SURA NA GOMA SHA TARA
Thor yayi kokarin bin kwatancen Reece yayinda yanemi hanyarsa ta cikin fadan da jama’a suka cika, amma baizo da sauki ba. Fadan nada kwanekwane dayawa, yawan boyayyun kofofin baya, da kuma yawan dofayen dakali masu zuwa ga wasu dakalun.
Yasake bin kwatancen Reece a kwakwalwarsa yayinda yake gangarawa wasu kananan matakala, yajuya wani dakalin, sai daga karshe yasaya agaban wani karamin kofa mai lankwashashen sama mai jan hanu—wanda Reece yagaya masa—sai yatura yabude.
Thor ya hanzarta zuwa waje sai hasken ranar rani ta bugeshi; yaji dadin kasancewa a waje, a wajen matsasen zauren fadan, yana jan iska mai safta, rana na buga fuskarsa. Ya matse ido, idanunsa suna gyarawa saboda haske, yakuma more kallon. Agabansa lambu sarauta ke shimfide, suna shimfide iya ganin ido, kunya agyare ayanayi dabamdabam, sun jeru daidai, hanyoyi na wucewa a sakaninsu. Akwai lambunan ruwa, bishiyoyin dab a a saba gani ba, lambuna a cike da ya’yan itatuwa, da filayen furanni na kowani irin girma da launi. Kallon yadauke numfashinsa. Yayi kama da takawa zuwa cikin wani zanen allo.
Thor ya duba kota ina kozaiga alaman Gwendolyn, zuciyarsa nata bugawa. Babu kowa a dakalin bayan, sai Thor ya dauka cewa anbarshi wa yangidan sarauta ne kawai, tunda baya cikin jama’a da dogayen, katangun lambu na dutse. Amma duk da haka ya dubi ko’ina amma bai ganta ba.
Yayi tunanin ko wasikanta na karya ne. watakila abin ma kenan. Watakila tana masa tsiya ne kawai, dan kauye kamansa, tana baiwa kanta dariya. Bayan ma, yaya za ayi mace mai masayi irin nata ta kulashi?
Thor ya kalli kasa sai yasake karanta wasikanta, sai yasake nannada shi da kunya. Anyi masa tsiya. Shima wawane daya sa rai haka kawai. Lamarin yasamasa ciwon zuciya ainin.
Thor yajuya sai yayi shirin komawa, kai asunkuye. Yana kai hanu zai bude kofa kenan, sai wata murya tayi kira.
“Kuma ina zaka je?” wani murya mai alaman nishadi yazo. Yayi Kaman wakan wani tsunsu.
Thor yayi tunanin koyana mafarki ne. ya juyo, yana dubawa, sai gatanan, azaune a karkashin wani katangan fadan. Ta mayarda murmushi, sanye da kayan sarautanta mafi kyau, dauri akan dauri na farin rigan yadin satin mai rowan foda a bakin. Ta kasance kyakyawiya fiye da yadda zai iya tunawa.
Itace. Gwendolyn. Buduruwar da Thor yakansace yana mafarkinta tunda suka hadu, da kewayyayun, idanunta masu launin bula da doguwar suma mai launin malmo, da murmushinta mai haskaka zuciyarsa. Tasa hula mai launin fari da hoda, yana kareta daga zafin rana, akarkashinsa kuma idanunta na kyalli. Na wani dan lokaci yaso yajuya domin ya tabbattar babu kowa asaye abayansa.
“Um…Thor yafara. “Na…Um…bansani ba. Na..um…shiga ciki ne dama.
Wannan karon ma, ya since kansa yana rikicewa a gabanta, yana samun damuwa wurin hada tunaninsa kuma yayi bayani.
Tayi dariya. Yakasance sauti mafi kyau daya taba ji.
“Kuma me zai saka kayi haka?” ta tambaya, dawasa. “Yanzu kazo ai.”
Thor yarikice. Harcensa ya gagara Magana.
“Na…um…gagara ganinki,” yace, da kunya.
Ta sake dariya.
“To, gani nan a nan. Bazaka zo ka kama ni bane?”
Ta miko hanu guda daya; thor yaruga zuwa gareta, yamika hanu kasa, ya kamo hanunta. Yaji girgiza da taba fatanta, sumul kuma da laushi, dan hanun nata yashiga cikin nashi daidai. Ta kalleshi a sama sai tabar hanunta yadan dade a cikin nashi, kafin ahankali ta tashi. Taso yanda yaji yasunta a tafin hanunsa kuma yayi fatan bazata taba daukesu ba.
Ta cire hanunta, sai ta shigar dashi cikin nasa, suka kulla hanayen. Ta fara tafiya, tana jagorantan hanyan gangarawa wasu juyayyun hanyoyi. Sun yi tafiya akan wani hanya gefensa ajere da duwatsu, sai jim kadan suka shiga wani lambu mai rikitatun reshen bishiyoyi, akare daga kallon yan waje.
Thor yarikice. Watakila shi, dan talaka, zai shiga damuwa, domin tafiya haka da diyar sarki,yaji dan zufa ya fara fita daga goshinsa, kuma baisani ba ko daga zafin rana ne kokuma daga tabashi datayi bane.
Bai tabbattar da me zai fada ba.
“Ka tayar da hankula anan, koba haka ba?” tace da murmushi. Yagode a zuciyarsa data yanke shurunda ya dameshi.
Thor ya kada kafadarsa, “A yi hakuri. Banso yin haka ba.”
Tayi dariya. “kuma me zaisa kaki son yin hakan? Ina yana da kyau mutum yatayar da hankula?”
Thor yagagara cigaba. Baisan yadda zai mayr da martini ba. Kaman yakan fadi badaidaiba kowani lokaci.
“Wannan wurin yamatsu kuma bashi da nishadi dama,” tace. “Nada kyau a samu sabon zuwa. Kaman mahaifina nasoka sosai. Kuma haka dan’uwana ma.”
“Um…nagode,” thor ya amsa.
Yanata yiwa kansa kashedi, yana mutuwa ta ciki. Yasan yakamata shi yace wasu abubuwa, kuma yanason hakan. Sadai bai san me zai fada bane kawai.
“Kina…” ya fara, yana wasa kwakwalwarsa yana neman abida yakamata ya fada, “…son yanayin wannan wurin?”
Ta kwanta baya sai tayi dariya.
“Inason nan wurin?” ta tambaya. “Amma yakamata haka. A nan nake da zama!”
Tasake dariya sai Thor yaji yanayinsa ya canja. Yaji shi yanata dada bata lammura. Amma bai girma akewaye da yanmata ba, bai taba yin buduruwa a kauyensu ba, sai baisan me zai gaya mata ba. Me zai iya tambayanta? Yariga yasan inda tafito. Ya fara tunanin me yasa tadamu dashi; saboda nishadin kanta ne kawai?
“Me yasa kike sona?” ya tambaya.
Ta mayar da kallo gareshi, sai tayi wani karan bandariya.
“Kai yaro mai riga mallam masallaci ne,” tayi dan dariya. “Waye yace inason ka?” ta tambaya da babban murmushi. Azahirance, duk abinda yafada nabata dariya.
Yanzu Thor yaji Kaman yakara shigar da kansa babban damuwa.
“Yi hakuri. Banyi nufin fadan wannan ba. Ina tunani ne kawai. Ina nufin…um…Nasan bakia sona.”
Takara dariya.
“Kana ban dariya, dole nabaka wannan. Ina ganin baka taba yin buduruwa ba, kokayi?”
Thor ya kalli kasa sai ya girgiza kai, ya kunyatu.
“Ina zaton ba yan’uwa mata, ma?” ta danna.
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Inada yan’uwa maza uku,” ya fitar. Daga karshe, akalla, ya iya fadan wani abu daidai.
“Kana dasu?” ta tambaya.”Kuma suna ina ne? a kauyenku?”
Thor ya giriza kai. “Babu, suna nan, a cikin runduna, tare dani.”
“To, dole wannan yazama abi kwanciyar hankali.”
Thor ya girgiza kai.
“Babu. Basu sona. Suna fatan da bana nan.”
Wannan yakasance karo na farko da murmushinta ya fadi.
“Kuma me yasa basu sonka? Ta tambaya, asorace. “Yan’uwan naka din?”
Thor ya kada kafada. “Ina fatan danasani,”
Sun kara tafiya na wani dan lokaci acikin shuru. Haka kawai sai ya fara soron cewa shi yana kashe yanayin murnanda suke ciki.
“Amma kada kidamu, baya damu na. Haka abin yake tunda. Ainihima, tabbas, nasadu da abokanan kirki anan. Wadanda suka fi duk wassu da na taba yi.”
“Dan’uwana? Reece?” ta tambaya.
Thor ya amsa da kai.
“Reece mai kyau ne,” tace. “Shi nafiso ta wassu hanyoyin. Inada yan’uwa maza hudu, kasani. Uku yan’uwan gaske, daya bahaka ba. Babbab dan mahaifina ne daga wata mata. Dan’ubana. Ka wayedashi, Kendrick?”
Thor ya amsa da kai.”Inada babban bashinsa akaina. Dominshi ne nasamu wuri a runduna. Mutum ne mai kirki.”
“Gaskiya ne. Yana cikin mafi kyau na masarautan nan. Son da nakemasa yakai na asalin dan’uwa. Sai akwai Reece, wanda shima nakeso Kaman haka. Shauran biyun…to… Kasan yadda iyalai suke ai. Ba kowa ne zai shirya da kowa ba. Wanni lokaci nakan yi mamakin yaya dukanmu muka fito daga iyaye daya.”
Yanzu Thor ya kamu. Yaso kara samun sanin su wani irin mutane ne, dangantakarta dasu, dalilin da yasa basu kusantan juna. Yaso ya tambaye ta, amma baiso yayi shishigiba. Kuma Kaman bataso Magana akai ba, itama. Tayi kama da mutum mai farin ciki, mutuminda keson sa hankalinsa akan abubuwan farin cikic a kowani lokaci.
Yayinda suka gama rikececiyar hanyar, dakalin bayan fadan ya buda zuwaga wani sabon lambun, inda ciyawan yasamu gyara kuma aka masa tsari maikyau. Yakasance wani irin babban gandun daji, ashimfide akalla kafa hamsin daga kota ina, da mayan bashiyoyi, wadanda suka fi Thor sayi, ararrabe a gaba dayan wurin.
Gwen tayi ihu da nishadi.
“Zakayi wasa?” ta tambaya.
“Menene?” shima ya tambaya.
Tajuya, idanunta suka kara buduwa da mamaki.
“Baka taba wasan racks ba?” tace.
Thor ya girgiza kai, yaji kunya, yanaji Kaman dan kauye fiye da yadda yataba ji.
“Shine wasa mafi kyau!” ta fadamasa.
Ta isar da hanayenta duka biyu ta kamo nasi, tajashi zuwa kan filin. Ta guje da murna; yagagara fasa murmushi. Fiye da komai, fiye da wannan filin, fiye da wannan kyakyawan wurin, kamun hanunta akan nashi ne yafi girgiza shi. Jin tana son shi. Tana son ya tafi da ita. Tana son kashe lokaci tare dashi. Meyasa wani zai dame dashi? Musamman mutum Kaman ita? Haryanzu yanaji Kaman duk wannan mafarki ne.
“Ka saya a can,” tace. “A bayan wancan bashiyan. Dole kayi sauri, kuma kanada dakika koma ne nayin hakan.”
“Me kike nufi da nayi sauri?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Ka zabi ta inda zakaje, da sauri!” ta gaya masa.
Thor ya dago babban itacen, yayi mamakin nauyinsa. Ya kaishi wassu yan taku, ya ajiye shi akan wata zagayen.
Batare da kasala ba Gwen ta turo nata. Ya dira akan na Thor ya bugeshi zuwa kasa.
Tayi ihu da murna.
“Wannan mataki ne mara kyau!” tace. “Ka shigo hanayata! Kuma ka fadi!”
Thor yakalli itatuwan duka biyu a kasa, yarikice. Bai gane wannan wasan ba samsam.
Tayi dariya, takama hanunsa yayinda tacigaba da jagorantarsa a gangarawa hanyoyin.
“Kada kadamu, zan koya maka,” tace.
“Zuciyarsa ta tashi sama da kalmominta. Zata koya masa. Tana son sake haduwa dashi. Takashe lokaci dashi. Wannan mafarki kawai yakeyi ne?
“To gaya mani, menene tunaninka akan wannan wurin?” ta tambaya, yayinda ta jagoranceshi zuwa wasu jerin rikatattun hanyoyin. An kayatar da wannan da furanni masu sayin kafa takwas, suna harbor launinnuka iri iri, kwarin basabamba na yawo akan samansu.
“Shine guri mafi kyau dana taba gani,” Thor ya amsa da gaskiya.
“Kuma me yasa kaso zama dan runduna?”
“Shine mafarki na daya na rayuwa,” ya mayar.
“Amma menene dalili?” ta tambaya. “Domin kana son yiwa mahaifina hidima?”
Thor yayi tunanin wannan. Baitaba tunanin dalilinsa ba—abin na nan ne kodayaushe kawai.
“Haka,” ya amsa. “Kuma da zoben.”
“To yaya rayuwa kuma fa?” ta tambaya. “Baka son kayi naka iyalen? Fili? Mata?”
Ta saya sai ta kalleshi; ya girgizashi. Ya rikice. Bai taba tunanin wadannan abubuwan ba da, kuma bai san yadda zai mayar da martini ba. Idanunta na kyalli yayinda take mayar da kallo gareshi.
“Um…Na…Ban sani ba. Ban taba ainihin tunani akansa ba.”
“Kuma me mahaifiyarka zata ce akan wannan?” ta tambaya, da wasa.
Murmushin Thor ya sauka.
“Bani da mahaifiya,” yace.
Murmushinta yasake sauka.
“Me yafaru da ita?” ta tambaya.
Thor na daf da bata amsa, yagaya mata komai. Wannan ne karo na farko a rayuwarsa dazaiyi Magana akanta da wani. Kuma abin mamakin shine yanason maganan. Yaso, kuma da matsuwa, ya buda mata zancen, wannan bakuwa agareshin, ya sata sanin komai akan mafi zurfin yanayin rayuwarsa.
Amma yayin buda baki yayi Magana, bazato sai wani babban murya yafito daga bako’ina.
“Gwendolyn!” muryan yayi ihu.
Dukansu sun juya suka ga mahaifiyarta, sarauniya, sanye da mafi kyawun komai, abiye da masu hidima, tana tahowa zahiri ma ‘yarta. Fuskanta na nuna haushi.
Sarauniyan ta taho harga Gwen, ta cafko hanunta, ta fizgeta suka tafi.
“Ki koma ciki yanzu. Mai nagaya miki? Bana son naga kina sake Magana dashi. Kin fahimce ni?”
Fuskan Gwen ya canja, sai ya zama da haushi da ji da kai.
“Ki sake ni!” tayi wa mahaifiyarta ihu. Amma baiyi amfani ba; mahaifiyarta tacigaba da janye ta, kuma masu hadaminata suka kewayeta, suma.
“Nace ki sake ni!” Gwen tayi ihu. Ta kalli Thor ta baya da kallon matsuwa, na tausayi, na roko.
Thor ya fahimci yadda takeji. Haka shima yakeji. Yaso ya kiraye ta, zai yaci zuciyarsa na ciwo yayinda ya kalli janyeta da akeyi. Yayin Kaman dauke rayuwarsa na gaba daga gareshi, kum agaban idonsa.
Ya saya a wurin na dogon lokaci bayan tab ace daga ganinsa, yana kallo, adaskare a wuri daya, numfashi adauke. Baiso barin wurin ba, baiso mantawa da duk wannan ba.
Mafi girman duka kuma, baiso yayi tunanin cewa mayiwuwa bazai sake ganinta ba.
*
Ayayinda Thor ke takawa ahankali yana komawa fada, haryanzu yanajin jirin haduwansu da Gwen, yamamanta da abubuwan dake kewaye dashi. Tunaninta ya mamaye zuciyarsa; yagagara daina ganin fuskanta a zuciyarsa. Mafi kyakyawanci da kirki da zaki da nitsuwa da soyyaya da bada dariyan mutumin da yataba haduwa dashi. Yana bukatan yasake ganinta. Ainihi ma yana jin zafin rashinta ayanzu. Bai gane abinda yake ji mata ba, kuma wannan nabashi tsoro. Bai wani santa ba, amma yariga yasani cewa bazai iya kasancewa ba ita ba.
Duk da haka a daya gefen, ya mayar da tunani yadda sarauniya ta janye ta, sai cikinsa ya lume saboda mutane masu iko dake sakaninsu. Masu ikon da basu son ganinsu tare, soboda wasu dalilai.
Yayinda yayi kokarin kaiwa gindin lamarin, bazato yaji sandararen hanu akan kirjinsa, ya sayar dashi akan tafiyansa.
Ya daga ido yaga wani yaro, watakila ya girmshi da yan shekaru, dogo kuma siriri, sanye da kaya mafi tsada day a taba gani—cikin kayan sarauta mai launin hoda da ganye da malmo na daga siliki, da wani hula kayyatace da gashin tsunsu—yana murda fuska a akallonsa a kasa. Yaron yayi kama da mai hankali, shagwababbe, Kaman an reneshi cikin wadata, da hanaye masu laushi da giran ido lamkwassasu masu kallon kasa da raini.
“Ana kirana Alton,” yaron yafara. “Nine dan Lord Alton, yaran yan’uwa da sarki. Mun kasance a wannan masayin tun shekaru aru aru. Wanda yasa na cancanci masayin Duke. Kai, idon aka kwatanta, talaka ne,” yace, kusan yana tofo kalmomin. “Harabar fada nay an saruta ne. da mutane masu matsayi. Ba na irinku ba.
Thor ya saya a wurin, babu masaniya akan waye wannan yaron kokuma abinda shi yamasa na haushi.
“Me kakeso daga gareni?” Thor ya tambaya.
Alton yayi dariyan raini.
“Dama, bazaka sani ba. Watakila bakasan komai ba, ko kasani? Waye kai dazaka shiga nan kana yi Kaman kai daya ne daga cikinmu!” ya tofar.
“Bana yi Kaman komai,” Thor yace.
“Oho dai, ba damuwa na bane yadda ka fasara. Inason na maka gargadi ne kawai, kafin ka sake sa wasu mafarkin akanka, cewa Gwendolyn nawa ce.
Thro ya mayar da kallo, arikice. Nashi? Yagagara sanin me zai ce.
“An riga an shirya aurenmu tundaga aihuwa,” Alton yacigaba. “Shekarunmu daya ne, kuma matsayinmu ma daya. An riga an fara shiri. Kada ka yarda kayi tunani, koda na dan lokaci, cewa wani abu zai banbanta.
Thor yaji Kaman an cire masa numfashi; bashi ma da karfin mayar da martini.
Alton ya maso da taku daya ya kalli kasa.
“Kana ji,” yace a karamin murya, “Nakan bar gwen tayi harkokinta. Tanadasu dayawa. Daga lokaci zuwa lokaci takan ji tausayin wani talaka, kokuma maihidima. Zata barsu su zama nishadinta, abin dariyanta. Watakila ka kai ga ra’ayin wani abu ne dabam. Takan tarasu, Kaman bebi. Basu nufin komai agareta. Tana nishadantuwa da kowani sabon talaka, sai bayan kwana daya ko biyu, ya isheta. Zata yarda kai da sauri. Kai ba komai bane awurinta, dama. Kuma a karshen shekara ni da ita zamu yi aure. Har abada.”
Idanun Alton sun budu da fadi, yana nuna babban burinsa.
Thor yaji zuciyarsa na yankewa da kalmominsa. Gaskiya ne? shi ba komai bane a wurin Gwen? Yanzu ya rikice; yagagara sani me yakamata ya yarda dashi. Tayi Kaman ba yaudara take ba. Amma watakila Thor na rike ra’ayinda badaidai bane kawai?
“Karya kake yi,” Thor ya mayar daga karshe.
Alton yayi dariyan raini, sai daga daya, daga shagwabbabun yasunsa, ya caki kirjin Thor dashi.
“Idan nasake ganinka a kusa da ita, zanyi amfani da matsayina na kira masu tsaron fada. Zasu saka a kurkuku!”
“A dalilin mene?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Bana bukatan dalili. Inada matsayi anan. Zan kirkiro wani, kuma dani zasu yarda. Lokacinda nagama bata maka suna, rabin masarautan zasu yarda cewa kai mailaifi ne.
Alton yayi murmushi, ya gamsu dakansa; Thor yaji bashi da lafiya.
“Baka da mutunci,” Thor yace, yagagara fahimta yaya wani zaiyi abu babu kamala haka.
Alton yayi dariya, wani kara samasama.
“Bani dashi tun daga farko,” yace. “Kamala na wawaye ne. inada abinda nakeso. Kai ka rike kamalarka. Ni zan rike Gwendolyn.
SURA NA ASHIRIN
Thor na tafiya da Reece suka fita ta mashigin fadan sarki mai lankwashashen sama zuwa kan hanyan zuwa makwancin yan runduna. Masu tsaron sun yi cak musu yayinda suke wucewa sai Thor yaji wani yanayin kasancewa dan gida, Kaman shi bawani bako bane. Yayi tunani zuwa yan kwanakin baya, lokacinda wani mai tsaro ya koreshi daga nan. Abubuwa dayawa sun sauya, cikin lokaci kadan.
Thor yaji wani kara sai yadaga ido yagani, can a sama, Estopheles ke zagayawa, tana kallon kasa. Ta fara saukowa, sai Thor, da farin ciki, ya mika wuyar hanunsa, haryanzu sanye das afar karfen. Amma ta sake tashi sai tayi, sama da Karin sama, sadai bata kasance bata ganuwa ba. Thor yayi mamaki. Ta kasance dabbar sirri, kuma yana jin wani babban haduwa da ita da yakeda wuyan bayani.
Thor da Reece sun cigaba da tafiya babu Magana, suna takawa da sauri zuwa makwancin yan rundunan. Thor yasan yan’uwansa zasu kasance suna jiransa sai yayi tunanin irin karbanda zasu masa. Ko za a samu gasa, kishi? Zasu ji haushi ne saboda shi yasamu dukan wannan kulawan? Zasu yi masa siya ne saboda an daukeshine a dawowa daga loton? Ko kuma zasu karbeshi ne daga karshe?
Thor yayi fatan yazama na karshen. Yagaji da jayyaya da shauran yan runduna kuma kawai yanason, fiye da wani abu, shima ya kasance ne kawai. Ya karbu a matsayin daya daga cikinsu.
Makwancin ya shigo ganinsu a canda nisa, sai kuma zuciyar Thor yafara komawa kan wani tunanin.
Gwendolyn.
Thor baisan daidai abinda zai iya fada wa Reece akan wannan ba, kasancewa yar’uwarsa ce. Amma yagagara cire tunaninta daga zuciyarsa. Yagagara daina tunanin haduwarsa da wannan mai barazanan dan sarautan, Alton, ya kuma tunanin daidai gaskiyanda ke cikin maganganunsa. Wani gefensa na tsoron tattauna wannan da Reece, baya son yayi cacan daga masa hankali ta wani hanya yakuma rasa sabon abokinsa a ta dalilin yar’uwarsa. Amma wani gefensa kuma nason yasan menene tunaninsa akai.
“Wanene Alton?” Thor ya tambaya daga karshe, yana jan kafa.
“Alton?” Reece yamaimaita. “Me yasa kake tambaya akansa?”
Thor ya kada kafada, bai tabbattar da yawan maganan da yakamata yayi ba.
Daya ci sa’a, Reece ya cigaba.
“Shi ba komai bane, illa maibarazanan karamin dan sarauta. Menene dalili? Ya dameka ne ko wani abu?” Sai Reece yamatse idanunsa. “Gwen? Lamarin kenan? Dana maka kashedi.”
Thor yajuya ya kalli Reece, yanason jin Karin bayani.
“Me kake nufi?”
“Shi mara hankali ne. yanatabin kanuwa na tunda ya fara tafiya. Yanaganin za a musu aure. Mahaifiyana tana ganin haka itama.
“Zasu yi auren?” Thor ya tambaya, shima yana mamakin matsuwan dake cikin muryarsa.
Reece ya kalleshi yayi murmushi.
“Nawa, Nawa, kafara son ta, ko baka fara ba?” yayi karamin dariya. “Wannan yayi sauri.”
Yanayin Thor ya canja, har yana fatan kar agane.
“Ko zasu yi ko baza suyiba zai danganci menene yar’uwana takeji masa.” Reece ya amsa daga karshe. “Saidai idan aka tilasta mata yin aure. Amma ina shakan mahaifina zai yi hakan.”
“Kuma yaya take jimasa?” Thor ya danna, yanasoron wuce gonad a iri, amma yana bukatan yasani.
Reece ya kada kafada. “Zaka tambayeta wannan, ina gani. Bana Magana da ita akan wannan.”
“Amma mahaifinka zai tilasta mata aure?” Thor yakuma dannawa. “Zai iya aikata abu Kaman haka?”
“Mahaifina na iyayin duk abinda yagadama. Amma wannan na sakanin shi da Gwen.”
Reece yajuya sai ya kalli Thor.
“Yaya da wadannan tambayoyin duka? Menene kuka yi Magana akai?”
Yanayin Thor ya canja, bai tabbattar da me yakamata yafada ba.
“Babu komai,” yace daga karshe.
“Babu komai!” Reece yayi dariya. “Kaman babu komai dayawa naji!”
Reece yakara dariya da karfi, sai Thor yaji kunya, yana tunanin ko tunaninsa ne kawai cewa Gwen tana sonsa, Reece yamike yasa karfafan hanu akan kafadarsa.
“Kasa kunne, sohon sa’a na,” Reece yace. “tabbattacen abida zaka iya sani akan Gwen kawai shine tasan abinda takeso. Kuma zata samu abinda takeso. Haka abin yake kasancewa tunda. Tanada karfin-hali Kaman mahaifina. Bawanda zai tilasta mata yin wani abu—ko taso wani—da bata so. Saboda haka karka damu. Idan tazabeka, ka yarda dani, zata sanar dakai. Kaji?”
Thor ya kadakai, yanajin Karin kuzari, bayan Magana da Reece.
Yadaga ido yaga mayan mashigin makwanci yan rundunan. Yayi mamakin ganin dayawan shauran yaran saye a mashigin, Kaman suna jiransu, kuma da Karin mamakin ganin suna murmushi, dakuma ihu yayinda suka hangeshi. Sun rugo gaba, suka kama Thor a kafada, suka rataya hannaye akewaye dashi, sai suka jashi zuwa chiki. Thor yaji mamaki ayayinda aka share shi zuwa ciki a cikin runguman son zaman lafiya na shauran yan’uwan.
“Ka bamu labarin loton. Yaya daya gefen yake?” wani yatambaya.
“Yaya dodon yake? Wanda ka kasha? Wani kuma yatambaya.
“Bani na kashesiba,” Thor yayi tawaye. Erec na yakashe.”
“Naji ka ceci rayuwan Elden,” wani yace.
“Naji ka kaiwa dodon hari gaba da gaba. Batare da wasu makamai na ainihi ba.”
“Kazama dayanmu yanzu!” wani yayi ihu, sai shauran yaran suka mayar da ihun, suna tafiyar dashi, Kaman wani dan uwane daya dade da bata.
Thor yagagara yarda. Yana kara jin kalmominsu, yana kara kara gane cewa watakila suna da gaskiya. Watakila yayi jarunta ai. Ba zauna yayi tunani akai ba. Akaro na farko a cikin lokaci mai tsayi, yafara jin dadi da kansa. Mafi yawan hakan saboda ayanzu, daga karshe, yanajin Kaman shi daya ne daga cikin yaran nan. Yaji tashin hankali na sauka daga kafadarsa.
An jagoranci Thor zuwa asalin filin horo, sai agabansa akwai Karin dozin dozin nay an runduna asasaye, tareda dozin dozin na yan Silver. Su, suma, sun saki ihu yayin ganinsa. Duk sun zo gaba sun tattabashi a baya.
Kolk ya tako zuwa gaba, sai shauran sukayi shuru. Thor ya shirya kansa, tunda Kolk bai taba kasance mashi Thor din da wani abuba sai kiyyaya. Amma yanzu ga mamakin Thor, ya kalleshi a kasa da wani irin yanayi dabam. Duk da yagara kawo kansa ga yin murmushi, bai bata fuska ba, amma. Kuma Thor zai iya rantsuwa cewa yaga wani abu Kaman soyyaya a cikin idanunsa.
Kolk yatako gaba, ya riki wani dan shaidan bakin hankaka, yamanna akan kirjin Thor.
Alaman runduna. Thor ya karbu. Daga karshe, ya zama daya daga cikinsu.
“Thorgrin na gunduman kudanci na yammacin masarautanmu,” Kolk yace da babban murya. “Muna maka maraba da zuwa runduna.”
Yaran sun saki ihu, sai suka shogi aruge, suna kewaye Thor da hannayensu kuma suna lilo dashi tanan da tachan.
Thor yama kusan gagara shigar da wannan duka. Bai yi kokarin tin hakan ba. Yaso yaji dadin wannan lokacin kawai. Yanzu, daga karshe, akwai inda shima yazama dayansu.
Kolk ya juya ya fuskanci shauran yaran.
“To, yara, ku kwantar da hankulan ku,” ya bada umurni. “Yau rana ne na mussamman. Babu manjagara da man goge fata da kashin dawakai maka kuma. Yanzu lokaci yayi na ainihin horo. Ranar makamai ne.”
Yaran sun mayar da ihun farin ciki, sai suka bi Kolk yayinda yakama dan gudu a wuce filin horon zuwaga wani babban kewayayen gini da akayi da itacen oak, da kofofin azurfa masu kyalli. Thor yayi tafiya da kungiyan yayinda suka nufo, yanayinfarin ciki kota ina. Reece na gefensa, sai O’Connor yazo yasame su.
“Banyi tunanin zan sake ganinka araye ba,” O’Connor yace, yana murmushi ya buga hanu a kafadansa. “Nan gaba, kabari natashi tukuna, zaka bari?”
Thor ya mayar da murmushi.
“Wani gini ne wancan/” Thor ya tambayi Reece, yayi da suka zo kusa. Akwai manyan sakata gabadaya akan kofan, kuma wurin nada kasancewan barazana.
“Gidan makamai,” Reece ya amsa. “Shine inda ake ajiye dukan makamai namu. Lokaci lokaci sukan barmu mu da leka mu gani, harma muyi horo da wassu. Ya danganci darasinda suke son su bamu.
Cikin Thor ya kulle daya hango Elden na zuwa wurinsu. Thor yashirya kansa, yana jiran barazana—amma wannan lokacin, ga mamakin Thor, Elden nada kallon godiya ne.
“Dole nagode maka,” yace, yana kallon kasa, akaskance. “Saboda ceton raina.”
Thor yadaskare; bai sammaci wannan daga wurinsa ba.
“Nayi kuskure game da kai,” Elden yakara. “Abokanai?” ya tambaya.
Ya miko hanu.
Thor, wanda baya rike mutum a zuciya, da farin ciki yamika hanu ya hada da nashi
“Abokanai,” Thor yace.
“Bana daukan wannan kalman da wasa,” Elden yace. “Zan dinga duba maka baya a kowani lokaci. Kana bina bashi daya.”
Da wannan, yajuya sai yahanzarata komawa cikin taron.
Thor baisan ma’anan da zai sa ma wannan ba. Yanata mamakin yadda abubuwa suka sauya da sauri.
“Ina ganin shi ba abinki gabadaya bane,” O’Connor yace. “watakila yana daidai ma.”
Sun kai gidan makamai din. Manyan kafofin sun baudu, sai Thor yashiga yana mamaki. Yana tafiya ahankali, wuyansa amike, yana kallon wajen azagaye Kaman zobe, yana shigar da komai kwanyansa. Akwai daruruwan makamai, makamai dinda baima ganesu ba, arataye akan su bango. Shauran yara sun hanzarata zuwa gaba a cikin rugen farin ciki, sun gudu zuwaga makamai din, sun daukesu, sun ririkesu, sun kallacesu. Thor yabi misalinsu, yana jin Kaman dan yaro a rumfan mai alewa.
Ya hanzarta zuwaga wata babban gatari, yaga hanunitacen da hannayensa duka biyu, ya kuma ji nauyinta. Tana da girma. Bakin kaifin yamutu kuma ya lanlankwashe, kuma yayi tunanin ko yataba kasha mutane a bakin daga.
Ya ajiyeshi ya dauko kulki mai kusosi, wani bol din karfe mai kusosi ahade da wani sandan karfe da dogo tsarka. Ya rike dogon karfe mai kusosin, yaji bol din karfen na lilo a karshen tsarkan. Agefensa, Reece ya rike wata gatarin yaki kuma o’connor na gwada nauyin wata doguwar kifiya, yana dannata a sika ga makiyanda ba a gani
“Ku kasa kunne!” Kolk yayi ihu, sai duk suka juya.
“Yau zamu koyi fada da abokin gabanka daga nesa. Akwai wanda zai iya gaya mani makamai dinda za a iya amfani dasu? Menene zai iya kasha mutum daga nisan taku talatin?
“kwari dab aka,” wani yayi ihu.
“Haka,” Kolk ya amsa. “Menene kuma?”
“Mashi!” wani yayi ihu.
“Menene kuma? Akwai fiye da guda daya. Mujisu.”
“Majajjaba,” Thor ya kara.
“Menene kuma?”
Thor ya wasa kwakwalwarsa, amma zabin sun kare.
“Wurga wukake,” Reece yayi ihu.
“Menene kuma?”
“Shauran yaran sunyi shuru. Ba mai wada ya tuna wata makamin.
“Akwai gudumomin wurgawa,” Kolk yayi ihu, “da gatarun wurgawa. Akwai kifiya. Ana iya wurga kulake. Haka ma takwufa.”
Kolk na sama da kasa a dakin, yana kallon fuskokin yaran, wadanda ke saye suna kasa kunne.
“Bashikenan ba. Dutse kawai daga kasa na iya zama mafi kyawun abokinka. Nataba ganin mutumin da, kato ne Kaman muturu, jarumin yaki, an kasheshi atake daga wurain dutsen mayakin da yafishi hikima. Mayaka sau dayawa basu sanin cewa kayan kariya na iya zama makami,suma. Wannan safar wuyar hanun ana iya cirota sai a wurga ta a fuskar makiyi. Wannan zai iya bashi mamaki, kafafu dayawa daga can. A wannan lokacin, zaka iya kasheshi. Kana iya wurga kwangirin kariyarka, ita ma.”
Kolk yaja numfashi.
“Yanada muhimmanci cewa yayin koyan fada, kadaku koyi yin fadan a ratandake sakanin ku da abokin gaba kawai ba. Dole ku buda fada zuwa rata mafi girma. Yawancin mutane suna fada da rattan taku uku. Gwarzon jarumi yakanyi da talatin. Kun gane?”
“Haka yallabai!” wani ihun yaran gabadaya yazo.
“Da kyau. Yau, zamu kara kaifin iya wurginku. Ku dubi dakin sai ku dauki makaman wurgi da kuka gani. Kowa ya dauki daya yafito cikin dakika talatin. Yanzu ku motsa!”
Dakin ya balleda hayaniya, sai Thor yagudu zuwa bango, yana neman wani abinda zai dauka. Shoran yaran masu farin ciki nata karo da turashi kota ina, sanda daga karshe yaga abinda yakeso yakuma daukoshi. Wani karamin gatarin wurgawa ne. O’Connor ya dauko karamarwuka, Reece takwafi, sai dukansu uku suka ruga da shauran yaran zuwa kan filin.
Sun bi Kolk zuwa banagare mafi nisa a filin, inda akwai kwangirin kariya guda goma sha biyu ajere akan sandona.
Duka yaran, arike da makamain su, suntaru akewaye da Kolk suna sa sammani.
“Zaku saya a nan, yayi ihu, yana nuni ga zanen cikin datti, “sai ku auni wadancan kwangirin kariyan yayin wurga makamain ku. Sai ku ruga zuwaga su kwangirin, ku ciro wani makamin dabam, ku sake gwadawa da wannan. Kada ku taba zaben irin makami daya. Kuma ku auni kwangirin a kowani lokaci. Duk wanda bai samu kwangirin ba, zai zagaya filin nan aguje sau daya. Kufara!”
Yaran sun heru, kafada da kafada, bayan zanen, sai suka fara wurga makamansu zuwaga su kwangirin, wanda suka kai rattan yadi takatin masu kyau. Thor yajeru dasu. Yaronda ke gefensa ya mike ya wurga mashinsa, ya rasa da dan kadan.
Yaron yajuya ya fara kewaye fili da gudu. Yayin yin hakan, wani dan mutanen sarki yazo gefensa, ya daura masa wani tsarka mai nauyi akan kafadarsa, yana danneshi.
“Kayi gadu da wannan, yaro!” ya bada umurni.
Yaron, da nauyin akansa, yariga yana gumi, yacigaba da gudu a cikin zafin rana.
Thor baiso yagagara samun abinda ya aunaba. Ya kwanta baya, ya hada hankalinsa, yaja gatarin wurginsa baya, sai ya sake. Ya rufe idanunsa kuma yana fatan yasamu abinda ya auna, sai yaji sakewa dayaji karan lumewarsa cikin makariyar fatan. Dakyar yasamu domin ya samu gefen kasan ne, amma ababu yasamu. Duk akewayedashi, yawancin yara sun rasa suka kuma kama gudu. Wadanda kuma suka samu sun ruga zuwaga abubuwan aunawan domin ciro sabin makamai.
Thor yakai kwangirin yasamu wani dogon, siririn karamar wukar wurgi, wanda yazaro, sai ya dawo zanen wurgin aguje.
Sun cigaba da wurge wurge na sa’o’i, sanda hanun Thor yafara kasheshi kuma yariga yasha zagaya filin aguje dayawa. Gumi ya jikashi, Kaman duk wadanda ke kewaye dashi. Horon mai dadi ne, wurga duka nau’o’in makamai, domin sabawa da duka nau’o’in yanayi da nauyin sanduna da aska dabamdabam. Thor yaji iyawansa na karuwa, yana kara sabawa dashi, da kowani wurgi. Amma, zafin ranan nada yawa, kuma yafara gajiya. Yaran Kaman goma sha biyu ne suka rage a gaban su kwangirin, saboda yawanci suna zagawa aguje. Yanada matukar wahala mutum ya samu sau dayawa, da makamai dabamdabam, kuma zagawan da zafin sunsa awu daidai yakara wahala. Thor na numfashi sama sama, kuma baisan dadewan da zai iyayi akan wannan horon ba. Daf yanaganin Kaman shi zai fadi kenan, bazato, Kolk yatako gaba.