The sun was setting. The kids were not back yet. Most probably they had lost track of time again, playing with Kioko's brood. That bunch was not good influence for the kids. Just the other day, they had spent most of the time playing instead of looking after the livestock. Small wonder the animals devastated their uncle's farm. That was the third case in as many days. You would think that the Elder's brother would do a better job raising his kids. Because of those kids, the brothers seem to always be arguing. Not good for the village, not good at all.

Wafty aroma disturbed Mumo's musings, Syomiti seemed to be near done with supper. Surely the kids would arrive soon. Mumo went to clean the dishes in preparation for supper, Maithya's chore had the kids returned in time. There wasn’t much to them, Mumo would be done soon.

Half an hour had passed before the kids returned. It was dark outside. Not for long though, the moon would be up in a few hours. A full moon tonight. A shudder ran along Mumo's spine. Full moons were not the best time to be dallying about at night. Best be home early, at least that was the rule. It seemed the kids were not keen on that. What it was to be young.

The goats were the first to be heard. Of course it’s always the goats. They came rushing everywhere. Scattering all over the compound. It would take them a while before they could herd them into their paddock. Mumo stood leaning against the door frame of the main house and decided to just watch the kids.

It seems Kanyele is on goat duty today. For an eight-year old, he knew what he was doing. He had the energy to run around after them. It was what was needed. Soon enough, all the goats were safely secured in their paddock. All that was left was Maithya's slow, methodological herding of the cattle.

Seriously, why did everything have to be so calculated with that kid. Bulls had to go in first, then the cows, and finally the calves. He even had an order in to which the calves went in. Mumo had heard him complain about cattle being in the wrong place. Apparently, every animal had its designated place of rest. Even the bush closing the paddock had to face a certain way.

He seemed to get weirder as he grew older. He talked of ways to make work easier, but everything he tried never seemed to work. He always looked happy afterwards though, claiming every failure was a step closer to success. Yeah, weird.

Kanyele came to Mumo all fidgety. He must have known they were in for a scolding. Mumo just stared at the kid admonishingly. Kanyele finally sat a short distance from Mumo, leaning roughly against the wall of their house. Several chunks of earth fell from the wall. A sore remainder that their house walls needed repair. All the houses in the compound did. It had been a while since they last did repair them. If Mumo recalled correctly, it was right after Kanyele was born. They had been lazy in regards to that. And now another child was on the way. Hopefully, it would be a girl this time.

Eventually, Maithya was done. He seemed to hesitate by the paddock door for a moment. Then he straightened up and walked stoically, or as stoically as a twelve-year old could manage, towards the main house, towards Mumo.

When he reached Mumo, he started talking immediately.

"I'm sorry we are late. Yes, we were with Muli and the others."

That would be Kioko's brood.

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"Yes, we did play with them.

"Yes, we are late because of it."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"No, we did not let the cattle into other people's farms. At least not ours, that is."

Mumo wondered what Kioko's brood would say to that.

Then he was quiet. It seemed he had said all he thought he had to say.

"Hmm… I understand," Mumo said. "But you forgot to mention how you won't be late next time."

Silence reined. Mumo chanced a glance at Kanyele. The kid was busy drawing circles with his toes, trying his best not to get noticed. Maithya on the other hand was thinking. You could see it in his eyes. Doing calculations, I would wager. Then he suddenly looked up at Mumo.

"Tomorrow we will return at the right time, I promise."

Mumo looked at Maithya for a short while, and then let them into the house. Maithya's promise was as good as you could get. He always put too much effort in to keeping his promises.

Once inside the house, Kanyele went right for the pot. He picked the largest bowl in the house and proceeded to fill it with kitheri to the brim. He then poured a generous amount of fat on his kitheri. He picked a stool and moved close to the fire, and started eating greedily.

Maithya was content to wait until everybody had served themselves before serving his own food. Syomiti having already eaten, was currently weaving a basket on their bed.

"Is there enough pasture for tomorrow?" Syomiti asked.

"Yeah, and a few days after. But soon, we will need to find new pasture land." Maithya said. "Muli said his uncle had found new pasture ways in the north".

"That’s too close to Kikuyu land," Syomiti said "They should have searched east, no one's there."

Mumo didn’t like the northern pasture either. The last time they had scrabbled with the Ekuyu, Mumo's brother had perished. The eastlands were rumoured to be unoccupied by anyone.

"Kimuyu said that people have started migrating across the river to the east. They claim the land there is bountiful. Pasture as far as the eye can see, plenty of animals to hunt." Maithya looked at Syomiti with a sly smile. "Mother could get back to hunting after she gives birth."

"You talk as if you want to go there," Syomiti said.

"It will provide more opportunities compared to here".

"You should learn to hunt, you are old enough," Mumo said. "Then, you can catch your own antelope."

"Really?! That would be great." Maithya looked thoughtful. Then crashed, "As long as there are no lions around."

"There are worse things than lions."

The conversation died out after that. They finished their meals in silence. Well, most of them. Kanyele had long fast fallen asleep with a plateful of food. It looked like he had only managed half of the bowl before he fell asleep.

Maithya collected the dirty dishes besides the hearth to await washing come tomorrow. Hopefully he would be back in time tomorrow to wash them. Then he proceeded to pick his brother, and carry-drag him to their room for the night.

***

Mumo sat on the family stool in front of the fire, watching it thoughtfully. "Should we move?"

"We need more information before we decide whether or not to," Syomiti answered. "Besides, we are doing fine as is."

"Doing fine is not enough, we need more. Especially now."

"I thought you would want to wait till the child is born."

"What? Me or you? Are you afraid of travelling while pregnant? You said pregnancy won’t hinder you too much."

"We don't have much time, a few moons and I will give birth. We can’t travel when I'm a moon or two from giving birth."

"I know that, I know."

Soon, Mumo joined Syomiti in bed, and fell asleep nearly immediately.

***

Mumo awoke with a start. Syomiti was already up, and she looked anguished. Mumo thought something was wrong with the baby, hence panic set in. What if Syomiti lost the baby, that would devastate her. Especially after last time. Mumo started to think of ways to comfort her.

That was when the noise registered. It was laughter. It sounded like people were too happy with themselves. Maybe it was a hunting party returning after a successful hunt. Though, Mumo could not remember any party heading out during the day. Or even the last few days. What with it been the full moon.

The full-moon.

The laughing was closer now. Mumo finally understood. The laughter. It wasn't human. It wasn't human at all.

No, it was were-hyena.