Lulu - Past
Not that the bakery is far from the bookshop, but noticing his sister’s urgency tone, Radhi speeds up his pace. Since a little child, Lulu senses things and her warnings were always taken seriously by the tribe, and now by her only living relative.
Although their parents were loved and respected rulers, Radhi and Lulu were treated and raised as any other child in the village.
Being a chief was not through heritance but by conquered respect and wisdom. Once the African tulip tree bloomed, the villagers met under its shadow to discuss the continuity of the leadership. Radhi and Lulu’s father was wise and just and their mother calm and caring. Before deciding any matter, they promoted discussions with the elderly and the young adults - the past and the future to decide the present. As a peaceful and not rich community, the main concern was to keep the residents safe with enough food throughout the year.
Right after the last rays of the sun hit the thatched roof, Lulu was born and her first cry was so loud that each animal in the village reacted to the sound with their own voice. Everybody considered it an omen, nobody knew if it was a good or a bad one, though. The moon was full and its light through the window allowed the parents to look at their third child, first girl, in awe. In the next morning while feeding on the mother’s rich breast, the little newborn was introduced to her brothers Jabari and Radhi.
Lulu’s intuition was perceived very early as she only cried before something more serious would happen: whether it was the attack of a dangerous animal or the destruction by wild fires… Along the years, already with the ability of speech, Lulu was recognized as a valuable member in the village. Her warnings were always taken in consideration even though the meaning of words was enigmatic. The mysterious messages just left her mouth without knowing the actual meaning and everything just made sense after the happening. Only after the tragedy of the bloodthirst war that wiped the village, burnt the tulip tree and killed most of the residents, including her parents and older brother, did Lulu decide to improve her ability in order to avoid another catastrophe. The few survivors travelled to other villages who were accepted as brethren of the land. Radhi and his young devastated by guilt sister wandered from settlement to settlement, meeting the rulers and, after telling their unfortunate story, Lulu was allowed to meet the wizards or witches from the place. Most were only old people that had some knowledge from plants and could cure some troubles, even emotional ones, but they weren’t gifted with magic. Three years had passed and when the siblings were almost giving up their hopes, they met the one that elevated her gift: Althea.
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