The sun hung low in the sky. The hustle had partially returned to the village as some of its inhabitants were out and about. However, most of them had stood outside a hut, anxiously waiting and focusing their gaze on it. The tension on the villagers' faces was clear to see. Mikumbi leaned back on the mud brick wall with a casual smile on his face. He too eagerly awaited the result within the hut.

  The door creaked open. Msolumsi walked out of the door, fixing her kanzu and phewing a long breath. She felt the stares of the villagers across her face and body.

  “He's healed and should make a full recovery,” said the apprentice.

  The crowd erupted with cheers and praises to their gods. The relief on their faces couldn't be compared. The mysterious illness that had gripped the village and brought it to a halt was finally gone. Some of the crowd surrounded the sorcerers, thanking them. A pretty, young woman kissed Mikumbi on the cheek. Msolumsi playfully feigned jealousy by shaking her head. Mikumbi shrugged. It happened often. One of the perks of the job.

  Some of the crowd had insisted that the sorcerers stay for a feast. And why not? This was the perfect time to celebrate. It was getting late and they needed a place to stay.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  However, for Mikumbi, this was the time for concern, not celebration. The sickness had all the traits of something supernatural. The village was free from the sickness but for how long? It could easily come back and infect the village once more. Luckily for the villagers, the wizard warrior knew the cause of the illness and he was already scheming on what to do next. That plan just coincidently involved feasting.

  Mikumbi addressed the crowd, standing straight and with purpose.

  “Msolumsi and I are honoured that you've invited us to feast and we accept that invitation. However, we insist on a couple of things,” The crowd looked on, hanging on Mikumbi's every word. “One, a hut for myself and Msolumsi. Two, all the coconut water, coconut milk and palm oil you can muster.”

  “Agreed,” shouted one of the villagers.

  “Let's start the celebrations.”

  As the crowd went away to prepare, Msolumsi walked up to her teacher.

  “I get the hut for ourselves. But why the palm oil, coconut water and coconut milk?” she asked.

  A cheeky smile lined the wizard's face. “Bait for... 'fireflies'.”