Page 24 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

As the laughter subsided, Goban looked over at Belly Pot. “I love you, Belly Pot.”

Belly Pot gazed at Goban. “And I love you, my honey gourd.”

“Now the world is ours, together,” said Goban.

“Together forever,” said Belly Pot. “We will build our castle on the Ganju Lands near our

gold and salt mines. Bathe in the River Niger.”

“Grow orchids and night jasmine in our garden,” said Goban.

“Our love will be legend. The Dogon tribe will sing songs in our glory! I will shower you

with—”

Suddenly, Belly Pot gagged on his words and his body shivered then shook strangely.

“What’s wrong?” said Goban.

“I feel—” Belly Pot’s words were blocked by his swelling tongue that oozed from his

mouth like a fat snail from its shell.

“Belly Pot!” shouted Goban as he watched the fat man’s face twist and his body seize

violently.

His teeth ground down into his protruding tongue biting it clean off. Blood spurted out as

he grabbed his throat. His mouth bubbled with white froth and his eyes bulged as he made

agonizing sounds. Goban screeched in terror as Belly Pot tumbled off his camel. The frightened

man jumped down and ran to his cohort’s side but there was nothing he could do. He knelt over

Belly Pot as he spasmed in the sand. The fancy buttons on his under-vest popped and his fat belly

swelled unnaturally then exploded. Goban screamed as Belly Pot’s intestines splattered onto him.

An arrow suddenly whistled through the night air and slammed into Goban’s right eye in mid

scream. He stood frozen like a statue for a moment then fell stiff as a stone onto the sand. Two

shadowy figures appeared in the distance under the moonlight. They rode up, dismounted and

removed the sashes from their faces. They were Sooth and Daka, holding his bow.