Anine looked at her mother-in-law and smiled. "Mother, it's a long story," Anine said. Kasie, who had been out surveying the surroundings stepped into the cottage. "Kasie where went you been?" Ogom asked. "Allow the boy to explore the environment. Everything you see here belongs to him. This is his father's land." Uzo said. "Father, I saw some yams in the barn, I hope you won't mind if I roast some?" Kasie asked. "The barn is yours you can roast the barn itself if you want," Mazi Ileka said and everyone laughed. "You are pampering him already," Ogom teased. "Father has always been like that. He loves and pampers children a lot," Anine said jokingly. "Kasie, please roast yams that would be enough for all of us. We are hungry too." Uzo said. Kasie took off for the barn while they continue their discussions. "Anine, tell us how you met Kasie and the first thing that came to your mind when you saw him," Uzo asked. "Mother, I was on my way to Uzoma's house when I saw me
"Father, the villagers, why were they here?" Anine asked ignoring Uzo totally. There was stillness everywhere and Anine became more anxious. "Where is my daughter? Where is Ije, Mother?" Anine stood up and was about to leave the hut. Uzo stood in her way. "Sit down, Anine," Uzo said with a lot of calmness in her voice. Anine sat down gently as though the chair would smash if was not careful. "Your father cried as he has never done. The villagers came to find out why he gave out such a loud cry in the early hours." Uzo explained. Anine turned and clasped her father's hand. "Father, what happened?" "Ije....has... gone..." Mazi Ileka stuttered. Anine slowly dropped his hands which she held firmly. She stood up and walked towards the door as though she was going in search of her. Ogom looked at everybody in awe. "Who is Ije?" Ogom asked. "Her only daughter," Uzo mumbled without raising her face. "Ee..? Does she have a daughter? She did not tell me," Ogom muttered. "She
"Why do you choose to settle in Amaife community after what your useless husband did to you?" Uzo asked to break the silence. "They called me barren woman, some people said I am a man. I chose the community to show them that I am a woman and I'm not barren." Ogom smiled after explaining. "What was their reaction when they saw you with a baby bump?" Uzo asked. "They all believed I have been cursed by the gods hence the protruding stomach. However, my husband and his people came and apologized when I delivered my handsome boy." Ogom looked at her son who was more concerned about Anine. "Did you accept their apology?" "Yes, but I refused to go back to him." "He wanted you back?" Uzo further asked. "Yes, but I can't go back to him, not after the way he humiliated me." "Are you worried about what that old man said?" Kasie asked Anine who looked worried. Anine lifted her head and gaped at Kasie. "Yes, I'm a bit worried. I'm wondering if I would see Ajonwa deity with my mortal
It was four market days already and Ije had not returned. Her family knew she would not return home anytime soon. Anine woke up and was a bit nervous. She wondered what she would tell Ajonwa deity about the disappearance of her daughter. Just then, the door of her room opened, she looked up and saw Kasie standing at the door. "May I come in?" He requested. "Sure, please come, I'm so confused right now," Anine said with a sad tone. "Don't worry, everything will be alright. When you get to the shrine, tell Ajonwa that your daughter left the community while you were away. Ask for more time to search for her. I shall lead you out of this community when you return from the shrine, I promise. "I don't want to leave this community, Kasie. I'm tired of everything." "You must leave. You are a young and attractive woman. The deity might keep you as one of his wives." "May the gods forbid," Anine snapped her fingers. "I rather marry you than, allow the wicked deity to lay his filth
Aku walked into the chamber of Eze Ajonwa boldly and offered herself a seat. The chief priest stared at her and wondered how good the news she brought would sound. "What have you got, young lady?" He asked. "The girl you seek is at Ndikwe community, in the house of a man known as the hunter. His wife is dead and his son grew at the palace," Aku responded. The Chief Priest's face beamed with a smile. "Don't worry, you shall be rewarded soon for this information you just delivered." "When is the Princess leaving the shrine?" Aku asked. "I will send some men to the Ndikwe community now to go and fetch the girl. The Princess leaves as soon as they return with her." "If she doesn't leave this shrine in six days, I shall conceal all the information I got from her," Aku said and stood up to leave. "Do you still have any useful information that would be of any benefit?" The Chief Priest asked. "Yes," Aku responded. "Tell me." "It is about a man who the gods have chosen to dest
"Your majesty, some strangers are here to see you," one of the guards announced with a shaky voice. The king detected fear in his tone but he was too busy to ask him why he was so afraid. "Where is Ikenga?" Ezeudo asked. "He is in his chambers. A healer from Uzofia community just attended to his sick son," the guard responded. "Go, tell him to attend to the visitors and find out why they want to see me. As you can see, I'm attending to my visitor," Ezeudo said. The guard left immediately and ran to Ikenga's chambers. Ikenga was startled when the guard ran into his room as though he had seen a wild animal. "Dike! Who is after you?" Ikenga asked as he drew his sword. "Some...some...strangers are here to see the king but he is busy at the courtyard. He asked you to meet the visitors and find out what they want." "Who is after you, Dike? The king or the visitors?" Ikenga asked. "The visitors, they are strangers. They came with a four-wheeled donkey, and the maiden...." "Oh,
Mazi Ileka's compound looked more beautiful than what Ije expected. Kasie had transformed the whole compound and gave it a modern look. As the strongest man in the community, people pay to watch him wrestle with strong men from different communities. With that, he was able to make enough money and build houses that were more modern than an ordinary hut. The modern buildings changed the outlook of the compound. Some huts were raised down and new structures erected on the spot. Ije's favorite mango tree was also cut down and Kasie built an open hall where his father received visitors. The hall was named Obu. Ije was impressed with what she saw. A little girl of about five years old who was playing with her little brother in the middle of the compound screamed and ran into the Obu leaving his brother outside the moment Ije's cart drove into the compound. A man came out of the Obu and rescued the little boy who was scared to death. He turned and stared at the strangers. Mazi Ileka
Ezeudo and his cabinet arrived at Mazi Ileka's compound earlier than scheduled. The traditional ruler of Uzofia community, who was present at the king's palace yesterday was also among those who came to hear how Ije found the only mysterious sword that could destroy the deity. Ezeudo had not visited Mazi Ileka for quite a long time. He was dumbfounded when he entered the compound. "They are set to take the throne," Ezeudo whispered into Ikenga's ear. "The people of Ohanta are safe in their hands," Ikenga replied. Mazi Ileka led the king and his cabinet to his Obu after praising the king. He was surprised his young daughter summoned two kings and they obeyed. Some villagers who heard about Ije's arrival began to come in. Soon the whole hall was filled with people. No one wanted to be told. A seat was kept in the middle of the Obu. Those who had no seat stood, while some leaned against the wall. "Wake up, the people are waiting for you," Nwife said as he patted Ije's leg gently.
Ije took the enchanted sword and the wizard cloak around the whole communities. They all accepted to lift the ban. The traditional rulers had to search for a powerful sorcerer who would lift the ban. Ije stayed behind to make sure the people were extricated before going back to her community. The people organized a small ceremony for her and Nwife. They led them down to Ikpa land before bidding farewell to them. The youths of Ikpa insisted she must go with the four-wheeled donkey she won when she was on her way to Umuora. It was a straight journey back to Ohanta as they were already familiar with the paths. *********** "Where is the sword?" Ezeudo of Ohanta asked Ije when she had finished her story. "It has been taken down to the shrine," Ije responded. "By who?" The people chorused. "The only man I trusted with my life." The people looked around and saw Nwife standing at the entrance of the Obi with the Princess. Ezeudo could not believe he was looking at her daughter after so
It had been four years already since Ije and Nwife came to Umuora, but the star had refused to show up. Oja had tried everything possible to make sure he separated both of them, but all his efforts proved abortive. He realized they were so in love the day he caught Nwife giving Ije a sponge bathe. It took him one full moon to be himself again. Since the solution to the problem of the two communities lay in the wizard's cave, Ije had decided to stay as long as the star appeared. Nwife also tried to convince her to go and return when the start would likely appear, but he gave up on her insistence. Soon they began to explore the community and were quite happy with the people. The people treated Ije with so much kindness. She found it difficult to leave without liberating them. The long-awaited day had come and Nwife and Ije were on their bed. Since he had been the one bathing and cooking for her, Ije got so comfortable around him. She could tell him everything and do everything while
The morning dawned with low-hanging clouds. There was a calmness in the Palace as a result of the heavy downpour of rain. Oja who got his father's permission to speak with her in the early hours paused at Ije's door when he heard her talking to Nwife. He tried to eavesdrop but he could not hear what they were saying. He leaned against a wall and was lost in thought, trying to find a way of separating the two of them. A maid can with her breakfast and brought him back to reality. He took the food from her and knocked. Nwife let him in and tried to leave after greeting him. Oja waved at him to stop. Nwife knew he was jealous and would probably ask if he slept with her. "Thank you," Oja shook hands with him. Nwife accepted his handshake and stared surprisingly at him. "For what?" He asked. "For saving my brother last night." "She did; she is the healer," Nwife pointed at Ije. "You called her attention....em...one more thing...never mind, you can go now." Oja kept the food on a smal
Oja took Ije took home after exploring the community for some hours. Ozo loitered at the entrance of the Palace. He could not wait to see the chosen one who transformed his brother. Some villagers who heard what happened huddled at the Palace and were waiting patiently for her. Their joy knew no bounds. The women ran to her and hauled her up the moment she was spotted. Ozo stared appreciatively at her. He knew the end of their suffering had come. He had wished to explore other communities and bring in new knowledge. The people sang and danced for more than two hours. Food was served to them and they ate together and went back home. The king was surprised Ije ate comfortably with them. Soon she began to feel sleepy and needed to bathe before going to bed. Oja led her to the backyard, and Nwife followed them. He engaged Oja in a conversation just to make sure he was not stealing glances at her. They walked her back to her cottage when she was through. Nwife left them and joined Offia
"What did they need from the chosen one?" Nwife asked. Offia stood up and looked outside again to see if anyone was coming. He returned and took off the plantation leaves he used to cover his genitals and tried to put the wrapper on his waist just like Nwife tied his. Nwife stood, helped him and they sat down again. "The neighboring communities want to be sure the wizard is dead, secondly they want his enchanted sword and everything that belongs to him out of this community before they would accept our peace offer. This is where the chosen one comes in." "Your people should do what they asked of them. It is a very simple task, I thought they were demanding a hundred heads in retaliation for what the wizard did. "They said the wizard has a cloak. Anyone who touches it dies instantly. Besides; all the magicians who have gone to the cave to check if the wizard is alive or dead did not come out till today. No one knows what is happening inside the cave." "Wait....wait....wait....were y
"Nice wrapper," Offia, the third son of the king said as he touch Nwife's wrapper. Nwife opened his eyes, he could not believe he has been sleeping for the past three hours. The sun had gone down and the weather looked as though it was going to rain heavily. Nwife rubbed his hand on his eyes. He was very very tired. He looked at the figure that stood before him and quickly came down from the chair. "I'm sorry for trespassing, I have nowhere to go." Nwife said. "No problem. You are the stranger that came with the Queen this morning right?" Offia asked. Nwife nodded. Offia brought his hand forward for a handshake Nwife shook hands with him. "You are indeed a gentleman. I can't perform such a task," Offia said as he took a seat beside him. "What task?" Nwife asked. Offia turned and looked at him. "You are so naive. Are you castrated?" "Hmm...no...I'm not," Nwife responded. "Leading such a beautiful woman down to this community without defiling her is one of the greatest tasks ever
Ije turned was filled with empathy for Nwife. She stood still and held his gaze for some seconds. "Ife, I'm sorry, if....only they knew who you are.." Ije said slowly with a faint voice. Nwife drew her closer and hugged her tightly. He held her head on his chest. Her lips began to wander to his neck, sending his heartbeat into a frenzy. Nwife gently released himself from her arms. "The timing is wrong Ije," Nwife said as he walk her to the bed. He sat down and urged her to sit beside him. Ije sat down gently. "Each time I see you, I have a strong urge to do crazy things with you, I don't know why," Ije said as she held his gaze."I know, Ije, but it is not the reason for this move," Nwife grinned. "What is it?" "I'm scared; I don't know where we are and the plans they have for me. I don't know what to believe anymore. They know me as well as I know myself, but whatever happens, I want you to be my first." Nwife took her hand and rested her head on his shoulder. Nothing will happe
Ije and Nwife stood before Dike the traditional ruler of Umuora. The king stared at Nwife from head to toe. He took his eyes off him and stared admiringly at Ije. "Greetings your Highness," Ije greeted. "The chosen one! the great seer! And the healer of our time, you are welcome to my palace." Dike grinned at her. Ije and Nwife exchanged glances. Ije was confused already, but the presence of Nwife kept strengthening her. "Okemuo, the presiding deity of Umuora announced your coming five seasons ago. Since then we have been waiting for you. He described you very well," he grinned. "Welcome and please feel at home. There would be no ritual since you were sent by the gods. Oja, the first son of Umuora is your destined husband. Together you shall rule this Kingdom and break the barriers that stopped our people from stepping out of this community!" The people cheered and danced for joy. "Welcome, the chosen one! Oja!" Dike called. Oja bowed before the king."Do not provoke her. Remember
"I'll advise you to do whatever that brought you to this community and leave at once before Oja sees her." "Who is Oja?" Nwife asked. "Ojadike is the first son of king Dike," Ene said. Nwife made eye contact with Ije. He noticed she was worried about him. "Father, would you mind if we stay with you? Please." Nwife said. "The villagers have seen you already they would probably be on their way to the Palace. Oja will be here in no time." Ije stood up from the boulder and went to Nwife. He held her hand. "What do you seek in our community?" "It is a long story, father," Nwife said. "Make it short, I want to see if I can help so you will leave at once." "There is a deity that is terrorizing our community. We traced the origin down here. We need help, please." Nwife said. "Oh very simple. Does it have a speaker?" "What is a speaker?" Nwife asked. "A mouthpiece...a...I don't know what you call it." "Oh okay, we call them Chief Priest," Nwife said. "Good, ask the mouthpiece what