Lesedi and Lorato waited. Lesedi desperately wanted to know more about the stone and his role in all this but he knew he would have to wait until they had somewhere more private to talk. Instead he started telling Lorato what had happened to them while he had been away and that Kilo and Bosenyi were there as well. Lorato didn\u2019t seem surprised.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they might be,\u201d he said. \u201cI think Bosenyi is trying to make a business deal with Bosula, something to do with the dam at the top of the Delta. Bosula also needs Lotobo to be on his side, so there are many connections there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lotobo, Kilo\u2019s grandson, the one who had been born at exactly the same time as Lesedi. Both their mothers had died. Was this coincidence, or was it all tied up with this stone Lesedi now had in his possession? Lesedi didn\u2019t like Lotobo very much. He went to a smart school in Gaborone and was very scornful of Lesedi, regarding him as backward and a country bumpkin. Lesedi didn\u2019t have a cell phone and there was no electricity where he lived so he couldn\u2019t discuss the latest TV programs. Lorato told him not to worry about this as he, Lesedi, knew far more important things about animals and surviving in the bush and one day when things went wrong with all the manmade stuff Lotobo would have to rely on Lesedi. All this sounded great but it didn\u2019t stop him feeling intimidated when Lotobo was around. <\/p>\n
\u201cBosula said something about the dam. He said it would make the Delta dry up and then we would all have to listen to him,\u201d said Lesedi.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat sounds like him,\u201d said Lorato, rubbing his legs, which were starting to feel a bit sore from all the rough treatment. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat have Lotobo and I got to do with…?\u201d Lesedi started to ask but just then two things happened that made them both freeze. The twine ladder started to snake its way down the wall and they heard the thump, thump of Bosula and the scuttle of the chameleons coming down the passage. <\/p>\n
\u201cQuick, move close to the grid so they don\u2019t notice the ladder!\u201d whispered Lorato. <\/p>\n
They moved towards the grid. The footsteps came closer, echoing eerily in the hollow passage. It sounded as if there were more than last time and then Lesedi realised why. His uncle Kilo had come along. <\/p>\n
\u201cAhhh! So now we have the old man, your dear brother, as well!\u201d Bosula grinned, the flickering light from the flares accentuating his evilness. Lesedi gave a shiver\u2014he always felt extremely cold near Bosula. \u201cTough old bird, surviving the scorpions. What trick did you play on them this time, you old crow?\u201d Bosula didn\u2019t wait for a reply. He turned to Kilo, pushing him forward. \u201cSo here he is! You told me he is the one who knows where the stone is! Get it out of him!\u201d<\/p>\n
Kilo looked nervous. He didn\u2019t greet his brother even though they had not seen each other in many years. \u201cYou must hand over the stone!\u201d he blurted out, not looking Lorato in the eyes. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? And what makes you think I have the stone?\u201d Lorato said, somewhat amused realising how scared Kilo was. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have it or you know where it is, and if you don\u2019t hand it over you will suffer greatly.\u201d Kilo sounded as if he was reciting a well-learned text. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do not have the stone,\u201d Lorato said truthfully. \u201cYou know that you and I were never to be the keepers of the stone.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know where it is,\u201d repeated Kilo. \u201cThen Lesedi must have it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLesedi is here.\u201d Lorato laughed. \u201cYou have had him in your hands. I am sure the great Bosula would have made sure that he did not have the stone!\u201d<\/p>\n
The Palm Nut felt huge in Lesedi\u2019s pocket, and he was sure everyone could see it bulging out. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo unless it was in here and he picked it up,\u201d continued Lorato, \u201cI somehow doubt he is the one who has it.\u201d He said all this in a very sarcastic voice, which annoyed Bosula intensely. He pushed Kilo aside, sending him crashing into Bosenyi, who was trying to peer gloatingly over his shoulder at his somewhat unfortunate relatives. <\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t need to stand here and listen to a couple of old men bantering with each other,\u201d he boomed at them. \u201cThis is getting nowhere. We will leave you for five minutes to discuss this matter and reconsider and then you will tell us where to find the stone. If you do not do this the scorpions will be back. They have recovered from your potions and are out for revenge\u2026 What\u2019s that?!\u201d Bosula peered through the grate past them. Lorato and Lesedi froze. He had seen the ladder!<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, the snake,\u201d he said, turning away. \u201cI had forgotten about that.\u201d He marched off, the others scuttling along behind him. <\/p>\n
Lorato and Lesedi breathed a quiet sigh of relief and turned around to look. They saw the snake standing on its tail waving from side to side in front of the ladder. Lesedi wanted to hug it but he wasn\u2019t too sure that the snake would understand what a hug meant. <\/p>\n
\u201cHey! What\u2019s going on down there?\u201d came a rather anxious gecko voice from above. <\/p>\n
\u201cShhhh. We\u2019re coming,\u201d said Lorato in a loud whisper. He could still hear the retreating footsteps and wasn\u2019t too sure how much they could hear. \u201cCome, Lesedi, you go first.\u201d He pushed Lesedi towards the ladder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about snake?\u201d Lesedi said anxiously as he started up the ladder. He had become very fond of the creature and didn\u2019t want it to be left behind to be mistreated by Bosula and Legodu. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure it will come if it wants to,\u201d said Lorato behind him. \u201cHurry now. We don\u2019t have much time!\u201d <\/p>\n
Lesedi scrambled up as fast as he could. He definitely didn\u2019t want to spend any more time in that dreadful place. He got to the top and rolled over onto the sand, taking a huge gulp of fresh air. Lorato came up straight after him. Quickly rolling up the ladder he ran to the cart. Kgatwe was already inside with the sixth drawer open and they stuffed the ladder inside. <\/p>\n
\u201cCome quickly, Lesedi. What are you doing?\u201d shouted Lorato. <\/p>\n
Lesedi was holding back, peering anxiously down the hole. \u201cSnake!\u201d he said, the tears staring to well up. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019ll be all right,\u201d said Lorato, taking up the reins. \u201cScorpions are scared of snakes and Bosula still thinks it is on his side. It\u2019s always good to have an ally in enemy territory.\u201d <\/p>\n
Lesedi climbed reluctantly onto the cart, a tear sliding down his cheek. Kgatwe jumped into his pocket. He wasn\u2019t too keen on having snake along, even though he had proved to be quite useful. He was also a teensy weensy bit jealous of Lesedi\u2019s newfound affection for it.<\/p>\n