Chapter 23 - The Price of Ignorance
Khisa's journey stretched into months, a grueling expedition that tested his endurance and patience. He and his warriors stopped at every village they came across, announcing the existence of Nuri. Some were curious, some skeptical, others outright dismissive. None pledged allegiance.
Yet, Khisa wasn't discouraged.
"One day, they will come to us," he assured his men.
For now, his priority was strengthening Nuri—militarily, politically, and economically. As he traveled, he meticulously recorded everything of value. He mapped out mineral-rich lands—diatomite, gold, and precious stones. He noted the trees that could produce strong timber, the rivers that could power future mills, the rock formations that could serve as natural barriers. Every village's location, size, and resources were logged in his growing collection of maps.
His warriors, ever loyal but increasingly wary, had one pressing question:
"How do you speak so many languages, Khisa?"
It wasn't just one or two—he seamlessly conversed in dialects from far and wide, often understanding villagers better than their own neighbors.
At first, he brushed off their concerns. But as their suspicion grew, he offered a simple explanation:
"It is a gift from the ancestors."
The warriors exchanged glances. Some nodded, accepting it without question. Others, the skeptical ones, whispered among themselves. A gift from the ancestors? It was a convenient answer, yet they couldn't deny the results.
Khisa's journey eventually brought him to a village in what is now known as central Kenya. Unlike the thriving, cautious communities he had encountered before, this one was on the brink of collapse.