Erec, arikice, yakai hanu idanunsa, ya sake makaminsa ya fado daga kan dokinsa.
Jama’an dangin MacGil suna masu ihun rashinso suna tsaki suna kuka ayayinda Erec ya fado, yana rike da idanunsa. Daya mayakin, batare da bata lokaciba, ya gagauto ya bugeshi a hakarkari da gwiwa.
Erec ya mirgina, mayakin ya dauki babban dutse, ya daga sama, yana shirin saukewa a kan kashin kan Erec.
“BABU!” Thor yayi ihu, ya matso gaba, yagagara kama kansa.
Thor ya kalla a cikin tsoro yayinda mayakin ke saukowa da dutsen. A dakika na karshe, ta wani hanyan mamaki Erec ya mirgina ya kauce. Dutsen ya lume cikin kasa, a daidai inda da kansa yake.
Thor yayi mamakin saurin tunanin Erec. Yama riga yataso kan kafofinsa, yana fuskantar mai magudin mayakin.
“Guntayen takwufa!” sarakunan suka fada da karfi.
Feithgold ya juya da sauri ya harari Thor, idanunsa abude sosai.
“Mika mani shi” yayi ihu.
Zuciyar ta faradaka da tsoro. Ya juya, yana duba cikin maratayin makaman Erec, yana neman takwafin da gaggawa. Akwai makamai dayawa masu rikitarwa a ciki. Ya mika hanu, ya cafkoshi, ya dannan a tafin hanun Feithgold.
“Wawan yaro! Wannan madaidaicin takwafi kenan!” Feithgold yayi ihu.
Wuyar Thor ya bushe; yana jin masarautan gaba daya sun kure masa ido. Ganinsa na yanayana saboda tsoro ayayinda yake son ta zama masa bari, da rashin sanin wani takwafi zai zaba. Ya gagara tara hankalinsa wuri daya.
Feithgold yamaso gaba ta ture Thor daga hanya. Ya dafo gajeruwan takwafin dakansa. Sai ya koma kan hanyan sukuwan a guje.
Thor ya kalli tafiyarsa, yanaji shi bashida wanni amfani, yanayi marakyau. Ya kuma kokarin tunanin dashi yake gudu a wajen, a gaban wadannan mutanen, sai gwiwowinsa suka mutu.
Dangidan daya gwanin ne yafara isowa ga maigidansa, har sanda Erec yayitsalle ya kauce ayayinda mayakin ya kawo masa bugu, ya kayce da kyar. Daga karshe, Feithgold yakai ga Erec ya daura guntun takwafin a hanunsa. Yanayinhaka mayakin ya taso wa Erec. Amma Erec nada matikar dabara. Ya jira har dakika na karshe, sannan yayi tsalle ya kauce.
Mayakin yadinga tasowa, dukda haka, yaci karo ga Feithgold, asaye, a rashin sa’ansa, a wurin da Erec ya bari, mayakin, a cike da haushin bai samu Erec ba, yacigaba da tasowa ya kama Feithgold da hannayensa duka biyu a gashi, sai yamasa gware da karfi a fuska.
Wani karan fashewan kashi ya cika wuri ayayinda jinni ya dinga bulbulowa daga hancinsa sai ya fadi zuwa kasa, bamotsi.
Thor ya saya a wurin, baki a bude da mamaki. Yagagara yarda da abinda yafaru. Hakama yan kallon. Wadanda suka dinga tsiya da tsaki.
Erec ya juyo da twakafinsa, shaura kadan yasamu mayakin, sai suka sake fuskantar juna kuma.
Thor sai ya gano: shine kadai dangidan Erec a yanzu. Ya hadiye yawu. Me yakamata yadinga yi? Bai shirya wa wannanba. Kuma dukan masarautan na kallo.
Gwanayen mayakan sun cigaba da kaiwa juna hari ba sasauci, suna mayar da naushi wa naushi. Abayyane yake cewa mayakin McCoud yafi Erec karfi sosai—duk da haka Erec ya kasance mafi kyawun mayakin cikinsu biyun, yafi zafin nama da kuzari. Sunata wurgawa da yankawa da tarewa, ba wanda yasamu wani zarafi akan wani.
Daga karshe, saiki MacGil yatashi.
“Dogayen takwufa” yayi kira.
Zuciyan Thor nata bugawa. Yasan wannan na nufinshine: yana bakin aiki.
Ya juyo yaduba cikin matattarin makaimain, ya dauko makanin da yake ganin yafi kamada abinda aka kira. Ayayinda ya kamo hanun fatansa, yayi adu’an Allah yasa shiya dauka.
Ya ruga kan hanayan sukuwan kuma yanajin dubban idanu a kansa. Yayita gudu da duk iyawansa, yahason yakaiga Erec da duk saurinda yasamu, sai dagakarshe ya daura mashin a cikin haninsa. Ya ji dadin fara kaiwa gareshi.
Erec ya karbi mashin ya juya, yanada shirin fuskantar daya mayakin. Kasancewarsa jarumi mai adalcin da yakasance, Erec ya jira har wancan mayakinma yasamu makaminsa kafin yakai hari. Thor ya gagauta ya koma gefe, a wajen hayan mayakan, bayason ya maimaita kuskuren Feithgold. Yanayin hakan yaja sumamen jikin Feithgold kar a sake masa wani la’ani.
Ayayinda Thor yacigaba da kallo, yanajin wani abu badaidai yakeba. Abokin hamayan Erec ya dauki mashinsa, ya mikashi sama, sai ya fara saukowa dashi a wani irin yanayi. Yana cikin yin haka, haka kawai, Thor yaji duniyarsa ta hada masa hankalinsa a wuri daya yadda bai taba haduwa ba. Yayi ganewa mai zurfi cewa wani abu na badaidai ba. Idanunsa sun kullu akan tsinin mashin mayakin dangin McCloud, day a kalla dakyau, saiya gane a kunce take. Mayakin na kokarin amfani da tsinin mashin Kaman wukan wurgawa.
Ayayinda mayakin ke saukowa da nashinsa, tsininkan ta fice ya tafi a iska, karshe kan karshe, ya nufi zuciyar Erec. Acikin dakikoki, Erec zai mutu---babu yadda zai iya yin wani abu a cikin lokaci. Daga yanayin hakoransa, yayikama da irin mai huda rigar kariya.
A wannan lokacin, Thor yaji duk jikinsa ya dauki dumi. Yanajin wani tsummi na tashi ajikinsa---irin tsumin dayaji a dajin Darkwood. Yayin fada da dabbar Sybold. Duniyarsa gabadaya tadaina gudu. Ya iya ganin firon tsinin mashi a yanayi na tafiyan hankali, ya iya jin makamshinta, wani zafi, ya tashi a cikin jikinsa—wani wanda shima baisan yanadashi ba.
Ya masa gaba sai yaji shi yafi kan mashin girma. Acikin zuciyarsa, ya umurceta ta saya. Ya nemi ta saya. Baya son yaga Erec ya ji ciwo. Asali ma bat a wannan hanyan ba.
“BABU!” Thor yayi ihu.
Ya kara wani taku sai ya mika tafin hanunsa, ya auni tsinin mashin dashi.
Ya saya a wurin, a sararin iska, dabda zuciyar Erec.
Ya fado kasa ba wani barazana ga wani.
Duka gwanayen mayaka biyun sun juyo sun kalli Thor—hakama sarakuna biyun, kamar yadda dubban masu kalloma sukayi. Yaji duk duniyan na kallonsa, sai yagane cewa dukkansu sun shaidi abinda ya aikata a yanzu. Duk sunsan ba daidai da kowa yakeba, cewa yanada wani irin iko. Cewa ya canja sakamakon wassannin, ya ceci Erec—kuma ya canja kaddarar masarautar.
Thor ya saya a manne a wurin, yana mamakin mai yafaru a yanzu.
Yanzu ya tabbattar ba daya yake da shauran wadannan mutanen ba. Shi dabam ne.
Amma waye shi?
SURA NA TARA
Thor yasamu kansa a dage sama, Reece nayawo cikin taron mutane dashi, dan autan sarki da sabon abokin tarayarsa. Tun lokacin gasan sukuwan, komai yayi yanayana. Kodama mai shi yayi a dan baya, kodama wani iko ne ya sayarda kan mashin daga kasha Erec, ya dauke hankalin dukan masarautan. An dakatar da wasan bayan wannan, sarakunan suka dakatar da wassaannin gabadaya, suka ce ba wanda yayi nasara. Kowani gwani ya koma gefensa, jama’a suka watse a yanayin tashin hankali, shi kuma Thor Reece ya dafo hanunsa ya tafidashi.
An tafi dashi a tawagan sarauta, aka yanki ta baya ta cikin jama’a, Reece na rike da hanunsa duk tafiyan. Thor yakasance har yanzu yana bari daga abubuwanda suka faru a yau. Ya gagara gane abinda shi ya aikata a can baya kadan dinnan, yadda ya canja abubuwa. Baiso yazama wani sanane ba, yaso yazama dan rundunan sarki ne kawai. Baiso yaja hankalin kowa ba.
Abu mafi muni, baisan ina za’a kaishi ba, ko za’a je a masa wani irin horo ne saboda sa baki a fadan. Lallai, ya kare rayuwar Erec---amma ya sabaki a yakin gwanin mayakin, abinda haramun ne ga dangidan gwani. Baisani ko za’a saka masane kokuma za’a masa fada.
“Yaya ka yi wannan?” Reece ya tambaya, ayayinda yaketafiya. Thor natabi a makance, shima nata kokarin ya warware lamarin. Yayinda yake tafiya, jama’a nata kallonsa, sonata hararansa Kaman ya zama wani abin kallo.
“Bansaniba,” Thor ya amsa da gaskiya. “Naso na taimakeshi ne sai….ya faru.”
“Ka ceci rayuwan Erec. Kasanda haka kuwa? Shine gwanin mayakin mafi suna. Kuma ka ceceshi.”
Thor yaji dadi yayinda ya jujuya kalmomin Reece a cikin zuciyansa, yakuma ji dan sakewa. Yaso Reece tun farkon haduwansa dashi; yanada wani irin yanayin kwantar wa mutum da hankali, yasan mai yakamata ya fada a kowani lokaci. Yayin tunani akai, yagane watakila ba horo ma za’a masa ba. Watakila, ta wassu hanyoyi, zasu kalleshi a matsayin wani irin jarumi.
“Banyi kokarin yin komaiba,” Thor yace. “Naso yarayune kawai. Ya kasance…abinda aka saba. Bawani babban abu bane.”
“Ba babban abuba?” Reece ya maimaita. “Ni bazan iyaba. Babu wanda zai iya a cikinmu.”
Sun juya wata kwana sai Thor yaga fadar sarki a gabansu, a shimfide, yayi sawo zuwa sama. Kallo gwanin sha’awa. Mayakan sarki sun saya a saye cak, a jere akan hanyan mai jeren dutwasu dayake kai mutum gada mai naduwa, suna tare taron mutane. Sun koma gefe domin baiwa Reece da Thor zarafin wucewa.
Sun cigaba da bin hanya su biyu, da mayaka ta kowani gefensu, suka haura har manyan kofofi masu nadaden sama, arufe da sakatun karfe. Mayaka hudu sun ja kofofin sun bude suka ja gefe, a saye cak. Thor yagagara yarda da irin kullarda ake tamasa; yaji Kaman shima dan iyalin sarkine.
Yayinda suka shiga fadar, kofofin suka rufu abayansu, Thor yayi mamakin kallon dake gabansa: cikin yakasance da girma, da dogayen bangunan dutse masu kaurin taku daya kuma da dakuna masu girma, budadu. Agabansa daruruwan yan fada keta kaiwa da komowa, sunata surutai akan abin mamakinda yafaru. Yanajin kananan surutain da nishadin da yanayin ya kawo, kuma dukan idanu suka juya suka kalleshi ayayinda yashiga. Ya kewayu da kulawa.
Duk sun matso kusa, Kaman suna kallon kauyanci yayinda Thor da Reece suka gangara dakalin fadan. Bai taba ganin mutane dayawa sanye da lafiyanyun kaya Kaman hakaba. Yaga dozindozin na yanmata masu shekaru dabamdabam,sanye da haddadun kaya kalkala, sun kakkama hanayen juna suna gulma cikin kunnuwan juna kuma sunata masa murmushi ayayinda yaka wucewa. Bai saba da zama abin kulawan kowa ba—bama Kaman a fadar sarauta—kuma baisan yaya zaiyi da haka ba.
“Yaya suke dariyana?” ya tambayi Reece.
Reece ya juya yayi dan karamin dariya.”Ba dariyanka sukeyi ba,” yace. “Sun fara sonka ne. kayi suna.”
“Nayi suna?” ya tambaya, yana mamaki. “Me kake nufi? Ban dade da nan ba.”
Reece yayi dariya saiya kama kafadarsa da hanu. Azahirance yake cewa Thor nabashi dariya.
“Kalmomi sukan bazu dasauri a fada fiye da yadda kake zato. Kuma sabon zuwa kamanka---ai, wannan baya faruwa kulum.”
“Ina zamuje?” ya tambaya, yanamai gane cewa ana jagoransa zuwa wani wuri.
“Mahaifina nason saduwa da kai,” yace, ayayinda suka sha kwanan wata sabuwar dakali.
Thor ya hadiya yawu.
“Mahaifinka? Kana nufin…sarki?” Bazato, ya fara jin fargaba. “Mai zaisa yaso saduwa dani? Ka tabbata?”
Reece yayi dariya.
“Lallai na tabbata. Ka daina bari. Mahaifina ne kawai.”
“Mahaifinka kawai?” Thor yace da rashin yarda. “Shine sarki!”
“Bashida wannan munin. Inajin zai zama saurara na farin ciki. Ka ceci rayuwar Erec, ai.”
Thor ya hadiye ywau da karfi, tafin hanunsa suna gumi, ayayinda wata babbar kofar ta budu suka shiga wata makekiyar azure. Ya kalli makekiyar lankwasasuwan silin dake sama da mamaki, a rufe da zanen gwani kuma a samasama. Bangunan na rufe da tagogi masu lankwasasun sama na gilashi, kuma inda maiyiyuwane, Karin mutane ne a dankare a dakin nan. Watakila sun kai dubu, kuma dakin a matse. Teburan liyafa sun mike sayin dakin iya kallon ido, mutane azazzaune akan kujeru marasa karshen tsayi, suna liyafa. Asakanin wannan akwai dan karamin hanyar wucewa da dogon, jan shimfida, yaje wani dandali wanda akansa kujeran sarauta ke zaune. Taron mutanen nata rabuwa su bada hanya ayayinda Reece da Thor ke gangarawa akan shimfidan suka nufi sarki.
“Kuma kana ganin ina zaka kaishi?” wani murya na rashin so, maifitowa hanci yazo.
Thor yadaga ido yaga wani mutum a saye akansa, bai girmeshi dayawa ba, sanye da kayan sarauta, tabattace yarima, yatare masu hanya yana hararansu a kasa.
“Umurnin mahaifinmu ne,” Reece ya mayar dadan karfi. “Gwanma kabarmu muwuce saidai idan kanason kakibin umurnin.”
Yariman yasaya kan matsayinsa, ya daura fuska, yana kamada ya ciji wani rubabben abu ayayin kallon Thor. Thor baisosa ba kokadan. Akwai abinda shi bai yardadashi ba tare dashi, da siraren, siffansa na rashin kirki da idanunda basua taba daina kiftuwa.
“Nan ba zauren talakawa bane,” yariman ya amsa. “Yakamata kabar matsiyacin a waje, daga inda yafito.”
Thor yaji kirjinsa ya matsu. Azahiri wannan mutumi ya tsaneshi, kuma baisan dalili ba.
“Ingayawa mahaifinmu abinda kace?” Reece ta tsare, yasaya akan matsayinsa shima.
Darashinso, yariman yajuya yatafi da buga kafa a kasa.
“Waye wannan?” Thor ya tambayi Reece, ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya.
“Kadaka damu dashi,” Reece ya amsa. “Yayanane kawai—kokuma daya acikinsu. Gareth. Babban. Ai, ba asalin babbanba—shi babban dan halak din ne kawai. Kendrick, wanda ka hadu dashi a filin daga—shine ainihin babban.”
“Me yasa Gareth ya tsaneni haka? Banma sanshi ba.”
“Kada ka damu—ba wa kai kadai yake ajiye kiyayyarsa ba, ya tsani kowa. Kuma duk wanda ya kusanci iyalinmu, yana ganinsa barazana. Kada ka taba damuwadashi. Shi daya ne acikin masu yawa.”
Ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya, Thor yacigaba da jin nunawa Reece godiya, wanda, yafara ganewa, yafara zama abokin gaskiya.
“Mai yasa kasayamani?” Thor ya tambaya, yanason tasani.
Reece ya girgiza kafada.
“An bani umurnin nakawoka gaban mahaifinmu. Banda wannan, kai abokin tarayyanane. Kuma andade ba a samu sa’ana anan wanda nayi tunanin yakai ba.
“Amma mai yasa ni nakai?” Thor ya tambaya.
“Ruhun mafadacinne. Ba a yaudara dashi.”
Ayayinda suka cigaba da ganagarawa hanyar suka nufi sarki. Thor yaji Kaman shi ya saba da saninsa—yazama wani iri, amma a wassu hanyoyin yaji Kaman Reece dan’uwansane. Bai taba yin dan’uwa ba—ba asalin dan’uwa ba—kuma abin nada dadi.
“Shauran yan’uwana maza ba haka sukeba, karka damu,” Reece yace ayayinda mutane suka kewayesu, kowa nason yaga Thor. “Dan’uwana Kendrick, wanda kuka hadu—shi yafi kirki a cikin dukkansu. Muna yan’ubane, amma na daukeshi tamkar dan’uwa—fiyema da Gareth. Kendrick na zaman Kaman mahaifi na biyu ne a wurina. Zai zama haka maka, kaima, na tabbatta. Babu abinda bazai iya maniba—ma kowa. Shine mafi soyuwan iyalin sarautanmu a wurin mutane. Babban rashine rashin iya zama sarkinsa.”
“Kace ‘yan’uwa’. Kanada wani dan’uwa, kaima?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece yayi numfashi mai zurfi.
“Inada dayakuma, hakane. Bamua kusantan juna. Godfrey. Abin bakinciki, yakan bata ranakunsa a gidan barasa, da talakawa. Ba mayaki bane, kamanmu. Bashida sha’awansa—bashida sha’awan komai, asali. Saidai barasa—da mata,”
Bazatto, suka saya kwassam ayayinda wata buduruwa ta tare nasu hanya. Thor ya saya a wurin, a daskare. Watakila ta girmeshi da ‘yan shekaru, tana kallonsa da masu launin bulan, idanun malmo, lafiyayan fata, da dogon, gashi mai launin tsada. Tana sanye da farar rigan yadin satin gefen a kame da leshi, kuma idanunta suna kyalli mai kyau, suna rawa da farin ciki da tsiya. Ta manna kallon idanunta akan nashi kuma ta shiga masa rai. Ba zai iya motsi ba koda yaso hakan. Ta kasance kyakkyawar matanda bai taba ganin irinta ba.
Tayi murmushi, tanuna fararen hakora---kuma Kaman dama bai riga yagagara motsi ba, murmushinta ya kara rikeshi a wurin, ya haskaka zuciyarsa da faruwan abu gudadaya. Yaji yana raye sosai.
Thor ya saya a gabanta, yagagara Magana. Yagagara numfashi. Wannan ne karon farko a rayuwarsa da ya taba jin haka.
“Bazaka gabatar dani bame?” buduruwan ta tambayi Reece. Muryarta ya wuce sambai zuwaga Thor—yama fi suranta kyau.
Reece ya sauke numfashi.
To dai ga yar’uwana,” yace da murmushi. “Gwen, wannan shine Thor. Thor, ga Gwen.”
“Yaya kake?” ta tambaya da murmushi.
Thor ya saya a wurin, adaskare. Daga karshe, Gwen tayi wani dan karamin dariya.
“Banda kalmomi dayawa a lokaci guda, yi hakuri,” tace tareda dariya.
Thor yaji Kaman shi yana canja launi; sai ya gyara murya.
“Nine…Ni…ne…yi hakuri,” yace. “Nine Thor.”
Gwen tayi dan karamin dariya.
“Nariga nasan wannan,” tace. Saitajuya zuwaga dan’uwanta. “Nawa, Reece, abokinka tabbattace nada nasa hanyan bi da kalmomi.”
“Mahaifinmu nason ganinsa,” yace da rashin hakuri. “Zamu makara.”
Thor yaso yayi Magana da ita, yagaya mata irin kyau dinda takedashi, irin murnan dashi yayi saboda haduwa da ita, irin godiyanda shi yayi saboda ta saya. Amma gabadaya harcensa yakasance a daure. Bai taba shiga irin wannan halin barin a rayuwarsa ba. Sai, amadadin komai, abinda ya iya furtawa kawai shine:
“Nagode miki.”
Gwen tayi dan karamin dariya, ta kara dariya da karfi.
“Ka gode saboda mene?” ta tambaya. Idanunta suka kunnu. Tana jin dadin wannan.
Thor yasake ji Kaman launinsa yasake canja wa.
“Um…Bansani ba,” yayi i’ina.
Gwen ta kara dariya da karfi, sai Thor yaji kunya. Reece ya zungureshi da gwiwar hanu, yana zungurashi su tafi, sai su biyun suka cigaba da tafiya. Bayan yan taku kadan, Thor yasake leka bayansa. Gwen tana saye awurin, itama tana kallonsa.
Thor yaji zuciyansa na bugawa. Yanason Magana da ita, yasan komai akanta. Yaji kunya sosai saboda rasa kalmominsa. Amma bai saba hira da yanmata ba, aima, a karamin kauyensu—kuma baima taba yi da kyakkyawa Kaman haka ba. Ba a taba koya masa asalin mai yakamata ya fada ba, mai yakamata yayi.
“Ta cika Magana,” Reece yace, ayayinda suka cigaba da tafiya, suka nufi sarki. “Kada ka taba damuwa da ita.”
“Menene sunanta?” Thor ya tambaya.
Reece yamasa wani irin kallo. “Yanzu ta gaya maka!” yace da dariya.
“Yi hakuri…Na…uh…Namanta,” Thor yace, tare da kunya.
“Gwendolyn. Amma kowa na kiranta Gwen.”
Gwendolyn. Thor nata jujuya sunanta a zuciyarshi, Gwendolyn. Gwen.baiso yabar sunan ya tafiba. Yaso ya dinga lilo a cikin tunaninsa. Ya fara tunanin ko zai sake samun zarafin ganinta. Ya canki maiyiwuwa babu, kasancewarsa talaka. Tunanin ya taba masa zuciya.
Taron mutanen sun yi shuru ayayinda Thor ya daga ido ya gane yanzu sun yi kusa da sarki. Sarki MacGil na zaune akan kujeran sarautansa, sanye da kayan sarauta mai launin malomo, hulan sarautansa tana razana mutum.
Reece ya durkusa da gwiwowinsa a gabansa, sai jama’a suka yi shuru. Thor yabi misalin Reece. Wani shuru ya rufe dakin.
Sarkin ya gyara muryarsa, wani mai zurfin, kara daga zuciyarsa. Ayayinda yake Magana, muryarsa na game dakin gabadaya.
“Thorgrin na gangaren gunduman kudanci na masarautar yamma,” ya fara. Kanada sanin cewa yau ka tsoma baki a gasan gwanaye na sarki?”
Thor yaji wuyansa ya bushe. Ya gagara sanin yadda zai mayar da martini; wannan na hanyan farawa mai kyau bane. Ya fara tunanin ko za’a horar dashine.
“Yi hakuri, ubangidana,” yace daga karshe. “Banso yin haka da gangan ba.”
MacGil yayi Kaman matsowa gaba ya daga marfin ido daya.
“Baka so yin hakanba? Kana nufin bakaso ceton ran Erec ba?”
Thor ya rikice. Ya gane shi yana karawa wuta mai ne.
“Babu, ubangidana. Naso na---”
“To yanzu ka yarda kenan cewa kaso soma baki ne?”
Thor yaji zuciyarsa na daka. Me zai iya cewa?
“Yi hakuri, ubangidana. Ina ganin nadai…so na taimaka ne.”
“Kaso kadai taimaka?” MacGil yace da babban murya, sai ya jinginu a baya ya fashe da dariya.
“Kaso ka taimaka! Erec! Gwanin mayakinmu mafi jarunta da kuma sanuwa!”
Dakin gabadaya ya amsa da dariya, sai Thor yaji fuskarsa yai nauyi, sau daya cikin yawan lokuta a yau kawai. Akwai abinda shi zai yi daidai a nan?
“Tashi ka matso kusa, yaro,” MacGil yabada umurni.
Thor ya daga ido da mamaki yaga sarkin na murmushi zuwa kasa agareshi, yana kallonsa da kyau, ayayinda yatashi ya nufi sarkin.
“Naga sarautancewa a fuskarka. Kai ba yaro haka kawai bane. Babu, ba haka kowai ba ko kadan…”
MacGil ya gyara murya.
“Erec ne mafi soyuwan gwanayen yakinmu. Abinda kayi yau babban abune. Babban abu wa dukanmu. A matsayin sakkaya, daga yau, da dauke a matsayin iyalina, da dukanin biyayya da zarafi da duka shauran yarana suke dasu.”
Sarkin ya jinginu da baya ya fada da babban murya: “A sanar kowa yaji!”
Dakin ya rude da babban ihu da buga kafafuwa a kasa a cikin dakin gabadaya.
Thor ya kalli kewayensa, arikice, yagagara fahimtan duk abubuwanda suke faruwa dashi. Dan dangin sarki. Wannan na gaba da mafi girman mafarkunsa. Abinda shi yaso kawai shine a daukeshi, a bashi wuri a rundunan mayaka. Yanzu, wannan. Godiyanda yakejinyi yafi karfinsa, da farin ciki, baimasan me yakamata yayi ba.
Kafin ya mayar da martini, babu zato dakin ya fashe da waka da rawa da liyafa, mutane nata buki akewaye dashi. Abin yazama hayaniya ne. Ya daga ido ya kalli sarkin, yaga soyayya dake cikin idanunsa, yaga kauna da karbuwa. Bai taba samun soyayyar wanda ke zaman mahaifi ba a rayuwarsa. Sai a yanzu gashinan, yasamu soyayyar ba mutum kawai ba, amma na sarkin, ba kasa dashi ba. A cikin wuni daya, duniyansa ta canja. Yayita adu’an Allah yasa duka wannan gaskiya ne ba mafarki ba.
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Gwendolyn tanata tura hanyarta a cikin mutane, tanason tadan hangi yaron kafin arakashi yafita daga fada. Thor. Bugun zuciyarta ta karu akan tunaninsa, kuma tagagara daina jujuya sunansa a zuciyarta. Ta gagara daina tunaninsa daga lokacinda suka hadu. Tagirmeshi, amma ba fiyeda shekara daya ko biyu ba—ballema, yanada wani bau dashi wanda yasa yana Kaman yafi shekarunsa girma, yafi shauran nitsuwa, yafisu zahiranci. Daga lokacinda taganshi, yanda ya rikice. Tagani a idanunsa cewa yadda takeji shima yakeji.
Lalle, batama san yaronba. Amma ta shaidi abinda ya aikata akan hanyar sukuwa, taga yadda dan’uwanta yafara sonsa. Tasamasa ido tundaga lokacin, tana jin yanada wani abu na musamman, wani abinda ya banbanta da shauran. Haduwa dashi yadada tabbattar da haka. Yana dabanbanci da irin yan gidan sarauta, daga duk wadanda aka Haifa aka kuma raina anan. Akwai wani zahiranci mai kayatarwa a tare dashi. Shi bakone. Talaka. Amma basabamba, da yanayin gidan sarauta. Abin yayi Kaman yanajida kansa da yanayin kansa.
Gwen tabi hanyarta zuwa karshen dakalin sama ta leka kasa. Daga kasan fadan sarautane ashimfide, kuma tasamu yiwa Thor kallon karshe kafin arakashi waje, Reece agefensa. Tabbattace sun nufi barikine, domin yi horo dasauran yaran. Taji wani dannadama, tafara tunani, tana kulla, yadda zata shirya sake ganinsa.
Dole Gwen tasamu Karin saninsa. Dole tanemi bayani. Don wannan dole tayi Magana da mata daya data san kome akan kowa da duk abubuwan dake tafiya a masarautar: mahaifiyarta.
Gwen tajuya tasake yanka hanya komawa tacikin mutanen, tana jujuyawa kan dakalolin fadan wadanda tasansu da zuciya. Kanta na firo. Ranan yau yabata jiri gabadaya. Dafarko, tattaunawansu da mahaifinta nasafe, labarin banmamakinsa na wai yanason itane ta mulki masarautan. Yasameta a bazzata, bata taba zatton hakan a shekaru miliyanba. Tagagara warwareshi har yanzu. Yaya za a ceta mulki masarauta? Ta ture tunanin daga zuciyarta, tana fatan kar wannan ranan ya taba zuwa. Balle ma, mahaifinta nada lafiyarsa da karfi, kuma fiye da komai, abinda takeso kawai yarayu. Ya kasance anan da ita. Yakasance cikin farin ciki.
Amma tagagara cire tattaunawan daga zuciyarta. A wani wuri acikin zuciyan, aboya, akwai dan hatsinda ya shuka cewa wata rana, duk lokacinda ranan zai zo, dagashi sai ita. Zata gajeshi. Ba kodaya daga cikin yan’uwantaba. Amma ita. Abin nabata tsoro; yana kuma bata wani jin muhimmanci, wani rashin shakka, bakaman wani wanda ta taba samu ba. Yasameta da dacewan tayi mulki—ita—ta kasance mafi wayo da hikiman cikin dukansu. Tayi tunanin saboda mene.
Ya kuma, ta wassu hanyoyin, dameta. Tana ganin zai tada yawan kiyayya da kishi—ita, namace, azabeta tayi mulki. Tama fara ganin kishin Gareth. Kuma yana bata tsoro. Tasan yayanta da halin jujuya mutane da rashi yafiya. Zai iya yin komai domin yasamu abinda yakeso, kuma ta kijinin yasamata ido. Tayi kokarin ganawa dashi bayan tattaunawan, yamaki yakalleta.
Gwen ta gangara murdaden matakalan a guje, takalmanta nakara akan dutsen. Ta juya wani dakalin, tawuce ta masujada, ta wani kofan, ta wuce masu tsaro dayawa, tashiga kebaben shashi fadan. Dole ta tattauna da mahaifiyarta, wace tasan zata kasance tana hutawa anan. Mahaifiyarta bata iya juran wadannan harkokin bukibukin kuma—takanso tazame zuwa kebaben shashinta ta huta a koda yaushe zarafi zai iya samuwa.
Gwen tasake wuce wani mai tsaro, ta gangara wani zaure, sanan daga karshe tasaya a gaban kofan dakin shirin mahaifiyarta. Zata bude kofan kenan, amma saita saya. Abayan kofan, taji kananan muryoyi, karansu na karuwa, sai taji akwai wani abu. Mahaifiyarta ce, tana musu. Tasake kasa kunne sosai, taji muryan mahaifinta. Suna fada. Amma saboda me?
Gwen tasan baikamata takasa kunne ba—amma ya yanda ta iya. Ta mika hanu tatura babban kofan itacen oak din, ta kamashi da karfen kwankwasansa. Ta budeshi dan kadan ta kasa kunne.
“Ba zai zauna a gidana ba,” mahaifiyarta ta harba.
“Kina saurin yanka hukunci tun ma bakiji labara gabadaya ba.”
“Nasan labarin,” ta sake harbowa. “Ya isa haka.”
Gwen taji muryar mahaifiyarta da dafi, sai tatuna baya. Bata cika jin iyayenta suna fada—lokuta kadan a rayuwarta—kuma bata taba jin mahaifiyarta hankalinta atashe Kaman haka ba. Tagagara gane dalili.
“Zai zauna a bariki da shauran yaran. Banasonshi a karkashin jinkana. Ka gane?” ta danna.
“Babban fada ne,” mahaifinta ya mayar. “Bazaki ma san yananan ba.”
“Bandamu da konasani kobansaniba. Bana sonshi anan. Shi damuwanka ne. kai kazabi shigowa dashi.”
“Baki da rashin laifi gabadaya, kema,” mahaifinta ya musanta.
Taji takun kafafuwa, ta kalli mahaifinta ya sallaka dakin sai yafita ta kofan daya gefen, ya rufe kofan da karfi abayansa har saida ginin ya girgizu. Mahaifiyarta nasaye ita kadai a sakiyan dakin, sai ta fara kuka.
Gwen taji rashin dadi. Batasan me yakamata tayiba. A gefe daya, tayi tunanin zaifi kyau ta zame ta tafi, amma a daya gefen, bazata iya sayawa tana kallon mahaifiyarta na kukaba, bazata iya barinta haka ba. Ita ma, a rayuwanta gabadaya, ta gagara gane abinda suke musu akai. Tayi tunanin suna musu akan Thor ne. Amma saboda me? Me zaisa mahaifiyarta tama damu? Mutane dayawa suna zama a fadan.
Gwen tagagara tafiya haka kawai, ba a matsayinda mahaifiyarta ke ciki ba. Dole ta rarrasheta. Ta daga hanu tatura kofan ahankali.
Yadan yikara, sai mahaifiyarta ta juyo, yasameta a bazarta. Ta daura wa ‘yarta fuska.
“Bakia kwankwasa kofane?” ta tambaya da haushi. Gwen taga yadda hankalinta yatashi, sai taji wani iri.
“Me yafaru, mahaifiyana?” Gwen ta tambaya, tanufeta a hankali. “Bana nufin tsoma baki, amma naji kuna musu da mahaifina.”
“Gaskiyanki; baikamata kidinga tsoma baki ba,” mahaifiyarta ta mata fada.
Gwen taji mamaki. Mahaifiyarta kan kasance da kuzarine, amma bata cika kasancewa haka. Karfin haushinta yasa Gwen ta saya a tafiyanta yan kafofi daga ita, ba tabbaci.
“Akan sabon yaronne? Thor? Ta tambaya.
Mahaifiyarta ta juya ta kalli waniwuri dabam, tana share hawaye.
“Banganeba,” Gwen ta danna. “Yaya zaki damuda inda zai zauna?”
“Lammurana ba damuwanki bane,” tace a sanyance, tanason adaina zance azahiri. “Me kikeso? Me yekawo ki?”
Gwen tafara bari ayanzu. Taso mahaifiyarta tagaya mata komai akan Thor, amma tazabi lokacinda bai ko yi daidai ba. Ta gyara murya, tana shakka.
“Na…ainihin so na miki tambaya akansa. Me kika sani akansa?”
Mahaifiyarta ta juya sai ta masa idanunta a kallonta, bata yarda da ita ba.
“Saboda me?” ta tambaya, da dagewa. Gwen tanajin mahaifiyar na lissafi akanta, tana ganita azahiri, kuma tana gani da basiran zahiri cewa Gwen nasonshi. Tayi kokarin boye yadda takeji, amma tasan hakan bashida amfani.
“Inason nasani ne kawai,” tace, babu tabbattarwa.
Bazato, sarauniyar tayi taku uku zuwagareta, ta cafko hannayenta da garaje, ta harari fuskarta.
“Ki saurareni,” ta fada da tsaki. “Sau dayakawai zan fadi wannan. Ki nisanci wannan yaron. Kinajina? Banasonki a ko ina a kusadashi, ta ko wani hali.”
Gwen ta ji soro.
“Amma saboda me? Jarumi ne.”
“Shi ba dayane daga cikinmu ba,” mahaifiyarta ta amsa. “Duk da abinda mahaifinki zaiyi tunani. Inason ki nisanceshi. Kinajina? Ki rantse mini. Ki rantse mini a yanzu.”
“Bazan rantseba,” Gwen tace, ta kwace hannunta daga rikon mahaifyarta dayayi karfi dama.
“Shi talaka ne, kuma ke gimbiya ce,” mahaifiyarta tayi ihu. “Ke Gimbiya ce. Kin gane? Idan kika yadda kika kusanceshi, zansa a koreshi daga nan. Kin gane?”
Gwen tagagara sani yadda zata mayar da martini. Bata taba ganin mahaifiyarta haka ba.
“Kada ki gayamani abinda zaniyi, Mama,” tace daga karshe.
Gwen tayi iya kokarinta tayi amfani da muryar jaruminta, amma daga canciki tana bari ne. Tazonan dason tasan komai; amma yanzu, tana jinsoro. Batan gane me yake faruwa ba.
“Kiyi abinda kikagadama,” mahaifiyarta tace. “Amma kaddarrarsa na hanunki. Kada ki manta.”
Da wannan, mahaifiyarta ta juya, tayi tattaki daga dakin, ta rufe kofa da karfi abayanta, tabar Gwen ita kadai a cikin shurun da ya biyo baya, yanayinta arikice. Menene zai iya jawo irin wannan martani mai karfi daga mahaifinta da mahaifiyarta?
Waye wannan yaron?