Over the days of being unable to do anything, Than got to know the men he was chained to better and reflected on their differences.

Of them, Olakunde was certainly the most accessible. The mighty lion wore his heart on his sleeve - or lack thereof - and had told him half his life's story on the second day on the chain.

Four brothers had he, and seven sisters. He was the second youngest child of Oluwaseyi and Nilaya, and of all his siblings he was most like his father - having inherited much of the feral nature of his great-grandmother to his father's side, whom, it was said, had reared and raised his grandfather so he had killed antelopes with teeth and claws before he was four years old and had not learned to speak the language of men before Ayomide, his wife, had captured and tamed him.

Than could believe it.

Having to live up to a legacy had not been too hard on the lion, who was strong of arm, fleet of foot and true of aim. But in order to really make a name for himself, he had vowed to travel overseas and return with riches and fame.
Being a prisoner and slave did not seem to bother him much.

"You're not worried at all?"
"Ayeeh, I've had worse - with heavier chains, with no food and sunlight. It's all part of the song they'll sing about me. But that lady..."
His gaze became distant.
"That lady scares me. I've fought witches before, but she's not just aje - she must be the queen of all aje."

He wouldn't talk about it anymore all day after that.


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