The Quest of the Magical Dagger

7/31/2019 The Quest of the Magical Dagger

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THE QUEST OF THE MAGICAL DAGGER

Emmanuel Yeboah-Mantey

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THE QUEST OF THE MAGICAL DAGGER

Copyright 2003 by

Emmanuel Yeboah-ManteyEmail: [email protected]

Printed by

Printed in Ghana. All rights reserved under

International Copyright Law. Contents and/or

cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in

any form without the express written consent of theAuthor.

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DEDICATION

To my dad Rev. Kwame Yeboah-Mantey,

To my mom Mrs. Susana Yeboah-Mantey,

To my precious sister Susana Yeboah-Mantey Jnr.

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Chapter One_____________________________

In the far part of the Black Volta lies a mysterious

land. I happened to come across this land when I

was crossing to the other side on a hunting

expedition with my friends. Though the expedition

was exciting, many lives were lost, due to theproblems we had to go through before we could

come back home.

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My name is Nana Yaw. I was the chiefs son.Because of my position as the prince of Nbaso, I

had many friends, and was also highly respected by

the people. I attended Nbaso Junior Secondary

School.

It all happened when we finished writing the Basic

Education Certificate Examination. I felt it was

boring being in the house without doing anything.

One day I decided to go on a hunting expedition

across the river. I told ten of my friends who had

also completed school with me.

We agreed to make a boat that could contain us.

We decided to carve the boat in the ancestral forest

so that our expedition would be a secret. Theancestral forest was a forbidden place. It was

believed to contain evil spirits.

My friends and I brooded over those strange stories

told about the forbidden forest as lies, calculated to

prevent people from going there. We secretly went

to the heart of the forest to carve the boat, out of

the searching eyes of people. Four days later our

boat was completed. It was such a beauty. It wasbig. We named it

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On the set date we set off. We packed some

foodstuffs and our hunting tools, which consisted

of bows, arrows and spears.

None of us informed our parents of where we weregoing because we never thought of any disaster

befalling us since we planned the expedition for

only some few hours. We just told our parents we

were around the outskirts of the town, playing hide

and seek.

The ten friends who went on the expedition with

me were Kusi, Yeboah, Akobour, Ahmed, Mensah,Paapa, Osom, Obuoba, Ayitey, and Kwashie.

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Chapter Two_____________________________

In the forest we pushed our canoe onto the river

and began to paddle to nowhere in particular, with

all our strength, but in excitement. Our journeyprogressed smoothly until the unexpected

happened.

Unknown to us, that day was the day for the river

goddess. It was a day no one went for fishing.

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Most people who went to fish in the river on that

day are known not to have come back. They are

believed to have been killed by the river goddess

and her cohorts. Because of these stories, nobody

even went near the river on that day.

It was when we had almost gotten to the middle of

the river that I remembered that day was a sacred

day of the river goddess. This sent shivers through

my spine. My friends became scared and pale

when I told them. I regretted for telling them.

The town crier always gives the messageconcerning the sacred day, but none of us heard the

town crier the following day because we were busy

working on our canoe in the forbidden forest.

We decided not to continue with the expedition for

fear of the unknown. We were afraid for three

reasons. First, we had entered the forbidden forest

without permission.

Secondly, we have gone to the river on a sacred

day. And thirdly, our parents would be furious

about our stubbornness. My problem was even the

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worse because as a prince and a highly respect heir

to the throne, I should have know better.

In the process of turning the canoe toward home a

strong wind blew at the canoe that nearlyoverturned it. One person fell into the river. He

was Ahmed. He was drowned instantly. At the

sight of one of us drowning, we became scared to

the bone.

Hardly had the storm died down when a whirlwind

lifted our canoe overturned it. We were all thrown

into the river.

Those who could swim swarm for their lives.

Others who could not swim fought helplessly to

stay on the surface. In the midst of all these, I saw

the canoe, which was some, few meters away from

us split into two, and then it broke into many

pieces. I was tired from swimming for such a long

time that I lost consciousness.

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Chapter Three___________________________

When I opened my eyes I was on a beach. I got up

and looked about, then I realized I was on anisland. Lying a few meters from me was four of

my friends; they were lying unconscious.

As I looked behind me I saw an empty calabash. I

picked it up and fetched some of the seawater and

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sprinkled it on the faces of my friends to revive

them.

They got up with a start, but calmed down when

they saw me. We did not know where we were butwere surprised we were still alive. Those who

survived the disaster with me were Yeboah, Kusi,

Osom and Mensah.

We sat down on the beach and deliberated on how

to find our way back home. We started on a river

in a canoe but now we find ourselves on seashore,

on an island. What a mystery! How would we gohome, and what are we going to tell our parents

and the whole community, especially about our

dead colleagues?

On the beach of the island were coconut trees.

Feeling very hungry and as we had our knives on

our bodies, we climbed the coconut trees, plucked

some fruits and had our first meal since we left ourhomes.

After our meal of coconut, we decided to cut some

leaves from the nearby bush to make beds as it was

getting to the evening. We chose a spot that was

soft and sandy to make our beds. After making our

beds I turned to take a proper look at the island.

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As I turned my sight from the beach to the other

part of the island, I saw a sight that made me shout

to my friends to come to see what I saw. I saw that

one side of the island was dark while the other sidewas bright. It was a terrifying sight that kept us

rooted to our feet and left dumbfounded

momentarily.

This terrifying sight stared us in the face, and I still

remember that sight till today as I write. The irony

of the whole scenario was that in spite of the

imminent danger, we were feeling sleepy becauseof the hard day we have had.

We prepare ourselves to sleep come what may but

not until we prayed to God to help us overcome

any other calamity that was about to fall on us.

Our resolve before we slept was that we would

fight and defend each other to the hilt, since we

couldnt afford to lose any of us. We made ourknives ready by our sides and lay on the leaves and

slept.

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Chapter Four____________________________

Nothing happened in the evening as we slept. It

was at dawn that we were awakened by an unusual

noise. We got up instantaneously and got ready

with our knives.

We realized the noise was coming from the dark

part of the island, and it sounded like a heavy

stamping of footsteps. We became afraid, and

were about to hide when something monstrous we

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have never seen or heard of before came to stand in

front of us. The monster was about twelve feet tall.

It had twelve eyes and had a club in its hands.

Upon seeing me it charged at me. It gave a mighty

blow with its club. I bent down in time to preventthe club from hitting my head. One of my friends

Yeboah sensing danger removed his knife and

when the monsters back was turned, quickly run

towards it and stabbed it in the back. A green

substance oozed from when the knife penetrated.

After Yeboahs brave attempt, the others followed,

attacking the monster from all sides.

It was a hell of time for the beastly thing as it

became confused from our attacks, and was

bleeding profusely from the many wounds we have

inflicted on its body.

Suddenly, it took Kusi by the head and was about

to swallow him when I jumped and held its neck to

detract it from swallowing my friend.

While it fought to free itself from my grip, my

other three friends were busily cutting branches

from an oak tree to use as clubs to hit the monster.

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I held on to the monsters neck and used my knife

to make an incision in the throat, while the monster

still held on to Kusi, trying to swallow him.

The cut in the monsters throat was so sharp anddeep that it gave out a loud deafening cry and it

threw Kusi away unconscious. This sudden turn of

events also saw me falling down from my grip on

the monsters neck.

With its pride wounded, it made a last minute

attempt to grab and tear me apart, but for the

timely intervention of my two friends, who hadreturned with their clubs, hitting the monster

mercilessly.

The wound in the monsters throat and the beating

from Mensah, Osom and Yeboahs clubs were so

devastating that it fell down and died. We

immediately went to Kusi, who was still

unconscious, and revived him. We congratulatedourselves for the teamwork that enabled us to kill

the monster.

In the evening I kept watch for two hours while the

other slept. After the two hours I woke up the nextperson to keep watch while I also slept.

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Chapter Five_____________________________

When I woke up the following morning, I found

my feet and hand tied, and in a dark room. I turned

and saw my friends in the same situation. I askedmy friend near me what happened. He narrated

that he was keeping watch during his turn when he

was hit by an object that made him unconscious,

and he only woke up to find us all in the same

situation.

As we were talking to ourselves, the door burst

opened, and before us were people weve neverseen or met before. We realized from their

gestures that they were kindhearted people.

Luckily for us Yeboah understood their language

so he served as our interpreter. These kindhearted

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people, who were natives of the island, took us to

the chief.

We were received and welcomed to the island also

as natives. The chief told us we were one peopleso there was no need for us to think of them

differently. They however told us not to kill or eat

a pig because it was a taboo. They claimed it

served as a link between them and their gods, and

as such claimed it sacred. We had already killed

some of the wild pigs before we got to know it was

a taboo.

Though we were accepted as one of them, we were

not allowed to live with them. We were giving a

land on the outskirts of where they lived. The

elders of the place monitored us closely to see if

we would go against the rules they set up for us.

One day we decided to go and search forsomething to do for fun. We were giving bows and

arrows by the people. We walked up to a hill and

stopped to rest.

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After resting we climbed the hill. The valley was

filled with wild pigs. We decided to shoot to see

the one who could kill the biggest pig. After we

shot the pigs, loud squeaks could be heard from the

pigs that escaped.

Unknown to us one of the elders was following us.

He went back to tell the chief what he saw. When

we got back a message was brought to us that we

were needed urgently at the chiefs palace. When

we got there, all the natives had converged at the

palace, waiting to hear what the chief would say

about our breaking the taboo.

Before then, we had planned of making a canoe

that would take us back to Nbaso. We got all the

materials needed ready with the help of the natives.

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Chapter Six______________________________

When we got to the chiefs palace, there was

talking here and there among the people. The chief

got up and motioned for silence.

The chiefs face showed anger and disappointment.When I looked at him I felt something bad was

going to happen to us. Standing behind the chief

was the sword bearers. They were dressed as if

they were going to war.

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A chair was brought to us and we sat down.

Ahem, the chief cleared his throat. Young

men, he said, You came from a far land

unknown to us, to this land. We did not harm you

nor did we leave you empty handed. We fed youwith our food and made you to be highly respected

by the people. None of this treatment this

treatment have we given to any of our people, and

they are not complaining. There was a murmur

from the natives at this juncture. Order, shouted

the sword bearers. The atmosphere became dead

silent.

In spite of all that, we did for you, continued

the chief, you were brave enough to go against

our taboos.

When you came to this land, continued the chief;We read all our rules, regulations and taboos to

you. Why do you do this to us? the chief queried.

You have brought shame to us, and the

punishment to this crime is death, declared the

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chief. There were shouts of Ooooh from the

crowd. Keep quiet retorted the sword bearers.

But, continued the chief, We have decided to

give you a task to do for us. We became a littlerelieved for we gathered from the chiefs last

statement that we were at least, not going to be

killed.

The chief continued, If you are able to perform it

well you will be allowed to go to your land without

any hindrance or trouble, and we will even help

you make a canoe that can take you back to yourcountry, the chief sounded candid.

This is your task, continued the chief. There is

a magical dagger on a hill in the middle of the evil

forest. One of you will be made a captive and will

stay here to make sure the rest of you do not

escape.

But beware, continued the chief, You have tobe armed for this quest, because you will meet all

kinds of dangers. Do you have any questions?

he asked. Weapons will be given you. You will

start out early at dawn, the chief finished amidst

pandemonium among the crowd.

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We left the palace feeling very miserable and

uncomfortable. We later learned that the dagger in

question had magical powers that guarded any one

in possession of it.

We were told that the dagger was first in the

possession of the natives, which gave them power

over the evil forest. One day, the inhabitants of the

forest captured the chief of the island. In return for

the chief the inhabitants of the forest asked for the

dagger in exchange. Since then no one has been

able to venture the evil forest. They had wagedrelentless warfare to regain the magical dagger to

no avail.

The last time they sent a strong army for an

onslaught, only one survived to tell about the evil

forest. The survivor survived two days after his

escape. Ours was the sixth batch to be dispatched

on this quest.

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Chapter Seven___________________________

The night before our departure to the evil forest, I

could not sleep. I was thinking of all the

dangerous things they have told us about the forest,

and all the dangers that would befall us.

As I slept, I dreamt of meeting a monster I cannot

describe. It had three eyes, four horns and a

ferocious face. I was running and it was chasing

me. It was about to catch me when I felt a tap on

my shoulder. I turned to see Kusi.

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The chief is here, Nana Yaw, he said. I got up

and dressed up. When I went outside the chief was

there with his people. They came with spears and

bows and arrows.

Time was up for us to go, and since Mensah was

the youngest, we decided that he should stay

behind.

We took the bows, arrows and spears, mounted the

horses the chief and his people provided, and got

ready to embark on the quest. We were four innumber.

At exactly 5.00am we started our journey through

the evil forest. The place was very quiet. Only the

hoofs of the horses could be heard. Unknown to

us, we were closely being watched by the savage

people who made the forest evil. They were

cannibals.

We hadnt gone far when we heard strange noisesfollowing us. We realized without any shock that

the savage people in the forest were following us

on horseback.

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Their riders were holding spears, bows and arrows.

They were twelve in number. They followed us in

hot pursuit.

.

Suddenly they started shooting arrows at us. Wetook our bows and arrows and shot at them. Three

of them fell down dead from their horses.

We kept on aiming arrows at them. We thought

we had killed them but we realized to our dismay

that four of them were still closely pursuing us, but

there was a little distance between us.

We negotiated a curve and tied our horsed behind a

big tree completely hidden from the assailants. We

waited in the bush and decided to give them a

surprise attack, as they will slow down round the

curve. We got our bows and arrows aside and

prepared our spears for the attack.

As they rounded the curve I gave the signal for theattack. I quickly ran towards the first horse, pulled

its rider down and gave him hefty kicks, which

dazed him. Then I pierced him with the spear,

which killed him instantly.

Looking back I saw that my men were not finding

it easy. I rushed to the aid of one of them who was

nearly overpowered.

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We came out with flying colors by killing the four

assailants. We untied our horses and took off.

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Chapter Eight____________________________

We did not get far when we heard a loud noise that

sounded like the screeching of car tyres in the air.

We looked up only to see a giant-like bird with

three heads swooping down on us.

Sensing danger, we laid flat on the ground.

Suddenly I felt myself rising. The bird had gotten

hold of my dress with its claws.

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Upon realizing my fate, Kusi jumped and got hold

of my legs while Yeboah simultaneously shot an

arrow straight to the chest of the bird. This shot in

the birds chest made it to release me from its grip

after it felt the pain. The bird immediately flewaway without turning back.

We thanked God and praised Yeboah for being

very skillful in using the bow and arrow. He

replied that as his father was a hunter, he was used

to using the bow and arrow.

We hadnt gone far when we hear that samescreeching noise. We looked up and saw the same

bird with the arrow in its chest, but this time with

two other similar birds.

This time, we didnt lie down when they swooped

down. We picked up our spears and decided to

attack them one on one while our remaining

colleague gives a helping hand to each of us.

I positioned myself to face one of the birds. I

threw my spear aiming at the chest. To my

amazement, the spear rather pierced the head. This

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made the bird to fly in an awkward way. It ended

by crashing into a big baobab tree.

I run after it and beheaded it to prevent it from

rising up again. After beheading the bird, I turnedand saw that my other friends had also killed the

two other birds in the same fashion.

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Chapter Nine____________________________

We went for about a mile when I heard a noise atmy back. I turned only to feel a heavy blow on my

head. I fell down and went off.

When I regained conscious, I realized my hands

and feet were tied up. I turned round to see my

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two other colleagues also tied up. I was later told

of what happened.

After killing the three birds we thought that was

all. Unknown to us more of the savage peoplewere following us.

We were three people who were captured. The

other person was able to escape.

In the room where we were kept, there were two

skeletons there. They had also been tied up like

how were tied.

When the three of us were captured, Yeboah was

able to escape. Those of us captured were badly

beaten and tortured by the people.

After the people took us to where we were being

detained, Yeboah did not know what to do, as he

later told us. He then devised a plan to save us.

He immediately put his plans into action. He

picked up his knife, dagger and the bow and

arrows, and left the spear behind.

As he neared where we were being held as

captives, he saw a man near the path to the room

we were in. He was sure the man was a guard.

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He hid in the bush to make sure the man did not

see him. When the mans back was turned to him,he removed his dagger and ran noiselessly to the

mans back. He held the man very firmly with his

left hand and covered the mans mouth. Then he

pulled him into the bush and stabbed him in the

chest.

There was a tall and big tree by where his first

victim had first stood. He looked to his left andright, and not finding any one, climbed the tree.

On top of the tree, he could see everywhere and

everything that was going on. There were only

three guards who were guarding us. The rest had

gone in search of our colleague who escaped.

As he had succeeded in killing one the guards, itwas now left with two more guards to contend

with.

The second guard came and stood by the tree.

Realizing that the other guard was not there he

began to call him. Yeboah took out his bow and

inserted an arrow into it, then he pulled the string

and pointed the arrow to the guard, then he

released it towards the guard. He gave out a loudcry when he was struck by the arrow and fell down

dead.

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When the third guard heard the cry he rushed to the

tree. He was also killed immediately he got there,by Yeboah.

As Yeboah came down to open us from our prison,

he saw the hill the chief told us about, which

contained the magic dagger. The dagger was

placed in the middle of the hill. With much

difficulty, he was able to remove it.

When Yeboah opened us and cut the ropes that

were used to tie us, we heard the clattering of

hoofs. Looking outside, we saw the search party

coming. They were still a little far from us.

We saw our three horses tied to a tree. Johns

horse was not there. Now we were four and there

were three horses. We immediately agreed thatYeboah should ride with me.

As we mounted our horses and began to leave, the

search party saw us and started to chase us. We

took out our bows and arrows and shot at them.

Every time we shot a man fell down.

They realized they could not catch us so they

stopped chasing us, to stop us from killing them.

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We reached the other side of the island safely. The

people, including the chief were surprised to see usback without any wounds or bruises. They were

even more surprised when we handed the dagger to

the chief.

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The chief told us to follow the river wherever it

went until we got to a place, which was dark.

Here, according to chief, we have to close our eyes

and when we open we would be at Nbaso, our

home.

After showering us with gifts and praises, we left

the chief and his people and the strange island and

paddled our canoe to the deep of the river.

We followed the chiefs instructions, and when we

came to the dark place, as the chief told us, we

closed our eyes. When I opened my eyes I realizedI was on my bed. It was a dream

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The Quest of the Magical Dagger