Why do I get the feeling you are looking for excuses to not come home?"
"I am not! Things have been hectic over here, and I still have a lot of paperwork to complete… that's all."
"Are some old papers so important that you cannot spare some time for your family? It has been over a year that I have not seen you. A year Kayin. And you so rarely contact home… How do you not expect me to not worry when you spend your time going on dangerous adventures. Look at yourself, you're already so thin—"
"—Ma please." I hold back an exasperated sigh. Why does she have to be so dramatic?
"You should think about settling down." She goes on, completely ignoring me. "You are already twenty-four, yet you still don't have any marriage prospects. I understand you love what you are doing but there is more to life than that. In fact, I know the daughter of an old friend of mine, a clever, open-minded girl—and beautiful too—who has yet to be married. When you come home, the two of you could meet, try to get to know each other, and if things go well you would be married by the next year."
"Next year? Is that not a tad bit too early?" I immediately close my mouth when her expression changes. She looks like she wished she could hit me a few times with her sandals. Thankfully I am several kilometres too far for her to reach me.
"Okay, okay… I get it. I will think about it, I promise."
She studies me with a flat face for a few seconds before sighing audibly, massaging her temple. "Fine. But this conversation is far from being over."
I smile. "Of course. How is Pa doing, and the others?"
"Oh, you know him. Neck deep in his business as usual but he draws breath still. As for your siblings, they are doing well. Ngemayo is being worked to the bone by your father while Kemga… well, she recently claimed wanting to become a priestess, so she is currently undergoing training at the church."
"Priestess? Are you sure we are talking of the same Kemga?"
"Your father did threaten her to have her disowned if she continued to fool around with his money. We are both sceptical of her decision—and her sudden change in behaviour, for that matter— but decided to observe how it goes."
I nod. "What about Chackunté?"
"Oh, that boy is as energetic as always. Haa… thinking of his latest 'prank' gives me another headache." But she smiles as her eyes return to me. "He said he wants to be an adventurer, just like his big brother. I am guessing you will be taking care of him in the foreseeable future."
"I doubt that. His mind is as whimsical as the weather."
I just hope he will forget about it by the time we see each other again.
She chuckles. "That remains to be seen."
"Anyway, I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing well. I still have a lot to do today, so this is goodbye."
She nods. "Greet Owono and Kemfak for me—Oh, and tell the kids I said hello and that I miss them."
"Will do."
Seconds later the reflection of my mother dissolves away, leaving my own in its place. I stand up from my bed a stretch a little, there is a long day waiting ahead…
I love my job as an archaeologist… Exploring ancient monuments, discovering artifacts of old and coming to understand a little bit better the lifestyles of ancient civilizations is the most fulfilling task one can do—but paperwork. That and the never-ending meetings are the only thing that could almost, almost, make me quit.
With a deep sigh I open the door and leave my room. I don't even get to make a dozen of steps before I bump into someone.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there." I crouch down to pick up the books and sheets that fell during the collision.
Vyswe'eyaga hurries to assist me on the task. "No, it is my fault. I was walking too fast and barely looked in front of me." She straightens up and I almost wince when I see her face.
She looks haggard.
Of course, she is neat and tidy like always, but there is this sort of ever-present gloom that seem to follow her. I had not been able to see Vyswe'eyaga for the past month—just a glimpse of her here and there—but the change she went through since I last saw her is both drastic and unnerving. She looks… anxious, the same type of anxiety one would see in a death row prisoner.
"Umm… That is a lot of books you got there. My uncle has not been overworking you too much, I hope?" She studies me for a second before turning down to the load in her arms.
"I enjoy working for him actually, I have learned quite a few interesting things thanks to him." She glances back at me. "You, on the other hand, have made yourself spares. I barely see you these days."
"It's all thanks to the lexis you provided for me. I am now drowning in piles upon piles of paperwork."
She smiles a little. "You're welcome."
"So… How have your research been going?"
She opens her mouth but then closes it immediately. Her face scrunching up in disappointment.
"Oh…" I scratch the back of my head. "Not well I take it."
"There was not much to find."
I kind of expected it, we barely know anything about the Nchāre so I would have been surprised if she had found anything of use.
"I need to go. Your uncle sent me to run an errand for him and I will be late."
She starts to leave but I impulsively move to block her path. "Are… are you alright? You don't look so good."
A deep sigh escapes her lips. "I'm just tired."
"Is that all?"
"Yes… I need to go now."
Then she scurries away.
She was clearly on edge and that was not because of lack of sleep. But then again she will not tell me anything if she does not want to.
Should I have insisted more? Maybe I should ask uncle about it, he is the one who spent the most time with her after all.
It is not long before I reach his office, and as I open the door. I stop in my track when I see he is not alone inside.
"Good morning uncle, good morning aunty."
She glances up at me from where she is sitting. "Kayin, dear. Good morning to you too… but where are your manners? Don't you know that you should knock before going into someone else's room?"
"My bad." I say awkwardly.
I take in the atmosphere. Aunty looks upset; not the everyone-should-hide type of upset but instead you're-about-to-be-scolded kind, uncle in hindsight looks annoyed and his pipe has been discarded at the side of the table, so I conclude he is being scolded about something.
"Sorry for interrupting you, I will leave immediately—Ma said hello, by the way—"
"Stop right there," uncle exclaims, "this concerns you as well so get seated."
Aunty frowns. "It does not have anything to do with him. My problem is with you."
"Ah-ah… What did I do again?"
I quietly sit down as they continue to argue, this goes on for a minute or so before I finally try to interrupt them.
"What… is the issue here?"
They both quiet down and simultaneously turn to me, having just realized that I am still here. Uncle clears his throat while aunty sighs in exasperation.
"It has recently come to my attention that our guest has grown increasingly tense and gloomy. That is why I am here…" She says, shooting a pointed look at uncle. "To understand what the source of her sudden change in behaviour could be."
"And I am telling you that I don't know. Every time I brought it up, she either brushed it aside or changed the subject. How many times do I have to tell you? Why do you even care?"
"I like her. Vyswe'eyaga is a pleasant company, and she has been helping the children with their tutelage which I appreciate."
She did? I had not known that she was on good terms with the kids, neither that she was conversing with my aunt, and often it seems.
"Are you sure you don't have the slightest idea why she is like that?"
"She must be homesick!" I declare. They turn toward me in surprise, as if they forgot that I was there with them. Again.
"You think so?"
Uncle seem to catch on to what I am trying to do because he nods vehemently. "Indeed, it has been a few months since she has last seen her family, that must be why she has been down lately."
"Yes, and she must be hiding it because she doesn't want to bother us with that. That is totally understandable, right?"
The room falls silent as aunty thinks about, and we hold our breath for her response.
"You might be right... Poor thing." She stands up, looking sad as she walks to the door but stop at the threshold. She turns to us to slowly stare between me and uncle. "I know there is more to this than you are telling me, I'm not stupid."
I almost flinch at that. "But I hope, for both you, that it is nothing nefarious."
I breathe a sigh of relief when the door closes quietly. Even if she is suspicious of us, it is not to the point where she felt compelled to push for answers.
"At least I will be left alone for some time."
"You really have no idea about what is wrong with Vyswe'eyaga, uncle?"
"I don't." He sighs. "She was fine in the beginning, but as the days went by she became more and more agitated and would not tell me why."
"What if something happened to her? But then, why would she not say anything?"
I catch uncle giving me a strange look. "I don't understand why you all are making such a fuss about it. The lass barely knows us. Why would she even tell us anything? I say you leave her alone; she will tell what is bothering her when she feels ready, maybe."
"Still—I mean—she's our guest, we ought to do something." I insist but he just shakes his head as he picks up his pipe and lights it.
"Whatever you say. Now get out. Don't you have somewhere to be?"