The Queen With The Frozen Heart 20

A huge boa glided through the water and slid to its place under the the boulder guarding the river.

The yellow dapples in its skin shone in the sun and attracted the eyes of the children playing on the rock.

- Pretty snake, a girl called and giggled.

- A snake, a snake, the boys shouted together, it's a boa, a giant boa!

- There are no boas here, an older boy sneered them, calm down and let everyone in peace!

- Snakes, a scream pierced the air, there are snakes everywhere!

Women looked around themselves with wariness.

Sisa gasped and backed away at the sight of heaps of boas slithering on the warm sand next to the river.

The trees around the water were filled with their colorful sinuous forms.

She could see the reds and yellows gleaming in the sun while the snakes lowered themselves to the ground.

- They are back, she whispered, but what happened to Amarun?

- Where are our husbands, a voice wailed, where are our fathers and sons? What has happened to them? Why have you abandoned them?

A flock of butterflies bursted in the air and only the wind and the sound of the water answered to the anguished question.

- I will hunt them down, a boy bolstered and threatened the boas with his spear, I will kill them all for abandoning my father and brothers.

The sky darkened and a strong wind lifted, the air filled with the hammering sound of tropical rain and the sky was pierced by a sudden lightening.

- Don't anger them, a woman's voice complained, they will call the thunder on us and kill us all!

- But what about my father, a little boy asked with tears in his eyes.

- Yaya, a girl cried, father! I want my Yaya, bring me my father!

The air around Sisa filled with sorrow while people run to their huts to protect themselves from the storm.

She could feel her magic hiding itself under her clothes like a little scared lizard.

Her thoughts were heavy and her feet even heavier while she followed her mother to their fireside.

The rain pounded the earth harder and harder and drooped the leaves and the tree tops, it raised a mist from the river and it was impossible to see around.

She peeled maniocs with her experienced hands while her mind wandered away and filled a pot with them.

It was time to put the plantains on the grill that was waiting over the fire.

An armadillo waited next to her, wrapped in banana leaves.

Its meat was still tender and tasty after waiting overnight for them to finish eating it.

What had really happened, she wondered.

Where was Amarun?

Where were all the men from the village?

Why hadn't they returned together with the snakes?

To be continued ...

This is the twentieth part of the story.

If you want to read the first part of the story, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 1  

To read the second part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 2 

To read the third part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 3. 

To read the fourth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 4. 

To read the fifth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 5.

To read the sixth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 6

To read the seventh part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 7

 To read the eight part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 8

To read the ninth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 9

To read the tenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 10

To read the eleventh part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 11

To read the twelth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 12

To read the thirteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 13

To read the fourteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 14

To read the fifteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 15

To read the sixteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 16

To read the seventeenth part, go to the The Queen With The Frozen Heart 17

If you want to read the eighteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 18

If you want to read the nineteenth part, go to The Queen With The Frozen Heart 19