Book 1: Breath of Life

Chapter Title: WHISPERS IN THE WIND Genesis 6:3-4 ~ 3And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. Anon of the Agbani stood naked in a dark open field. He raised his arms up high to Aljanna. He dropped to his knees. He fell face forward to the ground. He spread his arms as wide as an eagle’s wings. He prayed ~ I thank you Divine Creator, Divine Father for the ability to see the beauty in the minds and hearts of those who desire to praise and worship You. He turned his head. He looked upon the beautiful flesh of his help mate. He smiled. His eyes shined. He trembled with desire to know her. Asake of the Adedeji lay face downward. She breathed in the dust of the ground. She had yet to pray. Her gift of reading mutum’s mind to know his secret heart was burdensome. Feeling the touch of Anon’s hand on her nakedness, Asake squeezed her eyes closed. She prayed fervently for guidance and forgiveness. Her prayers were blocked by Eliana. Rising, Anon helped Asake stand. He took hold of her hand. In darkness, they raced across the open field as happy as young children. Home, they were anxious to bathe. Their drowsy but attentive servants were no longer shocked by the sight of their nakedness. Their only coverings were the leaves and twigs protruding from their thick heads of hair, the dust on their buttocks, and mud on their faces. This morning, Anon and Asake were freed from their duties as Spiritual Advisors to the Divine Lands. He looked forward to Gaskiya’s company. They planned to debate his writings titled Divine Writ. She looked forward to Gida’s company. In Jauhari of the Amalgam’s temporary absence, Gida was interim Spiritual Advisor of the Gated Lands. Before she ascended, she promised to visit Asake. She would speak directly in her ears the words of her intimate discussions with Elder Kofa Chambre. Through Gida, he invited Asake to walk among his people to listen to their hearts and minds. He believed she would find them all loyal servants and faithful worshippers of the Divine Creator. Anon awaited Gaskiya in the kitchen. His flesh required breakfast. An anxious servant abruptly entered his presence. On his heels was a dusty dispatch rider. His meal ruined, Anon accepted the dispatch. It was an urgent plea from Gaskiya ~ You are needed in the Northern Lands. Husbands are being killed where they stand. Barren widows are rising from their beds with swollen bellies. Anon’s mouth refused to speak aloud the names on the tip of his tongue ~ Azan! Mugu! His heart stopped. His mouth voiced his thoughts ~ Whispers in the wind. Fallen Taurari have come to know the yaya mata of mutum. Anon departed immediately to the Northern Lands. Asake awaited Gida in the gardens. Bawana, her trusted servant, greeted her with an apology ~ Gida sent word. She’s delayed in the Gated Lands. Asake was disappointed. Bawana cheered her up ~ The midwife requested your presence. It is time. Asake rushed out of the house. She entered the hut of her cook’s daughter. Her labor was a difficult one. The child exited her womb. The midwife gasped! The newborn was large and covered in yellow blood. She placed him in Asake’s arms. She nearly dropped him. There was a hole where his heart should have been. She knew what needed to be done. Asake departed the hut. She rushed back to her garden. She placed the baby on the ground. She lifted her hand in the air. A flaming sword appeared in her hand. She sliced her palm open. Black blood gushed out onto the newborn. He screamed until his flesh became yellow ash. Asake buried it. She prayed for forgiveness. Eliana blocked her prayer. Asake prayed fervently to the Divine Father to bless the grieving mother with another child. Eliana delivered her prayer. Stepping naked out of the bath pool, Anon used a warm towel to dry his flesh. Asake chose to remain in the pool. He smiled. He dived in. He watched Asake kicking about. She looked for him. He was beneath her. Her heart raced. She raised her arms. She inhaled. She sank into his waiting arms. He desired her to know his mind and whole heart. He kissed her passionately. Her mouth opened. Her lungs filled with water. Her flesh convulsed. She swam upwards. She sprang naked out of the pool. She coughed up water. She tripped over her feet. She fell face forward onto the stone floor. Overwhelmed by the knowledge and depth of Anon’s fleshly feelings she collapsed. Anon walked out of the pool. He knelt beside Asake. Gently, he lifted her up into his arms. He carried her to their chamber. He placed her dripping wet flesh on the bed. It was cold and rigid. He kissed her lips. He parted them with his tongue. He breathed deeply into her mouth. She coughed up water. He dried her flesh and the bed. He lay beside her. Slowly, Asake opened her eyes. She looked shyly at Anon. He pulled the covers over their naked flesh. Again and again and again, Anon knew Asake as a man knows a woman. In the distance Bawana smiled. The sounds coming from her masters’ bedchamber tickled her ears like a whisper in the wind.