A GRAND ADVENTURE
Chapter 25

This flight, unlike the normal commercial flights, took Jess directly to the smaller airport so she didn't have to take two flights. It was longer, but avoided staying in the city overnight. As Ron had promised, Albert was waiting for her. Customs went fast because she only had her backpack with little in it. They were quickly on the trail heading for camp. The porter who had acted as a translator was also with them and helped to carry the few supplies they had bought for the camp.

As they walked, Albert explained the situation to Jess. It seems the temporary camp boss who took over when Ron left had "discovered" a cave that held many artifacts. Ron had known about it, but the local tribe had told him not to go into the cave as they felt it was sacred. Ron's replacement ignored their agreement with the tribe and had begun removing the artifacts. The tribe was outraged and rescinded their permissions for Ron's crew to explore.

Ron had been trying to regain the tribe's trust and had returned everything taken out of the cave, but wasn't having much luck. The chief was furious, saying they had to go through a ritual to remove the evil spirits that the crew had awakened. Ron had only succeeded in appeasing the chief somewhat by returning everything and the chief had stopped short of declaring war on Ron and his crew, but would not negotiate anything else.

Jess insisted on going to the village telling Albert she may be able to resolve the situation. Albert initially refused and the two argued for more than an hour. He finally relented after Jess pointed out that she seemed to have a special relationship with the chief's two children and the only option left was for Jess to try and talk to them hoping they could influence their father.

The three cautiously approached the village, not knowing what to expect. Unfortunately they were not greeted with open arms like Jess hoped. Instead they were treated as invaders as soon as they were spotted. Their possessions were taken and the trio was escorted into the village as almost prisoners.

The chief was angered that they were bold enough to come into the village after the sacrileges their camp had committed and, yelling at the top of his lungs, told them in no uncertain terms, to leave immediately and to take nothing but what they were wearing. In a rage he turned his back and stormed back to his compound.

The whole time the chief was screaming at them they were surrounded by the village men almost forming a barricade around them. They could see the chief as he was standing on a sort of platform, but they could see no others save the warriors around them. As the men moved to escort the three from the camp, Jess caught a glimpse of Zuri and called out, "Zuri, Hasani!"

Zuri disappeared for a moment and then Jess saw her and Hasani walking toward them. The guards began pushing Jess, Albert, and the translator toward the edge of camp, but stopped when Hasani hollered. Jess hadn't realized how much power Hasani had until he walked toward her, followed by Zuri, and the guards around her parted letting him walk through.

He stopped in front of her, but at a respectable distance away. Zuri rushed by him and hugged Jess as she began talking in her native tongue. Hasani put his hand up and Zuri immediately quieted. Jess, knowing the situation, pointed to Albert and the translator, then spoke, explaining they could talk through the translators. The two men relayed the message to Hasani. He nodded, then pointed to the area where the feast had taken place, turned and walked toward it, saying something.

The men translated indicating he was willing to talk and suggested the area he was heading toward. To say the least, Albert was impressed that Jess had gotten further than Ron had and told her so. She had done it in about 5 minutes. Hasani positioned the guards around keeping the villagers away from them.

Hasani and Jess talked for about an hour with the aid of Albert and the translator. Zuri occasionally made a comment, but, aside from that, let Hasani do most of the talking. Jess learned that her team had desecrated a sacred cave, held in high esteem by the village people. He explained that in order to set things right again they had to do a purging and unfortunately it would involve Zuri extensively. She was to be a "vessel of lustration" and would have to take the evil of the village into her body, then be cleansed of it under the sacred waterfall.

Upon questioning, Jess was told that Zuri would have to have sex with all the men in the village. Their excretion would hold the evil. Once she is cleansed, the evil would be gone. When asked why Zuri, Hasani explained that it had to be a girl from the royal family and Zuri was the only girl. Jess now understood why the chief was so furious.

"No, not Zuri! I will do it. You can make me part of your family. I have already worn your colors. My people desecrated your holy cave. I should be the one to cleanse it," Jess countered. Once Albert heard that he protested before even translating. "I am old enough to make my own decisions!" Jess told him. "Look, the entire project depends on it. As it is now, all is lost. I can change that. Please, just translate what I said. I want to help and this way maybe I can save the project. There's a lot riding on it."

Albert still protested, but Jess stood her ground firmly and he finally relayed the message. Hasani pondered Jess's offer for a moment before replying. He told her, via the translators, it was possible, but very unusual. He stood as he told the group he wanted to check with one of the tribal elders, then left.

Jess thought he would return shortly, but that was not the case. She thought it was over an hour before he returned. Hasani proceeded to explain that he talked to the elder, then to the high priest, and finally his father. The chief was reluctant at first, but Hasani had succeeded in convincing him. He would adopt her, making her part of the royal family, then she could take the role of "vessel of lustration" and that the adoption ceremony would take place immediately and the cleansing the following day.

Hasani then explained the adoption procedure. Jess would be brought before the chief. She had to take off all her clothes, symbolizing her leaving the "outer world", and then request the chief to become her father. Jess, for all practical purposes, had no father, so that didn't bother her, but she asked about her mother. Hasani assured her she would still have her mother and the adoption would not affect that.

He also stated that the ceremony would take place before the entire village. Albert again protested, but Jess, even though she was nervous about being naked in front of all, told him she was fine with it. She had already been topless in front of everyone and the following day's ritual would expose her anyway. Hasani added only villagers would be allowed to witness the ceremonies, meaning Albert and the translator had to leave.

When Albert pressed about the language barrier he was told no translators would be necessary. The ritual was standard and everyone would know what to expect, even if they did not understand Jess's responses, they would know what was said, and he would answer any of Jess's questions before the rest of her party left in the morning. For the evening Albert and the translator would be confined to a hut, under guard.

For the next hour Hasani explained the two ceremonies, what Jess was to say at the adoption ceremony, and what was expected for the morning ceremony. Albert continued to protest, but Jess finally told him she was in charge. His job was to keep her safe and she was quite safe in the village, he worked as a camp manager, not her manager, and she was paid by the university and Ron, not him. He worked for Ron and she was his assistant so he also worked for him. Albert finally relented.

Once Jess understood everything, Albert and the translator were brought to the hut where they would stay. Hasani escorted Jess to another hut where a very excited Zuri was waiting for her. Although Jess could not understand what Zuri was saying, it was obvious she approved of Jess becoming her sister. The visit was short and both Hasani and Zuri left.

The group ate, then took Jess directly to the local airport. She was to fly directly to Africa from there on a special flight. The girls said their goodbyes and promised to keep in touch once Jess left Africa.

It was only a few minutes later the door opened and a man motioned for Jess to come. She was led to the village common area where all the villagers were gathered. The circle of villagers parted giving the man and Jess an opening to enter. As expected, the man said something in his native language, then pointed at Jess.

She was nervous, but at the same time pleased. Knowing her part, Jess took her clothes off, piling them on the ground beside her. Once completely naked, making her blush slightly, she walked across to where the chief was sitting and Zuri and Hasani were standing behind him. "I wish to join your family," Jess said, even though she knew no one could understand her, then lay face down on the ground in front of the chief.

The chief stood and walked to Jess. He reached down and indicated to her to stand, which she did. He slowly walked around her, examining her, then motioned to Hasani and Hasani did as the chief had. Hasani and the chief had a short "conference" ending in Hasani nodding. The chief then motioned to Zuri.

Zuri approached carrying a red sarong. She wrapped it around Jess's hips and stepped away. The chief then nodded and turned Jess to face the villagers, who all cheered. Jess was now a member of the royal family.