Daylight shone through the hut and warmed it. The drifter was already up and about. He had a decent night's sleep. It was no inn but at least he didn't have to pay. And the threat of Abalojok cutting his throat in his sleep never came to pass. But he didn't want to tempt the fate of her dragging him and feeding him to the lions. Once he had checked his backpack, he grabbed his wizard staff then left the hut.

  As Benga walked through the village, he noticed a furore about the village, he saw a gathering of people around one of the huts. Some of the women frantically ran in and out of a certain hut. Not one of them was Abalojok. Loud screams that sounded like a woman in great distress came from the hut. Benga stopped for a moment to wonder what was going on. Then he remembered something about one of the women in the village who was pregnant and was about to give birth. Perhaps it was her?

  He thought about going into the hut to check out what was happening then shrugged away the thought from his head. It was none of the sorcerer's business. Babies are born every day and the village women had everything under control. Besides, he had things to do and people to meet. It would be a long walk and it was best to get started. Benga said a prayer to Khonvoum, the Mbuti's chief god, for him to watch over the birth. With that done, Benga left the village.

  Inside the hut, the screaming had finally stopped. The women, young and old, including Abalojok, had gathered around Alum. She had passed out from the pain and exhaustion. One of the women dabbed Alum's head with a wet cloth. Another woman felt Alum's baby bump, checking it over. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Alum should've had her baby by now. Once the old woman had finished checking Alum over, she shook her head.

  “I'm afraid this isn't good,” said the old woman with an aged voice that carried wisdom.

  “What's wrong?” Asked Abalojok.

  “Come with me, child. I have to discuss this matter with you, Ongora and Chief Adwong.”

  The old woman got up then left the hut, closely followed by Abalojok.

  Outside the hut, Adwong stood next to his son, Ongora, who was a mix of emotions that somehow managed to show on his face. Any moment, Ongora's firstborn would take their first breath in the world. But what was taking so long? Was it normal?

  Ongora was his father's son, physically but with some differences. Ongora wasn't as tall as Adwong, only a 'mere' six feet three inches. Plus, he had a slightly darker skin tone compared to his father. Other than that, the two were very similar, physically. He had just turned twenty-one years old.

  Both father and son had similar facial features. What differed were Ongora's eyes and mouth. Ongora's eyes had a warmth and playfulness to them. His mouth had smile lines. He wore a simple brown bark cloth wrapped over one shoulder, covering his torso and upper thighs.

  Abalojok and the old woman came outside. Ongora's face perked up as both he and Adwong turned to face them.

  “I'm a father,” shouted Ongora with glee. “Step aside. Let me see my baby and Alum.”

  “Hold it, boy,” said the old woman, halting Ongora with her arm. “I have something to discuss with you.”

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  Ongora looked shocked. He tried to move the woman's arm aside but she stood firm.

  “What are you doing? What's going on?” asked Ongora.

  “Hold on a moment, boy,” ordered the chief. “Let the woman speak.”

  Ongora stood back at his father's side, Abalojok had joined them as well. The old woman let out a sigh and held her head down. Her face was a mask of sadness.

  “... I'm afraid that there has been a complication with the birth,” said the old woman.

  “What do you mean, 'complication'?” asked Adwong.

  “The baby... The baby is stuck in the womb,” she replied.

  “Then prepare a C-section for my wife,” Ongora demanded with frustration. “Why are you telling me this? We've done plenty of C-sections an-.”

  “Alum is also suffering from a lot of internal bleeding... So much so that she wouldn't survive the caesarean... I'm afraid that in order for your baby to live... Alum must...”

  The old woman's words pierced Ongora like a spear. Tears welled up in the young man's eyes. The world around him became a blur, he didn't even notice his sister wrapping her arms around him. It wasn't meant to happen like this. He was meant to be a proud father and husband. His wife and child would be his whole world, not for him to lose one world to gain another. This day was supposed to be the happiest day in his life instead fate would turn his day bittersweet.

  “There must be a better alternative,” said Adwong. Despite feeling his son's pain, he stood stoically. He figured that he needed to be strong for Ongora.

  “I don't see any other options,” replied the old woman.

  “What about an arcaenetics healer? They would be able to heal Alum while you perform the caesarean.”

  “True but we have none and by the time we get one, it'll be too late.”

  The idea instantly popped up in Abalojok's head. There was somebody who could help. That certain somebody helped her once before.

  “How long has Alum got?” asked Abalojok.

  “I don't know. Not too long,” replied the old woman.

  The young woman's face looked determined. “Okay. Don't worry, Ongora. I know somebody who will save both Alum and the baby.”

  She hugged her brother then headed off to find Benga.

  Abalojok ran to the hut Benga had stayed in, shouting 'Little man' over and over. However, when she entered the hut, she was met with emptiness. Where did he go?

  She ran through the village shouting for the sorcerer, asking every villager she saw if they had seen him. One villager, a sentry, saw the sorcerer leave the village, heading in the direction of the city. She thanked him then left the village to find Benga. Time was not on her side and every second mattered.