The Bridge Home

by Matthew Williams

  Akiiki noticed a slight change in his mother as she stood facing Obasi. Her strong proud shoulders, once sturdy enough to bear the weight of the world, sagged ever so slightly under the pressure of her ordeal. He saw it in the way she moved and heard it in her voice, the deep waning despair of loss and hopelessness.

  “Thank you Obasi, I am eternally in your debt. You are welcome to stay in the palace for as long as you wish, as my personal guest. I will have our chefs prepare a feast tonight to celebrate.”

  Again, Obasi bowed. “You are too kind, my Queen.”

  “Please call me Safiya.”

  “Thank you for your hospitality Safiya, it has been a long journey and I could use a good night’s rest as well as a warm meal.”

  “It’s settled then,” his mother said as she turned to the two guards. “Take Obasi to one of our guest rooms. Tell the servants to ready a bath and bring him some fresh clothes. He is my personal guest, grant him any of his requests.”

  The two guards nodded and led Obasi through the large palace doors. Safiya turned back to face Akiiki and smiled. Her soft features had hardened with his absence, but, in the glimmering shine in her eye and the radiance of her smile, he finally felt at home.

  Akiiki walked hand in hand with his sister and mother through the palace on their way to his room. With each familiar step, Akiiki became painfully aware of the way his world had changed during his absence. Gone was the feeling of comfort and protection from the walls that surrounded him, replaced by an overwhelming sense of change that made his heart ache as they walked through the corridors of the palace. He wondered if his mother felt it as well, if she knew of the world on the other side of the bridge, of cold hungry nights away from the safety and luxury of guards and chefs. He turned to his sister, who smiled at him as they walked, and saw in her eyes a sadness that struck him breathless with its power. As they continued to walk down the long corridors of the palace, the breeze that blew gently across his face sang a melody of such sorrow that he fought back tears.

  The loss of his father had changed each of them, a pit in their hearts that weighed on them with every breath and passing thought. He squeezed both of their hands a little harder as they approached his room.

  “Here we are,” his mother said. “I had them leave it just the way it was, for when you returned.”

  She started to cry and looked away to wipe her tears.

  He let go of his sister’s hand and wrapped his arms around his mother’s waist as she kissed him on the forehead.

  “I am just glad you are home. Now go wash up and rest. Take as much time as you need. Esi and I will come get you when dinner is ready.”

  Akiiki stepped back from his mother and looked her in the eye. “I love you,” he said.

  Tears again filled her eyes as she smiled. “I love you too.”

  He gave his sister a hug and told her he loved her before retiring to his room.

  Alone in his room, he took off his dirty clothes and hopped into a bath of warm water. As the water soothed his aching feet and relieved the tension from his sore muscles, he felt ashamed he had ever taken such small moments for granted. He scrubbed at his body with a bar of soap until the water turned dark with the dirt and grime of his travels. Stepping out of the tub, he grabbed a towel and patted himself dry before walking over to a mirror that stood against the wall.

  His dark skin, fresh and clean in the crisp sunlight, reminded him of the history of greatness within him as well as the promise of future triumphs. He moved closer to the mirror to study the unfamiliar face looking back at him. The lines of his face had sharpened with hunger giving him a hardened mask which he did not recognize. In his eyes, he noticed the same sadness he had seen in his sister’s eyes, an acceptance of a new understanding of the world that could be born only once the old expectations had shattered. But something else caught his eye, something new and exciting.

  For a moment, as he looked at himself and the strangeness in his once familiar face, he saw his father staring back at him from the other side of the mirror. At first, the sight of his father surprised him, but slowly, as if introducing himself to a stranger, he became more confidant. A pride unlike any he had ever felt began to rise within him, filling him with the song of love. The pain of loss and the warm memories of his father mixed and churned within him as he heard his father’s voice and remembered conversations they had shared together. He recognized his father’s easy smile as the corners of his mouth turned upward in the mirror. Each honey sweet memory left behind the bitter taste of finality as it washed from his thoughts. He knew he would never again hear his father’s booming voice or feel his firm hand on his shoulder, but with the confidence of a boy who had finally accepted the path laid out for him by fate, he smiled at the new man in the mirror, the man he was becoming.

  He put on a simple white robe that swayed in the wind as a cool ocean breeze carried across the room. He walked over to the window and as he looked out over the ocean, the sun beamed against his face and the smell of the ocean drifted up the rocky cliff and into his nose. He sighed as he turned back to his room and laid down in bed and fell asleep.

  ***

  A gentle knock on the door woke him from his sleep. He rolled out of bed and opened the heavy door where his mother and sister stood in the doorway with smiles on their faces.

  “How did you rest?” his mother asked.

  “Very well,” Akiiki said rubbing his eyes.

  “Are you hungry? Mama Yakira has finished preparing the feast, I have already sent for Obasi.”

  The thought of food made Akiiki’s stomach rumble as he stepped out of his room and closed the door. They made their way through the peaceful twilight to the large dining hall, where a guard stood in front of the doors. As they approached, the guard bowed, and with one arm pulled the door open.

  The warm smell of baking bread and spiced meats mingled with the low drone of voices from inside as the three of them stepped through the door. A silence fell over the room, and people turned towards him as they walked through the hall. Akiiki looked around the crowded room at the different faces illuminated by the flickering candles and his eyes caught the gaze of Kamau, who smiled at him. As they made their way past the crowd of people towards their table, a low hum returned to the room.

  Men and women, he didn’t recognize bowed as he walked, and from the crowd, he heard a woman crying. They paused as Kamau rushed towards them and wrapped his arms around Akiiki in a strong hug.

  “Thank the gods! Welcome home my King,” he whispered in Akiiki’s ear, as he stepped back and wiped the tears from his eyes.

  Obasi’s smile greeted them as they approached the table, and while the room was still focused on them, his mother stood and spoke in a low but powerful voice that carried through the silence of the room into every corner.

  “These have been trying times for us all. You have lost a King and I have lost a husband. But today we celebrate the return of your new King, the return of my son. From this moment on, let your tears not be for the sadness of the past but for the hope of the future.”

  As she sat down, voices and laughter gradually returned to the room as people took their seats. They were served dishes of spiced lamb, sweet buttery rolls and glazed fish, each dish more extravagant than the last. Servants lowered their heads as they walked around the room filling cups with water and wine.

  Akiiki told his mother and sister the story of his journey between large mouthfuls of the delicious food. They listened in shock and horror as he described his time with Lael, and intrigue as he told them of his healings. When he was finished, his mother looked at him and then Obasi.

  “It sounds as if fate brought you two together,” she said.

  Obasi nodded and covered his mouth as he chewed.

  As the feast continued into the night, one of the servants approached the table to fill Akiiki’s cup with water. She was an older woman who smiled at Akiiki as she poured.

&nbs
p; “We are all grateful for your return, my King,” she said quietly. When she had left the table, Akiiki turned to his mother.

  “What do the servants eat?” he asked.

  His mother looked at him. “They have their allotment of bread, meat and water. Why do you concern yourself with their meals? This is your moment.”

  “And the left-over food from this feast, where does it go?” he asked.

  “Some of it is given to our guests and some is stored for us.”

  “I want the servants to eat the food we eat. When the last guest has left, have the servants bring all of the remaining food so that they may also share in our feast.”

  His mother regarded him with a warm smile. “Of course. I can see it in you now, you have the same fire I saw in your father when he took the throne. You will make the people of this kingdom proud to call you their King, just as I am proud to call you my son.”

  After all of the food had been served, men and women slowly started to make their way out of the dining hall. The roaring laughter and soft droning voices died away until only a few small quiet conversations remained.

  “I’m sure you could use some sleep my son. The arrangements have been made, when the last guest has left the servants will be allowed eat. Now go get some rest,” his mother said.

  “I would like to stay, they are as much my people as the men and women of the court.”

  “Very well. Can I escort you back to your room Obasi?” His mother asked, turning toward Obasi.

  Obasi leaned forward over the table. “I think I will wait with the King, thank you.”

  His mother smiled and nodded. “Come Esi, it’s time for bed.”

  “But I want to stay here with Aki!” Esi whined.

  “It’s ok Si-Si I will read you a story tomorrow night.” Akiiki said to his sister.

  His sister rubbed her sleepy eyes.

  “Promise?”

  “I promise,” he said.

  His mother and sister stood up from the table and gave Akiiki a hug before making their way out of the hall.

  Akiiki and Obasi sat in the hall as the last few people trickled out, leaving them alone in the large room.

  “He is a great man who wishes not greatness upon himself, but greatness for others,” Obasi said, his words slicing through in the silence.

  Akiiki turned and looked at him.

  “It is an old proverb from my village. I have never met anyone who has lived up to it until now.”

  “What do you mean?” Akiiki asked.

  “Greatness is not displayed in our grandest moments, it is built upon the smallest of our decisions. Choosing to allow the servants to eat the food made for your feast is a sign of greatness, for it is easy to forget the humanity of those whose lot in life does not match your own. But to see all people as they truly are, as souls trying to find their way through the cold and lonely world, is a gift reserved only for those who have found their inner path towards the land of gods. Continue to trust your intuition and one day you will find yourself in complete control of your thoughts, emotions and actions. Then life is simply choosing the path that your heart urges you to follow.”

  The first of the servants entered the hall quietly, and Akiiki saw the questioning looks they passed one another. As more and more servants filled the hall, a comforting hum of voices settled in the air. Akiiki looked out over the servants who filled the dining hall. There were old men and women, hunched over from years of work, and younger men and women who stood tall and strong, some with small children in their arms.

  Eventually the chatter in the room died down and Akiiki stood up from his chair and spoke.

  “Please, sit,” The room lowered as everyone took their seats. “Tonight, I thank you. For your service to my family and to me. For too long you have had to raise your children on bread and water, but that will change. All of you are my honored guests, what is mine is yours. Please eat until your stomachs are full and take whatever food you want back home with you.”

  He stood up and Obasi followed him as he made his way to the door.

  As they began to leave, the servants began to cheer loudly. Some of them shook his hands as he walked by and others chanted his name.

  As they reached the door, a little girl grabbed him by the leg and looked up at him with a smile that melted his heart. He patted her on the head before stepping out of the door, into the cool crisp night air.

  “It has been an honor to watch you grow my King,” Obasi said as they walked through the quiet palace. “I will always remember our time together.”

  They reached Obasi’s room and stood in front of the door for a long moment.

  “Are you sure you won’t stay?” Akiiki asked.

  Obasi smiled. “From what I have seen you are more than ready to be King. My work is done. My life is out in the brush, not within the walls of a palace.”

  Akiiki gave Obasi a hug. “Thank you. For everything.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Obasi said quietly. “Now your mother was right, you need your rest.”

  Obasi opened the door and turned to Akiiki. “You will make a great King. Your father would be proud of what you have done here tonight, I know I am,” with a bow he smiled and closed the door.

  Akiiki turned and made his way through the palace towards his room. As he walked down the long corridors, he noticed a group of servants headed towards him, some with bowls of food in their hands. One of them looked up and spotted Akiiki. She whispered something to the others who fell silent as they approached. Once they were close enough for Akiiki to see the happiness in their tired faces, they all bowed towards Akiiki, all but one.

  He recognized her from the garden the day Lael had stormed the palace. She looked at him with the same powerful eyes, before darting toward him.

  “Kamani!” one of the servants yelled as she ran towards him with outstretched arms.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him close. The strength of her slender body surprised Akiiki as she gave him a hug, and he gently put his hands on her back and smiled.

  “Thank you,” she said in his ear before stepping back.

  Akiiki’s words escaped him as he felt a rush of excitement.

  “You’re welcome. I’m only sorry I did not see it sooner,” he said after regaining his composure.

  “See what?” the girl asked.

  “That there is no difference between us. Servants, royalty, king, queen, we are one and the same. All of us are journeying down the path of life together.”

  She stared at him and smiled. As the rest of the servants walked towards them, one of the women put a hand on Kamani’s shoulder.

  “I am sorry my King. We are all thankful for your return and for the feast you provided tonight,” she gently tugged Kamani away. “This one has always struggled with restraint.”

  “No, please, it’s fine,” Akiiki’s voice cracked as he spoke.

  The woman smiled and lowered her head. “Come Kamani, the king must rest. Welcome home my King.”

  Kamani bowed toward Akiiki. “I wish you safe travels, my King. May your path be safe and full of blessings.”

  Akiiki’s heart trembled as she gave him a sly grin and hurried after the other servants as they made their way down the long dark corridor and out of sight.

  As he watched the group disappear around a corner, he smiled and released a breath he forgot he was holding. Kamani’s warm embrace lingered within him, and for a moment he lost himself to her intoxicating memory. He shook his head and continued to his room.

  Once back in his room, he changed clothes and crawled into bed. Lying in the comfort of his bed, memories of his father blended not only with the ghost of his absence, but the expectations of the future. His mind raced with fears and doubts that kept him awake throughout the night.

  When the commotion in his head became too much for him to bear, he stood up and walked to the window. He carefully undid the latch and pull
ed the large glass window open. The cold ocean breeze rushed into his face and filled the room with a refreshing energy that helped soothe him.

  Closing his eyes, he listened and heard a faint melody dancing in the distance across the wind. Gradually it faded away and left him alone once again, in the deafening silence of the room. He opened his eyes and stared out over the endless ocean before closing the window and making his way back to bed and to his surprise, the thoughts that had scrambled his mind in a thousand directions had disappeared, replaced by a scene of quiet rolling hills. In the familiar comfort of his bed and with his mind at ease, sleep came quickly and quietly to him in the night.

  Epilogue

  THEY CAPTURED LAEL many years later.

  The news came to Akiiki as he was meeting with the royal council. The men and women around him cheered with approval as Akiiki’s heart raced in anticipation of what must be done.

  They deliberated for hours about Lael’s fate. Many of the council members wanted Lael put in prison for the rest of his life, while others made the case that the crime of murder demanded repayment in blood.

  Akiiki listened to their arguments quietly, and though he nodded and asked questions to understand their views, he had already made his decision on Lael’s fate.

  When the meeting concluded, he followed the guards to the chamber where Lael was being held. The guards opened the door to the dark cell and Akiiki stepped slowly into the room.

  It took Akiiki’s eyes a moment to adjust to the shadows before he finally found Lael. At first, he barely recognized the man kneeling in the corner of the room. His body was frail and worn, and the sharpness in his face that had once haunted Akiiki was gone.

  As their eyes met, a sadness overcame Akiiki’s anger that drowned his desire for revenge in an overwhelming sense of pity. Far from the strong fierce look of determination Akiiki had remembered, Lael’s face now reminded Akiiki of loss and sorrow.