Justin and I look at Amahle, shocked, as she stands there, telling Joy, unhappily, that apparently she is an honorary Zulu.
“I’m sorry,” Justin recovers. “I’m the father. I’m the parent. And things like this don’t happen unless I approve it.” Joy opens her mouth, but Justin points a finger at her and says forcefully. “Not unless I approve it! Now tell me who gave you the necklace! Who told you and Amahle you’re an honorary Zulu?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” Joy says. “Today you’re angry.”
Justin stares at Joy and then bursts into laughter. “Hooooly cow, you’re growing up.” He stops laughing. “I’m not angry. Now tell me.”
“You can wait until tomorrow,” Joy says. “I promise to tell you tomorrow when you’re not super crazy like now.”
Justin draws in a deep breath, which I know is him trying not to laugh.
He crooks his head. “Amahle, which of the villains could possibly convince you that Joy is an honorary Zulu when you were very clear on the point that she wasn’t?”
“It was–” Amahle begins, when Joy cuts her off.
“No, Amahle!”
“He is your father, Joy. We do not keep secrets from him and there is no reason this should be a secret. It was the Guardian Spirit in your prison.”
“I have a Guardian Spirit in prison?”
“Indeed you do.”
“I’m pretty sure I didn’t know that. What’s a Guardian Spirit?”
“He is Adroazni,” Amahle answers simply. “A Guardian Spirit.”
“I–I don’t know what that is,” Justin says. “Dad?”
I shake my head. “Never heard of it.”
“They are children of Adroa,” Amahle explains.
I shake my head. Justin is just as confused.
“It is a legend of Lugbara. It is a legend of the Congo.”
Justin says, “Amahle, there is no chance I have a prisoner like that. I know nothing about the legends in the Congo and all my prisoners are robots, fairies, swashbucklers, pirates, witches - things that I dream about.”
“I know that, Justin,” Amahle says. “He knows the legends. He is a Guardian Spirit. Which means that he does not come from your dream.”
Justin waves his hand. “That’s impossible. Who are you talking about?”
Joy sighs with exasperation. “He’s the First Prisoner, Dad!”
“What?”
“The First Prisonerrrrr!” she says as if it’s obvious.
“The one who enslaved Red?”
Joy nods.
“That’s a guardian?”
Joy nods.
“Let’s go talk to him now!” Justin demands and marches towards the entrance next to Joy’s cabin, the one that leads down to the Infinite Prison.
Joy, Amahle, me, and Master Mind last - we all follow Justin in.
(To be continued…)
—Told by Grampa Walt