‘ Did he die, Nne?’ Orie demanded, so enthralled her memory deserted her.

Nne smiled. The distant drums and laughter had ceased now, and outside the moon had risen. The long fronds of a nearby palm tree flapped in the nighttime breeze.

‘ It is late, my children, and tomorrow is a momentous day. Go to bed, Obi and Orie. I will manage the rest of Aku’s beads myself - there is not much further to go.’

‘No, grandmother!’ Obi cried, forgetting himself, but his ‘big mother’ did not reprimand him.

‘ Tell us what happened to Ramai, Nne,’ begged Aku. ‘Please.’

‘ Well, on your own heads be it,’ replied Nne, but her smile was secretly satisfied.

She took another sip of palm wine from the gourd and began to braid again.

‘ As soon as Jovan lunged at Ramai, it was as if the people around the fire snapped out of a trance. They surged around the two men.

‘ Believe this or not, my children, by great good fortune Ramai was wearing under his robe the emerald scarab which the queen, his mother, had given him. The tip of the blade glanced harmlessly off the stone, and although Ramai’s clothes were ripped, he was unharmed.

‘ Jovan, with the force of his thrust, stumbled and fell towards Ramai. Ramai stepped aside, and Jovan sprawled in the sand of the desert, his sword dropping from nerveless fingers.

‘ When he raised himself slowly again, to an awful silence, he was staring into the cold and angry eyes of Oman.

‘ “ What is this, cousin?” the chieftain demanded. “ Would you kill a man to whom your leader has granted the protection of the tribe? By this you forfeit your claim to Nerisa’s hand. I would not give my child to such a man as you.”

‘ Humiliated before enemy, friend and kinsman, Jovan stared at Oman in shock. And then - too much drink is a terrible thing, my children - he stooped to pick his fallen sword, and would have stabbed his chieftain through his heart, had not one of Oman’s servants run him through first.

‘ With a horrible, almost animal cry, Jovan fell to the ground and died.

‘ “ You guard that scarab well, my son,” Oman said gravely to Ramai. As it has saved your life tonight, may it keep good fortune in your house forever.”

‘ After that night, my children, there developed a huge rift in the nomadic tribe. On one side were Jovan’s near kinsmen, angered by his death, on the other the rest of the tribe. When it became clear, after many meetings between the elders on both sides, that no reconciliation was possible, it was sadly decided that the only answer was for the tribe to split in two.

‘ Jovan’s household and those that followed migrated towards the east, towards a land then known as Axum. Today we know it as Ethiopia.

The household of Oman, Ramai, and the rest of the tribe continued southwest upon their previous course.

‘ Ramai and Nerisa were married, and a great and happy feast it was.

‘They had seven sons and three daughters, who in turn had sons and daughters of their own. In the fullness of time, when Oman passed on, Ramai became chieftain of the tribe. They grew into a powerful people, trading their wares of iron and bronze with the peoples they encountered on their way. The emerald scarab of Nubia and the art of iron smelting were passed down carefully through the generations, during the slow migration of the tribe.

‘Four generations on from Ramai and Nerisa, the tribe came to settle for a time by a great lake, now known as Lake Chad.

‘For a short time, all appeared to be going well. They traded with the people they found there, exchanging some of their wares for horseflesh. But gradually they found that the people of the area had begun to resent, even hate, them. Allies were summoned from the west to help drive out the descendants of Ramai. The nomads stood their ground, and a bloody war ensued. The tribe of Ramai used their skills with metal to make weapons of war, training up their young men as excellent horsemen and soldiers.

‘The fighting continued, on and off, for a number of years. Then the allies of the lakeside tribe appointed a new commander to their army - a man called Rufar. His reputation spread far and wide, for not only was he a fearsome warrior, he was said to be so ferociously ugly and scarred that children fled at the mere sight of him.

‘With this general came a band of mercenaries who had no fear of death, and the battle grew ever fiercer, with ever-increasing casualties on both sides. Still neither side would back down. The nomads were a proud and strong-willed people, prepared to die before they would be driven out by force.

‘Their king at that time, the great-grandson of Ramai, had four sons, and a daughter called Adanna. Adanna’s mother, the queen, had died shortly after giving birth to her younger brother Azi.

‘Adanna was aged just five at that time, and possibly as a result, grew up a tough and headstrong girl. She liked nothing better than to race her black stallion hard against her brothers’ in the desert and swim in the waters of the lake, diving off the fishermen’s boats. She frequently incurred the disapproval of her tribesmen, who felt that her behaviour was unbecoming of a daughter of the royal household - or indeed, of any woman at all. Her father the king, weary of reprimanding her, simply let her have her way.

‘When Adanna was aged nineteen, the nomadic tribe launched a furious offensive, and the day came that the king her father and her three older brothers rode out to battle and were killed, all four in one day. The emerald scarab, always worn by the king into battle, was stolen from his body by the enemy.

‘Adanna comforted her fourteen-year-old brother Azi when the news came back to the camp, holding him close so he would not see her own tears. The elders of the tribe, their kinsmen and several other members of the tribe came to mourn with them. Three days later they were invited to a meeting of the tribal elders and officers of the army.

‘Looking uncomfortable, their spokesman cleared his throat and began, addressing the princess.

‘ “The king your father is dead,” he said sadly. “His three eldest sons are dead. The king had no brothers. And your brother the prince is young - too young to lead the tribe. We seek your permission to select one of your father’s kinsmen to lead our people until Prince Azi be of age. We will, of course, respect your personal preference.”

‘The entire party looked expectantly at Adanna.

‘She was silent for a few moments, then spoke.

‘ “Your concern for the welfare of the tribe does you all credit.” She weighed her words carefully. “But there will be no need for such a procedure. The prince my brother, although wise beyond his years, is, as you say, young. He will need to be guided by a close and loving hand until he is of age. I myself shall lead the tribe until such a time as he is ready to take up his throne. There is much wisdom and experience assembled here today; I trust I can call upon it as occasion may demand.”

‘There was a shocked silence, and then in spite of themselves, some of the men exchanged amused glances. Tactfully, the spokesman addressed her again.

‘ “It is, of course, a difficult time for you, Princess. At times like this it is hard for one to think clearly. Perhaps in a few days’ time ….”

‘ “My thinking is as clear as it has ever been, and clearer,” said Princess Adanna icily. “Speak not to me of unclear thinking. If any man objects to my proposal, let him say why.”

‘ “You cannot lead the tribe, you are a woman!” cried one of the party, abandoning diplomacy in his outrage. There were muted murmurs of agreement.

‘Adanna’s eyes hardened. “I am the eldest surviving child of the late king. And is not what is required of a leader that he be strong, brave and honest, and that he put his people first? Let any man of you say to me, if he dare, that I have not these qualities, and more!”

‘There was no gainsaying this, and for another few moments the men were silent. Then one of them said, “Could you ride into battle at the head of our army, as did your father the late king?”

‘ “Yes!”

‘ “No!”

‘Everyone turned in surprise to fourteen-year-old Prince Azi, for it was he that had spoken.

‘ “I am as one with you in all that you have spoken, my sister, except this. The heat of battle is no place for you. I am the only living son of the late king, and as such his rightful heir.” He spoke directly to the commander of their army, a near kinsman of their father’s, and highly respected throughout the tribe. “General Abdu, it is my wish that you take full control of my army, and within it act in place of king. In time I myself will ride at your head. It pleases me that until that time my sister Princess Adanna should rule the tribe in my stead. If any man still object, then let me hear it.”

‘Abdu rose and bowed to the prince. “It shall be as you say, my lord. Be assured that the Princess Adanna and yourself shall receive the same loyalty from me that I gave to your father the king. If there be any man who protest the decision, let him take it up with me.”

‘And so the matter was settled.

‘Adanna became ruler, with her brother the prince as king-in-waiting. And she was a good ruler, for under her leadership the tribe prospered, in war and in wealth. Out of respect for her brother’s wishes, she did not go to battle, but would often ride among the troops before thy set off, urging them on to victory. There was a reversal in their fortunes, and soon their enemies no longer had the upper hand in the struggle.

‘Two more years passed, and the appointed date drew near when Prince Azi, now sixteen years old, would be crowned king of the tribe. About that time, a deserter left the enemy camp and sought refuge with the tribe of Ramai, bringing with him the information that the enemy forces had camped in a nearby valley with the intention of launching a fresh attack. To this end, they had once again engaged the fearsome mercenary, Rufar, who had previously returned to his country.

‘After nightfall the deserter took Adanna, Prince Azi and Abdu the commander of the army, along with some of his chosen soldiers, to a hill a few miles away, from where they could look down unobserved on the enemy camp for themselves.

‘A great number of tents were visible in the softly moonlit valley, and the dark silhouettes of men could be clearly seen, moving to and fro before a large campfire. The deserter pointed out the largest tent, at the centre of the camp, as the place where the idol god of the enemy tribe was housed.

‘ “In there is kept the emerald scarab of your kings,” he said, “for I have seen it myself with my own eyes.”

‘Adanna gasped. Since the scarab had been stolen the entire tribe had longed night and day to recover it, for it was an important part of their history. For Adanna it was also a reminder of the father she had lost, and a family heirloom her young brother should one day wear.

‘ “What we need is a brave man who will go down there at night and steal it back for us,” she breathed. “I would see such a man lack for nothing till the end of his days.”

‘ “Such a man would end his days much sooner than he hoped, my lady,” replied the deserter. “For if he was not seen and slain, be sure the god would strike him dead at once.”

‘ “When do they plan to strike our camp?” Abdu inquired of the deserter.

‘ “In three days, my lord.”

“Then we shall strike in two.”

‘That night Adanna could not sleep. She tossed and turned on her couch. At Abdu’s instructions the deserter had been placed safely under armed guard. His words continued to resound through her mind. “In there is kept the emerald scarab of your kings.”

‘The scarab was their own, a tribal heirloom. It was insufferable that it should grace the shrine of some alien god. They had been commanded by their great ancestor the chieftain Ramai, to keep it in their tribe for all time, to be worn by the tribal head, and they had not obeyed. No matter that the fault was not their own.

‘They had not yet reached the green and rainy land that Oman had set out to find, but even if they were to go on, how could they move without the scarab? Her thoughts returned, as they often did, to the king, her father, and how proudly he had fingered the emerald pendant as he told them its story.

‘Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, her words to the deserter returned to her.

‘ “What we need is a brave man who will go down there at night and steal it back for us.”

‘In a trice Princess Adanna was up and dressing. She chose black robes deliberately, and wound a black turban around her head, concealing her lower face. She stripped herself of the golden bangles that she wore even when asleep, and stole noiselessly out of her chamber, making sure no one in the royal household heard her. She did not wish to explain her errand.

‘She crept down to where the royal steeds were kept, and saddling and mounting her big black stallion, rode swiftly to the hill where earlier that night the enemy camp had been pointed out to her.

‘The moon had risen fully now, and the entire valley, and the tents in it, were bathed in its silver glow. The fires were out and not a soul was stirring in the camp. The silence of the night had a definite eerie quality about it.

‘Adanna’s pulses quickened as she urged her mount down the hill and rode around to the spot where her sharp eyes had picked out a breach in the ring of small hills surrounding the valley. She approached its entrance cautiously, hardly daring to believe a sentry had not been posted there.

‘As soon as she had determined that this was indeed the case, she dismounted and tied her horse’s bridle loosely to a tree, entering the valley on foot.

‘She tiptoed between the tents slowly, silently, terrified at the thought of being discovered. On one occasion she heard the loud snores of a tent’s occupant. Her own heartbeats were so powerful she could hardly believe them inaudible. She was acutely aware that this venture could end in her death, and hoped against hope that if spotted, she would be taken for a member of the army camp. She was tall and slender enough.

‘She soon arrived outside the biggest tent, in the exact centre of the camp. Hesitating only a moment, she slipped inside.

‘A small lamp had been left burning before the enormous idol of the enemy tribe. The god was about eight feet tall, hewn of stone, with huge, red gleaming stones for eyes, and horrifying in its ugliness, like the nightmare of a fevered child.

‘Adanna grimaced almost involuntarily. But the next moment, her heart leapt with excitement, for around the neck of the idol hung the emerald scarab of her tribe.

‘Fearless now, she strode up to it and slipped the heavy gold chain over its ugly head. She felt a rush of triumph and joy as she held its familiar weight in her hands and saw the green fire flash in the depths of the stone. She slipped it over her own head, and gave one last shuddering look at the ugly idol. Perhaps that abomination had been inspired by the fearsome visage of the dreaded Rufar, she thought, and touched her fingers to her lips to stop the laughter that threatened to erupt.

‘After a quick look outside, she strode out of the tent again.

‘She was three-quarters of the way through the camp when she heard footsteps some distance behind her, and a deep voice demand, “Who is that? Show yourself!”

‘Her heart leapt into her mouth. Not stopping to look behind her, she took to her heels and ran. Her lungs were bursting by the time she reached her black stallion and leapt into the stirrups, riding off as fast as she could go. Within moments, she heard the galloping of another horse behind her, and realised with a sinking heart that her pursuer was hard behind her.

‘For some reason, she knew not why, Adanna did not head back towards the lake, towards her tribe, but outwards toward the desert, perhaps in the vague hope that her pursuer would tire of the chase. She had never ridden so fast. The desert winds whipped and billowed her black robes. She turned her head just once to look behind, and through the clouds of desert dust could just make out in the moonlight the figure of a very tall man in white robes and turban, astride a stallion as big and black as her own.

‘Adanna was a splendid horsewoman, but it soon became apparent that her stallion was beginning to tire, as indeed she was. Presently, the sound of her enemy’s hooves grew louder and louder, until they seemed almost deafening, and drawing alongside her the big man reached out and grabbed hold of her horse’s bridle.

‘That was the end of the chase. The horse stumbled, and Adanna was flung off his back onto the desert sand. Miraculously, she was unhurt, but she knew death was certain now.

All she could think of, as she lay face-down, gasping for breath, was her young brother Azi, and her foolishness in taking up this errand of death.

The tall man had dismounted, and bending over her he grabbed her robes roughly and yanked her to her knees. He tore the golden scarab so fiercely off her neck that she cried out in pain. He seized a long, sharp sword from the scabbard at his hip, and ripped her turban off her head.

‘ “Now you shall die for your impudence, like the thieving dog you…”

‘He broke off suddenly. Slowly, Adanna rose to her feet. If she was to die, she would die like a princess, and not upon her knees.

‘But the man made no move to strike her, and raising her eyes to his face, she saw that he was staring at her in disbelief.

‘ “A woman!” he exclaimed, in tones of amazement, and again, “A woman!”

‘ “An observant man, indeed.”

‘ “ I could have killed you!”

‘ “No doubt,” said Adanna coldly, her spirit returning with her breath. “As you have killed countless of my people these last few years.”

‘ “There are casualties both sides in every war. I never have harmed a woman, and will not start tonight.” His eyes raked her dusty black robes derisively.

‘ “Who taught a serving girl to ride so hard?”

‘Adanna drew herself to her full height. “I am Princess Adanna, ruler of the nomadic tribe of Ramai, sister of Prince Azi, a descendant of the kings of Kush.”

‘ “A most impressive mouthful.” Now there was a barely-concealed note of amusement in the deep voice.

‘ “You mock me, sir. Perhaps you will also laugh when my brother’s army spills your innards on the desert sands.”

‘ “Fierce words, from one so beautiful.”

Adanna’s fury grew, as it always did when she sensed that she was not being taken seriously. “ A pity I cannot return your compliment!”

‘ “A tragic shame indeed.”

‘In the bright moonlight, she could see him quite clearly. He was tall, taller than any man she knew, broad of shoulder, dark of skin. He was not a handsome man, for a jagged scar, like a bolt of lightning, ran down the left side of his face from his temple to his chin, but he had a noble carriage, and a magnetism she could neither explain nor deny.

‘With a sudden start, it occurred to her who this man must be. His next words confirmed it.

‘ “I am Rufar, commander of the allies’ army. Perhaps you have heard the name?”

‘The fear showed clearly in her eyes now, but she still spoke bravely.

‘ “Indeed, sir? And of what crime are my people guilty, to be attacked with such ferocity?”

‘ “Had your people been paying me a king’s ransom, I would have fought with equal ferocity on your side.”

‘ “Then you are worse than despicable,” she spat.

‘He smiled, and sheathed his sword.

‘ “Cruel words. You do not know me.”

‘ “Nor do I wish to. Two years ago, our king, my father, and my three brothers were killed in battle, all in one day. You have spared my life tonight, and for that I must be grateful. But you need not think my people will be so kind.”

‘She turned, and walked towards her black horse, which had wandered off a little way to rest.

‘ “Wait!”

‘His deep voice cut the night air like a knife. She turned reluctantly.

‘ “Your father and brothers did not die by my hand,” he said. “For I have been in my own land these three years past. Only this month have I been summoned again. Your enemies’ king owes his very life to me. Come to the entrance of our camp in two days’ time, at noon. Bring your brother the prince and whichever tribal notables you choose. It may be that the conflict of your tribes can be resolved peacefully.”

‘Adanna was silent for several moments. He held up the emerald scarab. The gold chain glinted tantalisingly in the moonlight.

‘ “It may be that the king could be persuaded to return this,” he said softly.

‘Adanna clenched her fists. “Very well.” They both knew her tribe would not come unprepared.

‘ “I will ride with you now, and see you safely home.”

‘ “You will not, sir.” Her voice was firm. “No terror of the dark could rival you.”

‘She turned away. Moments later she had galloped off into the night.’