The path leading into the cave of bones was cold, and crowed with a nauseating air that reminded Ada of decomposing animals, beaten by a drizzling rain. To use emptiness to describe the place would be an exaggeration of what truly crept on the walls. No noise could be heard and nobody guarded the place either. Every corner blended obediently with the darkness which drove away the lights of the afternoon, and portrayed a barrenness that gloat like a toothless beast.
If only she had the power to revert the hands of time. She would take it to that sweet night when this episode started. With the knowledge she has now, she was sure she could prevent it from happening. All of it. Maybe it’s selfishness, but a part of her missed that sweet feeling that always walks on her skin whenever she was with Ikedi. It would be nice to have that innocence again, to enjoy that ser
King Obidike wiped the sweat on his brow with the back side of his left hand. He studied the scorching sun for a while before uncorking the goatskin water bag and gulping the fluid. Some of the liquid lingered in his mouth before he swallowed it. It was hard not to smile with relief from the refreshing fluid as they walked down his throat. This was one of the reason why he wanted to live in this part of the land.The waters were good, compare to the other side of the sea, where mountains and limestone polluted the little water they had. Even the rain was polluted. The sea was the closest fresh water they had, but that only comes after much cooking and boiling. Even that in itself could not compete with this thirst quenching liquid that was in his goatskin.He returned the skin back to its place and checke
Her hair bounced as Swiffer galloped away from the cave. Maybe its adrenaline that was heating her body, or perhaps it was fear. If everything goes on as planned, she still has a lot of work to do. But she must at the same time be smart and not let her past mistakes cloud her judgement. These creatures are mystical and are dangerous. “Sorry,” Ada shouted and blinked herself back to reality. The women on the road only cursed and glared at her, but she was too busy with her mind to pay any attention to them. She directed her zebra into the sandy path leading away from the village. I hope it’s not too late.The sun was high above the sky now, and its heat was drawing sweat from t
“I am invincible,” King Chika yelled, “I am the King of the world.”The armies of both parties were shifting their weight as they studied the dragons that parades the sky. The cloud had darkened and the thunder was clapping with a hoarse voice.“You are but a creature,” Ada clutched her teeth. “But you are not invincible,”The thunder clapped again when their sword met midair. Ada spanned and deflected the blow coming from the right. She bent in time to save her head from the sharp edge of his sword. He was fast, but Ada was faster. She could match his speed and his strength now. Even though she couldn’t explain what was happening, she was gra
Four days laterAda closed her eyes, letting the sweet air travel into every part of her body. Dry season had parted ways and now they were kicking off for the first time into raining season. Her stomach was lifting and something she didn’t think she would ever feel in her life time walked into every part of her mind. Peace.The people of Alaocha and Ndiocha had agreed to live as one. They had chosen King Obidike as their King after Ada had forfeited any right to mount the throne. Chira was the Lolo (Queen), her heart had found love again with Obidike. Their
Black coal Black scarBlack scaleBlack and lovely melaninYou are as tough as a coalLike a scar you have marked me a spotamong the cloudYour hardness has taught me hardship andendurance under the scorching fire of the yellow glow Black and lovely melaninYou made me weakYou make me strongYou made me sad
Her heart skipped a beat.The softness of his lips brushed on her hungry cheek and sent a chill down her spine. It clouds her whole body with an intense feeling that almost overpowered her. Nothing in the world mattered for she was lost in his arms, hoping above all that this fleeting moment would last forever. The desire boiling inside her threw her into this misery that she held him tightly, afraid that letting go would mean losing him forever.The night was formless and empty, too quiet that it let the thumping sound of his chest to cover the silent peace. She could make out his muscular features, not with her eyes, but with the trace of her body on his.“You said you will tell me about the Igwe’s Ofor today.” He whispered in her ear and pulled away from her.They still held hands but the slide distance separating them, created an agony in her stomach and she found herself pulling hi
The men watched as the Diviner circled another series of dance steps. The beads, and cowries that clothed her, oscillated, and swerved in rhythm to the wooden gong that vibrated the serenity of the cold night, whose handler was a ghost in the scene. Sulugede, the dance was so-called. It was, it is and will always be the dance of the spirit.Drunk and possessed by the spirit of the ancestors, the diviner paused and started making gestures with her two hands. The numerous beads lining her wrist jingled with the cowries and both followed their wearer without complaint.The musical beat of the wooden gong has ceased and the diviner had also paused, listening to the air, trying to pay heed to their advice.Nobody spoke, nobody dared to speak, for this was one of those moments when the diviner and the spirit of the dead interact.“Let the child that wrestle with the father be put to shame” she began the incantation, with a voice which cracked
Ada couldn’t help but smile. Her grip was steady on the broom but she was lost in her little world, to notice the rising dust and the cold harmattan wind.The pattern of her heartbeat had changed long before now. It always does whenever the thought of him pops into her memory.It’s been two days now, yet she still felt his hands strong on her waist, almost as if they were still there. She could feel that glorious tinkling on the back of her head and his words—which carries her world, to that rosy bed where the problems of the outside world could never be remembered—still echoes in her ears. His arms, ironed with battle scars, were unimaginably soft. The strength in them brought home that longing comfort that Ada couldn’t resist, but cling on to. How long has it been since she felt something similar for someone else?Never.Ada giggled when she remembered the first time they first met. It was at Ogba River. He had