Page 76 - Microsoft Word - FANG EMPIRE - NOVEL.docx

with leopard wings so I shall know him when he flies, or a sweet bird with a Mandinka song so I

shall know him when he sings.”

GoGo looked up at the sky as the stars began to congregate in the firmament.

“You took my king and I have not had time to grieve. But if you take my son I no longer

have a reason to live.”

GoGo wept.

Sooth appeared behind her. “My queen . . .”

She took a moment to compose herself, and then turned to him. “Please call me Go’Ngola,

tonight and ever after, for you are my true friend.”

I am, until the dust. “It is time… Go’Ngola.”

Sooth and GoGo walked through the long tunnel toward their terrible task. GoGo took his

hand and held it, for she knew the thing she had commanded him to do was breaking his heart.

The royal guards who stood watch over the entrance to Omar’s bedchamber snapped to attention

as they passed. They entered.

Zuba, Daka, Cane, and Raki stood like a royal honor guard in a line to the left of the bed,

which had been pushed to the center of the cave surrounded by candles on tall candelabras. GoGo

stopped and observed the care to which the men had given her son’s departure. Atop Omar’s head

was a crown made of saber-toothed tiger teeth. GoGo walked over and admired her son’s

elegance.

“Neither thieves, the arrow nor its poison, can steal his royalty,” she said.

She stroked the long sabers then looked at Zuba.

“There were two tigers,” he said devotedly and bowed his head.

She leaned over and kissed Omar on the cheek.

“Farewell sweet prince… my love.”

She looked over at Sooth and though she did not give the word, he understood the word

was given. GoGo backed away from the bed and Sooth stepped forward. He removed a dagger

from his cloak. He picked up a pomegranate next to a bowl of water on the table he had prepared