"Greetings madam."
"i am Mr. lode, my apologies troubling you at this hour, I have an urgent message for you." A man at the gate answered, his voice firm but anxious.
Zera opened the small side door of the gate, A dagger was hidden in the folds of her gown at the back and and a folded hankie laced with knockout powder in her palm. She held a small lantern in her other hand before stepping out.
Through the peephole, she had seen Mr. Lode the area chairman. A short man with a full beard and a shining bald head. She relaxed slightly at the familiar face.
"Mr. Lode, I didn't recognize you. Good evening" Zera replied, her voice warm though uncertainty echoed in it.
She unbolted the small gate, stepped out and greeted Mr Lode with a handshake her head turned on the right side of Mr. Lode observing the well dressed men that stood a little behind Mr. Lode with some guards.
"Who are these men?" Zera asked Mr. Lode, a smile protruding from her lips.
"Our area night guards.They came to my house saying there were some men at the town centre offices who had an urgent message to deliver to you." Lode's eyes rested on the men before looking at Zera.
"Your welcome Gentlemen." Zera bowed.
"It was past the buying hour today and so they chose to access you through the guards to avoid raising any suspicion."
Lode explained to Zera, and looked at one of the men who seemed to be leader of all the men who had traveled with him, a total of six on number.
"Please sir, she is madam Zera the one you wanted to talk to." Zera's eyes moved as the man walked closer.
He was dark skinned, fit in shape, tall and wore smooth inner clothing that covered his neck followed by a long fine leather looking tunic that went upto his feet. His shoes were round at the front rising up with a dark sole and leather like buckles.
He smelled like lavender and frankincense and had thick dark braids pulled back and had a mark near his left eye brow.
Zera's eyebrows furrowed a bit but she pulled a smile and offered her hand out to the man to greet him.
"Good evening sir." Her voice carried a warmth she didn't feel.
"Good evening too madam, nice to meet you." His voice came low, almost hesitant. There was a tremble in his tone.
"Atur sent me here to have a word with you." The man added.
"Atur?" Zera repeated, her eyes rested on the man. Is there a problem?
The man hesitated, his eyes dropped to the ground and moved his right hand to the left hand."
"Lelvin went riding yesterday morning. She met with a terrible accident."
Zera startled and dropped her hankie to the ground, her feet moved back once and she paused and breathed heavily as she placed her right hand on her chest.
"How is she now?" Zera asked the man, her voice trembled.
"I am sorry mother, we tried our best but she didn't survive it." The man replied, his gaze shifted to the side away from zera.
Zera dropped the lantern in her hands, tears rolled down Zera's cheeks, she turned around and looked at the stars briefly and looked at the man.
"But are you sure? "Zera asked, curled her lips in and bit on them.
"Yes mother, this is why Atur sent me."
Zera's knees buckled beneath the weight of the news, and she collapsed to the ground, her hands slapped against the cold earth to catch herself.
Her palms pressed into the dust as her shoulders shook, tears dripped from her eyes.
Lode looked away as his own eyes were misty too.
"Mother I am sorry for your loss. The almighty will take you through this. i have to take my leave now and arrive before morning to prepare for your arrival." The man said softly, bowing again before turning away.
His companions followed without a word, his men were all dressed in same fashion as him. The area guards didn't follow the men.
"Chief" Zera called Lode, her voice trembled even more.
"what do I do now? I prayed so hard to avoid this but the enemy has finally won." A broken sound tore from Zera's throat something between a cry and a gasp.
The area guards were only two standing next to Lode and he dismissed them.
"For now, this stays between us. We will finalize everything later on. For now compose yourself, enter the house and prepare for the journey tomorrow." Lode told Zera, his arm rested steadily on zeras shoulder.
Zera nodded, wiped her face and walked back Inside and bolted the handle of the small gate. She looked around and walked back to the main house locking the front door.
"Who has died?" Yara wondered, retreating inside to the kitchen just before Zera could reappear before her.
"She cried like it was a long time friend." Yara paused!
"Or is it a close relative?" Yara pressed her four fingers to her mouth, pressing down as she rolled her eyes in confusion.
She darted into the kitchen quickly , pretending to wipe the last dish.
"Have you closed the outside kitchen and bolted the windows?" Zera asked, her eyes briefly scanning the back door before settling on Yara.
"Yes, Mom. I'm just filling the water pot."
"Good. Tomorrow, work at the shop. Get up early there'll be money on the table in the sitting room. Buy breakfast at the market instead of cooking here."
"Okay mom. Thank you."
"Have a good night dear. Thank you for the work you did too." Zera's voice was steady but her steps as she walked away carried the weight of grief.