Kitobni o'qish: «Wani Neman Jarumai »
WANI NEMAN JARUMAI
LITTAFI NA DAYA A JEREN ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI
MORGAN RICE
Bayani a kan Morgan Rice
Morgan Rice shine na daya a cikin marubuta da suka fi ciniki daya rubuta LABARAIN MAYU, wani jere na matasa daya kunshi lattafai goma sha daya (kuma kirgen bai saya ba tukuna); mafi cinikin jeren littatafan RAYUWAN ABUBUWA UKU, wani labarin hangen duniyar wata rana daya kunshi littatafai biyu (kuma kirgen bai saya ba tukuna); da kuma mafi cinikin na kololuwar jeren littatafan fantasi na ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI, mai littatafai goma sha uku (kuma kirgen bai kare ba tukuna).
A kan samu littatafan morgan a wallafe a takarda da kuma a karance da murya, kuma akwai tarjaman littatafain a harsunan jamus, faransa, italia, sipania, potugal, japanawa, sin, swedanawa, hollandia, turkiya, hungariya, cek da silovaniawa (wasu yarukan suna biyo wa a baya).
Morgan na da son yaji daga wurinka, saboda haka ka hanzarta ka ziyarci adireshinsa na yanar gizo a www.morganricebooks.com domin shiga jerin wasikun email, kasamu kyautan littafi, kasamu wasu kyaututuka na musamman, ka sauke na’urar wayoyi kyauta, kasamu labarai da dumiduminsu, ka sada zumunci a facebook da twitter kuma ka kasance kana sadarwa a koyaushe.
Zabbabun yabo wa Morgan Rice
“Fantasi mai ruhun kansa da yake hada yanayin gaibu da mamaki a cikin jigon labarinsa. Wani Neman Jarumai ya kasance a kan muradi da cika burin rayuwa wanda ya kaiwa ga girma, dattakum, birgewa….. Ga masu son labarin fantasi mai sokar tonetone, mabiya, na’urori, da kuma tsari suna bada wadansu shiryayyun haduwa da suke kewayuwa a kan yanayin rayuwan Thor. Daga tashinsa a matsayin dan yaro mai buri zuwa zama matashi mai fuskantan hadururuka da yawa amma ya rayu…. Farko ne na abinda zai zama kololuwar jere wa matasa.
Sharhin Littatafai na Yamma ta sakiya (D.Donovan, mai sharhin littafi irin na yanar gizo).
“ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI yanada dukan mahadan samun nasaran kwassam: kullekulle, akan kullekulle, al’ajabi, marasa soron bardawa, da soyayya masu ginuwa amma cike da ciwon zuciyoyi, yaudara da cin amana. Zai nishadantar da kai na sa’o I, kuma ya biya wa yara da manya bukata. An shawarci duk masu karatun fantasi su kasance dashi a dakin litafaffansu.”
--Sharhin litattafai da finafinai, Roberto Mattos
“Littafin Rice mai kolouwar nishadantarwa a shasin fantasi [ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI] ya kunshi duka alamomi na sashin – yanayi mai karfi, da samun karfin gwiwa daga sohuwar sukotlan da tarihinsa, da kuma kyakyawan fahimtan shiga da fita na gidajen sarauta.
---Sharhin Kirkus
“Naso yanda Morgan Rice ya gina yanayin Thor da duniyan da yake zaune cikinta. Yanayin kasan da halittun da suke yawo sun samu kwatance mai kyau… naji dadin [yanayin]. Yayi gajarta ya kumayi dadi…shauran kananan yanayin sunyi daidai saboda haka ban rikice ba. Akwai yawon zuciya da lokutan tsoro, amma shirin da aka yi a ciki bai wuce gona da iriba. Littafin zai yi wa matashin mai karatu daidai…mafarin abubuwa masu muhimmanci shine akwai…”
Sharhin Littatafai na San Francisco
“Acikin wannan littafin farko na kololuwar fantasin jeren zoben mai sihiri mai cike da daga iri iri (wanda ya kai littatafai goma sha hudu a yanzun), Rice yana nunawa masu karatu dan shekaru goma sha hudu Thorgrin “Thor” McLeod, wanda burinsa a rayuwa shine ya samu shiga rundunan Silver, zababun mayaka da suke yiwa sarki hidima….. Rubutun Rice ya hadu kuma yanayin na nishadantarwa.”
Jaridan Mawallafa na sati sati
“[WANI NEMAN JARUMAI] ya kasance littafi mai karantuwa da sauri kuma cikin sauki. Karshen surorin na samaka sha’awan cigaba da karatu ba tare da ka ajiye litaffin ba. Akwai abubuwan da ba a rasawa a littafin amma wannan bai rage mata armashi ba. Karshen littafin yasa ni son na samu littafi na gaba da sauri kuma haka din nayi. Ana iya sayan dukkan jeren littatafen zoben mai shiri guda tara a shagon kindle na Amazon kuma wani neman jarumai ya kasance kyauta a yanzu domin ka fara! Idon kana neman karatu mai sauri wanda ya kuma kasance da dadin karatu idan kana hutu wannan littafin zai maka sosai.”
kantin yanar gizo na FantasyOnline .net
Wasu littatafan da morgan rice ya wallafa
ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI
WANI NEMAN JARUMAI (LITTAFI NA DAYA)
PARETIN SARAKUNA (LITTAFI NA BIYU)
KADARAN SU (LITTAFI NA UKU)
KUKAR MAI GASKIYA (LITTAFI NA HUDU)
RANTSUWAN CIKAN BURI (LITTAFI NA BIYAR)
RATAYAN KOKARI A BAKIN DAGA (LITTAFI NA SHIDA)
BORIN TAKWUBA (LITTAFI NA BAKWAI)
YARDAN MAKAMAI (LITTAFI NA TAKWAS)
SAMAN DARIN SIHIRAI (LITTAFI NA TARA)
KOGIN ABUBUWAN KARIYA (LITTAFI NA GOMA
MULKIN BAKIN KARFE (LITTAFI NA GOMA SHA DAYA)
KASAR WUTA (LITTAFI NA GOMA SHA BIYU)
MULKIN SU SARAUNIYAI (LITTAFI NA GOMA SHA UKU)
RANTSUWAN YAN’UWA (LITTAFI NA GOMA SHA HUDU)
RAYUWAN ABUBUWA UKU
FILIN DAGA NA DAYA: MASU SHANYA BAYI A RANA (LITTAFI NA DAYA)
FILIN DAGA NA BIYU (LITTAFI NA BIYU)
LABARUN MAYU
AJUYE (LITTAFI NA DAYA)
SOYYAYE (LITTAFI NA BIYU)
WANDA A KA CI WA AMANA (LITTAFI NA UKU)
KADDARARE (LITTAFI NA HUDU)
BUKATACCE (LITTAFI NA BIYAR)
AURARRIYA (LITTAFI NA SHIDA)
RANTSATSE (LITTAFI NA BAKWAI)
SAMMAME (LITTAFI NA TAKWAS)
TARYAYYE (LITTAFI NA TARA)
BUKATTATE (LITTAFI NA GOMA)
KADDARRARE (LITTAFI NA GOMA SHA DAYA)
Ka saurari jeren littafin ZOBEN MAI SIHIRI a karance!
kariyar aikin fasaha a shekara 2012 na Morgan Rice.
Duka yanci na kyebe. Sadai Kaman yanda dokar kariyar aikin fasaha ta Amerika ta 1976 ta bada izini, an hana buga wannan wallafafiyar aikin ta kowane hanya, ko ajiye ta a ma’ajiyin fasaha ba tare da izinin mawallafin ba.
Anyi wa wannan littafin lasisin amfani dashi domin jin dadin kanka ne kawai. Ba a yadda ka sayar dashi ko ka badashi kyauta ba. Idon zaka so ka raba shi da wani, yi hakuri ka sayi wani wa kowane mai karantawa. Idon kana karatun wannan littafin ba tare da ka saya bane, kokuma ba a saya domin amfaninka bane, yi hakuri ka mayar sai ka sayi naka. Nagode maka saboda baiwa aikin da wannan mawallafin yayi tukuru muhimmanci.
Wannan labari ne irin na tasuniya. Sunaye, yanayi, sanao’i, kungiyoyi, wurare, abubuwan dasuka auku dukansu sun kasance tunanin marubuci ko labarin tasuniya. Kama da wani mutum araye ko mace da zasuyi sosayine.
Hoton bayan marfin littafi kareriyar aikin fasaha na razoom game, anyi anfani dashi a karkashin lasisin Shutterstock.com.
ABIN DA KE CIKI
SURA NA DAYA
SURA NA BIYU
SURA NA UKU
SURA NA HUDU
SURA NA BIYAR
SURA NA SHIDA
SURA NA BAKWAI
SURA NA TAKWAS
SURA NA TARA
SURA NA GOMA
SURA NA GOMA SHA DAYA
SURA NA GOMA SHA BIYU
SURA NA GOMA SHA UKU
SURA NA GOMA SHA HUDU
SURA NA GOMA SHA BIYAR
SURA NA GOMA SHA SHIDA
SURA NA GOMA SHA BAKWAI
SURA NA GOMA SHA TAKWAS
SURA NA GOMA SHA TARA
SURA NA ASHIRIN
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA DAYA
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BIYU
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA UKU
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA HUDU
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BIYAR
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA SHIDA
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BAKWAI
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA TAKWAS
“kan da yasa hulan sarauta baya samun sauki”
--William Shakespeare
A Littafin Henry IV, Shashi na biyu
SURA NA DAYA
Yaron ya tsaya a kan kololuwar karamar tudun kasar da take kasa kasa a masarautar yamma na zoben, ya kalli arewa, yana kallon farkon tasowan rana. A iya nisan kallonsa, yana ganin koren shinfidaddun tudu, wayanda suna sauka su haura kaman tozon rakumi a cikin wadansu kwari da ganiyan tudu. Hasken bullowan ranar farko mai launin ruwan lemu ya dan dade yana haskawa a kan rabar safe, yana sa su kyalli, yana ara wa hasken, majigin da yayi dede da yadda yaron yake ji a ran sa. Yaron bai cika tashi da wuri haka ba kuma bai taba nisan kiwo daga gida haka ba – kuma bai taba haurawa tudun da tsawo haka ba – domin yasan yin hakan zai jawo fushin mahaifinsa. Amma a wanan ranar, bai damu ba. A wannan ranar, yayi biris da miliyoyin dokoki da ayyuka masu yi masa danniya na tsohon shekaru goma sha hudu. Hakan ya faru ne saboda wannan ranan na daban ne. Rana ne da ya kasance kaddararsa ta iso.
Yaron, Thorgrin na masarautar yammacin daular yan dangin McLeod na kudu – sananne ga duk wadanda yaso da suna Thor kawai – dan auta cikin yara maza hudu, mafi karacin soyuwa a wurin mahaifinsa, ya kwana idonsa biyu saboda begen wannan rana. Yayi ta juye-juye, da idanu cike da ruwa, yana jira, yana fatan farkon tasowan rana. Saboda rana kamar haka yakan faru ne sau daya a cikin shekaru da yawa, kuma in har ya bar zarafin ya kubuce masa, zai makale a wannan kauyen, yakuma dawwama a aikin kula da garkunan mahaifinsa har iya rayuwarsa. Wannan kuma ya zama tunanin da ba zai iya hakuri da shi ba.
Ranar shiga soja . Ya kasance rana daya ne rak da sojojin sarki ke zaga wa duka dauloli suna zaban masu son shiga rundunan sarki. Tun da yake raye, Thor baya mafarkin komai face wannan. A wurin shi, ma’ anar rayuwa abu daya ne rak: shiga silver, zababbun hafsosin rundunar sarki, sanye da kayan adon yaki mafi kyau da kuma tattatun makamai a ko ina a cikin duka masarautai biyun. Kuma ba a shiga cikin silver sai mutum ya shiga babbar runduna, rundunonin masu koyan aikin tsaro da shekarun su ke sakanin goma sha hudu da goma sha tara. Kuma idon mutum bai kasance dan fittatun mutane ba, ko wani sanannen jarumi ba, to babu wata hanyar shiga babbar runduna.
Ranar shiga soja ne kawai ta sha banban, wannan abin ba safai ba, da ya ke faruwa a kowani shekara da rundunonin sarki ke raguwa kuma hafsosin sarki ke zaga kasan suna neman sabbobin dauka. Kowa ya san kalilan a ke daukawa a cikin yaku bayi – kuma musamman an san kadan ne daga ciki za su samu shiga babban runduna.
Thor ya karanci yanayin wuri sosai, yana dubawa ko zai ga wata alamar motsi. Yan silver, ya sani, ya zama dole su biyo nan, hanya makadaiciya zuwa kauyen sa, kuma yaso ya zama wanda zai fara ganin su. Garken tumakin sa na ta nuna rashin yarda a kewaye da shi, sun tada kukan haushi da murya daya kuma suna nuna su fa ya mayar dasu gangarar tudu, inda mafi kyawun ciyayi suke. Yayi kokarin ya toshe ihunsu, da kuma warinsu. Sai ya zama masa dole ya tara hankalinsa a guri guda.
Abinda yasa ya iya juran duka wannan, shekarun da yayi yana kiwo, yayi yana bauta wa mahaifinsa, yayi yana bauta wa yayunsa, yayi yana mai samun mafi karancin kulawa kuma mafi aikatuwa, shine zaton cewa watan watarana shi zai bar wannan wurin. Wata rana, idon yan silver sukazo, shi zai bawa duk wadanda suka raina masa mamaki da zabansa da za a yi. Farat daya shi zai dale amalankensu yayi bankwana da duk wannan damuwowin.
Mahaifin Thor, a kan huja, bai taba daukan shi da muhimmanci a matsayin dan takaran shiga rundunan tsaro ba – musamman ma, bai taba daukan shi a matsayin dan takaran komai ba. A madaddin haka, ya bada soyyayarsa da kulawa gabadaya wa yayun Thor su uku. Babban cikinsu dan shekaru goma sha tara ne kuma shauran sun bi juna da shekaru dadaya, wanda yasa Thor yazama kanin kowanne a cikin su da akalla shekaru uku masu kyau. Wata kila domin shekarunsu na kurkusa da juna kokuma watakila domin su sun yi kama da juna amma ba kama da Thor ba, su ukun a manne da juna suke a kowani lokaci, batare da sun nuna wani alaman sun san da rayuwar Thor ba.
Abinda yafi munima shine duk sun fishi tsayi da fadi dakuma karfi, shikuma Thor, duk da ya san shi ba gajere bane, Thor yaji cewa shi karami ne in an kwatanta dasu, yana raina ginannu kafafuwansa in ya kwatanta da nasu masu kama da manyan bishiyoyin gamji. Mahaifinsa bai dauki ko mataki saboda magance wannan ba – Kaman ma yana jin dadin haka ne – ya bar Thor ya dinga kiwon tumaki da wasa makamai alhalin yan’uwansa sunanan suna koyon yaki. Abinda ba a fada amma da kowa ya sani shine cewa, Thor zai karasa sauran rayunsa a dan kallo ne, zai tilasstu da kallon yan’uwansa suna yin abubuwan al’ajabi. Da mahaifinsa da yan’uwansa za su samu yadda suke so, da kaddarar sa zai zama, ya kasance a nan, a hadiye a cikin wannan kauyen, yana bawa iyalensa duk kular da suka nema a wurinsa.
Wani munin abin kuma shine cewa Thor ya fahimci cewa yan’uwansa, ta wata hanyan, suna jin shakkan shi, watakila ma sun tsane shi. Thor na iya ganin haka a kowane kalon su zuwa gare shi da yanayin su. Bai san ta yaya bane, amma yana tayar da wani abu, Kaman tsoro, kishi a cikin su. Watakila domin ya sha bambam dasu, bai yi kama dasu ba kokuma domin rashin magana da irin yanayin su; baya ma sa kaya kaman su, mahaifinsa yakan bar mafi kyawun komai – alkebbobi masu launin malmo da jaja, da makamai na manyan mayaka – wa yan’uwansa, alhali a kan bar Thor da sa matattun summokara.
Duk da haka, Thor yayi mafi kyawun amfani da dammar da yasamu, yana samo hanyoyin da siturorinsa za su yi daidai dashi, yana daura dogayen riguna da igiya akewaye da kugun sa, saikuma, yanzu rani ta iso, yakan yanka hanayen rigunan domin hanayensa da suka riga suka yi baki su sha iska. Rigarsa da yi daidai da mattatiyar wandon alawaryonsa – kayan mallakarsa guda biyu kacal – da takalmansa da a ka yi daga mafi talautuwan patar leda, sun kai ga har kwabrinsa. Ba a yi su da patar da tayi kokusa da wadda a kayi na yayunsa dashi ba, amma ya san yanda yake sasu amfanar shi. Ya kasance tamkar alamar makiyayin dabbobi ne.
Amma fa yana da wuya a ganshi a yanayin kowa. Thor na da sayi kuma tsiriri, da marikar yarda da kai, habban masu kirki, sayyayun kumatu da idanu masu launin toka, yana kama da jarumin da baya bata. Mikekiyar gashin kansa mai launin kasa sun zubo baya a jejjere a kansa, kasa kadan da kunnuwansa, sannan a bayan gashin, idannunsa na kyalli Kaman kifin tarfasa a cikin haske.
Za a bar yan’uwan Thor suyi bacci a wannan safiyar, a basu lafiyayen abinci, kuma a tura su zuwa wurin zaben mayaka da mafi kyawun makamai da kuma sa albarkan mahaifinsa – alhali ba a ma barin shi shima ya kasance. Ya taba kokarin tayar da maganan da mahaifinsa sau daya. Sakamakon hakan bai yi kyau ba. Mahainfinsa ya kasaita hirar a hanya na kawai, kuma bai sake gwada wa ba. Lamarin ya kasance ba adalci ne kawai.
Thor na da muradin kin kaddarar da babansa ya shirya masa. Daga ganin alamun farko na rundunar gidan sarauta, zai koma gida a guje, ya fuskanci mahaifinsa, kuma, koyaki koyaso, ya bayyanar da kansa wa mutanen sarki. Shima ma zaiyi takaran shiga rundunan mayaka da shauran. Mahaifinsa bai isa ya hana shi ba. Ya ji wani kulewa a cikin sa a yayin tunanin hakan.
Ranar farkon ya dan kara haurawa, sai a lokacin da na biyun, da launin koren minti, ya fara haurowa, yana kara wa sararin samaniya wani irin haske mai launin malmo, Thor ya hango su.
Ya mike a tsaye, gashi a mimmike, yana mamaki. A nan, daga can nesa, wani mafi karancin yanayin amalanken doki, tayun sa suna tada kura zuwa sama. Bugun zuciyarsa ta karu a yayin daya ga bullowar wata kuma; sai kuma wata. Daga nan ma yana ganin amalanku masu launin gwal suna kyalli a cikin rana, Kaman kifi mai bayan zinari dayaka tsalle ya koma ruwa.
A lokacin daya kirga har goma sha biyu a cikin su, ya gagara hakuri ya kara jira. Da duukan zuciya a cikin kirjinsa, da manta garken tumakinsa a karo na farko a rayuwarsa, Thor ya juya sai ya gungura kasan tudun da tsauri, da muradin yin koma mai zata bukata domin bayanar da kansa.
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Thor yaki ya saurara ya daidaita numfashinsa a yayin da yake gangarawa tudun a gunje, ta sakiyan bishiyoyi, rasan suna ta kwarzanan sa amma bai damu ba. Ya kai wani shararriyar fili sai yaga kauyensa: gari mai kaman yana barci a shake da gidaje masu bene daya, fararen gidajen laka masu jinkar ciyawa. Iyalen da suke cikin ta basu fi dozin kadan ba. Hayaki na tashi daga dakunan dafuwa dayake yawanci an tashi ana shirya kalacen safe. Guri ne gwanin ban sha’awa, da nisa daidai – tafiyan wuni a kan doki – daga padar sarki ga mai rabewa a kan hanyan wucewa. Wani kauyen manoma ne kawai a bakin zoben, wani karamin kusa a babban tayan masarautar yammaci.
Thor ya karasa shauran karshen hanyan a guje, ya shiga sakiyar kauyen, yana tada kura a yayin tafiyan. Kaji da karnuka sai kauce masa a kan hanya suke yi a guje, sai wata tsohuwa, a tsugune a kofar gidanta a gaban tukunya dauka da ruwanda yake taffasa, tayi masa tsaaki.
“Jeka a hankali mana Yaro!” Ta fada da karfi a yayin daya wuce a guje, ya sa mata kura a wutan cikin murhunta.
Amma kuma Thor ya wuci jin kira – ba ma ita ba, ba ma kowa ba. Ya sha kwana zuwa wata anguwar gefe, saikuma wata, yana murduwa yana juyuwa cikin hanyoyin da ya riga ya lakanta a zuciya, har ya kai gida.
Gidan karami ne, mazauni mara wani muhimmancin tsari Kaman shauran, da fararen bangon laka da jinkan zana daya hadu da bangon. Kaman yawanci, daki daya da gidan ya kunsa a rabe yake, mahaifinsa na kwana a bangare daya, yan’uwansa kuma a daya bangaren; inda gidan ya sha bambam da yawanci shine, yana da ‘yar karamar dakin dafuwa a baya, anan ne kuma a ka ware Thor ya dinga kwana. Da farko, yakan cunkusu da yan’uwansa; amma a cikin lokaci sun kara girma da rashin imani da kuma waraiyya, kuma sun mayarda rashin bashi wuri abin alfa’ari. Thor yakan ji haushi, amma yanzu yana more sararin kansa, yafi son ya nisance su. Wannan ya tabattar masa da abinda dama ya sani na cewa shine wararren gidan.
Thor ya nufi kofar shiga gidansu sai ya ruga ciki ba tsayawa.
“Baba!” ya tsala da ihu, yana numfashi da kyar. “Yan silver! Suna zuwa!”
Mahaifinsa da dukan yan’uwansa uku suna zaune a sunkuye akan shimfidar cin kalacen safe, sun riga suna sanye da kayayyakin su mafi kyawu. Da jin kalmominsa sun daka tsalle suka wuce shi zuwa waje a guje, sunata buge masa kafada a yayin wucewa aguje daga cikin dakin zuwa kan hanya.
Thor ma ya bisu waje, sai duk suka fara kallon alqibla suna saye.
“Bana ganin kowa,” Drake, babbansu, yace cikin murya mai zurfi. Da mafi fadin kafadu, gashi a yanke Kaman na yan’uwansa, idanu masu launin kasa, da siraren mara soyuwar labba, ya harari Thor Kaman yadda a ka saba.
“Haka nan nima,” inji Dross, mabiyin Drake da shekara daya kawai, mai kuma bin bayansa kullun.
“Suna zuwa!” Thor ya mayar masu. “Na rantse!”
Mahaifinsa ya juyo zuwa gareshi ya kuma riko kafadunsa da rashin tausayi.
“Kuma da yaya ka sani?” ya nemi yaji.
“Na gansu.”
“Tayaya? Daga ina?”
Thor ya dan saurara; mahaifinsa ya gano shi. Dama ya san wuri daya kawai da Thor zai iya hango su dagashi kuma shine dan kololon tudun nan. Yanzu kuma Thor ya rasa yaya shi zai mayar.
“Na…hau dan tudun –”
“Da garken tumakin? Ka san bai kamata su yi wannan nisan kiwon ba.”
“Amma yau ya kasance dabam. Ya zama mun dole na na gani.”
Mahaifinsa ya kale shi a kasa, kallon kiyyayya.
“Maza ka shiga ka dibo takwuban yan’uwanka ka haskaka zabiran su, domin su zama mafi kyawun kallo kafin mutanen sarkin su iso.”
Mahaifinsa, bayan yagama magana dashi, ya juya zuwa ga yan’uwansa, wayanda duk suke tsaye a hanya suna kallon hanya.
“Kana ganin zasu zabe mu?” inji Durs, Dan autan cikin su ukun, amma yayan Thor da shekaru uku masu kyawu.
“Zasu zama wawaye idon suka ki,” mahaifinsa yace. “Suna da karancin mayaka a wannan shekaran. Yakasance musu siririyar girbi – da basu damu da zuwa ba. Kudai ku tsaya a mike, dukkanku uku, ku daga haban ku sama ku kuma tura kirjin ku gaba. Kada ku kalli idanunsu kai tsaye, amma kar ku kuma kau da idanunku gaba daya. Kuyi karfin hali da yarda da kai. Kada ku nuna gazawa. Idon kuna son ku kasance a cikin rundunar sarki, dole kuyi kamman kun riga kun shige ta.
“Ai, Baba,” yaran sa maza uku suka ansa a lokaci daya, tare da fadawa muhalli.
Yajuyo ya harari Thor daga baya.
“Me kake yi a nan har yanzu?” ya tambaya. “Ka shiga daga ciki!”
Thor ya tsaya a wurin, yana zuciya bibiyu. Baya son yaki bin umurnin mahaifinsa, amma dole ne ya tattauna dashi. Zuciyarsa na ta daka a yayin da yake musabaka. Ya nadi ra’ayin bin umurnin zai fi alheri, ya kawo takwuban, sanan ya fuskanci mahaifinsa. Kin bin umurnin gaba gadi ba zai taimaka ba.
Thor ya ruga cikin gidan a guje, ya fita ta baya zuwa runfar makamai. Ya samu takwuban yan’uwansa uku, dukkansu abubuwa na gwanin sha’awa, da rawanin wurin rikewa na azurfa mafi kyawu, muhimman kyauta da mahaifinsa yayi bautan shekaru kafin suka samu. Ya daffo duka uku, yana mamakin nauyinsu Kaman yadda ya saba, sai ya koma ya ruga a guje ta cikin gidan dasu.
Ya gagauta zuwa ga yayunsa, ya mika wa kowa takwabi daya, sanan ya juya zuwa ga mahaifinsa.
“Mene, babu man share su ne?” Drake ya tambaya.
Mahaifinsa ya juyo zuwa gareshi da rashin yadda, amma kafin yace komai, Thor ya daga murya yayi magana.
“Baba, yi hakuri. Innason nayi Magana da kai!”
“Nace maka ka share---”
“Dan allah, Baba!”
Mahaifinsa ya gwaye idanu yana kallonsa, yana kokwanto. Watakila ya gano ba wasa Thor yakeyi ba, saboda daga karshe, sai yace, “To?”
“Innason nima a gwada ni. Da sauran. Ma rundunan mayaka.”
Sai dariyan yan’uwansa ya taso kawai daga bayansa, shikuma idanuwansa sukayi jajazur mai kuna.
Amma mahaifinsa baiyi dariya bashi; ammaimakon haka, dada zurfafa kallon raininsa yayi.
“Kanason haka?” Sai ya tambaya.
Thor ya girgiza kai da nufin cewa ai.
“Shekaruna goma sha hudu ne. Na cancanta.”
“Mafi karancin shekarun da ake bukata sha hudu ne,” Drake yace da bakance, ta samar kafadansa. “Idon suka dauke ka, zaka zama mafi karancin shekaru. Kana ganin zasu zabi kamanka amadadin mutum kaman ni, da na girme maka da shekaru biyar?”
“Baka da hankali,” Durs yace. “Kuma tunda haka kake.”
Thor ya juyo zuwa garesu. “Ba daku nake Magana ba,” yace.
Ya sake juyowa ga mahaifinsa, wanda har yanzu fuskarsa take daure.
“Baba, dan Allah,” yace. “Abani wannan zarafin kawai. Abinda nake roko kenan kawai. Nasan ni karamin yaro ne, amma zan nuna kaina, a cikin lokaci.”
Sai mahaifinsa ya girgiza kansa.
“Yaro kai ba mayaki bane, ba kaman yan’uwanka kake ba. Kai makiyayi ne. rayuwanka a nan yafi dacewa. Da ni. Za ka sauke hakokin da suka rataya a wuyanka ka kuma sauke su da kyawu. Baikamata mutum yadinga manyan mafarku ba. Ka rungumi kaddara, ka koyi soyayya wa kaddaran.”
Thor ya ji zuciyarsa na tashi yayin da yake kallon rayuwansa na neman ya zube a gaban idannunsa.
Babu, yayi tunani. Haka ba zai taba kasancewa ba.
“Amma Baba---”
“Yimun shuru!” mahaifin ya furta, har muryarsa tabi iska. “Ya ishe ka haka. Gasunan zuwa. Ka bada hanya, kuma ka tabbata ka maida hankalinka a yayin da suke nan.”
Mahaifinsa ya maso ya ture Thor zuwa gefe da hanu daya, Kaman wani abu mara rai da baya son yagani. Cikaken tafin hannunsa ya mari kirjin Thor.
Wani babban kara ya taso, mutanen gari sai kwararo wa sukeyi daga gidajensu, suna ta jeruwa akan hanyoyin garin. Guguwar kura mai tasowa ya gabaci rundunan, bayan dan lokaci kadan su ma suka iso, rabin dozin din amalankun dawakai, suna manyan kara Kaman tsawa daga sama.
Sun shigo gari kaman sojojin gaggawa, suka tsaya kusa da gidan su Thor. Dawakainsu, sunata motsi a wuri daya, suna karan dawakai. Ya dauki lokaci mai tsawo kafin gajimaren kuran da suka tayar ya lafa, sai Thor yayi kokarin zalaman leka kayan kariya da sukasa da makamansu. Bai taba zuwa kusa da yan Silver kamar hakaba, sai haka yasa zuciyarsa nata bugawa.
Mayakin da yake kan magabacin dokin ya sauko. Gashinan, a zahiri, dan rundunan Silver, yana rufe da kayan kariya mai kyalli, wata doguwar takwafi na rataye a kugunsa. Yayi kama da kwatankwacin dan shekaru talatin da motsi, gwarzon namiji, tsiron gasu a fuskansa, tabo a kumatunsa, da kaucecen hanci daga yaki. Ya kasance namiji mafi muhimmacin da Thor ya taba gani, fadinsa daidai na biyun shauran, the yanayin daya nuna cewa shine mai bada ummurni.
Mayakin ya diro kan hanyan kuran, dunduniyansa suna kara a yayinda ya nufi jerin yara mazan.
Sama da kasan kauyen matasa maza da yawa sun tsaya a mike, sunasa sammani. Shiga Silver yakasance rayuwar alfahari, rayuwar yaki, rayuwar a san mutum, rayuwar kasancewa a sama – tare kuma da fili, sarauta, da arziki. Yana nufin mafi kyawun Amarya, zababiyar fili, rayuwar kasancewa a sama. Yana nufin daukaka wa danginka, kuma shiga rundunan shine matakin farko.
Thor ya karanci manyan amalankun dawakain, ya kuma fahimci cewa baza su dauki sabobbin dauka da yawa ba. Babban masarauta ne, kuma zasu ziyarci garuruwa da yawa. Ya hadiye yawu, yana mai gane cewa yiyuwan samun shigansa dan kadan ne ba Kaman yanda shi ya dauka da ba. Sai shi ya doke duka shauran yara maza – mafi yawansu kuwa gugaggun mafadata – tare da yan’uwansa uku. Wannan tasa jikinsa ya mutu.
Da mayakin ya fara takawa da dadaya a cikin yanayin shuru sai numfashin Thor na neman ya dauke, ya fara daga karshen angwa, yana zagawa a hankali. Thor ya san duka shauran yara mazan, sani na musamman. Ya san wadansunsu aboye basua son a daukesu, dukda cewa iyalensu nason su rabu dasu. Suna soron; bazasu kasance mayaka masu kuzari ba.
Thor nata fama da rashin ji da kai. Yanajin cewa shi ya cancanci a zabe shi Kaman kowane a cikinsu. Kasancewa yan’uwansa sun fishi shekaru da girman jiki da karfi baya nufin ya rasa damarsa na ya tsaya a kuma zabe shi. Yana ta jin kiyyaya wa mahaifinsa, ya kuma kusan fita daga haiyacinsa a yayinda mayakin ya kusanto.
Mayakin ya tsaya, a karo na farko, a gaban yan’uwansa. Ya kallesu sama da kasa, yayi Kaman sun yakeshi. Ya mika hanu, ya kamo daya daga cikin zabirunsu, ya fincikoshi, Kaman yana son ya gwada karfinsa.
Sai yayi murmushi.
“Baka taba amfani da takwafin ka a yaki ba, ko ka taba?” ya tambayi Drake.
Thor yaga Drake yana bari a karo na farko a rayuwansa. Drake ya hadiye yawu.
“Babu, maigidana. Amma nayi amfani dashi sau dayawa a cikin muraja’a, kuma ina fatan na—“
“A muraja’a!”
Mayakin ya fashe da dariya sai ya juya zuwaga shauran mayakan, wayanda suma suka shiga, dariya a gaban Drake.
Drake ya zama jazur da kunya. Wannan ya kasance karo na farko da Thor zai fara ganin Drake ya ji kunya. – abinda aka saba gani, shi yake kunyata wadansu.
“To dai zan tabattar na gaya wa makiyanmu su ji tsoronka – kai mai amfani da takwfinka a muraja’a!”
Taron mayakan sun sake fashewa da dariya.
Sai mayakin ya juyo zuwaga shauran yan’uwan Thor.
“Yara maza uku daga tushi daya,” injishi, yana shafan tushin gemanyan kan habansa. “Da zasu iya amfani. Dukanku agine da girma mai kyau. Duk da ba a gwadaku ba. Zaku bukaci koyaswa sosai idon har zaku samu cancanta.”
Sai ya dan saurara.
“Ina gani zamu iya neman gurbi.”
Yayi nuni dakai zuwaga bayan amalanken.
“Ku hau, kuma kuyi da sauri. Kafin na canja ra’ayi na.”
Duka yan’uwan Thor uku sun ruga zuwa amalanken, suna murmushi. Thor ya gano mahaifinsa, shima yana murmushi.
Amma bai ji dadi ba ayayin da yake kallon tafiyansu.
Mayakin ya juya ya kama tafiya gida na gaba. A nan Thor ya gagara kara hakuri.
“Yallabai!” Thor yayi kira da karfi.
Mahaifinsa ya juyo sai ya ware masa idanu, amma Thor ya wuce matsayin ya damu.
Mayakin ya saya, bayansa a juye zuwa gareshi, sai ya juyo a hankali.
Thor ya dauki taku biyu zuwa gaba, zuciyarsa tana bugawa, sai ya turo kirjinsa waje gwargwadon iyawansa.
“Baka duba lamarina ba, yallabai,” yace.
Mayakin, da mamaki, ya kalli Thor sama da kasa kaman abin wasa.
“Ashe ban duba ba?” ya tambaya sai ya fashe da dariya.
Yan bayansa ma sun fashe da dariya, suma. Amma Thor bai ko damu ba. Wannan ne lokacinsa. Ko yanzu ne kokuma babu har abada.
“Ina son na shiga rundunan!” Thor yace.
Mayakin ya taka zuwaga Thor.
“Yanzu kana son haka?”
Yayi kama da abin yana bashi dariya.
“Kuma ka kai shekaranka na goma sha hudu?”
“Na kai, yallabai. Sati biyu da suka gabata.”
“Sati biyu da suka gabata!”
Mayakin ya kyalkyale da dariya, hakama mutanen da suke bayansu.
“A cikin wannan yanayin, makiyan mu zasu tabattu a kan bari daga sun ganka.”
Thor yaji shi yana konuwa da rasin ji dakai. Dole yayi wani abu. Ba zai bari yakare haka ba. Mayakin ya juya don ya tafi – amma Thor ba zai iya barin hakan ya faru ba.
Thor yayi taku zuwa gaba sai yayi ihu: “Yallabai! Kana son kayi kuskure!”
Sanda kowa a taruwan jama’a ya ja numfashin tsoro, yayinda mayakin yasake sayawa ya juyo a hankali.
Yanzu sai ya matsa goshinsa a cikin fushi.
“Wawan yaro,” mahaifinsa yace, ya cafke Thor a kafada, “koma ciki!”
“Bazanje ba!” Thor yayi ihu, ya girgiza ya kubuta daga cafkewan mahaifinsa.
Mayakin yatako zuwa gaba ya nufi Thor, sai mahaifinsa yaja dabaya.
“Kasan horon da ake yiwa wanda ya zagi dan Silver?” mayakin ya tambaya da barazana.
Zuciyan Thor nata daka, amma ya san bazai ja da baya a yanzu ba.
“Dan Allah ka yafe masa, yallabai,” mahaifinsa yace. “Shi karamin yaro ne kuma----”
“Ba dakai nake Magana ba,” mayakin yace. Da wani kallon raini, ya tilasta wa mahaifin Thor ya juya ya koma.
Mayakin ya juyo zuwaga Thor.
“Bani ansa!” yace.
Thor ya hadiye yawu, ya gagara Magana. Ba haka yaga kasancewan lamarin a kwakwalwansa ba.
“Zagin dan Silver na daidai da zagin sarki da kansa ne,” Thor yace da ladabi, yana mayar da abin da ya koya daga tunani.
“Haka,” inji mayakin. “Wannan na nufin zan iya maka bulala arba’in in naga dama.”
“Bana nufin in zageka, yallabai,” Thor yace. Inason a dauke nine kawai. Kayi hakuri. Nayita mafarkin wannan duk tsawon rayuwana. Kayi hakuri. Ka barni na samu shiga.
Mayakin ya kalleshi, sai a hankali, yanayinsa ya yiwo laushi. Bayan dan lokaci mai tsawo, sai ya girgiza kai.
“Kai karami ne, yaro. Kana da zuciyan maza. Amma ba a shirye kake ba. Ka dawo ka samemu in an yayeka.”
Da waanan, sai ya juya ya ruga, bama kallon shauran yara mazan. Ya hau dokinsa a gagauce.
Thor, rai a bace, ya kalli tayarwan tawagan; Kaman yadda suka iso da sauri, suka tafi.
Abu na karshe da Thor yagani shine yan’uwansa, azaune a bayan rumfan amalanken karshe, suna kallonsa, da rashin aminci, suna masa dariya. Ana tafiya dasu a gaban idonsa, nesa daganan, zuwaga rayuwa mafi inganci.
Daga cikin zuciyarsa, Thor yaji Kaman yamutu.
Da hayaniyan da ya kewaya shi ya kare a hankali, duk mutanen kauyen su sun kokkoma gidajensu.
“Kasan irin wawancinda kanuna, wawan yaro?’ mahaifinsa ya haura, ya kuma cafke kafadunsa. “Kasan da zaka iya bata wa yan’uwanka sa’ansu da zarafinsu?”
Thor ya ture hannayen mahaifinsa daga jikinsa da haushi, sai mahaifin ya miko hanu ya mari fuskansa da bayan hanu.
Thor ya ji zafin abin ya mayar da hararo ga mahaifinsa. Wani bangarensa, a karo na farko, yaso ya rama marin da mahaifin ya masa. Amma ya kama kansa.
“Je ka dawo da garken tumakina. Yanzu! Kuma in ka dawo, karka sa ran zan ciyar da kai. Za ka rasa abincin daren yau, sai kayi tunani a kan abinda ka aikata.”
“Watakila bazan ma dawo ba gaba daya!” Thor na ihu yana juyawa don ya tafi, ya bar gida, ya nufi su tudun bayan gari.
“Thor!” mahaifinsa ya kira da karfi. Yan kalilan din kauyawan da suka rage a kan hanya sun saya suna kallo.
Thor ya fara shi ba gudu ba shi kuma ba tafiya ba, sai ya fara gudu, yanason ya nisanci wannan gurin gwargwadon abinda ya samu. Baima san shi ya fara kuka ba, hawaye sun mamaye fuskarsa, yayin da duk mafarkun da ya taba rike wa a zuciyarsa suka cikaro da mummunan mutuwa.
SURA NA BIYU
Thor yayita yawo a cikin daji na sa’oi, cike da fushi, kafin daga karshe ya zabi wata yar tudu ya zauna, hannayensa a nade a kan kafafuwansa, yana kallon sararin Allah. Ya kalli bacewan amalankun, yayita kallon kuranda suka tayar na wasu sa’oi bayan su sun bace.
Bazasu sake kawo wata ziyara ba. Yanzu ya kamu da kaddaran zaman kauyen nan na shekaru kenan, yana jiran wata zarafin – idon ma sun dawo kenan. In kuma mahaifinsa ma ya yarda kenan. Yanzu zai zama shi da mahaifinsa, su kadai a gida, kuma tabattace mahaifinsa zai huce haushinsa a kanshi. Zai cigaba da kasancewa bawan mahafinsa, shekaru zasu yita tafiya, sai shima ya karasa rayuwansa Kaman nashi, a makale da dan karamin rayuwa, na leburanci – alhali yan’uwansa sunsamu yabo da sanuwa. Jininsa nata tafasa da rashin ji dakai a kan lamarin duka. Ba wannan rayuwan yakeso ba. Kuma shi ya san da haka.
Thor yacigaba da wasa kwakwalwa ko akwai abinda shi zai iya yi, ko ta wani hanya domin ya juya lamarin. Amma babu komai. Kaman haka kaddara da rayuwa ya rubuta masa zai kasance.
Bayan zaman sa’oi, ya tashi ba karfin gwiwa, ya fara komawa saman sananen tudun, Karin hawa akan Karin hawa. Bamusu, ya koma zuwaga garken, zuwa ga tudu mai tsayin. Yayinda yake haurawa, rana ta fadi a sama kuma na biyun ta kai kololuwa, ta sa yanayi mai rowan ganye a kan wuri. Thor ya dauki lokacinsa, a yayinda ya dinga tafiyan a hankali, ya ciro majajjabarsa daga kugunsa, fatan marikan a kode saboda shekarun datayi ana amfani da ita. Ya shiga cikin buhun da shima ke kugunsa ya tabo zabbabun duwasunshi, kowanne yafi mabiye dashi taushi, zabbabu daga mafi kyawun koramu. Wani lokacin yakan harbi tsunsaye; a wassu lokutan kuma, beraye. Wannan hali ne da ya sabar ma kansa a cikin shekaru. Da farko, baya samun abinda ya harba; saikuma, a lokaci daya, ya harbi abu mai tafiya. Tun daga lokacin saitinsa ya tabbata. Yanzu, wurga duwatsu ya zama masa jiki – kuma ya taimaka masa wurin huce haushi. Yan’uwansa suna iya sara itace da takwafinsu – amma bazasu iya harbin tsuntsun da ke tafiye da dutse ba.
Thor yasa dutse a majajjabar Kaman ba komaiba, ya dan kwanta baya, sai ya harba da dukan karfinsa, da tunanin Kaman yana wurgin mahaifinsa ne. Wurgin yasamu wani reshe a kan wata bishiya da nisa, ya kuma sauke shi farat daya. Tunde ya gano cewa shi yana iya kashe dabbabobi da suke tafiya, ya daina aunasu, yana tsoron baiwansa kuma bayason yaji ma komai ciwo; yanzun reshen bishiyoyi ne abun aunawansa. Saidai, in har, dila ya biyo garkensa. A cikin lokaci, suma sun koyi kiyayewa, sai tumakin Thor a sabili dahaka, su kafi nakowa sira a kauyen.
Thor yayi tunanin yan’uwansa, yayi tunanin inda suke a yanzu, sai ya fara taffasa. Bayan tafiyan wuni zasu isa haraban sarki. Yana ganin hoton hakan a zuciyarsa. Yana ganin isowansu ga babban buki, mutane a kayayyaki mafi kyau, suna gaishesu. Jarumai suna gaishesu. Yan Silver. Za a shigardasu, a basu wurin zama a barikin rundunan, wurin koyo a filin sarki da mafi kyawun makamai. Kowanne za a lakaba masa sunan wani sananen bafaje. Wata rana kuma, suma zasu zama fadawa, a basu dawakai, tambarin kare kasa da nasu mallakaken fili. Zasu kasance cikinsu bikibiki na kowane shekara suna kuma ci suna sha tare da sarki. Wannan rayuwa mai dadi ne. Kuma duk wannan ya zame masa.
Thor ya fara ji Kaman bayi da lafiya, sai ya nemi ture dukkan wannan tunanin daga zuciyarsa. Amma ya gagara. Wani bangaren jikinshi, bangare mai zurfi, dayake masa ihu. Yana ce masa kar ya fidda sammani, cewa yana da babban kaddara daya fi wannan. Baisan me kaddarar ba, amma yasan ba a nan take ba. Yana jin shi daban ne. Watakila ma na musamman. Kuma duk sun raina masa isa.
Thor ya kai dan tudu mafi sayi sai ha hango garkensa. Masu ladabi, haryanzu a tare, suna more kowane ciyayi suka samu da gamsuwa. Ya kirgasu, yana duba jan alamu dashi yayi a kan bayan kowanne. Jikin shi ya mutu daga gamawa. Tumaki daya ya bata.
Ya sake kirgasu, ya kuma sakewa. Ya gagara yarda: guda daya ya kauce.
Thor bai taba batar da tumaki ba, kuma mahaifinsa bazai taba barinshi araye ba saboda wannan. Abu mafi muni kuma, shi dakansa ya ki jinin tumakinsa ya bata, shi kadai a daji, komai ma na iya faruwa dashi. Ya kijinin yaga abunda bai san hawaba balle sauka yana shan wuya.
Thor ya hanzarta zuwa saman tudun ya duddubi kota ina har sanda ya hange tumakin, a can da nisa, gaba da wasu tudun: makadaicin tumakin, jan alaman a kan bayansa. Shine mai rigiman cikinsu. Gabansa ya fadi da gano cewa ba gudu kadai tumakin yayiba, amma inda ya zaba, a cikin duk wuraren duniyan nan, ya nufa shine yamma, zuwa Darkwood.
Thor ya hadiye yawu. Darkwood ya haramta – ba wa tumaki kadaiba, har wa mutane. Yafi karfin sanin kauyen, kuma tunda ya fara tafiya, Thor ya san ba a zuwa wurin. Bai taba ma gwada haka ba. Zuwa wurin, a fadin tarihi, tabbatacen mutuwa ne, bishiyoyin ba a tsare wa kuma cike da munanan namomin daji.
Thor ya kalli saman da ta fara duhu, yana kwokwanto. Bazai iya barin tumakin ya tafi ba. Yayi lissafin cewa inshi ya hanzarta, zai iya dawowa dashi a kan lokaci.
Bayan wegen baya na karshe, ya juya yafara dan gudu, ya nufi yamma, zuwaga Darkwood, hadiri ya kuma hadu a sama sosai. Yana jin mutuwan jiki, amma kafafuwansa suna ta tafiyar dashi. Ya ji cewa ba komawa da baya a yanzu, koda shi yaso hakan.
Wannan yayi daidai da gudu zuwa shiga mafarki.
*
Thor ya gangara jerin su tudun a guje ba hutawa, zuwa cikin kakauran inuwar Darkwood. Karamin hanyan takawan ya kare ne a inda dajin ya fara, sai ya shiga inda bata da tsari a guje, bushasun ganye suna kara a karkashin takunsa.
Daga shigarsa cikin bishyoyin duhu ya rufeshi, dogayen bishiyoyin cediyan sun toshe haske daga sama. Cikin nan yafi sanyi, kuma, yana ketare iyaka, ya ji sanyin ya rabeshi. Ba daga duhun kadai bane, ko daga sanyin – daga wani abu ne dabam. Abinda bazai iya baiwa suna ba. Wani yanayine…..na Kaman wani na kallonsa.
Thor ya daga ido ya kalli su reshen bishoyoyin da kyau, amumurde, har sun fishi kauri, suna laiyi suna kara a iskan da yake dan hurawa. Daga daukan kwatankwacin taku hamsin a dajin sai ya fara jin karan dabbobi wanda ba a saba ji ba. Ya juya amma baya ma ganin hanyar da ya shigo ta ita; ya riga ya fara jin Kaman babu hanyan fita. Sai yayi waswasi.
Darkwood ya kasance baya tunanin mutanen garin kuma baya tunanin Thor, wani abu mai zurfi mai kuma al’ajabi. Duk makiyayin da ya taba batar da tumaki zuwaga dajin bai taba tunanin ya bishiba. Har mahaifinsa. Labarain wannan gurin na da mumunan duhu, mumunan naciya.
Amma akwai wani abu da ya sha bambam a wannan ranan da yasa Thor ya ki ya damu, daya sa shi ya gagara takasamsam. Wani zuciyansa nason yayi abinda bai taba yi ba, ya nisanci gida gwargwadon iko, ya kuma bar rayuwa ta kaishi duk inda taga ya dace.
Ya dan kara lumewa, sai ya saurara, bashi da tabbacin ina yakamata yabi. Ya gano wasu alamu, lankwasasun reshe da suke nuna hanyar da watakila tumakinsa yabi, sai ya juya ta wurin. Bayan dan wani lokaci ya sake wani juyawan.
Kafin wani sa’an ya wuce, yayi mumunan bata. Yayi kokari tuno ta inda ya biyo – amma bashi da tabbaci. Wani irin rashin ganewa ya cika masa ciki, amma sai yaga mafita kawai zai kasance ta gaba ne, sai ya cigaba da tafiya.
Daga dan nesa can, Thor ya hango wani dan haske, sai ya nufeshi. Ya since kansa a wani dan shararen fili, sai ya saya a karshensa, yadaskare – abinda ya gani ya kasance abin babban mamaki.
A saye a wurin, da bayanshi a juye zuwaga Thor, sanye da doguwar riga, kuma mai launin bula, wani mutum. Kai, bama mutum bane – Thor najin haka daga inda ya saya. Wannan wani abu ne dabam. Sheihin wani addini, watakila. Yana da sayi kuma a mike yake, ya rufe kai da hulan alkebba, ba ko motsi, Kaman bashi da ko damuwa a duniyan nan.
Thor ya rasa mai zaiyi. Yakanji labarin wadannan shehunai, amma bai taba karo da ko daya ba. Daga alamun da ke kan doguwar rigarsa, da gol dinda ya kewaye bakin rigan, wannan ba shaihin malamin addini bane kawai: alamun nan na sarauta ne. Na fadar sarki. Thor ya gagara fahimtan abinda ke tafiya. Menene shaihin adini daga fada yake yi a nan?
Bayan lokaci mai tsawo, shaihinya juyo a hankali ya fuskance shi, daga yin haka, Thor ya gano fuskan. Hakan yaso ya dauke masa numfashi. Fuskan na cikin wadanda a kafisani a masarautan gaba daya: shaihin sarki dakansa. Argon mai bawa sarakunan masrautar yamma shawara tun shekaru aru aru.
Abinda yakeyi a nan, wuri mai nisa haka daga fada, a sakiyan Darkwood, ya kasance sirri. Thor nama tunanin ko mafarki shi yakeyine.
“Iddanunka basu rudeka ba,” Argon yace, yana kallon Thor kai saye.
Muryarsa tayi zurfi, irin nadaa, Kaman bishiyoyin dakansu ne sukayi Magana. Manyan idanuwansa, masu kama da leda sunkamanci huda jikin Thor, suna aunashi. Thor yaji wani abu Kaman makamashi na tashi daga jikin shaihin – Kaman yana saye a daya bangaren rana.
Thor ya sauka kan gwiwowinsa ya suguna da kai a sunkuye.
“Mai martaba,” yace. “Ka gafarce ni domin na dameka.”
Yiwa mashawarcin sarki wulakanci zai iya jawo tsari a kurkuku koma mutuwa. Wannan zahirin ya riga ya kafu a zuciyan Thor tunda a ka haifeshi.
“Tashi ka mike, yaro,” inji Argon. “Da naso ka durkusane, ai dana gaya maka.”
Ahankali, Thor ya tashi ya kalleshi. Argon yayi wasu taku ya matso kusa. Ya saya ya kurewa Thor kallo, har sanda Thor yaji abin yadameshi.
“Kadauki idanun uwarka,” Argon yace.
Sai Thor ya tuna baya. Bai taba haduwa da mahafiyarsa ba, kuma bai taba haduwa da kowaba, banda mahaifinsa, wanda yasanta. An bashi labarin ta rasu a wurin aihuwa, wani abinda Thor yakejin cewa laifinshi ne. Tunda yana jin Kaman shi yasa iyalansa suka tsaneshi.
“Ina ganin Kaman kana daukana a matsayin wani daban ne,” Thor yace. “Bani da uwa.”
“Baka da uwa?” Argon ya tambaya yana murmushi. “Namiji kadai ne ya aifeka?”
“Ina nufin ince ne yallabai, mahaifiyana ta rasu a haihuwa. Ina ganin kana kuskuren sanina ne.
“Kaine Thorgrin, na dangin McLeod. Dan autan yara maza hudu. Wanda ba a zaba ba.”
Idanun Thor sun budu da fadi. Yarasa yaya zai fassara wanan lamarin. A ce mutum mai matsayin Argon yasan shi waye – wanan ya fi karfin fahimtansa. Bai taba tunanin an sanshi a wajen kauyensuba.
“Yaya……kasan duk wannan?”
Argon ya mayar da murmushi, amma baiyi Magana ba.
Kwasam sai Thor ya ciku da jin son sani.
“Ta yaya…” Thor ya kara, yana neman kalmomin da zaiyi anfanidasu, ….ta yaya ka wayi mahaifiya na? ka taba haduwa da ita ne? Wacece ita?
Sai Argon ya juya yayi tafiyarsa.
“Tambayoyin wani lokaci nan gaba,” yace.
Thor ya kalli tafiyarsa, arikice. Wannan ya zame masa haduwa mai rikitarwa da al’ajabi, kuma nata faruwa da sauri. Ya ga baikamata ya bar Argon yatafi haka kawaiba; ya bishi da sauri.
“Me kakeyi anan?” Thor ya tambaya, yana saurin ya kamo shi a tafiya. Argon, da sandan girmansa, irin na daa da akayi daga ivory, nata tafiya da sauri. “Bani kake jira ba dama ba, ko ni kake jira?’
“In ba kai ba sai waye?” Argon ya tambaya.
Thor na sauri domin ya kamoshi, yanabinshi sunata shiga dajin, sun bar shareren sararin a baya.
“Amma yaya saini? Yaya kasan zan kasance anan? Mai kakeso?”
“Tambayoyi dayawa,” Argon yace. “Kana chika iska da Magana, ka kasa kunne a madadin haka.”
Thor nata binshi a yayin da suka yita dada lume kurmin dajin, yana iya karfinsa domin yin shuru.
“Kazo neman tunkiyanka data bata,” Argon yace. “Kokari maikyau. Amma bata lokaci. Bazata rayu ba.”
Idanu Thor sun budu da fadi.
“Tayaya kasan wannan?”
“Nasan su duniyan da bazaka taba saniba, yaro. Koda zakasansu, ba yanzuba.”
Thor yayi mamaki yayin da ya kara saurin tafiya domin kamoshi.
“Bazaka kasa kunneba, kodashike. Haka yanayinka. Taurin kai. Kaman mahaifiyarka. Zaka cigaba daneman tumakinka, da muradin cetonta.”
Thor ya girgizu a yayin da Argon yayita fadan abubuwan da ke cikin tunaninsa.
“Kai yarone mai bin abinda ranka ke so,” ya kara. “Taurin-hali. Ji dakai. Yanayi nagari. Amma wata rana zai iya zama dalilin fadowanka.”
Argon ya fara haurawa wani dan kunya mai ciyayi, kuma Thor na biye dashi.
“Kanason ka shiga rudunan sarki,” Argon yace.
“Kwarai!” Thor yabada ansa, da faraha. “Akwai wani daman a yiyuwar haka a gareni? Zaka iyasa hakan ya faru?”
Sai Argon yayi dariya, kara mai zurfi, kuma mara komai ciki daya haura har kashin bayan Thor.
“Zan iya sa komai yafaru kuma bazan iya sakomai yafaruba. An riga an rubuta kaddararka. Ya raga nakane ka zabeshi.”
Thor bai gane ba.
Sun kai saman kunyan, inda Argon ya saya yakuma fuskanceshi. Thor na saye kusadashi, sai makamshin Argon yabi jikinsa.
“Kaddararka ta kasance mai muhimmanci,” yace. “Kada ka gujeta.”
Idanun Thor sun kara buduwa. Kaddararsa? Muhimmanci? Yaji kanshi nata kumbura.
“Ban ganeba. Kana mani Magana a habaince. Yi hakuri, ka kara mini bayani.”
Sai Argon ya bace.
Bakin Thor ya kara buduwa domin mamaki. Yayi kallo zuwaga ko ina, yana kasa kunne, yana mamaki. Ko duk a tunaninsa ne kawai? Ko wani irin mafarkine?
Thor ya juya ya kalli dajin da kyau; daga wannan guri mai kyau, a can samman kunyan, yana kallo da nisa fiye da dazun. A yayinda yake kallo, ya hango wani motsi a gaba kadan. Yaji kara kuma yayi zaton tumakinsa ne.
Sai ya fara gagautawa a gangarwa kunya mai cayayin yana sauri zuwa ta inda yaji karan, daga baya ta cikin dajin. Yana tafiya amma yana tuna haduwansu da Argon. Yayimasa wuya ya yadda da abinda ya auku a sakaninsu. Menene mai bawa sarki shawara keyi anan, a cikin duk wurare? Kuma yakasance yana jiran zuwansa ne. Amma domin me? Kuma me ya nufa da kaddararsa?
Duk sa’ilin da Thor yayi kokarin kara fahimtan wannan lamarin, sai kara rashin fahimta yakesamu. Argon ya masa gargadin kar yaci gaba a yayinda da kuma ya kwadaitar masa da yin hakan kuma ta wata hanyar. A yannzu, yanakan tafiya, Thor natajin wani Karin yanayin haramci, Kaman wani muhimmin abu na shirin faruwa.
Ya shiga wani kwana sai ya saya a tsandare saboda abinda yakegani a gabansa. Farat daya duka munanan mafarkinsa suka tabbatu. Gasusuwan jikinsa sun mike a tsaye, sai ya fahimci cewa shiga Darkwood dinsa yakasance babban kuskure.
A dayan gefenshi, kwatankwacin taku talatin kawai, sai ga wata dabbar Sybold. Yana kumburi, a mumurde, a tsaye a kan kafafunta hudu, kusan girman doki, ya kasance dabban da a ka fi tsoro a Dakrwood, watakila ma a masarautar. Thor bai taba gani ba, amma yaji tasuniyoyin. Yana kama da zaki, amma yafi grima, fadi, fatansa jajazur kuma idanunsa launin kwai mai kyalli. Tasuniya na nuna cewa yasamo jan fatansa ne daga jinin yaranda basuciba basuganiba.
Thor zai iya kirga iya lokutan da yaji labarin anga wannan babban dabban a gabadaya rayuwansa, duk da ana ganin wadansuma karya sukeyi. Watakila wannan ya kasance ne domin babu wanda ya taba karo da wannan daban ya tsira. Wasu na ganin dabban Sybold shine sarkin dajujjuka, kuma Kaman wani alaman karfanci. Komenene karfanci, Thor bai saniba.
Ya ja baya da taku daya amma da kulawa.
Dabban Sybold din, da hakora a kwaye, dogayen hakoran sakiyan bakinsa na digarda yawu, na mayar masa da harara da idanunsa masu launin kwai. Yanada battacen tumakin Thor a bakinsa: yana ihu, yana rataye kai a kasa, rabin jikinsa a hude da dogayen hakoran. Yana kusa da mutuwa. Daban Sybold din na jin dadin kamun dayayi, yana daukan lokacinsa; Kaman yana jin dadin bama tunkiyan azaba.
Thor ya gagara sayawa yana jin kukan. Tumakin yayita motsi gefe da gefe, ba maitaimako, sai yaji yakamata shi yayi wani abu.
Tunanin Thor na farko ya gudu ne, amma ya riga yasan haka zai zama a banzane. Wannan mumunan daban yafi komame gudu. Idon shi yagudu zai karawa dabban karfin gwiwa ne kawai. Kuma bazaya bar tumakinsa ya mutu haka kawai ba.
Ya saya a daskare da tsoro, kuma ya san dole shi yayi wani abu kada ma menene.
Bazatarsa ya rinjayeshi. Yasa hanu a hankali a cikin jakarsa, ya ciro kwayan dutse daya, ya sashi a majajjaba. Da hanu yana girgiza, ya waina, ya dauki taku daya zuwa gaba, sai ya wurga.
Dutsen yayi tafiya a iska yaje ya samu abunda ya auna. Harbi daidai. Ya samu tumakin a cikin kwayar idonsa, yawuce sambai zuwa kwakwalwarsa.
Tumakin ya kwanta shuru. Amace. Thor ya kawo karshen wahalarsa.
Dabban Sybold din ya gwaye idanunsa, yaji haushin Thor ya kashe abin wasansa. Ahankali ya bude manyan hakoransa ya sake tinkiyan, wanda ya fado da kara a kan kasan dajin. Sanan ya sanya hankalinsa a kan Thor.
Yayi ihun barazana, mummunan kara mai zurfi, daya taso daga can cikin tumbinsa.
Yayinda ya fara taku zuwa gareshi, Thor, zuciyarsa na bugu, ya daura wani dutsen a majajjabarsa, ya masa baya, da shirin yin wani harbin.
Dabban Sybold din ya fita a guje, yana gudun da yafi duk abinda Thor ya taba gani a rayuwarsa.
Thor yayi taku daya zuwa gaba sai ya harbor dutsen, yana adu’an Allah yasa yasameshi, domin yasan shi bazaya samu wata zarafin yin wani harbinba kafin ya iso.
Dutsen yasamu mummunan daban a idonsa na gefen dama, ya kuma cire idon. Wurgin ya kasance mai kyau sosai, wanda zai iya kayarda dabba inda karama ce.
Amma wannan ba karamin dabba bane. Mummunan daban ya gagara taruwa. Ya kara ihu daga cutuwan, amma bai ko rage guduba. Duk da rashin ido daya, duk da dutsen a makale a kwakwalwarsa, ya chigaba da nufan Thor da yaki. Ba abinda shi kuma Thor zai iyayi.
Jim kadan, mummunan daban na kansa. Ya waina manyan faratun kafansa ya yakushi kafadarsa.
Thor yayi ihu. Abin yayi kamada wukake uku suna yankamasa naman jikinsa, jinni mai zafi yana bulbulowa daga mikin.
Mummunan daban ya dannashi a kasa, a kan hannaye da kafafuwa. Yanada shegen nauyi, Kaman wata giwa ne a saye akan kirjinsa. Thor yaji kasusuwan kirjinsa suna wargazuwa.
Mummunan dabban ya dan ja kansa baya, ya bude bakinsa da fadi yananuna dogayen hakoran sakiyansa, ya fara saukowa dasu zuwaga makogoron Thor.
Yanakan hakan, Thor ya mika hannayensa ya cafko wuyan; daidai yake da riko jijiyar karfe. Da kyar Thor ya jura. Hannayensa suka fara girgiza a yayinda dogayen hakoran suka fara kara saukowa. Yaji numfashin dabban dazafinshi a duk fuskarsa, yaji yawun dabban na gangarawa wuyarsa. Wani irin kara ya taso daga can cikin kirjin dabban, yana kone kunnuwan Thor. Yasan shi zai mutu.
Sai Thor ya rufe idanunsa yana adu’a.
Kayi hakuri, Allah.ka bani karfi. Ka yarda mani nayi fada da wannan halittan. Kayi hakuri. Na rokeka. Zani yi duk abinda kace nayi. Zan ci bashinka mai yawa.
Sai kawai wani abu ya faru. Thor yaji wani zafi na musamman yataso daga cikin jikinsa, yana bin hanyoyin jininsa, Kaman wani filin makamashi dayake gudu a cikin jikinsa. Ya bude idnunsa sai yaga abin mamaki: daga hannayensa wani haske mai launin kwai na fita, a yayinda yake ture makogoron mummunan dabban, damamaki, ya iya kamanta karfin dabban ya tareshi danisa.
Thor ya cigaba da turi har saida ya fara ture mummunan dabban. Karfinshi ya cigaba da karuwa har yaji wani dunkulalen karfi – daga bisani kadan, mummunan dabban ya wurgu zuwa ta baya, Thor ya tureshi har kafa goma masu kyau. Ya fada akan bayansa.
Thor ya taso zuwaga zama, bai fahimci abinda ya faru ba ko kadan.
Dabban ya sake tashi. Sanan, a cikin haushi, yasake tasowa – amma a wannan lokacin Thor najin dabam. Karfin na ratsan dukanin jikinsa; yana jin karfin da bai taba ji ba.
A yayinda dabban yayi tsalle sama, Thor ya dan durkusa kasa, ya cafkoshi ta cikinsa, sai ya wurgar dashi, yasa nauyinsa ya daukeshi.
Dabban ya tafi a sama a cikin dajin, ya pasu da bishiya, sanan ya fado was a kasa.
Thor ya ware idanu, yana mamaki. Yanzu shi ya wurgarda dabban Sybold kenan?
Mummunan dabban ya kyafta ido sau biyu, sai ya kalli Thor. Ya tashi ya rugo kuma.
Wannan karon, yayinda dabban ya kawo hari, Thor ya cafkoshi a makogoro. Dukkansu zun zuba a kasa, dabban a saman Thor. Amma Thor ya juya ya koma saman dabban. Thor ya rikeshi, yana matse wuyarsa da hannayensa duka biyu, yayinda shi kuma dabban keta kokarin daga kai ya cijeshi da dogayen hakoransa. Bai sameshi ba. Thor, da jin wani karfi, ya dada danna hannayensa batare da yasake ba. Ya bar karfin ya ratsi jikinsa. Sai jim kadan, da mamaki, yaji karfinsa yafara fin na mummunan dabban.
Yana shake dabban Sybold din zuwaga mutuwa. Daga karshe, mummunan daban ya saki jiki.
Thor yaki ya sake har na wani cikakken minti daya.
Ya tashi a hankali, da kasawan numfashi, yana kallon kasa, idanu a ware, yayin da ya rike hannunsa daya ji ciwo. Menene ya faru yanzu? Wato shi, Thor, ya kashe dabban Sybold kenan?
Ya jicewa wannan alama ne, a wannan ranan ranakun. Yaji Kaman wani muhimmin abu ya faru yanzu. Yanzuyanzu shi ya kashe dabba mafi sanuwa kuma wanda a kafi tsoro a duk wanan masarautar. Shi-kadai. Batare da wani makami ba. Kaman ba da gaske bane. Babu wanda zai yadda da labarinsa
Yanajin duniyan na kewayawa ayayinda yake tunanin wani irin karfi ne yashigeshi, abinda wannan yake nufi, asalin mutumim dashi ya kasance. Mutanen da aka sansu da irin wannan karfin su Druid ne kawai. Amma kuma ai mahaifinsa da mahaifiyarsa basu kasance Druid ba, saboda haka bazai yiwu shi ya zama daya ba.
Ko kuma zai iya zama ne?
Dayaji Kaman da mutum a bayansa, Thor ya juyo yaga Argon a tsaye a wurin, yana kallon dabban a kasa.
“Da yaya kazonan?” Thor ya tambaya, yana mamaki.
Argon yayi Kaman bai jishiba.
“Ka shaidi abinda ya faru?” Thor ya tambaya, har yanzu bai yarda ba. “Ban san yanda na aikatashi ba.”
“Amma kasani,” Argon ya ansa.”A can ciki, kasani. Kai daban ne da duka shauran.”
“Yayi kama da…..muhimmin Karin karfi,” Thor yace. “Kaman karfinda nima bansan inadashiba.
“Kewayen makamashin,” inji Argon. “Watarana zakazo kasanshi da kyau. Zaka ma iya koyan gudanar dashi.”
Thor ya kama kafadarsa; zafin yayi tsanani. Ya kalli kasa ya hangi hanunsa a rufe da jinni. Yaji kansa ba nauyi, yana damuwan abunda zai iya faruwa idan bai samu taimako ba.
Argon yayi taku uku zuwa gaba, ya mika hanu, ya riko hanun Thor da baya komai, ya daura shi da kyau a kan mikin. Ya rikeshi a wurin, ya mayar da kansa baya, sai ya rufe idannunsa.
Thor yaji wani yanayi mai dumi a cikin hannun nasa. Cikin dakikoki, jinin dake kan hannunsa ya bushe, kuma yaji zafin dayakeji ya fara raguwa.
Ya kalli hannun ya gagara ganewa: ya warke. Abinda ya rage a wurin kawai shine tabon idanun inda farcen dabban ya yankeshi – amma suma a toshe suke kuma sun yi Kaman sun kwana biyu. Jinin ma ya saya ya daina zuba.
Ya kalli Argon da mamaki.
“Yaya kayi wannan?” ya tambaya.
Argon yayi murmushi.
“Baninayiba. Kaikayi. Nina baiwa karfinka ummurni ne kawai.”
“Amma bani da karfin warkaswa,” Thor ya ansa, yana mamaki.
“Bakadashi?” Argon ya ansa masa.
“Bangane ba. Babu wani abu da yayi daidai da tunani a nan,” Thor yace, rashin hakurinsa na karuwa. “Yi hakuri, gaya mani.”
Argon yaki ya kalleshi.
“Wassu abubuwa a cikin lokaci zakazo kasani.”
Thor yayi tunanin wani abu.
“Yanzu wannan na nufin zan iya shiga rundunan sarki kenan?” ya tambaya, da faraha. “Tabbattace, idon zan iya kasha dabban Sybold, to zan iya kare kaina a wurin shauran yaran.”
“Tabbatace zaka iya,” ya ansa masa.
“Amma sun zabi yan’uwana – basu zabeniba.”
“Yan’uwanka bazasu iya kashe wannan mummunan dabban ba.”
Thor nata maida kallo, yana tunani.
“Amma ai sun riga sun kini. Dayaya zan shiga?”
“Daga yaushe jarumi ya fara bukatan a gaiyaceshi?” Argon ya tambaya.
“Kalmominsa sun shiga da zurfi. Thor yaji jikinsa gabadaya ya fara dumi.
“Kana nufin inje a ganni kawai kenan? Ba tareda an gaiyace ni ba?”
Argon yayi murmushi.
“Kai kana iya halittan kaddararka. Wasu basu iyawa.”
Thor ya kifta ido – kuma jimkadan, Argon ya bace. Kuma.
Thor ya juya, yana kallon kota ina, amma babu wani alamansa.
“A tanan!” inji wani murya.
Thor yajuya sai yaga wata katuwar dutse a gabansa. Yaji Kaman muryan yazo daga saman dutsen, sai yayi hanzari ya haura babban dutsen.
Ya kai saman, amma ya kidime da baiga ko alaman Argon ba.
Daga wannan wuri mai kyau, amma, ya iya gani samada itatuwan dajin Darkwood. Ya hangi inda Darkwood takare, yaga wata rana tana sauka a cikin launin ganye mai zurfi, kuma a gabada wannan kadan, hanyar zuwa fadan sarki.
“Kana iya bin hanyan,” muryan ya dawo. “Idan kanada zuciya.
Thor ya juyo amma baiga komai ba. Kaman murya ne kawai, yana dawowa. Amma yasan Argon na nan, a waniwuri, yana zigashi. Kuma yaji, daga zurfin zuciyarsa, cewa yanada gaskiya.
Batare da wani kwokwanto ba kuma, Thor ya sauko daga saman dutsen sai ya pasa cikin dajin ya nufi hanya mai nisan.
Yana gudu a hankali zuwaga kaddararsa.
SURA NA UKU
Sarki MacGil – kakkaura, mai fadin kirji, dagemu mai fararen gashi da yawa, dogon tsuma daidai da gemun da kuma goshi mai fadi da ya jera yaki da yawa – na saye a saman makiriyar fadansa, sarauniyarsa a gefensa, suna kallon abubuwan wakanan ranan na bukukunan shekara. Daular sarautarsa na shimfide a kasa a cikin duk matsayinsu, amike har zuwa iya ganin ido, birni mai tasowa a kewaye da katangun duwatsu irin na daa. Fadan sarki. Aharhade ta cunkusun angwayoyi masu gidajen duwatsu kowane iri – gidajen jarumai, masu bada kula, dawakai, yan Silver, rundunan sarki, masu gadi, barikin mayaka, dakin makamai, ma’ajiyin manyan makamai – kuma a sakanin duk wannan, darurukan wuraren zama wa dimbim mutanensa da suka zabi zama a cikin katangun birnin. A sakanin wadannan angwani akwai ciyayi, lambun gidan sarauta, wuraren kasuwanci a jere da duwatsu, mabulbulan ruwa. Fadan sarki yayita samun kwaskwarima tun shekaru aru aru, daga mahaifinsa, daga mahaifin mahaifinsa kafin shi – kuma yanzu birnin na kololuwar haskakawanta. Babu wani tantama, birnin ta kasance mafi kwaciyan hankali a dukkan yammacin daulolin zoben a yanzu.
MacGil yasamu baiwan mafi kyawun da mafi biyayya na jarumai da a ka taba gani, kuma a rayuwarsa, bawanda ya isa ya kawo hari. Ya kasance MacGil na bakwai da ya riki sarautan, yakuma rike da kyau a cikin shekaru talatin da uku da yayi yana mulki, yakasance sarki mai adalci da kuma wayo. Kasar ta samu cigaba mai girma a zamaninsa. Ya ninka adadin mayakansa, kara girman biranai, kawo ma mutanensa cigaban arziki, kuma babu kokaawa koda guda daya da aka samu daga talakawansa. Ansanshi a matsayin sarki mai sake hanu, kuma ba a taba samun zamanin dayazo da cigaban arziki da zaman lafiya Kaman wannanba tunda ya hau mulkin.
Wanda, basafaiba, yakasance ainihin dalilin dayasa MacGil baiyi baci a darenanba. Saboda MacGil yasan tarihin kansa: a duk shekarunnan, ba a taba samun rata mai tsayi Kaman haka babu yakiba. Ya daina kwokwanton ko za a kawo hari ko baza a kawoba – abinda ya rage yasani kawai dayaushe. Kuma daga wane.
Barazana mafi girma, ai dama, daga wajen zoben yake, daga daulolin marasa hankali da suke mulkin yanhayaniyan da suke tawaje, da suke mulkin dole a kan mutanen wajen zoben, gaba da koraman. Wa MacGil, da nasaba bakwai da suka rigayeshi, kasashen wajen basu taba kasancewa wani barazanaba. Saboda inda daularsa ta samu kanta a doron kasa, a kewaye daidai kota ina – Kaman zobe – arabe kuma daga shauran duniya da loto mai zurfi da kuma fadin mil daya, kuma wanda take da kariyar wata makamashi datakenan tunda MacGil ya fara mulki, tsoron kasashen wajenda suke ji dan kadan ne. Yan hayaniyan sun sha neman su kawo hari sau dayawa, su wuce kariyar makamashin, su sallaka loton; basu taba nasara koda sau daya ba. Idan har shi da mutanensa sun yi zamansu a cikin zoben, babu wata barazana daga waje da zata damesu.
Amma, wannan baya nufincewa, babu barazana daga cikin gida. Abinda kuma kenan da yake hana MacGil barci a kwanakinnan. Dalili ma, a tabbace, dayasa ake bukin yau: auren babar ‘yarsa. Auren da aka shirya musamman domin kwantar da hankalin makiyansa, saboda tabattar da dan karamin zaman lafiya dake tsakanin shasunan masrautun gabar da yammacin daular zoben.
A yayinda zoben ke da fadin mil dari biyar ta kowane shashi, yana rabe daga sakiya ta dalilin wata tudu. Su tudun kenan. A daya gefen su tudun masarautar gabar take a zaune, tana mukin daya rabin zoben. Kuma wannan masarautar, abokan gabarsu ne suke mulkinta tun shekaru aru aru, dangin McClouds, sun sha neman su rusa alkawarin zaman lafiyan dake sakaninsu da dangin MacGil. Dangin McCloud sun kasance yan tawaye, wayanda basu murna da abinda Allah yayi masu, dayardansu cewa gefensu na masarautar na zaune a kan kasa da bashi da albarka kaman amfanin gona da kyau saboda rashin kyaun kasan. Suna gasa a kan su tudun ma, suna ta naciyan cewa duka fadin tudun kasarsu ce, bayankuma akalla rabin gurin na dangin MacGil ne. Akwai fadace fadacen kan iyaka, da barazanan kawo hari a ko dayaushe.
A yayinda MacGil keta jujjuya lamarin a zuciyarsa, ya ji haushi. Yakamata dangin McCloud suyi murna; suna da kwaciyan hankali a cikin zoben, loton tana karesu, su kan kasa mai kyau, batare da suna jin tsoron komaiba. Meyasa bazasu gamsu da nasu rabin bangaren zobenba? Saboda MacGil ya gina rundunan mayakansa sukayi karfinda sukayine yasa, a karo na farko a tarihi, dangin McCloud basu isa su kawo hari ba. Amma MacGil, kasancewarsa sarki mai wayonda yake, yanajin cewa akwai wani abu; ya sanwannan dan zaman lafiyan bazai juraba. Saboda haka, ya shirya auren babban diyarsa wa babban yariman dangin McCloud. Yanzu kuma ranan ya iso.
A yayinda yake kalon kasa, sai yanaganin dubben mabiyansa a shimfide suna sanye da tufafe masu hasken launi, suna ta shigowa daga kowani bangaren masarautan, daga duka gefen su tudun. Kusan dukan mutanen zoben gaba daya, sunata shigowa cikin katangun kariyarsa da ya gina. Mutanensa sunyi watanni suna shiri, suna bin umrnin da aka yi musu na susa komai ya zama harka na arziki, mai karfi. Wannan ba ranan aure na kawai ba, rana ne na aikawa dangi McCloud da wani sako.
MacGil yabi daruruwan mayankansa da yasa suka yi jeruwa na mussanman a wuraren tsaro, a cikin angwanni, a jere a gefen katangu, mayaka fiye da yadda zai taba bukata – sai yaji ya gamsu. Wannan ya kasance nuna karfi da yaso yayi. Amma hankalinsa bai kwanta ba; yanayin wuri yayi zafi sosai, rikici zai iya faruwa. Yayi fatan kar wasu yan zafinkai, abuge da barasa, su taso daga kowane bangare.
Yayi kallo zuwaga filin gasa, filayen wasanni, sai ya tuna ranan dake zuwa, acike da wasanni da gasa da ireiren bukukkuwa. Zasu yi armashi. Tabattace dangin McCloud zasu zo da karamin tawagan mayakansu, kuma kowane gasa, kowane kokowa, kowane rigerige, zai dauki ma’ana na musamman. Harma idan wani ya bata hanya, zai iya zama yaki.
“Sarki na?”
Yaji hanu mai laushi akan nasa sai ya juyo yaga sarauniyarsa, Krea, wacce har yanzu itace mace mafi kyau da ya taba sani. Aureriya da zaman lafiya gareshi duk zamanin mulkinsa, ta Haifa masa yara biyar, uku a cikinsu maza, kuma bata taba kokawa ba. Alhali ma kuwa, ta zama mafi yardediyar mai bashi shawara. A yayin wucewan shekaru, yagano cewa tafi dukannin mutanensa wayo. Kai, tafi shi dakansa ma wayo.
“Ranar siyasa ne’” tace. “Amma kuma ranar auren ‘yarmu. Kayi kokari kayi nishadi. Bazai faru sau biyu ba.”
“Lokacinda bani da komai bancika damuwa ba,” ya bata amsa. “Yanzu da mukeda komai, komai yakan dameni. Mun tsira. Amma bana jin na tsira.”
Ta mayar da kallo gareshi da idanun tausayi, manya masu kyalli; suna kama da suna rike da hikiman duk duniya. Giran idanunta sun sauko, kama yadda suka saba, suna kama da Kaman tana jin barci kadan, kuma a kewaye da mafi kyawun, mikekiyar sumanta mai fararen gashi kadan, wanda ya zubo daga dukan gefenin fuskarta duka biyu. Fuskanta ya dan fara nuna girma, amma banda haka bata sauya ba ko kadan.
“Hakan ya kasance domin baka da tsiranne,” tace. “Babu sarkin da yake da tsira. Munada yan leken asiri a fadarmu fiye da yadda kake zato. Kuma haka abubuwan suke kasancewa a koda yaushe.”
Ta maso kusa ta sumbaceshi, sai tayi murmushi.
“Kayi kokari kaji dadinsa,” tace “Ai muna bukin aure ne ba fada ba.”
Da wannan, ta juya ta bar wuraren kariyan.
Ya kalli tafiyarta, sai ya juya ya kewaye fadansa da kallo. Gaskiyarta; tanada gaskiya ne a koda yaushe. Shi baiso ya ji dadin bukinba. Yana mtukar son babbar ‘yarsa, kuma ai aure akace. Ranan yakasance mafi kyawun ranar mafi kyawun shekara, bazara tana kololuwarata, rani kuma nason ya shigo, rana kuma duka biyu suna daidai a sama, da dan iskanda yake hurawa. Komai na cikin mafi kyawun yanayi, bishiyoyi kota ina da launonin pinki da malmo da lemu da farare. Babu abinda zaiso Kaman iya zuwa ya zauna da mutanensa, ya kalli daurin auren diyarsa, ya sha kofunan barasa har sai ya gagara sha kuma.
Amma ya gagara. Yanada jerin ayuyyuka kafin ma ya iya fitowa daga gininsa a fada. Aimaa, ranar auren ‘ya na zaman alhaki ne a kan sarki: zai zauna da majalisarsa; ya zauna da yaransa; yayita zama da dagon jeren masu kokekoke wayanda ke da daman ganin sarki a irin wannan ranan. Zai zama masa babban sa’a in har ya iya barin gininsa kafin bukin yammacin.
*
MacGil yasa kayan sarauta mafi kyau, bakin wando, da bel mai rowan gwal, doguwar riga da akayi da mafi kyawun yadin siliki mai launin malmo da gwal, farin alkebba, takalma masu kyalli da suka kai kwanrisa, sai dasa hular sarautarsa – hular kayattacen gwal da babban lu’u lu’u a binne a sakiyarsa – ya cigaba da bin layunkan cikin gininsa, masu hidima suna dukan gefensa. Ya wuce daki bayan daki, ya sauka matakalan saukowa daga katangan kariya, ya yanki ta cikin ainihin fadan zama, ta babban zaure mai shigaye, da silin dinsa mai tsawo da kyawawan gilasai. Daga karshe ya kai ga daddaden kofar itacen oak, da kauri Kaman bishiya, wanda masu hidimarsa suka bude kafinsu koma gefe. Dakin ikon sarauta.
Masu bada shawararsa sun mike da shigansa, a ka rufe kofan bayan shigansa.
“ku zauna,” yace, da sauri fiye da yanda ya saba. Agajiye yake, musamman ma a yau, saboda hidimomin tafiyar da mulkin wannan masarautar da basu karewa, wayanda yake son yagama dasu.
Ya wuce a cikin fadar ikon sarautan, wanda baya fasa bashi sha’awa. Silin dinsa kafa hamsin daga kasa, gabadaya bango daya da kyawawan gilasai, kasa da bango da a ka gina daga duwatsu masu kaurin kafa daya. Dakin zai iya daukan baki dari a saukake. Amma a ranaku Kaman yau, lokacinda majalisarsa ke zama, shi da yan kalilan din masu bashi shawara ne kawai a kayadadden zaman. Babban tebiri mai kama da lauje shi ya dauke mafi yawan dakin, wanda bayanshi masu bashi shawaran suka sassaya.
Ya wuce ta kofar, sambai ta sakiya, zuwa kan kujeran sarautarsa. Ya haura matakalun dutsen, ya wuce gunkayen zaki na gwal, sai ya zauna a kan jan katifan velvet dake kan kujeran sarautan, wanda a ka kera gaba daya da gwal. Akan wannan kujeran sarautan mahaifinsa ya zauna, Kaman yadda mahaifinshi shima yayi da dukkanin yan dangin MacGil kafinshi. Yayinda ya zauna, MacGil yaji nauyin duka kakkaninsa – na dukkanin zamani – akanshi.
Ya kewaye masu bada shawara da suka halartu da kallo. Akwai Brom, janar dinsa mafi girma kuma mai bashi shawara a kan harkokin tsaro; Kolk, janar din rundunar yara maza, Aberthol, tsohon cikin taron, almajiri kuma masani tarihi, mai karantar da sarakuna na nasabi uku; Firth, mai bashi shawara a kan harkokin cikin gida na fadan, siririn mutum da guntun, suma da ramukan ido masu zurfi da basu taba zama wuri guda. MacGil bai taba yadda da Firth gaba dayaba, kuma baima taba gane matsayinsa ba. Amma mahaifinsa, da mahaifinshi shima, sun nada mai bada shawara kan harkokin cikin gida na al’amuran fada, saboda haka shima ya rikeshi saboda girmama masu. Akwai Owen, ma’ajiyinsa; Bradaigh, mai bashi shawara akan harkokin waje; Earnan, mai karban haraji; Duwayne, mai bada shawara a kan talakawa; da kuma Kelvin, wakilin dukan masu matsayin sarauta.
Tabattace, sarkin yanada cikakken iko. Amma masarautarsa ta kasance mai bada yanci, kuma iyayensa sun kasance suna alfahari da baiwa majalisunsu muryan Magana a dukkan lammura, ta wurin wakilansu. Ya kasance a tahirance madaidaiciyar mulki sakanin sarakunan da majalisunsu da bashi da sauki. Yanzu akwai lumana, amma a wassu lokutan akwai tashe tashen hankula da gasar neman iko a sakanin majalisun da gidan sarauta. Hakan ya kasance tsari madaidaici.
A yayinda MacGil ke kewaye dakin da kallo ya gane babu mutum daya: ainihin wanda shi yafi bukatan yayi Magana dashi kuwa – Argon. Kaman yadda akasaba, yaushe da kuma ina za’a ganshi ba a bin sani bane. Wannan yana tada haushin MacGil ba kadanba, amma bashi da zabi sai dai ya hakura. Yanayin sui Druid yafi karfinsa. Saboda rashinsa, MacGil yaji Karin hanzari. Yanason yagama da wannan zamman, domin ya fuskanci dubannin shauran harkokinda suke jiransa kafin daurin auren.
Taron mashawartan sun fuskanceshi a zaune a kewaye da tebiri mai kama da laujen, ararrabe kafa goma goma, kowanne azaune a kujeran itacen oak da aka tsara agwanance da hanayen itace.
“Sarkina, idan zaka yadda na fara,” Owen yace.
“Zaka iya. Amma ka gajarta. Bani da lokaci sosai a yau.”
“Diyarka zata samu kyaututuka dayawa yau, wayanda muke fatan zasu cika ma’ajiyijnta. Duban mutanenda zasu kawo ziyaran bangirma, suna baka kyaututuka dakanka, kuma suna cika gidajen su magajiyanmu da shagunan barasa, zasu taimaka wurin cika asusunmu, ma. Amma duk da haka shirin bukukkunan yau zasu taba ma’ajiyin fada sosai. Ina mai bada shawaran a kara wa mutane haraji, harda fadawa. Harajin lokaci daya, domin a rage zafin wannan babban taruwa.”
MacGil yaga damuwan da fuskar ma’ajiyinsa ta nuna, kuma cikinsa ya murde a yayinda yayi tunanin zarzage asusun. Amma duk da haka shi bazaya sake kara harajiba.
“Yafi kyau a samu talautaten asusu amma da magoya baya masu bada goyon baya,” MacGil ya ansa. “Arzikinmu yakanzone a cikin murnar magoya bayanmu. Bazamu kara harajiba.”
“Amma sarkina, idan bamu---”
“Na yanke hukunci. Mai ya rage?”
Owen ya zauna, bajindadi.
“Sarkina,” Brom yace a muryarsa mai zurfi. “Da umurninka, munsa ajiye dayawan rundunanmu a shirye a fada saboda bukin yau. Nuna karfin zai yi armashi. Amma mun miku dayawa. Idan aka kai hari a wani bangaren masarautanmu, zamu iya kayuwa.
MacGil ya ansa da kai, yana tunani akan lamarin.
“Abokan gabanmu bazasu kawo mana hariba alhali muna kan ciyardasu.”
Mutanen sunyi dariya.
“Kuma menene labarai daga su tudun?”
“Babu rahotun wani abu na faruwa a cikin satutuka. Kaman rundunoninsu sun lafa saboda shirin auren. Watakila sunyi shirin a zauna lafiya.
MacGil bai tabattarba.
“Wannan na nufin shiryayyen auren yayi amfani kenan, kokuma zasu jira su kawo mana harin a wani lokacin. Kokuma wannene kake ganin zai zama, dattijo?” MacGil ya tambaya, yanajuyawa zuwaga Albertol.
Albertol ya gyara murya, muryarsa na rawa dayafara Magana: “Sarkina, mahaifinka da mahaifishi kafishi basu taba yarda da dangin McCloud ba. Domin suna kwance suna barci, baya nufin cewa bazasu tashiba.”
MacGil ya ansa da kai, yana godiya wa bayanin.
“Bayani rundunanma fa?” Ya tambaya, yajuyoga Kolk.
“Yau mun yiwa sabobbin dakanmu maraba,” Kolk ya amsa, da kadakai da sauri.
“Dana na cikinsu?” MacGil ya tambaya.
“Yanasaye yanajidakansa tare da shauran, kuma ya kasance da nagari.”
MacGil ya amsa da kai, sai ya juya zuwaga Bradaigh.
“Kuma menene labari daga loto?”
“Maigidana, yan sintirinmu sungano karuwan kokarin haye loton a satitikan bayabayanan. Zai yiyu ana shirin kawo mana hari daga waje.”
Wani dan karamin gunaguni ya bayana a sakanin mutanen. MacGil yaji wani kullewanciki a kan wannan tunanin. Makamashin tsaron gagarabadau ne; amma, duk da haka labarin bashi da dadi.
“To yaya zai kasance idan aka kawo mana hari mai gaba daya?” ya tambaya.
“Idan har makamashin tsaron na aiki, bamuda fargaba. Mutanen wajen sun gagara ketare loton shekaru aru aru. Babu dalilin tunanin na yanzun zai banbanta.”
MacGil bai tabbattar ba. Andadde da yakamata a samu hari daga waje, kuma ya gagara daina tunanin a wani lokaci zai faru.
“Maigidana,” Firth yace da muryarsa mai fita ta hanci, “Naga yakamata inkara dacewa a yau fadar mu na cike da manyan baki daga masarautar dangin McCloud. Zai zama abin zagi idan baka nishadantar dasuba, duk da abokan gaba ne. Ina mai bada sharawan kayi amfani da yammacin yau a gaisawa da kowannensu. Sun zo da babban tawaga, kyaututuka dayawa – da kuma, a gulmance, yan leken asiri da yawa.”
“Wayasani ko da ‘yan leken asirin a nan?” MacGil ya mayar da tambaya, yana kallon Firth a nisse a yayin tambayan --- yana tunanin cewa, kamar yadda ya saba, ko shima daya ne daga cikinsu.
Firth ya budi baki domin bada amsa, amma MacGil ya daga hanu tare da yin tsaki, saboda ya isheshi. “Idan shikenan zani fita yanzu, domin na shiga bukin auren diyana.”
“Miagidana,” Kelvin yace alhali yana gyara murya, “haka ne, shauran abu daya. Al’adanmu, na ranan auren babban cikin yaranka. Kowane MacGil yakan bada sunan yarimansa a ranan. Talakawanka zasu bukaci kaima kayi haka. Sun fara gunaguni. Bazai yi kyau ka basu kunyaba. Tunba ma dayake har yanzu Twakafin kaddara baya yawo.”
“Zaka sani na fadi yarima alhali nima ina kuruciya?” MacGil ya tambaya.
“Maigidana, ban nufi maka laifiba,” Kelvin yace da rawan murya, damuwa a fuskansa.
MacGil ya daga hanu. “Nasan al’ada. Kuma tabbatace zan fadi sunan yarima a yau.”
“Zaka iya gaya mana ko wayene?” Firth ya tambaya.
MacGil ya harareshi zuwaga zama, yana jin haushi. Firth mai gulmane, kuma bai yarda dashiba.
“Zaku ji idan lokacin yakai.”
MacGil ya tashi, shauran ma suka mike. Sun sunkuyar dakai, suka juya, suka fice daga dakin cikic hanzari.
MacGil ya saya a wurin yana tunani na adadin lokacinda shima bai sani ba. A ranaku Kaman wannan yakan yi tunanin dashi ba sarki ba ne.
*
MacGil ya sauko daga kujeran sarautansa, takalmansa suna kara a cikin yanayin shuru da a ke ciki, ya wuce sakiyar dakin. Ya bude daddadiyar kofan oak din dakansa, da fincikan marikin karfen, sai ya shiga wani daki a gefe.
Yana more kwaciyan hankali da kadaituwa a wannan hadadden daki, kamar yadda ya saba, bangoginsa kasa da taku ishirin ta kowane gefe amma da mafi sayin, lankwashashen silin. An gina dakin gabadaya daga dutse, da karamin, kewayeyiyan tagan gilashi a bango daya. Haske na shiga ta launukansa mai rowan koyi da ja, yana haskaka abu daya tak daya kasance a dakinda ba a samun komai sai shi.
Takwafin Kaddara.
Gashinan a zaune, a sakiyar dakin, yana kwance da gefe akan marikinsa, Kaman wata mayaudariya. Kaman yadda ya saba tun yana yaro, MacGil ya tafi zuwa kusa dashi, ya kewaye shi, ya dubeshi da kyau. Takwafin Kaddara. Takwafin gwarzo, tushin karfi da iko na masarautarsa gaba daya, daga kowani zamanin zuwa nagaba. Duk wanda ya samu karfin ikon daga shi ne yakasance zababbe, mai kaddaran mulkin masarautar iya rayuwarsa, ya samarwa masarautar kwanciyan hankali daga dukkan barazana, daga ciki da wajen zoben. Ya kasance al’ada maikyau da ya girma a ciki, daga gama nada shi sarki, MacGil dakanshima ya gwada dagashi, tunda sarakunan dangin MacGil kawai a ke bari su gwada. Sarakunan da suka gabaceshi, dukkansu sun gagara. Shi kuma ya tabbata shi zai zama dabam. Ya tabbata shi zai kasance zababben.
Amma bai canki daidai ba. Kaman dukkanin sarakunan dangin MacGil da suka rigayeshi. Kuma kasawarsa yasawa sarautansa tabo tun daga lokacin.
Yayin da yake kallonsa a yanzu, ya kalli daguwar askarsa, da a ka yi daga karfen da ba wanda ya taba sanin wani iri ne. mafarin takwafin ma yafi kasancewa abin waswasi, a na gulman cewa haka kawai ya bullo daga kasa a sakiyar wata girgizan kasa.
Yayin kallonsa, ya sake jin ciwon kasawa, duk da shi sarki mai adalcine, ba shine zababben ba. Talakawansa sun sani. Makiyansa sun sani. Duk dashi sarki ne mai adalci, amma duk abinda zai yi, bazai taba zama zababben ba.
Da yakasance zababben ne, yana jin da rashin kwanciyan hankali ya ragu a daularsa, kulekule ma daya ragu. Talakawansa zasu fi yarda dashi kuma makiyansa bazasu taba ma tunanin kawo hari ba. Wani bangarensa na ganin Kaman takwafin ya bace kawai, al’adan ya bishi. Amma yasan bazai bace ba. Tsinuwan kenan – da kuma karfi – na al’ada. Yana da karfi, da maa yafi, na rundunan mayaka.
A yayin daya masa kallo na Kaman dubu, MacGil yagagara tunanin waye ne zai kasance zababben. Waye mai nasabansa zai kasance da kaddarar dagashi? A yayinda yake tunanin abinda ke gabansa, hakkin fadan waye yarimansa, yayi tunanin waye, idan akwai, zai kasance da kaddarar daga takwafin.
“Takwafin na da nauyi sosai,” wani murya yazo da magana.
MacGil ya juya, yana mamakin suna karamin dakin da wani ashe.
Anan, a saye a kofa, sai ga Argon. MacGil ya gane muryan kafinma yaganshi kuma ya ji kyamarsa da bai iso ba tuntuni amma yayi farin cikin kasancewarsa a nan a yanzu.
“Ka makara,” MacGil yace.
“Yanayin kallon lokacinka ba daidai ne da nawaba,” Argon ya amsa.
MacGil yasake juyowa ga takwafin.
“Shin ka taba tunanin zan iya dagashi?” ya tambaya cikin tuna baya. “Ranan da na zama sarki?”
“Babu,” Argon ya amsa gaba daya.
MacGil ya juyo ya kalleshi.
“Kasan ba zani iya ba. Ka gani, ko baka gani ba?”
“Hakane.”
MacGil yayi tunani akan wannan.
“Nakan ji tsoro idan kana bada amsa gaba daya haka. Ba haka ka saba ba.”
Argon ya cigaba da kasancewa shuru, daga karshe MacGil ya fahimci ba zai kara Magana ba.
“Yau zan fadi sunan magajina,” MacGil yace. “Yana mani Kaman aikin banza, na fadi yarima a wannan ranan. Yakan zare farin cikin sarki daga auren diyarsa.”
“Watakila irin wannan farin cikin ya kamata a taba.”
“Amma ina da shauran shekaru dayawa na mulki,” MacGil ya fada da roko.
“Watakila ba dayawa Kaman yadda kake tunani ba,” Argon ya amsa.
MacGil ya matse idanunsa, yana kwokwanto. Ko wannan wani bayanine a boye?
Amma Argon bai kara ko bayani ba.
“Yara shida. Wannene zan zaba?” MacGil ya tanbaya.
“Yaya kake tambaya na? Kariga ka zaba.”
MacGil ya kalleshi. “Kana gani da yawa. Hakane, na zaba. Amma ina son na san ra’ayinka.”
“Ina ganin kayi zabi na gari,” Argon yace. “Amma ka tuna: sarki bazaya iya mulki daga kabariba. Kodama wakake ganin ka zaba, Kaddara nada wani hanyan zaba wa kansa.”
“Zan rayu, Argon?” MacGil ya tambaya agagauce, yayi tambayanda yake son yayi tunda yatashi daga barci jiya da mummunan mafarki.
“Nayi mafarkin wata tsunsu jiya daddare,” ya kara. “Ta zo ta saci hular sarautana. Sai wata kuma ta dauke ni ta tafi dani. Tanakan tafiya danidin, sai naga masarautana a shimfide a karkashina. Ya juya bakikkirin a yayinda nake tafe. Mattaten kasa. Kasa mara fid da amfani.”
Ya daga ido ya kalli Argon, idanun suna cike da ruwa.
Mafarkine? ko wani abinda yafi mafarki?”
“Mafarku sukan kasance abinda yafi mafarki a kowane lokaci, ko ba haka ba?” Argon ya tambaya.
Sanyin jiki ya kama MacGil.
“A ina hatsarin yake? Ka gayamani koda wannan kawai.”
Argon ya matso kusa sai ya kalli idanunsa da zurfi, MacGil yaji Kaman yana leka cikin wata duniyar ce dabam.
Sai Argon yadan sunkuyo zuwa gaba, yadan fada da karamar murya:
“Kusa fiye da yadda kake zato a koda yaushe.”
SURA NA HUDU
Thor ya buya a cikin ciyawan bayan amalanken a yayinda yake gungurawa dashi akan babban hanya. Ya nemi hanya zuwa kan hanyan a daren jiya ya kuma jira da hakuri har amalaken dake da girmanda zai hau batare da anganoshiba ta zo. Wuri nada duhu a lokacin, kuma amalanken na tafiya a hankali dede da yadda zai iya dan gudu ya dale daga baya. Ya sauka cikin ciyayin ya kuma binne kansa a ciki. Yakuma ci sa’a, matukin bai gansaba. Thor bai sani a tabbaceba ko amalanken zata je fadan sarki bane, amma ta wurin yanufa, kuma amalanke mai wannan girman, da kuma irin wadannan alamun jikinta, zai kasance wurarenda zata iya zuwa bayawa.
Yayinda Thor ke safara cikin dare, idanunsa na bude na sa’o’i, yana tunanin karonsu da dabbar Sybold. Da Argon. A kan kaddararsa. Gidansu na daa. Mahaifiyarsa. Ya ji Kaman duniyan ta amsa masa, ta gaya masa cewa yanada wata kaddarar. Yanadai kwance a wurin, da hannayensa a bayan keyansa, yana kallon sama a dare, wanda ka ganuwa ta tsohon rufin amalanken. Ya kalli duniyan saman, yana kyalli, jajayen taurarinsa a can da nisa. Yana cikin annashuwa. A karo nafarko a rayuwarsa, yana kan tafiya. Bai san zuwa ina ba, amma yana tafiya. Kota wani hanya, zai nemi hanyan zuwa fadar sarki.
A yayinda Thor ya bude ido gari yariga yaw aye, haske na shiga, sai ya gano ashe barci ta kwasheshi. Ya tashi zuwaga zama da sauri, ya kalli kota ina, yayi wa kansa fada domin yayi barci. Yakamata a ce yafi haka kula – yaci sa’a ba a ganoshi ba.
Amalanken yacigaba da tafiya, amma girgizansa ya ragu. Wannan na nufin abu daya ne kawai: hanya dayafi kyau. Dole sunyi kusa da wata birni kenan. Thor ya leka yaga irin sumul din hanyan, babu duwatsu, babu ramuka, kuma a jere da fararen kauraa masu kyau. Zuciyarsa ta fara bugawa da sauri; sun fara kusa da fadan sarkin.
Thor ya leka waje daga bayan amalanken sai mamaki ya kamashi. Sabtatattun angwanin na cike da kaiwa da kawowa. Amalanku da yawa, masu girma da yanayi dabam dabam duk a dauke da ireiren abubuwa, sun cika kan hanyoyin. Daya a cike take da barguna; wata da shimfidun kasa; wata har wa yau da kaji. A tsakaninsu daruruwan yan kasuwa ke tafiya, wassu suna jagoran shanu, wassu suna da kwadunan kaya a kansu. Mutane hudu sun dauki kunshin yadin siliki, a nade a jikin gorori. Ya kasance runduna na mutane iri iri, duka kuma wuri daya suka nufa.
Thor yajikanshi Kaman ya samu wani sabon rai. Bai taba ganin mutane da yawa haka a lokaci guda ba, da kuma kaya da yawa haka, abubuwa dayawa suna faruwa a lokaci daya. Da kasance a karamin kauye duk rayuwarsa, amma yanzu ya kasance a cikin hayaniya na birni.
Ya ji babban kara, karan sarkoki, faduwan babban itace, da karfin da ya girgiza kasa. Jim kadan wani irin karan kuma yazo, na kwofaton dawakai masu kara a kan itace. Ya kallesu a kasa sai ya gane suna sallaka gada ne; a karkasinsu ruwan karamin rafin kariya na gudu. Da gadan da a ke nadawa.
Thor ya fitar da kansa yaga manyan shingayen dutse, babban mashiga na karfe mai kusosi kuma a sama. Suna wucewa ta kofar fadar sarki ne.
Wannan ya kasance kofa mafi girma da yataba gani. Ya kalli kusosin a sama, yana mamakin idan sun sauko, zasu rabashi biyune. Ya hangi yan Silver guda hudu suna gadin mashigin, sai zuciyarsa ta fara bugawa da sauri kuma.
Sun wuce ta cikin wata doguwar loton dutse, sai bayan wani dan lokaci kadan sama ya budu kuma. Suna cikin fadan sarki ne.
Thor ya gagara yarda. Akwai Karin kaiwa da komowa ma anan, mai yiyuwa – adadi mai kama da dubban mutane, suna zirga zirga ko ta ina. Akwai dogayen lambunan ciyayi, kansu ayanke daidai, da fure suna girma kota ina. Hanyan ya kara fadi, kuma daga gefegefen akwai kananan kantuna, masu saya da sayarwa da gineginen dutse. Kuma a cikin duk wannan, mayakan sarki. Mayaka, sanye da kayan yaki. Thor yaci nasara.
A cikin murnarsa, yatashi da ganganci; yanatashi, sai amalanken tasaya cak, shi kuma ya fado da baya, ya sauko a kan bayansa a cikin ciyayin. Kafin yatashi, sai yaji karan sauke kofan itace, sai ya daga ido yaga wani dattijo da yariga yaji haushi, mai tsanko, yana sanye da tsummokara kuma yana dadaura fuska. Matukin amalanken ya mika hanu ciki, ya kamo Thor a idanun sahu da hannaye ramammu, sai yaja shi waje.
Thor yadagu sama, ya sauko da karfi akan bayansa bisa kan hanya mai datti, ya kuma ta da kura. Sai dariyan mutane yatashi a kewaye dashi.
“Nan gaba in ka hau amalanke na, yaro, zaka shiga turune! Ka ci sa’a da na kira yan Silver a yanzun!”
Dattijon ya juya ya tofa yawu, sanan ya koma amalankensa ya bugi dawanken amalanken suka fara tafiya.
Dajin kunya, Thor ya tara mutucinsa ya taso zuwa kafafuwansa. Ya kalli guri. Mutum daya ko biyu masu wucewa sukayi masa karamin dariya, Thor yayi wani iri da fuskarsa har su suka mayar da nasu wassu wuraren. Ya karkade dattin jikinsa ya kuma share hanayensa; mutuncinsa ya tabu, amma ba jikinsa ba.
Annashuwansa ya dawo yayinda ya keta kallon wuri, yanata mamaki, sai ya gano yakamata yayi murnan cewa akalla shi ya kai nan. Yanzu daya riga ya sauka daga amalanken zai iya kallon wurare a saukake, kuma kallon ya kasance basabamba: akewaye yake da dogayen, ginanun katangun dutse masu gajerun katangun kariya a samansu, wanda kuma a samansu duka, kota ina, mayakan sarki keta sintiri. Gabadaya a kewaye dashi akwai filayen ciyayi masu launin ganye, masu samun matukar kulawa, shagunan da aka gina da duwatsu, mabulbulai na ruwa, gungu gungun bishiyoyi. Nan birni ne. Kuma a cike yake da mutane.
Kota ina shigowa ire iren mutane suketayi – yan kasuwa, mayaka, manyan mutane – kowa yakuma kasance yana sauri. Ya dauki Thor wasu yan mintuna kafin yagane cewa wani abu na mussamman na faruwa. A yayinda ya cigaba da tattakawa, yaga anata shirye shirye – ana jera kujeru, ana shirya mumbari. Yayi kama da ana shirin aure ne.
Bugun zuciyarsa yaso ya saya a yayinda yaga, daga dan nesa, wata filin gasa, da yar doguwar hanyanta mai datti da igiyan jan daga. A kan wani filin, yaga mayaka sunata wurga mashi ga ma’aunoni da nisa; a wani kuma, masu kwari da baka suna auna ciyayi. Yayi kama da wasanni ne kota ina, amma na gasa. Akwai kuma wakoki: algaita da busa da ganguna, tari tarin mawaka suna kaiwa da kawowa; da barasa, manyan tuluna da ake gungurowa waje; da abinci, tebura da ake shiryawa, liyafa a jere har iya ganin ido. Kaman ya shigo ne a sakiyar wani gagarimin biki. Duk da wannan kayatarwan, Thor yaji matsuwa na ya nemi inda runduna take. Yanajin Kaman ya makara, kuma ya kamata ya nuna kansa.
ya hanzarta zuwaga mutum na farko day a gani, wani dattijo wanda yayi kama, daga kayansa mai jinni, da mahauci, wanda ke gangarawa hanyan agaggauce. Kowa a nan na cikin hanzari ne.
“Ji mana, yallabai,” Thor yace, yakamo hanunsa.
Mutumin yayi kallo kasa zuwaga hanun Thor da kiyayya.
“Menene, yaro?”
“Ina neman rundunan sarki. Kasan inda suke horo?”
“Nayi kama da hatimin gane hanya ne?” mutumin yayi tsaki, yatafi yana buga kafa a kasa.
Thor yaji wani iri da rashin hankalinsa.
Ya hanzarta zuwaga mutum mabiye dashi da yagani, wata mata mai markada filawa a kan wani dogon tebiri. Akwai mata dayawa a tebirin, dukufe da aiki, sai Thor yaji yakamata ace daya daga cikinsu ta sani.
“Ji mana, yan mata,” yace. “Ko kinsan inda yan rundunan sarki ke horo?”
Sun kalli juna suka yi dan dariya, wasuma a cikinsu da shekaru kadan suka girmeshi. Babban cikinsu ta juya ta kalleshi.
“Kana nema a inda baiyi daidai ba” ta bada amsa. “Anan muna shiryawa bukukuwan ne.”
“Amma ance mani suna horo a fadan sarki ne,” Thor yace, a rikice.
Matan sun sake fara dan karamin dariya. Babban ta daura hannayenta a kugunta ta girgiza kai.
“Kanayi Kaman wannan ne karonka na farko a cikin fadan sarki. Baka da masaniyan girman da yake dashi ne?”
Thor ya rikice yayinda shauran matan suka fara dariya, sai ya fara tafiya da haushi. Bai cika son ana masa tsiya ba.
A gabansa yaga hanyoyi Kaman goma sha biyu, amummurde kuma ajujjuye zuwa kota ina a fadan sarkin. Ararrabe a sakanin katangun duwatsun akwai akalla kofofi goma sha biyu. Girma da yanayin wannan wurin nada ban al’ajabi. Yana jin damuwan shi zai iyata nema na kwanaki bai samu ba.
Wani tunani yazo masa: tabattace mayaki zai san inda shauran ke horo. Yana kasa a gwiwa akan zuwaga ainihin mayakin sarki, amma ya gane dole ne yaje.
Ya juya ya hanzarta zuwa bangon, zuwaga mayakin dake tsaron mashigi mafi kusa, yana fatan cewa kar ya wurgashi waje. Mayakin ya staya a mike, yana kallon gabansa sambai.
“Ina neman rundunan sarki,” Thro yace, a tarin dukannin muryar hazakarsa.
Mayakin ya cigaba da kallon gabansa sambai, Kaman bai jishiba.
“Nace ina neman rundunan sarki!” Thor ya nace, da Karin sauti, da nufin lallai sai an san dashi.
Bayan yan dakikoki, mayakin ya kalleshi kasa kasa, kallon raini.
“Zaka iya gayamin inda yake?” Thor ya masa.
“Kuma menene damuwanka dasu?”
Wani muhimmin batu,” Thor ya mayar, da fata mayakin ba zai matsa masa ba.
Mayakin ya koma kallon gabansa sambai, yaki kulashi kuma. Thor yaji gabansa na faduwa, yana soron ba zai samu amsa ba.
Amma bayan lokaci mai kama da har abadan, mayakin ya mayar cewa: “Ka bi mashigi na gabas, sai ka mike arewa iya iyawanka. Sai ka shiga mashigi na uku a gefen hagu, sanan inda hanya ya rabu ka bi dama, a wani rabuwan kuma kabi dama. Ka shige ta lankwashashen saman mashigi na dutse, sai kaga wurin horonsu a gaba da mashigin. Amma ina mai gayamaka, kana bata lokacinka. Basu yin maraba da maziyarci.
Abinda Thor ya bukaci ji kenan kawai. Batareda jiran wani bugun zuciyarsa ba kuma, ya juya ya wuce filin a guje, yana bin kwatancen, yana maimaitasu a cikin kwakwalwarsa, yana kokarin tuna su. Ya ga rana ya haura sosai a sama, sai yafara adu’an kawai lokacida shi zai kai, kar ya zama ya makara.
*
Thor ya gangara tsabtatattun, hanyoyi da jeren kaura a dan guje, yana murduwa da juyawa a kan hanyansa na tafiya a cikin fadan sarki. Yayi iya kokarinsa na ganin yabi kwatancen, yana fatan ba batar dashi a ke yi ba. Daga can karshen harabar, yaga dukkanin mashigun, sai ya zabi na uku a gefen hagu. Ya shigeshi a guje sai yabi wurarenda hanyan ya rabu kamar yada a ka gaya masa, yana juyawa hanya bayan hanya. Yayi gudu yana fuskantan masu zuwa, dubban mutane masu kwararowa cikin birnin, taron nata karuwa a kowane minti. Ya goga kafadu da masu hura algaita, masu carafke, masu shaila da ire iren masu nishadantar da mutane, kowanne ya ci ado na musamman.
Thor ya gagara hakuri da tunanin a fara zabe batare dashiba, sai yanata kokarin ya tara hankalinsa a yayinda yake juyawa hanya bayan hanya, yana neman wani alama na filin horon. Ya wuce a karkashin wani lankwashashen saman mashigi, ya juya wata hanyar, sai ga, can da nisa, ya hangi abinda kawai zai iya zama inda ya nufa ne: dan karamin haraba, a gine da duwatsu a kewaye dai dai. Mayaka na tsaron katon mashigi dake sakiyarsa. Thor yaji dan ihu daga bayan katangunsa sai bugun zuciyarsa ya karu. Nan ne wurin.
Ya fita a guje, huhunsa a bude. Yayinda yakai mashigin, mayaka biyu sun matso gaba suka sauke su mashinsu, suka tare hanya dasu. Wani mayaki na uku ya maso gaba ya daga hanu daya.
“Saya a wurin,” ya bada umrni.
Thor ya daskare, yana numfashi sama sama, Kaman zai gagara boye murnarsa.
“Ba…zaka…ganeba,” ya sauke numfashi, kalmomi na fadowa daga bakinsa a sakanin numfashi, “Dole na kasance a ciki. Na makara.”
“Makara ma me?”
“Zaben.”
Mayakin, wani gajeren, mutum mai nauyi da zazzana a fata, ya juya ya kalli shauran, suma suna mayar da kallon rashin yarda. Ya juya ya kalli Thor daga sama zuwa kasa da wani kallon rashin yarda shima.
“An shigar da sabobin daukan tun sa’o’in da suka wuce, a safaran sarauta. Idan ba a gayyace ka ba, ba za ka shiga ba.”
“Amma ba ka ganeba. Dole ne na---”
Mayakin ya mika hanu ya kama gaban rigan Thor.
Kaine baka geneba, kai yaro mara kunya. Kai waye da zaka zo nan ka nemi shiga ko ta halin kaka? Yanzu katafi----kafin na saka a turu.
Ya ture Thor, wanda ya fada baya da taku dayawa.
Thor yaji Kaman harbi a cikin kirjinsa a inda hanun mayakin ya tabashi--- amma fiye da haka, yaji harbin an kishi. Yaji wannan rashin adalci ne. Bai iso har nan kawai domin wani mayaki yazo ya mayar dashi batare da ma anganshi bane. Ya daura zuciyan saishi ya shiga.
Mayakin ya juya zuwaga mutanensa, shi kuma Thor ya tafi, ya juya dama ya kewaya kewayayen ginin. Yana da wata shiri. Ya cigaba da tafiya har ya bace, sai ya fara dan gudu, yana bin jikin dangan. Ya duba domin ya tabbattar mayakan basu kallonsa, sai ya kara gudu sosai, daya kai rabin hanyan kewayan ginin ya hangi wata mashigin haraban---a can sama akwai lankwasassun budi a dutsen, a kare da sadunan karfe. Daya daga cikin wadannan budin ya rasa karafunansa. Yaji wani ihun, ya haura zuwaga dan belen, yayi kallo.
Bugun zuciyarsa ya karu. Ararrabe a cikin babban, kewayayyen wurin horon yaga dozin dozin na sabobbin dauka----har da yan’uwansa. Sun yi sahu, duk sun fuskanci yan Silver guda goma sha biyu. Mayakan sarkin suna tafiya a cikinsu, suna auna su da idanu.
Wata kungiyan sabobbin daukan kuma na saye daga gefe, karkashin kulawan wani mayaki, suna wurga mashoshi ga wani abun aunawa da nisa. Waninsu bai samu ma’aunin ba.
Hanyoyin jinin Thor sun kumbura da haushi. Shi zai iya harbin wadannan abin aunawan; shi gwanine Kaman kowanne daga cikinsu. Kawai domin sun girmeshi, kuma shi ya dan fisu kankanta, ba a yi adalci ba da a ka barshi a ka ki daukansa.
Basanmani, Thor yaji wata hanu a bayansa a yayinda hanun ta finciko shi zuwa ta baya ta kuma aika dashi a cikin iska. Ya fado da karfi a kasa, tare da rasa numfashi.
Ya kalli sama yaga mayakin bakin mashigin dazun, yana harararsa.
“Me na gaya maka, yaro?”
Kafin ya mayar da martini, mayakin yaja da baya ya harbi Thor da kafa kuma da karfi. Thor yaji wani hadadden kara a hakarkarinsa, a yayinda mayakin ke shirin sake bugashi.
Wannan lokacin, Thor ya kamo kafan mayakin a iska; ya finciko kafan, ya bata sayuwanshi sai yasa ya fado.
Thor ya taso zuwa kan kafafuwansa da sauri. A lokaci daya kuma, mayakin ma yatashi. Thor ya kalleshi, yana tsoron abinda shi ya aikata yanzu yanzu. A daya bangarensa, mayakin na huci da haushi.
“Ba kawai zan saka a turu ne kadai ba,” mayakin yace da rufafen baki, “har ma zan saka ka biya abinda kayi. Bawanda ya isa ya taba maitsaron fadan sarki! Ka manta da shiga runduna---yanzu zaka ruba a kurkuku! Zai zama babban sa’a in har an sake ganinka!”
Mayakin ya ciro wata sarka mai turu a karshen. Ya nufi Thor, da ramuko a nune a fuskarsa.
TunaninThor ya fara gudu. Ba zai iya yadda a sa shi a turu ba---duk da haka baya son ya jiwa wani daga cikin masu tsaron sarki. Dole yayi tunanin wani abu---kuma da gaggawa.
Sai ya tuna majajjabarsa. Hazakansa ya rigayeshi a yayin da ya kamoshi, yasa dutse, ya auna, sai ya sake dutsen.
Dutsen ya tafi a iska sai ya bige turun daga hanun mayakin dake cikin mamaki har yanzu; ya kuma samu yasun mayakin. Mayakin ya ja da baya yana girgiza hanunsa, yana ihu saboda zafi, a yayin da turun suka zuba a kasa.
Mayakin, tare da yiwa Thor kallo irin na mutuwa, ya fitar da takwafinsa. Takwafin yafito da ainihin, karan karfe.
“Wancan ya kasance kuskurenka na karshe,” yayi mumunan barazana, sai ya taso.
Thor bashi da wani zabi; wannan mutumin yaki ya barshi. Yasa wata dutsen a majajjabarsa ya wurga. Yayi awu da gangan---baya son ya kashe mayakin, amma dole ya sayar dashi. Saboda haka maimakon ya auni zuciyarsa, ko hanci, ko ido, ko kai, Thor ya auna wuri daya da yasan zai sayar dashi, amma ba zai kasheshi ba.
Tsakanin kafafuwan mayakin.
Ya saki dutsen ya bi iska---ba da dukkanin karfinsa ba, amma daidai abinda zai ka da mutumin.
Harbin ya kasance yaje dai dai.
Mayakin ya fado, yana mai sake takwafinsa, a yayinda ya kama kwalatansa ya fadi a kasa ya dunkulu Kaman kwallo.
“Zaka ratayu saboda wannan!” ya fadi acikin zafin ciwo. “Mayaka! Mayaka!”
Thor ya daga kai yaga daga dan nesa dayawan masu tsaron gidan sarki sun nufe shi.
A yanzu ne kokuma har abada.
Ba tare da bata wani lokaci ba kuma, ya ruga a guje zuwa bakin taga. Dole ya sallaka ta cikin tagan, zuwa cikin haraban, ya nuna kansa. Kuma zai yaki duk wani wanda ya tare masa hanya.
SURA NA BIYAR
MacGil na zaune a zauren sama na gidan sarautansa, a zauren taro da ‘yan kusa dashi, wanda yake amfani dashi wurin lammuran kansa. Ya zauna a kujeran sarauta da yake so sosai, wannan an kera shi daga itace, yana kallon yaranshi hudu da suke tsaye a gabansa. Akwai babban dansa, Kendrick, mai shekaru ashirin da biyar jan gwarzo kuma kamilin mutum. Shi, a cikin duk yaransa, yafi kama da MacGil---wanda ya kasance abin mamaki, tuda dan cikin shege ne, da daya tilo da MacGil ya aifa da wata mata a waje, matarda ya dade da mantawa da ita. MacGil ya raini Kendrick da asalin yan halak dinsa, duk da kokekoken sarauniya daga farkon lamarin, akan alkawarin ba zai taba hawa sarautan ba. Wannan naci wa MacGil tuwo a kwarya yanzu, tunda Kendrick ya kasance namiji mai kyau na farko da yasani, yaron da yake alfaharin shi ne ya haifeshi. Da ba wani yariman da zai fishi cancantuwa da mulkin masarautar.
Banda shi, sabanin wannan, haifafen dansa na biyu ya saya—amma dan halak dinsa na fari—Gareth, shekaru ashirin da uku, siriri, da fadadun kumatu da manyan idanu masu launin kasa da basu taba daina motsi. Halinsa ba zai iya banbanta da na yayansa fiye da haka ba. Yanayin Gareth ya kasance duk abinda na Kendrick bai kasance ba: a yayinda yayansa ke fito wa fili, Gareth na da boye tunaninsa na asali; a yayin da yayansa keji dakansa da kuma kama kai, Gareth nada rashin gaskiya da yaudara. Yakan daga wa MacGil hankali yaki dansa, kuma yayita kokari sau barketai ya gyara yanayinsa; amma bayan wani matsayi a shekarun kuruciyan yaron, ya hakura da cewa haka kaddaran yaron yake: kulle kulle, kwadayin mulki da buri ta hanyoyin da suka saba. Gareth kuma, MacGil ya sani, baya sha’awan mata, kuma yanada masoya maza dayawa. Wasu sarakunan da sun kore irin wannan dan, amma MacGil yafi ganewa, kuma a wurinsa, wannan bai kai dalilin da zai sa shi ya ki dansa ba. Baya masa hukunci a kan wannan. Abinda yake masa hukunci akai shine yanayin mugunta, da kulle kullen da yake dashi, wanda ya kasance abinda ba zai iya juya wa baya ba.
A jere a gefen Gareth akwai haifefiyar diyar MacGil na biyu, Gwendolyn. Wanda kwananan ta kai shekaru goma sha shida, ta kasance da kyaun da yayi daidai da duk wani wanda ya taba gani da idanunsa—kuma yanayinta yafi suranta haskakawa. Tanada kirki, bude hanu, gaskiya---budurwa mafi kyau da ya taba sani. Ta wannan hanyan, daya take da Kendrick. Ta kalli MacGil da soyayyar diya zuwaga mahaifinta, kuma yakan ji goyon bayanta gareshi a kowane kallo da ta masa. Ya mafi alfahari da ita a kan yaransa maza.
A saye a gefen Gwendolyn akwai dan autan MacGil namiji, Reece, matashin yaro mai ji da kansa kuma mai annashuwa, a shekaru goma sha hudu, ya fara zama namiji. MacGil ya kalla da farin ciki shigarsa runduna, kuma har ya fara hangan irin mutumin da zai juya ya zama. Wata rana, MacGil bashi da kwokwanto, Reece zai zama dansa mafi kyau, kuma babban shugaba. Amma wannan ranan ba yanzu bane. Shi yaro ne a yanzu, kuma yana bukatan sanin abubuwa dayawa.
MacGil na jin yanayi kalakala a yayin kallon yaransa duka hudu, yaransa maza uku da namace daya, a saye a gabansa. Yana jin alfahari a gauraye da bankasawa. Ya kuma ji fushi da haushi, saboda yaransa biyu basu kasance a nan ba. Babban cikinsu, diyarsa Luanda, tabattace na shirya wa aurenta, kuma tunda auren zai kaita wata masarautane, bata da wani alaka da wannan tattaunawan magada. Amma daya dansa, Godfrey, a shekaru goma sha takwas na sakiyan, bayanan. MacGil yaji haushin rashin amsa kiran.
Tun yana yaro, Godfrey ke nuna wa sarauta rashin daraja; a tabbace yake cewa bai damu da sarautaba kuma ba zai taba hawa mulki ba. Kuma, babban rashin jindadin MacGil, ya kasance zabi Godfrey na yin wasa da ranakun rayuwarsa a gidajen barasa da abokanai marasa nisuwa, wanda yake jawo wa gidan sarautan Karin jin kunya da rashin mutunci. Yakasance ragwo, yana barci a mafi yawan sakar ranaku ya kuma cikita shaurar ranan da shan barasa. A daya bangaren, MacGil ya dan sake saboda rashin kasancewarsa; a dayan kuma, cin fuska da ba zai yadda dashiba. Ya kasance, dama, yana sa ran hakan na iya faruwa, sai ya aiki mayakan sa su tace gidajen barasa su kawoshi. MacGil ya zauna shuru, yana jira, sai sun kawoshi.
Dagakarshe babban kofar oak din ta budu sai ga masu tsaron fadan suna takowa ciki, sunsa Godfrey a sakaninsu. Sun hankadoshi, sai Godfrey yayi tangal tangal zuwa cikin dakin ayayinda suka rufe kofan a bayansa.
Kannensa maza da namace sun juyo suna kallo da buddadun idanu. Godfrey acikin halin ko’oho, na warin barasa, ba gyaran fuska kuma rabi a tube. Ya mayar da murmushi. Da rasin hankali. Kaman yadda aka saba.
“Barka, Baba,” Godfrey yace. “Nishadin ya wucenine?”
“Zaka saya da yan’uwanka ka jira sai nayi Magana. In kaki, Allah ya taimakeka, zan daureka da sarka a cikin kurkuku da shauran talakawan yan kurkuku, kuma ba zaka ga abinciba---balle barasa---na kwana uku gabadaya.”
Darashinji, Godfrey ya mayar da kallo ido abude sosai ga mahaifinsa. A wannan kallon, MacGil ya gano wani ma’ajiyin, wani gado daga gareshi, hasken wani abu da watakila wata rana zaiyiwa Godfrey anfani sosai. Hakan zai zama, in har ya iya barin wannan yanayinsan.
Dan tawaye nakinkari, Godfrey ya jira na dakikoki goma masu kyau kafin yabi umurni yayi tafiyan ganin dama zuwa ga shauran.
MacGil yayiwa yara biyar dake gabansa kallo mai kyau: dan cikin shegen, mai dabam da kowan, mashayin, diyarsa da kuma dan autansa. Hadin da baiyi daidai bane, yarda cewa duk sun fito daga jikinsane yaso yamasa wuya. Kuma a yanzu, a ranan auren babbar diyarsa, alhakin ya fado kansa ya zabi yarima daga wanan tarin. Tayaya hakan zai yiwu?
Wannan yakasance aikin banzane; bayan ma, shima yana kuruciyansane kuma zai iya mulki har shekaru talatin nan gaba. In ta dauro duk yariman da ya zaba ba zai hau sarautanba nan da shekaru dayawa. Al’adan ma gabadaya bai masa ba. Watakila tayi amfani a zamanin mahaifansa, amma batada mazauni a yanzu.
Ya gyara murya.
“Mun taru anan yau saboda wata bukatan al’ada. Kaman yadda kuka sani, a yau, a ranan auren babbar diya, hakkin ya fada akaina na zabi magaji. Yariman da zai gaji mukin masarautan nan. Inda zan mutu, babu wanda yafi cancanta yayi mulki Kaman mahaifiyarku. Amma dokokin masarautarmu sun tanadi cewa sai haifafen dan sarki ne zai iya cin gadon sarauta. Sabodahaka, dole na zaba.”
MacGil ya riki numfashinsa, yana tunani. Wani shuru ya mamaye wurin, kuma yanajin inda wurin ya cika da nauyin zalama. Ya kalli cikin idanuwansu, yaga yanayi dabamdabam a kowanne. Dancikin shegen ya rungumi kaddara, saboda yasan ba za a zabeshiba. Idanun mai dabam da kowa sun cika da buri, Kaman yana jiran zaben ya fada kansa saboda haka ya kamata. Mashayin na kallon waje ta taga, bai damuba. Diyarsa na mayar da kallo cike da soyyaya, da sanin cewa ita ba wani bangaren wannan tattaunawan bane, amma duk da haka take son mahaifinta. Hakama dan autansa.
“Kendrick, nakan daukeka a matsayin assalin da tunda. Amma dokokin masarautanmu sun hanani mika wa duk wanda asalinsa yadan kasa sarautan nan.”
Kendrick kai a sunkuye yace. “Baba, bansaran zaka yi hakaba. Na gamsu da abinda Allah yamani. Narokeka kar wannan ya daga maka hankali.”
Hankali MacGil ya tashi da amsarsa, yaji cewa zuciyarsa ya fada da gaskiya kuma wannan yasashi jin Karin Kaman ya nadashi a yariman.
Shauran ku hudu kenan. Reece, kai matashine mai kyau, mafi kyawun da na taba gani. Amma girmanka yadan kasa wa wannan tattaunawan.”
“Haka nima nake tunani, Baba,” Reece ya mayar, da karamin sunkuyar da kai.
“Godfrey, kai dayane daga cikin asalin yara na maza uku---duk da haka kazabi kasha ranakunka a gidan barasa, da najasa. Kasamu duk wani zarafi na rayuwa, kuma ka barnatar da duka. Idan inada wata danasani a rayuwana, to kai ne.”
Godfrey ya mayar da kallo da gwayewan ido, yagagara nitsuwa wuri daya.
“To, dai, ina ganin nagama a nan, zan koma gidan barasa, ko bahakaba, Baba?”
Da sunkuyar kai da sauri, na raini, Godfrey ya juya ya fara fita a dakin.
“Ka dawo nan!” MacGil yayi ihu. “YANZU!”
Godfrey yacigaba da tafiya, Kaman bai jishiba. Ya sallaka dakin yaja kofan ya bude. Masu tsaro biyu suna saye a kofan.
MacGil ya kumbura da haushi a yayinda masu tsaron ke kallonsa da idanun tamabaya.
Amma Godfrey bai jiraba; ya bangari sakaninsu ya wuce, zuwa cikin budadiyar haraba.
“Ku tsareshi!” MacGil yafada da babban murya. “Kuma karku yarda sarauniya ta ga hakan. Bana son mahaifiyarsa da tunanin yadda taganshi a ranar auren diyarta.”
“To, maigida,” sukace, suka rufe kofar a yayinda suka hanzarta suka bishi.
MacGil ya zauna a wurin, yana numfashi, idanunsa jazur, yana kokarin ya kwantar da hankali. A karo na Kaman dubu yayi tunanin laifinda shi yayi aka sakamasa da irin wannan dan.
Ya dawo kallon shauran yaransa. Dukansu hudu sun mayar da kallo zuwa gareshi, suna jira acikin shuru mai nauyin. MacGil yaja numfashi mai zurfi, yana kokarin hada hankalinsa wuri daya.
“Shauran ku biyu kenan,” ya cigaba. “Kuma daga ku biyun, na riga na zabi magaji.”
MacGil ya juya zuwa ga diyarsa.
“Gwendolyn, zai kasance ke ne.”
Ko ina yayi sit a dakin; yaransa duk sun ji mamaki, musamman ma Gwendolyn.
“Kayi magana daidai kuwa, Baba?” Gareth ya tambaya. “Gwendolyn kace?”
“Baba, ka girmamani,” Gwendolyn tace. “Amma bazan karba ba. Ni namace ce.”
“Gaskiya, namace bata taba zama akan sarautan dangin MacGil ba. Amma na hada zuciya na akan lokaci yayi da za a canja al’ada. Gwendolyn, zucinyanki da ruhunki sun kasance mafi kyawunda na taba gani a jikin budurwan da na taba sani. Kina kuruciya, amma in Allah ya yarda, bazan mutu a yanzu ba, kuma kafin lokacin yazo, basirarki da hikimarki zasu kai na yin mulki. Masarautan zai zama naki.
“Amma Baba!” Gareth yayi ihu, fuskarsa a daure. “Nine danka na halak na farko! A ko dayaushe, a tarihin dangin MacGil gaba daya, sarauta zuwaga babban da yake zuwa!”
“Nine sarki,” MacGil ya amsa kwasam, “ni nake kirkiro al’ada.”
“Amma ba a yi adalci ba!” Gareth ya nemi ahuwa, muryarsa na girgiza. “Ni yakamata na zama sarki. Ba yar’uwana ba. Ba namace ba!”
“Yishuru da bakinka, yaro!” MacGil yayi ihu, yana girgiza da haushi. “Ka isa ka ja da hukunci na?”
“Ana hana ni saboda namace kenan? Haka tunaninka akaina yake?”
“Nariga na fadi ra’ayi na,” MacGil yace. “Zaka mutunta ra’ayin kuma kayi ladabi cikin binsa, Kaman kowa a cikin masarautana. Yanzu, duk kuna iya barin wurina.”
Yaransa sun dan sunkuyar da kawunansu da sauri suka fita a dakin agagauce.
Amma Gareth ya saya a kofa, ya gagara kawo kansa ga fita.
Ya juyo, sai, shi kadai, ya fuskanci mahaifinsa.
MacGil naganin rashin cikan buri a fuskarsa. A fili yake, ya sammani a kirashi magaji a yau. Harma: yana son hakan. Da zalama. Abinda bai bawa MacGil mamaki ba kokadan---wannan nema dalilin da yasa bai zabeshi ba.
“Mai yasa ka tsaneni, Baba?” ya tambaya.
“Ban tsaneka ba. Ina ganin baza ka iya mulkin masarautana bane kawai.”
“Kuma domin me kenan?” Gareth ya dada dannawa.
Saboda ainihin abida kake nema kenan.”
Fuskan Gareth ya juya baki. A zahiri, MacGil ya bashi labarin yanayinsa na ainihi. MacGil ya kulada idanunsa, yaga suna nuna kiyayyan da shi bai taba sammani ba masa.
Batare da wata kalma ba kuma, Gareth ya bar dakin yana buga kafafumwansa a kasa ya rufe kofa da karfi a bayansa.
A girgizan bayan hakan, MacGil ya girgiza. Ya sake tuna hararar dansa sai ya gane akwai kiyayya mai zurfi, wanda yafi na abokan gabansa ma zurfi. A wannan lokacin, yayi tunanin Argon, yayi tunanin maganansa daya fada, na kusancin hatsari.
Kusanci zai iya zama Kaman haka ne?
SURA NA SHIDA
Thor ya wuce fadin haraban da gudu, yana gudu da dukan ikonsa. A bayansa yana jin takun masu tsaron fadan sarki, a kurkusa dashi. Sun bishi duk fadin fili mai zafi da kuran, suna tsinuwa yayin binshi. A gabansa akwai ‘ya’yan runduna—da sabobin dauka—na rundunan mayaka, dozin dozin na yara maza, kamansa, amma sun fishi shekaru da girma. Suna kan horo kuma ana gwadasu a yanayi iri iri, wasu suna wurga mashi, wasu na wurga jabilin, kadan suna koyon kama mashin. Suna auna ma’aunai daga nesa, batare da rashin samun ma’aunain dayawa ba. Wadanan ne abokan gasansa, kuma sun yi kama da wadanda kayar dasu zai yi wuya.
A cikinsu akwai manyan mayaka, ‘ya’yan Silver, sun hada rabin zobe akewaye suna kalon karawa. Suna alkalanci. Suna yanka hukuncin waye za a zaba kuma waye zai koma gida.
Thor yasan dole ya nuna kansa, ya samu yabon wadanan mutanen. Cikin dan lokaci masu tsaron zasu kai gareshi, kuma idan zai samu zarafin nuna kansa, to a yanzu ne. Amma ta yaya? Zuciyarsa nata kaiwa da komowa ayayinda ya wuce sakiyar haraban a guje, yana da muradin lallai kar a kore shi.
A yayinda Thor ke gudu a filin, shauran sun fara kula. Wasu daga sabobin daukan sun daina abinda sukeyi suka juyo, kamar yada wasu mayan mayakan sukayi suma. Cikin dan lokaci, Thor yaji hankalin kowa a kansa. Yanayinsu ya nuna mamaki, sai yagane watakila suna mamakin ko shi wayene, yana fasa sakiyar haraban, masu tsaron guda uku suna binshi. Wannan bashine yanda yaso ya nuna kansa ba. Duk rayuwarsa, ya kasance yana mafarkin shiga runduna, amma bai taba fatan ya faru haka ba.
Ayayinda Thor ke gudu, yana tunanin abinyi, matakin da yakamata ya bayanu masa karara. Wani katon yaro, sabon dauka, ya dauki nauyin nuna kansa wa shauran ta dalilin sayar da Thor. Dogo, da jijiyoyi kota ina, ya kusan ribanya girman Thor sau biyu, ya daga takwafin itace domin ya tare wa Thor hanya. Thor yaga lallai yayi muradin kadashi, yayi masa tsiya a gaban kowa, yakuma samawa kansa yabo akan shauran sabobin daukan.
Wannan ya bawa Thro haushi. Thor bashi da damuwa da wannan yaron, kuma ba yakin yaron bane. Amma yaron ya maida yakin nasa, kawai domin samun yabo a kan shauran.
Daya maso kusa, girman yaron ya bawa Thor mutukar mamaki: yafishi sayi sosai, a rufe da bakin gashi mai kauri daya rufe goshinsa, da kuma mafi girman, habba da Thor ya taba gani. Bai ga hanyan da shi zai bi yayiwa yaron nan ko dan illa ba.
Yaron ya nufoshi da takwafin itacensa, kuma Thor yagane cewa idan shi baiyi wani abudu da sauri ba, za a sumar dashi.
Zafin naman Thor sai ya rigayeshi. Ya ciro majajjabarsa, ya kwanta baya, sai ya harbo dutse ga hanun yaron. Dutsen ya samu inda ya auna ya bige takwafin daga hanun yaron, daf da zai kawo hanu kasa ya bige Thor. Takwafin ya tafi a iska kuma yaron, yana ihu, ya rike hanunsa.
Thor bai bata wani lokaci ba. Ya taso, yana amfani da zarafin lokacin, yayi tsalle sama a iska, ya harbi yaron da kafa, ya binne duka kafafuwansa a mike a gabansa zuwaga kirjin yaron daidai. Amma kaurin yaron yasa, yayi Kaman harbin itacen gamji da kafa ne. Yaron ya koma da baya da wasu incina ne kawai, ayayinda shi kuma Thor ya gagara yin gaba sai ya durkusa a kafofin yaron.
Wannan ba alama mai kyau bane, Thor yayi tunani, yayinda yafado da wani kara, kunnuwansa na buga kararrawa.
Thor yayi kokarin tashi, amma yaron ya rigashi. Ya mika hanu kasa, ya riko Thor daga baya, yayi wurgi dashi, yatafi a iska, ya fado da fuska, a cikin dauda.
Gungun yara maza suka taru da sauri akewaye dasu Kaman zobe kuma suna ihu. Thor ya girigiza, yaji kunya.
Thor ya juya domin ya tashi, amma saurin yaron yayi yawa. Yariga ya kasance a samanshi, yana danneshi. Kafin Thor yasan wani abu, abin ya zama gasan kokuwa, kuma nauyin yaron na dayawa.
Thor najin ihun shauran sabobin daukan ayayinda suka kewayesu Kaman zobe, suna ihu, suna kwadayin a zub da jinni. Fuskan yaron ya nuna haushi da ya kalleshi a kasa; yaron ya miko manyan yatsunsa ya cusa a idanun Thor. Thor ya gagara yarda---kaman yaron na ainihin son yajimasa ciwo. Neman yabonsa har yakai na haka ne?
A dakika na karshe, Thor yakauda kansa, hannayen yaron suka wuce a iska, suka binnu a cikin dauda. Thor yayi amfani da zarafin ya gungure ya fita daga karkasin yaron.
Thor ya mike kan kafafuwansa ya fuskanci yaron, wanda shima ya tashi. Yaron ya taso yana neman fuskan Thor, sai Thor ya kauce a dakika na karshe; hucin naushin ya wuce a fuskarsa, sai yagane da naushin yaron yasameshi, da ya karyamasa dashashi. Thor ya mika hanu sama ya naushi yaron a makogoro, amma bai masa komai ba; Kaman nausan bishiya ne.
Kafin Thor yasake mayar da martini, yaron ya dokeshi a fuska da gwiwar hanu.
Thor ya koma da baya, yayi tangal tangal zuwa baya daga naushin. Naushin ya kammaci bugun guduma, kuma kunnuwansa sun fara karan kararawa.
Yayinda Thor ke tangal tangal, yana neman ya mayar da numfashi daidai, yaron ya taso ya doke shi a kirji da kafa. Thor yatafi da baya a iska ya zubo a kasa, ya sauka da baya. Shauran yaran suna tafe da ihu.
Thor, dajiri, ya fara tashi zuwa ga zama, amma yaron ya kuma tasowa, yajuya, yasake naushinsa, da karfi a fuska, yasake kadashi gabaya a kan bayansa---kuma akaye har Abadan.
Thor ya kwanta a wurin, yana jin ihun shauran yaran, yanajin dandanon gishiri na jinni daga jininda yake fito daga hancinsa, da zanenda yamasa a fuska. Yayi kuka saboda zafin ciwo. Ya dubi sama yaga katon yaron ya juya ya fara tafiya zuwaga abokanensa, yariga ya fara mrunan samun nasaransa.
Thor yaso ya hakura. Yaron nan katone, fada dashi aikin banza ne, kuma shima horon ta isa haka. Amma wani abu a cikin jikinsa nata ingizashi. Ba zai hakura da rashin nasara ba. Ba a gaban duka wadanan mutanen ba.
Kada ka hakura. Ka tashi. Ka tashi!
Thor ya taro karfi ya lallaba dai. Yana gurnani, ya juya ya hau kan kafafuwa da gwiwowinsa, sai, ahankali, ya saya kan kafafuwansa. Ya fuskanci yaron, jinni na zuba daga jikinsa, idanunsa a kumbure, baya gani da kyau, yana numfashi sama sama, sai ya dago kunshin dambensa.
Katon yaron ya juyo ya kalli Thor a kasa. Ya girgiza kai a dalilin mamaki.
“Da ka kwanta shuru, yaro,” yayi barazana, ayayinda ya fara zuwaga thor kuma.
“YA ISA!” wani murya yayi ihu. “Elden, ka kwance damara!”
Wani gwanin mayaki yayi zuwan bazata, ya shiga sakaninsu, ya mika hanu yana hana Eden masowa kusa da Thor. Taron mutanen sun yi shuru, ayayinda duk suke kallon gwanin mayakin; a bayyane yake cewa wanan mutum ne da ake baiwa biyayya.
Thor ya kalli sama, yana mamakin kasancewan gwanin yakin. Shekarunsa na ishrin da wani abu, mai sayi, da kafadu masu fadi, kewayayyen haba, da mai launin kasa, na daga mafi samun kulan gashi. Nan da nan Thor yaji shi yana sonsa. Kayan adon yakinsa mafi asali, kayan tsarka da akayi daga azurfa mai kyalli, na rufe da alamun gidan sarauta: alaman shurwa na dangin MacGil. Wuyan Thor ya bushe: yana saye a gaban dan gidan sarauta ne. Ya gagara yarda da haka.
“Kayi bayanin kanka, yaro,” yacewa Thor. “Yaya ka shigo mana cikin haraba ba gayyata?”
Kafin Thor ya mayar da wani martini, kwassam, masu tsaron fadan sarki ukun suka shigo zoben. Magabacin mai tsaron ya saya a wurin, yana numfashi samasama, yana nuna Thor da yasa.
“Yaki bin umrninmu!” mai tsaron yayi ihu. “Zan sashi a turu na kuma kaishi kurkukun sarki!”
“Banyi wani laifi ba!” Thor ya nuna rashin amincewa.
“Kokasani?” mai tsaron yayi ihu. “Shiga wani kadaran sarki ba tare da gayyata ba?”
“Abinda naso insamu kawai zarafine!” Thor ma yayi ihu, ya juya, yana rokon gwanin mayakin dake gabansa, dan dangin sarautan. “Abinda nasosamu kawai shine zarafin shiga runduna!”
“Wannan haraban horon na gayyatatu ne kawai, yaro,” inji wani murya mai fadi.
Wani gwarzo ya shigo cikin zoben, da shekaru hamsin da, mai fadi kuma dunkulalle, da tsanko a kansa, gajeren gemu, da tabon ciwo da ya wuce ta kan hancinsa. Yayi Kaman ya kasance gwanin mayaki duk rayuwansa---kuma daga alamun jikin kayansa, kusan gwal dake kirjinsa, Kaman shine babban mai bada ummurni. Bugun zuciyan Thor ya karu da yagansa: Babban janar.
“Ba a gayyaceni ba, maigida,” Thor yace. “Wannan gaskiyane. Amma mafarkina a gaba dayan rayuwana shine in kasance a nan. Ina bukatan zarafine kawai na nuna maka abinda zan iyayi. Ina da iyawa Kaman kowanne a cikin wadanan sabobin daukan. Kabani zarafi daya kawai domin na tabattar da hakan. Yi hakuri. Shiga runduna shine abu daya tilo da naketa mafarkinsa.
“Wannan filin dagan bana masu mafarki bane, yaro,” martaninsa na tsiya yazo. “Wuri ne na mafadata. Babu sasauci a dokokinmu: sabbin shiga zabensu akeyi.
Janar din yayi nuni da kai, sai mai tsaron fadan ya nufi Thro, a rike da turu.
Amma ba zato gwanin mayakin, dan dangin sarautan, ya maso gaba ya daga hanunsa, ya tare mai tsaron.
“Watakila, a wannan karon, za a iya rangwame,” yace.
Mai tsaron ya daga ido ya kalleshi da mamaki, azahirance yanason yayi Magana, amma ya zama dole yayi shuru saboda biyayya ga dan gidan sarauta.
“Ina son yanayin ruhinka, yaro,” gwanin mayakin ya cigaba. “Kafin mukoreka, zanso naga abinda zaka iyayi.”
“Amma Kendrick, munada dokokinmu---” janar din yace, azahiri bai ji dadi ba.
“Dangin sarauta ke yin dokokin,” Kendrick ya amsa da karfin murya, “kuma rundunan na biyayya ne ga dangin sarauta.”
“Muna biyayya ga mahaifinka, sarki---ba kai ba,” janar din yamusanta, yana kuma jayayya.
Akwai babban ja, wuri yayi kauri da rashin tabbas. Thor ya gagara yarda da abinda shi ya tayar.
“Nasan mahaifina, kuma nasan abinda zaiso. Zaiso ya baiwa wannan yaron wani gwaji. Kuma abinda zamuyi kenan.”
Janar din bayan lokaci na rashin tabbas kadan, abisani ya hakura.
Kendrick ya juyo zuwaga Thor, idanunsa a kulle akan nashi, da launin kasa kuma akure, idanun yarima, amma na jarumi kuma.
“Zan baka zarafi,” ya gayawa Thor.”Mugani idan zaka iya samun wancan shaidan awun.”
Yayi nuni zuwaga wani tarin cayayi can da nisa a filin, da dan karamin, jan digo a sakiyarsa. Su mashi dayawa a kafe a cikin ciyayin, amma ba ko daya a cikin jan digon.
“Idan zaka iyayin abinda ba wanda ya iyayi a cikin shauran yaran---idan zaka iya samun jan shaidan---to zaka iya shiga cikinmu.”
Gwanin mayakin ya koma gefe, kuma Thor najin idanunsa a kansa.
Ya hangi matattarin mashu ya kuma kallesu a nise. Suna da kyawun da bai taba ganiba, anyisu daga dunkulalen itacen gamji, an kuma samasu mafi kyawun fata. Zuciyarsa nata bugawa yayinda yayiwo gaba, yana share jinin hancinsa da bayan hanunsa, yana barin da bai taba yi a rayuwarsa ba. Tabbattace. Ana bashi aikinda kusan bazai taba yiyuwa bane. Amma dole ne yayi kokari.
Thor ya mika hanu ya zabi mashi, ba doguwa ba, kuma ba gajeruwa ba. Ya ji nauyinta a hanunsa—nada nauyi, da dan dama. Ba Kaman wayanda yake amfani dasu a gida ba. Amma yajishi daidai shima. Yaji cewa maiyiwuwa, maiyiwuwa kawai, shi ya auni jan digon daidai. Tunda ma, wurga mashi ne abinda yafi gwanacewa a ciki, bayan wurga duwatsu, kuma yawan ranakun yawo a daji ya bashi abubuwan aunawa dayawa. Ya saba da yasamu abubuwan da suka auna idanma yayunsa suka gagara.
Thor ya rufe idanunsa ya kuma ja numfashi. Idan bai samuba, masu tsaron fadan sarkin zasu dira a kansa su kaishi kurkuku---sai zarafin shiga runduna ya zama masa tarihi har abada. Wannan lokacin ke rike da mafarkunsa na tuntunda.
Ya roki Allah da duk abubuwanda yakedashi.
Batareda jinkiriba, Thor ya bude idanunsa, yayi taku biyu zuwa gaba, ya kwanta baya, ya wurga mashin.
Yarike numfashinsa a yayinda ya kalli mashin na tafiya a iska.
Mashin ya yanki shuru, mai kaurin, kuma Thor yaji darurukan idanun dake kallonsa.
Sai, bayan wani dadadden lokaci, sai ga wata kara, batantama karan mashi na huda ciyawa. Thor baima kalla ba. Ya sani, ya sanine kawai, awu ne daidai. Daga yanayin mashinne a lokacinda yabar hanunsa, lankwasan wuyan hanunsa, daya gaya masa cewa zai samu abin awun daidai.
Thor yayi kasadan kallo---ya gani, da babban sakewa, cewa gaskiya ne. mashin ya samu wuri a sakiyan jan digon—mashi kadai dake cikin wurin. Yayi abinda ya gagari shauran sabin dauka.
Shurun mamaki ya mamayeshi, ayayinda yan shauran sabin daukan---da gwanayen mayakan—duk suna masa kallon yan kauye.
Daga karshe, Kendrick ya maso gaba ya buga Thor a hankali a baya da tafin hanunsa, da karan gamsuwa. Yayi murmushi da fadi.
“Na yi gaskiya,” yace. “Zaka saya!”
“Me, ubangidana!” mai tsaron fadan sarki yayi ihu. “Wannan ba adalci bane! Wannan yaron ya iso ba gayyata!”
“Ya samu wannan abun awun. Wannan ma ishahsen gayyata ne a wuri na.”
“Yafi shauran rashin shekaru da kankanta da rata mai yawa. Wannan ba rundunan masu fisarin kwance bane,” janar din yace.
“Gwamma mani dan karamin mayaki da zai samu duk abinda ya auna da babban dolon da ba zai samu ba,” gwanin mayakin ya mayar.
“Wurgin sa’a!” yaronda suka tashi fada da Thor yayi ihu. “Inda muma zamu samu kari wasu zarafi, zamu sami abin awun, muma!”
Gwanin mayakin ya juyo ya kalli yaron da yayi ihun a kasa.
“Zaka iya?” ya tambaya. “Zan iya ganinka kayi a yanzu? Mu daura zamanka a nan a kan musun?”
Yaron, arikice, ya saukar da kansa a cikin kunya, azahiri baya son yayi musun.
“Amma wannan yaron bako ne,” janar yayi jayayya. “Bamu ma san inda ya fito ba.”
Duka shauran sun juya suga wanda yayi Magana, amma ba sai Thor ya juya ba---ya gane muryan. Muryanda ya damu yarantansa gaba daya ne. muryan babban wansa: Drake.
Drake yayiwo gaba da shauran yan’uwansa biyu, suna hararan Thor da kallon rashin yarda.
“Sunansa Thorgrin, dan zuriyan McCleod na gundumar kudancin masarautar gabas. Shine dan autan yara hudu. Duk mun fito gida daya ne. Yana kiwon tumakin mahaifinmu ne!”
Gabadaya tarin yara maza da gwanayen mayakan suka fashe da dariya.
Thor yaji fuskarsa yazama jazur; Kaman zai mutu a lokacin. Bai taba jin kunya Kaman haka ba. Yanayin dan’uwansa kenan, ya dinga karbe masa lokutan yabonsa, ya dinga yin duk abinda zai yiwu domin kaskantar dashi.
“Kiwon tumaki, yakeyi?” janar ya tambaya.
“To abokan gabanmu tabattace zasu kauce masa!” wani yaron yayi ihu.
Wani fashewa da dariyan ta taso, kunyanda Thor keji ya karu.
“Ya isa!” Kendrick yayi ihu, da karfi.
Ahankali, dariyan ya saya.
“Gwamma mani mai kiwon tumaki da zai saiti abin awu a ko da yaushe fiye da yawanciku—da suka iya dariya, amma kusan babu wani abinda kuka iya kuma banda shi,” Kendrick ya kara.
Da wannan, wani shuru ya sauko wa yara mazan, wadanda suka daina dariya.
Thor ya godewa Kendrick har abada. Ya sha alwashin mayarmasa ta duk hanyan da ya iya. Kodama mainene ya faru da Thor, wannan mutumi ya, akalla, mayar masa da mutuncinsa.
“Bakasanibane, yaro, cewa ba yanayin jarumi bane yayi gulman abokanensa ba—balle ma danginsa, jinin sa?” gwanin mayakin ya tambayi Drake.
Drake ya kalli kasa, arikice, daya daga cikin lokuta masu karanci da Thor yaganshi a wargaje.
Wani daga cikin yan’uwansa, Dross, ya maso gaba yayi tawaye: “Amma ba a ma zabi Thor ba. Mu aka zaba. Ya biyo mu nan ne kawai.
“Bana binku,” Thor ya nace, akarshe shima yayi Magana. “Nakasance anan domin runduna. Ba domin ku ba.”
Babu muhimmanci a dalilin kasancewarsa a ana,” janar din yace, da haushi, ya maso gaba. “Yana bata wa dukanmu lokaci. Hakane, wurgin mashinsa yayi kyau, amma duk da haka ba zai shiga cikinmu ba. Bashi da gwanin mayaki da zai saya masa, kuma ba mai rakiyanda zai hada kai dashi.”
“Zan hada kai dashi,” wani murya ya kirayo.
Thor ya juya, tare da shauran. Yayi mamakin ganin, a saye wasu taku dagashi, yaro mai daidai shekarunsa, wanda ainihin yayi kama dashi, sai dai da farin gashi da idanu masu kyalli da launin ganye, sanye da mafi kyawun kayan yakin yan sarauta: kullin tsarka a rufe da alamu masu launin malmo da bakake---wani dan dangin sarki.
“Ba zai yiwuba,” janar yace. “Dangin sarauta basu hada kai da talakawa.”
“Zan yi yadda na zaba,” yaron ya mayar. “Kuma nace Thorgrin zai zama abokin hadinkai na.”
“Koda mun yarda da haka,” general din yace, “Ba zai zama da wani amfani ba. Bashi da gwanin mayaki da zai saya masa.”
“Zan saya masa,” wani muryan ya zo.
Kowa ya juya zuwa daya gefen, sai wani dan karan mamaki ya taso a cikin shauran.
Thor ya juya yaga wani gwanin mayaki a kan doki, asanye da mafi kyawun, kayan mayaka mai kyalli kuma sanye da ireiren makamai a kan damararsa. Yana kyalli mai kyau---yayi Kaman kallon rana. Thor ya iya ganewa daga yanayinsa, da sayuwansa, da kuma su shaidan kan hulan yakinsa, cewa daban yake da shauran. Zakara ne.
Thor ya gane wannan gwanin mayakin. Ya sha ganin zanensa, kuma yaji labarin tarihinsa. Erec. Ya gagara yarda wannan na faruwa. Shine mafi haskawan gwanin mayaki a zoben gaba daya.
“Amma maigidana, kariga kanada wanda ka sayawa,” janar din yayi tawaye.
“To sai na yi su biyu,” Erec ya amsa, a murya mai zurfi, na ji da kansa.
Wani shurun mamaki ya mamaye taron.
“To babu shauran abin fada,” Kendrick yace. “Thorgrin nada mai saya masa da abokin taraya. Maganan ya kammalu. Yanzu shi dan runduna ne.”
“Amma ka manta dani!” mai tsaron fadan yayi ihu, ya maso gaba. “Wannan duk ba hujja bane akan cewa yaron ya daura hanu akan mai tsaron sarki, kuma dole amasa horo. Dole adalci ya samu!”
“Za ayi adalci.” Muryan Kendrick za iya yanka karfe. “Amma zai zama a ganin damana. Ba naka ba.”
Amma yallabai, dole asashi a maboya! Dole a yi misali dashi!”
“Idan ka cigaba da wannan bayaninka, to kaine zaka je maboya,” Kendrick ya gaya wa mai tsaron, yana hararansa zuwa kasa.
Daga karshe, mai tsaron ya hakura; ba a jindadin rai ba, ya juya ya tafi, fuska jazur, yana hararan Thor.
“To ya zama ka’ida,” Kendrick ya daga murya ya fada. “Barka da zuwa, Thorgrin, cikin rundunan mayakan sarki!”
Taron gwanayen mayakan da taron yara mazan suka yi wani ihu sai suka juya kowa ya wase, zuwaga horon da dama suke yi.
Jikin Thor yamutu da mamaki. Ya gagara yarda da abinda ke faruwa. Yanzu ya zama dan rundunan sarki. Abin Kaman mafarki ne.
Thor ya juya zuwaga Kendrick, yana jin godiya fiye da yadda zai taba iya fada. Bai taba samun wani a rayuwarsa ba daya damu dashi, wanda ya bar hanyansa domin kulawa dashi, ya kareshi. Yanayin yayi masa wani iri. Ya riga yaji kusanta ga wannan mutumin fiye da mahaifinsa ma.
“Bansan yadda zan gode maka ba,” Thor yace. “Ina da babban bashinka akaina.”
Kendrick yayi murmushi zuwa gareshi. “Sunana Kendrick. Zaka zo kasan sunan da kyau. Nine babban dan sarki. Naso muradinka. Zaka zama kari mai kyau ga wannan hadin.”
Kendrick ya juya ya tafi da sauri, yanayin haka, Elden, katon yaron da suka yi fada da Thor, ya wuce a gefensa.
“Ka kula da bayanka,” yaron yace. “Muna kwana a bariki daya dukanmu, kasani. Kuma karka zata koda na dan lokaci karami cewa ka tsira.
Yaron ya juya ya tafi yana buga kafafuwansa a kasa kafin Thor ya mayar da martini; yariga yasamu abokin gaba daya.
Ya fara tunanin me ke rike a boye masa a nan, sai dan autan sarki ya hanzarto zuwa gareshi.
“Karka damu dashi,” ya gaya wa Thor. “Ya cika neman fada. Suna na Reece.”
“Nagode maka,” Thor yace, ya miko hanunsa, “da ka zabeni a masayin abokin tarayanka. Bansan da mai zanyi ba inda ba ka yadda ba.”
“Ina murnan zaban duk wanda ya yaki wannan dabban,” Reece yace da farin ciki. “Wancan fadan mai kyau ne.”
“Kana wasane?” Thor ya tambaya, yana share bushahsen jinni daga fuskarsa yana kuma jin doron hancinsa na kumbura. “Ya kashe ni.”
“Amma baka hakura ba,” Reece yace. “Abin sha’awa. Da kowanne ne a cikin shauran da zai kwanta a kwance ne. Kuma wannan wurgin mashin ya kasance wani na bala’i. a ina ka koyi wurgi haka? Zamu kasance abokan tarayya iya rayuwa!” ya kalli Thor kallo mai ma’ana kafin ya sha hanu dashi. “Kuma abokanai, ma. Nima ina jin haka.
Yayinda Thor ya sha hanu dashi, ya gagara daina jin cewa shi yanayin abokin iya rai ne.
Kwassam, sai aka yimasa cakulikuli a gefe.
Ya juya yaga wani yaron day a girmeshi a saye a wurin, mai zanzana a fata da daguwar siririyar fuska.
“Nine Feithgold. Dangidan Erec. Kaine dangidansa na biyu a yanzu. Wanda hakan na nufin zaka dinga bin ummurnina. Kuma munada gasa nan da yan mintuna. Zaka saya haka kawaine bayan an mai dakai dangidan gwanin mayaki daya fi kowanne sanuwa a masarautan nan? Ka bini! Da sauri!”
Reece ya riga ya juya ya tafi. Thor ya juya yabi dangidan yayinda ya sallaka filin a guje. Baisan ina zasu je ba---amma bai damu ba. Yana wakan murna ne a ciki.
Ya ci nasara.
SURA NA BAKWAI
Gareth ya hanzarta a kece fadan sarki, sanye da kayan sarautansa, yana tutture hanyarsa a sakanin dumbun jama’a dake shiga daga kota ina saboda auren yar’uwansa, sai yana fushi. Har yanzu yana jin haushin karonsu da mahaifinsa. Yaya zai yiwu a yanke shi? Cewa mahaifinsa bazai zabeshi a sarki ba? Abin bashida ma’ana. Shine farkon dan halak. Haka abin yake kasancewa tun da. Yanada yarda, tunda aka haifeshi, cewa zai yi mulki—bashi da wani dalili na ganin komabayan haka.
Wannan abin mamakina. A barshi saboda kanwarsa—kuma namace, ba kasha Kaman haka. Idan bayanin ya bazu, shi zai zama abin dariya a masarautan gabadaya. Yana tafiya, yana jin Kaman a cire duka iskan da ke cikin jikinsa kuma bai san yanda zai mayarda numfashinsa ba.
Yayi tataki akan hanyarsa na zuwa wurin auren yarsa da shauran jama’a. ya kalli kewayensa, yaga launi na kayan sawa dabam dabam, jerin mutane mara karewa, mutane dabam dabam daga gundumomi dabamdabam. Ya ki jinin zuwa kusa da talakawa haka. Wannan yakasance daya daga cikin lokutanda talakawa ke cudanya da masu arziki, lokaci dayanda marasa hankalin masarautan gabbas, dana gefen nesan tudun, ke samun zarafin shiga, suma. Gareth ya gagara yarda cewa za a aurar da yar’uwarsa wa daya daga cikinsu har yanzu. Wannan mataki ne na siyasa kurum mahaifinsa ya dauka, kokarin ban tausayi na neman zaman lafiya da shauran masarautun.
Babban abin mamaki, wani iri, kaman yar’uwarsa tana son wannan hallitan. Gareth ya gagara gane dalili. A saninda yamata, ba mutumin takeso ba, amma matsayin, zarafin zama sarauniyar gunduma nakanta. Zata samu abinda tanema; marasa hankaline, wayanda suke daya gefen tudun. A zuciyan Gareth, basu da sanin yakamata irin nashi, haleyarsa, hazakarsa. Ba damuwanshi bane. Idan yar’uwarsa na cikin farin ciki, to a aurar da ita. Ya kasance ragin dan uwa daya da zai iya tare masa hanyan hawa sarauta ne kawai. Asali ma, iya Karin nisanta, iya kyau da yamasa shi.
Ba wai wannan ya kasance cikin damuwowinsa ba kuma. Daga yau, ba zai taba zama sarki ba. Yanzu, za a tura shi baya yana kasancewa yarima kawai da ba a sanshiba a masarautan mahaifinsa. Yanzu, bashi da hanyan zuwa ga mulki; yanzu, an daureshi a rayuwan kaskanci.
Mahaifinsa ya raina masa—ya saba raina masan. Mahaifin nasa ya daukin kansa masanin siyasa—amma Gareth ya fishi kuma tunda. Ga misali: mahaifinsa ya dauki kansa a matsayin masanin siyasa da aurar da Luanda, da yayi wa wani a dangin McCloud. Amma Gareth yafi mahaifinsa hangan nesa sosai. Yasan inda wannan zata kaisu. Daga karshe, wannan auren bazai sa dangin McCloud biyayya ba amadadin haka zai kara masu karfin gwiwa ne. Mugaye ne, saboda haka zasu ga wannan hadayan zaman lafiyan ba a matsayin alaman karfi daya kamata ba, amma a na ragwanci. Bazasu damu da hadewa a sakanin iyalenba, kuma daga an tafi da kanwarsa, Gareth ya tabbatta zasu shirya kawo hari. Duka wannan yaudara ne kawai. Yayi kokarin ya gayawa mahafinsa, amma yaki ya saurara.
Bawai duk wannan ya kasance damuwansa ba kuma a yanzu. Tunda ma, a yanzu shi yarima ne kawai, wani mara matsayi a masarautan kawai. Gareth na jin haushi da tunanin wannan, kuma ya tsani mahaifinsa a daidai wannan lokacin da daidai kwatanceda shima bai an yana iya yiwuwa ba. Ayayinda yake shiga a matse, kafada na gugan kafada da talakawa, ya fara tunanin hanyoyin daukan fansa, hanyoyin samun sarautan bayan komai. Bazai zauna haka kawai ba, wannan tabbattace ne. Bazai bar sarautarsa yaje wurin kanwarsa haka kawai ba.
“Ga kanan,” wani murya yazo masa.
Firth ne, ya tako zuwa gefensa, yana murmushi yana nuna hakoransa a jere daidai. Mai shekaru goma sha takwas, dogo, siriri, da dagegen murya da kuma fata sumul da lafiyayyun kumatu, Firth ne masoyinsa na daidai wannan lokacin. Gareth ya saba farin cikin ganinsa, amma bashi da lokaci dominsa a yanzun.
“Ina gani Kaman kana kauce min yau,” Firth ya kara, ya shigar da hanunsa daya cikin nasa ayayinda suke tafiya.
Gareth ya girgije hanunsa da sauri, ya duba domin ya tabbattar ba wanda ya gani.
“Kai wawa ne? Gareth ya mar fada. “Kar ka sake hada mana hannaye a cikin jama’a. Har abada.”
Firth ya kalli kasa, fuskarsa tayi ja. “Yi hakuri,” yace. “Banyi tunani ba.”
“Hakane, bakayiba. Ka kuma, sai na fasa haduwa da kai har abada,” Gareth yayi masa fada.
Firth ya kara yin ja, kuma ya nuna nadama na gaskiya. “Yi hakuri,” ya maimaita.
Gareth yasake dubawa, yaji ba wanda yagansu, sai ya dan ji gwanmagwanma.
“Wani gulma ne daga talakawa?” Gareth ya tambaya, yanason ya canja hiran, domin ya canja munanan tunanisa.
Sai Firth ya canja yanayinsa dayani ya dawo da murmushinsa.
“Kowa na jira da tsammani. Duk suna jiran sanarwan an zabeka a magaji.”
Gareth ya bata fuska. Firth ya kuma gani.
“Ba a zabeka bane?” Firth ya tambaya, yana shakka.
Gareth ya canja ayayinda ya cigaba da tafiya, yaki hada ido da Firth.
“Babu.”
Firth ya ja numfashi da karfi.
“Ya haye ni. Zaka yarda? Ma yar’uwana. Kanuwana.”
Yanzu fuskar Firth ta canja. Yanuna jin babban mamaki.
“Wannan bamai yiwuwa bane,” yace. “Kaine dan fari. Ita namace ce. Bazai yiwu ba,” ya maimaita.”
Gareth ya kalleshi, da sanyin dutse. “Ba karya nakeyi ba.”
Sun cigaba da tafiya ba Magana na wani dan lokaci, saida cinkoson wurin yakaru, Gareth ya dubi kewayensa, ya fara tuna inda yake da gane komai. Fadar sarki ya cika a zahirance---baza a rasa kwatancen dubban mutane suna ta shigo ta kowane mashigiba. Duk suna ta neman hanyansu na zuwa dandalin babban auren, wanda ke kewaye da akkalla dubain kujeru mafi kyau, masu kauraran matashai da aka rufe da jan yadi, da kuma kafafuwan gwal. Runduna guda na masu hidima nata kaiwa da kawowa a sakanin jeren, suna zaunar da mutane, suna raba abin sha.
Daga kowane gefen doguwar hanyar sakanin kujerun, ajere da furanni, dangi biyu suke azaune—dangin MacGil da dangin McCloud—layin a rabe zahiri. Akwai daruruwan mutane daga kowane bangare, kowanne sanye da mafi kyaun kayansa, dangin MacGil da launin malmo mai zurfi na nasabansu, dangin McCloud kuma da nasu launin konanen lemu. A ganin Gareth, dangi biyun bazasu iya nuna bambamcinda yafi haka ba: duk da sun sha ado masu sada, yana jin dangin McCloud na yaudara ne kawai, suna boye kamanni. Mugaye ne a karkashi tufafensu—yana ganin haka a yanayin fuskokinsu, ayanayin zirgazirgansu, yadda suke zunguran juna da gwiwan hanu, yadda suke dariya da karfi dayawa. Akwai wani abu a kasa da wadanan tufafen sarauta bazasu iya rufewaba. Ya ki jinin ganinsu a cikin harabarsu. Ya ki jinin wannan auren gabadaya. Wannan wani ne daga cikin wawayen matakenda mahaifinsa kan dauka.
Inda Gareth sarki ne, daya aiwatar da wani shiri ne dabam. Da zai kira wannan auren, shima. Amma da shi zai jira sai dare yayi nisa, lokacin dangin McCloud sun shayu sosai, ya kulle kofofin azure, ya konasu a babban wuta, ya kashe dukansu a sabtatacen mataki daya.
“Mugaye,” Firth yace, ayayinda ya kalli daya gefen hanyan sakanin kujerun. “Yanamani wuya na gane dalilin dayasa mahaifinka ya bari suka shigo.”
“Zai samar da wassani masu kayatarwa daga bisani,” Gareth yace. “Ya gayyaci abokan gabanmu su shigo mashiginmu, sai ya shirya gasannin ranan aure. Wannan ba mahadin hayaniya bane?”
“Kana jin?” Firth ya tambaya. “Yaki? A nan? Da duk wadannan mayakan? A ranar aurenta?”
Gareth ya motasa kafada. Yana ganin dagin McCloud zasu iyayin koma mene.
“Mutuncin ranan aure bai zama komai a wurinsu ba.”
“Amma munada dubban mayaka a nan.”
“Kamar yadda suma suke dasu.”
Gareth ya juya yaga wani dogon jeren mayaka—na dangin MacGil da na dangin McCloud—a jere a kowane bangaren gajeren danga. Da baza su zo da mayaka dayawa haka ba, yasani indaba suna tsammanin hananiya ba. Duk da bukin, duk da kyawawun tufafen, duk da kayatarwan yanayin, abinci mara karewan, rani a kololuwarsa, furanni—duk da komai, akwai fargaba kota ina. Kowa na tsorace---Gareth na ganin hakan daga yadda kowa ke daga kafadarsa, suna buda gwiwowin hannunsu. Basu yarda da juna ba.
Watakila shi yaci sa’a, Gareth na tunani, sai waninsu ya soki mahaifinsa a zuciyarsa. Sai ashe ma shi zai iya zama sarki bayan komai.
“Ina ganin bazamu iya zama tareba,” Firth yace, bakin ciki a muryarsa, ayayinda suka nufi wuraren zama.
Gareth ya harba masa wani kallon kaskantarwa. “Kai wani irin wawa ne?” ya tofar, muryarsa da daffi.
Ya fara ainihin tunani ko yayi daidai da ya zabi wannan yaro mai kula da dabbobin a matsayin masoyi. Idan shi bai magance masa wannan wawancisa dasauri ba, zai sa a ganosu.
Firth ya sunkuyar da kai cikin kunya.
“Zamu hadu anjima, a dakunan dawakai. Yanzu ka tafi,” yace, kuma yadan hankadashi kadan. Firth ya bace a cikin taron jama’a.
Bazata, Gareth yaji a dafo hanunsa. Na wani dan lokaci zuciyarsa ta saya, yayinda ya fara tunanin ko anganoshi ne: amma yaji dogayen kumban, siraren yasun, sun shiga fatarsa, sai nan danan yagane cewa rikon matarsa ne. Helena.
“Kadaka tozartani a wannan ranan,” tayi tsaki, kiyyaya a muryarta.
Ya juya ya karanceta. Tana da matukar kyau, da kwalliya gaba daya, sanye da doguwar rigan yadin satin, sumanta a tare a sama da kusosi, sanye da abin wuyanta na mafi kyawun lu’u lu’u, kuma fuskarta a shafe sumul da kayan kwalliya. Gareth na iya gani azahiri cewa kyakyawa ce, kyawunta har yanzu kaman na ranan da shi ya aureta. Amma duk da haka baya jin ko sha’awanta. Auren ya kasance wani daga cikin su shirin mahaifinsa—yin kokarin ya aurar dashi daga wajen yanayinsa. Amma abinda ya cimma kawai shine bashi abokiyar zama da ba jituwa—ya kuma tada Karin gulmace gulmacen cikin fada a kan zahirin yanayin sha’awansa.
“Ranan auren kanuwanka ne,” ta masa kashedi. “Zaka iya yi kaman mu ma’aurata ne—wannan sau dayan.”
Ta shigar da hanu daya cikin nashi sai suka tafi zuwa wani kebebban wuri mai shingen yadi. Masu tsaron fada guda biyu sun basu hanya sai suka gwamusu da shauran yan sarautan a kasan hanyar sakiyar kujerun.
An busa algaita, sai ahankali, ko ina yayi shuru. Sai ga makararren wakan molo, an kara sa wasu furanni a hanyar sakanin kujerun, tawagan yan sarauta sun fara takowa, ma’aurata hanu-cikin-hanu. Helena ta zunkudi Gareth, sai ya fara takowa hanyar sakanin kujerun da ita.
Gareth yaji Karin bambamci, Karin rashin daidai da wuri da bai taba jiba, da rashin sanin yadda zai nuna soyyaya na gaskiya. Yana jin daruruwan idanu na kallonsa, kuma ya gagara daina jin Kaman suna sashi a ma’auni ne, duk da yasan bahaka bane. Hanyar sakiyar kujerun yayi gajarta; amma ya matsu ya kai karshen, ya saya a gefen kanuwansa a kan mumbarin, ya gama da wannan lamarin. Kuma ya gagara daina tunanin haduwarsa da mahaifinsa, sai yayi tunanin ko duk masu kallon nan sun riga sun ji labari.
“Na samu mummunan labari a yau,” ya dan gaya wa Helena ayayinda suka kai karshen, kuma idanun suka bar kallonsa.
“Kana ganin ban riga nasan wannan bane?” ta tambaya da murya mai karfi.
Ya juya sai ya kalleta da mamaki.
Ta kalleshi da kallon kiyayya. “Ina da ‘yan liken asiri nawa,” tace.
Ya matsa idanunsa, yana son ya bata mata rai. Yaya zata iya kasancewa bata damuba haka?
“Idan ban zama sarki ba, to bazaki taba zama sarauniya ba,” yace.
“Ban taba sa ran zama sarauniya ba,” ta bada amsa.
Wannan yama kara bashi mamaki ne.
“Ban taba sa ran ya zabeka ba,” ta kara. “Saboda me zai zabe ka? Kai ba shugaba bane. Kai masoyi ne. Amma ba masoyina ba.”
Gareth jaji shi yana zama ja gaba daya.
“Ke ma kuma ba masoyiya na bane,” ya gaya mata.
Juyintane na yin ja. Ba ita kadai takeda masoyi a boye ba. Gareth nada yan leken asirinsa shima da suke gaya masa aikace aikacenta. Ya barta ba hukunci zuwa yanzu—mudin ta barshi a boye, takuma fita hanyarsa.
“Ba kaman halinka bane ka bani zabi,” ta amsa. Kana zaton na zauna ba saduwa da namiji iya shauran rayuwata ne?”
“Kin san ni wanene,” ya amsa. “Amma kika zabi ki aureni. Kin zabi iko, ba soyayya ba. Kada kiyi kaman kin ji mamaki.”
“An shirya aurenmu ne,” tace. “ba abinda na zaba.”
“Amma bakiyi tawaye ba ai,” ya amsa.
Gareth bashi da makamashin musu da ita a yau. Ta kasance kayan aiki mai amfani, yar bebin mata. Zai iya hakuri da ita, kuma zata yi amfani in lokaci ya kai—muddin bata bashi haushi dayawa ba.
Gareth na kallo da tsiya ayayinda kowa ya juya ya kalli mahaifinsa na kawo babban yarsa ta hanyar sakiyar kujerun, wannan dabban. Kaitonsa—har yanada zuciyan kwaikwaiyan bakin ciki, yana share hawaye ayayin kawota. Mai wasan kwaikwayo na karshe. Amma a ganin Gareth, yakasance rikitacen wawa ne kawai. Ba zai taba iya tunanin cewa mahaifinsa yaji wani bakin ciki na gaskiya saboda aurar da diya, wace, asali ma, yana wurgawa wa kurayen masarautan dangin McCloud ne. Gareth yaji Luanda ma bata da wayo, tana kaman jin dadin duk abunda ke faruwa. Tana kaman bai dameta ba cewa ana aurar da ita wa kabilanda suka dan kasa. Ita, din ma, tana son iko ne. Babu tausayi. A lissafe. A ta wannan hanyan, ita, a cikin duk yan’uwansa, tafi kowa kama dashi. A ta wasu hanyoyin ya fahimceta, duk da cewa basu taba wani son juna da ita ba.
Gareth ya canja sayuwansa, ba hakuri, ya matsu a kamala komai da sauri.
Yana cikin wahala ne har karshen bukin, Argon ya shugabanci sa albarkan, yana karanto ayoyin, yana aiwatar da matakan. Duk yaudara ne kawai, kuma nasashi ciwo. Hadewar iyale biyu saboda dalilai na siyasa ne kawai. Me yasa bazasu kirashi da ainihin sunansa ba?
Jim kadan, godiya wa sammai, an gama. Taron jama’an duk sun tashi da ihu ayayinda su biyun suka sumbaci juna. An hura wata babbar algaita, sai yanayin nisuwan auren ya narke zuwa hayaniya. Iyalen gidajen sarautan duk sun koma ta hanyar sakiyar kujerun zuwa harabar liyafan.
Har Gareth, duk da dukanin kushewansa, ya gamsu da abinda ya gani; mahaifinsa bai rage komai ba a wannan lokacin. Ajere a gabansa akwai duka ireiren tebura, kalace, tukwanen barasa, babu iyakan aladu da tinkiyoyi da tumakai kuma da ake gasawa.
A bayansu ana kan shiryawa shirin musamman a yau: wassanni. Akwai abubuwan aunawa da a ke shiryawa wurga duwatsu, wurga mashi, harbin baka—da, a sakiyar komai duka, hanyar sukuwan dawakai. Kafin ma, jama’a sun fara taruwa a kewaye da hanyan.
Taron jama’a sun riga sun fara bada wuri wa gwanayen mayaka daga duka bangarorin. Wa dangin MacGil, mai fara shiga, dama, Kendrick ne, yana saman dokinsa kuma a sanye da kayan daga, abiyedashi sai dozin dozin din yan Silver. Amma saida Erec ya iso, a kebance daga shauran a kan farar dokinsa, kafin taron jama’an suka yi shuru a cikin yanayin mamaki. Yana kamada kuran karfe wurin samun nitsuwan mutane; ko Helena ta dan leko, sai Gareth yagan sha’awarta masa, kaman duka shauran matan.
“Ya kusa ya kai shekarun zabi, amma duk da haka bashi da aure. Kowace mata a masarautar zata yarda ta aureshi. Yaya yaki ya zabi daya acikin mu mata?”
“Kuma me damuwanki?” Gareth ya tambaya, yana kishi duk da yanayinsa. Shima, yaso yakasance a can cikin shiri, a kan doki, yana gasa wa sunnan mahaifinsa. Amma shi ba jarumi bane. Kuma kowa yasani.
Helena taki kula dashi da wurga hanunta na alaman sallama. “Kai ba namiji bane,” tace tana dariya. “Baka gane wadannan abubuwan.”
Gareth ya canja fuska. Yanason ya koya mata wayo, amma ba a wannan lokacin ba. Amaimakon haka, ya bita yayinda ta dauki wurin zama da shauran domin kallon bukukuwan ranan. Yau zata kara tabarbarewa ne, kuma Gareth ya riga ya fara jin wata kulli a cikin cikinsa. Ranar zatayi tsayi sosai, ranan zai zama na gwanayen mayaka maki karewa, na jijidakai, na yaudara. Ranan maza su jiwa juna ciwo ko su kasha juna. Ranar da gaba daya bata shafeshi ba. Ranar da ke kunshe da duk abubuwan das hi yake ki.
Ayayinda ya zauna a wurin, yayita munanan tunani. Yana fata a boye cewa bukin ya rikida ya zama yakin ba iyaka, cewa a samu zubar da jinni mai gabadaya a gabansa, cewa duk wani abin alheri a nan a lalato shi, a kekece su zuwa yan kanakana.
Wata rana zai samu yadda yakeso. Wata rana zai zama sarki.
Wata rana.
SURA NA TAKWAS
Thor na iya kokarinsa yayi tafiya daidai da dangidan Erec, yana sauri domin ya kamoshi ayayinda yake kwanekwane a cikin jama’a. abin ya kasance masa Kaman guguwa tun cikin haraba, ya gagara gane abubuwan da keta faruwa a kewaye dashi. Har yanzu yanata bari ta ciki, yagagara yarda cewa an daukeshi a runduna, kuma cewa a ce shine dangidan Erec na biyu.
“Na gayamaka, yaro—hanzarto!” Feithgold ya fada da karfin murya.
Thor ya ki jinin ana kiransa “yaro,” tumbama dayake dangidan ya girmeshi da wasu shekaru kadan ne kawai. Feithgold nata tsilla tsilla a ciki da wajen cikin mutane, kusan kaman yanason ya batar da Thor ne.
“Haka wannan wurin ke cika kullum?” Thor yayi kira, yanata kokarin kamoshi.
“Tabattace ba haka ba!” Feithgold mayar da dan ihu. “Yau ba kawai ranar cikin rani mafi tsawo a shekara bane, amma rana ne ma da sarki ya zaba wa auren diyarsa—kuma rana daya tilo da muka bude kofofinmu ma yan dangin McCloud. Ba a taba yin irin wannan taron jama’an anan ba. Abun bazarta ne. Ban sa ran wannan ba! Ina soron zamu makara!” yace, duk a sauri, ayayinda yaketa gudu a cikin taron jama’a.
“Ina zamu je? Thor ya tambaya.
“Zamu je yin abinda duk wani dangida nagari keyi: tamakon gwanin mayakinmu shiri!”
“Shiri do me?” Thor ya danna, da kusan rashin numfashi. Yanayin wuri nata kara zafi kowane minti, sai ya share gumi daga goshinsa.
“Gasan sukuwan na gidan sarauta!”
Daga karshe sun kai bakin taron jama’an sai suka saya a gaban wani mai tsaron fada, wanda ya gane Feithgold sai yayiwa shauran alaman su barsu su wuce.
Sun sunkuya ta karkashin wani igiya sai suka bullo wani shararen fili, nesa da jama’a. Thor ya gagara yarda; a wurin, a kurkusa, yaga hanyoyin sukuwan. A bayan igiyoyin akwai yan kallo da yawa, kuma a haurawa da gangarawan hanyoyin manyan dawakain yaki ne asasaye—mafi girman da Thro ya taba gani—a duake da kowane irin gwanayen mayaka sanye da kowani irin kayan daga. A code a sakanin yan Silver akwai gwanayen mayaka daga duka masarautun biyu, daga kowani gunduma, wassu a bakaken kayan daga, wassu a farare, suna sanye da hulunan kwano kuma arike da makamai masu bambamcin iri da kuma girma. Yayi kama da cewa duniyan gabadaya ne ya sauko kan wadannan hanyoyin sukuwan.
An riga an fara wassu gasan, gwanayen mayaka daga wurarenda Thor baima ganeba suna tasar ma juna, suna waina twakufa da makariyu, abiye a ko dayaushe da ihu daga yan kallo. A kurkusa, Thor ya gagara yarda da karfi da gudun dawaken, karan makamain. Wannan was an mututwa ne.
“Wannan baiyi kama da wasa ba!” Thor yace wa Feithgold yayinda yake binsa a gefen hanyoyin gwajin.
“Hakan domin ba wasan bane,” Feithgold ya mayar da ihu, sama da wani karan haduwan makamai. “Al’amari ne na gaskiya, a boye Kaman wasa. Mutane suna mututwa kulum a nan. Yaki na. wadanda ke barin nan ba tabo ne masu sa’a. kuma yan kalilan ne kuma da rata a sakani.
Thor ya daga ido ayayinda gwanayen mayaka biyu suka nufi juna suka ci karo a guje. Karan haduwan karfe da karfe ya taso, sai wani daga cikinsu ya tashi sama daga kan dokinsa ya fado a kan bayansa, taku kadan kawai daga inda Thor yake.
Taron mutanen sunso su gagara numfashi. Thor baiyi ko motsi ba, sai yaga wata sandan itace a cake a hakarkarinsa, ta huda kayan dagansa. Yayi ihu daga zafin ciwo sai jinni ya zubo daga bakinsa. Yan gida da yawa sun gudo domi su agaza masa, suka janye daga filin. Gwanin mayakin da yayi nasaran kuma zagawa yake yi ahankali, ya daga makaminsa yayin da taron mutane kai masa ihun murna.
Hankalin Thor ya tashi. Baiyi zaton wasan na iya kaiwa ga mutuwa ba.
“Abinda yaran nan sukayi yanzu—shine aikinka yanzu,”Feithgold yace. “Kai dangida ne yanzu. Mafidaidai, dangida na biyu.
Ya saya yamaso kusa—kusan da, Thor najin warin numfashinsa mara kyau.
“Kuma kar ka manta hakan. Ni ina bin umurnin Erec. Kai kana bin nawa. Aikinka shine ka taimakeni. Ka gane?”
Thor ya mayar da amsa da kai, yanata kokarin shigar da duk Magana cikin kansa. Ba haka yayi tunanin abubuwa zasu kasance ba, kuma baisan me da me suka rage a boye masa ba. Yana jin irin barazanan da Feithgold ke ciki saboda zuwansa, sai yaji shi ya kara samun abokin gaba.
“Bani da niyyan sauya yanayin kasancewanka dangidan Erec,” Thor yace.
Feithgold ya sake wata yar gajeruwar, munafuceciyar dariya.
“Bazaka shiga wannan sakanin ba, yaro, koda ka gwada. Kaidai karka shiga hanya na kuma kabi umurni na.”
Da wannan, Feithgold ya juya saiya hanzarta gangaran wasu juyayun hanyoyi daga bayan igiyoyin. Thor nata binshi iya karfin saurinsa, sai badadadewa bay a sincikansa a wani babban dakunan dawakai mai rikitarwa. Yayi gangara wani siririn dakali, akewaye dashi kota ina dawaken yaki suna takawan ji dakai, yangida kuma nata kulawa dasu cikin bari. Feithgold ya murda sai ya juya har daga karshe ya saya gaban wani babban, yababben doki. Sanda Thor ya gyara numfashinsa. Ya gagara yarda cewa abu mai wannan girman da kyau na iya kasancewa zahiri, ballema a kebe a bayan danga. Yayi Kaman a shirye yake wa yaki.
“Warkfin,” Feithgold yace. “Dokin Erec. Kokuma daya daga cikinsu---wanda yafiso domin gasa. Bashi da saukin sabo. Amma Erec ya iya dashi. Bude mashigi,” Feithgold ya bada umurni.
Thor ya kalleshi, arikice, sanan ya sake kallon mashigin, yana kokarin fahimta. Ya matsa gaba, yaja matarin sakatan, amma babu abinda ya faru. Ya kara ja da Karin karfi har sanda ya motsa, sai ya bude mashin itacen a hankali.
A dakikanda yayi hakan, warkfin yayi kuka, ya kwanta baya, sai ya harbi itacen da kafa, ya shafi dank an yasan Thor. Thor ya fimciko hanunsa a cikin zafi.
Feithgold ya fashe da dariya.
“Shiyasa nace ka bude. Nan gaba ka bude da sauri, yaro. Warkfin baya jiran kowa. Tumba ma kai ba.”
Thor yaji haushi; Feithgold ya riga yafara lasashi, kuma baiga yadda zai iya zama dashi ba.
Ya bude mashigin itacen da sauri, wannan karon ya kaucewa kafan dokin na harbi.
“Na fito dashine?” Thor ya tambaya da tsoro, bayason yakamo igiyan kadashin ayayinda Warfkin ke buga kasa yana laiyi.
“Lallai babu,” Feithgold yace. “Wannan aikinane. Aikinkane ka bashi abinci—lokacinda na umurce ka. Kuma ka kwashe kashinsa.
Feithgold ya kamo igiyan wuyan Warfkin yafara gangarawa dashi layin dakunan. Thor ya hadiye yawu, yana kallo. Ba irin wannan bukin shigarwan yake dashi a zuciyarsa ba. Yasan dole yafara a wani masayi, amma wannan wulakancine. Yayi tunanin yaki da yabo da hustsuma, horo da gasa asakanin yara yan shekarunsa. Bai zacikansa a matsayin mai hidima mai jiran gado ba. Yafara tunanin ko ya duaki matakin dayadace.
Daga karshe sun bar dakunan dawakain mai duhu zuwa hasken rana, sun koma hanyoyin sukuwan. Thor na mase idanu saboda sauyin, kuma ya rinjayu da ihun duban mutane masu bin bayan gwanayen mayaka biyu masu karawa ayayinda suka cikaro da juna. Bai taba jin irin wannan karan haudwar krafuna ba, kuma kasa na girgiza daga babban diran dawakain su.
Akewaye kota ina akwai gwanayen mayaka dayawa da yangidansu, suna shiri. Yangidan suna share kayan yakin gwanayen mayakan, suna shafa wa makamai mai, suna duba sirdin dawakai da igiyoyi, suna sake duba makamai ayayinda gwanayen mayakan ke hawan dawakain suna jiran a kira sunayensu.
“Elmalkin!” wani mai shela yayi ihu.
Wani gwanin mayaki daga gundumarda Thor bai sani ba, wani mutum mai fadi sanye da jan kayan yaki, yayi sukuwa ya fita daga mashigi. Thor ya juya ya kauce daga hanya acikin lokaci. Gwanin mayakin ya saki gudu a siririn hanyan, sai makaminsa ya karci matarin wani abokin gasa. Sunyi kara, makamin daya gwanin mayakin ya kai hari, sai Emalkin ya tashi sama ya dawo da baya. Taron mutanen suka yi ihu.
Nan da nan Elmalkin ya taro hankalin kansa, amma, yatashi kan kafafuwansa, ya juyo sai daya miko hanu wa dangidansa, wanda yake gefen Thor.
“Kulki na!” gwanin mayakin yayi ihu.
Dangidan dake kusa da Thor yayi tsalle ya shiga aiki, yana cafko kulki daga maratayin makamai sai ruga aguje zuwa sakiyan hanyan. Yanufi Elmalkin da gudu, amma daya gwanin mayakin yariga ya juyo kuma yana tasowa kuma. Dabda dangidan zai kai gareshi ya mikamasa kulkin, wancan gwanin mayakin ya diro akansu. Dangidan bai kaiga Elmalkin akan lokaci ba. Daya gwanin mayakin ya sauko da makaminsa—yanakan saukarwan, makamin ya kuskuri kan dangidan. Dagidan, yayi tangaltangal daga bugun, ya wainu dasauri sai ya fada kasa a kan dauda da fuska.
Baiyi ko motsi ba. Thor na iya ganin jinni na zubowa daga kanshi, ko daga nan, yana bata kasa.
Thor ya hadiye yawu.
“Babu dadin kallo, ko akwai?”
Thor ya juya yaga Feithgold a saye a gefenshi, shima yana kallo.
“Kamekanka, yaro. Wannan bakin daga kenan. Kuma muna caf acikin sakiyarsa.”
Taron mutanen sun yi shuru ayayinda aka bude ainihin hanyar sukuwan. Thor yagane tsammani a cikin yanayinda ya samu ayayinda duka shauran karawa suka saya a kan tsammanin wannan. Daga gefe daya Kendrick ya fito, yana tafiya akan dokinsa, makani a hanu.
Daga daya gefe mai nisan, afuskance dashi, wani gwanin mayaki yafito da gananen adon yan dangin McCloud.
“Gasa sakani dangin MacGil da McCloud,” Feithgold ya dan gaya wa Thor. “Mun kasance muna yakan juna na dubban shekaru. Kuma bani da zaton wannan wasan zai raba gaban.”
Kowani gwanin mayaki ya sauke marfin fuskarsa, an hura wani kaho, sai da wani ihu suka nufi juna.
Thor yayi mamakinn irin gudun da suka dibo kafin jim kadan suka gwaru da wani babban kara, Thor yakusan yakai hanu yatoshe kunnuwansa. Taron jama’an sun ja numfashi ayayinda mayaka biyun duk suka zubo daga dawakansu.
Duk sun tashi zuwa kafafuwansu suka wurgar da hulunan karfensu, ayayinda yangidansu suka zo gurinsu aguje suka mika masu takwufa. Gwanayen mayakan sun goga da duk irin ikon da kowa ke dashi. Kallon juyen juyen Kendrick ya dauke wa Thor hankali: yakasance masa kyakyawan abu. Amma dan dagin McCloud dinma jarumi ne sosai, shima. Gaba da baya kenan suketayi, kowanne na gajiyarda dan uwansa, kowa yaki ya bada kai.
Daga karshe takwufansu sunyi wani babban haduwa, sai kowa ya buge takwafin kowa daga hanunsa. Yan gidansu sun fito aguje, da kulake a hanu, amma ayayinda Kendrick ya mika hanu ya karbi kulkin, dangidan gwanin dangin McCloud din ya gudo a bayansa ya dokeshi danashi makamin, bugunda yakaishi har kasa, wanda tasa yan kallo jan numfashin tsoro.
Gwanin dangin McCloud din ya dauko takwafinsa, ya maso gaba, ya mika ta ga makogoron Kendrick, ya dannashi a kasa. Kendrick bashida wani zabi.
“Na hakura!” yayi ihu.
Wani ihun samun nasara ya taso daga shashin yan McCloud—amma ihun haushi daga shashin MacGil.
“Yayi magudi!” yan dangin MacGil suka cigaba da ihu.
“Yayi magudi! Yayi magudi!” ihun haushi dayawa suka tashi.
Taron mutanen nata kara jin haushi, sai jim kadan an samu kokekoke dayawa har mutane suka fara watsewa, daga kowani bangare—bangaren MacGil da bangaren McCloud—suka fara nufan juna a kafa.
“Wannan bakyau,” Feithgold ya gayawa Thor, ayayinda suke saye a gefe, suna kallo.
Bayan dan lokaci, taron mutanen ta fashe; ana naushi kota ina, sai ya zama fadan gama gari. Hayaniya ne. Maza suna wurgo naushi takoyaya, suna kama juna da kokawa, suna kada juna a kasa. Taron hanahiyan nata karuwa abin yajawo yiwuwan yazama yaki gabadaya.
An hura wani kaho sai masu tsaro daga dukan bangarorin suka shigo, dakyar suka raba taron mutanen. Wata, wadda tafi wancan kahon, ta sake kara, sai wuri yayi shuru ayayinda sarki MacGil yataso daga kujeran sarautarsa.
“Babu wani karawa a yau!” yayi ihu sosai a babban muryar sarautansa. “Ba ayau ranan bukiba! Ba kuma a fadana ba!”
Ahankali, hankalin jama’a ya kwanta.
“Idan gasa kukeso a sakanin dangoginmu biyu, mayaki dayane zai yanka hukunci, gwarzo guda daga kowani gefe.
MacGil ya kalli sarki McCloud, wanda ke zaune daga gefen nesa, azaune da tawagansa.
“An yarda?” MacGil yayi ihu.
McCloud ya tashi a nitse.
“An yarda!” ya sake ihu.
Taron mutanen sunyi ihu daga duk bangarorin.
“Ku zabi babban jaruminku!” MacGilyayi ihu
“Na riga na zaba,” McCloud yace.
Sai wani gwanin mayaki mai bada tsoro ya fito daga gefen McCloud, mutum mafi girmanda Thor ya taba gani, a kan dokinsa. Yayi kama da wani katon dutse, kato kota ina, da dogon gemu da dauraren fuska na dindindin.
Thor yaji motsi a gefensa, sai dab daga gefensa, Erec ya tashi, ya hau Warkfin, ya matso gaba. Thor ya hadiye yawu. Ya gagara yarda cewa wannan na faruwa a kewaye dashi. Kanshi ya kumbura da mutunci wa Erec.
Sai tsoro ya mamayeshi, daya gano shi yana kan aiki. Tunda, shi dangida ne kuma gwaninsa na shirin karawa.
“Me yakamata muyi?” Thor ya tambayi Feithgold da sauri.
“Ka saya kawai kabi umurnina da yin duk abinda nace kayi,” ya amsa.
Erec yayi tafiya zuwa gaba zuwa kan hanyan sukuwan, sai gwanaye biyun suka saya a wurin, sun fuskanci juna, dawakwnsu na buga kasa a cikin shirin tasowa. Zuciyar Thor ta kara bugawanta a cikin kirjinsa ayayinda yake jira yana kallo.
An busa wani kaho, sai suka tasar ma juna.
Thor ya gagara yarda da kyau da iyawan Warkfin—yayi kama da kallon kifi na tsalle daga teku. Daya gwanin kato ne, amma Erec yakasance mayaki mai zafin nama da basira. Ya yanki cikin iska, kansa a sunkuye, kayan yakinsa na azurfa na girgizuwa, wadda sukafi kowani kayan yaki daya taba gani samun sharuwa.
Yayinda bardaye biyun suka hadu, Erec ya rike makaminsa da kyakyawan awu sai ya kwanta gefe. Ya lallaba ya doki daya gwanin a sakiyar makariyarsa alokaci daya kuma ya kaucewa nashi dukan.
Babban tudun mutum din yayi tangaltangal ta baya, zuwa kasa. Yayi Kaman wani tudune ke fadiwa.
Taron jama’an MacGil sun rude da ihu ayayinda Erec ya wuce, ya kuma juyo, ya kewayo. Ya daga makariyar fuskarsa ya mika bakin makaminsa ga wuyan mutumin.
“Ka hakura!” Erec yayi ihu zuwa kasa.
Gwanin mayakin ya tofa yawu.
“Har abada!”
Gwanin mayakin ya kaihanu wani boyayen jaka daga mararsa, ya dibo wani dan datti, kuma kafin Erec a mayar da martini, ya watsa masa a fuska.
Erec, arikice, yakai hanu idanunsa, ya sake makaminsa ya fado daga kan dokinsa.
Jama’an dangin MacGil suna masu ihun rashinso suna tsaki suna kuka ayayinda Erec ya fado, yana rike da idanunsa. Daya mayakin, batare da bata lokaciba, ya gagauto ya bugeshi a hakarkari da gwiwa.
Erec ya mirgina, mayakin ya dauki babban dutse, ya daga sama, yana shirin saukewa a kan kashin kan Erec.
“BABU!” Thor yayi ihu, ya matso gaba, yagagara kama kansa.
Thor ya kalla a cikin tsoro yayinda mayakin ke saukowa da dutsen. A dakika na karshe, ta wani hanyan mamaki Erec ya mirgina ya kauce. Dutsen ya lume cikin kasa, a daidai inda da kansa yake.
Thor yayi mamakin saurin tunanin Erec. Yama riga yataso kan kafofinsa, yana fuskantar mai magudin mayakin.
“Guntayen takwufa!” sarakunan suka fada da karfi.
Feithgold ya juya da sauri ya harari Thor, idanunsa abude sosai.
“Mika mani shi” yayi ihu.
Zuciyar ta faradaka da tsoro. Ya juya, yana duba cikin maratayin makaman Erec, yana neman takwafin da gaggawa. Akwai makamai dayawa masu rikitarwa a ciki. Ya mika hanu, ya cafkoshi, ya dannan a tafin hanun Feithgold.
“Wawan yaro! Wannan madaidaicin takwafi kenan!” Feithgold yayi ihu.
Wuyar Thor ya bushe; yana jin masarautan gaba daya sun kure masa ido. Ganinsa na yanayana saboda tsoro ayayinda yake son ta zama masa bari, da rashin sanin wani takwafi zai zaba. Ya gagara tara hankalinsa wuri daya.
Feithgold yamaso gaba ta ture Thor daga hanya. Ya dafo gajeruwan takwafin dakansa. Sai ya koma kan hanyan sukuwan a guje.
Thor ya kalli tafiyarsa, yanaji shi bashida wanni amfani, yanayi marakyau. Ya kuma kokarin tunanin dashi yake gudu a wajen, a gaban wadannan mutanen, sai gwiwowinsa suka mutu.
Dangidan daya gwanin ne yafara isowa ga maigidansa, har sanda Erec yayitsalle ya kauce ayayinda mayakin ya kawo masa bugu, ya kayce da kyar. Daga karshe, Feithgold yakai ga Erec ya daura guntun takwafin a hanunsa. Yanayinhaka mayakin ya taso wa Erec. Amma Erec nada matikar dabara. Ya jira har dakika na karshe, sannan yayi tsalle ya kauce.
Mayakin yadinga tasowa, dukda haka, yaci karo ga Feithgold, asaye, a rashin sa’ansa, a wurin da Erec ya bari, mayakin, a cike da haushin bai samu Erec ba, yacigaba da tasowa ya kama Feithgold da hannayensa duka biyu a gashi, sai yamasa gware da karfi a fuska.
Wani karan fashewan kashi ya cika wuri ayayinda jinni ya dinga bulbulowa daga hancinsa sai ya fadi zuwa kasa, bamotsi.
Thor ya saya a wurin, baki a bude da mamaki. Yagagara yarda da abinda yafaru. Hakama yan kallon. Wadanda suka dinga tsiya da tsaki.
Erec ya juyo da twakafinsa, shaura kadan yasamu mayakin, sai suka sake fuskantar juna kuma.
Thor sai ya gano: shine kadai dangidan Erec a yanzu. Ya hadiye yawu. Me yakamata yadinga yi? Bai shirya wa wannanba. Kuma dukan masarautan na kallo.
Gwanayen mayakan sun cigaba da kaiwa juna hari ba sasauci, suna mayar da naushi wa naushi. Abayyane yake cewa mayakin McCoud yafi Erec karfi sosai—duk da haka Erec ya kasance mafi kyawun mayakin cikinsu biyun, yafi zafin nama da kuzari. Sunata wurgawa da yankawa da tarewa, ba wanda yasamu wani zarafi akan wani.
Daga karshe, saiki MacGil yatashi.
“Dogayen takwufa” yayi kira.
Zuciyan Thor nata bugawa. Yasan wannan na nufinshine: yana bakin aiki.
Ya juyo yaduba cikin matattarin makaimain, ya dauko makanin da yake ganin yafi kamada abinda aka kira. Ayayinda ya kamo hanun fatansa, yayi adu’an Allah yasa shiya dauka.
Ya ruga kan hanayan sukuwan kuma yanajin dubban idanu a kansa. Yayita gudu da duk iyawansa, yahason yakaiga Erec da duk saurinda yasamu, sai dagakarshe ya daura mashin a cikin haninsa. Ya ji dadin fara kaiwa gareshi.
Erec ya karbi mashin ya juya, yanada shirin fuskantar daya mayakin. Kasancewarsa jarumi mai adalcin da yakasance, Erec ya jira har wancan mayakinma yasamu makaminsa kafin yakai hari. Thor ya gagauta ya koma gefe, a wajen hayan mayakan, bayason ya maimaita kuskuren Feithgold. Yanayin hakan yaja sumamen jikin Feithgold kar a sake masa wani la’ani.
Ayayinda Thor yacigaba da kallo, yanajin wani abu badaidai yakeba. Abokin hamayan Erec ya dauki mashinsa, ya mikashi sama, sai ya fara saukowa dashi a wani irin yanayi. Yana cikin yin haka, haka kawai, Thor yaji duniyarsa ta hada masa hankalinsa a wuri daya yadda bai taba haduwa ba. Yayi ganewa mai zurfi cewa wani abu na badaidai ba. Idanunsa sun kullu akan tsinin mashin mayakin dangin McCloud, day a kalla dakyau, saiya gane a kunce take. Mayakin na kokarin amfani da tsinin mashin Kaman wukan wurgawa.
Ayayinda mayakin ke saukowa da nashinsa, tsininkan ta fice ya tafi a iska, karshe kan karshe, ya nufi zuciyar Erec. Acikin dakikoki, Erec zai mutu---babu yadda zai iya yin wani abu a cikin lokaci. Daga yanayin hakoransa, yayikama da irin mai huda rigar kariya.
A wannan lokacin, Thor yaji duk jikinsa ya dauki dumi. Yanajin wani tsummi na tashi ajikinsa---irin tsumin dayaji a dajin Darkwood. Yayin fada da dabbar Sybold. Duniyarsa gabadaya tadaina gudu. Ya iya ganin firon tsinin mashi a yanayi na tafiyan hankali, ya iya jin makamshinta, wani zafi, ya tashi a cikin jikinsa—wani wanda shima baisan yanadashi ba.
Ya masa gaba sai yaji shi yafi kan mashin girma. Acikin zuciyarsa, ya umurceta ta saya. Ya nemi ta saya. Baya son yaga Erec ya ji ciwo. Asali ma bat a wannan hanyan ba.
“BABU!” Thor yayi ihu.
Ya kara wani taku sai ya mika tafin hanunsa, ya auni tsinin mashin dashi.
Ya saya a wurin, a sararin iska, dabda zuciyar Erec.
Ya fado kasa ba wani barazana ga wani.
Duka gwanayen mayaka biyun sun juyo sun kalli Thor—hakama sarakuna biyun, kamar yadda dubban masu kalloma sukayi. Yaji duk duniyan na kallonsa, sai yagane cewa dukkansu sun shaidi abinda ya aikata a yanzu. Duk sunsan ba daidai da kowa yakeba, cewa yanada wani irin iko. Cewa ya canja sakamakon wassannin, ya ceci Erec—kuma ya canja kaddarar masarautar.
Thor ya saya a manne a wurin, yana mamakin mai yafaru a yanzu.
Yanzu ya tabbattar ba daya yake da shauran wadannan mutanen ba. Shi dabam ne.
Amma waye shi?
SURA NA TARA
Thor yasamu kansa a dage sama, Reece nayawo cikin taron mutane dashi, dan autan sarki da sabon abokin tarayarsa. Tun lokacin gasan sukuwan, komai yayi yanayana. Kodama mai shi yayi a dan baya, kodama wani iko ne ya sayarda kan mashin daga kasha Erec, ya dauke hankalin dukan masarautan. An dakatar da wasan bayan wannan, sarakunan suka dakatar da wassaannin gabadaya, suka ce ba wanda yayi nasara. Kowani gwani ya koma gefensa, jama’a suka watse a yanayin tashin hankali, shi kuma Thor Reece ya dafo hanunsa ya tafidashi.
An tafi dashi a tawagan sarauta, aka yanki ta baya ta cikin jama’a, Reece na rike da hanunsa duk tafiyan. Thor yakasance har yanzu yana bari daga abubuwanda suka faru a yau. Ya gagara gane abinda shi ya aikata a can baya kadan dinnan, yadda ya canja abubuwa. Baiso yazama wani sanane ba, yaso yazama dan rundunan sarki ne kawai. Baiso yaja hankalin kowa ba.
Abu mafi muni, baisan ina za’a kaishi ba, ko za’a je a masa wani irin horo ne saboda sa baki a fadan. Lallai, ya kare rayuwar Erec---amma ya sabaki a yakin gwanin mayakin, abinda haramun ne ga dangidan gwani. Baisani ko za’a saka masane kokuma za’a masa fada.
“Yaya ka yi wannan?” Reece ya tambaya, ayayinda yaketafiya. Thor natabi a makance, shima nata kokarin ya warware lamarin. Yayinda yake tafiya, jama’a nata kallonsa, sonata hararansa Kaman ya zama wani abin kallo.
“Bansaniba,” Thor ya amsa da gaskiya. “Naso na taimakeshi ne sai….ya faru.”
“Ka ceci rayuwan Erec. Kasanda haka kuwa? Shine gwanin mayakin mafi suna. Kuma ka ceceshi.”
Thor yaji dadi yayinda ya jujuya kalmomin Reece a cikin zuciyansa, yakuma ji dan sakewa. Yaso Reece tun farkon haduwansa dashi; yanada wani irin yanayin kwantar wa mutum da hankali, yasan mai yakamata ya fada a kowani lokaci. Yayin tunani akai, yagane watakila ba horo ma za’a masa ba. Watakila, ta wassu hanyoyi, zasu kalleshi a matsayin wani irin jarumi.
“Banyi kokarin yin komaiba,” Thor yace. “Naso yarayune kawai. Ya kasance…abinda aka saba. Bawani babban abu bane.”
“Ba babban abuba?” Reece ya maimaita. “Ni bazan iyaba. Babu wanda zai iya a cikinmu.”
Sun juya wata kwana sai Thor yaga fadar sarki a gabansu, a shimfide, yayi sawo zuwa sama. Kallo gwanin sha’awa. Mayakan sarki sun saya a saye cak, a jere akan hanyan mai jeren dutwasu dayake kai mutum gada mai naduwa, suna tare taron mutane. Sun koma gefe domin baiwa Reece da Thor zarafin wucewa.
Sun cigaba da bin hanya su biyu, da mayaka ta kowani gefensu, suka haura har manyan kofofi masu nadaden sama, arufe da sakatun karfe. Mayaka hudu sun ja kofofin sun bude suka ja gefe, a saye cak. Thor yagagara yarda da irin kullarda ake tamasa; yaji Kaman shima dan iyalin sarkine.
Yayinda suka shiga fadar, kofofin suka rufu abayansu, Thor yayi mamakin kallon dake gabansa: cikin yakasance da girma, da dogayen bangunan dutse masu kaurin taku daya kuma da dakuna masu girma, budadu. Agabansa daruruwan yan fada keta kaiwa da komowa, sunata surutai akan abin mamakinda yafaru. Yanajin kananan surutain da nishadin da yanayin ya kawo, kuma dukan idanu suka juya suka kalleshi ayayinda yashiga. Ya kewayu da kulawa.
Duk sun matso kusa, Kaman suna kallon kauyanci yayinda Thor da Reece suka gangara dakalin fadan. Bai taba ganin mutane dayawa sanye da lafiyanyun kaya Kaman hakaba. Yaga dozindozin na yanmata masu shekaru dabamdabam,sanye da haddadun kaya kalkala, sun kakkama hanayen juna suna gulma cikin kunnuwan juna kuma sunata masa murmushi ayayinda yaka wucewa. Bai saba da zama abin kulawan kowa ba—bama Kaman a fadar sarauta—kuma baisan yaya zaiyi da haka ba.
“Yaya suke dariyana?” ya tambayi Reece.
Reece ya juya yayi dan karamin dariya.”Ba dariyanka sukeyi ba,” yace. “Sun fara sonka ne. kayi suna.”
“Nayi suna?” ya tambaya, yana mamaki. “Me kake nufi? Ban dade da nan ba.”
Reece yayi dariya saiya kama kafadarsa da hanu. Azahirance yake cewa Thor nabashi dariya.
“Kalmomi sukan bazu dasauri a fada fiye da yadda kake zato. Kuma sabon zuwa kamanka---ai, wannan baya faruwa kulum.”
“Ina zamuje?” ya tambaya, yanamai gane cewa ana jagoransa zuwa wani wuri.
“Mahaifina nason saduwa da kai,” yace, ayayinda suka sha kwanan wata sabuwar dakali.
Thor ya hadiya yawu.
“Mahaifinka? Kana nufin…sarki?” Bazato, ya fara jin fargaba. “Mai zaisa yaso saduwa dani? Ka tabbata?”
Reece yayi dariya.
“Lallai na tabbata. Ka daina bari. Mahaifina ne kawai.”
“Mahaifinka kawai?” Thor yace da rashin yarda. “Shine sarki!”
“Bashida wannan munin. Inajin zai zama saurara na farin ciki. Ka ceci rayuwar Erec, ai.”
Thor ya hadiye ywau da karfi, tafin hanunsa suna gumi, ayayinda wata babbar kofar ta budu suka shiga wata makekiyar azure. Ya kalli makekiyar lankwasasuwan silin dake sama da mamaki, a rufe da zanen gwani kuma a samasama. Bangunan na rufe da tagogi masu lankwasasun sama na gilashi, kuma inda maiyiyuwane, Karin mutane ne a dankare a dakin nan. Watakila sun kai dubu, kuma dakin a matse. Teburan liyafa sun mike sayin dakin iya kallon ido, mutane azazzaune akan kujeru marasa karshen tsayi, suna liyafa. Asakanin wannan akwai dan karamin hanyar wucewa da dogon, jan shimfida, yaje wani dandali wanda akansa kujeran sarauta ke zaune. Taron mutanen nata rabuwa su bada hanya ayayinda Reece da Thor ke gangarawa akan shimfidan suka nufi sarki.
“Kuma kana ganin ina zaka kaishi?” wani murya na rashin so, maifitowa hanci yazo.
Thor yadaga ido yaga wani mutum a saye akansa, bai girmeshi dayawa ba, sanye da kayan sarauta, tabattace yarima, yatare masu hanya yana hararansu a kasa.
“Umurnin mahaifinmu ne,” Reece ya mayar dadan karfi. “Gwanma kabarmu muwuce saidai idan kanason kakibin umurnin.”
Yariman yasaya kan matsayinsa, ya daura fuska, yana kamada ya ciji wani rubabben abu ayayin kallon Thor. Thor baisosa ba kokadan. Akwai abinda shi bai yardadashi ba tare dashi, da siraren, siffansa na rashin kirki da idanunda basua taba daina kiftuwa.
“Nan ba zauren talakawa bane,” yariman ya amsa. “Yakamata kabar matsiyacin a waje, daga inda yafito.”
Thor yaji kirjinsa ya matsu. Azahiri wannan mutumi ya tsaneshi, kuma baisan dalili ba.
“Ingayawa mahaifinmu abinda kace?” Reece ta tsare, yasaya akan matsayinsa shima.
Darashinso, yariman yajuya yatafi da buga kafa a kasa.
“Waye wannan?” Thor ya tambayi Reece, ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya.
“Kadaka damu dashi,” Reece ya amsa. “Yayanane kawai—kokuma daya acikinsu. Gareth. Babban. Ai, ba asalin babbanba—shi babban dan halak din ne kawai. Kendrick, wanda ka hadu dashi a filin daga—shine ainihin babban.”
“Me yasa Gareth ya tsaneni haka? Banma sanshi ba.”
“Kada ka damu—ba wa kai kadai yake ajiye kiyayyarsa ba, ya tsani kowa. Kuma duk wanda ya kusanci iyalinmu, yana ganinsa barazana. Kada ka taba damuwadashi. Shi daya ne acikin masu yawa.”
Ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya, Thor yacigaba da jin nunawa Reece godiya, wanda, yafara ganewa, yafara zama abokin gaskiya.
“Mai yasa kasayamani?” Thor ya tambaya, yanason tasani.
Reece ya girgiza kafada.
“An bani umurnin nakawoka gaban mahaifinmu. Banda wannan, kai abokin tarayyanane. Kuma andade ba a samu sa’ana anan wanda nayi tunanin yakai ba.
“Amma mai yasa ni nakai?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Ruhun mafadacinne. Ba a yaudara dashi.”
Ayayinda suka cigaba da ganagarawa hanyar suka nufi sarki. Thor yaji Kaman shi ya saba da saninsa—yazama wani iri, amma a wassu hanyoyin yaji Kaman Reece dan’uwansane. Bai taba yin dan’uwa ba—ba asalin dan’uwa ba—kuma abin nada dadi.
“Shauran yan’uwana maza ba haka sukeba, karka damu,” Reece yace ayayinda mutane suka kewayesu, kowa nason yaga Thor. “Dan’uwana Kendrick, wanda kuka hadu—shi yafi kirki a cikin dukkansu. Muna yan’ubane, amma na daukeshi tamkar dan’uwa—fiyema da Gareth. Kendrick na zaman Kaman mahaifi na biyu ne a wurina. Zai zama haka maka, kaima, na tabbatta. Babu abinda bazai iya maniba—ma kowa. Shine mafi soyuwan iyalin sarautanmu a wurin mutane. Babban rashine rashin iya zama sarkinsa.”
“Kace ‘yan’uwa’. Kanada wani dan’uwa, kaima?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece yayi numfashi mai zurfi.
“Inada dayakuma, hakane. Bamua kusantan juna. Godfrey. Abin bakinciki, yakan bata ranakunsa a gidan barasa, da talakawa. Ba mayaki bane, kamanmu. Bashida sha’awansa—bashida sha’awan komai, asali. Saidai barasa—da mata,”
Bazatto, suka saya kwassam ayayinda wata buduruwa ta tare nasu hanya. Thor ya saya a wurin, a daskare. Watakila ta girmeshi da ‘yan shekaru, tana kallonsa da masu launin bulan, idanun malmo, lafiyayan fata, da dogon, gashi mai launin tsada. Tana sanye da farar rigan yadin satin gefen a kame da leshi, kuma idanunta suna kyalli mai kyau, suna rawa da farin ciki da tsiya. Ta manna kallon idanunta akan nashi kuma ta shiga masa rai. Ba zai iya motsi ba koda yaso hakan. Ta kasance kyakkyawar matanda bai taba ganin irinta ba.
Tayi murmushi, tanuna fararen hakora---kuma Kaman dama bai riga yagagara motsi ba, murmushinta ya kara rikeshi a wurin, ya haskaka zuciyarsa da faruwan abu gudadaya. Yaji yana raye sosai.
Thor ya saya a gabanta, yagagara Magana. Yagagara numfashi. Wannan ne karon farko a rayuwarsa da ya taba jin haka.
“Bazaka gabatar dani bame?” buduruwan ta tambayi Reece. Muryarta ya wuce sambai zuwaga Thor—yama fi suranta kyau.
Reece ya sauke numfashi.
To dai ga yar’uwana,” yace da murmushi. “Gwen, wannan shine Thor. Thor, ga Gwen.”
“Yaya kake?” ta tambaya da murmushi.
Thor ya saya a wurin, adaskare. Daga karshe, Gwen tayi wani dan karamin dariya.
“Banda kalmomi dayawa a lokaci guda, yi hakuri,” tace tareda dariya.
Thor yaji Kaman shi yana canja launi; sai ya gyara murya.
“Nine…Ni…ne…yi hakuri,” yace. “Nine Thor.”
Gwen tayi dan karamin dariya.
“Nariga nasan wannan,” tace. Saitajuya zuwaga dan’uwanta. “Nawa, Reece, abokinka tabbattace nada nasa hanyan bi da kalmomi.”
“Mahaifinmu nason ganinsa,” yace da rashin hakuri. “Zamu makara.”
Thor yaso yayi Magana da ita, yagaya mata irin kyau dinda takedashi, irin murnan dashi yayi saboda haduwa da ita, irin godiyanda shi yayi saboda ta saya. Amma gabadaya harcensa yakasance a daure. Bai taba shiga irin wannan halin barin a rayuwarsa ba. Sai, amadadin komai, abinda ya iya furtawa kawai shine:
“Nagode miki.”
Gwen tayi dan karamin dariya, ta kara dariya da karfi.
“Ka gode saboda mene?” ta tambaya. Idanunta suka kunnu. Tana jin dadin wannan.
Thor yasake ji Kaman launinsa yasake canja wa.
“Um…Bansani ba,” yayi i’ina.
Gwen ta kara dariya da karfi, sai Thor yaji kunya. Reece ya zungureshi da gwiwar hanu, yana zungurashi su tafi, sai su biyun suka cigaba da tafiya. Bayan yan taku kadan, Thor yasake leka bayansa. Gwen tana saye awurin, itama tana kallonsa.
Thor yaji zuciyansa na bugawa. Yanason Magana da ita, yasan komai akanta. Yaji kunya sosai saboda rasa kalmominsa. Amma bai saba hira da yanmata ba, aima, a karamin kauyensu—kuma baima taba yi da kyakkyawa Kaman haka ba. Ba a taba koya masa asalin mai yakamata ya fada ba, mai yakamata yayi.
“Ta cika Magana,” Reece yace, ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya, suka nufi sarki. “Kada ka taba damuwa da ita.”
“Menene sunanta?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece yamasa wani irin kallo. “Yanzu ta gaya maka!” yace da dariya.
“Yi hakuri…Na…uh…Namanta,” Thor yace, tare da kunya.
“Gwendolyn. Amma kowa na kiranta Gwen.”
Gwendolyn. Thor nata jujuya sunanta a zuciyarshi, Gwendolyn. Gwen.baiso yabar sunan ya tafiba. Yaso ya dinga lilo a cikin tunaninsa. Ya fara tunanin ko zai sake samun zarafin ganinta. Ya canki maiyiwuwa babu, kasancewarsa talaka. Tunanin ya taba masa zuciya.
Taron mutanen sun yi shuru ayayinda Thor ya daga ido ya gane yanzu sun yi kusa da sarki. Sarki MacGil na zaune akan kujeran sarautansa, sanye da kayan sarauta mai launin malomo, hulan sarautansa tana razana mutum.
Reece ya durkusa da gwiwowinsa a gabansa, sai jama’a suka yi shuru. Thor yabi misalin Reece. Wani shuru ya rufe dakin.
Sarkin ya gyara muryarsa, wani mai zurfin, kara daga zuciyarsa. Ayayinda yake Magana, muryarsa na game dakin gabadaya.
“Thorgrin na gangaren gunduman kudanci na masarautar yamma,” ya fara. Kanada sanin cewa yau ka tsoma baki a gasan gwanaye na sarki?”
Thor yaji wuyansa ya bushe. Ya gagara sanin yadda zai mayar da martini; wannan na hanyan farawa mai kyau bane. Ya fara tunanin ko za’a horar dashine.
“Yi hakuri, ubangidana,” yace daga karshe. “Banso yin haka da gangan ba.”
MacGil yayi Kaman matsowa gaba ya daga marfin ido daya.
“Baka so yin hakanba? Kana nufin bakaso ceton ran Erec ba?”
Thor ya rikice. Ya gane shi yana karawa wuta mai ne.
“Babu, ubangidana. Naso na---”
“To yanzu ka yarda kenan cewa kaso soma baki ne?”
Thor yaji zuciyarsa na daka. Me zai iya cewa?
“Yi hakuri, ubangidana. Ina ganin nadai…so na taimaka ne.”
“Kaso kadai taimaka?” MacGil yace da babban murya, sai ya jinginu a baya ya fashe da dariya.
“Kaso ka taimaka! Erec! Gwanin mayakinmu mafi jarunta da kuma sanuwa!”
Dakin gabadaya ya amsa da dariya, sai Thor yaji fuskarsa yai nauyi, sau daya cikin yawan lokuta a yau kawai. Akwai abinda shi zai yi daidai a nan?
“Tashi ka matso kusa, yaro,” MacGil yabada umurni.
Thor ya daga ido da mamaki yaga sarkin na murmushi zuwa kasa agareshi, yana kallonsa da kyau, ayayinda yatashi ya nufi sarkin.
“Naga sarautancewa a fuskarka. Kai ba yaro haka kawai bane. Babu, ba haka kowai ba ko kadan…”
MacGil ya gyara murya.
“Erec ne mafi soyuwan gwanayen yakinmu. Abinda kayi yau babban abune. Babban abu wa dukanmu. A matsayin sakkaya, daga yau, da dauke a matsayin iyalina, da dukanin biyayya da zarafi da duka shauran yarana suke dasu.”
Sarkin ya jinginu da baya ya fada da babban murya: “A sanar kowa yaji!”
Dakin ya rude da babban ihu da buga kafafuwa a kasa a cikin dakin gabadaya.
Thor ya kalli kewayensa, arikice, yagagara fahimtan duk abubuwanda suke faruwa dashi. Dan dangin sarki. Wannan na gaba da mafi girman mafarkunsa. Abinda shi yaso kawai shine a daukeshi, a bashi wuri a rundunan mayaka. Yanzu, wannan. Godiyanda yakejinyi yafi karfinsa, da farin ciki, baimasan me yakamata yayi ba.
Kafin ya mayar da martini, babu zato dakin ya fashe da waka da rawa da liyafa, mutane nata buki akewaye dashi. Abin yazama hayaniya ne. Ya daga ido ya kalli sarkin, yaga soyayya dake cikin idanunsa, yaga kauna da karbuwa. Bai taba samun soyayyar wanda ke zaman mahaifi ba a rayuwarsa. Sai a yanzu gashinan, yasamu soyayyar ba mutum kawai ba, amma na sarkin, ba kasa dashi ba. A cikin wuni daya, duniyansa ta canja. Yayita adu’an Allah yasa duka wannan gaskiya ne ba mafarki ba.
*
Gwendolyn tanata tura hanyarta a cikin mutane, tanason tadan hangi yaron kafin arakashi yafita daga fada. Thor. Bugun zuciyarta ta karu akan tunaninsa, kuma tagagara daina jujuya sunansa a zuciyarta. Ta gagara daina tunaninsa daga lokacinda suka hadu. Tagirmeshi, amma ba fiyeda shekara daya ko biyu ba—ballema, yanada wani bau dashi wanda yasa yana Kaman yafi shekarunsa girma, yafi shauran nitsuwa, yafisu zahiranci. Daga lokacinda taganshi, yanda ya rikice. Tagani a idanunsa cewa yadda takeji shima yakeji.
Lalle, batama san yaronba. Amma ta shaidi abinda ya aikata akan hanyar sukuwa, taga yadda dan’uwanta yafara sonsa. Tasamasa ido tundaga lokacin, tana jin yanada wani abu na musamman, wani abinda ya banbanta da shauran. Haduwa dashi yadada tabbattar da haka. Yana dabanbanci da irin yan gidan sarauta, daga duk wadanda aka Haifa aka kuma raina anan. Akwai wani zahiranci mai kayatarwa a tare dashi. Shi bakone. Talaka. Amma basabamba, da yanayin gidan sarauta. Abin yayi Kaman yanajida kansa da yanayin kansa.
Gwen tabi hanyarta zuwa karshen dakalin sama ta leka kasa. Daga kasan fadan sarautane ashimfide, kuma tasamu yiwa Thor kallon karshe kafin arakashi waje, Reece agefensa. Tabbattace sun nufi barikine, domin yi horo dasauran yaran. Taji wani dannadama, tafara tunani, tana kulla, yadda zata shirya sake ganinsa.
Dole Gwen tasamu Karin saninsa. Dole tanemi bayani. Don wannan dole tayi Magana da mata daya data san kome akan kowa da duk abubuwan dake tafiya a masarautar: mahaifiyarta.
Gwen tajuya tasake yanka hanya komawa tacikin mutanen, tana jujuyawa kan dakalolin fadan wadanda tasansu da zuciya. Kanta na firo. Ranan yau yabata jiri gabadaya. Dafarko, tattaunawansu da mahaifinta nasafe, labarin banmamakinsa na wai yanason itane ta mulki masarautan. Yasameta a bazzata, bata taba zatton hakan a shekaru miliyanba. Tagagara warwareshi har yanzu. Yaya za a ceta mulki masarauta? Ta ture tunanin daga zuciyarta, tana fatan kar wannan ranan ya taba zuwa. Balle ma, mahaifinta nada lafiyarsa da karfi, kuma fiye da komai, abinda takeso kawai yarayu. Ya kasance anan da ita. Yakasance cikin farin ciki.
Amma tagagara cire tattaunawan daga zuciyarta. A wani wuri acikin zuciyan, aboya, akwai dan hatsinda ya shuka cewa wata rana, duk lokacinda ranan zai zo, dagashi sai ita. Zata gajeshi. Ba kodaya daga cikin yan’uwantaba. Amma ita. Abin nabata tsoro; yana kuma bata wani jin muhimmanci, wani rashin shakka, bakaman wani wanda ta taba samu ba. Yasameta da dacewan tayi mulki—ita—ta kasance mafi wayo da hikiman cikin dukansu. Tayi tunanin saboda mene.
Ya kuma, ta wassu hanyoyin, dameta. Tana ganin zai tada yawan kiyayya da kishi—ita, namace, azabeta tayi mulki. Tama fara ganin kishin Gareth. Kuma yana bata tsoro. Tasan yayanta da halin jujuya mutane da rashi yafiya. Zai iya yin komai domin yasamu abinda yakeso, kuma ta kijinin yasamata ido. Tayi kokarin ganawa dashi bayan tattaunawan, yamaki yakalleta.
Gwen ta gangara murdaden matakalan a guje, takalmanta nakara akan dutsen. Ta juya wani dakalin, tawuce ta masujada, ta wani kofan, ta wuce masu tsaro dayawa, tashiga kebaben shashi fadan. Dole ta tattauna da mahaifiyarta, wace tasan zata kasance tana hutawa anan. Mahaifiyarta bata iya juran wadannan harkokin bukibukin kuma—takanso tazame zuwa kebaben shashinta ta huta a koda yaushe zarafi zai iya samuwa.
Gwen tasake wuce wani mai tsaro, ta gangara wani zaure, sanan daga karshe tasaya a gaban kofan dakin shirin mahaifiyarta. Zata bude kofan kenan, amma saita saya. Abayan kofan, taji kananan muryoyi, karansu na karuwa, sai taji akwai wani abu. Mahaifiyarta ce, tana musu. Tasake kasa kunne sosai, taji muryan mahaifinta. Suna fada. Amma saboda me?
Gwen tasan baikamata takasa kunne ba—amma ya yanda ta iya. Ta mika hanu tatura babban kofan itacen oak din, ta kamashi da karfen kwankwasansa. Ta budeshi dan kadan ta kasa kunne.
“Ba zai zauna a gidana ba,” mahaifiyarta ta harba.
“Kina saurin yanka hukunci tun ma bakiji labara gabadaya ba.”
“Nasan labarin,” ta sake harbowa. “Ya isa haka.”
Gwen taji muryar mahaifiyarta da dafi, sai tatuna baya. Bata cika jin iyayenta suna fada—lokuta kadan a rayuwarta—kuma bata taba jin mahaifiyarta hankalinta atashe Kaman haka ba. Tagagara gane dalili.
“Zai zauna a bariki da shauran yaran. Banasonshi a karkashin jinkana. Ka gane?” ta danna.
“Babban fada ne,” mahaifinta ya mayar. “Bazaki ma san yananan ba.”
“Bandamu da konasani kobansaniba. Bana sonshi anan. Shi damuwanka ne. kai kazabi shigowa dashi.”
“Baki da rashin laifi gabadaya, kema,” mahaifinta ya musanta.
Taji takun kafafuwa, ta kalli mahaifinta ya sallaka dakin sai yafita ta kofan daya gefen, ya rufe kofan da karfi abayansa har saida ginin ya girgizu. Mahaifiyarta nasaye ita kadai a sakiyan dakin, sai ta fara kuka.
Gwen taji rashin dadi. Batasan me yakamata tayiba. A gefe daya, tayi tunanin zaifi kyau ta zame ta tafi, amma a daya gefen, bazata iya sayawa tana kallon mahaifiyarta na kukaba, bazata iya barinta haka ba. Ita ma, a rayuwanta gabadaya, ta gagara gane abinda suke musu akai. Tayi tunanin suna musu akan Thor ne. Amma saboda me? Me zaisa mahaifiyarta tama damu? Mutane dayawa suna zama a fadan.
Gwen tagagara tafiya haka kawai, ba a matsayinda mahaifiyarta ke ciki ba. Dole ta rarrasheta. Ta daga hanu tatura kofan ahankali.
Yadan yikara, sai mahaifiyarta ta juyo, yasameta a bazarta. Ta daura wa ‘yarta fuska.
“Bakia kwankwasa kofane?” ta tambaya da haushi. Gwen taga yadda hankalinta yatashi, sai taji wani iri.
“Me yafaru, mahaifiyana?” Gwen ta tambaya, tanufeta a hankali. “Bana nufin tsoma baki, amma naji kuna musu da mahaifina.”
“Gaskiyanki; baikamata kidinga tsoma baki ba,” mahaifiyarta ta mata fada.
Gwen taji mamaki. Mahaifiyarta kan kasance da kuzarine, amma bata cika kasancewa haka. Karfin haushinta yasa Gwen ta saya a tafiyanta yan kafofi daga ita, ba tabbaci.
“Akan sabon yaronne? Thor? Ta tambaya.
Mahaifiyarta ta juya ta kalli waniwuri dabam, tana share hawaye.
“Banganeba,” Gwen ta danna. “Yaya zaki damuda inda zai zauna?”
“Lammurana ba damuwanki bane,” tace a sanyance, tanason adaina zance azahiri. “Me kikeso? Me yekawo ki?”
Gwen tafara bari ayanzu. Taso mahaifiyarta tagaya mata komai akan Thor, amma tazabi lokacinda bai ko yi daidai ba. Ta gyara murya, tana shakka.
“Na…ainihin so na miki tambaya akansa. Me kika sani akansa?”
Mahaifiyarta ta juya sai ta masa idanunta a kallonta, bata yarda da ita ba.
“Saboda me?” ta tambaya, da dagewa. Gwen tanajin mahaifiyar na lissafi akanta, tana ganita azahiri, kuma tana gani da basiran zahiri cewa Gwen nasonshi. Tayi kokarin boye yadda takeji, amma tasan hakan bashida amfani.
“Inason nasani ne kawai,” tace, babu tabbattarwa.
Bazato, sarauniyar tayi taku uku zuwagareta, ta cafko hannayenta da garaje, ta harari fuskarta.
“Ki saurareni,” ta fada da tsaki. “Sau dayakawai zan fadi wannan. Ki nisanci wannan yaron. Kinajina? Banasonki a ko ina a kusadashi, ta ko wani hali.”
Gwen ta ji soro.
“Amma saboda me? Jarumi ne.”
“Shi ba dayane daga cikinmu ba,” mahaifiyarta ta amsa. “Duk da abinda mahaifinki zaiyi tunani. Inason ki nisanceshi. Kinajina? Ki rantse mini. Ki rantse mini a yanzu.”
“Bazan rantseba,” Gwen tace, ta kwace hannunta daga rikon mahaifyarta dayayi karfi dama.
“Shi talaka ne, kuma ke gimbiya ce,” mahaifiyarta tayi ihu. “Ke Gimbiya ce. Kin gane? Idan kika yadda kika kusanceshi, zansa a koreshi daga nan. Kin gane?”
Gwen tagagara sani yadda zata mayar da martini. Bata taba ganin mahaifiyarta haka ba.
“Kada ki gayamani abinda zaniyi, Mama,” tace daga karshe.
Gwen tayi iya kokarinta tayi amfani da muryar jaruminta, amma daga canciki tana bari ne. Tazonan dason tasan komai; amma yanzu, tana jinsoro. Batan gane me yake faruwa ba.
“Kiyi abinda kikagadama,” mahaifiyarta tace. “Amma kaddarrarsa na hanunki. Kada ki manta.”
Da wannan, mahaifiyarta ta juya, tayi tattaki daga dakin, ta rufe kofa da karfi abayanta, tabar Gwen ita kadai a cikin shurun da ya biyo baya, yanayinta arikice. Menene zai iya jawo irin wannan martani mai karfi daga mahaifinta da mahaifiyarta?
Waye wannan yaron?
SURA NA GOMA
MacGil ya zauna a zauren liyafa yana shugabantan fadawansa, shi a gefe daya na tebirin kuma sarki McCloud a daya gefen, daruruwan mutane daga duka dangi biyun a sakaninsu. Hananiyan auren yakai sa’o’i anayi har saida, daga karshe, yanayinda yake sakanin dangunan ya lafa daga gasan yau. Kaman yadda MacGil yayi zato, abinda mutanen ke bukata kawai ne barasa da nama—da mata—domin su mance banbance banbancensu. Yanzu duk suna cudanya a tebiri daya, Kaman yan’uwa mayaka. Kai, daya kallesu, MacGil yagagara gane ya’yan dangi biyu dabam dabam ne.
MacGil yaji bashi da laifi; aima babban shirinsa na aiki. Harma, dangi biyun sun riga sunyikama da sun kusanta. Yayi kokari yayi abinda ya fi karfi wadansu sarakunan dangin MacGil dasuka gabaceshi: hadakan duka bangarorin zoben guda biyu, yasasu, inma ba abokantaka ba, mafikaranta su zama makwabta masu zaman lafiya. Diyarsa Luanda na hanu da hanu da sabon mijinta, yariman Dangin McCloud, kuma Kaman ta gamsu. Jin rashi gaskiyarsa ya ragu. Watakila ya bada ita—amma ya bayar, akala, ya bata matsayin sarauniya.
MacGil ya mayar da tunani baya kan duk shiryeshiryen da ya gabaci bukinan, ya tuno dogayen ranakun musu da masu bashi shawara. Ya saba wa shawarwarin duk mashawartansa akan hada wannan auren. Ba zaman lafiyanda yazo da sauki bane kuma, a cikin lokaci, dangin McCloud zasu kwantar da hankalinsu a nasu bangaren tudun, za a manta da wannan auren, sai wata rana a tada rashin zaman lafiya. Bawai bashi da damuwa bane. Amma ayanzu, akalla, akwai dangantakan jini sakani bangarorin biyu—musamman daga an haifi da, zaiyi wuya aki kula da wannan. Idan yaron ya girma, wata kila ma wata rana yayi mulki, haifafen duka bangarori biyun, sai watakila, wata rana, duka zoben zata hadakai, su tudun su daina zama kan iyakanda ake jayyeya akansu, sai kasan ta iya cigaba a karkasin mulki daya. Wannan mafarki ne. ba wakansa ba, amma wa danginsa masu zuwa. Balle ma, dole zoben ya saya da karfinsa, na bukatan yasaya da karfin domin yak are loton, ya yaki dumbun yan duniyan waje masu kawo hari. Idan har dangi biyun suka ki hada kai, suna rage karfin kare kansu daga shauran duniyan ne.
“Ga wata fata,” MacGil yayi ihu, ya tashi.
Tebirin yayi shuru ayayinda daruruwan mutane suma suka tashi, kowa ya daga tulunsa.
“Zuwaga auren babbab diyana! Zuwaga hadewan dangin MacGil da dangin McCloud! Zuwaga zaman lafiya a lewayen zoben gabadaya!”
“KUJI KUJI!” ihu yadinga zuwa ahade. Kowa yasha said akin yakuma cikewa da ihun dariya da liyafa. MacGil ya zauna ya karanci dakin, yana neman shauran yaransa. Awurin, dama ai, akwai Godfrey, yanasha da hannaye duka biyu, buduruwa daya a kowani kafadansa, yana kewaye da abokanain tsiyansa. Wannan yakasance bukin gidan sarauta daya tilo daya hallata a son ransa. Akwai Gareth, azaune kusa da masoyinsa, Firth, yanamasa Magana a kunne; MacGil ya gane daga idanunsa, masu kiftawa, cewa yana kulla wani abu. Tunanin abin na murda masa ciki, sai ya juya fuska. Awurin, a can gefen dakin mainisa, akwai dan’autansa, Reece, yanata liyafa a tebirin yangida da wannan sabon yaron, Thor. Thor yariga ya zama Kaman da a gareshi, kuma yayi farin cikin ganin dan’autansa yafara abokantaka dashi.
Ya duba fuskoki yana neman na daya diyarsa, Gwendolyn, sai daga karshe yaganta azaune a gefe, akewaye da masu hidimanta, suna kananan dariya. Yabi kallonta, yagano tana kallon Thor ne. Ya karanci fuskarta na dogon lokaci, sai ya gane ta kamu. Bai hangi wannan ba kuma baisan wani fasara yakamata yamar ba. Yana jin kashin damuwa a wurin. Tunbama daga uwargidansa ba.
“Ba komai ne yake zama abinda yayi kama da ba,” wani murya yazo.
MacGil ya juya yaga Argon a zaune a gefensa, yana kallon dangi biyun na liyafa tare.
“Menen tunaninka akan duk wannan?” MacGil ya tambaya. “Za a samu zaman lafiya a masarautun?”
“Zaman lafiya baya taba zama wuri daya,” Argon yace. “Yakan ragu ya kuma gudu Kaman rowan teku. Abinda kake kallo a gabanka zaman lafiyan yaudara ne. Kana ganin gefen fuskansa daya. Kana sonka tilasta zaman lafiya akan daddaden gaba. Amma akwai daruruwan shekarun zubar da jinni. Ruhunnain suna kukan fansa. Kuma baza a kwantar da wannan da aure daya ba.”
“Me kake cewa?” Macgil ya tambaya, yasake kurban barasarsa, yanajin tsoro, Kaman yadda ya saba a gaban Argon.
Argon ya juya ya kalleshi kallo mai karfi sosai, kallon yasa kaduwa a cikin zuciyan MacGil.
“Za a yi yaki. Dangin McCloud zasu kawo hari. Ka shirya kanka. Duka bakin da kake gani anjuma kadan zasu fara iya kokarinsu na kasha iyalinka.”
MacGil ya hadiye yawu.
“Nadauki matakinda badaidai bane kenan da aura musu ita?”
Argon yayi shuru na wani dan lokaci, kafin daga karshe yace: “Bai zama lalle ya kasance haka ba.”
Argon yakau da kallo, sai MacGil yaga ya gama da wannan maddan kenan. Akwai miliyoyin tambayoyi dayake son a amsa masa, amma yasan maisihirinsa ba zai bada amsa ba sai lokacinda ya shirya. Sai amaimako, ya kalli idanun Argon ya kuma bi nasu kallon zuwaga Gwendolyn, sai zuwa Thor.
“Kana ganinsu tarene?” MacGil ya tambaya, bazatto yaso yasani.
“Watakila,” Argon ya amsa. “Akwai shauran hukunci dayawa wadda ba a yanka ba.”
“Kana yin habaici.”
Argon ya kada kafada ya kauda kallo, sai MacGil yagane ba zaisamu wani Karin bayani daga wurinsa ba.
“Kaga abinda yafaru akan fili a yau?” MacGil ya nemi sani. “Da yaron?”
“Naganshi kafin ya faru,” Argon ya mayarmasa.
“Menene tunaninka akai? Menene tushin baiwan yaron? Shi Kaman kai ne?”
Argon ya juya ya kalli idanun MacGil sosai, kuma da nauyin kallonda ya kusan sashi ya kauda nasa kallon.
“Yafini karfi bakadan ba.”
MacGil ya mayar da kallon, yana mamaki. Bai taba jin Argon na Magana haka ba.
“Fin karfi? Yafika? Yaya hakan zai yiwu? Kaine maisihirin sarki—babu wani mahalukinda yafika karfi a kasan.”
Argon ya kada kafada.
“Baiwa baya zuwa a yanayi daya kawai,” yace. “Yaron nada baiwa fiyeda yadda zaka iya tunani. Baiwa fiyeda abinda shi dakansa yasani. Baisan shi wanene ba. Kokuma daga ina ya fito.”
Argon ya juya ya kalli MacGil.
“Amma kai kasani,” ya kara.
MacGil nata mayar da kallo, yana mamaki.
“Nasani?” MacGil ya tambaya. “Gaya mani. Ina bukatan nasani.”
Argon ya girigiza kansa.
“Kabinciki yadda kake ji. Gaskiya ne.”
“Mai zai kasance dashi?” MacGil ya tambaya.“Zai zama jarumin shugaba. Da kuma gwarzon gaske. Zai mulki masarautu acikin ikonsa. Masarautunda suka fi naka nesa ba kusa ba. Kuma zai kasance sarki mai girmanda yafi naka sosai. Kaddararsa ne.”
Na wani dan lokaci, MacGil nata konuwa da kishi. Ya juya ya kalli yaron, yana dariya a sake da Reece, a tebirin yangida, talakan, mara larfin dan waje, karamin cikin tarin. Yagagara tunanin yadda zai yiwu. Yana kallonsa a yanzu, baima yikama da mai cikaken cancantar shiga runduna ba. Yayi tunani na dan lokaci ko Argon ya bata ne.
Amma Argon bai taba bata ba kuma bai taba Magana babu dalili ba.
“Mai yasa kake gaya mani wannan?” MacGil ya tambaya.
Argon ya juyo ya kalleshi.
“Saboda lokacin shirinka yayi. Yaron na bukatan horo. Yana bukatan abashi komai mafi kyau. Alhakinka ne.”
“Nawa? Mahaifinsa fa?”
“Menene akan mahaifinsa? Argon ya tamabaya.
SURA NA GOMA SHA DAYA
Thor ya bare idanunsa ya budesu, arikice, yana kwokwanton a ina yake. Yana kwance a kasa akan taburma, fuskarsa a shuke ta gefe, hanayensa a sake a saman kansa. Ya daga fuskarsa, ya share yawu daga bakinsa, nandanan yaji wani zafi a kansa, a bayan idanunsa. Wannan ne ciwonkai mafi muni a rayuwarsa. Sai ya tuna daren jiya, liyafar sarki, shayeshayen, farkon dandana barasansa. Dakin na juyawa. Makogoronsa a bushe, kuma a wannan lokacin yasha alwashin ba zai sake shan barasa ba.
Thor ya kalli kewayensa, yana kokarin yagane inda yake a babban barikin. Jikunan mutane ne kota ina, kwance kan taburmai, assume, suma. A lokacin ne yatuna: shi yana bariki ne. Barikin rundunan. Duk akewaye dashi akwai yara maza sa’o’insa, Kaman su hamsin.
Thor yadan tuna Reece na nunamasa hanya, cikin sa’o’in safe, kuma fadawa kan taburman. Hasken sassafiya na shiga ta taga, sai Thor yagano shi kadai ya tashi. Ya dubi kasa yagano ya kwanta sanyeda kayansa, ya mika hanu ya sefe gashinsa. Zai iya bada komai domin yasamu zarafin yin wanka—koda yake baisan a ina bane. Kuma zai iya komai domin yasamu ruwansha. Cikinsa yayi kara—yanason abinci, ma.
Wannan duk yakasance masa sabon abu. Yagagara sanin a ina yake, ina rayuwa zata kaishi zuwa gaba, yaya tsarin rundunan sarki yake. Amma yana cikin farin ciki. Daren jiya ya kasance babban dare ne, daya daga cikin dararraki daya fi kyau a rayuwarsa. Yasamu Reece aboki na kusa, kuma ya kama Gwendolyn sau daya ko biyu tana kallonsa. Yayi kokarin Magana da ita, amma duk lokacin day a nufeta, muradinsa ya kasa a hanya. Yaji dam nadama yayin tunanin wannan. Mutane da sukenan sunyi yawa sosai. Da Kaman su biyun ne kawai, daya samu karfin gwiwa. Amma zai samu wani zarafin?
Kafin Thor yagama tunanin, saiga dukan bazata akan kofofin barikin na itace, kuma jim kadan, suka yi buduwan wargazuwa, haske ya zubo cikin dakin.
“Ku mike, yangida!” wani ihu yazo.
Sai dozin dozin na yan Silvern sarki suka shigo, tsarkunan adonsu nata kara, suna dukan bangunan katakon da sandunan matsayinsu. Kara nada toshe kunne, kuma a kewaye da Thor, shauran yaran sunyi tsalle zuwaga kafafafuwansu.
A shaugabantan tawagan akwai mayakin da fuskarsa keda ban-tsoro wanda Thor ya tuno daga gasan jiya, kakkaurin, mai tsanko mai tabo a hanci, wanda Reece yagayamasa cewa sunansa Kolk.
Kaman yana hararan Thor ne yayinda ya daga yasa ya nuna masa.
“Kai a wurin, yaro!” yayi ihu. “Nace katashi ka mike!”
Thor ya rikice. Yariga ya fara tashi.
“Amma nariga natashi kan kafafuna, maigida,” Thor ya amsa.
Kolk yayi taku daya zuwa gaba sai ya mari fuskan Thor da bayan hanu. Thor yaji haushin rashin adalcin abin, tunda duk kallo ya koma kansa.
“Kadaka taba sake mayar da Magana wa nagaba dakai ba!” Kolk yamasa fada.
Kafin Thor ya mayarda martini mutanen sun cigaba, suna yawo cikin dakin, suna fisgo yaro daya bayan daya su tashi, suna harbin wasu da basu tashi da sauri ba da kafa a hakarkari.
“Kada ka damu,” wani murya mai kwantar da hankali yazo.
Ya juya sai yaga Reece a saye a wurin.
“Ba wa kai kadai bane. Yanayinsu ne kawai. Yanayinsu na danna mu.”
“Amma kai basu makaba,” Thor yace.
“Dama ai, bazasu tabani ba, saboda mahaifina. Amma bazasu kasance da biyayya, ma ba. Sunason mu horu, shikenan. Suna ganin wannan zai karfafa mu. Karka bada hankalinka dayawa zuwagaresu.”
An fitar da yaran gabadaya daga barikinsu kuma Thor da Reece ma sun bi sahu. Ayayinda suka fita waje, hasken rana ya bugi Thor sai ya matsa idanunsa ya daga hanu. Babu zatto kawai, jin amai yazo masa, ya juya, ya durkusa, sai ya haras.
Yana jin dariyan raini da yara ketayi a kewaye dashi. Wani mai tsaro ya turashi, sai Thor ya dungura gaba, yakoma jere da shauran, yana share bakinsa. Thor bai taba jin rashi daidai Kaman wannan ba.
A gefensa, Reece yayi murmushi.
“Hayaniyan dare, hakane?” ya tambayi Thor, yana murmushi da fadi, yana tokaran hakarkarinsa da gwiwan hanu. “Na gayamaka ka saya bayan tulu na biyu.”
Thor yaji Kaman amai kuma yayinda rana ya hasko idanunsa; bai taba jin haka da karfi Kaman na yau ba. Ranan yariga yayi zafi, kuma yariga ya fara jin zufa a karkashin kayanda yasa.
Thor yayi kokarin tuna kashedin Reece na daren jiya—amma ko don ransa, yagagara tunawa.
“Ban tuna wani shawara Kaman haka ba,” Thor ya musanta.
Reece ya kara fadin murmushi. “Tabbas. Hakan ya kasance domin kaki ji.” Reece yayi dan dariya. Kuma wadanncan guragun kokarin Magana da yar’uwana,” ya kara. “Yakasance abin tausayi mai kyau. Ina ganin ban taba ganin yaro namiji mai soron mata haka ba a rayuwana.”
Thor ya canja yanayi yayin kokarin tunawa. Amma yagagara. Duk ya kasance arikice a idonsa.
“Ban yi nufin yin laifi ba,” Thor yace. “Da yar’uwanka.”
“Bazaka mun laifi ba. Idan ta zabeka, zanyi farin ciki.”
Su biyun sun kara saurin fareti, ayayinda tawagan ta juya wani tudu. Rana na Kaman kara karfi da kowani taku.
“Amma dole namaka kashedi: kowani hanu a masarautar nasonta. Yiwuwan ta zabeka…to dai, bari muce dan kadan ne.”
Ayayinda suka kara saurin fareti a haye mirginanun tudu masu launin ganye na fadan sarki, Thor yaji karfin gwiwa. Yaji Reece ya karbeshi. Yaji dadi, amma yacigaba dajin Reece Kaman dan’uwa wadda ya rasa. Ayayin tafiya, Thor ya kula da ainihin yan’uwansa uku suna fareti kusa dasu. Daya daga cikinsu ya juya ya harareshi, sai ya zunkudi daya dan’uwansa, wanda ya mayar da kallon raini. Sun girgiza kawunansu sai suka juya. Basu da dede da kalman kirki guda daya wa Thor. Amma shima baya zaton komabayan haka.
“Kashiga jeri, dan runduna! Yanzu!”
Thor ya daga ido yaga yan Silver dayawa suka mamayesu, suka tura su hamsin din suyi jere mikakiya, jere biyu. Wani mutum yazo daga baya ya bugi yaron dake gaban Thor da wata babban gora, ya bugeshi da kara mai karfi a baya; yaron yayi ihu, sai ya shiga jere da kyau. Jim kadan sun kasance a jeri biyu masu sabta, suna fareti daidai ta cikin haraban sarki.
Idan kuka zo shiga yaki da fareti, kuna shiga Kaman mutum daya ne!” Kolk ya fada da karfi, yana tafiya sama da kasa a gefensu. “Nan ba sakar gidan iyayenku mata bane. Kuna fareti ne zuwa yaki!”
Thor yayi fareti yakara fareti a gefen Reece, yana gumi a cikin rana, yana tunanin ina aka nufa dasu. Cikinsa na juyawa haryanzu daga barasan, kuma yana tunanin yaushe zai samu abincin karyawa, yaushe zai samu wani abu yasha. Ya sake, zagin kansa dayayi shayeshaye a daren jiya.
Yayinda suke haurawa su gangara su tudun, ta cikin masihigi mai lankwashashen kofan dutse, daga karshe sun kai filayen kewaye. Sun sake wuce wata babban mashiga mai lankwashashen kofar dutse sai suga shiga wani irin babban dakin wassani. Wurin horon ‘ya’yan runduna.
A gabansu akwai kowani nau’i na abubuwan aunawa na wurign mashi, harba baka, da wurga duwatsu, da kuma tarin ciyayi na yankawa da takwafi. Zuciyar Thor ta kara gudu saboda abubuwan da yagani. Yaso yashiga cikin wurin, yayi amfani da makamain, yayi horo.
Amma ayayinda Thor ya nufi wurin horon, bazato aka zungureshi da gwiwan hanu daga baya, sai wani tarin yara shida, mafiyawansu kananan cikin sabbin daukan kaman Thor, aka fitardasu daga jeri. Yasamu kansa ana rabashi da Reece, ana kaishi daya gefen filin.
“Kunaganin zakuyi horo?” Kolk ya tambaya da tsiya ayayinda suka juya daga shauran, suna barin wurin abubuwan aunawan. “Dawakai ne muku a yau.”
Thor ya daga ido sai yaga inda suka nufa: a daya bangaren filin da nisa, dawakai dayawa nata yawonsu. Kolk ya kalleshi da murmushin mugunta.
“Ayayinda shauran ke wurga mashu suna waina takwufa, yau ku zaku kula da dawkai ku share bayangidansu. Dole mufara a wani wuri. Barka da zuwa runduna.
Zuciyan Thor yabaci. Bahaka ya hangi tafiyan ba.
“Kana ganin kai na dabam ne, yaro?” Kolk ya tambaya, ya wuce da tafiya, yazo kusada fuskarsa. Thor yaji yanason ya karya muradinsa ne. “Son da sarki da dansa suka fara maka, bai zama kome a wurina ba. Kana karkashin ummurnina ne ayanzu. Ga ganeni? Ban damuda wassu dabarun da kanuna a filin gasa ba. Kai wani dan karamin yaro ne Kaman kowanne. Ga gane?”
Thor ya hadiye yawu. Ya shiga wani dogon, horo mai wuya ne.
Abun bata lammura kuma, daga juyawan Kolk domin yaje yabama wani yaron wuya, yaron dake gaban Thor, wani kakauran yaro mai shimfidaden hanci, yajuyo yayiwa Thor tsiya.
“Baikamata kananan ba,” yace. “Ka shigo da magudi ne. Ba a zabe ka ba. Kai ba dayane daga cikinmu ba. Babu. Ba mai sonka a cikinmu.”
Yaron dake gefen Thor shima ya juya yamasa tsiya.
“Zamuyi duk abinda zamu iya domin mu tabbattar ka kasa,” yace. “Shiga na da sauki in an kwatanta da zaman ciki.”
Thor ya jabaya daga kiyayyarsu.yagagara yarda cewa yariga yayi abokan kiyayya, kuma yagagara gane meshi yayi da bukaci hakan. Abinda yataba so kawai shine shiga runduna.
“Me yasa bazaku fuskanci gabanku ba,” wani murya yazo.
Thor yayi dubi sai yaga wani dogo, siririn yaro mai jankai, yanada zanzana a fuska da kananan idanu masu launin ganye, dasuka saya masa. “Ku biyun ma na makale anan kuna jefa garma da shauranmu,” ya kara. “Baku kasance wasu na mussamman ba, kuma. Kuje ku cigaba da latsa wani.”
“Ka fuskanci gabanka, bawa,” daya daga cikin yaran ya harba, “kokuma musaka agaba, kaima.”
“Ku gwada,” jankai din ya fada da karfi.
“Zaku yi Magana alokacinda nace kuyine kawai,” Kolk yayiwa daya daga cikin yaran ihu, ya rankwasheshi da karfi a ta saman kansa. Yara biyu dake gaban Thor, abin godiya, suka juya suka yi gaba.
Thor baisan me zaice ba; ya daidaita da yaro mai jankai din, yana jin masa godiya.
“Nagode maka,” Thor yace.
Jankan ya juya yayi masa murmushi.
“Sunan O’Connor ne. Da zan sha hanu dakai, amma zasu dukeni in nasha. Sabodahaka ka karbi wannan shan hanu da ba a ganin.”
Ya kara murmushi dafadi, sai Thor haka kawai yasoshi.
“Kadaka damu dasu,” ya kara. “Sun razana ne kawai. Kaman duka shauranmu. Babu wani a cikinmu dayasan abinda yake cusa kansa aciki.”
Jim kadan tawagansu takai karshen filin, sai Thor ya kirga dawakai shida suna yawonsu.
“Kamo igiyoyin jansu!” Kolk ya bada umurni. “Ku rike su daidai, ku jagorancesu kuna kewaya haraban horonnan har sai sun gaji. Kuyi haka a yanzu!”
Thor yayi gaba domin yakama igiyan daya daga cikin dawaken, yana hin hakan dokin ya masa dabaya yayi harbi da kafa, ya kusan dokeshi. Thor, agigice, yaja da baya, sai shauran a tawagan suka yi dariyansa. Kolk ya rankwasheshi da karfi a bayan kansa, sai yaji Kaman ya juya ya rama.
“Kai dan runduna ne a yanzu. Ba a komawa dabaya. Koda ma wanene. Ba mutum, ba dabba. Yanzu kamo igiyan nan!”
Thor ya karfafa kansa, yayi gaba, ya cafko igiyan doki mai harbin. Yayi kokari ya rike yayinda dokin keta fincika yana ja, har yafara jagoransa suna kewaya fili mai dattin, yashiga jeri da shauran. Dokinsa ya dan jashi, yana kin tafiya, amma Thor ma ya ja dokin, yaki ya hakura da sauri.
“Yakan karakyau, yadda naji.”
Thor ya juya yaga O’Connor yana haurowa a gefensa, yana murmushi. “Suna son su karya mu, ka sani?”
Bazato, dokin Thor yasaya. Duk irin janda zai yiwa igiyan, yaki ya motsa. Sai thor yaji wani wari mara kyau; kashidake fitowa daga duburan dokin yafi yanda shi ya taba sammani zai iya fitowa. Kaman bazai kareba.
Thor yaji andanna masa wani dan karamin garma a tafin hanu, ya kalli gefen yaga Kolk a gefensa, yana masa murmushi.
“Ka share!” yayi masa ihu.
SURA NA GOMA SHA BIYU
Gareth na saye a cikaken kasuwan, yana sanye da alkebba dukda zafin rana, yana gumi a karkashin kayan, yana kokarin kar a ganeshi. Yana kokarin kaucewa wannan gafen fadan sarki a kodayaushe, wadannan masasun lungunan, wadanda suka warin mutum da talakawa. Akewaye dashi akwai mutane suna sada ciniki, saya da sayaruwa, suna kokarin cin riba a jikin juna. Gareth ya saya a wata shaon kan iyaka, yayi Kaman yanason yayan lambunda mai shagon ke sayarwa, ya sunkuyar da kansa. A saye yan kafofi dahashi akwai Firth, a karshen lungun, yanayin abinda yakawosu.
Gareth yadan saya a inda yake dan jin tattaunawan, ya juya bayansa zuwa garesu saboda kar aganshi. Firth yamasa maganan wani mutum, mayakin haya, wanda zai sayar masa da wani tulun guba. Gareth nason wani abu mai karfi, wani abinda tabbattace zai yi aikin. Baza a iya wani sakeba. Tunda ma, nashi ran ma na hadari.
Ba irin abjnda shi zai tambaya a wurin mai bada magani a garin bane. Ya baiwa Firth aikin, wanda ya kawo masa sakamako bayan ya gama gwada kasuwan bayan fagen. Bayan yawan nune nunen hanya, Firth ya jagorancceshi zuwa wurinwannan kazamin, wanda yanzu yake Magana dashi aboye a karshen lungun. Gareth ya nace sai shima yazo haduwan kamala cinkin, domin ya tabbattar komai ya tafi daidai, domin ya tabbattar ba damfara za a masa ba kokuma abashi guban karya. Ahade da, har yanzu bai tabbattar da Firth zai iya ba. Wassu abubuwan, dole ya lura dasu dakansa.
Sun jira wannan mutumin na rabin sa’a, Gareth yasha tureture a cikakken kasuwan, yanata adu’an kar wani yaganoshi. Kodama anganoshi, ya lisafa, idan har ya juya bayansa ga lungun, idan wani yasan shi waye, zai iya tafiyansa kawai, sai bawanda zai iay hada lissafin.
“Ina tulun guban?” Firth, taku kadan daga wurinshi, ya tamabayi wawan.
Gareth ya juya dan kadan, ya kula cewa fuskarsa na boye, yana leke daga gefen mayafinsa. Asaye agaban Firth akwai wani mutum mai kama da mugunta, kazami, siriri sosai, da ramamun kumatu da manyan bakaken idanu. Yayi kama da wani abu mai kama da bera. Yana kallon Firth a kasakasa, babu kifta ido.
“Ina kudin?” ya mayar da martini.
Gareth yayi fatan Firth zai tafiyar da wannan da kyau: ya saba day a lalata lammura ta lowani hanya.
“Zan baka kudin bayan kabana tulun.” Firth ya saya a kan matsayinsa.
Da kyau, Gareth yayi tunani, yayi yabo.
Wani dan kakkauran lokacin shuru yasamu, sai:
“Ka bani rabin kudin ayanzu, sai ingayamaka inda tulun yake.”
“Inda yake?” Firth ya maimaita, muryarsa natashi da mamaki. “Kace zan karba.”
“Nace zaka karba, I. Bance zankawoshi ba. Kana ganin ni wawa ne?”
“Akwai yan leken asiri kota ina. Nasan abinda kake nufi—amma na zato ba abin banza bane. Domin ma, me zaisa ka sayi tulun guba?”
Firth ya saurara, sai gareth yagane ansameshi samun bazata.
Daga karshe, Gareth yaji sautin kwabai suna kara, sai ya leka yaga kudi na zuba daga jakar kudin Firth zuwa tafin hanun mutumin.
Gareth ya jira, dakikokin Kaman bazasu wuceba, yanata Karin damuwa kardai an damfaresu ne.
“Zaka dauki hanyar Blackwood,” mutumin ya mayar da matarni daga karshe. “A mil dinka na uku, ka juya kan hanyan dake haurawa kan tudun. Asaman, kasake juyawa, wannan lokacin zuwa hagu. Zaka shige ta cikin bishiyoyi mafi kauri daka taba gani, sai kazo dan shararen wuri. Akulkin mayya. Zata jiraka—da tulunda kakeso.”
Gareth yaleka daga hular mayafinsa, sai yaga Firth nashirin tafiya. Yanayin haka, mutumin yamika hanu ya shakeshi a riga.
“Kudin,” mutumin ya fada. “Bai isa ba.”
Gareth na iya gani soro ya bazu a fuskar Firth, sai yayi nadaman aikansa a wannan aikin. Wannan kazamin mutumin yagano soronsa—yanzu yana amfani da zarafin. Firth bashida yanayin tunkaran irin wadannan lammuran.
“Amman a baka daidai abinda ka tambaya,” Firth yakoka, muryarsa na tashi dayawa. Yayi bayani Kaman dan daudu. Wannan kuma ya dada karfafa mutumin.
Mutumin ya mayarda murmushi, na mugunta.
“Amma yanzu na tambayi kari.”
Idanun Firth sun budu da tsoro, darashin tabbass. Sai, babuzatto, Firth yajuya ya kalleshi gabagadi.
Gareth yajuya ya mayar da kallo wani guri, yana fatan ba a makara ba, yana fatan kar aganshi. Yaya Firth zai zama wawa haka? Yayin adu’an kardai yabadashi.
Zuciyan Gareth nata daka yayinda yake jira. Yanata taba yayan itacen a dalilin tsoro, yanayi Kaman yanaso ne. Anyi doguwar shuru abayansa, ayayinda Gareth yayita tunanin duka irin abubuwanda zasu iya lalacewa.
Yi hakuri, karkasa yazo tanan,Gareth yayi wa kansa adu’a. Yi hakuri, zanyi kodama menene. Zan bar shirin.
Yaji wani mara sumul din tafin hanu ya mareshi a baya. Ya waiwayo ya duba.
Manyan bakaken, mararan idanun wawan na kallon nasa.
“Baka ce mani kanada abokin tafiya ba,” mutumin ya fada masa. “Ko kai dan liken asiri ne?”
Mutumin ya miko hanu kafin Gareth yadauki wani mataki, sai ya bude mayafin Gareth. Yasamu kallon fuskan Gareth mai kyau, sai idanunsa suka budu da babban mamaki.
“Yariman fada,” mutumin yayi i’ina. “Me kakeyi anan?”
Dakika daya bayan haka, idanun mutumin suka matsu da ganewa, sai ya baiwa kansa amsa, da wata karamar, murmushi mai gamsarwa, ya hada dukanin shirin dayani. Yana da basira fiyeda yadda Gareth ke sammani.
“Nagane,” mutumin yace. Wannan tulun---makaine, ko bahakaba? Kana harin baiwa wani guba, ko baka hari? Amma waye? Hakane, wannan shine tambayan… ”
Fuskan Gareth ya canja da damuwa. Wannan mutumin—yanada sauri dayawa. An makara. Dukannin duniyarsa na rushewa akewaye dashi. Firth ya bata lamari. Idan wannan mutumin yabada Gareth, za a yanka masa hukuncin mutuwa.
“Mahaifinka, watakila?” mutumin ya tambaya, idanunsa na kawo wuta cikin ganewa. “Ai, dole haka zai zama, ko bahakaba? An hayeka. Mahaifinka. Kana harin kasha babanka.”
Abin ya ishi Gareth. Babu wani kokwanto, ta masa gaba, ya ciro wata yar karamar wuka daga cikin mayafinsa, yasoki mutumin dashi a kirji. Mutumin yadan yi karan jan numfashi.
Gareth baiso wani maiwucewa ya shaidi wannan ba, sai ya riko mutumin a tufafinsa ya jawoshi kusa, sanda fuskokinsu suka kusan taba juna, sanda yafara jin warin rubabben numfashinsa. Da hanunsa dabaya komai, ya kai sama ya rufe bakin mutumin kafin yayi ihu. Gareth yaji jinin mutumin dazafinsa yana sauka tafin hanunsa, yana bin cikin yasunsa.
Firth ya hauro daga gefensa sai yayi ihun soro.
Gareth yarike mutumin haka na dakika sittin masu kyau, kafin daga karshe, yajishi ya sake jiki a rike ahanunsa. Yabarshi ya fadi, ba motsi, atare a kasa.
Gareth ya jujuya, yana kokwanton ko anganshi; yaci sa’a, babu kawunanda suka waiwayo a wannan cikaken kasuwan, a wannan lungu mai duhun. Ya cire mayafinsa ya wurga kan macecen tarin dake kasan.
“Yi hakuri, yi hakuri,yi hakuri,” Firth yayita maimaitawa, Kaman wata karamar yarinya, yana kuka ba jin hakuri yana kuma bari yayinda ya nufo Gareth. “Kana lafiya? Kana lafiya?”
Gareth yadaga hanu yamareshi da bayan hanu.
“Rufe bakinka kuma kabar nan,” yayi tsaki.
Firth ya juya ya hanzarta barin wurin.
Gareth yayi shirin tafiya, amma sai yasaya ya juyo. Yanada shauran abu guda da zai yi: yakai hanu kasa, ya dafo jakar kwabbansa daga hanun macecen mutumin, ya mayar dashi damarar kwankwasonsa.
Mutumin ba zai bukaci wannan ba.
SURA NA GOMA SHA UKU
Gareth na hanzarta tafiya cikin hanyar dajin, Firth a gefensa, hular mayafinsa ajanye ta rufe kansa dukda zafinda akeyi. Yagagara yarda cewa yanzu yasamu kansa a matsayinda tuncan dama yaso ya kauce wa. Yanzu akwai kisa, da sahu. Wayasan mutanenda watakila mutumin nan yayi Magana dasu. Da Firth yadada maida hankali ne a harkanlarsa da mutumin nan. Yanzu bin sahun zai iya dawowa ga Gareth.
“Yi hakuri,” Firth yace, yana sauri yakamoshi.
Gareth yaki ya saurareshi, ya ninka tafiyarsa, yana huci.
“Abinda kayi wawancine, kuma ragwanci ne,” Gareth yace “Da baka kalli ta wurina ba.”
“Banyi niyan hakanba. Bansan meyakamata nayi bane ayayinda ya tambayi Karin kudi.”
Firth yayi gaskiya; yanayinmai daurakai ne. Mutumin nada son kansa, alade mai handama wanda ya canja dokokin wasan kuma yakamaci yamutu. Gareth bai zubar da wani hawaye akan mutuwansa ba. Adu’a kawai yakeyi yazama babu wanda ya shaida kisan. Abun bukata na karshe a wurinsa shine barin sawu. Za ayi babban bincike a bayan kisan mahaifinsa, kuma ba zai iya da barin mafi kankantan sawu da za a iya bi ba.
Ababu dai yanzu suna dajin Blackwood. Duk da ranan rani, cikin wurin yayi duhu, dogayen bishiyoyin eucalyptus suna tare kowani layin hasken rana. Wannan yayi daidai da yanayinsa. Gareth ya kijinin wannan wurin. Yacigaba da gangarawa hanya mai kwanekwanen, yana bin kwatancen matacen mutumin. Yayi fatan yazamana gaskiya mutumin tafada amma ba wai yanason ya batardasu bane. Harkan gabadaya na iya zama karya. Kokuma na iya kaisu cikin wani tarko, zuwaga wassu abokansa da suna iya jiransu suyi musu fashin Karin kudi.
Gareth ya gargadi kansa. Ya yarda da Firth dayawa. Daya aiwatar da wannan duka dakansa. Kamar yadda yasaba.
“Gwamma kayi fatan wannan hanyan yakaimu ga maiyyan,” Gareth yadan jefa, “kuma yakasance tanada guban.”
Sun cigaba da gangarawa hanya bayan hanya har suka iso inda hanya yarabu, daidai Kaman yadda mutumin yace zasu kai. Yayi kyau haka, kuma Gareth yadan ji sauki. Sun bi hanyan zuwa ta dama, suka haura wani tudu, sanan suka sake juyawa hagu. Kwatancensa nagaskiya ne, sai agabansu ga, azahiri, mafi duhun shashin dajin da Gareth ya taba gani. Bishiyoyin nada girman mamaki kuma sun hargise.
Gareth ya shiga dajin sai daga shiga yaji wani sanyi ya haura kashin bayansa, yana iyajin muguntanda yake yawo a iska anan. Yagagara yarda cewa yanzu rana ne.
Adaidai lokacinda yafara tsoro, yana tunanin ya juya yakoma, agabansa hanyar ta kare a wani dan shararen wuri. Wani sandan hasken rana guda daya daya huda cikin duhun bishiyoyin ne ke haskaka daidai wurin. A sakiyarsa akwai wani dan karamin bukkan dutse. Bukkan maiyya.
Gudun bugun zuciyar Gareth ya karu. Ya shigo shararen wurin yana duba kewayensa domin ya tabbattar babu mai kallonsa, domin ya tabbattar wannan ba tarko bane.
“Kagani, gaskiya yafada,” Firth yace, farin ciki a muryarsa.
“Wannan bai nufi komaiba,” Gareth ya gargadeshi. “kajira a waje kana sintiri. Kayi kwankwasa idan wani ya nufonan. Kuma ka rufe bakinka.”
Gareth bai damu da ya kwankwasa karamar, kofan itace mai lankwashashen sama dake gabansa ba. Amaimakon haka, yakama hanun kofan na karfe, yabude kofan mai kaurin inci biyu, ya sunkuyarda kansa ayayinda ya shiga, yarufe kofan abayansa.
Wuri yayi duhu aciki, wurin na samun haske ne kawai daga kendir a dakin. Bukkan mai daki dayane, babu ko taga daya, acike da wani makamashi mai nauyi. Ya saya a wurin, ashake da shurun cikin wurin mai kauri, yana shirya kansa ma koma me. Yanajin mugun yanayin wurin. Haka din nasa fatansa yawo.
Daga cikin inuwan yagano motsi, sai karan murya.
Anufe dashi wata tsohuwa ta dinga tafiyan tangaltangal, fatarta anannade, da doron baya. Ta rike wani kendir, wanda ya haska wani fuska a rufe da kulaye da zanensufa. Tayi kama da mutanen da, Kaman ta girmi bishiyoyi suma masu kulaye da suka rufe bukkan ta.
“Kasa hulan mayafi har a cikin duhu,” tace, tana murmushin mugunta, muryarta na kara Kaman karyewan itace. “Tafiyar bana rashin laifi bane.”
“Nazo domin wani tulun guba,” Gareth yace dasauri, yana kokarin Magana Kaman jarumi mai ji da kansa, amma da mutum yaji barin dake muryarsa. Jijiyan Sheldrake. Ancemun kina dashi.”
Anyi doguwar shuru, kafi wani bushashen dariya ya biyo. Yayi kara a karamin dakin.
“Tambayan ba ko inadashi ko banidashi bane. Tambayan shine: meyasa kake sonshi?”
Zuciyar Gareth na daka ayayinda yake kokarin hado wani amsa.
“Menene damuwanki?” ya tambaya daha karshe.
Sanin wanda zaka kashe nasa mani dariya,” tace.
“Wannan ba damuwanki bane. Nakawo miki kudi.”
Gareth yasahanu a damarar kwankwasonsa, yafito da jakar gwal, kari akan jakar gwal daya baiwa mutumin da yamutu, sai ya buga duka biyu akan dan karamin tebirin itacenta. Karan kwabbain karfe ya cika dakin.
Yayi adu’an zai kwantar mata da hankali, cewa zata bashi abinda yakeso kuma cewa shi yabar wurinnan.
Mayyar ta miko yasa daya da dgon, lamkwashashen farce, ta dauki daya daga cikin jakukunan tana bincikensa. Gareth ya rike numfashinsa, yana fatan bazata tambayi kariba.
“Watakila wannan ya isa saye yinshuruna,” tace.
Ta juya tayi dingashi zuwa cikin duhun. Anyi tsaki,sai a gefen hasken kendir Gareth na iya ganinta tana hada wani abu ruwaruwa cikin wani, karamin tulun gilashi. Ta tafasa, sai ta rufeshi da marfi. Lokaci yayi Kaman ya saya ayayinda Gareth ke jira, rashin hakurinsa na karuwa. Miliyoyin damuwowi sunata kaiwa da komowa a zuciyarsa: in an ganoshi fa? A nan, ayanzu? In tabashi wani tulun dabam fa? In tabaiwa wani labarinsa fa? Ko taganeshi? Bazai iya fada ba.
Gareth nata samun Karin kwokwanto akan wannan abu gaba daya. Bai taba sanin wahalan dake cikin yinkisaba.
Bayan abinda yakamaci shurunda bazai kareba, mayyar ta dawo. Ta mikamasa wani tulu, wanda yayi kusan ya bata a tafin hanunsa saboda kankanta, sai ta juya masa baya.
“Dan karamin tulu haka?” ya tambaya. “Wannan zai yi tsiyan?”
Tayi murmushi.
“Zakayi mamakin dan karamin abunda zai iya kasha mutum.”
Gareth yajuya ya nufi kofa, sai kawai yaji yasa mai sanyi ya kama kafadarsa. Bashi da masaniyar yadda ta sallaka dakin da sauri haka, kuma ya bashi soro. Ya saya a wurin, adaskare, yana soron yajuyo ya kalle ta
Ta wainoshi ya kalleta, ta maso kusa da fuskarta—wani mummunan wari na tashi daga jikinta—sai kwassam ta daga hannayenta biyu ta kamo kumatunsa, sai ta sumbaceshi, ta danna yankwanannun lebenta akan nasa.
Gareth yaji rashinso. Wannan yakasance abu mafi kyamatuwa daya taba faruwa dashi. Lebban ta sun kasance Kaman na kadangare, harcenta, wanda ta danna akan nasa, Kaman na daninsu kada. Yayi kokarin janyewa, amma tarike fuskarsa da karfi, tana dada jansa da karfi.
Daga karshe, ya iya ballo kansa. Ya share bakinsa da bayan hanunsa, ayayinda ta jingunu zuwa baya tayi dan dariya.
“Lokaci na farko da ka kashe mutum shine mafi wahala,” tace. “Zaka sameshi da mafiyawan sauki a lokaci nagaba.”
*
Gareth ya ruga a guje daga cikin bukkan, yakoma shararen filin, ya samu Firth nasaye a wurin, yana jiransa.
“Menene damuwanka? Me ya faru? Firth ya tanbaya. “Kayi kama an cakeka da wuka. Ta jimaka ciwo ne?”
Gareth ya dan saurara, yana numfashi da karfi, yana share bakinsa akaiakai. Yagagara sani yadda zai mayar da martini.
“Mubar nan gurin,” yace “A yanzu!”
Ayayinda suka fara fita daga shararen filin zuwa cikin dajin Blackwood, haka kawai gajimarai masu gudu a sama suka toshe rana, suka sa kyakyawan ranan yayi sanyi dakuma duhu. Gareth bai taba ganin irn wannan masu kauri, kuma bakaken gajimarai sun fito da sauri haka ba. Yasan cewa koda menene ke faruwa, ba abinda aka saba bane. Ya damu akan ko yaya karfin wannan maiyyan yakai, ayayinda iska mai sanyin yataso a wannan ranan cikin ranin kuma ya haura bayan wuyansa. Yagagara daina tunanin cewa tawani hanya ta kamashi da wannan sumbatan, ta sa masa wani irin maita.
“Me yafaru a cikin wurin?” Firth ya danna.
“Banason nayi hiransa,” Gareth yace. “Banason nayi tunaninsa a yau—har abada kuma.”
Su biyun sun hanzarta sun koma sungangara ta hayan, gangaran tudun, jimkadan sukashiga hanyan ainihin dajin domin komawa ta fadan sarki. Adaidai lokacin da Gareth yafara jin sakewa, yana shirin tura dukanin lamarin zuwa bayan zuciyarasa, sai kwassam, yaji wassu takalman. Yajuya yaga wata kungyan mutane sun nufesu suna tafiya. Yagagara yarda da hakan.
Dan uwansa. Godfrey. Mashayin. Ya nufesu yana tafiya, yana dariya, yana kewaye da mugunan Harry da wassu abokan neman rikicinsa guda biyu. Wannan wani irin lokaci da wuri ne dan uwan nasa yahadu dashi. Acikin dajin, a sakiyar bako’ina. Gareth yaji Kaman an tsine wa shirin nasa gabadaya.
Gareth ya kau da ido, yaja hulan mayafin ya rufe fuskarsa, sai ya ninka tafiyan haurawan, yana fata ba a ganoshi ba.
“Gareth?” Muryar ta kirawoshi.
Gareth bashida wata zabi. Ya sandare a tafiyarsa, yadaga hular mayafinsa, sai yajuya ya kalli dan uwansa, wand ya nufesa tare da tahowa da rawa.
“Me kakeyi anan?” Godfrey ya tambaya.
Gareth ya buda bakinsa, amma sai ya rufe, yana i’ina, yarasa kalamai.
“Muna dan haurawa ne,” Firth ya dan karbamasa, ya cece shi.
“Haurawa, hakane?” daya daga cikin abokanen Godfrey yayiwa Firth tsiya, a cikin dagegen, muryan mata. Abokanensa sunyi dariya, suma. Gareth yasan dan uwansa da abokanensa suna masa hukunci da masayinsa—amma wannan baya damunsa a yanzu. Yana bukatan ya canja hiran ne kawai. Bayan son su fara tunanin me yakeyi anan.
“Menene ku kukeyi anan?” gareth ya tambaya, yayi juyi mulki akansu.
“Wani sabon mashaya aka bude, ta gefen Southwood,” Godfrey ya amsa. “Munje gwada gurin ne. barasa mafi kyau a masarautan gabadaya. Kana son kadan?” ya tambaya, yana miko tulu
Gareth ya girgiza kai da sauri. Yasan dole ya dauke masa hankali, sai yayi lisafin hanya yin haka mafi sauki shine canja hiran, yayi masa gargadi.
Mahaifinmu zai ji haushi idan yakamaka kana shan barasa da sakar rana,” Gareth yace. “ina baka shawaran ka ajiye wannan ka koma fada.”
Yayi aiki. Godfrey yayi kallon haushi, abayyane take kuma cewa yadaina tunani akan Gareth, amma akan mahaifinsa das hi.
“Kuma tun daga yaushe kai ka fara damuwa da bukatun mahaifinmu?” ya musanta.
Bayanin ya ishi Gareth. Bashi da lokacin kashewa da mashayi. Ya ci nasara akan abinda yakeso, dauke masa hankali, kuma yanzu, yana fatan, bazai yi tunani mai zurfi akan metasa tahadu dashi anan ba.
Gareth ya juya sai ya hanzarta a gangarawa hanyan, yana jin dariyan tsiyansu abayansa yayinda yake tafiya. Ya daina damuwa kuma. Shauran kadan, shine zai kasance mai dariya daga baya.
SURA NA GOMA SHA HUDU
Thor ya zauna a tebirin itacen, yanata aiki akan kwari da bakandake wargaje dadaya. Reece na zaune a gefensa, tareda ‘ya’yan runduna dayawa. Duk suna sunkuye akan makamansu, suna aiki tukuru akan lankwasa su kwarin suna jan igiyoyin.
“Jarumi yakansan yadda zai sawa kwarinsa igiya,” Kolk yafada da ihu, ayayinda yake sama da kasa akan jerin yaran, yana sunkuyaa, ya kalli aikin kowanne. “Dole taurin igigyan yayi daidai. Idan yakasa, bakanka bazai kai inda ka auna ba. Idan yayiyawa, awunka bazai zama daidaiba. Makamai sukan karye abakin daga. Makamai sukan karye yayin tafiya. Dole ku iya gyaransu akan tafiya. Gwarzon jarumi yakan zama makerine, kapinta ne, mai gyaran takalma ne, mai hada duk wani abinda ya karye. Kuma baka ainihin sanin makaminka sai ka gyarashi dakanka.”
Kolk ya saya abayan Thor sai yamike ta saman kafadansa. Ya cafko kwarin itacen daga hanun Thro, igiyan ya jima hanunsa ayayin hakan.
“Taurin igiyan yakasa,” ya gayamar. “Ba a mike yake ba kuma. Kayi amfani da makami haka abakin daga, tabbattace kamutu. Kuma abokin tarayanka ma yamutu a gefenka.”
Kolk ya mayar ya buga kwarin akan tebirin sai yacigaba; wassu yaran dayawa sun masa dariyan raini. Thor yaji haushi ayayinda yasake kamo igiyan, yajashi yayi karfi gwargwadon ikonsa, sai ya nadashi akan kulun kwarin. Yayi sa’o’i yana aiki akan wannan, karshen rananda ya cika da kwadago da lebiranci mai gajiyarwa.
Yawacin shauran suna horo, horon tarayya, fadan-takwafi. Ya kalli waje dadan nisa yaga yan’uwansa, dukansu uku, suna dariya ayayinda suke kara takwufan itace; Kaman yadda aka saba, Thor yaji suna cigaba alhali shi ana barinsa a baya. Ba adalci a wannan. Yanata kara jin Kaman ba a sonsa anan, Kaman shi ba ainihin dan runduna bane.
“Kada kadamu, zaka saba dashi,” O’Connor yace a gefensa.
Tafin hanun Thor sunyi tsami daga gwadawa; yasake jan igiyan sau daya na karshe, yanzu daduk karfinsa, sai daga karshe, abin mamaki, ya shiga. Igiyan yashiga mazauninsa daidai, da Thor yaja daduk karfinsa, yana gumi. Yayi babban gamsuwa da kwarinsa yayi karfi yanda yakamata ayanzu.
Inuwa sun fara kara sayi ayayinda Thor yashare goshinsa da bayan hanunsa sai yayi tunanin dadewanda zaiyi acikin irin wannan halin. Yayi tunani menene kasancewa jarumi ke nufi. Atunaninsa, daban ne yadda yake ganinsa da. Yayi tunanin horo, a kowani lokaci. Amma yana ganin wannan ma wani irin horo ne.
“Wannan bashine abinda na shiga ba, nima,” O’Connor yace, Kaman yashiga tunaninsa.
Thor yajuya, yakarfafu daganin murmushin abokinsa dakenan kowani lokaci.
“Ni daga gunduman arewaci ne,” ya cigaba. “Ni, nima, nayita mafarkin shiga runduna duk rayuwana. Ina ganin na tunanin gasa da daga kullum. Ba duka wadannan kananan ayukan ba. Amma komai zai yi kyau. Domin mu sabobbin shiga ne kawai. Wannan wani irin bautan farko ne. Kaman akwai matakalu anan. Mune kuma masu mafi karancin shekaru. Bana ganin masu shekaru goma sha taran suna yin wannan. Wannan bazai kasance har abada ba. Ballema, iyawa mai amfani ne dayakamata mu koya.”
Wani karan busa yataso. Thor yayi kallo sai yaga shauran yan rundunan na taruwa agefen katangan dutse a sakiyar filin. An rataya igiyoyi akansa, ararabe taku gomagoma. Katangan zai kai sayin taku talatin, kuma atare a karkashinsa akwai tarin ciyayi.
“Me kuke jira?” Kolk yayi ihu. “KUYI TAFIYA!”
YAN Silver sunkewayesu, suna ihu, sai kafin Thro yasan me kefaruwa shauran sunyi tsalle daga bencinansu suka sallaka filin aguje zuwa katangan.
Jim kadan duk sun taru a wurin, suna saye agaban igiyoyin. Akwai surutan farin ciki ayayinda duk yan rundunan suka saya tare. Thor yayi mutukar farin ciki da daga karshe aka hadashi da shauran, sai yasamu kansa yana masawa kusa da Reece, wanda yake saye da wani abokinsa. O’Connor ma yahadedasu.
“Zaku samu a baki daga cewa mafiyawan birane nada kariya,” Kolk ya fada da babban murya, yana kallon fuskokin yaran. “Shige kariyoyin ne aikin mayaki. A cikin sababen yanayinmu, ana amfani da igiyoyi da kugiyoyi ne, dayawa Kaman wadanda muka wurga kan wannan katangan, kuma haurawa katanaga ne daya daga cikin abubuwa mafi hatsari dazaku samu abakin daga. Lokutanda zaka kasance abude kuma acikin hatsari Kaman haka ba yawa. Abokan gaba zasu iya zubo tafashasshen karfe akanka. Zasu harbeka da baka. Su wurgo manyan duwatsu. Ba a haurawa Katanga sai lokacin yayi daidai. Kuma in ka hau, dole ka hau domin ceton ranka—ko kashiga hatsarin iya mutuwa.”
Kolk ya ja numfashi mai zurfi sai, yayi ihu: “KU FARA!”
Akewaye dashi gabadaya yaran suka bada himma, kowane ya rugawa igiya daya. Thor yaruga zuwa wanda bakowa sai daidai zai kama wani yaronda ya girmeshi ya rigashi, ya tureshi daga hanyarsa. Thor yayi sauri yakama mafi kusa daya samu, wani mai kaurin, kullalen murdi. Zuciyan Thor nata bugawa ayayinda yafara haurawa katangan.
Yanayin ranan yajuya zuwa hazohazo, sai kafan Thor ya zame akan dutsen. Dukdahaka, ya iya haurawa da sauri sai yaga shi yariga yawancin taran, yakusan kasancewa nafarko ayayinda ya ruga a hanyansa na haurawa. Ya fara, akaro na forko yau, jin dadi, ya dan fara ji da kansa.
Bazato, wani abu mai karfi yafada kan kafadarsa. Ya daga ido yaga yan Silver a saman katangan, suna wurgo kananan duwatsu, itatuwa, da duka nau’o’in abubuwa. Yaron dake kan igiyan gefen Thor ya daga hanu daya domin yakare fuskarsa sai yarasa marikansa ya food da baya, yafada kasa. Yasauka akalla kafa ishirin masu kyau, ya dira kan tari ciyayi dake kasa.
Thor yafara rasa marikansa, shima, amma yadage dai ya rike. Wani kulki ya gangaro ya dakki Thor da karfi a baya, amma yacigaba da haurawa. Yana bige lokaci da kyau harma ya fara tunanin zai iya zama na farko a sama, sai bazatto, yaji harbin kafa a hakarkarinsa. Baigane daga ina harbin yazoba, sanda ya duba yaga daya daga cikin yaran a gefensa, yana lilo gefedagefe. Kafin Thor yadauki mataki, yaron yasake harbinsa.
Thor yarasa marikinsa wannan karon sai yasamu kansa shima yana komawa da baya, asararin iska, yana tafiya koyaya. Ya fada kan ciyayin dabayansa, ya kadu amma bai ji ciwoba.
Thor yatashi zuwa hanu da gwiwowi, yana mayar da numfashi, sai yayi kallo. Akewaye dashi gabadaya, yara nata fadowa daga igiyoyin kaman kuda, suna sauka kan ciyayin, sun bugu ko turu ajunansu—in kuma bahakaba, yan Silver dake sama sun bugosu. Wadanda basu turu ko bugu ba kuma sun samu ana yanka igiyoyinsu, sai suka fado, suma. Babu mutum daya dayakai saman katangan.
“Ku tashi!” Kolk yayi ihu. Thor yadaka sale, hakama shauran.
TAKWUFA!”
Yaran sun ruga tare zuwa wani babban maratayin takwufa. Thor ya bisu ya dauko daya, yakadu da nauyinsa. Nauyinsa ya ninka na duk wani makami da Thor ya taba dagawa. Dakyar yake rikeshi.
“Takwufa masu nauyi, kufara!” wani ihu yazo.
Thor yadaga ido yaga wannan katon wawan, Elden, wanda ya fara kawo masa hari lokacinda yafara haduwa da runduna. Thor ya tuna shi da kyau, tunda haryanzu fuskarsa nada zafin ciwonda Elden yasamasa. Yana kansauka kansa, takwafi adage, kalon haushi a fuskarsa.
Thor yadaga nasa takwafin a dakikan karshe dakyar ya kare bugun Elden, amma takwafin nada nauyi sosai, da dakyar ya iya rikeshi. Elden, dafin girma da karfi, ya kewaya ya bigi Thor a hakarkari da kafa.
Thor yasauka kan gwiwoyinsa yana jin zafi. Elden yasake wainawa domin dukan fuskarsa, amma Thor yayi kokari yadaga hanu yakare bugun dakika daya kafin yasameshi. Amma Elden nada zafin nama da karfi; ya waina ya yanki Thor a kafa, ya ka dashi akan gefensa.
Wani dan taron yara sun kewayesu, suna ihu suna zuga, ayayinda fadansu yazama abin kallo. Kaman duk suna goyon bayan Elden ne.
Elden yasake saulowa da takwafinsa, yayi yankan da karfi, sai Thor ya gungura ya kauce, harin ya rasa bayansa da rata kadan. Thor yasamu zarafin dakika daya yayi amfani dashi—yajuyo sai yadaki wawan da karfi a gwiwa. Makisa ne, kuma dukan ya isa ya mai dashi baya, sai kasa, ya fado akan bayansa.
Thor yayi amfani da zarafin wurin tashi zuwa kafafinsa. Elden yatashi, idanu jajazur, da Karin haushi fiye da na da, sai yanzu su biyun suka tari juna da yi.
Thor yasan shi bazai saya haka kawai ba; ya taso ya waina. Amma wannan takwafin horon anyishi daga itacenda bai saniba kuma nauyinsa yayi yawa; angano matakinsa. Elden yatareshi cikin sauki, sai ya doki Thor a hakarkari.
Yakasance makisa ne, sai Thor yayi dungure ya yarda takwafinsa, yana neman numfashi.
Shauran yaran sunyi ihun jindadi. Thor na durkushe a wurin, bamakami a hanu, sai yaji bakin takwafin Elden a kasan makogoronsa.
“Ka yarda anka dakai!” Elden ya nema.
Thor ya harareshi a samansa, yanajin dandanon gishiri na jinni akan lebensa.
“Har abada,” yace da taurin kai.
Elden ya murda fuska, ya daga takwafinsa, yana shirin saukowa dashi. Babu abinda Thor zai iyayi. Zai sha wani babban bugu.
Ayayinda takwafin ke saukowa, Thor ya rufe idanunsa ya bada hankalinsa. Yaji tafiyan duniyan na raguwa, yaji safaransa zuwa wani duniyan. Bazato tafara jin wainuwan takwafin a iska, tafiyarsa, sai yaso duniya ta sayar dashi.
Yaji jikinsa na dumi, simin jikin natashi, sai ayayinda tara hankalinsa, yaji wani abu na faruwa. Yaji shi yana iya bama abin umurni.
Bazato takwafin ta makale asararin iska. Thor ta wani hanya ya iya sayar dashi ta amfani da baiwarsa.
Ayayinda Elden ke rike da takwafin, arikice, sai Thor yayi amfani da baiwar zuciyarsa ya mase wuyan hanun Elden. Ya kara matsewa sai yakara matsewa acikin zuciyarsa, sai acikin dakikoki, Elden yayi ihu sai yasake takwafin.
Duka yaran sunyi shuru, ayayinda suka saya, adaskare, suna kallon Thor akasa, idanu abude suna kuma soro.
“Wannan shaidani ne!” daya yayi ihu.
“Mai sihiri!” wani ma yayi ihu.
Thor ya rikice. Bashi da madafa akan abinda ya aikata yanzu. Amma yasan ba sabam bane. Yaji da kansa kuma yaji kunya, yaji karfin gwiwa da kuma soro.
Kolk ya tako gaba, yashigo zoben, yashiga sakanin Thor da Elden.
“Nan ba wurin bori bane, yaro, koda kai waye,” yayiwa Thor fada. “Nan wurin yaki ne. Ka karya dokokinmu dakayi fada. Zakayi tunani akan abinda ka aikata. Zan turaka zuwa wuri mai hatsari, sai muga yanda daurin borinka zasu kareka a wurin. Ka kasance wurin masu tsaro a loto.”
Yan rudunan duk sunja numfashi, kuma sunyi shuru. Thor bai fahimci ainihin menene manufan wannan, amma yasan kodama menene, ba abu mai kyau bane.
“Baikamata katurashi lotoba!” Reece yayi twaye. “Yanada sabonta dayawa. Zai iya jin ciwo.”
“Zanyi duk abinda na zabi yi, yaro,” Kolk ya murda fuska. “Mahaifinka baya nan domin yakareka yanzu. Ko shi. Kuma ninake tafiyar da runduna. Kuma ka kiyaye kalmominka—domin kai dangidan sarauta ne, kada kasake Magana yadda gadama.”
“Yayi kyau,” Reece ya maida. “To zan bishi!”
“Kaman yadda nima zan bishi!” O’Connor ya cusa, ya maso gaba.
Kolk yakallesu sama da kasa, sai ya girgiza kansa a hankali.
“Wawaye. Wannan zabinku ne. kubishi idan kungadama.”
Kolk ya juya ya kalli Elden. “Kada ka dauka ka tsira dasauki haka, kaima,” yace masa. “Kaika tayar da wannan fadan. Dole ka biya ladan laifinka, kaima. Zaka bisu a sintirin darenyau.”
“Amma yallabai, bazaka turani zuwa loto ba!” Elden yayi koke, idanun aware saboda soro. Lokaci nafarko kenan da Thor yaga yajin soron wani abu.
Kolk yayi taku zuwa gaba, kusa da Elden, yadaga hannayensa zuwa kwankwasonsa. “Bazan turaka ba?” yace “Ba turaka kadai zan iyaba—zan iyama koranka gabadaya, kafice daga runduna, kuma zuwa wurare mafi nisa a masarautarmu idan kacigaba da mayar mani da magana.
Elden ya kauda fuska, rikicewa yahanashi mayar da martini.
“Akwai wani me son yabisu?” Kolk yayi tambaya da babban murya.
Shauran yaran, da fin girman jiki da shekaru da karfi, duk sun kauda kai saboda soro. Thor yahadiye yawu ayayinda ya kalli soratatun fuskokinda suka kewayeshi, sai yayi tunanin yadda rashin kyaun wannan loton zai zama.
SURA NA GOMA SHA BIYAR
Thor nata tafiya akan kodaden hanya mai dattin, da Reece, O’Connor, da Elden a gefegefensa. Dukansu hudu basu wani cewa juna komai ba tunda suka tashi, haryanzu akade. Thor ya kalli Reece da O’Connor dajin irin godiya agaresu da bai taba sani ba. Ya gagara yarda cewa zasu iya sakansu a hasari dominshi Kaman haka ba. Yaji cewa shi yasamu abokanen gaskiya, mafi kama yan’uwa. Baisan me loton kerike dashi musu ba, amma duk abinda zasu fuskanta, yayin farin cikin ganinsu a gefensa.
Yayita kokarin kar ya kalli Elden. Yanaganinsa yana buga duwatsu, yana rike da haushi, yana ganin yanayin haushi da tashin hankalinsa saboda kasancewarsa anan, a sintiri dasu. Amma Thor baiji tausayinsa ba. Kaman yadda Kolk yafada, shi yafara komai. Yayi masa kyau.
Dukansu hudu, taron hadi dabamdabam, sun cigaba da tafiya a hanya, suna bin kwatance. Sun dinga tafiya na sa’o’i, yammaci yayi, kuma kafafun Thor sun fara gajiya. Kuma yana jin yunwa. An bashi dan karamin kwano ne acike da miyan hatsi da rana sai yayi fatan susami abinci na jiransu a koma ina suka nufa.
Amma yanada damuwowinda suka fi wannan girma. Ya kalli rigar kariyarsa kuma yagane da baza a bashiba in babu dalili mai muhimmanci. Kafin a turosu, dukansu hudu anbasu kayan kariya na yangida: fata, da adon tsarka. An kuma basu guntayen takwafi na wani marakaifin karfe—ba Kaman na azurfanda ake baiwa gwanaye ba, amma yafi babu. Yaji karfin daya kasance da makami a kwankwasonsa—ahade, kuma, da majajjabarsa, wanda yake tafiyadashi haryanzu. Koda yake yasan inda zasu gamu da babban tashin hankali a daren yau, watakila makamanda akabasu su kasa tsaresu. Yaji kwadayin manyan makamain magabatansa a rundunan: madaidaita da dogayen takwufa, guntayen mashi, kulake, kananan wukake, gataru. Amma wadannan na yara masu suna da mutunci ne, daga sananun dangi, dazasu iya sayan irin wadannan abubuwan. Wannan kuma ba Thor bane, dan wani makiyayi kawai.
Ayayinda suka cigaba da gangarawa hanya marakarewa zuwa faduwan rana na biyu, nesa da mashigin fadan sarki mai maraba da kowa, zuwaga marabi mai nisa na loto, Thor yagagara jin cewa wannan duk laifinsa ne. Saboda wani dalili, wasu yan rundunan sunyi Kaman basua sonsa, Kaman sun kijinin kasancewansa. Abin bashida ma’ana. Kuma yana samasa mutuwan jiki. Duk rayuwansa abinda yaso kawai shine shiga cikinsu. Yanzu, yanaji Kaman yashiga ta bayan fage ne; yan’uwansa zasu taba yarda dashi kuwa?
Yanzu, akan komai, anwareshi domin zuwa sintiri a loto. Wannan ba adalci. Bashi yatayar da fadan ba, kuma da yayi amfani da baiwansa, koda sun zama mene, ba dagangan bane. Shima bai ganesu ba haryanzu, baisan daga ina suke zuwaba, baisan dayaya yake kiransuba, ko kuma yada zai kashesu. Bai kamata amasa horo saboda wannan ba.
Thor bashi da masaniyan abinda sintirin loto ke nufi, amma daga yanayin shauran, a fili yake, cewa ba abinso bane. Yayi tunanin ko anakaishi ne domin akasheshi, idan wannan ya zama hanyarsu naneman ya fita a rundunan na dole. Yanada muradin karya taba hakura.
“Yaya shauran nisan loton?” O’Connor ya tambaya, ya yanke shurun.
“Babu nisa sosai,” Elden ya amsa. “Da bamu shiga wannan damuwan ba inba domin Thor ba.”
“Kai katada fadan, katuna? Reece ya yanke masa Magana.
“Amma nayi fada mai safta, shikuma baiyiba,” Elden yakoka. “Ballema, yamasa kyau.”
“Sabodame?” Thor ya tanbaya, yana neman amsan tambayan daketa konashi taciki tun dazun. “Meyasa yamun kyau?”
“Domin baikamata kananan ba, damu. Ka saci masayinka a cikin runduna. Sharanmu zabanmu akayi. Kai da fada kashiga.”
“Amma ba dalilin rundunan kenan tun farko ba? Fada?” Reece ya amsa. “Zanyi musun cewa Thor nada alhakin wurinsa a ciki Kaman kowani dayanmu. Anzabemu ne kawai. Shi yayi gwagwarmaya da fada domin samun abinda ba a bashiba.”
Elden yakada kafada, darashin gamsuwa.
“Dokokin ne dokokin. Ba a zabeshi ba. Baikamata yakasance damu ba. Shiyasa nayi fada dashi.”
“To, bazaka sani na tafi nabari ba,” Thor yamayarda martini, muryarsa na girgiza, yanada muradin sai anyarda dashi.
“Zamu gani akan wannan,” Elden yayi gunaguni aduhunce.
“Kuma mekake nufi da wannan?” O’Connor ya tambaya.
Elden baisake badakai ba, amma yacigaba da tafiya cikin shuru. Cikin Thor ya murde. Yagagara kasa jin cewa yayi makiyya dayawa, kodayake baisan dalili ba. Baya son yanayin dayake jin.
“Kada ka wani kulawa dashi,” Reece yacewa Thor, yadaga murya domin shauran suji. Bakayi wani laifi ba. An turaka zuwa sintirin loto domin suna ganin yiwuwan abubuwa a jikinka. Anason a dafaka inbahaka ba da basu damuba. Kuma suna samaka ido saboda mahaifina yawareka. Shikenan.”
“Amma menene sintirin loto?” ya tambaya.
Reece ya gyara murya, ya damu.
“Ban taba zuwa ba nima. Amma naji labarai. Daga yara masu dan girman, dakuma daga yayuna. Aikin sintiri ne. Amma a daya gefen loto.”
“Daya gefen?” O’Connor ya tambaya, razana a muryarsa.
“Me kuke nufi da ‘daya gefen’?” Thor ya tambaya, darashin ganewa.
Reece ya karaneashi.
“Baka taba jin labarin loto bane?”
Thor najin shauran suna kallonsa, sai ya girgiza kai, dasaninsa.
“Kana wasa,” Elden ya harba.
“Haka?” O’Connor ya danna. “Ko sodaya a rayuwanka?”
Thor ya girgiza kai, launinsa ya canja. “Mahaifina baya taba kaimu ko’ina. Naji labarin.”
“Watakila bakataba fita daga kauyenku ba, yaro,” Elden yace. “Koka taba?”
Thor ya girgiza kafada, yayi shuru. Abin na nunawa sosai haka ne?
“Bai taba ba,” Elden yakara da rashin yarda. “Abin rashin yarda.”
“Ka rufe bakinka,” Reece yace. “Kafita hanyarsa. Wannan baisa kafishi da komai ba.”
Elden yayiwa Reece kallon rashinso yakai hanu kan gida takwafinsa, amma ya sake hanun. Daga gani, duk da yafi Reece girma, bayason ya tayarda hankalin dan sarkin.
“Loton ne kawai abinda kekare masarautarmu na zoben,” Reece yamasa bayani. “Babu wani abinda ke sakaninmu da shauran mutanen duniyan. Da mugayen dajujuka zasu ketareshi, da duk mun gama yawo. Zoban gabadaya nasa ido a kanmu, mayakan sarki, domin karesu. Munada yan sintiri suna tsaro a kowani lokaci—musamman a wannan gefen, daga lokaci zuwa lokaci kuma, a dayan. Gada daya ne kawai ya sallaka, hanya daya kawai na shiga ko fita, kuma mafi kwarewan yan Silver suna tsaro dare da rana.
Thor yaji labarin loton a gabadayan rayuwansa, yaji labarai na ban tsoro da mugayen abubuwanda ke boye a daya gefen, babban mugun masrautar dake kewaye da zoben, da kuma yaya kasancewansu kusa da abin tsoro. Yana daya daga cikin dalilansa nason yashiga rundunan sarki: yataimaka a kare danginsa da masarautarsa. Ya kijinin tunanin cewa akwai wasu maza a waje da suke kareshi alhalin shi yana zama rai akwance a cikin masarautar. Yaso yabada nashi gudumawan domin yakan tarin mugayen. Baya tunanin wani abin jaruntan dayafi wadannan mazan dake tsaron mashigin loton.
“Loton nada fadin mil daya, kuma ya kewaye duka zoben,” Reece yayi bayani. “Ketareshi bashida sauki. Amma ba mutanen mu kadai ne abinda ke hana taron shigowa ba. Akwai miliyoyin wadannan hallitun suna yawo, kuma idan sunso su haye loton, da karfin cin tuwo, zasu iya cikin dan lokaci. Karfin mutanen na taimakawa na makamashin loton ne kawai. Ainihin karfin dake hanasu shine karfin takwafin.
Thor yajuya. “Takwafin?”
Reece ya kalleshi.
“Takwafin Kaddara. Kasan tasuniyan?”
“Watakila wannan dan kauyen bai taba jin labarinsa ba,” Elden ya cusa.
“Lalle nasanshi,” Thor ya mayar,yana karekansa. Basaninsa kawai yayiba amma yayi kwanaki yana tunanin tasuniyan gabadayan rayuwarsa. Yana kwadayin yaga takwafin. Kirkiraren Takwafin Kaddaran, takwafin sihirin da makamashinsa ka kare zoben, mai cika loton da runduna maikarfin kare zoben daga masu kawo hari.
“Takwafin na zama a fadar sarki kenan?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece ta amsa da kai.
“Yana zaune a cikin dangin sarauta tun iyaye da kakkanni. Arashinsa, masarautar bazata kasance komai ba. Zoben zata mamayu.”
“Idan muna da kariya, to menene dalilin sintirin loton kuma?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Takwafin na kare manyan barazanan ne kawai,” Reece yayi bayani. “Wani dan karamin masharantan halitta shi kadai na iya zamowa ciki nan da can. Dalilin bukatan mutanenmu kenan. Mutum daya na iya haye loton, kokuma dan karamin tawagansu—suna iya zama da rashin fargaban da zasu gwada haye gadan, kokuma buya su sauka daya gefen katangan loton su haura dayan. Aikinmu ne mutaresu. Koda halitta daya na iya barna dayawa. Shekarun baya can, daya ya zamo ciki ya kasha rabin yaran kauye daya kafin aka kamashi. Takwafin nayin mafi yawan aikin, amma muma bangare ne da baza a iya sharewa ba.
Thor yashigar dashi duka. Loton nada kamannin girma, aikinsu muhimmanci, yagagara yarda cewa shi zai kasance wani bangaren wannan babban burin.
“Amma duk da duka wannan, banyi bayaninsa sosai ba,” Reece yace. “Akwai Karin abubuwa akan loton fiye da wannan kawai.” Ya dawo yayi shuru.
Thor ya kalleshi sai yaga wani abu Kaman soro ko mamaki acikin idanunsa.
“Yaya zanyi bayaninsa nema?” Reece yace, yana kokarin samun kalmominda suka dace. Ya gyara murya. “Loton yafi dukanmu girma nesa ba kusaba. Loton ya…”
“Loton wurine na maza,” wani murya mai bada amsa ya zo.
Duk sun juya da zuwan muryan, da takun doki.
Idanun Thor sun waru. Isowa dadansauri daga gefensu, da adon cikaken tsarka, da dogayen makamai masu kyalli arataye a gefen hadadiyar dokinsa, sai ga Erec. Yayi murmushi zuwa garesu, da idanunsa akan Thor.
Thor ya kalli sama arikice.
“Wurine da zai mayar dakai namiji,” Erec ya kara. “Idan baka riga ka zama daya ba tukunna.”
Thor baiga Erec ba tun gasan, sai yaji Karin kwanciyan hankali da ganinsa, kasancewa da ainihin gwanin mayaki ayayinda suka nufi loton—kuma baragi ma, Erec dakansa. Thor yaji Karin karfi a kasancewa dashi, yayi fatan zai bisu.
“Mekakeyi anan?” Thor ya tambaya. “Zaka rakamu ne?” yatambaya, yana fatan banuna zalamansa ba.
Erec ya jinginu baya yayi dariya.
“Kada kadamu, dan yaro,” yace. “Zan biku ne.”
“Haka?” Reece ya tambaya.
“Al’ada ne wani dan Silver ya raka yan runduna ayayin sintirinsu na farko. Sai nabadakai.”
Erec yajuya sai ya kalli Thor a kasa.
“Tunda, kaima ka taimakeni jiya.”
Thor yaji zuciyarsa tayi dumi, yakarfafu da kasancewan Erec. Kuma yaji daguwa a idanun abokansa. Gashinan, yanasamun rakiyan gwarzon gwanin mayakin masarautar, ayayinda suka nufi loton. Mafi yawan tsoronsa yafara barinsa.
“Gaskiya, bazan fita sintiri daku ba,” Erec ya kara. “Amma zan jagoranceku a haye gadan, zuwa masuguninku. Aikinku ne ku fita sintiri, ku kadai, daga wurin.”
“Wannan babban darajawa ne, yallabai,” Reece yace.
“Mungode,” O’Connor da Elden suka hada murya.
Erec ya kaalli Thor a kasa yayi murmushi.
“Tunda ma, idan zaka zama dangidana na farko, bazan bari kamutu ayanzu ba.”
“Nafarko?” Thor ya tambaya, zuciyarsa na rasa bugu daya.
“Feithgold ya karya kafansa a gasan. Zai huta na akalla sati takwas. Kaine dangidana na farko ayanzu. Kuma horonmu nama iya faraway, ko bazai iya ba?”
“Na iyawa, yallabai,” Thor ya mayar da martini.
Zuciyan Thor nata yawo. Akaro na farko acikin dan lokaci, yaji Kaman sa’a yafara juyowa tagurinsa. Yanzu shine dangida na farko wa mafi hazakan duka gwanayen mayaka. Yaji Kaman shi yah aye dukan abokansa.
Dukansu biyar sun cigaba, sun nufi yammaci ta wurin ranar dake fadiwa, Erec na tafiya ahankali akan dokinsa a gefensu.
“Ina ganin Kaman kataba zuwa loton, yallabai?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Sau dayawa,” Erec yamayar. “Sintirina na farko. Ina daidai shekarunka, gaskiya.”
“Kuma yaya kasameshi?” Reece ya tambaya.
Duka yara hudun sun juya sai suka kalli Erec, cike da natsuwa. Erec yayi tafiya na wani dan lokaci a cikin shuru, yana kallon gabansa sambai, dashoshin sa a hade.
“Karon farko yakan kasance wanda mutum baya taba mantawa. Yanada wuyan bayani. Wani irin wuri ne sabo kuma awajen sanin mutum kuma da asiri da kuma kyau. Adaya gefen akwai hatsarori da hankali baya dauka. Gadan hayewan nada sawo dakuma tsayi. Akwai mu dayawa muna sintiri—amma a kullum, kanajin kai kadai ne. duniya ne a kololuwarsa. Yakan matse mutun domin yakasance a inuwarsa. Mutanenmu sunyi daruruwan shekaru suna sintirinsa. Gwajin hayewa ne. Baka ainihin gane ma’anar hatsari saidashi; bazaka iya zama gwanin mayaki ba saidashi.”
Yakoma yayi shuru. Yara hudun sun kalli juna, suna jin amai.
“Musammaci hayaniya a daya gefen kanan?” Thor ya tanbaya
Erec ya kada kafadarsa.
“Komai na iya faruwa, idan kuka kai dajujjukan. Dawuya. Amma maiyiwuwa.”
Erec ya kalli Thor a kasa.
“Kanason kazama jarumin dangida, kuma watarana, gwanin mayaki?” ya tambaya, yana kallon Thor sosai.
Bagun zuciyan Thor ya karu.
“Haka ne, yallabai, fiye da komai.”
“To akwai abubuwanda dole kakoya,” Erec yace. “Karfi kadai baya isa; zafin nama baya isa; zama gwarzon mafadaci baya isa. Akwai wani abu kuma, wani abinda yafi dukansu muhimmanci.”
Erec yakoma tasake shuru, kuma Thor yagagara kara jira.
“Menene?” Thor ya tambaya. “Menene yafi muhimmanci?”
“Dole ka kasance da ruhi mailafiya,” Erec ya amsa. “Tada kataba jin tsoro. Dole kashiga mafi duhun daji, mafi hatsarin yaki, da rashin haushi. Dole kadinga tafiya da wannan rashin haushin, akowani lokaci, kodayaushe kuma ako ina kaje. Bataba soro, kulum da kula. Bataba hutu, kulum aikin yakamata. Bakada zarafin jiran wasu su kareka kuma. Kai ba dankasa bane kuma. Yanzu kai dayane daga cikin mutanen sarki. Mafi girman yanayin jarumi karfin hali ne da rashin tsoro. Kada kaji tsoron hatsari. Amma kadaka nemeshi.
“Wannan zobenda muke zama cikinta,” Erec ya kara. “Masarautar mu. Kaman mu, da duk mutanenmu, muna kareshi daga taron mugayen duniya. Amma bamu kareshi. Loton ne take kare dukanmu, kuma da sihirinda ke cikinsa. Muna zama a cikin zoben maisihiri. Kadaka manta dahaka. Muna rayuwa mu mutu sa subbu. Babu kariya anan, yaro, akowani gefen loton. Ka dauke sihirin, ka dauke subbun, bamu da komai.”
Sun cigaba da tafiya acikin shuru na wani lokaci,ayayinda Thor le jujuya kalmomin Erec a zuciyarsa akai akai. Yaji Kaman Erec nabashi wata boyayyar sakone, Kaman yana gaya masa cewa, duk baiwanda yakedashi, kowane subbu yakekira, ba abin kunya bane. Alhali ma, abin alfahari ne, kuma wani tushin makamashi wa masarautar. Thor yaji sauki. Da yanajin Kaman ana turashi loton a masayin horone saboda amfani da baiwansa, kuma yana tsarguwa; amma yanzu yanajin baiawansa, koda sun kasance menene, zasu iya zama abin alfahari.
Yayinda shauran yaran suka ja gaba kuma Erec da Thor suka danyi baya, Erec ya kalleshi akasa.
“Kariga ka lallaba kayi wasu makiya masu karfi a fada,” yace, wani murmishi na fuskarsa. “Yawan makiya Kaman yawan abokanenka, yayi kamadahaka.”
Yanayin Thor ya canja, da kunya.
“Bansan tayaya ba, yallabai. Banyi niyan haka ba.”
“Ba a yin makiya da niya. Ayawanci lokuta akan yisu ne da hasada. Ka lallaba ka kirkiri dayawansa. Wannan bai zama lalle abu mara kyau ba. Ka zama dalilin ireiren ra’ayi.”
Thor yasosa kansa, yana kokarin yagane.
“Amma bansan dalili ba.”
Erec yayikamada abin na bashi dariya har yanzu.
“Sarauniya dakanta nakan gaba wurin gaaba dakai. Ka lallaba kakasance a gefenta mara daidai.”
“Mahaifiyana?” Reece ya tambaya, yajuya. Sabodame?”
“Wannan shine tambayan da yadameni nima,” Erec yace.
Thor yaji damuwa. Sarauniya? Abokiyar gaba? Menene yamata? Yagagara sani. Yaya za’ayi harshi yayi muhimmancinda zata sandashi? Baisan me ke faruwa akewaye dashi ba.
Bazato, wani abu yazo masa.
“Itane dalilin turoni nan? Zuwa loto? Ya tambaya.
Erec yajuya yakalli gabansa sambai, fuskarsa ya daina wasa.
“Zata iya zama,” yace, yana tunani. “Watakila ta iya zama.”
Thor yayi tunanin irin nisa da zurfin makiyan dashi yariga yasamu. Ya shiga fadanda baisan komai akai ba. Yaso ya kasance ne kawai. Yabi son ransa ne kawai, kuma yayi duk abinda zai iya domin cika burinsa. Bai taba tunanin cewa tayin hakan, zai iya tayarda hasada ka kishi ba. Yajujjuya shi a zuciyarsa, Kaman kacici kacici, amma yagagara kaiwa tushinsa.
Ayayinda Thor ke jujjuya wadanan tunanin, sun kai saman wani dan tudu, kuma yayinda kallon wajen ya shmfidu agabansu, tunanin komai ya zube. Numfashin Thor ma yatafi—kuma ba domin iska mai hurawa da karfin bane kowai.
Ashinfide agabansu, iyaganin ido, loton yake. Karo na farko kenan da Thor ke ganinsa, kuma kallon ya girgizashi har yakai ya daskare a wuri daya, yagagara motsi. Yakasance abu mafi girma da daukaka daya taba gani. Babban ramin cikin kasan yayi Kaman yamike har illa masha’a, ahaye da daya kawai, wato wani siririn gada ajere da mayaka. Gadan yayi Kaman shima yamike zuwa karshen kasa ne.
Loton na raye da launukan ganye da bula daga rana na biyu mai sauka, kuma haskensa mai kyalli na tasowa daga jikin katangunsa. Ayayinda yafara jin kafafunsa kuma, Thor yafara tafiya da shauran, kusa kusa da gadan, harsaida ya iya leka kasa, zuwa cikin zurfin duwatsun loton; sunyi Kaman sun gangara cikin hanjin kasa. Thor yama gagara gani kasan, kuma baisan ko hakadin yakasance domin bashidashi bane, kokuma domin gajimare sun rufeshi. Duwatsunda suka jeru sunyi kama da cewa shekarunsu sun kai miliyan, Kaman sun faru da yanayin da guguwa suka bari shekaru aru aru. Yakasance wuri mafi nisan tarihi dayataba gani. Bashi da sanin cewa duniyarsa nada girma haka, nada lafiya, nada rai.
Abin yayi Kaman yazo farkon hallita.
Thor yaji shauran sun ja numfashi akewaye dashi, suma.
Tunanin su hudu a sintirin wannan loton yayi kamada abin dariya. Sun wadantu daga ganima kawai.
Yayinda suka nufi gadan atafiye, mayaka sun bushe a kowani gefe, a attention, sun bada wuri wa sabbin yan sintirin. Thor yaji bugun zuciyarsa ta karu.
“Bana ganin yadda mu hudu zamu iya sintirin wannan,” O’Connor yace.
Elden yayi dariyan rainin wayo. “Akwai yan sintiri dayawa banda mu. Mu kawai hakori dayane a na’uran.”
Yayinda suke sallakagadan atafiye, karan da akeji kawai na iska mai huruwa ne, dana takalmansu, dana dokin Erec, shima yana tafiye. Kwofatonsa na barin wani kara mara komai amma mai karfafarwa, abinda kawai Thor ke iya kamawa a wannan bahagon wurin.
Bakodaya daga cikin mayakan, wadanda duk suka tsandare a gaban Erec, daya fadi koda kalma daya ayayinda suke sintiri. Maiyiwuwa sun wuce darurukansu.
Thro yagagara kin gani akowani gefensu, asoke akan kugiyoyi kowani dan taku kadan akan karfen gadan, akwai kan mugaye masu kawo hari. Wasu basu dadeba, suna digan jinni
Thor yakauda kai. Wannan yasa abin yazama zahiri. Baisan ko ashirye yake ma wannanba. Yayi kokarin kar tunanin yawan hargisin day a haifar da kawunan, rayukanda aka rasa, da kuma abinda ke jiransa a daya gefen, yayi damuwan ko zasu dawo. Wannan ne dalilin duka wannan saffaran? Domin akasheshi?
Ya leka kan gefen, zuwa marasa karewan bacewan duwatsu, sai yaji karan wani tsuntsu da nisa; yakasance karanda bai taba jib a. yayi tunanin ko wani irin tsuntsu ne, kuma wani ireiren dabbobi ne kuma ke makale a daya gefen.
Amma ba ainihin dabbobin ne suka dameshi ba, kokuma kawunan da aka soke. Fiye da komai, yanayinda yakeji a wurin ne. Yagagara gane ko domin raban ne, ko hurawan iska, ko girman budadiyar saman, kokuma hasken ranandake fadiwa—amma wani abu akan wannan wurin yakasance a bahagonce, yana sashi safara. Yana mamayeshi. Yanajin makamshin subbu mai nauyi na yawo akansu. Yayi tunanin ko kariyar takwafin ne, kokuma wani daddaden karfi. Yaji Kaman yana sallaka wani babban kasa, amma sallakawa zuwa wani duniyan rayuwa.
Kwanaki kadan da suka wuce kawai yakasance yana kiwon tumaki a karamin kauyensu. Yazama abin kasa yarda cewa ayanzu, akaro na farko arayuwansa, zai kasha dare, ba kariya, a daya gefen loton.
SURA NA GOMA SHA SHIDA
Ayayinda rana yafara bacewa daga sama—launin janbaki ahade dana bula dayayi Kaman yana mamaye duniyan—Thor na tafiya da Reece, O’Connor, da Elden suna gangarawa karamar hanyar dake shiga cikin dajin wajen. Thor bai taba kasancewa a dame haka ba arayuwnsa. Yanzu su hudun ne kawai, Erec yasaya a baya a masauki, duk da kokekokensu, Thor najin yanzun ne suke bukatan juna fiye da duk wani lokaci. Dole su hade da kansu, arashin Erec. Kafin su rabu, Erec yacemasu kada su damu, yace shi sai saya a masauki domin jin kiransu, kuma yakasance a wurinsu idan suna bukatansa.
Wannan na baiwa Thor dan karfin gwiwa ayanzu.
Ayayinda kaurin dajin ke raguwa akansu, Thor yakalli kewayen wannan wurin shakatawan, kasan dajin ajere da kayoyi da bakin ya’yan itace. Reshen bishiyoyi dayawa nada kullekulle kuma sun sufa, suna kusan taba juna, kusa da juna da sai Thor ya sunkuyar da kai. Sunada kayoyi amaimakon ganye kuma suna fita kota ina. Tsiro masu nannaduwa ajikin wasu masu lainin koyi sunratayu a wurare, sai Thor yayi kuskuren neman ya ture wani daga fuskarsa sai yagano ashe maciji ne. yayi ihu yayi tsalle yakauce a cikin dan lokaci ne.
Yayi sammanin shauran zasu masa dariya ne, amma su, suma, sun nisu da tsoro. Duka akewaye dasu akwai karan dabbobi iri iri. Wadansu karan kadan ne daga makogoro, wassu sosai suma huda wuri. Wasu suna zuwa daga nesa, wasu sunyi kusanda mutum zai damu. Duhun dare yazo da sauri ayayinda suka nufi zurfin cikin dajin. Thor yaji tabas ana iya samasu tarko a kowani lokaci. Ayayinda sama ke kara duhu, ganin fuskan yan’uwa nakara wuya. Ya kama marikan takwafinsa da karfinda sakiyan yasunsa sunyi fari, ayayinda dayan hanunsa ya kama majajjabarsa. Shauran sun kama makamansu, suma.
Thor ya umurci kansa da karfin zuciya, rashin shakka da karfin gwiwa kaman yadda gwanin mayaki mai kyau yakamata yakasance. Kamar yadda Erec ya umurceshi. Yafi masa ya fuskanci mutuwa a yanzu daya rayu kuln acikin soronta. Yayi kokarin daga habarsa yacigaba da tafiya gabagadi, harma da kara saurin tafiyan sa kuma yin gaban shauran da wasu taku.zuciyarsa nata bugawa, amma yaji Kaman yana fuskanyar su soronsa.
“Muna sintirin menene asali?” Thor ya tambaya.
Daga tambayan, sai yagane zai iya zama na wawanci, kuma yayi sammanin Elden yayimasa tsiya.
Amma ga mamakinsa, shuru ne kawai yaji. Thor yakalli baya yaga fararen idanun Elden, sai yagane yafishi jin soro. Wannan, akalla, yabaiwa Thor karfin gwiwa. Thor yafishi karacin shekaru da girman jiki, amma bai bar soro ya rinjayeshi ba.
“Abokan gaba, ina sammani,” Reece yace daga karshe.
“Kuma waye wannan?” Thor ya tambaya. “Yaya kamaninsa?”
“Akwai ireiren makiya dayawa anan,” Reece yace. Muna cikin waje ne yanzu. Akwai kasashen mugaye, da duka ireiren kabilu na mugayen hallitu.
“Amma menene manufan sintirin?” O’Connor ya tambaya. “Wani bambamci zamu iya yi da wannan? Idan ma muka iya kasha daya ko biyu, wannan zai dakatar da milyoyinda suke bayansa?”
“Bamu kasance ana domin mu magance komeba,” Reece ya amsa. “Mun kasance anan domin mu sanarda zuwanmune amadadin sarki. Domin susan kar suzo kusada loton dayawa.”
Ina ganin zaifi daidaida hankali mujira sai sunyi yunkurin ketareshi sai muyi maganinsu alokacin,” O’Connor yace.
“Babu,” Reece yace. “Yafi kyau ahansu nufannan. Dalilin wadannan sintirin kenan. Akalla, abinda yayana yace kenan.”
Zuciyan Thor nata bugawa yayinda suka cigaba da lumewa cikin zurfin dajin.
“Daidai wani nisa yakamata muyi?” Elden ya tambaya, yana Magana a karo na farko, muryarsa na rawa.
“Baka tuna abinda Kolk taceba?” sai mun ciro jan shaidan mu dawo dashi.” Reece yace. “wannan ne shaidan cewa munyi nisanda yakamata a sintirinmu.”
“Banga shaida ako inaba,” O’Connor yace. “Kai ma, banama ganin komai. Yaya yakamata mukoma?”
Babu wanda ya bada amsa.Thor na tunani Kaman haka. Yaya zasu iya ganin wani shaida a duhun dare? Ya fara damuwan ko wannan yaudara ne, wani yanayi aiki, wani daga cikin wasan kwakwalwa da yanrunduna keyi akan yara. Yayi tunanin kalmomin Erec kuma, yayi tunanin abokan gabansa masu yawa a fada. Yana da jin yanayi mara kyau akan wannan sintirin. Ko ana shirya masu gadar zare ne?
Bazato sai ga wani mumunan kara, biye da motsi acikin su reshe—sai wani babban abu yawuce gabansu aguje. Thor ya jawo takwafinsa, shauran ma haka, suma. Karan takwufa na barin jakukunansu, na karfe akan karfe, ya cika wuri yayunda duk suka saya a wuri, suna rike da takwufansu a gaba dasu,suna kallon soro zuwa lota ina.
“Menene wannan? Eledn yakoka, muryarsa na rawa da soro.
Dabban yasake wuce hanyarsu, yana gudu daga wani gefen dajin zuwa dayan, amma a yanzun sun masa kallo mai kyau.
Kafadun Thor sun sake daya gane dabban.
“Gada ne kawai,” yace, yasake sosai. “Gada sha bambam dana taba gani—amma gada dai duk da haka.”
Reece yayi dariya, karan karfafa gwiwa, dariyan dayafi shekarunsa girma. Da Thor yajishi, yagane dariyan sarkin watarana ne. Yaji Karin lafiya da abokinsa ke gefensa. Sai yayi dariya, shima. Dukan wannan soron don ba komai.
“Bantaba sanin cewa muryarka kan sinke inkaji soroba,” Reece yayiwa Elden tsiya, yasake fashewa da dariya.
“Inda zanganka, da zan nannausheka,” Elden yace.
“Ina ganinka da kyau,” Reece yace. “Zo ka gwada.”
Elden ya gware masa ido, amma bai isa yayi motsi ba. Maimakon haka, ya mayarda takwafinsa dakinshi, kamar yadda shauran sukayi. Thor yaso Reece saboda lasa Elden da yakeyi; elden yakan yiwa kowa tsiya—ya cancanci shima yasamu kadan. Yaso rashin soron Reece cikin yin hakan saboda alhali, Elden ya ninkashi a girma.
Daga karshe Thor yaji zafinkai yabar jikinsa kadan. Sun cikaronsu na farko, kankaran ya narke, kuma suna raye. Yayi baya yayi dariya, shima, yana farincikin kasancewa da rai.
“Kacigaba da dariya, bakon yaro,” Elden yace. “Zamuga waye zaiyi dariya daga karshe.”
Bana dariyanka, Kaman yadda Reece keyi,Thor yayi tunani. Ina jin sakewa dan ina raye ne kawai.
Amma baidamu yafada ba; yasan babu abinda shi zai fada da zai juya kiyyayarsa a wurin Elden.
“Ku gani!” O’Connor yayi ihu. “A can!”
Thor ya matse ido amma baya ganin abinda yake nunawa dayasa a duhun daren. Sai yaganshi: alamar rundunan, yana lilo daga su reshen.
Duk sun fara gudun ciroshi.
Elden yawuce shauran dagudu, yana turesu da garaje
“Tutar din nawane!” yayi ihu
“Ni nafara ganinsa!” O’Connor ma yayi ihu
“Amma ni zan fara ciroshi, kuma nine zan maido dashi!” Elden yasake ihu
Thor ya kumbura; yagagara yarda da abinda Elden ke aikatawa. Ya tuna abinda Kolk yace—cewa duk wanda ya kawo shaindan nada kyauta—sai yagano dalilin gudun Elden. Amma wannan ba dalili bane. Yakamata suzama kungiya guda ne, taro—ba kowa takaitakai ba. Ainihin yanayin Elden yafara fitowa—bawanda ya fita aguje acikin shauran, yayi kokarin kada shauran. Yasa Thor yakara kin jinin Elden.
Elden yawuce aguje bayan yadoke O’Connor da gwiwan hanu, kuma kafin shauran su dauki mataki, yayi gabadasu da taku masu yawa sai ya cafko shaidan.
Yayin yin hakan wata babbar raga tafito daga bako ina, tataso daga kasa, tayi tsalle zuwa sama cikin iska, ta kama Elden sai ta dagashi sama. Yana lilo gaba da baya agaban idanunsu, kafa daya kawai daga wurinsu, Kaman dabban da tarko ya kama.
“Ku taimakeni! Ku taimakeni!” yana ihu, asorace.
Duk sun rage tafiya yayinda suka yi kusa dashi; Reece yafara dariya.
“To, waye masoracin ayanzu? Reece yafada da karfi, abin yabashi dariya.
“Mene kai dan karamin kaguwa!” yayi ihu “Zan kasheka idan na sauko daga wannan!”
“Haka? Reece ya lasa. “Kuma ayaushe kenan?”
“Ku saukeni!” Elde na ihu, yana juyawa da wainuwa acikin ragan. “Na umurce ku!”
“Oho, ka umurcemu, ko bahakaba?” Reece yace, yafashe da dariya kuma. Reece yajuya yakalli Thor.
“Menene tunaninka?” Reece ya tambaya.
“Ina ganin cewa yanada bashin tubawa dukanmu,” O’Connor yace. “Mussamman Thor.”
“Nayarda,” Reece yace. “Zan gayamaka meza ayi,” yacewa Elden. “Kanemi gafara—kuma kasa yazama daga zuciyarka—sai na duba yankoka zuwa kasa.”
“Nabada hakuri?” Elden ya maimaita, asorace. “Ba a miliyan din rana ba.”
Reece yajuya zuwaga Thor.
“Watakila mubar wannan dunkulin anan yakwana. Zai zama abinci mai kyau wa dabbobin. Menene tunaninka?”
Thor yayi murmushi da fadi.
“Ina ganin tunanine mai kyau,” O’Connor yace.
“Kusaya!” Elden yayi kara.
O’connor ya mika hanu ya cafko alaman daga hanun Elden dake lilo.
“Ina ganin baka rigamu zuwaga alaman ba asali,” O’Connor yace.
Su ukun sun juya suka fara tafiya.
“Babu, kusaya!” Elden yakoka. “Bazaku barni anan ba! Bazaku ba!”
Dukansu ukun sun cigaba da tafiya.
“Ku gafarce ni!” Elden yafara kuka. “Kuyi hakuri! Ku gafarce ni!”
Thor yasaya, amma Reece da O’Connor sun cigaba da tafiya, daga karshe, Reece yajuya.
“Me kakeyi?” Reece ya tambayi Thor.
“Bazamu iya barinshi anan ba,” Thor yace. Duk da yadda Thor yakijinin Elden, baiyi tunani yayi daidai su barshi a wurin ba.
“Me zai hana?” Reece ya tambaya. “Shi yajawo wa kansa.”
“Inda dujine ta juyada mujiya, O’Connor yace, “Kaima kasan da farin ciki zai barka a gurin. Yaya zaka damu?”
“Nagane,” Thor yace. “Amma wannan baice muma mu aikata irin halinsa ba.
Reece ya daura hannayensa a kwankwasonsa sai yayi tsaki ayayinda yamaso yayi Magana a kunnen Thor.
“Dama bawai zan barshi awurin na daren gabadaya bane. Watakila rabin daren. Amma kana da huja. Bashida irin wannan zuciyan, watakila ciwon zuciya yakamashi. Kanada kirki dayawa. Wanna damuwa ne,” Reece yace yayinda yasa hanu akan kafadan Thor. “Amma dalilin da yasa nazabeka a matsayin aboki kenan.”
“Danima,” O’Connor yace, yasa hanunsa shima a daya kafadan Thor.
Thor yajuya, yataka zuwaga ragan, ya mika hanu, ya yankeshi zuwa kasa.
Elden yafado kasa da wani kara. Yatashi kan kafafunsa, ya wurgar da ragan, sai yadinga neman wani abu a kasa.
“Takwafina!” yayi ihu, “A ina yake?”
Thor ya duba kasa, amma duhu yayiyawa domin gani.
“Watakila shima yah aura cikin bishiyoyin yayinda ragan ta daga ka,” Thor ya amsa.
“Ko a ina yake, ya bata yanzu,” Reece yace. “Bazaka taba samunshi ba.”
“Amma baku ganeba,” Elden yaroka. “Rundunan. Doka dayane kawai. Kada kayadda kabar makaminka abaya. Bazan iya komawa babushi ba. Za a koreni!”
Thor yajuya sai yasake nema akasa, yanema acikin bishiyoyin, ya duba kota ina. Amma baiga alaman takwafin Elden ba. Reece da O’Connor sayuwa kawai sukayi a wurin, basu damuda dubawa ba.
“Ka gafarceni,” Thor yace, “Ban gani ba.”
Elden yayi sale sale kota ina, sanan daga karshe ya hakura.
“Laifinka ne,” yace, yana nunawa Thor yasa, “Kai ka shigardamu wannan damuwan!”
“Babu baniba,” Thor ya mayar.”Kaine! ka ruga wa alaman. Kature dukanmu daga hanya. Ba wanda zaka baiwa laifi face kanka.”
“Na tsane ka!” Elden yayi ihu.
Ya taso wa Thor, yakamashi a riga ya bigashi zuwa kasa. Nauyinsa yakama Thor a bazata. Thor yalallaba yajuya, amma Elden yasake juyawa ya danna Thor a kasa. Elden yayi kato dayawa kuma nada karfi, kuma rigashi yazama da wahala.
Bazato, amma, Elden yasake ya sauka. Thor yaji karan zaro takwafi daga zabiransa, sai yadaga ido yaga Reece asaye akan Elden, tsini takwafinsa a makogoronsa.
O’Connor yazo yataimaki Thor, yajashi dasauri zuwa kafafunsa. Thor yasaya da abokansa guda biyu, yana kallon Elden a kasa, wanda ya zauna a kasa, takwafin Reece a makogoronsa.
“Kasake taba abokina kuma,’ Reece, da gaskiya, yagaya wa Elden ahankali, “kuma ina mai tabbattar maka, zan kasheka.”
SURA NA GOMA SHA BAKWAI
Thor, Reece, O’Connor, Elden da Erec duk sun zauna a kasa, sun hada zobe kewayen da wutanda ke ci. Dukansu biyar sun zauna anitse kuma shuru, Thor na mamakin irin wannan sanyin a daren cikin rani. Akwai wani abu da wannan loton, su mai sanyin, da sihirin iska dake hurawa, zuwa kasan bayansa, kuma ke haduwa da hazonda Kaman baya tafiya, wanda ya barshi da raba har cikin kashinsa. Ya mike gaba ya shafa hanayensa akan zafin wutan, yagagara sazu zafi.
Thor na tauna wani dan bushashen namanda shauran ke mikawa; nada tauri da gishiri, amma na bashi kuzari ta wani hanyan. Erec ya mika hanu yabashi wani abu sai Thor yaji wani tulu mai laushi na barasa andanashi ahanunsa, rowan cikin na motsi. Yayi nauyin mamaki ayayinda ya daga zuwa lebensa ya kuma kurba zuwa makogoronsa, na lokaci dayayi sayi dayawa. Yaji cikin jikinsa yayi dumi akaro na farko a wannan daren.
Kowa yayi shuru, suna kallon wuta. Thor nadamuwa haryanzu. Kasancewa a wannan gefen loton, a bangaren abokan gaba, haryanzu yanajin yakamata shi yadinga kula a kowani lokaci, yana kuma mamakin yanayin nitsuwan Erec, kaman yana zaman shakatawa a bayan gidansa. Hankalin Thor ya kwanta, ababu, samun fita daga dungurun daji, sake hadewa da Erec, da kuma zama akewaye da kwanciyan hakalin wuta. Erec na kallon bakin dajin, yana kasa kunne wa kowani kara, amma kuwa ba fargaba kuma jiki asake. Thor yasan idan wani hatsari yazo, Erec zai karesu duka.
Thor yaji gamsuwa a gaban wutan; ya kalli kewayensa sai yaga shauranma Kaman sun gamsu, suma—sadai, dama, wa Elden, wanda ke dame tun dawowa daga dajin. Ya rasa takun jijidakansa daga farkon ranan, kuma ya zauna a wajen, dabakinciki kuma ba takwafi. Comandodi bazasu taba yafe irin wanan kuskuren ba—za a kori Elden daga runduna idan suka koma. Yayi tunanin menene Elden zaiyi. Yanajin bazai hakura haka kawai ba, cewa yanada wani shiri, wani shiri mai biyo baya, aboye. Thor yayi tunanin cewa koda me zai kasance, ba zai zama mai kyau ba.
Thor yajuya yabi kallon Erec zuwa can da nisa, a ta kudanci. Wani dan haske, wani marakarewan zane iya ganin ido, ya haskaka daren. Thor yadamu.
“Menene?” daga karshe yatambayi Erec. “Wancan hasken? Wanda kaketa kurawa kallo?”
Erec yayi shuru na dogon lokaci, karanda akeji na hurawan iska kawai. Daga karshe, batare da juyawaba, yace: “Su Goral.”
Thor ya musanya kallo da shauran, wadanda suma suka mayar, suna tsoro. Cikin Thor ya kulle akan tunanin. Su Goral. Akurkusa haka. Babu wani abu a sakaninsa dasu face dan daji da babbab fili. Babu babban loto mai rabasu kuma, wanda yake karesu da. Duk rayuwarsa yakan ji bayanin wadannan mugayen halittun wajen wadanda basu da wani buri saidai su kawowa zuben hari. Kuma ayanzu babu wani abu asakaninsu. Yagagara yadda da yawansu. Sun kasance taron mayaka masu yawa da kuma jira.
“Baka jin tsoro ne?” Thor ya tambayi Erec.
Erec ya girgiza kai.
“Su Goral suna tafiya atare ne. mayakansu na kwanan waje a wurin kowani dare. Sunyi shekaru suna yin haka. Zasu iya kawo hari loto ne kawai idan suka hada rundunonin mayakansu gabaya suka kuma kawo harin Kaman mutum daya. Kuma basu isa su gwadaba. Karfi takwafi yana aikin kariya. Sun san bazasu iya ketareshi ba.
“To meyasa suke kwana awaje a wurin?” Thro ya tambaya.
“Hanyarsu na razana mu kenan. Da kuma shiri. Ansamu lokuta dayawa a tarihi, alokacin mahaifinmu, dasuka kawo hari, suka gwada ketare loton. Amma baitaba faruwaba alokacina.
Thor ya daga ido yakalli bakar sama, taurari masu launin kwai da bula da lemu masu haskawa a saman, sai yayi tunani. Wannan gefen loton wurine na munanan mafarku, kuma haka take tunda yafara tafiya a yaro. Tunanin abin yasa yafara jin tsoro, amma ya ture wannan daga zuciyarsa. Yanzu shi dan runduna ne, kuma dole yayi Kaman daya.
“Kada kadamu,” Erec yace, Kaman yakaranci tunaninsa. “Bazasu kawo hari ayayinda mukeda Takwafin Kaddara ba”
“Ka taba rikeshi?” Thor ya tambayi Erec, kwassam yaso tasani. “Takwafin?”
“Tabbattace babu,” Erec ya mayar. “Bawanda aka yarda yakam, saidai dangin sarki.”
Thor yakalleshi, arikice.
“Bangane ba. Sabo dame?”
Reece yagyara murya.
“Nayi?” ya shiga.
Erec ya amsa da kai.
“Akwai tarihi akan takwafin. Bawanda yataba ainihin dagashi. Tarihin yanuna cewa mutum daya, zababben, zai iya dagashi dakansa. Sarki ne kawai ke iya gwadawa, ko wani daga dinginsa, idan aka zabeshi sarki. Saboda haka nan yake, ba a taba ba.”
“To sarkin yanzu fa? Mahaifinka?” Thor ya tambaya. “Babu daman yagwada ne?”
Reece ya mayar da kallo kasa.
“Ya taba sodaya. Lokacinda aka nadashi. Haka yagaya mana. Yagagara dagawa. Saboda haka yana zaune nan Kaman abin kori agareshi. Yakijininsa. Yazama masa abu mai nauyi Kaman abu mai rai.
“Idan zababben ya iso,” Reece yakara, “zai ‘yanta zoben daga makiyanta akewaye gabadaya kuma ya shugabancemu zuwaga kaddara mafi girma da muka taba sani. Dukanin yaki zasu kare.”
“Tasuniya da banza,” Elden yashiga. “Babu wanda zai daga wannan takwafin. Nauyinsa yayi yawa. Ba abu mai yiwuwa bane. Kuma babu wani ‘zababbe’. Duka wannan karya ne. an kirkiro tarihin domin a danna talakawa ne kawai, domin asamu duk jiran ‘zababben.’ Domin akarfafa dangin MacGil. Tarihi ne da ya kwantar masu da hankali su.
“Ka rufe bakinka, yaro,” Erec ya gargadeshi. “Zaka dinga maganan sarikinka da mutunci.”
Elden ya mayar da kallo kasa, adanne.
Thor yayi tunani akan komai, yana kokarin ya shigar da duka. Ya zama abun warwarewa maiyawa duk alokaci daya. Duk rayuwarsa yana mafarkin gani Takwafin Kaddara. Yaji labarin kirarsa dayayi daidai. Ana gulman cewa anyishi daga abinda ba wanda yasani, ana ganin makami ne mai karfi safi. Yasa Thor na tunanin abinda zai iya faruwa da basu da takwafin domin karesu. Da makiya zasu kada mayakan sarki kenan? Thor yayi kallo zuwa wutan dakeci a sarari. Kaman sun mike zuwa har abada ne.
“Ka taba fita can?” Thor ya tambayi Erec. “Can da nisa? Gaba da dajin? Zuwa waje?”
Duka shauran sun juyo sun kalli Erec, ayayinda Thor ke jiran martaninsa. Acikin shuru mai nauyin, Erec ya ita kallon wutan na dogon lokaci—dogon lokacinda yasa Thor yafara kwokwanton ko zai taba bada amsa. Thor yayi fatan shi bai soma baki dayawa ba; yaji shi yagode kuma yana da bashin Erec, kuma tabbas baya son yamasa laifi. Thor bai kuma tabbattar ma shi yana son yaji amsan ba.
Thor yafara tunanin das hi zai iya dawowa da tambayansa kenan, sai Erec ya mayar da martini.
“Haka,” yace, dagaskiya.
Wannan kalma dayan yakasance a cikin iska na lokacinda sayinsa yayi yawa, kuma acikinsa, Thor yaji nauyinda yagayamasa duk abinda yakeson yaji.
“Yaya yanayi wurin?” O’Connor ya tambaya.
Thor yasamu sakewa dayazama bashi kadai keyin tambayoyi ba.
“Na karkashin wata gunduma mara tausayi ne,” Erec yace. “Amma kasan nada girma da kuma iri iri. Akwai kasan mugaye. Kasan bayi. Da kasan doduna. Doduna ba Kaman duk wani wanda zaka iya tunaninsu ba. Kuma akwai sahara da kanan da manyan tudu iya kallonka. Akwai lambuna da fadamu da babbab yeku. Akwai kasan su Druid. Da kasansu Dragon.
Su Dragon?” ya tambaya, da mamaki. “Ina babu wani abu kaman haka.”
Erec yakallesa, badawas ba.
“Ina tabbattar maka akwai su. Kuma wuri ne dab aka taba son zuwa. Wurinda ko yan Goral ke soro.”
Thor yayi hadiya akan tunanin. Yagagara tunanin shiga duniya da zurfi haka. Yayi tunanin yaya Erec yayi yadawo daransa. Yayi ajiya a kwanyansa ya tambayeshi wata rana
Akwai tambayoyi dayawa da Thor kesonyi—akan yanayin gunduman mugunta da mai mulkinsa; dalilin dayasasu son kawo hari; lokacinda Erec yayi tafiyan; lokacinda yadawo. Amma ayayinda Thor yacigaba da kallon wutan wuri ya kara sanyi da duhu, kuma yayinda tanbayoyinsa ke yawo akansa, yaji idanunsa sunyi nauyi. Wannan ba lokacinda yadace bane nayin tanbayoyin.
Maimakon haka, yabar barci ta tafidashi. Ya kwantar da kansa a kasa. Kafin idanunsa su rufu, ya kalli kasar wajen, kuma yayi tunanin yaushe—ko idan—zai taba komawa gida.
*
Thor yabuda idanunsa, arikice, yana tunanin yana inane kuma tayaya yazo wurin. Ya kalli kasa yaga hazo mai nauyi har kwankwasonsa, kaurin yakai har baya ganin kafafunsa. Yajuya yaga gari na wayewa akan loton dake gabansa. Can da nisa, adaya gefen, garinsu yake. Shi yana wannan gefen, gefenda badaidai ba, na marabin. Bugun zuciyarsa ta karu.
Thor ya kalli gadan, amma ba sabamba, babu mayaki ko daya. Duka wurin, azahiri, yayi Kaman kowa yagudu. Yagagara gane abindake faruwa. Ayayin kallon gadan, dogayen katakensa suna faduwa daya bayan daya, Kaman da wasa. Cikin dakikoki gadan ya rushe, ya sauka cikin ramin. Kasan nada zurfi sosai, baima ji karan diran kataken ba.
Thor yahadiye yawu sai yajuya, yana duba shauran—amma bai gansu a ko ina ba. Baisan menene zaiyi ba. Yanzu ya makale. Anan, shikadai, a daya gefen loton, ba hanyan komawa. Yagagara gane inda duk shauran suka tafi.
Dayaji wani abu, yajuya yakalli cikin dajin. Ya gano motsi. Ya tashi kan kafafunsa sai ya nufi inda yaji karan, kafansa na lumewa cikin kasa yayin tafiya. Yayinda yayi kusa, ya leka wani raga dayake lilo daga wani reshenda ke kasakasa. Acikin ragan akwai Elden, yana jujuyawa akewaye, su reshen na dan kara yayin motsinsa.
Wata hankaka na zaune akansa, watan wararriyar hallita dajiki mai kyallin azurfa da farin zane guda daya daya mike goshinsa, sakanin idanunsa. Ya sukunyo, ya cire idon Elden daya, ya rikeshi awurin. Yajuyo ga Thor, yana rike da idon abaki.
Thor yaso yakau da ido amma yagagara. Yayinda yake gane cewa Elden yamutu, bazato, dajin yayiwo rai. Fitowa daga cikinsa, daga kowani gefe, mayakan Gorl. Katti, sanye bante kawai, da manyan, kifjuna amurmurde, hancina uku a manne daya a sama biyu a karkashinsa akan fuskarsu, da dogayen, lankwasasun hakora, suna tsaki da haushi, sun taso gabadaya masa. Karan natada gashi, kuma babu wurin zuwa ma Thor. Yakai hanu kasa ya kamo takwafinsa—amma yakalli kasa yaga babu shi.
Thor yayi ihu.
Ya tashi yazauna amike, yana numfashi da karfi, yana kallon kota ina. Akewaye dashi gabadaya shurune—ainihin, shuru mai rai, ba shurun mafarkinsa ba.
A gefensa, acikin hasken asubanci na farko, Reece, O’Connor da Erec suna barci amike akasa, karshen mutuwan wutan akusadasu. Akasa, yana sale, akwai hankaka. Yajuya saiyasa kansa agefe daya wa Thor. Babba ne da launi azurfa kuma naji da kansa, da farin zane daya daya kime kan goshinsa, kuma yana kallonsa, yana kallon cikin idonsa, saiyai kara da karfi. Karan yasashi girgiza: hankakan cikin mafarkinsa ne.
Alokacinne yagane tsusun alama ne—cewa mafarkinsa ba mafarki kawai bane. Cewa akwai damuwa. Yanajin hakan, wani dan bari abayansa, mai haurawa hanayensa.
Yatashi zuwa kafafuwansa da sauri ya kalli kewayensa, yana tunanin me zai iya zama damuwan. Baiji wani abinda badaidai ba, kuma babu wani abinda yayi Kaman yabata; gadan nanan a wurin, mayakan duk suna kansa.
Menene? Yayi tunani.
Sai yagano damuwan. Wani yabata. Elden.
A farko Thor yayi sammanin ko yabarsu ne, yahaye gadan zuwa daya gefen loton. Watakila yaji kunyan rasa takwafinsa yabar gurin gaba daya.
Amma Thor yakalli dajin sai yaga sabbin taku a ciyawan, su takun kafan sun nufi hanyan a raban safen. Babu tantama wadannan na Elden ne. Elden bai tafiba; yakoma cikin dajin. Shi kadai. Watakila domin ya rage. Kokuma watakila, Thor yagano da kaduwa, domin ya dauko takwafinsa.
Wannan matakin wawanci ne, tafiya shi kadai haka, kuma yanuna irin matsuwan da Elden ke ciki. Thor yaji yanzuyanzu cewa akwai babban damuwa. Rayuwan Elden na cikin hatsari.
Hankakan yasake kara a wannan lokacin, Kaman domin ya tabbattar da tunanin Thor. Sai ya tashi, ya nufo fuskan Thor gabagadi. Thor ya sunkuyarda kansa—faratun kafansa sun kuskure kadan ne kawai sai ya tashi cikin iska, ya tafi.
Thor yatashi zuwaga aiki. Babu tunani, bama tare da tunanin abinda yakeyi ba, ya yanka aguje zuwa cikin dajin, yanabin su takun kafan.
Thor bai saya yaji soronba yayinda yadinga gudu shi kadai, dazurfi zuwa cikin wajen. Daya saurara yayi tunanin irin haukanda hakan yakasance, da zai iya daskarewa, da zai ji bari yakamashi. Amma maimakon hakan, yamayarda martini ne, yanajin matsuwan ya taimaki Elden. Yayi gudu yakuma gudu—shi kadai—zuwa can cikin dajin a farkon hasken safiya.
“Elden!” yayi ihu.
Ba abinda zai iya bayani akai bane, amma yanajin cewa Elden nabakin mutuwa. Watakila baikamata yadamu ba, saboda halayarsa zuwa gareshi, amma bazai iya tamakon kansa ba: yayi. Inda shine a wannan matsayin, da Elden tabbattace bazai zo cetonsa ba. Kaman hauka yayi da zaisa nasa ran a hatsari saboda ceton wanda bayasonsa—kuma, ainihi ma—zaiyi murnan ganin mutuwansa. Amma bayanda ya iya. Baitaba jin yadda yakeji ayanzu ba, inda tunaninsa ke masa ihun yayi wani abu—tunbama akan abinda watakila baisani ba. Yana sauyawa wani iri, amma shima baisan kotayaya ba. Yaji Kaman jikinsa nabin umurnin wani sabon, karfin sirri, kuma yasashi jin rashin sakewa, rashi tafiyarwa. Ko yafara tabuwa ne? Ko yana wuce gonad a iri ne? Kokuma duk daga mafarkinsa ne? watakila yakamata yajuya.
Amma baijuyanba. Yabarkafansa yajagoranceshi kuma bai yadda tsoro da rashin tabbas sun kadashi ba. Yayita gudu kan gudu sanda huhunsa suka fara neman iska.
Thor yajuya wani kwana, sai abinda yagani yasashi yadaskare. Ya saya awurin, yana kokarin maida numfashinsa, yana kokarin gane abinda yake gani agabansa, wanda yafi karfin fahimta. Ya isa yasa tsoro azuciyan kowani dafeffen gwarzo.
Elden na saye a wurin, yana rikeda guntun takwafinsa kuma yana kallon wani halittan da Thor baitaba ganin irinsa ba. Nada bansoro. Yafidukkansu sayi, akalla kafa tara asaye, kuma da fadin mutane hudu. Yadaga murdadun, jan hanayensa, da dogayen yatsu uku, Kaman faratu, akarshen kowani hanun, kuma da kai Kaman na ibilis, da kaho hudu, doguwar dashashi, da goshi mai fadi. Yanada manyan idanu biyu masu launin kwai da dogayen hakora Kaman kahon giwa. Yajingunu zuwa baya yayi ihu.
Agefensa, wani kakkauran bishiya, mai daruruwan shekaru, yarabu biyu saboda ihunsa.
Elden yasaya, adaskare da tsoro. Yasake takwafinsa, kuma kasan karkashinsa yajike.
Halittan ya zubar da yawu ya gwaye hakoransa, sai ya tako zuwaga Elden.
Thor, shima, yacika da tsoro, amma komabayan Elden, bai daskarar dashiba. Saboda wani dalili, tsoron yadada masa kaifin tunani, yasashi jin yana raye. Tabashi hangan nesa, yabashi zarafin hada hankalinsa gabadaya akan halttan dake gabansa, akan matsayinsa awurin Elden, akan sayi da fadinsa da karfi da zafin namansa. Akan kowani motsinsa. Ya kuma bashi zarafin kula da jikinkansa, makamansa.
Thor ya ruga aiki. Ya taso zuwa gaba, sakanin Elden da halittan. Dodon yayi ihu, numfashinsa nada zafi ainin, thor yajishi duk da yana dan nesa. Karan yatada kowani gashi abayan wuyan Thor ya kuma sashi son yajuya. Amma yaji muryan Erec akansa, yana cemasa yakasanca da karfi. Karyaji tsoro. Ya riki rashin tada hankali. Sai ya tilasta wakansa rike matsayins
Thor yadaga takwafinsa sama ya taso, yasokashi cikin hakarkarin dodon, yana auna zuciyarsa.
Halittan yayi ihu da zafin ciwo, jininsa na zuba gangaran hanun Thor ayayinda Thor ya lumarda takwafin gabadaya, har dunduniyar.
Amma abinda ya baiwa Thor mamaki, bai mutuba. Dodon yayi Kaman yafi karfin mutuwa.
Batare da rasa bugun zuciya daya ba, dodon yajuyo yabige Thor da karfinda har yaji kashin hakarkarinsa Kaman sun karye. Thor yatafi a iska acikin shararen gurin, yahadu da bishiya kafin yafado kasa. Yaji wani mumunan ciwonkai yayinda yake kwance a gurin.
Thor yakalli sama arikice, duniyan na juyawa. Dodon yakai hanu kasa yaciro takwafin Thor daga cikinsa. Takwafin yayi kankanta a hanunsa, Kaman sinken cire abu a hakori, sai dodon yajabaya ya wurga; yatafi a iska acikin bishiyoyin, yanata kada su reshe yakuma bace adajin.
Ya mayar da hankalinsa gabadaya akan Thor ya fara saukowa kansa.
Elden yasaya a inda yake, haryanzu adaskare da tsoro. Amma yayinda dodon ya nufi Thor, bazato, Elden yafada aiki. Ya taso wa dodon daga baya ya dale bayansa. Yarage wa dodon tafiya daidai har Thor yatashi; dodon dahaushi, ya wurga hanayensa baya ya wurgar da Elden. Ya tafi a iska aketare filin, yahadu da bishiya, yafado akasa.
Dodon, haryanzu jininsa na zuba, yana numfashi samasama, yasake mayarda hankali kan Thor. Ya gwaye hakora ya buda dogayen hakoransa yayinda ya nufeshi.
Thor bashida zabi. Takwafinsa yabata, kuma babu wani abu sakaninsa da dodon. Dodon ya fado kansa, sai adakika na karshe, Thor ya mirginu yabar hanya. Dodon yadaki itacen dake inda Thor dayake sand yaciroshi.
Dodon yadaga kafarsa zai sauke a kayin Thor. Thor yasake mirginuwa yabar wurin; dodon yabar alaman taku a inda da kan Thor yake.
Thor yayi sale zuwaga kafafunsa, yasa dutse a majajjabarsa, sai ya wurga.
Yasamu dodon daidai a ido, wurgi mafi karfin da yataba yi, sai halittan yakoma da baya. Thor ya tabbattar shi yakasheshi.
Amma ga mamakinsa, dodon bai saya ba.
Thor yayi iya kokarinsa ta tattaro baiwansa, koda wani irin baiwa yakedashi. Ya taso wa dodon, yayi sale zuwa gaba, yaci karo dashi, yana harin yashigeshi yakuma kaishi kasa da karfin dab a irin na mutane ba.
Amma abinda yabawa Thor mamaki,wannan karon baiwan yaki zuwa. Yakasance wani yaro ne kawai. Ragon yaro, kausa da babban dodon.
Kawai dodon yamika hanu kasane, yakamo Thor a kwankwaso, yadaga sama da kansa. Thor, babu yanda ya iya, nata lilo a sararin iska—sanan aka wurgashi. Ya tafi a iska Kaman bam yashige filin, yasake haduwa da bishiya.
Thor yakwanta a wurin, arikice, kansa na fashewa, hakarkarinsa arabe biyu. Dodon yanufeshi aguje, sai yasan wannan lokacin yakare masa. Yadaga jan, murdaden kafansa, yana shirin saukowa dashi daidai kayin Thor. Yayi shiri mutuwa.
Sai, saboda wani dalili, dodon ta daskare a sakar iska. Thor ya kifta ido, yana kokarin yagane dalili.
Dodon ya daga hanu yakama makogoronsa, sai Thor yagano kan kifiya ya bullo daga cikinsa. Jim kadan, dodon ya kife, amace.
Erec yazo cikin ganuwa a guje, biyeda Reece da O’Connor. Thor yaga Erec na kallonsa a kasa, yana tambayansa koda damuwa, kuma yana son amsa, fiye da komai. Amma kalmomin sunki fitowa. Bayan wani dan lokaci, idanunsa sun rufu akansa, sai duniyarsa tazama baka.
SURA NA GOMA SHA TAKWAS
Thor yabude ido ahankali, dafarko yanajin jiri, yana kokarin yagano inda yake. Yana kwance akan ciyayi, sai na wani dan lokaci yayi tunanin ko an mayar dashi masauki. Yadaga kansa a gwiwan hanu daya, da kula, yana duba shauran.
Yana wani wurine dabam. Daga yanayin abubuwa, yana hadaden dakin dutse ne. Yayi Kaman yana fada. Fadan sarauta.
Kafin yagama gano komai, wani babban, kofan itacen oak ya budu sai Reece yashigo. Daga dan nesa, Thor najin yan kananan muryan taron jama’a.
“Daga karshe, ya rayu,” Reece ya sanar da murmushi, yayinda ya rugo gaba, ya kama hanun Thor, yajashi zuwa kan kafansa.
Thor yadaga hanunsa zuwa kansa, yana kokarin rage wanan mumunan ciwon kai dake tashi da sauri.
“Kazo, mutafi, kowa na jiranka,” ya umurce shi, ya finciko Thor.
“Saya minti daya, yi hakuri,” Thor yace, yana kokarin tara hankalinsa. “Ina inane? Menene yafaru?”
“Mundawo fadan sarki ne—kuma ana kusa da bikin gabatar da kai a matsayin jarumin yau!” Reece yace da annashuwa, yayinda suka nufi kofa.
“Jarumi? Mekake nufi? Kuma … yaya akayi nazo nan?” ya tambaya, yana kokarin tunawa.
“Dodon ya sumar dakai. Ka kasance assume na wani dan lokaci. Dole muka daukeka muka hayo gadan loton dakai. Abin al’ajabi. Ba yadda na sammaci zaka dawo daya gefen ba!” yace da dariya.
Sun fita kan dakalin fadan, yayinda suke tafe, Thor na iya gani ireiren mutane—mata, maza, yangida, gwanayen mayaka—sonata kallonasa, Kaman sonata jiran yatashi. Ya kuma ga wani sabon abu a idanunsu, wani abu Kaman girmamawa. Karo na farko kenan dayaga wannan. Harzuwa wannan lokacin, kowa na kallonsa da wani abu maikama da kiyayya—yanzu suna kallonsa Kaman shima dayane daga cikinsu.
“Menene asalin yafaru?” Thor yawasa kwakwalwarsa, yana kokarin tunawa.
“Katuna wani abu daga ciki?” Reece ya tambaya.
Thor yayi kokarin tunani.
“Natuna shiga dajin aguje. Fada da dodon. Sai kuma….” Ya gagara tunawa.
“Ka ceci rayuwan Elden,” Reece yace. “Kayi shiga dajin aguje ba tsoro, kai kadai. Bansan dalilinda yasa kabata karfinka akan ceton rayuwan wannan maijiji dakai ba. Amma kariga ka ceceshi. Sarki yayi, farin ciki dakai sosai. Ba domin yanason Elden ba. Amma yadamu dayawa da jarunta. Yanadason yayi buki. Wannan nada muhimmanci awurinsa, yayi bukin labarai irin wannan, domin kwadaitar da wassu. Kuma yakan nuna sarki a mutumin kirki, da kuma yan runduna. Yanason yayi biki. Kananan domin zai maka kyauta.
“Mani kyauta?” Thor ya tambaya yarasa abin fada. “Amma banyi komai ba!”
“Ka ceci rayuwan Elden.”
“Na mayar da martini ne kawai. Nayi abind yazo mani haka kawai ne.”
“Kuma wannan ne ainihin dalilin da yasa sarki yakeson yamaka kyauta.”
Thor yaji kunya. Baiyi zaton abubuwan dayayi sun kamaci jyauta ba. Tundama, idan ba don Erec ba, da Thor yamutu ayanzu. Thor yayi tunani akai, sai zuciyarsa ta ciku da godiya wa Erec, sau daya kuma. Yayi fatan watarana shima yarama masa.
“To yaya aikin sintirin mu?” Thor yatambaya. “Bamu karasa shi ba,”
Reece ya daura hanun karfafawa akan kafadarsa.
“Aboki, ka ceci rayuwan wani yaro. Dan runduna. Wannan yafi muhimmanci akan sintirin mu.” Reece yayi dariya. “Irin wannan sintirin farko wanda ke cike da abubuwa!” ya kara.
A karshen wata dakali kuma, masu tsaro biyu sun buda musu kofa, sai Thor ya kifta ido yaga kansa a cikin zauren sarauta. Akwai daruruwan gwanayen mayaka asaye akewayen dakin, da silin dinsa mai tsawo, hadadun gilasai, da makamai da kuma kayan kariya a rataye kota ina akan bangogin Kaman lambobin yabo. Zauren makamai. Shine inda dukan jarumai ke haduwa, duka yayan Silver. Bugun zuciyan Thor yakaru yayin kallon bangunan, duka sananun makamai, kayan kariyan manyan jarumain tarihi. Thor yasha jin labarin wannan wurin gabadaya rayuwansa. Mafarkinsa ne yaganshi dakansa wata rana. Ba a saba barin yangida su shiga nan—bakowa sai yan Silver.
Abinda yafi bada mamaki, yayinda yashiga, ainihin gwanaye ma sun juya sun kalleshi—shi—daga kowani gefe. Kuma dukan kallon na soyayya ne. Thor bai taba ganin gwanaye dayawa Kaman haka a daki daya ba, kuma bai taba jin karbuwa Kaman haka ba. Yayi kama da shiga cikin mafarki. Tundama wani dan lokaci baya, yakasance yana barci.
Kaman Reece yagane rikicewar fuskarsa.
“Mafi kyawun yan Silver duk sun taru anan domin girmama ka.”
Thor yaji kansa da jiji da kai da kuma rashin yarda. “Girmama ni? Amma banyi komai ba.”
“Babu,” wani murya yazo.
Thor yajuya yaji wani hanu mai nauyi a kafadarsa. Erec ne, yana murmushi.
“Kanuna dauriya da mutunci da hazaka, fiye da abinda akezato daga wurinka. Ka kusan bada naka ran domin ceton na daya daga cikin yan’uwanka. Abinda muke nema a runduna kenan, kuma shi muke nema a Silver.
“Ka ceci rayuwana,” Thor yagaya wa Erec. “Inbadomin kai ba, da dodon zai kasha ni. Bansan yadda zan gode maka ba.”
Erec yayi murmushi zuwa kasa.
“Kariga kagode,” ya amsa. “Baka tuna gasan bane? Inada yardan mun ramawa juna.”
Thor yayi fareti zuwaga kujeran sarauran sarki MacGil, adaya bangare mai nisa a dakin, Reece a gefenshi daya kuma Erec a dayan. Yaji daruruwan idanu na kallonsa, kuma yayi Kaman mafarki ne.
Asaye akewaye da sarki akwai dozin dozin din masu bashi shawara, tare da babban dansa, Kendrick. Yayinda Thor yakusanto, zuciyarsa ta kumbura da jida kai. Yagagara yarda cewa sarki zai sake magantuwa dashi—kuma cewa mutane masu daraja dayawa haka zasu kasance domin shaidawa.
Sun kai kujeran sarkin. MacGil yatashi, sai wani shuru ya sauko dakin. Sai nauyin fuskan MacGil ya sauya yazama murmushi mai fadi, yayinda yayi taku uku zuwa gaba sai abin mamaki ga Thor, ya rungume shi.
Babban ihu yatashi a dakin.
Yajabaya, ya rike Thor dakayu a kafadunsa, sai yayi murmushi zuwa kasa.
“Kayi wa runduna baiyayya da kyau,” yace.
Wani maihidima ya mika wa sarki kwaryan shan barasa, wand sarkin ya daga. Cikin babban murya, yayi kira:
“ZUWAGA HIMMA!”
“ZUWAGA HIMMA!” daruruwan mutane dake dakin suka mayar. Surutan farin ciki suka biyo, sai kuma dakin yakoma cikin shuru.
“A tunawa da aikace aikacenka a yau,” sarkin ya huro, “Zan baka kyauta.”
Sarkin yayi kira da hanu, sai wani mai hidima ya maso gaba, sanye da doguwar, bakar safar hanu, wanda wani hankakn azo again ke zaune akai. Yajuya yakalli Thor sambai—kaman ya wayeshi.
Ya dauke numfashin Thor. Hankakan daya gani a mafarkinsa ne, da jikinazurfan da zane daya maiwucewa goshinsa.
“Hankaka ne alaman masaraytarmu, da kuma dagin sarautanmu,” MacGil yayi ihu. “Yakasance tsunsun farauta, na jidakai da kuma girmamawa. Duk da haka tsunsu ne mai gwaninta. Yanada biyayya, da fadin rai, kuma a tafiya sama da dukanin dabbobi. Kuma halitta ne na bauta. Akance duk wanda ya mallaki hankaka, hankakan ma zata mallakeshi. Zai nuna maka hanya cikin duk hidimominka. Zaya barka, amma zai dawo kowani lokaci. Kuma yanzu, yazama naka.”
Wanda ke rike da hakakan yazo gaba, yadaura wani mai nauyin, safar hanun sarka akan hanu da wuyan hanun Thor, sai yasa tsunsun akai. Thor yaji girgiza, kasanaewansa dashi akan hanunsa. Yagagara motsi. Ya kuma mamakin nauyin sa; gwagwarmaya ne rikeshi a wuri daya saboda tsunsun nata motsi akan wuyar hanunsa. Yaji faratunsa na shiga, kodayake cikin sa’a yaji dannawan ne kawai. Tsunsun yajuya, yakalleshi sambai, sai yayi ihu. Thor yajishi na kallon cikin idonsa, kuma yaji wani haduwan sirri da dabban. Yasani kawai cewa zai kasancedashi dukanin rayuwarsa.
“Kuma wani suna zaka bata?” sarkin ya tambaya, acikin shurun dakin mai nauyi.
Thor ya wasa kwakwalwarsa, wanda yariga ya daskare dayawa har yagagara aiki.
Yayi kokarin tunani dasauri. Ya tattaro a zuciyarsa dukan sunayen sananun jarumai na masarautar. Ya juya ya kalli bangunan, yaga wassu allani a rataye da sunayen yakukuna, dukan wuraren masarautar. Idanunsa sun saya akan wani guri. Wurine a cikin zoben da bai taba zuwa ba, wanda yasaba jin cewa wuri ne mai asiri, kuma wuri mai karfi.
“Zan kirata Estopheles,” Thor ya kira.
“Estopheles!” taron suka maimaita, suna nuna gumsuwa.
Hankakan tayi kara Kaman tana mayar da martini.
Babuzato, Estopheles ta kada fukafikinta sai ta tashi sama, har can kololuwar silin mai sayin, sai waje ta budadden taga. Thor ya kalli tafiyanta.
“Kada ka damu,” mai rikon hankakan yace, “Kowani lokaci tatafi tabbas zata dawo wurinka.”
Thor yajuya yakalli sarkin. Ba a taba masa kyauta ba arayuwansa, balle ma babba Kaman wannan. Yagagara sanin me zaice, yaya zai gode masa. Abin yayi masa daraja.
“Mai gidana,” yace, ya saukar da kai. “Bansan yadda zan gode maka ba,”
“Kariga ka gode,” MacGil yace.
Taron sunyi ihu, sai zafin kan dakin yak are. Hirarraki sun fara a dakin asakanin mutanen, kuma gwanayen mayaka dayawa sun nufi Thor, yagagara sanin ta inda zai juya.
“Wannan ne Algod, na gundumar gabanci,” Reece yace, yana gabatar da daya.
“Kuma wannan ne Kamera, na Fadaman kasakasa…Kuma wannan, Basikold, na Makariyan Arewa… ”
Jim kadan, sunayen sun bace. Thor ya gamsu. Yagagara yarda cewa duka wadanan gwanayen nason saduwa dashi. Baitaba jin karbuwa da girmamuwa akowani lokacin rayuwarsa kuma yanajin cewa rana Kaman wannan ba zai sake zuwa ba. Lokacin farko ne arayuwarsa dakejin shima wani ne.
Kuma yagagara daina tunanin Estopheles.
Yayinda Thor keta juyawa ta ko ina, yana gaisawa da mutanenda sunayensu keta wucewa, sunayen da baya iya rikewa, wani maihidima yazo dasauri, yazame asakanin gwanayen. Yazo da wani dan karamin wasika, wanda ya danna cikin tafin hanun Thor.
Thor ya warwareshi yabude sai ya karanta rubutu, maikyau kuma hadadde:Kasameni a dakalin baya. A bayan mashigi.
Thor na iya jin kanshin dan turare na tashi daga wasika mai launin hodan, kuma yarikice yayinda yanemi yasan daga waye wasikan yazo. Ba a sa suna akai ba.
Reece yamaso kusa, yakaranta ta saman kafadarsa, sai yayi dariya.
“Kaman yar’uwana ta fara sonka,” yace, yana murmushi. “Zan je inda nine kai. Ta kijinin a ajiye ta.”
Thor yaji Kaman kunya.
“Dakalin bayan nata wadancan mashigin ne. kayi sauri. Ansanta da saurin sauya ra’ayi.” Reece yayi murmushi yayinda ya kalleshi. “Kuma zanso inganka a dangina.”
SURA NA GOMA SHA TARA
Thor yayi kokarin bin kwatancen Reece yayinda yanemi hanyarsa ta cikin fadan da jama’a suka cika, amma baizo da sauki ba. Fadan nada kwanekwane dayawa, yawan boyayyun kofofin baya, da kuma yawan dofayen dakali masu zuwa ga wasu dakalun.
Yasake bin kwatancen Reece a kwakwalwarsa yayinda yake gangarawa wasu kananan matakala, yajuya wani dakalin, sai daga karshe yasaya agaban wani karamin kofa mai lankwashashen sama mai jan hanu—wanda Reece yagaya masa—sai yatura yabude.
Thor ya hanzarta zuwa waje sai hasken ranar rani ta bugeshi; yaji dadin kasancewa a waje, a wajen matsasen zauren fadan, yana jan iska mai safta, rana na buga fuskarsa. Ya matse ido, idanunsa suna gyarawa saboda haske, yakuma more kallon. Agabansa lambu sarauta ke shimfide, suna shimfide iya ganin ido, kunya agyare ayanayi dabamdabam, sun jeru daidai, hanyoyi na wucewa a sakaninsu. Akwai lambunan ruwa, bishiyoyin dab a a saba gani ba, lambuna a cike da ya’yan itatuwa, da filayen furanni na kowani irin girma da launi. Kallon yadauke numfashinsa. Yayi kama da takawa zuwa cikin wani zanen allo.
Thor ya duba kota ina kozaiga alaman Gwendolyn, zuciyarsa nata bugawa. Babu kowa a dakalin bayan, sai Thor ya dauka cewa anbarshi wa yangidan sarauta ne kawai, tunda baya cikin jama’a da dogayen, katangun lambu na dutse. Amma duk da haka ya dubi ko’ina amma bai ganta ba.
Yayi tunanin ko wasikanta na karya ne. watakila abin ma kenan. Watakila tana masa tsiya ne kawai, dan kauye kamansa, tana baiwa kanta dariya. Bayan ma, yaya za ayi mace mai masayi irin nata ta kulashi?
Thor ya kalli kasa sai yasake karanta wasikanta, sai yasake nannada shi da kunya. Anyi masa tsiya. Shima wawane daya sa rai haka kawai. Lamarin yasamasa ciwon zuciya ainin.
Thor yajuya sai yayi shirin komawa, kai asunkuye. Yana kai hanu zai bude kofa kenan, sai wata murya tayi kira.
“Kuma ina zaka je?” wani murya mai alaman nishadi yazo. Yayi Kaman wakan wani tsunsu.
Thor yayi tunanin koyana mafarki ne. ya juyo, yana dubawa, sai gatanan, azaune a karkashin wani katangan fadan. Ta mayarda murmushi, sanye da kayan sarautanta mafi kyau, dauri akan dauri na farin rigan yadin satin mai rowan foda a bakin. Ta kasance kyakyawiya fiye da yadda zai iya tunawa.
Itace. Gwendolyn. Buduruwar da Thor yakansace yana mafarkinta tunda suka hadu, da kewayyayun, idanunta masu launin bula da doguwar suma mai launin malmo, da murmushinta mai haskaka zuciyarsa. Tasa hula mai launin fari da hoda, yana kareta daga zafin rana, akarkashinsa kuma idanunta na kyalli. Na wani dan lokaci yaso yajuya domin ya tabbattar babu kowa asaye abayansa.
“Um…Thor yafara. “Na…Um…bansani ba. Na..um…shiga ciki ne dama.
Wannan karon ma, ya since kansa yana rikicewa a gabanta, yana samun damuwa wurin hada tunaninsa kuma yayi bayani.
Tayi dariya. Yakasance sauti mafi kyau daya taba ji.
“Kuma me zai saka kayi haka?” ta tambaya, dawasa. “Yanzu kazo ai.”
Thor yarikice. Harcensa ya gagara Magana.
“Na…um…gagara ganinki,” yace, da kunya.
Ta sake dariya.
“To, gani nan a nan. Bazaka zo ka kama ni bane?”
Ta miko hanu guda daya; thor yaruga zuwa gareta, yamika hanu kasa, ya kamo hanunta. Yaji girgiza da taba fatanta, sumul kuma da laushi, dan hanun nata yashiga cikin nashi daidai. Ta kalleshi a sama sai tabar hanunta yadan dade a cikin nashi, kafin ahankali ta tashi. Taso yanda yaji yasunta a tafin hanunsa kuma yayi fatan bazata taba daukesu ba.
Ta cire hanunta, sai ta shigar dashi cikin nasa, suka kulla hanayen. Ta fara tafiya, tana jagorantan hanyan gangarawa wasu juyayyun hanyoyi. Sun yi tafiya akan wani hanya gefensa ajere da duwatsu, sai jim kadan suka shiga wani lambu mai rikitatun reshen bishiyoyi, akare daga kallon yan waje.
Thor yarikice. Watakila shi, dan talaka, zai shiga damuwa, domin tafiya haka da diyar sarki,yaji dan zufa ya fara fita daga goshinsa, kuma baisani ba ko daga zafin rana ne kokuma daga tabashi datayi bane.
Bai tabbattar da me zai fada ba.
“Ka tayar da hankula anan, koba haka ba?” tace da murmushi. Yagode a zuciyarsa data yanke shurunda ya dameshi.
Thor ya kada kafadarsa, “A yi hakuri. Banso yin haka ba.”
Tayi dariya. “kuma me zaisa kaki son yin hakan? Ina yana da kyau mutum yatayar da hankula?”
Thor yagagara cigaba. Baisan yadda zai mayr da martini ba. Kaman yakan fadi badaidaiba kowani lokaci.
“Wannan wurin yamatsu kuma bashi da nishadi dama,” tace. “Nada kyau a samu sabon zuwa. Kaman mahaifina nasoka sosai. Kuma haka dan’uwana ma.”
“Um…nagode,” thor ya amsa.
Yanata yiwa kansa kashedi, yana mutuwa ta ciki. Yasan yakamata shi yace wasu abubuwa, kuma yanason hakan. Sadai bai san me zai fada bane kawai.
“Kina…” ya fara, yana wasa kwakwalwarsa yana neman abida yakamata ya fada, “…son yanayin wannan wurin?”
Ta kwanta baya sai tayi dariya.
“Inason nan wurin?” ta tambaya. “Amma yakamata haka. A nan nake da zama!”
Tasake dariya sai Thor yaji yanayinsa ya canja. Yaji shi yanata dada bata lammura. Amma bai girma akewaye da yanmata ba, bai taba yin buduruwa a kauyensu ba, sai baisan me zai gaya mata ba. Me zai iya tambayanta? Yariga yasan inda tafito. Ya fara tunanin me yasa tadamu dashi; saboda nishadin kanta ne kawai?
“Me yasa kike sona?” ya tambaya.
Ta mayar da kallo gareshi, sai tayi wani karan bandariya.
“Kai yaro mai riga mallam masallaci ne,” tayi dan dariya. “Waye yace inason ka?” ta tambaya da babban murmushi. Azahirance, duk abinda yafada nabata dariya.
Yanzu Thor yaji Kaman yakara shigar da kansa babban damuwa.
“Yi hakuri. Banyi nufin fadan wannan ba. Ina tunani ne kawai. Ina nufin…um…Nasan bakia sona.”
Takara dariya.
“Kana ban dariya, dole nabaka wannan. Ina ganin baka taba yin buduruwa ba, kokayi?”
Thor ya kalli kasa sai ya girgiza kai, ya kunyatu.
“Ina zaton ba yan’uwa mata, ma?” ta danna.
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Inada yan’uwa maza uku,” ya fitar. Daga karshe, akalla, ya iya fadan wani abu daidai.
“Kana dasu?” ta tambaya.”Kuma suna ina ne? a kauyenku?”
Thor ya giriza kai. “Babu, suna nan, a cikin runduna, tare dani.”
“To, dole wannan yazama abi kwanciyar hankali.”
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Babu. Basu sona. Suna fatan da bana nan.”
Wannan yakasance karo na farko da murmushinta ya fadi.
“Kuma me yasa basu sonka? Ta tambaya, asorace. “Yan’uwan naka din?”
Thor ya kada kafada. “Ina fatan danasani,”
Sun kara tafiya na wani dan lokaci acikin shuru. Haka kawai sai ya fara soron cewa shi yana kashe yanayin murnanda suke ciki.
“Amma kada kidamu, baya damu na. Haka abin yake tunda. Ainihima, tabbas, nasadu da abokanan kirki anan. Wadanda suka fi duk wassu da na taba yi.”
“Dan’uwana? Reece?” ta tambaya.
Thor ya amsa da kai.
“Reece mai kyau ne,” tace. “Shi nafiso ta wassu hanyoyin. Inada yan’uwa maza hudu, kasani. Uku yan’uwan gaske, daya bahaka ba. Babbab dan mahaifina ne daga wata mata. Dan’ubana. Ka wayedashi, Kendrick?”
Thor ya amsa da kai.”Inada babban bashinsa akaina. Dominshi ne nasamu wuri a runduna. Mutum ne mai kirki.”
“Gaskiya ne. Yana cikin mafi kyau na masarautan nan. Son da nakemasa yakai na asalin dan’uwa. Sai akwai Reece, wanda shima nakeso Kaman haka. Shauran biyun…to… Kasan yadda iyalai suke ai. Ba kowa ne zai shirya da kowa ba. Wanni lokaci nakan yi mamakin yaya dukanmu muka fito daga iyaye daya.”
Yanzu Thor ya kamu. Yaso kara samun sanin su wani irin mutane ne, dangantakarta dasu, dalilin da yasa basu kusantan juna. Yaso ya tambaye ta, amma baiso yayi shishigiba. Kuma Kaman bataso Magana akai ba, itama. Tayi kama da mutum mai farin ciki, mutuminda keson sa hankalinsa akan abubuwan farin cikic a kowani lokaci.
Yayinda suka gama rikececiyar hanyar, dakalin bayan fadan ya buda zuwaga wani sabon lambun, inda ciyawan yasamu gyara kuma aka masa tsari maikyau. Yakasance wani irin babban gandun daji, ashimfide akalla kafa hamsin daga kota ina, da mayan bashiyoyi, wadanda suka fi Thor sayi, ararrabe a gaba dayan wurin.
Gwen tayi ihu da nishadi.
“Zakayi wasa?” ta tambaya.
“Menene?” shima ya tambaya.
Tajuya, idanunta suka kara buduwa da mamaki.
“Baka taba wasan racks ba?” tace.
Thor ya girgiza kai, yaji kunya, yanaji Kaman dan kauye fiye da yadda yataba ji.
“Shine wasa mafi kyau!” ta fadamasa.
Ta isar da hanayenta duka biyu ta kamo nasi, tajashi zuwa kan filin. Ta guje da murna; yagagara fasa murmushi. Fiye da komai, fiye da wannan filin, fiye da wannan kyakyawan wurin, kamun hanunta akan nashi ne yafi girgiza shi. Jin tana son shi. Tana son ya tafi da ita. Tana son kashe lokaci tare dashi. Meyasa wani zai dame dashi? Musamman mutum Kaman ita? Haryanzu yanaji Kaman duk wannan mafarki ne.
“Ka saya a can,” tace. “A bayan wancan bashiyan. Dole kayi sauri, kuma kanada dakika koma ne nayin hakan.”
“Me kike nufi da nayi sauri?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Ka zabi ta inda zakaje, da sauri!” ta gaya masa.
Thor ya dago babban itacen, yayi mamakin nauyinsa. Ya kaishi wassu yan taku, ya ajiye shi akan wata zagayen.
Batare da kasala ba Gwen ta turo nata. Ya dira akan na Thor ya bugeshi zuwa kasa.
Tayi ihu da murna.
“Wannan mataki ne mara kyau!” tace. “Ka shigo hanayata! Kuma ka fadi!”
Thor yakalli itatuwan duka biyu a kasa, yarikice. Bai gane wannan wasan ba samsam.
Tayi dariya, takama hanunsa yayinda tacigaba da jagorantarsa a gangarawa hanyoyin.
“Kada kadamu, zan koya maka,” tace.
“Zuciyarsa ta tashi sama da kalmominta. Zata koya masa. Tana son sake haduwa dashi. Takashe lokaci dashi. Wannan mafarki kawai yakeyi ne?
“To gaya mani, menene tunaninka akan wannan wurin?” ta tambaya, yayinda ta jagoranceshi zuwa wasu jerin rikatattun hanyoyin. An kayatar da wannan da furanni masu sayin kafa takwas, suna harbor launinnuka iri iri, kwarin basabamba na yawo akan samansu.
“Shine guri mafi kyau dana taba gani,” Thor ya amsa da gaskiya.
“Kuma me yasa kaso zama dan runduna?”
“Shine mafarki na daya na rayuwa,” ya mayar.
“Amma menene dalili?” ta tambaya. “Domin kana son yiwa mahaifina hidima?”
Thor yayi tunanin wannan. Baitaba tunanin dalilinsa ba—abin na nan ne kodayaushe kawai.
“Haka,” ya amsa. “Kuma da zoben.”
“To yaya rayuwa kuma fa?” ta tambaya. “Baka son kayi naka iyalen? Fili? Mata?”
Ta saya sai ta kalleshi; ya girgizashi. Ya rikice. Bai taba tunanin wadannan abubuwan ba da, kuma bai san yadda zai mayar da martini ba. Idanunta na kyalli yayinda take mayar da kallo gareshi.
“Um…Na…Ban sani ba. Ban taba ainihin tunani akansa ba.”
“Kuma me mahaifiyarka zata ce akan wannan?” ta tambaya, da wasa.
Murmushin Thor ya sauka.
“Bani da mahaifiya,” yace.
Murmushinta yasake sauka.
“Me yafaru da ita?” ta tambaya.
Thor na daf da bata amsa, yagaya mata komai. Wannan ne karo na farko a rayuwarsa dazaiyi Magana akanta da wani. Kuma abin mamakin shine yanason maganan. Yaso, kuma da matsuwa, ya buda mata zancen, wannan bakuwa agareshin, ya sata sanin komai akan mafi zurfin yanayin rayuwarsa.
Amma yayin buda baki yayi Magana, bazato sai wani babban murya yafito daga bako’ina.
“Gwendolyn!” muryan yayi ihu.
Dukansu sun juya suka ga mahaifiyarta, sarauniya, sanye da mafi kyawun komai, abiye da masu hidima, tana tahowa zahiri ma ‘yarta. Fuskanta na nuna haushi.
Sarauniyan ta taho harga Gwen, ta cafko hanunta, ta fizgeta suka tafi.
“Ki koma ciki yanzu. Mai nagaya miki? Bana son naga kina sake Magana dashi. Kin fahimce ni?”
Fuskan Gwen ya canja, sai ya zama da haushi da ji da kai.
“Ki sake ni!” tayi wa mahaifiyarta ihu. Amma baiyi amfani ba; mahaifiyarta tacigaba da janye ta, kuma masu hadaminata suka kewayeta, suma.
“Nace ki sake ni!” Gwen tayi ihu. Ta kalli Thor ta baya da kallon matsuwa, na tausayi, na roko.
Thor ya fahimci yadda takeji. Haka shima yakeji. Yaso ya kiraye ta, zai yaci zuciyarsa na ciwo yayinda ya kalli janyeta da akeyi. Yayin Kaman dauke rayuwarsa na gaba daga gareshi, kum agaban idonsa.
Ya saya a wurin na dogon lokaci bayan tab ace daga ganinsa, yana kallo, adaskare a wuri daya, numfashi adauke. Baiso barin wurin ba, baiso mantawa da duk wannan ba.
Mafi girman duka kuma, baiso yayi tunanin cewa mayiwuwa bazai sake ganinta ba.
*
Ayayinda Thor ke takawa ahankali yana komawa fada, haryanzu yanajin jirin haduwansu da Gwen, yamamanta da abubuwan dake kewaye dashi. Tunaninta ya mamaye zuciyarsa; yagagara daina ganin fuskanta a zuciyarsa. Mafi kyakyawanci da kirki da zaki da nitsuwa da soyyaya da bada dariyan mutumin da yataba haduwa dashi. Yana bukatan yasake ganinta. Ainihi ma yana jin zafin rashinta ayanzu. Bai gane abinda yake ji mata ba, kuma wannan nabashi tsoro. Bai wani santa ba, amma yariga yasani cewa bazai iya kasancewa ba ita ba.
Duk da haka a daya gefen, ya mayar da tunani yadda sarauniya ta janye ta, sai cikinsa ya lume saboda mutane masu iko dake sakaninsu. Masu ikon da basu son ganinsu tare, soboda wasu dalilai.
Yayinda yayi kokarin kaiwa gindin lamarin, bazato yaji sandararen hanu akan kirjinsa, ya sayar dashi akan tafiyansa.
Ya daga ido yaga wani yaro, watakila ya girmshi da yan shekaru, dogo kuma siriri, sanye da kaya mafi tsada day a taba gani—cikin kayan sarauta mai launin hoda da ganye da malmo na daga siliki, da wani hula kayyatace da gashin tsunsu—yana murda fuska a akallonsa a kasa. Yaron yayi kama da mai hankali, shagwababbe, Kaman an reneshi cikin wadata, da hanaye masu laushi da giran ido lamkwassasu masu kallon kasa da raini.
“Ana kirana Alton,” yaron yafara. “Nine dan Lord Alton, yaran yan’uwa da sarki. Mun kasance a wannan masayin tun shekaru aru aru. Wanda yasa na cancanci masayin Duke. Kai, idon aka kwatanta, talaka ne,” yace, kusan yana tofo kalmomin. “Harabar fada nay an saruta ne. da mutane masu matsayi. Ba na irinku ba.
Thor ya saya a wurin, babu masaniya akan waye wannan yaron kokuma abinda shi yamasa na haushi.
“Me kakeso daga gareni?” Thor ya tambaya.
Alton yayi dariyan raini.
“Dama, bazaka sani ba. Watakila bakasan komai ba, ko kasani? Waye kai dazaka shiga nan kana yi Kaman kai daya ne daga cikinmu!” ya tofar.
“Bana yi Kaman komai,” Thor yace.
“Oho dai, ba damuwa na bane yadda ka fasara. Inason na maka gargadi ne kawai, kafin ka sake sa wasu mafarkin akanka, cewa Gwendolyn nawa ce.
Thro ya mayar da kallo, arikice. Nashi? Yagagara sanin me zai ce.
“An riga an shirya aurenmu tundaga aihuwa,” Alton yacigaba. “Shekarunmu daya ne, kuma matsayinmu ma daya. An riga an fara shiri. Kada ka yarda kayi tunani, koda na dan lokaci, cewa wani abu zai banbanta.
Thor yaji Kaman an cire masa numfashi; bashi ma da karfin mayar da martini.
Alton ya maso da taku daya ya kalli kasa.
“Kana ji,” yace a karamin murya, “Nakan bar gwen tayi harkokinta. Tanadasu dayawa. Daga lokaci zuwa lokaci takan ji tausayin wani talaka, kokuma maihidima. Zata barsu su zama nishadinta, abin dariyanta. Watakila ka kai ga ra’ayin wani abu ne dabam. Takan tarasu, Kaman bebi. Basu nufin komai agareta. Tana nishadantuwa da kowani sabon talaka, sai bayan kwana daya ko biyu, ya isheta. Zata yarda kai da sauri. Kai ba komai bane awurinta, dama. Kuma a karshen shekara ni da ita zamu yi aure. Har abada.”
Idanun Alton sun budu da fadi, yana nuna babban burinsa.
Thor yaji zuciyarsa na yankewa da kalmominsa. Gaskiya ne? shi ba komai bane a wurin Gwen? Yanzu ya rikice; yagagara sani me yakamata ya yarda dashi. Tayi Kaman ba yaudara take ba. Amma watakila Thor na rike ra’ayinda badaidai bane kawai?
“Karya kake yi,” Thor ya mayar daga karshe.
Alton yayi dariyan raini, sai daga daya, daga shagwabbabun yasunsa, ya caki kirjin Thor dashi.
“Idan nasake ganinka a kusa da ita, zanyi amfani da matsayina na kira masu tsaron fada. Zasu saka a kurkuku!”
“A dalilin mene?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Bana bukatan dalili. Inada matsayi anan. Zan kirkiro wani, kuma dani zasu yarda. Lokacinda nagama bata maka suna, rabin masarautan zasu yarda cewa kai mailaifi ne.
Alton yayi murmushi, ya gamsu dakansa; Thor yaji bashi da lafiya.
“Baka da mutunci,” Thor yace, yagagara fahimta yaya wani zaiyi abu babu kamala haka.
Alton yayi dariya, wani kara samasama.
“Bani dashi tun daga farko,” yace. “Kamala na wawaye ne. inada abinda nakeso. Kai ka rike kamalarka. Ni zan rike Gwendolyn.
SURA NA ASHIRIN
Thor na tafiya da Reece suka fita ta mashigin fadan sarki mai lankwashashen sama zuwa kan hanyan zuwa makwancin yan runduna. Masu tsaron sun yi cak musu yayinda suke wucewa sai Thor yaji wani yanayin kasancewa dan gida, Kaman shi bawani bako bane. Yayi tunani zuwa yan kwanakin baya, lokacinda wani mai tsaro ya koreshi daga nan. Abubuwa dayawa sun sauya, cikin lokaci kadan.
Thor yaji wani kara sai yadaga ido yagani, can a sama, Estopheles ke zagayawa, tana kallon kasa. Ta fara saukowa, sai Thor, da farin ciki, ya mika wuyar hanunsa, haryanzu sanye das afar karfen. Amma ta sake tashi sai tayi, sama da Karin sama, sadai bata kasance bata ganuwa ba. Thor yayi mamaki. Ta kasance dabbar sirri, kuma yana jin wani babban haduwa da ita da yakeda wuyan bayani.
Thor da Reece sun cigaba da tafiya babu Magana, suna takawa da sauri zuwa makwancin yan rundunan. Thor yasan yan’uwansa zasu kasance suna jiransa sai yayi tunanin irin karbanda zasu masa. Ko za a samu gasa, kishi? Zasu ji haushi ne saboda shi yasamu dukan wannan kulawan? Zasu yi masa siya ne saboda an daukeshine a dawowa daga loton? Ko kuma zasu karbeshi ne daga karshe?
Thor yayi fatan yazama na karshen. Yagaji da jayyaya da shauran yan runduna kuma kawai yanason, fiye da wani abu, shima ya kasance ne kawai. Ya karbu a matsayin daya daga cikinsu.
Makwancin ya shigo ganinsu a canda nisa, sai kuma zuciyar Thor yafara komawa kan wani tunanin.
Gwendolyn.
Thor baisan daidai abinda zai iya fada wa Reece akan wannan ba, kasancewa yar’uwarsa ce. Amma yagagara cire tunaninta daga zuciyarsa. Yagagara daina tunanin haduwarsa da wannan mai barazanan dan sarautan, Alton, ya kuma tunanin daidai gaskiyanda ke cikin maganganunsa. Wani gefensa na tsoron tattauna wannan da Reece, baya son yayi cacan daga masa hankali ta wani hanya yakuma rasa sabon abokinsa a ta dalilin yar’uwarsa. Amma wani gefensa kuma nason yasan menene tunaninsa akai.
“Wanene Alton?” Thor ya tambaya daga karshe, yana jan kafa.
“Alton?” Reece yamaimaita. “Me yasa kake tambaya akansa?”
Thor ya kada kafada, bai tabbattar da yawan maganan da yakamata yayi ba.
Daya ci sa’a, Reece ya cigaba.
“Shi ba komai bane, illa maibarazanan karamin dan sarauta. Menene dalili? Ya dameka ne ko wani abu?” Sai Reece yamatse idanunsa. “Gwen? Lamarin kenan? Dana maka kashedi.”
Thor yajuya ya kalli Reece, yanason jin Karin bayani.
“Me kake nufi?”
“Shi mara hankali ne. yanatabin kanuwa na tunda ya fara tafiya. Yanaganin za a musu aure. Mahaifiyana tana ganin haka itama.
“Zasu yi auren?” Thor ya tambaya, shima yana mamakin matsuwan dake cikin muryarsa.
Reece ya kalleshi yayi murmushi.
“Nawa, Nawa, kafara son ta, ko baka fara ba?” yayi karamin dariya. “Wannan yayi sauri.”
Yanayin Thor ya canja, har yana fatan kar agane.
“Ko zasu yi ko baza suyiba zai danganci menene yar’uwana takeji masa.” Reece ya amsa daga karshe. “Saidai idan aka tilasta mata yin aure. Amma ina shakan mahaifina zai yi hakan.”
“Kuma yaya take jimasa?” Thor ya danna, yanasoron wuce gonad a iri, amma yana bukatan yasani.
Reece ya kada kafada. “Zaka tambayeta wannan, ina gani. Bana Magana da ita akan wannan.”
“Amma mahaifinka zai tilasta mata aure?” Thor yakuma dannawa. “Zai iya aikata abu Kaman haka?”
“Mahaifina na iyayin duk abinda yagadama. Amma wannan na sakanin shi da Gwen.”
Reece yajuya sai ya kalli Thor.
“Yaya da wadannan tambayoyin duka? Menene kuka yi Magana akai?”
Yanayin Thor ya canja, bai tabbattar da me yakamata yafada ba.
“Babu komai,” yace daga karshe.
“Babu komai!” Reece yayi dariya. “Kaman babu komai dayawa naji!”
Reece yakara dariya da karfi, sai Thor yaji kunya, yana tunanin ko tunaninsa ne kawai cewa Gwen tana sonsa, Reece yamike yasa karfafan hanu akan kafadarsa.
“Kasa kunne, sohon sa’a na,” Reece yace. “tabbattacen abida zaka iya sani akan Gwen kawai shine tasan abinda takeso. Kuma zata samu abinda takeso. Haka abin yake kasancewa tunda. Tanada karfin-hali Kaman mahaifina. Bawanda zai tilasta mata yin wani abu—ko taso wani—da bata so. Saboda haka karka damu. Idan tazabeka, ka yarda dani, zata sanar dakai. Kaji?”
Thor ya kadakai, yanajin Karin kuzari, bayan Magana da Reece.
Yadaga ido yaga mayan mashigin makwanci yan rundunan. Yayi mamakin ganin dayawan shauran yaran saye a mashigin, Kaman suna jiransu, kuma da Karin mamakin ganin suna murmushi, dakuma ihu yayinda suka hangeshi. Sun rugo gaba, suka kama Thor a kafada, suka rataya hannaye akewaye dashi, sai suka jashi zuwa chiki. Thor yaji mamaki ayayinda aka share shi zuwa ciki a cikin runguman son zaman lafiya na shauran yan’uwan.
“Ka bamu labarin loton. Yaya daya gefen yake?” wani yatambaya.
“Yaya dodon yake? Wanda ka kasha? Wani kuma yatambaya.
“Bani na kashesiba,” Thor yayi tawaye. Erec na yakashe.”
“Naji ka ceci rayuwan Elden,” wani yace.
“Naji ka kaiwa dodon hari gaba da gaba. Batare da wasu makamai na ainihi ba.”
“Kazama dayanmu yanzu!” wani yayi ihu, sai shauran yaran suka mayar da ihun, suna tafiyar dashi, Kaman wani dan uwane daya dade da bata.
Thor yagagara yarda. Yana kara jin kalmominsu, yana kara kara gane cewa watakila suna da gaskiya. Watakila yayi jarunta ai. Ba zauna yayi tunani akai ba. Akaro na farko a cikin lokaci mai tsayi, yafara jin dadi da kansa. Mafi yawan hakan saboda ayanzu, daga karshe, yanajin Kaman shi daya ne daga cikin yaran nan. Yaji tashin hankali na sauka daga kafadarsa.
An jagoranci Thor zuwa asalin filin horo, sai agabansa akwai Karin dozin dozin nay an runduna asasaye, tareda dozin dozin na yan Silver. Su, suma, sun saki ihu yayin ganinsa. Duk sun zo gaba sun tattabashi a baya.
Kolk ya tako zuwa gaba, sai shauran sukayi shuru. Thor ya shirya kansa, tunda Kolk bai taba kasance mashi Thor din da wani abuba sai kiyyaya. Amma yanzu ga mamakin Thor, ya kalleshi a kasa da wani irin yanayi dabam. Duk da yagara kawo kansa ga yin murmushi, bai bata fuska ba, amma. Kuma Thor zai iya rantsuwa cewa yaga wani abu Kaman soyyaya a cikin idanunsa.
Kolk yatako gaba, ya riki wani dan shaidan bakin hankaka, yamanna akan kirjin Thor.
Alaman runduna. Thor ya karbu. Daga karshe, ya zama daya daga cikinsu.
“Thorgrin na gunduman kudanci na yammacin masarautanmu,” Kolk yace da babban murya. “Muna maka maraba da zuwa runduna.”
Yaran sun saki ihu, sai suka shogi aruge, suna kewaye Thor da hannayensu kuma suna lilo dashi tanan da tachan.
Thor yama kusan gagara shigar da wannan duka. Bai yi kokarin tin hakan ba. Yaso yaji dadin wannan lokacin kawai. Yanzu, daga karshe, akwai inda shima yazama dayansu.
Kolk ya juya ya fuskanci shauran yaran.
“To, yara, ku kwantar da hankulan ku,” ya bada umurni. “Yau rana ne na mussamman. Babu manjagara da man goge fata da kashin dawakai maka kuma. Yanzu lokaci yayi na ainihin horo. Ranar makamai ne.”
Yaran sun mayar da ihun farin ciki, sai suka bi Kolk yayinda yakama dan gudu a wuce filin horon zuwaga wani babban kewayayen gini da akayi da itacen oak, da kofofin azurfa masu kyalli. Thor yayi tafiya da kungiyan yayinda suka nufo, yanayinfarin ciki kota ina. Reece na gefensa, sai O’Connor yazo yasame su.
“Banyi tunanin zan sake ganinka araye ba,” O’Connor yace, yana murmushi ya buga hanu a kafadansa. “Nan gaba, kabari natashi tukuna, zaka bari?”
Thor ya mayar da murmushi.
“Wani gini ne wancan/” Thor ya tambayi Reece, yayi da suka zo kusa. Akwai manyan sakata gabadaya akan kofan, kuma wurin nada kasancewan barazana.
“Gidan makamai,” Reece ya amsa. “Shine inda ake ajiye dukan makamai namu. Lokaci lokaci sukan barmu mu da leka mu gani, harma muyi horo da wassu. Ya danganci darasinda suke son su bamu.
Cikin Thor ya kulle daya hango Elden na zuwa wurinsu. Thor yashirya kansa, yana jiran barazana—amma wannan lokacin, ga mamakin Thor, Elden nada kallon godiya ne.
“Dole nagode maka,” yace, yana kallon kasa, akaskance. “Saboda ceton raina.”
Thor yadaskare; bai sammaci wannan daga wurinsa ba.
“Nayi kuskure game da kai,” Elden yakara. “Abokanai?” ya tambaya.
Ya miko hanu.
Thor, wanda baya rike mutum a zuciya, da farin ciki yamika hanu ya hada da nashi
“Abokanai,” Thor yace.
“Bana daukan wannan kalman da wasa,” Elden yace. “Zan dinga duba maka baya a kowani lokaci. Kana bina bashi daya.”
Da wannan, yajuya sai yahanzarata komawa cikin taron.
Thor baisan ma’anan da zai sa ma wannan ba. Yanata mamakin yadda abubuwa suka sauya da sauri.
“Ina ganin shi ba abinki gabadaya bane,” O’Connor yace. “watakila yana daidai ma.”
Sun kai gidan makamai din. Manyan kafofin sun baudu, sai Thor yashiga yana mamaki. Yana tafiya ahankali, wuyansa amike, yana kallon wajen azagaye Kaman zobe, yana shigar da komai kwanyansa. Akwai daruruwan makamai, makamai dinda baima ganesu ba, arataye akan su bango. Shauran yara sun hanzarata zuwa gaba a cikin rugen farin ciki, sun gudu zuwaga makamai din, sun daukesu, sun ririkesu, sun kallacesu. Thor yabi misalinsu, yana jin Kaman dan yaro a rumfan mai alewa.
Ya hanzarta zuwaga wata babban gatari, yaga hanunitacen da hannayensa duka biyu, ya kuma ji nauyinta. Tana da girma. Bakin kaifin yamutu kuma ya lanlankwashe, kuma yayi tunanin ko yataba kasha mutane a bakin daga.
Ya ajiyeshi ya dauko kulki mai kusosi, wani bol din karfe mai kusosi ahade da wani sandan karfe da dogo tsarka. Ya rike dogon karfe mai kusosin, yaji bol din karfen na lilo a karshen tsarkan. Agefensa, Reece ya rike wata gatarin yaki kuma o’connor na gwada nauyin wata doguwar kifiya, yana dannata a sika ga makiyanda ba a gani
“Ku kasa kunne!” Kolk yayi ihu, sai duk suka juya.
“Yau zamu koyi fada da abokin gabanka daga nesa. Akwai wanda zai iya gaya mani makamai dinda za a iya amfani dasu? Menene zai iya kasha mutum daga nisan taku talatin?
“kwari dab aka,” wani yayi ihu.
“Haka,” Kolk ya amsa. “Menene kuma?”
“Mashi!” wani yayi ihu.
“Menene kuma? Akwai fiye da guda daya. Mujisu.”
“Majajjaba,” Thor ya kara.
“Menene kuma?”
Thor ya wasa kwakwalwarsa, amma zabin sun kare.
“Wurga wukake,” Reece yayi ihu.
“Menene kuma?”
“Shauran yaran sunyi shuru. Ba mai wada ya tuna wata makamin.
“Akwai gudumomin wurgawa,” Kolk yayi ihu, “da gatarun wurgawa. Akwai kifiya. Ana iya wurga kulake. Haka ma takwufa.”
Kolk na sama da kasa a dakin, yana kallon fuskokin yaran, wadanda ke saye suna kasa kunne.
“Bashikenan ba. Dutse kawai daga kasa na iya zama mafi kyawun abokinka. Nataba ganin mutumin da, kato ne Kaman muturu, jarumin yaki, an kasheshi atake daga wurain dutsen mayakin da yafishi hikima. Mayaka sau dayawa basu sanin cewa kayan kariya na iya zama makami,suma. Wannan safar wuyar hanun ana iya cirota sai a wurga ta a fuskar makiyi. Wannan zai iya bashi mamaki, kafafu dayawa daga can. A wannan lokacin, zaka iya kasheshi. Kana iya wurga kwangirin kariyarka, ita ma.”
Kolk yaja numfashi.
“Yanada muhimmanci cewa yayin koyan fada, kadaku koyi yin fadan a ratandake sakanin ku da abokin gaba kawai ba. Dole ku buda fada zuwa rata mafi girma. Yawancin mutane suna fada da rattan taku uku. Gwarzon jarumi yakanyi da talatin. Kun gane?”
“Haka yallabai!” wani ihun yaran gabadaya yazo.
“Da kyau. Yau, zamu kara kaifin iya wurginku. Ku dubi dakin sai ku dauki makaman wurgi da kuka gani. Kowa ya dauki daya yafito cikin dakika talatin. Yanzu ku motsa!”
Dakin ya balleda hayaniya, sai Thor yagudu zuwa bango, yana neman wani abinda zai dauka. Shoran yaran masu farin ciki nata karo da turashi kota ina, sanda daga karshe yaga abinda yakeso yakuma daukoshi. Wani karamin gatarin wurgawa ne. O’Connor ya dauko karamarwuka, Reece takwafi, sai dukansu uku suka ruga da shauran yaran zuwa kan filin.
Sun bi Kolk zuwa banagare mafi nisa a filin, inda akwai kwangirin kariya guda goma sha biyu ajere akan sandona.
Duka yaran, arike da makamain su, suntaru akewaye da Kolk suna sa sammani.
“Zaku saya a nan, yayi ihu, yana nuni ga zanen cikin datti, “sai ku auni wadancan kwangirin kariyan yayin wurga makamain ku. Sai ku ruga zuwaga su kwangirin, ku ciro wani makamin dabam, ku sake gwadawa da wannan. Kada ku taba zaben irin makami daya. Kuma ku auni kwangirin a kowani lokaci. Duk wanda bai samu kwangirin ba, zai zagaya filin nan aguje sau daya. Kufara!”
Yaran sun heru, kafada da kafada, bayan zanen, sai suka fara wurga makamansu zuwaga su kwangirin, wanda suka kai rattan yadi takatin masu kyau. Thor yajeru dasu. Yaronda ke gefensa ya mike ya wurga mashinsa, ya rasa da dan kadan.
Yaron yajuya ya fara kewaye fili da gudu. Yayin yin hakan, wani dan mutanen sarki yazo gefensa, ya daura masa wani tsarka mai nauyi akan kafadarsa, yana danneshi.
“Kayi gadu da wannan, yaro!” ya bada umurni.
Yaron, da nauyin akansa, yariga yana gumi, yacigaba da gudu a cikin zafin rana.
Thor baiso yagagara samun abinda ya aunaba. Ya kwanta baya, ya hada hankalinsa, yaja gatarin wurginsa baya, sai ya sake. Ya rufe idanunsa kuma yana fatan yasamu abinda ya auna, sai yaji sakewa dayaji karan lumewarsa cikin makariyar fatan. Dakyar yasamu domin ya samu gefen kasan ne, amma ababu yasamu. Duk akewayedashi, yawancin yara sun rasa suka kuma kama gudu. Wadanda kuma suka samu sun ruga zuwaga abubuwan aunawan domin ciro sabin makamai.
Thor yakai kwangirin yasamu wani dogon, siririn karamar wukar wurgi, wanda yazaro, sai ya dawo zanen wurgin aguje.
Sun cigaba da wurge wurge na sa’o’i, sanda hanun Thor yafara kasheshi kuma yariga yasha zagaya filin aguje dayawa. Gumi ya jikashi, Kaman duk wadanda ke kewaye dashi. Horon mai dadi ne, wurga duka nau’o’in makamai, domin sabawa da duka nau’o’in yanayi da nauyin sanduna da aska dabamdabam. Thor yaji iyawansa na karuwa, yana kara sabawa dashi, da kowani wurgi. Amma, zafin ranan nada yawa, kuma yafara gajiya. Yaran Kaman goma sha biyu ne suka rage a gaban su kwangirin, saboda yawanci suna zagawa aguje. Yanada matukar wahala mutum ya samu sau dayawa, da makamai dabamdabam, kuma zagawan da zafin sunsa awu daidai yakara wahala. Thor na numfashi sama sama, kuma baisan dadewan da zai iyayi akan wannan horon ba. Daf yanaganin Kaman shi zai fadi kenan, bazato, Kolk yatako gaba.
“Ya isa!” yayi ihu.
Yaran sun dawo daga zagawansu suka fada kan ciyawa. Sun kwanta agurin, suna numfashi da sauri, suna kuma yi sama sama, suna cire rigan dole na tsarka da aka samusu. Thor, shima, ya zauna akan ciyawa, hannaye agajiye, yana digan gumi. Wasu mutanen sarki sun zagayo da bokatai na ruwa suka ajiye akan ciyawan. Reece ya mika hanu, ya dauko daya, yasha daga ciki, sanan ya mika wa O’Connor, wanda yasha sai ya mika wa Thor. Thor yasha yakuma sha, rowan na sauka habansa da kirji. Ruwan yayi dadi, yayi numfashi da karfi yayinda ya mayar wa Reece.
“Wani irin dadewa wannan zaiyi?” ya tambaya.
Reece ya kadakai, yana numfashi da karfi. “Ban sani ba.”
“Na rantse suna kokarin kashemu ne,” wani murya yazo. Thor yajuya yaga Elden, wanda yariga yazo yazauna a gefensa. Thor yayi mamakin ganinsa a wurin, sai yagane cewa dagaske Elden nason zama abokanai. Yazama shabambam ganin irin wannan sauyin a halinsa.
“Yara!” Kolk yayi ihu. Yana tafiya ahankali asakaninsu. “Mafiyawanku basua samun abinda suka auna ayanzu, a yammacin rana. Kamar yadda kuka gani, awu daidai yafi wahala idan ka gaji. Darasin kenan. Ayayin yaki, bazaka zama da rashin gajiya ba. Zaka gaji. Wasu yakin na iya daukan kwanaki. Tumbama idan kuna kaiwa fada hari. Kuma lokacinda kake agajiye ne yakamata dole kayi awunda ba kuskure. Yawancin lokaci zaka tilastu da wurga duk makamin da yasamu agareka. Dole kazama gwanin kowani makami, kuma akowani masayin gajiya. An gane wannan?”
“HAKANE YALLABAI!” suka mayar da ihu.
“Wassunku na iya wurga wuka, ko mashi. Amma wannan mutumin na rasa abinda ya auna idan yayi wurgi da guduma ko gatari. Kuna ganin zaku rayu da iya wurga makami daya kawai?”
“BABU YALLABAI!”
“Kuna tunanin wannan wasa ne?”
“BABU YALLABAI!”
Kolk ya juya yanayin fuska yayin tattakawa, yana buga yaranda yake ganin basu zauna amike bad a kafa a baya
“Hutunda kukayi ya isa,” yace. “Ku tashi!”
Thor ya lallaba yatashi da shauran, kafafunsa sun gaji, baisan irin wannan dazai iya jura kuma ba.
“Akwai bangare biyu a fadan nesa,” Kolk ya cigaba. “Kana iya wurgi—amma haka makiyinka ma. Intadauro bai siraba a rattan taku talatin—amma intadauro kaima baka sira ba, kamanshi. Dole ku yadda zaku kare kanku a rattan taku talatin. An gane wannan?”
“HAKANE YALLABAI!”
“Domin karekanka daga abin wurgi, baza bukaci lura da zafin nama akan kafafunka, domin tsunkuyawa, ko mirginawa, ko kaucewa kawai—amma kana bukatan gwaninta wurin kare kanka da babban kwangirin kariya.”
Kolk yayi nuni, sai wani mayaki ya kawo wata katuwar, kwagirin kariya mai nauyi. Thor yaji mamaki girman abin yakusan ninka nashi girman jiki.
“Zan samu mai badakai?” Kolk ya tambaya.
Taron yaran sunyi shuru, sunki badakai, sai batare da tunani ba, Thor, yasharo cikinlokaci daya, ya daga hanunsa.
Kolk yakada kai, sai Thor ya hanzarto zuwa gaba.
“Da kyau,” Kolk yace, “Ababu wawancin dayanku yakai na yabadakai. Inason muradinka, yaro. Matakin wawanci. Amma mai kyau.”
Thor ya fara tunani ko yadauki matakin wawanci dagaske yayinda Kolk yamika masa kwangirin kariyan karfen. Ya daura a hanu daya, kuma yagagara yarda da nauyinsa. Da kyar yake dagashi.
“Thor, burinka shine kayi gudu daga wannan karhsen filin zuwa dayan. Batare da kaji rauni ba. Kaga wadancan tara hamsin dake fuskantanka?” Kolk yace wa Thor. “duk zasu dinga wurga makamai zuwa gareka. Ainihin makamai. Ka gane wannan? Idan bakayi amfani da kwangirin kariyanka domin kare kanka ba, zaka iya matuwa kafin kakai daya gefen.”
Thor ya mayarda kallo cikin rashin yarda. Taron yaran sun dawo sunyi shuru.
‘Wannan bawasa bane,” Kolk yacigaba. “Wannan ainihi ne sosai. Yaki ainihi ne. raywa-da-mutuwa ne. ka tabbatta kanason badakai har yanzu?”
Thor yakada kai, adaskare dayawa cikin soro daya hanashi ce komai. Zaiyi wuya ya sauya ra’ayinsa a wannan lokacin, ba a gaban kowa ba.
“Da kyau.”
Kolk yayi nuni ga wani mai hidima, wanda ya maso gaba ya hura wani kaho.
“Kayi gudu!” Kolk yayi ihu.
Thor ya daga kwangirin kariya mai nauyin da hanu biyu, ya rikeshi da duk karfinsa. Yanayin hakan yaji wani kara, wanda karfinsa ya girgiza kashin kansa. Dole yazama guduman karfe. Bai huda kwangirin ba, amma yasamasa tsoro a duk jikinsa. Yayi kusan sake kwangirin, amma ta tilasta wa kansa rikeshi yacigaba da tafiya.
Thor yafara gudu, yana zilliya da duk irin saurinda ya iya da nauyin kwangirin. Ayayinda makamai da shauran abubuwanda aka wurgo ke wuceshi, ya tilasta wa kansa nannaduwa karkashin kwangirin kariyan iya iyawarsa. Kwangirin ne ceton ransa, kuma yana gudu, ya koyi yadda zai kasance akarkashinta.
Wani baka ya wuceshi, yarasashi da abinda baikai inci daya ba, sai yakara jan habarsa ciki. Wani abu mai nauyi yasake fadawa kan kwangirin, ya dokeshi dakarfinda ya mayar dashi baya wasu taku sai yafadi a kasa. Amma Thor yasake tashi yacigaba da gudu. Da babban kokari, yana numfashi sama sama, daga karshe ya sallaka filin.
“Ku saya!” Kolk yayi ihu.
Thor ya ajiye kwangirin kariyan, yana jike da gumi. Ya wuce godiya da yakai daya gefen; baisan ko zai iya rike kwangirin na wani dan Karin lokaci ba.
Thor ya hanzarta komawa ga shauran, yawancinda suka kalleshi da idon soyyaya. Yayi tunanin yaya kayi ya rayu.
“Aiki me kyau,” Reece yadan gaya masa a kunne.
“Akwai wassu masu badakai?” Kolk ya kira.
Sakanin yaran yayi shuru gabadaya. Bayan kallon Thor, bawanda yaso yasake gwadawa.
Thor yaji shi yayi abin bajinta. Baisani koda zai badakai dayasan abinda ya kunsa, amma yanzu yariga yawuce, yayi farin cikin shi yabadakai din.
“Yayi kyau. To ni zan badakai muku,” Kolk yayi ihu. “Kai! Saden! Yayi kira, yana nuna wani.
Wani mafi shekarun, siririn yaro yatako gaba, yakuma ji tsoro.
“Ni?” Saden yace, muryarsa na rawa.
Shauran yaran sunyi masa dariya.
“Waye. Banda kai?” Kolk yace.
“Yi hakuri, yallabai, zanfison kar na gwada.”
Wani irin jan numfashin tsoro ya taso asakanin yan rundunan.
Kolk ya nufeshi, hakora agwaye.
“Baka yin abinda gadama,” Kolk yamasa ihu. “Kana yin abinda nace maka kayi.”
Sadden yasaya adaskare, yanaji tsoro har mutuwa.
“Bai kamata yana nan ba,” Reece ya dan gayawa Thor a kunne.
Thor yajuyo ya kalleshi. “Me kake nufi?”
“Ya fito dangi masu masayi, kuma sun sasu anan. Amma baya son kasancewa anan. Ba mafadaci bane. Kolk yasan da haka. Inaganin sunason su dannashi ne. Inaganin sunaso yafita anan.
“Kayi hakuri, yallabai, amma bazan iya ba,” Saden yace, maganarsa na nuna tsoro.
“Zaka iya,” Kolk ya masa ihu, “kuma zaka yi!”
Ansamu wani daskararen, yanayin fuskantan juna.
Sadden ya kalli kasa, ya rataya habarsa a cikin kunya,
“Kayi hakuri, yallabai. Kabana wani aikin, sai nayi cikin farin ciki.”
Yanayin fuskan Kolk ya sauya, ya tattaki kasa ya nufeshi har sanda sakanin fuskokinsu baifi yan incina kadan ba.
“Zan baka wani aikin, yaro. Badamuwa na bane su waye danginka. Daga yanzu, zaka dinga gudu. Zaka dinga kewaye filin nan da gudu har sai ka fadi. Kuma bazaka dawo ba har sai kabadakai cewa zaka dauki wannan kwangirin kariyan. Ka fahimce ni?”
Sadden yayi Kaman zai fashe da kuka, yayinda ya kada kai a bada amsa.
Wani mayaki yazo, yasanya sarkan karfen kan kafadan Saden, sai wani mayakin ya kara na biyu a kansa. Thor yagagara gane yadda zai juri nauyin su ba, dakyar yake gudu da guda daya ma.
Kolk ya kwanta baya sai ya harbi sadden da kafa da kuma karfi a duwawu, sai ta tafi gaba yana tangal tangal sai ya fara doguwar, gudun a hankalinsa na kewaye filin. Thor yajimasa rashin dadi. Ayayinda yake kallonsa yana tafiya dakyar, yagagara fasa tunanin ko yaron zai rayu a rundunan.
Babu zato wani busa yayi kara, sai thor yajuya yaga wasu mutanen sarki haurowa akan dawakai, wurin yan Silver goma sha biyu na tare dasu, suna rike da dogayen mashi suna kuma sanye da hulunan karfe masu gashin tsunsu. Sun saya a gaban yan rundunan.
“Domin karama ranan auren diyar sarki, da kuma karama sakiyan rani, sarki ya nada shauran yau a ranan farauta!”
Duka yaranda ke kewaye da Thor sun ballada ihu. Gaba daya, suka shiga wasewa aguje, suna bin dawakai din yayinda suka juya suka ruga a sallaka filin.
“Me yake faruwa?” Thor ya tambayi Reece, yayin fara gudu da shauran.
Reece yasa babban murmushi a fuskarsa.
“Wannan aikekeniyan Allah ne!” yace. “Mun kamala a yau! Yakamata muje farauta!”
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA DAYA
Thor ya gangara hanyan dajin tareda shauran aguje kadan kadan, yana rike da mashinda aka bashi domin farautan. Agefensa akwai Reece, O’Connor da Elden, tare da akalla wasu yan runduna hamsin. Agabansu yan Silver dari ke haure, kan dawakai da kananan kayan karuya, wasu na rike da guntayen mashi, amma yawanci da kwari dab aka arataye akan bayansu. Da gudu asakinsu kuma akwai dozin dozin na yangida da masu hidima.
Akan doki agaba akwai sarki MacGil, da girmansa da jida kansa kamar yadda aka saba, wani murmushin farin ciki a fuskarsa. Ya kasance da yaransa Kendrick da Gareth agefensa, kuma, Thor yayi mamakin ganin har, Godfrey. Dozin dozin nay an kore nata gudu asakaninsu, wassunsu na kwaciya baya suna hura busanda akayi daga harwan giwa; wasu suna jan karnuka masu haushi, wadanda suka dan kara gudu zuwa gaba domin lamo dawakai din. Yanayin yazama gabadaya hayaniya ne. ayayinda babban taron ta tashi shiga dajin, sun fara rarrabuwa ta ko ina, kuma Thor baisan inda zasu je ba, kokuma wani kungiyan zai bi.
Erec na tafiya a kurkusa, sai Thor da shauran suka yanke shawaran bin hanyarsa. Thor yayi gudu zuwa gefen Reece.
“Ina zamu je?” ya tambayi Reece, yana numfashi da kyar yayin gudun.
“Can cikin zurfin dajin,” Reece ya mayar da kira. “Mutanen sarki na fatan dawowa da naman farauta da zai kai kwanaki.”
“Yaya wasu yan Silver ke kan dawakai alhali wasu suna kafa?” O’Connor ya tambayi Reece.
“Nakan dawakan na harin dabbobinda basu da wuyan farauta, Kaman barewa da fakara,” Reece ya mayar. “Suna amfani da kwarinsu. Wadanda ke kafa na harin dabbobinda suka fi hatsari. Kaman alade mai bindi mai rowan kwai.
Thor najin farin ciki da tsoro dajin ankira sunan daban. Yataba ganin daya lokacinda yake girma; dabba ne mai hatsarin gaske, sannane da iya yaga mutum biyu daga an dan bashi haushi.
“Daddadun jarumai kan kasance kan dawakai saisu bi barewa da tsunsaye,’ Erec yakara, yana kallon kasa. “Yaran kan kasance a tafiye a kafa, kuma subi manyan dabbobi. Sai kanada koshin lafiya ka iya, dama.”
“Wanda shine dalilin dayasa muka yardar da wannan farautan ma ku yara,” Kolk, yana gudu da shauran a kusa, yayio ihu, “horo ne muku, kuma. Zaku kasanca a kafa gabadayan farautan, kuma tafi daidai da dawakai din. Muna tafiya, zaku kasu zuwa kananan kungiyoyi, kuma kowani kungiya ta juya nata hanyan, sai kowanne ta farauci nata dabban. Zaku samu dabba mafi masifanda zaku iya samu—kuma zaku yi fadadashi har mutuwansa. Wadannan ne irin jaruntanda suke mayar daku mayaka: juriya, rashin tsoro, da kuma rashin shan kayen abokin gabanku, komin girma da muguntansa. Yanzu kuje!” yayi ihu.
Thor yakara gudu, Kaman dukan yan’uwansa, suna gudun kamo dawakai din yayinda suke rugawa cikin dajin yagagara sanin ina zaibi, amma yayi tunanin yasaya kusa da Reece da O’Connor, bazai samu matsala ba.
“Wani baka, da sauri!” Erec yayi ihu zuwa kasa.Thor ya ruga aiki, yana gudu a gefen dokin Erec, yakamo baka daga jakan gefen sirdin, sai ya mika masa. Erec ya kafu akan kwafrinsa yayin sukuwa, yarage tafiya, yayi awu mai kyau ga wani abu a cikin dajin.
“Karnukan!” Erec yayi ihu.
Daya daga cikin masu hidiman sarki ya saki kare mai haushi, wanda ya ruga cikin dajin. Ga mamakin Thor, wani babban tsunsu ya wuce, sai yayin wucewan, Erec yasaki bakan.
Harbin yayi daidai, yashiga wuyan daidai, sai tsunsun ya fadi, amace. Thor yayi mamakin yadda Erec yaganta.
“Tsunsun!” Erec yayiwo ihu.
Thor yayi gudu, ya dauko macecen tsunsun, dadumi, jinni na zbowa daga wuyarsa, sai ya koma ga Erec aguje. Ya kilaceshi akan sirdin Erec domin yayita lilo awurin yayin sukuwansa.
Gabadaya akewaye da Thor, dayawan gwanayen mayaka nata yin haka, suna koro tsunsaye kuma suna harbesu wa yangida su dauko. Yawanci suna amfani dab aka; wasu suna amfani da mashi. Kendrick ya janyo mashinsa baya, yayi awu, awurgashi ga wata barewa. Harbin yayi daidai, yawuce makogoronta daidai, kuma tafadi, itama.
Thor yayi mamakin yawan namomin daji a wannan dajin, irin yawan dukiyanda zasu dawo gida dashi. Zai isa ciyar da fadan sarki na kwanaki.
“Kataba kasancewa a farautan da ne?” Thor yayiwo kira ga Reece, ya kaucewa dannuwa awurin wani mutumin sarki dad an kadan ayayinda suke gudu. Jin wuri yayi wuya, da haushin karnuka, karan busa, da ihun mutane, suna dariya, sunyi nasara, yayinda suke ta kayarda dabba bayan dabba.
Reece nada babban murumushi a fuskansa yayinda ya salaka wata bishiya a kwance ya cigaba da gudu.
“Sau dayawa! Amma saboda mahaifina ne kawai. Basu bari mushiga farautan sai munkai wasu shekaru. Abune na nishadi—koda take Kaman babu wadda ke fita acikinsa babu rauni. Fiye da mutum daya yaji ciwo, ka yamutu, yanabin aladen daji.
Reece na numfashi sama sama yayin gudu. “Amma nakan hau bayan doki ne,” ya kara. “Ba a taba barina a kafa ba, tare da runduna, taba farautan aladen daji ba. Nafarko ne gareni!”
Babu zato dajin ta sauya, da dozin dozin din hanyoyi ashimfida agabansu, kowane yarabu zuwa hanyoyi dozin. Wani busan yayi kara, sai baban kungiyan ta fara rarrabuwa zuwa kananan kungiyoyi.
Thor ya makale kusa da Erec, sai Reece da O’Connor suka samesu; sun juya zuwa wata karamar hanya daya juya sosai zuwa kasa. Sunyi gudu kan gudu, Thor narike da mashinsa da karfi yayin salaka wata fadama. Karakar tawagansu ya kunshi Erec da Kendrick akan dawakai, Thor, Reece da Elden a kafa wada yamaidasu shida—da Thor ya juya, ya gano wasu yan runduna biyu suna haurowa abayansu, suka hadu dasu. Suna da girma da fadi, da gashi amurmurde daya sauka kasa da idanunsu, da manyan murmushi. Sunyi Kaman sun girmi Thor day an shekaru—kuma tagwaye ne.
“Nine Conval,” daya yayi kira zuwaga Thor.
“Nine Conven.”
“Mu yan’uwa ne,” Conval yace.
“Tagwaye!” Conven ya kara.
‘Ina fatan bazaku damuba idan muka hadu daku,” Conval ya gaya wa Thor.
Thor yakan gansu a runduna, amma bai taba haduwa dasu ba. Yayi murnan haduwa da sabibbin yan runduna, tunbama wadanda ke zuwa da abokantaka ba masa.
“Munyi murnana kasancewa daku,” Thor yayiwo kira.
“Idan hanaye suka yiyawa yafi kyau,” Reece yace.
“Naji aladun dajin wannan dajin nada girma,” Conval yace.
“Kuma suna iya kisa,” Conven ya kara.
Thor ya kalli dogayen mashinda tagwayen ke dauke dasu, sayinsu ya ninka nashi sau uku, sai yayi tunani. Ya kula cewa suna kallon nashi guntun mashin.
“sayin wannan mashin zai kasa,” Conval yace.
“Wadannan aladundajin nada kahon giwa. Kana bukatan abinda yafi tsayi,” Conven yace.
“Ka karbi nawa,” Elden yace, yayi gudu zuwaga Thor ya mika masa mashinshi.
“Bazan karbi naka ba,” Thor yace “Me kai zaka yi amfani dashi?”
Elden yakada kafada. “Zan kasance babu damuwa.”
Thor yaji da kirkinsa, sai yayi mamakin yadda abokantakarsu ta sauya a yanzu.
Ka dauki daya acikin su nawa,” wani murya yabada umurni.
Thor yadaga ido yaga Erec yazo gefensa, yana nuna sirdinsa, wanda ke dauke da dogayen mashi guda biyu.
Thor ya mika hanu sai ya ciro doguwar mashi daga sirdin, yana godiyan samunsa. Yafi nauyi kuma gudu dashi yafi wahala—amma yaji shi yanada Karin kariya, kuma abin na kamada zai bukaceshi.
Sun yi gudu akan gudu, har saida isak yafara konewa a cikin huhun Thor kuma baisani ko zai iya kara yin gaba ba. Ya kasance da lura, yana kallon kewayensa ko da alaman wani naman daji. Yaji yanada kariya da wadannan mutanen a kewaye dashi, kuma bazai tabuba da doguwar mashin. Amma yakasance da rashin kwanciyae hankali kuma. Bai taba farautan aladen daji ba. Kuma bashi da masaniyan abinda yakamata ya jira.
Yayinda huhunsa ke konewa, dajin ya budu zuwa wani dan shararen fili kuma abin godiya, Erec da Kendrick sun sayarda dawakansu. Thor ya dauka wannan ya basu izinin su saya, suma. Duk sun saya a wurin, dukansu takwas a shararen wurin, yaran a kafa suna mayarda numfashi, kuma Erec da Kendrick sun sauko daga dawakansu. Dawakan ma na numfashi sama sama, amma banda wannan ko ina yayi shuru, sautinda akeji kawai shine na iska acikin bishiyoyi. Karan daruruwan mutanen dake dajin yanzu yadauke, sai Thor yagane dole sunyi nisa da shauran.
Ya kalli kewayen shararen wurin, yana numfashi dakyar.
“Banga wani alaman dabbobi ba,” Thor yacewa Reece. “Kokai kagani?”
Reece ya girgiza kai.
“Aladen daji dabba ne mai dabara,” Erec yace, yatako zuwa gaba. “Bazai cika nuna kansa ba. Wani lokacin shi yake kasancewa yana kallonka. Zai iya jira sai baka zato, sai yataso. Ku dinga lura akowani lokaci.”
“Hankali!” O’Connor yayi ihu.
Thor yajuya sai babu zato wani babban dabba ya ballo cikin shararen wurin da babban hayaniya; Thor yadan jadabaya, yanaganin Kaman wata aladen daji ne ke kawo musu hari. O’Connor yayi ihu, sai Reece yajuya ya wurga masa mashi. Baisameshi ba, sai dabban yatashi sama. A lokacin ne Thor yagane cewa tolotolo ne kawai, yabace cikin dajin kuma.
Duk sunyi dariya, hankaliya kwanta. Yanayin O’Connor ya sauya, sai Reece ya aza masa hanun kwantar da hankali akan kafadarsa.
“Kada ka damu, aboki,” yace.
O’Connor ya kauda fuska, yaji kunya.
“Babu aladun daji anan,” Elden yace. “Munzabi hanya mara kyau. Abinda ke wannan hanyan kawai tsunsaye ne. zamu dawo hanu-safai.”
Watakila wannan ba abu mara kyau bane,” Conval yace. “Naji fadan aladen daji kan zama komutuwa- korai.”
Kendrick ya kalli dajin a nitse; Erec ma haka. Thor nagani a fuskan wadannan mutane biyun cewa akwai wani abu a dajin. Yana iya ganewa daga gwanintansu da hikima cewa sun kama kura sosai.
“To. Kaman hanyan yakare anan,” Reece yace. “ sabodahaka idan muka cigaba, dajin bazai zama da alama ba. Bazamu iya dawowa ba.”
“Amma idan muka koma, farautanmu yakare, O’Connor yace.
“Menene zai faru idan muka koma hanu-safai?” Thor ya tanbaya. “Babu aladen daji?”
“Zamu zama abin dariyan shauran,” Elden yace.
“A’A’ bazamu zama ba,” Reece yace. “Ba kowa ne yake samun aladen daji ba. Kai, samun daya ma yafi rashin samu wahala.”
Yayinda tawagan su ka saye a wurin shuru, suna numfashi sama sama, suna kallon dajin, Thor bazato ya gano shi yasha ruwa dayawa. Yanata rikewa duk tsahon farautan kuma yanzu jakan fitsarinsa nata zafi, yagagara daurewa.
“Ku dan ban wani dan lokaci,” yace, yafara kama hanyarsa na shiga dajin.
“Ina zakaje?” Erec ya tambaya, da kula.
“Dole ne nadan rage. Zan dawo yanzu.
“Kada kayi nisa,” Erec ya gargadeshi.
Thor, da lura, ya hanzarta zuwa cikin dajin sai yaje kwatancen taku ishirin daga shauran, sanda yasamu wuri da baza a gansa ba.
Daidai yana gama ragewa, bazato, yaji motsin reshen karamin itace, kara nada dama kuma babu wai, kuma yasani—yasanine kawai—wannan ba daga mutum bane.
Yajuya ahankali, gashin bayan wuyansa sun tashi, ya leka. Can agaba, watakila Kaman taku goma, akwai wani dan shararen fili kuma, wani dan karamin dutse a sakiyarsa. Sai a wurin, a kasan dutsen, akwai motsi. Wani karamin dabba, bazai iya cewa ko menene ba.
Thor yayi waswasin ko yakoma ga mutanensa kokuma yaga menene a wurin. Babu tunani, yayi rarrafe zuwa gaba. Koda wani irin dabbane, baiso ya rasa shi ba, kuma idan yakoma, watakila yariga yatafi kafin shi yadawo.
Thor ya dada masawa kusa, gahinsa atashe yayinda dajin keta kara kauri kuma sararin motsi keta raguwa. Baya ganin komai illa massasun bishiyoyi, rana kuma na haskawa a kwance dayawa. Daga karshe yakai shararen wurin. Yayinda ya nufo, ya sake kamunsa akan mashin, ya sauko dashi zuwa kugunsa. Yayi mamaki da abinda yagani agabansa cikin shararen wurin, a cikin dan inda hasken rana yake.
Awurin, yana motsi a ciyawan gefen dutsen, akwai yaron damisa. Yazauna a wurin yana motsi da kuka, yana kifta ido a rana. Yayi Kaman yanzu aka haifeshi, kusan sayinsa taku daya, kankantarsa yakai nay a iya shiga rigan Thor.
Thor yasaya awurin, yana mamaki. Yaron damisa farine kota ina, kuma yasan dole yaron farin damisa ne, mafi karacin samuwan duk dabbobi.
Daya ji wani karan ganye na bazata abayansa, yajuya yaga tawagan gabadaya sun nufeshi aruge, Reece a gaba, yana nuna damuwa. Cikin dan lokaci, sunkai kansa.
“Kaje ina ne?” ya tambaya. “Mun dauka ko kamutu.”
Yayinda suka iso gefensa suka kuma gad an damisan, yajisu suna numfashi dakyar saboda mamaki.
“Alama mai muhimmanci,” Erec yacewa Thor. “Ka samu abin samun rayuwa gaba daya. Mafi rashin samuwan dabbobi. Anbarshi shi kadai. Bashida mai kula dashi. Wannan na nufin yazama naka. Hakinka ne ka raineshi.”
“Nawa?” Thor ya tambaya, arikice.
“Hakkinka ne,” Kendrick ya kara. “Kaika sameshi. Ko, kuma nace, yasame ka.”
Thor ya rikice. Yayi kiwon tumaki, amma bai taba renon dabba ba arayuwansa, kuma bashi da sanin abinda yakamata yayi.
Amma kuma a lokaci guda, yariga yaji dangantaka mai karfi da wannan dabban. Kananan, idanunsa masu launin bula sun budu kuma sunyi Kaman shi kadai suke kallo.
Ya nufeshi, asunkuye, ya daukeshi a hanunsa. Dabban ya dago sama ya lashe kumatunsa.
“Yaya mutum yake rainon dan damisa?” Thor ya tambaya, yana mamaki.
“Ina gani yadda mutum yake kula da komai ma,” Erec yace. “Ka ciyar dashi yayinda yake jin yunwa.”
“Kaidai bashi suna,” Kendrick yace.
Hor yayi tunani ahankali, yana mamakin wannan ne karonsa na biyu dazai baiwa dabba suna acikin kwanaki biyu. Yatuna wata labara daga yarantansa, akan wata zakinda ta dami wani kauye.
“Krohn,” Thor yace.
Shauran sun kada kai na yarda.
“Kaman tasuniyan,” Reece yace.
“Inason sunan,” O’Connor yace.
“Krohn zai kasance,” Erec yace.
Yayinda Krohn yasauke kansa zuwa kirjin Thor, Thor yaji Karin karfin haderwarsa dashi fiye da duk wani abinda yataba mallaka. Yagagara daina jin Kaman yasan Krohn a rayuwowi yayinda dabbar ke masa motsi da kara.
Babu zato wani sananen kara yazo, wanda yatayar da gashin bayan wuyan Thor, kuma yasashi juyawa ya kalli sama da sauri.
A can sama, saiga Estopheles. Ya sauko kasa kasa kwassam, yanufi kan Thor, yana kara yayin hakan, kafin ya daga adakika na karshe.
Yayinda Thor ke tunanin ko yana kishin Krohn ne. Amma kuwa, da rattan dakika daya kawai, Thor ya gane: hankakarsa na masa gargadi ne.
Jim kadan wani sannanen kara yataso daga daya gefen dajin. Karan ganye ne, abiye da tasowa—kuma yafaru da sauri mai yawa.
Saboda gargadin, Thor nada babban sa a—yaganshi zuwa sai yayi sale ya kauce da rattan dakika daya, yayinda wata babbar aladen daji ta taso masa sambai. Ya kuskureshi da misalign gashi kwaya daya.
Shararen wurin ya balla cikin hayaniya. Aladen yataso ma wasu, sosai, yana wurga kahonsa kota ina. A wurgi daya ya lallaba ya kirci hanun O’Connor, sai jin yafara zuba yayinda ya rike wurin, yana ihu.
Abin yayi kamada kokarin fada damuturu, amma batare da makaman da suka kamata ba. Elden yayi kokarin soka masa doguwar mashinsa, amma aladen ya juyo kansa ne kawai, ya riko mashin da babban bakinsa, kuma a mataki daya mai safta ya rabata biyu. Sai aladen yajuya yataso wa Elden, ya doke masa hakarkari; sa’an Elden, ya sira daga aladen ya keketashi da kahon sa dadan rata karami.
Sun gagara dakatar da aladen. Yanason shan jinni, kuma tabbattace bazai barsuba sai yasamu.
Shauran sun hadakai suka fara aiki. Erec da Kendrick sun zaro takwufansu, hakama Thor, Reece da shauran.
Duk sun kewaye dabban, amma nada wuyan duka, tunba saboda kahonsa mai sayin taku uku wanda yahanasu zuwa kusa das hi. Yana kewayawa a guje, yana binsu a kewayen shararen filin. Yayinda suke daukan hanuhanu a kai hari, Erec yasamu nasran samu daidai awu, ya yankashi daga gefe; amma wannan aladen watakila anyioshi daga karfe ne, saboda ya cigaba da tafiya ne kawai.
A wannan lokacin komai ya sauya. Na wani dan lokaci, wani abu ya kama kallon Thor, sai yajuya yakalli cikin dajin. A can dad an nisa, aboye abayan bishiyoyi, da zai rantse yaga wani mutum da bakar, mayafi mai hula; yaganshi na daga kwari da baka yakuma auni sakiyan shararen filin. Kaman ba aladen yake aunawa ba amma mutanen.
Thor yayi tunanin ko yana mafarki ne. Zai iya zama an kawo masu hari ne? Anan? A sakiyan bako ina? Kuma daga waye harin?
Thor yabar tunaninsa ya rigayya. Yaji cewa shauran na cikin hatsari, sai ruga masu. Yaga mutumin na auna Kendrick da kwarinsa.
Thor yayi sale zuwaga Kendrick. Ya tureshi dakyau, yakatae dashi akasa, kuma yanayin hakan, jim kadan bakan yawuce, shauran kadan yasameshi.
Nan da nan Thor yasake kallon dajin, yana neman alamun mai kawo harin. Amma ya tafi.
Amma bashi da lokacin tunani; aladen nata sale sallen hauka har yanzu a filin, taku daya kawai daga wurinsu. Yanzu yajuya zuwa ta wurinsu, kuma Thor bashi da lokacin mayar da martini. Ya shirya kansa wa faruwan yayinda dogaye, kuma masu kaifin kahon giwa suka sauko kansa sambai.
Jim kadan wani irin kara yazo; Thor yajuya yaga Erec na dale bayan dabban, yadaga takwafinsa sama da dukanin hanayensa, sai ya soka cikin bayan wuyan wuyarsa. Dabban yayi ihu, jinni na zubowa daga bakinsa yayinda ya nadu a gwiwa, sai yafadi akasa, Erec a samansa.yasaya daidai taku daya ne kawai daha Thor.
Kowa yasaya adaskare a wuri daya, suna kallon juna—suna mamakin menene yafaru yanzu a doron kasa.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BIYU
Thor, adauke da Krohn a cikn rigarsa, yaji mamakin surutu yayinda Reece yabuda kofan gidan barasan. Akwai babban tarin yan runduna da mayaka dasuke jira, atare aciki, sun taresu da ihu. Wuri na matse kuma da zafi a ciki, kuma dayani aka matse Thor asakanin yan uwa, kafada da kafada. Ranan ya kasance dago na farauta, kuma duk sun taru anan, awannan gidan barasan a can cikin dajin, domin buki. Yan silver suka shugabaci hanya, sai Thor, Reece da shauran suka biyo.
Abayan Thor, tagwayen, Conval da Conven, na dauke da mafi farasin kadararsu, aladen. Mafi girma ga na kowa, akan doguwar sanda kan kafadunsu.sun ajiye shi a kofan gidan kafin suka shiga. Thor yayi wani kallon karshe zuwa baya; yayi katoto, yagagara yarda su suka kasha.
Thor yaji wani motsi acikin rigarsa sai ya kalli kasa domin ganin sabon abokin tarayyarsa, Krohn. Yagagara yarda azahiri shi yana dauke da yaron farin damisa. Ta kalleshi a sama da idanunsa masu launin bula ya kuma yi kara. Thor yaji watakila yanajin yunwa ne.
An bubuge Thor zuwa cikin gidan barasan, Karin dozin akan dozin din mutane nadada shiga abayansa, sai ya kara shiga da zurfi zuwa cikin karamin, matsasen wurin, watakila ciki yafi dumi da ishrin a maunin zafi—banda fadan Karin damshin ruwa. Yanabin Erec da Kendrick kuma shin a biye da Reece, Elden, tagwayen da O’Connor, wanda hanunsa ka daure saboda kecen aladen, amma daga karshe jinni yadaina zuba. O’Connor yayi Kaman yafi rikicewa da jin ciwo. Yanayin farin cikinsa sun dawo, sai tawagansu gabadaya suka lume cikin dakin da zurfi.
Dakin na matse kafada da kafada,matsin yakai ga har babu wurin juyawa. Akwai dogayen bencina, kuma wasu mutanen na saye ayayinda wasu suka zauna, suna wakokin shan barasa suna buga tulunansu zuwaga na abokansu, ko kan tebiri. Wurin surutai, da yanayin buki ne, kuma Thor baitaba ganin wani abu Kaman haka ba.
“Karon farko a gidan barasa?” Elden ya tambaya, yayi ainihin ihu kafin ajishi.
Thor yabada amsa da kadakai, yasake ji Kaman wawa.
“Ina ganin bakataba ma shan tulun barasa ba, ko ka taba?” Conven ya tambaya, yana buga a kafada da dariya.
“Tabbattace nataba,” Thor ya harba a kariya.
Yanayinsa na sauyawa, amma, kuma yayi fatan babu wanda zai iya ganewa, saboda, agaskiya, baima taba asalin shan barasa ba, banda dan karamin kurba a wurin auren. Mahaifinsa baya taba barin barasa a gidansa. Kuma dayabari, ya tabbattaar shi bayi da kudin
“To da kyau!” Conval ya koka. “Mai gdan barasa, bamu zagaye daya na mafi karfi. Thor anan gwani ne!”
Daya daga cikin tagwayen ya ajiye kudin gwal. Thor na mamakin irin kudinda yaran nan ke yawo dashi; yayi tunanin ko daga ina suka zo. Wannan kudin na iya kai iyalinsa wata daya a kauyensu.
Jim kadan tuluna guda dozin akaturo ta kanta, sai yaran suka tuture hanya sai suka dibo; an turo wani zuwa hanun Thor. Kumfan na bin gefen hanunsa, sai cikinsa ya murde da sammani. Ya rikice
“Zuwaga farautanmu!” Reece yayi kira
“ZUWAGA FARAUTANMU!” shauran suka maimaita.
Thor yabi shauran, yana kokarin Kaman komai daidai ne yayinda yadaga ruwa mai kumfan zuwa lebensa. Ya kurba sau daya, yakijinin dandanon, amma yaga shauran sonata shan nasu, babu cirewa daga lebensu sai sun gama. Thor yaji yin hakan yakamashi shima, ko aganshi Kaman rago. Ya tilasta wa kansa sha, yana kurbansa iya saurin day a iya, sanda daga karshe, yakai rabin hanya, ya ajiye yana tari.
Shauran sun kalleshi, sai suka fashe da dariya. Elden ya tabashi a baya.
“Karonka na farko ne, kobahaka ba?” ya tambaya.
Yanayin Thor ya canja yayinda ya share kumfa daga lebensa. Da sa’a, kafin ya mayar da martini, wani ihu yazo a dakin, sai duk suka juya suka mawaka suna turo hanyansu ciki. Sun fara kada molo da busa algaita, suna hada wani kayan kida mai kama da faranti, sai yanayin hananiyan wurin ya karu.
“Dan’uwana!” wani murya yazo.
Thor yajuya yaga wani yaronda zai girmeshi da wasu shekaru kadan, da karamin tunbi amma kafadu da fadi, babu gyaran fuska, yayi kama da kazami, yatako gaba sai ya rungumi Reece a wani runguman tozarci. Abokanai uku da suma ke kama da kazmai sun hadu dashi akan hakan.
“Ban taba tunanin zan sameka anan ba!” ya kara.
“To, daga lokaci zuwa lokaci ina da bukatan nabi misalign dan’uwana, ko bahaka ba?” Reece ya mayar da ihu da murmushi kuma. “Thor, kasan dan’uwana, Godfrey?”
Godfrey yajuya sai yasha hanu da Thor, kuma Thor yagagara kula da yadda hanunsa keda laushi da shagwaba. Ba hanun gwarzo bane.
“Nasan sabon zuwan mana,” Godfrey yace, yamaso kusa dayawa kuma yana jan kalmominsa. “Masarautar gaba daya na yawo da maganan sa. Babban jarumi yadda nakeji,” ya gaya wa Thor. “abin tausayi. Irin wannan bata gwaninta a gidan barasa!”
Godfrey ya kwanta baya ya fashe da dariya, kuma abokanansa uku suka tayashi. Wani daga cikin su, yafi shauran sayi da kai daya, da babban tunbi, jajayen kumatu masu kyalli, kuma abuge da barasa, ya maso gaba yakama Thor a kafada.
“Jarunta hali ne. Amma yakan aika ka zuwa filin daga, kuma yabarka da jin sanyi. Zama bugage hali daya fi kyau ne: yakan barka akare kuma da dumi—ya kuma tabbattar da mace mai dumi a gefenka!”
Ya fashe da dariya, haka ma shauran, sai mai fidan barasan yasake ajiye wasu tulun barasa wa dukansu. Thor yayi fatan kar asake cewa yasha; yariga ya fara jin barasan na haurawa kansa.
“Yau yakasance farautarsa na farko!” Reece yayiwa dan’uwansa ihu.
“Hakane ko?” Godfrey ya amsa. “To wannan na bukatan asha barasa daya, ko baya bukata?”
“Ko biyu!” dogon abokinsa yace.
Thor ya kalli kasa yayinda aka danna wani tulun barasan a tafin hanunsa.
“Zuwaga dukkanin na farko!” Godfrey ya kirawo.
“ZUWAGA DUKKANIN NA FARKO!” shauran suka maimaita.
“Da rayuwanka ya cika da komai na farko,” dogon yace, “sadai banda rashin buguwa na farko!”
Duk sun fashe da dariya yayinda suka cigaba das ha.
Thor ya kurbi nashi, sai yaso ya kauce da saukeshi—amma Godfrey yakamashi.
“Bah aka ake shanshi ba, yaro!” Godfrey yayi ihu. Yatako gaba, ya kamo tulun, ya aza a leben Thor, sai dukan mutanen suka fashe da dariya yayinda Thor ya shanye barasan. Ya ajiye tulun, babu komai a ciki, sai duk suka yi ihu.
Thor yaji buguwa. Yafara jin rashin kamala, kuma kallo ma yafara wahala. Baiso yanayin da yake ji din ba.
Thor yaji wani motsin a cikin rigarsa, yayinda Krohn ya leko da kansa.
“To, me muke dashi anan!” Godfrey yayi ihu cikin nishadi.
“Yaron damisa ne,” Thor yace.
“Mun sameshi yayin farautan,” Reece yakara.
“Yana jin yunwa,” Thor yace. “Ban tabbattar da menene zan bashi yaci ba.”
“Saboda me, dama fa, barasa!” dogon mutumin yayi ihu.
“Haka?” Thor ya tambaya. “Wannan nada kyau ma lafiyarsa?”
“Mana!” Godfrey yayi ihu. “Yana dan sale ne kawai, yaro!”
Godfrey yamika hanu, yasoma yasa cikin kunfan, yamika; Krohn ya miko gaba sai ya lashe. Yakuma lashewa ya kuma lashewa.
“Ka gani, yanaso!”
Bazato Godfrey ya kwato yasansa da ihu. Yadaga shi sai yanada jinni.
“Hakori mai kaifi akan wannan!” yayi ihu—sai sharan suka fara dariya.
Thor ya mika hanu kasa, yashafa kan Krohn, sai ya karkada shauran baransansa zuwa cikin bakin damisan. Krohn ya shanye, sai Thor yayanki hukuncin nema masa asalin abinci. Yayi fatan Kolk zai barshi yazauna a makwanci kuma babu dan rundunan da zaiki hakan.
Mawakan sun sauya wakansu, kuma wasu abokan Godfrey dayawa suka zo. Sun iso wurinsu, suka hadu dasu a kara shan wani sabon zagayen barasa, sai suka jagoranci Godfrey suka tafi, suka koma cikin taron mutane.
“Zamu hadu anjuma, saurayi,” Godfrey yace wa Reece, kafin tafiya. Sai yajuya zuwaga Thor: “Da fatan zaka kasha Karin lokaci a gidan barasa!”
“Da fatan zaka kasha Karin lokaci akan filin daga,” Kendrick ya mayar da kira.
“Ina shakkan haka sosai!” Godfrey yace sai yafashe da dariya da shauran abokansa, yayinda ya bata cikin taron mutane.
“Haka suke buki kowani lokaci?” Thor ya tambayi Reece.
“Godfrey?” Ya kasance a gidan barasa tunda yafara tafiya. Abin bakin ciki ga mahaifina. Amma yana farin ciki da kansa.”
“Babu, Ina nufin mutanen sarki. Yan runduna. Akan zo gidan barasan koda yaushe ne?
Reece ya girgiza kai.
“Yau rana ne na mussamman. Farautan farko, da farin rani. Wannan baya faruwa kullun. Ka moreshi yayinda yake faruwa.”
Thor najin Karin rikicewa yayinda ya kalli kewayen dakin. Banan yakeson ya kasance ba. Yanason yakoma makwacin runduna, yana horo. Zai tunaninsa ya masa, karo daya kuma, zuwaga Gwendolyn.
“Ka samu ganinsa?” Kendrick ya tambaya, yayin haurowa zuwa wurin Thor.
Thor yakalleshi, bai gane ba.
“Mutumin cikin dajin, wanda ya harbor kifiyan?” Kendrick yakara.
Shauran sun taru zuwa kurkusa akewaye, suna kokarin ji yayinda yanayi yabar na wasa.
Thor ya kuma kokarin ya tuna, amma yagagara. Komai yafaru da sauri.
“Inada fatan dana ganshi. “Koami yafaru agaugauce.”
“Watakila daya ne kawai daga cikin shauran mutanen sarki, yana harbin gefenmu bada gangan ba,” O’Connor yace.
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Baya sanye da kaya Kaman shauran. Yasa bakake gabadaya, da mayafi da hula. Kuma ya harbi baka daya ne kawai, ya auni Kendrick mussamman, sai tabace. Yi hakuri. Inada fatan da na samu ganin fiye da haka.”
Kendrick ya girgiza kansa, yana kokarin yin tunani.
“Waye zaiso kasheka?” Reece ya tambayi Kendrick.
“Ko mayakin haya ne?” O’Connor ya tambaya.
Kendrick ya kada kafadarsa. “Bani da makiyan da nasani.”
“Amma mahaifinmu nadasu dayawa,” Reece yace. “Watakila wani nason ya kasheka domin ya kai masa.”
“Kokuma wani nason yakauda kai saboda kujeran sarauta,” Elden ya dauka haka.
“To amma hakan bashi da ma’ana! Ni shege ne! Bazan iya gadon sarautan ba!”
Yayinda duk suke girgiza kai, suna kurban barasa suna kuma kokarin warware lamarin, wani ihu yasake tasowa a dakin, sai duka hankalin mutanen yajuya zuwa matakalan haurawa dakunan sama. Thor yadaga ido sai yaga wani jerin mata sun fito daga dakalin sama, suka saya kusa wurin kamawan matakalan, sai suna kallon dakin akasa. Basu da kayan kirki sanye ajikinsu kuma sun shafa kayan shafeshafe dayawa.
Thor yaji kunya.
“To, barkanku, maza!” matanda ke gaba tayiwo kira, da babban kirji kuma sanye da jan kayan leshi. Mazan sunyi ihu.
“Waye yakeda kudin kashewa a daren nan?” ta tambaya.
Mazan sun kuma ihu.
Idanun Thor sun waru da mamaki.
“Nan gidan karuwai ne ma?” ya tambaya.
Duka shauran sun juya sun kalleshi a cikin shurun mamaki, sai duk suka fashe da dariya.
“Ya Allah, idonka bai budu ba, kobahaka ba!” Conval yace.
“Kace min baka taba zuwa gidan karuwai ba?” Conven yace.
“Ina ganin bai taba kasancewa da namace ba!” Elden yace.
Thor yaji duk suna kallonsa, sai yaji fuskarsa ya juya ja Kaman tsiron beet. Yaso yabace. Suna da gaskiya: bai taba kasancewa da namace ba. Amma bazai taba gayamasu ba. Yayi tunanin ko hakan na nunawa a fuskarsa ne.
Kafin ya mayar da martini, daya daga cikin tagwayen yadaga hanu, yakama bayansa da kafarfan hanu, sai ya wurga kwandalan gwal sama zuwaga matan kan matakalan.
“Ina ganin kasamu abokiyar cinikinka na farko!” yayi ihu.
Dakin yadauki ihu, sai Thor, duk da tureturensa da jayejayensa da ki, yaji kansa na turuwa zuwa gaba daga mutane dayawa, tacikin taron mutanen kuma haurawa matakalan. Yayin tafiyan, zuciyansa ya cika da tunanin Gwen. Tunanin yawan son da yakemata. Tunanin yanda baya son ya kasance da wata in ba ita ba.
Yaso ya juya ya gudu. Amma azihiri babu wurin gudu. Dozin dozin na mutanen da suka fi girma dayataba gani nata turashi gaba, kuma basu yarda ya koma dabaya ba. Kafin yasani, yah aura matakalan, akan dakalin, yana kallon wata matan da tafishi sayi, wanda tasa turare dayawa kuma take masa murmushi. Abin bata lamarin kuma, Thor abuge yake. Dakin nata jujjuyawa babu wani tsari, kuma yanajin cewa a cikin wani dan lokaci zai fadi.
Matan ta mika hanu kasa, taja rigan Thor, ta jagoranceshi sab zuwa wani daki, sai ta kulle kofan abayansu. Thor nada muradin rashin kasancewa da ita. Ya rike tunanin Gwen a zuciyarsa, ya tilastasu zuwa gaban tunaninsa. Bahaka yaso karonsa na farko yakasance ba.
Amma zuciyansa yadaina jinsa. Buguwansa yakai, dakyar yake gani ayanzu. Kuma abin karshe daya tuna, kafin ya dauke wuta, shine ana jagorantarsa sakanin dakin, zuwa gadon matan, kuma shi yana fatan yakai gadon kafin yafada a kasa.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA UKU
MacGil ya bare idanunsa suka budu, antasheshi da marasayawan, dukanda akeyi akan kofansa, sai dayani yagwammaci da bai bude ido ba. Kansa na mummunan ciwo. Hasken rana na shiga ta buadadden tagan fadan, sai yagane ciwa yana shuek ne cikin bargon fatan tinkiya. Arikice, yayi kokarin ya tuna. Yana gida ne, a fadarsa. Yayi kokarin dayowa da daren jiya. Ya tuna farautan. Sai gidan barasa cikin dajin. Shan barasa dayawa. Tani hanyan, dole yakai gida.
Ya kalli gefe sai yaga matarsa, sarauniyan, tana barci agefensa kuma tana tasowa ahankali.
Buga kofan yasake zuwa, mumunan karan abun kwankwasa kofa na karfe.
“Waye wannan zai iya zama ne?” ta tambaya, da haushi.
MacGil nada irin wannan tunanin. Ya tuna barin ummurni na mussamman da masu hidimansa cewa kar atadashi—tunba ma bayan farautan ba. Za a biya dayawa ma wannan.
Watakila mai kulada fadan ne, da wani babban damuwan kudi.
“Daina wannan wawan buga kofan!” daga karshe MacGil yayi ihu, ya sauko daga gadon, yazauna da gwiwowin hanusa akan gwiwar kafa, kai akame a hanu. Ya sefe gashin kansa da gemanya marasa samun wanki da hannayen, sai ya shafa fuskama da hanayen, yana kokarin tada kansa gabadaya. Farautan—da kuma barasan—sun sa masa gajiya. Bashi da kuzari Kaman da. Shekaru sun rage masa wasu abubuwa; ya gaji. A wannan lokacin, yanaji Kaman kar yasake shan barasa.
Da kokarin gaske ya tura kansa ya tashi. Sanye da kayan barcinsa kawai, ya sallaka dakin da sauri yakai kofan, mai kaurin kafa daya, yakama hanun kofan na karfe ya finciko shi baya.
Asaye a wurin akwai babban janar dinsa, Brom, hafsossinsa guda biyu agefensa. Hafsossin sun sunkuyar da kai cikin bangirma, amma janar dinsa na kallonsa sambai, yana da kallon damuwa a fuska. MacGil yakijinin yaganshi da wannan kallon. Yakan nufi labara mara dadi ne. a irin wadannan lokutan ne yake nadaman kasancewa sarki. Ya samu babban ranan nishadi a jiya, babban farauta, kuma ya tuna masa lokacinda yake matashi mara damuwa. Tunba ma kasha daren haka a gidan barasa. Yanzu, atadashi babu kunya daga barci haka, wannan yadauke masa duk wani tunanin zaman lafiya da yake dashi.
“Maigidana, kayi hakuri na tashe ka,” Brom yace.
“Yakamata ka bada hakuri kam,” MacGil yayi babban kara. “Ina fatan wannan nada muhimmanci.”
“Yanadashi,” yace.
Sarki MacGil taga rashin wasan dake fuskarsa, sai yajuya ya duba sarauniyarsa ta saman kafadansa. Ta koma barci.
MacGil ya nuna cewa su shigo, sai ya jagorancesu suka wuce babban dakin barcisa kuma ta wani kofa mai lankwashashen sama, zuwa wani zauren gefe, yarufe kofan abayansu saboda karsu dameta. Yakan yi amfani da wannan karamin dakin wani lokacin, baifi taku ishirin ba kota ina, day an kalilan kujeru masu dadin zama da babban tagan gilashi, a duk lokacinda baya jin sauka zuwa babban zaure.
“Maigidana, yan leken asirinmu sun ce mana akwai wata tawagan dangin McCloud dasuka nufi gabaci, zasu je ta tekun Fabaian. Kuma yan sintirinmu na kudanci sun bada rahotun jiragen rowan gunduma dasuka nufi arewa. Tabbattace wannan na nufin sun nufi wurin domin hadewa da tawagan dangin McCloud ne.”
MacGil yayi kokarin warware wannan bayanin, kwakwakwarsa nayi ahankali a cikin yanayin buguwansa.
“Sai?” ya tambaya, da rashin hakuri, da gajiya. Ya gaji dayawa saboda marakarewan shiryeshirye da fadin ra’ayoyi da yaudaran fadansa.
“Idan dangin McCloud zasu hadu da gunduma, zai zama saboda dalili daya ne kawai,” Brom yacigaba. “Su hada baki su ketare loton su kuma mamaye zoben.
MacGil yadaga ido ya kalli sohon komandansa, mutumin das hi yayi yaki a gefensa na shekaru talatin, kuma yaga babban rashin wasan dake idanunsa. Yana iya kuma ganin soro. Wannan ya dameshi; wannan ba mutumin das hi yasani da soron komai bane.
MacGil ya mike zuwa sayinsa gabadaya ahankali, wanda yke da auki, sai yajuya yayi tafiya ya ketare dakin sanda yakai taga. Ya kalli waje, yana duba zuwa fadarsa a kasa, babu kowa da sanyin safen nan, sai yayi tunani mai zurfi na dan lokaci. Yasani, tun can dama, cewa rana Kaman haka zaizo. Bai saran zaizo da sauri haka bane kawai.
“Wannan yayi sauri dayawa,” yace. “kwanaki ne kawai bayan aurar da diya na ma yarimansu. Kuma yanzu kana ganin sun riga sun fara hada baki domin mamaye mu?”
“Ina ganin haka, maigidana,” Brom ya mayar da gaskiya. “Bana ganin wani dalili. Dukan alamu na nuna tattaunawan zaman lafiya ne. Bana aikin tsaro ba.”
MacGil ya girgiza kansa.
“Amma babu hikima cikin wannan. Bazasu bar gunduma su shigo ba. Me zaisa su barsu? Idan ma saboda wasu dalilai sun taimaka wajen sauke kariyan gefenmu suka bude gurbi, sai menene zai faru? Gunduman zata mamayesu suma. Bazasu sira ba, suma. Tabbas sun san wannan.
“Watakila sunason sasantawa akan wani shiri,” Brom yamusanta. “Watakila zasu bar gundumar tashigo, sakamakon da zasu samu yazama kawo mana mu kadai hari, saboda dangin McCloud su samu yin mulkin zoben gabadaya.”
MacGil ya girgiza kai.
“Dangin McCloud suna da basiran da yafi haka. Suna da hikima. Sun san baza a iya yarda da gunduman ba.”
Janar din ya kada kafadarsa.
“Watakila suna son mulkin zoben sosai, wanda yakai zasu iya wannan cacan. Tunbama yanzu da suke da diyarka a masayin sarauniyarsu ba.”
MacGil yayi tunani akan wannan. Kanshi na ciwo. Baya son ya dauki mataki akan wannan yanzu. Ba da sassafe haka ba.
“To shawaran me kabayar?” ya tambaya, ya kauda jayyaya, yagaji da ra’ayoyi.
“Zamu iya rigakafi ma wannan, yallabai, da kaiwa dangin McCloud hari. Yanzun ne lokacin.”
MacGil ya kalleshi baki abude.
“Daf da bayan nabasu auren diyana? Bana zaton haka.”
“Idan bamu kai harin ba,” Brom yatara, “mun barmasu tona kabarinmu kenan. Tabbattace zasu kawo mana hari. Idan ma bayanzu ba, to anjima. Kuma idan suka hade da gunduman, zamu gama yawo.”
“Bazasu iya haye su tudun da sauki haka ba. Mune da rikon wuraren rike wuyan. Zai zama masu kwata ne kawai. Duk da biyayyan gunduman.”
“Gunduman nada miliyoyin mayaka da zasu iya bayarwa,” Brom ya mayar. “Suna da hali su bari ayanyankasu.”
“Koda da kariyan asauke,” MacGil yace, “bazai zama da sauki ajero miliyoyin mayaka a haye loton—ko sallaka su tudun, ko a nufo ta jirgin ruwa. Zamu iya hangan irin wannan tawagan daga nesa sosai. Zamu samu gargadi.”
MacGil yayi tunani.
“Babu, bazamu kai hariba. Amma ma yanzu, zamu iya daukan matakin mai hankali: mu ninka sintirinmu a ta su tudun. Mu kara karfafa mataken tsaronmu. Mu kuma ninka yan liken asirin da muke dasu. Shike nan.”
“To, maigidana,” Brom yace, yajuya ya hanzarta daga dakin tare da hafsossinsa.
MacGil yasake juyawa zuwaga tagan, kansa na daka. Yana hangan yaki nan gaba, ya nufoshi da rashin kwokwanto irin na guguwar rani. Yaji, zuwa gaba, cewa babu abinda zai iyayi akai. Ya kalli kewayensa, ya kalli fadarsa, ya kalli dutsen, ya kalli hadadiyarfadarsa ashimfide akarkashinsa, sai yagagara tunani wannan zai kai zuwaga wani lokaci ne.
Menene bazai bayar domin yasamu yasha barasa a yanzun ba.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA HUDU
Thor yaji wani kafa na tabashi a hakarkarinsa sai ya fere idanunsa suka budu ahankali. Ya kwanta fuska na kallon kasa akan wani tarin ciyawa, kuma na wani dan lokaci baisan a ina yake ba. Kansa nayi Kaman yana da nauyin fan miliyon, makogoronsa yabushe fiye da duk wani yanda yataba bushewa, kuma idanunsa da kansa na kasheshi. Yanajin Kaman yafada daga kan doki ne.
Kafan yasake turashi, sai yatashi ya zauna, dakin na bala’in jujuyawa. Ya mike gefe sai yayi amai, yana shakuwa akai kai.
Dariyan mutane dayawa yatashi akewaye dashi, sai yadaga ido yaga Reece, O’Connor, Elden da tagwayen suna lilo kusa dashi, suna kallon kasa.
“Daga karshe, kyakkyawa mai barci yatashi!” Reece yayi kira, yana murmushi.
“Bamu yi tunanin zaka taba tashi ba,” O’Connor yace.
“Kana lafiya?” Elden ya tambaya.
Thor ya tashi azaune, yashare bakinsa da bayan hanunsa, yana kokarin ya fahimci komai. Yana kan kokarin, Krohn, akawance wasu yan taku daga gareshi, yayi dan kuka sai yagudu zuwa gurinsa, yayi sale zuwa cikin hanayensa ya binne kansa a ciki rigarsa. Thor yayi farin cikin ganinsa, kuma yayi murnan kasancewa dashi a gefensa. Yayi kokarin yatuna.
“A ina nake?” Thor ya tambaya. “Menene yafaru jiya daddare?”
Dukansu uku sunyi dariya.
“Ina soron ka shawu dayawa, abokina. Wani yagagara iya rike barasansa. Baka tuna bane? Gidan barasa?”
Thor yarufe idanunsa, yashafi gefensu, yayi kokarin dawowa da komai. Yazomasa guntu guntu. Ya tuna farautan…shiga gidan barasan…barasan. Ya tuna jagorantansa zuwa sama…gidan karuwai din. Daga wannan, duhu ne.
Bugun zuciyarsa ya karu yayinda yayi tunanin Gwendolyn. Ko yayi wani abin wawanci ne da wancan yarinyan? Ko ya bata yiwuwansa da Gwen ne?
“Menene yafaru?” ya danna Reece, bada wasa ba, yayinda ya hada wuyan hannayensa. “Yi hakuri, gaya mani. Kace mani banyi wani abu da natan nan ba.”
Shauran sunyi dariya, amma Reece ya kalli abokinsa da gaskiya, dayagane yadda hankalinsa ya tashi.
“Karka damu abokina,” ya amsa. “Bakayi komaiba. Banda amai da faduwa a kasa!”
Shauran sun sake dariya.
“Dayawa wa karonka na farko,” Elden yace.
Amma thor yaji sauki. Bai yanke hurda da Gwen ba.
“Wannan ne karo na karshe da zan saya maka mata!” Conval yace.
“Ainihin bata kudi,” Conven yace.” Bazata ma mayar dashi ba!”
Yaran sun sake dariya. Thor yaji kunya, amma yaji sauki domin bai bata komai ba.
Yakama hanun Reece sai yajashi gefe.
“Yar’uwanka,” yagayawa Reece a kunne. “Bata san da duka wannan ba, kota sani?”
Reece tafara dan karamin murmushi yayinda yakewaye kafadan Thor da hanu.
“Sirrinka yasira awurina, duk da cewa baka yi komai ba. Bata sani ba. Kuma ina ganin yadda kakesonta sosai, kuma ina yabon hakan,” yace, fuskarsa ya sauya da sauri zuwa na rashin wasa. ‘Ina iya gani yanzu cewa kana sonta. Da kaje karuwanci, da wannan zai zama irin sirikin zanso. Ainihima, an umurce ni dana baka wannan sakon.”
Reece ya tura dan wasika a tafin hanun Thor, sai Thor yakalli kasa, arikice. Yaga alaman gidan sarauta akansa, takarda mai launin hodan, koma yasani. Bugun zuciyansa ya karu.
“Daga yar’uwana,” Reece yace.
“Ka saya!” wasu muryoyi sukazo tare.
“Wani yasamu wasikar soyyaya!” O’Connor yace.
“Karanta mana!” Elden yayi ihu.
Shauran sun danyi dariya.
Amma Thor, saboda yanason sirri, yahanzarta zuwa gefen makwacin, da nisa daga shauran. Kansa na rabuwa, dakin har yanzu na juyawa—amma yadaina damuwa. Ya bude wasika maitaushin yakaranceshi da hannaye masu bari.
“Kasame ni a kunyan daji da sakar rana. Kada ka makara. Kuma karka sa agano ka.”
Thor ya tura wasikan cikin aljuhunsa.
“Menene yake cewa, masoyin yaro?” Conven yayiwo kira.
Thor ya hanzarta zuwaga Reece, dasanin zai iya yarda dashi.
Runduna bata horo yau, hakane?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece ya girgiza kansa. “haka ne babu. Yau hutu ne.”
“Inane kunyan daji?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece yayi murumushi. “Aha, wurinda Gwen tafiso,’ yace. “Ka dauki hanyan gabbaci na fita daga fada sai ka saya ta dama. Haura tudun, sai ya fara bayan dan karamin tudu na biyu.”
Thor yakalli Reece.
“Yi hakuri, banason kowa yasani.”
Reece yayi murmushi.
“Na tabbata itama batason haka. Idan mahaifiyana ta gane, zata kasha dukanku biyu. Zata kulle yar’uwana a dakinta, kuma ta koreka zuwa karshen kudancin masarauta.”
Thor yahadiye yawu da tunanin wannan.
“Dagaske?” ya tambaya.
Reece ya mayar da kada kai.
“Bata sonka. Bansan dalili ba, amma zuciyanta ahade ne. kaje da sauri, kuma kada kagaya wa kowa. Kuma karka damu,” yace, yana rike da hanunsa. “Nima bazan gaya ba.”
*
Thor yayi tafiya da sauri dasassafen nan, Krohn na gudu da wasa a gefensa, yana iya kokarinsa kar yaganu. Yabi kwatancen Reece iya kokarinsa, yana maimaita su a kwanyansa yayinda ya wuce wajewajen fada dasauri, yah aura dan karamin tudu, da gefegefen wani daji mai kauri. Daga hagunsa, kasan yafadi akarkashinsa, yabarshi yana tafiya akan siririyar hanya a bakin wani kunya mai tudu, wani dutse a ta hagunsa, kuma dajin daga damarsa. Kunyan daji. Tace nasa yasameta anan. Da gaske takeyi? Kokuma tana wasa dashi ne kawai?
Ko wancan marakunyan dan sarautan, Alton, yafadi daidai ne? Ko Thor yakasance mata abin shakatawa ne kawai? Ko zata gaji dashi nan bada dadewa ba? Yayi fatan, fiye da komai, yazama bahaka ba. Yana son ya yarda cewa abinda take jimasa da gaske ne; duk da haka yana samunsa dawuya ya yarda cewa haka lamarin yake. Bata wani saninshi ba. Kuma yar sarauta ce. Wani ribe zata samu gareshi? Karma ayi maganan ta giemshi da shekaru biyu, kuma baitaba samun buduruwan da ta girmeshi ta nuna tana sonsa ba; kaima, bai taba samun wata buduruwa ta damu da lamarinsa ba. Kodayakw bawai akwai yan matan zaba dayawa akauyensu bane.
Thor bai taba tunani akan yanmata dayawa haka ba. Ba a raineshi da wasu yan’uwa mata ba, kuma kauyensu na dauke da yan’mata kalilan ne. a shekarunsa, babu wani daga shauran yaran dayake damuwa. Yawancin yara mazan sukan yi aure a shekarunsu na sha takwas, a shiryayyun aure—ainihi, sunfi kamada shirin kasuwanci. Manyan mutane wadanda ba a musu aure yayinda suka kai shekaru ashirin da biyar sukan kai ranan zabensu: akan tilasta musu ko su zabi mata ko fita waje su nemo. Amma wannan dokan bai kama Thor ba. Shi dan talaka ne, kuma mutane masu matsayinsa ana aurar dasu ne kawai ta hanyoyinda zasu kara wa iyalansu biyan bukata. Kaman cinikin shanu.
Amma tunda Thor yaga Gewndolyn, duka wadannan sun sauya. A karo na farko, ya harbu da wani abu, wani yanayin jin abu dake da zurfi da karfi da saurin da baya barinsa ya iya tunanin wani abu. Duk lokacinda yaganta, wannan yanayin kara zurfi yakeyi. Yagagara ganeshi, amma yakan ji zafin rashin kasancewa da ita.
Thor ya ninka saurinsa akan kunyan, yana dubata kota ina, yana tunanin adaidai ina zasu hadu—koma idan zata hadu dashi din. Ranan farko ya kara haurawa kuma digon gumi na farko ya hadu a goshinsa. Haryanzu yana jin jiri daga sakamakon abubuwan da suka faro jiya daddare. Yayinda rana ke dada haurawa, kuma nemanta yagagara bashi wani sakamako, yafara tunanin ko zata hadu dashi ma gabadaya. Kuma yafara tunani koyaya girman hatsarin dashi ke sasu a ciki yake. Idan mahaifiyarta, sarauniya, tabbattace bata goyon bayan wannan, da gaske zata sa akoreshi daga masarautar? Daga rundunan? Saboda duk abinda shi yazo yasani yake kuma bala’in so? To sai menene shi zaiyi kenan?
Yayinda yayi tunani akai, yayanki hukauci kwaliya ya biya kudin sabulu, saboda zarafin kasancewa da ita. A shirye yake yayi cacan komai saboda wannan zarafin. Fatansa kawai shine yazama ba wasa takeyi da hankalinsa ba, kokuma ba kuskure shi yakeyi a irin tunanin son da take masa ba.
“Dama zaka wuce a gefena ne?” wani murya yazo, biye da dan dariya.
Thor yayi tsalle, yakamu bazato, sai yasaya yajuya. Asaye acikin inuwan wani babban bishiya, tana mayar da murmushi, akwai Gwendolyn. Zuciyarsa ta dagu da wannan murmushin. Yana ganin soyyayan a cikin idanunta, sai dukanin damuwa da soronsa atake suka narke. Ya gargadi kansa kan yaya wawacinsa zai kai na yayi kwokwanton niyanta.
Krohn yayi dan kara dayaganta.
“Kuma mai muke dashi anan?!” ta koka waje da farin ciki.
Ta durkusa sai Krohn yarugo zuwa gareta, yayi salle zuwa cikin hannayenta da wani dan kuka; ta dagashi sai ta rikeshi, tana shashafa shi.
“Yana da kyau!” tace, ta rungumeshi da karfi. Ya lashe fuskarta. Tayi dan dariya ta sumbace shi.
“Kuma menenen sunanka, dan karamin halitta?” ta tambaya.
“Krohn,” Thor yace. A karshe, wannan lokacin, harcensa ba amakale Kaman dab a.
“Krohn,” ta maimaita, tana kallon idon dan damisan. “Kuma kullun kana yawo da aboki damisa?” ta tambayi Thor da dariya.
“Na sameshi,” Thor yace, yana jin kasawansa agefenta, kamar yadda yasaba. “A cikin dajin—a farautan. Dan’uwanki yace narikeshi, saboda ni nasameshi. Cewa kaddara ne.”
Ta kalleshi, sai yanayinta yadawo na rashin wasa.
“Amma, gaskiyarsa. Dabbobi abubuwan al’ajabi ne. Baka samunsu. Su suke samunka.”
“Ina fatan kasancewarsa da bazai dameki ba,” Thor yace.
Tayi dan dariya.
“Zan yi bakin ciki idan bai kasance damu ba,” ta amsa.
Ta kalli duka gefe biyu, Kaman domin tabbattarwa babu mai kallo, sai ta mika hanu, ta kama hanun Thor, ta jashi zuwa cikin dajin.
“Muje,” tadan fada. “Kafin wani yaganmu.”
Thor yaji farinciki da tabashinta, yayinda ta jagoranceshi zuwa hanyan cikin dajin. Sun nufi cikin dajin agaugauce, hanyan nata jujjuyawa da murduwa asakanin mayan bishiyoyin. Tasake hanunsa, amma bai mance yadda yakeji saboda kamun ba.
Ya fara jin Karin kwaciyan hankalin cewa tana sonsa, amma abayyane yake cewa bata son agansu, kuma, watakila mahaifiyarta. Azahiri ta dauki wannan da muhimmanci, saboda tana da wani abu na kasada a cikin haduwa dashi, itama.
Sai kuma, Thor yayi tunani, watakila bata son Alton ne kawai yaganta—kokuma batason wani daga cikin yaranda suke soyyaya tare ne yaganta. Watakila gaskiya Alton yafada. Watakila tana jin kunyan aganta da Thor.
Thor yaji duka wadanann yanayin na jujjuyawa a cikin tunaninsa.
“Kule yakama harcenka, haka ne?” ta tambaya, tayanke shurun daga karshe.
Thor yaji yana kwokwanto; bayason yadauki kasadan bata abubuwa dagaya mata abinda ke zucitarsa—amma kuma a lokaci daya kuma yaji yakamata shi yanemi kwanciyar hankali daga duk damuwowinsa. Yana bukatan yasan ainihin masayinta. Bazai iya rikewa a zuciya ba kuma.
“Bayan rabuwanmu wancan karon, nahadu da Alton. Ya kuma tukumeni.”
Yanayin fuskan Gwendolyn ya sauya, atake nishadinta yabaci—sai Thor yayi nadaman tad a maganan atake. Yana daraja kasancewnta cikin nishadi, da farin cikinta, sai yayi fatan da zai iya janye maganan. Yaso ya saya, amma yariga ya makara. Babu komawa da baya yanzu.
“Sai kuma menene yace?” tace, muryarta na faduwa.
“Yace mani na nisanceki. Yace basona kikeyi ba. Yace nakasance abin wasa ne kawai a wurinki. Cewa zaki gaji dani cikin kwana daya ko biyu. Yakuma ce ke dashi zakuyi aure, kuma cewa an riga an shirya aurenku.”
Gwendolyn ta saki wani dariyan haushi, dariyan rashin kauna.
“Hakane ko?” ta numfasa da kara. “Yaron nan mafi jijidakai, maralafiyan maitakura,” ta kara, da haushi. “Ya kasance mani kasha a wuya tunda nafara tafiya. Domin iyayenmu na yaran yan’uwa kawai, yana ganin shi dan gidan sarauta ne. Ban taba ganin wani wanda bai cancanci kasancewan ba Kaman shi. Domin dada lalata abubuwa ma, yana dashi akansa cewa munada kaddarar aure dashi. Kaman zan bi duk abinda iyayena suka tilasta mani yi ne kawai. Har abada. Kuma tabbas ba dashi ba. Bana ma son ganinsa.”
Thor yaji sauki a dalilin kalmominta, yaji ragin nauyi da kusan fan miliyon; yaji Kaman yayio waka daga saman bishiyoyi. Abinda daidai yaso bukaci yaji kenan. Yanzu yayi nadaman yabata nishadinsu akan wani abu dan kalilan. Amma bai gamsu gabadaya ba tukuna; yayi la’akari dacewa haryanzu bat ace komai ba akan ko watakila tanasonsa, shi Thor.
“A game da kai kuma,” tace, tasaci wani kallonsa, sai ta kau da ido. “Bansaka wani sani sosai ba. Amma bana bukatan wani matsi domin baka zuciyata. Kuma zance bana tunanin zan dinga kasha lokaci dakai haka ba idan da na tsaneka. Tabbas yanci nane sauya zuciyana yadda nagadama, kuma zan iya sauyawa—amma ba akan lamarin soyyaya ba.”
Abinda Thor ke bukata kenan. Ya gamsu da rashin daukan abin a matsayin wasa datayi, kuma yafi gumsuwa da zabin kalmominta: “soyyaya.” Yaji ya mayar da karfi.
“Kuma a lokaci daya, zan iya neman Kaman hakan a wurinka,” tace, tajuyo kansa. “Kaima, inaganin abinda zan rasa yafi naka yawa. Tunda, ni yargidan sarauta ne, kuma kai talaka ne. na girme ka. Kana ganin nine yakamata namaida hankali? Gulma yakan zo mani a fada akan jadawalinka, tashen da kakeyi, cewa kana amfani dani ne kawai, kana neman mukami. Son samun daurin gindin sarkinda kakeyi. Na yarda da dukanin wadannan?”
Thor yaji babban soro.
“Babu, uwargidana! Har abada. Wadannan abubuwan basu taba shiga zuciyana ba. Ina tare dake saboda bana tunanin na kasance a ko ina ba kuma. Domin haka nakeso kawai. Kawai saboda idan bana tare dake, bana iya tunanin wani abu.
Wani karamin murmushi yazo gefen bakinta, kuma yana iya ganin yanayin fuskanta yafara sakewa.
“Kai bako ne anan,” tace. “Kai bako ne a fadan sarki, a rayuwan sarauta. Kana bukatan lokaci saboda fahimtan yadda abubuwa ke ainihin tafiya. Anan, babu wanda ke nufin abinda suka fada. Kowa nada manufa. Kowa na neman mulki—ko Karin girma ko dukiya ko arziki ko matsayi. Bawanda zaka dauka da abinda ke fuskarsa. Kowa nada yan liken asirinsa, da shashi, da jadawali. Lokacinda Alton yace maka wai an riga an shirya aurena, misali, abinda yakeyi ainihi shine neman yasan girman kusantanka gareni. Yana cikin barazana. Kuma watakila yana bawa wani rahotu. A gareshi, aure baya nufin soyyaya. Yana nufin hadewa ne. Kawai saboda samun kudi, saboda Karin girma. Saboda kaddarori. A cikin fadan sarauta, babu abinda kai kasancewa abinda yayi kama da.”
Babu zato, Krohn ya wucesu aguje, ya gangara hanyan dajin zuwa cikin shararen wurin.
Gwen ta kalli Thor sai tayi dan dariya; ta miko hanu, ta kama hanunsa, sai ta fara gudu dashi.
“Muje!” tayi ihu, tana farin ciki.
Dukansu biyu sun gangara hanyan aguje sai suka bullo cikin wani babban shararen wuri. Tunani Thor ya koma da baya dalilin kallon wurin: wuri mai ciyayi ne adaji mai kyau acike da furannin daji masu kowani irin launi da suka kuma kai har gwiwowinsu. Tsunsaye da filifili masu kowani launi da girma narawa suna yawo a iska, kuma filin yasamu rai daga sautin tsunsaye. Rana na hasko kasa da hasken gaske, kuma wurin yayi kama da inda akwai sirri, aboye anan a sakiyar wannan daji mai duhu mai sayi.
“Ka taba wasan mairataya makaho ne?” ta tambaya da dariya.
Thor ya girgiza kai, sai kafin ya mayar da martini, ta ciro hankacif daga wuyanta, ta mika hanu sama, ta rufe idanun Thor dashi, tad aura daga bayan keyansa. Yagagara gani, sai tayi wani dan karamin dariya a kunnensa.
“Kai ne shi!” tace.
Sai yajita ta guje a ciyawan.
Yayi murmushi.
“Amma menene zanyi?” ya kirawo.
“Ka nemeni!” ta mayar da kiran.
Muryanta yariga yayi nisa.
Thor, idanu arufe, yafara binta aguje, yana tuntube yayin tafiya. Ya kasa kunne da kyau yaji motsin kayanda tasa a ciyawa, yana kokarin yabi ta inda take. Nada wuya, kuma yana gudu da hannayensa a mike agabansa, yana tunanin zai iya karo da bishiya a kowani lokaci, duk da yasan budaden wurin ciyayi ne. cikin dan lokaci, yarikice, kuma yanajin Kaman yana kewayawa ne kawai.
Amma yacigaba da kasa kunne, yana jin sautin dan dariyanta daga nesa, yacigaba da yin gyara, yana gudu zuwa muryan. Wani lokacin yajishi a kusa, sai kuma da nisa. Ya fara jin jiri.
Yaji Krohn nagudu a gefensa, yana haushi, sai ya koma kasa kunne ga Krohn, yana bin takunsa. Yayinda yake wannan, sautin dan dariyan Gwen na karuwa, sai Thor yagane cewa Krohn na jagorantansa zuwa gareta ne. yayi mamakin wayonda Krohn ke dashi.
Bada dadewa ba, yafara jinta wasu yan taku daga gareshi; yabita, suna kwane kwane kota ina acikin filin. Ya mika hanu, sai tayi ihu da farin ciki yayinda ya kamo bakin rigarta. Yana kamota, sai yayi tuntunbe, sai duka suka fadi a kasa akan fili mai laushin ciyawan. Ya juya a dakika na karshe, saboda shi ya fara faduwa kuma ita akansa, domin dauke zafin faduwanta.
Yayinda Thor yakai kasa, Gwen a samansa, tayi ihu a cikin mamaki. Takasance kan dan dariyan yayinda takai hanu sama ta janye hankacif din.
Bugun zuciyan Thor ya karu yayinda yaga fuskarta incina kadan kawai daga nasa. Yaji nauyin jikinta akan nasa, a cikin siririn kayan raninta, yaji kowani suran jikinta. Nauyinta gabadaya adanne akansa, kuma bata dauki matakin kin hakan ba. Tana kallon idanunsa, numfashinsu sama sama, kuma bata kau da ido ba. Shima bai kau da ido ba. Zuciyan Thor na daka da saurin da, hada hankalinsa na neman yayi wuya.
Farat daya, ta kwanto ciki sai ta manna labbanta akan nashi. Laushinsu yafi yadda zai taba tunani, yayinda suka hadu, a karo na farko a rayuwarsa, yaji shi yanada rai.
Ya rufe idanunsa, kuma ta rufe nata, kuma basu yi ko motsi ba, labbansu na hade na lokacinda baisan adadinsa ba. Yaso ya daskare wannan lokacin.
Akarshe, ahankali, ta janye. Haryanzu tana murmushi, yayinda ta bude idanunta ahankali, kuma tacigaba da kwanciya awurin, jikinta akan masa.
Sun kwanta haka na dogon lokaci, suna kallon idanun juna.
“Daga ina kazoo?” ta tambaya, ahankali, tana murmushi.
Ya mayar da murmushin. Baisan yadda zai bada amsa ba.
“Ni yaro ne Kaman kowanne kawai,” yace.
Ta girgiza kanta sai tayi murmushi.
“A A kai bahaka bane. Ina iya jin haka. Ina sammani kafi haka nisa, kafi haka nisa sosai.”
Ta kwanto tasake sumbatansa, sai labbansa suka hadu da nata, wannan lokacin, na lokacinda yadan fi sayi kuma. Yadaga hanu sama sai ya sefe gashinta, tama ta sefe nasa. Yagagara hana zucinyansa gudu.
Ya riga yafara tunanin yadda wannan zai karasa. Zai yiwu su kasance tare, da duk irin tudun dake sakaninsu? Zai yiyu su ainihin zama ma’aurata?
Thor yayi fata, fiye da komai a rayuwarsa, cewa zasu iya zama. Yanason kasancewa da ita yanzu, fiye da yadda yakeson kasancewa dan runduna ma.
Yayinda yake wadannan tunanin, wani kara kafa a ciyawa yazo musu, sai dukansu biyu, arazane, suka juya. Krohn yayiwo sale tacikin ciyayin, taku kadan kawai daga wurinsu, sai wani karan yazo. Krohn yayi kuka, sai yayi haushii—sai wani sautin saki yazo. Akarshe, wuri yayi shuru.
Gwen ta mirgina tasauka daga kan Thor yayinda duk suka tashi zaune suka duba. Thor yayi sale zuwa kafafunsa, yana kare Gwen, yana tunani ko menene. Bai ga kowa ba—ko wani abu—dole zai zama a can, kafa daya kowai daga garesu, cikin dogon ciyawan nan.
Krohn ya bullo gabansu, sai abakinsa, a cikin kananan, hakoransa masu kaifin raza, wani babban, farin maciji ke lilo. Zai kai sayin kafa goma, fatarsa na da kyau, fari mai kyalli, da kaurin reshen babban bishiya.
Lokaci daya Thor ya fahimci abinda yafaru: Krohn yakaresu daga harin wannan mugun macijin. Zuciyarsa tajewa dan damisan da godiya.
Gwen taja nufashin mamaki.
“Macijin whiteback,” tace “Mafi hatsarin macizai a masarautan gaba daya.”
Thor na kallo arikice.
“Ina tunanin wannan macijin karya ne. da ina ganin Kaman tasuniya ne kawai.”
“Ba a samunsa da garaje,” Gwen tace. “Na taba ganin guda daya ne kawai a gabadaya rayuwana. Ranan da aka kashe mahaifin mahaifina. Yakasance alama ne.”
Tajuya ta kalli Thor.
“Yana nufin mutuwa na zuwa ne. mutuwan wani na kusa.”
Thor yaji wani sanyi yah aura kashin bayansa. Wani bazatan iska mai sanyi yafara hurawa a cikin ciyayin a wannan ranan cikin ranin, kuma yasani, da zahirin tabbaci, cewa tana da gaskiya.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BIYAR
Gwendolyn tana tafiya ita kadai a cikin fadan, tabi ta kewayayen matakala, tana juyawa da murda hanyanta zuwa sama. Zuciyanta nata gudu da tunanin Thor. Tafiyan su. Sumbatan junansu. Da kuma, wannan macijin.
Tana konuwa da jin yanayi masu rikicewa. Agefe daya, farin cikinta yakaru dominshi; a daya gefen, ta harbu da soro saboda macijin, saboda alaman mutuwa daya kawo. Amma batasan ma wanene ba, kuma ta gagara fitar da wannan ma a zucitanta. Tanasoron ma wani ne a danginta. Zai iya zama wa wani ne acikin yan’uwanta? Godfrey? Kendrick? Zai iya zama wa mahaifiyarta ne? Ko, ta girgiza dayin tunanin, mahaifinta?
Ganin wannan macijin yakawo wani inuwan bakin ciki akan nishadinsu na ranan, kuma tunda yanayin yabarsu, sun gagara dawowa dashi. Sun koma tare zuwa fada, suka rabu daf da fitowa daga dajin, saboda kar agansu. Abu na karshe da takeso shine mahafiyarta ta kamasu. Amma Gwen bazata hakura akan Thor da sauki ba, kuma zata nemi hanyan yakar mahaifiyarta; tana bukatan lokaci domin tunanin yadda zata shirya.
Rabuwa da Thor yayi zafi; data mayar da tunani kansa, abin babu dadi. Taso ta tambayeshi ko zai sake haduwa da ita, taso tayi shirin wata ranan. Amma ta kasance arikice, hankalinta adage saboda ganin macijin da hart a manta. Yanzu tana damuwan cewa yana tunanin bata sonsa.
Daga kaiwanta fadan sarki, masu hidiman mahaifinta suka kiraye ta. Tana hawan matakalan ne tundazu, zuciyanta na bugawa, tana tunanin dalilin dayasa yakeson yaganta da hanzari haka. Ko zai, shima, haramta mata haduwa dashi ne? Tagagara yarda cewa zaiyi haka. Yasaba daukan gefenta ne.
Gwen kusan da rashin numfashi, akarshe takai saman. Ta gangara dakalin da sauri, ta wuce masu hidiman wanda suka mike cak sai suka bude mata kofan zauren taron mahaifinta. Wasu masu hidiman guda biyu, suna jira a ciki, sun sunkuyar da kai saboda kasancewanta.
“Kufita kubarmu,” mahaifinta yace musu.
Sun sake sunkuyar da kai sai suka hanzarta daga dakin, suka rufe kofa abayansu dakara mai dawowa.
Mahaifinta yataso daga tebirinsa, wani babban murmushi a fuskarsa, sai ya tako ya nufe a sallakin babban zauren. Taji ta sake, Kaman yadda ta saba, daga ta ganshi, ta kuma ji sauki da bataga haushi a fuskarsa ba.
“Gwendolyn dina,” yace.
Ya bude hanayensa sai ya rikota cikin wani babban runguma. Itama ta rungumeshi, sai ya jagoranceta zuwa manyan kujeru biyu, suna ajiye agefe kusa da wutanda keci. Mayan karnukan wolfhound, yawancin wadanda ta sansu tun tana karama, sun basu hanya yayinda suke tafiya kusa da wutan. Biyu daga cikinsu sun bita sai suka kwantar da kawunansu a cinyoyinta. Tayi godiya domin wutan: gurin yakasance da sanyin basabamba ma rana acikin rani.
Mahafinta ya kwato ciki kusa da wutan, yana kallon wutan yayinda yake ci agabansu.
“Kinsan dalilin da yasa na kiraki? Ya tambaya.
Ta binciki fuskarsa, amma bata tabbattar ba.
“Bansani ba, Baba.”
Ya daga ido da mamaki.
“Tattaunawan mu na wancan ranan. Da yan’uwanki. Game da sarautan. Abinda naso na tattauna dake kenan.”
Zuciyan Gwen yatashi da jin sauki. Wannan ba akan Thor bane. Akan siyasa ne. Banzan siyasa, wanda bashine danuwan tab a. ta ja numfashin sakewa.
“Kinyi kama da kina sake,” yace “Dama kina ganin menene zamu tattauna?”
Mahaifinta yacika gane mutum da sauri; tunda haka yake. Yana daya daga cikin mutanenda ke karanta ta Kaman littafi. Dole tayi takasansan a kewayensa.
“Babu komai, Baba,” tace da sauri.
Yasake murmushi.
“To, shikenan, gaya mani. Menene tunaninki akan zabina?” ya tambaya.
“Zabi?” ta tambaya.
“Na maigadona! Na masarautar!”
“Kana nufin ni?” ta tambaya.
“Waye kuma?” yayi dariya.
Fuskanta ya sauya.
“Baba, naji mamaki, kar nayi Magana dayawa. Banice yar fari ba. Kuma ni namace ce. Ban san komai a siyasa ba. Kuma ban damu dasu ba—ko ma sarautan masarauta. Bani da wani burin a siyasa. Ban san menene yasa kazabeni ba.”
“Ainihin domin wadannan dalilan ne,” yace, yanayi fuskarsa babu wasa. “Domin bakia neman kujeran ne. Bakia son sarauta. Kuma baki san komai akan siyasa ba.”
Yaja numfashi mai zurfi.
“Amma kinsan yanayin mutane. Kinada doguwar fahimta. Kin sameshi daga wurina. Kinada saurin tunanin mahaifiyarki, amma basira na da mutane. Kinsan yadda zaki yi hukunci akansu; kina ganin halinsu azahiri. Kuma abinda sarki yake bukata kenan. Yasan yanayin wassu. Babu wani abu kuma da kike bukata. Duka shauran nafila ne. kisan suwaye mutanenki. Ki fahimcesu. Ki yarda da tunaninki. Kiyi musu adalci. Shikenan.”
“Tabbas, abinda ke cikin mulkin masarauta yafi haka,” tace.
“Ba dole ba,” yace. “tushinsa ne duka wannan. Yankan hukunci natasowa daga wannan ne.”
“Amma Baba, kana mantawa cewa, bani da son nayi mulki, kuma na biyu, bazaka mutu ba. Wannan al’adan wanwanci ne kawai, ahade da ranan auren mafigirman cikin yaranka. Menene na tunanin wannan? Da nine da gwamma kada nayi Magana akai, koma tunaninsa. Ina fatan kar ranan yataba zuwa da zanga ka mutu—saboda haka wannan duk bashi da fa’ida.”
Ya gyra muryarsa, yanayinsa babu wasa ciki.
“Nayi Magana da Argon, yana hangan gaba da duhu mani. Nima najishi da kaina. Dole ne na shirya,” yace.
Gwen taji cikinta ya murde.
“Argon wawane. Mai sihiri. Rabin abubuwan da yake fada basu faruwa. Ka manta dashi. Kada ka kula wawayen alamunsa. Kana garau. Zaka rayu har abada.”
Amma ya girgiza kansa ahankali, kuma tana ganin bakin cikin a fuskarsa, sai taji murdewan cikinta yakaru.
“Gwendolyn, ‘yana, ina sonki. Ina bukatan ki kasance ashirye. Inason kene ki kasance mai mulkin zoben nagaba. Babu was acikin Magana na ko kadan. Ba rook bane. Ummurni ne.”
Ya kalleta da wani irin rashin wasa, idanunsa na kara duhu, yabata soro. Bata taba ganin wannan kallon akan fuskar mahaifinta ba.
Taji idanunta sun kumbura, sai takai hanu ta share wani dan hawaye.
“Kiyi hakuri domin na daga miki hankali,” yace.
“To kadaina maganan wannan,” tace, tana kuka. “Banason kamutu.”
“Kiyi hakuri, amma bazan iya ba. Ina bukatan kibani amsa.”
“Mahaifina, banason nacimaka fuska.”
“To kice I.”
“Amma yaya zai yiyu nayi mulki?” ta roka.
“Bashi da wahala Kaman yadda kike sammani. Zaki kewayu da masu bada shawara. Dokan farko shine kada ki yarda da ko dayansu. Ki yarda da kanki. Zaki iya wannan. Rashin iliminki, rashin daga kanki—abinda zai baki daukaka kenan. Zaki yanka hukunce hukuncen gaskiya. Kiyi mani alkawari,” ya nace.
Ta kalli idanunsa taga nauyinda wannan kedashi awurinsa. Tana son adaina wannan maganan, koba don komai ba domin kwantar da ciwon hankalinsa daya tashi kuma ta jawo masa farin ciki.
“To, namaka alkawari,” ta fada da sauri. “Wannan zai saka farin ciki?”
Yajinginu da baya, kuma tana iya ganin cewa yaji sauki a zuciya.
“Hakane,” yace. “Nagode.”
“Da kyau, yanzu zamu iya maganan wasu abubuwan? Abubuwanda wayakil su faru azahiri? Ta tambaya.
Mahaifinta yajinginu dabaya sai yafashe da dariya; yayi Kaman nauyinsa yaragu da fan miliyon.
“Shiyasa nake sonki,” yace. “Kunlun cikin farin ciki. Kunlun kina iya sani dariya.”
Ya binciketa da kallo, kuma tana iya gane cewa yana neman wani abu.
“Kema Kaman kina cikin farin ciki dab a sabam ba,” yace. “Akwai wani yaro a cikin hoton ne?”
Yanayin fuskan Gwen ya sauya. Tatashi sai ta taka zuwa taga, ta juya daga gareshi.
“Kayi hakuri, Baba, amma wannan abu ne na sirri.”
“Ba sirri bane idan zaki dinga mukin masarautana,” yace. “Amma bazan yi tone tone ba. Amma, mahaifiyarki. Ta nemi tattaunawa dake, kuma ina ganin bazata zama da hakuri haka ba. Zan barshi haka. Amma kishirya kanki.”
Cikinta ya kulle, sai ta kau da kai, tana kaloon waje daga tagan. Takijinin wannan wurin. Tayi fatan kasancewa ako ina amma ba nan ba. A wani kauye mai sauki, a wani gonan kauye, tana zaman talakawa da Thor. Nesa da duk wannan, daga duka wadannan mutanen dake son mulkanta.
Taji wahi hanun kirki akan kafadanta, sai tajuya taga mahaifinta yana saye awurin, yana mata murmushi.
“Mahaifitarki na iya kasancewa da haushi. Amma duk matakinda ta dauka, kisan kinada goyon bayana. Acikin lammuran soyyaya, dole abar mutum yazabi abinda ransa keso.
Gwen takai sama ta rungumi mahaifinta. A wannan lokacin, tasoshi fiye da komai. Tayi kokarin ture alaman macijin daga zuciyanta, tana adu’a, da duk abinda take dashi, cewa mutuwan bana mahaifinta bane.
*
Gwen ta juya ya murda daga dakali zuwa dakali, tawuce jerin su ainihin gilashi, ta nufi tad akin mahaifiyarta. Taki jinin kiran mahaifiyarta, takijinin halinta na neman gaya tilasta mata abinda yakamata tayi. Ta hanyoyi dayawa, itane take zahirin mulkin masarautan. Tafi mahaifinta karfi a hanyoyi dayawa, tafi naciya akan ra’ayinta, kuma bata yarda da ra’ayin wasu cikin sauki. Tabbas masarautar bata san da wannan ba; yakan sanya fuskarr karfi, yana kama da mai wayon.
Amma idan yadawo gida, abayan rufafun kofofi, ita ne yake juyawa zuwaga tabashi shawara. Ita ce mai wayon. Mara imanin. Mafi lissafin. Mafi taurin rai. Marasa soro. Itane dutsen. Kuma tana mulkin dangin da taurin hanu. Idan tana son wani abu, tunba ma idan tabari yashiga kanta cewa saboda dangin ne, takan tabbattar ya faru.
Kuma yanzu taurin halin mahaifiyarta nason yajuyo zuwa gareta, tariga tafara shirya kanta wa haduwan. Tanajin yanada la’akari da rayuwar soyyayarta, kuma tana soron watakila ta hangi Thor. Amma ta kuduri niyyan rashin komawa da baya—koda menene zai bukata. Idan zai zama sai ta bar wannan wurin, zata bari. Mahaifiyarta na iya sata a kurkudi idan tagadama kuma bazai dameta ba.
Yayinda Gwen ta kusanci shashin mahaifiyarta, masu hidimanta sun bude babban kofan itacen oak din, suka bada hanya yayin shiganta, sai suka rufe abayanta.
Dakin mahaifiyarta yakasa na mahaifinta sosai, yafi kusanci, da manyan shimfidu akasa da karamin kayan shan shayi da tebirin wassani ajere a gefen wutanda keci, dayawan masu rauni, nadaga kujeru masu yadin velvet a gefensu. Mahaifiyarta na zaune a daya daga kujerun, bayanta ajuye ga Gwen, duk da tana sammanin zuwanta. Ta fuskanci wutan, tana kurban shayinta, ta motsa daya daga cikin ya’yan was an akan tebirin. Abayanta akwai mata masu hidima biyu, dayan tana daura mata igiyoyin bayan riganta.
“Shigo, ‘yana,” muryar mahaifiyarta na rashin gafara.
Gwen takijinin lokutanda mahaifiyarta ke wannan—ta kafa zauren hukunci agaban yan gidanta. Tayi fatan zata sallamesu, Kaman yadda mahaifinta yayi lokacinda suka tattauna. Shine abu mafi karanci da zata iya yiwa sirri da kamala. Amma mahaifiyarta bata taba yin haka. Gwen ta yanka hukunci haka din was an mulki ne, tana barin yangidanta suna nan, sunaji, saboda ta daga wa Gwen hankali.
Gwen bata da wani zabi banda sallaka dakin ta zauna a daya daga cikin kujeru masu yadin velvet din fuskance da mahaifiyarta, kusa dayawa da wutan. Wani daga cikin hikiman nuna mulkin mahaifiyarta: yakansa kasancewa da ita dumi dayawa, da kamuwan bazata daga wutan.
Sarauniyan bata daga ido ba; saidai, tana kallon kasa zuwaga tiren was anta, tatura daya daga cikin ‘yayan was an cikin rikecacen jeren.
“Bugawan ki,” mahaifiyarta tace.
Gwen ta kalli tiren was an a kasa; tayi mamakin mahaifiyarta na tafiyar da wannan was an har yanzu. Ta tuna itane da ‘yayan wasa masu launin kasan, amma bata buga wannan wasanba cikin satutuka. Mahaifiyarta gwana ce a wasan pawns—amma gwen tama fita iyawa. Mahaifiyarta ta kijinin akada ita, kuma tabbas ta dade tana lissafin wannan tiren, tana fatan ta buga mataki mafi kyau. Yanzu da Gwen take nan, tasata bugawa.
Bakaman mahaifiyarta ba, Gwen bata bukatan sai ta karanci tiren. Ta kalleshi ne kawai sai taga bugawa mafi kyau acikin kanta. Ta mika hanu sai ta motsa daya daga cikin ‘yayan wasa masu launin kasan gefe, gabaya zuwa daya sallakin tiren. Yasa mahaifiyarta a masayin shauran bugawa daya ta kada ita.
Mahaifiyarta ta kalli kasa, babu wani yanayi a fuskarta saidai motsin giran ido, wanda Gwen tasan na nuna mutuwar gwiwa. Gwen tafi basira, amma mahaifiyarta bazata taba yadda ba.
Mahaifiyarta ta gyara murya, tana karantan tiren, taki kallonta har yanzu.
“Nasan komai akan harkan kid a wannan dan talakan,” tace da tsiya. “Kina jayaiyya dani.” Mahaifiyarta ta takalleta a sama. “Saboda me?”
Gwen taja numfashi mai zurfi, tanajin cikinta na kullewa, tana kokarin jera martini mafi kyau. Bazata hakura ba. Ba wannan lokacin ba.
“Harkokin sirri nab a damuwanki bane,” Gwen ta mayar da martini.
“Ba damuwa na bane? Damuwa na ne sosai. Harkokin sirrin ki zasu shafi sarautan sarakuna. Makomar wannan iyalin. Na zoben. Harkokin sirrinki nada siyasa—duk da zakiso ki manta. Kai ba talaka bace. Babu wani abin sirri a rayuwanki. Kuma babu abin sirri awurina.”
Muryar mahaifiyarta yakasance da karfi Kaman karfe da sanyi, kuma Gwen ta kijinin kowani mintin wannan ziyaran. Babu abinda Gwen zata iyayi illa zama a wurin tajira tagama. Taji Kaman an sata a tarko.
Akarshe, mahaifiyarta ta gyara murya.
“Tunda kinki saurara na, dole na dauki matakai amadadinki. Bazaki sake haduwa da yaron nan ba har abada. Idan kika hadu dashi, zansa a daukeshi daga runduna, daga fadan sarki, kuma amayar dashi kauyensu. Sai nasa a sashi a turu—da yan danginsa gabadaya. Za a kore a cikin wulakanci. Kuma bazaki sake ganeshi ba.”
Mahaifiyarta ta daga ido ta kalleta, lebenta nakasa na bari da haushi.
“Kin fahimce ni?”
Gwen taja numfashi da karfi, a karo na farko tana gane irin muguntan da mahafiyarta zata iya aikatawa. Ta kijininta fiye da yadda zata iya fada. Gwen ta kamo kallon soron yan hidimanta ma. Yakasane abin kaskanci.
Kafin ta mayarda martini, mahaifiyarta tacigaba.
Kari kuma, domin hana kara samun matakan halin rashin hankalinki, na shirya miki auren mutunci. Za a aurar dake wa Alton, a ranan farko na wata mai zuwa. Kina iya fara shirin aurenki daga yanzu. Shikenan,” mahaifiyarta tace da sallama, ta juya zuwaga tiren Kaman ta gaman maganan abinda bai zama komai ba.
Gwen ta kumbura da haushi kuma tana konewa, kuma taso tayi ihu.
“Ke waye,” Gwen ta mayar, rage na ginuwa. “Kinajin ni wata ‘yarbebi ce akan igiya, dazaki dinga wasa da ita? Kina ganin zan auri kowaye kika ce mini na aura ne?”
“Ba tunani nake ba,” mahaifiyarta ta mayar. “Nasani ne. ke diya na ce, kuma zaki ba umurni na. kuma zaki auri duk wanda nace zaki aura.”
“Babu bazan ba!” Gwen ta mayar da ihu. “kuma bazaki sani ba! Mahaifina yace bazaki sani ba!”
“Shiryanyu aure har yanzu yancin kowani iyaye ne a wannan masarautan—kuma tabbas yancin sarki da sarauniya. Maihanfinki nada matsayinsa akai, amma kema kinsani kamana cewa zai juya yabi ra’ayina a kowani lokaci. Inada nawa hanyoyin.”
Mahaifiyarta ta harareta.
“Saboda haka, kin gani, zakiyi abinda nafada. Aurenki zai faru. Babu abinda zai hana. Ki shirya kanki.”
“Bazanyi ba,” Gwen ta mayar. “Har abada. Kuma idan kika sake mani Magana akan wannan, bazan sake Magana dake ba.”
Mahaifiyarta ta kalli sama sai ta mata murmushi, mai sanyi, mummunan murmushi.
“Ban damu ko kinsake Magana dani ba. Nine mahaifiyarki, ba kawanki ba. Kuma nine sarauniyarki. Watakila wannan yazama karonmu na karshe dake. Bai zama damuwa ba. Akarshen ranan zaki yi abinda nace. Kuma zan kalleki daga nesa, yayinda kike zaman rayuwanda na shirya miki.”
Mahaifiyarta tajuya ta koma kan wasanta.
“Na sallameki,” tace da uwrgin hanunta, Kaman Gwen takasance wata mai hidima.
Gwen ta tafasa da haushi, ta gagara daukansa kuma. Tayi taku uku, tati fareti zuwa tiren wasan mahaifiyarta, ta zubar dashi da hanayenta duka biyu, ta sa ‘yayan wasan da tebirin ivorin duk suka zube akasa kuma suka fasu
Mahaifiyarta tayi sale zuwa baya da mamaki.
“Na tsane ki,” Gwen tayi tsaki.
Da wannan, Gwen tajuya, da jan fuska, ta bubbuga kafa daga dakin, ta ture hanayen masu hidiman, tana da muradin amfani da nata zabin wurin fita—kuma kada ta sake ganin fuskan mahaifiyarta kuma.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA SHIDA
Thor yayi tafiyan sa’o’i a cikin nadenaden hanyoyin dajin, yana tunanin haduwarda sukayi da Gwen. Yagagara girgijeta daga zuciyarsa. Lokacinsu tare yakasance Kaman majigi, fiye da dukanin sammaninsa, kuma yadaina damuwa da zurfin soyyayarta masa. Ranan mai kyau ne—sadai, dama, abinda yafaru daga karshen kasancewa tare dinsu.
Wannan farin macijin, ba abu mai samuwa dasauki ba, amma mumunan alama. Sunci sa a da bai saresu ba. Thor ya kalli Krohn a kasa, yana tafiyan biyyaya agefensa, cikin farin ciki Kaman yadda ya saba, sai yayi tunanin da menene zai faru da bayanan, da bai kasha macijin bay a kuma ceci rayukansu. Da zasu kasance sun mutu kenan yanzu? Ashe bai godewa Krohn ba kenan, kuma yasan yanada na har abada, da yardaden aboki a Krohn.
Duk da haka alaman na damunsa: wannan macijin da rashin samuwa mai tsanani, wanda kuma baya zama a wannan gefen masarautan. Yakan zauna a can nisan kudanci, a cikin koramu da fadamu. Yaya yayi tafiya da nisa haka? Yakance abin sihiri dayawa, kuma yana jin tabbas cewa alama ne. Kaman Gwen, yanajin alama ne mummuna, sanarwan mutuwan da zaizo. Amma nutuwan na waye?
Thor yaso ta ture tunanin daga zuciyarsa, ya mance dashi, yayi tunanin wasu abubuwan—amma yagagara. Ya dameshi, yahanashi hutawa. Yasan yakamata yakoma makwanci, amma yagagara yin hakan. Yau haryanzu ranan hutunsu ne, saboda haka yayita tafiya na sa’o’i amadadi, yana lewaye hanyoyin dajin, yana kokarin share zuciyansa. Yaji tabbas macijin nada wani babban bayani masa kawai, cewa ana umrtansa ya dauki wani mataki ne.
Abu mai dada bata lammura, rabuwarsa da Gwen ya kasance bashiri. Yayinda suka kai bakin dajin, sun raba hanya da sauri ne, kusan babu wani kalma. Tayi kamada hankalinta yatashi. Ya dauka domin macijin ne, amma ba zai iya tabbattarwa ba. Bata ce komai akan sake haduwansu ba. Ko ta sauya ra’ayi akansa ne? ko yayi wani abinda ba daidai bane?
Wannan tunanin na yaga Thor. Yagagara sanin mai yakamata yayi dakansa, sai yayita lewayawa na sa’o’i. yana bukatan yayi hira da wani wanda yagane abubuwa, wanda zai fassara shaidodi da alamu.
Thor ya saya acikin tafiyan. Haka mana. Argon. Zaiyi daidai. Zai iya fasara masa komai, ya kuma kwantar masa da hankali.
Thor yayi kallo. Yana saye a bangaren arewaci na mafi nisan kunyoyi kuma daga nan yana ganin birnin sarautan gabadaya. Yasaya kusada marabin hanya. Yasan Argon nazama shi kadai. A wani bukkan dutse a wajewajen arewacin Boulder plains. Yasan cewa idan yajuya hagu, yabar gari, daya daga cikin wadannan hanyoyin zai kaishi wurin. Ya fara tafiyarsa.
Tafiyan zai kasance dogo ne, kuma akwai yiyuwan Argon bazai ma kasance a gidaba lokacinda Thor zaikai. Amma dole ne yagwada. Bazai huta ba sai yasamu amshoshi.
Thor na tafiya da wani sabon sale atakunsa, yana ninka tafiyarsa, ya nufi su gangaran. Safe yazama rana, yayinda yai tafiya kan tafiya. Ranan cikin rani ne mai kyau, kuma haske na sauka da kyalli akan filayen da ke kewaye dashi. Krohn na tafiyan sale agefensa, yana sayawa lokaci zuwa lokaci domin yakaiwa burgu hari, wanda yake rikewa da jin cin nasara abakinsa.
Hanayan yakara yin tudu, da Karin iska, kuma ciyayin suka bace, suka bada hanya wa yanayin duwatsu da manyan duwatsu. Jim kadan, hanyan, shima yabata. Sanyi da iska sun karu anan sama, yayinda bishiyoyi suka ragu suma, sai wurin yazama da duwatsu, kuma da tsawo.
Nan saman na bada soro, babu komai illa kananan duwatsu, datti, da manyan duwatsu iya ganin ido; Thor yaji Kaman yana tafiya akan kasan da akayi banza dashi. Yayinda hanyan yabace gabadaya, Thor yasamu kansa na tafiya akan maremari da duwatsu.
Agefensa, Krohn ya fara kara. Akwai yanayin jin soro a iskan, kuma Thor yajisa, shima. Bai kasance dole mugunta ba; yana nan dabam ne kawai. Kaman wani hazon sihiri mai nauyi.
Daga Thor yafara tunanin koyana tafiya hanyan daidai kenan, ya hanga a can gabansa, can a saman tudun, wani karamin bukkan dutse. Yana kewaye daidai, Kaman zobe, agine daga bakin, dunkulallun dutwasu daf da kasa. Bashi da ko taga, kuma da kofa kwaya daya, da lankwashashen sama—kuma babu abin kwankwasa ko hanu. Anan Argon ke zama azahiri, a wannan wurin da bakowa? Zaiji haushin zuwan Thor batare day a gayyaceshi ba?
Thor yafara yin nadama, amma ya tilasta wa kansa cigaba akan hanyan. Yayinda ya nufi kofan, yaji makamshi a iska, da kaurinda da kyar yake numfashi. Bugun zuciyansa yakara gudu da rashin tabbas yayinda ya mika hanu domin kwankwasa kofar da dunkulalen hanu.
Kafin yataba, kofan yabudu daksnsa, dan kadan. Cikin wurin yayi duhu, kuma Thor yagagara fada ko iskan ne kawai yabudashi. Duhun cikin yakaiga baya ganin yadda za a ce akwai mutum a ciki.
Thor yamika hanu, ya tura kofan ahankali yabude, sai yamika kansa ciki.
“Gafara dai?” yayi kira.
Yakara tura kofan. Gabadaya cikin nada duhu, saidaiwani dan haske daga gefe mafi nisan mazaunin.
“Gafara dai?” yasake kira, da karfi. “Argon?”
Agefensa, Krohn yayi kara. Yakasance tabbas a wurin Thor cewa wannan ba tunani ne mai kyau ba, cewa Argon baya gida. Amma duk dahaka ya tilasta wa kansa ya duba. Ya dauki taku biyu zuwa ciki, sai yana daukawa, kofan yarufu abayansa.
Thro yajuya, sai anan, asaye a bango na nesa, akwai Argon.
“Kayi hakuri na dameka,” Thor yace, zuciyarsa na bugawa.
“Kazo babu gayyata,” Argon yace.
“Ka gafarce ni,” Thro yace. “Banso nayi shisshigi ba.”
Thor ya kalli kewayensa yayinda idanunsa suka fara sabawa da duhun, sai yaga kananan kendir dayawa, ajere akewaye, akewaye da bakibakin bangon dutsen. Dakin na haskake da kwayan hasken wuta daya, wanda ya shigo ta wata karamar, kewayayen rami a silin. Wannan wurin yafi karfin mutum, babu komai a ciki kuma wani iri.
“Mutane kalilan ne suka taba zuwa nan,” Argon ya mayar. “Dama, bazaka zonan ba saidai na yarda maka. Kofan na buduwa wa wanda naso ne kawai. Wanda bansi ba, bazai taba buduwa ba—bamada karfin duk duniya ba.”
Thor yaji sauki, amma yayi mamakin yadda akayi A rgon tasan yana zuwa. Komai na mutumin nan nada Kaman sihirisihiri a ciki a wurinsa.
“Naci karonda bangane ba,” Thor yace. Yana bukatan yafitar da komai, kuma yaji ra’ayin Argon. “Akwai maciji. Wani whiteback. Ya kusan kai mana hari. Damisana Krohn ne, yacece mu.”
“Mu?” Argon ya tambaya.
Fuskan Thor ya sauya, yagane yayi bayani dayawa, baisan menene zai fada ba kuma.
“Ba ni kadai bane,” yace.
“Kuma kana tare dawa?”
Thor ya ciji harcensa, bai sandeden abin fada ba. Bayan ma, wannan mutumin na kusa da mahaifinta, sarki, kuma watakila zai fada.
“Banga yadda wannan keda muhimmanci ga macijin ba.”
“Gabadaya yana da muhimmanci. Kayi tunanin ko dalilin zuwan macijin kenan daga farko?”
Wannan yakama Thor ba tsaro.
“Ban gane ba,” yace
“Ba kowani alama ne yake nufin kai ba. Wadansu na nufin wasu.”
Thor ya dubi Argon a karamin hasken, yafara ganewa. Ko akwai mumunan kaddara akan Gwen ne? Kuma idan hakane, zai iya dakatar wa?
“Kana iya sauya kaddara?” Thor ya tambaya.
Argon yajuya, ya sallaka dakinsa ahankali.
“Haka, wannan shine tambayan da muketayi na shekaru aruaru,” Argon ya mayar. “Za a iya sauya kaddara? A gefe daya, komai nakan kaddara ne, komai na rubuce. A daya gefen, munada zabi. Zabin ne ke zaban kaddararmu. Yana Kaman abu mara yiyuwa wa wadannan abubuwa biyun—kaddara da zabi—su zauna tare, gefe da gefe, amma suna yi. A inda wadannan sukayi ceto—inda kaddara yahadu da zabi—ne halin mutum ke fara aiki. Kaddar baya cika karyuwa, amma wani lokacin akan murdashi, kokuma a sauya, da babban sadaukarwa da babban ikon zabi. Duk da haka yawancin lokaci, kaddara na nan daram. Yawancin lokaci, mu ‘yan kallo ne, sanye anan domin muga yadda abubuwa zasu faru. Muna ganin Kaman muna tabuka wani abu, amma yawanci bamu tabukawa. Yawancinmu ‘yan kallo ne kawai, ba wadanda akeyi dasu ba.
“To meyasa duniyan ke nuna mana alamu. Idan babu abinda zamu iyayi akansu?” Thor ya tambaya
Argon yajuya yayi murmushi.
“Kanada sauri, yaro, zanbaka wannan. Yawanci, ana nuna mana akamu saboda mushirya kanmu. Ana nuna mana kaddararmu domin bamu lokacin shiri. Wasu lokutan, ba safai ba, ana bamu alama domin mu dauki mataki, domin sauya abinda zai kasance. Amma ba sabam ba.”
“Dagaske ne cewa macijin whiteback na nuna za a yi mutuwa?”
Argon ya kalleshi.
“Haka ne,” yace, daga karshe. “Kuma ba fashi.
Zuciyar Thor ya buga da amsan, da tabbattar da soronsa. Ya kuma ji mamakin fitowa filin Argon.
“Na hadu da daya yau,” Thor yace, “amma bansan waye zai mutu ba. Kokuma idan akwai matakinda zan iya dauka domin na kareshi. Inason na fitar dashi daga zuciyana, amma bazan iyaba. Akowani lokaci tunanin kan macijin nature dani. Saboda menene?”
Argon ya kalleshi na dogon lokaci, sai yayi numfashi mai kara.
“Saboda kowanene zai mutu, zai shafeka kais aye. Zai shafi kaddararka.”
Rikicewan Thor na karuwa; yanajin kowani amsa nadad jawo wasu tambayoyin.
“Amma wannan babu adalci,” Thor yace. “Ina bukatan nasan waye zai mutu. Ina bukatan na gargadesu!”
Ahankali, Argon ya girgiza kai.
“Watakila ba domin kasani bane,” ya bada amsa. “Kuma idan kasani, zai iya zama babu abunda zaka iyayi akai. Mutuwa yakan nemi wanda yakeso—koda an gargadi mutumin.”
“To meyasa aka nuna mani wannan?” Thor ya tambaya, da shan wuya. “Kuma meyasa bana iya cireshi daga kayi na?”
Argon yatako gaba, kurkusa, incina kawai daga Thor; nauyin idanunsa na haske a wannan mara hasken wurin, kuma hakan na baiwa Thor soro. Yayi Kaman kallon rana, kuma shine abind zai iyayi domin kar yak au da ido. Argon yadaga hanu yadaura akan kafadan Thor. Hanun nada sanyin kankara kuma ya girgiza kashin bayansa.
“Kai yaro ne,” Argon yace, ahankali. “Har yanzu kana koyo. Kana jin abubuwa da zurfi. Hangen nesa babban sakamako ne. Amma zai iya zama tsinuwa. Yawancin mutane da suke kaiwa ga kaddararsu basu sanin haka. Wani lokacin abinda yafi zafi shine kasan kaddararka, kasan me zai kasance. Baka ma fara gane baiwarka ba. Amma zaka gane. Wata rana. Daga ga gane daga ina kake.”
“Daga ina nake?” Thor ya tambaya, arikice.
“Daga gidan mahaifiyaraka, da nisa daganan. Gaba da loton, a wajewajen hayaniyan. Akwai wani fada, sama a cikin samania. Yana zama shi kadai akan karshen tudu, koma domin kaiwa zakayi tafiya kan hanayan dutse mai kewayeneniya. Hanyan sihirine—kaman haurawa sama dakansa. Wurine na babban iko. Inda ka fito kenan. Idan ba kakai wurin ba, bazaka taba ganewa gabadaya ba. In har kaje, zaka samu amshoshin duka tambayoyin ka.”
Thor ya kifta ido, sai daya bude idanunsa, yaga kansa, ga mamakinsa, yana saye a wajen dakin Argon. Bashi da masaniyan yadda yadawo wurin.
Iska na dukan ta cikin gefen dutsen, sai Thor na masa ido saboda mumunan hasken rana. Agefensa akwai Krohn asaye, yana kuka.
Thor yakoma kofan Argon kuma yadinga bugawa da duk karfinsa. Amma shuru kawai yakeji.
“Argon!” yayi ihu.
Amma feduwan iska ne kawai ke amsa masa.
Yagwada bude kofan, harda sa kafadansa akai—amma yaki motsi.
Thor yajira na dogon lokaci—bai tabbata da sayin ba—har saida akarshe rana ya yamanta. Daga karshe, yagane lokacinsa yakare.
Yajuya yafara komawa gangaran gefen tudun, yana mamaki. Yaji yakara rikicewa fiye da kowani lokaci, kuma yaji Karin tabbaci cewa mutuwa na zuwa—dukda haka da Karin rashin iya sayar dashi.
Yayinda yake tafiye a wannan wurinda babu kowan, yafara jin wani sanyi a idanun sawunsa sai yaga wani hazo mai kauri yafara haduwa. Ya tashi, yana kara kauri kuma yana kara tashi cikin lokaci. Thor bai gane menene yake faruwa ba. Krohn yayi kuka.
Thor yayi kokarin kara hanzari, yacigaba a hanyarsa na sauka tudun, amma cikin dan lokaci hazon yayi kaurinda, dakyar yake ganin gaban idanunsa.a lokaci guda kuma, yaji gabibinsa sun fara nauyi, kuma, Kaman da sihiri, saman yayiwo duhu. Yana kansa yafara gajiya. Yagagara yin wani takun. Ya dunkulu Kaman bol akasa, adaidai inda yasaya, amamate da hazon. Yayi kokarin bude idanunsa, yayi motsi, amma yagagara. Jimkadan, yayi barci.
*
Thor yaga kansa asaye a saman wani tudu, yana kallon gabadaya gundumomin zoben. Agabansa akwai fadan sarki, ginin, das u kariyan, su lambun, su bishiyoyin das u tudun iya ganinsa—duk a cikaken koshin rani. Filayen na cike da yayan iyace da furanni masu launi, kuma akwai sautin waka da bukukuwa.
Amma yayinda Thor yajuya ahankali, ya kalli komai, ciyawan sun fara juyawa baki. Yayan itace sun fado daga bishiyoin. Sai itatuwan dakansu suka yankwane zuwa babu. Furannin kuma sun bushe, kuma, ga soronsa, gini daya bayan daya suka rushe, sanda masarautar gabadaya yazama babu komai sai rashin kowa, tarin kasa da duwatsu.
Thor ya kalli kasa sai yaga bazato wani babban macijin whiteback yana tafiya asakanin kafafunsa. Yasaya a wurin, yagagara komai, yayinda ya nanade kafafunsa, sai kwankwasonsa, sai hannayensa. Yaji kansa nakan makuruwa, ana mase rai daga jikinsa, yayinda macijin yanade dukan jikinsa sai ya kalleshia fuska, incina kawai baya, yana saki, doguwar harcensa na kusan taba kumatun Thor. Sai ya bude bakinsa da fadi, yanuna manyan hakora, yamike gaba ya hadiye fuskar Thor.
Thor yayi ihu, sai yaga kansa shi kadai a fadar sarki. Gabadaya babu kowa aciki, babu kujeran sarauta a inda da akwai. Takwafin kaddar na kwance a kasa, ba a taba ba. Tagogin duk afashe, burbudin gilasai atare akan dutsen. Yaji suatin waka da nisa, yajuya zuwaga inda sautin yake, yana tafiya daki bakowa kan daki bakowa. Akarshe ya kai manyan kofofin, masu sayin kafa dari, kuma yabudesu da duk karfinsa.
Thor yasaya a kofan zauren liyafan sarki. Agabansa dogayen teburan liyafa guda biyu sun mike dakin gabadaya, sun cika suna zuba da abinci—duk da haka babu mutum ko daya. Akarshen zauren akwai mutum daya. Sarki MacGil. Yana zaune akan kujeran sarautarsa, yana kallon Thor sambai. Yayi yana da nisa.
Thor yaji dole shi yakai gareshi. Yafara tafiya sakanin babban dakin zuwa gareshi, sakaninteburan liyafan guda biyu. Yana tafiya, dukanin abinci dake gefensa duka biyu sun baci, suna ruba da kowani takunsa, suka juya baki kuma diyani kuda suka rufesu. Kuda nata kara suka taru suka kewayeshi, suna yayyaga abincin.
Thor yakara saurin tafiya. Sarkin yafara masowa kusa yanzu, bai kai kafa goma ba, sai wani mai hidima ya bullo daga zauren gefe daukeda wani babban, tulun gwal cike da barasa. Tulun labbabe ne, anyi shi daga dunkulalen gwal sai jeren duwatsun rubies da sapphire suka rufeshi. Yayinda sarkin baya kallo, Thor yaga mai hidiman yazamar da wani farin takarda cikin tulun. Thor yagane cewa gubane.
Mai hidiman yakawoshi kusa, sai MacGil yamika hanu kasa ya kama da hannaye duka biyu.
“Babu!” Thor yayi ihu.
Thor yayi sale zuwa gaba, yana kokarin buge barasan daga hanun sarkin.
Amma hanzarinsa yadan kasa. MacGil yasha barasan a manyan kurbi. Yazubo kumatunsa, gangarawa kirjinsa, yayinda yagama shanshi.
MacGil yajuya sai ya kalli Thor, sai idanunsa suka budu dafadi. Ya mika hanu sama ya kamo makogoronsa sanda, yarufe bakinsa, ya dungura yafado daga kujeran sarautan; yafadi da gefe, ya sauka da karfi akan kasan dutsen. Hular sarautarasa ta gunguro, ta daki kasan dutsen da wani kara, sai ta dungura taku dayawa.
Ya kwanta a wurin, ba motsi, idanu abude, amace.
Estopheles ya sauko, ya dira akan Macil. Yazauna a wurin, ya kalli hor sambai, sai yayi kara. Karan yayi yawa, yasa lashin bayan Thor ya girgiza.
“Babu!” Thor yayi ihu.
*
Thor yatashi yana ihu.
Ya tashi yazauna, ya kalli kewaye, yana gumi, yana numfashi da karfi, yana kokarin gano inda yake. Har yanzu yana kwance akasa, akan tudun Argon. Kaman yayi kwashe da barci anan.hazon yawase,kuma daya kalli sama yaga cewa wayenwan gari ne. Rana mai aunin jan jini na tasowa, yana haska ranan. Agefensa, Krohn yayi kara, yayi sale zuwa cinyarsa, ya lashe fuskarsa.
Thor ya rungumi Krohn da hanu daya yayin numfashi da karfi, yana kokarin yagane ko yatashi ne kokuma yanabarci. Ya daukeshi dogon lokaci kafin yagane mafarki yakeyi. Abin yayi kama da gaskiya.
Thor yaji wani kara sai yajuya yaga Estopheles asaye akan wani dutse, kafa daya kawai daga wurinsa. Babban tsunsun yakalleshi sambai sai yayi kara, ya kuma yasake kumawa.
Sautin yasama Thor wani sanyi a kashin baya. Karanda yayi a mafarkinsa daya yake da wannan, sai a wannan lokacin yasani, da kowani nauyin jikinsa, cewa wannan mafarkin bayani ne.
Za a baiwa sarki guba.
Thor yayi sale zuwa kafafunsa sai, shasken wayewan gari, yafara gangarwa tudun adan guje, ya nufi fadan sarki. Dole yakai ga sarki. Dole ne ya gargadeshi. Watakila sarkin yadukeshi mahaukaci, amma bashi da zabi—zaiyi duk abinda zai iya domin ya ceci rayuwan sarkin.
*
Thor yayi gudu ya sallaka gadan jan, yana gudun kaiwa mashigin fada na waje, said a sa a, masu saro biyun suka ganoshi daga runduna. Sun barshi yawuce batareda sun tareshi ba, sai yacigaba da gudu, Krohn a gefensa.
Thor sallaka cikin fadan sarautan aguje, yawuce su mabulbulan rowan, yayi gudu zuwa mashigin jiki na zuwa ginin sarki. Asaye a wurin akwai masu tsaor guda hudu sun tare masa hanya.
Thor yasaya, yana numfashin tashin iska.
“Menene dalilin zuwanka, yaro?” dayansu ya tambaya.
“Baku ganeba, dole ku barni na shiga,” Thor ya nemi numfashi. “Dole naga sarki.”
Masu tsaron sun kalli juna, suna kwokwanto
“Nine Thorgrin, na rundunan sarki. Dole ku barni nawuce.”
“Nasan shi waye,” maitsaro daya yagaya wa dayan. “Shi daya ne daga cikinmu.”
Amma shugaban masu tsaron ya matso gaba.
“Wani harka kake dashi da sarki?” ya danna.
Thor har yanzu na kokarin maido da numfashinsa.
“Harkanda bazai iya jiraba. Dole naganshi ayanzu.”
“Amma, dole yadinga sammaninka, domin baka da labara. Sarkinmu bayanan. Ta fita da tawagansa sa’o’in da suka wuce, aharkan fada. Bazasu dawo ba sai daddare yau, sai lokacin liyafan sarauta.
“Liyafa?” Thor ya tambaya, zuciyarsa na bugawa. Ya tuna mafarkinsa, teburan liyafan, sai cikin asihirce yaji komai na yiwo rai.
“Haka, liyafa. Idan kai dan runduna ne, na tabbatta zaka kasance a wurin. Amma yanzu ya tafi, kuma babu yadda zaka ganshi. Kadawo yau daddare, tare da shauran.”
“Amma dole ne nabashi aika!” Thor ya nace. “Kafin liyafan!”
“Zaka iya barin bayanin awurina idan kagadama. Amma bazan iya bayar dashi dasauri fiye da kai ba.”
Thor baiso yabar irin wannan bayanin a mai tsaro ba; ya fahimci zaiyi kama da hauka. Dole ne yabayar dakansa, adaren yau, kafin liyafan. Yayi adu’an kar yamakara ne kawai.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA BAKWAI
Thor ya hanzarta yakoma makwancin yan runduna a karshen wayewan gari, cikin sa a yakai kafin horon safe yafara. Ya kararda numfshinsa yayinda yakai, Krohn agefensa, sai ya cikaro da shauran yaran daidai suna tashi, suna fara jeruwa zuwa waje saboda aikace aikacen ranan. Ya saya a wurin, yana numfashi da kyar, yana da damuwa fiye da yadda yataba samu. Yagagara sani yadda zaiyi horon yau din; zai dinga kirga mintoti har liyafan daren, har sai ya iya garagadan sarkin. Ya tabbattar alaman yazo masa saboda ya gabatar da gargadin. Kaddarar masarautar na rataye akan kafadarsa.
Thor yaguda zuwaga Reece da O’Connor yayinda suke kan hanyarsu na fita zuwa filin horo, yanada yanayin gajiya, amma yafara bin jere.
“Ina kaje jiya daddare?” Reece ya tambaya.
Thor yayi fatan da yasan yadda zai mayar da martini—amma shi dakansa ma bai san inda yaje ba. Menene yakamata ya gada? Cewa yabuge da barci a waje akan kasa, akan tudun Argon? Abin baiyi daidai da tunanin mai hankali ba, baima yi da nasa tunanin ba.
“Ban sani ba,” ya amsa, da rashin sanin daidai abinda yakamata ya gaya masu.
“Menene kake nufi da bakasani ba?” O’Connor ya tambaya.
“Na bace,” Thor yace.
“Bace?”
“To, kaci sa’a kasamu dawowa a lokacinda kadawo,” Reece yace.
“Da ka makara adawowa wa ayukan yau, da bazasu barka ka dawo cikin runduna ba,” Elden yakara, yana haurowa gefensu, yabuga wani koshashen hanu akan kafadarsa. “Ganin yayi mana dadi. Jiya anji rashinka sosai.”
Haryanzu Thor nata mamakin halinda Elden ke nuna masa tun lokacin daya gefen loto.
“Yaya abubuwa suka je da yar’uwana?” Reece ya tambaya, da murya kasakasa.
Fuskan Thor ya sauya, da rashin sanin yadda zai mayar da martini.
“Kun hadu da ita?” Reece ya ingizashi.
“Haka, naganta,” ya fara. “Mun samu lokaci mai dadi. Sadai munbar wurin bashiri.”
“Sai,” Reece ya cigaba, yayinda suka jera gefe da gefeagaban Kolk da mutanen sarki, “Zaka samu zarafin sake ganinta da daren yau. Kasa mafi kyawunka. Liyafan sarki ne.”
Cikin Thor ya sauka. Yayi tunanin mafarkinsa sai yaji Kaman kaddara na rawa agaban idanunsa—kuma cewa shi yagagara yin komai, yanada kaddaran kar ya iyayin komai sadai ya kalli yadda abubuwa zasu kasance.
“SHURU!” Kolk yayi ihu, yayinda yafara sama da kasa agaban yaran.
Thor yassandare da shauran yayinda suka yi shuru.
Kolk yacigaba da tafiya sama da kasa ahankali agaban jeren yaran, yana bincikensu.
“Kun samu morewanku jiya. Yanzu lokacin komawa horo ne. kuma yau, zaku koyi sohuwar aikin tona-ramuka.”
Ihun tawaye yatashi ahade asakanin yaran.
“KUYI SHURU!” yayi ihu.
Yaran sunyi shuru.
“Tonon-rami aikine mai wahala,” Kolk yacigaba. “Amma aiki ne mai muhimmanci. Zaku samu kanku wani rana acan daji, kuna sare masarautarmu, babu wanda zaitaimakeku. Za a kasance cikin sanyin kankara, sanyi zaikai jinni yadaina gudu a yatsun kafa, acikin bakin duhun dare, kuma zakuyi koma me domin kusamu kasancewa da dumi. Kokuma kuna iya samun kanku abakin daga, wanda kuna bukatan buya domin kare kanku daga bakan abokan gaba. Za a iya samun miliyoyin dalilai dazasu sa ku bukaci wani rami. Sai wannan lokacin ramin yazama babban abokinka.
“Yau,” yacigaba, ya gyara murya, “zaku kasha ranan kuna tono, har sai hannayenku zun zama ja da ruwanda suka tara kuma bayanku sun sandare, kuma bazaku iya kara daurewa ba. Sai a ranan daga, bazai kasance muku mummunan abu ba.
“KU BINI!” Kolk yayi ihu.
Wani gunagunin bada kunya yasake tasowa yayinda yaran suka rabu zuwa jeri biyu suka fara fareti akan filin, suna bin Kolk.
“Dakyau,” Elden yace. “Tonon-rami. Daidai yadda naso na kashe yau.”
“Zai iya fin muni,” O’Connor yace. “Ruwan sama na iya zuwa.”
Sun daga ido sun kalli sama, sai Thor ya hangi gajimare masu barazana.
“Watakila yazo,” Reece yace. “Kada kaja rashin sa’a.”
“THOR!” wani ihu yazo.
Thor yajuya yaga Kolk na hararansa, can daga gefe. Ya ruga aguje zuwa wurinsa, yana tunanin wani laifi shi yayi.
“Na’am, yallabai.”
“Gwanin mayakinka ya kirayeka,” yace bazato. “Ka sami Erec a gidan fada. Kaci sa’a: baka cikin aikin yau. Zaka yiwa gwaninka hidima maimakon haka, Kaman yadda yakamata kowani daginda maikyau yayi. Amma kada ka dauka wai ka tsira daga tonon-rami. Idan ka dawo gobe, zaka dinga tona ramuka kaima. Yanzu jeka!” yayi ihu.
Thor yajuya yaga kallon kishi da sauran kemasa, sai yaguje daga filin, ya nufi fadan. Me Erec yakeso daga gareshi? Abin nana wani alaka da sarki ne?
*
Thor ya shige cikin fadan sarki aguje, yajuya yagangara wani hanyan da baitaba bi ba—ta wurin makwancin yan Silver. Makwancisu yafi nay an runduna kayatarwa, gineginensu sun ninka nay an rundunan, azane da karfen copper, kuma hanyoyinsu ajere da sabin duwatsu. Domin kaiwa wurin, sanda Thor ya shige ta wani babban mashigi mai lankwashahen sama inda mutanen sarki suke saye suna bada saro. Sai hanyan ya kara buduwa, yamike akan wani babban, budadden fili wanda yak are a wassu gineginen dutse akewaye da Katanga, kuma da dozin dozin na gwanaye suna tsaro. Yakasance kallo gwani ban sha’awa, koda daga nan.
Thor ya gangara hanyan aguje, yana ganuwa a budadden filin. Gwanayen sun riga sun shiryawa isansa, duk da yana da nisa, sun tako gaba suka hada makamansu suka tare hanya dasu, suna kallon gaba sambai, suka ki kulashi yayin tare masa hanya.
Wani harka kake dashi a nan?” dayansu ya tambaya.
“Ina kawo kaina ma aiki ne,” Thor ya mayar. “Nine dan gidan Erec.”
Gwanayen sun kallijuna na rashin yarda dashi, amma wani gwanin yatako gaba ya kada kai. Sunyi taku zuwa baya, suka bude hadadun makaman, sai mashigin ya budu ahankali, kusosin karfensa na tashi, suna kara. Mashigin nada matukar girma, akalla yanada kaurin kafa biyu, sai Thor yayi tunanin cewa wannan wurin nasamun tsaro fiye de fadan sarki da kanta.
“Gini na biyu a gefen dama,” gwanin yayi ihu. “Zaka sameshi a dakunan dawakai.”
Thor yajuya yagangara hanyan cikin haraban aggagauce, ya wuce wata harabar gidajen duwatsu, yana shigar da duk cikin kwanyansa. Komai nada safta anan, kodigo babu, ana bada kula sosai. Duka wurin na bada yanayin karfi.
Thor yasamu gidan, kuma yayi mamakin kallon dake gabansa: dozin dozin na mafi girma da kyawun dawakai da yataba gani suna daure a jeri mas safta daga wajen ginin, mafi yawan su arufe da kayan kariya. Dawakan nada safta. Komai anan nada girma, daraja.
Gwanayen gaske nata sintiri kota ina, suna dauke da ire iren makamai, suna wucewa tacikin haraban akan hanyarsu na fita ta mashigun masu yawa. Wuri ne mai cinkoso, kuma thorn a iyajin kasancewan daga a nan. Wannan wurin ba domin horo bane; wannan wurin domin yaki ne. Rai da mutuwa.
Thor yawuce ta cikin wata karamar, mashiga mai lankwashashen sama, ya gangara wata dakalin bakin dutse, sai yahanzarta wuce dakin doki bayan dakin doki, yana neman Erec. Thor yakai karshen dakunan, amma bai ganshi ba.
“Kana neman Erec ne, ko bahaka ba?” wani mai tsaro ya tambaya.
Thor yajuya ya kada kai.
“Haka ne, yallabai. Ni dan gidansa ne.”
“Ka makara. Yariga yafita waje, yana shirya dokinsa. Kayi dasauri, kenan ba.”
Thor ya gangara dakalin aguje sai ya bulla daga cikin jerin dakunan dawakan zuwa wani budadden fili. Sai ga Erec nan, asaye agaban wani babban, doki mai zuciya, wani bakin doki mai haske da farin hanci. Dokin ya fitar da numfashi yayinda Thor ya iso, sai Erec yajuya.
“Kayi hakuri, yallabai,” Thor yace, yana numfshi samasama. “Nazo da saurin da yasamu gareni. Banso na makara ba.”
“Kazo a daidai lokaci,” Erec yace da murmushin masu hankali. “Thor, ka hadu da Lannin,” ya kara yana nuni zuwaga dokin.
Lannin yasake numfasawa ya buga kafa akasa, Kaman yana mayar da martini. Thor ya mike sama sai ya mika hanu saiya shafa hancinsa; yamayar da martini da kuka ahankali.
“Shine dokin safara na. gwanin mayaki mai matsayi nada dawakai dayawa, yadda zakazo kasani. Akwai daya na gasa, daya na yaki, da kuma daya na dogayen, tafiya shi kadai. Wannan shine wanda kake kula abokantaka mafi kusanci. Yana sonka. Hakan nada kyau.”
Lannin ya mike gaba ya danna hancinsa cikin tafin hanun Thor. Thor yaji mamakin kyawun wannan halittan. Yana ganin basira na kyalli cikin idanunsa. Akwai bansoro; amma yaji Kaman dokin yagane komai.
Amma wani abinda Erec yafada ya jijjiga Thor.
Doguwar tafiya kace, Yallabai?” ya tambaya, da mamaki.
Erec ya daina daura igiyan jan dokin, yajuya ya sai ya kallesi.
“Yau ne ranan aihuwana ya kewayo. Na kai shekara ashirin da biyar. Rana ne mai muhimmanci.
Kokasa ranan zabe?”
Thor ya girgiza kai. “Dan kadan, yallabai; abubuwanda wasu suka gaya mani kawai.”
“Dole ne mu gwanayen mayakan zoben nasabarmu tacigaba, zamani bayan zamani,” Erec ya fara. “Munada zuwa shekarar aihuwar mu na ashirin da biyar domin zabar mata. Idan babu zabbabiya a lokacin, doka yace mu nemi wata. Akan bamu shekara daya mu nemeta, mu kuma dawo da ita. Idan muka dawo babu wata, to sai sarki yabamu daya, sai muyar da daman mu na zaba kenan.”
“Sabodahaka yau, dole ne na fara safaran neman matan aurena.”
Thor ya mayar da kallo, yagagara Magana.
“Amma yallabai, zaka tafi? Na shekara daya?”
Cikin Thor yasauka saboda tunanin wannan. Yaji duniyarsa na rushewa akewaye dashi. Sai a wannan lokacin yagane irin son dashi yakewa Erec; ta wasu hanyoyi, ya zama masa Kaman mahaifi—tabbas mahaifi fiye da ainihin mahaifinsa.
“Amma sai nazama dan gidan wanene?” Thor ya tambaya. “Kuma ina zaka je?”
Thor yatuno yawan sayamasan da Erec yayi, yadda ya ceci ransa. Zuciyarsa ta lume saboda tafiyarsa.
Erec yayi dariya, dariyan rashin damuwa.
“Wani tambayan zan fara baiwa amsa,” yace. “Kada ka damu. An Hadaka da wani sabon gwani. Zaka kasance dan gidansa har nadawo. Kendrick, babban dan sarki.”
Zuciyan Thor ya tashi domin jin wannan; yana jin hadi mai karfi da Kendrick ma wanda, bayan komai, yakasance mutum na farko daya saya masa ya tabbattar masa da guri a cikin runduna.
“Akan tafiya na kuma….” Erec ya cigaba, “…Nima bansani ba tukunna. Nasan zan nufi kudanci, zuwa ta gundumar da na fito, na kuma nemi matan aurena a ta wurin. Idan ban samu a cikin zoben ba, to watakila na ma sallaka teku zuwa gunduma na nanemi wata a wurin.”
“Gundunmar ka, yallabai?” Thor ya tambaya.
Thor yagane cewa ashe bai san asalin wani abu mai yawa akan Erec ba, akan inda yafito. Shi ya saba dauka cewa yafito cikin zoben ne.
Erec yayi murmushi. “Haka ne, da nisa daga nan, asallakin teku. Amma wannan labarin wani lokaci ne. Zai kasance tafiya ami nisa, doguwa, kuma dole na shirya. Saboda haka yanzu ka taimaka mani. Babu lokaci. Daura wa dokina igiyan ja, kuma ka cikashi da duka nau’o’in makamai.”
Kan Thor na juyawa yayinda yafara aiki, ya ruga zuwa dakin makaman dawakai ya ciro wani nunanen kayan kariyan Lannin mai launin baki da azurfa. Yana dawowa aguje da abu daya a kowani lokaci daya, da farko ya daura kariyan jiki abayan dokin, ya mike sama domin rataya shi kewaye da babban jikinsa. Sai Thor ya kara shaffron, siririn, falaken karfe dake rufe kan dokin.
Lannin yayi kuka yayinda yake sawan, amma Kaman yanason kayan. Doki ne mai hali na kwarai, jarumi, Thor na iya fada, kuma yayi Kaman yana sake a cikin kayan kariyan yadda gwanin mayakin mutum zai kasance.
Thor ya koma aguje sai ya dauko takalman sukuwan Erec na gwal, sai ya tamaika wurin sadaya a kowani kafa yayinda Erec ya hau dokin.
Wani makamai zaka bukata, yallabai?” Thor ya tambaya.
Erec ya kalli kasa, yana kama da girmansa yakaru daga ta inda Thor ka kallonsa.
“Yana da wuya nasan ire iren yakin da zan samu a shekaran gabadaya. Amma ina bukatan na iya farauta, kuma na kare kaina. Saboda haka, ina bukatan doguwar takwafina. Kuma yakamata natafi da guntuwar takwafina ma, kwari, jakan baka, guntun mashi, kulki, wuka da kwangirin kariya na. ina ganin wadannan zasu yi.”
“To, yallabai,” Thor yace, sai ya balla cikin aiki. Ya gudu zuwa maratayin makaman Erec, a gefen dakin Lannin, ya binciki dozin dozin din makaman. Akwai ire iren makamai masu gamsara dayawa da za a iya zaba daga ciki.
Ya ciro makaman Erec ya lisafa duka ahankali, yana kawosu ma Erec daya bayan daya kuma yana mikasu wa Erec kokuma ya makala su a rigan kariyan dokin.
Yayinda Erec ya zauna a wurin yana daura safar saman hanunsa na fata, yana shirin tashi, Thor yagagara iya kallon tafiyarsa.
“Yallabai, ina jin aikina ne na raka ka a wannan tafiyan,” Thor yace. “Ni dan gindanka ne ai dama.”
Erec ya girgiza kai.
“Wannan tafiya ne da dole nayisa ni kadai.”
“To zan iya raka ka zuwa akalla sallakawan farko?” Thor ya danna. “Idan zaka nufi kudanci ne, akwai hanyoyi da nasani da kyau. Ni daga kudanci ne.”
Erec ya kalli kasa yana dubawa.
“Idan kana son ka rakani zuwa sallakawar farko, bana ganin wannan da damuwa. Amma tafiyan kan doki na yini daya ne mai wahala, saboda haka dole mutashi yanzu. Ka dauko dokin yan gidana, abayan dakunan dawakai. Mai launin kasan da jan gashin bayan wuya.”
Thor yakoma dakunan dawakan aguje yasamo dokin. Yayinda ya hausa, Krohn ya leko dakansa daga cikin rigarsa sai ya kalleshi a sama kuma yayi kuka.
“Babu damuwa, Krohn,” Thor ya tabbattar.
Thor yamike gaba, ya zunguri dokin domin yafara tafiya, sai ya bullo daga dakin dawakan. Erec baiyi wani jiransa ya iso ba lokacin das hi da Lannin suka ruga da sukuwa. Thor yabi Erec gwargadon ikonsa.
Sun tafi tare suka fita daga haraban sarki, ta mashigin, yayinda dayawan maso tsaro suka jashi yabudu sai suka saya a gefe. Dayawan yan Silver sun jeru, suna kallo, suna jira, sai yayinda Erec ke wucewa, suka daga hannayensu suka sara masa.
Tafiya agefensa ya karawa Thor kumburin kai, da zama dan gidansa, kuma yayi farin cikin rakashi, koda ma zuwa sallakawan farko ne.
Da shauran bayani dayawa da Thor keson yiwa Erec, abubuwa dayawa dayaso ya tambayeshi—kuma abubuwa dayawa dayakeson yamasa godiya akansu. Amma babu lokaci, yayinda dukansu biyu ke sukuwa suna nufan kudanci, suna bulla kan filaye, yanayin wurin nata sauyawa yayin da dawakansu rugawa hanyar sarki a cikin ranar karshen safiya. Yayinda suka wani tudu, daga can Thor na iya ganin duka yan runuduna a wani fili, suna karya bayansu yayinda suke tono. Thor yayi farin cikin rashin kasancewa cikinsu. Yayinda Thor ke kallo, yaga daya daga cikinsu ya saya yadaga hanu zuwagareshi. Gani nada dan wuya a cikin ranan, amma yaji tabbacin Kaman Reece ne yake sarawa. Thor ma yadaga hanu yayinda suka cigaba da tafiya.
Manyan hanyoyi masu kyau sun sauya da hanyoyin kauye marasa samun kula: rashin fadi, gargada, sai akarshe kusan basufi kananan hanyoyin da ba a bi akai akai masu yankawa cikin dajujjuka. Thor yasan nada hatsari wa mutanen kauya su bi wadannan hanyoyin su kadai—tumba ma daddare ba, da dukan barayi da suke afka musu, amma Thor bashi wani babban damuwa game da kansa, musamman ma da Ereca gefensa—kai ma inda dan fashi zai taresu ma, Thor naji ma shi dan fashin ne soron rayuwarsa. Dama, zai zama rashin hankali wa wani barawo ya gwada sayar da mutumin da yakasance dan Silver.
Sun yi tafiya kan dawakai gabadayan ranan, batare da hutawa ba, sanda Thor yagaji, numfashinsa na neman ya dauke. Yagagara yarda da irin juriyanda Erec ke dashi—duk da haka bai isa ya sanar wa Erec cewa yagaji ba, saboda soron kar yadaukeshi rago.
Sun wuce manyan maraban hanyoyi, kuma Thor ya iya ganesu. Ya san cewa idan suka cigaba da nufan dama, yai kawosu kauyensa. Na wani dan lokaci, Thor yaji tunanin gida ya mamayeshi, sai wani bangarensa yaso yabi hanyan, yaga mahaifinsa, kauyensa. Yayi tunanin komenene mahaifinsa kekanyi a yanzu, waye yake kiwon, yaya irin haushinda mahaifinsa yaji da bai dawo ba. Bawai ya damu dashi dayawa ba. Na wannan dan lokacin ne yakejin rashin abubuwanda da yasaba dasu. Yakasance, asali, asake cewa yagudu daga karamin kauyen, kuma wani bangarensa baya son ya taba dawowa.
Sun cigaba da sukuwa, da nisa akan nisa zuwa kudnci, zuwa yankunan da Thor bai taba zuwa ba. Ya taba jin masalakar kudanci, koda yake bai taba samun dalilin zuwa wurin dakansa ba, ya kasance daya daga cikin manyan masallaku uku dake zuwa karshen kudancin zoben. Yanzu yakasance sakaninsa da fadan sarki yakai tafiyan rabin wuni mai kyau, kuma rana yariga yayi sayi a sama. Thor, yana gumi, numfashi akare, ya fara tunani da soron ko zai iya komawa a cikin lokaci domin liyafan sarki na daren yau. Ko yayi kuskure ne daya raka Erec danisa haka?
Sun zaga wani saman tudu, sai akarshe thor yaganshi, a wurin a can inda Kaman sama ya hadu da kasa: bayanannen alaman masallakar farko. Ya alamantu da wani katon, siririn bele, tutar din sarki arataye akansa daga duka bangarori hudu, kuma yan Silver asaye suna saronsa asaman kananan dangan. Daga ganin Erec, gwanin mayakin dake sama ya busa algaitarsa. Ahankali, matarin mashigin yadagu.
Suna daidain dan yadi dari ne kawai, sai Erec ya rage gudun dokinsa zuwa tafiya. Cikin Thor ya kulle yayinda yagane cewa wadannan ne mintunansa na karshe da Erec kafin wani lokaci tsawo. Wayasani, azahiri, idan zai taba dawowa. Shekara daya lokaci ne mai sayi, kuma komai na iya faruwa. Thor yayi farin ciki, akalla, cewa shi yasamu wannan zarafin rakashi din. Yaji Kaman shi ya sauke hakkin dake kansa.
Su biyun na tafiya gefe da gefe, dawakansu na numfashi da karfi, mutanen na nufashi da karfi, yayinda suka nufi doguwar benen.
“Watakila bazan ganka na watanni dayawa ba,” Erec yace. “lokacin d azan dawo, zan kasance da amarya abiye dani. Watakila abubuwa su sauya. Koda yake komenene yafaru, kasani cewa zaka dinga kasancewa dan gidana ne.”
Erec yaja numfashi mai zurfi.
“Yayinda zan barka, akwai abubuwanda nakeson ka tuna. Ba a zama gwanin mayaki da karfi—amma da basira. Himma kadai baya mayar da mutum gwanin mayaki, saidai himma da mutunci da hikima ahade. Dole kayi aiki kulun domin gyara ruhunka. Hali nagari ba abaki yake ba—a aikace yake. Dole kayi aiki akansa, ka kara kaywun kanka, kowani lokacin kowani rana.”
“Acikin wadannan watanni, zaka koyi da amfani da duka nau’o’in makamai, duka irin iyawa. Amma katuna: akwai wani fuska gay akin mu. Fuskan mai sihiri. Ka nemi Argon. Ka koyi fitowa da boyayyun baiwanka. Na jisu ajikinka. Kanada babban haske a gabanka. Ba abin kunya bane. Ka fahimce ni?”
“Haka, yallabai,” Thor ya amsa, yana kumbure da godiya saboda hikimarsa da ganewansa.
“Na zabi na daukeka akarkashina saboda wani dalili. Kai ba Kaman shauran bane. Kanada kaddara mafi girma. Wanda yafi girma, watakila, akan nawama. Amma yakanse haryanzu bai tabbatta ba. Kada ka taba daukansa abin wasa. Dole ka cigaba da aiki akai. Domin zama gwarzon jarumi, ba zaka zama mara soro da mai iyawa ba kawai. Dole ka kasance da ruhun jarumi, kuma ka kasance da wannan akanka da zuciyarka akowani lokaci. Dole ka iya bada ranka domin wasu. Mafi girman gwanin mayaki baya neman dukiya ko girma ko yabo. Mafi girman gwanin mayaki dauki mafi wahalan dukan nema: neman ka mayar da kanka mai kara kyau a kowani lokaci. A kowani rana, dole kanemi Karin kyau. Ba fin shauran kyau ba kawai—amma kafi kanka kyau. Dole kanemi ka dauki damuwan wadanda basu kaika ba. Dole ka kare wadanda bazasu iya kare kansu ba. Ba nema ne na masu raunin zuciya ba. Name ne na gwarzaye,”
Zuciyan Thor nata juyawa yayinda yake shigar da bayanin duka, yana tunani akan kalmomin Erec ahankali. Ya rinjayu da godiya masa, kuma yagagara sanin yadda zai mayar da martini. Ya ji cewa zai dauki watanni kafin asalin bayanin ya shigeshi.
Sun kai mashigin masallakar farkon, suna kaiwa, dayawan ‘yan Silver sun fito domin gaisawa da Erec. Sun hauro wurinsa akan dawakai, manyan murmushi a fuskarsu, kuma yayin saukansa sonata buga masa hanu a baya, Kaman sofofin abokanai.
Thor ya sauko, ya karbi igiyan jan Lannin, sai ya jagoranceshi zuwaga mai lura da mashigin, domin ya ciyar ya kuma sefeshi. Thor yasaya a wurin yayinda Erec yajuya ya kalleshi, karo na karshe.
A sallamansu na karshe, Thor nada abubuwa dasukayi yawa dake son yafada. Yaso yagode masa. Amma kuma yaso yagaya masa komai. Da alaman. Da mafarkinsa. Da tsoronsa ma sarkin. Yayi tunanin watakila Erec zai fahimta.
Amma yagagara kawo kansa ga fada. Erec yariga ya kewayu da gwanayen mayaka, kuma Thor na soron Erec—da dukkansu—zasuyi tunanin ko ya haukace ne. Saboda haka yasaya a wurin, yayinda Erec ya mika hanu ya kamo kafadarsa wani karo na karshe.
“Ka kare sarkinmu,” Erec yace babu shakka.
Kalmominsa sun sa wani sanyi yah aura kashin bayan Thor, Kaman Erec ya karanci zuciyarsa.
Erec yajuya, yayi tafiya ta cikin mashigin tare da wasu gwanayen mayakan, yayinda suke wucewa, bayansu ajuya gareshi, sandunan karfen sun sauko ahankali.
Erec yatafi yanzu. Thor yaji wani rami a cikinsa. Watakila sai bayan shekara daya gabadaya kafin yagansa.
Thor ya dale dokinsa, yakamo igiyan jan, sai ya bugeta da karfi. Rana ya zo kuma yanada tafiyan rabin wuni mai kyau domin yasamu halartan liyafan. Yaji kalmomin Erec na karshe sonata dawowa a cikin kansa, Kaman wani maimaici.
Ka kare sarkinmu.
Ka kare sarkinmu.
SURA NA ASHIRIN DA TAKWAS
Thor na tafiya bias dokin acikin duhu, ya ruga cikin mashigin harabar sarki, kusan babu wani rage tafiyan dokinsa yayinda ya dire daga kansa, yana numfashi da karfi, kuma ya baiwa wani mai hidima igiyan jansa. Yakasance atafe bias dokin duk wunin yau, rana yafadi tun sa’o’i da suka wuce, kuma yana iya gani daga dukan hasken toci da ke ciki, yaji daga duk mafarkun bayan mashigin, cewa liyafan sarkin na cigaba. Yayi wa kansa fada domin kasancewa bayanan na irin wannan dogon lokacin, kuma yayi fata kawai cewa bai riga ya makara ba.
Ya ruga zuwa mai hidima mafi kusa.
“Komai na daidai a ciki?” ya tambaya agurguje. Dole yasani kosarki nanan da lafiyarsa—kodashike bazai iya tambayansa kaisaye ko an bashi guba ba.
Mai hidiman yakalleshi, yana mamaki.
“Kuma mai zai hana? Komai na daidai, sadai ka makara. Yan rundunan sarki yakamata su dinga zuwa akan lokaci. Kuma kayan ka sunyi dauda. Kana zaman mumunan misali acikin yan’uwanka. Wanke hannayenka, sai ka hanzarta ciki.”
Thor ya ruga ta mashigin, yana gumi, yasa hanayensa a wani karamin kwaryan dutse acike da ruwa, ya wasa afuskansa, ya zuba kan dogon kashinsa. Ya kasance yana tafe ne tun dasassafe, kuran kan hanya ya rufeshi, kuma yanaji Kaman ranaku goma ne suka hadu suka zama daya. Yaja numfashi mai zurfi, yayi kokarin kwantar da hakalinsa ya kuma nuna nitsuwa, sai ya taka da sauri ya gangara dakali bayan dakali, ya nifu manyan kofan zauren liyafan.
Yayinda yashiga ciki, ta manyan kofofi masu lankwashashen sama, yakasance Kaman yadda yake a mafarkinsa: agabansa akwai teburan liyafan guda biyu, akewaye da mutane. Surutun ya bugi Thor Kaman yanada rai, zauren a cike da mutane azahiri. Ba mutanen sarki, yan Silver day an rumduna kadai ke zaune a teburan liyafan ba, amma daruruwan wasu, matafiyan mawaka, kungiyoyin masu rawa, masu bada dariya, dozin dozin din mata daga gidajen karuwai… akwai har way au duka nau’o’in masu hidima, masu tsaro, karnuka sonata yawo aguje. Wurin yakasance da hayaniya.
Mutane sonata shan barasa daga manyan tuluna, kuma dayawansu nasaye, suna wakokin buguwa, arungume da juna, suna buga kofunansu da juna. Akwai ire iren abinci ashimfide akan teburan, aladun daji da barewa da duka nau’o’in namomin daji na gasuwa akan sanduna agaban wuta. Rabin dakin suna ci irin na handama, shauran kuma suna yawo suna hira a dakin. Kallon hayaniyan cikin dakin, ganin yanayin buguwan mutanen, Thor ya fahimci cewa daya iso da sauri fiye da haka, lokacinda aka fara, da nitsuwan yafi haka. Yanzu, a wannan makararen lokacin, yayi Kaman yazama Karin bukin bugaggu.
Martanin Thor na farko, bayan yin mamaki, shine sakewa mai zurfi dayaga sarki na raye. Yaja numfashin samun sauki. Yana lafiya. Ya sake tunanin ko wancan alaman bai nufi komai ba, ko mafarkinsa bai nufi komai ba. Amma duk da haka, yagagara ture yanayin da yakeji. Harwayau yanajin wani matsuwan son kaiwa ga sarki.
Ka kare sarkin mu.
Thor ya tutura hanyarsa zuwa cikin taron jama’a mai kaurin, yana kokarin bin dogwar hanyar dake kaiwa ga sarkin. Tafiyan baya sauri. Mutanen sun bugu kuma sun hargise, amake kafada da kafada, kuma MacGil na zaune daruruwan kafa daga can.
Thor ya lallaba yakai rabin hanya a sakanin taron mutanen sai ya saya, bazato ya hangi Gwendolyn. Tana zaune a daya daga cikin kanakanan tebura, dakenan daga gefeb zauren, akewaye da masu hidimanta. Tayi Kaman tanada damuwa, wanda ya bambamta da ainihin kamaninta. Abincinta da abinshanta sunanan bata tabasu ba, kuma ta koma gefe da zama, aware daga shauran yan dangin sarauta. Thor yayi tunanin ko wani damuwa ne yafaru.
Thor ya fice daga taron jama’an ya hanzarta zuwa gurinta.
Ta daga ido taganshi yana zuwa, amma maimakon tayi murmushi, Kaman yadda tasaba, fuskanta ya bakantu, a karo na karko, Thor yaga haushi a cikin idanunta.
Gwen ta tura kujeranta, ta tashi, tajuya bayanta, sai ta fara tafiya.
Thor yaji Kaman an soka masa wuka a zuciya. Yagagara gane martaninta. Ko yayi wani laifi ne?
Ya zagaya tebirin aguje, ya hanzarta zuwa gareta, ya kamo wuyan hanunta ahankali.
Ta bashi mamaki da wurgar da hanunsa, tajuya kuma tad aura masa fuska.
“Kada ka yarda ka tabani!” tayi ihu.
Thor ya jabaya da taku daya, martaninta ya girgizashi. Wannan Gwendolyn daya sani ne kuwa?
“Kiyi hakuri,” yace. “Banyi nufin cutar dake ba. Kuma ba raini ba. Naso nayi Magana dake ne kawai.”
“Bani da raguwan kalmomi maka,” tayi fushi, idanunta ahaskake da babban haushi.
“Maidakina, yi hakuri ki gaya mani, wani laifi na maki? Koda menene, tuba nakeyi.”
“Abinda kayi bazai magantu ba. Babu tubanda zai isa. Shine abinda ka kasance.”
Ta fara tafiya kuma, sai wani gefen Thor yayi tunanin yabarta, amma daya gefen yagagara tafiya kawai, ba abayan abinda ya shiga sakaninsu ba. Dole yasani—dole yasan dalilin dayasa ta tsaneshi dayawa haka.
Thor yayi gudu zuwa gabanta, ya tare mata hanya. Bazai barta ta tafi ba. Ba a haka ba.
“Gwendolyn, kiyi hakuri. Kiyi hakuri kawai ki bani dama daya domin nasan menene nayi. Kiyi hakuri, ki bani wannan kawai.”
Ta mayar da harara, tana haushi, hannaye akan kwankwasonta.
“Ina ganin ka sani. Ina ganin ka sani da kyau.”
“Bansani ba,” Thor yace da gaskiya.
Ta kalleshi, Kaman tana lissafinsa, sai daga karshe, tayi Kaman ya yarda da maganansa.
“Daren kafin rananda ka hadu dani, an gaya mani cewa ka ziyarci gidan karuwai. Cewa kasamu yadda kakeso da mata dayawa. Kuma kaji dadinsu dukan daren. Sai, yayinda rana yataso, lazo wurina. Wannan ya tunatar dakai? Ina kyaman halinka. Kyaman cewa nataba haduwa dakai, cewa kataba ni. Ina fatan bazan sake ganin fuskanka ba. Ka mayar dani wawuya—kuma babu mai mayar dani wawuya!”
“Maidakina!” Thor yayi ihu, yana koarin ya sayar da ita, yanason yayi bayani. Ba gaskiya bane!”
Amma wata kungiyan mawaka ta shiga sakaninsu, sai ta ruga ta tafi, ta zame cikin taron mutanen da saurinda yagagara samunta. Cikin dan lokaci, yarasa ta gaba daya.
Thor na konewa ta ciki. Yagagara yarda cewa wani yasameta, ya gaya mata karya akansa, yajuya tunaninta akansa. Yayi tunanin kowaye ne yayi wannan. Amma babu ma wani amfani yanzu; sakaninsa da ita yariga yabaci. Yafara mutuwa ta ciki.
Thor yajuya yafara tangal tangal adakin, yana tuna sarkin, yanajin babu wani abinda yarage masa, Kaman bashi da wani dalili na rayuwa kuma.
Kafun yaje nisan wasu kaffofi, babu sammani Alton ya bullo, yatare masa hanya, yana masa tsiya da wani murmushi. Yana sanye das afar kwafri na siliki, rigar velvet, da hula mai gashin tsunsu. Ya kalli Thor a kasa, da dogayen hancinsa da haba, kuma da mafi yawan girman kai da jiji da kai.
“To, to,” yace. “Idan bad an talakan bane. Kariga kasamu matan-aurenkan anan kuwa? Ai baka samu ba. Ina ganin gulma yariga ya bazu danisa dakuma fadi akan harkanka na gidan karuwai.” Yayi murmushi ya maso kusa, yanuna kananan, hakora masu launin kwai. “Kai, na tabbatta gulman yabazu.”
“Kasan abinda ake fada: idan akwai dan gaushin gaskiya, yakan tayar da gulma. Nasamu wannan gaushin. Yanzu kuma sunanka yabaci, yaro.”
Thor akumbure da haushi, abin ya isheshi. Ya taso sai ya naushi Alton a wuya, yaka dashi.
Bayan dan lokaci, mutane ne akansa, yan’uwansa a runduna, mayaka, suna raba su, suna jansu su rabu.
“Ka wuce kan iyankanka, yaro!” Alton yayi ihu, yana nuna masa yasa tasaman jikukkunan mutane. “Babu wanda yake taba dan gidan sarauta! Zaka ratayu a turu iya rayuwanka! Zan sa akama ka! Ka tabbattar da haka! Daga gari yaw aye zansa azo neman ka!” Alton yayi ihu, sai yajuya ya bubbuga kafa yatafi.
Thor bai damu kokadan da Altor ba, ko masu tsaronsa. Yana tunanin sarkin ne kawai. Ya tutture yan rundunan sai yajuya wa MacGil. Ya tutture mutane subar hanya yayinda ya hanzarta wa tebirin sarkin. Zuciyarsa nata jujjuyawa da tunani, kuma yagagara yarda da yadda abubuwa suka juya. Gashinan, daidai lokacinda tauraronsa yafara tashi, sai wani macijin buntu ya bata masa suna, ya samu ancuceshi an dauke masa masoyiyarsa. Kuma yanzu, gobe, barazanan daureshi a kurkuku. Kuma da sarauniya bata sonsa, yanasoron kar watakila hakan yafaru.q
Amma Thor bai damu da dukanin wannan ba yanzu. Duk abinda yadamesa shine kare sarkin.
Yakara turi da karfi yayinda yake saga hanyarsa cikin taron mutane, yacikaro da wani mai bada dariya, yawuce tacikin shirinsa, sai akarshe, bayan yakara turawa cikin masu hidima uku kuma, ya iya kaiwa tebirin sarkin.
MacGil ya zauna a sakiyan tebirin, wani babban tulun barasa a hanu daya, kumatunsa sunyi ja, yana dariyan nishadantarwan. Yana kewaye da duka manyan janarorinsa, sai Thor yasaya agabansu, ya tura yasamu hanya har zuwa gaban bencin, sanda akarshe, sarkin yaganeshi.
“Maigidana,” Thor yayi ihu, yanajin mstauwan dake muryarsa dakansa. “Dole nayi Magana dakai! Kayi hakuri!”
Wani mai tsaro yazo janye Thor, amma sarki yadaga tafin hanunsa.
“Thorgrin!” MacGil yayi ihu da mai zurfin, muryan sarakunansa, abuge da barasa. “Yaro na. Me yasa ka nufo tebirinmu? Tebirin yan runduna na can.”
Thor ya sunkuyar da kai kasakasa.
“Sarkina, kayi hakuri. Amma dole ne nayi Magana da kai.”
Wani mawaki yakada faranti a kunnen Thor, sai daga karshe, MacGil yayi nuni cewa ya daina. Wakan yayi shuru, sai duka janarorin suka juya suka kalli Thor. Thor yaji duka idanun da ke kansa.
“To, matashi Thor, yanzu filin naka ne. Kayi Magana. Menene da bazai iya jira zuwa gobe ba?” MacGil yace.
“Maigidana,” Thor yafara, amma yasaya. Menene zai fada daidai? Cewa yayi mafarki? Cewa yaga wata alama? Cewa yanajin za a bawa sarki guba? Zai zama maganan nada ma’ana?
Amma bashi da zabi. Dole ne yacigaba.
“Maigidana, nayi wata mafarki,” yafara. “Mafarkin akanka ne. a wannan zauren liyafan, a cikin wannan wurin. Mafarkin yakasance…cewa kada kasha barasa.”
Sarkin ya dago zuwa gaba, idanunsa suka budu da fadi.
“Cewa kada nasha barasa?” ya maimaita, ahankali kuma murya adage.
Sai, bayan wani dan lokaci na shurun mamaki, MacGil ya kwanta baya sai ya fashe da dariya, yana girgiza tebirin gabadaya.
“Cewa kada nasha barasa!” yasake maimaitawa. “Wannan wani irin mafarki ne! yakamata na kirashi sumbatu!”
Sarkin ya kwanta baya sai yayi ihu, sai dukan mutanensa suka shiga dariyan suma. Yanayin Thor yasauya, amma bazai iya komawa da baya yanzu ba.
MacGil yayi kira da hanu, sai wani mai tsaro yatako gaba ya kuma cafke Thor yafara tafiya dashi—amma Thor ya kufce da karfi daga rikon mai tsaron. Yariga ya daura zuciyarsa. Dole ya bawa sarki wannan bayanin.
Ka kare sarkinmu.
“Sarki na, ina bukatan ka saurara!” Thor yayi ihu, fuskansa jajazur, ya danna gaba sai ya buga hanunsa akan tebirin.
Dukan ya girgiza tebirin, sai dukan mutanen sarkin suka juya suka kalli Thor.
Shurun mamaki ya mamaye wurin, yayinda fuskan sarki ya sauya ya dauru.
“KANA bukata?” MacGil yayi ihu. “Baka bukatan komai daga wurina, yaro!” yayi ihu, haushinsa na karuwa.
Tebirin ya kara yin shuru, kuma Thor yaji kumatunsa sun zama ja da kunyatarwa.
“Sarki na, ka gafarce ni. Banso na rainaka ba. Amma na damu ne da lafiyanka. Kayi hakuri. Kada kasha barasa. Nayi mafarkin an baka guba! Kayi hakuri. Na damu dakai sosai. Dalilina na fadan haka kenan kawai.”
Ahankali, fuskar MacGil tasake. Ya kalli idanun Thor da zurfi sai yayi doguwar numfashi.
“Haka, ina iya ganin cewa ka damu. Koda ka kasance wawan yaro. Na yafe maka rashin ladabinka. Jeka yanzu. Kuma kada kasa na kara ganin fuskanka daganan zuwa safe.”
Ya kira masu tsaronsa da hanu, sai suka cafke Thor suka tafi dashi, dakarfi wannan karon. Sai tebirin ahankali takoma nishadinta yayinda duk suka koma shan barasansu.
Thor, da aka ja zuwa kafafu dayawa a can, yana konuwa da haushin. Yana soro saboda abubuwanda ya iakata anan daddaren nan, kuma yana jin cewa gobe shi zai ga sakamako. Watakila ma ace yabar nan. Har abada.
Yayinda masu tsaron ke masa turin karshe, Thor yasamu kansa a tebirin yan runduna, watakila kafa ashirin daga wurin sarki. Yaji wani hanu akan kafadansa sai yajuya yaga Reece asaye a wurin.
‘Nayita nemanka gabadaya yau. Menene yafaru dakai?” Reece ya tambaya. “Kana kama da kaga fatalwa!”
Thor ya rikice dayawa har yagagara mayar da martini.
“Zo ka zauna dani—na kama maka wurin zama,” Reece yace.
Reece yaja Thor zuwa gefensa azaune, a wani tebirinda aka ware wa iyalan sarki. Godfrey nadauke da barasa a kowani hanu, kuma Gareth na zaune a gefensa, yana kallo da idanu masu kiftawa. Thor yayi fata kan fata cewa Gwendolyn takasance a wurin, itama, amma bata nan.
“Menene, Thor?” Reece ya ingizashi, yayinda ya zauna a gefensa, “Kana hararan wannan tebirin Kaman zai cijeka.”
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Idan nagaya maka, bazaka yarda ba. Saboda haka gomma na bar bakina arufe.”
“Gaya mani. Kana iya gaya mani komai,” Reece ya ingizashi da kaurin murya.
Thor yaga kallon dake cikin idonsa, sai yagane cewa, akarshe, wani na daukansa da muhimmanci. Yaja numfashi mai zurfi sai yafara. Bashi da wani asara.
“Wancan ranan, a cikin daji, tare da yar’uwanka, munga wani macijin whiteback. Tace wai alaman mutuwa ne, kuma na yarda haka ne. naje wurin Argon kuma ya tabbattar cewa mutuwa na zuwa. Bayan haka da kadan, nayi mafarkin cewa mahaifinka zai sha guba. Anan. Yau. A wannan zauren. Ina jinsa a cikin su kashina. Za a bashi guban. Wani na neman ya kasheshi,” Thor yace.
Ya fadi komai da sauri, ya kuma ji dadin sauke nauyin dake kirjinsa. Yaji dadin samun wani wanda ya ainihin kasa kunne.
Reece yayi shuru yayinda ya kalli cikin idanunsa na dogon lokaci. Akarshe, yayi Magana.
“Kayi kama da kafadi gaskiya. Bani da shakka. Kuma naji dadin damuwan da kayi da lafiyan mahaifina. Na yarda da magananka. Na yarda. Amma mafarku nada rikitarwa. Yawancin lokaci basu kasancewa yadda muke tunani.”
“Nagaya wa sarki,” Thor yace. “Kuma sunyi dariya na. tabbas, zai sha a daren nan.”
“Thor, nayarda kayi mafarkin nan. Kuma na yarda kana jin wannan. Amma nakanyi mugayen mafarku, nima, a gabadayan rayuwana. Wancan daren, nayi mafarkin an koreni daga fada, sai natashi inajin anyi haka. Amma ba a koreni ba. Ka fahimta? Mafarku abubuwan basabam bane. Kuma Argon yana Magana a habaicine. Bai kamata ka daukeshi da muhimmanci ba. Mahaifina na lafiya. Duka muna lafiya. kayi kokarin zama kasha’u ka sake. Kuma ka ji dadi.”
Da wannan, Reece ya jinginu a kujerarsa, arufe da barguna, yasha barasa. Ya kira wani mai hidima da hanu, wanda ya ajiye wani babban bangaren naman gada agaban Thor, tare da tulun shan barasa.
Amma Thor yazauna a wurin ne kawai, yana kallon abicinsa. Yaji duk duniyarsa gabadaya na narkewa akewaye dashi. Kuma baisan me yakamata yayi ba.
Yagagara tunanin komai banda mafarkinsa. Yayi Kaman kasance acikin sunbatu amma atashe, yazauna a wurin, yana kallon kowa na shayuwada kuma liyafa akewaye dashi. Abinda ya iyayi kawai shine ya kalli dukan barasan sha din, dukanin tulunan, masu nufan wurin sarki. Yana kallon kowani mai raba abinci da kyau, kowani tulun barasa. Duk lokacinda sarki ya kurba, Thor najin soro ajikinsa.
Thor ya matsu. Yagagara kallon wani wurin. Yayita kallo akan kallo na abinda yayi kama da sa’o’i.
Daga karshe, Thor ya hangi wani mai raba abinci na musamman wanda ya nufi sarki da wani tulunda ya bambamta da shauran. Yayi kato, an kuma yishi daga asalin gwal, arufe da adon duwatsun ruby da sapphire.
Daidai yake da tulun cikin mafarkin Thor.
Thor, zuciyansa na bugawa a cikin kirjinsa, ya kalla da tsoro yayinda mai rabawan ya kusanci sarki. Lokacinda yarage masa kafa daya kawai, Thor yagagara kara hakuri. Kowani ma’aunin jikinsa na ihun cewa wannan ne tulu mai guban.
Thor yayi tsalle daga tebirinsu, yatutture hanyarsa cikin taron jama’a mai kaurin, yana doke kowa dake kan hanyarsa da gwiwar hanunsa.
Daidai sarkin ya karbi tulun a hanunsa kenan, Thor yayi tsalle zuwa kan tebirinsa, ya mika hanu, sai ya doke wannan tulun daga hanun sarkin.
Jan numfashin soro ya cika zauren gabadaya yayinda tulun yayi tsalle sai ya diro akan dutse da wani babban kara.
Zauren gabadaya ya koma yayi shuru. Kowani maiwaka, kowani mai carafke, sun saya. Daruwan maza da mata duk sun juya suna kallo.
Sarkin yatashi ya harari Thor a kasa.
“Waye kai!” sarkin yayi ihu. “Kai yaro ami raini! Zan daureka a turu saboda wannan!”
Thor yasaya a wurin, yana soro. Yaji duniyan gabadaya na rushewa akansa. Yaso kawai shi yabace.
Babu sammani, wani kare yazo inda barasan ya zuba a kasa, sai ya lallashe duka. Kafin Thor ya mayar da martini, kafin dakin yafara motsi kuma, duka idanu sun koma kan Karen, wanda yafara wasu mununan, mara dadin jin ihu.
Bayan dan lokaci, Karen ya daskare sai ya fadi da gefe, amace. Dukan dakin sun kalli Karen da numfashin soro.
“Kasan barasan gubane!” wani murya yayi ihu.
Thor yajuya yaga yarima Gareth asaye a wurin, yazo zuwa gefen sarkin, yana mika yasar tukuma ga Thor.
“Yaya zaka iya sanin cewa ansa guba? Sadai idan kaine kasa! Thor yayi kokarin kasha sarki!” Gareth yayi ihu.
Taron jama’an gabadaya sun amsa da haushi.
Ku kaishi kurkuku,” sarki yabada ummurni.
Bayan dan lokaci, Thor yaji maso tsaro suna kamashi da karfi daga baya, suna janshi ta cikin zauren. Yana motsi yana son yayi tawaye.
“Babu!” yayiwo ihu. “Baku fahimta ba!”
Amma Babu wanda ya saurareshi. Anyashi ta cikin taron mutanen, da sauri, kuma yayin tafiya dashi, ya kalli yadda duk suka bace masa, yadda rayuwansa gabadaya yabace masa. Sun sallaka zauren da kuma wani kofan gefe, kofan ya rufu abayansu.
Nan yayi shuru babu hayaniya. Bayan dan lokaci, Thor yaji yana sauka. Hannaye dayawa na jansa a gangarawa murdadun matakalar dutse. Duhu nata karuwa bayan karuwa, sai jim kadan yafara sautin yan kurkuku.
Wani kofan dakin tsare mutane na karfe ya budu, sai ya fahimci inda ake kaishi. Kurkuku.
Yayi motsi, yana kokarin tawaye, kokarin ya kwufce.
“Baku fahimta ba!” yayi ihu.
Thor ya daga ido yaga wani mai tsaro ya tako zuwa gaba, wani babban, mara tausyin mutun da fuska mara samun gyara da kuma hakora masu launin kwai.
Ya harari Thor.
“Ai, na fahimta sosai,” muryarsa na barazana yazo.
Yaja hanunsa baya, sai abin karshe da Thor yagani ne hanunsa, yana kan saukowa tabbas wa fuskansa.
Sai duniyarsa ta bakance.
