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67 SEPARATING ILLUSION FROM REALITY
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2022-07-26 19:34:29Related chapters
Rayuwa 68 ACCEPTING REALITY
SAFIA. I sat on the floor, completely lost in thoughts. When I finally stood up to see Aishatu, she knelt in front of me. "Ancient one. Take me as your servant; wherever you go, I will follow and do all your biddings." She pledged, and I was speechless. "No, Aishatu, rise, please," I said. Her face dropped, and she became worried when I asked her to rise. "Please let me be your servant. Let me serve you." She pleaded. "You have to accept her." A tiny voice said in my head. And I realised that everything had become real. I was now a deity, and people will kneel, worship and make vows to me. The earlier I accepted my new fate, the better it would be, not only for myself but for the people of Lafiya. Aljannan Daji had wronged me deeply; she took my son, killed all my unborn children and killed my husband. She had kept an island in bondage for so long that the people didn't even know the meaning of freedom. This was an opportunity to get my revenge and liberate my people. Mai'Aljannu
Last Updated : 2022-07-26Rayuwa 69 THE RETURN OF BAMALI
BAMALI Buchum was as peaceful as I had left it. The sky was still red, and the vegetation remained the same, but there was peace. I watched a bird fly above my head; it was apparent it was carrying a message. The pigeons were customarily used to send urgent news. Only the gods knew what story the pigeon was taking. I did not intend to report to the palace until later, so I went home. My wife sat outside, staring at nothing. It was clear that she was deep in thought. I cleared my throat a couple of times before I could capture her attention. When she finally looked at me, there was distance in her eyes. Her emotions were mixed, and she was having trouble expressing it. She stood up and ambled to where I stood. I was speechless; I did not know what to say to her. I had messed up and put her and our son in danger. My actions had brought my family shame and disgrace. Deep down, I didn't think I would find her at home, but there she was, in front of me, trying to understand who I was. I
Last Updated : 2022-07-26Rayuwa 70 TIME TO GO HOME
SAFIA It was time for me to return to Buchum. Aishatu was coming with me, so we packed all that we needed. I thought the journey back to Buchum would be as short as my journey to the forbidden forest, but I was wrong. Aishatu told me it would take us six days by foot and three days on horseback. Ruhun Daji assured me that it would take longer than that because we would need to liberate and restore the people and land on our journey. The people of Ruckum had gifted us with food, money, a buggy and horses for the trip. Ruhun Daji told me that my journey with Mai' Ajannu was short because he aided us with his powers. I felt used and abused. I wanted revenge, but Ruhun Daji kicked against it and told me that I would need Mai'Aljannu. She also said to me that we were even because he had saved my daughter's life. She refused to tell me how he did it, but she informed me to look forward to working with him. She assured me that everything happened according to fate. If he hadn't deceived m
Last Updated : 2022-07-26Rayuwa 71 IN BUCHUM, RAYUWA
BAMALI I had failed at the task given to me by the deity. I became nervous, unaware of the consequences of my failure. When I went on the quest for power, I never imagined that I would go through so much hardship. My life before the quest was simple and easier; now, everything had changed. I was no longer, the chief Boka of Rayuwa. I was only regarded as a noble because of my lineage and blood ties to the current Saraunia, Hajara. I was nothing but the priest of a deity that would soon be forgotten. I strongly believed that Aljannan'Daji wasn't handling the situation well. Her arrogance and overconfidence would be her downfall. Lafiya had forgotten a deity once; they could do it again. I needed to try and talk some sense into her. She needed to set aside her bloodthirst for once and please the people. Lafiya's condition was now too dire for her to expect total dedication from them. Already I have heard news that people from Rukum and the neighbouring settlement had turned away from h
Last Updated : 2022-07-31Rayuwa 72 IN BUCHUM RAYUWA (continuation)
SAFIA I watched as Mai'Karfi worked on the spell to summon Mai'Aljannu. I had seen him do it before, so I wasn't surprised. While we watched him, a man ran into the palace throne room wailing and crying. "Save me! Please Save me!" he laid flat-faced down towards the throne. "What is it now, Bamali?" the Sarki asked. I was shocked to see Bamaili in such a state. He was from the lineage of the great priests of Lafiya. I knew him as the chief Boka. I did not know what had happened to him. "I need help. I need Mai'Aljannu to help me." He cried. "Stand up and speak. What has happened?" The Sarki asked. "Aljannan'Daji. She wants me to sacrifice my children to her because I refused to sacrifice people to her. She wants to use it to bring Dagudu to enforce her rule in Lafiya." He wailed. Everyone was in total shock. "Are you sure about what you are saying?" the chief Farmer asked. Bamali nodded frantically. "Yes, yes. She visited me." "Find a place to sit down," the Sarki instructed,
Last Updated : 2022-07-31Rayuwa 73 HOLIDAY AND HOME
ADAM. The honeymoon so far had been great. Watching how amazed Binta was by everything she saw made me realise how privileged I had been to be royalty and not a commoner. The things that amazed her were things I took for granted like fast food, intercontinental meals, phones, computers, cinemas, amusement parks, cars, the jet, I could go on and on. Binta was also wise enough not to show her amusement when in the presence of others. She knew she was truly free, and she behaved as such. Everything was finally right with the world. I had no troubles anymore. Our future together depended on how we both chose to live it. My prayers were answered. The only thing that bothered me was becoming the Sarki of Rayuwa. That place was a prison, and I would have given anything if it were possible to give away my birthright, but I couldn't. Therefore, I intend to enjoy myself until it was time for us to return permanently to Rayuwa. After a long day of touring the city of Venice on a boat, we retu
Last Updated : 2022-07-31Rayuwa 74 FEAR AND RESOLVE
Laila. As we docked at the shores of Rayuwa, my heart began to beat fast. Maryam had assured me I had nothing to worry about, and as long as we were together, no one would dare harm me even though her father had banned me from the island. Adam's mother was also with us, but she had no clue what was going on. Maryam had convinced her mother to follow, claiming it was a life and death situation, and the Sarauniya had obliged her. "You are not welcome here," a guard at the docks said to me, barring my entrance. "Not to worry, we invited her," Maryam said to the guard. He hesitated, but when he saw the Sarauniya coming toward us, he stepped out of the way. Maryam did not have the power or authority to overturn her father's decree neither did her mother, but her mother commanded the same respect as her father, and she had used it to let me gain access to Rayuwa. I hoped her plan would work because I remembered my last encounter with the Sarki was unpleasant. After my father had beaten
Last Updated : 2022-07-31Rayuwa 75 WHITE AND BLACKMAIL
Laila. Everyone avoided me that day. I was ordered to remain in my room until I was called; I felt like a prisoner. The queen specifically sent orders not to allow me wander about the palace. Food was brought to me. The maidens that attended to my needs were rude, but I couldn't complain. I knew what I was getting myself into. All I had to do was wait it out. My father wanted to be related to the Sarki by all means; he had finally got his wish at my expense and at the expense of all those who would be affected negatively by this. One of the maidens was nice to me, and she informed me that the Sarki had sent for my father. I had mixed emotions about my father. As much as I loved him, he had sold me cheap. He had never cared for me, and this was evident. Later in the evening, I was summoned to the throne room. My father was seated on one of the floor cushions. Our station had descended so low, and my father still had no shame. "May you live long, your majesty." I squatted to greet t
Last Updated : 2022-07-31
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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
