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022 JOURNEY INTO THE WILDERNESS 2
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2022-02-11 17:49:58Related chapters
Rayuwa 023 THE DECEITFUL GODS OF THE EVIL FOREST
SAFIA I was shocked to ride into a forest. Aisha and the wizard were waiting for me. "I need to talk to you two." Mai'Aljanu addressed both of us. "This place is treacherous. Everything here gives challenges humans are bound to fail. Do not drink the water, eat the food, follow, converse or trust any creature or being you come in contact with." I began wondering why he was telling us this. After all, we were simply going to mirror his actions and only do what he ordered us to. At least I knew that was what I planned on doing. So why the warning? "Looking at both of you, I can see you are wondering why I am telling you this. It is because the forest is alive, and it would test us individually and together. If we fail, we can't pass through, nor can we leave. If one of us fails, that person can neither pass through nor leave. Do you now understand?" We both nodded. What he told us was simple and clear enough. I immediately started to fear I might not return home. Somehow I began to
Last Updated : 2022-02-11Rayuwa 024 THE PLAN
Leila I knew I had work to do. Two weeks was too short a period for me to succeed. Knowing Adam very well, this was something that needed to be done with care. I had to be smart about it. I decided I would support the union, befriend Binta and make Adam trust me again. The only way I could do any real damage was to be close to them. I could see that Adam loved her, and there was absolutely nothing I could do from this distance. Zuwaira had gone to town to find out more information. I set out of my room to look for Adam and apologise for everything and congratulate him on his engagement. I also had to make sure Binta was there when I did this. That was the only way it could work. While looking for them, I learned the two lovebirds were in one of the gazebos in the garden. I set off to find them. A guard tried to block me from entering the garden, but I was able to charm my way through. It made me feel good to know I still had that effect on men. When I saw them, they were both lean
Last Updated : 2022-02-11Rayuwa 025 BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE
Adam Leaving the gazebo, I couldn't believe what had just happened. Leila came to apologise and beg. She practically humiliated herself. Her behaviour did surprise me. At first, I thought it was an act knowing who she was; she might have been up to no good, but when I humiliated her, and she remained, my doubts began to alleviate. Could it be that Leila had truly realised her mistakes and changed for the better? If so, I am happy for her because at the rate she was going, she was bound to harm herself and bring shame to her family. Binta surprised me. She didn't feel or look threatened by Leila. I guess it is because of our engagement. The engagement might have given her confidence, and I liked that. Though most people would see how I proposed to her as acting irrational, it was the right thing to do. She was perfect for me, and I loved her just the way she was. My father had sent for me, so I had to escort Binta to her room and then go to see him. Leila insisted on walking back to
Last Updated : 2022-02-11Rayuwa 026 IN THE WILDERNESS
SAFIA I woke up with a severe headache. There was a neighing sound, and I looked to see where it was coming from. It was my horse. Seeing him made me remember what happened before I passed out. I woke up, suddenly aware of my environment. It was already dark, and I was lying close to a fireplace. I knew I wasn't the one that made the fire, and that made me even more nervous. I knew I was breathing loud from fear, but I couldn't help it. "You need to calm yourself down." A voice said to me. It was the voice of a woman, and it was elderly. I looked around to see who was speaking, then I saw her. She was resting on a tree as if she was communicating with it. She had long grey hair, incredibly smooth skin and cat eyes. Apart from her voice and long hair, this woman showed no sign of ageing. When our eyes met, she smiled at me and stood up. "You need your energy." She said, handing me a steaming bowl. I collected it from her out of respect, but I was curious. "Please, who are you?" I as
Last Updated : 2022-02-11Rayuwa 027 BEGINNING OF AN INVESTIGATION
Binta Leila's behaviour had baffled me. If she was as proud as Adam said she was, then she was surely up to something. I was very uncomfortable with her stay in the first place, but I had no power there. It was up to the Sarki to send them packing. I made it a point of duty to make sure that happened. When the Sarki told me what happened to our development plans, I was despondent. I wondered how people could willingly choose to remain in the dark with so much light shining around them. Every state in our country, Lafiya, was developed except for our island, Rayuwa. Lafiya consisted of four states, with Duniya as the Capital. Fili state, Ruwa state, Daji State, and Gona state. Rayuwa Island and Duniya City were in Daji state. Unlike the other states that had governors, Daji state had a Sarki, the Sarki of Rayuwa ruled and governed Daji State, and he was the most powerful and influential of all the rulers in Lafiya. Our status in comparison to the other towns in our state baffled me.
Last Updated : 2022-02-11Rayuwa 028 SUSPICIONS AND CONFIRMATION
Adam I knew Binta was right about Leila and her cousin's stay in the Palace. The fact that Zuwaira had been asking questions about Binta made me upset. Since they were somehow my father's guests, not mine, I could not simply ask them to leave. I also knew my father would act faster if I had the proof. I had sent a guard to investigate Binta's claims. Once he returned, I would talk to my father. "Adam, good afternoon." I knew whose voice that was, and since I wasn't in the Palace, I knew there was a possibility Leila had been stalking me. "Good afternoon, Leila," I replied with indifference. The girl needed to get the message that I was no longer interested in her. "Haba," she started, "I thought we had agreed to be friends." She said and slowly walked close to me. I stepped back immediately. "Keep your distance Leila, and we agreed to no such thing. If you do not stop following me, I will order the guards to help you maintain your distance. And I do not want to see you or your co
Last Updated : 2022-02-16Rayuwa 029 A VOW AND A PROMISE
Leila There was a hard and loud pounding on my door, and I was mad. I opened it out of anger, and to my surprise, I saw armed palace guards. "Miss Leila, you have been summoned by the king along with your cousin, Miss Zuwaira." A guard announced. I wondered what the whole drama was about. "Ok, let him know I'll we will be there." I was about to close the door when the guard blocked it with his hands. "We are to bring you two immediately." He said. "What!" I exclaimed, "this is an embarrassment. This is harassment. Very well then, let me tie my scarf." I left the door open for them, and Zuwaira and I prepared to follow them. Deep down, I was scared. Whatever it was, it was obviously not good because of the way the guards had come to get us. I strongly wished my father hadn't left me with these people. If he weren't too ambitious, he would have just left things alone and let me move on, but he insisted, and now I am being treated like trash. When we got to the throne room, what I
Last Updated : 2022-02-16Rayuwa 030 IN THE WILDERNESS (The second and Final request)
SAFIA "What do you need my heart for?" I asked the woman. She smiled. "What is it used for?" She asked me, and I knew that was my answer. "What will happen to me if I share my heart with you?" I asked. "Well, nothing apart from the fact that I will be forever connected to you. It is not a bad thing, dear; in fact, you need me now and very soon." She replied. "For the third thing, whatever it is, here are my demands," I said, and she raised her eyebrows. "I see you are learning fast. I will listen, but I will not promise you." She said. "You will tell me why I am here and what has happened to me. You will help me get out of here. You will help me retrieve my son and protect my children and me, along with their descendants, forever." "Hehe hehe he," she began to laugh, and I felt stupid. "You are so demanding. I love your spirit. You see, unfortunately, I can grant you all but one. I am a deity, not a jinn, I have my limits, and I am weak. I am sorry, child, but no one can get yo
Last Updated : 2022-02-16
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Rayuwa 92 VAGABOND WORLD
SAFIA. Aishatu had succeeded in bringing the final and most crucial ingredient for Binta's ritual. I had warned her that Dagudu was on his way, and she had handled the matter beautifully. Although Bamali was not covenanted to us, he had shown his loyalty to our course. We couldn't allow him to get in trouble with the jinni. She still owned him. So we had to be careful. The-bond-that-binds you is usually a finger bone made from jinni cadaver. It is used to bind the holder's soul to the jinni he or she sold it to. Often the holders were clueless about it, and this is because they usually receive it in a dream, but in actual reality, it is their soul that receives it, but the experience is perceived as a dream. Bamalli was the only living being with the finger-bone, and I was glad he was on our side. The finger-bone was somehow tied to the jinni in question, so I was going to use it to gain entrance into her kingdom. Binta was laid beautifully on the floor in the middle of the compou
Rayuwa 91 NOW WE ACT FOR THE BIRDS
BAMALI. News about the sudden huge number of visitors arriving at Rayuwa baffled me. I knew what the people were, and I became scared. I had been unable to warn Safia about the jinni's ploy, and I worried that it was too late. I was a prisoner even in my home. Selling my soul had taken away my freedom. I once thought the people of Rayuwa were unfortunate prisoners; my situation made me realise that there were worse forms of thralldom than that which Rayuwa was in. At least the people of Rayuwa had the luxury of drinking the blessed water to sever their ties with the jinni. I could not drink the blessed water because it would not affect me. I had already sold my soul, and my only hope was that the jinni would be defeated. I prayed that I would one day be free. I did not know how my freedom would come. It would either be in life or death. I yearned most for life. Dagudu had successfully found a way to get close to Safia, and it made me worried. Couldn't she sense who he was? He had
Rayuwa 90 THE DECREE
ADAM My father had sent an order to the president instructing the people of Lafiya to throw out Aljanan Daji's altars from their homes and swear allegiance to the new deity. There were also instructions to bless the land. I thought my mother-in-law would be coming to bless the land herself, but I learned that it was going to rain for seven days instead, a form of cleansing. Those who were interested in serving the new deity were instructed to collect the rainwater and drink it to sever their blood ties to Aljannan Daji. The people were confused, and soon I had a crowd at my gate. People wanted answers, answers they knew they could only get from a royal. News also went around about what Laila had done at the party. It was linked to the decree by the king, and people had become scared. I knew I had to attend to the crowd of reporters outside. So I went out with the guards to address them and answer their questions. Since they couldn't all go to Rayuwa to interview my father, I was the
Rayuwa 89 THE PARTY
Laila. My mission in Duniya was heartwarming. I looked forward to doing good. With my long history of evil deeds, the mission the deity sent me on was a soul redeemer. Zuwaira and I had devised a plan to get our friends and their families to cross over. We knew it would be very difficult because the people were loyal to the old deity, and they were afraid of her too. The fear got worse when the sky turned red, and the plants began to die. The plague had worsened the situation. No one wanted to get on the deity's bad side for fear of her wrath. We had seen greater power than hers, and we were willing to fight for it. Since Adam was still sorry about what they had done to us in Rayuwa, I was able to persuade him to allow me to throw a party in the house. He didn't like the idea at first because of Binta's situation, but when I told him about what the deity had requested of us, he agreed. Watching the way everyone worked to help organise the party warmed my heart. I secretly wished t
Rayuwa 88 A SERVANT TO A SLAVE
BAMALI. Dagudu was unable to cope with the female body he occupied. The fact that the body was that of a fugitive made it worse. His magic was growing gradually. He was already more powerful than I was, and he wasn't yet at full capacity. I began to wonder what he would be capable of. He never left my side, and because of that, I was unable to communicate with Safia about the new developments. Unlike me, he had a telepathic connection with the jinni. More and more, I realised that I had sold my soul for way less. "Why did she put you in a female body?" I asked curiously. She could have as well killed two men instead of a man and a woman. I hated the sight of Dagudu, realising my daughter's body would have been his host sickened me the more. I had to be careful around him. Already the jinni had begun to withhold information from me; I didn't want to create more suspicion as that would put my life in danger. Not that my life was worth much, but I wanted to see the jinni defeated. "It
Rayuwa 87 A TRAP WELL SET
BAMALI "You betrayed me." I heard the King of jinnis say as he held his spouse by the throat. "You didn't bring me back. Why didn't you bring me back?" "I...I tried." She managed; I had never seen her so afraid. "But I had no priest. No one swore servitude to me until him." She said, pointing at me. I watched the man drop her and turn his attention towards me. His eyes were fire. I was sure the fire had burned the eyeballs of the body it occupied. Whatever was left of it was burned out, unless it was magical fire, but at the range we stood, the fire was real to me. Anyone that was afraid of Aljannan Daji would die from fear just by seeing this jinni. He had altered the body he occupied in the most hideous way. The skin was red, and steam exuded from him. He had two large black horns and one small horn in the centre of his head. He was huge, easily nine feet tall. His presence was evil and menacing. What had she unleashed upon us? While the jinni advanced toward me, I saw Aljanan Da
Rayuwa 86 FOREVER A SLAVE
BAMALI. After the incident in Safia's compound, I tried to find ways to make amends. What I did most of the time was to find a way to inform the deity of Aljannan Daji's plans. Without my help, the jinni had been able to trap two unfortunate people for Dagudu's resurrection ritual. I was taken to the forbidden forest to help prepare the items for the ritual. What I did not know was that I would have to be the one to slaughter the innocent people for the ritual to work. Apparently, the jinni could kill to feed, but a human had to sacrifice life to her for the blood to have any magical effect. The coldness of the situation brought chills to my spine. The fact that the unfortunate humans were fugitives did not make me feel better at all. Knowing the situation, I was sickened that the jinni would have made me sacrifice my children with my bare hands. If it wasn't for the fact that the deity could protect them, I would have killed myself if it had come to that. I had sent word to the dei
Rayuwa 85 MANY REASONS TO APOLOGISE
LAILA Shortly after the scene with the deity, we were escorted to my bedroom in the Palace. It was clear that the royal family were ashamed of what they had done to Zuwaira and me and tried to apologise by having the palace maidens pamper us. Everything that happened at our trial still shocked us. Binta was the daughter of a powerful deity. I couldn't believe it. The woman looked almost as young as Binta. The last time we were in Rayuwa, there was a rumour that her mother had gone missing. I began to believe it was all a sick joke. The people knew what we were up against and still set us up. That must have been the reason why our plans against Binta failed. It was also the reason why the Sarki and the entire council, in fact, the entire island, wanted Adam to marry Binta, so she would be the next queen. What beats having the daughter of a deity as queen? Was the main deity not Aljannan Daji? Who was Binta's mother? Was she Aljannan Daji. Aljannan Daji was the deity we all worshipped
Rayuwa 84 A SOLUTION?
ADAM Our arrival in Buchum Rayuwa was a shock to everyone. Binta was carried straight to the Palace. My father was in shock and hesitated to inform Safia of her daughter's predicament. "We have to tell her mother. She might be able to help." I tried to convince my father. "He is right, Umar. We can keep this from the deity; she will find out, and that will be worse." My mom said, trying to talk some sense into him. "What deity?" Ibrahim asked, confused. No one answered him. "Bring that witch for trial." My father said, refusing to send words to Safia. "The council isn't complete," I pointed out. "Right now, our energy should be spent on trying to save Binta's life. The trial can commence later." I pleaded. "The witch did it; she must have the antidote. She will solve the problem she caused with the right amount of pressure, and then I will behead her, her cousin and her family." My father said, and I could see the rage in his eyes. "What if she doesn't have the remedy and Bint
