The old woman leaned closer, lowering her voice until it was barely above a whisper.
"When you reach the crossroads, place the mortar at the very centre. Pour the dry maize into it and, without saying a single word, begin to pound."
She mimicked the motion with both hands.
"Pound with all your strength. Let the sound rise beyond this world into the world of spirits."
Her lips slowly formed the rhythm.
"Ko... ko kokoo...
Ko... ko kokoo...
Ko... ko kokoo..."
"The sound must never break."
Ego listened with complete attention.
"When that rhythm reaches the realm of spirits, birds will begin to gather."
"What kind of birds?" Ego asked.
"Every kind."
The old woman's eyes narrowed.
"Birds of light and birds of darkness. Some you already know, others no human eye has ever truly seen. They will come from the forests, the rivers, the skies... and from places your feet can never reach."
A chill crept down Ego's spine.
"They will feed on the grains that spill from the mortar."
She paused.
"No matter what you see..."
"...do not stop pounding."
"No matter how beautiful..."
"...or how terrifying."
"And whatever happens..."
"...do not scream."
She tugged gently at her ear.
"Have you understood?"
"I have, Nne."
The old woman nodded with satisfaction.
"You must continue until one particular bird arrives."
"What bird?"
"An Nza."
"But not an ordinary one."
"It will have a short shining cord tied around its left leg."
The old woman's voice became firm.
"When that bird finally comes close enough..."
"...keep pounding."
"Do not rush."
"Wait until it is within your reach."
"Only then should you stop."
She suddenly closed her hand into a fist.
"And catch it."
She held Ego's eyes.
"You must not miss."
"Because the moment it realizes your intention..."
"...it will disappear."
"And it will never return."
Ego swallowed.
"If you catch it, carry it straight home. Hide it where no human eye will ever see it."
She nodded once.
"When you have done that..."
"...the first part of the task is complete."
Ego blinked.
"The first part?"
She could not hide the disappointment in her voice.
"Only the first part?"
The old woman smiled knowingly.
"Did you think the blessings of the gods could be gathered as easily as fallen mangoes?"
She chuckled softly.
"The hands that refuse to labour never taste abundance."
Ego smiled sheepishly.
"I know..."
She scratched the back of her head.
"But this first part already sounds difficult enough."
The old woman slowly pushed herself to her feet.
"Then perhaps you should forget everything I have told you."
She turned as though preparing to leave.
Panic flashed across Ego's face.
"Nne!"
The old woman stopped.
"Please..."
Ego hurried to her side and gently held her arm.
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it."
"I was only frightened."
She smiled apologetically.
"Please sit down."
"I promise I won't interrupt you again."
The old woman studied her for several long moments before finally sitting back on the bamboo bed.
"Very well."
She adjusted her wrapper before continuing.
"Once the bird is safely hidden under your care..."
"...you must wait."
"For what?"
"The full moon."
"No matter how many nights pass."
"When the moon becomes perfectly round and bright, bring the bird out."
She raised one finger.
"Only then may you make your request."
Ego leaned forward eagerly.
"What kind of request?"
"Any good thing your heart truly desires."
She paused.
"But think carefully."
"Your very first request will become your only request."
Ego frowned.
"I don't understand."
"If your first request is wealth..."
"The bird will answer only for wealth."
"If it is wisdom..."
"It will answer only for wisdom."
"If it is children..."
"It will answer only for children."
"You cannot change your heart later."
"The day you ask for something different..."
"...the bird will refuse you."
Silence settled between them.
"So choose wisely."
She added quietly,
"And remember..."
"No other living person must ever see or touch that bird."
"Not even by accident."
Ego nodded slowly, committing every word to memory.
"So..."
She smiled.
"That is everything?"
The old woman returned the smile.
"You expected something worse?"
"I did."
Ego laughed softly.
"I thought the second part would be much harder than the first."
"The hardest part," the old woman replied, "is not catching the bird."
"It is deciding what you truly want."
The words lingered.
After a moment, Ego asked,
"Has this battle between Abali and Anyanwụ happened before?"
"Many times."
"And it will happen again."
"But no man can predict when."
"Then..."
Ego looked puzzled.
"How do you know tomorrow is the day?"
The old woman's eyes drifted toward the fire once more.
"The gods revealed it to me."
She smiled faintly.
"But what use is such a blessing to an old woman?"
"My journey is almost over."
"My greatest desire is to join my ancestors and find my rest."
She reached for Ego's hand.
"You, however..."
"...still stand at the beginning of your own journey."
Her voice softened.
"With this gift, you could rise above every hardship."
"No more hunger."
"No more ridicule."
"No more sleeping alone while others pity you."
"You could become the wealthiest woman in Umudibia..."
"...perhaps even beyond."
Ego's hopeful smile slowly faded.
The enormity of everything she had heard settled upon her.
"Nne..."
She asked quietly,
"Are you certain I can do this?"
The old woman looked at her with complete confidence.
"Some people learn courage."
"Others are born with it."
She squeezed Ego's hand.
"You belong to the second kind."
She leaned closer.
"This opportunity may never come again while you still breathe."
"Do not let fear rob you of the life the gods have prepared for you."
She smiled gently.
"There is no one more worthy of this blessing than you."
Ego lowered her head.
For the first time since Nnanna's death...
Hope returned to her heart.