“I really like Ufalme,” said Farra. The sun was going down. They had been in the boat a few hours with barely any conversation between them. Bomani didn’t respond. He didn’t even look her way. He keep a sharp eye out, studying everything that he could while they drifted down stream.
“There are so many great people there. So many different people,” Farra continued. “Oh, and I love the big garden, the huge one. There are so many beautiful flowers. And right in the center is the biggest baobab tree that I have ever seen. I could just sit there all day. Of course I haven’t. There are these really smooth granite benches. I can’t imagine who made them. I wanted to sit there, but I didn’t know if people from outside the kingdom were allowed to. I guess I could have asked someone like one of he guards or something. Do you know if I would be allowed to sit in the garden?” Farra did not get a response. “Bomani?”
“Huh?” Bomani finally responded.
“Have you been listening to me?”
“A little.”
“A little? It’s a bit rude to sit there and not listen to me when you know I’m sitting here talking to you.”
“How would I know that you’re talking to me?”
“Who else would I be talking to?”
“I thought you were just talking to be talking. There could be danger anywhere out here. I have to keep watch.”
“…Talking to be talking?”
“Well, what did you want to know?” Bomani asked.
“I was just wondering if I would be allowed to sit in the garden in you kingdom?”
“Which one?”
“How many do you have?”
“We have a few. But the big garden is the Queen’s garden. And yes, you can sit there. Anyone can. My mother had it made for the people. Even through the drought. She keeps it living.”
“We have gardens too in my village, nothing so big. But the leaves are much bigger, and they can be all sorts of colors. At the far end of the village, by the mountain, there is a whole wall of nothing but large leaves of different colors. I think that it is all natural though. It’s not like it’s and actual garden or anything. You should come to the Animan village one day. You can see for yourself.”
“Hey! What are you doing?” Bomani snapped suddenly at Pupa while he tried to climb into his lap.
“He’s just being friendly,” said Farra.
“Well, he doesn’t have to.” Pupa started to lick his hand, seemingly to apologize. “And he doesn’t have to lick me either. I don’t like being licked by animals.”
“Probably don’t like anything,” Farra mumbled under her voice. “Pupa, come here. Let the boy alone.” Pupa slowly walked over to Farra. “Well, Pupa and I are going to try and get some sleep if that is okay.”
“Yes,” said Bomani. “It’s fine.”
The Ancient Lands: Warrior Quest, Search for the Ifa Scepter Page 12
