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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.
