Chapter 7: The old woman of the cave

"Ezeudo!" An old woman who was known as the old woman of the cave called as she approached the king's palace. 

She was halted at the entrance of the king's palace by the king's guards. If only they knew why she left her cave, they would have given her an easy passage. Her face was filled with excitement, however, the guards failed to notice. 

The old woman was banished from the community by the King's father after she was accused of witchcraft. The woman left the village and settled in a cave that was situated outside the village, at the boundary between Uzofia community and Ohanta community. 

Since she left the village, people had been visiting her secretly when they need spiritual help. They believed she wined and dined with spirits. All those who sought her help got the help they needed. 

She was not to be seen anywhere around the village. This was why the guards recognized her and denied her entrance. The old woman continued screaming. 

"Ezeudo! Ezeudo!!"

Ezeudo was caught off guard by the presence of the old woman. Astonishment was clearly seen on his face. As the traditional ruler of Ohanta Kingdom, he was not supposed to be seen anywhere around the woman. He recalled the secret journey he made five years ago and why he did that.

His reign had nearly come to an end when Ajonwa took his daughter, the only Princess of Ohanta who was just fifteen years old. The thought of what she would face in the den of a lion devastated the king. He was thrown into mourning for one full year. 

The people of Ohanta were sad about the disappearance of the Princess. Some were happy because no king had ever made an attempt to put an end to the nightmare. The villagers believed the king and his predecessors were reluctant in view of the fact that none of them had experienced what the people had been experiencing on yearly basis. 

Having felt what the people feel each time their children got kidnapped, the king decided to sit up and take a bold step secretly. 

"Are you going to leave me here?" The old woman's words brought Ezeudo back to reality. 

"Let her in!" 

Ezeudo ordered the guards at the entrance of the palace who stopped the old woman from entering. She was ushered into the king's courtyard. The woman strode happily and Ezeudo wondered why she was happy. 

"You were banished from this Kingdom by my predecessor on account of sorcery and witchcraft, what are you doing in my Palace?" Ezeudo asked. 

"Oh really? You should have thought of that before you visited my abode crying like a newborn baby." the old woman said contemptuously. 

"Are you here to mock me?"

"No, but to tell you that the egg laid by your hen has hatched." 

"Sit down," Ezeudo said pointing at one of the wooden chairs in the Palace courtyard. The old woman sat down on one of the chairs and fixed her humorous grey eyes on the king. 

"How many chicks do I have?"

"One!" The old woman responded. Her response amused the king and he laughed. 

"Woman, please tell me why you are here. You need to leave this Palace at once before people see you here."

"They saw me coming, but none of them have not visited me secretly."

"Five seasons ago, you visited my abode. You cried like a wounded warrior. The Princess of Ohanta, the mirror that reflects beauty has been taken by the evil spirit, who has caused so much pain in this community."

Ezeudo lowered his gaze, tears flew down his cheeks. He wiped his tears with his palm.

"The messenger you asked for is on its way to Ohanta Kingdom!" A bright smile was fixed on the old woman's broad face as she opened her toothless mouth. 

Ezeudo rose up from his royal chair. His mouth felt suddenly dry, and goosebumps sprang up all over his bare arms. His hand on his chest, Ezeudo recalled what he felt the day her daughter disappeared. 

"The gods have finally accepted your sacrifice and your request considered." The old woman said.

"Please, woman of the cave, tell me where the messenger is right now. I hope he is well equipped? I know he would be, he is a messenger from the gods. Where is he now?" Ezeudo asked with a shaky voice. 

"One question at a time your Majesty." 

"Ikenga! Ikenga!!"

"Father!"

"Please come"

Ikenga was the first son of the king, the crown Prince of Ohanta. He was barely four years old when her sister was kidnapped. 

"Take your brother to your mother's chamber. I want to make use of your chamber, go go go."

"Agu!"

"Your Majesty!" One of the guards outside the courtyard answered. 

"Please come" Agu bowed before the king. 

"Go to my sons' chambers and put it in order. A messenger is on its way to this Kingdom. He is not an ordinary messenger, but one from the gods!" Ezeudo laughed victoriously. 

"The messenger is in Mazi Ileka's household." The old woman chipped in. 

"Mazi Ileka,  from which community?" 

"Mazi Ileka from Ajala village." 

"My Kingdom? Oh! I'll fetch him at once. Agu, let's go." 

"Your Majesty! Please wait!" 

"I'll see you when I return, in fact, you can go back to your cave. Tell the gods that their message was well received and I am grateful." Ezeudo said with so much happiness as he mount on his horse back, his guard did the same. 

Ezeudo and his guard left the old woman in the palace courtyard and went in search of the messenger from the gods. 

The third wife of Ezeudo hastened to the courtyard to find out what was after them. She was disconcerted by the sight of the old woman. 

"There is no need to be disconcerted my daughter, your secret is safe but please stop. The road which you have chosen leads to destruction." The woman told the Queen who was already shivering. 

The road to Ajala townlet seemed as though it had been extended by Ajonwa deity. Ezeudo had no time to exchange pleasantries, so all the people who met them on their way were disappointed by his silence. He had a lot going on in his head. He wished the messenger of the gods would go down to Ajonwa's shrine and rescue his daughter immediately. 

Ezeudo breathed a sigh of relief when he entered Mazi Ileka's compound.