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CHAPTER 48
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2022-06-11 17:06:05Years have passed since Uche last saw the oscillating skeletons and the feathers that fetter his emotions. Every step forward made him reminisce about how bad an idea coming here was. That someone could live so long in isolation, with horrendous looking creature and still have their sanity was a mystery to him. He had laid so many excuses over the last few years to save himself the horror of living in nightmares and delusion. Last time was bad enough, the diviner—who was also his sister-in-law—claimed that she had everything under control and had assured him that Ejima would be a sorry story. It was soothing words for a hurting soul, or rather, the fuel in a fire. And now he was forced to lay aside his hate and work with the same woman he had sworn to destroy.
The sudden crow on the right side of the road caught Uche’s attention, but he eased his hands from his sword when he saw a raven, pitch-black and looking like hell itself. It was not strange that he had seen two ravens
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EJIMA CHAPTER 49
It took an eternity for the light of the sun to break over the horizon. She had waited for it, like a wolf, waiting to pounce on their prey, but it had delayed long enough for her anger to diminish. Plus, her husband had not returned. He had stayed with her sister and now the group was about to leave for the hunt without them. What on earth was he doing? Was he safe?Nneamaka yawned and stretched herself. It was time to play her card and if she was not careful enough, her plans were going to shatter even before they came to limelight.She tried picking the mattress but ended up breaking the loose ends of the animal skin, ruining the material. She hissed and dropped it only to curse when she accidentally knocked her water skin, spluttering the content on the dusty floor. Her attempt to save what water was left in the container was useless as the dust seemed to gulp everything. Her frown deepened, knowing that there w
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Bozo found a stone from the fallen building and relaxed his weight. He tucked his sword under his armpit and with his free hands took out his snuff-box from his pouch. He taped the coverlid and scooped a large portion into his nostrils with his index finger. The electrifying rush that went from his brain to all parts of his body made him shiver as he groaned with pleasure. The people of Umunta have become his favorite. They were skilled in grinding the tobacco smoothly and the lack of adulteration made him fond of their product. Unlike his previous sellers who often mix the tobacco with colorants and other useless leaves, this was the best anyone could ever ask for.Sneezing twice, he wiped the tears before dropping his finger into the snuff box again, ready to begin the process all over.Before him, sizzle and frizzles of burning buildings and roofs sang the melody of his conquest. Smokes rose in all directions, raining
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Like every other day, the cloak of darkness had descended upon the earth, leaving the crickets to their song. The day before had been stressful for Adaku, all thanks to her father who would stop at nothing until he married her off into some village whose name she only got to know about five minutes ago. The queen had rejected the idea, and that was because of the distance from home. She would have preferred that Adaku remained within the sphere of the prominent villages around them. That way, they would not only monitor the marriage but also strengthen their political power. Five years ago, Adaku would have agreed with her mother. After all, the queen was just looking out for her wellbeing. But that was five years ago. Things have changed. She had changed. The once shy girl that would bow to every idea was now mature and would follow the path she deems fit. She was out for herself and not even her father’s decision could stop her.She dropped
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“Great,” Ugomma hissed and slumped on the floor, “We are finally lost.” “Don’t be so sure.” “I am certain, Jide. Look around you. Do you know where we are going?” “Maybe, but this path could lead us to the queen.” “Lead us to the queen?” Ugomma smirked, “You said that last month. And it's two years now, yet we haven’t found this mysterious white queen. How are you sure the path wouldn’t lead to an evil forest or worse to our death?” Jide didn’t argue, she had expected him to say something nasty or funny, but he didn’t. He just walked further into the forest and watched the treetops as if he could read the language of the birds. He closed his eyes and opened them again, muttering some silent words. Ugomma folded her hands over her chest as she watched the slagging shoulders. She wasn’t convinced, but a little part of her wanted to trust him. Perhaps he knew what he was doing. Besides, he had led them to six different villages over the l
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Heads turned to the sudden snap in the bush nearby. Without thinking, the men reached for their weapons and stood up slowly. Amid the voice of the birds and the gentle wind, they became one with the trees and could pass undetected for statues. Minutes grew into hours, yet they stood lame and hardly batted an eyelid. Maybe it was curiosity, Ugomma could not tell, but a close perusal and she saw a dent hanging on their shoulders. This was not their first time. The level of expertise showed that they’ve done this a million times. The snap in the bush came again, and as if waiting for it, the men acted in unison, descending upon the object as they would a rabbit that had jumped out of a hole. Jide screamed as one of the men yanked his hair roughly, pushing him out into the clearing. “That’s no polite way to treat a warrior. Where are your manners?” Jide said, rubbing his hair. “Who are you and why are you following us?” One of the men asked. “Follow
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The sun was beginning to pathways for the moon when they broke into a clearing, but sloping down the hill, they continued further into the mouth of a cave, which sat on the far side. It was patched up with grasses, twice the size of a whale but hiding under a large tree as if it was shy of the falling sunlight. The night birds were beginning to write their songs and the hums of the gentle wind caused the hair on the skin to stand. Truth be told, nobody in their right senses would wander far from the village, but for the hunt, Ejima doubts if she would have dared it herself. Rumors of wars had kept some brave men watching their families and village, but more dreadfully was the wicked spirits that patrol these woods, spirits that were known to drive men and women into eternal madness. “Torch,” Uche said and the amber glow flared into life even before Ejima could understand what he had said. “Don’t touch anything.” He gave Ejima an abhorrent look as if saying that the la
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“We just want to see the Queen,” Jide said when they came close to the gathering. “She will be in our midst in no short time. Please follow me,” The bright-eyed man said and ushered them towards the second row. There were questions written in Ugomma’s eyes, but she gulped them with the oddity that hovered around the place. At least a hundred people were gathered here, clapping and singing some foreign songs to some strange gods. They looked hungry, but the glee in their faces was like nothing Jide could express in words. “What is this place?” Ugomma whispered. “The white queen’s shrine.” “Is that what the map says?” Jide did not answer. They had traveled tooth and nail to get here, and the three days journey was getting into his brain. His tongue was hanging on the roof of his mouth and his stomach was aching. He needed food and rest and if this was not the shrine of the Queen, then he would have no other choice than to tur
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It was pointing in one direction, a dangerous one, and when she finally woke up, she was not surprised to see herself drenched in her own sweat and tears. The window tongued into the open night, and the breeze that slitterred into the room looms like the glossy song of an enchanter. Yet the thought of cruelty. How the man had held the woman and had watched her die slowly. Mary wiped her eyes and stood from the bed. She picked the water skin and gulped the content while splashing some over her face. There were no moons and the twinkle of the stars was too deem to break the vile of the night. Somewhere around the compound a cock was crowing, announcing the birth of a new day. She had fallen asleep, and again, in her field uniform. How long was she out? Did she finish her petitions? Yawning, she dropped the water skin and took the vacant seat. The dream was surreal, but she was not going to brood over it. Dreams were dreams and if they had any significant meaning, she w
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Another east wind drifted through the trees and rested upon him, easing out the discomfort of the last twelve years. He shifted to the side and smiled when the golden rays that tubes from the trees' leaves, seemed to knock on the door of his eyes. Only one word came to his mind. Peace. Indeed, one does not know the value of what they have until they lose it. But it is also true that one does not know the value of what they have been missing until it arrives. Before now it was wars, killing, revenge, and anger. There have been several sacrifices to different deities and for different purposes. But now, everything has changed. It was the introduction of the divine, the coming of the king of kings that has blotted away the darkness which plagued the land for a very long time."Still enjoying the view or should I say the peace?"Jide's smile broaden as he took the cup of palm wine. It was obvious, the peace. Everyone was enjoying it
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It was his only place of solace, his last resort. Even as he walked blindly through the foliage of green, the word ‘I am your son’ kept his mind awake. It was a bold claim, and for the moment, Uche could have sworn that his powers had turned into water. He wanted to run into the boy's arm and wrapped his hands around him. If Bozo was his son, then everything he had been fighting for was useless. Bozo had the kingdom and the power, which Uche could lay claim to once he took the boy in as his father. He could have amassed the boy’s riches to himself since Bozo seemed to be richer than Ame a hundredfold. That way, he would have control of the land, and everyone would bow to him. But on the other hand, accepting Bozo would also mean accepting Ejima. And that was a curse he wouldn’t wish for his enemy, not while the woman was a bag of misfortune and evil. He would rather spend his days in poverty than accept Ejima into his home again.Uche added pressure on
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Navigating through the forest was not as easy as the masters had predicted. But that was partly due to the malfunctioning compass which had misled them twice. Goddison had taken charge after the third trial had failed. He was leading them now, through a path in the forest, trusting his nose and ears. Mary on the other hand had said fewer words since they departed four days ago. She had kept to herself, speaking only when spoken to. As usual, there was no age on her face, despite the scorching heat, her expression was plain, yet each time Jide looked in her direction, the woman was always muttering to herself. It was called prayer, Jide had learned from one of the masters, which made him wonder if the prayer is everlasting.Five people had embarked on this journey, excluding Ugomma and Jide. The locale in the village had provided them with horses and supplies and had bid them farewell with the grace of God. Jide had made a few friends though, a man n
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She thought she heard herself screaming, but that was a thought that her consciousness did not register. Her head was heating, and the sweat that streamed from her body was like a pool. Uche was laughing now, and the triumph in his eyes only dug the anger that Ejima had harbored for the past twenty years."No, this is not happening,"Ejima panted and watched in horror as Kachi and his men, lifted Bozo out of the pit and placed him on the dusty floor. She trotted towards their direction and rested Bozo's head on her lap, using her free hand to add pressure on his wounded chest. It would have been worse, but his metallic armor had prevented some damage."I will do it all over," Bozo coughed and blood dribbled out of his mouth. His brown eyes had lost their grandness, mixed now with tears and regrets."Please, don't die. Please." Ejima cried amid the hot breath that came pouring out of her nostril. Some inches away was the pit which Uche had dug. Ghost, Bozo
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He kept looking into the bright eyes, lost in the exuberance of the woman he had longed so much to meet. The past twenty years had not changed her much, just the crease that was gliding towards the sides of her face. Despite the age, her chocolate skin was almost radiating like that of a baby. Gray was the song of old age, yet her hair had failed to sing its songs. She fitted the picture he knew since he was still ten years. Nothing about her had changed nothing.She has been through a lot. Guilt crawled through Bozo's stomach triggering regrets and maybes. He should have remained here to help her. He should have found her earlier.“You are my son? You are…Bozo?”“How did you know my name, Mmechi made sure we remained hidden from the rest of the village?” Bozo said as he helped her to her feet. He could still hear the rustle and the crushing leaves, he still remembered the night when Mmechi had smuggled them out of the village, for
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Cold went through her nape as she went on down the lonely path. Raining season had pathways for the harmattan wind, which fogged the treetops like the smoke of a burning bush. Until today, coming here wouldn't have crossed her mind in ages. It's been a long time and every step into the forest flushes back the memory. How long has it been? Why was the forest notorious for harboring evil?Ejima steadied her hands on her staff. The burning sensation on her side was still there and her head ached. She needed a good sleep. She needs to clear her mind. Life has indeed dealt with her, she could sense the heavy stripes on her soul and the weight crashing on her shoulders. It has always been from one problem to another, one death or misfortune to another. She was the victim. Maybe the villagers were right? Maybe the words of the Dibia were right? Maybe she indeed was a daughter of misfortune.No, that can't be. A voice assured in her head as she continued. She had not met anyon
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The almond eyes flashed into Ejima's memory and instantly she could place the horny skin and the rich dark hair that had turned grey. "My goodness. What happened to you? You look-" "Old?" Mmechi laughed, "Ije Uwa. Constantly working on the farm, with the sun blistering its heat on your head could leave your hair as snow white as mine." She laughed again. "But those are the good days. It brought me here." "You look fine." Ejima smiled. The woman's hunchback was gone and even though Ejima would love to know how she didn't ask. With the misery that came with the woman's condition, Ejima decided to keep that part aside. Unless Mmechi told her along the line, she was not ready to prey out the information. The past should remain buried sometimes. "I never thought I would see you again." Ejima helped herself out of the bed. Mmechi was already lost in thought. The woman was once her servant. Ejima had taken her in after the villagers had condemned her because
EJIMA CHAPTER 65
She opened her eyes to the pounding noise of the mortar and pestle. It sounded distant at first, yet the tantrum on her head, registered like two stones, rubbing over one another. It was a dark room, candled by a dim light, burning wastefully by her right. Horrible-looking creatures hung on the ceilings. Skull of animals, different types and breeds. The soapy smell also made her rub her nose, she couldn’t help but think of some dead fish, left by the riverside to decay. Not that it affected her much, the headache and the occasional blurring vision left her in doubt. Maybe she had hit her head on something. It was hard to tell. But she remembered lying on the cave bed and begging Uche for her life. He had not freed her, the blood lust had driven him into stabbing her continuously with his dagger. And she had...is this the land of the dead? “You are awake.” The pounding noise ceased as an old woman appeared, smiling weakly at her. Her hands were a tendril of vein
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Another wave of dust followed the marching feet as the men snailed through the mountain peaks like migrating ants. From one end of the hill to the far side on the horizon, war songs upheld the calmness that once asserted the forest. There were at least a hundred men on horseback and a thousand or so on foot. These were husbands, fathers, farmers, brothers, and uncles. Before now, they were familiar with pitchforks, knives, and other household materials. But not anymore. Years of torture and torment from the Freeborns have drilled them into valiant warriors of anger and vengeance. They were fearless and would battle anything that stood in their way. While some people in the council had argued about their brutality, the truth no one was seeing was the fact that these men had kept the land safe for the past fifty years. It was the will to keep their family and loved ones from oppression that kept them going. That love was so stronger than any force in the universe.Bozo deepened
