Curse of the Bouda

Omens

In the morning, Asani watched from his bedroom window as Mr. and Mrs. Monroe drove by in their pickup truck. Soon Harlow would be with him and he could hardly wait. Asani knew his behavior was becoming borderline obsessive, but he couldn't help himself. He had given in to his fixation with her and now he deemed he had no choice but to continue his path. Selfish of him? Yes, but he decided he would try to make a life for himself in Willow Oaks. That was all good and dandy until he had sensed Harlow’s frightful dream last night.

Indeed, he had marked her, and he could discern her emotions without hindrance. So, when he sensed her night terror, he interposed into her dream and combated the spell that was cast. Asani ran a hand over his face as if to scrub away the look of terror he saw upon her face. Someone had sent a dream-omen to her to scare her off, but who?

No one knew where he had gone, but he could sense the familiarity of the hex because it was of the same vein as the spirit which dwelled within him. As Asani stalked down the hallway towards the bathroom to shower, he argued with himself, trying to convince himself that things weren’t as they appeared, but he knew someone from his past was drawing near. It was only a matter of time before the person would make their presence known.

The hot sprays of the shower stung his skin, yet he welcomed it. The pain alerted him, reminding him of the ever-present danger of his life on the run. His mind wandered back to the night he fled, the night of his engagement celebration to Zania.

That night...

Everyone was in high spirits. There was an abundance of delectable food, musicians, and illusionists to perform wonders for the guests. Bonfires blazed high with blue flames, signaling the peacefulness of the joyous occasion. Asani, being the eldest son, sat to the right of his mother, his brother Jamba to her left per the order of their birthright. Sometimes, in moments like those, the absence of his father would show on his mother's face. Although she smiled, her eyes never sparkled with joy.

His brother Jamba stood from his seat and slyly made his way over to Asani. As he knelt beside him and leaned close to whisper into Asani's ear, he knew his brother was about to say something to make him laugh.

"Many fine ladies are dancing before you. Have you no interest in romancing any of the ladies of the court?"

"I have experienced enough of that sort of adventure to last a lifetime," Asani answered with a smirk. "I do not need to indulge in any seedy acts."

"If you say so, but soon you will be wedded, and she will mark you with her scent. Scaring away any potential conquests. If I were you, I would have my fill," Jamba teased.

To which, Asani waved him away. His brother was mischievous; a trait well-suited for a younger brother who didn't have the responsibility of securing the future of his tribe. Soon he would no longer be a bronze tribal member, but a silver tribesman. The pressure of mating and producing children weighed heavily on his mind. Yet, this was what he was born to do and though he spoke the mantra repeatedly to himself, he didn't wholeheartedly believe it.

"You should at least dance. Zania has not yet arrived. Enjoy the ambiance while you can. Before your cold-hearted betrothed arrives."

"Jamba, promise me when she arrives that you will be on your best behavior."

"I shall try, but she doesn't bring out the best in me," Jamba said. He then scoffed, "If you refuse to have fun, I will have it for the both of us."

Jamba descended upon the crowd, as he infiltrated a sea of women who were dancing in a circle. He winked at the flattered women as they giggled at his flirtish advances.

"Jamba is having quite the time, as usual," Asani's mother said.

Asani smiled at his mother, then replied, "No one would ever accuse Jamba of not knowing how to have a good time."

"Indeed, and what of you son, are you having a good time?"

Asani glanced at his mother and noticed her watchful eyes as she studied him.

"Mother, I can assure you all is well with me. You haven't anything to worry about."

"My dear son, it is difficult for me to know in only a week you will no longer be in the tent near mine. You boys are my life. Especially since your father has been taken away from me, time passes so unhurriedly. One begins to question the meaning of it all."

Asani gripped his mother's hand. Being the noble Queen Nomai, she rarely showed her tender side. In their society, women were fierce warriors and the leaders of the community. Yet, in moments when no one was looking, he saw the scars she carried and the pain in her heart. His mother returned his kind gesture with a gentle squeeze.

With a deep sigh, his mother clapped her hands together loudly, the blue flames flared higher with a loud whoosh as she did, obeying the command of the queen of their tribe. She stood to her feet and declared, "Ah, this is a festival a celebration of two tribes becoming one. I refuse to mope around all night. I shall dance and be merry!"

Asani chuckled at her exuberant behavior. His mother gave him a wink before dashing to join her subjects in dance. Jamba, upon seeing his mother, grabbed her by the hand and twirled her. Mother let out a loud screech and Asani couldn't help but smile at the sight. Suddenly, the drums began to sound, indicating the arrival of the Silver Tribe and Zania. The Silver Tribe entered the campsite, and the flames turned an ominous shade of red.

As the Silver Tribe approached, all tribesmen of lesser birthright bowed in servitude to the duchess. Zania's stern face didn't crack a smile despite her gaze falling onto Asani. Yet, at the time, Asani didn't gauge her demeanor as indifferent, but rather as a show of strength and pride. Attributes he admired. Nevertheless, Asani knew adjusting to the Silver Tribe's militant way of life would be challenging. Arriving like an oppressive iron-clad will, he wondered if he would ever be accepted as a member of the tribe.

Yet, he surmised that was what love was, to sacrifice, to die to all you ever knew for your one true love. Zania was his love, or so he thought. She approached and bowed to his mother, who returned the gesture kindly.

"Queen Nomai, we are pleased to attend this festive event held in Prince Asani and our duchess' honor,” spoke Liben, Zania’s liege.

"You are most welcome Liben and Duchess Zania," replied his mother.

A small grimace played across Zania's face, yet she managed to keep her voice even.

"Forgive my delay, I had personal matters to attend to. Surely, you understand the pressures of a high-borne noble."

A dry smile is all his mother offered as she simply moved aside to give the duchess access to Asani, who stood and descended the stairs to meet his betrothed. There had always been tension between his mother and his bride-to-be. Bouda females were notorious for their competitive nature. However, Asani wondered if their animosity stemmed from Zania’s ambitious nature? Though Zania was born into the Silver Tribe, regarding her title, she was still ranked beneath Asani and his mother.

Furthermore, Asani had a sneaky suspicion that his mother was aware of Zania’s aversion to the constant reminder of her position within the nobility hierarchy. Determining it was nothing more than a pissing competition between the two most dominant women in his life, Asani intervened to prevent any more displays of aggression from either of them.

He greeted Liben with a firm handshake, “Sir.”

“Asani,” Liben said with a cordial grin.

Asani then turned his attention to Zania.

“My love,” Asani said. Bowing from the waist, to greet her.

Zania inclined her head, and replied, “My prince, I am so pleased to see you.”

A pang of worry struck Asani’s heart. He tried not to worry about her inability to ever say she loved him or even missed him. His hyena purred to earn some of her attention. Asani imagined his future with Zania and couldn’t clearly envision it. He recalled how his mother mentioned that she foresaw a future with his father, brief glimpses that ensured her that they were destined to be together.

Yet, Asani never saw anything of his future with Zania, just a bleak void that added to his trepidations. It was then that Jamba interceded, making his boisterous presence known, much to the dismay of Zania.

“Ah, you finally blessed us with your presence,” Jamba said with a deep bow. “After all, we held this rather expensive gathering partly for you. Perhaps we should be grateful you showed at all.”

“Forgive me, I was under the impression this would be an informal rump in the desert. I didn’t know this event would be held in such high regard. Furthermore, we both know this celebration means nothing to you. Especially since this festivity has nothing to do with you.”

“Truly, I say to you it was our intention that our meager get-together would be at the same standard as your level of elegance and grace.”

Dismissively, Jamba then bid them farewell, when a wayward woman winked at him. Quickly, he followed her to indulge in the same entertainment that he failed to persuade Asani to do moments ago. A sour expression displayed on Zania’s face; Asani draped an arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t let Jamba trouble you. He tests everyone's patience, including my own. I know this celebration might not live up to your usual standards, but it is still in our honor.”

Zania blinked a couple of times, before a small smile spread across her lips, before she replied, “I know darling, your kin has never been kind to me.”

“He will warm up to you soon enough.”

Zania then turned toward him to wrap her arms around his waist. She sighed, “It is no bother, either way, soon we will be husband and wife, and I will not have to deal with his immature antics.”

Asani frowned, “You make it sound as though I will never see my tribe again.”

“Oh darling, I am sure we will visit at some point, but our tribes are nomadic. We must assume our visits will be infrequent at best.”

Asani didn’t want to think about his impending separation from his family and tribe.

“How about we dance, or have a drink?”

“I think it would be in the best interest of the duchess if she had a moment to herself,” Liben interjected. “It has been a long journey.”

Asani regarded Liben, he was older than Zania and himself; and though he acted in a parental fashion towards her, his presence was intrusive at times. Yet, when Asani looked at Zania’s pleading gaze, he conceded to his suggestion. Asani called over a servant to show them to the guest tent.

She wasn’t his, yet, and being overbearing wasn’t a good idea. Yet, as he noticed their absence had gone well beyond their expected brief departure, he went to search for them. As he distanced himself from the roar of the party, the environment grew quieter. It was then he heard Zania crying. Asani paused, startled by her rare display of emotions.

Asani crouched, daring not to go any further to alert them of his presence. Thankfully, he was downwind, which assisted in keeping him undetected. His ears twitched as he listened to the conversation.

“I can’t do it! You cannot make me go through with it,” Zania screamed.

“Shh… keep your voice down. You are acting like an insolent child,” Liben loudly whispered.

“I don’t want him. I love you.”

“In time, you will be mine, but until then you have a role to play. Tell me you understand.”

Asani waited for a reply, but when he didn’t hear one, his vision bled red when he guessed what was happening. He took to his feet, sprinting away from the scene and deeper into the barren desert.

How he had been so blind, he didn’t know. His hyena howled, crushed by Zania’s untruthfulness. His hyena was hurt, but Asani was angry. Soon he heard footfalls chasing after him. Sniffing the air, he recognized the musk. It was Liben’s. Asani halted and turned to face his enemy, his rival.

“Wait, Asani, let me explain,” Liben pleaded.

Asani heard his words, but it was like he was in a tunnel. It was too late, as his hyena's rageful spirit had taken control. As he began to manifest into the creature, Liben’s eyes grew to the size of saucers, because it was supposed to have been impossible for Asani to transform. Only when the moon was full could any Bouda change, but that mattered not as Asani stood before him in beast form, with his last conscious thought repeated obsessively throughout his mind, “Kill, kill, kill!”