CHAPTER 35

NARRATOR.

Nhlokwemamba turns his head slowly, his old eyes studying Amanda's shaking body as the boys walk in, struggling under Ncanezwe's weight. His limp arms hang lifelessly over their shoulders. Nhlokwemamba stands, joints cracking softly, and lays another woven grass mat on the floor beside his own.

"Akenimubeke lapha bafana," he instructs, and the two brothers carefully lower Ncanezwe onto the mat.
(Put him here, boys.)

Amanda's reaction is immediate—her body folds forward, her arms wrapping around her chest as if trying to hold herself together. A scream rips from her throat. Mabutho drops Ncanezwe's legs so fast they hit the mat and rushes to his wife.