Tidal Basin Review, Summer 2010

who weren‘t completely nude wore the rough scrap of indigo they‘d arrived to the kasteel wearing. Adwoa didn‘t want to look at the women, but they were everywhere. If she focused her gaze through the bars, she could spot more sad faces in the cells situated around the perimeter of the small courtyard.

Adwoa could understand most of the women who did speak, even though their accents were different, and they used several unfamiliar words. And then there was Tawia, whose lisp was all too familiar. It was her blabbering—telling Adwoa and Owusu to quickly finish whatever they were doing on the hill that night—that had alerted their kidnappers to their presence. ―My sister here will help us all escape-o,‖ Tawia announced to anyone who cared to listen. ―They shall kill her if she tries,‖ one of the women responded. ―Not Adwoa. Do not let her size mislead you. Where we come from, she hunted with the men. She killed an elephant all by herself.‖ Adwoa had been resting her head on Tawia‘s thigh so her face wouldn‘t touch the floor. She met the girl‘s eyes and gave her a warning look as the women tsked in disbelief.

She didn‘t bother to correct Tawia. It had been boys, not men, that she hunted with, and only in secrecy, trailing far behind them. No one realized what she‘d done until the master hunter discovered her standing over her catch, a young roebuck. She‘d almost laughed at his panic.

He had thought the animal was attacking her, until he saw the neat slit in its throat. ―Save your tales for children,‖ said a woman who rested her forehead against the bars. ―I do not lie. I am telling the truth-o.‖ ―Wherever it is you come from,‖ said another, ―the men must have breasts and wear waist beads.‖ The insult almost made Adwoa lift her head from Tawia‘s thigh and spit out curses, but she was too tired. Tawia jerked her head around in search of the women‘s laughter. ―Only if they are brothers of yours,‖ she retorted.

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